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[Assistant] The next day, Cao Cao invited all of his senior officials to a banquet in his private quarters. Dong Cheng was the only one who did not show up, blaming an illness.


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[Assistant] We have no entertainment for our banquet, but I have someone who can help everyone sober up. He then summoned 20 jailers and said, bring him.


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[Assistant] Moments later, the jailers dragged in Ji Ping, who is now wearing a kang, which is an ancient Chinese restraint, sort of like a pillory.


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[Assistant] This guy was scheming with wicked men to betray the court and assassinate me, Cao Cao told everyone.


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[Assistant] But now he has been foiled by the will of heaven. Let's hear what he has to say.


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[Assistant] So Cao Cao first ordered his men to beat Ji Ping again, and they beat him until he passed out, at which point they splashed him with water to wake him.


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[Assistant] As soon as he regained consciousness, Ji Ping opened his eyes wide, grinded his teeth, and cursed Cao Cao.


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[Assistant] Cao Cao, you rebel, why haven't you killed me yet, he said.


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[Assistant] You have six collaborators, so that would make seven of you all together, right? Cao Cao asked.


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[Assistant] But Ji Ping refused to answer and just kept on cursing Cao Cao. At this point, the four collaborators in attendance, Wang Zifu, Wu Zilan, Zhong Ji, and Wu Shuo, were sitting on pins and needles.


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[Assistant] Cao Cao ordered his men to keep beating Ji Ping and keep splashing him with water to keep him conscious. Yet, Ji Ping never wavered and showed no sign of begging for mercy.


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[Assistant] Denied a confession, Cao Cao eventually orders men to take Ji Ping away.


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[Assistant] After this, uhm, entertainment, the banquet broke up and the officials took their leave.


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[Assistant] However, Cao Cao asked the four collaborators to stay for dinner.


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[Assistant] These four were scared out of their wits by now, and they had no choice but to stay.


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[Assistant] I don't mean to keep you, but I wanted to ask you something, Cao Cao said to them. What were you four discussing with Dong Cheng?


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[Assistant] We have not been discussing anything of importance, Wang Zifu replied.


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[Assistant] What was written on the white cloth? Cao Cao pressed him.


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[Assistant] The collaborators try to pull a white cloth. What white cloth?


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[Assistant] But now Cao Cao summoned Qin Qingtong, the disgraced servant who had betrayed Dong Cheng, to dispute the collaborator's denial. Where did you see a white cloth? Guang Zifu asked him.


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[Assistant] The six of you gather in a private place and sign your names on the cloth, Qin Qingtong said. There is no point in denying it.


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[Assistant] This Jiang Zhuo was committing adultery with one of Dong Cheng's concubines and was punished for it, Wang Zifu said to Cao Cao.


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[Assistant] So he's making this up to try to get revenge. You cannot believe him.


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[Assistant] If Dong Cheng did not instruct Ji Ping to try to poison me, then who did? Cao Cao asked. The collaborators all said they had no idea, but this was getting them nowhere with Cao Cao.


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[Assistant] If you confess tonight, you might still be spared, Cao Cao said. If you wait until the truth comes out, it will be too late.


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[Assistant] Still, the collaborators maintained their innocence, at which point Cao Cao ordered them to be arrested and locked up.


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[Assistant] I was stricken with a minor illness, so I dare not go out, Dong Cheng said.


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[Assistant] You must have been sick with worry for the country, Cao Cao said.


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[Assistant] Bring the killer for the Imperial Brother-in-law's illness.


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[Assistant] As Dong Cheng watched helplessly, 20 jailers dragged in Ji Ping and threw him down at the foot of the steps. Ji Ping once again started cursing Cao Cao.


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[Assistant] This man, Cao Cao said to Dong Cheng as he pointed at Ji Ping, has implicated Wang Zifu and three others in a plot to poison me. I have already arrested them. There is still just one person who is at large. Cao Cao then turned to Ji Ping and said, Who instructed you to poison me? Confess, now!


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[Assistant] It was heaven that instructed me to kill the rebel. Jiping shot back.


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[Assistant] This continued display of defiance angered Cao Cao, and he ordered his men to beat Ji Ping once again. By now, Ji Ping's body was covered with wounds from the repeated torture. As he sat and watched, Dong Cheng felt as he was being stabbed in the heart.


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[Assistant] After the beating went on for a while, Cao Cao asked Ji Ping, Why are you missing a finger?


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[Assistant] I bit it off when I swore to kill the traitor.


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[Assistant] Well then, let's cut off your other nine fingers to help you swear your oath, Cao Cao said. He then had his men cut off the rest of Ji Ping's fingers. Still, Ji Ping did not waver.


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[Assistant] I still have a mouth to eat the rebel, a tongue to curse the rebel.


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[Assistant] Well, since he mentioned it, Cao Cao obliged him and told his men to cut off his tongue.


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[Assistant] But at that moment, Ji Ping said, Please don't. I can't take this torture anymore. I will confess. Please untie me first.


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[Assistant] When Cao Cao's men untied him, Ji Ping stood up, bowed toward the palace gates, and said,


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[Assistant] As soon as he finished bowing, Ji Ping ran head first into the stone steps and killed himself.


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[Assistant] Cao Cao showed no leniency even after his death, as he ordered his men to dismember Ji Ping and put his body parts on public display.


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[Assistant] So that's where this slave ran off to. I am going to kill him. Dong Chung said angrily.


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[Assistant] He is witness to a treasonous conspiracy. Who dares to kill him? Cao Cao said.


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[Assistant] Your Excellency, you cannot believe the words of an escaped servant, Dong Cheng said.


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[Assistant] I have already arrested Wang Zifu and the others, and they have already confessed. There is no point in you denying it, Cao Cao said.


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[Assistant] He then ordered his men to arrest Dong Cheng and search his sleeping quarters. Sure enough, they found the Emperor's decree and the pledge with all the conspirators' names on it.


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[Assistant] The god of you vermin, Cao Cao said with a smile as he read the two documents. He then gave the order to arrest everyone in Dong Cheng's household.


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[Assistant] This done, Cao Cao returned to his residence and showed the decree and pledge to his advisors.


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[Assistant] He wanted to depose the emperor and put someone else on the throne, but Cheng Yu was against it.


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[Assistant] The reason your Excellency can make your influence felt across the land and make the kingdom obey your commands is that you are acting in the name of the House of Han.


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[Assistant] Right now, we have not yet pacified the various lords of the realm. If you depose the emperor at this moment,


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[Assistant] It will give them an excuse to wage war against you.


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[Assistant] Cao Cao was swayed by this argument, so he decided to leave the emperor on the throne and settle for executing the five arrested conspirators and their entire families, which totaled some 700 people.


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[Assistant] Everyone who witnessed this massacre, be it officials or commoners, could not help but shed a tear. But Cao Cao still was not mollified.


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[Assistant] There was still the matter of Dong Cheng's sister, who was one of the Emperor's consorts. So Cao Cao stomped into the Imperial Palace with sword in hand to kill her.


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[Assistant] At this time, consort Dong was five months pregnant.


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[Assistant] That day, the emperor was sitting in his private quarters, talking with Empress Fu about why they had not yet heard anything from Dong Cheng.


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[Assistant] Suddenly, they saw Cao Cao enter with his sword in a look of anguish, which made the Emperor turn pale.


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[Assistant] By now, Cao Cao's guards had dragged Consort Dong into the room.


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[Assistant] Knowing Cao Cao's purpose, the Emperor tried to beg for leniency.


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[Assistant] She is five months pregnant. Please show mercy, he said.


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[Assistant] You can keep her confined until she gives birth before executing her.


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[Assistant] And what? Leave a rebellious seed to avenge his mother?


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[Assistant] Knowing that all hope was lost, Consort Dong wept and said,


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[Assistant] Please allow me to die with my corpse intact and do not expose my body. Now this Cao Cao was willing to grant.


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[Assistant] He ordered his men to bring out a length of white cloth.


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[Assistant] The traditional instrument for imperial strangulations.


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[Assistant] Please do not hold a grudge against me in the afterlife, the Emperor said to his consort, as he and the Empress both wept bitterly. But Cao Cao was unsympathetic. Quit stalling, he shouted, and he ordered his guards to drag Consort Dong outside and strangle her. So think about what Cao Cao has done here.


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[Assistant] He has executed some 700 people, including the Emperor's brother-in-law, the Emperor's lover, and the Emperor's progeny.


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[Assistant] By any measure, this would be way over the line for someone who supposedly served the emperor.


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[Assistant] But of course, we all know who's really calling the shots here.


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[Assistant] Someone later wrote a poem lamenting Consort Dong's death and the state of affairs that allowed it to happen. The majesty that graced her could not save her.


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[Assistant] Grieve for the dragon seed aborted with her life. The supposed royal one could only lift his hand to scream from welling eyes his undefended wife.


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[Assistant] Say that for the moment. Cao Cao summoned the palace security officer and instructed him that from now on, if any member of the imperial clan tried to enter the palace without his orders, they were to be executed without exception.


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[Assistant] If any pound of scars failed to keep them out, they would suffer the same fate.


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[Assistant] He then put 3,000 trusted men into the ranks of the palace guards and put his clansman Cao Hong in charge of them.


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[Assistant] But Cao Cao had not quite killed everyone connected to the conspiracy. There was still the matter of Liu Bei and Ma Teng, who were both far away from the capital.


