Cheng Yu
Encyclopedia
Cheng Yu originally named Cheng Li (程立) and changed his name to Yu (lit. "lifting the sun") after dreaming of the sun on top of Mount Tai, was one of the major advisors to the Han Dynasty
warlord Cao Cao
, and became a high-ranking official of the state of Cao Wei
during the Three Kingdoms
era of China
. Chen Shou, author of Records of Three Kingdoms
, described him as a very tall man (approximately 1.91m) with a beautiful long beard. He was from Dong'e County
, Dong Commandery (near present day Liaocheng
). Cheng was best known at his time for his abnormal approach to outwit a shortage on grain: instead of sending hostage to Yuan Shao
for food, he advised Cao to feed the army with human! He was also noted for his expertise in military tactics, which helped Cao Cao defeat the rival warlord Yuan Shao
and his clan in the north. It was widely agreed that his numerous contributions laid the foundation of Cao Wei, the reason he was not promoted to the rank of a duke was only because of his fore-mentioned strategy to coup with the food shortage in Yan Province.
Cheng was given the posthumous name of "Marquis Su," meaning the Marquis of Solemnity. Cheng Yu's son, Cheng Wu
, continued to serve in Cao Wei.
, Yanggu
, China) county of Yan Province (aka Yanzhou), Cheng Yu's early life was unrecorded, but he was known as a brave man in the area during his early 40s. When the Yellow Turban Rebellion
broke out in the 180s, a county magistrate named Wang Du burned down the food stored in the warehouse, and instigated his subordinates to seize the city. The county Prefect escaped the city and went into hiding, while the town residents took their families eastward and camped beside a mountain. After receiving intelligence from his spies that Wang had moved out and camped 1.3 to 1.6 mile away from the city, Cheng reported to and told a local parvenu, Xue Fang, that Wang must not have the ability to control the situation, so they should retrieve the prefect and reoccupy the city. Xue agreed to Cheng’s plan, yet the commoners refused to comply, wherein Cheng angrily said: "Stupid commoners lack the ability to plan." He then plotted with Xue, and secretly sent several cavalry holding streamers to the hilltop, where they rode down toward the civilians. Xue and his men then screamed upon sight of the riders, making the commoners mistook them as Yellow Turbans. Led by Xue, the mass kept running until back into the city, where they realized the rebels were not so terrifying and started to defend the city with the prefect, who was found by Cheng.
Seeing the inhabitants had come back, Wang Du launched an attack, but was foiled by Cheng's defense. After some time, Wang could no longer hold on and intended to move elsewhere, and Cheng led a sudden attack when the former was packing, dealing him a major blow which enabled the survival of Dong'e.
In AD 192, the Inspector of Yan Province, Liu Dai
invited Cheng to join his government, but was refused by the latter. At the beginning, Liu had very good relationship with both Yuan Shao
and Gongsun Zan
, wherein Yuan sent his family to reside with Liu while Gongsun sent a detachment of elite cavalry to help Liu fight the Yellow Turbans in the area; however, Yuan and Gongsun became bitter enemies later, and were way more powerful than Liu, who was forced to pick a side. Liu then seek advice from Cheng, who told the former that asking the help from Gongsun was like requesting someone to save a drowning child from afar. He further analyzed that Gongsun, who had recently gained a minor military victory over Yuan, would eventually lose to the latter. Therefore, it was not sagacious to enjoy a short-term benefit without a careful long-term plan. Liu agreed with Cheng's speech and severed his tie with Gongsun, who ordered his cavalry in Yan Province back. Just as Cheng had predicted, Gongsun soon suffered a heavy defeat by Yuan before his cavalry could even join the battle. Liu then asked Cheng to become his officer, and offered him the title of Commandant of Cavalry, but Cheng again refused employment.
came forth to takeover the province. Upon his arrival, Cao sent Cheng a letter concerning his presence in the government. Cheng replied Cao that he accepted the offer right away, so the commoners asked Liu:" How can you change your attitude so snobbishly?" Cheng laughed at them without commitment. When Cheng joined Cao, he was only assigned as a prefect, a position far lower than the ones Liu offered him in the past. Still, Cheng was determined to follow Cao, as evidenced by his defense against Lu Bu
, who attacked Cao's homebase while the latter was on an expedition against Xu Province.
, who analyzed the defense could only be successful if the three holdings worked together. Cheng was asked for the defense of Dong'e because he could probably convince his hometown to fight with him. Thus, Xun stayed behind to watch over the fortress, and Cheng went to Dong'e. On his way, Cheng passed by Fan county, where Lu's lobbyist, Si Yi (氾嶷) was persuading the Prefect of Fan to switch allegiance to his master. Thus, Cheng required a meeting with the Perfect, and conducted a persuasive speech to the latter, successfully prompting the Perfect to murder Si Yi. When he arrived Dong'e, Xue Ti (薛悌, who became Zhang Liao
's strategist in the Battle of Xiaoyao Ford
,) and Zao Zhi (枣祗, who invented the Tuntian
and urged Cao Cao to implement the system) already set up defense around the area, so Cheng split his cavalry force out to take control of Cangting ford to block the advance of Lu's strategist, Chen Gong
. Xue then formulated a strategy with Cheng, which enabled the defense of the three cities until Cao's return.
