Book of Wei · Biographies of Lü Bu, Zhang Miao, and Zang Hong

Lü Bu, courtesy name Fengxian, was from Jiuyuan in Wuyuan Commandery. His martial courage won him service in Bing Province. Inspector Ding Yuan, serving as Cavalry Commandant at Henei, appointed him registrar and treated him with great intimacy. After Emperor Ling (Liu Hong) died, Ding Yuan brought troops to Luoyang.

He joined He Jin's plan against the eunuchs and became Commandant of the Capital. After He Jin's fall, Dong Zhuo entered the capital intending disorder and sought to kill Ding Yuan and absorb his troops. Knowing Ding Yuan trusted Lü Bu, he induced Lü Bu to kill him. Lü Bu brought Ding Yuan's severed head to Dong Zhuo, who made him Cavalry Commandant, cherished and trusted him, and swore a father-son bond with him.

Lü Bu was skilled with bow and horse and possessed exceptional strength, earning the name Flying General. He rose to General of the Household and Marquis of Duting. Knowing he had treated people offensively, Dong Zhuo feared plots and always used Lü Bu as a bodyguard. Yet his temper was harsh and narrow, heedless of danger when angry. Once, at a slight displeasure, he threw a hand-halberd at Lü Bu, who nimbly dodged it.

Lü Bu turned and apologized, and Dong Zhuo's anger subsided. From then on he secretly resented Dong Zhuo. Assigned to guard an inner doorway, he had an affair with one of Dong Zhuo's maidservants and feared discovery, leaving him deeply uneasy.

Minister over the Masses Wang Yun had already welcomed Lü Bu generously as a strong man of his own province. Lü Bu later visited him and described how Dong Zhuo had nearly killed him. Wang Yun and Supervisor of the Masters of Writing Shisun Rui were secretly planning Dong Zhuo's death and invited Lü Bu to act from within. “What of our father-son bond?” Lü Bu asked. Wang Yun replied, “Your surname is Lü; you are not flesh and blood. You have scarcely time to fear for your life. Why speak of father and son?” Lü Bu agreed and personally struck Dong Zhuo with his blade, as recorded in Dong Zhuo's biography. Wang Yun appointed him General Exerting Martial Might [奮武; the supplied text corrects 奮威], with credentials and ceremonial standing comparable to the Three Excellencies, and advanced him to Marquis of Wen (Lü Bu) <a marquisate named for the fief of Wen>. They jointly directed court affairs. After killing Dong Zhuo, Lü Bu feared and hated men of Liang Province, who resented him in turn. Li Jue and the others therefore united and returned against Chang'an.

Lü Bu could not resist, and Li Jue's men entered Chang'an. Sixty days after Dong Zhuo's death, Lü Bu too was defeated.

With several hundred cavalry, he left through Wu Pass intending to join Yuan Shu.

Considering Dong Zhuo's death revenge for Yuan Shu's family, Lü Bu expected gratitude. Yuan Shu disliked his inconstancy and refused him. He went north to Yuan Shao, joining him against Zhang Yan at Changshan. Zhang Yan had over ten thousand elite infantry and several thousand cavalry. Lü Bu possessed a fine horse called Red Hare.

With trusted followers Cheng Lian, Wei Yue, and others, he repeatedly broke through enemy formations and defeated Zhang Yan. He then demanded more troops, while his men plundered. Yuan Shao became troubled and suspicious. Sensing this, Lü Bu asked to leave. Fearing future harm, Yuan Shao sent assassins by night, but they failed. Once the plot was exposed, Lü Bu fled to Henei.

He joined Zhang Yang. Yuan Shao ordered pursuit, but everyone feared Lü Bu and dared not approach.