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[Assistant] So Cao Cao asked Cheng Yu what to do about those two.


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[Assistant] Ma Teng is garrisoning his army at Xiliang and cannot be taken easily, Cheng Yu said. You should send him greetings to avoid him getting suspicious. Then you can lure him to the capital and deal with him then.


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[Assistant] As for Liu Bei, he is in Xu province and has deployed his forces in a pincer formation. We should not underestimate him.


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[Assistant] Right now, Yuan Shao has stationed forces at Guandu and harbors intentions to move on the capital.


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[Assistant] As soon as we move on Xu province, Liu Bei would no doubt ask Yuan Shao for help.


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[Assistant] If we do not attack him now, once he gains his wings he would be difficult to defeat.


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[Assistant] As for Yuan Shao, even though he has vast troops, he is indecisive and therefore no concern.


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[Assistant] At that moment, another advisor, Guo Jia entered, and Cao Cao asked him for his thoughts.


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[Assistant] Yuan Shao is indecisive and paranoid, Guo Jia replied. And his advisors are jealous of each other, therefore he is of no concern.


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[Assistant] Liu Bei has just recently organized his forces, and their loyalties are not yet firm.


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[Assistant] If your excellency moves against him now, you can wipe him out in one battle. My thoughts exactly, Cao Cao said.


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[Assistant] And so he began to mobilize 200,000 troops and divided it into five armies, all advancing on Xu Province.


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[Assistant] When Liu Bei heard about this, he discussed it with his advisor Sun Qian, and they decided that the best course of action was to ask Yuan Shao for help.


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[Assistant] So, Liu Bei wrote a letter and sent Sun Qian to Hebei.


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[Assistant] When he got there, Sun Qian first went to see one of Yuan Shao's top advisors, Tian Feng, and asked him to help make introductions and to speak on Liu Bei's behalf.


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[Assistant] Tian Feng did so, and he led Sun Qian in to see Yuan Shao.


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[Assistant] But when they got there, they noticed that Yuan Shao was looking emaciated and his attire was a mess. What's wrong my lord? Tian Feng asked. My life is over! Yuan Shao cried. Why do you say that my lord? Tian Feng asked.


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[Assistant] I have five sons, but the youngest one is my favorite. But he has been stricken with scabies and is on the brink of death. I am not in the mood to think about anything else.


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[Assistant] But right now Cao Cao's leading an expedition against Xu province, Tian Feng said. The capital is vulnerable.


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[Assistant] If we attack now, we can protect the emperor and save the common people. This is a rare opportunity. Please take advantage of it, my lord.


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[Assistant] I know that it is the best course of action, Yuan Shao said. But my mind is distracted. I fear something may go wrong.


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[Assistant] What is there to distract you? Tian Feng asked once again.


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[Assistant] Of my five sons, the youngest one alone has great potential, Yuan Shao said.


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[Assistant] If he runs into difficulties, he is welcome to come join me, and I will help him.


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[Assistant] Well, by modern standards, you can't really fault Yuan Shao too much for being concerned about the life of his son.


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[Assistant] But by the standards of the times, being a family man was more a liability than a strength for someone with ambitions of empire.


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[Assistant] And Tian Feng said as much as he stamped his staff into the ground in disgust.


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[Assistant] To lose such a golden opportunity because of a sick infant. He sighed as he walked out. Our cause is lost. What a shame.


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[Assistant] So Sun Qian had no choice but to go back to Xiao Pei and tell Liu Bei that no help was coming.


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[Assistant] So what do we do now? A stunned Liu Bei asked. Brother, do not be concerned, Zhang Fei said.


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[Assistant] Cao Cao's army is traveling a great distance to get here, so they must be tired.


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[Assistant] If we raid their camp when they first get here, we can defeat them.


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[Assistant] I had always thought you were all brawn, Liu Bei said, but you used deception to capture Liu Dai, and now this suggestion does fit with the art of war.


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[Assistant] So Liu Bei consented and prepared his forces for a raid.


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[Assistant] Meanwhile, as Cao Cao led his army towards Xiao Pei, a sudden gale kicked up, and with the sound of a loud crack, snapped one of the banners. Cao Cao ordered his forces to stop as he assembled his advisors to ascertain what this omen meant.


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[Assistant] Which direction was the wind blowing from? What color was the banner that broke? Xun Yu asked.


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[Assistant] Then this must mean that Liu Bei is coming to raid our camp tonight, Xun Yu said. Cao Cao nodded in agreement.


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[Assistant] Just then, the officer Mao Jie came in and asked Cao Cao if he knew what the omen meant.


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[Assistant] Cao Cao turned the question around and asked Mao Jie what he thought.


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[Assistant] I think it means someone is going to raid our camp tonight.


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[Assistant] Well, either there were a lot of fortune tellers on Cao Cao's staff, or this night ray idea was so obvious that everyone thought of it. I mean, even Jiang Fei thought of it, after all. Heaven is on our side, Cao Cao said. We must be on the lookout.


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[Assistant] So he divided his army into nine squads. Only one squad would stay in the camp as lure, while the other eight lay in hiding outside. That night, the moon was dim.


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[Assistant] Liu Bei and Zhang Fei each let a force out of Xiao Pei, with Liu Bei on the left and Zhang Fei on the right. They only left Sun Qian to guard the city.


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[Assistant] Zhang Fei, thinking that his plan was about to succeed, led his light cavalry in front and stormed into Cao Cao's camp. But there, they only found a small number of enemy troops. Just then, torches lit up all around the camp, and the cries of soldiers rose up in every direction.


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[Assistant] Zhang Fei knew that he had fallen for a trap. Before he could get out of the camp, eight squads of enemy forces arrived from eight directions.


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[Assistant] So not only was Zhang Fei surrounded, but he was surrounded by Cao Cao's best generals.


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[Assistant] Zhang Fei rode here and there and he tried to fend off attacks from all sides. But while he was busy doing that, his men were busy defecting.


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[Assistant] Remember, these guys were all Cao Cao's soldiers not that long ago.


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[Assistant] And now that things were going sour for Liu Bei, they quickly surrendered.


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[Assistant] As Zhang Fei was fighting, he ran into Xu Huang, and they tangled for a long while.


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[Assistant] Then Yue Jin arrived from behind, and Zhang Fei knew that he was outnumbered, so he carved out a bloody path and managed to break out, with only a few dozen riders by his side. He wanted to return to Xiao Pei, but the path back to the city was cut off. He thought about going to Xia Pi, where Guan Yu was stationed.


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[Assistant] But then he was concerned about being cut off in that direction as well.


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[Assistant] With nowhere to go, he decided to seek refuge on Mount Maandang.


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[Assistant] Which he had done once before when things did not go well in battle, so off he went.


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[Assistant] Now, as for Liu Bei, when his forces near Cao Cao's camp, roars rose up, and an army stormed out from behind him and cut him off from half of his troops.


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[Assistant] Then Xiaodun got there, and Liu Bei knew that he was in over his head, so he turned and ran. When he looked back,


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[Assistant] He tried to turn towards Xiao Pei, but saw flames rising up in the city, which could not be good.


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[Assistant] So he turned towards Xu province and Xiapi, but there was a sea of enemy troops between him and those destinations. With no way to get through, Liu Bei thought,


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[Assistant] Yuan Shao has said if I run into difficulties, I can go join him. Why not take him up on it, and seek temporary refuge there, and figure out what to do next?


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[Assistant] So he rode toward Qing province, one of the provinces under Yuan Shao's control.


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[Assistant] Along the way, one of Cao Cao's generals, Li Dian, blocked his way.


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[Assistant] Liu Bei alone managed to slip through and he continued to flee north, while Li Dian contended himself with picking off Liu Bei's entourage.


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[Assistant] So now, Liu Bei was all alone. He traveled more than a hundred miles in one day to arrive at the capital of Qing province. The guards asked for his name and reported to the province's imperial protector, who was Yuan Shao's eldest son, Yuan Tan. This Yuan Tan had long admired Liu Bei. When he heard that Liu Bei had arrived alone,


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[Assistant] He immediately opened the gates, welcomed in Liu Bei.


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[Assistant] to his official quarters and asked why he was there.


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[Assistant] He led his staff more than 10 miles out of the county of Ye to welcome Liu Bei, who bowed and thanked him.


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[Assistant] I failed to come to your aid because of my child's illness and has made me feel restless, Yuan Shao said. But fortune has brought us together, fulfilling one of my lifelong dreams.


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[Assistant] I am weak and pitiful, Liu Bei said. I have long wanted to join you, but never had the opportunity.


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[Assistant] When Cao Cao attacked, I even lost my family.


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[Assistant] I know that you welcome people from all over, so I have come to join you. Shameful though it may be, I hope you will take me in. I promise to repay you.


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[Assistant] Yuan Xiao was delighted and invited Liu Bei to stay with him in Yi province. So that's where we will leave Liu Bei for now. But what of his family back in Xu province? And what about Guan Yu?


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[Assistant] Who was presently in Xiapi, with no knowledge of what had happened to his brothers.


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[Assistant] To find out, tune in to the next episode of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms podcast. Thanks for listening.


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[Assistant] Welcome to the Romance of the Three Kingdoms Podcast. This is episode 35.


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[Assistant] Previously, we left off with Guan Yu having reunited with Zhang Fei, as well as three of Liu Bei's former advisors, Sun Qian and the brothers Mi Zhu and Mi Fang.


