Tao Qian’s words had indeed struck a chord with Chen Gui.
Xu Province absolutely could not be allowed to fall into the hands of the Yellow Turbans.
After a moment’s hesitation, Cao Bao spoke:
“What if we ask for reinforcements?”
“From whom?” Chen Gui glanced at him and replied:
“Among the warlords of the Central Plains, only Yuan Shao can truly suppress the Yellow Turbans.”
“But Yuan Shao is currently locked in a struggle with Gongsun Zan for Qing Province.”
“Liu Biao and Yuan Shu have long been bitter enemies.”
“As for Yuan Shu and the Yellow Turbans, they are practically winking at each other from across the table.”
“Looking across the realm, who exactly is left to come to Xu Province’s aid?”
People often said that an incompetent commander could doom an entire army.
Tao Qian was not incompetent.
The problem was that he was too old.
And both of his sons were mediocrities.
The great clans of Xu Province naturally had little desire to stake their future on him.
“Let’s stabilize the Yellow Turbans first.” As silence settled over the hall, Mi Zhu spoke up.
“The Mi family is willing to contribute fifty thousand shi of grain.”
“Very well.” Chen Gui gave Mi Zhu a long look before nodding slowly.
“The Chen clan will likewise contribute fifty thousand shi.”
“The Cao clan will provide ten thousand shi.” Cao Bao gritted his teeth.
Even so, ten thousand shi was already a considerable amount for the Cao family.
After that, the civil and military officials began making pledges one after another.
By the end, they had somehow managed to gather nearly three hundred thousand shi of grain.
“Then I shall leave the matter of notifying the various prefectures to all of you.” Chen Gui took a deep breath.
“I will dispatch an envoy to Langya to negotiate with the Yellow Turbans.”
“But this will be the last time.”
“Remember this well.”
“If the Yellow Turbans march into Xu Province in the future, then we cannot coexist with them.”
“I hope none of you harbor any illusions otherwise.”
Faced with Xu Province’s predicament, Chen Gui had no better solution.
For now, they could only survive this crisis first.
Afterward, each family would have to train its private troops and seek means of self-preservation.
“We shall remember Lord Hanyu’s words.”
The assembled officials all agreed wholeheartedly and respectfully bowed to Chen Gui.
…………..
Ji Province, Wei Commandery
Guantao City, on the banks of the Gudu River
After Yuan Shu’s defeat, Yuan Shao had ordered a withdrawal.
Cao Cao likewise had no intention of continuing the campaign in Yan Province.
As a result, Yuan Shao’s forces returned entirely to their home territories.
They resumed operations against the remnants of Gongsun Zan’s army, hoping to seize Qing Province in one decisive push.
Cao Cao, meanwhile, stationed his troops at Guantao.
Officially, he was there to help Yuan Shao guard against Yan Province.
As for his true intentions, only Cao Cao himself knew.
Standing atop the city walls, Cao Cao gazed toward Yan Province with his hands clasped behind his back.
A complicated look crossed his face.
“Yuan Gonglu…”
“In the end, I still underestimated the depth of your foolishness.”
“Those four commanderies of Yan Province—Forget five hundred thousand shi of grain. Even fifty thousand would be too much in my eyes.”
At the height of his prosperity, Cao Cao had possessed only around five hundred thousand shi of grain reserves.
Yet Yuan Shu had casually handed over the same amount in exchange for a stretch of sparsely populated land.
The land itself was undoubtedly fertile.
Cao Cao needed no further thought to know that.
But if the neighboring ruler happened to be Zhang Yuheng— Then Cao Cao could say with absolute certainty that the land was poisoned.
And yet, Yuan Shu had rushed headlong into the arrangement with enthusiasm.
“Lord.” Just as Cao Cao’s thoughts wandered, Cao Ren hurried over and lowered his voice.
“You instructed me to keep watch on developments in the capital region.”
“A scout has just returned with a piece of intelligence that I believe may prove useful.”
“Oh?” Cao Cao’s spirits immediately lifted.
“Quickly, tell me.” His gaze locked onto Cao Ren.
If he wished to rise again after his setbacks, the Guanzhong and Sili regions were the foundation upon which he intended to rebuild.
“According to the scout’s report,” Cao Ren said cautiously, first making sure no one else was nearby, “the Imperial Court has dispatched two groups of envoys to pacify the warlords throughout the realm.”
