Gen Con 2002 insights and Three Kingdoms updates

Revisiting the Three Kingdoms
At this year's Gen Con,
Romancing Cathay shared
booth-space with Sanguine
Productions, Ltd. We did
not advertise our presence
on the program listing
because we did not buy
any booth space. We didn’t
realize it was possible
to advertise under the
Sanguine Booth until we
got there. Other companies
were already doing this.
Compared to Origins 2002,
Romancing Cathay did not
sell as well at the previous
convention. Though the
joint project with Jadeclaw
RPG was a sell out success
(we started with two cases
or forty-eight books). The
sales could’ve been better
if we had additional table
space to demo the game.
Still, we found Gen Con
2002 to be a successful
event because it allowed
us to gain exposure and
to talk to consumers and
suppliers alike.
We have talked with Holistic
Designs, Inc. on the cost
of miniature making for
RTK RPG. The estimated
price is about seventeen
thousand dollars to make
three thousand (minimum
quantity) sets of five
painted miniatures with a
street price of twenty-five
dollars. Holistic Designs,
Inc. also offered printing
services from companies in
Poland and China though
the former print shop has
exceptionally white paper.
Though no price has been
given, we suspect that it
will be somewhere around
five to seven thousand
dollars to print three
thousand books.
At Origins 2002, GMT has a
bigger presence than at Gen
Con which we suspected
that Origins is more
devoted to war and board
gamers than role-playing
gamers. We have asked
about their service to print
the RTK board game. They
would prefer to look at our
game first before making
any quotes. However, what
is innovative about GMT is
that on their website, they
have Project 500 Series
program. That is, they will
list products that they are
interested to make but
have not. Consumers voted
with their credit card about
Gen Con 2002 Observation
by Chuan Lin
Volume I, Issue 4 Fall, 2002 www.romancingcathay.com
Contents
Gen Con 2002 Observation 1
Commence in Han Dynasty 20
Dian Wei, E Lai Reborn 23
Romance of the Three Kingdoms RPG in Tri-Stat Format 26
Romance of the Three Kingdoms VII 28
Review – Fvlminata RPG 30

2 Revisiting the Three Kingdoms
what games they are interested
in seeing. Only when the tally
reached five hundred will they
charged everyone at once and use
the amount to pay for the cost of
productions. This is an interesting
concept that I would like to try.
But I am afraid that due to a small
niche that Romancing Cathay has
positioned itself in, that it will
be quite a while to fill out five
hundred pre-orders.
We have a chance to meet with
a distributor and an editor of an
European gaming magazine. A
German distributor came to our
booth and purchased both RTK
TCG and a pair of Cookie Fu. He did
not have his business card on him
but he did take one from me. The
Chief Editor of a French gaming
magazine, Backstab, stopped by
our booth. We gave him a copy of
RTK TCG and X/Q FCG. Hopefully,
these will allow us to become
known in the European market.
Surprisingly, talking with gamers
at Gen Con, I found out about
the release of RTK VII for PS2.
Apparently, this game has been
out for a month or two. I guessed it
means that I am not as a dedicated
RTK fan as I thought. And more
importantly, a RTK tactical battle
game for PS2 will also be available
in winter quarter of this year. If so,
this is a happening year for RTK
fans. This also raises the question
of why Koei of America was not
informing the public about its
product releases. Romancing
Cathay would pursue an angle with
Koei of America to see if there is a
possible joint venture.
There are a few gamers who
have asked about the RTK RPG.
Though we anticipate a release at
Gen Con 2003, we are hesitant to
make any public announcement.
There are ideas being bounced
around for the game mechanics of
the RTK RPG, none of them have
been selected yet. In our quarterly
newsletter, we mentioned already
two possible candidates for the
underlying game mechanics. Still
Romancing Cathay is on track
to follow an internal schedule of
having RTK RPG released by Gen
Con 2003. Hopefully by January
2003 we are able to call for play-
testers for our game.
Lastly, Romancing Cathay thanks
those people who came to our
booth and told us of how much
they appreciated our quarterly
newsletters. We are very grateful
for the approbation and they fueled
our commitment to continue to
provide background information,
player resources, and gaming
materials to viewers like you.
Revisiting the
Three Kingdoms
Volume I, Issue 4
Fall, 2002
Romancing Cathay
10050 Montgomery Road, #368
Cincinnati, OH 45242
USA
(513) 290-7419
Fax (949) 266-8395
www.romancingcathay.com
EMAIL: business@romancingcathay.com
Romancing Cathay is a group of people interested in
playing and introducing games about Ancient China. There
are many impressive and exciting tall tales, legends,
myths, and historical events that we believe will fascinate
players world-wide. Our goal is to introduce these
captivating stories in various game formats. In addition,
we feel that through playing games, people would become
more curious in learning more about China.
Newsletter Editor: Chuck Hildreth, Chuan Lin
Writers: Chuan Lin, Chuck Hildreth
Artworks: These artworks are copyrighted of Creator
Workshop and Koei Company.

Revisiting the Three Kingdoms 3
Part IV: Wine
Toasted,
Heroes
Appraised
On the Second Year of
Rebuilding Peace (197
AD), as Cao Cao initiated
Garrison Farm policy and
developed internally, Lu Bu
and Yuan Shu, located in
East and South of Cao Cao,
formed military alliance
against Cao Cao. As former
leader of Southern Alliance,
Yuan Shu had suffered Cao
Cao blitzkrieg tactic at
Battle of Kaung-tíng (see
previous issue’s article, Life
of Cao Cao, Part II) and fled
to South of Yangtze River.
Fortunately, the South had
been spared from conflicts
that commonly occurred
in the North during the
twilight of Late Han
Dynasty. There were plenty
of supplies that Yuan Shu
was quickly recovered. And
Lu Bu had taken liberties
over the role of Inspector of
Xu Province and displaced
Liu Bei to Xia-pei [City].
Yuan Shu, fearful of Lu
Bu’s military prowess, had
initiated a military alliance
through their children’s
marriage. Lu Bu worried
about Liu Bei and Cao Cao.
He agreed to the military
alliance. To test Lu Bu’s
good faith, Yuan Shu sent
General Ji Ling with thirty
thousand infantry and
cavalry to attack Liu Bei.
Liu Bei requested helps
from Lu Bu. Lu Bu called
for a war council to debate
the issue.
Liu Bei Fled West to
Cao Cao
Nearly everyone agreed
to take advantage of this
situation to eliminate Liu
Bei once and for all. This
way, Lu Bu’s Inspectorships
would be secured and Xu
Province would be united.
But Lu Bu disagreed. He
believed that Yuan Shu had
ties with petty warlords of
Cao Cao’s Ambition (4/9)
by Chuan Lin
Political Situation
as of 197 AD
Map Legend
Cao Cao controlled Central
Plain.
Lu Bu controlled Xu Prov-
ince.
Yuan Shu controlled South-
ern of Cao Cao.
Liu Bei controlled Xia-pei
City.
Courtesy of Koei

the North. Once he established the
link to the North, Yuan Shu could
coordinate attacks from North
and South against Xu Province. He
decided to assist Liu Bei.
General Ji Ling approached to the
southern border of Pei Prefecture
with his army, Liu Bei led his
troops of five thousand troops to
defend. But, Lu Bu arrived with his
forces to mediate peace between
the two. Liu Bei was quick to agree.
Ji Ling was reluctant to comply to
the co-leader of his lord’s alliance.
To proof that his way was in
accord with Dao of Heaven, Lu Bu
successfully shot an arrow through
a small ring of a halberd hundred
and fifty paces away. Yuan Shu did
not know whether to laugh or to
curse Lu Bu’s folly.
However, Liu Bei appraised of
situation and feared for Lu Bu
fickleness which may change next
time Yuan Shu attack. His own
force might not survive the next
assault. He instructed Guan Yu
and Zhang Fei to secretly purchase
horses and recruited troops. He
wanted to prepare to separate
from Lu Bu’s influence. Liu Bei's
covet action have been uncovered
by Sung Xian and Wei Xu of Lu Bu’s
forces. They alerted Lu Bu who sent
envoy to inquire of accusation. Liu
Bei panicked and listened to Sun
Gan’s advice. He abandoned Pei
Prefecture in darkness and fled
westward to Cao Cao.
Although they were enemy
during Cao Cao's previous
campaign against Xu Province,
Cao Cao respected Liu Bei of his
virtues as caring people and just
administration. Not only had he
treated Liu Bei as a guest of honor,
but he also recommended to Han
Emperor Xian to reinstate Liu Bei as
official Inspector for Xu Province.
When Liu Bei had sought protection
with Cao Cao, Xun Yu secretly met
with his Lord and advised,
“Liu Bei has the making
of an hero. He could not
be controlled. It is best to
eliminate him now then to
regret it later.”
Cao Cao smiled at the suggestion
but did not reply. After Xun Yu
left, Cao Cao summoned Guo Jia
and asked for his opinion of Xun
Yu’s suggestion. Guo Jia did not
agree with this idea. He explained,
“My Grand Lord raised
righteous army to rid of
villainy for the people. His
most important criteria
is trustworthiness which
attracted talented and
capable people. Liu Bei is
a famous hero. He came
to us in time of need. If we
are to harm him, Heaven
Below would whisper that
our Grand Lord is jealous of
able person. Then who would
come to join us? Who would
willingly to offer his service to
us? It is true that Liu Bei can
not be controlled. Yet, if my
Grand Lord is able to accept
him, then others heroes in
Heaven Below would be more
incline to join us. To eliminate
one threat, yet, at the cost of
blocking one's access to all
other; I think it is not worth
the price.”
Still later, Cheng Yu also suggested
to Cao Cao,
“I have observed Liu Bei. He
does not serve anyone. It is
best to remove him soon.”
Cao Cao replied,
“Currently, Heaven Below is
in great turmoil. A person
like Liu Bei is sorely needed.
It is better not to remove one
man, thus, lose support of
the Heaven Below. My view
is same with Guo Jia. Even if
Liu Bei would betray me in
future, I have no regrets.”
To prove his trust, he gave three
thousand troops to Liu Bei and
stationedhimattheborderbetween
Xu Province and Yu Province. Liu
Bei was given command to train
his forces in preparation to retake
Xia-pei [city] in order to challenge
Lu Bu for the Xu Province.
On the Spring of Second Year of
Rebuilding Peace (197 A.D.), Cao
Cao had suffered a set back in
his initial attempt to take over Yu
Province from Zhang Xiu. He had
to scale back the plan to expand
eastward. Liu Bei was put in charge
of defending the border of Yu and
Xu Provinces and to keep an eye on
Lu Bu’s troop movement. On the
second month, Yuan Shu declared
himself to be the Emperor Zhong-
jia at Shou-chun [City]. He ennobled
his followers, set up hundred
of ministers, and established an
ancestral altar to announce to
Heaven and Earth. By March, an
envoy was sent to his half-brother,
Yuan Shou, and confirmed him the
title of Grandee General. He also
tasked his half-brother to rule in
his stead of Yi, Qing, Yu, and Bing
Provinces. In all matter, Yuan Shu
had openly declared himself to be
the enemy of Han Emperor Xian at
Xu-dou.
Most sensitive to this was Cao
Cao. He had already upheld the
Emperor and had the title of Prime
Minister of Han Dynasty. He could
not overlook any usurpation.
Therefore, Cao Cao issued a
callings throughout provinces and
commanderies to fight against