This year must be a hard one for Cao Cao, not only did he lose to Lu several times in battles around Poyang, a widespread famine also broke out in Yanzhou (but this also forced Lu to retreat). For once, Cao thought about relinquishing his position in Yan, and prepared to surrender to Yuan Shao, who was his childhood friend. Nevertheless, Cheng rebuked his master by saying that Cao had a caliber greater than just being a subject under Yuan, and it was shameful for a genius to submit to a man who only enjoyed an overvalued fame. Cheng said to Cao: "Even a mere warrior like Tian Heng knew about shame, how could you act so shamefully to surrender to Yuan?" However, Cheng's heroic speech was way easier to say than to do, because Cao's army had already been running out of food! Nevertheless, not wanting to be called a shameful son of a eunuch, Cao appeared to listen to Cheng, but asked the latter to ready three days of grain. Unprepared to be asked to deal with this problem, Cheng insanely devised a very vicious strategy: he personally led an armed force to pillage his hometown, and abducted his townfolk, who would then be slaughtered like pigs for the army to feed on.
After Lu Bu was forced to abandon Yan Province, Cheng and Xun Yu advised Cao Cao to escort the emperor, who was in dire situation, into territory under his control. When Emperor Xian was guided to his new capital Xuchang
from Luoyang
, Cheng was made the Imperial Secretariat but was soon exonerated to be the East General of the Household and Administrator of Jiyin to command over Yan Province. In AD 198, Lu Bu took Xu Province from Liu Bei
, and the latter submitted to Cao for protection. Cheng told Cao that Liu was an ambitious man who was admired by many, and he would not be a subject for long, so he should be taken care of as soon as possible. Cao refused under the rationale that he did not want the death of one individual affect the decision of others who might yield to the Han court.
Next year, Yuan Shu
was defeated by Cao Cao and Sun Ce
, and attempted to go north to join his elder brother (cousin) Yuan Shao. Liu Bei volunteered to intercept Yuan Shu, and was granted a sizable army to do his job. When Cheng heard the news, he rushed to Cao and protested: "It's arguable you turned down our suggestion to kill Liu earlier, but it's a certainty that he will betray you if lent a force." Thus, Cao regretted upon his decision and sent an envoy to call the troops back, but it was already too late. Liu mobilized the army east and killed the Grand Administrator of Xu Province, Che Jiu (車胄), and usurped the title of the latter for an open rebellion.
When the northern warlord, Yuan Shao defeated Gongsun Zan and congregated the four provinces north of the Yellow River
, he assembled an army of over 100,000 to declare war against Cao Cao. Cheng Yu was made a general and stationed in Zhen fortress with 700 soldiers. Cao then sent a letter to Cheng and asserted the latter that he would send 2,000 men as reinforcement. However, Cheng replied: "Yuan Shao has 100,000 men and considers himself invincible. If he sees I only have such a small army, he will not attack easily. On the contrary, if my position is strong (enough to threaten his movement), then he will not be able to pass me by without attacking; if he attacks, he'll surely win, so it will be a mere waste to send in reinforcement. I hope you could understand my rationale and don't doubt on that." Cao was happy that he did not need to send additional troops to Cheng, and was able to defeat Liu in the east within a short time.
Three years after Cao defeated Yuan at the Battle of Guandu
, Cheng recruited and enlisted several thousand robbers and inhabitants of deep hills around Yanzhou, and led them to rendezvous with Cao in Liyang, where Cao set up as a front line military operation base against Yuan Tan
and Yuan Shang
. Along Li Dian
, Cheng transported grain to Cao by ships. Once, the supply line was blocked by the Grand Administrator of Wei Commandery, Gao Fan, who capitalized on the geographic advantage. Cao then ordered Cheng to abandon the waterway and transport through other routes. But Li reasoned with Cheng that Gao could be defeated because he was lightly guarded with a small army. Therefore, they violated Cao's order, and landed the northern bank and defeated Gao, resulting in the smooth delivery of military necessities.
In AD 208, Cao Cao accepted the surrender of Jing Province, and sent a letter to the eastern warlord, Sun Quan
, to inform the latter that he had assembled a 800,000 strong force in Jiangling
city, and was eager to meet Sun in person. The majority believed Sun would surely kill Liu Bei and submit to Cao, but Cheng opposed and analyzed Sun would support Liu to fight a desperate war. However, due to the fact Cao enjoyed an absolute advantage both in terms of military and economy; he did not take Cheng’s counsel seriously, and held lavish banquets on his warships from time to time. Out of negligence, none of Cao’s officers knew the wind direction would change a few days per year along the Yangtze River
, and they thought the direction of wind preferred Cao’s side. While Cao was certain the allied forces could not make use of a fire attack, the enemy commander, Zhou Yu
, had his grand fleet burnt into ashes overnight.
