Chapter 73: Wei the Martial Raises His Whip

February 4th. As Cao Ren was preparing to set out for Huangmen Pavilion, Cao Cao, too, could no longer restrain himself.

Ever since meeting Lady Zou that day, Cao Cao had thought of her night and day. Yet, having just subdued Zhang Xiu, he dared not immediately make a move against his family, lest trouble arise; thus, he had forcibly curbed his desire. But after seven or eight days—having already spent some time in Wancheng—by the fourth of February, Cao Cao, drunk to a stupor within the city, staggered out of the residence.

Accompanied by Cao Anmin, Dian Wei, and others, Cao Cao, flushed with wine and burning with restless desire, asked, “Are there any courtesans in this city?”

Cao Anmin immediately grasped his meaning and hurried forward, saying, “Uncle, yesterday as I passed by the street, I glimpsed, beside a lodge, a most beautiful woman—she seemed to be that very Lady Zou.”

“Oh?” At once, Cao Cao recalled the beautiful woman he had seen at the residence’s gate days ago; desire seized him, and he urged, “Take me to her at once.”

Dian Wei tried to dissuade him, “My lord, Lady Zou is Zhang Ji’s widow—Zhang Ji was Zhang Xiu’s uncle, and having passed away only recently, I fear—”

Cao Cao brushed aside Dian Wei’s supporting hand and snorted coldly, “What of Zhang Xiu? A defeated general dares show temper before me? Anmin, take me there at once.”

“Yes, uncle.” Cao Anmin supported Cao Cao, followed by Dian Wei and fifty armored guards, as they made their way to Lady Zou’s residence.

After Zhang Xiu surrendered to Cao Cao, he had vacated the Nanyang Prefect’s residence for Cao Cao’s use, moving his family elsewhere. Lady Zou, being an elder, lived alone in a courtyard with several maids attending her.

In that era, it was common for women to appear in public; it was not until later Confucian restrictions in the Southern Song that women were kept behind closed doors. Thus, when Lady Zou went out, she happened to be seen by Cao Anmin.

The group arrived outside Lady Zou’s courtyard and knocked; a maid opened the door, saw Cao Cao, and hurried inside to call her mistress. Lady Zou quickly came out to greet him.

“Your humble servant greets the general,” said Lady Zou, kneeling in haste as Cao Cao entered the courtyard.

“Please rise, madam.” Cao Cao’s gaze was stern. He glanced around at the soldiers watching and, after a moment’s hesitation, asked, “Does madam recognize me?”

Lady Zou hesitated, her reluctance plain, and replied, “Your reputation has long been known to me, general; today I am honored to meet you.”

“Mm.” Cao Cao narrowed his eyes, studying her like prey, and said in a calm tone, “It was for you, madam, that I accepted Zhang Xiu’s surrender; otherwise, his clan would have been destroyed.”

Lady Zou trembled, forced a smile, and bowed once more. “I am deeply grateful for the general’s mercy.”

“To see you today is heaven’s blessing,” Cao Cao nodded. Glancing about, he suddenly stepped forward, came beside Lady Zou, his face close to hers, inhaled her fragrance, and asked in a low voice, “Would madam be willing to share my bed this night?”

The soldiers around pretended not to hear, eyes fixed ahead. Dian Wei’s face twitched, and he turned his head, unable to bear the sight. Only Cao Anmin—long familiar with his uncle’s ways—looked up at the sky, all but whistling to show it was none of his business.

To barge into someone’s residence with fifty armored guards, then threaten a defenseless woman, saying her family would be annihilated if not for her, and finally to shamelessly demand she sleep with him—anyone with a shred of decency would know this was humiliation, plain and simple.

Lady Zou, indeed, was frightened. Her face showed distress, tears glimmering in her eyes; for a widow, such a request was the greatest disgrace. Yet, remembering Cao Cao’s threats, after a moment’s hesitation, she choked back her sobs and replied, “To serve the general is my greatest fortune.”

Cao Cao burst into hearty laughter, seized her, and led her inside to consummate his desire.

Dian Wei and Cao Anmin hurried to have the soldiers seal off the courtyard; even Cao Anmin withdrew, leaving only Dian Wei on guard inside, eyes wide open, ensuring Cao Cao’s pleasure was undisturbed. Though reluctant to eavesdrop, he could not help but overhear the sounds, his face burning with embarrassment, pacing the courtyard and lifting millstones for distraction.

