Chapter Fifty-Two: Killing for the Young Master

The next day, the generals of Cao’s army began directing their soldiers to gather the refugees. Each squad was assigned the task of distributing food, and of course, Cao Hong was no exception.

Cao Hong did not quite understand why Cao Cao was gathering the refugees. Since the plan was to launch a surprise attack, wouldn’t gathering the refugees draw unnecessary attention? He was not versed in military strategy, but as a mercenary, he understood the fundamental principle of secrecy in such operations.

Nevertheless, Cao Cao had given the order, and Cao Hong naturally complied. He had Pan Zhang command the soldiers to distribute food to the swarming refugees, while he leaned against the ruins of a house, observing the ragged masses.

In times of chaos, human life was as cheap as a dog’s—such was the reality.

Among the crowd, a tall man whose face was obscured by grime caught Cao Hong’s eye. It was not merely his height, nearing one hundred ninety centimeters, that drew attention, but the smooth, fair skin beneath his tattered garments. Refugees had no chance to bathe; everyone was filthy. How was this man’s skin so clean? Moreover, refugees were from poor families; none would have such delicate skin. If he were a member of a wealthy household plundered by Dong Zhuo’s army, drifting from Luoyang to outside the pass, he would have been dirty beyond recognition by now.

As an exceptional mercenary, keen observation was essential, and Cao Hong immediately sensed something odd about the man. Yet he did not immediately suspect him of being an enemy spy; spies, exposed to the elements for years, would not have such tender skin. Moreover, standing among the refugees, the man showed no signs of anxiety, almost as if he were deliberately attracting attention.

Cao Hong rose and walked toward him.

Xun You, among the refugees, was feeling frustrated. Having escaped Hulao Pass and mingled with the refugees, he was pondering how to enter Cao’s camp at Chenggao without being mistaken for a spy. Upon hearing that refugees were being gathered by Cao’s army, he was delighted and followed along, easily infiltrating the camp. He intended to present his strategy to Cao Cao, but considering that there might be Yang Ding’s spies among the refugees, he decided to hold back. Now, troubled by how to contact Cao Cao without alerting others, he deliberately acted differently from the hungry refugees, hoping someone from Cao’s camp would notice him.

Yet half a day passed, and no one approached him, deepening his frustration.

Just then, a voice sounded nearby, “May I ask your name?”

Xun You was startled to find a young general in shining armor smiling at him, a Han sword strapped to his back, its hilt exquisitely carved—clearly a high-ranking officer in Cao’s army.

Greatly pleased, Xun You quietly replied, “My surname is Xun. I have urgent matters to report to General Cao. Please secure the routes into and out of Chenggao, and do not allow any refugees to leave, lest spies hiding among them escape.”

Xun! Cao Cao had two renowned strategists with that surname. However, Cao Hong felt it inappropriate to ask his full name now, so he simply nodded, “Understood!” Then, he went to Pan Zhang’s side and whispered a few instructions. Pan Zhang nodded and summoned a messenger.

Cao Hong returned to Xun You and said, “Sir, please follow me!”

With that, he led Xun You toward Cao Cao’s main camp. Only now did he grasp the reason behind the gathering of refugees.

As they walked, Xun You deliberately fell two steps behind Cao Hong to show humility. Cao Hong turned and said, “Let’s walk side by side, brother!” He carefully studied the man—about thirty years old, with a beard on his chin, his face grimy and his beard messy, but still quite handsome upon closer inspection. With his tall stature, in modern times he would surely be a heartthrob.

Xun You bowed and stepped forward, asking, “May I ask the general’s name?”

“Cao Hong of Pei, courtesy name Zilian. May I ask your name, sir?” Cao Hong replied politely.

Xun You responded, “I am Xun You, courtesy name Gongda, from Yingchuan.” The Yingchuan Academy was famous throughout the land, founded in the Xun family’s estate, and all Xun sons were proud of it. Yet Xun You spoke with utmost humility, showing no sign of feeling superior due to his scholarly lineage.

So it was Xun You! To dare to sneak out and deliver a message—what courage! Judging by his build, he had practiced some martial arts, but was no expert; a true scholar. Clearly, strategists were more than just planners. Cao Hong felt a surge of admiration for him.

He smiled, “A pleasure to meet you!”

By now, they had arrived at Cao Cao’s tent. The two guards stationed outside recognized Cao Hong and saluted, “Greetings, Chief Overseer!”

Cao Hong nodded, “I have urgent news for General Fenwu. Please announce my arrival.”

The guard replied, “Chief Overseer, the general has said that within three days, if any distinguished guests are brought by the generals, there is no need to report.”