When Cao Cao went west to fight Ma Chao
and Han Sui
, Cheng was assigned as a strategist to Cao's eldest son, Cao Pi
, who was in charge of the capital. During the time Cao Cao went west, local gentries of Hejian rebelled. Cao Pi sent a general to subdue the revolt, several thousand rebels offered to surrender when they were besieged. A meeting was held within the court to decide whether they should accept the surrender. Many participants of the discussion proposed to reject the surrender, because Cao Cao once issued a fiat that those who surrendered after being besieged should be executed. But Cheng opposed: "The reason Cao Cao set such expedient rule was that he was fighting numerous enemies in a chaotic time. To execute those surrender after being besieged could intimidate other potential enemies, and encouraged early submissions; subsequently, we did not need to lay siege every time. However, the territory under control is stablized, and this battle happens within our domain, so this kind of enemies will surely surrender, killing them will not threaten other enemies. Thus, to kill the rebels now is not Cao Cao's primary focus of his rule. I suggest their surrender be accepted; if you must execute them, please inform master Cao first." The feckless audience simply ignored Cheng's rationale, and vindicated their choice by claiming they had the autonomy over military issues and it was not necessary to report every single provision. Cheng remained silence and the officers left the courtroom. After the exodus, Cao Pi specifically consulted Cheng if he held any thought back in the discussion, wherein Cheng replied: "The reason Commandants and Commanders were given autonomic power is that frontline military issues are so imminent that decisions must be made immediately. But the surrendered rebels are enfettered by your general, and have no way to mutiny. That is why I don't want to see you use (abuse) your authority. Being delighted by Cheng, Cao Pi changed his mind and reported the issue to Cao Cao, who ordered the surrendered rebels to be spared. After Cao Cao returned from his expedition, he particularly expressed his gratitude to Cheng by claiming the latter to be an intelligent man who not only excelled in tactics but also knew how to manage the relationship between father and son.
after death. His grandson Cheng Xiao became a known scholar of the time later.
Cheng was a recalcitrant old man, and his hidebound characteristic compelled him to quarrel with others on a frequent basis. There is a quaint incident about how he entered a predicament when he offended Xing Zhen. When Cao Cao first established the kingdom of Wei, Cheng was made the Minister of the Imperial Guards (衛尉) while Xing was made Minister of the Palace Guards (中尉). However, Cheng had a rabid quirk in pontificating his dominance, and he purposedly flaunted before his supposedly subordinate, who reported his invidious behavior to Cao. As a punishment, Cheng was stripped of his position.
Although ingeniously intelligent, Cheng was of a perverse and hardhearted nature. Once, he ransacked his hometown, Dong'e, and kidnapped his own townfolk in order to serve the appetite of Cao's army in an act of cannibalism
. It was recorded Cheng would have the abducted cut into pieces to mix with rice, so the soldiers would happliy enjoy their prized meals...
's historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms
, Cheng Yu offered a ruse in order to get Xu Shu
to serve Cao Cao. At the time Xu was serving as rival Liu Bei
's key strategist and managed to score a major victory against Cao's generals Lü Kuang
(呂嚝), Lü Xiang
(呂翔), and Cao Ren
(曹仁). Exploiting the fact that Xu was an extremely filial person, Cheng suggested to Cao to hold her mother hostage and force Xu to leave Liu and serve Cao. Cheng wrote a fake letter to Xu and successfully tricked Xu to come to Xuchang
. Ironically Xu's mother committed suicide after seeing her son fall for such a ruse and leaving a righteous person like Liu Bei to serve under the ruthless Cao Cao. Prior to the Battle of Red Cliffs
, Cheng Yu had predicted that the Eastern Wu forces would use fire to attack Cao Cao's naval fleet. However, Cao Cao did not heed his advice seriously as the winds were to their advantage then. After Cao Cao's major defeat, Cheng Yu was one of the few advisors who stood by Cao Cao all the way during their escape.
Han Dynasty
The Han Dynasty was the second imperial dynasty of China, preceded by the Qin Dynasty and succeeded by the Three Kingdoms . It was founded by the rebel leader Liu Bang, known posthumously as Emperor Gaozu of Han. It was briefly interrupted by the Xin Dynasty of the former regent Wang Mang...
warlord Cao Cao
Cao Cao
Cao Cao was a warlord and the penultimate chancellor of the Eastern Han Dynasty who rose to great power during the dynasty's final years. As one of the central figures of the Three Kingdoms period, he laid the foundations for what was to become the state of Cao Wei and was posthumously titled...
, and became a high-ranking official of the state of Cao Wei
Cao Wei
Cao Wei was one of the states that competed for control of China during the Three Kingdoms period. With the capital at Luoyang, the state was established by Cao Pi in 220, based upon the foundations that his father Cao Cao laid...
during the Three Kingdoms
Three Kingdoms
The Three Kingdoms period was a period in Chinese history, part of an era of disunity called the "Six Dynasties" following immediately the loss of de facto power of the Han Dynasty rulers. In a strict academic sense it refers to the period between the foundation of the state of Wei in 220 and the...
era of China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. Chen Shou, author of Records of Three Kingdoms
Records of Three Kingdoms
Records of Three Kingdoms , is regarded as the official and authoritative historical text on the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history covering the years 184-280 CE. Written by Chen Shou in the 3rd century, the work combines the smaller histories of the rival states of Cao Wei , Shu Han and...
, described him as a very tall man (approximately 1.91m) with a beautiful long beard. He was from Dong'e County
Dong'e County
Dong'e County falls under the jurisdiction of Liaocheng, Shandong Province. The county is regionally and nationally renowned for the production of Ejiao, a donkey-hide gelatine used in traditional Chinese medicine....