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[Assistant] After a night of teary celebration in the hamlet of Gucheng, Guan Yu prepared to set out the next day for Runan, where he was told that Liu Bei had gone off to. Zhang Fei wanted to come along, but Guan Yu told him


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[Assistant] Stay here, and protect your sisters-in-law while Sun Qian and I go find our brother.


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[Assistant] Zhang Fei complied, and Guan Yu and Sun Qian set off with a few riders in tow.


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[Assistant] When they arrived at Runan, they were greeted by the two men currently in control of the region, Liu Pi and Gong Dou, but they had some bad news.


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[Assistant] How's your brother supposed to track you down if you won't stay in one place? Well, Guan Yu was disappointed by this news, but Sun Qian consoled him.


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[Assistant] There is no need for consternation, Sun Qian said. We will just have to travel a little farther and go to Hebei to send word to the Imperial Uncle and tell him to meet us at Gu Cheng. Guan Yu agreed, and they returned to Gu Cheng.


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[Assistant] When they told Zhang Fei what happened, Zhang Fei wanted to accompany them to Hebei, but Guan Yu once again told him to stay put.


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[Assistant] This place is our foothold, Guan Yu said. We cannot abandon it lightly.


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[Assistant] I will go again with Sun Qian into Yuan Shao's territory and look for our brother and bring him here for a reunion. You stay and guard the city.


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[Assistant] But brother, you killed Yuan Shao's top generals, Yan Liang and Wen Chou. Zhang Fei said, how can you go see him?


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[Assistant] No worries, I will proceed as the circumstances dictate, Guan Yu answered. He then turned to his faithful follower Zhou Cang and asked, How many troops does Pei Yuan Xiao have with him? About four or five hundred, Zhou Cang said.


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[Assistant] Now in case you forgot, Pei Yuan Shao was a bandit leader and a friend of Zhou Cang's who ran into Guan Yu in the last episode.


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[Assistant] He wanted to follow Guan Yu as well, but was told that there was no room in the entourage, so he had to stay where he was and wait for Zhou Cang to come get him once Guan Yu found a place to call home. Guan Yu now decided that it was time to bring him in.


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[Assistant] I am going to take the back roads to go find my brother, he told Zhou Cang. In the meantime, you go collect Pei Yuan Xiao and his men and come here via the main road.


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[Assistant] So they headed off in different directions. Guan Yu and Sun Qian took about 20 riders with them and headed toward Hebei, the region controlled by Yuan Shao.


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[Assistant] When they approach the border, Sun Qian cautions Guan Yu.


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[Assistant] General, you should not enter this territory lightly. Rest here for now. Let me go to see the Imperial Uncle and plan our next move. Guan Yu agreed and sent Sun Qian on ahead.


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[Assistant] Meanwhile, Guan Yu led his followers to a nearby farm to seek lodging for the night. An old man with a walking stick came out to greet them.


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[Assistant] Guan Ding then called for his two sons, and told them to pay their respects to Guan Yu, and then they welcomed him and his men into the farm.


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[Assistant] Meanwhile, Sun Qian went along to Ji province to see Liu Bei and bring him up to date.


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[Assistant] Jian Yong is also here, Liu Bei told Sun Qian. Let's invite him here secretly to talk about this.


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[Assistant] Shortly thereafter, Jian Yong arrived to discuss how Liu Bei could extricate himself from this current situation. My lord, Jian Yong said.


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[Assistant] Tomorrow you should go see Yuan Shao and tell him that you want to go to Jing province to convince Liu Biao to join forces with him against Cao Cao. You can then use that opportunity to leave. That's a great idea, Liu Bei said. But will you be able to follow me?


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[Assistant] I have my own ways to extract myself, Jian Yong answered.


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[Assistant] So the next day, Liu Bei did as Jian Yong suggested and went to see Yuan Shao.


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[Assistant] Liu Biao reigns over Jing province, where he has crack troops and ample provisions, Liu Bei said. We should ask him to join us against Cao Cao.


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[Assistant] I have often tried to convince him to do that, but he has not been willing to ally with me, Yuan Shao said.


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[Assistant] He and I are of the same clan, Liu Bei said. If I go to talk to him, he would not refuse.


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[Assistant] If we can get Liu Biao on our side, it would be much better than having Liu Pi, Yuan Shao said. And so he ordered Liu Bei to go to Jing province. But then Yuan Shao added,


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[Assistant] I recently heard that Guan Yu has left Cao Cao and wants to come to Hebei.


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[Assistant] I shall kill him to avenge Yan Liang and Wen Chou.


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[Assistant] But your lordship had previously said you want to have him in your service, which is why I summoned him, Liu Bei said.


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[Assistant] Actually, I really covet him. I was just teasing.


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[Assistant] You may send another message to summon him here at once.


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[Assistant] Well, I don't even know by this point whether or not Gensha was really kidding, considering how much his intentions change on the whim.


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[Assistant] But in any case, Liu Bei suggested that, hey, Sun Qian would be the perfect guy to go summon Guan Yu, which, coincidentally, gives Sun Qian an excuse to get out of town as well. Yuan Shao was delighted and said, okay.


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[Assistant] After Liu Bei took his leave, Jian Yong came in to see Yuan Shao and said to him,


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[Assistant] Liu Bei does not intend to return from this trip. I am willing to go with him, partly to help convince Liu Biao, and partly to keep an eye on Liu Bei.


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[Assistant] Yuan Shao consented to this and ordered Jian Yong to accompany Liu Bei.


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[Assistant] Of course, any keen observer was probably thinking, wait a minute, Jian Yong used to serve under Liu Bei at Xu province. He is basically Liu Bei's man. Why would you send him, of all people, to go keep an eye on Liu Bei?


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[Assistant] One of those keynote servers, the advisor Guo Tu, picked up on this and told Yuan Shao.


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[Assistant] You are too suspicious, he told Guo Tu. Jian Yong knows what he's doing.


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[Assistant] At that point, Guotou could do little but sigh and leave.


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[Assistant] Meanwhile, Liu Bei sent Sun Qian out of the city first to report back to Guan Yu. He and Jian Yong then took their leave of Yuan Shao and left.


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[Assistant] When they arrived at the border of the province, Sun Qian met them and brought them to the farm where Guan Yu was staying.


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[Assistant] It was a dramatic scene as Guan Yu met Liu Bei at the door and prostrated on the ground. They then held each other's hand, and wept non-stop.


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[Assistant] After this emotional reunion, Guan Ding, the owner of the farm, brought his sons out to meet Liu Bei, and Liu Bei asked what their names were.


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[Assistant] It is my humble wish that my younger son would accompany General Guan. Will you allow it?


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[Assistant] Since that is your generous intent, and since my brother does not yet have a son,


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[Assistant] What do you think about him adopting your son? Liu Bei asks.


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[Assistant] Guan Ding was delighted because, hey, one for your mouth to feed and one for your kid to put through college.


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[Assistant] He told Guan Ping to bow to Guan Yu and call him father and call Liu Bei uncle.


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[Assistant] With this impromptu adoption completed, Liu Bei and company quickly packed up and left, out of fear that Yuan Shao would have one of his frequent changes of heart and send troops after them.


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[Assistant] Guan Ping went with them, and Guan Ding saw them off.


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[Assistant] Once they were on the road, Guan Yu told them to head toward the mountain where Zhou Cang had gone to fetch his old comrade Pei Yuan Shao and his group of bandits. But along the way, they suddenly saw Zhou Cang approaching. He was injured, and only had a few dozen men with him.


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[Assistant] Guan Yu introduced him to Liu Bei and then asked what happened.


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[Assistant] A lone warrior arrived at the mountain before I got there, Zhou Cang said. He fought with Pei Yuan Shao and killed him after just one bout. All the rest of the men surrendered to him, and he has occupied a stronghold on the mountain.


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[Assistant] When I got there and called out for the men to come over to me, only these guys dared to come. All the rest were too afraid to leave.


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[Assistant] It was too much to bear, so I fought that guy, but he beat me time and again and stabbed me three times with his spear. So I have come to tell you.


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[Assistant] What does that warrior look like? What is his name? Liu Bei asked.


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[Assistant] He had a formidable appearance, but I do not know his name, Jotang answered.


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[Assistant] Well, such an insult could not be allowed to go unanswered, so the traveling party continued toward the mountain stronghold, with Guan Yu leading the way and Liu Bei bringing up the rear.


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[Assistant] With the slayer of Yanliang and Wenqiu getting his back, Zhou Cang shouted insults from the foot of the mountain.


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[Assistant] Soon the warrior in question, with armor donned and spear drawn, galloped down the hillside with his men.


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[Assistant] But before the two sides came to blows, Liu Bei rolled out and shouted, Is that Zhao Yun?


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[Assistant] When the warrior heard this and saw Liu Bei, he quickly dismounted and prostrated on the ground.


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[Assistant] It was indeed Zhao Yun, the gallant warrior who had once served Liu Bei's friend Gongsun Zhan, and had quickly become a favorite of Liu Bei's.


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[Assistant] When Liu Bei and Guan Yu inquired how Zhao Yun had come to be there, he answered,


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[Assistant] After I took my leave of your lordship, Gongsun Zhan ignored good advice and brought about his own defeat and death.


