Yanzhou, Dongping Kingdom.
In Wuyan, the seat of administration, inside the main hall of the Governor’s Office.
Cao Cao stood clad in a dark blue brocade robe and a heavy cloak.
His gaze was sharp and piercing, and his bearing commanded respect without the need for anger.
Below him, the civil and military officials stood in separate ranks.
“I presume all of you have already heard the news.”
Sweeping his eyes across the assembled officials, Cao Cao spoke with a grave expression.
“A few days ago, Zhang Rao, commander of the Qingzhou Yellow Turbans, died of illness. His successor is his son, Zhang Jing. Three days ago, the Qingzhou Yellow Turbans also began concentrating their forces around Luxian and Feicheng.”
“Since Zhang Jing assumed command, I have sent several letters to the Yellow Turbans.”
“Yet every one of them has vanished without a trace. It seems this Zhang Jing harbors rebellious intentions. What counsel can you offer me?”
Zhang Rao’s death had left Cao Cao deeply troubled.
While Zhang Rao had been alive, the two had exchanged numerous letters.
It could not be said that they knew each other intimately, but after so much correspondence, they had at least reached a level of mutual understanding.
Zhang Rao possessed a sense of righteousness.
He wanted the Yellow Turban commoners who followed him to survive.
Cao Cao likewise had his own sense of duty to the Han court.
He was willing to accept the Yellow Turbans’ surrender and pardon their crimes.
If this million-strong Yellow Turban force surrendered, they could immediately become his private army.
He would do everything possible to settle them, provide them with food and farmland, and ensure their survival.
Those letters between them had been filled with sincerity and earnest feeling.
There had been no schemes, no hidden agendas—only genuine intent.
Just when it seemed Zhang Rao was about to be persuaded by him, the man unexpectedly died of illness.
As for how Zhang Rao’s heir would treat him, even Cao Cao could not be certain.
As for the current situation in Yanzhou, Cao Cao understood it even more clearly than Cheng Li.
On the surface, it appeared to be a struggle among various warlords.
But at its core, it was nothing more than a contest between the brothers Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu.
Yuan Shao had already defeated Gongsun Zan twice, and for a time, his prestige was unmatched.
Moreover, he had once served as the leader of the coalition against Dong Zhuo, making his influence all the greater.
Yet Yuan Shu was no simple figure either.
After Yuan Ji, the legitimate eldest son of the Yuan clan, was killed by Dong Zhuo, Yuan Shu—the second legitimate son—effectively inherited the foundations of the Yuan family.
The Yuan clan, after all, had produced officials holding the Three Excellencies for four consecutive generations.
Their students, protégés, and former subordinates could be found throughout the realm.
Beyond their material foundations, the political legacy and influence left behind by the Yuan family were beyond estimation.
Since Yuan Shu inherited the family’s core power base, that legacy was naturally divided between the brothers Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu.
It was difficult to say which of the two was stronger.
At least in Cao Cao’s eyes, the two were currently evenly matched.
Even though Yuan Shao had once served as coalition leader, there were not many members of the Yuan clan who truly supported him.
After all, Yuan Shao had originally been born of a concubine.
Though he had later been adopted by Yuan Cheng, Yuan Cheng’s early death meant that little political capital had been passed on to him.
Compared with Yuan Shu, a legitimate son, he simply could not compete in that regard.
However, Yuan Shao’s humility in recruiting talent and his skill in dealing with people surpassed Yuan Shu a hundredfold.
This was the primary reason he could now stand on equal footing with his brother.
The situation in Yanzhou today appeared to be a contest between Cao Cao and the Yellow Turbans.
In reality, aside from the Yellow Turbans themselves, Liu Bei, Tao Qian, Shan Jing, and even Cao Cao were merely pieces on the chessboard of the Yuan brothers.
And although Cao Cao appeared to be the Governor of Yanzhou, his position was not recognized by the Han court.
The court’s officially appointed Governor of Yanzhou was Jin Shang.
It was only that Cao Cao had driven Jin Shang away, forcing him to seek protection under Yuan Shu.
The million Yellow Turbans occupying the heartland of Yanzhou seemed formidable at first glance.
Yet in truth, neither Yuan Shao nor Yuan Shu regarded them as a serious concern.
And that, in Cao Cao’s view, was precisely his opportunity.
As long as he could swallow up this million-strong Yellow Turban force, only then would he truly secure a place for himself in the world.
Even when facing the Yuan brothers, he would not dare claim he could oppose them directly.
But at the very least, he would possess the capital to maneuver and contend with them.
It could be said that Yanzhou had become the focus of every warlord in the realm.
The eyes of capable and farsighted men from every region were fixed upon Yanzhou.
For the future balance of power in the Central Plains hinged upon its fate, and no one dared treat it lightly.
