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“There is death for me today, and that is the end!” said Chen Gong undauntedly.

“Very well for you; but what of your mother and wife and children?”

“It is said that one who rules with due regard to filial piety does not harm a person's family; one who would show benevolence does not cut off the sacrifices at a person's tomb. My mother and wife and children are in your hands. But since I am your prisoner, I pray you slay me quickly and not to try to harrow my feelings.”

Cao Cao's heart still leaned toward mercy, but Chen Gong turned and walked away, repulsing the attendants who would stop him. Cao Cao rose from his place and walked with Chen Gong, the tears falling from his eyes. Chen Gong never looked at him.

Turning to his guards Cao Cao said, “Let his mother and family be taken to Xuchang and looked after immediately. Any postponement will be punished!”

The condemned man heard him but uttered no word. He stretched out his neck for the blow. Tears sprang to the eyes of all present. His remains were honorably coffined and buried in Xuchang.

A poem pitying Chen Gong's fate says:

Neither hope of life nor fear of death moved him.

How brave was he, a hero indeed!

But his lord heeded not his words,

Wherefore in vain possessed he great talents.

Nevertheless, in that he stood by his master.

To parting with wife and mother,

He merits our pity and profound respect.

Who would resemble Chen Gong

That day he died at the White Gate Tower?

While Cao Cao sadly escorted Chen Gong on the way to death, Lu Bu appealed to Liu Bei, “Noble Sir, you sit there an honored guest while poor I lie bound at your feet. Will you not utter one word to alleviate my lot?”

Liu Bei nodded. As Cao Cao returned to his place, Lu Bu called out, “Your only trouble, Illustrious Sir, is myself, and I am on your side now. You take the lead, I will help you, and together the world is at our feet.”

“What do you think?” said Cao Cao turning to Liu Bei.

“You are willing to forget the episodes of Ding Yuan and Dong Zhuo?”

“Truly the lout is not to be trusted!” said Lu Bu, looking at Liu Bei.

“Strangle and expose!” said Cao Cao.

As he was led away, Lu Bu turned once more to Liu Bei, “You long-eared lout, you forget now the service I rendered you that day at my camp gate, when my arrow hit the mark!”

Just then some one shouted, “Lu Bu, O fool! Death is but death, and why are you scared at it?”

Every one turned to look; the guards were hustling Zhang Liao to the place of judgment. Cao Cao ordered Lu Bu's execution.

A poet has written upon the death of Lu Bu:

The flood spreads wide, the city drowns,

Its lord is captive. Nought avails

His courser's speed or halberd's thrust.

The tiger erstwhile fierce, now whines

For mercy. Cao Cao had meted him

Full well, a falcon flown at will

And hungry kept. Poor fool! He let

Chen Gong's advice be overborne

By harem tattle; vainly now

He rails against the Long-Ears' faith.

And another poem says:

Round is the hungry tiger, eater of men, for whom is no pity,

Since the blood of his victims is fresh and not yet dry.

Liu Bei spoke no word in favor of Lu Bu,

To whom even a father's life was not sacred.

It was recorded earlier that the executioners were hustling Zhang Liao forward. Pointing to him from above, Cao Cao said, “He has a familiar face.”

“You were not likely to forget me; you saw me before in Puyang,” said Zhang Liao.

“O, so you remember me, eh?”

“Yes; more is the pity.”

“Pity for what?”

“That the fire that day was not fierce enough to burn you up, rebel that you are.”

Cao Cao began to get angry. “How dare you insult me?” cried he and lifted his sword to kill the bold speaker.

The undaunted Zhang Liao never changed color, but stretched out his neck for the blow. Then a man behind Cao Cao caught his arm, and in front of him another dropped on his knees, saying, “O Prime Minister, I pray thee stay thy hand!”

Lu Bu whining was not spared,

Railing Zhang Liao far better fared.

Who was it that saved Zhang Liao? The next chapter will show.