The Price of Failure
Boom— Cao Cao’s army burst through the palace gates like a flood. The troops from the General of Chariots and Cavalry’s headquarters who had tried to assassinate the Cao clan outside the city had already been routed by Zhang Xiu and Xiahou Yuan’s cavalry. The hidden assassins who struck next were cut down by Cao Ang, the Grand Tutor’s Chamberlain, along with Xu Chu and Dian Wei, who guarded Cao Cao and his father. Inside the city, the Tiger Guards who tried to block me, the Gate Colonel, were repelled by Man Chong’s Court of Judicial Bills forces stationed within the walls. The Son of Heaven’s personal guard under General of the Household Guards Wu Zilan was crushed by the soldiers Xun You brought from the Chancellor’s office and the swordsmen Liu Ye had kept hidden in Lujiang since our arrival.
Chariots and Cavalry Headquarters → Private Retainers → Assassins → Tiger Guards Headquarters → General of the Household Guards → Imperial Guards. Their preparations had been thorough, yet the outcome was clumsy. Still, no one inside the palace could have expected every layer to collapse so quickly.
“Looking at how they deployed their forces, they clearly believed they had us perfectly encircled.”
“They certainly prepared two or three layers of backup.”
“Until they took one solid hit, that is.”
Cao Cao burst into laughter at my words, clutching his belly. “Hah, hahaha! Exactly. They prepared well, but once blade met blade they realized their plan was flawed.”
In the end, the Emperor’s coup had failed because of the vast gap in skill and numbers between the two sides. Had it been me, I would not have surrounded Cao Cao’s residence with the central Tiger Guards. I would have sealed the city gates, summoned every civil and military official, and had the Emperor issue a formal proclamation while waiting for Liu Bei’s army. Of course, even then I could not have predicted how Liu Bei would perform against Cao Cao’s forces.
At any rate, it was done. Now it was time to begin purging every last one of them trembling inside the palace. At that moment, officials from the Chancellor’s office who had been waiting in the outer palace appeared in full court attire.
“Grand Tutor, and the Chancellor as well—have you both come?”
“Yes. Now we must see who dared to play this little game.”
“Chancellor, set down your sword and remove your armor first. Put on fresh court robes.”
“Wenruo, what are you saying?”
Xun Yu addressed Cao Cao not as his lord but as Chancellor, insisting he change out of armor and into proper robes.
“No matter how righteous the act of punishing traitors, a subject cannot appear before His Majesty the Emperor wearing armor and carrying a sword. Only those granted the Nine Bestowments may do so.”
“You want me to observe rigid etiquette even now?”
“It must be done. At the very least, the Chancellor’s household must comply.”
Xun Yu remained firm even amid the chaos. Cao Hong and Xiahou Yuan protested, but Xun Yu addressed only Cao Cao and Cao Song.
“I must be clear. No matter the circumstances, His Majesty the Emperor must remain unharmed, and no member of your household may wear armor or carry a sword.”
When Xun Yu refused to yield on this point, Cao Cao nodded on the spot.
“He has a point.”
Cao Cao immediately handed his sword to Dian Wei and stripped off the armor over his robes, passing it to Xu Chu.
“Our household is exempt from the rule. Zilian, Miaocai, Zisu, Zayul—hand your swords to your adjutants and remove your armor as well.”
“Yes, Chancellor.”
“Ohoho…”
Cao Song gave an unreadable laugh. Cao Cao disarmed only his immediate family as Xun Yu advised, entrusting their weapons to Dian Wei and Xu Chu before striding boldly into the inner palace. Whether Xun Yu’s rigid adherence to protocol was meant to preserve Cao Cao’s legitimacy or was simply a calculated performance, it worked.
Before the throne hall, Cao Cao issued his orders.
“Seize every civil and military official and force them to kneel. Especially the ringleader Dong Cheng and his entire clan—bring them alive.”
“Yes, Chancellor.”
“Chancellor, what of Lady Dong?” Xiahou Yuan asked. Cao Cao’s brow furrowed for an instant before he clapped Dian Wei on the chest.
“Dian Wei, what did I just say?”
“You said to bring Dong Cheng’s entire clan before you alive.”
“Correct. Carry that out.”
“Yes, Chancellor!”
Dian Wei charged off without a second thought to seize the pregnant consort. Xiahou Yuan and Cao Ang both approached with concern.
“Are you certain? She is, after all, a consort carrying His Majesty’s blood.”
“I have already said everything that needs saying to Dian Wei.”
From the moment Cao Cao spoke, the fate of the Dong clan was sealed. Under his command the palace was turned upside down. Civil and military officials were surrounded by Cao Cao’s troops; one wrong move and their heads would roll on the spot.
“Your Majesty~ Your Majesty~!”
Cao Cao deliberately dragged out his words, calling loudly for the Emperor hidden within the throne hall.
“Your Majesty, your unworthy subject Cao Cao, Chancellor, has captured those who dared plot treason while relying on Your Majesty’s authority. I come at once to report. Where are you, Your Majesty?”
