Chapter Fifty-Six: Cao and Yuan Part Ways

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“Liu Bei of Xuzhou will aid me in campaigning against Yuan Shu?” Sun Jian looked at Jiang Wen with some surprise. “Liu Bei now faces the twin threats of Cao Cao and Yuan Shao to the north; he is already hard-pressed to defend himself. How could he spare the strength to help me attack Yuan Shu?”

Zu Mao, standing nearby, also spoke up: “You may not know, Libationer, but Tao Qian was allied with Lü Bu. Though Tao Qian has now passed, this relationship is well known among the warlords. If Yuan Shu, after proclaiming himself emperor, manages to win over Lü Bu, then Liu Bei will surely follow the prevailing wind and side with him. I doubt he would send a single soldier against Yuan Shu!”

“I have long since devised a strategy for this matter,” Jiang Wen said, bowing to Zu Mao. “Since General Zu Mao has asked, I shall offer my humble opinion. In the past, when Cao Cao suffered defeat in the north and lost Xuchang and Chenliu to Lü Bu, Liu Bei took the opportunity to seize Qiao County.”

“Cao Cao, with no other choice, allied himself with Yuan Shao. Lü Bu, fearing their combined return, allied himself with Tao Qian.”

“But, gentlemen, note that it was Tao Qian—not Liu Bei—who formed the alliance with Lü Bu.”

Sun Jing, seated beside Sun Jian, asked, “But Liu Bei sought refuge with Tao Qian, making Tao Qian his lord. If so, what difference does it make whether Tao Qian or Liu Bei himself allied with Lü Bu?”

“Tao Qian allied with Lü Bu because his sights were set only on securing a small corner of Xuzhou for himself. Liu Bei, however, is not like the aging, unambitious Tao Qian. As a descendant of Prince Jing of Zhongshan, he harbors great ambitions to restore and strengthen the Han dynasty. How could he possibly consort with Lü Bu, the adopted son of the traitor Dong Zhuo?”

“What Libationer says is reasonable, but the alliance between Lü Bu and Liu Bei has never been openly broken. Even if you are confident, there are still many risks.”

“In that case, I request the Chancellor to petition the Emperor for an imperial edict of appointment…”

In Jibei, at Cao Cao’s residence, the ministers stood in attendance. Cao Cao held the imperial decree in his hands, his eyes flickering with a dark light, as though tempestuous waves churned within.

A frail scholar with a pallid face stepped out and bowed. “My lord, what is the meaning of this imperial decree from His Majesty?”

“If you are interested, Fengxiao, read it for yourself,” said Cao Cao.

Guo Jia unrolled the decree and read aloud: “By imperial command, in recognition of Cao Cao’s excellent governance of Yanzhou, he is hereby appointed Grand General and Governor of Yanzhou, and shall join Chancellor Sun Jian in the campaign against the traitor Lü Bu.”

Placing the decree aside, Guo Jia bowed to Cao Cao. “My lord, now that Yuan Shu has proclaimed himself emperor and Lü Bu is bound to fight Sun Jian to the death, Sun Jian clearly wishes to draw you into his cause.”

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“Am I not already aware?” Cao Cao laughed and shook his head. “That big-headed tiger has grown a lot. Summon Cheng Yu and Xun Yu!”

Xun Yu and Cheng Yu entered the hall, saluted Cao Cao, and read the decree. After a quick glance, both understood. Cheng Yu’s expression grew grave. “The Emperor appoints you Grand General, my lord, but Yuan Shao is made General of Chariots and Cavalry. If you accept this decree, our alliance with Yuan Shao will instantly collapse!”

Xun Yu said calmly, “Yuan Shao is a man of many schemes but little resolve, who favors only his kin. In the end, he is shortsighted. Even if we do not cooperate with him, it will cost us nothing.”

“Indeed.” Cao Cao sat down casually, picking up a date and eating it. “Since we know this decree is Sun Jian’s attempt to use me against Lü Bu, I want to hear your thoughts. Wenruo, you first.”

