Written in 200, before the Battle of Guandu (
官渡之战), it denounces
曹操's crimes and mocks his descent from a palace eunuch. After
袁绍's defeat, Cao Cao asked
陈琳 why he had insulted his ancestors; Chen Lin replied that an arrow on the bowstring has to fly, the origin of
箭在弦上. Cao Cao pardoned him and took him into his service.