Zhang Miao, courtesy name Mengzhuo, was from Shouzhang in Dongping. Renowned in youth for chivalry, he relieved poverty and emergencies without sparing his family's wealth, attracting many followers. Taizu (Cao Cao) <Great Ancestor; a temple name conferred on Cao Cao posthumously> and Yuan Shao both befriended him. Recruited to a high minister's office, he ranked highly and became Cavalry Commandant, then Administrator of Chenliu. During Dong Zhuo's disorder, Taizu (Cao Cao) and Zhang Miao were among the first to raise loyal armies. At the Bian River battle, Zhang Miao sent Wei Zi with troops to accompany Taizu (Cao Cao). After becoming alliance leader, Yuan Shao grew arrogant; Zhang Miao openly criticized him. Yuan Shao asked Taizu (Cao Cao) to kill him. Taizu (Cao Cao) refused and rebuked Yuan Shao: “Mengzhuo [Zhang Miao] is a close friend. Right or wrong, we must tolerate him. The realm is unsettled; we should not endanger one another.” Learning this, Zhang Miao felt still greater gratitude. Before campaigning against Tao Qian, Taizu (Cao Cao) told his family, “If I do not return, seek refuge with Mengzhuo [Zhang Miao].” After his return they met and wept together. Such was their closeness.

When Lü Bu left Yuan Shao for Zhang Yang, he visited Zhang Miao; at parting they clasped hands and swore friendship. Yuan Shao heard and deeply resented it. Zhang Miao feared that Taizu (Cao Cao) would eventually attack him for Yuan Shao and felt insecure. In Xingping 1, while Taizu (Cao Cao) again campaigned against Tao Qian, Zhang Miao's younger brother Zhang Chao conspired with Chen Gong and Attendant Generals of the Household Xu Si and Wang Kai to rebel. Chen Gong persuaded Zhang Miao: “Heroes rise and the realm falls apart. You command extensive territory at the meeting of four fronts. Sword in hand, you could be a hero yourself; is it not degrading to be controlled by another? The provincial army is eastward and its home territory empty. Lü Bu is a mighty fighter without equal. Receive him temporarily, govern Yan Province together, and watch events for opportunity. This is a moment for independent action.” Zhang Miao agreed. Taizu (Cao Cao) had left Chen Gong commanding troops in Dong Commandery; he now took them east to receive Lü Bu as Governor of Yan Province at Puyang. The commanderies and counties responded; only Juancheng, Dong'e, and Fan remained loyal to Taizu (Cao Cao). Returning, Taizu (Cao Cao) fought at Puyang, fared badly, and confronted Lü Bu for over one hundred days. Drought, locusts, and grain shortages caused cannibalism. Lü Bu camped eastward at Shanyang. Within two years Taizu (Cao Cao) recovered the cities and defeated him at Juye. Lü Bu fled east to Liu Bei.

Zhang Miao followed Lü Bu, leaving Zhang Chao with their families at Yongqiu. After a siege of several months, Taizu (Cao Cao) stormed it and executed Zhang Chao and his family. Zhang Miao went to Yuan Shu for help but was killed by his own soldiers before arriving.

While Liu Bei attacked Yuan Shu eastward, Lü Bu seized Xiapi. Liu Bei returned and submitted to him; Lü Bu stationed him at Xiaopei and styled himself Inspector of Xu Province.

Yuan Shu sent Ji Ling and others with thirty thousand infantry and cavalry against Liu Bei, who sought Lü Bu's help. Lü Bu's generals said, “You have always wanted Liu Bei dead; now let Yuan Shu do it.” He replied, “No. If Yuan Shu defeats him and links northward with the Taishan generals, I shall be surrounded. I must help.” Taking one thousand infantry and two hundred cavalry, he hurried to Liu Bei. Hearing of his arrival, Ji Ling halted. Lü Bu camped one li southwest of Pei and sent an orderly to invite Ji Ling and the others, who also invited him to feast. He said, “Xuande [Liu Bei] is my younger brother. You were pressing him, so I came to help. I dislike joining fights; I prefer resolving them.” He had a gate officer raise a halberd at the camp entrance: “Watch me shoot its small side blade. If I hit it once, withdraw; if I miss, stay and fight.” His arrow struck the blade exactly. The generals exclaimed, “Your might is heavenly!” They feasted again next day and then all withdrew.