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[Assistant] Yuan Shao asked me numerous times to go serve him, but I figured he was not one to make good use of talented men, so I did not go.


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[Assistant] Later, I wanted to join your lordship at Xu province, but then I heard the province had been lost, that General Guan had joined Cao Cao, and that your lordship was with Yuan Shao.


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[Assistant] I wanted to come join you on several occasions, but was afraid Yuan Shao would take offense, so I have been drifting all over, with no place to call home.


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[Assistant] When I happened to pass through here, Pei Yuan Shao tried to take my horse, so I killed him and used this place as a temporary refuge. Recently, I heard that Jiang Fei was in Gucheng and thought about going there, but I haven't gone because I did not know whether the intel was true. What great fortune it is to meet your lordship today.


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[Assistant] Liu Bei was ecstatic to see Zhao Yun, and he relayed his own sob story since their parting, and then Guan Yu shared his sob story.


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[Assistant] As soon as I saw you, Liu Bei told Zhao Yun, I did not want to let you go. And now we have the great fortune to meet again.


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[Assistant] I have been all over looking for a worthy master, Zhao Yun said, and yet I have never met anyone like your lordship.


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[Assistant] Now that I can serve you, it has fulfilled my life's aspirations. I will never regret it, not even if my heart's blood should stain the ground.


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[Assistant] The mutual admiration session thus concluded, Zhao Yun immediately burned the stronghold and led his men to accompany Liu Bei toward Gu Cheng.


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[Assistant] When they arrived, Zhang Fei and the Mi brothers greeted them and welcomed them into the city, where they all bowed to each other.


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[Assistant] Liu Bei's two wives recounted Guan Yu's experience since their separation, and Liu Bei could not help but be moved.


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[Assistant] Oh, also, it's really nice to see you too, honey.


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[Assistant] With the teary reunion over, it was time to throw a huge party. Liu Bei and company killed some cattle and horses for the occasion.


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[Assistant] First, they offered thanks to heaven, and then they rewarded all their soldiers. Liu Bei was ecstatic about reuniting with his brothers, getting basically everybody back from the old days for the reunion tour, and getting some new faces, like Zhao Yun, Guan Ping, and Zhou Cang.


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[Assistant] So everybody drank and feasted for days. It was such a great party that someone later wrote a poem to commemorate the occasion.


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[Assistant] Like severed limbs, three brothers torn asunder, With scant words and little news of one another, But now the liege and its men renew their ties, Like tiger winds and dragon clouds joining in the skies.


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[Assistant] Liu Bei's intent was to abandon the town of Gucheng and set up base in Runan.


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[Assistant] Coincidentally, the two guys currently holding that region...


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[Assistant] Liu Pi and Gong Dou sent a messenger to invite Liu Bei and company to go join them.


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[Assistant] So the party shifted to Runan, where they concentrated on growing their troops' numbers and making plans for the future.


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[Assistant] Meanwhile, back in Hebei, Yuan Shao was waiting for news from Liu Bei on his mission to talk Liu Biao into siding with him against Cao Cao. Yuan Shao waited, and waited, and waited.


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[Assistant] And when he still heard nothing, he knew he'd been had, and he was not amused.


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[Assistant] Yuan Shao wanted to mobilize his forces to attack Liu Bei, but his advisor Guo Tu told him.


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[Assistant] Liu Bei is of no concern. Cao Cao is our strongest foe and must be dealt with.


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[Assistant] Liu Biao might be in control of Jing Province, but he is weak. On the other hand, Sun Ce of the Southlands dominates an area that includes six districts. He has numerous advisors and warriors. We should form an alliance with him to attack Cao Cao together.


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[Assistant] Yuan Shao agreed and sent his aide Chen Zheng to go see Sun Ce.


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[Assistant] Now it's been a while since we mentioned Sun Ce, so let's have a quick refresher.


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[Assistant] After his father had been killed in battle some years earlier, the eldest son of Sun Jian borrowed troops from Yuan Shao's cousin Yuan Shu to conquer the Southlands, which is the region immediately south of the Yangzi River.


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[Assistant] His main conquest was completed by the year 196, which is about four years before where we are now in the novel.


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[Assistant] And Sun Ce has done pretty well for himself since then.


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[Assistant] Building a strong army and stockpiling provisions. In 199, Sun Ce seized two more districts, and after this, his power had never been greater.


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[Assistant] Sun Ce then sent one of his top advisors, Zhang Hong, to the capital, Xu Chang, to report his victories to the court, aka Cao Cao.


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[Assistant] Now Cao Cao, seeing how strong Sun Ce had become, sighed and said, One cannot take a lion head on.


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[Assistant] So Cao Cao resorted to diplomacy by marriage. He arranged the union between the daughter of his cousin Cao Ren and Sun Ce's youngest brother, Sun Kuan. Cao Cao also kept Zhang Hong in the capital for the time being.


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[Assistant] Sun Ce then pushed his luck even further, and asked to be named Grand Marshal. This, however, Cao Cao would not grant.


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[Assistant] Sun Ce held a grudge over this, and started to entertain thoughts of launching a surprise attack on the capital.


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[Assistant] But not all of Sun Ce's officials bought into his foreign policy.


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[Assistant] Xu Gong, the governor of Wu County, secretly sent a message to Cao Cao saying,


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[Assistant] Sun Ce is bold and ambitious. He is like Xiang Yu. The court should summon him back to the capital to receive laurels and keep him there instead of allowing him to remain in a remote military post where he might become a real problem.


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[Assistant] He was a renowned warrior who lived in the time period between the Qin and Han dynasties. He was actually the dominant warlord during the transition period between the two dynasties. The fight to control the whole country eventually came down to between him and Liu Bang, the supreme ancestor.


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[Assistant] Xiang Yu actually had Liu Bang on the ropes for a while, but then lost everything in one decisive battle and took his own life.


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[Assistant] In any case, Cao Cao never got to read this letter. Xu Gong's messenger couldn't make it across the river before he was picked up by Sun Ce's patrols.


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[Assistant] They brought the messenger in front of Sun Ce, who was irate upon reading the letter. He had the messenger executed, and then summoned Xu Gong under the pretense of some concocted business. As soon as Xu Gong arrived, Sun Ce had him strangled.


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[Assistant] Now, with the way such things are typically done, the entire family of the guy plotting rebellion should be executed as well.


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[Assistant] In this case, however, Xu Gong's family managed to flee and disperse. Among them were three of his retainers, and they were not about to let their patron's death go unavenged. All they needed was an opportunity.


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[Assistant] One day, Sun Ce and some of his men went out to the hills for a hunt.


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[Assistant] The men flushed out a large deer, and Sun Ce galloped into the hills after it. As he was giving chase, he suddenly noticed three men in the woods holding spears and carrying bows and arrows.


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[Assistant] Who are you? Sun Ce asked as he pulled up his horse.


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[Assistant] We are soldiers from General Han Dong's detachment, they answered. We are hunting deer.


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[Assistant] Thinking that they were his own men, Sun Ce paid them no mind, and was just about to continue his pursuit when one of the men tried to stab him in the left leg with a spear.


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[Assistant] Caught off guard, Sun Ce pulled out his sword and took a swing at the guy. But just then, the blade of his sword fell off, and all Sun Ce had in his hand was the handle.


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[Assistant] Another of the men, meanwhile, had fired an arrow at Sun Ce at that very moment and it struck him in the face.


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[Assistant] But remember that Sun Ce was a guy who once yelled an enemy officer to death while literally squeezing the life out of another. So he was not about to go down this easily.


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[Assistant] He pulled the arrow from his face, pulled out his own bow and returned it back to the sender. The arrow found its mark and the target collapsed to the ground.


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[Assistant] His two comrades, however, started stabbing at Sun Ce wildly with their spears while shouting, We are retainers of Xu Gong. We have come to avenge our master.


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[Assistant] At that moment, Sun Ce had no weapon with him, so all he could do was to use his bow to deflect the blows while retreating.


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[Assistant] The two assailants kept coming, and Sun Ce, as great a warrior as he was, could not dodge this constant assault, and he was stabbed quite a few times. Even his horse was injured.


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[Assistant] Just as things were looking grim, reinforcement arrived in the form of a detachment of troops led by Cheng Pu, one of Sun Ce's veteran generals. Kill them! Sun Ce shouted to his men.


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[Assistant] Cheng Pu and his soldiers immediately pounced on the two assailants and cut them to pieces. But when they turned to tend to Sun Ce, they saw that the damage had been done.


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[Assistant] Sun Ce's face was covered in blood, and he had suffered serious injuries. Cheng Pu cut up a cloak to bandage his wound, and quickly escorted him back to Wu County to recover.


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[Assistant] For their near success in ambushing the leader of the Southlands, Xu Gong's retainers earned themselves a poem to go out on.


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[Assistant] Smart and brave though Sun Ce Bi, trapped and injured on his hunt was he, by three knights who paid in death what honor owed, whose feet would impress even Yurang of old.


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[Assistant] So another side note is in order here. The last line of the poem references yu rang. This is a man from the end of the spring and autumn period.


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[Assistant] I'll probably do a supplemental episode on his story at some point. For now, just know that he was renowned for his courage and relentlessness in trying to avenge the death of his master. So it's a great honor for the three retainers to be compared to him.


