Chapter 23 of the main text: You, Zhengping, naked clothes, cursed the thief, Ji Taiyi, poisoned and punished him

 Chapter 23 of the main text: You, Zhengping, naked clothes, cursed the thief, Ji Taiyi, poisoned and punished him

------------------------

But Cao Cao wanted to kill Liu Dai and Wang Zhong. Kong Rong advised, "The two of them were not enemies of Liu Bei. If they were to be beheaded, it would likely lose the hearts of the soldiers." Cao then spared his life and dismissed him from his position. Intending to launch a rebellion against Xuande. Kong Rong said, "In the midst of the cold winter, there is no need to mobilize troops. It is not too late to wait until spring arrives. We can first recruit Zhang Xiu and Liu Biao, and then plan for Xuzhou." Following his words, Liu Ye advanced to talk to Zhang Xiu. When Ye arrived in Xiangcheng, he first met Jia Xu and Chen said that Cao Gongsheng was virtuous. Xu Nai stayed at home. The next day, I came to see Zhang Xiu and talked about the matter of Cao Gong sending Liu Ye to pacify. During the main discussion, it was suddenly reported that Yuan Shao had an envoy. Embroidered with vitality. The envoy presented a letter. Embroidering it is also a means of appeasement. Xu asked the envoy, "How can we defeat Cao Cao in recent days?" The envoy replied, "In the cold winter, let's stop fighting. Now that both the general and Liu Biao from Jingzhou have the style of a national scholar, we have come to invite you to listen." Xu laughed heartily and said, "You can go back to the beginning and say that your brothers cannot tolerate it yet. How can we tolerate national scholars from under heaven?" He tore apart the book in front of him and rebuked the envoy.

Zhang Xiu said, "Today, Yuan is strong and Cao is weak; today, when we destroy the book and command the envoy, if Yuan Shao arrives, what should we do?" Xu said, "It's better to go and follow Cao Cao." Xiu said, "I have a grudge against Cao first, can we find peace and harmony?" Xu said, "From Cao Cao, there are three things: Fu Cao Gong, who was ordered by the emperor to conquer the world, should follow one; Shao is strong, but I will follow him less, so I won't take him seriously. Although Cao Cao is weak, he will be pleased with me, so he should follow two; Cao Gong, who has a domineering ambition, will release his personal grievances, and he should follow three things to understand virtue in the four seas. May there be no doubt about the general. Embroidered from his words, please meet Liu Ye. Ye Sheng called himself virtuous and said, "If the Prime Minister remembers old grudges, would he be willing to send someone to make a good general?" Xiu was overjoyed and surrendered to Xudu with Jia Xu and others. Embroidering and practicing, bowing at the foot of the steps. Cao hurriedly helped him up and held his hand, saying, "If you make a small mistake, don't take it to heart.