To secure Lü Bu's support, Yuan Shu requested Lü Bu's daughter for his son, and Lü Bu agreed. Yuan Shu sent Han Yin to announce his proposed imperial title and fetch the bride. Chancellor of Pei Chen Gui feared that marriage would unite Xu and Yang against the state. He told Lü Bu, “Lord Cao (Cao Cao) has received the emperor and assists government with exceptional authority. Cooperate with him for security as firm as Mount Tai. Marrying Yuan Shu will earn universal condemnation and leave you as precarious as piled eggs.” Lü Bu also resented Yuan Shu's earlier rejection. Though his daughter was already on the road, he recalled her, broke the match, and sent Han Yin in fetters to Xu, where he was beheaded in the marketplace. Chen Gui wanted his son Chen Deng to visit Taizu (Cao Cao), but Lü Bu refused. An envoy then arrived appointing Lü Bu General of the Left. Delighted, he allowed Chen Deng to go with a memorial of thanks.

Meeting Taizu (Cao Cao), Chen Deng described Lü Bu as brave but without strategy and careless in allegiance, urging early action. Taizu (Cao Cao) said, “His wolfish ambition makes him difficult to keep. Only you can fathom him.” He raised Chen Gui's stipend to fully two thousand shi and made Chen Deng Administrator of Guangling. At parting he clasped Chen Deng's hand: “I entrust eastern affairs to you.” He ordered him secretly to gather men as an internal ally.

Lü Bu had asked Chen Deng to obtain the governorship of Xu Province. When he returned, Lü Bu angrily struck a small table with his halberd: “Your father urged cooperation with Lord Cao (Cao Cao) and breaking the marriage with Gonglu [Yuan Shu]. I obtained none of what I asked, while you and your father both advanced. You have sold me! What did you say?” Unmoved, Chen Deng calmly replied, “I told Lord Cao (Cao Cao), ‘Treating the general is like keeping a tiger: feed it well or it will bite.’ He said, ‘No, it is like keeping a hawk: hungry, it serves; full, it flies away.’ Those were his words.” Lü Bu's anger subsided.

Angry, Yuan Shu allied with Han Xian and Yang Feng and sent General-in-Chief Zhang Xun against Lü Bu. Lü Bu asked Chen Gui, “You brought this army upon us. What now?” Chen Gui replied, “Their forces joined suddenly, with no established common plan or cohesion. My son Chen Deng compares them to chickens tied together, unable to settle in one place. We can separate them.” Lü Bu sent agents to persuade Han Xian and Yang Feng to join him against Yuan Shu, promising them all captured supplies. They agreed, and Zhang Xun suffered a great defeat.

In Jian'an 3, Lü Bu again turned to Yuan Shu and sent Gao Shun against Liu Bei at Pei, defeating him. Taizu (Cao Cao) sent Xiahou Dun to help, but Gao Shun defeated him too. Taizu (Cao Cao) personally marched against Lü Bu and, reaching his walls, wrote explaining the consequences of resistance and surrender. Lü Bu wanted to surrender, but Chen Gong and others, conscious of their grave offenses, dissuaded him.

Lü Bu sought help from Yuan Shu and personally led more than one thousand cavalry into battle. Defeated, he withdrew into the city and dared not emerge.

Yuan Shu could not save him. Though fierce and brave, Lü Bu lacked strategy and was suspicious. Unable to control his followers, he merely trusted his generals, who pursued separate purposes and distrusted one another. Thus he often lost battles. Taizu (Cao Cao) surrounded him with siege trenches for three months. As unity dissolved, Hou Cheng, Song Xian, and Wei Xu bound Chen Gong and surrendered with their men.