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[Assistant] Alright, moving on. So, Sun Ce is laid up in bed with some pretty serious injuries. He's sent for the renowned physician Hua Tuo, who had once saved one of his general's lives. The Hua Tuo had gone off to the central region of the empire at the time, and the best they could do was to bring his disciple to treat Sun Ce. The disciple treated Sun Ce and then told him,


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[Assistant] You were struck by a poison arrow, and the poison has already spread to your bones. You must rest peacefully for a hundred days before you can recover. If you become agitated, it will become life-threatening.


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[Assistant] So, guess what Sun Ce's Achilles heel was.


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[Assistant] That's right, he was an extremely impatient man, so it's going to be a real test for him to remain calm and rest peacefully in bed for three plus months.


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[Assistant] He managed to do this for the first 20-some days, but then a source of agitation arrived in the form of a messenger that Zhang Hong had sent from the capital.


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[Assistant] Sun Ce naturally wanted to know what's going on in Xu Chang, so he summoned the messenger and questioned him about the court's opinion of him.


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[Assistant] Cao Cao was very wary of you, my lord, the messenger said, and all of his advisors respect you greatly. All except for Guo Jia.


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[Assistant] Well, Sun Ce's attendants were probably frantically gesturing and winking at this messenger at this moment, trying to tell him to ex-nay on the Guo Jia eh. But it was too late. What did Guo Jia say about me? Sun Ce asked. The messenger did not dare to reply.


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[Assistant] But this only made Sun Ce angrier, and he demanded an answer, now. So the messenger had no choice but to come clean.


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[Assistant] Guo Jia once told Cao Cao that your lordship is of no concern, that you are reckless, always ill-prepared, all brawn and no brain, and sure to die at the hands of a scoundrel.


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[Assistant] Now, I don't know why this messenger didn't just make up something less incendiary, but Sun Ce exploded upon hearing this. How dare that fool judge me so! I swear I will capture Xu Chang!


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[Assistant] So he immediately began to discuss mobilizing his army, his injuries be damned.


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[Assistant] His top advisor, Zhang Zhou, tried to talk him off the ledge.


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[Assistant] The physician had instructed your lordship to rest in bed for a hundred days, Zhang Jiao said. Why do you put your invaluable self at risk for a mere moment's rage?


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[Assistant] Just as they were speaking, word came that the messenger Chen Zhen had arrived on behalf of Yuan Shao.


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[Assistant] When he saw Sun Ce, Chen Zhen told him that Yuan Shao intended to form an alliance with him to attack Cao Cao.


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[Assistant] Sun Ce was delighted, and the next day, he gathered all of his advisors and officers at the city tower to throw a welcome banquet for Chen Zhen.


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[Assistant] While this banquet was going on, suddenly Sun Ce noticed that all of his people were whispering in each other's ears, and then they all started to head downstairs.


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[Assistant] When Sun Ce asked his attendants what's up, they told him,


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[Assistant] An immortal is passing by, and everyone wants to go show their respect.


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[Assistant] Sun Ce got up, leaned over the railing, and looked down.


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[Assistant] Below, he saw a Taoist priest cloaked in craned feathers and holding a staff made of goosefoot wood.


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[Assistant] His name is Yu Ji. His attendants told him. He resides in the East. He has come to the Southlands to distribute potions that have remedy ailments of all kinds. People call him an immortal. Please, do not disrespect him. But this only made Sun Ce angrier.


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[Assistant] Go arrest him, and bring him here at once, he shouted. Whoever disobeys my order shall be executed.


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[Assistant] His attendants had no choice but to go downstairs and hustle Yu Ji up to see Sun Ce.


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[Assistant] You crazy priest! Sun Ce scolded him. How dare you fend the flames of men's ignorance!


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[Assistant] I am but a humble Taoist priest from Lang Ya. Yu Ji answered,


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[Assistant] During the reign of Emperor Shun, I was collecting herbs in the mountain when I discovered a sacred text near a spring in Yangqu.


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[Assistant] It's called the Millennium, Purification and Guidance. It had a hundred some volumes, all dealing with ways to treat illnesses.


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[Assistant] After discovering this text, I have devoted myself to spreading its influence on behalf of Heaven and have helped tens of thousands of people, all without accepting the smallest gift from anyone. How can I be misleading people? But Sun Ce was unconvinced.


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[Assistant] If you have not accepted anything from anyone, then where do you get food and clothing? He said. You are like the yellow turban leader Zhang Jue. If I do not kill you today, you will no doubt become trouble later.


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[Assistant] I can kill these sorcerers like a butcher kills a pig or a dog, an unmoved Sun Ce said.


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[Assistant] But at this point, all of his officials began to beg him to spare Yu Ji, and Chen Zhen also joined in the chorus calling for leniency.


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[Assistant] Although he was still pretty steamed, Sun Ce had no choice but to yield. But he did not let Yu Ji go.


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[Assistant] Instead, he ordered that the priest be thrown into prison for now. And with that, the party broke up.


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[Assistant] As you might imagine, Sun Ce is nowhere near done with Yu Ji.


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[Assistant] To learn the priest's fate, tune in to the next episode of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms podcast. Thanks for listening!


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[Assistant] Welcome to the Romance of the Three Kingdoms Podcast. This is episode 39.


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[Assistant] Last time, Cao Cao had just put another smackdown on Yuan Shao when he was distracted from his work by news that Liu Bei was trying to make a sneak attack on his capital.


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[Assistant] So Cao Cao quickly turned around and met Liu Bei en route. Liu Bei won their first clash, but then was met with silence from Cao Cao's camp the next two days, which made him very suspicious.


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[Assistant] Liu Bei did not have to wait long for his fears to be justified.


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[Assistant] Word soon came that his officer Gong Dou had been ambushed while delivering provisions and was presently surrounded by Cao Cao's troops. So Liu Bei quickly dispatched Zhang Fei to bail him out.


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[Assistant] Just then came more word that a force led by Cao Cao's general Xia Houdun had sneaked around Liu Bei and was on its way to attack Runan, Liu Bei's home base.


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[Assistant] If that is the case, I am under siege from front and back and I have no way home. A concern Liu Bei said. So he sent Guan Yu off to protect Ru Nan.


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[Assistant] But within a day, word came that Ru Nan had fallen to Xia Hodun, and that Liu Pi, the guy Liu Bei had left in charge, had fled the city, and that Guan Yu was now trapped by Xia Hodun's forces. Just as Liu Bei was panicking, more bad news arrived. Apparently Zhang Fei was also now trapped.


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[Assistant] Liu Bei was now in a huge bind. He wanted to retreat, but he was afraid that Cao Cao would attack him if he did. Just then, his men reported that Cao Cao's general Xu Chu was challenging for combat outside the camp.


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[Assistant] With everything else going on Liu Bei did not dare to answer the challenge.


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[Assistant] The next morning, after what seemed like the longest night, Liu Bei ordered his men to eat a full meal, and then they began to pull out, with the infantry leading the way, followed by the cavalry, while they kept up appearances in the camp to make the enemy think that they were still entrenched.


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[Assistant] A few miles out of the camp, however, just as Liu Bei's forces were going around the hill, the hillside was lit up by torches, and a loud shout rang out from atop the hill.


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[Assistant] This threw Liu Bei into a panic, and he was looking for a way out.


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[Assistant] My lord, do not worry, just follow me, his trusted general Jiao Yun said.


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[Assistant] Zhao Yun then wielded his spear and carved out a path through the enemy ranks, while Liu Bei followed closely behind with his twin swords.


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[Assistant] In the midst of battle, Cao Cao's general Xu Chu arrived and engaged Zhao Yun in a heated duel. From the rear came two more of Cao Cao's officers, Yu Jing and Li Dian.


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[Assistant] Seeing how dire the situation was, Liu Bei did what he has tended to do best when he has gone up against Cao Cao. Turn tail and run.


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[Assistant] He ran and ran and ran until the shout from behind gradually faded away, and Liu Bei kept fleeing deeper and deeper into the mountains by himself.


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[Assistant] He kept going until the next morning, when suddenly, he ran into a squad of soldiers. Liu Bei panicked, but then he recognized that this was Liu Pi, the man he had left in charge of Runan.


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[Assistant] Liu Pi could not hold out against Xia Hodun's siege of the city, so he fled with about a thousand riders to meet up with Liu Bei, with Liu Bei's family in tow, as well as Liu Bei's advisors Sun Qian, Jian Yong, and Mi Fang.


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[Assistant] Xia Hodun's forces were too much, so we had to abandon the city, they told Liu Bei. The enemy pursued us, but fortunately Guan Yu arrived to keep them busy while we escaped. Where's Guan Yu now? Liu Bei asked.


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[Assistant] General, let's keep moving and worry about that later. Liu Pei said to him.


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[Assistant] So they got back on the road, but within just a few miles, they heard the sound of a drum and saw a squad of enemy troops dash out in front of them, led by the General Zhang He, who had newly abandoned Yuan Shao and joined Cao Cao.


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[Assistant] Liu Bei, dismount and surrender right now. Zhang He shouted.


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[Assistant] Liu Bei was just about to turn and run in the other direction when he saw a red flag waving at the top of a hill.


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[Assistant] At that signal, another detachment of Cao Cao's troops showed up from a valley, led by Gao Lan, another of Cao Cao's new acquisitions.


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[Assistant] Cut off in both directions, Liu Bei looked to the heavens and shouted,


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[Assistant] Heaven, why must you make me suffer so? With things as they are, I might as well die.


