A Meeting with Cao Cao

Chen Gong (154-198) was originally the Magistrate of Zhongmou, it was in this position that Chen Gong had his first meeting with Cao Cao, who was fleeing after a failed assasination attempt on Dong Zhuo. Cao Cao was recognised by guards as he fled through Zhongmou and brought before Chen Gong. After talking with Cao Cao, Chen Gong was impressed by Cao Cao's loyalty to the Han, and decided to join Cao Cao, in gathering forces to fight Dong Zhuo. So Chen Gong released Cao Cao and fled from Zhongmou with him towards Qiao. Cáo Cāo (曹操, pronounced Tsao Tsao) (155-220), courtesy name Mèngdé (孟德), was the self-appointed Imperial Secretarist of the Han Dynasty and the de facto ruler of Northern China (as the Kingdom of Wei) during the beginning of the period of Three Kingdoms. ... Dong Zhuo (? – 192) was a warlord during the late Eastern Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms Period in ancient China. ... Han can refer to: Han Chinese, the dominant majority ethnic group of mainland China The Chinese written language (漢文) The Han Dynasty (202 BCE - 220 CE) of China The state of Han, a state during the Chinese Warring States Period Han, one of the Chinese Sixteen Kingdoms, founded by the...

Three days later Chen Gong and Cao Cao, arrived at Cao's uncle - Lu Boshe's house at Chenggao. The pair decided to stay with Lu Boshe for the night, and to gain news of what had happened to Cao Cao's family. Lu Boshe welcomed Cao Cao into his home, and informed him that his father had gone into hiding in Chenliu. Lu Boshe praise Chen Gong as the saviour of the Cao family. Lu Boshe then went to the village to acquire wine for his houseguests. This made Cao Cao suspicious, and his suspicions were increased when he heard someone say Lets bind them up and kill them. Cao Cao and Chen Gong, then killed the whole household, male and female. They then searched the household and found a pig, tied up ready to be killed.

Chen Gong and Cao Cao immediately fled the house to avoid being caught by Lu Boshe, because they had slain the innocent members of his household. By chance, the pair met their host who was on his way home carrying wine. They greeted eachother, and Lu Boshe was sorry to hear they had to leave so soon, but as soon as Lu Boshe passed them Cao Cao turned around and cut down his innocent uncle. This frightened Chen Gong, last time had been an honest mistake but now Cao Cao had slain his uncle in cold blood. That night as Cao Cao slept, Chen Gong tried to kill Cao Cao, but he could not do it and left him.

Serving Lü Bu

After leaving Cao Cao, Chen Gong became the Governor of Dongjun, and became close friends with Tao Qian, the Imperial protector of Xuzhou. At this time a vassal of Tao Qian - Zhang Kai killed the father of Cao Cao, who he was meant to be protecting. Because of this Cao Cao led a force to invade Xuzhou and destroy the whole population, hearing this news Chen Gong immediately set out to persuade his former companion to reconsider. Knowing his Chen Gong's purpose Cao Cao put off seeing him for a few days, but eventually invited him to see him as he could not forget about the kindness that Chen Gong had shown him. Categories: People stubs | Chinese poets ...

Chen Gong told Cao Cao - "They say you go to avenge your father's death on Xuzhou, to destroy its people. I have come to say a word. Imperial Protector Tao Qian is humane and a good man. He is not looking out for his own advantage, careless of the means and of others. Your worthy father met his unhappy death at the hands of Zhang Kai. Tao Qian is guiltless. Still more innocent are the people, and to slay them would be an evil. I pray you think over it.", but Cao Cao retorted - "You once abandoned me, and now you have the impudence to come to see me! Tao Qian slew my whole family, and I will tear his heart out in revenge. I swear it! You may speak for your friend and say what you will. I shall be as if I heard not.".

After failing to sway Cao Cao, Chen Gong could not bear to face Tao Qian so he left to serve the Governor of Chenliu Zhang Miao. It was during his service of Zhang Miao, that Chen Gong met the great warrior Lü Bu, who also was in the service of Zhang Miao after being threatened with execution by his former lord Zhang Yang. Chen Gong was impressed with Lü Bu, and told Zhang Miao that he was "one of the warriors of this time". Zhang Miao ordered Lü Bu to attack. Soon Lü Bu had occupied all of Cao Cao's Yanzhou province except for the counties of Juancheng, Fangxia, and Dongjun, with major help from Chen Gong. At this news Cao Cao had to stop his offensive on Xuzhou to defend his own province. Chen Gong came up with a plan to ambush Cao Cao at the Taishan mountains, but Lü Bu attacked Pu Yang, dealing Cao a heavy defeat, and taking Puyang. Chen Gong then came up with a plan to lure Cao into the city by pretending the Tian family had defected. Cao Cao was trapped from all sides by Lü Bu, Zhang Liao and Zang Ba, and if it were not for the efforts of Dian Wei and Xiahou Yuan, Cao Cao would surely have died. However the Tian family's false defection became a true one during Cao Cao's second attack on Pingyuan, and Lü Bu, and Chen Gong were once again left without a home. Lü Bu (? – 198) was a military general during the late Eastern Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms Period in ancient China. ... Zhang Liao (169 – 224) was a military general under the powerful warlord Cao Cao during the late Eastern Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms Period in ancient China. ... Dian Wei (? – 197) was a warrior during the late Eastern Han Dynasty. ... Xiahou Yuan (? – 219) was a military general under the powerful warlord Cao Cao during the late Eastern Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms Period in ancient China. ...