Lü Bu and his followers climbed White Gate Tower. Pressed by the siege, he came down and surrendered. Bound alive, he said, “The bonds are too tight. Loosen them a little.” Taizu (Cao Cao) replied, “A tiger must be bound tightly.” Lü Bu pleaded, “Your chief concern was me. Now I submit, the realm need cause no worry. Command the infantry yourself and let me command the cavalry; the realm can readily be settled.” Taizu (Cao Cao) hesitated. Liu Bei said, “Have you forgotten how he served Ding Jianyang [Ding Yuan] and Grand Preceptor Dong (Dong Zhuo)?” Taizu (Cao Cao) nodded. Pointing at Liu Bei, Lü Bu said, “This fellow is the least trustworthy!”

Lü Bu was then strangled. His head and those of Chen Gong, Gao Shun, and the others were displayed and sent to Xu, after which their bodies were buried.

After capturing Chen Gong, Taizu (Cao Cao) asked whether he wanted his aged mother and daughter spared. He replied, “I have heard that one who governs through filial piety does not cut off others' parents, and one who extends benevolence does not end others' family sacrifices. My mother's fate rests with you, not me.” Taizu (Cao Cao) supported his mother for the rest of her life and arranged his daughter's marriage.

Chen Deng, courtesy name Yuanlong, enjoyed an authoritative reputation in Guangling. For helping attack Lü Bu from another direction, he became General Subduing the Waves. He died aged thirty-nine. Later Xu Si and Liu Bei sat with Governor of Jing Province Liu Biao discussing men of the realm. Xu Si said, “Chen Yuanlong [Chen Deng] is a man of the lakes and seas whose arrogance has not diminished.” Liu Bei asked Liu Biao whether this was fair. Liu Biao replied, “To say it is false would accuse a good man of lying; to say it true conflicts with Yuanlong [Chen Deng]'s worldwide reputation.” Liu Bei asked for an example. Xu Si replied, “During the disorder I visited him at Xiapi. Showing no courtesy between host and guest, he scarcely spoke, lay on a high couch himself, and put me on a lower one.” Liu Bei said, “You have the reputation of a man of state. With the realm in chaos and the sovereign displaced, he expected you to forget your household and think of rescuing the age. Instead you asked about buying fields and houses, offering nothing worth hearing. That was what he despised. Why should he speak? As for this humble man, I would sleep atop a hundred-chi tower and put you on the ground—not merely on separate couches!” Liu Biao laughed loudly. Liu Bei continued, “For Yuanlong [Chen Deng]'s civil and military courage and ambition, one must look to antiquity. His equal is not easily found today.”

Zang Hong, courtesy name Ziyuan, was from Sheyang in Guangling. His father Zang Min served as General of the Household over the Xiongnu and Administrator of Zhongshan and Taiyuan, gaining renown everywhere.

Zang Hong was exceptionally imposing in build. Recommended as Filial and Incorrupt, he became a palace gentleman. When gentlemen of the Three Offices were selected for county appointments, Zhao Yu of Langye became Magistrate of Ju, Liu Yao of Donglai Magistrate of Xiayi, Wang Lang of Donghai Magistrate of Ziqiu, and Zang Hong Magistrate of Jiqiu. Late in Emperor Ling (Liu Hong)'s reign he resigned and returned home. Administrator Zhang Chao invited him to serve as Officer of Merit.

