Chapter Forty-Five: Chaos Before the Battle

With the arrival of Yuan Shao’s troops, Wang Kuang’s forces, and Han Fu’s supply army, the coalition of the eleven provinces in the east had finally assembled. All the generals who had pledged themselves to the alliance understood that a great battle was imminent. Consequently, the usual bustle—visiting other camps, seeking out camp courtesans, wandering the military market—quieted, and everyone returned to their respective barracks. The centurions from each commandery gathered together in a single tent, for they knew that today, the leader at Suanzao would certainly issue orders.

Cao Hong, together with the other commanders of the Cao army, sat in the grand tent reserved for Cao Cao, awaiting instructions. Aside from Cao Hong, the tent also held Cao Ren, Cao Chun, Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, Wei Zi, and Yue Jin—six generals in all.

For the first time, the allied camp was shrouded in complete silence, heavy with the oppressive air of a coming storm.

Three days before Yuan Shao’s arrival at Suanzao, Sun Jian had already crossed the river. Armed with the edict of the imperial envoy, he slew the Inspector of Jing Province, Wang Rui, and then joined Yuan Shu at Pingyu, the seat of Runan Commandery.

***

The government offices of Runan in Pingyu County, newly refurbished by Yuan Shu, stood splendid and imposing, with high towers and scattered pagodas dotting the landscape. In the grand hall, music and dance were in full swing, and the aroma of wine filled the air. Sun Jian and several of his officers sat as honored guests, entertained by Yuan Shu and his top general, Ji Ling.

“Hahaha! Worthy brother Wentai, your heroism is unmatched. The moment you crossed into Jing Province, the land quaked. In an instant, Inspector Wang Rui and the Wang clan were destroyed at your hand. Surely, all of Jing Province will soon fall under your control,” Yuan Shu declared, raising a three-legged cup to Sun Jian.

Sun Jian smiled calmly, raised his cup in return, and downed the wine in one go. “What matters most now is to destroy the traitor Dong Zhuo. Only after the nation’s peril is lifted should we speak of other matters.”

Yuan Shu laughed. “Of course! Since you march north against Dong Zhuo, I, Yuan Gonglu, shall give you my utmost support. I have twenty thousand armored men in Runan and fifty thousand measures of grain. If you have need, simply say the word!”

Sun Jian grinned with satisfaction. “Your generosity is deeply appreciated, General of the Rear. As for the troops, there’s no need. When I march north, simply have two thousand measures of grain delivered to me.”

Yuan Shu laughed heartily. “Naturally!” But then he frowned slightly. “However…”

Sun Jian’s brows lifted. “What is it? General of the Rear, do you have some difficulty?” There was already a hint of displeasure in his tone. In recent years, he had triumphed in countless battles and was himself a peerless warrior, intolerant of the slightest defiance.

Sensing Sun Jian’s swift change in demeanor, Ji Ling’s expression soured as well, yet Yuan Shu remained composed. “Wentai, you may not know. Supplying you with grain is my duty, but you are surely aware that, though Nanyang is under my control, the nominal governor is still Zhang Zi. He holds sway over seven or eight counties there, including the main route for grain transport. Until now, we have coexisted peacefully, but since you killed Wang Rui, the Inspector of Jing Province, and Zhang Zi, Governor of Nanyang—who is a close friend of Wang Rui—may well cause trouble for my grain convoys passing through Nanyang.”

***

Sun Jian replied, “Is this Zhang Zi the nephew of former Grand Commandant Zhang Wen?”

Yuan Shu nodded. “The very same.”

Sun Jian grew angry. “In the past, both I and Dong Zhuo served under Zhang Wen, campaigning against the rebel leaders Bian Zhang and Beiyu of Xiliang. Even then, Dong Zhuo was arrogant, and I urged Zhang Wen to execute him, but he refused, resulting in today’s calamity! The Zhang family, it seems, lacks all sense. If so, I shall destroy them as well, clearing the way to campaign against Dong Zhuo!”

Yuan Shu burst out laughing, giving a thumbs up. “Wentai, your courage is unmatched!”

A day later, Sun Jian marched swiftly from Runan to Nanyang. Meeting with Zhang Zi, the two quarreled, and Sun Jian suddenly struck, killing Zhang Zi on the spot. He then dispatched troops to seize control of all counties under Zhang Zi’s authority, clearing his own supply lines. At the same time, he rooted out every member of the Zhang family remaining in Nanyang. In this way, having first annihilated the Wang clan after crossing the river and now devastating the Zhangs, Sun Jian’s thunderous methods sent shockwaves through all of Jing Province. Whether local magnates, bandits, or officials, all were terrified, fearing that the next swing of this god of war’s blade would fall upon them.