Meanwhile, Cao Cao did not know that as he drunkenly stormed into Lady Zou’s quarters, one of her maids had already slipped out the back, rushing to inform Zhang Xiu.

“What?” In the Xiliang army camp, upon hearing the maid’s report, Zhang Xiu flew into a rage. Without consulting Jia Xu, he mounted and charged into the city with his cavalry.

Soon, he arrived at the courtyard. Cao Anmin, seeing his fierce approach, ordered the guards to block him. “Halt!” he shouted.

“Who makes such a commotion?” Dian Wei strode outside, his gaze cold and piercing as he looked at Zhang Xiu, hand on his weapon.

Zhang Xiu, seeing the city filled with Cao Cao’s soldiers and the redoubtable Dian Wei present, instantly calmed himself. He dismounted, forced a smile, and said, “Generals, what brings you here? This is my aunt’s residence—I have come to pay my respects.”

Now, both Cao Anmin and Dian Wei looked uneasy. He had come to greet his elder, but she was at that moment with Cao Cao inside—the shame of it was unspeakable.

“This… this…” They stammered, and after a moment’s silence, Cao Anmin found an excuse. “The Minister is currently discussing important matters with Lady Zou.”

Zhang Xiu pressed, “If the matter concerns my aunt, surely it involves me as well—why was I not summoned?”

“Er…” Cao Anmin fumbled, “It… it does not concern the general directly.”

Zhang Xiu glared at him. “My aunt is my uncle’s widow. If Lord Cao seeks her counsel, it must be about my uncle or me. What else could it possibly be?”

Cornered, Cao Anmin snorted, “Whatever Lord Cao discusses with the lady, what business is it of yours? You are but a defeated general—better mind your own affairs.”

“Outrageous!” Zhang Xiu’s temper flared, and he moved to force his way in.

Dian Wei, his massive form looming, stepped forward like a mountain, exerting tremendous pressure. Though Zhang Xiu was no weakling—his martial prowess ranked above average, his stature tall and imposing—compared to the nearly two-meter-tall, muscle-bound Dian Wei, the six-foot Zhang Xiu seemed like a child, all intimidation lost.

Seeing Dian Wei advance, Zhang Xiu’s heart quailed, but he refused to show fear. He snorted coldly, “I will not let this matter rest,” then turned and rode away.

After his departure, about half an hour later, Cao Cao emerged from the house, refreshed, clothing neat.

By then, Dian Wei had re-entered the courtyard. Cao Cao asked, “What happened just now? I heard some commotion outside.”

Dian Wei recounted the incident, ending with, “My lord, from Zhang Xiu’s reaction, I fear…”

“Hmm?” Cao Cao’s eyes narrowed, and he sneered, “That defeated general dares threaten me? In a few days, find a pretext and kill him.”

“As you command,” Dian Wei replied.

Cao Cao glanced back at the residence, savoring the memory of his recent pleasure, his desire rising anew. “Wait outside,” he ordered.

Dian Wei, knowing full well his intent, withdrew once more.

When he had left, Cao Cao returned to the room, where Lady Zou lay curled in her bedding. Grinning, he slipped in beside her.

He did not know that, as he spoke to Dian Wei in the courtyard, Lady Zou had hidden in the vestibule to listen. She heard clearly Cao Cao’s intention to kill Zhang Xiu in a few days.

Now, as Cao Cao re-entered, she feigned ignorance. “What was the commotion outside? Why so noisy?”

Cao Cao waved it off. “No matter. Zhang Xiu merely came to make a fuss.”

Lady Zou’s face blanched, and she wept, “Zhang Xiu knows of this? I am his aunt by marriage—now my shame is exposed, how can I face the world?”

“Er…” Though he wished to continue, seeing her tears, Cao Cao hastened to comfort her. “It’s nothing—he only suspects, he does not know. My nephew has sent him away. I’ll simply say I summoned you for consultation.”

Lady Zou wiped her tears. “So be it. But should you visit often, Zhang Xiu will grow suspicious, and others may gossip—I shall have no face left.”

Cao Cao considered, then said, “Tomorrow, let us leave the city and stay in the camp. We’ll claim you’ve returned to Xiliang. What do you think?”

“That is best,” Lady Zou agreed, and once more they were entwined.