When Dong Zhuo killed the emperor and endangered the state, Zang Hong told Zhang Chao, “Your family has received imperial favor for generations, and you and your brother hold great commanderies. Now the royal house is endangered and the traitor unpunished. This is the time for loyal men to repay favor with their lives. Our commandery is intact, its officials and people prosperous. Sound the drum and twenty thousand men can be raised. Punishing the traitor and leading the realm would be supreme righteousness.” Zhang Chao agreed and went west with him to Chenliu to consult Zhang Miao, who shared their purpose. They gathered at Suanzao. Zhang Miao asked his brother, “I hear your province's government and authority come not from yourself, but from Zang Hong. Who is he?” Zhang Chao replied, “His talent, strategy, and wisdom surpass mine. I cherish him as an extraordinary man.” Zhang Miao met him and was greatly impressed, introducing him to Liu Gongshan (Liu Dai) of Yan Province and Kong Gongxu (Kong Zhou) of Yu Province, who also befriended him. An altar was prepared for the oath, but the provincial and commandery leaders deferred to one another and all nominated Zang Hong. Ascending with the ceremonial basin, he tasted the blood and swore: “Misfortune has struck Han, and imperial order has failed. The traitor Dong Zhuo exploits the crisis, harming the sovereign and oppressing the people. We fear the state's destruction and the ruin of the realm. Inspector of Yan Province Liu Dai, Inspector of Yu Province Kong Zhou, Administrator of Chenliu Zhang Miao, Administrator of Dong Commandery Qiao Mao [the text writes 瑁], Administrator of Guangling Zhang Chao, and the others unite loyal troops to meet the state's peril. Let every ally exert himself with one mind, fulfilling a subject's duty, accepting death without divided purpose. Whoever breaks this oath, may his life fall and his descendants fail. August Heaven, Sovereign Earth, and the ancestral spirits, witness this!” He spoke passionately with tears streaming. Even common soldiers and servants were moved and wished to prove their loyalty.

Soon no army would advance first. Supplies ran out and the troops dispersed.

Zhang Chao sent Zang Hong to confer with Grand Marshal Liu Yu. Gongsun Zan's attacks intervened, and at Hejian fighting between You and Ji provinces blocked the mission. Yuan Shao met him, admired him greatly, and formed a close friendship. When Inspector of Qing Province Jiao He died, Yuan Shao placed Zang Hong over the province to reassure its people.

In Zang Hong's two years there, the bandits fled. Admiring his ability, Yuan Shao transferred him to Administrator of Dong Commandery, based at Dongwuyang.

When Taizu (Cao Cao) besieged Zhang Chao at Yongqiu, Zhang Chao said, “I rely only on Zang Hong to save me.” Others thought that with Yuan Shao and Cao Cao friendly, Zang Hong, appointed through Yuan Shao, would not wreck their alliance and invite disaster by coming so far. Zhang Chao replied, “Ziyuan [Zang Hong] is a righteous man who will never betray his former lord. I fear only that he will be restrained and fail to arrive.” On hearing the news, Zang Hong indeed wept barefoot, mobilized his men, and requested troops and horses from Yuan Shao, but Yuan Shao would not permit it. Zhang Chao and his clan were destroyed. Resenting Yuan Shao, Zang Hong broke off relations. Yuan Shao besieged him for more than a year without taking the city. He had Chen Lin, a fellow native of Zang Hong's county, write explaining consequences and reproaching him with obligations of gratitude. Zang Hong replied:

“Separated, I think of you waking and sleeping. Though only a short distance divides us, different choices prevent a meeting. How grievous this is! You have not forgotten me and repeatedly sent generous letters, explaining fortune and disaster with earnest public and private concern. I did not reply because my learning and ability are inadequate to answer your arguments, and because you have brought your household to depend on your patron, while your home lies in the eastern province and I am treated as an enemy. In such service, even laying bare your heart leaves you an outsider liable to blame, while pleasant words arouse suspicion. Unable to secure yourself, how could you care for another? With your mastery of the classics, how could you fail to understand the great principle or my intention? Your continued arguments show me that your words do not come wholly from your heart: you seek to avert disaster. If we must calculate advantages and debate right and wrong, the world is already full of such discussion. Restating it will not clarify matters; silence causes no loss. Words would also wound the meaning of our severance, which I cannot bear. Therefore I laid aside paper and brush, hoping you would understand that my decision was settled and would not change. Now another letter arrives, citing antiquity and the present over six crowded sheets. Even wishing silence, how can I maintain it? “I am an ordinary man who, during a mission, undeservedly obtained a great province and received deep favor and affection. How could I rejoice in meeting my benefactor with blades today? Whenever I climb the walls and array the troops, look upon his banners and drums, and recall my old friend's kindness, tears cover my face as I hold bow and arrow. Why? I do not regret having assisted him, and his treatment of me surpassed all others. At my appointment I thought we would complete a great undertaking and honor the royal house together. Who imagined the emperor would be displeased, my home province invaded, and my former administrator subjected to imprisonment like King Wen (Ji Chang) at Youli? Chenliu's plans to oppose the enemy were frustrated; hesitation threatened the name of loyalty and filial duty, while departing staff in hand would damage friendship. Forced to choose, I judged loss of loyalty and filial duty graver than impairment of friendship, with different claims of kinship and distance. Thus I wiped away my tears and announced separation. Had my patron shown a little regard for old friends, courteously accommodating those who stayed and exercising restraint toward those who left, instead of hurrying to alienate friends and relying on execution, I would have upheld Ji Zha's resolve and avoided today's battle. What proves this? Zhang Jingming personally mounted the altar and tasted blood, then hurried on his mission and secured Governor Han (Han Fu)'s surrender of his seal, gaining my patron territory. Yet merely because he submitted a memorial to the sovereign and received rank and a travel credential, he was swiftly destroyed without allowance for his fault.

