Chapter 67: The Traitor Cao

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In the first month of the second year of Jian'an, Cao Cao mobilized thirty thousand troops and launched an attack on Nanyang.

At this time, Cao Cao's military strength was truly formidable. Historically, when he first entered Yan Province as the governor of Dong Commandery, he began with only a few thousand men.

However, Baoxin, the governor of Jibei at the time, commanded a considerable force. After Baoxin's death, his troops were absorbed by Cao Cao.

Yu Jin, for example, was then a subordinate of Baoxin; upon Baoxin's demise, he followed Cao Cao.

With Baoxin's forces as his foundation, Cao Cao set ambushes day and night and took the initiative in battle, ultimately defeating the million-strong Yellow Turbans from Qing Province and incorporating them into his own ranks.

Thus, from the initial ten to twenty thousand, he eventually recruited three to four thousand elite Qing Province Yellow Turbans, forming a solid core force.

After establishing his capital at Xuchang, he crushed the remaining Yellow Turbans in Runan to the east and suppressed bandits across the land, relocating a large population to settle and farm.

With the food crisis initially resolved, Cao Cao reorganized his troops, eliminated the old and weak, and entrusted Yu Jin with training elite soldiers. Now, he commanded over fifty thousand seasoned troops—a powerful force.

In truth, Xu City was now thriving. After Liu Xie moved east, many aristocratic families flocked to Xuchang, giving Cao Cao a vast base of support and bringing in supplies, greatly enriching the national treasury.

With troops, provisions, weapons, and funds, he could now wage war once more. This time, he deployed his entire force, fearing that Liu Biao might send troops to assist Zhang Xiu, determined to go all out.

By late January, Cao Cao's army reached Ye County. Yingchuan was but a stone's throw from Nanyang, and after preparing supplies and baggage, he advanced to the gateway of Nanyang in just two days.

Only at this point did Zhang Xiu realize Cao Cao was invading, becoming deeply unsettled. After all, his strength paled in comparison to Cao Cao's, so he immediately summoned Jia Xu to discuss strategies for dealing with the enemy.

Inside the main hall of the governor's mansion in Wan City, Zhang Xiu paced anxiously. After a while, an elderly man in his fifties slowly entered from outside.

His features were lean, his figure tall, a goat's beard on his chin, and his eyes shone bright, suggesting keen intelligence.

Seeing him enter, Zhang Xiu hurried forward to greet him, saying, "Uncle, you have finally arrived. Please, sit down."

Historically, Zhang Xiu treated Jia Xu with the respect of a grandson, holding him in high esteem.

After entering, Jia Xu sat to the side and asked, "General, you summoned me—what is the matter?"

Zhang Xiu, his face worried, replied, "Cao Cao has mobilized tens of thousands of troops to attack Nanyang. I wish to ask, Uncle, how should I deal with him?"

Jia Xu frowned slightly, then relaxed and said, "General, it would be better to submit to Lord Cao."

Zhang Xiu was shocked. "How could it come to that?"

Jia Xu replied, "Do you believe that, with Nanyang's forces, you can prevail against Cao Cao?"

"Well..."

Zhang Xiu hesitated. "I'm afraid not."

Jia Xu continued, "What if you invite Liu Biao to assist?"

Zhang Xiu sneered, "Liu Biao's troops are all show and no substance. In open battle, my eight thousand Xiliang veterans could defeat his twenty or thirty thousand."

Jia Xu asked, "How do you compare to Lü Bu?"

"Not as good."

"Lü Bu, unmatched in valor, was still defeated by Lord Cao. Now he welcomes the Emperor, and the realm is drawn to him. Truly, you should submit."

"Is that so?"

Zhang Xiu pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded. "Uncle, you are right. Perhaps I should indeed surrender to Cao Cao. I will write a letter immediately and request to submit."

"Excellent," Jia Xu praised.

Without delay, Zhang Xiu wrote a letter of surrender and sent it to Cao Cao.

