Battle of Xiapi - Aftermath

Aftermath

After surrendering, Lü Bu was tightly bound and brought before Cao Cao. Lü Bu then expressed his willingness to pledge allegiance to Cao Cao and help Cao pacify the empire. Cao Cao was slightly convinced to accept Lü Bu as he ordered Lü Bu's bonds to be loosened. Just then, Liu Bei reminded Cao Cao that Lü Bu cannot be trusted, using the fates of Ding Yuan and Dong Zhuo as examples to justify this point, and Cao Cao came to a sudden realization. At this time, Cao Cao guards surrounding Gao Shun hustled him in front of Cao Cao. Gao Shun showing no fear nor resistance, Cao Cao asked him "Anything to say?" Not wishing to join Cao Cao, Gao Shun remained silent and accepted his fate. He then turned to Chen Gong and asked Chen to surrender, but Chen stubbornly refused and requested to be executed immediately. Unable to control his tears anymore, Cao Cao promised Chen Gong that he would take good care of his mother and family. He then ordered Chen Gong and Gao Shun to be executed and Lü Bu executed by hanging and sent their severed heads to Xuchang to be buried.

Cao Cao accepted Zhang Liao, Chen Qun and others who previously served Lü Bu, and appointed them as generals or officials under him. Other minor warlords such as Zang Ba, Sun Guan (孫觀), Wu Dun (吳敦), Yin Li, and Chang Xi (昌豨) who used to side with Lü Bu also surrendered to Cao Cao, and he put them in charge of various commanderies along the coastline.

With the end of the Battle of Xiapi, Cao Cao completely eliminated the threat posed by Lü Bu. The following year, Liu Bei broke ties with Cao Cao and seized control of Xu Province after killing Che Zhou (車冑), but Cao Cao quickly defeated Liu and regained control of the province. With Xu Province now firmly in his control, Cao Cao no longer had any impending threats on his home base in Yan and Yu provinces. This became an advantage to Cao Cao in the subsequent Battle of Guandu in 200 against Yuan Shao.