According to historical records

Cao Cao tried to assassinate Dong Zhuo, fled to the pass, and was stopped by Chen Gong. Chen Gong admired Cao Cao's heroism and ran away with him.

When he fled to Cao Cao's father's old friend's house to rest, he suspected that the old friend's house would kill him and call the police to kill his whole family.

Chen Gong asked him, and he said I would rather be negative than negative.