February 21, 193 AD
Yan Province, Jiyin Commandery
Yuan Shu had stationed his army at Juancheng and once again received an envoy from Cao Cao’s forces.
Inside the central command tent:
After the envoy explained his purpose, the civil and military officials present reacted differently, all turning their attention toward the seat of honor.
“Men!” Yuan Shu’s eyes were full of disdain.
He glanced at the envoy from Cao Cao’s army and immediately lost interest.
“Throw him out.”
“Yes, sir!”
Two armored soldiers of Yuan Shu’s army stepped forward, saluted, and, ignoring the envoy’s panicked protests, dragged him out of the tent.
“Cao Cao is nothing more than the descendant of eunuchs.”
Once silence returned to the tent, Yuan Shu swept his gaze across the assembled officers and said seriously:
“And he thinks himself worthy of joining forces with me?”
“I believe his ambitions remain unchecked. He merely wishes to carve up Yan Province and build his own power.”
“As the Left General of the Han court, how could I possibly allow such a thing?”
“My lord is wise!”
“The General is wise!”
Zhang Miao and the other officers immediately voiced their agreement.
“Ji Ling.” Yuan Shu waved his hand and looked toward his general.
“Have you determined where the Yellow Turbans are stationed?”
“Reporting to my lord.” Ji Ling stepped forward and cupped his fists.
“After several clashes between our scouts and the Yellow Turban scouts, our forces achieved complete victory while the enemy suffered heavy losses.”
“They have now retreated entirely behind their city walls.”
“According to our scouts’ reports, there are currently two Yellow Turban forces guarding fortified positions ahead of us.”
“One is stationed in Yuncheng to the east.”
“It is less than a hundred li from here and contains no more than ten thousand enemy soldiers.”
“The other is at Fan County to the northeast.”
“It lies roughly one hundred and fifty li away and contains fewer than twenty thousand troops.”
At this point, Ji Ling’s expression grew serious.
“However, there is something we must note.”
“The Yellow Turbans have extensively rebuilt both cities.”
“Yuncheng’s walls alone now stand nearly four zhang high.”
“They have also diverted water from the Huzi River to create a moat.”
“To take the city, we will require large numbers of troops and heavy siege equipment.”
“And Fan County is even more formidable.” After finishing his report, Ji Ling stepped back.
“These Yellow Turbans are quite amusing. Have they really started treating Yan Province as their own territory?”
“With heavily fortified cities and strong garrisons, it won’t be easy to break through.”
“What are we worried about? We have two hundred thousand troops!”
“…”
After hearing Ji Ling’s report, the assembled generals began discussing the matter.
However, most of them were not particularly concerned.
The Yellow Turbans had occupied cities before.
Yet throughout history, no city held by the Yellow Turbans had remained in their hands for long.
In the end, all had fallen to imperial armies.
“How could mere bandits understand the art of defending a city?” Yuan Shu rose to his feet, his gaze full of dominance.
“When my army arrives beneath their walls, the cities upon which the Yellow Turbans rely will be reduced to dust.”
………………
The Next Day – Cao Army Camp
Ever since Cao Cao received Zhu Ling and his reinforcements, the atmosphere within the camp had grown even more tense.
Every soldier could clearly sense that war was imminent.
Inside the central command tent:
Cao Cao sat at the head of the assembly while Zhu Ling and the other officers occupied seats according to rank.
“Yuan Gonglu truly is an arrogant fool.”
After hearing how his envoy had been treated, Cao Cao was so angry he almost laughed.
“Governor Cao,” Zhu Ling frowned.
“Yuan Shu refuses to allow us to advance into Yan Province. What should we do now?”
The reason he had come to Cao Cao’s camp was simple:
Yuan Shao had ordered him to assist Cao Cao in reclaiming Yan Province.
But now Yan Province was filled with Yuan Shu’s troops.
And Yuan Shu clearly had no intention of allowing Cao Cao to set foot there.
The situation had become far more complicated.
“General Zhu, be at ease.” Cao Cao calmly reassured him.
