Chapter 123: The Young Lord Commands the Troops

Sima Qian’s *Records of the Grand Historian* describes the position of the army overseer as follows: "By obtaining a favored minister of the lord, one who is respected by the state, to oversee the army..."

An army overseer is an individual trusted by the ruler and sent into the military to supervise the generals. This role carries no salary and no official functional duties; its sole purpose is to monitor the commanding general for any unlawful behavior. Whether an army numbers one hundred thousand or ten thousand, the role of the overseer remains the same.

More often than not, the overseer arrives at the army carrying the strategic intent of the commander-in-chief, urging and ensuring that the general follows the prescribed strategy. If the general fails to comply, the overseer is empowered to send reports back to the commander-in-chief. This position exists specifically to check those generals who enjoy playing the trick of "when a general is away in the field, he need not follow the orders of his lord."

Although this check-and-balance system is not always effective, it is better than having none at all. Now that Liu Ye has been sent to serve as Cao Hong’s overseer, it is naturally to ensure that Cao Hong carries out Cao Cao’s strategic intent.

To put it plainly, the vanguard is the advance force, the troops sent ahead to scout the path. They generally travel two or three days ahead of the main army, with the goal of clearing the route of scattered bandits and enemies, eliminating enemy spies, and securing a foothold once they encounter the main enemy force while waiting for the main army to arrive.

Ever since Cao Cao enfeoffed Cao Hong as the Colonel of Eagle-Soaring Might and gave him independent command of an army, Cao Hong knew that Cao Cao intended for him to serve as the vanguard. Currently, he is the only general in the Cao army, besides Cao Cao himself, who commands a regular force of over two thousand men, and the only one authorized to maintain a contingent of laborers.

Given that Liu Ye chose this moment to arrive, it is clear that a major battle will break out soon. Thus, Cao Hong brought up the question that concerned him most: "I wonder how much information you have, sir, regarding the Yellow Turbans of Qing and Xu, and the Black Mountain bandits?"

These were the enemies he was about to face, yet Cao Hong possessed very little information about them.

Liu Ye replied: "The Black Mountain bandits who have moved south are spread across the three provinces of Ji, Bing, and Yan. Because their forces are scattered, their numbers are relatively small. Furthermore, having faced counterattacks from local governors and powerful clans in Yan Province, they are now gasping for breath, likely numbering fewer than one hundred thousand. Originally, the Black Mountain bandits had three main leaders: Bai Rao, Yu Du, and Qi Gu. Now that Qi Gu has led his remaining troops across the Yellow River to flee, only Bai and Yu remain. As for the Yellow Turbans of Qing and Xu, they are quite different. Although this rebel force suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Liu Xuande, who serves under Gongsun BoGui, their strength surged again after merging with the remnants of the Xu Province Yellow Turbans. They now number three hundred thousand. Moreover, they have won consecutive victories in the Battle of Taishan Commandery against Governor Ying Shao, and their morale is high. They must be considered a formidable enemy."

Cao Hong nodded and suddenly smiled: "An army of three hundred thousand should stretch for over ten miles, shouldn't it? And as a motley crowd composed of refugees and outlaws, their marching speed must be sluggish, and their battle formations are likely crude. They may appear to have high morale, but the moment they suffer a setback, I fear they will scatter like birds and beasts."

Liu Ye laughed: "General Zilian is indeed a natural talent for command; you have identified their weaknesses at a single glance."

Cao Hong smiled and said: "I have merely read a few books on military strategy."

Liu Ye intended to ask which books, but as he had little interest in military treatises himself, he swallowed the question and smiled instead: "I wonder how the recruitment is going, General Zilian?"

Cao Hong replied with a smile: "It should be nearing completion." With Taishan in chaos and refugees fleeing westward, they were bound to pass through Daye Marsh. He had provided Shi A with more than enough grain; if he still couldn't recruit men after that, he might as well go die.

Liu Ye said: "Then General Zilian must intensify the training."

Cao Hong remarked: "Naturally." He immediately sent word to Shi A, ordering him to bring whoever he had recruited back to Juancheng at once to begin training. In history, Cao Cao did not begin his campaign against the Qing and Xu Yellow Turbans until the year 192 A.D.—the second year of the Chuping era—which was next year. Cao Hong still had several months to drill his troops.