, Dong Commandery (near present day Liaocheng
Liaocheng
Liaocheng , also known as the Water City, is a prefecture-level city in western Shandong province, People's Republic of China. It borders the provincial capital of Jinan to the southeast, Dezhou to the northeast, Tai'an to the south, and the province of Hebei and Henan to the west...
). Cheng was best known at his time for his abnormal approach to outwit a shortage on grain: instead of sending hostage to Yuan Shao
Yuan Shao
Yuan Shao was a warlord during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He occupied the northern territories of China during the civil war that occurred towards the end of the Han Dynasty and the beginning of the Three Kingdoms era...
for food, he advised Cao to feed the army with human! He was also noted for his expertise in military tactics, which helped Cao Cao defeat the rival warlord Yuan Shao
Yuan Shao
Yuan Shao was a warlord during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He occupied the northern territories of China during the civil war that occurred towards the end of the Han Dynasty and the beginning of the Three Kingdoms era...
and his clan in the north. It was widely agreed that his numerous contributions laid the foundation of Cao Wei, the reason he was not promoted to the rank of a duke was only because of his fore-mentioned strategy to coup with the food shortage in Yan Province.
Cheng was given the posthumous name of "Marquis Su," meaning the Marquis of Solemnity. Cheng Yu's son, Cheng Wu
Cheng Wu
Cheng Wu was a politician of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He was the son of Cheng Yu. Cheng Wu served under the commander Xiahou Mao once to resist the invading army of Shu Han. He proposed to Xiahou a strategy which lured the enemy general Zhao Yun into a trap, but...
, continued to serve in Cao Wei.
Incidents in hometown
Born in Dong'e (modern ShandongShandong
' is a Province located on the eastern coast of the People's Republic of China. Shandong has played a major role in Chinese history from the beginning of Chinese civilization along the lower reaches of the Yellow River and served as a pivotal cultural and religious site for Taoism, Chinese...
, Yanggu
Yanggu
Yanggu may refer to;*Yanggu County, Shandong , of Liaocheng, Shandong, China*Yanggu, Gangwon , county of Gangwon Province, South Korea...
, China) county of Yan Province (aka Yanzhou), Cheng Yu's early life was unrecorded, but he was known as a brave man in the area during his early 40s. When the Yellow Turban Rebellion
Yellow Turban Rebellion
The Yellow Turban Rebellion, also translated as Yellow Scarves Rebellion, was a peasant revolt that broke out in 184 AD in China during the reign of Emperor Ling of the Han Dynasty...
broke out in the 180s, a county magistrate named Wang Du burned down the food stored in the warehouse, and instigated his subordinates to seize the city. The county Prefect escaped the city and went into hiding, while the town residents took their families eastward and camped beside a mountain. After receiving intelligence from his spies that Wang had moved out and camped 1.3 to 1.6 mile away from the city, Cheng reported to and told a local parvenu, Xue Fang, that Wang must not have the ability to control the situation, so they should retrieve the prefect and reoccupy the city. Xue agreed to Cheng’s plan, yet the commoners refused to comply, wherein Cheng angrily said: "Stupid commoners lack the ability to plan." He then plotted with Xue, and secretly sent several cavalry holding streamers to the hilltop, where they rode down toward the civilians. Xue and his men then screamed upon sight of the riders, making the commoners mistook them as Yellow Turbans. Led by Xue, the mass kept running until back into the city, where they realized the rebels were not so terrifying and started to defend the city with the prefect, who was found by Cheng.
Seeing the inhabitants had come back, Wang Du launched an attack, but was foiled by Cheng's defense. After some time, Wang could no longer hold on and intended to move elsewhere, and Cheng led a sudden attack when the former was packing, dealing him a major blow which enabled the survival of Dong'e.
In AD 192, the Inspector of Yan Province, Liu Dai
Liu Dai
Liu Dai , style name Gongshan , was an official of the late Eastern Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. His ancestral home was in Mouping County , Donglai Commandery ....
invited Cheng to join his government, but was refused by the latter. At the beginning, Liu had very good relationship with both Yuan Shao
Yuan Shao
Yuan Shao was a warlord during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He occupied the northern territories of China during the civil war that occurred towards the end of the Han Dynasty and the beginning of the Three Kingdoms era...
and Gongsun Zan
Gongsun Zan
Gongsun Zan , style name Bogui , a native of Liaoxi , was a warlord during the late Han Dynasty era of Chinese history.-Biography:...
, wherein Yuan sent his family to reside with Liu while Gongsun sent a detachment of elite cavalry to help Liu fight the Yellow Turbans in the area; however, Yuan and Gongsun became bitter enemies later, and were way more powerful than Liu, who was forced to pick a side. Liu then seek advice from Cheng, who told the former that asking the help from Gongsun was like requesting someone to save a drowning child from afar. He further analyzed that Gongsun, who had recently gained a minor military victory over Yuan, would eventually lose to the latter. Therefore, it was not sagacious to enjoy a short-term benefit without a careful long-term plan. Liu agreed with Cheng's speech and severed his tie with Gongsun, who ordered his cavalry in Yan Province back. Just as Cheng had predicted, Gongsun soon suffered a heavy defeat by Yuan before his cavalry could even join the battle. Liu then asked Cheng to become his officer, and offered him the title of Commandant of Cavalry, but Cheng again refused employment.
