Recaps

After learning that Yuan Shao had defeated Gongsun Zan, Cao Cao rejected Xu You’s proposal to pledge allegiance to the Son of Heaven in Ye City and planned to expand south instead. A Ye City envoy delivered an edict demanding that Cao Cao send key loyalists to the capital, forcing him toward a public choice between the rival emperors.

• Cao Cao and Xu You discussed Gongsun Zan’s defeat, and Xu You urged Cao Cao to aid the Son of Heaven in Ye City.
• Cao Cao rejected Xu You’s proposal and said he intended to join Zhou Yu against Lü Bu and seize Yang Province.
• Xu Chu reported that an imperial envoy from Ye City had arrived with an edict for Cao Cao.
• Cao Cao had the envoy, Cui Lin, seized, denounced the Ye City emperor as a pretender, and ordered Cui Lin driven out rather than killed.
• Cao Cao read the edict and learned that the Son of Heaven in Ye City had ordered him to send Fu Wan, Yang Biao, and the empress to Ye City.

After Cao Cao received an edict from the Son of Heaven in Ye City, Xu You urged him to surrender, but Cao Cao delayed his decision. Emperor Xian of Han then agreed to join Dong Cheng in a coup against Cao Cao, and Dong Cheng set the attack for that night.

• Xu You urged Cao Cao to submit to the Son of Heaven in Ye City, but Cao Cao said he needed time to consider it.
• Cui Lin denounced Cao Cao outside Xu County, and Dong Cheng warned Emperor Xian of Han that the edict threatened his claim to the throne.
• Dong Cheng proposed killing Cao Cao and seizing his forces with the palace's eight hundred Tiger Guards.
• Emperor Xian of Han overcame his fear and agreed to take part in the assault himself.
• Dong Cheng went to gather the Tiger Guards and planned to attack Cao Cao's residence that night, but Emperor Xian of Han called him back.

Cao Cao decided to resolve the crisis over the rival Han emperors by letting Emperor Xian of Han and Dong Cheng escape Xu County, then sent Xiahou Dun to confront them. At the Minister of Works' Residence, Emperor Xian and Dong Cheng faced the City Defense Army, and Dong Cheng accused Cao Cao of holding the Son of Heaven hostage.

• Emperor Xian of Han asked Dong Cheng whether they would win, and Dong Cheng assured him they would.
• Cao Cao learned that Dong Cheng and Emperor Xian were approaching his residence with eight hundred Tiger Guards after killing the palace guards he had stationed there.
• Cao Cao ordered Xiahou Dun to pursue them and drive them out of Xu County, while opening the city gates so they could escape.
• Dong Cheng led Emperor Xian and the Tiger Guards to the Minister of Works' Residence, where Xiahou Dun and over a thousand City Defense Army soldiers blocked their way.
• Emperor Xian ordered the soldiers to stand aside, and Dong Cheng accused Cao Cao of holding the Son of Heaven hostage and plunging the court into chaos.

Dong Cheng’s coup failed when Xiahou Dun’s City Defense Army overwhelmed the Tiger Guards, forcing Dong Cheng to flee Xu County with Emperor Xian of Han. Cao Cao used the escape to clear himself of the charge of holding the Son of Heaven hostage and ordered Xu You to help Yang Biao, Fu, and the Empress leave the city; Yang Biao was left stunned by Cao Cao’s intentions.

• Emperor Xian of Han rallied the Tiger Guards against Xiahou Dun’s City Defense Army, then charged into battle before Dong Cheng pulled him back.
• When more City Defense Army troops arrived, Dong Cheng retreated with Emperor Xian of Han and escaped Xu County through the undefended West Gate.
• Xiahou Dun watched the Dragon Carriage escape and asked Xu Chu why Cao Cao had let Dong Cheng and the Son of Heaven go.
• Xu You woke Yang Biao and explained that Cao Cao had deliberately allowed Dong Cheng to escape and planned to send Yang Biao, Imperial Father-in-Law Fu, and the Empress out of the city.
• Yang Biao learned the reason for Cao Cao’s plan and was left bewildered and troubled.

Fu Wan and Yang Biao brought Empress Fu out of Xu County to seek the Son of Heaven in Ye City, while Cao Cao let Dong Cheng and Emperor Xian of Han escape and planned to blame Dong Cheng for the flight. Dong Cheng and Emperor Xian fled more than a hundred li before stopping to rest.

