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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Silverriver
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The next morning,
“Spare no expense on the rations. Plenty of side dishes, lots of meat, and don’t skimp on the salt.”
Cao Cao visited the kitchens and ordered the cooks and supply officers to be generous with the rations.
Just a few days ago, he had stressed conserving supplies, and now he was telling them to spare no expense. The cooks were bewildered but followed his orders.
“Let’s see, the rice looks perfect.”
Cao Cao examined the steaming rice in the pot, scooped some out with a ladle, and tasted it. Then he offered me the ladle, gesturing for me to try it.
“The rice is cooked well.”
“Then let’s distribute it to the soldiers. A hearty breakfast is essential.”
At Cao Cao’s command, the cooks filled wooden rice containers and distributed them to the soldiers.
The soldiers, surprised by the generous portions, ate their fill. Cao Cao chuckled at the sight and instructed his officers,
“Make sure dinner is even more lavish.”
“Yes, Governor!”
Cao Cao gave his instructions and then leisurely inspected the troops. I cautiously approached him and asked,
“Uncle.”
“What is it?”
“Shouldn’t we be preparing for the large enemy force that will arrive in three days?”
“We are. That’s why I’m making sure the soldiers are well-fed.”
“Wouldn’t it be better to address the troops? A rousing speech from you would boost their morale and encourage them to prepare for battle.”
In this era, boosting morale typically involved a rousing speech from the commander, dressed in splendid armor, or providing a feast, as was happening now.
Cao Cao had taken care of the feast, so I expected him to give a speech.
However, Cao Cao chuckled wryly and shook his head.
“Wenlie, you sometimes say sensible things, but you don’t consider the consequences.”
“Consequences?”
“If you give a speech like that while they’re eating, the soldiers will get indigestion.”
“Ah…”
“And such speeches should be given right before battle. If you tell them now, some might desert out of fear after hearing about the enemy’s numbers.”
“I apologize. I hadn’t thought of that.”
I had knowledge of the future, but I had underestimated the people of this era, where only the strong survived.
“Well… there was a general like that. He spent days on the front lines with the soldiers, their hands and feet blackened from battle, eating and sleeping alongside them, telling them not to be afraid and that he would fight alongside them.”
“!”
“It was during the campaign against the Yellow Turbans. I thought he was a fool, but surprisingly, he fought well. I criticized him for undermining the dignity of a commander, though.”
Could the person he was referring to be… Liu…?
“My lord, there you are.”
“Cheng Yu, what is it?”
“I have something urgent to report. Let’s discuss it inside.”
I wanted to ask if the general Cao Cao mentioned had large ears and long arms, but the situation changed again.
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“My lord, Gongsun Zan’s army has arrived in Xiapi sooner than expected.”
“What? You Province is so far from here. How did they arrive so quickly?”
Cao Ren was astonished, and Cao Hong counted on his fingers, calculating the distance between You Province and Xu Province.
“My lord, at this rate, we could be surrounded not in two days, but tomorrow. If Gongsun Zan from the north arrived so quickly, Yuan Shu, marching across the plains from the south, will also arrive soon.”
Cheng Yu was sweating, alarmed by the rapidly approaching enemy forces.
“Then we’ll just adjust our battle formations and fight a day earlier.”
“My lord, your strategies and the Yan Province army are the best in the Central Plains, but the enemy outnumbers us five to one.”
“Then it’s up to you, Cheng Yu, to devise a winning strategy.”
Cao Cao refused to back down. Cheng Yu gritted his teeth and presented his plan.
“Then, to counter the northern cavalry, we’ll need to deploy our own heavy cavalry. They’ll be exhausted from their long march, so we need a highly mobile general who can outmaneuver them.”
“Then Miaocai is our man.”
Cao Cao pointed at Xiahou Yuan, the master of mobile warfare, who stepped forward silently.
“I’ll take care of those northern bumpkins.”
“But considering their numbers, we should have Cao Ren support him.”
“Cao Ren is steady, and Xiahou Yuan is swift. They’ll make a good team.”
Cheng Yu proposed the deployment of the troops, assigning each general to their respective opponents.