“One group is headed by Grand Tutor Ma Midi.”
“He is traveling eastward toward Yu Province and the surrounding regions.”
“The other group is headed by Grand Coachman Zhao Qi.”
“At present, Zhao Qi has already reached Henei Commandery.”
“In another three days, he should enter Ji Province.”
“Excellent!” A sharp gleam flashed through Cao Cao’s eyes.
“Make preparations immediately.”
“I shall ride through the night to Hejian State and have a talk with Brother Benchu.”
Never in his wildest dreams had Cao Cao expected that the Imperial Court would choose this moment to venture into the Central Plains and assert its presence.
To Cao Cao, this was nothing less than a heaven-sent opportunity.
And Zhao Qi was no ordinary man.
Not only was he one of the Nine Ministers, serving as Minister Coachman (Taipu), he was also one of the foremost Confucian scholars of the age and a renowned master of painting.
Titles like Minister Coachman or one of the Nine Ministers might not mean much to Cao Cao and Yuan Shao.
But the status of a celebrated classical scholar was another matter entirely.
That was something they had to take seriously.
If Zhao Qi’s arrival could persuade Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan to cease hostilities and make peace, then all Cao Cao had to do was play his cards correctly.
Once he gained Zhao Qi’s trust, he could use his status as a defeated general to enter Chang’an.
After that, everything would fall naturally into place.
As for Li Jue and Guo Si, the men who controlled the Imperial Court— Cao Cao simply shrugged.
After all, he had never participated in Dong Zhuo’s assassination, nor had he ever entertained such thoughts.
As long as he humbled himself and showed proper deference, how could those rough military strongmen possibly suspect him?
Moreover, he was not without allies among the Liangzhou Army.
During this period, he had hardly been sitting around doing nothing.
“Understood, my lord!” Cao Ren cupped his fists respectfully and accepted the order.
He now understood why this intelligence had excited his elder brother so much.
Without delay, he hurried off to make the necessary arrangements.
Truthfully, Cao Ren had grown weary of this uncertain and aimless existence.
Even if Chang’an proved to be a dragon’s pool and tiger’s den, he was prepared to accompany his elder brother into it.
“Zhang Yuheng…”
“Once I take control of Chang’an, our contest will have only just begun.”
Cao Cao cast one final glance toward Yan Province.
Then he turned and walked away without looking back.
Only his cold voice lingered, echoing across the city walls.
Half an hour later, a cavalry detachment of more than two hundred riders departed Cao Cao’s camp at high speed, galloping eastward.
………………..
Two days later,
in Hejian State, Cao Cao once again met Yuan Shao in Lecheng.
“Brother Mengde!” From a considerable distance away, Yuan Shao called out enthusiastically:
“You’ve come all the way from Guantao. Are you here to hold me accountable?”
“If that’s the case, then let me offer my apologies right now!”
“Hahaha! Brother Benchu jests!” Cao Cao strode forward with a smile.
“How would I dare question my elder brother’s actions?”
“My wounds have finally healed, so I came specifically to thank you.”
“Had it not been for Brother Benchu’s generosity in taking me in…”
As he spoke, Cao Cao bowed deeply.
“I, Cao Mengde, would already be nothing more than a pile of bones.”
“I can never repay such kindness.”
“If there is ever anything you need of me in the future, I, Cao Mengde, will never refuse.”
“Oh, Mengde, quickly rise!” Yuan Shao hastily helped him to his feet.
“Why be so formal between brothers?”
“You’re treating me like a stranger!”
Though he said so, Yuan Shao was secretly delighted.
He found Cao Cao’s attitude extremely satisfying and was highly pleased with his display of gratitude.
“Come, come, come!” Taking Cao Cao by the arm, Yuan Shao led him forward.
“I’ve already prepared food and wine at my residence.”
“Consider it a welcome banquet in your honor!”
“Haha, then I won’t stand on ceremony!” Cao Cao laughed.
“Now that you’ve mentioned it, I really am feeling a bit hungry.”
“Why be polite with your elder brother?” Yuan Shao replied cheerfully.
“Ever since the Coalition Against Dong Zhuo, we haven’t sat down together to eat and drink.”
“Come to think of it, it’s been three years already, hasn’t it?”
— The end of the Chapter–
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