“Lü Fengxian [Lü Bu] came after punishing Dong Zhuo, asked unsuccessfully for troops, and requested departure. What crime was that? Yet he was attacked with blades and nearly killed. Liu Zihuang overstayed his mission, was refused permission to leave, and, fearing power while longing for his family, sought home through a pretext. His loyalty and filial purpose did not impair hegemonic rule. Yet he too died beneath the standards without mitigation.

“Although I lack ability and have never been skilled at tracing beginnings to endings or reading great consequences in small signs, I cannot suppose my patron truly believed all three deserved death and received fitting punishment. He wanted to unite the east and increase his army against enemies. Fearing the soldiers' doubts and lacking other means of restraint and encouragement, he suppressed royal commands to magnify his own delegated authority. Those who attached themselves were honored; those awaiting release were killed. This served his interest, not the wishes of traveling scholars. Warned by those before me, I fight to the death in distress. Foolish as I am, I have heard gentlemen's teachings. This was not my desire; my patron brought it about. I left my countrymen and committed my life to this city precisely because a gentleman departing does not go to an enemy state. For this I offended my patron and have endured prolonged attack. Yet you invoke that very principle to instruct me. Are not your words the same while your purpose differs from what gentlemen share in fortune and distress? “I have heard that righteousness does not abandon kin and loyalty does not desert one's lord. To look east to my home province for kindred support and assist my former administrator in preserving the state fulfilled both loyalty and filial duty. Why is that wrong? You would have me slight my origins and destroy my family, treating my lord as equal to your patron. My patron is like an elder brother in age and a close friend in relationship. When our ways diverged, I requested leave to secure lord and kin. This was proper. By your reasoning Shen Baoxu should have given his life to Wu Yun [Wu Zixu], rather than weep in Qin's court. In your narrow wish to avert danger, you do not notice that your words depart from principle. Perhaps, seeing the siege unbroken and relief absent, you remember our marriage connection and lifelong friendship and think compromised survival better than destruction with integrity. But Yan Ying would not yield his purpose before naked blades, nor the southern historian bend his brush to live. Thus they were honored in portraits and remembered by posterity. How much more should I hold this strong city, employ the people's strength, and spread three years' stores over one year to relieve want and satisfy the realm? Why contemplate “building dwellings and returning to farming” [築室反耕, an allusive phrase whose exact application here is uncertain]? “I fear only that when autumn winds raise dust, Bogui (Gongsun Zan)'s horses will turn south; Zhang Yang and Feiyan (Zhang Yan) will make trouble with their strength; the northern frontier will cry for urgent rescue; and your patron's principal supporters will earnestly request leave to return. Then he should consider men like us, turn his banners, withdraw, and prepare at Ye. Why prolong his wrath and display might beneath our walls? You reproach me for relying on Black Mountain relief. Do you not recall the alliance with the Yellow Turbans? Moreover, Feiyan (Zhang Yan)'s followers have all received royal appointments. Formerly Gaozu (Liu Bang) <High Ancestor, the founding Han emperor> took Peng Yue from Juye, and Guangwu (Liu Xiu) <Martial Restorer; a posthumous imperial title> founded his restoration through the Green Forest forces. Both ultimately rose to imperial achievement. If men can help the sovereign and promote good rule, what objection is there? I personally bear an imperial sealed letter authorizing cooperation with them. “Go, Kongzhang [Chen Lin]! You seek advantage beyond your native borders; Zang Hong gives his life to lord and kin. You entrust yourself to the alliance leader; Zang Hong has entered the service of Chang'an's sovereign. You think my death will extinguish my name; I pity you for passing through life and death unheard of. How sad that we began together and end apart! Exert yourself, exert yourself. What more can I say?”

