Chapter Twenty-Four: A Test of Skills

The "Laba Festival" has a long-standing origin. It can be said that ever since human society entered the era of agriculture, this festival has existed. The so-called "twelfth month" refers to the last month of the year, and as the year draws to a close, those who have enjoyed abundance naturally ought to thank the heavens for their blessings. To give thanks is to offer sacrifices, and the eighth day of the twelfth month is the day of such rites. On this day, the court would bestow gifts of wealth upon its civil and military officials, known as the "Laba Bestowal." Over time, this became a significant festival among the common people.

Unlike the New Year, the Laba Festival is typically spent drinking with one’s colleagues, celebrating the wealth created through mutual cooperation and hard work throughout the year. Therefore, when Zhang Miao invited Cao Cao, regardless of his true intentions, he was treating Cao Cao as a comrade, a friend, or even an intimate companion-in-arms.

Twenty-four riders, accompanied by a four-horse carriage, made for a relatively simple entourage. Despite the swirling snow, the official roads were quiet due to the snowfall, and with it being the idle season for farmers, the way was clear. The party traveled swiftly, arriving at Chenliu before nightfall on the seventh day of the twelfth month. This time, Zhang Miao brought along his younger brother Zhang Chao, as well as Zang Hong and Chen Rong—the three "Northern Four Friends"—to greet Cao Cao outside the city, their manner exceedingly courteous. Besides the four, there was another who came to meet Cao Cao. His name was Shi A, styled Qingmang. At a glance, Cao Hong discerned that this man’s abilities were on par with Cao Chun’s, a master at the pinnacle of the art of internal cultivation, just one step away from supreme martial prowess.

When Zhang Miao introduced him, he merely mentioned that Shi A hailed from Luoyang and had studied under the palace’s Sword Sage, Wang Yue, a master swordsman among the Tiger Guards.

Wang Yue was the foremost expert in the palace during the reigns of Emperor Huan and Emperor Ling. Later, amid the conflict between the eunuchs and the imperial relatives, he sided with the former. The influential Yuan family from Runan, supporters of He Jin, enlisted one of the six greatest masters of the world, Fei Changfang of Runan, to kill him. Yuan Shao played a significant role in this affair.

For such a supreme master to take action personally, one can easily imagine the level of skill involved. Shi A, having studied under Wang Yue, naturally possessed unique insights in swordsmanship. He was around thirty, tall and lean—estimated over six feet three inches—with long limbs, carrying a sheathed sword five feet in length and two fingers wide. When Zhang Miao introduced him to Cao Cao, the latter greeted him courteously. Shi A, upon returning the greeting, cast a fleeting, greedy glance at the treasured sword "Lian" on Cao Hong’s back, making Cao Hong snicker inwardly.

Once they had received Cao Cao and his party, Zhang Miao promptly escorted them to the county office, declaring he would host a banquet to welcome them. This time, Zhang Miao was far more cautious in seating arrangements, placing Cao Cao directly opposite Zhang Chao—the first seat to the right, just below Zhang Miao’s main seat and Zhang Chao’s first seat on the left. Cao Hong was given the third seat on the right, beneath Zang Hong and Chen Rong, facing Shi A’s third seat on the left, making him the last among the seven. This was only because he was a clansman of Cao Cao; as for Shi Huan and Liao Hua, they dined with Zhang Miao’s other civil and military officers in another hall.

In this hall, only the seven of them remained. After beautiful maidservants served food and wine, elegantly dressed and alluring songstresses came forth to dance, while musicians played at the side. Zhang Miao was diligent in urging them to drink, and Cao Cao responded with a smile, showing not the slightest displeasure despite being the first to issue the proclamation.

After several rounds of wine, Zhang Miao and Cao Cao discussed the location of the alliance. Zhang Miao said, "Mengde, as your elder brother, I wish to set the site for our alliance of heroes at Suanzao County, east of Hulao Pass. What do you think?"

Cao Cao laughed heartily, replying, "Everything shall be arranged as you see fit, Menzhu!" He expressed not a single objection.