A day later, Cao Cao's army reached the vicinity of Bowang County. As dusk fell, he decided to camp by the Yu River at Bowang, gathering his generals to discuss the next day's assault on Wan City.

It must be understood that thirty thousand troops was no small number. The vast swathes of tents covered both banks of the Yu River, banners fluttering and obscuring the sky, stretching as far as the eye could see.

The generals, summoned by Cao Cao, entered his command tent one by one and took their places on either side.

He had brought few generals on this campaign. Aside from his personal bodyguard Dian Wei, there was Cao Hong, Cao Ren, Yu Jin, Le Jin, his eldest son Cao Ang, his nephew Cao Anmin, and Li Tong as the General of Vigorous Might stationed at Ye County for support.

In fact, Cao Cao now had many generals and strategists, but the territory was vast and required defense in many places. Thus, Xiahou Dun was appointed Prefect of Henan, stationed near Luoyang to guard against Yuan Shao.

Xiahou Yuan served as the governor of Yingchuan, controlling the rear stronghold. Cheng Yu was governor of Ji Yin, overseeing Yan Province. Lü Qian was governor of Mount Tai, defending against enemies from Qing Province and Shandong.

In addition, after Cao Cao defeated Yang Feng last year, Xu Huang surrendered to him.

But as a surrendered general, his status was not high for now. It would not be until the third year of Jian'an, when Cao Cao campaigned against Lü Bu and Xu Huang distinguished himself by breaking through Fuyang and Yuanwu, that he would be appointed as Assistant General.

There was also Xun You.

Xun You had previously been governor of Shu Commandery, but the chaos at the end of the Han meant roads were blocked, so he remained in Jingnan. Last year, Cao Cao wrote to him, summoning him to Xuchang and appointing him governor of Runan, to govern the county alongside Li Tong and Liu Bei.

Before Cao Cao obtained Liu Xie, there were only a dozen or so civil and military officers. But after Liu Xie arrived, the strength expanded rapidly overnight, as many renowned figures came to join him, making his ranks abundant with talent.

Wang Lang, Kong Rong, Du Xi, Zhao Yan, Xun You, Guo Jia, Li Tong, Xu Chu, and others had all come to Cao Cao after he welcomed the Emperor, from late 196 to 198 AD.

This shows how much benefit Liu Xie, that golden signboard, brought to Cao Cao.

Yet, in military matters, Cao Cao still trusted the Xiahou and Cao clans most. Thus, Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan each guarded Henan and Yingchuan, while Cao Hong and Cao Ren stayed by his side to command the army.

Almost all forces were under the control of the Cao and Xiahou clans. As for generals from other families, only Yu Jin commanded an independent force, and his rank was below Cao Ren and Cao Hong.

Once everyone was seated, Cao Cao looked around and said, "Gentlemen, tomorrow we attack Wan City. But to prevent Liu Biao from sending reinforcements, I plan to have Cao Hong attack Huyang to the south and Le Jin attack Anzhong to cut off Liu Biao's support. What do you think?"

Cao Ren unconsciously touched his missing ear and stood up. "Minister, I heard the Deng and Shen clans have moved to the Xinye area. I wish to lead troops to attack Xinye."

Privately, he would call Cao Cao elder brother, but in the army, he used his official title, as Cao Cao insisted, to avoid special treatment.

Cao Cao pondered, "Xinye is very close to Xiangyang. If Liu Biao comes, it may be difficult to deal with."

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"Liu Biao neglects military affairs. I do not fear him!" Cao Ren declared solemnly.

Cao Cao thought for a moment, knowing this was a lingering issue for Cao Ren, and nodded. "Very well, do as you wish. But be careful—scout first and act only then. Do not act rashly."

"Understood!"

Cao Ren sat down, his heart filled with joy and anger as he recalled the humiliation Shen Chen had inflicted upon him.

Although he had acted under Cao Cao’s orders to ambush Huangmen Pavilion and had encountered Liu Bei, barely escaping with his life, his greatest anger was not at nearly dying or losing his ear, but at being outwitted by a child.

