8. Thrice Yielding Xuzhou

Chapter summary

Cao Cao marched against Xuzhou, and Liu Bei came with troops to assist in its defense. Later, because Lü Bu seized Yan and Puyang behind him, Cao Cao had to withdraw to save himself. As Prefect Tao Qian repeatedly sought to yield Xuzhou to Liu Bei, Liu Bei refused again and again, only accepting the province after Tao Qian's death in obedience to his final charge.