Yuan Shu. Even Yuan Shu’s ally, Lu
Bu had received this summon.
Chen Deng Sell Out
Lu Bu
Despite the fact that Lu Bu and
Yuan Shu were related through
marriage of their children, Yuan
Shu's declaration of emperorship
was too grave a situation for Lu
Bu to openly support such cause.
Therefore, when Cao Cao promoted
Lu Bu to General of the Left, he
gladly accepted and sent Chen Deng
to thank Imperial Court (Chao-ting).
Chen Deng was son of Chen Gui,
Perfect of Pei Prefecture. They were
stout supporters of Liu Bei when
he was Inspector of Xu Province.
When Lu Bu took over Xu Province
by force, Chen Clan had to submit.
Yet, they were still pro-Liu Bei and
were dissatisfied with Lu Bu. Since
their reputation were prominent
within Xu Province and maintained
good connection, Lu Bu had to use
them to help run the government.
When Chen Deng first met with
Cao Cao, he said,
“Lu Bu is courageous but
tactless. He often flip-flop and
irresponsible with his words.
This kind of people should
be getting rid of at earliest
convenience.”
Cao Cao agreed,
“Lu Bu is the ambitious wolf.
He would not serve Chao-ting
for long. Only you, sir, and
your elder knew about his
impending change.”
Cao Cao, therefore, increased Chen
Gui’s salary to mid two-thousand
stones and promoted Chen Deng
to Grand Administrator of Guan-
ling [Commandery]. Prior Chen
Deng’s return, Cao Cao instructed,
“The situation in the east is in
you and your father’s hands.”
Chen Deng was commanded to
gather up anti-Lu Bu forces to
participate future attack.
Originally, Lu Bu wanted Chen
Deng to ask Cao Cao for an official
recognition of Lu Bu as Inspector of
Xu Province. Instead, Chen Family
had profited from increased salary
and promotion. He got nothing
in return. Lu Bu confronted Chen
Deng and heatedly accused him.
“Your father asked me to
assist Cao Cao and to break
away from Yuan Shu’s
marriage guan-xi. Now, I
have nothing to show for,
both father and son did reap
the rewards. Is that the price
of betrayal?”
Chen Deng calmly defended himself.
“When I first saw Grand
Cao, I have expressed, ‘to
gain General Lu’s assistance
is like maintaining a tiger,
he must be fed. Else when
a tiger became hungry, he
would bite the feeder.’ Grand
Cao laughed at my allegory
as being inaccurate. He
stated, ‘to gain General Lu’s
assistance is like maintaining
a hawk, he must feel hungry
so he would serve loyally. Else
when a hawk became sated,
he would fly away.’”
Lu Bu was please that Cao Cao had
thought highly of him so he let the
issue dropped.
When Yuan Shu heard of Lu Bu’s
betrayal. He became angry and
committed his entire force to
attack Xu Province. Zhang Xun and
Qiao Rui were leading generals.
Sidebar
Information:
In reality, Yuan Shu had peaked
at the battle of Kaung-tíng.
Even though the South was rich
with supplies, his troops were
no match against Yuan Shou or
Cao Cao. Then there was Lu
Bu guarded Xu Province and
Liu Bei defended Yu Province.
If Yuan Shu was to establish
a hegemony, he had to gain
support from both Liu Bei and
Lu Bu. That would not happen.
Maybe Yuan Shu knew his
chance was quite slim and
merely contended to establish
a smaller kingdom in the South.
Sending envoy to Yuan Shou
was an act of bravado. There
was already a deep schism
between Yuan brothers. Yuan
Shou would never submitted
to his half brother. And since
there were Cao Cao, Liu Bei,
Lu Bu and other minor warlords
in between Yuan Shou and Yuan
Shu. It would not be possible
for Yuan Shou to attack Yuan
Shu for such insult.
Courtesy of Creator Workshop

Yuan Shu also activated military
forces of Yang Feng and Wei Xian
who have fled from Cao Cao during
his claim for Han Emperor Xian.
Number in several tens of thousand,
their target was Xia-pei [city].
With Chen Deng’s assistance (See
RTK 01, Lu Bu: East and West View),
Lu Bu was able to convince Yang
Feng and Wei Xian to join him with
promise of Chao-ting’s leniency to
their crimes and entire loot from
Yuan Shu’s treasury. Zhang Xun’s
force was totally annihilated. Then
together with Yang Feng, Lu Bu
attacked Huai-nan [Commandery]
and went straight toward Yuan
Shu’s main camp at Shou-chun.
Yuan Shu had to personally lead his
five thousand troops to defend by
the Huai River. Lu Bu and Yuan Shu
Alliance formally disintegrated.
After broke up the alliance between
Lu Bu and Yuan Shu, Cao Cao still
ordered Liu Bei to station at the
border of Yu and Xu Provinces to
watch Lu Bu’s troops movement.
On the ninth month of the Second
Year of Rebuilding Peace (197
AD), he gathered troops at south
east area of Yu Province. Cao Cao
personally led the troop eastward
to conquer Yuan Shu. Upon hearing
the situation, Yuan Shu dared not
to face him. He ordered Qiao Rui
to defend against Cao Cao at Zhan-
yang [city]. Yuan Shu gathered his
main force and crossed Huai River
to flee south eastward.
Qiao Rui also was afraid of Cao
Cao and did not want to defend
against him. Once he saw Yuan
Shu had crossed the river, he
ordered general retreat southward.
But he had not counted on Cao
Cao’s troops to arrive so quickly.
Qiao Rui’s army routed and he was
killed in confusion.
Although Yuan Shu’s main force
escaped safely, southeast of Huai-
nan was experienced draught in
addition to winter season. Yuan
Shu’s main force could not gather
enough supplies. Troops were
soon deserting him. His main force
was on the brim of collapsing.
Cao Cao annexed Yu Province.
Cao Cao’s Troops
Faced Enemies From
All Sides
On Third Year of Rebuilding Peace
(198 AD), Cao Cao began his second
campaign against Zhang Xiu (see
RTK 03, Life of Cao Cao Part 3). His
garrison troops were stationed on
the North and the West to deter Liu
Biao and Yuan Shao intervention.
Yuan Shu persuaded Lu Bu to join
him in retaking Yu Province.
Lu Bu sent Gao Shun, General of
Gentleman-of-the-Household, and
Zhang Liao, Grand Administrator
of Northern Commandery, to
attack Liu Bei at Pei Prefecture.
Cao Cao sent Xiahou Dun to assist.
He was beaten by Gao Shun. Liu
Bei forced to abandon the city and
retreated northwest Yu Province to
establish new line of defense.u
Answered Lu Bu’s call, bandit kings
at Qing Province were mobilized
to threaten eastern front of Yan
Province. They were led by Zang
Ba. Cao Cao, once again, found
himself surrounded by enemies
from all sides.
At emergency military meeting,
nearly every general suggested to
strengthen defense by garrison
troops on all sides. Only Xun Yu
thought that the best defense is a
strong offense. The army should
join up with Liu Bei and to strike at
the heart of this entire mess, Lu Bu.
Xun Yu elaborated,
“Yuan Shao maintained
his hold in the North and
has feud with Liu Biao and
Yuan Shu. He also disliked
Lu Bu. Therefore, he would
never coordinate with them
in attacking us. Liu Biao
and Zhang Xiu are recently
defeated. They are more
likely to lick their wounds
in peace than to renew
attack against us. Lu Bu is
courageous but tactless. His
organization is loose. He
flip-flop with Yun Shu that
both side would not sincerely
come to each other’s aid. This
army is only good at taking
advantage of a situation.
If Lu Bu somehow becomes
successful and links up with
Qing Province. Then together
with Yun Shu in the South, he
would pose threat not only to
Yu but also Yan Province. It is
best to concentrate our effort
in beaten off Lu Bu before the
above scenario crystallized.
Once Lu Bu’s troops suffered
defeat, bandits from Qing
Province and Yuan Shu
troops will be powerless.”
Cao Cao agreed with Xun Yun’s
analysis. Cao Hong and Man Chong
were ordered to watch against
Zhang Xiu. He led Cheng Yu and
Cao Ren’s armies with Xun Yu and
Guo Jia as his military advisors to
rapidly advance to the frontline
at East of Yu Province. He joined
Liu Bei and Xiahou Dun’s forces
at Liang City and set up camps at
Peng City.
Liu Bei and Cao Ren were to
pretend to be the main force and
to pressure Pei Prefecture from
Peng City. Cao Cao personally
led his main rapid strike force to

the border between Qing and Yan
Provinces. He defeated bandits
from the Qing Province that
attempted to link up with Lu Bu’s
force. Once the threat from north
east was no more, he quickly
returned to join up with Liu Bei in
attack Pei Prefecture.
Chen Gong had advised Lu Bu
to lead the main force into Pei
Prefecture to meet up with Gao
Shun’s troops. Then together with
forces from Zang Ba and Yuan
Shu, they could attack Peng City
from three sides. But when Lu Bu
readied to act, the northeast battle
had been overed. Cao troops were
marched toward Pei Prefecture.
Yuan Shu declined to participate
by citing that the opportunity has
gone and needed time to rethink
his strategy. Lu Bu was once again,
face Cao Cao by himself.
Lu Bu’s Loss,
Cao Cao’s Gain
Due to latest change of event,
Lu Bu forced to have Chen Gong
defended the north west Xiao-guan
(Pass). He led the main force to Pei
Prefecture to relieve Gao Shun and
Zhang Liao’s forces. Chen Deng
was instructed to go along with
him and Chen Gui defended Xu
Provincial City.
Prior departure, Chen Gui spoke to
Chen Deng privately. He said,
“Not too long ago, Grand
Cao had mentioned that the
situation in the east is in your
hand. Now, the opportunity
has arise, we must take
advantage of it.”
Chen Deng replied,
“Outside this city, this Child1
will figure out. If Lu Bu’s force
retreated back here, Father
and Mi Zhu should hold on
to the city and not let him in.
This Child will find a way to
extract himself.
Chen Gui expressed,
“Lu Bu’s wives and children
are here. Then there are his
personal guards. It would be
hard to gain control of this
city.”
Battle of Xu Province
198 AD
Cao Cao was in perlious posi-
tion as he was surrounded by
all sides with potential en-
emies.
A) Bandit kings from Qing Prov-
ince in the Northeast.
B) Lu Bu from Xu Province in
the East
C) Yuan Shu from Northern
Yang Zhou
Cao Cao’s Solutions:
1) Joined up with Liu Bei
2) Dispersed bandit kings
3) Isolated Lu Bu’s force.