• Yang Biao left his residence with Xu You, rescued Fu Wan from the dungeon, and went with him to find Empress Fu.
• Fu Wan told Empress Fu that the coup had failed and urged her to go to Ye City; after resisting, she agreed to leave with him.
• Xiahou Dun reported that Dong Cheng and Emperor Xian of Han had escaped through the West Gate, and Cao Cao ordered that no one pursue them.
• Cao Cao told Xu You that he would accuse Dong Cheng of taking the Son of Heaven hostage and fleeing, then guessed they would seek refuge with Liu Biao.
• Dong Cheng and Emperor Xian of Han fled more than a hundred li from Xu County before stopping to rest.

Emperor Xian of Han fled Xu County and rejected Dong Cheng’s suggestion to seek Liu Biao, choosing instead to travel to Yang Province and find Lü Bu. In Liang Province, Ma Teng discussed an imperial appointment with Ma Chao, Pang De, and his other relatives and officers, but remained wary of the court’s motives.

• Emperor Xian of Han complained of thirst and despair while Dong Cheng urged him to keep moving and proposed seeking Liu Biao in Jing Province.
• Emperor Xian of Han refused to go to Jing Province, suspecting Liu Biao might seize the throne and recognizing that Dong Cheng might support such a move.
• Emperor Xian of Han decided Lü Bu was loyal to him and ordered the Tiger Guards to depart for Shou County.
• Ma Teng summoned Ma Chao, Ma Xiu, Ma Tie, Ma Dai, and Pang De to read an Imperial Edict appointing him General of the Vanguard and Marquis of Huaili.
• Ma Teng explained his history of rebellion and submission to the court, while Ma Chao argued that the Son of Heaven needed Ma Teng to tie down Yuan Shao’s forces.

Ma Teng decided to accept Liu Xie's amnesty and go to Ye City with two of his sons, while Ma Chao remained to command the army. In Shou County, Lü Bu learned that Emperor Xian of Han had arrived, though Dong Cheng worried that the emperor would be exposed as a pretender.

• Pang De warned Ma Teng that Han Sui might gain the advantage by accepting Liu Xie's amnesty, and Ma Teng resolved to serve the Son of Heaven in Ye City.
• Ma Teng chose Ma Xiu and Ma Tie to accompany him as hostages, leaving Ma Chao in command of Liang Province and Guanzhong.
• Lü Bu complained that Zhou Yu had stalled his campaign in Danyang and considered abandoning Yang Province to aid the Son of Heaven, but Chen Gong urged him to await an imperial edict.
• Gao Shun announced that Emperor Xian of Han had arrived outside Shou County, and Lü Bu rushed out to meet him.
• Dong Cheng surveyed Shou County's well-equipped defenders and warned Emperor Xian of Han that they could still leave before the soldiers discovered he was a pretender.

Emperor Xian of Han arrived in Shou County hoping Lü Bu would recognize him, but Lü Bu mistook him for the emperor from Ye City. Dong Cheng persuaded the real emperor to play along and enter the city, while Chen Gong grew suspicious and began investigating.

• Emperor Xian of Han and Dong Cheng were relieved when Lü Bu knelt and greeted the emperor, but Lü Bu called him Marquis of Wen instead of Duke Wen.
• Lü Bu assumed the emperor had fled Ji Province after Yuan Shao attacked Ye City, and Emperor Xian of Han realized Lü Bu had mistaken him for the Pretender Emperor.
• Dong Cheng pulled Emperor Xian of Han aside and warned him to pretend to be the Ye City emperor until they could escape; the emperor reluctantly agreed when Lü Bu asked about Zhang Liao.
• Lü Bu welcomed Emperor Xian of Han into Shou County and invited him to a feast, while Chen Gong noticed something was wrong.
• Chen Gong questioned the story of Yuan Shao attacking Ye City and asked Gao Shun to investigate what had happened to the emperor and his party.

At a banquet in Shou County, Emperor Xian of Han drunkenly pleaded with Lü Bu to believe he was the true Son of Heaven, but Gao Shun exposed him as the Pretender Emperor from Xu County. Lü Bu tried to kill him, and Chen Gong saved him from the saber before arguing that he had to be handed over to the Son of Heaven for judgment.