Chen Gong suggested that Lü Bu go to serve Liu Bei, and despite Liu Bei's advisors not trusting Lü Bu, Liu Bei welcomed Lü Bu into the city. Liu Bei gave the countly of Xiaopei to Lü Bu to rebuild his forces. However thanks to Cao Cao's plotting Liu Bei's advisors grew less trusting of Lü Bu, and eventually Lü Bu took Xuzhou from Zhang Fei on the advice of Chen Gong while Liu Bei and Guan Yu were fighting the forces of Yuan Shu. Chen Gong then suggested to Lü Bu that Liu Bei be allowed to live in Xiaopei, to maintain friendly relationships with them, although Liu Bei's advisors urged Liu Bei not to accept, he once again trusted Lü Bu, and moved to live in Xiaopei. In the Romance of Three Kingdoms, Zhāng Fēi (張飛)(168?-222 AD), courtesy name Yìdé (翼德), was first a butcher, than an officer of the Kingdom of Shu and the second member of the Five Tiger Generals. ... Guan Yu (160 – 219) was a military general under the warlord Liu Bei during the late Eastern Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms period in ancient China. ... Yuan Shu (袁术; style name Gonglu 公路) (?? - 199) was a major warlord of the Later Han Dynasty who rose to prominence following the collapse of the Han court in 189. ...

Chen Gong attempting to increase Lü Bu's power more, struck up an alliance between Yuan Shu and Lü Bu, by suggesting a marriage between Yuan Shu's son and Lü Bu's daughter. Chen Gong believed this alliance would lead to the defeat of Liu Bei. He attempted to get the marriage arranged as soon as possible, believing an alliance between Lü Bu and Yuan Shu would certainly lead to the defeat of Liu Bei. However Chen Gui, another servant of Lü Bu, discovered this and foiled Chen Gong's plans by telling Lü Bu. Lü Bu postponed the marriage, however while he was considering his options he learned that Liu Bei's oath brother Zhang Fei had stolen horses belonging to Lü Bu. This led to Lü Bu leading an attack on Xiaopei, and despite Liu Bei suing for peace, Chen Gong advised Lü Bu to reject this offer and Lü Bu carried on his attack on Liu Bei. This led to Liu Bei seeking shelter with Cao Cao.

The Battle of Xia Pi

After Liu Bei seeking protection with Cao Cao, there was an uneasy peace between the two warlords. With Lü Bu, joining forces with Cao Cao, Liu Bei and Sun Ce. However Cao Cao ordered Liu Bei to attack Lü Bu, and Chen Gui and Chen Deng were secretly collaborating with Liu Bei. Chen Gong tried to tell Lü Bu about this, but Lü Bu merely accused Chen Gong of slander. Chen Gong considered leaving Lü Bu, but he could not. Sun Ce or Sun Tse (å­«ç­–; pinyin: SÅ«n Cè; 175 – 200 AD), style name Bofu (伯符), was born in Fuchun County of southern China in AD 175. ...

Chen Gong managed to intercept a letter being brought to Liu Bei, ordering him to attack Cao Cao. This made Lü Bu very and decided to attack Xiaopei, where Liu Bei was residing, before he was attacked himself. Gao Shun and Zhang Liao went to attack Xiaopei, while Song Xian and Wei Xu went to attack Runan and Yingchuan. Chen Gong and Zang Ba went to enlist the Taishan mountain bandits. Lü Bu's army defeated Liu Bei, and took Xiaopei but the battle was not yet over, as Liu Bei returned with the huge army of Cao Cao. Song Xian was a general of the Later Han Dynasty who served under the warlord Lü Bu during the period. ...

