Chapter Forty-One: Cao Cao's Gift

PS: This is already the third update today, though a bit late—heh! There will still be three updates tomorrow. As long as I remain on the newcomers’ ranking, my friends, won’t you recommend and bookmark?

Yue Jin and Cao Hong greeted Xiahou Dun, “Brother Yuanrang.”

At present, Xiahou Dun was the undisputed foremost warrior in Cao’s camp. During drills, all the officers agreed that Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan were the two most formidable generals in their ranks. Thus, when the soldiers saw Xiahou Dun, their eyes gleamed with fervent admiration.

“General Xiahou!” The soldiers hailed him in unison, saluting.

Xiahou Dun responded with poise, smiling as he waved his hand, then approached Cao Hong and Yue Jin. His face grew grave as he said, “Now we’ve seen through the reality behind the seven armies—they are truly weak and not worth fearing. This must be reported to our elder brother at once.”

Yue Jin nodded and replied, “You two go ahead. The encampment here is nearly complete. I doubt that band of rabble from the Eastern Commandery will dare provoke us.”

Xiahou Dun nodded. “This test was because of this young man—let’s bring him along.”

Pang Zhang was startled, deeply surprised. Could it be that they intended to bring him before Lord Mengde? That was a figure famed throughout the land! He felt he’d struck true fortune: first valued by Cao Hong upon entering the camp, and now to meet Cao Cao himself. Surely it was his late father’s spirit watching over him.

Cao Hong interrupted Pang Zhang’s thoughts, saying, “Wengui, lead your horse and wait at the entrance to my camp.”

Pang Zhang agreed and led his horse away. Cao Hong turned to Xiahou Dun, “Brother Yuanrang, where is your horse? Should we fetch it first?”

Xiahou Dun replied, “It’s already tied up at the camp gate.”

Cao Hong nodded, “Then let us go.”

With that, Xiahou Dun, Cao Hong, and Yue Jin took their leave and strolled toward the entrance. As they walked side by side, Xiahou Dun remarked, “Fortunately, Zilian thought of this. Otherwise, had we charged in without understanding the situation, we would’ve suffered a great loss.”

Cao Hong said, “I wanted to protect Wengui because I saw potential in him. Who knew it would turn out so well?”

Xiahou Dun was taken aback, then laughed. “That young man is skilled, but whether he becomes a true commander will depend on future tests.”

Cao Hong nodded, “You are quite right, Brother Yuanrang.”

Xiahou Dun smiled, then frowned. “Zhang Miao was always eager to lead the campaign against the traitor Dong. Now, with the men of Yan Province assembled—numbering tens of thousands—if he hasn’t given up on leading, he might propose advancing eastward with cavalry to challenge the soldiers guarding Hulao Pass. If they win before Yuan Benchu arrives, he’d have an excuse to vie for leadership of the alliance.”

Cao Hong found this reasoning sound. Generals, after all, were not mere brutes; some matters they analyzed with great precision. Yet Xiahou Dun was not quite Cao Cao’s equal, so Cao Hong repeated what Cao Cao had once said, “Even if Zhang Miao desires it, he’ll have to go alone. Liu Gongshan is kin to the imperial family, Qiao Yuanwei is heir to a Three Excellencies, and Yuan Boye hails from the Yuan clan—they would never support him. With those three opposed, no one else will risk their lives for the Zhang brothers.”

Xiahou Dun was moved. “Zilian, your insight is remarkable.”

Cao Hong smiled, “These are merely words our elder brother shared with Zihe and me during campaigns. I can’t claim the credit.”

Xiahou Dun relaxed and laughed, “Mengde is truly gifted. If all these tens of thousands were well-drilled and disciplined, even a direct assault on Hulao Pass would not be impossible. But this mob is only here for the pay—sending them is sending them to die.”

As they spoke, they reached the edge of Cao’s camp. Pang Zhang and one of Xiahou Dun’s personal guards were waiting with horses. Cao Hong and Xiahou Yuan mounted up, letting the others lead their horses outside. By now, the coalition’s encampment had become a loose, chaotic field: soldiers mingling, drinking, feasting, and seeking out camp followers in the markets—such scenes were everywhere.

Xiahou Dun shook his head repeatedly at the sight. Soldiers in Eastern Commandery uniforms shrank away from Xiahou Dun and Cao Hong, not daring to approach. Pang Zhang, seeing this, swelled with pride and strode through the camp, leading his horse high-spiritedly.

Leaving the camp, the four men—two on horseback—soon reached the gate of Suanzao County. It was just past noon, and the villagers from the nearby countryside were streaming into town—some to trade, some to visit relatives, others simply to stroll. The gates were open, guarded by only two soldiers.

Seeing Xiahou Dun and Cao Hong in their resplendent armor, mounted on fine steeds, the two guards asked their business and promptly let them pass, even kindly pointing out where Cao Cao and Dian Wei were staying.