Reading the letter, Yuan Shao knew Zang Hong would not surrender and intensified the siege. Grain was exhausted and no strong relief came. Judging escape impossible, Zang Hong told his officers and soldiers: “Yuan Shao acts without principle and harbors unlawful ambitions. He also refused to save my former administrator. Duty leaves me no choice but death. Why should you share this disaster without cause? Take your wives and children out before the city falls.” Weeping, officials, soldiers, and commoners replied, “You had no original feud with Yuan Shao. You brought this suffering upon yourself for your former commandery chief. How could we abandon you?” At first they dug for rats and boiled sinews and horn; later nothing remained to eat. The registrar reported three dou of rice in the private kitchen and asked to divide it into small portions of gruel. Zang Hong sighed, “Why should I eat alone?” He had thin gruel made and shared it with everyone. He killed his beloved concubine to feed the soldiers and officers. All wept and none could look up. Seven or eight thousand men and women died piled upon one another; none deserted or rebelled.

The city fell and Yuan Shao captured Zang Hong alive. Still attached to him, he arranged curtains and assembled the generals to receive him: “Zang Hong, why betray me like this? Will you submit now?” Sitting on the ground and glaring, Zang Hong replied, “For four generations the Yuans produced five high ministers and received Han's favor. Now the royal house is weak, you do not support it but exploit opportunity for unlawful hopes, killing loyal and worthy men to establish wicked authority. I heard you call Zhang Miao of Chenliu elder brother; my administrator should therefore have been your younger brother. You should have joined in removing the state's affliction. Why sit with an army and watch his destruction? I regret my inadequate strength to draw a blade and avenge the realm. Why speak of submission?” Yuan Shao had intended to pardon him if he yielded. Seeing his uncompromising words and knowing he would never serve, he killed him.

Chen Rong, a fellow county native, had studied as a young man and admired Zang Hong, following him as Assistant Administrator of Dong Commandery. Before the fall, Zang Hong sent him away. Yuan Shao had him present at the meeting. Seeing Zang Hong about to die, he rose: “You undertake great affairs to remove violence, yet begin by executing loyalty and righteousness. Does this accord with Heaven? Zang Hong acted for his former administrator. Why kill him?” Ashamed, Yuan Shao had him dragged out. Attendants said, “You are not Zang Hong's equal. Why do this uselessly?” Looking back, he replied, “Benevolence and righteousness belong to no fixed class. Whoever practices them is a gentleman; whoever rejects them is petty. I would rather die today with Zang Hong than live today with you!” He too was killed. Everyone present sighed and whispered, “Why kill two resolute men in one day?” Earlier Zang Hong had sent two majors to Lü Bu for help. By their return the city had fallen, and both charged the enemy and died.

The appraisal says: Lü Bu had a roaring tiger's courage but no extraordinary strategy. Frivolous, cunning, and inconstant, he considered only advantage. From antiquity to today no one of this kind has escaped destruction. Formerly Emperor Guangwu of Han (Liu Xiu) misjudged Pang Meng; more recently Taizu of Wei (Cao Cao) was deceived by Zhang Miao. “Knowing men is wisdom; even an emperor finds it difficult”—indeed! Chen Deng and Zang Hong both possessed heroic spirit and resolute integrity. Chen Deng died young before completing his achievements; Zang Hong's weak forces faced a powerful enemy and his fierce purpose failed. What a pity!