Baimen Tower

The prowess of Lu Bu is known to all under heaven; would Cao Cao truly seek the opinions of others on whether to kill or spare him? Asking the three men before his tent was primarily to gauge their reactions.

Cao Cao's current achievements and strength could not have been attained without the vigorous support of the Henan gentry. Naturally, he "repaid kindness with kindness" by treating them generously; Xun You and Guo Jia, for instance, were both from Yingchuan in Henan.

In the past, when he raised his army in Chenliu, Yanzhou, the initial investors included not only the Henan gentry but also a large number of Yanzhou clans. However, Cao Cao favored only the Henan gentry, which bred resentment among the people of Yanzhou.

Later, when Chen Gong and Zhang Miao brought Lu Bu into Yanzhou, it was primarily because the Yanzhou gentry sought revenge. Since their contributions had not been adequately rewarded, why should they continue to support Cao Cao? Though Lu Bu was incompetent, he was at least willing to entrust the Yanzhou people with authority.

The world of adults is not merely about killing and fighting; their mouths are full of benevolence and morality, while their hearts are entirely focused on business. Why did the famous scholar Bian Rang curse Cao Cao? Why did the counties of Yanzhou rebel all at once? Every reason, no matter how complex, boils down to the word "interest."

Xun You and Guo Jia had let Cheng Yu state his position first because Cheng Yu was a man of Yanzhou. He was not merely a strategist like the others, but a versatile talent capable of commanding troops and leading battles. As the current Governor of Yanzhou, Cheng Yu's attitude represented the attitude of Yanzhou itself.

In Cao Cao's heart, even if Lu Bu were invincible, he dared not use him. He dared not keep such a hidden danger by his side. If he were to face Yuan Shao in a decisive battle and the Yanzhou gentry colluded with this man to rebel again, he would have no place to be buried.

Inside the city of Xiapi, Lu Bu was furious at Chen Gong's actions, for this fellow had suddenly made a very strange move.

Lu Bu used the excuse that Gao Shun had failed to defend the city effectively, first demoting him from General of the Household to Colonel, and then further demoting him to Military Sima. He turned the great general who defended the city into a mere patrol officer for the inner city, gradually fading him from the view of high-ranking commanders.

Zhang Liao unexpectedly became the general in charge of defending the city. He secretly went to comfort Gao Shun, only to find that the man felt not the slightest bit of dissatisfaction. Zhang Liao could do nothing but admire him.

Not long after Lu Bu's prohibition on alcohol was issued, the cavalry commander Hou Cheng recovered some lost horses. His friends and fellow generals brought gifts to celebrate, and Hou Cheng offered his own home-brewed wine and cooked meat to Lu Bu to share in the joy.

Lu Bu, currently in a state of depression, saw Hou Cheng approaching with wine and meat, smiling. He felt the man was showing contempt for his military orders and thus intended to execute him.

Under the desperate pleas of the other generals, Hou Cheng was ultimately sentenced to a beating with sticks, which left him battered and bruised.

Hou Cheng grew resentful because of this. While recovering from his injuries, he conspired with his close friends Song Xian and Wei Xu to surrender to Cao.

A surrender in advance required a welcoming gift, so they set their sights on Chen Gong, as this fellow was the greatest opponent of the surrender faction within the city.

In the twelfth month of the third year of Jian'an, Hou Cheng, Song Xian, Wei Xu, and others bound Chen Gong and led the masses to surrender.

Lu Bu was shocked upon hearing the news. He and Zhang Liao ascended Baimen Tower and saw the Cao army fighting bravely and attacking with great urgency. Realizing the situation was lost, he said to those around him, "Xiapi cannot be held. You may take my head to present to Cao Cao; it will not be in vain that we have known each other."

"General," the men under his command wept, unable to bear the thought of killing Lu Bu.

"My Lord has long wished to surrender, why seek death?" Zhang Liao advised from the side.

Lu Bu then had people bind him and sent others to welcome Cao Cao into the city. Seeing this, Zhang Liao also bound himself alongside his lord at Baimen Tower.

Cao Cao was supervising the battle outside the city. Having just accepted the surrender of Hou Cheng and the others, he suddenly heard that Lu Bu had also sent men to surrender. His expression changed as he said, "The great matter is accomplished. Quickly invite Liu Bei; let us enter Xiapi together and meet our old friend."

Those around him did not understand Cao Cao's intention, save for Guo Jia, who smiled leisurely.

At this time, Liu Bei was ordered to attack the West Gate. Upon receiving Cao Cao's invitation, he went with Guan Yu to the South Gate, and later entered the city with Cao Cao to ascend Baimen Tower.