After sending the order, Cao Hong invited Liu Ye to stay at his residence and presented him with several singing girls gifted to him by the local clans. As expected, Liu Ye began to lead a secluded life.

Five days later, Shi A returned to Juancheng with the troops. Including the three hundred men of the newly recruited camp, he had brought back exactly twenty thousand men. He even claimed that if it weren't for the fact that Cao Hong could only take so many, he could have recruited even more, as the influx of refugees was overwhelming. Hearing that there was grain, everyone scrambled to join. Some small mountain strongholds also surrendered upon hearing the news. In just a few months, Shi A had become a major bandit in the Daye Marsh region. Even the Black Mountain leader Yu Du had sent someone to write him a letter, asking him to join the Black Mountain bandits in heading east to rendezvous with the Qing and Xu Yellow Turbans. Naturally, Shi A refused.

It was no wonder that bandits were so rampant in this era—tens, hundreds, or even hundreds of thousands at a time. It turned out that whoever had the grain was the boss; one could raise a crowd at will. Leaders like Yu Du would simply send letters to every local bandit faction they passed, urging them to follow. This method was actually quite effective, as everyone wanted a stronger patron. It was just that writing to Shi A was a grave mistake.

Among the twenty thousand men were both refugees and bandits from other hills in Daye Marsh. Shi A asked them to join the army, and these men, who were merely looking for a meal, naturally flocked to his side. Besides, being a soldier was better than being a bandit, so most agreed. Shi A specifically selected those who were lone individuals or those who had no ties or disregarded their families, which reduced his concerns.

Once these troops arrived, Cao Hong immediately had them stationed in the open space between the sheep-and-horse walls and the barbican. The various clans of Juancheng, hearing that the army had entered, immediately and voluntarily offered fine wine and wealth to Cao Hong to reward the troops. This harmony between the army and the people left Cao Hong feeling very gratified.

Young Cao Ang, seeing so many people return, was so excited his eyes turned red. During a meal, he asked cautiously: "Uncle... I wonder... how many troops will you take as the vanguard this time?"

Cao Hong replied: "Not many. I am only taking one thousand of my personal guard."

Cao Ang was overjoyed. Only one thousand? That meant there were still four thousand left from the five thousand soldiers under his uncle's command! Currently, the commanders under his uncle were only Wenjia, Qingmang, and Wenlie, followed by me, Cao Zixiu! Heh, perhaps I can lead troops this time! "How many men is Brother Wenjia taking?"

Cao Hong said: "My deputy is capable and hardworking, so he will naturally take two thousand."

Cao Ang's heart sank. Two thousand for him? Two thousand for Uncle Qingmang? And nothing for me? What about the fifty Tiger and Leopard Cavalrymen with Wenlie? But Cao Ang wouldn't give up. He asked: "Then how many are Uncle Qingmang and Wenlie taking?"

Cao Hong replied: "Them? One is taking the three hundred soldiers of the newly recruited camp, and the other is taking the fifty Tiger and Leopard Cavalrymen. There is no change."

Upon hearing this, Cao Ang nearly jumped for joy. Then wouldn't I be able to lead two thousand soldiers? Heh heh! That's great! The young master of the Cao family even hugged his uncle and thanked him profusely.

But a single sentence from Cao Hong shattered all his illusions: "The remaining two thousand men and five thousand laborers will stay behind to guard Juancheng."

"Oh..." Cao Ang was immensely disappointed.

But Cao Hong’s final sentence made his heart burn with excitement once more: "As for the five thousand laborers accompanying the army, Zixiu, you shall lead them."

Laborers! How could he only be leading laborers? Oh well! At least it was five thousand men, which was better than nothing! Cao Ang said loudly: "Thank you, Uncle! This nephew will surely exert all his strength and fight bravely against the enemy!"

Beside them, Sheng Meizhen giggled: "Zixiu, then you must pray to the heavens that the bandits are smart enough to raid the grain supplies, otherwise, you will only be exerting yourself in transporting grain."

Cao Ang’s face turned bright red, leaving him speechless, while the Qiao sisters laughed nearby. Cao Hong smiled slightly and said: "Zixiu, starting tomorrow, go and drill the troops with Wenjia."

"Yes..." Cao Ang clearly lacked enthusiasm.