Cao Hong noticed Zhang Chao and Zang Hong exchange a glance, after which Zang Hong spoke, "This alliance will surely be a grand gathering of heroes. I wonder how many will assemble at Suanzao County. I have heard that Yuan Benchu commands famous generals Yan Liang and Wen Chou, and Han Fu has Ju Yi, who is skilled in the martial arts of the Qiang people—all first-rate warriors. How do they compare to Lü Bu, under Dong Zhuo?"

Yan Liang, Wen Chou, and Ju Yi were renowned generals of the north, born in poverty and without courtesy names, so Zang Hong referred to them by their given names.

Zhang Chao immediately said, "Mengde, Qingmang has seen Lü Bu firsthand. Why not tell us whether Lü Bu's reputation is deserved?"

Cao Cao smiled, "I have met Lü Bu several times. He is a man of extraordinary spirit, truly a hero of his generation."

Shi A laughed, "Sir Cao, I must disagree. In my view, Lü Bu possesses nothing more than brute strength. When it comes to martial skills, he would be last among us."

Cao Cao was momentarily startled, then smiled slyly, "Ah, my own martial skills are modest, so I cannot judge Lü Bu’s depth. Masters like Qingmang can naturally see more clearly."

Cao Hong, silent all this while, thought inwardly, "Shi A, you braggart, your skills aren’t even as good as Xiahou Dun or Xiahou Yuan. You might not even beat the current Xu Chu, and you claim Lü Bu is only brute force? Shameless! How boastful!"

Shi A, hearing Cao Cao’s praise, laughed loudly, "Speaking of martial arts, I need not be modest—only lacking the opportunity to display them." He paused and suddenly turned to Cao Hong, "But in my opinion, your clansman here has solid foundations, and carries a treasured sword. His skills must not be weak. Why don’t we have a friendly match, so the gentlemen here may witness true martial artistry?"

As soon as he spoke, the other six in the pavilion all turned their gaze toward Cao Hong. Recalling the earlier glance exchanged between Zhang Chao and Zang Hong, Cao Hong immediately understood—they intended to use him as a foil, letting Shi A best him in the match, to give Cao Cao a setback. Clearly, they still harbored resentment over Cao Cao’s issuing the proclamation first!

Cao Hong sneered inwardly, but said nothing, instead casting a glance at Cao Cao.

At that moment, Cao Cao remained silent, watching Cao Hong. If Cao Hong refused, his reputation would suffer, but Cao Cao would speak up to excuse him—after all, a wise man avoids immediate loss. However, in that case, Cao Cao’s bold move in issuing the proclamation would lose its impact in front of these men. If he had no capable subordinate, how could he challenge Dong Zhuo or Lü Bu? That would be ridiculous. If word spread among the "Northern Four Friends," Cao Cao's reputation would be diminished at the alliance.

"These scheming scholars dare plot against me so!" Cao Cao raged inwardly, but said aloud, "Zilian, Qingmang has studied under a master of swordsmanship, you have learned family martial arts; it is ordinary to lose in technique."

His meaning was clear—it was only natural if the other was superior, and refusal was acceptable. But as soon as Cao Cao finished, Zhang Chao interjected, "Mengde, you are mistaken! Techniques are fixed, people are flexible. The strength of a move depends on the practitioner."

This was sophistry; regardless of whether one learned from a sword master or inherited family skills, a true expert would make good use of them. The intricacy of a technique certainly offers advantages—otherwise, why could Yue Jin defeat Cao Ren and Shi Huan?

At this moment, Zhang Miao uncharacteristically remained silent, waiting for the situation to unfold. Clearly, though he was on good terms with Cao Cao, he still resented the matter of the proclamation. Moreover, this concerned the strength of Cao Cao’s reputation. If Cao Cao overshadowed him, he would feel even more aggrieved.

Cao Cao was about to retort to Zang Hong, but heard Cao Hong laugh, "Brother Shi, since you have such refined interest, I shall gladly accompany you! But mere sparring lacks excitement—why not wager a prize?"

Damn! I am now at the upper realm of internal cultivation, not at the pinnacle but not far from you. You have no idea my martial skills are two thousand years ahead of yours. Seeking death! Let me show you the power of the mercenary king! Cao Hong sneered inwardly.

Shi A’s eyes lit up at the mention of a wager, and he looked at Cao Hong’s sword, smiling, "What prize does Brother Zilian propose to bet?"