Romance of Three Kingdoms

3. Capturing and Releasing Cao Cao

Dong Zhuo seized absolute power and threw the court into chaos. Bearing the seven-star treasured blade, Cao Cao entered the chancellor's residence on the pretext of presenting the sword, intending to assassinate Dong; the plot failed and he fled the capital that very night. Passing through Zhongmu, he was recognized and seized by the magistrate Chen Gong, who, admiring his resolve, cast off his office and fled with him. Arriving at the home of Lü Boshe, Cao Cao, gripped by suspicion, mistakenly slew the eight members of Boshe's household, and then, alone, struck down Lü Boshe himself on his return. Chen Gong, seeing him bereft of both loyalty and righteousness, departed in indignation.