Chapter 81: The Battle of Wuyin

“Your Excellency.”

Kuai Liang did not leave. As Liu Biao’s chief advisor, it was only natural for him to remain and discuss matters with his lord.

Seeing Liu Biao’s inquiry, Kuai Liang bowed and said, “I believe now is not the right time to eradicate Cao Cao. If Cao Cao falls, Yuan Shao will likely unify the north.”

“Indeed.”

Liu Biao nodded and replied, “That is precisely my thought. Hence, I refused You Shuo and did not send troops to attack Wuyin. But Zhang Xiu has gone—what will become of him?”

Kuai Liang smiled, “You need not worry, Your Excellency. Cao Cao is no ordinary man. Zhang Xiu has few troops and, without our support, should not be able to take the city.”

“That is well,” Liu Biao said gravely. “Zirou, what do you think our future situation holds? If Cao Cao or Yuan Shao unifies the north, what will become of the Emperor…”

“The Emperor may find himself in peril.”

“Yes, that is what worries me.”

“Your Excellency,” Kuai Liang continued, “a few days ago, word arrived from Shouchun: Yuan Shu has proclaimed himself Emperor. Did you know?”

“Of course,” Liu Biao replied. “I have already sent a letter to Shouchun condemning him and ordered Huang Zu to fortify the river defenses at Jiangxia. If he dares to invade, Yuan Shu will return battered and bloodied.”

Kuai Liang could not help but laugh. “Your Excellency, I mention Yuan Shu’s proclamation not because he might invade Jingzhou.”

“Then what?”

“Do you not find it troubling, Your Excellency, that so many have claimed the imperial title in recent years?”

“What do you mean?”

Liu Biao frowned; the words unsettled him for two reasons. First, as a descendant of the Han, he resented seeing everyone eager to overthrow the dynasty. Second, he himself had entertained such ambitions. In a few years, he would cease to offer tribute, perform imperial rites, and emulate the Emperor’s prerogatives. He had even impeached Liu Yan in Yizhou for similar conduct, only to become guilty of it himself.

Yet Liu Biao lacked the courage to proclaim himself Emperor, daring only to perform acts reserved for the sovereign, but shrinking from the decisive moment. In truth, he had the heart of a thief but not the nerve—coveting, envying, and resenting others who claimed the throne, but unable to seize it himself.

Kuai Liang said, “Today, claimants to the throne are as plentiful as fish crossing the river. Yuan Shu is not the first, nor will he be the last. Now that Cao Cao holds the Emperor, though his power is less than Yuan Shao’s, he commands popular support through legitimate campaigns against rebels. In time, he will surely grow stronger.”

“Have I not, then, released a tiger back to the mountains?” Liu Biao asked. “If Cao Cao grows stronger, the Emperor may suffer.”

Kuai Liang replied, “Whether Cao Cao will harm the Emperor is yet to be seen, but a fierce battle between Cao Cao and Yuan Shao is inevitable.”

“Yes, I agree.” Liu Biao nodded.

“Yuan Shao has not yet broken with Cao Cao because Gongsun Zan remains in the north. Once Gongsun Zan is eliminated, a great war between the two will be unavoidable. Whoever wins will claim all the north.”

Kuai Liang continued, “If Yuan Shao prevails, holding the entire north with a million troops, do you think he will keep the Emperor?”

Liu Biao frowned, “The Yuan clan harbors ambitions beyond the norm.”

“Exactly,” Kuai Liang said. “If Cao Cao wins, the Emperor’s fate may fare no better; even if not deposed, he would remain a puppet at Cao Cao’s mercy. Thus, Your Excellency faces two paths.”

Two paths?

Liu Biao quickly asked, “Which two?”

Kuai Liang answered, “First, establish your own rule. Second, seek allegiance with either Cao Cao or Yuan Shao.”

“Establish my own rule?” Liu Biao weighed the words, licking his lips thoughtfully.

“There are far too many claimants now, and the Han authority wanes by the day. Six years ago, Liu Yan in Yizhou harbored imperial ambitions. Clearly, the various warlords no longer acknowledge the Emperor.”

Kuai Liang said, “Cao Cao’s intention is merely to use the Emperor’s prestige to win the hearts of the people. Otherwise, how could he attack Nanyang? He is defending against us. When the decisive battle comes between Yuan Shao and Cao Cao, Your Excellency must prepare early.”

“Hmm…” Liu Biao nodded deeply, “I understand. Let me think further, let me think…”

He rubbed his temples, his mind a muddled whirl.

