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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Silverriver
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I woke up in a rather… unique way.
Huayan helped me up and led me to the bath.
A wooden tub filled with steaming hot water and fragrant herbs had already been prepared by the merchant guild.
“Ahh, this is nice.”
I sank into the tub, the warm water invigorating me. Huayan washed my back and then gently shampooed my hair.
As I bathed, I listened to the information she shared.
“Young Master Anmin has been serving as the Governor’s bodyguard in Chenliu.”
“I heard about Cao Anmin. We’re not particularly close.”
“There are rumors he’ll be appointed as the administrator of Dongyan, the new city being built by the refugees from Xu Province.”
So, he was thriving in Chenliu.
“Anything else?”
“Aren’t you curious about Master Xu, who came with you?”
“Ah, Brother Yuanzhi. How is he doing?”
He was my first companion, but he had been quiet since we arrived. He had been a wandering warrior before joining Cao Cao, but he hadn’t had a chance to prove himself yet, focusing on his studies.
“He was staying with Master Wenruo as a guest, but he recently moved to Master Gongda’s residence. They share scholarly discussions during the day and practice swordsmanship at night.”
“Hmm, Xun You and Xu Shu… they might actually get along.”
I had learned that Xun You was quite the man of action. He had been imprisoned in Chang’an for plotting to assassinate Dong Zhuo before Lü Bu, and after Dong Zhuo’s death, he lived as a wandering warrior before joining Cao Cao. Unlike other advisors, he wasn’t afraid to get his hands dirty.
With his personality, he would likely get along well with Xu Shu.
“When I return to Chenliu, I should get to know him better. I’m the one who introduced him to Uncle.”
And since he had saved Cao Cao’s father, Cao Cao would likely want him by his side.
“Anything else?”
“There’s a lot of money flowing into Huainan. A merchant named Zhang Gan seems to be at the center of it.”
“Zhang Gan?”
“His courtesy name is Ziyi, so he’s called Master Ziyi. He’s a rival of Guild Leader Wei.”
I had heard the name Zhang Gan before. As a merchant, our paths would likely cross eventually.
“Guild Leader Wei is increasing her presence in Huainan and Jing Province, gathering information.”
“And she reports everything to Uncle?”
“Yes.”
Huayan continued washing me as she spoke.
Wei Hong’s merchant guild was loyal to Cao Cao, providing him with funds and information. Something big was bound to happen soon. Merchant guilds, both in the East and West, often supported conquerors and then reaped the rewards.
“Anything else happening in Yan Province?”
“Guild Leader Wei is concerned about the increasing number of merchants from Hebei in Puyang.”
“Hebei… Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan are still fighting, aren’t they?”
“Yes. They’re buying large quantities of salt and iron in Yan Province.”
That made sense, considering the escalating war in Hebei.
“The fighting has intensified since General Gongsun Zan attacked and killed Liu Yu, the Governor of You Province. You Province, Qing Province, and Ji Province are in chaos.”
So, Gongsun Zan had killed Liu Yu. He already had many enemies due to his volatile temper, and now, having killed Liu Yu, a member of the imperial family and a respected figure, he was doomed.
As in the original history, Gongsun Zan would be utterly defeated, and Yuan Shao would eventually control Hebei.
Knowing this was an advantage, but there was nothing I could do about it now.
It felt like I was playing a predetermined game of strategy, with myself as a fixed character in this chaotic era.
“Young Master?”
“Ah! Yes. I was just thinking.”
Huayan had provided me with a lot of valuable information. And I had to use that information to decide on my next course of action.
My immediate priorities were to continue training and then join Cao Cao in his second invasion of Xu Province. Or perhaps, prevent the rebellion of Lü Bu and Chen Gong.
These thoughts lingered even after my bath.
“Young Master, I’ll dry you and help you dress.”
I let Huayan take care of everything. After dressing in fresh clothes, I prepared to return to Qiao County.
“I wish you good fortune, Young Master. I look forward to seeing you again.”
“Stay safe in Chenliu.”
I said my goodbyes to Huayan and Wei Hong’s people and left.
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I escorted Cao Song back to Chenliu after the Cao family’s New Year’s celebration in Qiao County and then returned to my training.
The weather in Qiao County in January grew even colder, and this brutal training regime would likely continue until spring.
“Alright, good work today. It’s cold. Let’s go inside and enjoy some wine and hot stew!”
I finished the day’s training and led the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry officers back to camp. Cao Ang, having dropped the formalities, joined us.
“Your mounted archery was incredible today.”
“You’ve learned the importance of mounted archers.”
Cao Ang and I excelled in horsemanship and archery. Cao Chun, the commander of the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, was full of praise and had been reporting our progress to Cao Cao.
“I want to show this target to my parents. Even I’m impressed with my accuracy today.”
Cao Ang carefully held onto the target he had used for mounted archery practice. Even in this era, soldiers took pride in their marksmanship.
“If you show that to Uncle Zihua, he’ll send it to Chenliu immediately.”
“Should I really ask him to?”