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[Assistant] He then rode forward to take on Gao Lan, but within just three bouts, he was cut down.


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[Assistant] Liu Bei was just about to go and take on Gao Lan himself, when suddenly, the rear of Gao Lan's troops began to fall into disarray. A warrior dashed through the enemy ranks, and where his spear flashed, Gao Lan was stabbed off his horse. Liu Bei steady his gaze, and saw that it was none other than Zhao Yun.


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[Assistant] Liu Bei was delighted to have somebody with actual skills at his side. Zhao Yun first scattered the remnants of Gao Lan's troops, and then turned in the other direction and threw himself at Zhang He.


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[Assistant] Zhao Yun tried to seize the momentum and storm his way out, but Zhang He's troops managed to hold their lines at the mouth of the canyon, and the road was too narrow for Zhao Yun and company to storm through.


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[Assistant] But just then, more help arrived in the form of Guan Yu, who led his son Guan Ping, his loyal follower Zhou Cang, and 300 soldiers.


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[Assistant] So now it was Zhang He who was being besieged from both sides, and he retreated. So Liu Bei managed to escape from the canyon and found a strong point in the hills to set up camp. Liu Bei then sent Guan Yu to go looking for Zhang Fei.


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[Assistant] Now Zhang Fei had gone to rescue the officer Gong Dou, who was ambushed while transporting provisions. By the time Zhang Fei got there though, Gong Dou had already been killed. Zhang Fei fought off the enemy forces and gave chase, only to be surrounded by another detachment of enemy troops.


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[Assistant] Fortunately for him, Guan Yu ran into some of his men along the way and hurried over to scatter the enemy and rescue Zhang Fei. The two of them then went back to meet up with Liu Bei. But there was not much time to catch their breath.


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[Assistant] Word soon came that the main body of Cao Cao's army was in hot pursuit. So Liu Bei ordered his advisors to accompany his family and go on ahead, while he himself stayed in the rear with Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun, fighting as they fled to slow down the pursuit.


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[Assistant] Once Liu Bei managed to put some distance between himself and the pursuing troops, Cao Cao was content to call off the hounds. So finally, Liu Bei could breathe easy.


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[Assistant] But Liu Bei was once again in a rather sorry state. He had fewer than a thousand men with him, and they fled hairily until they reached the river.


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[Assistant] They had to ask the locals to find out that they were on the banks of the Han River, and Liu Bei ordered his men to set up camp and rest. When the locals heard that Liu Bei was in their neck of the woods, they presented him with goats and wine, so Liu Bei and company sat on the beach and ate.


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[Assistant] As they ate, Liu Bei sighed and said to his officers and advisors,


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[Assistant] My friends, you have the talent to serve a king. Unfortunately, you have followed me, and my rotten luck has brought you all down with me.


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[Assistant] Today I have nothing, not even ground to stand on. You all should leave me and go serve a more enlightened master so that you may distinguish yourselves.


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[Assistant] When they heard this, all of his men covered their faces and wept.


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[Assistant] Brother, you are mistaken. Guan Yu said to Liu Bei.


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[Assistant] There is a time for victory and a time for defeat, he said.


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[Assistant] I am willing to go talk to Liu Biao and convince him to come to his borders to receive you, Sun Qian said.


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[Assistant] This cheered up Liu Bei, so he sent Sun Qian off to Jin province right away. When Sun Qian arrived and met with Liu Biao, the latter asked,


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[Assistant] Sir, you are in the service of Liu Bei. What brings you here?


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[Assistant] Lord Liu is a hero of the land, Sun Qian replied. Even though he has few soldiers and warriors, he still aspires to sustain the royal house. In Runan, Liu Pi and Gong Dou, even though they had no familial ties with Lord Liu, were willing to fight to the death for him.


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[Assistant] Right now, my lord has just suffered a defeat, and is thinking about seeking refuge in the Southlands with Sun Quan. But I told him,


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[Assistant] You should not abandon your family to join up with strangers. General Liu of Jing province welcomes men of talent, and capable men flock to him as the river flows to the east. Not to mention the fact that he is your kinsman.


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[Assistant] Liu Bei is my brother, he said. And just a note here, he is using the word brother loosely as a term of affection for a kinsman.


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[Assistant] I have long wanted to meet him but have not had the opportunity. If he is willing to join me now, it would be a great fortune.


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[Assistant] However, not everyone present shared his enthusiasm, especially not Cai Mao, one of his top officers.


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[Assistant] My lord, you cannot, Cai Mao said. Liu Bei first served Lyu Bu, and then served Cao Cao, and most recently served Yuan Shao. None of those stints ended well.


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[Assistant] That is proof enough of his true nature. If you take him in, Cao Cao will surely move against us, and we would be forced to fight.


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[Assistant] I am not the type who fears death. My master is loyal to the country, unlike the likes of Cao Cao, Yuan Shao, and Lyu Bu. When he served them, it was only because he had no choice.


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[Assistant] You, General Liu, are his kinsman, which is why he has come all this way to join you.


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[Assistant] How can your man speak such slander out of jealousy for other men of talent?


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[Assistant] This convinced Liu Biao, and he admonished Cai Mao.


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[Assistant] My mind is made up, say no more, he said. So Cai Mao went away embarrassed and grumbling.


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[Assistant] Liu Biao then told Sun Qian to bring word to Liu Bei that he was welcome. He then went ten miles out of the city to welcome his kinsmen. Liu Bei greeted him with great respect, and Liu Biao answered in kind.


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[Assistant] After all the introductions, Liu Biao brought Liu Bei and company back to Jing province and set them up in lodgings.


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[Assistant] Now, as for Cao Cao, when he heard that Liu Bei had run off to Jin province and joined up with Liu Biao, he wanted to attack. But his advisor Cheng Yu was against it.


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[Assistant] We have not yet rid ourselves of Yuan Shao's clan, Cheng Yu said. If we attack Jing province now, and Yuan Shao rises again in the north, then the outcome would be hard to predict.


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[Assistant] Let's return to Xuchang and let the army rest. Come spring, we can first defeat Yuan Shao and then take Jing province. That will ensure victories in the north and south in one fell swoop.


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[Assistant] Cao Cao agreed with this advice and returned to his capital.


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[Assistant] And Cao Cao began to plan another military campaign.


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[Assistant] First things first though, he put the general Xia Houdun and the advisor Man Cheng in charge of the newly conquered Runan to keep Liu Biao at bay.


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[Assistant] He also left his kinsman Cao Ren and his top advisor Xun Yu to defend the capital Xuchang.


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[Assistant] Then, he led the bulk of his army to Guandu, where they prepared to invade Yuan Shao's territory.


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[Assistant] As for Yuan Shao, his condition has slightly improved over the winter, and he immediately began discussions of invading Xu Chang. But his advisor Shen Pei told him,


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[Assistant] Our army's morale still has not recovered from last year's defeats. Right now, we should fortify our defenses and build up both our army and our civilian population.


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[Assistant] Just as they were talking about this though, word came that Cao Cao had brought the fight to them, and that his army was on its way to Ji province, where Yuan Shao was located.


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[Assistant] If we wait until the enemy is at our gates before resisting, it will be too late, Yuan Shao said. I shall personally lead the army out to meet them.


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[Assistant] But his third and youngest son, Yuan Shang, advised against this.


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[Assistant] Father, you have not yet recovered from your illness. You should not go on distant campaigns, Yuan Shang said. I am willing to lead the army to face the enemy.


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[Assistant] Yuan Shao granted his request and also dispatched messengers to the other three provinces under his command, telling his other two sons and his nephew to mobilize their forces and converge on Cao Cao.


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[Assistant] Yuan Shang, however, was feeling pretty cocky after he had slain one of Cao Cao's B-list officers in the previous year's battle. So he did not bother waiting for the reinforcements before leading several tens of thousands of troops to the city of Liyang to face Cao Cao's vanguard.


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[Assistant] The vanguard was under the command of Zhang Liu, who, unfortunately for Yuan Shang, was no B-list officer.


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[Assistant] Yuan Shang could not even last three bouts against Zhang Liu before turning tail.


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[Assistant] Zhang Liao directed his troops to sweep in and give chase. Yuan Shang could not hold it together, and he ran all the way back to Ji province.


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[Assistant] News of his latest setback gave Yuan Shao another shock, and his illness flared up again as he spat up a large amount of blood and passed out.


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[Assistant] His wife, Lady Liu, quickly helped him to his bed.


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[Assistant] By now, Yuan Shao was on the brink of death, so Lady Liu hurriedly summoned the advisors Shen Pei and Feng Ji to his bedside to discuss plans for after his death.


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[Assistant] At this point Yuan Shao could not even speak. He was only able to gesture.


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[Assistant] Can Yuan Shang be your successor? Lady Liu asked him.


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[Assistant] Yuan Shao nodded, and Shen Pei wrote his will for him right there. After that, Yuan Shao flipped over, let out a loud cry, spat up more blood, and died.


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[Assistant] Thus ended the life of the man who at one time looked to be the odds-on favor to emerge as the ultimate victor in the power struggles that had engulfed the land. A poet later wrote of Yuan Shao.


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[Assistant] From a noble line honored for generations sprang a youth of unrestrained ambition. He collected three thousand retainers all in vain, and his mighty armies brought him no gain.