Failing the task Cao Cao gave him left him with a deep sense of frustration.

More importantly, he could not avenge himself on Liu Bei.

The one who cut off his ear was Zhao Yun. Zhao Yun's elder brother died two years prior, so Zhao Yun had left Liu Bei and returned to Zhongshan.

At the end of last year, after Liu Bei arrived in Xu City, Liu Xie entrusted him with great responsibilities and entered him into the imperial genealogy, naming him “Imperial Uncle.”

As a result, Liu Bei’s political status soared, and with Cao Cao and Liu Xie unable to openly oppose each other for the time being, Cao Cao could not kill Liu Bei over Cao Ren’s ear and risk angering Liu Xie.

So the matter had to be set aside.

But the failed mission and the lost ear were constant reminders of his defeat, and this time he was determined to wash away the humiliation at Huangmen Pavilion with blood.

Seeing Cao Ren happy, Cao Cao turned to Cao Ang and Cao Anmin. "Zi Xiu, Anmin, tomorrow you will accompany me and observe the battle outside the city."

"Yes, Father (Uncle)."

Both bowed in response.

Bringing Cao Ang and Cao Anmin was part of their training.

Cao Ang was intended as his heir, while Cao Anmin could assist him. Ultimately, the Cao clan was whom Cao Cao trusted most.

With everything arranged, Cao Cao assigned night watch duties and dismissed the meeting, letting the officers attend to their tasks.

Before dawn the next day, Cao Ang’s voice called outside Cao Cao’s tent.

“Father, Father!”

Hearing this, Cao Cao rose, still drowsy. Had it been a mere attendant, he would have been angry to be awakened, but it was Cao Ang, so he said, “Zi Xiu, come in.”

“Father, great news!” Cao Ang hurried in, carrying a roll of bamboo slips. “Zhang Xiu has surrendered!”

“Oh?” Cao Cao was surprised. “Is this true?”

“Here is his letter of surrender.” Cao Ang handed him the bamboo slips. “Zhang Xiu is waiting for us outside Wan City.”

“Ha ha ha ha!” Cao Cao read the letter and laughed. “A wise man adapts to the times! Give the order to the army—we march at once and set up camp outside Wan City before cooking.”

“Understood.” Cao Ang went to relay the command.

Soon, after changing from his silk nightwear to a black silk robe, Cao Cao emerged from his tent to find the army ready to move.

Dian Wei, eight feet tall and massive, stood outside like a door god. Seeing Cao Cao, he bowed low. “Minister.”

“Mm.” Cao Cao nodded. “Have the tents packed and move out for Wan City.”

“Yes.”

Dian Wei obeyed.

The thirty thousand men were divided among Cao Ren, Cao Hong, and Yu Jin, each commanding several thousand, with the rest under Cao Cao himself.

Aside from Le Jin, mid- and junior-level officers included Han Hao, Shi Huan, Zao Zhi, Li Zheng, and his guards Cao Chun and Cao Xiu, together controlling about fifteen thousand troops.

Upon receiving orders, the troops broke camp and departed.

Bowang was close to Wan City; by midday, they reached Xiyangju on the northern bank of the Yu River.

The site, near a river bend, was once a village—perfect for an army encampment.

Cao Cao ordered the troops to camp there.

At that moment, Zhang Xiu, accompanied by his generals and Jia Xu, came out of the city to surrender, arriving at the Cao camp.

Zhang Xiu’s surrender was sincere: he stationed his troops to the west of the city, brought all his officers with him, effectively placing his life in Cao Cao’s hands.

Cao Cao was very pleased. It was early spring, with biting winds. The Cao army had not yet built their camp, only some tents.

Cao Cao, with Dian Wei, Cao Ang, and Cao Anmin, sat on horseback on a small hill outside the camp, guarded by hundreds of close guards. From afar, he saw Zhang Xiu and more than ten officers approaching.

