“It’s over!”
Zhang Miao seemed dazed upon hearing the news and muttered,
“The Yellow Turbans captured Dingtao in less than a day. Chenliu certainly won’t be able to hold either.”
“My lord, we should retreat!”
Zhao Chong said with a panicked expression, “It’s already too late to seek reinforcements. Within two days at most, the Yellow Turbans will be at the gates of Chenliu. By then, we won’t be able to escape even if we had wings. Wu Zi’s fate is a warning to us all!”
“Zhao Chong’s words make sense.”
Zhang Miao looked at him and nodded in agreement.
“The Yellow Turbans are powerful and possess formidable siege weapons. We cannot defend Chenliu. We should preserve our strength and keep ourselves alive for future use.”
Zhao Chong was a Military Sima under Zhang Miao.
Though the rank did not seem particularly high, the position of Military Sima was, in most commanderies, the highest military office under a governor.
Only a handful of commanderies had positions such as Cavalry Commandant or Commandant.
Those military posts typically existed only under special circumstances—such as the current age of chaos.
Now that even the Military Sima wanted to flee, Zhang Miao understood that remaining to defend the city would only lead to death.
“My lord is wise!”
Zhao Chong visibly relaxed and clasped his fists.
“This subordinate will make the arrangements immediately.”
“Wait a moment, Sima Zhao!”
Just as Zhao Chong turned to leave, another official hurriedly stopped him and addressed Zhang Miao.
“My lord, you are the Governor of Chenliu and one of the lords who participated in the coalition alliance. You also command twenty thousand troops.”
“If you simply abandon the city and leave now, I’m afraid it would damage your reputation.”
“Why not leave a portion of the troops to defend Chenliu while Your Lordship personally leads your guards to Yu Province to request aid?”
“In this way, you can give the court an explanation, and preserve your good name as well.”
“Hmm, reasonable.”
Zhang Miao nodded heavily before assuming a dignified expression.
“Zhao Chong, carry out the Chief Clerk’s proposal. Leave five thousand men behind. Assign some junior officer to defend the city.”
“We shall depart tonight.”
As for whether they were truly personal guards or not, that was merely a matter of wording.
Whichever soldiers he took with him would be described as Zhang Miao’s personal guards.
With his reputation as one of the Eight Cooks, there would always be people willing to flatter him wherever he went.
“This general obeys!”
Zhao Chong respectfully accepted the order.
…………..
Returning to the military camp, Zhao Chong first summoned his aides and began making arrangements.
Afterward, he called for a young officer with a powerfully built frame.
“Dian Wei!”
Zhao Chong said sternly,
“News has arrived from Jiyang. The Yellow Turbans have already captured Dingtao and will soon march upon Chenliu.”
“So what?”
Dian Wei replied boldly.
“If the Yellow Turbans come, we’ll just fight them!”
“Excellent. I knew I hadn’t misjudged you.”
Zhao Chong nodded approvingly.
“The Governor has already decided to hold Chenliu.”
“Our twenty thousand troops will be divided into camps of five thousand each and rotated for defense.”
“Sima Zhao,” Dian Wei scratched his head.
“Why are you telling me all this? I’m only a squad leader.”
“Haha, Dian Wei, you’re too modest!”
Zhao Chong continued his deception.
“How capable you are is something I know very well. I’ve already recommended you to the Governor.”
“Starting today, you are promoted to Military Marquis and will be responsible for defending the East Gate.”
“Haha! Sima Zhao has a good eye!”
Dian Wei was overjoyed.
His opinion of Zhao Chong immediately improved.
“Enough.”
Zhao Chong pretended to be angry.
“After you take up your post, remember not to become arrogant or impatient. Serve the court faithfully and guard the East Gate well for the Governor.”
“Rest assured, Sima Zhao!”
Dian Wei slapped his chest confidently.
“As long as I, Dian Wei, am here, the East Gate will be absolutely secure!”
With that, Dian Wei strode away, his heart filled with delight.
“What a fool.”
After Dian Wei left, Zhao Chong dropped his act.
He rubbed his forehead and began pondering what to do next.