Service under Cao Cao
However, without the assistance from Gongsun's elite cavalry, Liu Dai was soon killed by the Yellow Turbans, and Cao CaoCao Cao
Cao Cao was a warlord and the penultimate chancellor of the Eastern Han Dynasty who rose to great power during the dynasty's final years. As one of the central figures of the Three Kingdoms period, he laid the foundations for what was to become the state of Cao Wei and was posthumously titled...
came forth to takeover the province. Upon his arrival, Cao sent Cheng a letter concerning his presence in the government. Cheng replied Cao that he accepted the offer right away, so the commoners asked Liu:" How can you change your attitude so snobbishly?" Cheng laughed at them without commitment. When Cheng joined Cao, he was only assigned as a prefect, a position far lower than the ones Liu offered him in the past. Still, Cheng was determined to follow Cao, as evidenced by his defense against Lu Bu
Lü Bu
Lü Bu was a military general and later a minor warlord during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. According to the Records of Three Kingdoms, Lü Bu was highly-skilled in horse-riding and archery, and was thus nicknamed "Flying General"...
, who attacked Cao's homebase while the latter was on an expedition against Xu Province.
Performance in Lu Bu's invasion
When Lu claimed his rule over Yan Province, many people gave up resistance and joined him, only Zhen fortress, Dong'e, and Fan county did not yield. At the time, Cheng was guarding Zhen fortress with Cao's chief strategist, Xun YuXun Yu
Xun Yu was a strategist and statesman who served as an advisor to the warlord Cao Cao during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history.-Early life:...
, who analyzed the defense could only be successful if the three holdings worked together. Cheng was asked for the defense of Dong'e because he could probably convince his hometown to fight with him. Thus, Xun stayed behind to watch over the fortress, and Cheng went to Dong'e. On his way, Cheng passed by Fan county, where Lu's lobbyist, Si Yi (氾嶷) was persuading the Prefect of Fan to switch allegiance to his master. Thus, Cheng required a meeting with the Perfect, and conducted a persuasive speech to the latter, successfully prompting the Perfect to murder Si Yi. When he arrived Dong'e, Xue Ti (薛悌, who became Zhang Liao
Zhang Liao
Zhang Liao was a military general serving under the warlord Cao Cao during the late Han Dynasty and early Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. He participated in many campaigns, including those against Yuan Shao's clan and the Wuhuan tribes...
's strategist in the Battle of Xiaoyao Ford
Battle of Xiaoyao Ford
The Battle of Xiaoyao Ford, also known as the Battle of Leisure Ford, Battle of Hefei, and Hefei Campaign, was fought between the warlords Cao Cao and Sun Quan between 215 and 217 during the prelude to the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history over the control of Hefei...
,) and Zao Zhi (枣祗, who invented the Tuntian
Tuntian
The Tuntian or Duntian system was a system of government-encouraged agriculture originated in the Western Han Dynasty period of Chinese history...
and urged Cao Cao to implement the system) already set up defense around the area, so Cheng split his cavalry force out to take control of Cangting ford to block the advance of Lu's strategist, Chen Gong
Chen Gong
Gong Chen was an advisor to the warlord Lü Bu during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. However, he started his career under Cao Cao before defecting to Lü Bu and was executed when the latter was defeated by Cao....
. Xue then formulated a strategy with Cheng, which enabled the defense of the three cities until Cao's return.
This year must be a hard one for Cao Cao, not only did he lose to Lu several times in battles around Poyang, a widespread famine also broke out in Yanzhou (but this also forced Lu to retreat). For once, Cao thought about relinquishing his position in Yan, and prepared to surrender to Yuan Shao, who was his childhood friend. Nevertheless, Cheng rebuked his master by saying that Cao had a caliber greater than just being a subject under Yuan, and it was shameful for a genius to submit to a man who only enjoyed an overvalued fame. Cheng said to Cao: "Even a mere warrior like Tian Heng knew about shame, how could you act so shamefully to surrender to Yuan?" However, Cheng's heroic speech was way easier to say than to do, because Cao's army had already been running out of food! Nevertheless, not wanting to be called a shameful son of a eunuch, Cao appeared to listen to Cheng, but asked the latter to ready three days of grain. Unprepared to be asked to deal with this problem, Cheng insanely devised a very vicious strategy: he personally led an armed force to pillage his hometown, and abducted his townfolk, who would then be slaughtered like pigs for the army to feed on.
Liu Bei's betrayal
After Lu Bu was forced to abandon Yan Province, Cheng and Xun Yu advised Cao Cao to escort the emperor, who was in dire situation, into territory under his control. When Emperor Xian was guided to his new capital Xuchang
Xuchang
Xuchang is a prefecture-level city in central Henan province in Central China. It borders the provincial capital of Zhengzhou to the northwest, Kaifeng to the northeast, Zhoukou to the east, Luohe to the southeast, and Pingdingshan to the southwest....
from Luoyang
Luoyang
Luoyang is a prefecture-level city in western Henan province of Central China. It borders the provincial capital of Zhengzhou to the east, Pingdingshan to the southeast, Nanyang to the south, Sanmenxia to the west, Jiyuan to the north, and Jiaozuo to the northeast.Situated on the central plain of...