Xun Yu pondered for a moment, then bowed. “I believe that Xuchang is the linchpin for stabilizing the realm, yet Lü Bu now holds it. This is a major problem for you, my lord.”

“Yuan Shao may be unworthy, but he is ambitious. Should he defeat Gongsun Zan and unify the north, he will inevitably march south. His first target will be you, my lord. Therefore, your best course is to retake Xuchang from Lü Bu at once!”

“So, Wenruo thinks we should accept the decree. Cheng Yu, what say you? Here, Wenruo, have a date.” Cao Cao handed Xun Yu a date and looked to Cheng Yu. “Strategist, your view?”

Cheng Yu bowed. “I believe we must not accept. Liu Bei and Lü Bu are strong. If we turn against Yuan Shao now… Not to mention that Lü Bu is still entangled with Sun Quan, but Liu Bei has long coveted Xuchang!”

“Hmm.” Cao Cao handed Cheng Yu a date as well. “Try it; it’s fresh from this morning. Fengxiao, your opinion?”

Guo Jia’s face was bloodless. “I suggest we do not accept the decree for now, but remain on the sidelines. We may send Sun Jian supplies, but not troops. When Lü Bu marches his main force toward Wancheng, we can immediately strike at Xuchang. Once Xuchang is in our hands, we can then formally accept the decree and support Sun Jian in his campaign against Lü Bu!”

“Libationer, what if Lü Bu does not march out but instead fortifies his position? Wouldn’t this golden opportunity be lost?” Xun Yu protested, bowing to Cao Cao. “Lü Bu is beset on all sides: Ma Teng to the west, Sun Jian to the south, and you to the north, my lord. Even now, there must be an imperial edict en route to Ma Teng, calling him to join the campaign!”

“When all rise up and attack Lü Bu from every side, how can he resist? This is a rare chance. I urge you, my lord, accept the decree!”

Cao Cao smiled warmly at Xun Yu, but weighed his own calculations. He and Xun Yu had sworn an oath to remain loyal to the Han forever.

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What Xun Yu said was exactly what Cao Cao had in mind.

“Wenruo, you are truly my Zhang Liang,” Cao Cao said, rising to his feet. “Send out orders—henceforth, all are to sleep in armor and await the call to arms. Summon Dian Wei, Xu Chu… All the generals are to take turns drilling the troops!”

“We congratulate the Grand General!”

Meanwhile, Yuan Shao sat in the main hall with a displeased expression, while his advisors—Xu You, Tian Feng, Ju Shou, and others—stood below.

“Hahaha! That Sun Jian, the Tiger-Headed Sun, has made me General of Chariots and Cavalry, Cao the Cunning as Grand General! And worst of all, he’s made his own son Sun Ce General of Cavalry! The nerve!” Yuan Shao’s face flushed red with anger as he cursed at length.

None of his subordinates dared speak. Only after Yuan Shao had vented his rage for a quarter of an hour did Xu You step forward, bowing. “My lord, though the Central Plains are in turmoil, this is actually to your benefit. Let them fight and wear each other down. When you march south, you will sweep all before you and stand supreme!”

Yuan Shao could not help but smile at the flattery. Tian Feng also stepped forward. “At present, Gongsun Zan is your greatest enemy, my lord. As for this imperial edict, it is best ignored.”

“What is Sun Jian, after all? He merely holds the emperor hostage and has named himself Chancellor, as though he thinks himself invincible!” Yuan Shao tossed the decree to the ground. “Take the imperial envoy away and cut off one of his ears—that should be a proper gift for Sun Jian!”

“Yes, my lord!”

Ignoring the envoy’s pleas, Yuan Shao felt his anger ease. “But what of Cao the Cunning? How should we deal with him?”

Xu You replied, “I have heard that Cao Cao has already accepted the decree and been made Grand General. No doubt he intends to break with you, my lord!”