Wubei Zhi (Vol. 11)

"...taking resources from the common people original: zhengshu, the 'steaming multitudes' while their bones lie bleached upon the open plains. I have yet to hear of the Royal Army inquiring after local customs or rescuing the people from their misery original: tutan, literally 'mud and charcoal,' a metaphor for extreme suffering. Instead, you have made the counting of soldiers and weapons your first priority. Is this truly what the men and women of this humble province expected of Your Excellency?"

Cao Cao changed his expression and apologized to him. Xu You, however, relied too heavily on his past merits and treated Cao Cao with contempt; Cao Cao ultimately had him executed.

The Supervisor of Danyang, Gui Lan, and the Assistant, Dai Yuan, murdered the Governor, Sun Yi a younger brother of the warlord Sun Quan. Gui Lan intended to force Sun Yi’s widow, Lady Xu, to marry him. Lady Xu deceived him, saying, "I beg you to wait until the last day of the month. Once I have performed the sacrificial rites and removed my mourning garments, I shall obey your command."

Secretly, she sent a trusted confidant to speak with Sun Yi’s former generals, Sun Gao and Fu Ying, to plot against Gui Lan. Sun Gao and Fu Ying wept as they gave their word. They secretly summoned over twenty of those who had served and been cared for by Sun Yi, swearing an oath to carry out the plan. On the last day of the month, after the sacrifice was performed, Lady Xu wept with profound grief. When she finished, she removed her mourning clothes, perfumed herself, bathed, and spoke with smiles and joy. Gui Lan was delighted and no longer harbored any suspicion. Lady Xu then called for Sun Gao and Fu Ying to hide behind the doors and sent a messenger to summon