, Cheng was made the Imperial Secretariat but was soon exonerated to be the East General of the Household and Administrator of Jiyin to command over Yan Province. In AD 198, Lu Bu took Xu Province from Liu Bei
Liu Bei
Liu Bei , also known as Liu Xuande, was a warlord, military general and later the founding emperor of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history...
, and the latter submitted to Cao for protection. Cheng told Cao that Liu was an ambitious man who was admired by many, and he would not be a subject for long, so he should be taken care of as soon as possible. Cao refused under the rationale that he did not want the death of one individual affect the decision of others who might yield to the Han court.
Next year, Yuan Shu
Yuan Shu
Yuan Shu was a warlord during the late Han Dynasty era of Chinese history. He rose to prominence following the collapse of the imperial court in 189. He was said to be a younger cousin of the warlord Yuan Shao, but was actually Yuan Shao's younger half-brother...
was defeated by Cao Cao and Sun Ce
Sun Ce
Sun Ce was a military general and warlord during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He was the oldest of the children of Sun Jian who was killed during the Battle of Xiangyang when Sun Ce was only 16. Sun Ce then broke away from his father's overlord, Yuan Shu, and headed to...
, and attempted to go north to join his elder brother (cousin) Yuan Shao. Liu Bei volunteered to intercept Yuan Shu, and was granted a sizable army to do his job. When Cheng heard the news, he rushed to Cao and protested: "It's arguable you turned down our suggestion to kill Liu earlier, but it's a certainty that he will betray you if lent a force." Thus, Cao regretted upon his decision and sent an envoy to call the troops back, but it was already too late. Liu mobilized the army east and killed the Grand Administrator of Xu Province, Che Jiu (車胄), and usurped the title of the latter for an open rebellion.
Cao Cao's northern campaign
When the northern warlord, Yuan Shao defeated Gongsun Zan and congregated the four provinces north of the Yellow River
Yellow River
The Yellow River or Huang He, formerly known as the Hwang Ho, is the second-longest river in China and the sixth-longest in the world at the estimated length of . Originating in the Bayan Har Mountains in Qinghai Province in western China, it flows through nine provinces of China and empties into...
, he assembled an army of over 100,000 to declare war against Cao Cao. Cheng Yu was made a general and stationed in Zhen fortress with 700 soldiers. Cao then sent a letter to Cheng and asserted the latter that he would send 2,000 men as reinforcement. However, Cheng replied: "Yuan Shao has 100,000 men and considers himself invincible. If he sees I only have such a small army, he will not attack easily. On the contrary, if my position is strong (enough to threaten his movement), then he will not be able to pass me by without attacking; if he attacks, he'll surely win, so it will be a mere waste to send in reinforcement. I hope you could understand my rationale and don't doubt on that." Cao was happy that he did not need to send additional troops to Cheng, and was able to defeat Liu in the east within a short time.
Three years after Cao defeated Yuan at the Battle of Guandu
Battle of Guandu
The Battle of Guandu was a military conflict between the warlords Cao Cao and Yuan Shao in 200 during the prelude to the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. The battle, which concluded with victory for Cao Cao, was a turning point in the war between the two warlords...
, Cheng recruited and enlisted several thousand robbers and inhabitants of deep hills around Yanzhou, and led them to rendezvous with Cao in Liyang, where Cao set up as a front line military operation base against Yuan Tan
Yuan Tan
Yuan Tan was the oldest son of the warlord Yuan Shao during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. After Yuan Shao's death, Yuan Tan split with his youngest brother Yuan Shang over the successorship to their father's realm. Yuan Tan sought help from the warlord Cao Cao and defeated Yuan...
and Yuan Shang
Yuán Shàng
Yuan Shang , style name Xianfu , was a warlord during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He was the third son of the warlord Yuan Shao, and succeeded his father...
. Along Li Dian
Li Dian
Li Dian was a military general serving under the warlord Cao Cao during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He participated in the Battle of Guandu between Cao Cao and Yuan Shao...
, Cheng transported grain to Cao by ships. Once, the supply line was blocked by the Grand Administrator of Wei Commandery, Gao Fan, who capitalized on the geographic advantage. Cao then ordered Cheng to abandon the waterway and transport through other routes. But Li reasoned with Cheng that Gao could be defeated because he was lightly guarded with a small army. Therefore, they violated Cao's order, and landed the northern bank and defeated Gao, resulting in the smooth delivery of military necessities.
Battle of Red Cliffs
In AD 208, Cao Cao accepted the surrender of Jing Province, and sent a letter to the eastern warlord, Sun Quan
Sun Quan
Sun Quan , son of Sun Jian, formally Emperor Da of Wu, was the founder of Eastern Wu during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He ruled from 222 to 229 as King of Wu and from 229 to 252 as Emperor of Wu....
, to inform the latter that he had assembled a 800,000 strong force in Jiangling
Jiangling
Jiangling County is a county in Hubei, China.Administratively, it is under the jurisdiction of Jingzhou.-History:Under its old name of Chen , during the Warring States Period Jiangling became the capital of the State of Chu after the Qin army captured their old capital at Ying...
city, and was eager to meet Sun in person. The majority believed Sun would surely kill Liu Bei and submit to Cao, but Cheng opposed and analyzed Sun would support Liu to fight a desperate war. However, due to the fact Cao enjoyed an absolute advantage both in terms of military and economy; he did not take Cheng’s counsel seriously, and held lavish banquets on his warships from time to time. Out of negligence, none of Cao’s officers knew the wind direction would change a few days per year along the Yangtze River
Yangtze River
The Yangtze, Yangzi or Cháng Jiāng is the longest river in Asia, and the third-longest in the world. It flows for from the glaciers on the Tibetan Plateau in Qinghai eastward across southwest, central and eastern China before emptying into the East China Sea at Shanghai. It is also one of the...
