Chapter 22 of Romance of the Three Kingdoms marks a pivotal escalation in the struggle for supremacy during the twilight of the Eastern Han dynasty. As Liu Bei consolidates his control over Xuzhou, his defiance ignites Cao Cao’s fury, setting in motion a chain of events that draws in the era’s most powerful warlords.
This chapter masterfully intertwines military confrontation, psychological warfare, and political rhetoric, showcasing the clash between ambition and resistance. While Cao Cao prepares for war, the brilliant Chen Lin’s fiery proclamation strikes fear into his heart—so powerfully that it cures his illness. Meanwhile, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei demonstrate their unmatched martial prowess, capturing Cao Cao’s generals with cunning and force.
Cao Cao’s Fury
Upon learning that Liu Bei had seized Xuzhou and openly defied him, Cao Cao flew into a rage and immediately ordered a campaign to crush the rebellion.
The loyalist minister Kong Rong advised caution, warning:
“Yuan Shao in the north commands a vast army and controls four provinces. If we attack Liu Bei and Yuan Shao strikes our rear, we will be in grave danger.”
However, Cao Cao’s chief strategist Xun Yu countered with a penetrating analysis:
“Yuan Shao is indecisive and burdened by internal strife. His sons quarrel, and his generals compete for favor. He is slow to act. Liu Bei, though newly risen, is weak and unprepared. Strike him now, and he will fall.”
Convinced by Xun Yu’s logic, Cao Cao resolved to eliminate Liu Bei first, believing that swift action against a weak foe would secure his rear before confronting Yuan Shao.
Liu Bei’s Stand at Xuzhou
To test Liu Bei’s strength and buy time for his main force, Cao Cao dispatched two generals—Liu Dai and Wang Zhong—to lead a vanguard force under Cao Cao’s banner.
Liu Bei, now firmly in control of Xuzhou, prepared for battle. Heeding the advice of Chen Deng, he sent an urgent appeal to Yuan Shao for military support, proposing a joint campaign against Cao Cao.
However, Yuan Shao’s young son fell gravely ill, and consumed by personal grief, he refused to mobilize his army. Abandoned by his would-be ally, Liu Bei was forced to face Cao Cao’s forces alone.
This incident reflects a well-documented weakness in Yuan Shao’s leadership—his inability to prioritize state affairs over personal matters, a flaw repeatedly noted in historical records.
Guan Yu and Zhang Fei’s victory
When Wang Zhong advanced, Guan Yu rode out to meet him. After a brief engagement, Guan Yu feigned retreat, luring Wang Zhong into a trap where a horse-tangling rope was hidden. Wang Zhong’s horse tripped, and he was quickly captured.
Next, Zhang Fei confronted Liu Dai, but the latter refused to engage, barricading himself within his camp.
Undeterred, Zhang Fei devised a clever ruse. He pretended to get drunk, ordering his men to create chaos—shouting, fighting, and leaving camp gates unguarded. Believing the enemy was in disarray, Liu Dai launched a night raid.
But it was a trap. Zhang Fei’s men ambushed the attackers, and Liu Dai was captured alive.
Both generals were brought before Liu Bei, who treated them with courtesy. Liu Bei even returned the captured troops and confiscated warhorses to the two opposing generals, choosing to set them free.
Chen Lin’s Fiery Edict
Meanwhile, in Yuan Shao’s camp, the brilliant scholar and strategist Chen Lin composed a scathing proclamation denouncing Cao Cao as a traitor to the Han dynasty.
The edict was a masterpiece of classical rhetoric—fierce, eloquent, and devastatingly personal. It accused Cao Cao of:
- Usurping imperial authority,
- Murdering loyal ministers,
- Plundering tombs for wealth,
- And ruling through terror and deception.
When the proclamation reached Xuchang, Cao Cao was suffering from a severe headache (wind-induced illness). Upon reading the document, he was so shocked by its power and precision that he broke into a cold sweat—and his headache vanished instantly.
“Who wrote this?”
Cao Cao asked.
“Chen Lin of Guangping,”
he was told.
Cao Cao sighed:
“Such talent, yet he served Yuan Shao? Brilliant rhetoric means nothing without military strength—Chen Lin’s words are sharp, but Yuan Shao’s incompetence in strategy renders them useless!”
Prelude to the Battle of Guandu
With Liu Bei holding Xuzhou, Yuan Shao amassing forces in the north, and Cao Cao preparing his main army, the stage was set for a clash of titans.
Though Cao Cao had not yet launched his full-scale invasion, the tensions were reaching a breaking point. The failed probe by Liu Dai and Wang Zhong only confirmed the need for a decisive campaign.
Moreover, Chen Lin’s proclamation legitimized Yuan Shao’s cause in the eyes of many Han loyalists, transforming the conflict from a war of conquest into a struggle for the soul of the empire.
This chapter foreshadows the Battle of Guandu (200 AD), the defining conflict that would determine the fate of northern China.
Leave a Reply