Cao Jiming embroider a book to summon Liu Biao. Jia Xujin said, "Liu Jingsheng is good at getting along with famous people. He must have a scholar with a literary name speak to him before he can lower his ears." Cao asked Xun You, "Who can go?" You replied, "Kong Wenju can be appointed as his official. You Chu saw Kong Rong and said, "The Prime Minister wants to obtain a scholar with a literary name to prepare for the selection of the people. Can you be appointed as such?" Rong replied, "My friend Nie Heng, with the courtesy name Zhengping, is ten times more talented than me. This person should be around the emperor, not only to prepare for the people, but also to be recommended as the emperor." So he submitted a memorial to the emperor. The article states: "I have heard of the surging waters, and the emperor's thoughts are for me; I seek guidance from all directions to attract talented individuals. In the past, Emperor Shizong inherited the throne and established a great foundation; he consulted Xi Zai, and the group of scholars reached their peak. Your Majesty was wise and holy, compiling and inheriting the foundation of Xu, but encountered misfortune and worked humbly every day. Mount Weiyue surrendered to the gods, and strange people emerged together. I secretly saw the scholar Pingyuan Youheng, who was twenty-four years old, with the courtesy name Zhengping, a virtuous and upright character, and outstanding talents. When he first entered the arts and literature, he ascended to the hall to witness the mysteries; when he saw it with his eyes, he recited it with his mouth, and when he heard it with his ears, he did not forget it in his heart; his nature was in harmony with the Tao, and his thoughts were God; a great lamb with hidden plans, a calm and discerning world, with a balanced and accurate approach. Sincerity is not to be blamed. Loyal and upright, with a heart full of frost and snow; amazed by good, jealous of evil; able to resist and act, with a sharp and stern demeanor, almost never to be surpassed. A hundred birds and a hundred sparrows are tired, not as good as an eagle; able to establish a stable court, there will be considerable achievements. Flying and debating words, overflowing with energy; resolving doubts and knots, facing enemies with surplus. In the past, Jia Yi sought to establish a vassal state, but the trickery was singular; The final army wants to use long tassels to restrain the force: the weak crown is generous, and the past life is beautiful. Recently, Lu Cui and Yan Xiang have also employed talented individuals to promote themselves to the position of Tai Lang. Hengyi should be compared with others. If the dragon leaps over the sky, flaps its wings, and spreads its purple voice, with a rainbow of light hanging down, it is enough to show the many scholars in the vicinity and increase the solemnity of the four gates. Jun Tian Guangle must have a magnificent view; The imperial palace must store extraordinary treasures. Ruoheng and his peers are rare. Stimulating Chu and Yang, the most exquisite appearance, the greed of the master of martial arts; Flying rabbits and graceful sparrows are full of freedom, eager for good and happiness. Do you dare not hear of me, humble officials? Your Majesty is very cautious in selecting scholars and must serve the test. I request that Heng be summoned with a brown robe. If there is no visible reward, I will be subjected to the crime of face deception. ”Emperor reviewed the table to pay Cao Cao. Cao Sui summoned people to Heng. After the ceremony, sit down recklessly. Nie Heng looked up at the sky and sighed, "Although heaven and earth are vast, there is not a single person left!" Cao said, "I have dozens of people under my command, all of whom are heroes in the world. What does it mean to have no one? Words are wrong! I am familiar with such characters: Xun Yu can cause mourning and inquire about illness, Xun You can cause tomb observation and guarding, Cheng Yu can cause closed doors and households, Guo Jia can cause Bai Ci to recite poetry, Zhang Liao can cause drumming and singing of gold, Xu Chu can cause grazing of cattle and horses, Le Jin can cause taking of documents and reading of moves, Li Dian can cause passing of books and delivering of divination, Lv Qian can cause sharpening of knives and forging of swords, full indulgence can cause drinking and eating of dregs, during prohibition, negative plates can be used to build walls, Xu Huang can cause slaughtering of pigs and dogs; Xiahou Dun was called the General of Complete Body, and Cao Zixiao called him the Prefect of Money. The rest are hangers, rice bags, wine barrels, and meat bag ears! ”Cao angrily asked, "What are you capable of?" Heng replied, "There is no difference in astronomy and geography; there are three teachings and nine streams, all of which are known; the upper can bestow the titles of Yao and Shun upon the ruler, and the lower can match the virtues of Kong and Yan. Let's not discuss it with common people!" At that moment, Zhang Liao was on the side, ready to strike him with his sword. Cao said, "I am missing a drum official; I will celebrate and feast in the morning and evening, which can make you fill this position." Heng did not refuse and left in response. Liao said, "This person speaks disrespectfully, why not kill him?" Cao said, "This person has a false reputation and has been heard of far and wide. If I kill him today, the world will say that I cannot tolerate anything. He thinks he can, so he is ordered to be a drummer to humiliate him." On the next day, Cao held a grand banquet for guests at the provincial hall and ordered the drummer to continue drumming. The old official said, "I will change my drum into new clothes." Heng put on his old clothes and entered. Then the drumming became 'Three Laos of Yuyang'. The syllables are exquisite, and there is a sound of gold and stone in Yuanyuan. Listening to the guests, they all shed tears generously. Drinking left and right, he said, "Why don't you change your clothes!" Heng took off his old and tattered clothes in front of him, standing naked and completely exposed. All the passengers covered their faces. Hengnai slowly put on his pants, the color unchanged. Cao Qi asked, "Why are you being disrespectful above the temple?" Heng replied, "To deceive the ruler and ignore him is disrespectful. I reveal my parents' appearance to show my pure body and ears!" Cao Qi asked, "You are pure, who is impure?" Heng replied, And such a light person