No one could stop Cao Cao from openly summoning the Emperor who cowered inside. He only raised his voice further, fully aware of the reversal of master and servant this scene represented.
“Hmm, is this truly all right…?”
“Zisu, hush. Watch.”
“…”
I whispered to Cao Ang to observe the situation. Meanwhile, Cao Cao’s generals dragged in one traitor after another. Wu Shi, the Court Gentleman, was hauled forward on his knees, stripped of armor and whipped until he bled. Man Chong had extracted his confession at the Court of Judicial Bills.
From another direction came Xu Shu, whom I had not seen in some time, leading a general in chains.
“Colonel Xu Shu! I have captured Tiger Guard Colonel Chong Ji, who has also confessed to involvement in the plot!”
Xu Shu, now serving under Xiahou Yuan, had brought Chong Ji. Liu Ye had declined to appear before the Emperor, citing personal reasons, and passed the task to Xu Shu—perhaps because they shared the same bloodline.
“Colonel Xu Chu! I have seized General of the Household Guards Wang Zifu on suspicion of treason and forced him to kneel!”
Finally, Cao Hong dragged Dong Cheng himself forward.
“Your Majesty, General of the Vanguard Cao Hong brings the ringleader, General of Chariots and Cavalry Dong Cheng, to kneel before the Son of Heaven!”
At last the Emperor could endure no longer.
“His Majesty the Emperor arrives.”
The eunuchs trembled as they announced him. When the Emperor emerged in full imperial robes and saw the scene outside, he collapsed to the floor. Cao Cao approached and bowed with perfect courtesy.
“Your Majesty, how deeply grieved you must be. These traitors have hidden behind Your Majesty’s authority to commit such disloyal acts that I can scarcely bring myself to speak of them.”
“Ugh… ugh…”
“Moreover, General of Chariots and Cavalry Dong Cheng is the father of Your Majesty’s consort and the very man who rescued Your Majesty from the traitors’ hands alongside my son in Chang’an. That such a person would commit this outrage…”
Cao Cao drew closer to the Emperor and met his eyes without hesitation. The Emperor faltered. When officials tried to protest Cao Cao’s breach of etiquette—
“Cao Mengde, how dare you before His Majesty—urk!”
Someone stepped forward from the ranks only to vanish with a scream.
“Cao Cao, you worse than Dong Zhuo, you enemy of the Han—ghk!”
Another who tried to speak disappeared just as quickly. Cao Cao turned calmly toward the officials surrounded by soldiers.
“I intend to discuss the punishment of these traitors with His Majesty. Why the commotion behind me? Xu Chu, Cao Hong, Xiahou Yuan, Xu Shu—quiet them down.”
At his single command the soldiers drew their blades. No matter how loyal one claimed to be, a single careless word here would mean death.
“Your Majesty, what shall be done with these traitors? The General of Chariots and Cavalry, the General of the Household Guards, the Tiger Guard Colonels—every one of them is a traitor. Is that not so?”
“…”
“Is that not so?!”
“Y-yes, it is!”
When Cao Cao slammed his fist against a pillar beside the throne and raised his voice, the Emperor flinched and stumbled backward.
“Then may I send them all to the Court of Judicial Bills for a thorough investigation?”
“That is…”
“Surely you are not shielding traitors? How could the Son of Heaven do such a thing?”
As Cao Cao raised his fist again, Emperor Xian squeezed his eyes shut and cried out.
“Do as you will! I truly knew nothing!”
“Precisely. Your Majesty, these men ignored your will and turned their blades against you under the pretext of being your personal guard.”
Cao Cao nodded and gestured. In an instant Dong Cheng and the others were dragged away. The scent of blood would soon fill the air. But it was not over.
“Your Majesty! Your Majesty!!”
“Consort!”
“Chancellor, we have her!”
Dian Wei appeared, carrying the pregnant Lady Dong like a sack. He was about to hurl her down when Cao Cao leapt up to stop him.
“Dian Wei, you dull-witted bear! How dare you treat the wife of the Son of Heaven like a bundle of goods?”
“H-huh?”
“You think because you once carried His Majesty the Emperor in similar fashion during our escape from Chang’an that you may do the same now? Should you not treat her with respect?”
“Aah—my apologies, Chancellor!”
It was a second humiliation before the Emperor. Cao Cao scolded Dian Wei while gently setting Lady Dong down. Her makeup was gone, her hair disheveled, her face haggard. The heavily pregnant consort carrying the imperial heir trembled as she prostrated herself.
“Your Majesty, Your Majesty! Save me! Your Majesty! Your Majesty!”
“Your Majesty, according to the law, the traitor Dong Cheng’s three clans must be exterminated. Yet his daughter remains.”
Officials from the Chancellor’s office brought ropes and began binding Lady Dong’s limbs in preparation for quartering.
“Ch-Chancellor! Lady Dong carries my blood! Spare her, Chancellor!”