After several rounds, with liquor and exhaustion taking their toll, Cao Cao fell into a deep sleep. Lady Zou ordered her maid to slip out the back, under pretext of shopping, to inform Zhang Xiu.

For Lady Zou, Cao Cao’s actions were an utter humiliation; forced by circumstance, she had no choice. Yet, hearing Cao Cao’s plot to kill Zhang Xiu, she resolved to warn him.

Zhang Xiu, having returned to his camp, vented his fury by smashing everything in sight.

Jia Xu, upon hearing, hurried over. Entering the tent and seeing the chaos, he asked, “General, what has happened?”

“Uncle, am I to suffer such humiliation in silence?” Zhang Xiu kicked over the table, seething with rage.

Jia Xu tried to calm him, “Please, general, restrain your anger.”

“Restrain my anger?” Zhang Xiu roared. “My aunt is defiled—how can I bear it?”

Jia Xu looked troubled. He had not expected Cao Cao to stoop so low—his uncle barely cold in the grave, and already he preyed upon his widow. It was outrageous.

Yet, he had no wish to oppose Cao Cao. Jia Xu, ever self-serving, knew well that to turn against Cao Cao now would be suicide. He sighed, “General, Cao’s army is vast, and we are but a small force. To fight him now is certain death.”

“Is there truly nothing you can do?” Zhang Xiu pleaded. “If we let this pass, how can I call myself a man?”

Jia Xu hesitated. A sudden attack was not impossible, yet he loathed to break with Cao Cao. After all, it was Zhang Xiu’s aunt, not his own.

“Liu Biao!” Zhang Xiu suddenly exclaimed. “What if we write to Liu Biao and ask for aid?”

Jia Xu shook his head with a bitter smile. “Liu Biao is no soldier—his troops were easily routed by you. Can you truly rely on him?”

Zhang Xiu fell silent. Liu Biao had numbers, but only Wen Pin’s force was competent. With equal numbers, or even if outnumbered two to one, thirty thousand Xiliang troops could crush sixty thousand from Jingzhou.

Seeing his mood settle, Jia Xu comforted him, “As the Analects say: ‘A small impatience spoils great plans.’ Better to endure for now—there will be chances for revenge.”

“Damn it!” Zhang Xiu, still seething, drew his sword and hacked at the table.

Just then, a soldier entered the tent. “General, Lady Zou’s maid is here.”

“Send her in!” Zhang Xiu called, eager for news.

The maid entered and bowed. “General.”

“How is my aunt?” Zhang Xiu asked anxiously.

The maid looked troubled. “My lady… my lady…”

“Speak!” Zhang Xiu roared.

Frightened, the maid wailed, “My lady was dishonored by that villain Cao!”

“Cao the traitor!” Zhang Xiu trembled with rage, unable to contain himself.

The maid continued, “My lady also overheard Cao saying to his guard in the courtyard that, because the general spoke disrespectfully, he would find a pretext to have you killed in a few days.”

“What?” Zhang Xiu’s eyes blazed. That villain had violated his aunt and now wished to kill him?

Jia Xu silently cursed—this was disastrous. He had barely managed to placate Zhang Xiu, thinking that with patience, he could eventually secure a post in Cao Cao’s court. Any clear-eyed person could see that, with the emperor as his puppet, Cao Cao’s power was unstoppable; defecting to him was the wisest course. But now, unable to control his desires, Cao Cao had not only violated Zhang Xiu’s aunt but intended to kill him as well. This was…

Jia Xu was at a loss for words. With the secret out, Zhang Xiu and Cao Cao were now mortal enemies, and any hope of reconciliation was gone.

Sure enough, Zhang Xiu glared at Jia Xu like a ravenous tiger. “Uncle, what now?”

Jia Xu let out a long sigh, his tone bitter. “Since it has come to this, we must strike first. If we do not slay Cao Cao in this battle, disaster will follow.”

Zhang Xiu was overjoyed. “Then I beg your guidance, uncle.”

Jia Xu hesitated briefly, then approached Zhang Xiu and whispered in his ear, “Once Cao Cao senses your hatred, he will surely flee to his camp. It will be difficult to strike then. Only a surprise attack on his camp will succeed—but Dian Wei is formidable, and killing Cao Cao will not be easy. This is how we must proceed…”

Zhang Xiu nodded, a cruel smile on his lips. “I understand, uncle. This time, I must have Cao’s head to ease the hatred in my heart.”