When Cao Cao’s workers unearthed the gleaming spot, they uncovered a small bronze sparrow statue. Intrigued, he asked Xun You, “What omen is this?” Xun You replied, “In legend, Emperor Shun’s mother dreamed of a jade sparrow entering her arms before his miraculous birth. Finding this bronze sparrow must likewise be an auspicious sign.” Overjoyed, Cao Cao immediately ordered a grand platform erected above the Zhang River in its honor. His son Cao Zhi proposed a majestic design: three soaring pavilions— the central one called Bronze Sparrow, flanked by White Dragon on the left and Golden Phoenix on the right— connected by two skybridges. Cao Cao approved at once, predicting that its completion would delight him for years.
He left Cao Zhi and his eldest son Cao Pi in charge of construction at Ye, posting Zhang Yan to guard the northern camp. Having raised some half-million troops from Yuan Shao’s old forces, he led them back to Xuchang in triumph. He lavishly rewarded his generals, posthumously ennobled Guo Jia as Marquis Zhen, and adopted Jia’s son Yan into his household. While some urged immediate conquest of Jing and Xiang provinces, Xun Yu counseled restraint: “Our armies have just returned from the north. We should pause, consolidate strength for half a year, then strike Liu Biao or Sun Quan in one decisive blow.” Cao Cao agreed and dispatched troops to till the land in preparation.
Meanwhile, Liu Bei arrived in Jingzhou and was warmly received by Governor Liu Biao. One day, news came that the surrendered generals Zhang Wu and Chen Sun had rebelled at Jiangxia, plundering the countryside. Alarmed, Biao fretted, “These scoundrels threaten our peace!” But Liu Bei reassured him, “Fear not—I shall ride out at once to quell them.” Pleased, Biao gave him command of thirty thousand men. Liu Bei marched on Jiangxia at once. When Zhang Wu’s cavalry rode out to meet him, Zhao Yun recognized the magnificently bred steeds and exclaimed, “Those must be the famed thousand-li horses!” Before he finished speaking, Zhao Yun spurred forward alone, impaling Zhang Wu with a single lance thrust and dragging the reins of his steed back to Liu Bei’s ranks. Chen Sun charged to avenge his comrade, only to be met by Zhang Fei’s thunderous roar and a fatal spear thrust. The rebel troops scattered; Liu Bei pacified the region, accepted their surrender, and returned to Jingzhou, where Governor Biao hosted a grand victory feast.
Mid-banquet, Biao praised him: “Brother, your valor is Jingzhou’s great support—only I fear incursions from the south by the Nanman tribes, or threats from Zhang Lu and Sun Quan.” Liu Bei replied, “Entrust Zhang Fei to guard Nanman territories; have Zhao Yun secure Gubu City against Zhang Lu; let me hold the Three Gorges against Sun Quan. There is nothing to fear!” Biao was delighted and resolved to follow his counsel.
But Lady Cai, sister of the powerful minister Cai Mao, whispered to her brother: “Liu Bei’s three generals control the frontier while he holds Jingzhou—this cannot stand.” Late that night, she slipped into Biao’s bedchamber. “I hear the people of Jingzhou freely trade with Liu Bei,” she warned. “Letting him stay in the city is unwise. You should send him away.” Biao demurred, “Liu Bei is a man of virtue.” Cai retorted, “But how can you know his heart?” Pensive, Biao fell silent.
The next morning, Biao praised Liu Bei’s princely mount—one of Zhang Wu’s prized steeds—and accepted Liu Bei’s gift of the horse. A courtier, Kuai Yue, recognized its markings and warned that it was “the De’lu: a horse said to bring disaster to its rider.” Biao heeded his counsel. At a second feast, he told Liu Bei: “I fear your sojourn here is wasting your martial talents. The remote county of Xinye has abundant grain and shelter. Why not garrison your troops there?” Liu Bei accepted the suggestion.
As he departed Jingzhou to lead his men toward Xinye, a dignified stranger bowed before him. It was the scholar Yi Ji, who revealed he had overheard Lady Cai’s plan to expel Liu Bei. Ji begged Liu Bei to flee at once lest he be harmed. Though reluctant to leave Governor Biao’s service unannounced, Liu Bei thanked Yi Ji and rode hard through the night back to Xinye. By dawn, Lady Cai and Cai Mao’s troops reached the now-empty pavilion and discovered his flight too late. Cai Mao carved a poem mocking Liu Bei’s betrayal on the wall, then hurried to inform Governor Biao: “Liu Bei has rebelled—he left this poem as proof!” Biao rode to the pavilion in anger, but upon seeing the poem, he realized it was a ploy. He had the lines scraped away, cast aside his sword, and mounted to pursue.
Meanwhile, Zhang Fei and Zhao Yun, suspicious, swung their steeds to intercept Liu Bei near Tan Creek. Trapped at the water’s edge with Cai Mao’s soldiers closing in, Liu Bei despaired—his faithful horse De’lu’s hoof sank in the mud and nearly cost him his life. He called urgently, “De’lu! Today you fail me!” But in a dramatic leap, the horse sprang three zhang (nearly thirty feet) across the swollen creek, carrying Liu Bei to safety. As Cai Mao’s men galloped up, the crack of armor heralded the arrival of Zhao Yun and three hundred guards—turning the tide once more. Thus, by heaven’s favor and unwavering loyalty, Liu Bei escaped Cai Mao’s ambush, his exploits at Tan Creek becoming the stuff of legend.