Shi Kongrong sat down, afraid that Cao would kill Heng, so he calmly went in and said, "Your guilt is the same as Xu Mi's, and it is not enough to invent the dream of a king." Cao pointed to Heng and said, "Let me send you to Jingzhou as an envoy. If Liu Biao comes to surrender, I will use you as a court official." Heng refused to go. Train and prepare three horses, and have the two of them carry them along; But he taught his subordinates civil and military skills, and sent the wine outside the east gate. Xun Yu said, "If you weigh yourself, do not get up." When you weigh yourself, dismount and enter, and everyone sits upright. Heng burst into tears. Xun Yu asked, "Why do we cry?" Heng replied, "How can we not cry while walking in the coffin of death?" The crowd replied, "We are corpses, and you have no head or crazy ghost ears!" Heng replied, "I am a minister of the Han Dynasty. If I do not join Cao's secret faction, I will be safe without a head." The crowd wanted to kill him. Xun Yu urgently stopped and said, "Those who measure mice and sparrows are not worthy of sweat and knives!" Heng replied, "I am a mouse and sparrow, with human nature; you can only be called a worm!" The crowd dispersed their hatred.

Heng arrived in Jingzhou and upon seeing Liu Biao, although praising virtue, he was actually mocking. I don't like it, so I'll go to Jiangxia to see Huang Zu. Or ask the table, "Nie Heng is mocking the lord, why don't you kill him?" The table says. Yuan Shao also sent envoys to. Biao asked the strategists, "Yuan Benchu has sent envoys again, and Cao Mengde has sent Mi Heng here. Where should we go?" Han Songjin, the general in charge of the central office, said, "Now that the two warlords are at war, if the general wants to succeed, he can use this opportunity to defeat the enemy. If not, he will choose the one who is good and follow him. Cao Cao is good at using troops and many wise and talented people have returned. He will first take Yuan Shao and then move his troops to the east of the river, fearing that the general may not be able to resist. If Jingzhou is chosen as a subordinate to Cao Cao, Cao will treat the general seriously." Biao said, "You should go to Xudu, observe its movements, and then discuss." Song replied, "Each ruler and minister has their own fixed division. As a general, although Song is willing to go through fire and water, his only duty is to fulfill his orders. If the general can submit to the emperor and follow Cao Gong, making Song capable; if he remains uncertain and Song arrives in the capital, and the emperor grants him an official position, then Song will be a subject of the emperor and will no longer die as a general." He said, "You should go and observe him first. I have no other ideas. ”

Song Ci's speech, to the point where you can see it everywhere. Cao then appointed Song as the attendant and led the Lingling Prefect. Xun Yu said, "Han Song came to observe the movements and movements, but he did not have any minor skills. He was reinstated in this position, and Mi Heng had no sound loss. The Prime Minister sent him without asking, why not?" Cao said, "You have insulted me too much, so you killed him with the help of Liu Biao. Why ask again?" He then sent Han Song back to Jingzhou to talk about Liu Biao.

Song returned to the court and praised the court's prosperity. He advised the court to send his son to serve, but the court was furious and said, "You have two hearts!" He wanted to execute him. Song shouted loudly, "General, if you have let Song down, how can you not let General down!" Kuai Liang said, "Before Song left, I had already said this." Liu Biao then pardoned him.

