Chapter Sixty-Four: Returning Home to Recruit Soldiers (Part Two)

Cao Hong traveled south from Yan Province through Yu Province, resting in county towns along the way, which made his journey somewhat slow. However, since Cao Cao had not set a strict deadline for the recruitment of soldiers, Cao Hong was in no particular hurry. Besides, he understood well that the farce of the campaign against Dong Zhuo was drawing to a close; Cao Cao’s true purpose in raising troops this time was not to continue clashing with Dong Zhuo, but rather to build his own strength and prepare for a new beginning.

The situation along the route was much as it had been during his previous journey north: bandits and local gentry entrenched in their territories, with multiple factions vying for control within a single commandery or principality. Only in Runan and Peiguo of Yu Province did this chaos not prevail. Even in Yingchuan, where the four great clans held sway, many county towns had fallen into the hands of Yellow Turban remnants and local brigands.

Yet, there was a difference this time: Cao Hong traveled openly, a large banner emblazoned with the character “Cao” held high among his troops, drawing attention wherever they went. At each crossing of another’s territory, he was questioned—was this the force of General Cao, bearer of the imperial edict to suppress the traitor Dong Zhuo? Cao Hong always answered affirmatively, and so was warmly received at every stop. From this, it was clear that Cao Cao’s fame had soared; he had won the respect of men across the land.

Though Cao Cao still lacked a firm foothold, change was quietly under way.

One day, Cao Hong and his men were traveling through Runan, intending to enter Yang Province via Baoxin, when they encountered a checkpoint on the official road. A well-equipped detachment of fifty men guarded the post, stopping all passing merchants and travelers for inspection, causing a long queue to form along the roadway.

Seeing this, Cao Hong ordered his soldiers to wait by the roadside and sent Shi A ahead to inquire. He was puzzled; Runan was under Yuan Shu’s control, and he could not fathom why Yuan Shu would establish such a checkpoint here.

After some time, Shi A returned, accompanied by an officer under Yuan Shu. The man stepped forward, saluted, and announced, “Captain Lin Dabao, commander of the fifty-man unit under General Ji of the Rear General’s forces, greets General Cao.”

Shi A rode back to Cao Hong’s side and explained, “They’re troops under Ji Ling, a general serving Yuan Shu.”

Cao Hong nodded and asked, “Captain Lin, may I ask the reason for this checkpoint?”

Lin Dabao replied, “General Cao, forgive the inconvenience. We are under orders to intercept a man named Liu Biao, whom Dong Zhuo has recently appointed as Inspector of Jing Province. Since you serve under the General of Martial Vigor, you and your men may pass freely.”

“Liu Biao! So he really is heading for Jing Province. But is he a fool, to travel the main road and risk being caught?” Cao Hong thought to himself. Then it struck him—the officer was simply following orders, willing to turn a blind eye. He had no idea what Liu Biao looked like; letting someone slip through would be easy enough. This checkpoint was for show, not a real barrier, so there was no need to make trouble for Cao Cao’s men.

“What a simpleton Yuan Shu is!” Cao Hong cursed inwardly, but outwardly he smiled and said, “In that case, thank you, Captain Lin, for your consideration.”

Lin Dabao smiled in turn and personally escorted Cao Hong’s party past the checkpoint.

After giving thanks, Cao Hong led his troops onward toward Yang Province. As they traveled, Shi A remarked, “Master, I met Liu Biao in Luoyang. He’s over fifty, one of the famed Eight Geniuses, and carries himself with the grace of a true elder. He’s kin to the imperial house and once served as Colonel of the Northern Army. His appointment as Inspector of Jing Province is well-deserved. Why would Lord Yuan seek to hinder him?”

Cao Hong was no political genius, but he had a fair understanding of history and the temperament of these figures, aided by a perspective two millennia ahead and the keen instincts of a mercenary. For questions Shi A could not fathom, Cao Hong could see clearly.

He laughed and said, “What’s so strange about it? Recently, the Inspector of Jing Province, Wang Rui, was killed by Sun Wentai. Now the region is leaderless. Yuan Gonglu controls Nanyang, Jing’s largest commandery, and naturally covets the province. But with the campaign against Dong Zhuo ongoing, he’s too occupied to turn south. Now, someone else comes to take charge—do you think he’ll just accept it? Of course he’ll try to block the way. But I doubt he’ll succeed; Liu Biao will travel light, in disguise, and these soldiers have never seen him before. How could they possibly stop him?”

Shi A nodded. “Though Liu Biao was appointed by Dong Zhuo, it was with the emperor’s approval, making it legitimate. No wonder Yuan Shu would interfere. Still, I suspect Yuan Shu doesn’t truly mean to stop Liu Biao, but rather to prevent him from bringing troops. If Liu Biao arrives in Jing Province alone, with so many local powers, he won’t be able to stir up much trouble.”

Cao Hong laughed heartily. “If that’s the case, Yuan Shu underestimates Liu Jingxuan.”

Shi A fell silent, unconvinced in his heart. No matter how capable Liu Biao was, could one man contend with all the local powers of Jing Province? Yet he did not rebut Cao Hong, for he was his master. Little did he know, it was his master who was right.

After leaving Runan, the party entered Lujiang Commandery in Yang Province. In Cao Hong’s memory, he still had some business interests here, all located in Shuxian, the seat of government: ten grain warehouses, three rice shops for selling grain, six pawnshops for extending credit, three riverside docks, and about thirty merchant vessels for transporting goods.

Thus, Cao Hong led his men toward Shuxian, hoping to reach the town before nightfall. This time, Cao Cao’s call for him to recruit soldiers clearly required considerable support, and since Cao Cao had no plans to make Yang Province his base, Cao Hong intended to sell off all his assets here, meaning he would need to stay in Shuxian for a while.

There was another reason for heading to Shuxian: the governor of Lujiang Commandery was an old acquaintance of Cao Cao and had long-standing ties with the Cao family. His name was Liu Xun, styled Zitai. In his early years, he had served as magistrate of Jianping County in Peiguo, the Cao family’s stronghold, and even before Cao Cao entered officialdom, he and Liu Xun were already on friendly terms.

Thanks to this relationship, Cao Hong’s business had been able to flourish in Lujiang. Now, needing troops, it made sense to approach the governor directly. Cao Hong planned to transfer his assets to Liu Xun in exchange for a contingent of soldiers, fully equipped, so he could immediately command a force of seasoned veterans—a most formidable addition to his strength.

Pushing on with his men, Cao Hong arrived at the gates of Shuxian just before sunset, only to find them already closed. He sent someone to call out below the walls. After a short wait, the drawbridge over the moat was lowered, the gates opened, and a group of riders emerged. At their head was a tall, imposing man near forty, clad in a fur-lined robe—none other than Liu Xun, Governor of Lujiang. Behind him rode a young man of elegant bearing, handsome features, and fair complexion, seemingly about Cao Hong’s age.

It was clear at a glance that this youth lacked martial skill, yet he followed Liu Xun closely, while the armored officers with swords at their waists rode behind him. This alone showed the young man’s status in Lujiang was second only to Liu Xun himself. What puzzled Cao Hong was that he had no recollection of this person at all. The only explanation was that the youth had joined Liu Xun’s service in the past two years while Cao Hong was away serving as magistrate of Qichun.

Counting the time, it had been just two years since Cao Hong took up the post in Qichun. In that short span, this young man had risen to become Liu Xun’s right-hand man, despite lacking martial prowess. His intelligence must be extraordinary.

“But who could he be? Is he a figure of note in history?” Cao Hong’s curiosity about the young man only grew.