Ch 10 : War is about to break out; make your own preparations

Yanzhou, the Kingdom of Dongping

On the walls of Wuyan City, all the civil and military officials under Cao Cao had assembled.

“According to the scouts’ reports!”

Seated at the head position, Cao Cao swept his gaze across the gathered generals and said coldly,

“Those Yellow Turban rebels know neither gratitude nor righteousness. They actually dare to take the initiative and attack the imperial forces of the Great Han. Such insolence cannot be tolerated. This is not merely a provocation against the court—it is a contemptuous insult to all of us.”

Though Cao Cao spoke as if he did not regard the Yellow Turbans as a threat, he knew the truth perfectly well.

The Qingzhou Yellow Turbans might not all be battle-hardened veterans, but a considerable portion of them had survived numerous campaigns and seen plenty of combat.

They were not comparable to the inexperienced recruits under his command.

Even after days of intensive drilling and despite his advantages in equipment and armaments, Cao Cao still felt uneasy at the prospect of facing the Yellow Turban.

After all, he had once underestimated them.

He had personally led a force of one thousand infantry and cavalry to scout their strength, only to escape with his life because his friend Bao Xin had desperately fought a rear-guard action to cover his retreat.

The price paid that day had been tremendous.

The assembled generals also wore solemn expressions as they waited for Cao Cao’s orders.

“Zilian!”

Cao Cao looked toward Cao Hong and commanded,

“Immediately send word to Miaocai at Puyang, Yuanrang at Cangting Ferry, and Zixiao at Baima Ferry. Once the Yellow Turban army leaves Feicheng, have them lead twenty thousand troops and advance in two columns, north and south, to capture Fei and Lu counties.”

He paused before continuing:

“After the two cities are taken, I authorize the army to slaughter the rebels. All property, women, and children seized shall belong to the soldiers. I will take none of it and will not interfere.”

The generals felt a chill run through them.

They understood that their lord was truly enraged this time.

Yet none of them sought to dissuade him.

After all, looting conquered enemies was hardly unusual in the Han dynasty.

Even the imperial armies of Emperor Wu of Han had left records of plundering civilian populations.

And the Yellow Turbans?

They were rebels.

“This general accepts the order!”

Cao Hong cupped his fists respectfully and shouted.

“Zihe, Wang Lang!”

After Cao Hong departed, Cao Cao turned to two other commanders.

“After you leave, prepare your units and ready all defensive equipment. I intend to make those Yellow Turbans regret ever coming here.”

“We obey!”

Cao Chun and Wang Lang responded with respectful salutes.

Of the two, Cao Chun was a trusted member of the Cao clan, while Wang Lang had formerly served under Bao Xin, the Chancellor of Jibei, and was now under Cao Cao’s command.

“Li Qian, Wenqian.”

Cao Cao continued,

“Once you return, settle your troops and prepare them. When the Yellow Turbans begin their assault, the walls will become a grinder of flesh and blood. We must be ready to take over the defense at any moment.”

“We obey!”

Li Qian and Yue Jin answered in unison.

“That will be all. Go make your arrangements.”

Rising to his feet, Cao Cao wore an expression of confidence.

“The Yellow Turban bandits lack siege equipment and have no grain supplies. As long as we hold the city firmly, they will be forced to withdraw within two days. Once that happens, they will be fish on a chopping block, ready for slaughter.”

“Your lordship is wise!”

The generals were convinced by his reasoning.

After all, most of them knew that the Yellow Turbans were indeed short on provisions.

After the generals departed, only Chen Gong remained.

“My lord,” Chen Gong said with concern, “Generals Yuanrang and the others are stationed at key locations throughout Yanzhou, guarding against Tao Qian of Xuzhou and Gongsun Zan’s forces from Qingzhou. Now that they are all being redeployed, I fear Tao Qian may seize the opportunity.”

“The Yellow Turbans have emptied Feicheng,” Cao Cao replied coldly.

“At this point, I cannot afford to worry about so much. Since the Yellow Turbans have abandoned righteousness, then I, Cao Mengde, need not show mercy.”

“As for Tao Qian in Fagan, let him do as he pleases.”

