Upon hearing that Cao Cao’s army was advancing on Ye City, Yuan Shang, in a desperate attempt to maintain his troops’ morale, he cruelly followed Shen Pei’s advice: soldiers were allowed—even encouraged—to forcibly seize the last supplies of grain from the city’s civilians.
In an instant, cries of despair echoed throughout Ye City. Soldiers, ruthless as wolves, broke into homes, rifled through chests, and took whatever food they could find. Any resistance was met with blows and blades. Countless families starved, and the weak—children and the elderly—perished. Instances of cannibalism occurred; the city had become a living hell.
Desperate refugees surged toward the only place they believed still held food: the residence of General Yuan (the Yuan family mansion). They knelt on the cold stone steps outside, a black mass of men, women, and children, all gaunt and emaciated, their wails, pleas, and cries forming a chorus of hopelessness.
“General! Have mercy! Spare our lives!”
“Our children are starving… please, just a bowl of porridge…”
“All our food has been stolen… we have nothing left!”
The mansion gates remained tightly shut. Yuan Shang, irritated, felt no pity; he regarded the peasants’ cries as nothing but a nuisance hindering the army.
“Shen Pei! Drive them away! Any who gather again will be treated as rebels—kill without mercy!” Yuan Shang barked.
A squad of soldiers, armed and ferocious, surged from the gates. “Get lost! Move! Make another peep, and you die!”
The refugees recoiled, but hunger kept them from leaving. Their cries grew louder, more desperate. The soldiers pushed and threatened them; a massacre seemed imminent.
“Stop!”
A clear, trembling yet firm voice rang out from within the mansion gates.
Then a woman of unparalleled beauty emerged, her skin like jade and her appearance breathtaking. She moved like a startled swan, flowed like a dragon—anyone who saw her felt as if a celestial being had descended to earth.
For a moment, the chaos paused.
The leading officer recognized her as Yuan Xi’s wife and dared not act rashly, swallowing nervously. “Madam Zhen…”
“What are you doing? They only seek a morsel to survive! Your weapons should face the enemy, not these unarmed civilians!” Zhen Mi’s voice trembled with emotion, yet she tried to remain composed.
The officer hesitated: “Madam… but these are the orders of our lord…”
“They are not rebels! They are Yuan family citizens, your fellow countrymen!” Zhen Mi cut him off, her eyes scanning the gaunt, desperate crowd. Her heart ached. Turning to the people, she said, voice choked but steady: “Citizens… endure a little longer… I will find a way…”
“To’ao, take half the mansion’s grain and distribute it to them first!” she commanded.
The maid, Xiao Tao, hesitated:
“Madam, with the Liu household skimming our supplies, our stock is already low. If we give half, there may not be enough…”
“Tomorrow, pawn my dowry to buy more food. No one in this house will starve. For now, just do this.”
Xiao Tao gasped—this was Zhen Mi’s personal savings.
“Go!” Zhen Mi closed her eyes, waving her hand with absolute authority. “Trade it for as much grain as possible.”
The crowd erupted in disbelief and gratitude, kneeling to give thanks, exclaiming, “Madam Zhen is merciful!”
After the grain was distributed, the refugees slowly dispersed. Zhen Mi was about to return when she noticed a little girl, about seven or eight, huddled in a corner holding a younger boy.
“Why didn’t you get grain?” Zhen Mi asked gently.
The girl looked up, her face dirty but her eyes clear:
“I… I did, hid it in my clothes. But my mother is sick and cannot move…”
“And your father?”
“Taken to guard the walls. Fell from the city a few days ago… he’s dead,” the girl whispered.
Zhen Mi’s heart ached. She handed her jade pendant to Xiao Tao: “Go buy medicine and fine food. Deliver it to her family.”
A few days later, Cao Cao’s forces breached the outer defenses, advancing toward Ye City.
The city walls were lined with endless camps; banners blocked the sky. War clouds gathered. Cao Zhi’s retinue included Zhao Yun, Zhang Liao, and even Sima Yi.
**Boom! Boom! Boom!**
The drums of war thundered across Cao’s camp, shattering the tense silence.
The first day of the siege began.
Tens of thousands of Cao troops surged forward, carrying crude siege ladders, like a tide against the walls. They held massive shields, forming a tortoise formation, shouting as they charged.
“Loose the arrows!” Yuan Shang’s commander Shen Pei roared.
From the walls, thousands of arrows fell like a black locust swarm, striking shields with a metallic *thwack*. Soldiers fell, screams swallowed by the chaos of battle.
Behind the lines, siege engines were hauled into place with all the strength of men.
Xu Chu shouted: “Fire!”
Massive stones hurtled through the air, smashing battlements and walls. Bricks shattered, debris flew—each impact sending tremors through the defenders. Some stones breached the walls, wreaking havoc inside.
Under the arrow storm, the first wave of Cao troops reached the wall’s base. Ladders were raised and hooked with a *click*. Soldiers bit down on their rings and began the perilous climb.
Defenders pushed ladders aside with long spears, or rolled logs and stones down. Falling debris crushed soldiers, screams echoing as men tumbled to their deaths. Hot oil and molten metal were poured, burning flesh and creating a horrid stench.
At the foot of the wall, bodies piled up, blood soaking the mud. Waves of attackers were repeatedly smashed back, yet the relentless drumbeats drove them onward, stepping over comrades’ corpses.
Under the blazing sun, the fight reached its cruelest stalemate. The walls were stained deep red. Cao forces paused their ranged attacks briefly, attempting to suppress defenders, while Shen Pei inspired his men, executing retreaters and urging them to fight to the death.
Cao Cao observed the heavy casualties and slow progress, frowning. “Shen Pei fights stubbornly. A direct assault is too costly.”
His strategist nodded: “We could send men through tunnels, coordinate inside and outside?”
Cao Cao decisively commanded: “Good! Prepare the soldiers in the tunnels. Xu Chu, organize another assault to draw their attention!”
Inside the city, a scout suddenly pressed himself to the ground, listening. His face turned pale as he ran to Shen Pei: “General! I hear digging underground!”
Shen Pei responded swiftly: “Quick! Dig lateral trenches inside the city to cut off their tunnels! Prepare brushwood and bellows; smoke them out!”
Orders executed, dense smoke poured into the tunnels. Inside came choking and screams. A soldier emerging from a tunnel was struck down by defenders’ arrows, screaming, “Just one step…!”
Simultaneously, defenders counterattacked: “Fire the flaming arrows!” Shen Pei personally commanded, aiming at siege towers and battering rams.
Flaming arrows streaked across the sky; a siege tower tilted, archers falling in terror. Defenders erupted in cheers.
The sun sank like blood. Cao’s assault slowed.
A bloodied young officer staggered back, hoarse: “Report, Chancellor! On the west wall, nearly all men dead—progress impossible!”
Cao Cao stared at the sunset-drenched city; walls deep red with blood. He exhaled, knowing no progress would be made today, and ordered:
“Sound the retreat.”
The crisp clang of the bell echoed. Cao’s forces withdrew like a receding tide.