Xuande's Relief of Beihai

Xuande’s relief of Beihai turns Kong Rong’s isolated city from a besieged stronghold into the starting point of a broader alliance against Cao Cao’s campaign in Xuzhou. The rescue hinges on Taishi Ci’s daring ride to summon help and on Xuande’s decision to answer the appeal, even though he has no personal quarrel with Cao Cao.

Background and Appeal

The rescue is set in motion when Mi Zhu recommends that Tao Qian seek support from two neighboring governors: Kong Rong at Beihai and Tian Kai in Qingzhou. Mi Zhu himself goes to plead with Kong Rong. Known for generosity, he has earned a reputation for helping those in need; his standing gives weight to the appeal, though Kong Rong must still decide whether to intervene. He has no personal animosity toward Cao Cao and recognizes that taking him on could be dangerous.

Kong Rong’s hesitation becomes urgent when a large Yellow Headband force appears outside Beihai, ravages the surrounding area, and demands food on pain of attacking the city. The rebels then lay siege, cutting off assistance. While Kong Rong watches the situation worsen, Taishi Ci arrives alone, fighting his way through the besiegers to reach the gate. He explains that Kong Rong had shown kindness to his mother, who sent him to help when she heard the city was under siege. His arrival brings both a capable warrior and a personal expression of gratitude into the crisis.

Breaking the Siege

Taishi Ci initially proposes taking a thousand men to attack the rebels. Kong Rong instead identifies a way to bring a larger force to their aid: Xuande is nearby at Pingyuan and has a reputation as a great hero. Taishi Ci volunteers to carry Kong Rong’s message. He rides out through the besieging force, slays many pursuers, and continues toward Xuande’s base until the rest abandon the chase.

Xuande answers the appeal with Zhang Fei and Guan Yu, accompanied by three thousand warriors. At Beihai, the scale of the rebel force does not prevent the rescuers from making a direct assault. Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Taishi Ci charge toward the city gate, while Xuande leads the main divisions against the rest of the army. The combined attack throws the rebels into confusion and sends them fleeing; the siege is lifted and the city is relieved.

From Rescue to Wider Commitment

Once Beihai is secure, Kong Rong asks Xuande to join him in supporting Tao Qian and opposing Cao Cao’s destructive invasion of Xuzhou. Xuande initially raises the same concern that had troubled Kong Rong: he has no personal dispute with Cao Cao. Kong Rong, now convinced that the invasion must be resisted, persuades him to come to the province’s aid.

Xuande gives his word to join Kong Rong, then returns to his base to recruit additional men, including Zhao Zilong. When he later joins the others at Xuzhou, he proposes making one final appeal to Cao Cao: the killing of Cao Cao’s family, he argues, had nothing to do with Tao Qian. The relief of Beihai thus changes the scope of Xuande’s involvement. What begins as an answer to a city under siege becomes a commitment to stand with Tao Qian against Cao Cao, while Xuande still seeks a way to avert further conflict.

Narrative Significance

The episode links military aid to personal obligation and political choice. Taishi Ci acts because Kong Rong once treated his mother kindly; Kong Rong repays that connection by seeking help beyond his own city; and Xuande’s response carries the rescue into the crisis in Xuzhou. The sequence also distinguishes the immediate enemy at Beihai from the larger conflict: the Yellow Headband siege is broken by a coordinated attack, but the successful rescue draws its participants toward a confrontation with Cao Cao that none of the appeals alone can settle.