“As for Yuan Shu, although his army is approaching across the plains, intelligence suggests they are mostly infantry. We should hold a strong defensive line and then strike at their flanks with a small cavalry unit.”
“That would be Zilian’s task. Can you handle it?”
“How can a man think of defeat when facing the enemy? I’ll take Yuan Shu’s head myself.”
“Finally, while we’re engaged with Gongsun Zan and Yuan Shu, Tao Qian’s forces might try to sally out from Xiaopei. To prevent that…”
“I understand. Then I’ll personally confront Tao Qian at Xiaopei. That old fool won’t dare to come out when he sees me.”
Cao Cao would personally face Tao Qian at Xiaopei.
So, Cao Hong would face Yuan Shu’s army in the south, Xiahou Yuan and Cao Ren would face Gongsun Zan’s army in the north, and Cao Cao would take the center, with me as his bodyguard.
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As Cheng Yu predicted, the reinforcements arrived even sooner.
Cao Cao addressed the troops, whom he had fed a hearty breakfast earlier.
“Listen up! While we were about to conquer Xiaopei, those northern bumpkins dared to oppose us!”
The soldiers murmured at the mention of reinforcements. But Cao Cao stood before them and declared powerfully,
“Fear not! With me here, who can stand against us?”
Cao Cao pointed at Xiaopei.
“We’ll crush them in an instant and enjoy a feast tonight! And when this battle is over, I’ll reward you all handsomely upon our return to Yan Province!”
The soldiers raised their spears and swords, roaring their approval. The ground trembled beneath their might.
Cao Cao was truly Cao Cao. He didn’t inspire his troops with virtue or loyalty, but with authority and the promise of rewards. Regardless of the method, their morale was soaring.
Cao Cao’s main force of eight thousand men stood before Xiaopei. The Xu Province army, arrows nocked, prepared to face us.
“Tao Qian, you old fox! You tried to harm my father and brothers, and you stole my family’s wealth. Did you think you could get away with it?”
A portly old man, twice the width of the other soldiers, emerged onto the battlements of the gate tower. Unlike the other soldiers, he wore full armor and his long beard flowed in the wind. This must be Tao Qian.
“Cao Cao, you scoundrel! You invaded Xu Province, attacked my cities, and captured my people!”
“Ah, that? Since you stole my family’s fortune, I took the people of Xu Province as compensation.”
“Wh, what?”
“But that wasn’t nearly enough, so open your gates and present me with the Governor’s seal. Then, and only then, will I spare your life.”
“Silence, you villain! I’ll kill you and reclaim the people of Xu Province!”
“Reclaim your people? Putting on a show of benevolent leadership, are you, you old fox?”
Cao Cao called for his bow, notched an arrow, and shot it, piercing the signboard above the gate of Xiaopei. Tao Qian, startled, quickly retreated. Cao Cao scoffed and handed his bow to an officer beside him.
Just then, a great roar echoed from behind us, and Cheng Yu rushed over to report.
“My lord, Yuan Shu’s army has arrived and is about to clash with Cao Hong’s forces. We risk being surrounded.”
Cheng Yu’s voice was urgent, and Cao Cao took his spear and pondered.
“Wenlie.”
“Yes, Uncle.”
“Catch!”
“Whoa?!”
Cao Cao suddenly threw his spear at me. I fumbled to catch it, nearly falling off my horse.
“Wenlie, take one thousand cavalrymen and reinforce Cao Hong.”
“What?”
“My lord, we only have fifteen hundred cavalrymen. Are you giving one thousand of them to Young Master Cao Xiu?”
“Cheng Yu, don’t fuss. Tao Qian won’t leave the city, so the number of cavalry isn’t important. We’re not going to charge the city walls on horseback, are we?”
So, he had given me his spear and entrusted me with a cavalry unit?
“Wenlie, take that spear and fight to your heart’s content.”
“Yes, Uncle!”
“It’s my spear, so make sure you stain it with the enemy’s blood. Understand?”
I received Cao Cao’s command and led one thousand cavalrymen to reinforce Cao Hong.
To be given the commander’s weapon and command of a cavalry unit meant I was being treated as a general. So, I had to fight.
From this moment on, I was Cao Cao’s spear.
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Life comes at you fast when you’re Cao Cao’s nephew. 🤡