The person reported that Huang Zu had beheaded Nie Heng and asked about the reason behind it. They replied, "Huang Zu and Nie Heng drank together and were both drunk. Zu asked Heng, 'What kind of person did you have in Xudu?' Heng replied, 'My eldest son Kong Wenju and my youngest son Yang Dezu. Apart from these two people, there is no other person.' Zu asked, 'How can I be like you?' Heng replied, 'You are like a god in a temple. Although you are worshipped, you hate me for not having any spiritual effect!' Zu was furious and said, 'You treat me as a puppet man!' He then beheaded him. Heng cursed incessantly until his death, 'Liu Biao heard of Heng's death and lamented, causing him to be buried by the Parrot Island. Later generations lamented in a poem, "Huang Zucai is not an old man. He has broken the pearl of Ni Heng at the end of this river. Now he has come to the edge of Yingwu Island, but only the merciless blue water flows." However, Cao Cao knew that Ni Heng had been harmed and laughed, saying, "Corrupt scholar tongue sword, he committed suicide!" As he did not see Liu Biao surrender, he wanted to raise an army to punish him. Xun Yu advised, "Yuan Shao has not been pacified, Liu Bei has not been destroyed, and if you want to use troops in Jianghan, you are willing to sacrifice your confidants and follow your hands and feet. You can first defeat Yuan Shao, then defeat Liu Bei, and Jianghan can be swept away and pacified." Cao followed suit.

After Liu Xuande's departure, Dong Cheng spent day and night discussing with Wang Zifu and others, but was at a loss for solutions. In the fifth year of Jian'an, on New Year's Day, I congratulated Cao Cao and became increasingly arrogant, feeling angry and sick. Emperor Zhiguo's uncle fell ill and ordered the court physician to go and treat him. This doctor is from Luoyang, with the surname Ji and the given name Tai. His courtesy name is Ping, and everyone calls him Jiping. He was also known as Doctor at that time. He went to Dongcheng Mansion for medication and treatment, and never left; Dong Chengchang often sighs and hesitates to ask.

It was Yuanxiao (Filled round balls made of glutinous rice-flour for Lantern Festival). Ji Ping resigned and stayed. They drank together. After drinking until more, feeling drowsy, I slept with my clothes. Suddenly announcing the arrival of the prince's uniform and four others, the connection was taken out. Fu said, "The great event is harmonious!" Cheng said, "I would like to hear about it." Fu said, "Liu Biao tied up with Yuan Shao, raised 500000 troops, and killed them by ten routes. Ma Tengjie tied up with Han Sui, raised 720000 soldiers from the Xiliang Army, and killed them from the north. Cao Cao raised all Xu Chang's troops and horses, and fought against the enemy separately. The city was empty. If he gathered five servants, he could get more than 1000 people. Take a big dinner in the mansion tonight to celebrate Yuanxiao (Filled round balls made of glutinous rice-flour for Lantern Festival), surround the mansion, and burst in to kill them. Don't miss this opportunity!" Cheng Daxi called on the slaves to gather weapons and wear their own clothes Hang a gun and mount a horse. All the appointments will meet in front of the inner door and march at the same time. At night until the second drum, all the soldiers arrived. Dong Cheng held a precious sword in his hand and walked straight in. When he saw the banquet hall held by Cao, he shouted, "Stop the thief!" He chopped off his sword and fell at will. In an instant, it was Nan Ke's dream, and he continued to curse 'damn thief' in his mouth.