“Once I have crushed the Yellow Turbans, I can settle accounts with him afterward. Besides, the Xuzhou troops came to support Yuan Shu, and with Yanzhou buried under bitter winter conditions, I do not believe Tao Qian will dare move rashly.”

“As for Gongsun Zan’s men—”

“Dan Jing and Liu Bei in Qingzhou are the same. They are capable enough at defending territory, but expecting them to invade Yanzhou would be giving them too much credit.”

As he spoke, a trace of gravity appeared in Cao Cao’s eyes.

“The only things I truly worry about are two matters: Wenruo’s safety and the giant timbers the scouts reported among the Yellow Turban army.”

“The first needs no explanation.”

“As for the second, if my guess is correct, those timbers are components of siege machinery. Giant logs? They may very well be traction trebuchets.”

As a veteran commander, Cao Cao was naturally familiar with trebuchets.

However, the methods of constructing such machines had long been restricted among the common people, and ordinary siege warfare rarely required them.

Goose carts and scaling ladders were usually sufficient.

“My lord’s insight is admirable. I am convinced.”

After hearing Cao Cao’s analysis, Chen Gong felt he had worried unnecessarily.

In weather this severe, not only would Tao Qian hesitate to march into Yanzhou—even Yuan Shu himself would be reluctant to launch a campaign.

Whether aligned with Yuan Shao or Yuan Shu, they all shared one public identity:

Officials of the Great Han.

Fighting the Yellow Turbans was their duty.

Now that the Yellow Turbans and Cao Cao were locked in conflict, they were more than happy to watch from the sidelines.

As long as the Yellow Turbans remained trapped in Yanzhou, all was well.

……….

Elsewhere

Zhang Jing’s various forces, totaling one hundred thousand troops, had completely departed Lu County.

Meanwhile, Zhang Jing remained behind to make his final arrangements.

“Wang Du.”

Dressed in half armor over thick hemp clothing, Zhang Jing instructed him:

“After I leave, move all the civilians outside the city into the city proper. Set up the trebuchets inside the walls.”

“Xiahou Dun commands over ten thousand troops at Cangting Ford, only about one hundred and fifty li from here. He will certainly not miss this opportunity.”

“But do not worry. Defend the city using the methods I taught you, and Xiahou Dun will return empty-handed. Remember this well—under no circumstances are you to leave the city and pursue him.”

“Your task is to protect our soldiers’ families and the civilians within the city.”

“This general will not fail your trust, my lord!”

Deeply moved, Wang Du cupped his fists and shouted:

“I swear to live and die with this city!”

“Good. I believe in you.”

Zhang Jing firmly patted Wang Du on the shoulder before continuing:

“For this campaign, I am leaving Zhou Cang behind to assist you and help coordinate the civilians in the city’s defense.”

“Many thanks, my lord.”

Wang Du’s face lit up with delight upon hearing this.

Ever since the old Yellow Turban Commander had passed away, young and capable men like Zhou Cang had begun to distinguish themselves.

Zhou Cang’s martial prowess was exceptional.

With Zhou Cang’s assistance, holding the city should pose no problem at all.

After Zhang Jing departed, he summoned Zhou Cang to his side alone.

Taking out a command seal, he handed it to him and instructed him in a low voice:

“Zhou Cang, if General Wang proves incapable of defending the city, or if his actions endanger the civilians within it, you may use this seal to execute him on the spot.”

“However, this authority must not be exercised lightly. I trust you to treat it with the utmost caution.”

“This subordinate accepts the order.”

Zhou Cang received the seal and responded respectfully, his expression tense.

Zhang Jing’s face remained serious as he continued:

“I have great faith in General Wang.”

“But trust can never replace oversight. This is a responsibility to General Wang himself, and even more so to our army and to the people.”

“My lord is wise!”

Standing nearby, Cheng Yu felt as though a veil had been lifted from his eyes.

He wholeheartedly agreed with Zhang Jing’s words.

“My lord is wise!”

Zhou Cang did not fully grasp the deeper meaning behind the statement, but he plainly understood what his lord intended.

“Go.”

Zhang Jing patted Zhou Cang on the shoulder and turned his gaze toward the southwest.

A faint confidence appeared in his eyes as he said:

“This battle will not last long.”

“And it is time for the world to once again learn what the Way of Great Peace is capable of.”