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[Assistant] No glory for this sheep in tiger's hide. No triumph for a chicken with phoenix plume. The saddest part of this pathetic end. Both brothers of this fallen house were doomed.


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[Assistant] After Yuan Shao's death, Shen Pei took charge of his funeral.


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[Assistant] Lady Liu, meanwhile, showed her dark side. Aside from her, Yuan Shao had five concubines, whom he favored. With him out of the way, Lady Liu had all five of them killed.


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[Assistant] Fearing that the concubine's family would, you know, take exception to what his mom did, he had them all arrested and executed. Like mother like son, I guess.


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[Assistant] On the political front, Shen Pei and Feng Ji announced Yuan Shang as the commander-in-chief and protector of the four provinces that his father had commanded.


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[Assistant] They also sent messengers to deliver the news of Yuan Shao's death.


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[Assistant] At that moment, Yuan Shao's eldest son, Yuan Tan, had already led an army out of his home base of Qing province.


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[Assistant] When he got the news of his father's death, Yuan Tan met with his advisors Guo Tu and Xin Ping.


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[Assistant] My lord, if you are not at Ji province, Shen Pei and Feng Ji would no doubt make Yuan Shang the heir to your father, Guo Tu said. You must hurry to Ji province. Xin Ping, however, advised caution.


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[Assistant] We can station the army outside the city and observe the other side's movements, Guo Tu said. And I shall personally go to see what the situation is.


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[Assistant] He is sick and thus stayed in camp and cannot come see you, Guotou replied.


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[Assistant] Right now, Cao Cao is encroaching on our borders. Please tell my brother to serve as the vanguard, and I shall send troops to back him up.


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[Assistant] But your brother has no able strategist in his ranks, Guo Tu said. We would like to ask for Shen Pei and Feng Ji to accompany our army.


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[Assistant] I require their counsel day and night. How can I let them go? Yuan Xiang said. What about one of the two? Guo Tu haggled?


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[Assistant] Well, Yuan Shang was kinda back into a corner, since he could not very well refuse after he had just asked Yuan Tan to be the vanguard.


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[Assistant] So he told his two advisors to draw lots to see which one would have to go with Yuan Tan.


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[Assistant] Fengji drew the short straw, so he left with Guotu to deliver the seal and court of command to Yuantan.


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[Assistant] When they got to Yuan Tan's camp, however, it was pretty clear to Feng Ji that Yuan Tan was feeling just fine.


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[Assistant] So yeaah, if you were fengji, you're probably thinking, uh oh, this does not bode well.


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[Assistant] But he was already there, so he had no choice but to offer up the seal and court to Yuan Tan, informing him of his, uhm, promotion.


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[Assistant] Yuantan was irate when he learned that instead of air, he was just some two-bit general of the chariots and cavalry.


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[Assistant] He wanted to execute Feng Ji, but Guo Tu said to him in private,


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[Assistant] With Cao Cao encroaching on our borders, it's best to keep Feng Ji here to set Yuan Shang's mind at ease. Once we have defeated Cao Cao, then we can fight over Ji Province.


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[Assistant] Yuan Tan took his advice, and moved his army out toward Liyang to face Cao Cao.


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[Assistant] Yuan Tan sent one of his top officers out for combat, but Cao Cao sent out Xu Huang, and within just a few bouts, Xu Huang cut down his foe. Cao Cao's army seized the momentum and charged, and Yuan Tan's troops were routed.


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[Assistant] Yuan Tan gathered his troops and fled into Liyang, and then sent a message to Yuan Shang asking for help.


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[Assistant] Yuan Shang talked it over with Shen Pei, and then they sent a meager 5,000 troops.


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[Assistant] Even this pitiful excuse of a relief force did not make it to Liyang. Cao Cao had gotten word that reinforcements were coming, so he sent his generals Yue Jin and Li Dian to ambush them on the way and kill them all.


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[Assistant] Inside Li Yang, Yuan Tan heard that Yuan Shang had sent just 5,000 men, and that they did not even make it to the front lines before being defeated.


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[Assistant] He flew into a rage and cursed Feng Ji, Yuan Xiang's advisor, who was an unwilling tag-long on this campaign.


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[Assistant] Please allow me to write to my master and beg him to come in person to help you, Fengji said.


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[Assistant] Yuan Tan told him to write the letter. When this message arrived at Ji Province, Yuan Shang consulted with Shen Pei, who said, Yuan Tan's advisor Guo Tu is very crafty.


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[Assistant] Previously, they left here without starting a fight only because Cao Cao's army was at our borders.


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[Assistant] If Yuan Tan defeats Cao Cao, he would surely try to take Ji Province from you. Let us not send any help, and use Cao Cao to eliminate your enemy.


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[Assistant] Yuan Shang took the suggestion and refused to send any relief force.


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[Assistant] This, of course, did not bode well for Feng Ji. In fact, when the messenger went back to Yuan Tan and told him that no help was coming, Yuan Tan got mad again, and immediately had Feng Ji executed. So yea, tough luck there, buddy.


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[Assistant] Killing Fengji may have quelled Yuan Tan's anger temporarily, but he still had the problem of being trapped inside Li Yang. He now started entertaining thoughts of surrendering to Cao Cao.


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[Assistant] Spies in his ranks soon delivered this intel to Yuan Shang. And now Yuan Shang was singing a different tune. He talked to Shen Pei and said, If Yuan Tan surrenders to Cao Cao and they join forces to attack us, Ji Province would be in danger.


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[Assistant] So Yuan Shang left Shen Pei and General Su You to defend the province, while Yuan Shang himself prepared to lead an army to go rescue Yuan Tan. I'm sure Feng Ji appreciated this.


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[Assistant] Yuan Shang asked his officers who wanted to be the vanguard.


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[Assistant] The brothers Lv Kuang and Lv Xiang volunteered.


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[Assistant] So Yuan Shang gave them 30,000 troops and sent them off to Li Yang.


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[Assistant] When Yuan Tan heard that help was finally on the way, he cheered up and abandoned thoughts of surrender.


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[Assistant] Instead, he ready his army inside the city, while Yuan Shang station his army outside the city, so that they could help each other.


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[Assistant] Within a day, more help arrived. Yuan Xi, the middle brother, and Gao Gan, their cousin, arrived at the head of another army.


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[Assistant] So now, the Yuan brothers have three armies.


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[Assistant] Unfortunately, they were not very good armies. They went out to fight Cao Cao every day and got whipped every day.


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[Assistant] This went on for a while, and by the second month of the year 203, Cao Cao was ready to put an end to this. He divided his army and attacked all three of the Yuan forces, and whipped them all. The brothers and their cousin abandoned Liyang and fled, and Cao Cao chased them all the way to Ji Province.


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[Assistant] When they fled back to Ji Province, Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang entered the city to oversee its defense, while Yuan Xi and Gao Gan set up camp about 10 miles from the city and made enough noise to keep the enemy from being able to focus on laying siege to the city.


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[Assistant] This actually proved pretty effective, as Cao Cao attacked for days and could not take the city.


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[Assistant] Cao Cao's advisor Guo Jia now suggested a different tack.


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[Assistant] Yuan Shao elevated his youngest son above his eldest.


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[Assistant] And the brothers are fighting with each other for power, Guo Jia said.


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[Assistant] If they are pressed too hard, they will band together and help each other.


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[Assistant] But if they get some breathing room, they will turn on each other.


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[Assistant] Why not move our army toward Jing province to attack Liu Biao for now? Once the situation with the Yuan brothers changes, we can then attack and take care of them once and for all.


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[Assistant] Cao Cao agreed with his suggestion, so he left another advisor, Jia Xu, in charge of Liyang, and put his kinsman Cao Hong in charge of Guandu. Cao Cao then led the bulk of his army toward Jing province.


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[Assistant] And sure enough, almost as soon as Cao Cao left, the Yuan brothers started plotting against each other.


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[Assistant] To see how they will express their brotherly love for each other, tune in to the next episode of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms podcast. Thanks for listening.


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[Assistant] Welcome to the Romance of the Three Kingdoms podcast. This is episode 65.


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[Assistant] Before we pick up where we left off, I would like to insert my occasional reminder for those of you who have not rated the podcast on iTunes to take a minute and do that so as to help others discover the show. And as always, thank you for your support.


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[Assistant] So last time, Zhang Fei had just conquered the county of Wulin and sent word to Liu Bei.


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[Assistant] Liu Bei personally traveled to the city to make nice with the locals. He then sent a letter to his brother Guan Yu, who had been staying behind to defend Jing province while Liu Bei went out a concurrent.


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[Assistant] The letter told Guan Yu that, hey, your buddies Jiang Fei and Zhao Yun have each conquered a county. And you can guess Guan Yu's reaction.


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[Assistant] A letter from Guan Yu soon arrived in Liu Bei's hands. It said,


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[Assistant] I have heard that the county of Changsha has yet to be taken. If you do not think me unworthy,


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[Assistant] Please allow me to render this service to you. Liu Bei was delighted when he read the letter.


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[Assistant] So he sent Zhang Fei to take Guan Yu's place in Jing province and order Guan Yu to take Changsha.


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[Assistant] Before heading to Changsha, Guan Yu went to Wuling to see Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang.


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[Assistant] When General Zhao took Guiyang and General Zhang took Wulin, they each had 3,000 troops, Zhuge Liang said to Guan Yu.


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[Assistant] Changsha's governor, Han Xuan, is of no concern.