He seemed eager to show off his skills and gain recognition. Cao Cao wasn’t stingy with praise, so he would surely be proud of his son.
As we entered the camp, an officer rushed towards us.
“Young Master Wenlie.”
“What is it?”
“A messenger from Dong Commandery has arrived. He requests your presence immediately.”
“Me specifically?”
“Yes. He has a letter for you from the Governor.”
“Huh…”
“Go on. My father is looking for you.”
Cao Ang nudged me, and I followed the officer to Cao Chun’s office.
“Uncle, it’s Wenlie.”
“Ah, yes. The messenger was looking for you.”
The messenger from Yan Province was a familiar face.
“Young Master Wenlie, it’s good to see you again.”
“Li Zheng!”
It was Li Zheng, Li Dian’s older cousin and my former lieutenant. I hadn’t seen him since the battle in Xu Province.
“Young Master, I bring you an order from the lord. Return to the government office in Chenliu within thirty days!”
Ah, this felt familiar…
Cao Cao had summoned me back to Chenliu before spring arrived.
“Did he only summon me?”
“Yes.”
“Huh, Brother Mengde must think Zishu needs more training.”
Cao Chun seemed disappointed that Cao Ang wasn’t being summoned as well.
“Thirty days to return to Chenliu… does that mean I should finish my work here and then leave?”
“He said that, but even if you walked slowly, it would only take three days to reach Chenliu from here. It’s best to leave quickly.”
Cao Chun stood up and patted my shoulder.
“Wenlie, I’ve trained many cavalrymen, but you and Zishu are truly exceptional. You will surely become a renowned cavalry commander in our family.”
“Thank you, Uncle Zihua.”
Along with my teacher from Wu Commandery, Cao Chun had also been an excellent mentor. Thanks to him, I had gained invaluable experience in cavalry warfare, enough to impress even Cao Cao.
“I should go home, pack my bags, and say goodbye to Mother.”
I wished she could come with me to Chenliu, but she had repeatedly refused, insisting she would live and die in her homeland. Well, she was happy here with the other members of the Cao family, so there wasn’t much to worry about.
I decided to take Cao Ang’s target practice sheet and show it to Cao Cao. That would surely prompt him to summon Cao Ang to Chenliu soon.
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Meanwhile, in Chenliu, Cao Cao was in a meeting with his advisors.
“My lord, I’m certain. Chen Gong is plotting treason.”
“Zhicai, are you sure about this?”
Xi Zhicai was urging Cao Cao to eliminate Chen Gong, convinced of his treachery.
“Master Xi, Chen Gongtai is the one who nominated you as Governor of Yan Province. Eliminating him based on mere suspicion would have dire consequences.”
Xun Yu calmly explained, and Cao Cao nodded in agreement.
“Indeed. Chen Gong persuaded the powerful families of Yan Province to nominate me. But it’s a temporary appointment, and eliminating him now would be problematic.”
“My lord, but Chen Gong is not the same man he once was. He rarely visits Chenliu after the death of Bian Rang, and there are reports of him having suspicious conversations with other powerful families.”
“I know Chen Gong. He’s the same man I’ve always known.”
Xun You then spoke up.
“Besides Chen Gong, there’s also the matter of Zhang Miao, the Governor of Puyang.”
“Indeed. Yuan Shao sent three thousand pieces of gold and subtly suggested eliminating Zhang Miao.”
Cheng Yu added, and Cao Cao frowned.
“Brother Benchu thinks I’m an assassin. Well, he sent the gold to help me raise troops after the incident in Xu Province, so I’ll put it to good use.”
Yuan Shao, upon hearing about the attack on Cao Cao’s family and the theft of their wealth, had generously sent a portion of his own wealth to Cao Cao.
However, the gift came with conditions: an investigation into the “true perpetrators behind the attack,” funds to fight against Yuan Shao’s rivals, and the elimination of Zhang Miao.
“My lord, Zhang Miao initially opposed Yuan Shao and then sought refuge with you. If he’s now conspiring with Chen Gong, shouldn’t we follow Yuan Shao’s suggestion and eliminate him?”
“Indeed. After Bian Rang’s death, the powerful families in Puyang are trying to consolidate their power and oppose you, my lord.”
Cao Cao pondered Xun You and Cheng Yu’s words, then muttered,
“I trust and value Chen Gong, so I don’t believe he’s plotting treason. But Zhang Miao is different. He’s not one of my trusted advisors, and his separate meetings with the powerful families of Yan Province are suspicious.”
Cao Cao suspected Zhang Miao, not Chen Gong, of being behind the unrest in Yan Province. And with Yuan Shao’s request, this was an opportunity to remind the powerful families who was in charge. He needed someone to deliver a final warning before resorting to force.
“I need to send someone to Puyang to investigate. And to try and reason with Chen Gong.”
The next target had been chosen to quell the growing discontent among the powerful families of Yan Province, even after Bian Rang’s death.
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Hey everyone, sorry I’ve been away for a while due to personal reasons. But I’m back now, and I’ll be bringing the missing chapters I owe you this weekend. Stay tuned!