……………
Chenliu Commandery, Waihuang City
At this moment, more than three hundred thousand soldiers and civilians had gathered there.
Most of them were common people who had been swept up by the Qihuo Army.
The majority had “voluntarily” chosen to follow along.
Fortunately, the Qihuo Army now had enough hot porridge to feed everyone.
Once separated from the main force, ordinary civilians would find it extremely difficult to survive.
As a result, the army’s ranks continued to grow like a snowball rolling downhill.
Such a method was undoubtedly inhumane.
Zhang Jing had no better solution.
However, he firmly believed that what he was doing was right.
Only in this way could he save more people.
“My lord!”
Beside him, Xu He held a map and reported solemnly, “Another ten li ahead lies the Bian River. Once we cross it, Chenliu will be less than twenty li away.”
“However, the Bian River’s current is swift.”
“Even at its calmer sections, it is several hundred paces wide. There are no bridges within dozens of li.”
“Our army has brought a large civilian population with us. Crossing the river will likely take considerable time.”
Their current position was Waihuang City.
If they did not cross the Bian River directly, they would have to take a detour, increasing their journey by nearly a hundred li.
Yet crossing the river presented its own difficulties.
“The main army will take the Xiaohuang Official Road.”
Taking the map from Xu He, Zhang Jing studied it for a moment before looking up.
“Dispatch twenty thousand troops and take all civilians to Wuyan.”
“We will retain seven days’ worth of rations and travel light to Chenliu.”
“After capturing Chenliu, we will not remain there for long. We must return to Wuyan before the middle of the month.”
To Zhang Jing, time was now more precious than gold.
“This general obeys!”
Xu He respectfully cupped his fists.
Zhang Jing’s expression grew serious as he thought to himself:
“I wonder how Zhongde’s grain-collection efforts are progressing.”
Along the way, he had acquired a considerable amount of grain.
However, the more grain he obtained, the more places there were to use it.
For example, a peasant household might have stored enough grain to last three months.
Now Zhang Jing had requisitioned it.
But in return, Zhang Jing would have to feed that family for six months.
Even ignoring losses and waste, he would effectively be subsidizing them with an additional three months’ worth of rations.
The only people who truly possessed surplus grain were the great aristocratic clans.
Thus, Cheng Yu’s grain procurement mission had become especially important.
Two hours later, Zhang Jing led nearly forty thousand troops, bringing along catapults and supplies as they set out once more.
………………
Wei Commandery, Ji Province
After learning that Cao Cao had suffered a crushing defeat and retreated to Neihuang County within the commandery, Yuan Shao personally hurried there at top speed.
Cao Cao’s Camp
Inside a command tent of considerable size, although Cao Cao’s injuries had stabilized, his haggard appearance made it clear that he was far from being in good condition.
“Mengde,”
Yuan Shao looked at Cao Cao lying on the couch.
His face was filled with apparent sincerity, and his eyes were slightly red as he spoke righteously:
“Do not worry. Since you have come to Ji Province, focus on recovering in peace.”
“As for your wife and children, leave them to your elder brother.”
“I will treat them as though they were my own nephews and nieces.”
“Mengde, do not burden yourself with unnecessary worries.”
“Your most important task right now is to heal your wounds.”
“As for those detestable Yellow Turban rebels, they truly are like a centipede that refuses to die even after being crushed.”
“I only wish I could personally lead an army into Yan Province and avenge you.”
As he spoke, even Yuan Shao’s normally dignified features became somewhat distorted, as though he were genuinely enraged.
In truth, he was.
Yuan Shao had always regarded Cao Cao as a younger brother.
Moreover, Cao Cao was now one of his most important allies in opposing Yuan Shu.
This disastrous defeat had inflicted severe losses upon Cao Cao.
Even Yuan Shao himself had been significantly affected by it.
“With such sentiments from Brother Benchu, I am already deeply grateful.”
Cao Cao’s eyes were filled with emotion as he replied:
“However, the situation in Yan Province affects Ji Province as well. A single move there can influence the entire strategic situation here.”
“Brother Benchu must not act impulsively.”
“Otherwise, I would never be able to rest easy.”
— The end of the Chapter–
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