Upon seeing Cao Cao, Lu Bu hurriedly said, "The one whom the Illustrious Duke fears is merely me. I have never met an enlightened lord in this life. Now, I am willing to serve under your banner, to hold your horse and stirrup, and help you contend for the world."

Cao Cao did not speak, but instead turned his gaze toward Liu Bei.

Liu Bei felt a tightening in his heart, thinking, Could it be that Cao the Rebel has some scheme?

Just then, Chen Gong happened to be brought up to Baimen Tower. In the past, Cao Cao had nearly failed in Yanzhou because of him, so in the moment of victory, he naturally wanted to show off in front of everyone.

Hearing Lu Bu's resonant words, Chen Gong looked up and laughed, "Lu Bu is but a common fellow. Defeated and captured, one simply dies; why imitate a stray dog wagging its tail for pity?"

"Gongtai, what a sharp tongue. Why do I not see the majesty you had in Yanzhou back then? Hahaha," Cao Cao laughed.

"Hmph." Chen Gong, who had been pushed next to Lu Bu, suddenly struggled and moved a few steps away.

Ignoring Chen Gong, Cao Cao said to Liu Bei, "Xuande, you have been bullied by this fellow many times. In your view, should I kill him or spare him?"

"This..." Although Liu Bei hated Lu Bu, he had not yet formed the intent to kill, yet he felt it would be a pity to let him join Cao Cao.

"Cao Mengde, even at this moment you do not forget to play your tricks. It is truly no wonder others call you a treacherous hero," Chen Gong sneered.

With Chen Gong speaking like that, how could Liu Bei dare to say anything?

Cao Cao frowned and said coldly, "Chen Gong, you have shown contempt for me many times. Do you think I truly dare not kill you?"

Chen Gong turned his head away, refusing to look at him, and said disdainfully, "The winner is king, the loser is a bandit. If I die, I die; why say more?"

"You..." Cao Cao was left unable to retort.

Though Lu Bu was slow-witted, he was not stupid. Thinking carefully, he knew Cao Cao had no intention of sparing him, so he laughed mutely, "Imperial ambitions and hegemony are but talk and laughter; they are not as good as a drunken stupor in life. Gongtai is right—the winner is king, the loser is a bandit. One simply dies."

Chen Gong's gaze toward Lu Bu changed at this moment. He excitedly echoed, "Imperial ambitions and hegemony are but talk and laughter; they are not as good as a drunken stupor in life. This is the Lu Fengxian I know."

Cao Cao listened, completely bewildered, thinking, Is this such a famous saying? Why have I, Cao Mengde, never heard of it?

"Cao the Rebel, is there any parting wine?" Chen Gong shouted.

"There is... hm? Bring them wine." Cao Cao was startled. Chen Gongtai is cursing me; why did I agree? This is what is called magnanimity.

Lu Bu and Chen Gong laughed wildly after finishing their parting wine. Seeing they were determined to die, Cao Cao ceased his persuasion and had both men strangled atop Baimen Tower.

"Xuande, why did you not speak just now?" Cao Cao asked again.

"I was still considering, and then Master Gongtai..." Liu Bei started but stopped.

Cao Cao shook his head and asked the bound Zhang Liao, "Who are you? Why do you not follow your lord in death?"

"Is Zhang Liao the type to fear death? If you want to kill, then kill!" Zhang Liao glared at him.

Guan Yu, standing beside Liu Bei, hurriedly pleaded, "Illustrious Duke, wait. Zhang Wenyuan is outstanding in martial arts and possesses both loyalty and righteousness. It would be a pity to kill him."

"I also know Wenyuan is loyal and righteous; I was merely teasing him just now," Cao Cao said with a smile, walking over to untie Zhang Liao himself.

Zhang Liao had no intention of dying. He cupped his hands to thank Guan Yu and then joined Cao Cao's camp.

"I just heard Lu Bu and Chen Gong say: 'Imperial ambitions and hegemony are but a jest; nothing beats a life spent in a drunken haze.' This phrase has quite the artistic flair; I wonder who authored it?" Cao Cao asked Zhang Liao.

"It is said to be a farmer from Xiaopei," Zhang Liao answered truthfully.

"A farmer? How could a farmer possess such grand sentiment? Does Wenyuan know this person's name?" Cao Cao asked with a smile.

Zhang Liao thought for a moment and said, "It seems to be someone called Lan Ziyu. This is just what circulates among the troops; I cannot be entirely certain."

"Lan Ziyu... I have never heard this name. Xuande, you have been in Xiaopei for a long time; have you heard of this person?" Cao Cao asked again.

Liu Bei felt a jolt in his heart, but his face remained as calm as an ancient well as he said, "I do not know. This is also the first time I have heard this phrase."