Chen Deng smiled,
“Do not worry, this Child has
an ideas.”
Then Chen Deng went to main
camp to seek audience with Lu Bu.
There, he suggested,
“Cao Troops are at the peak
of their awesomeness. Xu
Province is at peril. Would it
be better to relocate General’s
wives, children, money and
supplies to Xia-pei City to
keep an escape route open.”
Lu Bu lacked conviction on deciding
things on his own. He agreed to
Chen Deng’s analysis and ordered
Sung Xian and Wei Xu to escort Lu
Bu’s wives, children, moneys and
grains in addition to his personal
guards to Xia-pei City.
Furthermore, Chen Deng advised
Lu Bu that it would be best to
coordinate attack with Chen Gong
and Gao Shun. When Lu Bu’s forces
arrive, they could surround Cao
Troops and attacked from all sides.
Then crisis at Xiao-guan Pass and at
Pei Prefecture would be relieved all
at once. Lu Bu agreed with his plan
and slowed his troop movement.
This gave time for Chen Deng to
move ahead to contact both Chen
Gong and Gao Shun; to coordinate
their attacks.
However, Chen Deng stopped at
Cao’s camp. There, he told them
to watch for the fire at night. That
would be the signal to ambush both
the relieve force from Xiao-guan
Pass and Lu Bu’s main force. Chen
Deng returned to Lu Bu’s camp and
told that tonight’s signal fire is the
indication to pincer attack Cao
Troops with Chen Gong’s forces.
That evening, Chen Deng entered
Xiao-guan Pass and spoke to Chen
Gong. He said,
“Cao Cao has found a
back road and attacked
Xu Provincial City directly.
General Lu is defending the
city. Xiao-guan Pass is on its
own. It is not worth to defend
when provincial capital is
at risk. It would be best for
Grand [Chen] to take his force
to reinforce the Xu Provincial
City.”
Panic by the news, Chen Gong did
not have time to think clearly.
Futhermore, he saw Lu Bu’s Military
Command Writ on Chen Deng as
validity of his claim. Chen Gong
immediately ordered a withdraw
to retreat to Xu Provincial City
under the cover of night. Once they
left the pass, Chen Deng ascended
to top and lit the fire. When Lu
Bu saw the fire, he ordered to
immediately attack troops outside
of Xiao-guan Pass. In darkness, his
troops collided with Chen Gong’s
forces. They fought each other and
suffered casualties. Cao troops,
stationed nearby, quickly moved
into Xiao-guan Pass.
When Lu Bu found out he was
tricked, Xiao-guan Pass was in
Cao’s Troops. Lu Bu ordered Chen
Gong to retreat together back to
Xu Provincial City. But the city was
under Mi Zhu’s control and would
not open its gate. Lu Bu called for
Chen Gui. Mi Zhu from top of the
city wall replied,
“Chen Gui has been executed
by me. Xu Provincial City
now belongs to Chao-ting
(government). Would General
Lu be so kind to relocate his
force elsewhere.”
Lu Bu called forth Chen Deng, but
he was not to be found. Only then,
Lu Bu realized that he had been
tricked by Chen Gui and Son.
Chen Gong suggested to withdraw
to Pei Prefecture to defend. Along
the march, they met up with Gao
Shun and Zhang Liao’s forces. Lu
Bu was surprised to see them and
asked why they abandoned their
posts. Gao Shun replied,
“In General’s Name, Chen
Deng reported that situation
at Xu Provincial City is at
peril. We are ordered to bring
relief.”
Lu Bu immediately ordered a force
march to Pei Prefecture. There, they
saw Cao Ren’s banners adorned on
top of city wall. While prepared
to siege, they received reports of
approaching army led by Cao Cao.
Lu Bu had lost his will to fight.
Together with Chen Gong, Gao Shun
and Zhang Liao, they immediately
withdrew to Xia-pei City.
Mutiny within Xia-pei
City
Under Chen Gui and Chen Deng’s
rally, all other Xu Provincial
commanderies and prefectures broke
away from Lu Bu and announced
their support to Cao’s troops.
To Cao Cao, Cheng Yu sugggested,
“Loyalists to Lu Bu are all
gathered within Xia-pei City.
If pressed hard enough, they
will be desperate enough
to mount a break through.
Once broken free, they would
doubtless seek Yuan Shu’s
protection. Then Yuan and Lu
would unite once more and
posed threat to our southeast.
Would it be better to loose our
siege and offer leniency for
their surrender. That way,
their troop morale would be
shaken. Furthermore, send
an army who can function

competently independent
from your guidance to
garrison Huai-si area and
to cut off communication
between Lu Bu and Yuan
Shu. This will discourage Lu
Bu from making a break-
through.”
Cao Cao then sent Liu Bei to
garrison Huai-si to cut off any
attempt from Yuan Shu. Lastly,
he sent an envoy to parley with
Lu Bu with purpose of to point out
futility of continual resistance and
to negotiate a surrender.
Lu Bu saw defection from all other
Xu Province commanderies and
prefectures; Yuan Shu showed no
sign of attempt rescue; and Liu Bei
garrisoned Huai-si area to prevent
his escape to Yuan Shu. He is
amenable to discuss for surrender.
But Chen Gong steadily refused.
He expressed,
“Cao Cao led a large
troops from afar to attack
us. His army is huge and
must consume even larger
amount of supplies. The
winter is about to deepen,
Cao troop’s supply can not
be maintained for long.
General could lead main
force outside of Xia-pei City.
Gao Shun and I will hold the
city. If Cao troops attacked
General’s encampment, I
will lead troops to attack
them from behind. If Cao
Troops attacked the city,
then General can attack from
their behind. Cao troops’
Awesomeness would be
blunted, thus their morale
will drop. That and lack of
supplies will force them to
withdraw within ten days.”
Lu Bu agreed to his analyst and
commanded Gao Shun to defend the
city with Chen Gong. He prepared
to move his main force outside the
city to harass and cut off Cao’s
supply routes. But secretly, Lu Bu’s
wife, Mistress Yen, pleaded,
“Chen Gong never worked
well with Gao Shun. Once
General leaves the city, what
guarantee both would work
together to defend the city.
If something happen, how
can General come back into
the city? Especially the fact
that Cao Cao treated Chen
Gong like part of his flash
and blood, still Chen Gong
betrayed him. How does
General’s relationship with
Chen Gong measured up
to Cao Cao? When General
leaves the city and there is
something happened within
Scene of city siege during Three Kingdoms period - from Japanese Magazine, Warlords of Three Kingdoms

the city, General may not
be able to see his wives and
children again.”
Lu Bu decided to stay put and
defended the city. Soon, Cao
troops surrounded it.
Yuan Shu saw the Awesomeness of
Cao troops, and Huai-si area being
garrisoned by Liu Bei. He could only
make threaten gesture but never
advanced forward. Even He-nei
Commandery Grand Administrator
Chang Yang, who enjoyed closed
relationship with Lu Bu, could not
get near Xia-pei City.
By wintry October, Cao troops still
could not break the stalemate;
lacking adequate supply, troop
morale began to sap. Cao Cao
thought it would be best to
withdraw troops back to Yan
Province and to replan their
strategy. Both Guo Jia and Xun Yu
objected. Guo Jia pointed out,
“Lu Bu was known for his
brute not for his tact. Now
he had suffered defeats and
already lost his edge. Three
armies are reflection of the
leading general. If the leading
general lost his awesomeness,
the entire troops lost their
will to fight. Chen Gong was
good at stratagem, but he
often hesitated and unable to
adjust rapid changes. Current
weather does not favor
attacking troops. However,
Lu Bu’s awesomeness has not
yet recovered, Chen Gong
plan has yet to crystallized.
With a rapid assault, they
can be defeated. Once this
opportunity is lost, they
will bring more troubles in
future.”
Cao Cao ordered to flood Xia-pei
City and to cut off communication
to and from the city. A month later,
Season enters full winter, supplies
at Xia-pei City are running crucially
low. According to Chen Gong’s
analysis, the situation would
be even worse at Cao’s troops.
Therefore, he suggested Lu Bu to
ask the city and troops to carefully
ration their supplies and endure
the hardship together. It would
not be long that Cao’s troop would
force a withdraw. Thus, Lu Bu gave
command, entire army was to cut
back on their consumptions of
rations and no celebration.
One of defending officer, Hou
Cheng lost his prized horse,
but soon recovered it. His
fellow officers offered gifts to
congratulate. Hou Cheng divided
his meat and wine and offered
some to Lu Bu.
But Lu Bu angrily stated,
“I have just order a ban on
celebration. Yet, you bring me
wines and meat. Is that not a
blatantly display of ignoring
my command?”
He ordered Hou Cheng's execution.
Sung Xian, Wei Xu and others
begged for leniency and reduced
the punishment to caning. The
schism between officers and Lu
Bu widen daily. He became short
temper and other officers were
frightened to be around him. This
created a shadow of mutiny.
On early December, Hou Cheng’s
force mutinied. Sung Xian and Wei
Xu followed. The Northern and
the Western Gates were breached.
Gao Shun and Chen Gong were
captured. Zhang Liao led his force
and made a successfully break.
Lu Bu and his personal guards
retreated to White Gate Tower and
prepared to fight street-to-street.
By midnight, Cao Troops
surrounded the tower. Lu Bu saw
his Awesomeness was no more. He
commanded his personal guards
to behead him and use it as prize
to Cao Cao. His guards refused.
Together, they decended the tower
to surrender to Cao’s Camp.
A Statement from Liu
Bei, Lu Bu Lost His
Life
“Today, the battle has ended,
the fate of Heaven Below has
been decided,” Lu Bu stated in
presence of Cao Cao.
“How is that so?” Cao Cao
asked.
“The person who Enlightened
Lord feared is none other
than Lu Bu. Now, that Lu
Bu has submitted. If you
but commanded Bu to lead
vanguard, he would surely
pacify Heaven Below for
Enlightened Lord.” Lu Bu
replied.
Cao Cao was amused by it but did
not immediately reply.
Seeing Liu Bei sat on guest seat, Lu
Bu cried out,
“Xuan De (Liu Bei’s personal
name), now that you are the
most honor guest, Bu being
the captive. I have been
fastened too tight, my body
is numb. Why don’t you said
something for me.”
Cao Cao saw Lu Bu begged, and
thought about receiving his
submission. He laughed,
“To restrain a tiger, it is
better to be too tight than too
loose.”
He ordered his Left and Right

(guards) to loosen rope on Lu Bu.
However, Liu Bei intervened,
“Does Enlighten Lord forget
how Lu Bu served under Ding
Yuan and Dong Zhou?”
Cao Cao suddenly shook from
oblivion. He ordered for Lu Bu’s
immediated execution.
As he was being pushed out, Lu Bu
turned around and shouted,
“Big ear freak! You are
the most untrust worthy.
Have you not forgotten the
Shooting Halberd at Yuan
Gate that saved your sorry
butt?”
Guards brought up Chen Gong.
Cao Cao spoke to Chen Gong.
“Gong Tai (Chen Gong's
personal name) used to pride
himself on cunning wits.
How does he explain today’s
situation?”
Chen Gong replied,
“It is Lu Bu who did not listen
to my plans that resulted
in today’s event. Has he
used but a tenth of my
stratagems, it would still be
debatable as who would got
the Deer2
.”
Cao Cao asked,
“If Gong Tai does not submit,
who would take care his
elderly mother?”
Chen Gong answered,
“Chen Gong heard, To govern
Heaven Below with Filial
Piety, one would not harm
another’s elderly. My elderly
mother’s fate is on Enlighten
Lord’s hand and not my
decision to make.”
Cao Cao continued,
“What about your wife and
child?”
Chen Gong responded,
“To govern Heaven Below
with Benevolence, one would
not end another’s lineage.
The safety of wife and child is
also depended on Enlightened
Lord’s whim, not me.”
Cao Cao still hesitated. Chen Gong
requested for execution. Cao Cao
stammered. Chen Gong turned
around and walked toward execution
site. Cao Cao thought of years of
services and felt his tears dropped.
Gao Shun also insisted on not
surrender. Along with Lu Bu and
Chen Gong, they were strangulated.
Cao Cao sent servants to take care
of Chen Gong’s mother for rest
of her life. He ordered restitution
to Chen Gong’s wife and children
that they lived better than under
Lu Bu. Cao Cao make sure Chen
Gong’s daughter had married into
a wonderful life.
Zhang Liao brought his force to
surrender. Cao Cao cherished his
capability and promoted him to General
of Gentleman-of-the-Household.
Zang Ba had ordered disperse of
his followers and fled on his own.
He was captured by Cao Cao along
with other bandit kings, Yin Li and
Sun Guan. When they capitulated,
Cao Cao gave them official
position and commanded them
to safeguard Qing Province and to
assist Cao troops in future. Now,
Cao Cao had complete mastery
over Provinces of Yan, Xu, and Yu
and south of Qing Province.
Previously at Yan Province, Cao
Cao had promoted Xu Xi and Mao
Hui to generalship. When Lu Bu
attacked that province, Xu and Mao
joined him. After this campaign,
Xu Xi and Mao Hui fled to Zang Ba.
Cao Cao asked Liu Bei to negotiate
with Zang Ba for their heads.
Zang Ba expressed to Liu Bei.
“Ba was able to become
recognizable in Shandong
Region by maintained
Principle of Righteous. I
am forever in Grand Cao's
debt and would not dare
to disobey his request. But
even more I afraid to disobey
Principle of Righteous. Else I
will not be able to assist my
Lord in defending this place
and maintain his influence.
If General can please convey
“The person who
Enlightened Lord
feared is none other
than Lu Bu. Now, that
Lu Bu has submitted.
If you but command
Bu to lead vanguard,
he will surely pacify
Heaven Below for
Enlightened Lord.” Lu
Bu replied.