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[Assistant] But he has a valiant general named Huang Zheng. He served as a corps commander under Liu Biao and helped Liu Biao's nephew oversee Changsha before serving Han Xuan.


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[Assistant] Even though he is nearing 60, Huang Zhong is still extremely valiant and must not be underestimated.


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[Assistant] General Guan, you must take more troops with you.


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[Assistant] Master Zhuge, why do you play up others' metal and dampen our own spirit? Guan Yu asked.


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[Assistant] What is there to be afraid of with a mere old pawn?


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[Assistant] I don't even need 3,000 men. I will just take the 500 swordsmen under my command and I guarantee that I will bring you the heads of Huang Zhong and Han Xuan.


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[Assistant] Liu Bei tried time and again to convince Guan Yu to reconsider, but Guan Yu would not hear of it and went off with his 500 swordsmen. After he left, Zhuge Liang said to Liu Bei, General Guan underestimates Huang Zhong.


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[Assistant] Your lordship should go reinforce him, just in case.


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[Assistant] Liu Bei agreed and let some troops tour Changsha after Guan Yu.


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[Assistant] Meanwhile, in Changsha, the governor, Han Xuan, was not a popular man at all.


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[Assistant] He had an unstable temper and had a hairy trigger on the executioner's axe, qualities that did not endear him to the people of the county.


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[Assistant] When he heard that Guan Yu was approaching Han Xuan met with Huang Zhong to discuss how to repel the enemy.


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[Assistant] My lord, have no worries, Huang Zhong said. On the strength of my saber and my bow, I will slay every enemy that comes this way.


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[Assistant] And apparently, Huang Zhong was not making an idol boast. One popular trope in ancient Chinese stories is the old general who refuses to bow to his age. And Huang Zhong definitely filled this role perfectly.


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[Assistant] He was strong enough to pull a 250 pound bow and was deadly accurate with his shot.


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[Assistant] Someone else though, did make an idol boast. It was an officer named Yang Ling. He stepped up and said, Old General, there is no need for you to go fight. I can go capture Guan Yu, alive.


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[Assistant] This eagerness impressed Han Xuan, and he granted Yang Ling's request. Yang Ling led a thousand men outside the city to go meet the enemy.


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[Assistant] After about 15 miles, they saw a cloud of dust approaching. It was Guan Yu's army. When the two sides met, Yang Ling rode out with a spear in hand and cursed Guan Yu, which, as you might imagine, was not a bright idea.


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[Assistant] Enraged by the disrespect from this nobody, Guan Yu did not bother saying a word. He galloped toward Yang Ling and cut him down within three bouts. Guan Yu then chased the defeated troops all the way to the foot of Changsha.


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[Assistant] When Han Xuan heard the news, he was alarmed and asked Huang Zhong to go fight Guan Yu, while he himself observed from atop the city wall.


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[Assistant] So Huang Zhong grabbed his saber, hopped on his horse, and led 500 riders across the drawbridge.


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[Assistant] When he saw an old general ride out, Guan Yu assumed that this was Huang Zhong, so he told his 500 swordsmen to spread out in a line while he asked the oncoming general, Are you Huang Zhong?


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[Assistant] Since you have heard of my name, how dare you encroach on my domain? Huang Zhong said.


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[Assistant] I have come specifically for your head, Guan Yu answered.


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[Assistant] And the two warriors promptly threw themselves at each other.


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[Assistant] They traded blows for a hundred some bouts, and neither had the upper hand.


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[Assistant] This was quite an impressive feat on Huang Zhong's part, considering how short most of Guan Yu's encounters with enemy generals in this novel tend to be.


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[Assistant] Han Xuan, however, was worried that Huang Zhong might slip up after a hundred some bouts, so he rang the gong to order retreat.


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[Assistant] So Huang Zhong went back to the city while Guan Yu had his troops back off about three miles from the city and set up camp.


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[Assistant] That old general Huang Zhong lives up to his reputation. Guan Yu thought to himself admiringly.


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[Assistant] He fought me for a hundred bouts without showing any weaknesses.


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[Assistant] Tomorrow, I must use the trailing saber trick to kill him.


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[Assistant] The trailing saber trick, by the way, is a tactic where you pretend to lose and lure your enemy to chase you while you run and drag your saber behind you.


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[Assistant] When the enemy gets close, you surprise him by suddenly whirling around and doing a 360 with your saber to slash him down. This was kind of Guan Yu's bread and butter move.


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[Assistant] So the next day, after breakfast, Guan Yu went to challenge for battle again, and Han Xuan once again sent Huang Zhong out to answer.


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[Assistant] Huang Zhong and Guan Yu fought for another 50-some bouts without a clear winner, and men on both sides were cheering.


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[Assistant] Suddenly, in the heat of battle, Guan Yu turned and galloped away. Huang Zhong gave chase, just as Guan Yu intended.


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[Assistant] When Huang Zhong got near, Guan Yu prepared to turn and slash, but in that very moment, he heard a loud crash behind him.


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[Assistant] When Yu turned and looked, he saw Huang Zhong sprawled out on the ground. Apparently, the front legs of Huang Zhong's horse had given out at that very moment, and Huang Zhong was thrown to the ground, making him defenseless and an easy kill.


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[Assistant] But, anyone who knows Guan Yu knows that he was not one to take advantage of a hapless opponent.


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[Assistant] He's the guy who, when he kills you, he wants you on your horse, facing him with a weapon in your hand.


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[Assistant] So Guan Yu raised his saber with both hands and said to Huang Zhong,


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[Assistant] I will spare your life for now. Go get another horse and come back and fight me.


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[Assistant] Given a reprieve, Huang Zhong pulled his horse off the ground, hopped on, and galloped back inside the city. When Han Xuan asked him what happened out there, Huang Zhong answered,


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[Assistant] This horse had not seen battle for a long time. That's why it lost its footing.


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[Assistant] Your arrows never miss. Why don't you shoot Guan Yu? Han Xuan suggested.


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[Assistant] Tomorrow, when I fight him again, I will pretend to lose, lure him to the drawbridge, and shoot him down, Huang Zhong said.


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[Assistant] Han Xuan then gave Huang Zhong a black horse from his own stable, and Huang Zhong thanked him and took his leave.


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[Assistant] But, Huang Zhong was feeling pretty conflicted that night.


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[Assistant] Guan Yu is uncommonly honorable, he thought to himself.


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[Assistant] Since he could not bring himself to kill me, how can I bring myself to shoot him?


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[Assistant] But if I don't, then I would be going against Han Xuan's orders.


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[Assistant] The next day at dawn, Guan Yu was back looking for another fight. Huang Zhong once again went out to meet him.


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[Assistant] By now, Guan Yu has had two dogfights with Huang Zhong and had not been able to defeat him. The whole horse-flipping thing notwithstanding.


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[Assistant] So Guan Yu was itching to finish the job and thus fought extra hard.


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[Assistant] After less than 30 bouts, Huang Zhong turned and fled and Guan Yu gave chase. When Huang Zhong got to the foot of the drawbridge, he pulled out his bow and took aim. But, he just could not bring himself to kill Guan Yu.


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[Assistant] So the first time he pulled his bowstring back, he did not load an arrow. Instead, he just fired nothing. When Guan Yu heard the twang of the bowstring, he dodged, but immediately realized that he was dodging air, so he kept on coming.


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[Assistant] Huang Zhong now put his bowstring back again, and again, he fired nothing.


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[Assistant] Guan Yu dodged again and realized again that there was no arrow.


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[Assistant] At this point, Guan Yu just figured that Huang Zhong did not actually know how to shoot, so he closed in without any reservations.


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[Assistant] When Guan Yu approached the drawbridge, however, Huang Zhong pulled back his bowstring a third time, and this time, the bow was loaded.


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[Assistant] When Huang Zhong let the string go, an arrow flew toward Guan Yu.


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[Assistant] But instead of hitting him where it hurt, the arrow struck the base of the decorative tuft at the top of Guan Yu's helmet, drawing a round of cheers from the troops.


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[Assistant] Guan Yu was taken aback by this shot and quickly turned and returned to camp. He was smart enough to know that Huang Zhong did not miss. Huang Zhong was aiming for the tuft instead of say, Guan Yu's face as payback for Guan Yu sparing his life a day earlier.


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[Assistant] I have been observing you for three days. How dare you deceive me? Han Xuan said angrily.


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[Assistant] The day before yesterday, you did not fight to the best of your abilities that shows you harbor ulterior interests.


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[Assistant] Yesterday, when your horse lost its footing, Guan Yu did not kill you. That shows you two must be in cahoots. And today, you pretended to shoot twice before aiming only for the top of his helmet. How can the two of you not be conspiring?


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[Assistant] If I do not kill you now, you will come back to bite me later.


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[Assistant] When the other officers tried to beg for leniency, Han Xuan told them that anyone who dared to speak up for Huang Zhong would share his fate.


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[Assistant] If you kill him, you are killing the people of Changsha.


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[Assistant] Han Xuan is cruel and inhumane. He treats talented men with disdain. We should all kill him. Those who are willing, come with me.


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[Assistant] Everyone looked to see who this was. He had a face as red as a date, and eyes as bright as stars. This man was Wei Yan.


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[Assistant] An officer under Liu Cong opened the gates and invited Liu Bei in to sack the city, but Liu Bei did his