• Lü Bu held a lavish banquet to welcome Emperor Xian of Han, while the emperor resented the officers’ apparent respect for the Pretender Emperor and Dong Cheng worried about escaping.
• Emperor Xian of Han drunkenly declared that he was the true Son of Heaven and begged Lü Bu to believe him.
• Gao Shun entered with soldiers and revealed that the emperor’s men had escaped from Xu County and had not come from Ji Province.
• Lü Bu took Gao Shun’s saber and swung at Emperor Xian of Han, but Chen Gong kicked the emperor aside, and the blade cut through his crown and a pillar.
• Lü Bu accused Chen Gong of siding with the Pretender Emperor, and Chen Gong urged him to hand the prisoner over to the Son of Heaven for judgment.

Chen Gong persuaded Lü Bu to spare the Pretender Emperor because he might be related to the Han imperial family, though Lü Bu beat him unconscious before sending him into custody. In Yi City, Tian Feng warned Yuan Shao that rushing to attack Ji County would expose his territories to multiple enemies, but Yuan Shao remained determined to march.

• Chen Gong argued that the Pretender Emperor’s identical appearance to Emperor Xian of Han suggested he might be the emperor’s twin or another member of the Han imperial family, and Lü Bu reluctantly agreed not to kill him.
• Lü Bu punched the Pretender Emperor three times for impersonating the Son of Heaven, then ordered Gao Shun to guard him and take him to Ye City for judgment.
• Yuan Shao assigned Yuan Tan to lead the vanguard against Ji County, with Yan Liang commanding, Qu Yi as deputy, and Yuanhao as strategist.
• Tian Feng urged Yuan Shao to secure the rest of You Province and besiege Ji County while guarding Qing Province and Bing Province against Zhang Yan and other enemies.
• Yuan Shao rejected Tian Feng’s warnings and ordered his forces to march on Ji County in three days, leaving Tian Feng’s objections unanswered.

Gongsun Xu struggled to defend You Province after Yuan Shao’s victories, but Zhang Yan arrived in Ji County with an offer of aid. Zhang Yan planned to use the Black Mountain Army to disrupt Yuan Shao’s supply lines and raid his occupied cities while Yuan Shao attacked Yuyang.

• Yuan Shao rejected Tian Feng’s warning and ordered Guo Yuan to hold Bing Province, Yuan Tan to defend Qing Province, and the rest of his forces to march on Ji County.
• Gongsun Xu confided to Gongsun Fan that he feared he could not hold Ji County, and Gongsun Fan advised him to preserve his people even if they had to abandon You Province.
• Zhang Yan, Sun Qing, and Wang Dang scaled Ji County’s wall and met Gongsun Xu, explaining that Zhang Yan had come in response to his request for aid.
• Gongsun Xu asked Zhang Yan to help oppose Yuan Shao, and Zhang Yan agreed that his troops were ready to move.
• Zhang Yan proposed keeping the Black Mountain Army in the Taihang Mountains to raid Yuan Shao’s supply routes and attack the cities he had captured while his main force was away.

Gongsun Xu secured Zhang Yan’s promise to send troops against Yuan Shao, while Zhang Yan planned to use the conflict to raid Yuan Shao’s supply lines and win an imperial amnesty for the Black Mountain Army. In Ye City, Liu Xie and his advisers learned that Cao Cao had let Emperor Xian escape, freeing himself from the burden of holding the Son of Heaven and returning to a neutral position.

• Gongsun Xu agreed to provide Zhang Yan with provisions in exchange for the Black Mountain Army’s help if Ji County came under siege.
• Zhang Yan told Sun Qing and Wang Dang that he meant to raid Yuan Shao’s supply lines and earn enough merit for the court to offer the Black Mountain Army amnesty and recruitment.
• Liu Xie concluded from the secret report that Cao Cao had deliberately allowed Emperor Xian and Dong Cheng to escape Xu County so Cao Cao could shed his reputation as a treacherous minister.
• Liu Xie summoned Guo Jia and Jia Xu, who recognized that Cao Cao had escaped the trap of the imperial edict and was now free to disobey it.
• Guo Jia argued that Cao Cao’s release of Emperor Xian had removed the reason for him to oppose Liu Xie, making Cao Cao a neutral rather than an immediate threat.

Liu Xie learned that Empress Fu and Han loyalists Yang Biao and Fu Wan were heading to Ye City, complicating his plans for the throne and his promises to the Zhen Clan and Lü Bu. He accepted Guo Jia’s proposal to let Empress Fu come and use her as a balance between his powerful allies, while Jia Xu warned him not to let her bear an heir.