my respectfully decline.”
Liu Bei reported back to him. Cao
Cao sighted,
“Since antiquity, Principles
of Trust and Righteousness
have been prized. If Zang Ba
has them, then this it is all I
ever wanted.”
He did not press the issue. Later,
when Cao Cao fought against Yuan
Shao at Guang-du, Zang Ba was
able to safeguard Eastern Qing
Province. Armies of Yuan could
not get through to put pressure on
Cao’s right wing.
Part V:
Assassination
Attempt
Cao Cao was raised from eunuch
family, his respect for imperial
authority was not as great as
scholars as expressed in the open
stanza of his favorite poem
“Of Heaven and Earth, Man is
most cherished.
Lord’s duty is to shepherd his
people;
His behavior guides others to
follow…”
Cao Cao had already separated
the authority to govern a nation
from emperor personal authority.
His enthusiasm in politic was
more concern with the welfare
of people and the stability of a
nation. Even in his speech, he
did not equate emperor as the
symbol of righteousness in Heaven
Below like Xun Yu. For him, royal
authority was merely a tool for
people to grasp the concept of
rulership. Therefore, Cao Cao’s
respect for emperor was more
toward profitability than ideology.
This strengthened the notion that
Cao Cao was a Legalist.
Uphold Emperor,
Slight Imperial Court
In early years, Wang Fen, Inspector
of Yi Province, had solicited Cao
Cao to overthrow Han Emperor Ling
(early 180 AD). Cao Cao strongly
opposed it. In his reply, he based
his argument on profitability. The
success rate to overthrow the
emperor is slim and if successful,
it would not have stabilized both
the government and the people.
Therefore, he decided against it. So
early on, Cao Cao did not uphold
the emperor in term of being right
and proper.
When Dong Zhou propped up Han
Emperor Xian, Cao Cao was first to
raise army against it. Even then,
his oppositions were because Dong
Zhuo had disrupted the norm of
political order and procedure. Not
because he cared or supported of
Han Emperor Xian. That was the
same attitude he had currently.
Xun Yu and Cheng Yu lobbied
Cao Cao to support Uphold the
Emperor stratagem. Not only did
they did it on the ground of loyal
Hans subjects to their emperor,
but also based their argument on
profitability as,
“Honor Lord to accord
People’s wish, great accord;
Behave Righteousness to
subdue Heaven Below, great
stratagem; Maintain Great
Principle to attract talents,
great virtue...”
Obviously, Xun Yu knew Cao Cao
was more interested in cost analyst
than morale obligation.
With this kind of setting, it would
be inevitable that a schism existed
between the lord and his minister,
and a violent undercurrent political
power struggle ensured.
From August of the Inception
Year of Rebuilding Peace (196 AD)
when Han Emperor Xian had been
welcomed to Xu-dou to the end of
Second Year of Rebuilding Peace
(197 AD) was considered to be
the honeymoon period between
Cao Cao and Han Emperor Xian
factions. During that time, Cao Cao
not only build palace complex for
Han Emperor Xian and provided
funds to run Imperial Court (Chao-
ting); he also requested a new
ceremony to perform to represent
the renewal of Han Dynasty.
But Cao Cao was more used to
doing things his way and dislike
the imply formality of Imperial
Court (Chao-ting). Since the Second
Year of Rebuilding Peace (197 AD),
he gradually stayed at Luo-yang
and making fewer visits to Han
Emperor Xian at Xu-dou. And
because of Cao Cao behaviors, his
rank and files also began to distant
themselves or to give Chao-ting a
cool reception. They performed
their request tasks and did not
attempt to acquaint with members
of Chao-ting.
Likewise, initially, Han Emperor
Xian, nobility and ministers
appreciated Cao Cao’s help when
they were rescued from danger,
hunger, and impoverished. They
were able to endure pity stare from
Cao Cao’s camp. But once their
lives have been settled down, these
indigent noble wanted to have
a more opulent setting. Hence,
their demand for more funding
increased more urgently. To these
parasites, Cao Cao’s officials
began to feel impatience and their
attitude became more contempt
and disparagement.

The animosity between the two
factions gradually built up through
daily contacts.
During Spring of the Fourth Year
of Rebuilding Peace (199 AD),
Cao Cao and Han Emperor Xian
conducted the Spring Ceremonial
Hunting Ritual. There were
arguments: on how the troops or
followers were organized and how
the order of shooting ceremony to
be performed. It escalated between
the Minister/Nobility camp and the
Cao Cao’s camp. Seriousness of
this situation have involved both
Cao Cao and Han Emperor Xian. In
Romance of the Three Kingdoms
novel, Chapter 20 focused
exclusively on this event to reflect
the villainy of Cao Cao. Needless
to say, the situation was intensely
uncomfortable. Han Emperor Xian
felt slighted by the incident.
At that time, Han Emperor Xian was
nineteen years old, his emotion
was unsteady and rebellious
as a teenager. He had suffered
hardship nearly all his life. Even
though he was the Emperor
and received homage from his
ministers every day. However,
privately, he felt constraint by
Cao Cao. In addition, Yuan Shao
of the Northern Hegemony had
expressed interested to Upheld
him which caused his value to
further increase. Nobility around
him urged him to break free from
Cao Cao’s confinement. These
factors built up the resentment
Han Emperor Xian had against
Cao Cao. The incident at Hunting
Ceremony might seem trivia to Cao
Cao who would soon forget about
it. But to Han Emperor Xian, the
humiliation fueled his bitterness
and resentment to his benefactor.
The negative impression soon
became political hostility. The
fused was lit on the Spring of Fifth
Year of Rebuilding Peace (200 AD)
with Dong Cheng Incident. Cao Cao
and Imperial Court began a long
term of political belligerency.
Blooded Writ:
Secret Decree to
Assassinate Cao Cao
The leader of anti-Cao Faction was
more likely Imperial Father-In-
Law, Fu Wan, whose daughter was
Empress Fu. Though Fu Wan had
the recognition and the position,
he lacked military strength. The
only person with military control
and not in Cao’s Camp is Imperial
Uncle, Dong Cheng.
It was said that Dong Cheng was
summoned by Han Emperor Xian
one day to discuss court event.
Afterward, he awarded Dong Cheng
with a luxurious silk robe. Dong
Cheng did not know the reason
why, but suspected it must contain
a secret. When he took it home and
inspected more closely, he could
not figure out the whereabouts
of the message. Getting weary,
he accidentally knocked over a
candle stick. It landed on the robe
and soon caught fire. Dong Cheng
quickly put it out. Afterward, he
spotted blood prints within the
robe. He took a knife to cut it open
to retrieve the blood print. It was
Blood Writ from Son of Heaven
that stated,
Zhen (emperor’s pronoun)
heard of all relations,
the father and son is the
greatest. Of all propriety,
the emperor and subject is
most serious. Nowadays,
Rascal Cao had manipulated
power, oppressed his lord
and elder; organized thugs,
and disrupted the propriety
of the court. The choice of
to reward or to punish had
been forcibly taken out of
Zhen’s hand. Zhen worries
day and night, and afraid
that Heaven Below will soon
be in danger. Ling (minister’s
pronoun) are the pillar of
this nation, and dear relative
of Zhen. Your task will be
no less difficult than that
the Founding Emperor Gao
had experienced during
his establishing of Han
Foundation. Go gather up all
loyal and righteous warriors
to get rid of this den of evils,
to return social equilibrium
and to honor your ancestors.
This writ was made through
broken finger and bloody
notes for Ling. Please be
cautious and do not fail Zhen!
Fourth Year of Rebuilding Peace,
Spring, Writ
If the writ was written in blood, it
meant that the emperor was under
surveillance and did not have
access to brush pen. This bloody
writ also symbolized Han Emperor
Xian’s commitment to do away Cao
Cao if he willing to write down the
dispatch with his blood.
Another support for the existence
of Bloody Writ was the fact that it
would be hard for Dong Cheng to
talk Liu Bei into taking great risk
by joining the conspiracy.
Within Xu-dou, Cao’s camp force
had upper hand. It would be
difficulty for Dong Cheng to do a
A trivia event for Cao
Cao but a great slight
to Han Emperor Xian

successful coup. Dong Cheng had
been frustrated for couple days
to think a perfect plan. To further
compound the issue, Dong Cheng
could not be sure that his troops
would follow his command when
push came to shelve.
First he got General Wang Fu
involved. General Wang Fu had the
most potential and well-like among
Dong Cheng’s camp. General Wang
Fu introduced Chong Ji, Colonel
of Zhang-shui District, and Wu
Shuo, Advisory Gentleman-Of-the-
Household to Dong Cheng. Still,
that would not be enough to face
Cao Cao’s force or even getting
closer to Cao Cao himself. Hence
Dong Cheng thought of Liu Bei.
It was said that when Cao Cao
brought Liu Bei to pay respect
to Han Emperor Xian. A lineage
search indicated that Liu Bei was
the descendant of Liu Sheng, King
of Zhong-shan Qing Commandery;
he was a distant relative. And
according to seniority, Liu Bei was
the elder to the two. Han Emperor
Xian was joyed to see another
kinsman and promoted Liu Bei to
Imperial Uncle title. Liu Bei, born
of poverty and was never close to
powerful people, was moved by
Han Emperor Xian’s hospitality.
This could be why Liu Bei would
take such risk to part-take Cao
Cao’s assassination.
However, it was very risky to get
Liu Bei involved. To majority of
Chao-ting, Liu Bei was relatively
unknown and with even fewer
connection. Liu Bei’s charisma
and easy-going personality played
a part on group of strangers
who decided to include him into
conspiracy. Undoubtedly, Dong
Cheng also did some background
checking of his own. Only after, he
knew of relationship of Liu Bei to
Han Emperor Xian and Cao Cao,
the invitation was extended to the
distant imperial relative.
Of Heroes in Heaven
Below, Only Lord and
Cao are Equal
Liu Bei jointed the conspirators
to assassinate Cao Cao. To hide
his intention, Liu Bei focused on
growing vegetables in the backyard
of his resident at Xu-duo. One day,
as he was working on his backyard,
a sudden request for his presence
from Cao Cao. Liu Bei was surprised
and unable to refuse. He attended
to Prime Minister’s Compound.
Never did he expect that Cao Cao
was specifically entertained him
at the rear garden. It was obvious
that Cao Cao want to have Liu Bei
to serve him. This was one of Cao
Cao’s characteristics; he always
tried the hardest and was most
patient to court those he knew
they would not submit to him.
Even though Cao Cao knew that
Liu Bei would not serve him, he
still tried to get him to become
a partner on the same side.
Therefore, he often invited him to
small personal party to express his
sincerity to Liu Bei. That day was
one of those special occasions.
When Cao Cao saw Liu Bei, he
wholeheartedly greeted him and
took his hand to the rear garden.
And smilingly he asked,
“Is it unusual for Xuan De5
to
practice gardening.”
Liu Bei was not sure where Cao Cao
was going with that statement, he
simply replied,
“It helped pass time by.”
Cao Cao laughed and pointed to
plum trees,
“Those plums reminded
me of my earlier campaign
against Yuan Shu. Due to
our rapid cavalry movement,
my troops did not have time
to drink water. That day
was hot and dry, officers
and soldiers mouths were
dried and tongues inflamed.
Seeing them on the brim
of exhaustion, I came up
with an idea. Pointed to a
distant forest, I shouted, ‘In
front of us is a plum forest.’
When troops heard about it,
their mouth watered at the
thought of those tasty plums.
They were no longer in thirst
and morale was boosted.
With one breath, we chased
Yuan Shu across nine rivers.
It was very fortunate that I
have thought of that scheme.
Now, seeing those plums, it
would be a waste not to enjoy
them. With the wine ready,
I thought it would be great
to have Lord Liu over at the
gazebo for a meet.”
Liu Bei saw Cao Cao being heartfelt
and sincere, he calmed down and
followed to the gazebo. He saw it
was already set up for a small wine
boiler, 2 cups, and a dish of plums.
Two men sat across each other and
drank to their heart content.
In midst of their wine enjoyment,
they saw the weather changed
before their very eyes. Dark clouds
gathered, forewarned storm to
come. Cao Cao and Liu Bei observed
the approaching dark clouds from
a distant. Cao Cao felt inspired, he
turned to Liu Bei and asked,
“Does Lord know about
dragon’s transformation?”
“Don’t believe that I know the
complete story.”

