In 193 AD, though the main wave of the Yellow Turban Rebellion had been suppressed, scattered remnants continued to wreak havoc across the Han Empire. Kong Rong, serving as the Chancellor of Beihai Commandery (in modern-day Shandong), found himself at the center of a dire crisis.
Guan Hai, a leader of the Yellow Turban remnants, led an army of tens of thousands to besiege Duchang County where Kong Rong was at that time. Despite Kong Rong’s efforts to defend the city, his forces suffered repeated defeats. Soon, the situation turned desperate—food supplies were nearly exhausted, reinforcements were nowhere in sight, and the defending army numbered fewer than a thousand. With Guan Hai’s forces attacking day and night, the city’s fall seemed inevitable, and Kong Rong faced imminent death.
The hidden truth: Why Dong Zhuo appointed Kong Rong to Beihai
Kong Rong’s appointment as Chancellor of Beihai was no act of favor—it was a political exile orchestrated by Dong Zhuo. When Dong Zhuo seized control of the Han court and sought to depose Emperor Shao of Han, Kong Rong openly opposed him with sharp, principled arguments that challenged Dong Zhuo’s authority.
Enraged, Dong Zhuo sought revenge. Rather than executing Kong Rong outright—a move that would provoke backlash from the scholar-gentry class—he instead appointed Kong Rong to govern Beihai, a region notorious for its intense Yellow Turban activity. Dong Zhuo’s intention was clear: he hoped the rebels would kill Kong Rong, allowing him to eliminate a critic under the guise of natural conflict—a classic case of letting others do the dirty work or using a knife held by another’s hand.
Why Kong Rong appealed to Liu Bei?
Surrounded and on the brink of collapse, Kong Rong’s advisors urged him to seek help from powerful neighboring warlords—Yuan Shao or Cao Cao, the two most dominant figures in northern China. Yet Kong Rong refused and instead sent a plea for aid to Liu Bei, then a relatively minor warlord serving under Gongsun Zan as Chancellor of Pingyuan (also in Shandong).
Why?
Kong Rong, a leading figure of the Han dynasty’s scholarly elite and a staunch advocate of Confucian virtue and moral governance, understood the political calculus:
- Yuan Shao and Cao Cao, though powerful, were expansionist warlords. If they rescued Beihai, they would likely absorb it into their own domains, stripping Kong Rong of autonomy.
- Liu Bei, by contrast, was weak, lacked a significant power base, and—crucially—was renowned for his benevolence and righteousness. He had no capacity or ambition to annex Beihai, making him a far safer ally.
Moreover, Liu Bei’s reputation for humane rule aligned with Kong Rong’s ideals. To Kong Rong, Liu Bei was not just a military commander—he was a fellow upholder of Han moral values in an age of warlords.
The Political Rift: Kong Rong, Yuan Shao, and Cao Cao
Historical records in the Records of the Three Kingdoms, Book of Wei reveal deeper tensions:
“Yuan Shao had long held grudges against former Grand Commandant Yang Biao, Palace Attendant Liang Mao, and Minister of the Household Kong Rong. He sought to have Cao Cao execute them on false charges.”
This passage exposes a secret political maneuver between Yuan Shao and Cao Cao. Though allied, Yuan Shao attempted to use Cao Cao—then nominally serving the Han emperor—to eliminate rival scholars like Kong Rong, who opposed warlord dominance and sought to restore imperial authority.
Kong Rong, aware of this conspiracy, had every reason to distrust both Yuan Shao and Cao Cao. Turning to them for help would not only risk his city but also his life.
Kong Rong’s pride and downfall
Kong Rong was known for his eloquence, pride, and unyielding integrity. He considered himself intellectually superior to his contemporaries and did not hesitate to criticize powerful figures, including He Jin, Dong Zhuo, Zhao She, Yuan Shao, and Cao Cao.
His sharp tongue ultimately led to his demise. He openly mocked Cao Cao—ridiculing him for seizing Yuan Shao’s daughter-in-law, joking that an old man like Cao Cao should not be jealous over women, and denouncing the campaign against the Wuhuan as wasteful. He even sarcastically questioned why Cao Cao did not go fight Qin Shi Huang, implying Cao Cao’s ambitions were as tyrannical as the First Emperor’s.
To Cao Cao, these were not jokes—they were acts of defiance. In 208 AD, Cao Cao had Kong Rong executed on charges of “disrespect and disorderly speech,” ending the life of one of the last great Han loyalists.
Why Liu Bei answered the call?
When Taishi Ci, a loyal general of Kong Rong, broke through the siege to reach Pingyuan and deliver the plea for help, Liu Bei’s reaction was one of surprise and deep emotion.
He knows of your reputation for humanity and honor, and of your willingness to aid people in distress. He has therefore sent me to brave the rebels’ spears in hopes of gaining your help.” Looking serious but apparently pleased, Xuande replied, “So the governor of Beihai knows there’s a Liu Bei in this world?” and set out for Beihai with Lord Guan, Zhang Fei, and three thousand select fighters.
— Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Chapter 11
This moment was pivotal. At the time, Liu Bei was a minor regional official, overshadowed by greater warlords. That Kong Rong—a nationally renowned scholar and descendant of Confucius—would personally seek his aid was an immense honor.
Liu Bei understood that in the chaotic late Han era, reputation was more valuable than armies. By rescuing Kong Rong, he could:
- Prove his commitment to righteousness,
- Gain the respect of the scholar-gentry class,
- And attract talented individuals to his cause.
Without hesitation, Liu Bei mobilized 3,000 elite troops, personally led the relief force, and marched alongside Taishi Ci to Beihai.
The Outcome: A victory of morality and image
Liu Bei’s arrival was nothing short of miraculous for the besieged city. His forces engaged Guan Hai’s army, and with a decisive victory, lifted the siege of Beihai.
The rescue was more than a military success—it was a strategic triumph. Liu Bei’s name, once obscure, now resonated across the land as that of a benevolent and courageous leader who stood for justice.
This act cemented his image as a true Confucian ruler in a time of warlords, laying the foundation for his future alliances, legitimacy, and eventual rise as Emperor of Shu Han.
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