, and they thought the direction of wind preferred Cao’s side. While Cao was certain the allied forces could not make use of a fire attack, the enemy commander, Zhou Yu
Zhou Yu
Zhou Yu was a military general and strategist who served his close friend, the warlord Sun Ce, during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history...
, had his grand fleet burnt into ashes overnight.
Advice to Cao Pi
When Cao Cao went west to fight Ma Chao
Ma Chao
Ma Chao was the oldest son of Ma Teng and a military general during the late Han Dynasty and early Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. In Luo Guanzhong's historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms, he received the nickname "Ma Chao the Splendid" due to his elaborate armour and grand skill...
and Han Sui
Han Sui
Han Sui was a warlord during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. For most of his life he was active in Liang Province and was involved in several rebellions against the Han Dynasty and against the warlord Cao Cao.-Biography:With the backing of the Qiang people who populated much of...
, Cheng was assigned as a strategist to Cao's eldest son, Cao Pi
Cao Pi
Cao Pi , formally known as Emperor Wen of Wei, was the first emperor of the state of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. Born in Qiao County, Pei Commandery , he was the second son of the late Han Dynasty warlord Cao Cao.Cao Pi, like his father, was a poet...
, who was in charge of the capital. During the time Cao Cao went west, local gentries of Hejian rebelled. Cao Pi sent a general to subdue the revolt, several thousand rebels offered to surrender when they were besieged. A meeting was held within the court to decide whether they should accept the surrender. Many participants of the discussion proposed to reject the surrender, because Cao Cao once issued a fiat that those who surrendered after being besieged should be executed. But Cheng opposed: "The reason Cao Cao set such expedient rule was that he was fighting numerous enemies in a chaotic time. To execute those surrender after being besieged could intimidate other potential enemies, and encouraged early submissions; subsequently, we did not need to lay siege every time. However, the territory under control is stablized, and this battle happens within our domain, so this kind of enemies will surely surrender, killing them will not threaten other enemies. Thus, to kill the rebels now is not Cao Cao's primary focus of his rule. I suggest their surrender be accepted; if you must execute them, please inform master Cao first." The feckless audience simply ignored Cheng's rationale, and vindicated their choice by claiming they had the autonomy over military issues and it was not necessary to report every single provision. Cheng remained silence and the officers left the courtroom. After the exodus, Cao Pi specifically consulted Cheng if he held any thought back in the discussion, wherein Cheng replied: "The reason Commandants and Commanders were given autonomic power is that frontline military issues are so imminent that decisions must be made immediately. But the surrendered rebels are enfettered by your general, and have no way to mutiny. That is why I don't want to see you use (abuse) your authority. Being delighted by Cheng, Cao Pi changed his mind and reported the issue to Cao Cao, who ordered the surrendered rebels to be spared. After Cao Cao returned from his expedition, he particularly expressed his gratitude to Cheng by claiming the latter to be an intelligent man who not only excelled in tactics but also knew how to manage the relationship between father and son.
Late life and death
Cheng went into a semi-retirement after losing to his political enemy, Xing Zhen(邢貞). What was worse for him was that much invectives were done to Cheng after his downfall, and someone even libelled him as hiding intention to revolt, but Cao did not further investigate his once trusted aide; in contrast, he gave Cheng more monetary rewards. Cheng remained as a "commoner" and seldom left his home until Cao Pi ascended the throne as Emperor Wen of Wei. He was re-instituted as the Minister of the Imperial Guards, and earned a tax revenue of 800 households. Since Cao Pi intended to make Cheng a duke, a discussion was made in regard to the issue, but Cheng died before the decision would be settled. He was given the posthumous name of "Su," for his inviolable reverence (See Xing Zhen's case in the following section). Both of his young son Cheng Yan and grandson Cheng Xiao were made Marquis, and Cheng Yu was succeeded by his eldest son, Cheng WuCheng Wu
Cheng Wu was a politician of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He was the son of Cheng Yu. Cheng Wu served under the commander Xiahou Mao once to resist the invading army of Shu Han. He proposed to Xiahou a strategy which lured the enemy general Zhao Yun into a trap, but...
after death. His grandson Cheng Xiao became a known scholar of the time later.
Appraisal
Despite being famous for his paradoxes, he tended to belittle others in his speeches. For once, he inveighed Cao Cao as inferior to the likes of Tian Heng, who was a mere warrior, when he tried to dissuade Cao from surrendering to Yuan Shao. He also used to call his townsfolk "stupid commoners."Cheng was a recalcitrant old man, and his hidebound characteristic compelled him to quarrel with others on a frequent basis. There is a quaint incident about how he entered a predicament when he offended Xing Zhen. When Cao Cao first established the kingdom of Wei, Cheng was made the Minister of the Imperial Guards (衛尉) while Xing was made Minister of the Palace Guards (中尉). However, Cheng had a rabid quirk in pontificating his dominance, and he purposedly flaunted before his supposedly subordinate, who reported his invidious behavior to Cao. As a punishment, Cheng was stripped of his position.
