Chapter Thirty-Five: The Alliance in the Northeast

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PS: In the book review section, some have claimed that my novel veers greatly off-topic, suggesting it would be better classified as fantasy, riding under the banner of the Three Kingdoms, while others have described it as a chaotic martial arts tale. I can only feel sympathy for those who, having read a chapter or two, rush to make such blind and partial judgments. Readers who have followed the story from beginning to end understand well that this work is set against the backdrop of the Three Kingdoms, with the theme of striving for supremacy at its core. The phenomena of noble clans, military systems, administrative frameworks, place names, and units of measurement have all been carefully researched. The reason for incorporating martial arts elements is straightforward: in an era of cold steel, could there have been no masters of combat? Figures like Fei Changfang, Leng Shouguang, Tang Yu, and Xu Deng all appear in the “Biographies of the Practitioners of Magic” in the Book of the Later Han. For those who find it absurd when two or three martial heroes appear in this story, I urge you to read more widely; history itself is a patchwork of absurdities, written by the victors and their descendants. The chief purpose of reading a novel is enjoyment—why nitpick and pass judgment so readily? This book has been online for just over fifteen days; this week marks its first recommendation. Now it’s on the Newcomers Top 15, only a few places away from the homepage. The books ahead were uploaded earlier and enjoy better recommendations. I am quite satisfied with these results, but… dear readers, the recommendation ratio is terrifying! Eight hundred favorites, but only eighty recommendations. While you read, could you spare a moment to cast a vote? Even one per eight readers would do. If recommendations exceeded a hundred per day, I would immediately begin updating three chapters daily, totaling 6,000 words. As long as one in eight readers votes, I will post three chapters a day. Thank you!

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The Cao army advanced steadily, stopping to rest and replenish supplies at each county they passed, which meant a journey that should have been brief dragged on for thirteen days. Along the way, Cao Hong learned that the era name had changed to the first year of Chuping, a sure sign that a new emperor had ascended the throne.

Suanzhao County lay two hundred li east of Hulao Pass, which itself was the gateway to Luoyang. The reason for the alliance at Hulao Pass was clear: to march their forces straight at Luoyang and threaten Dong Zhuo.

Historically, Hulao Pass was a place steeped in legend: the “Warm Wine, Slaying Hua Xiong,” and “Three Heroes Battle Lü Bu.” But who could say if these legends truly happened? If so, perhaps Cao Hong might catch a glimpse of that wandering, half-lifetime adversary who, in the end, stood shoulder to shoulder with Cao Cao and Sun Quan—the impostor imperial uncle, Liu Bei.

This man was fated to be his enemy, but in truth, Cao Hong was more eager to see Liu Bei’s sworn brother, Zhang Fei, for it was Zhang Fei’s painting of the beautiful Lady Xiahou that had drawn him into this world.

On this day, the army of 5,500 marched along the main road: Yue Jin led the vanguard, with Xiahou Dun and Wei Zi commanding the wings, and Cao Ren and Xiahou Yuan bringing up the rear, all surrounding the central force of 500 personal guards. Cao Hong and Cao Chun rode on either side of Cao Cao, while Dian Wei followed three steps behind him. The standard-bearer marched beside Dian Wei, holding aloft a great square banner emblazoned with the bold character “Cao”—impossible to mistake.

This time, the Cao army brought no civilian laborers nor camp followers, having heard that Han Fu, the governor of Ji Province, would provide such support. Cao Hong only knew Han Fu was from a great family of Yingchuan; beyond that, he knew little.

At that moment, Cao Cao suddenly spoke, “Zilian, do you know how many heroes across the land have answered the call to crusade against the traitor Dong Zhuo?”

Cao Hong shook his head, “I do not, brother.”

Cao Cao laughed, “Thirteen armies! In total, thirteen! Counting the civilian laborers, there will be over a hundred thousand troops this time. It will rival the great campaign against the Yellow Turbans!”

Cao Hong followed up, “Who are these thirteen armies?”

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Cao Chun, nearby, smiled, “I know this. In Yan Province alone, there are six volunteer armies: Liu Gongshan, Governor of Yan; Zhang Mengzhuo, Prefect of Chenliu; Yuan Boye, Prefect of Shanyang; Qiao Yuanwei, Prefect of Dongjun; Bao Yunjie, Chancellor of Jibei; and you, elder brother. Among the other heroes are Han Wenjie, Governor of Ji Province; Yuan Benchu, Prefect of Bohai; Yuan Gonglu, General of the Rear; Kong Gongxu, Inspector of Yuzhou; Wang Gongjie, Prefect of Henei; Sun Wentai, Prefect of Changsha; and Zhang Menggao, Prefect of Guangling.”

Cao Cao praised him, “Zihe, you’re impressive to remember all their courtesy names.”

Cao Hong thought to himself, “No Liu Bei? Romance of the Three Kingdoms says Liu Bei came with Gongsun Zan, but neither of them are among these twelve armies. So, there will likely be no ‘Three Heroes Battle Lü Bu’ at Hulao Pass after all. I’d hoped to see Zhang Fei—what a pity.”