“Dragon can enlarge
or shrink; it ascends or
descends. In its enlarge
state, it creates cloud
and generates fogs. In its
shrunken state, it hides
between and changes
shape. In its ascension,
it flies through galaxy. It
its descend, it traversed
beneath the waves. Now in
deep of spring, dragon takes
advantages to transform like
men who aspired to reach
across four seas. Dragons,
though creatures, are often
compared to heroes of our
times. Xuan-de has been
worldly and met numerous
men. He must know about
heroes of our time, care he
name a few?”
“Bei is but an ordinary folk,
how can he distinguish
heroes?”
“Lord, you are overly
humble.”
“Through your grace, Bei
receives government post.
Heroes of Heaven Below are
unmet.”
“Though not met, surely have
heard of them!”
“Yuan Shu of Huai-nan, with
plenty of troops and supplies,
is considered a hero?”
“Skeleton in the grave, I will
capture him sooner or later.”
“Yuan Shao North of Yellow
River, three generation of
meritorious services out of
four, a noble house with
lots of associates and plenty
of ties. Now, he controlled
Yi Province and has plenty
of able followers. He is
considered to be a hero of
our time.”
Cao Cao laughed,
“Yuan Shao loved a show
of forces, but he did not
know any better. Love to
plan but afraid to act. He
has ambition but cherishes
his comfort even more. He
did not have the courage to
pursue big. Yet, he willing to
forgo his principles for small
profits. This person is not
worth to be the hero.”
“Liu Biao of Jing Province
has awed nine provinces.
People called him one of Eight
Talents, can be considered a
hero.”
“Liu Biao only has the name
not the substance, not a
hero.”
“Sun Ce South of Yangtze
River is known for his blood
and guts and leader of all he
surveyed, worthy of a hero.”
“Sun Ce based his fame from
his father’s effort, unworthy
of a hero.”
“Is Liu Zhang of Western Yi
Province considering a hero?”
“Though Liu Zhang came
from imperial line, he is more
of a guarding dog, not a
hero.”
“Zhang Xiu, Zhang Lu, Han
Sui…”
“Such petty folks, not worth
the effort.”
“Besides these people, Bei
does not know anyone else.”
“By definition, hero must
contain ambition in his heart,
stratagems within his navel.
He is equipped to contain the
universe and able to swallow
Sidebar
Information:
Zong Shi-lin of Nan-Yang was
Filially Pious and Incorrupt3
at the same year as Cao Cao.
He did not like Cao Cao’s
overly ambition, therefore
he refused to associate with
him. But Cao Cao really like
Zong Shi-lin’s ability and
personality. He was especially
fascinated with Zong Shi-
lin’s interpretation of Lao-zi
philosophy. So he constantly
send envoy to inquire Zhong
Shi-lin’s intention or political
aspiration. When Cao Cao
became Minister of Work,
again he inquired about Zhong
Shi-lin’s political intention.
Zhong Shi-lin replied, “My
ambition is like that of pine
and cypress4
”
Still,CaoCaowaspersistence.
Zhong Shi-lin was eventually
called to become Grand
Administrator of Han-zhong
Commandery. When Cao Cao
became King of Wei, Zhong
Shi-lin officially became
his political advisor and
became an important cabinet
members during Cao Cao’s
twilight years.

heaven and earth.”
“In present day and age, who
has those criteria?”
Cao Cao pointed to Liu Bei then
back to himself,
“Nowadays, the people who
best qualify to be Heroes
of Heaven Below are only
between 2 people, Lord Liu
and I, Cao Cao.”
When Liu Bei heard it, he felt
shocked, and the spoon dropped
from his hand. At the same time,
thunder struck. Liu Bei quickly
composed himself and calmly
picked up his spoon. Deprecated
himself, he laughed,
“Thus, I display the awe of
one thunder.”
Cao Cao saw Liu Bei’s lost
composure and jokingly asked,
“Elder man6
fear of thunder?”
Liu Bei replied,
“Even the sagacious man
declared to change color
at the sudden thunder
and fierce wind, how can I
pretend otherwise.”
The awkward situation was negated
by this comment. Cao Cao saw Liu
Bei over-reaction and thought that
he had came to him in needs. Liu
Bei must have felt pressure, so he
did not pursuit the subject.
As Cao and Yuan
Struggled, Liu Bei
Benefited
The conspiracy to assassinate Cao
Cao was headed by Dong Cheng,
General of Chariot and Cavalry.
Others included Chong Ji, Colonel
of Zhang-shui District, Wu Zi-lan,
General, Wang Fu, General, and
Liu Bei, General of the Left and
Inspector of Xu Province. All but
Liu Bei were also court ministers.
Why would they pick Liu Bei who
was at Cao Cao’s camp during that
time? It demonstrated that Liu Bei
had maintained his independence
from Cao Cao’s influence and also
his heroic reputation. For these
reasons, Dong Cheng felt Liu Bei
was the only one who could stand
against Cao Cao.
To be situated in midst of enemy
camp, Liu Bei had to think of a way
to extract himself from the danger.
Even if Cao Cao would not kill him,
there was not guarantee that Cao
Cao’s loyal followers would not.
At that time Yuan Shu began to
feel being surrounded by hostile
forces after his request for alliance
with Sun Ce had been rejected. He
was thinking about going north to
rejoin his brother, Yuan Shao. Even
though both Yuan were enemies,
they were also brothers. Now the
situation has changed, both Yuan
would more likely to work together
than to fight among themselves.
Cao Cao was very interested to
prevent that from happened.
Saw this as an opportunity, to Cao
Cao, Liu Bei suggested,
“If Yuan Shu is to join up with
Yuan Shao, he has to travel
through Xu Province. Though
it has been recently pacified,
the defense is still weak. I
know more about Xu Province
and maintain good rapport
there. Why don’t I lead an
army to Xu Province to
prevent Yuan Shu from going
north. This would eliminate
the possible threat of having
two Yuan reunited.”
Cao Cao wanted to impress Liu
Bei, so he agreed. He assigned
fifty thousands men to Liu Bei and
accompanied by Zhu Ling and Lu
Zhao for immediate departure.
Once Liu Bei has received the
order, he quickly organized
troops and rounded up supplies
for speedy decampment. Dong
Cheng accompanied Liu Bei to the
Pavilion at Ten Li (tradition ritual
of escort honor guest prior arrival
or departing the host city). They
reaffirmed their goals and made
additional arrangement. Then Liu
Bei force marched to Xu Province.
When Guo Jia and Cheng Yu
returned from setting up taxation
system at Yu Province and heard
about Liu Bei’s departure to Xu
Province, they came to prevent it.
Cao Cao asked his personal guards
leader, Xu Zhu, to take the army
writ and intercepted. But Liu Bei’s
force was far ahead than they have
expected. The interception failed.
Though Cao Cao regretted his
decision, he thought Liu Bei was
still within his reach. So he did not
pay much attention afterward.
Yuan Shu attempted couple of
times to move northward. Each
time, Liu Bei blocked the access.
Yuan Shu forced to flee southward.
But his stress and depression were
too much. He died on June of the
Fourth Year of Rebuilding Peace
(199 AD) of spitting blood. His
army dissolved. Some fled to Sun
Ce at East of Yangtze but majority
of them joined Cao Cao.
Once mission accomplished, Liu
Bei sent Zhu Ling and Lu Zhao back
to Xu-dou to claim the credits.
He would lead the main force to
safeguard Xu Province. He worked
hard to settle and to comfort
people who experienced year long
ravages of war.
Cao Cao secretly tell the co-

Inspector of Xu Province, Che
Wei, to assassinate Liu Bei when
opportunity rose. But Chen Gui
father and son knew about it
and passed the information to
Liu Bei. Liu Bei ordered Guan Yu
to attack Xu Provincial City and
killed Che Wei during the process.
Guan Yu redeployed to garrison
family members and supplies at
Xia-pei City. Liu Bei and Zhang Fei
garrisoned the Pei Prefecture by
the border of Xu and Yu Province
to prevent Cao troops from
invading. This officially broke
any ties between Cao Cao and
Liu Bei. Soon, from Xu-dou, news
reportedof Dong Cheng attempted
assassination and conspirators
being rounded up for execution.
Planning Year
Around, Without an
Action
The conspiracy dragged over a
year without any concrete action.
This had to do with the difficulty
of executing such plan. And it get
exposed before any exploit could
be made. In official historical texts
such as San-guo Zhi’s Wei Emperor
Wu Cao Chapter, it had only stated
that Bei and Dong Cheng planned
revolt. And under Fore Master Liu Bei
Chapter, it stated, “conspired with
(Dong) Cheng, along with Zhang-shui
District Colonel Chong Ji, General
Wu Zi-lan, and Wang Fu. Planned
but no action taken. Being detected,
Deng and other were executed.”
Another historical record, Zi-zhi
Tong-jian (Thoroughly Inspection of
Capital Government), had two brief
entries. Fourth Year of Rebuilding
Peace (199 AD) entry indicated,
“conspired with (Dong) Cheng, along
with Zhang-shui District Colonel
Chong Ji, General Wu Zi-lan, and Wang
Fu.” Fifth Year of Rebuilding Peace
(200 AD) entry showed, “First month
of Spring, Dong Cheng Conspiracy
revealed; Cao Cao executed (Dong)
Cheng, Wang Fu, Chong Ji and their
three generations.”
But it is lot more theatrical to
read Romance of Three Kingdoms
edition of this event. According
to the novel, Ma Teng, Xi-liang
CommanderyGrandAdministrator,
and Ji Ping, Grand Physician, have
also played part of the conspiracy.
There is no way to validate Ma
Teng involvement. Unless Ji Ping
had played a major role, normally,
the Grand Physician position is too
low to be included in the succinct
historical records.
Ma Teng was the surviving leader
of Xi-liang Faction. He could very
well know of Dong Cheng while
they were in Chang-an. Not to
mention the fact that Dong Cheng
did come from Xi-liang Faction.
Therefore, it was possible for Dong
Cheng to ask Ma Teng for help.
Then the possible explanation
of why Ma Teng was untouched
would be that once the conspiracy
had been discovered, Cao Cao
wanted to limit the possible
political fall-outs. So he focused
majority of blames on Chong Ji,
Dong Cheng and Liu Bei. Cao Cao
did not want to use this as a direct
confrontation with Han Emperor
Xian. And he was definitely not
ready to fight another warlord over
this incident. Therefore, even if Ma
Teng had involved, Cao Cao would
not publicly accuse the Leader of
Xi-liang Faction.
Cao Cao was well known for having
migraine. The situation worsened
during the change of season.
Hence, it was not unreasonably for
Dong Cheng to recruit Ji Ping for
possibly poisoning Cao Cao.
Of course, there were lots more
to it just to assassinate Cao Cao.
Problems with the military and the
political stability were also need to
consider. Liu Bei and Ma Teng did
not have sufficient force to pacify
the military nor to face Yuan
Shao who would fill in the power
vacuum at the capital. These may
explain why Dong Cheng took over
a year to plan out his conspiracy.
In actually, there were many
people who were interested to see
Cao Cao dead. Zi-zhi Tong-jian
had record of one such incident.
Xu Chi was one of close personal
bodyguard of Cao Cao. Either,
he was an agent of Yuan Shao or
more likely, bribed to assassinate
his master. During Battle of
Guan-do (detailed in next issue),
Xu Chi attempted to assassinate
Cao Cao. But he was discovered
by Xu Zhu (two different Chinese
characters for Xu’s and no blood
relation between the two), colonel
of Cao Cao bodyguard (a position
inherited from Dian Wei). Xu Zhu
One of Mystery from
Romance of the Three
Kingdoms, did Ma Teng
participate with Dong
Cheng conspiracy?

