Chapter 125: Marching on Dongping

Eighteen days after Chen Gong’s visit to Cao Cao—specifically, on the eighth day of the first lunar month in the third year of Chuping (192 AD)—Cao Hong, stationed in Juancheng County, received orders from Cao Cao. The instructions were concise: mobilize the troops on the Lantern Festival, march northeast into the Dongping Kingdom, halt upon encountering the main force of the enemy, establish a camp, and await the arrival of the main army.

In plain terms, this order directed Cao Hong to march on the Lantern Festival and, upon reaching the border between Dong Commandery and the Dongping Kingdom, select a strategic location to entrench himself once he spotted the enemy's main force. Cao Cao left the tactical details of how to handle the enemy once contact was made entirely to Cao Hong’s discretion.

Reading this short directive, Cao Hong sat in the county office with a wry smile. While the order said to stop upon seeing the enemy, he doubted the enemy would grant him the same courtesy. It would be a miracle if the enemy didn't immediately charge upon seeing his mere few thousand men. Although Cao Hong’s troops were well-equipped, facing hundreds of thousands of rebels was a daunting prospect. After all, this rebel force had already defeated a coalition of Yanzhou officials including Zhang Miao, Zhang Chao, Ying Shao, Bao Xin, and Liu Dai; their combat effectiveness could not be underestimated.

Since Cao Cao had provided no guidance on how to defend, whether to engage or hold, or how to conduct such operations, Cao Hong realized that being a general in these times was no simple task. It was no wonder generals were expected to master military classics and possess clever ruses; otherwise, one might find themselves facing certain death.

"I have already studied the *Book of Formations* and the *Tactical Divergence*; I shall adapt as the situation requires!" Cao Hong muttered to bolster his own confidence before calling out, "Summon Master Liu."

The guard acknowledged the order and departed. Soon after, Liu Ye arrived. Cao Hong explained, "My elder brother has ordered us to set out on the Lantern Festival, enter the Dongping Kingdom, locate the enemy’s main force, and establish a camp to await the main army." He then handed Cao Cao’s letter to Liu Ye.

Liu Ye read it and smiled. "The Lord certainly places great trust in General Zilian. Such a simple order, devoid of specific instructions, shows that the Lord believes you are capable of handling this mission independently."

Cao Hong gave a bitter laugh. "Yet I do not know if eight thousand men can stand against hundreds of thousands of rebels."

Liu Ye smiled back. "The General is well-versed in military strategy and naturally knows how to deceive the enemy. As long as we keep the enemy guessing about our true strength, they will not dare to act rashly."

This remark enlightened Cao Hong, who immediately recalled strategies from Sun Tzu’s *Art of War*. Feeling more composed, he laughed, "My brother’s decision to send you here was truly farsighted. Your advice has given me a plan and steadied my nerves."

"I am merely serving as the military supervisor and do not command the three armies," Liu Ye replied modestly. "Naturally, a bystander sees more clearly."

"You are too humble, sir," Cao Hong said. "Could you please help me calculate the provisions required for the cavalry?"

Liu Ye asked, "How many days of rations does the General require?"

Cao Hong pondered for a moment. "At least two months’ worth."

"Understood. I shall go find the County Magistrate and calculate it with him immediately."

Cao Hong bowed, saying, "I leave it to you, sir."

After Liu Ye departed, Cao Hong left the county office and returned to his residence. In the training hall, he had his servants polish his Mingguang armor, horse spear, nameless sword, mulberry wood bow, and goose-feather arrows. He then went to see Sheng Meizhen to inform her that he would soon be leaving to campaign.

After offering words of caution for his safety, Sheng Meizhen suddenly added, "I received a message from my master today. She intends to come to Juancheng soon to build a temple. She hopes to move the entire collection of scriptures from the White Horse Temple here, along with a group of monks. What does my husband think of this?"

Cao Hong thought for a moment before replying, "Many of the prominent families in Juancheng are Buddhists. As a commander under my brother, I cannot arbitrarily grant land for your master’s temple. However, I will have someone lobby the wealthy families to provide the land and funding. The Buddhist tenets—that the sea of suffering is boundless, that one can turn back at any time, and that one can attain Buddhahood by laying down the butcher’s knife—are indeed compelling, especially in these chaotic times. They offer a sense of refuge and can help unify the hearts of the people."

Sheng Meizhen smiled, "I didn't realize my husband knew so much about Buddhist doctrine. We have no Buddhist books in our home."

Cao Hong laughed. How could he not know, coming from an era where Buddhists were as numerous as hair on a cow? Finding such things difficult to explain, he changed the subject: "Meizhen, please tell your master that while building the temple and developing followers is fine, she must ensure that no one uses Buddhism to interfere in government affairs. The Yellow Turban Rebellion began with the mystical Taiping Way; we must learn from that."

Sheng Meizhen nodded. "My master only intends to move the scriptures because Luoyang is leaderless and chaotic; she fears the texts might be destroyed. She is merely fulfilling a promise to the high monks of the White Horse Temple and has no intention of meddling in politics."

"It is not that I suspect your master," Cao Hong clarified, "but I fear that once the temple is established, others might seize control of it. Please advise her to warn those in charge that the Cao army will not tolerate any mysticism or interference in state affairs."

Sheng Meizhen chuckled, "I understand! Rest assured, husband."

Cao Hong smiled and sent word to his neighbor, Sun Boqin, about the upcoming temple project, asking for his assistance. Sun Boqin immediately visited, promising to handle the matter personally. He then asked, "Brother Zilian, forgive my boldness, but are we going to war?"

"How did you know, Brother Boqin?" Cao Hong asked with a smile.

Sun Boqin laughed. "I lived in Jincheng in Liang Province, where there is constant warfare; I naturally recognize the signs. Juancheng usually has only a few hundred soldiers, but now they have expanded to thousands, with over ten thousand laborers, all training rigorously. Most importantly, our families here in Juancheng have been taking in refugees who say the rebels have already reached Dongping."

Cao Hong smiled. "Rest assured, Brother Boqin, they will get no further than Dongping."

Sun Boqin replied, "I have no doubt. Seeing how the Dong Commandery remains orderly and commerce continues despite the rebels being in the neighboring district, I know that your side will surely prevail."

Though it was a bit of flattery, Cao Hong praised him sincerely, "A keen eye!"

After a few more pleasantries, Sun Boqin took his leave. Cao Hong then began to prepare his horses and sharpen his weapons. He sent Cao Xiu’s Tiger and Leopard Cavalry into Dongping in teams of ten, scouting five different routes within a thirty-mile radius of the border to report on the conditions.

Seven days later, Cao Hong led three thousand soldiers, including three hundred from the recruiting camp, fifty of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, and five thousand laborers, out of Juancheng and marched northeast into the Dongping Kingdom to execute Cao Cao’s orders.