“Lord, there is no need for undue concern.”
As Cao Cao finished speaking, the man seated second on the left rose and bowed.
Dressed as a scholar, the middle-aged man spoke with complete confidence:
“Various provinces have already stationed troops along Yanzhou’s borders, and you have implemented a scorched-earth policy and fortified defenses, leaving the Yellow Turbans no opportunity to exploit.”
“Thus, the Yellow Turbans within the province have become trapped beasts.”
“Without a source of provisions, in my opinion, they will surrender within half a month at most.”
Upon hearing this, the assembled civil and military officials voiced their agreement.
“Mr. Gongtai speaks wisely.”
“The Yellow Turbans in Yanzhou originally came from Qingzhou. The Qingzhou Yellow Turbans suffered consecutive defeats in Mount Tai and Jizhou, losing countless supplies and baggage trains. They invaded Yanzhou in the fourth month, and now so much time has passed. How could there still be enough food left in Yanzhou for them to plunder and survive on?”
“Exactly, exactly. That’s the logic.”
“The Yellow Turbans have nowhere left to go. If they wish to live, the only path remaining is to surrender to our lord.”
“…”
“Gongtai’s words are reasonable.”
After listening to everyone’s analysis, Cao Cao’s expression relaxed somewhat.
Stroking his beard, he nodded in agreement before turning his gaze toward the scholar seated in the place of honor on the left.
“I wonder what insights Wenruo might have?”
As soon as Cao Cao spoke, the hall fell silent.
All eyes turned toward the scholar.
The expressions of the officials varied.
Besides curiosity and anticipation, there was also a measure of scrutiny.
After all, this scholar was no ordinary man.
He was praised as a kingmaker and often referred to by Cao Cao as “my Zhang Liang.”
This was the man who had entered Cao Cao’s service the previous year— a member of the Yingchuan Xun clan, Xun Yu, courtesy name Wenruo.
“Your Lordship flatters me.”
Xun Yu rose and bowed.
He wore an elegant scholar’s robe embroidered with cloud patterns, a jade pendant and fragrant sachet hanging from his waist.
His features were refined, and his gaze calm and composed.
“Mr. Gongtai’s assessment is not without merit. The Yellow Turbans have indeed fallen into the position of trapped beasts. Even if their newly appointed commander harbors ambitions of his own, he remains unable to alter the overall situation.”
“Just as Mr. Gongtai has said, the Yellow Turbans will surely surrender within half a month.”
“As for why Your Lordship has received no reply to your letters, I believe the reason lies in internal disagreements among the Yellow Turbans.”
“Oh?”
Cao Cao’s eyes brightened.
Xun Yu’s conclusion matched his own suspicions exactly.
Although the Yellow Turbans had installed a new commander, everyone understood that a transfer of power was often accompanied by instability and divisions.
The Yellow Turbans now faced an unprecedented crisis.
Coupled with the death of their old commander, the emergence of differing opinions within their ranks was entirely natural.
“Therefore,”
Xun Yu continued after a moment’s thought,
“I believe Your Lordship should add fuel to the effort of persuading the Yellow Turbans to surrender.”
“For Your Lordship, bringing the Yellow Turbans to submission is a matter that should be accomplished sooner rather than later.”
“For if it is delayed, unforeseen changes may arise.”
The change he referred to was naturally Yuan Shu, who was already making restless moves in Yu Province.
If they failed to subdue the Yellow Turbans quickly, organize this million-strong population, and transform its able-bodied men into a fighting force, then by the time spring arrived next year, they would inevitably face an invasion from Yuan Shu.
And the only potential ally they could rely upon was Yuan Shao.
However, Yuan Shao had only recently dealt a crushing defeat to Gongsun Zan and was still in the process of consolidating Ji Province.
Meanwhile, although defeated, Gongsun Zan was far from finished.
Like a centipede that continues to move even after death, he still retained considerable strength.
Liu Bei and Shan Jing in Qingzhou were both his subordinates and supporters.
As for Tao Qian, who had stationed troops at Fagan, he was likewise an ally of Yuan Shu.
Therefore, even if Cao Cao wished for Yuan Shao’s assistance against Yuan Shu, Yuan Shao would be unable to provide meaningful support in the short term.
What Cao Cao could do now was to subdue the Yellow Turbans as quickly as possible.
The Han court’s officially recognized Governor of Yanzhou, Jin Shang, was currently under Yuan Shu’s protection.
Given Yuan Shu’s character, he would certainly invoke the banner of legitimacy and lead an army into Yanzhou.
Hearing this, Cao Cao’s expression became solemn.
He rose from his seat and bowed respectfully toward Xun Yu.
“Please, Wenruo, enlighten me.”
— The end of the Chapter–
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