Deserting in Disillusionment
Chen Gong was an important early strategist under Cao Cao, helping him win Yan province, but after witnessing Cao Cao bathe Xu province in blood to avenge his father and slaughter the innocent, he lost all faith in his character, and while Cao Cao campaigned east he joined Zhang Miao in welcoming Lü Bu to take over Yan province, breaking openly with Cao Cao. This betrayal born of a clash of values, utterly unlike a self-serving desertion, gives his figure a special pathos in the novel.
Going Proudly to His Death
When Xiapi fell and Chen Gong was captured, Cao Cao, mindful of old friendship, wished to keep him and asked, "Gongtai, what do you mean to do about your old mother, wife, and children today?" — trying to shake him with his family’s lives. Chen Gong answered calmly, "one who governs the realm by filial piety does not harm another’s kin; I trust the Chancellor will not trouble them," then stretched out his neck to the blade and went composedly to his death. Cao Cao did afterward treat his family well — this exchange is one of the rare scenes in the Three Kingdoms where opposed sides each keep their dignity.