Chapter 5: Cao Cao Appeals To The Powerful Lords; The Three Brothers Fight Against Lu Bu

Chen Gong hesitated to kill Cao Cao, reasoning, “I joined him for righteousness. Killing him would bring condemnation. Better to leave quietly.” Before dawn, Chen Gong departed eastward for Dongjun.

Cao Cao awoke, noticed Chen Gong’s absence, and thought, “He left, seeing me as ruthless. I must move on too.” Reaching his father in Qiao, Cao Cao shared his plans to sell family property to fund an army. His father suggested seeking aid from Wei Hong, a virtuous and wealthy graduate.

Invited to a feast, Wei Hong agreed to support Cao Cao’s cause, donating his wealth to resist the tyrant Dong Zhuo. A recruitment drive began under the banner “Loyalty and Honor,” attracting many volunteers, including Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, Cao Ren, and Cao Hong, who brought soldiers and resources. Training commenced, funded by Wei Hong and local donations.

Yuan Shao gathered 30,000 troops and aligned with Cao Cao. A manifesto declared their mission to restore the Han Dynasty and overthrow Dong Zhuo. Feudal lords rallied their forces, forming an alliance. Among them, Gongsun Zan encountered Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei. Encouraged, Liu Bei joined the campaign.

The alliance chose Yuan Shao as leader. He vowed to unify the forces and punish Dong Zhuo’s tyranny. Sun Jian volunteered to lead the vanguard to River Si Pass but faced resistance from Hua Xiong, Dong Zhuo’s fierce general. Sun Jian initially succeeded but was hindered when Yuan Shu withheld supplies, fearing Sun Jian’s rise.

Hua Xiong launched a surprise night attack. Sun Jian, outnumbered and cornered, escaped thanks to Zu Mao’s decoy with his purple turban. Pursuers fell for the ruse, allowing Sun Jian to flee. However, Hua Xiong caught and killed Zu Mao. Victorious, Dong Zhuo’s forces returned to the Pass, their dominance reaffirmed.

Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, and Han Dang eventually regrouped with Sun Jian, who mourned Zu Mao’s loss. When Yuan Shao learned of Sun Jian’s defeat, he convened the lords in council. Gongsun Zan arrived last, accompanied by Liu Bei and his brothers, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei.

Cao Cao recognized Liu Bei as a descendant of the Han and recommended he join the council. Liu Bei sat humbly at the end, with his brothers standing behind. During the meeting, Hua Xiong, flaunting Sun Jian’s captured turban, challenged the camp. Yuan Shao called for a champion. Yu She went but quickly fell, followed by Han Fu’s warrior Pan Feng, who also perished. Fear spread through the ranks.

Guan Yu volunteered to fight Hua Xiong. Despite Yuan Shu’s protests, Cao Cao approved. Before leaving, Guan Yu declined wine, promising to return before it cooled. He slew Hua Xiong and presented his head before the astonished lords, with the wine still warm. Zhang Fei urged immediate action, but Yuan Shu insulted the brothers. Cao Cao defended their contributions, easing tensions.

Meanwhile, Dong Zhuo prepared for battle, sending Lu Bu to hold Tiger Trap Pass. The allied lords dispatched eight armies. Wang Kuang was first to engage but fled after Lu Bu defeated his general, Fang Yue. Reinforcements rescued Wang Kuang, but Lu Bu’s dominance forced a retreat. Later, Lu Bu returned to challenge them again.

Zhang Fei stepped forward, calling Lu Bu a “twice bastard.” They clashed fiercely. Guan Yu soon joined, followed by Liu Bei. The three brothers fought Lu Bu together, forcing him to retreat to Tiger Trap Pass. As Lu Bu fled, Zhang Fei spotted Dong Zhuo’s banner and urged pursuit of the chief rebel, declaring it wiser to uproot the evil at its source.