killed Xu Chi on the spot.
Long Night Many
Dreams, Hidden Plot
Revealed
A popular Chinese proverb, Long
Night Many Dreams, described
that the more people involved and
the longer time it takes, greater is
the chance of being expose.
On Spring of the Fifth Year of
Rebuilding Peace (200 AD), Cao Cao
finally got wind of this conspiracy.
But since this conspiracy had yet
to acted, few people were involved.
It would be hard to investigate
any other people who were in
with Dong Cheng. Not want to
escalate the conflict between Han
Emperor Xian and him, Cao Cao
did not probe the reason behind.
Everything was blamed internally
on Dong Cheng, Chong Ji, Wang
Fu, Wu Zi-lan and other noble or
ministers who were punished by
executed three generation of their
family lines. Externally, all blames
fell on Liu Bei. For that, Cao Cao
announced retribution.
The astute political side of Cao Cao
could be seen brilliantly handled
this entire situation. He cleverly
covered up the link between this
conspiracy and Han Emperor Xian.
Even the possible leader of this
conspiracy, the Imperial In-law,
Fu Wan, was untouched. Yet, all
these people witnessed first hand
again what happened to those who
opposed him. In addition, this
gave Cao Cao legitimate excuse to
eliminate the remaining military
threat at capital by absorbed it
into his army. This also prevented
other warlords from rally around
To Rescue Emperor banner. And
gave them no righteous reason to
attack Cao Cao.
Externally, there were bound to
be allies of Dong Cheng waiting
for the call or sympathize to
Dong Cheng’s cause. But Cao Cao
chose not to press the case and
concentrated his attention on Liu
Bei at Xu Province. There would
be no repeat of making too many
enemies and be like Dong Zhou
during early days. This would
defeat the purpose of to Uphold
Emperor policy. Liu Bei was an
ideal candidate for his meteoric
rise to warlord status was seen as
freak accident by more established
warlords. And the fact that Liu Bei
was under Cao Cao’s protection
when he joined the conspiracy also
make it easier for other warlords
to look the other way. Therefore,
when Cao Cao announced
retribution against Liu Bei, no one
objected. Liu Bei was indeed the
ideal scapegoat for Cao Cao.
Prevent Yuan Shao or
Attack Liu Bei
After absorbing Dong Cheng’s
military force, Cao Cao was ready
to personally lead the attack
against Liu Bei.
However, Yuan Shao had shown
signs of being ready to focus his
attention southward. Cao Cao had
visited several times to Guan-du
and build up fortification there.
Already, he had in mind about
that was the place for the eventual
north-south conflicts. The tension
was high on anticipated attacks
from the north.
At a military meeting, nearly every
generals opposed to attack Liu Bei.
Many people agreed that,
“the only worthy opponent
for Enlightened Elder is
Yuan Shao. Nowadays, Yuan
Shao is prepared to advance
southward. We ought to
prepare defense, instead
of, to conduct an eastern
campaign. What if Yuan
Shao takes advantage of our
situation, then Yan Province
would be in perils.”
But Cao Cao disagreed,
“Liu Bei is a hero among men.
If he is not eliminated today,
tomorrow, he will become
formidable threat. And what
if he is to ally with Yuan Shao
and attack us eastward while
we are busied defending
against the north?”
Guo Jia, agreed with Cao Cao, said
“Yuan Shao’s personality
is not very responsive and
often hesitated. He would
not attack so quickly and
so impromptu. Liu Bei has
recently rebuild Xu Province.
There is not much solidarity
yet. If attack now, his force
will splinter. Therefore, it is
important to attack Liu Bei
first then focus our attention
on Yuan Shao.”
Soon after, Cao Cao organized
nearly hundred thousand troops.
They were led by Xiahou Dun,
Xiahou Yuan, Xu Huang, Zhang
Liao, and Yu Jin to make five prong
attacks to Xu Province.
Due to his smaller forces, Liu Bei
was no match to Cao Cao. Thereby,
he sent Chief Advisor, Sun Qian,
to request aid from Yuan Shao.
Tian Feng, Yuan Shao’s chief
advisor, strongly advocated to take
the advantage of situation by to
attack Xu-dou immediately. This
would help stop the invasion to
Xu Province. But Yuan Shao could
not concentrate on military affair.
He was distraught by his youngest

son’s measles and whose life might
be passing away anytime soon.
Tian Feng lament,
“Rarely has an opportunity
such as this come by, but
because of a child’s illness,
we watch it flee from our
grasp. Such tragedy! Such
Misfortune!”
Lack of reinforcement from Yuan
Shao, Liu Bei was unable to defend
against Cao Cao. Xu Province’s
main military force had been
resentful of Liu Bei’s inability to
govern and saw how large of Cao
Cao’s forces; they rebelled against
Liu Bei’s command. Liu Bei only
able to control two prefectures:
Pei Prefecture with Zhang Fei, and
Xia-pi City by Guan Yu. Even Sun
Gui father and son expressed their
neutrality from Xu Provincial City
and did not want confrontation
with Cao’s Troops.
To speed up the situation in the
east, Cao Cao baited Liu Bei to
come out and fight. He pretended
to send majority of his forces to
siege Xia-pi City. With smaller
troops, he stationed outside of
Pei Prefecture City. Liu Bei took
the bait; he attempted a nightly
ambushed. Instead, he fell into Cao
Cao’s trap. Liu Bei’s main force had
been disbursed. He lost contact
with Zhang Fei. Liu Bei fled to Qing
Province. There, he met Yuan Tan,
Yuan Shao’s eldest son, Liu Bei
went to Yuan Shao. Upon hearing
his arrival, Yuan Shao personally
led the welcoming committee 30
li outside of Ye Commandery City
to receive Liu Bei. He temporary
situated Liu Bei in Yi Province.
After defeating Liu Bei, Pei
Perfection immediately fell. Chen
Deng yielded Xu Provincial City.
Guan Yu, defended Xia-pie City,
saw the situation was over. In
order to protect Liu Bei’s wife and
lady, he negotiated with Cao Cao
for conditional capitulate his force.
Cao Cao, though he cherished
Guan Yu’s personality and ability,
was barely agreed to terms of
surrender. This concluded the
Dong Cheng Incident.
Footnotes
1
This Child, an ancient custom of
son refer to himself when spoken
to his father
2
Deer is often referred to the highest
political aspiration, rulership
3
Normally, 2 candidates were
recommended by kingdom or
commandery Grand Administrator
to the central government.
4
Pine and cypress - meaning to be
upright and unyield to temptation.
5
Liu Bei’s personal name
6
the word, zhangfu, means
husband in modern day. In ancient
time, it also denote a man who is in
prime of his adulthood.

Commence
There have been relatively little
changes in economic and social
structure within 400 years of Han
Dynasty. During this period, the
pendulum of government interfer-
ence moved widely from less to
rigid and back to less. And in this
final state, a runaway extravagance
and widespread consumption of
luxurous goods and services have
occurred. Yet, these exuberance of
wealth were concentrated among
large cities and capital itself.
Copper coins (chien) became the
only form of monetary unit used
during Late Han Dynasty. Folks
may collate them in ten, hundred,
or thousand of cash string forms.
Yet, everything was still referred
to base money unit. The use of
cash was so prevalent that during
a nature disaster, instead of send-
ing rice and supplies, government
gave out grant of cash strings to
stricken families for supplies and
burials. Trusting that the versatil-
ity of cash could expedient flows
of goods and services to disaster
area. Mandatory labor services
from local peasants were gradually
transformed into monetary taxes.
From this period onward, mea-
surement of wealth were stated in
cash vale as opposed to number of
lands, servants, livestocks, bolts of
silks, and etc.
Periodically, government severely
curtailed merchants with heavy
taxes, standardized price of com-
modities, limited their dress code,
and have severe punishment. Then
there were time when government
faternalized with merchants to
create state monopoly or to bor-
row money. As a part of society,
merchant class was in a strange
and peculiar position. According
to both law and culture, farmers
and craftsmen were much more
honor and prestiges than mer-
chants. Yet, in reality, it was totally
opposite. Still, merchants attempt-
ed to transform themselves into
respected members of society by
became gentry landowners.
As Han Government slowly lost
grip on monopolies of salt and iron
and market regulations, merchants
began to take over. They started at
regional trade level and at trade on
everyday necessities. Merchants
sold goods and services at shops
at designated urban marketplace.
Traders formed caravans to trade
between cities and with foreign
countries (see table 1).
There were many books on arts of
trades being published during Late
Han Dynasty. One such book taught
how to take in account of agricul-
tural activity by selling seeds at
high mark-up during eighth month
which was traditional planting
Commence in Han Dynasty
by Chuan Lin
Table 1 - Exports from various part of China/World
Western China
Bamboo
Southern
China
Camphor All Part of
China
Iron
Timber Catalpa Copper
Grain Ginger
Middle
Eastern
Wines
Gemstones Cinnamon Spices
Eastern China
Fish Gold Horses
Salt Tin Wollen Furs
Lacquer Lead
Oversea
Pearl
Silk Cinnabar Jade
Northern
China
Horse Rhinocerrous Horn Lapis
Oxen Tortoise Shell Lazuli
Sheep Pearl Glass
Rug Ivory
Rome
Rhinocerrous Horn
Furs Leather Tortoise Shell
Horns Ivory
Ancient Han Character for
Commerence or Shang

season; and to buy wheats dur-
ing fifth and sixth months when
wheats were recently harvested.
An astute dealer could apply the
same concept to other situation.
During crisis of conflict, a horse
trader was able to sold horses at
premium of up to 2 million cash
per steed. A money lenderw was
able to lend out money to finance
military at high interest rate.
Manufacture
Manufacture broke down into state
controlled and private enterprise.
Government, in an attempt to be-
come self sufficient and indepen-
dent from merchants, have their
own manufacture sector located
in capital and at local commander-
ies. This was further broke down
by each bureau: one department
would focus on weapons, bronze
vessels, and mirrors; another bu-
reau would made utensils, weap-
ons and armors; and then another
bureau built funeral objects. If
there were excess goods, these
were then sold on public market.
If there were shortage, goods were
purchased from public sector to
fill necessary quota.
Farming
Despite technological boomed in ag-
riculture development, there were
still disparity between rich land-
owner and poor farmers which was
not unlike small American farmers
have experienced during 80s.
New tools and methodology like
new iron plowshares to plow
deeper and more efficient when
combined with two pulling oxen.
Pottery bricks were used to build
well for irrigation. Books on study
of soil to determine best time and
type of crops for maximum yields
were available.
Unfortunately, most of them came at
premium prices. Many poor farmers
were victims of changing technology
and economic modal. Small land-
owners were unable to afford newer
tools and advance methodology.
This was more poignant since gov-
ernment had lost the monopoly on
iron and could not subside farm-
ers with artificially deflated price.
Small farmers began to incur debts
as they needed to keep up produc-
tion in order to pay for the debt. A
bad harvest or two would further
force the small farmers to down-
ward spirals that eventually, they
forced to sell off their lands and
to work for larger and richer land-
owners as indenture servants.
Government have often step in to
help. But frequent bad harvests,
dwindle monetary reserves and po-
litical infighting have caused more
people to fall through the crack.
Infrastructure
To ensure rapid communication
and movement of troops and sup-
plies, road were being build and
maintenance by conscripts. There
were three types of roads. The best
maintained and well-kept were the
imperial roads. These connected
major cities from the capital. All
could use roads, but be prepared
to yield the central lane to more
worthy travelers. There were some
checkpoints along these roads to
prevent smuggling of contrabands
and criminals. These check points
resided more closer to capital city
than anywhere else.
Besides roads, canals were built to
maintain connection to the south.
They were mostly dug to connect
smaller cities in the south. Most of
Map of Silk Road
courtesy from Library.Thinkquest.com