However during the battle with Cao Cao, Chen Deng managed to trick Chen Gong's army into fighting with Lü Bu's army, tis fierce battle lasted until morning when the two armies recognised each other. The two armies attempted to return to Xuzhou, but found it had been taken by Mi Zhu working with Chen Gui, the pair tried then to return to Xiaopei, however [[Cao Ren had already taken Xiaopei, thanks to a plot by Chen Deng, who had told the cities defenders Gao Shun, and Zhang Liao that Lü Bu needed their help. Xiapi was the only place now left to Lü Bu.

Chen Gong began to plan for the defensive battle, but Lü Bu ignored his advice to strike out while the enemy army was fatigued. Cao Cao attempted to persuade Lü Bu surrender, but Chen Gong shot an arrow at Cao Cao before Lü Bu could give his answer. Chen Gong then came up with another plan to defeat Cao Cao, by Lü Bu leaving the city to engage Cao Cao, and then Chen Gong's army surrounding Cao Cao. Lü Bu agreed with this plan, however he was persuaded to remain in the castle by his wife Lady Yan. Chen Gong once again planned for Lü Bu to strike out and attack Cao Cao's supply convoy, so Cao Cao would have to return to Xuchang. Lady Yan wept at hearing this plan, but could not persuade Lü Bu, but Diaochan, managed to convince Lü Bu to stay in the castle, telling Chen Gong that he believed the supply convoy was a lie. Diao Chan (貂蟬, py: Diāo Chán) was one of the Four Beauties of ancient China. ...

Lü Bu decided to send his daughter to Yuan Shu, renewing their alliance. Yuan Shu agreed to send soldiers to reinforce Lü Bu as soon as the girl arrived. However as Lü Bu attempted to escort his daughter to Shouchun, he was attacked by Guan Yu and Zhang Fei and had to return to Xiapi.

Guo Jia and Xun Yu, two of Cao Cao's generals came up with a plan to flood Xiapi castle by merging the Rivers Si and Yi, this plan succeeded but Lü Bu was seemingly unfazed, he told his worried army "Why should I fear? My good horse can go as well through the water as over the land.", however he took to drinking deeply with Lady Yan and Diaochan. Lü Bu noticed what the alchohol was doing to him and threatened anyone drinking alcohol with death. It was at this time that a general of Lü Bu - Hou Cao had stolen fifteen of Lü Bu's horses and intended to resell them to Liu Bei. Hou Cheng tracked down Hou Cao and slayed him rescuing the horses. Hou Cheng had a celebratory party for this, and offered wine to his lord, Lü Bu. Lü Bu was angered by this, and if it were not for the pleading of Chen Gong and other generals, he would have executed Hou Cheng, instead he gave him 100 strokes. After this Hou Cheng stole Red Hare, and left to serve Cao Cao, while Wei Xu and Song Xian stole Lü Bu's famous halberd and captured him. Cao Cao's generals did not even believe it until Wei Xu threw down Lü Bu's halberd. Guō Jiā (郭嘉)(170-207), courtesy name Fèngxiào (奉孝), was a famous strategist and advisor for the Kingdom of Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of ancient China. ... Yan Liang was one of Cao Caos greatest advisors during the Three Kingdoms period of ancient China. ... An officer under Lü Bü during the Three Kingdoms era of China, Hou Cheng (侯成) had a major influence in Romance of the Three Kingdoms, a novelization of the period, but ultimately did little of worth. ... Red Hare was the extraordinary horse that Dong Zhuo presented to Lü Bu along with gold, pearls, and a belt of jade to persuade Lü Bu to murder his stepfather, Ding Yuan, and join Dong Zhuo in the historical novel, Romance of the Three Kingdoms. ... Song Xian was a general of the Later Han Dynasty who served under the warlord Lü Bu during the period. ...

Chen Gong's death

Lü Bu, Zhang Liao, Gao Shun and Chen Gong were all sent before Cao Cao. Gao Shun chose to die honorably, while Zhang Liao decided to serve Cao Cao. Cao Cao then moved on to his old companion Chen Gong, who accused Cao Cao of being crooked. Cao Cao offered Chen Gong a place among his advisors, but Chen Gong turned him down and demanded death. Chen Gong stretched out his neck to take the blow of the axe, and died honorably like Gao Shun before him, all present wept at his death. Cao Cao ordered his family moved to Xuchang where they were looked after grandly. Chen Gong was buried honorably at Xuchang. Chen Gong, like Li Ru before him had died because his Lord had refused to listen to his advice. If Lü Bu had listened to the advice of Chen Gong, Lü Bu may have prevailed at Xiapi, and an alliance between Lü Bu and Yuan Shu, may have been able to conquer the land, however Lü Bu chose to listen to the advice of his wife and concubine over the advice of his advisors, this certainly led to the defeat of Lü Bu, and to his own, and Chen Gong's death.