• Liu Xie worried about where Emperor Xian of Han would flee, and Guo Jia judged that Jing Province was the likeliest refuge.
• Jia Xu accepted Liu Xie’s order to investigate Emperor Xian’s whereabouts, but Zhang He then reported that Empress Fu, Yang Biao, and Fu Wan were traveling to Ye City.
• Jia Xu proposed intercepting and killing the travelers, while Guo Jia warned that a massacre could ruin Liu Xie’s reputation.
• Guo Jia argued that Empress Fu should live because her presence would balance the Zhen Clan and Lü Bu until Liu Xie unified the realm.
• Liu Xie agreed to let Empress Fu come to Ye City, and Jia Xu cautioned him against favoring her or allowing her to bear an heir.

Empress Fu and her companions reached Ye City and met Liu Xie, whose appearance and imperial bearing convinced Yang Biao and Fu Wan that he was the true emperor. Liu Xie welcomed Empress Fu warmly and condemned the pretender for deposing her, while she remained stunned by the revelation.

• Liu Xie asked Guo Jia and Jia Xu whether Noble Lady Lü or Noble Lady Zhen would make a more suitable empress, but dropped the question when they hesitated.
• Fu Wan warned Empress Fu not to speak recklessly at court, and she promised to heed him despite her doubts about the emperor in Ye City.
• Gao Lan led the Feathered Forest Guard to escort Empress Fu, Fu Wan, and Yang Biao safely into Ye City.
• Yang Biao and Fu Wan recognized Liu Xie as the true Son of Heaven when they saw his striking resemblance to the ruler in Xu County and his commanding bearing.
• Empress Fu stared at Liu Xie in shock and wondered whether the ruler in Xu County had truly been a pretender.
• Liu Xie took Empress Fu's hand, praised her fidelity, and angrily denounced the pretender for deposing her.

Empress Fu recognized Liu Xie in Ye City as her emperor, though she remained uncertain whether he was the real Son of Heaven or the Pretender Emperor from Xu County. After leaving her in his bedchamber, Liu Xie went to Zhen Mi’s palace, considering how to deal with her.

• Liu Xie reassured Empress Fu that she would remain Empress, and Fu Wan urged her to acknowledge him; she bowed and accepted him as her emperor.
• Liu Xie welcomed Yang Biao and Fu Wan at a banquet, where Empress Fu watched him and wondered whether he was the true Son of Heaven.
• Liu Xie asked Empress Fu to toast him, while Fu Wan believed she had recognized the real emperor.
• After the banquet, Liu Xie refused to share a bed with Empress Fu because he did not trust her.
• Empress Fu asked Liu Xie whether he was truly the Son of Heaven, but he evaded the question and left her in tears and doubt.
• Liu Xie went to Zhen Mi’s palace and considered how to deal with Empress Fu now that her arrival in Ye City would be known.

Liu Xie ordered Empress Fu secluded in a guarded palace chamber while reassuring Zhen Mi, then reviewed reports on military shortages and the troubled harvest. Yuan Tan prepared to defend Qing Province, while Emperor Xian of Han and Dong Cheng remained Lü Bu’s prisoners in Shou County.

• Liu Xie ordered Gao Lan to establish Pepper Chamber Hall for Empress Fu, guard it closely, and require his permission for even her father to visit.
• Liu Xie comforted Zhen Mi’s fears that Empress Fu would displace her, then reviewed memorials detailing Liu Bei’s growing force, Yuan Shao’s advances, strained defenses, and a poor harvest.
• Yuan Tan discussed Qing Province’s defenses with Lü Kuang and Jiang Qi and resolved not to let Lü Bu’s troops pass through as they had before.
• In a Shou County cell, Dong Cheng angrily blamed Emperor Xian of Han for choosing to go there instead of Jing Province, while the defeated emperor sat in despair.

Lü Bu overruled Emperor Xian of Han’s pleas and ordered Cao Xing to escort him and Dong Cheng to Ye City for the Son of Heaven’s judgment. Outside Ji County, Yuan Shao’s army provoked Gongsun Xu with his father’s head, but Gongsun Fan stopped him from riding out to fight.