them were branched off Yangtze
River and Yellow River. It took three
years of conscript workers to com-
plete the canal, or man made river to
connect Chang-an and Yellow River.
Not only roads and canals were
build and maintained, but other
amenities were added. For ex-
ample, a local government was in-
structed to maintain Pao-yeh road
that connected the commandery to
Lou-yang, the capital. This involved
623 trestles, 5 large bridges, 258 li
(107 km) of road and 64 buildings
like rest houses, post stations, and
relay stations.
As Late Han moved toward its
dusk, interregional trades became
a reason to build infrastructures.
There were occassions that rich
traders paid out of his pocket to
maintain these infrastructure.
Most common sight on the road
was people travelled on foot. Farm-
ers used oxen to pull cart or wagon
of goods to city. Traders operated
a train of oxen carts for interprov-
ince trades or camels for Silk Road.
Officials and men of wealth trav-
eled on horseback or on chariots.
Postal Service
Han Dynasty inherited its commu-
nication and transportation system
from Qin Dynasty. Like its predeces-
sor, Han Dynasty found itself occu-
pied a large piece of land and the
necessity to have a system of com-
munication from central to local
government. Qin Dynasty already
provided standardization of com-
munication that Han Dynasty could
adopt with little modification.
Postal Delivery Law was a product
of Qin Dynasty and may have been
one of earliest recorded legisla-
tion on this subject. It defined two
types of documents: urgent letter
from the imperial court that de-
manded for immediately delivery;
and non-urgent letter from govern-
ment official that could be sent
away in a given day. Both method
of communication require time
and location stamp to keep track
of their progress.
System of reward and punishment
has put in place for people who
lost or temper the document and
for those who recover them. This
ensured the safety and rapidness
of delivery system.
There were post pavilions or more
precisely, official pavilions (Guan
Ting), along four major routes (SE
route, NE route, NW route, and SW
route) radiated from the capital.
One of its purposes was to serve as
refreshment center for distant im-
portant guest. The importance and
the honor of guest were shown by
how far out at the official pavilions
the hosting ministers or rulers
have waited for the guest (3, 10, or
30 li). Then together, they would
travel toward the host city.
Post pavilions were also more com-
monly referred as horse stations
(Ma Ting) because they provided
fresh horses, carriages, refresh-
ment, and men. These were about
200 li (100 km or 62.4 mi) apart.
Upon showing legitimate docu-
ment, mail carrier (Zhi-yi) would
able to take a brief rest while
men prepared fresh horse or car-
riages for the next leg of delivery.
Of course, if the document was
marked urgent, then a new mail
carrier would get on to the horse
and immediately depart for the
next post pavilion. This is very
much similar to the Pony Express
in American Old West. Post Pavil-
ions were reserved for government
communication.
In addition of being classified as ur-
gent or not, the document also cat-
egorized as Announcement or For
Your Eyes Only. With former, the of-
ficial at the post pavilions would be-
gin to scribe the original document
and then subsequently distributed
through local tributaries. Needless
to say, officials add their chops to
the original letter to indicate that
they have read and acted upon. This
ensured accountability.
On civilian front, there was no uni-
fied system of postal delivery. At
most, it was done as a city to city
by a traveling merchant caravan or
escort. At minimum, a traveler who
happened to go to the same direc-
tion. A night of shelter was used as
barter for the service.
Enterprising shop-keeper established
an inn or a tavern next to official pa-
vilion to attract weary wayfarers.
Medium
The main reason that communi-
cation had not expanded greatly
during these days was due to type
of documentation. Paper has yet
to be perfected for mass produc-
tion. It was still expensive and time
consuming to create it. More com-
monly, people still used bamboo or
wooden slips for writing material.
Bamboo slips were especially use-
ful to write announcement type
documents. Wooden slips were

used for document retention. Only
toward the end of Three Kingdoms
period and the early Jin period that
paper began to became the official
recorded medium.
Once the writer finished the letter,
he tied up with ropes. A wooden
slip denoted the receiver. The let-
ter would be sealed to prevent
accidental open. The forward
document was made of wooden
slip about 1 chi (33 cm or 13 in)
accompanied this letter gave the
holder permission to travel to the
destination and to allow inspecting
official to place their stamps of ap-
proval and the date. This acted as
primitive letter registration. Both
the letter and the forward docu-
ment were given to the recipient
upon arrival.
Ministry of Transport (Tai-pu) was
in charge of providing steeds and
maintaining post pavilions.
Mode of
Transportation
The odometer started appearing
in China during the Later Han
Dynasty (25-220 AD)
Bibliography
http://202.106.185.132/upuxx/
posthistory/china/121.htm China
Post website
http://202.106.185.132/upuxx/
Post website
http://202.106.185.132/upuxx/
Post website
http://www.sciencevictoria.org
.au/ord497.htm - The Past and
Future of Intelligence Transporta-
tion System
Loewe, Michael, Everyday Life in
Early Imperial China, 1968 Tran-
sworld Publishers Ltd
Twitchett, Denis, The Cambridge
History of China Volume I the
Ch’in and Han Empires, 221
B.C.- A.D. 220, ©1986, Cambridge
University Press
http://library.thinkquest.org/
13406/sr/ (Silk Road Map)
Dian Wei, E Lai Reborn
by Chuan Lin
In the East it is common knowledge
that Cao Cao had “as many
advisors as clouds in the sky, as
many warriors as rain drops.” We
look now to Cao Cao’s Dian Wei.
He was not great general, but he
was the premier warrior who saved
Cao Cao’s life numerous times. In
fact, Cao Cao felt more sorrow at
the news of Dian Wei’s death than
that of his first born son, Cao Ang.
By reading this article, hopefully,
you will find Dian Wei an
interesting character. Below is
the translation of Dian Wei from
San-gú-zhì, The Ambitions of
Three Kingdoms (ATK), the official
historical records.
Pre Cao Cao Time
Dian Wei came from the Chen-liu
Commandery, Yi-Wu Prefecture
(in modern day He-nan Province,
south east of Ning-ling Prefecture).
He was well built and his strength
was rarely surpassed. He had many
aspirations. He was renowned for
his chivalry and righteousness as
an ideal knight-errant.
There was a story that he had a
friend whose surname was Liu and
who had been wronged by Li Yong.
Liu had asked Dian Wei to avenge
him. Since Li Yong had been a
Grand Administrator of Fu-chun
Prefecture, his household was
very well defended. Dian Wei rode
a carriage and brought with him
fowls and wine to disguise himself
as a distant guest. Once the door
was opened, Dian Wei charged in
with a dagger. He killed Li Yong and
his wife. Then he calmly walked to
the outside and took his blade and
short halberd from the carriage. He
then walked away. Li Yong’s home
was at the center of the city and
the entire city had heard of the
incident. They were frightened of
him. Though there were around a
hundred men who pursued him,
none dare to approach. Dian Wei
walked 4 – 5 li (8 km or 5 miles)
and met up with his friends.
Together, they escaped. Since then,
Dian Wei was well known among

local nobility.
Serving Cao Cao
During the Year of Early Peace
when the Han Emperor Xian had
been enthroned, Zhang Miao called
forth a militia to rebel against
Dong Zhuo’s tyrant. Dian Wei went
to him and became an officer (shi).
He was placed under Zhao Chong,
a platoon captain or Liang Si-ma.
The banner he was employed to
carry was big and heavy. Not many
people could lift it. Dian Wei could
easily hold it with one hand. This
impressed Zhao Chong and Dian
Wei’s fame began to spread.
Later, Dian Wei placed under Xia-
hou Dun’s command. He received
recognition and awards every
time he went into battle. He was
a platoon captain when he became
noticed by Cao Cao.
At that time, Cao Cao was at Pu-
yang fighting against Lu Bu. Lu Bu
had an army garrisoned 40 – 50
li (est. 103.5 km or 64.3 miles)
west of Pu-yang city. Cao Cao
conducted a nightly ambush and
was successful. When he returned
in the early morning, Cao Cao was
in turn, being ambushed by Lu Bu.
Cao’s force was surrounded by
three sides and Lu Bu personally
attended the attack. From morning
until dusk, they fought. The
situation became more critical.
Cao Cao asked volunteers to form
a suicide squad to spearhead Lu
Bu's line. Dian Wei was first to
volunteer and was followed by
scores of others. They wore double
layers of armor, no shield, and
used both spear and spear-ax for
battle. Then, the west side was
getting dangerous. Dian Wei was
sent to reinforce it and he decided
to break from there. Enemies shot
many arrows like rain from the
sky. Dian Wei did not bother to
dodge them. He told his followers,
“let me know when the enemy
is about ten paces away.”
Enemies were approaching; his
followers reported to him,
“Enemies are ten paces
away.”
Dian Wei ordered,
“Report again when enemies
are five paces away.”
His followers were frightened,
“Enemies have arrived!”
Dian Wei armed with 10 spear
axes, gave a mighty shout, and
charged forward. He knocked down
those who opposed him. He had
punctured a hole in Lu Bu’s defense
for Cao’s force to escape. By then,
the night had arrived. Cao’s force
had safely returned to base.
For his effort, Dian Wei promoted
to lieutenant colonel or du-wei. Cao
Cao took him under his command
and gave him the task of guarding
him. Dian Wei hand-picked
hundreds of followers and set up a
rotation to guard Cao Cao’s camp.
Since he was a husky man, his
troops were also similarly built. In
every battle, he was first to charge
into combat. Quickly, he rose to the
rank of colonel or xiao-wei.
Dian Wei was a loyal and dedicated
person. He was cautious and
meticulous in his performance.
When he guarded for an entire day,
he slept nearby Cao Cao’s camp at
night. He rarely went home to rest.
He enjoyed wine and was able to
consume great quantity of it. Every
time he was invited to Cao Cao’s
parties, he always enjoyed eating
and drinking. He had an appetite
of five men. Cao Cao admired Dian
Wei’s grand and heroic behavior.
Dian Wei’s favorite weapons were
pair of short halberds and a large
heavy saber. Therefore, in the
army, a popular saying went,
“Under Grand Cao’s camp
is Colonel Dian. His pair of
short halberd weight 70 jin
(14 kg or 38.4 pound) each.”
During Cao Cao’s campaign at
Yu Province in summer of the
Second Year of Rebuiling Peace
(197 AD), he advanced his force to
the Wan Prefecture. There, Zhang
Xiu surrendered. Cao Cao was
very pleased. He invited Zhang
Xiu and his follow generals and
commanders to the celebration.
When Cao Cao personally went to
each guest to pour the wine, Dian
Wei stood behind him with a great
axe which had 2.3 meter (7.5 ft)
long blade. As Cao Cao poured the
wine, Dian Wei would stare at the
guest with the great axe in ready
position. Until the end of party,
Zhang Xiu and his followers dared
not to raise their heads.
Within scores of days, Zhang Xiu
rebelled and ambushed Cao’s
camp. Cao had to retreat to
regroup his army. Dian Wei and his
followers guarded the main gate
of the camp. Rebel troops could
Side Information
E Lai was a great generals in
service to King Zhou of the
Shang Dynasty. E Lai’s force
survived the destruction
of the Shang Dynasty and
caused many problems for
the new Zhou Dynasty. E Lai’s
descendants founded the
Qin State which eventually
became the Qin Dynasty.

