Xin Pi

Magistrate of Pingyuan sent as Yuan Tan's envoy: his 'autumn gale sweeps the fallen leaves' analysis turns Cao Cao's army back north. For it, Shen Pei beheads all eighty of his kinsfolk on the wall of Yejun; Xin Pi rides first through the betrayed gate, horsewhips the captured murderer, and begs the Prime Minister for his death.

Referenced in Cao Cao's rebuff of the surrender embassy - 'your brother Xin Pi is in my employ; you had better remain here also' - the offer Xin Ping fatally refuses.

Among the named leaders of the abdication deputation.

Counsels ten years of farming and recruitment before any war — and is dismissed to his face as 'the distorted opinion of a perverted pedant.'

Sent with Sun Li and fifty thousand to assist Cao Zhen, and assigned by Sima Yi to command the Gu Valley entrance with orders to attack suddenly if the enemy come that way.

Reads Sima Yi's mind from two thousand miles away and says so to the throne: 'Sima Yi has no desire to give battle. This memorial is because of the shame put upon the officers by Zhuge Liang's letter. They are all in a rage. He wishes for an edict to pacify them.' Carries the authority ensign and the command not to fight to the River Wei camp, and gets Sima Yi's thanks in almost so many words: 'Noble Sir, you interpreted my own desire correctly!'