“Yuan Shu’s arrogance is nothing new.”
“I am certain those Yellow Turbans will not be easy to deal with.”
“We need only wait and observe.”
“Once Yuan Shu suffers a major setback, we can offer our assistance.”
“Under the banner of helping him, we will join forces against the Yellow Turbans and recover the lost territories of Yan Province.”
“Very well.” Zhu Ling’s frown finally relaxed.
Since he had come under orders, there was no need for him to overthink matters.
“Since I was sent here by command, everything shall follow Governor Cao’s lead.”
“If there is anything you require of me, simply give the order.”
“General Zhu truly deserves his reputation as Brother Benchu’s trusted general.” Cao Cao’s face showed genuine admiration.
“With those words from you, I can rest much more easily.”
After conversing for a while longer, Zhu Ling finally took his leave.
“My lord.” Cao Ren’s expression was somewhat tense as he leaned closer and spoke quietly into Cao Cao’s ear.
“Now that Zhu Ling has brought troops to assist us, can we still kill Yuan Shu?”
“We’ll act according to circumstances.” Cao Cao’s expression remained calm.
“Yuan Shu may die at anyone’s hands.”
“But his death absolutely cannot be connected to Yuan Shao.”
“If our army crosses the river… And Yuan Shu then dies in Yan Province, it would be difficult to explain matters to Yuan Shao.”
“However… If the Yellow Turban rebels and Yuan Shu end up crippling each other in battle, then Cao Mengde cannot be blamed.”
“When that time comes… Even if it means offending Yuan Shao, I will seize the opportunity to eliminate Yuan Shu and bring both Yan and Yu Provinces under my control.”
Cao Cao understood very clearly.
The Yuan brothers each wished the other dead.
Yet they were still brothers by blood.
If one truly killed the other, regardless of family ties, how would the world view them?
Reputation was not especially important to someone like Cao Cao.
But it was extremely important to Yuan Shao.
For the sake of his reputation alone, Yuan Shao would never openly move against Yuan Shu.
“I understand.” Cao Ren slowly nodded.
Turning his gaze eastward, he clenched his fist, harboring a trace of anticipation in his heart.
……………..
Wuyan City, Dongping State
Qihuo Army Camp on the Banks of the Wen River
Zhang Jing had stationed thirty-five thousand troops here.
Yu Du and Yu Jin each commanded fifteen thousand men.
The remaining five thousand formed the central army under Dian Wei’s training.
At this moment, the central army drill grounds were packed with armored soldiers carrying sabers and halberds.
All eyes were focused on the center of the field.
There stood nearly a thousand men.
Their clothes were tattered.
Their hair was unkempt.
Their faces were weary.
And their expressions were filled with anxiety.
Ever since arriving here, none of them had dared look around.
“My lord has arrived!”
At that moment, a loud announcement rang out from the distance.
“We pay our respects to our lord!”
The surrounding soldiers immediately cupped their fists and shouted in unison.
Zhang Jing approached with a face as cold as iron.
He wore full armor and rested one hand on the hilt of the Blade of Judgment.
Flanked by Dian Wei and Pan Zhang, he walked through the ranks and ascended the command platform.
“We pay our respects to our lord!”
“We pay our respects—”
The thousand men below panicked and immediately fell to their knees.
Pressing their foreheads firmly against the ground, they dared not raise their heads.
“You have all disappointed me greatly!”
Looking down at the kneeling crowd, Zhang Jing’s face was filled with anger and disappointment.
His voice exploded across the drill grounds:
“Raise your heads!”
“We dare not!”
The thunderous shout made many of them tremble.
Instead of obeying, they pressed their heads even harder against the earth, wishing they could bury themselves completely.
“What is it that you dare not do?” Zhang Jing roared angrily.
“Raise your heads!”
“You dared to bully men and violate women!”
“You dared to throw your weight around and abuse your power!”
“You dared to oppress the innocent and the weak!”
“Now tell me!”
“Among all of you standing here today, is there even a single person who was wrongfully accused?”
— The end of the Chapter–
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