• Lü Bu rejected Chen Gong’s advice to kill Emperor Xian of Han and ordered Cao Xing to escort him and Dong Cheng to Ye City.
• Gao Shun warned that three thousand escorts would draw attention in Qing Province, so Lü Bu reduced the force to five hundred.
• Yuan Shao sent Yan Liang to challenge Ji County while displaying Gongsun Zan’s preserved head and taunting Gongsun Xu.
• Gongsun Xu seized his spear and tried to leave the city to attack Yan Liang, but Gongsun Fan knocked him down and restrained him.
• Gongsun Fan urged Gongsun Xu to defend Ji County rather than risk the city’s fall by fighting outside its walls.

Gongsun Xu endured Yuan Shao’s humiliation without leaving Ji County, while Zhang Yan waited for Yuan Shao’s troops to lower their guard before raiding their camp. The Black Mountain Army set fires and escaped, leaving Yuan Shao scrambling to protect his supplies as Gongsun Xu and Gongsun Fan watched from the city walls.

• Yan Liang taunted Gongsun Xu with Gongsun Zan’s head, but Gongsun Xu stayed inside Ji County and mourned his father.
• Yuan Shao encamped outside Ji County and waited through the night for Gongsun Xu to launch a raid, then ordered an attack on the city for the next day.
• Zhang Yan held the Black Mountain Army back until just before dawn, then led more than a thousand men toward Yuan Shao’s supply depot.
• The Black Mountain Army set fires throughout Yuan Shao’s camp and attacked the provisions, throwing the sleepy soldiers into chaos.
• Yuan Shao recognized the attackers as the Black Mountain Army and ordered Yan Liang to protect the supplies and help put out the fires.
• Zhang Yan and his men escaped before Yuan Shao’s forces could counterattack, while Gongsun Xu and Gongsun Fan watched the burning camp from Ji County’s walls.

Ma Teng and Han Sui arrived in Ye City to seek Liu Xie's favor, but their rivalry erupted into a fight before Zhao Yun stopped them. Ma Teng offered his sons as hostages and gained Liu Xie's approval, leaving Han Sui anxious about how to prove his own loyalty.

• Gongsun Xu urged Gongsun Fan to attack Yuan Shao's camp after Zhang Yan set its supplies ablaze, but Gongsun Fan said it was too late to muster troops.
• Ma Teng and Han Sui encountered each other at Ye City's gates, accused one another of rebellion, and drew their weapons.
• Zhao Yun halted Ma Teng and Han Sui's fight and escorted them into the city.
• Liu Xie received Ma Teng and Han Sui, and Ma Teng offered Ma Xiu and Ma Tie as hostages in exchange for imperial favor.
• Liu Xie praised Ma Teng's loyalty and considered granting him a high office, while Han Sui worried that he could not offer an equally convincing pledge.

Liu Xie secured promises of military support from Ma Teng and Han Sui, then agreed to admit Fu Wan’s second daughter to the Palace. In Pepper Chamber Hall, Fu Wan urged Empress Fu to bear Liu Xie an heir, but she still suspected he was a pretender.

• Liu Xie persuaded Han Sui and Ma Teng to pledge troops against Yuan Shao and told them to return for further orders.
• Elder Princess Yang'an asked Liu Xie to admit Fu Wan’s second daughter into the Imperial Harem, and he agreed.
• Fu Wan arrived to visit Empress Fu, and Liu Xie went to Pepper Chamber Hall to watch for anything suspicious.
• Empress Fu asked Fu Wan whether Liu Xie was truly the Son of Heaven, and Fu Wan insisted that he was.
• Fu Wan urged Empress Fu to bear Liu Xie a dragon heir, but she struggled to accept the idea because she believed he was a fake.

Liu Xie confronted Empress Fu, who realized he was a pretender but was threatened into silence and confinement. At court, he confirmed the Tiger Warriors Army’s formation and appointed Cui Yan to command it.

• Fu Wan warned Empress Fu to keep quiet and revealed that her younger sister would enter the palace, while Liu Xie overheard them.
• Empress Fu tested Liu Xie with private questions, and his refusal to answer convinced her that he was not the true Son of Heaven.
• Liu Xie threatened Empress Fu with the destruction of the Fu Family if she left the Pepper Chamber Hall or harmed herself.
• Yang Biao’s call brought officials from across the realm to Ye City, easing Liu Xie’s shortage of government personnel.
• Cui Yan reported that the three-thousand-strong Tiger Warriors Army was ready, and Liu Xie appointed him its Gentleman of the Household and commander.