not approach the front and had
to disperse to enter through side
gates. With numbers in the teens,
Dian Wei’s followers were ready
to die with him. For every one of
them that died, ten of the opposing
troops died with him. Dian Wei
was armed with the long spear-
axe; he attacked left and right.
Each strike took out 10 troops.
Yet, more and more enemies
poured through. Eventually, Dian
Wei was by himself and had
suffered many wounds. His spear-
axe became dulled from hacking
people. Abandoned it, he grabbed
two soldiers from the other side
and swung them around. Others
dared not to approach him. Dian
Wei then charged them and killed
more. But because of blood loss,
he finally fell. In his final moments
he could be heard cursing out his
enemies. Only when he was dead,
his enemies dared to approach him
to remove his head.
Cao Cao retreated to Wu-yang
[City]. Once he heard about Dian
Wei’s death, he became very
upset and asked to have his body
back for proper burial. Cao Cao
personally went to pay respect
at Dian Wei’s grave. The body
was sent to Yi-wu Prefecture as
its final resting place. Dian Wei’s
son, Dian Man, was then promoted
to Gentleman-of-the-Household.
And every time Cao passed Yi-wu
Prefecture, he ordered offerings
of lambs and boars made at Dian
Wei’s gravesite.
Later, to keep Dian Wei’s memory
alive, Cao Cao promoted Dian Man
to major or si-ma in order to serve
him better. When Cao Pi became
king, he promoted Dian Man to
lieutenant colonel or du-wei and
honored him with the nobility,
Marquis of Guan-nei Prefecture.
Conclusion
Chén Shòu (the author of San-gú-
zhì) critiqued of Dian Wei as follow:
“Dian Wei, whose spearhead
broke enemy ranks, was
equivalent to a Great
Warrior of Han.”
There was much similarity
between Zhang Fei and Dian
Wei. Both were famous for
their bravery and chivalry.
They were very loyal to their
master or oath to a brother
who also in turn valued Zhang
Fei/Dian Wei highly. They
were impressive bodyguards.
Zhang Fei and Dian Wei were
ferocious in battle. And they
both loved to drink.
There were also a few
differences between Zhang
Fei and Dian Wei. Dian Wei
was famous prior to serving
under Cao Cao; Zhang
Fei became famous after
serving Liu Bei. Dian Wei was
meticulous at his job; Zhang
Fei tended to get drunk and
abused his subordinates.
Zhang Fei had more exposure
than Dian Wei at leading
troops to attack. Dian Wei, as
a bodyguard, was used only in
case of emergency. Cao Cao
had other generals to be used as
a spearhead or when great fighters
where necessary. Dian Wei died
while defending his master; Zhang
Fei died prior to avenging his oath
brother.
Bibliography
Chén Shòu, San-gú-zhì
http://www.threekingdoms.net
Dian Wei’s Ability
Leadership 4
Decisive 8
Fighting 9
Observation 4
Reputation 7
Stamina 8
Warfare 5
Propriety 9

Introduction
Last issue, we had looked at how
the Role-Playing Game (R3K RPG)
would be like in Fudge format.
This issue, we are looking at how
the R3K RPG would be like under
the Tri-Stats System by Guardians
of Order (GOO). And in the next
issue, we will look how R3K RPG
fares under Open Gaming License.
Tri-Stats System is developed by
Guardians of Order for its Big Eyes
Small Mouth Anime RPG. It has
proven to be a popular system and
as a result GOO has become a suc-
cessful company. In March 2002,
GOO announced a new program or
division called Magnum Opus. The
idea behind it is that GOO granted
license of all or some part of the
Tri-Stats System and other GOO
game mechanics, its customer
base, and distribution channels
to companies who signed up for
Magnum Opus Program. This
allows use of their Tri-Stats Sys-
tem as possible game mechanics.
Throughout this article, it will be
referred to as Tri-Stats Romance of
the Three Kingdoms the Role Play-
ing Game or Tri-Stats R3K RPG.
Additional information about GOO
can be found at their website,
http://www.guardiansorder.com.
Character &
Character Traits
Character traits in Tri-Stats R3K
RPG are defined as stats, attributes,
defects and skills. Character Points
(CP) are used to spend on stats,
and attributes; they are gained
from acquiring defects or writing
impressive background stories.
Skills required are separated in a
set of points called Skill Points (SP)
and are increased or decreased by
selected attributes or defects.
Stats are defined as Body, Mind
and Soul, which reflect character
base capabilities. They are ranged
from 1 to 12 with 4 being defined
as average human.
Attributes are special talents or
abilities that a character is born
with, known for, or acquired
throughout his lifetime. They are
ranged from 1 to 6.
Defects are character disadvan-
tages. The character gains either 1
or 2 CP based upon seriousness of
a particular selected defect.
Skills are character specializations
due to his extensive training or
exposure to particular fields. They
are ranged from 1 to 6.
There are two different sets of
scales to define these traits. For
stats, there are 12 (or 13 if one in-
cludes 0) as a scale or level. These
are defined as in Table 1.
For attributes and skills, there are
6 levels with no descriptor. Howev-
er, it is reasonable to extract from
12 stat descriptors and apply to
6 levels of attributes/skills. Then
these are defined as in Table 2.
This helps reinforce the fact that
people with a particular attribute
or skill are better than those who
do not have them. Therefore it jus-
tifies the cost of purchasing them.
Character Creation
Under the Tri-Stats System, it is en-
couraged to have both player and
GM work together to help design a
game. This is probably true is most
point-based systems as opposed
to a level-based system. Here are 8
steps for character creation.
1. Discussion with GM - to discuss
what kind of character a player
wants to play.
2. Character Outline - there are
8 archetypes of career templates
for players to choose from. And
optionally, there are 4 different
cultures other than Han Chinese
for the player to choose from.
3. Background Points - Now that
player has an idea of what he wants
for his character, he can optionally
write a brief background story, de-
scribe an important event, or a pic-
ture for bonus Character Points (1
- 3) to create his character.
4. Assign Stat – the player re-
ceives 35 Character Points to
build his character’s stats of Body,
Mind, and Soul; he can place them
anywhere between 1 to 12 with
4 being normal adult male. It is
recommended that player spends
no more than 2/3 or 24 points on
Stats assignment.
5. Character Attributes - With the
remaining points, a player can pur-
chase Attributes or Talents. These
RPG in Tri-Stat Format
by Chuan Lin

are scaled from 1 to 6. Some ex-
amples of Attributes include mar-
tial art styles, schools of literati, or
element of magic.
6. Character Defects - Player has
the option to take Defects that hin-
der his character during play to get
additional character points to pur-
chase Attributes or convert to Skill
Points at 1 CP : 10 SP ratio.
7. Select Skills - Based on charac-
ter concepts and templates, play-
ers now have an idea of what skills
are needed for his character to sur-
vive in R3K world. Player receives
30 Skill Points to purchase skills.
8. Derived Value – With the select-
ed Stats, Attributes, and Skills, now
it is possible to calculate second-
ary stat or Derived Value. These
are Attack Combat Value, Defend
Combat Value, Health Point, Shock
Value and optionally Energy Points
(for spell caster).
Character Stats
Under the Fudge R3K RPG, there
are 9 character stats. Tri-Stats R3K
RPG is the other extreme; there are
only 3 Stats: Body, Mind, and Soul.
These Tri-Stats are easily adopted
into traditional Chinese concepts
of Heaven, Earth, and Man that re-
sides within a person.
Heaven governs the Mind that defines
how easily a character is aware of his
situation, absorbs new information,
and adapts to his advantage.
Earth governs the Body that defines
how easily a character can manipu-
late physical objects; exerts strength
to change solid material, and to en-
dure impact of tangible things.
Man governs the Soul that de-
fines the connected link between
Heaven and Earth; the willpower
to manipulate Mind and Body; and
act as a beacon to attract other of
similar minds.
Game Mechanic
Tri-Stats System use 2d6 to de-
termine the success of an action.
There are three conditions when
these dice are called for. These are
defined as the check against char-
acter stats, the check against char-
acter skill, and the check against
attack/defend value.
Skills are considered internal
bonuses that increase the target
number equal to level of skill in-
vested. If the circumstances or
item used has been previously
declared to be of favorite use, the
character gains an additional +1 to
the target number.
External factors modify the tar-
get number by increasing or de-
creasing it and may include such
examples of time pressure, being
in public, or in a strange circum-
stance, or being assisted.
The difference between the die roll
and final target number represents
the degrees of success or failure.
Tri-Stat System recommended sev-
eral reasons that call for die roll-
ing. These are
• The unpredictability of dice adds
to the excitement of the game
• The action is foreign to the char-
acter in question.
• The action has been a weakness
of the character in the past
• The character is distracted or
cannot concentrate
• Another character or an NPC is
working directly against the char-
acter in question.
• Only pure luck is involved
• The action is not of trivial diffi-
culty to complete.
• Outside forces influence the ac-
tion in question.
• The player and/or GM wants to
roll some dice
Here are some recommendations
of when not to roll dice
• Roll would reduce the enjoyment
of the game
• Routine action for the character
Table 1 : Stat Rating
0. Completely and utterly
useless
4. Adult human average 8. Extremely capable
1. Inept 5. Above adult human average 9. Best in the land
2. Significantly below adult
human average
6. Significantly above human
average
10. World-class ability
3. Below adult human aver-
age
7. Highly capable 11. Legendary ability
12. Best in the universe. Un-
equaled.
Table 2: Skill Rating
1. Above human average
2. Significantly above human
average
3. Highly capable
4. Extremely capable
5. Best in the land.
6. World-class ability.

• The action is performed by an
NPC and will have no impact on
any PCs or significant NPC in play.
• The action requires trivial
amount of talent compared to the
character Stats or Skill Level.
With active oppositions, both
player and NPC roll their die and
compare. Whoever has the larger
degree of success is the winner of
that contest.
Tri-Stats System also used d6 to
determine combat initiative and
the effect of critical hit.
Wounds
With the Tri-Stats System, the
derived stats are used to calcu-
late how much wounds or Health
Points a character has before being
killed as well as his Shock Value.
The later is the sum of Body and
Soul. Every time a character takes
damage equal to or greater than
the Shock Value, a roll against his
Soul stat is required for a charac-
ter to maintain full consciousness.
Failures mean that the character
becomes stunned and is unable
to act or perform any action for
1 round. And each subsequent
round requires additional Soul
checks to determine if he comes
out of shock.
In addition, damages taken are
subtracted against a character’s
Health Point which is 5 times the
Shock Value. As long as a charac-
ter receives damage less than his
Shock Value and his Health Points
remain positive, he is fine. Natu-
rally, when a character’s Health
Points drop to 0 or less, that char-
acter is dead.
To calculate damage, the following
formula is applied:
(Attack Combat Value + Relevant
Attributes + Weapon Damage)
– (Armor Defense Level + Shield
Defense Level)
= Amount of Damage
A typical NPC has a derived Shock
Value of 8, and is able to absorb 40
Health Points before dying.
Conclusion
The Tri-Stats System offers in-
teresting game mechanics for
the R3K RPG campaign. The use
of Body, Mind, and Soul is very
practical and elaborate. The game
is possible to play with just Stats
and Attributes. However, skills do
add color and variety to a charac-
ter than just Stats and Attributes.
Thus the Tri-Stats System presents
itself as a worthy candidate for the
underlying game mechanics of the
Role Playing Game.
First of all, I want to congratulate
Koei for attempting to reach its
audienceonceagainbyreleasingthe
Romance series on the Playstation
2. For a while I was skeptical
of their United States release
schedule as they have put hardly
any effort into advertisement as
well as importing their products.
If anyone is unaware, Koei hordes
a battalion of video games for PC
and console alike for the Chinese
and Japanese market. I would
encourage anyone to take a look
at Koei's vast video game library
from their Japanese launch site
(http://www.koei.co.jp).
Secondly, you probably want to
know the dirt on the RTK7 release
in America. Well, let’s get to it.
RTK7 returns as we all know
and love it with some great
additions and a major subtraction.
Unfortunately in this episode of
the Chinese warfare-strategy epic
you do not have access to play
with anyone, but yourself. The
Romance of the Three Kingdoms VII
by Chuck Hildreth
Courtesy of Koei

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