“It seems Yan Province dominates this campaign against Dong Zhuo. With Zhang Menggao, Prefect of Guangling, included, perhaps there remains a hope to make Zhang Mengzhuo the alliance leader,” Cao Chun said with some concern.

Cao Hong regarded Cao Chun in surprise: not only was this man a master of martial arts, he was thoughtful as well—a truly formidable general, and still young, with time to learn and grow. It was a shame history never gave him the chance.

“With skill like his, he shouldn’t have died of illness. There must be more to it—I must ensure his safety,” Cao Hong resolved inwardly.

Cao Cao laughed, “Though the Yan Province faction is strong, Zhang Mengzhuo cannot hope to become the alliance leader. The Yuan brothers’ influence far exceeds that of the others. Even among Yan’s officials, Qiao Mao (Qiao Yuanwei) comes from a family whose elders once held the Three Excellencies; how could he respect Zhang Mengzhuo, merely a local power? Yuan Yi (Yuan Boye) of Shanyang is a scion of the illustrious Yuan clan of Runan—he and the Yuan brothers are cousins. Would he support Zhang? And Liu Dai (Liu Gongshan), Inspector of Yan Province, is a kinsman of the imperial family and officially governs the entire province; his position is above Zhang Mengzhuo. Why would he endorse him?”

Cao Hong nodded, “So, you mean only Yuan Shao, with his power, family, and reputation, can win the respect of all and be chosen as alliance leader?”

With this, Cao Cao revealed the dominance of aristocratic clans at the end of the Han: in Yan Province alone, among six regional governors, one was an imperial kinsman, one a powerful Yuan, another a descendant of a Three Excellencies’ family. If Cao Cao himself is counted, that makes two with such pedigree. Local officials and powers were almost entirely monopolized by illustrious families—hence why men of humble birth found it so hard to rise in the Three Kingdoms era.

Cao Cao has been praised by history as an outstanding man of letters, military strategist, and statesman—a fair assessment. He had the clarity to see through the chaos and grasp the era’s essence. As ruler, he advocated thrift, encouraged agriculture and sericulture, and cracked down on powerful clans, all to weaken the dominance of such aristocratic monopolies. However, the times he lived in placed limits on his vision—he never devised the civil service exam that would ultimately break the power of the great clans.

Cao Cao smiled, “Exactly! Yuan Gonglu is proud and arrogant, and controls both Runan and Nanyang—two great commanderies with seventy-four counties and over a million people, a formidable force. He surely will not come to Suanzhao for the alliance. Moreover, Sun Wentai of Changsha has declared he will march north and not join the eastern coalition. These two may well combine their forces into another powerful anti-Dong Zhuo alliance and march on Luoyang from the south. Without Yuan Gonglu, Yuan Benchu will surely be the alliance leader; no one can rival him.”

Cao Chun exclaimed, “Yuan Shu has such power?”

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Cao Cao replied, “Look at this alliance: Tao Qian, Governor of Xuzhou, neighboring Yuzhou, remains unmoved; Chen Wen, Inspector of Yangzhou, holds his ground; Wang Rui, Inspector of Jingzhou, delays action. Clearly, all three feel threatened by Sun Wentai and Yuan Shu and dare not leave their territories lest those two take advantage.”

Cao Chun complained, “But aren’t we all supposed to be fighting Dong Zhuo? Why would they turn on each other?”

Cao Cao laughed heartily, “Zihe, the bustling world is driven by profit, and all its clamor is for gain! If not for self-interest, who would risk life and limb to fight a traitor? If a juicy piece of meat lay beside your mouth, would you risk snatching food from a tiger’s jaws?”

Cao Chun fell silent, nodding and pondering Cao Cao’s words. Cao Hong, listening nearby, was deeply moved as well. Cao Cao’s vision truly surpassed that of ordinary men—calling him far-sighted is no exaggeration. No wonder he laid such a vast foundation for Wei. Had he not died so soon, and had Cao Pi not proved a literary but ineffective ruler, allowing Sima’s clan to usurp power, Wei might well have unified the realm.

At this thought, inspiration flashed through Cao Hong’s mind. Before Cao Cao’s death, Sima Yi had never been trusted with real power. Yet as soon as Cao Pi ascended, Sima Yi was quickly promoted—and later seized control, leading to his son Sima Zhao murdering the emperor and taking command, and his grandson Sima Yan eventually succeeding him. All this occurred after Cao Pi’s accession. Cao Pi’s mother, Lady Bian, had mysterious origins and remarkable skills. Could there be some secret here?

“Zilian, do you agree?” Cao Cao’s voice broke his train of thought.

Cao Hong smiled, “Brother, your wisdom and foresight are truly admirable!”

Cao Cao burst into unrestrained laughter. At that moment, a chilling thought struck Cao Hong. Lady Bian seemed youthful as a maiden, but her age might not match her appearance. He had known practitioners of seductive arts before—such skills took years of intense effort, and none could master them before the age of twenty. He had once killed a man famed as the world’s foremost hypnotist, and that man had only perfected his art in his thirties. Could it be that Lady Bian, like Xu Deng, was a supreme master who could keep herself eternally young? If so, that was truly terrifying…

While Cao Hong’s thoughts raced, the distant outline of Suanzhao County came into view.