Xun You’s face showed a strange expression upon hearing this. He thought, “So Cao Mengde gathered refugees just to let me enter Chenggao more easily? Truly foresight beyond compare! This Zilian is also sharp-eyed and trusts people. Cao’s army is indeed capable.” His impression of the army improved considerably.

Cao Hong nodded, “Gongda, please!” He let Xun You enter first, then followed.

Inside, Cao Cao stood laughing, “Our esteemed guest has arrived!”

Xun You bowed, “Minister of the Yellow Gate, Xun Gongda of Yingchuan, pays respects to General Fenwu.”

Cao Cao laughed heartily, stepping forward to support Xun You, “I have long admired your reputation, Gongda! A renowned scholar of the realm—please, no need for such formality!”

Xun You replied, “Years ago, we both served in Luoyang. I heard of your fame, general, but regrettably never met you, only your cousins and brothers, since we both served as Ministers of the Yellow Gate.”

Cao Cao laughed, “Please, sir, be seated! Zilian, you too!”

After sitting, Xun You spoke, “The inspector general, Zheng Gongye, and I have agreed that two days from now, at the hour of the Ox, he will seize the gate tower of Hulao Pass. He will light a signal fire, open the gates, and welcome your army inside.”

Cao Cao nodded, “Excellent! In that case, two days hence, I shall march lightly equipped, swiftly advancing to the place where the signal fire is visible.”

Xun You added, “Besides this, general, there is one more thing you must do to ensure absolute success.”

Cao Cao asked, “What is it?”

Xun You replied, “Since you have gathered refugees, Yang Ding’s spies must have mingled among them. As the saying goes, better to err than let one escape. Before marching, perhaps you should kill all the refugees, closing Yang Ding’s eyes and ears. Then, when your army strikes Hulao Pass, there will be no risk of discovery by spies!”

Cao Hong, listening, thought, “How ruthless!”

Cao Cao laughed, “Exactly! I imagine the enemy’s scouts have all infiltrated with the refugees. They never expected we would kill the refugees as well!” His words made clear that he intended to slaughter the civilians.

Indeed, Cao Cao turned to Cao Hong, “Zilian, I leave this matter to you!”

…Cao Hong felt troubled. Though he had killed many, he had never slain civilians. Now, he would have to do so. Gritting his teeth, he answered, “Yes!”

Fifty-two: The Young Lord Kills

Seeing Cao Hong agree, Cao Cao continued, “In two days, we will strike Hulao Pass. Tonight, kill them all. Whether Yang Ding’s spies are among the refugees or nearby, once this happens, any surviving spies will rush to report at Hulao Pass. The time it takes will be our window for a swift attack.”

Tonight, then, was the time for killing. Ah, I have never used my blade against civilians! This task should fall to Pan Zhang. Thinking thus, Cao Hong said, “Yes! I will go count the refugees now.”

Cao Cao nodded, “Go.”

Cao Hong rose, took leave of Cao Cao, and clasped hands with Xun You before departing. After he left, only Cao Cao and Xun You remained in the tent. Cao Cao, ever eager for talent, said, “Gongda, why not stay in the camp and help me with strategy?”

Xun You laughed awkwardly, “After breaking Hulao Pass, I wish to infiltrate Dong Zhuo’s westbound convoy and plot further.”

Cao Cao praised him, “Gongda, what courage!” He smiled, “I know, I am still dependent on others, without a place of my own. To have a talent like you by my side would be a waste. When I succeed someday, I will summon you again—you must not refuse.”

Xun You, seeing that Cao Cao understood his intentions, was not embarrassed, but smiled, “Certainly!” Talented birds choose their trees; without power, others have no reason to join you. Not everyone invests long-term like Wei Zi, and the Xun family of Yingchuan was a great clan, Xun You a man of reputation, welcomed wherever he went.

Cao Hong, leaving the camp, sighed deeply and found Pan Zhang, who was distributing food. “Have you secured the routes in and out?”

Pan Zhang replied, “Rest assured, not a single refugee can escape. More are still arriving, so it’s only entry, no exit.”

Cao Hong nodded, “After dark, let no more in. Then gather all refugees in our Right Guard Camp.” He went off to find other officers distributing food.

He then visited Xiahou Yuan, Xiahou Dun, Cao Chun, Wei Zi, Yue Jin, and Cao Ren, instructing them to gather the refugees in their camps by nightfall, saying it was Cao Cao’s command. The generals agreed without question.

Having completed these tasks, Cao Hong returned to his own tent and awaited the coming of night.

At night, the Right Guard Camp blazed with lights, crowded with ragged refugees. Cao Hong’s two hundred personal guards surrounded them, with Pan Zhang at his side.

These refugees, grateful for the food received during the day, felt indebted to the generous army. Some had begun cooking in abandoned houses, even wanting to send hot meals to the soldiers as thanks.

