Arc 9Imperial Doubts and Ye City Ambush
Investigations into the rival emperors deepened suspicion in Xu County, while Liu Xie gained allegiance and prepared a trap in Ye City. Yuan Shao's troops advanced on false reports of an internal coup and fell into ambushes.
- Yang Xiu, Dong Xi, Fu De, and Chen Qun visited Ye City to investigate Liu Xie's identity, and Yang Xiu stayed to seek an audience.
- Chen Qun's report led Cao Cao to threaten the Son of Heaven and suspect Yang Biao of arranging an imperial switch.
- Liu Xie secured Cui Yan's service and ordered him to confirm false reports that Yuan Xi planned to ambush Zhang Liao.
- Cao Cao confronted Yang Biao, who injured himself rather than confess, and Liu Xie publicly rewarded Yang Biao for supposedly aiding his escape.
- Fu Wan sought Xun Yu's help against Cao Cao, then denounced Cao Cao and the Son of Heaven at court after Xun Yu refused him.
- Liu Ai verified the Son of Heaven's identity in private but chose to support Liu Xie in Ye City and told Cao Cao that Yang Biao had arranged the switch.
- Yuan Shao sent troops to seize Ye City and kill Yuan Xi, while Jia Xu persuaded Gongsun Zan to attack Hejian.
- Cui Lin lured Chunyu Qiong into an archery ambush, and Zhang He attacked Han Meng after Yuan Xi drew him toward the Southern Suburbs Military Camp.