As they drew near, Cao soldiers led them to the foot of the hill. Cao Cao dismounted and walked down, as Zhang Xiu knelt in greeting: “Xiu greets Lord Cao; I beg your forgiveness.”

“Ha ha ha ha!” Cao Cao laughed, stepping forward to help Zhang Xiu up. “General, it is a great fortune that you have chosen to surrender—there is nothing to forgive.”

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Zhang Xiu quickly said, “I have stationed my troops west of the city, Lord Cao. You may bring your soldiers into Wan City to rest.”

“Very well.” Cao Cao nodded, mounted his horse again, and ordered his troops into Wan City.

Though Wan City was the administrative center of Nanyang, years of war had left it somewhat dilapidated, and it could not accommodate many soldiers. Cao Cao brought only five thousand men, enough to control the four gates.

Upon entering, he found no Zhang Xiu troops within. Once the city was fully under his control, he felt at ease and went with Zhang Xiu and Jia Xu to the governor’s mansion.

The mansion’s gates were open, and the entire household awaited Cao Cao’s arrival. The group quickly reached the entrance and dismounted one by one.

Cao Cao looked up at the Nanyang governor’s mansion, encircled by walls, with red gates and high courtyards, the ground paved with blue stone slabs.

Though the residence was luxurious, the beams and walls still bore scars from axes and blades, and the stone slabs showed traces of old, dried blood.

Since the Yellow Turban Rebellion, Wan City had seen repeated warfare. The battered history had brought endless turmoil to this city.

“For a general to turn his heart to the court, it is a blessing for the general, the people, and the court,” Cao Cao sincerely remarked, taking Zhang Xiu’s hand and patting it gently.

Had Zhang Xiu not chosen to surrender, Wan City might have faced another catastrophe today; countless soldiers and townsfolk would have died.

Zhang Xiu quickly replied, “It is only because Lord Cao is broad-minded and willing to accept those of us without homes. We are deeply grateful.”

“Yes,” Hu Che’er spoke loudly, “We do not wish to fight—it is only out of necessity.”

Cao Cao’s eyes lit up at Hu Che’er, whose physique was as imposing as Dian Wei’s, stirring his appreciation for talent. “Who are you?” he asked.

Zhang Xiu smiled and introduced, “This is Hu Che’er, a mighty warrior in my army, famed for his strength and courage.”

“Such a hero deserves reward,” Cao Cao said, signaling for a tray of gold, which he handed to Hu Che’er. “This gold is for you.”

“This...” Hu Che’er glanced at Zhang Xiu. Seeing no expression, he accepted, saying, “Thank you, Minister.”

“Ha ha ha ha!” Cao Cao patted Hu Che’er’s hand and turned to enter the mansion.

Inside, the mansion was crowded with family and servants, all coming out to greet Cao Cao.

It was customary at the time: when welcoming an honored guest, the whole household assembled.

The foremost was a woman, who stooped in a half-bow and said, “Greetings, Minister.”

“Greetings, Minister,” echoed Zhang Xiu’s family and servants.

Standing at the front was the woman, flanked by other women and several children, both boys and girls.

Zhang Xiu said, “Minister, this is my aunt, and here are my wife and children.”

Cao Cao waved his hand. “Yes, rise.”

He proceeded inside.

According to custom, the household would part to let Cao Cao pass, with the host leading him to the hall for discussion, while family and servants returned to the rear courtyard.

They did so.

The woman, head lowered, stepped aside and retreated, rising as she moved backward.

As Cao Cao passed her, his peripheral vision caught sight of her.

Just a glance.

Then...

He quickly turned his head, scrutinizing her intently.

She was around twenty-seven or twenty-eight, with a face of rare beauty and a figure to match.

Her curves were full where they should be, slender where they ought, and her hips were well-rounded...

What a lovely woman, Cao Cao thought.

The woman, seeing Cao Cao glance her way, assumed it was a gesture and bowed slightly, leading Zhang Xiu’s children toward the back.

Cao Cao watched her departing figure, lost in thought.

I like her.

He mused to himself.