Liu Xie appointed Zhao Yun as Cui Yan’s deputy to strengthen and monitor the Tiger Warriors Army, then heard that Lü Bu had captured the Pretender Emperor and Dong Cheng. Jia Xu proposed using the Pretender Emperor to undermine Yuan Shao and seize Qing Province, leaving Liu Xie eager to hear the plan’s details.

• Liu Xie appointed Zhao Yun deputy general of the Tiger Warriors Army, and Zhao Yun pledged to serve him faithfully.
• Jia Xu warned that Yuan Shao threatened Ji County and Ye City, and proposed coordinated attacks on three fronts.
• A messenger delivered Lü Bu’s report that the Pretender Emperor and Dong Cheng had been captured and were being escorted toward Ye City.
• Jia Xu proposed handing the Pretender Emperor to Yuan Tan so that either outcome would give Liu Xie an advantage against Yuan Shao.
• Liu Xie and the ministers listened as Jia Xu explained how the plan could help them take Qing Province.

Liu Xie ordered Cao Xing to kill Emperor Xian of Han after Wang Chong reported that their party was trapped in Qing Province. Sima Yi then proposed using Emperor Xian of Han as bait to draw Yuan Tan into a trap and seize Qing Province, leaving Liu Xie to decide whether to risk the plan and spare the emperor temporarily.

• Liu Xie rejected Jia Xu's proposal to hand Emperor Xian of Han over to Yuan Tan and insisted that the Pretender Emperor had to die.
• Wang Chong reported that Cao Xing's party was trapped in Dongguan Commandery because Yuan Tan's troops were guarding routes through Qing Province.
• Liu Xie ordered Cao Xing to execute Emperor Xian of Han and send his body to Ye City.
• Sima Yi proposed using Emperor Xian of Han as bait to draw Yuan Tan's forces out while Liu Bu and Liu Xie attacked Qing Province.
• Sima Yi suggested that Yuan Xi and Zhang Liao stage a flight to Qing Province, but Yuan Xi feared Yuan Tan would kill him.
• Liu Xie weighed Sima Yi's plan against his desire to kill Emperor Xian of Han and had not yet decided whether to proceed.

Liu Xie wagered Emperor Xian of Han’s life for a campaign to conquer Qing Province, drawing Yuan Xi into his service and issuing orders to his allies. Lü Bu received orders to abandon Yang Province and muster in Langya, while Zhang Yan eagerly prepared to meet an imperial envoy.

• Liu Xie promised Yuan Xi the title of General of Chariots and Cavalry and an army of his own if he helped recover Qing Province, and Yuan Xi accepted the dangerous mission.
• Liu Xie ordered Guo Jia and Jia Xu to recruit Zhang Yan with promised titles and told Duke Wen to gather his forces on the border of Xu Province.
• Liu Xie instructed Wang Chong to tell Cao to kill Emperor Xian of Han if he tried to flee or was trapped, while Kong Rong offered to enlist Wang Xiu and raise Han loyalists in Beihai.
• Lü Bu received Liu Xie’s order to abandon Yang Province and gather his forces in Langya, and Chen Gong persuaded him that conquering Qing Province could help restore the Han Dynasty.
• Zhang Yan learned that an imperial envoy had arrived with an edict and hurried to welcome him.

Zhang Yan accepted an imperial appointment and rallied the Black Mountain Army to fight Yuan Shao, while Yuan Xi sought refuge with Yuan Tan and warned him that Lü Bu might lead an imperial campaign against Qing Province. Yuan Xi proposed intercepting the Son of Heaven before he reached Xu Province, leaving Yuan Tan to consider the plan.

• Zhang Yan accepted the court’s appointment as General Who Pacifies the North and the promise of a marquisate for defeating Yuan Shao’s forces.
• Zhang Yan declared the Black Mountain Army soldiers of the court and ordered every contingent to assemble in You Province.
• Yuan Tan learned that Zhang Liao had humiliated Yuan Xi and that Yuan Xi had escaped Ye City, then ordered his brother brought before him.
• Yuan Xi pleaded for refuge, endured Yuan Tan’s beating, and warned that Lü Bu planned to use the Son of Heaven to lead an attack on Qing Province.
• Yuan Xi proposed intercepting the Son of Heaven before he reached Xu Province, and Yuan Tan understood the strategy.