Chapter 057: Zhang Liao Surrenders, Chen Gong Faces Death

Lu Bu was thus escorted away, while another man shouted loudly.

“Lu Bu, you wretch! If you must die, die quietly—must you disgrace yourself with such cries?”

With that furious roar, Zhang Liao, one of the Eight Champion Generals, was brought forward.

During the siege led by Cao Peng and his army, Zhang Liao had resisted fiercely with his own men, fighting on even when defeat was certain, refusing to yield until an arrow struck his leg and he was finally captured.

“Who is this man? He possesses a measure of courage,” Cao Cao asked, his appreciation evident for those with valor.

“He is the foremost among Lu Bu’s Eight Champion Generals, Zhang Liao, courtesy name Wen Yuan,” Guo Jia replied.

Cao Cao regarded the burly figure before him and asked, “The rest of the Eight Champion Generals have surrendered to me. Why do you refuse?”

Zhang Liao laughed wildly. “I, Zhang Liao, am a true man. How could I ever accept a traitor as my master?”

Cao Cao sneered. The man was truly reckless—could he not see even Lu Bu, such a formidable figure, groveling before him just moments ago?

“Execute him!”

At Cao Cao’s command, the faces of those present shifted with various emotions.

The Eight Champion Generals, led by Zang Ba, could not bear to see Zhang Liao killed. Though they wished to plead on his behalf, they knew not how to begin.

Only Zhang Liao remained unbowed, laughing toward the heavens, displaying a spirit that met death without fear, earning the respect of the crowd.

“Wait…”

Everyone was astonished. Who dared to intercede with Cao Cao at such a moment?

Turning to the source of the voice, they saw it was Cao Peng, Cao Cao’s most favored nephew.

Had it been anyone else, Cao Cao would surely have rebuked them harshly, but since it was Cao Peng, he was interested to hear what his nephew might say.

Cao Cao asked, “An Min, why do you plead for this man?”

Cao Peng bowed respectfully and spoke earnestly, “Uncle, I have long heard of this man’s prowess under Lu Bu—skilled in martial arts, upright and incorruptible. Just now, he rebuked Lu Bu, proving he is not blindly loyal. I believe we should spare his life.”

Cao Cao, moved by Cao Peng’s words, agreed, “Very well. Let us do as An Min suggests.”

Zang Ba and the others had not expected Cao Peng to speak on Zhang Liao’s behalf and suddenly felt a measure of goodwill toward him.

Cao Peng, meanwhile, observed Zang Ba’s group closely, his mind turning toward winning their allegiance.

Since Cao Cao had spared Zhang Liao, Cao Peng completed the gesture by stepping forward and personally untying Zhang Liao’s bonds.

Such humility and respect for talent drew all eyes, but Cao Peng continued, “General Zhang, I know your loyalty and righteousness. My act is merely one hero admiring another. You may go free.”

What!

The unexpected turn stunned everyone; none had imagined Cao Peng, unremarkable in appearance, would act with such magnanimity.

Zhang Liao himself was bewildered. He had thought it mere show, but once freed, he was told to depart.

Yet this placed him in a dilemma: to simply leave would seem ungrateful, devoid of feeling or loyalty.

Thus, he approached Cao Cao and bowed deeply. “I am willing to surrender and serve you, my lord!”

“Hahaha! Excellent! With Wen Yuan at my side, I gain yet another mighty general,” Cao Cao laughed, helping Zhang Liao to his feet.

At the same time, Cao Cao regarded Cao Peng with renewed respect—the tactic of feigned release, drawing Zhang Liao in, was executed with perfect finesse.

With Zhang Liao’s matter settled, Cao Cao turned to Chen Gong. “Gongtai, I truly find it difficult to kill you.”

He spoke sincerely, for beyond admiring Chen Gong’s wisdom and ability, he felt a unique bond with him.

Years ago, after Cao Cao failed to assassinate Dong Zhuo and fled as a wanted man, he was captured by Chen Gong, then magistrate of Zhongmu County. Facing certain death, Cao Cao was unexpectedly released by Chen Gong, who resigned his post and joined Cao Cao’s cause.

The two fled to the home of Lü Boxie, an old friend of Cao Cao’s father, and were warmly received. Driven by suspicion, Cao Cao mistakenly believed the household intended to capture them for reward, and killed Lü Boxie’s family.

Realizing his error, the two left Lü’s home by night, only to encounter Lü Boxie returning from buying wine. To eliminate any threat, Cao Cao killed him as well.

Chen Gong, appalled by such deeds and feeling he had misjudged Cao Cao, could not bring himself to kill him, and so departed resolutely.

Afterward, Cao Cao’s power grew, and Chen Gong aided Lu Bu, becoming a formidable adversary.

Now, with Lu Bu defeated, Cao Cao looked at this man who once shared his ideals, his heart filled with conflicting emotions.

“No need for further words. Kill me,” Chen Gong said calmly.

Cao Cao wished to keep him, so he said, “Gongtai, have you considered what will become of your mother and son if you die?”

Chen Gong smiled faintly. “You, Cao Mengde, govern with filial piety. I trust that after my death, my aged mother and child will be well cared for by you.”

Having spoken, Chen Gong appeared to have no further attachment to this world, and went resolutely to his death.