I think what you are looking for is Souten Kouro: https://myanimelist.net/anime/5226/Souten_Kouro

It follows the story of Cao Cao rising up from nothing to become a great general.

The nobles did not like him so they tried to keep him down. At some point they gave him a lowly position (gate guard commander) and he got back at them with the curfew. He also stopped most crime with this because most smugglers went through the gate at night.

Because the nobles couldn't visit their mistresses anymore, they sent a member of the royal family through the gate without informing him of the new policy. That member then threathened Cao Cao, who made sure to make an example of him. The royalty did die with Cao Cao remarking he didn't even need that many lashes.

I think what you are looking for is an anime by the name Souten Kouro.

It follows the story of Cao Cao rising up from nothing to become a great general.

The nobles did not like him so they tried to keep him down. At some point they gave him a lowly position (gate guard commander) and he got back at them with the curfew. He also stopped most crime with this because most smugglers went through the gate at night.

Because the nobles couldn't visit their mistresses anymore, they sent a member of the royal family through the gate without informing him of the new policy. That member then threathened Cao Cao, who made sure to make an example of him. The royalty did die with Cao Cao remarking he didn't even need that many lashes.