The strategist who offered advice was a wealthy man from Qu County, Donghai, named Mi Zhu, styled Zizhong. Once, returning home by carriage after doing business in Luoyang, he met a beautiful woman seeking a ride. Mi Zhu courteously stepped down and offered her his carriage, intending to walk. The woman, however, insisted he ride along. Mi Zhu took his seat, maintaining proper decorum and averting his eyes respectfully. After a few miles, the woman said farewell, remarking, “I am the Goddess of Fire from the South, sent by Heaven’s decree to burn your home tonight. Your courtesy has moved me, so I warn you: quickly remove your valuables.” With these words, she vanished.
Shocked, Mi Zhu rushed home, swiftly moving all his possessions outside. That night, indeed, a fire started from his kitchen, burning his entire house. Thereafter, Mi Zhu generously donated his wealth to aid the poor and distressed. Later, he served Tao Qian as an aide. Now, Mi Zhu proposed, “Allow me to personally go to Beihai and request Kong Rong to send troops. Another should go to Tian Kai in Qingzhou for assistance. With forces from both sides, Cao Cao will surely retreat.” Tao Qian agreed, wrote two letters, and asked who would volunteer to Qingzhou. Chen Deng from Guangling, styled Yuanlong, stepped forward. Tao Qian dispatched Chen Deng first, then sent Mi Zhu with the letter to Beihai, remaining behind to defend the city.
In Beihai was Kong Rong, styled Wenju, from Qufu in Lu. A descendant of Confucius, he was clever from youth. At ten, visiting Li Ying, governor of Henan, he was stopped by a gatekeeper. Rong said, “My family and Lord Li’s family have long-standing ties.” Upon entering, Li Ying asked their relationship. Rong replied, “Confucius once learned rites from Laozi. Are we not thus generations-old acquaintances?” Li Ying marveled. When Chen Wei commented, “Clever children do not always become wise adults,” Rong swiftly retorted, “Yet, adults who become wise must have been clever children.” Everyone laughed, predicting greatness for Rong. Later appointed governor of Beihai, he earned the people’s deep admiration through his generosity, often stating, “My only wish: a full hall of guests and cups never dry.”
One day, while hosting guests, Mi Zhu arrived from Xuzhou, presenting Tao Qian’s urgent plea: “Cao Cao’s siege is dire; we seek your rescue.” Kong Rong replied, “Tao Gongzu is my dear friend; how could I refuse now that Zizhong himself has come? Yet, Cao Cao bears me no grudge. First, I’ll send a letter proposing peace; if he rejects it, I’ll mobilize troops.” Mi Zhu said Cao Cao relied on military might and would refuse peace. Rong ordered his soldiers prepared and dispatched a messenger with the peace letter. Just then, news arrived: tens of thousands of Yellow Turban rebels led by Guan Hai were approaching Beihai.
Alarmed, Kong Rong immediately led troops out to confront Guan Hai, who demanded grain supplies. Rong rebuked him, “As an official of Han, I will never provide grain to bandits!” Enraged, Guan Hai attacked. Rong’s general, Zong Bao, fell quickly, causing chaos and retreat. Guan Hai besieged the city, plunging Rong and Mi Zhu into despair.
The next day, from the city walls, Rong saw the enemy’s overwhelming numbers and grew anxious. Suddenly, a warrior charged through the enemy lines, arriving at the gate shouting, “Open up!” Unsure of the warrior’s identity, Rong hesitated. After fending off several attackers single-handedly, the gates opened, welcoming him inside. Ascending the wall, the warrior introduced himself: “I am Taishi Ci, styled Ziyi, from Huang County, Donglai. Grateful for your generosity to my aged mother, she sent me to aid you.” Rong, delighted, honored Taishi Ci with fine armor and horses. Taishi Ci requested a thousand elite soldiers to battle the rebels outside, but Rong hesitated, citing the enemy’s strength. Taishi Ci, determined not to disappoint his mother, insisted on a desperate fight. Rong suggested seeking Liu Xuande’s assistance instead, lacking only a messenger. Taishi Ci volunteered immediately. He received Rong’s letter, armored himself, and burst out through enemy lines, killing many pursuers with his bow and spear, and reached Liu Bei overnight.
After presenting Kong Rong’s plea to Liu Bei, Taishi Ci explained, “Though unrelated to Kong Rong, our friendship compels me to assist. Guan Hai’s siege endangers Beihai. Hearing of your renowned benevolence, I came urgently seeking your help.” Deeply moved, Liu Bei agreed, leading three thousand elite soldiers alongside Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Taishi Ci toward Beihai.
Upon arrival, Guan Hai underestimated Liu Bei’s small force. Guan Yu swiftly defeated him, cutting him down in battle. Taishi Ci and Zhang Fei charged, scattering the rebels. Seeing this, Kong Rong sallied forth, crushing the rebels between their combined forces, achieving a decisive victory.
In celebration, Kong Rong hosted Liu Bei, recounting Cao Cao’s aggression toward Xuzhou and urging Liu Bei to assist Tao Qian. Initially reluctant due to limited troops, Liu Bei eventually agreed, promising aid after reinforcing from Gongsun Zan. Kong Rong consented, trusting Liu Bei’s integrity. Taishi Ci, having fulfilled his mission, bid farewell, declining rewards and returning to his mother, who praised his bravery and loyalty.
Thus ended Kong Rong’s immediate crisis, while Liu Bei departed to secure reinforcements, continuing his journey to save Tao Qian and confront Cao Cao.
