When discussing the greatest strategist or warrior in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, opinions may vary widely. However, when it comes to identifying the most sharp-tongued critic, Mi Heng undoubtedly takes the crown.
In Chapter 23 of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Mi Heng’s act of drumming and insulting Cao Cao is an unparalleled event, unprecedented and never replicated.
Mi Heng was renowned for his talent, but even more so for his arrogance. In his eyes, all the heroes of the era were worthless, with only two exceptions: Kong Rong and Yang Xiu. Those familiar with Three Kingdoms history know all too well the tragic fates that befell these two men.
The Naked Drumming Incident
Mi Heng’s disrobing, drumming, and insults toward Cao Cao vividly showcased his audacity and fearlessness. He relentlessly mocked Cao Cao, whom he labeled as “a Han minister in name, but a Han traitor in reality,” leaving Cao Cao speechless with rage.
Cao Cao answered. “Why, I don’t know. Everyone seems to have heard of him, though. If I killed him, the world would call me mean and intolerant. Since he thinks so highly of himself, I made him a drummer—to humiliate him.”
— Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Chapter 23
Although Cao Cao wanted to execute Mi Heng, he found it politically inconvenient to do so directly. Instead, he sent Mi Heng to Liu Biao, hoping to eliminate him through borrowed hands. Liu Biao, too, grew weary of Mi Heng’s sarcasm but recognized Cao Cao’s ulterior motive. Unwilling to bear the stigma of harming a talented scholar, Liu Biao passed this hot potato to Huang Zu.
Someone said to Liu Biao, “Mi Heng has mocked Your Lordship and should die for it.” But Liu Biao replied, “He slandered Cao Cao more than once and has survived because Cao couldn’t risk killing a noted scholar. He sent him here, hoping we would save him the trouble—and take the blame. I’ve sent Mi Heng on to Huang Zu to show Cao that two can play that game.” Liu Biao’s advisers were impressed with his shrewdness.
— Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Chapter 23
Ultimately, Mi Heng met his end at Huang Zu’s hands.
Huang Zu asked Mi Heng, ‘Tell me, who are the great men at the capital?’ Heng answered, ‘There’s that big child Kong Rong and a smaller one, Yang Xiu. No one else.’ ‘And what do you think of me?’ Huang Zu asked him. ‘You?’ Mi Heng replied. ‘A deity in a temple, who receives the fragrant offerings but is lifeless and impotent!’ ‘So you take me for an idol of wood or clay?’ Huang Zu cried, and ordered him put to death.
— Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Chapter 23
Historical Accounts vs. Fictional Embellishments
Today, let us delve into the story of Mi Heng’s drumming and insults, comparing the accounts in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms with other historical records.
Historical records depict Mi Heng in a manner quite similar to the novel: he stripped, insulted Cao Cao, offended Liu Biao, and was eventually executed by Huang Zu.
However, the Romance of the Three Kingdoms also includes fictionalized elements. For instance:
First, the scathing critique of Cao Cao’s officials is unique to the novel:
“I beg to differ,” Mi Heng said, scoffing. “These men you mention are known to me— all too well. Xun Wenruo is good for attending funerals and visiting the bedridden. Xun You will do for guarding grave sites. Cheng Yu would make a superb gatekeeper. Guo Jia’s real talent is for reading prose and reciting verse. Zhang Liao would serve well tapping the chimes and drums, and Xu Chu belongs tending cattle and horses. Yue Jin is good for receiving petitions and reading edicts, Li Dian for transmitting documents and delivering instructions, Lü Qian for sharpening blades and forging swords. Man Chong consumes wine and dregs. Yu Jin can work at lugging blocks and raising walls. Xu Huang would be best employed slaughtering pigs and dogs. Xiahou Dun deserves the title ‘Unscathed General’; Cao Ren, ‘Well-bribed Governor.’ The rest of the lot are so many clothes racks, rice bags, wine casks, meat sacks. …”
— Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Chapter 23
Additionally, Mi Heng’s boastful self-praise does not appear in other historical sources:
“And what is your specialty?” Cao asked, cold with fury. “I,” was Mi Heng’s reply, “have mastered the patterns of the heavens and the contours of the land. I have knowledge of the three great teachings and the nine minor traditions. With virtue equal to Confucius’ and his dearest disciple Yan Yuan’s, I can make a king into as sage a sovereign as Yao or Shun. And you rate me with those mediocrities!”
— Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Chapter 23
Furthermore, the novel presents the drumming incident slightly differently.
The Truth Behind the Drumming
In the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Mi Heng’s drumming, disrobing, and insults occur consecutively during a banquet. However, other historical records suggest that after his performance, Mi Heng was criticized for not wearing proper attire. In response, he stripped naked in front of Cao Cao and the guests, changed into performance clothing, played another drum piece, and left without showing any signs of humiliation or displeasure—and without directly insulting Cao Cao at that moment.
The intended humiliation failed to land, leaving Cao Cao to awkwardly laugh and remark to his guests,
“I meant to shame Mi Heng, but instead, he has shamed me.”
So, did Mi Heng actually insult Cao Cao? Yes, but not during the drumming incident. After Mi Heng’s naked performance, Kong Rong found his behavior improper and unbefitting of his status. After the banquet, Kong Rong reproached Mi Heng and urged him to apologize to Cao Cao. Mi Heng pretended to admit his mistake and promised to apologize a few days later. Instead, he later went to Cao Cao’s residence to insult him directly.
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