Fortunately, Sun Jian’s sole aim was to punish Dong Zhuo. He did not linger in Jing Province, but continued his march north toward Luoyang. Yet the news of his execution of both Wang Rui and Zhang Zi soon reached Suanzao. Upon hearing it, Kong Zhou, the Inspector of Yu Province and one of the eleven coalition leaders, could not sit still. On the very day of Yuan Shao’s arrival, he resolved to withdraw to Yingchuan, ready to act according to the situation. Only should opportunity arise would he move his troops through Nanyang, straight into the imperial territory toward Luoyang.

Still, none present were fools. Yu and Nanyang shared a border, and Kong Zhou’s withdrawal was to guard his door, lest Sun Jian seize the chance to invade. After all, Sun Jian had not yet reached the imperial territory, yet he had already slain both an Inspector and a Governor; his actions were unpredictable.

So, as the coalition camp awaited orders from Suanzao County, Kong Zhou’s army quietly withdrew, claiming a change in strategy to move through Yingchuan. Cut off from outside news, the troops in camp were unaware of Sun Jian’s movements and took no notice, simply awaiting their orders. Among them were, of course, Cao Hong and the other officers of the Cao army.

At this moment, Cao Hong and his fellows sat around a campfire discussing Yuan Shao’s army. Cao Chun spoke: “I’ve met the commander of Yuan’s troops before. He served in Luoyang, and alongside my elder brother and Yuan Benchu, was one of the ‘Eight Commandants of the Western Garden.’ His name is Chunyu Qiong, styled Zhongjian, a Right Commandant. He’s not particularly capable, but benefits from family connections and his friendship with Yuan Benchu.”

Yue Jin scoffed. “A pity! Such strong soldiers led by a mere nobody!”

Xiahou Dun smiled. “Wenqian, there’s no need to lament. Before long, our own troops will surpass theirs in might and ferocity.”

Cao Hong nodded in agreement. “Brother Yuanrang speaks true! The Cao family’s Tiger and Leopard Cavalry are invincible—who could stand against us?”

Suddenly, a soldier outside the tent cried, “The lord is here!”

***

Cao Cao’s voice came from outside, “At ease!” The tent flap lifted, and in strode Cao Cao, draped in a long robe and fur cloak. The generals rose to greet him, but he waved them down and seated himself between Cao Hong and Xiahou Dun with a sigh. “This coalition truly lacks order—before the campaign even begins, one force has already departed.”

The generals, alarmed, asked why. Cao Cao then related Sun Jian’s crossing of the river and the slayings of Wang Rui, Inspector of Jing, and Zhang Zi, Governor of Nanyang, making it clear that Kong Zhou’s army had left solely to guard against Sun Jian, not due to any change in strategy.

The officers shook their heads and sighed, lamenting how the grand campaign to punish Dong Zhuo had turned out to be more bluster than substance.

But Cao Cao said, “Wang Rui is of little account—a local notable—but Zhang Zi was the nephew of Grand Commandant Zhang Wen and a graduate of the Yingchuan Academy. Killing him will surely alienate all scholars from that academy, turning them against Sun Wentai. In my view, Sun Wentai’s true intent is to overawe the various powers in Jing while passing through, so that after vanquishing Dong Zhuo he can return in force and unite the north and south of Jing under his rule, making his name known throughout the realm. That is why he resorts to such methods. Yet he acts only on appearances, failing to consider the deeper consequences. He has terrified the local aristocracy and chilled the hearts of the scholars of Yingchuan. I fear Jing Province will not easily fall into his hands.”

Cao Hong thought to himself: Of course Jing Province will not belong to Sun Jian, but to Liu Biao! Yet he was puzzled as to why Cao Cao was so concerned with the fate of Jing. “Elder brother, why do you care who controls Jing Province now?”

Cao Cao explained, “Zilian, you do not understand. Jing Province is the heart of the realm, shielded by the Yangtze, blessed with fertile lands, a dense population, and ample resources. If Sun Wentai, with his strength, gains control of such a rich territory and, having participated in the campaign against Dong Zhuo, wins the support of the scholars, then my own call to arms will count for nothing.”

Xiahou Dun nodded. “So that’s why you’re worried that Sun Wentai will take Jing Province.”

Cao Cao replied, “Indeed I am. I have met him once in Luoyang; he is a man of great ambition. Fortunately, he values martial prowess over scholarship and acts impulsively. Otherwise, once he has campaigned against Dong Zhuo and taken Jing, the glory would be all his! I have come today to tell you this: Kong Zhou’s departure is no cause for concern, and in the end, we will be the ones to gain most from this campaign! From now on, I will remain in camp; the director of the guard will soon arrive. Yang Ding and Yang Zhengxiu, who garrison Hulao Gate, are prominent men of Xiliang and extremely arrogant—they may well take the initiative to attack. As commander, I must be ever prepared for battle.”

The generals all nodded in agreement, but Cao Hong took special note of Sun Jian. This founder of Eastern Wu, who would soon die young and leave the stage of the Three Kingdoms, now commanded such power as to inspire Cao Cao’s apprehension. He wondered if, during this campaign against Dong Zhuo, he might yet have the chance to meet him face to face.