Kuai Liang’s purpose today was simple: to urge him to decide between staking his own claim or seeking shelter under another. It was not foresight, but any wise man could see that once Cao Cao controlled the Emperor, his power would grow, and he would dominate Henan and beyond.

Even Ju Shou and Tian Feng, Yuan Shao’s advisors, had urged Yuan Shao to strike first and eliminate Cao Cao, warning of endless trouble if he were allowed to grow stronger. But Yuan Shao, bold in words but timid in action, hesitated and missed his chance.

Yuan Shao was merely waiting for Gongsun Zan’s demise. Once he seized Youzhou and Qingzhou, adding Bingzhou and Jizhou, he would control the four northern provinces. Attacking Cao Cao would be only a matter of time.

Not only Kuai Liang, but even Liu Biao’s attendants, Han Song and Liu Xian, knew this. Later, they too advised Liu Biao to plan ahead and surrender to Cao Cao.

Ultimately, the instability of the Han dynasty and the waning authority of the state were to blame.

Yet Liu Biao, always indecisive, could not make up his mind. He delayed for years, until his own death left the matter unresolved.

He neither surrendered to Cao Cao nor established his own rule. When Cao Cao’s army marched south and the Battle of Red Cliffs erupted, Liu Biao’s power collapsed overnight.

In the end, Liu Qi died in the south of Jingzhou, Liu Cong surrendered to Cao Cao, and Jingzhou fell to the eastern forces.

Procrastination is fatal.

...

...

While Kuai Liang analyzed the situation and Liu Biao continued to delay, far away in Wuyin County, Nanyang, Cao Cao had already received news of Zhang Xiu’s attack.

Liu Biao’s reasoning for not attacking was simple: if Cao Cao died, his power would crumble and Yuan Shao would seize Henan.

Then, the entire north would belong to Yuan Shao, whose strength would become terrifying, and his imperial ambitions would soon follow.

For Liu Biao, a scion of the Han, this was a grave threat. Thus, he tolerated Cao Cao’s rise.

But Zhang Xiu cared nothing for this.

Cao Cao had violated his aunt and plotted his murder; Zhang Xiu had rebelled against Cao Cao and was determined to pursue his vengeance.

Unfortunately, he overestimated his own strength and underestimated Cao Cao’s prowess.

The defeat at Wan was not a military failure, but a disaster caused by Cao Cao’s own moral failings. Once accidental factors were removed, the disparity in power became clear.

Zhang Xiu currently had over eight thousand troops, their morale soaring after their victory at Wan. Cao Cao had the divisions of Yu Jin, Cao Hong, and his own camp, totaling fifteen thousand men.

In numbers, Zhang Xiu was at a disadvantage, but he believed, having recently routed Cao Cao, that his troops were eager and the enemy demoralized.

Thus, he seized the opportunity, hoping to strike Cao Cao.

At Wuyin County, news from Cao Ren and Yue Jin had not yet arrived, but Zhang Xiu’s attack was already known to Cao Cao.

Furious, Cao Cao exclaimed, “Zhang Xiu, the impudent wretch, dares attack again! Where is Zilian?”

“Present!” Cao Hong stepped forward.

“Gather the cavalry and confront them outside the city.”

“As you command.”

“Where is Yu Jin?”

“Present!”

“Exit through the north gate and strike the flank.”

“As you command.”

“Han Hao, Shi Huan, Zao Zhi—you three each take five hundred men and guard the east, west, and north gates. The rest, follow me to the south gate tower.”

“As you command.”

The officers answered in unison.

Soon, Cao Cao himself led his officers to the south city gate.

When he arrived in Nanyang, Cao Cao had thirty thousand elite troops. Yue Jin and Cao Ren each took four to five thousand to attack Huyang and Anzhong, and had not yet returned.

Cao Hong and Yu Jin also each commanded four to five thousand stationed outside, leaving the main camp with just over ten thousand.

Zhang Xiu’s surprise attack caused heavy casualties, and Gan Ning’s reinforcements killed many more.

As a result, only four to five thousand survivors from the main camp were gathered by Cao Hong and Yu Jin, fleeing with Cao Cao to Wuyin.

At this time, the army’s morale was extremely low. Ordinarily, it was unwise to seek a decisive battle.

But Cao Cao needed a victory to revive his troops’ spirits, so he resolved to fight outside the city.

On the south city gate tower, they saw in the distance the dense ranks of the Xiliang army appearing on the horizon.