But halfway through cooking, they were all driven into the camp. The soldiers who had fed them now guarded them menacingly. No one knew what was happening. Years of displacement had made them sensitive; now, tremors ran through the crowd, prayers and murmurs rising to heaven.

Pan Zhang whispered to Cao Hong, “Young lord, I have counted—one thousand eight hundred ninety-three refugees gathered these past days.”

Cao Hong nodded, “Send word to the Left Guard Camp and the other five generals: instruct their soldiers that no matter what happens in the Right Guard Camp, they are not to come and watch. Say it is General Fenwu’s order.”

Pan Zhang agreed and sent a messenger. After returning, Cao Hong said, “Wen Gui, I need you to do something for me.”

This was the first time Cao Hong spoke to Pan Zhang in such a tone, tinged with entreaty. Ever since he called him ‘young lord’ in public and ‘big brother’ in private, Pan Zhang had resolved to serve him loyally, especially after Cao Hong secured military manuals for him. Hearing this, Pan Zhang immediately responded, “Say the word, young lord—I will see it done.”

Cao Hong sighed, “I need you to kill. These refugees are all enemy agents. I want you to lead the troops and kill them all—leave none alive.”

Pan Zhang’s face drained of color, stammering, “Sir, could there be a mistake? There are women and children among them!”

Cao Hong’s expression darkened, “There is no mistake—this is a military order. Will you do it, or not?”

Pan Zhang was silent for a moment, then smiled bitterly, “For you, young lord, I would risk my life—what is killing a few people?”

Cao Hong nodded, “Once the messenger returns, act at once. Two hundred trained guards against eighteen hundred unarmed refugees—there should be no problem.”

Pan Zhang took a deep breath, “Rest assured, young lord—it will be a simple matter.”

Cao Hong patted Pan Zhang’s shoulder and shouted, “All two hundred men of the Right Guard Camp, hear my command! Until I return, you are all under Deputy Pan’s orders!”

The soldiers, accustomed to seeing Pan Zhang at Cao Hong’s side, had no surprise and answered in unison, “Yes!”

Cao Hong nodded and left the camp. Pan Zhang stood for a moment, then gritted his teeth and ordered, “Both squad leaders, four captains, twenty section chiefs, forty group leaders—all report to the overseer’s tent. I have orders!”

Leaving the camp, Cao Hong wandered through Chenggao and encountered Cao Chun. “Zilian, why has big brother gathered the refugees in your camp and ordered us to restrain our men?”

Cao Hong answered, “Big brother means to kill the refugees, lest spies hide among them.”

Cao Chun was shocked, “That’s nearly two thousand people! If so, why let the refugees in at all? With guards, spies wouldn’t learn anything anyway.”

Then, a shrill scream pierced the night—from the Right Guard Camp. After the first, more screams followed, dense and agonizing, joined by cries and pleas. Cao Chun’s face changed. Cao Hong said, “Zi He, do you remember big brother asking us to join him in the surprise attack on Hulao Pass?”

Cao Chun thought deeply, “Big brother feared spies nearby, so he gathered refugees to let them mix in, then planned to leave none alive—better to err than let one escape?”

Cao Hong nodded, sitting beneath an eave, leaning against the wall, sighing as the screams echoed, “Zi He, does your heart ache? Mine does too. That is the difference between us and big brother. It’s undeniable—this will catch enemy spies off guard and give us a chance.”

Cao Chun sighed, sitting beside him, “When I followed big brother from Luoyang to Chenliu, we stayed in Chenggao, at big brother’s old friend Lü Bo She’s house. Big brother suspected Lü plotted against him, so we killed the whole family. Zilian, these screams remind me of those days.”

“Better I wrong others than others wrong me,” Cao Hong murmured.

Cao Chun shuddered, “Zilian, how did you know big brother said that?”

Cao Hong smiled, “He told me.”

In truth, those words were recorded in the histories.

By now, the screams had faded. Cao Hong and Cao Chun sat in silence, lost in their own thoughts. Neither knew that, at the same time, Cao Cao crouched at Lü Bo She’s former residence, amid broken walls, clutching his brow and weeping bitterly…

Half an hour later, Pan Zhang, covered in blood, trudged to where Cao Hong sat beneath the eaves. Standing before him, he said, “Young lord, all enemy agents have been executed. Our army suffered thirty wounded, seven dead—all killed for disobeying orders by their group, section, team, and squad leaders.”

Pan Zhang’s voice was calm, as if he had undergone a strange transformation.

Cao Hong nodded, “Let the men leave the Right Guard Camp and lodge in the Left Guard Camp.”

Cao Chun rose, “I’ll tell the men to clear space.”

Pan Zhang saluted, “Yes, sir!” and departed.