Under Kong Rong’s dissuasion, Cao Cao did not kill Liu and Wang. Later, Cao Cao wanted to raise troops to attack Liu Bei. Kong Rong once again advised him: It is difficult to fight in the middle of winter because of the cold weather. It is better to wait until next spring. Now you can go to persuade Liu Biao and Zhang Xiu to surrender. After careful consideration, Zhang Xiu decided to surrender to Cao Cao, leaving Liu Biao. Cao Cao sent Kong Rong to persuade him to surrender, and Kong Rong recommended Ni Heng.
But Mi Heng was arrogant and insulted Cao Cao many times, so Cao Cao wanted to use Liu Biao to kill him. However, Liu Biao saw that Cao Cao had deliberately not killed Mi Heng, and instead asked him to see Huang Zu. Drunk, he couldn't stand Mi Heng's sarcasm and finally killed him with a knife. Cao Cao was overjoyed to achieve his goal.
Dong Cheng and others conspired with the imperial physician Ji Ping to poison Cao Cao, but they were discovered. Cao Cao brutally murdered Ji Ping and others, and imprisoned Dong Cheng and his family in a prison cell.
Extended information:
Introduction to the characters in Chapter 23:
1. Kong Rong
Kong Rong (153 years - September 26, 208), Zi Wenju. A native of the state of Lu (now Qufu, Shandong). He was a writer in the late Eastern Han Dynasty and one of the "Seven Sons of Jian'an". He had a rich family background and was the 20th grandson of Confucius and the son of Kong Zhou, the captain of Taishan.
Kong Rong was a rare talent, diligent and studious, and was known as Pingyuan Tao Qiuhong and Chen Liubianrang. After Emperor Xian of the Han Dynasty came to the throne, he served as Zhonghou of the Northern Army, Zhonglang General of Huben, and Prime Minister of Beihai, and was called Kong Beihai at that time.
He served for six years, built cities, established schools, promoted talents, and demonstrated Confucianism. Later, he also served as the governor of Qingzhou. In the first year of Jian'an (196), Yuan Tan attacked Beihai, and Kong Rong fought fiercely with him for several months before finally being defeated and fleeing Shandong.
Not long after, he was recruited by the imperial court as a general and a great craftsman, moved to the Shaofu, and was appointed Taizhong doctor. He was a good-natured guest, liked to criticize and discuss current affairs, and spoke fiercely. He was later killed because he offended Cao Cao.
2. Cao Cao
Cao Cao (155-March 15, 220), whose courtesy name was Mengde, whose last name was Jili, and whose nickname was Amo, was born in Qiao County, Peiguo (now Bozhou, Anhui Province). )people. He was an outstanding statesman, militarist, writer and calligrapher in the late Eastern Han Dynasty, and the founder of the Cao Wei regime in the Three Kingdoms.
Cao Cao served as the prime minister of the Eastern Han Dynasty and was later granted the title of King of Wei, laying the foundation for the founding of Cao Wei. After his death, his posthumous title was King Wu. After his son Cao Pi became emperor, he was honored as Emperor Wu, with the temple name Taizu.
At the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, the world was in chaos. In the name of the Emperor of the Han Dynasty, Cao Cao conquered all directions, internally eliminated the separatist forces such as Yuan, Lu Bu, Liu Biao, Ma Chao, and Han Sui, and externally surrendered the Southern Xiongnu, Wuhuan, Xianbei, etc. , unified northern China.
3. Zhang Xiu
Zhang Xiu (? - 207) was a native of Wuwei Zuli (now Jingyuan, Gansu). The son of the hussar general Zhang Ji. The warlord who separatized Wancheng in the late Eastern Han Dynasty and was one of the heroes in the late Han Dynasty. At first, he went on an expedition with Zhang Ji, and after Zhang Ji's death, he joined forces with Liu Biao.
Later he surrendered to Cao Cao, but because he was dissatisfied with his words and deeds, he raided Cao Cao and made peace with Liu Biao again. On the eve of the Battle of Guandu, he followed Jia Xu's suggestion and surrendered to Cao Cao again and participated in the Battle of Guandu. He was promoted to General Po Qiang and was granted the title of Marquis Xuanwei. Conquer Nanpi and defeat Yuan Tan. He died on the way to the northern expedition to Wuhuan (207 years) (some say he was forced to death by Cao Pi), and was given the posthumous title of Dinghou.