Jiping shouted forward, 'Do you want to harm Cao Gong?' Cheng was too scared to answer. Jiping said, "Uncle Guo, please calm down. Although I have been treating people, I have never forgotten Han. I have seen Uncle Guo sighing for days and dare not ask. I have just spoken in my dream and have seen the true feelings. Fortunately, I will not hide them from you. If something is useful, even if it destroys the nine tribes, there will be no regrets!" He covered his face and cried, "I only fear that you are not sincere!" Ping then took a finger as an oath. Chengnai took out the edict of wearing clothes and belts, ordering them to be treated as equals; He said, "If the current plan is not successful, Liu Xuande and Ma Teng have gone their separate ways, with no way out, which has led to illness." Ping replied, "I don't need the intentions of all the officials. The thief's life is only in the hands of one person. Ping said, "Thieves often suffer from head wind and pain that reaches the bone marrow. As soon as they raise their heads, they call for someone to treat them. If there is a call sooner or later, they will only need to take one dose of poison, and they will inevitably die. Why raise a sword and soldiers?" Cheng said, "If this happens, those who save the Han Dynasty will all rely on you!" Shi Jiping resigned. Cheng felt secretly happy in his heart and walked into the back hall. Suddenly, he saw his servant Qin Qingtong and his concubine Yun Ying whispering in the dark. Cheng was furious and ordered to capture him from both sides, intending to kill him. Madam advised to spare him from death, each with a staff of forty, and locked Qingtong in a cold room. Qing Tong held a grudge and broke the iron lock at night, jumped out of the wall, and walked straight into Cao Cao's mansion to report a secret matter. Summon him into the secret room and ask. Qing Tongyun said, "Prince Fu, Wu Zilan, Zhong Ji, Wu Shuo, and Ma Teng are discussing secrets in the master's mansion, and they must be plotting against the prime minister. The master will reveal a piece of white silk, and I don't know what it is written about. Recently, Jiping took a oath and I have seen it too." Cao Cao hid Qing Tong in the mansion, and Dong Cheng only fled to another place without pursuing him.

The next day, Cao Cao pretended to suffer from head wind and summoned Jiping for medication. Ping Zisi said, 'This thief must rest in peace!' Hidden poison entered the mansion.   Ping said, "This disease can be cured with just one dose." Teach to take a medicine jar and boil it face to face.   Knowing that it is toxic, intentionally delaying and refusing to comply. Ping said, "Take it with heat, and it will heal with less sweat." Cao Qi said, "Since you have read Confucian books, you must know etiquette and righteousness: if a ruler drinks medicine for a disease, I will taste it first; if a father drinks medicine for a disease, my son will taste it first. As someone close to me, why don't you taste it first and then wait?" Ping said, "Medicine is used to treat diseases, why should people taste it?" The magistrate of Ping had already let go, took a step forward, grabbed Cao's ear, and poured it into his mouth. Pushing drugs on the ground, bricks burst.

Without hesitation, Jiping has already been taken down by both sides. Cao said, "Do I have any illness? Let me test your ears! Your fruit is harmful to my heart!" Then he called twenty strong prison guards and sent them to the backyard for interrogation. Sit on the pavilion and tie it flat to the ground. Jiping remained expressionless and showed no signs of fear. Cao smiled and said, "Liang, you are a doctor. How dare you poison me? Someone must have instigated you to come. If you tell me that person, I will spare you." Ping Qizhi said, "You are a thief who deceives the ruler and disregards his superiors. The whole world wants to kill you, not just me!" Cao repeatedly questioned. Out of anger, he said, "I wanted to kill you myself, but someone sent me here? This matter cannot be accomplished, only death!" He scolded the jailer and beat him severely. After two hours of fighting, the skin opened and the flesh cracked, and blood flowed profusely. Fearing to be beaten to death, with no evidence to prove it, the jailer was ordered to take him to a quiet place and give him his life.

Order to hold a banquet the next day and invite all the ministers to drink. Only Dong's illness cannot come. Prince's clothing and other items were all feared and suspected, so they had to be taken. Set up seats in the back hall. After several rounds of drinking, he said, "There is no joy in the banquet. I have one person who can sober up the officials." He instructed twenty prison guards, "Come with me!" In a moment, he saw a long shackle nailed to Jiping, dragging it down the stairs. Cao said, "The officials are unaware that this person is colluding with an evil party, intending to rebel against the court and assassinate Cao. Today, the heavens have been defeated, please listen to his words." Cao first beat him up, fainted on the ground, and sprayed water on his face. Jiping woke up and cursed, "Damn thief! If you don't kill me, when will you wait?" Cao said, "There are six conspirators first. Are there seven with you?" Ping just cursed loudly. Wang Zifu and the other four people looked at each other like sitting on needles. Fuck and teach, hit and spray at the same time. Ping has no intention of seeking mercy. Seeing without hesitation, and teaching without hesitation.

