Wubei Zhi (Vol. 11)

Strategic Analysis: Three Kingdoms, Volume I

Since these men were not his personal enemies, why did he bury them alive?

[Yuan Shao] wore only a simple cloth headwrap and fled on horseback, crossing the Yellow River with a mere eight hundred cavalry. Cao Cao’s pursuit failed to catch him, but Cao captured all of Yuan’s supply trains, maps, books, and precious treasures. As for the remaining soldiers who surrendered, Cao Cao had them all buried alive original: "坑" (kēng). A term for mass execution by burial, often used in ancient Chinese records to describe the ruthless elimination of captured enemy combatants to prevent future rebellion or to save on rations.. From beginning to end, more than 70,000 people were killed.

Zhang Liao and Xiahou Yuan Two of Cao Cao's most prominent generals besieged the rebel Chang Xi at Donghai A coastal commandery in modern-day Shandong. After several months, their provisions were exhausted, and the generals discussed withdrawing the army. Zhang Liao said to Xiahou Yuan:

“Over the past few days, whenever I have ridden past the enemy’s siege lines, Chang Xi has always stared intently at me. Furthermore, the arrows his men fire have become increasingly sparse. This must mean that Chang Xi is wavering in his plans; he is hesitant and therefore not fighting with all his strength. I wish to provoke him into a dialogue; perhaps I can persuade him to surrender.”

He then sent a messenger to tell Chang Xi: "Lord Cao has issued a command and has sent Liao to transmit it to you." As expected, Chang Xi descended from his positions to speak with Zhang Liao. Liao spoke of Lord Cao’s divine martial prowess and how he was using his virtue to embrace the four directions, explaining that those who were the first to submit would receive the greatest rewards. Chang Xi then agreed to surrender. Zhang Liao subsequently ascended Sangong Mountain Three Excellencies Mountain alone to enter Chang Xi's [stronghold]...