The gatekeepers were local conscripts. These days, as wave after wave of mighty armies passed through, they saw little reason to offend such powerful men.

Once inside the county, following the guards’ directions, they arrived at a red-walled, white-tiled residence in the southeast quarter, where Cao Cao’s elite guards stood watch.

The two sentries recognized Xiahou Dun and Cao Hong, and informed them that Cao Cao was in the inner hall. Xiahou Dun had his guard take charge of the horses, then he and Cao Hong led Pang Zhang in to seek audience with Cao Cao.

When the three entered, they found Cao Cao in the inner hall, reclining with a beautiful maidservant on each arm. Dian Wei stood at attention behind him. Cao Hong was long used to seeing his cousin surrounded thus, so after saluting, he took his seat. Pang Zhang, however, stood nervously behind him.

Cao Cao asked, “Yuanrang, Zilian, what brings you to see me?”

Xiahou Dun spoke up, recounting the series of events that began with Cao Hong’s protection of Pang Zhang. He concluded, “Of the eight forces gathered, only our army can be called a true fighting force. Each of the others is riddled with men mustering for pay, not battle. With such a motley host, how can we wage war? That is why Zilian and I came to warn you—should Prefect Zhang propose an immediate campaign, you must not consent.”

Xiahou Dun and Cao Cao had a deep bond and spoke directly, never mincing words.

Cao Cao listened quietly, then smiled. “At today’s welcoming banquet, Meng Zhuo did indeed suggest marching on Hulao Pass to challenge Dong’s general Yang Ding. But Qiao Yuanwei, Liu Gongshan, and Yuan Boye immediately objected, so the matter was dropped.”

Then Cao Cao turned to Pang Zhang. “Zilian protected this young man solely to test the Eastern Commandery troops?”

Cao Hong answered at once, “Elder brother, I truly believe this Wengui has potential. Out of admiration for talent, I kept him here, hoping to train him for your service. Even if I hadn’t come with Yuanrang today, I would have called on you soon to request a gift for Wengui.”

Cao Cao was surprised. “And what would you ask of me, Zilian?”

Cao Hong replied, “In the first year of Zhongping, when you were appointed Cavalry Commandant, you and Yuanrang and Miaocai campaigned against the Yellow Turbans in Yingchuan and won a great victory, beheading tens of thousands. Afterward, you were made Chancellor of Jinan. In less than three months, all the corrupt officials were purged and the county was pacified.”

Cao Cao’s face took on a reminiscent look as he smiled, “Indeed, in those days I was full of vigor. After five months in office, seeing the government so rotten—even my own elders buying and selling offices—I resigned in dismay. I spent my time reading in spring and summer, hunting in autumn and winter, happy and carefree. But my proudest accomplishment was rereading Sun Tzu’s Art of War after those campaigns and writing my own commentary, The Brief Explanation of Sun Tzu. A few famous generals even praised it. I gave each of you a copy.”

Xiahou Dun smiled, “Mengde’s book truly bears the mark of a master strategist. I treasure it in my study at home.”

Cao Hong said, “Like Yuanrang, I did not bring my copy with me. I came today to ask if you still have The Brief Explanation of Sun Tzu on you. I’d like Wengui to copy it by hand, keep it with him, and diligently study the art of war. In his youth, Wengui read Sun Tzu, The Book of Lord Shang, and General Wei’s Military Manual, but without a mentor, he struggled to understand them. Your commentary is clear and insightful, solving many puzzles in Sun Tzu—perfect for Wengui to study.”

Cao Cao was astonished. He knew his cousin well—wealthy, but by nature stingy and not skilled at winning people’s hearts. Yet ever since their reunion in Chenliu, Cao Hong seemed a changed man: unfazed by Zhang Chao’s neglect, single-handedly subduing Shi A at the Laba Festival, and later introducing Dian Wei—all surprises and delights in turn.

Now, seeing him speak up for the young man behind him, asking for a military treatise, and Pang Zhang’s look of stunned gratitude and emotion, Cao Cao’s affection for his cousin only deepened. Cao Hong’s virtues were multiplying: steady, courageous, discerning, able to win hearts—a man of both letters and arms. In time, he would surely become a pillar of strength.

A military treatise was meant to be passed down through the ages. If someone wished to learn, why be miserly? So Cao Cao laughed, “Indeed, I have a copy with me. Let Wengui stay here for a few days and copy it.”

At these words, Pang Zhang burst into tears, rushed forward, knelt in the hall, and exclaimed, “Thank you, my lord! Thank you, young master! I, Pang Wengui, will study the art of war with all my might and serve with all my life!”

It was the second time he’d wept that day. He was now determined to become the most loyal and valiant subordinate of the Cao family.

Cao Cao smiled with satisfaction, as did Xiahou Dun. The two of them looked at the beaming Cao Hong, making no attempt to hide the admiration in their eyes.

Unbidden, both Cao Cao and Xiahou Dun thought: Zilian is only twenty this year—what limitless achievements await him in the days to come!