The officials dispersed, leaving only the prince's robe and other four people for a night banquet. The four of them had no attachment to their bodies, so they had to stay. Cao said, "We don't want to keep each other, but if there's anything we need to ask, we can ask each other. Do you four know what we discussed with Dong Cheng?" Zifu said, "We didn't discuss anything." Cao said, "What's written in the white silk?" Zifu and others all kept it a secret. Cao Jiao summoned Qingtong for verification. Zifu said, "Where did you see you?" Qingtong said, "You avoided the crowd, and six people were drawing words together. How could you resist. Cao said, "Surrender tonight, and we can still forgive you. If it happens, it will be difficult to tolerate!" Zifu and others all said that there was no such thing. Four people were arrested and imprisoned by scolding them.

The next day, he led everyone to visit Dong Cheng's home to see him. I can only welcome you. Cao said, "Why didn't you come to the banquet at night?" Cheng said, "I'm still suffering from a minor illness and dare not leave lightly." Cao said, "This is a disease that worries the country." Cheng was surprised. Cao asked, "Does my uncle know about the auspicious and peaceful situation?" Cheng replied, "I don't know." Cao sneered, "How does my uncle not know?" He called around and said, "Bring me here to treat my uncle." Cheng had no place to go. In an instant, twenty prison guards pushed Jiping down the stairs. Jiping cursed loudly, "Cao Cao, the rebel!" Cao pointed and said, "This person once climbed down the prince's robe and four others, but I have taken down the court captain. There is still one person who has not been captured." He asked Ping, "Who sent you to poison me? You can quickly summon him!" Ping replied, "Angel, I will come and kill the rebel!" Cao angrily scolded him. There is no room for punishment on one's body. Being present here, my heart is cut like a knife. Cao asked Ping again, "You used to have ten fingers, but now you only have nine fingers." Ping replied, "Chewing makes you swear, swear to kill the traitors!" Cao Jiao took a knife and cut off his nine fingers, saying, "Once I cut them off, I'll make you swear!" Ping replied, "You still have a mouth to swallow the thief, and a tongue to curse the thief!" Cao ordered him to cut off his tongue. Ping said, "Don't use your hands. I can't bear the punishment now, so I have to confess. You can release me from bondage." Cao said, "What's the problem with releasing me?" He then ordered me to release him from bondage.   Exercise commands are divided into physical commands. In January of the fifth year of Jian'an. There is a poem by a historian that goes: "The Han Dynasty had no progress, and the country of medicine was called peaceful. I swore to eliminate traitors and sacrifice my life to repay the holy light. The more severe the words of extreme punishment, the more miserable the death was. The ten fingers were dripping down, and it will be remembered for generations to come

Cao saw that Ji Ping was dead, so he led Qin Qingtong to his side. Cao said, "Does my uncle recognize this person?" Cheng was furious and said, "The runaway slave is here, so he should be executed!" Cao said, "He was the first to accuse rebellion, and now he is here to testify. Who dares to execute him?" Cheng said, "Why did the Prime Minister listen to the runaway slave's words?" Cao said, "I have captured the prince's robe and others, and they have all been proven to be innocent. Do you still deny it?" He then called on the left and right to take them, and ordered the servant to enter Dong Cheng's bedroom to search for clothes, belts, edicts, and righteous statements. Cao looked at it and smiled, saying, "How dare you behave like this, Rat!" He then ordered, "Imprisonment of all the good and bad members of Dong Cheng's family, and the removal of one." Cao returned to the mansion and issued a decree to the advisors to discuss the abolition of Emperor Xian and the establishment of a new ruler. Exactly: A few lines of Dan edicts turn into empty hopes, and a single alliance letter brings disaster. Unknown about the life of Emperor Xian, let's listen to the following explanation.