Over an hour later, they finally reached outside Wuyin. Cao Hong had arrayed his troops outside.

Zhang Xiu rode forward, lance pointed at Cao Hong, and shouted, “Cao Hong, did Cao Cao send you here to die?”

Cao Hong replied coldly, “You, a traitor, dare attack again?”

Zhang Xiu roared, “The thief Cao violated my family and plotted my murder! Is this the conduct of men? I truly wished to join him, but he forced my hand—how could I not rebel?”

“Humph,” sneered Cao Hong, “You Xiliang barbarians are but beasts. My elder took your aunt as a concubine—he honored your family. Yet you are so ungrateful.”

Honor my family? Zhang Xiu laughed in rage. So Cao Cao’s assault was a favor? Was he at fault for rebelling?

Such shamelessness, twisting the truth, such arrogant ugliness—he found it revolting.

Zhang Xiu would waste no more words. He bellowed, “Attack!”

“Attack!”

The Xiliang army thundered in rage and launched their charge.

Zhang Xiu led from the front, the first to charge.

His uncle’s corpse had not yet cooled, his aunt had been wronged—if he did not kill the thief Cao, how could he face his kin?

Cao Hong watched the Xiliang army’s charge with a contemptuous smile.

He spoke truthfully.

Cao Hong never thought his elder brother’s actions were wrong.

Just as he never thought massacring tens of thousands in Xuzhou was wrong.

They were noble families—how could they be compared to commoners?

And Zhang Xiu’s background was lower still—a Xiliang barbarian, unworthy of comparison.

From the start, not one of the Cao clan respected Zhang Xiu.

Just as they never regarded the lowly masses as equals.

Had Shen Chen just crossed over from the future, he would be stunned by the worldview of this era.

But after years of wandering, he was silent.

For this world was as it was, rigid in hierarchy and class.

All modern moral standards were irrelevant to these men of the late Han.

Zhang Fei, from a wealthy family, whipped his soldiers without regard for their dignity.

Gan Ning, from a local gentry, used living men as archery targets, never valuing life.

Cao Cao, from a noble clan, massacred hundreds of thousands in Xuzhou, slaughtered eighty thousand surrendered soldiers of Yuan Shao, “Nine hundred thousand slaughtered—only then is one truly mighty!”

Even the Cao family, among noble clans, was only middling. Even Bian Rang called him “descendant of eunuchs.”

Only those like Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu—descended from three generations of high officials—were the true elite.

Yuan Shao was better, retaining some humanity.

Yuan Shu plundered Yuzhou, Yangzhou, and Xuzhou, leaving the people in misery; for his imperial dream, he starved his own army into rebellion, caring nothing for their lives.

If a modern person crossed over and berated Cao Cao for cruelty and immorality, violating families and robbing tombs, Cao Cao would only be baffled, for he was hardly alone—everyone did it. Why single him out?

Exactly.

When everyone does it, it becomes the norm.

To those noble families, the masses are merely cattle, mere resources.

Even among the powerful, there were grades and ranks.

After gaining power, Cao Cao slaughtered many noble families. Was it few?

As Lu Xun said,

The feudal world was a dark, cannibalistic realm.

The common people were nothing but lambs for the slaughter.

In the eyes of the powerful, they were nothing.

Cao Hong looked upon the charging Xiliang army with contempt, as if viewing a horde of barbaric beasts.

Soon, he raised his long blade and roared, “Attack!”

“Attack!”

The horns sounded, and the drums thundered.

The armies of Cao and Xiliang collided like torrents, and battle raged fiercely.

Cao Cao stood atop the city, surveying the scene. The defenders outside numbered only five thousand.

Yet Cao Hong was disciplined, holding formation without exposing any weakness.

After Zhang Xiu broke into the lines, he headed straight for Cao Hong. The two sides fought desperately amid the chaos, with neither gaining the upper hand.

At that moment, Yu Jin led his troops out from the north gate, moving toward the main battlefield.

After about half an hour, Zhang Xiu and Cao Hong’s armies were entangled, fighting tooth and nail, seemingly fused together in the melee.

“Attack!” Yu Jin beat the drums, and five thousand Cao troops surged from the flank.

On the city wall, Cao Cao immediately ordered, “Open the gates! All troops, attack!”

“As you command!”

The officers responded in unison, opening the gates for a simultaneous assault.

The Xiliang army, caught off guard, was attacked from three sides. In chaos, the clanging of gongs echoed across the battlefield.