Although ingeniously intelligent, Cheng was of a perverse and hardhearted nature. Once, he ransacked his hometown, Dong'e, and kidnapped his own townfolk in order to serve the appetite of Cao's army in an act of cannibalism
Cannibalism
Cannibalism is the act or practice of humans eating the flesh of other human beings. It is also called anthropophagy...
. It was recorded Cheng would have the abducted cut into pieces to mix with rice, so the soldiers would happliy enjoy their prized meals...
In fiction
In Luo GuanzhongLuo Guanzhong
Luo Ben , better known by his style name Luo Guanzhong , was a Chinese writer of the early Ming Dynasty period of Chinese history. He was also known as Huhai Sanren...
's historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Romance of the Three Kingdoms, written by Luo Guanzhong in the 14th century, is a Chinese historical novel based on the events in the turbulent years near the end of the Han Dynasty and the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history, starting in 169 and ending with the reunification of the land in...
, Cheng Yu offered a ruse in order to get Xu Shu
Xu Shu
Xu Shu was an advisor to the warlord Cao Cao during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He initially served Liu Bei before joining Cao Cao in 208.-Biography:...
to serve Cao Cao. At the time Xu was serving as rival Liu Bei
Liu Bei
Liu Bei , also known as Liu Xuande, was a warlord, military general and later the founding emperor of the state of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history...
's key strategist and managed to score a major victory against Cao's generals Lü Kuang
Lü Kuang
Lü Kuang was a military general serving under the warlord Yuan Shao during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He was the brother of Lü Xiang, who also served under Yuan Shao.-In fiction:...
(呂嚝), Lü Xiang
Lu Xiang
Lü Xiang was a military general serving under the warlord Yuan Shao during the late Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. He was the brother of Lü Kuang, who also served under Yuan Shao. The brothers surrendered to Cao Cao after Yuan Shao's death. They joined Cao Cao's general Cao Ren in attacking...
(呂翔), and Cao Ren
Cao Ren
Cao Ren was a military general serving under the warlord Cao Cao during the late Han Dynasty and Three Kingdoms era of Chinese history. He played a significant part in assisting Cao Cao in the civil wars leading to the end of the Han Dynasty...
(曹仁). Exploiting the fact that Xu was an extremely filial person, Cheng suggested to Cao to hold her mother hostage and force Xu to leave Liu and serve Cao. Cheng wrote a fake letter to Xu and successfully tricked Xu to come to Xuchang
Xuchang
Xuchang is a prefecture-level city in central Henan province in Central China. It borders the provincial capital of Zhengzhou to the northwest, Kaifeng to the northeast, Zhoukou to the east, Luohe to the southeast, and Pingdingshan to the southwest....
. Ironically Xu's mother committed suicide after seeing her son fall for such a ruse and leaving a righteous person like Liu Bei to serve under the ruthless Cao Cao. Prior to the Battle of Red Cliffs
Battle of Red Cliffs
The Battle of Red Cliffs, otherwise known as the Battle of Chibi, was a decisive battle at the end of the Han Dynasty, immediately prior to the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. It was fought in the winter of 208/9 AD between the allied forces of the southern warlords Liu Bei and Sun Quan...
, Cheng Yu had predicted that the Eastern Wu forces would use fire to attack Cao Cao's naval fleet. However, Cao Cao did not heed his advice seriously as the winds were to their advantage then. After Cao Cao's major defeat, Cheng Yu was one of the few advisors who stood by Cao Cao all the way during their escape.
Family
- Sons:
- Cheng WuCheng WuCheng Wu was a politician of Cao Wei during the Three Kingdoms period of Chinese history. He was the son of Cheng Yu. Cheng Wu served under the commander Xiahou Mao once to resist the invading army of Shu Han. He proposed to Xiahou a strategy which lured the enemy general Zhao Yun into a trap, but...
, inherited title of Marquis of Su - Cheng Yan (程延), granted a marquis title
- Cheng Wu
- Grandsons:
- Cheng Ke (程克), inherited title of Marquis of Su
- Cheng Xiao (程曉), appointed Gentleman of the Yellow Gate, later Prefect of Runan
Appointments and titles held
- Commandant of Cavalry (騎都尉) - recommended by Liu DaiLiu DaiLiu Dai , style name Gongshan , was an official of the late Eastern Han Dynasty period of Chinese history. His ancestral home was in Mouping County , Donglai Commandery ....
but rejected by Cheng Yu - Prefect of Shouzhang (壽張令)
- Chancellor of Dongping (東平相)
- Imperial Secretary (尚書)
- General of the Household of the East (東中郎將)
- Administrator of Jiyin (濟陰太守)
- General Who Inspires Might (振威將軍)
- General Who Uplifts Military Might (奮武將軍)
- Marquis of Anguo (安國亭侯)
- Minister of the Guards (衛尉)
- Marquis of An (安鄉侯)
- The following two titles were granted to Cheng Yu posthumously
- General of Chariots and Cavalry (車騎將軍)
- Marquis Su (肅侯)