“Hmm? You would place your own will above the law that punishes treason?”
“Chancellor… Chancellor!”
Cao Cao looked down at the Emperor, then rose and walked toward the assembled officials.
“Hear me! By the strict letter of the law, traitors and their three clans must die. Yet His Majesty commands that Dong Cheng’s pregnant daughter be spared. What am I to do?”
“…”
“What am I to do?! Have you all gone deaf and mute?”
The rope was already looped around Lady Dong’s neck.
“This… this is wrong. This is…”
“Zisu, stay quiet.”
“Zayul!”
“I’ll go. I must.”
“!?”
Yes—this was something I had to do. We had crushed the Emperor’s coup and solidified Cao Cao’s regime, but to execute a heavily pregnant woman—let alone a consort carrying the Emperor’s child—right before the Emperor’s eyes? That crossed a line.
“Since no one speaks, you all agree the law must be followed. Guards! Carry out the sentence at once—”
“That must not be done!”
“!”
Cao Cao’s expression was thunderous. Of all people, it was I—his own blood—who stepped forward before every civil and military official. He stared at me in genuine shock.
“Xiu, what are you—?”
I dropped to my knees before him.
“Gate Colonel Cao Xiu speaks! The Chancellor’s suppression of treason is an act of loyalty to the Han imperial house. Yet even when enforcing collective punishment, executing the Consort is unacceptable.”
“Zayul, I have already told everyone this is the law!”
“Even under the law, a pregnant woman—regardless of her sentence—is granted a stay until after she gives birth and her body is purified. That custom admits no exception, no matter the crime!”
Cao Cao hesitated at the mention of custom overriding strict law. His voice rose.
“You insolent boy, Zayul! I have indulged you all this time, and now you dare lecture me on the law before everyone?”
“Chancellor, this is not about public versus private. This is a protest against an act of excessive cruelty!”
I had to stop this. Cao Cao glared at me, trembling with rage, then approached and sat before me. His fist clenched, he whispered low.
“If the Son of Heaven’s seed survives, that child may one day seek revenge for its mother.”
“Will it even survive to adulthood?”
“!”
“By the time it grows to come of age, you, Uncle, will still be in your prime and our clan will be stronger than ever. What threat could a single illegitimate son of a ruined imperial house possibly pose?”
“Hmm…”
By framing it this way, I showed that even within the Cao clan there were those who spoke with conviction, while still allowing Cao Cao a way to save face. It should have been enough to let the matter pass—
“Chancellor, Grand Tutor’s Chamberlain Cao Zisu also believes this is wrong!”
“?!”
“Ugh!”
Ah, Cao Ang, you fool! Why are you stepping forward? Cao Cao’s eldest son rushed to my side and knelt.
“Father—no, Chancellor! I agree with Zayul. This seems excessively cruel. Law is law, but I beg you to show mercy!”
“Zisu, you too…”
Why had he intervened? To smooth this over, the last person who should have spoken was his own son. As a collateral relative I could claim righteous conviction, but this made it look like father-son conflict!
“You worthless fools!”
Cao Cao clicked his tongue and rose, walking toward Lady Dong. I jabbed Cao Ang in the ribs.
“Why did you step in? I was handling it.”
“Zayul, if Father’s anger falls, you’ll take all the blame alone. I couldn’t watch that happen. Aren’t we brothers?”
“!”
“If there is punishment, let us share it. I simply could not bear to see this cruelty while you stood alone against it.”
…This ridiculously kind idiot. I understood his intent, but still…
“Haha, hahahaha! Hahahahahaha!”
Cao Cao looked once at Lady Dong with the rope around her neck. If she died now, both she and the imperial child in her womb would perish. The Emperor—the child’s father and husband—could do nothing but watch.
“What is this farce?! The so-called loyal ministers of the Han are deaf and mute, yet the ones who stopped this injustice are my own sons? The Three Excellencies, the Three Lords, the inner and outer relatives, the elders—every one of them was ready to execute a pregnant consort under the law, and the only ones who objected are my sons!”
He repeated the point twice so every official would hear. Then, still laughing, he extended his hand.
“Remove the rope from the Consort’s neck. Send her to the detached palace. The sentence will be suspended until after she gives birth.”
“Yes, Chancellor.”
In that moment Lady Dong was granted a temporary reprieve. She would be confined to the detached palace under guard, but she would at least give birth there.
“With that settled, everyone return to your duties and prepare accordingly.”
“Yes, Chancellor!”
The Emperor’s legs gave out; he stared blankly at the sky, half-conscious. Cao Cao approached me and Cao Ang without bowing to the throne.
“You worthless, reckless fools.”
“Father, the punishment—do it at home…”
“Enough. Prepare to return.”
Cao Cao helped us to our feet.
“Cao Hong, escort our father the Grand Tutor safely home. Xiahou Yuan, handle the cleanup here.”
“Yes, Chancellor!”
Thus the Dong Cheng incident became the moment when everyone in Xudu learned exactly what kind of man Cao Cao truly was.