Chapter 102: Training in the Art of Deception

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Since the meeting held by Cao Cao in June, all the generals under his command have been intensifying the training of their troops. Cao Chun diligently led the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry in drills at Xiangyi. Even Wei Zi and Ren Jun, who managed the conscripted laborers, organized them to practice supply transport formations, leaving no room for negligence. The elite 4,000-strong Imperial Guard camp under Cao Cao’s direct command was jointly overseen by Dian Wei, Liao Hua, and Zao Zhi. Meanwhile, commanders of five thousand-man units—Cao Ren, Cao Hong, Xiahou Yuan, Xiahou Dun, and Yue Jin—each conducted rigorous training within their own camps.

Cao Hong’s situation was somewhat different. His 800 troops were trained by Pan Zhang, while he and Shi A personally drilled 160 recruited soldiers in the newly formed unit.

Once the soldiers became proficient in breaking the halberd formation, Cao Hong began teaching them the method for breaking shield formations. This technique, called the “Leaping Horse Slash,” was an improved martial maneuver developed by Cao Hong, derived from a paired attack style he had learned.

The move still required two soldiers working in tandem. During a charge, one soldier would run ahead while the other followed closely behind. At two meters from the enemy line, the lead soldier would swiftly drop prone. The rear soldier then stepped onto the back of the one in front. The lead soldier arched his back to spring forward, propelling the rear soldier to leap over the shield-bearing enemy and land inside their formation, striking down unsuspecting shield bearers. Meanwhile, the partner who provided the step-in also charged into the enemy ranks. Typically, those behind the shield bearers were either archers or spearmen. The spearmen thrust their long spears—usually about 4.5 meters in length—through the gaps between shields to strike foes. But once past the shield line, the recruited soldiers and spearmen were less than two meters apart, rendering the spears ineffective at close quarters. Against such a shield-and-spear formation, this tactic held a decisive advantage.

As for shield-and-archer formations, Cao Hong naturally would not have a mere 160 men charge headlong into a hail of arrows. In such scenarios—without full armor or shield bearers—the commander would typically choose to fall back prudently.

The “Leaping Horse Slash” was difficult to execute smoothly, especially the moment when the lead soldier arched his back to spring and the rear soldier leapt using that momentum. The two had to train until their coordination was flawless to avoid falling during the leap. In the first ten days of practice, all 160 recruits suffered bruises and battered faces, complaining bitterly, causing Cao Hong to shake his head repeatedly.

Shi A, standing nearby, remarked, “Commander, this paired technique seems to require a tacit understanding between partners to unleash its full power. Our county will mobilize in a few months, but it may be difficult to perfect this in so short a time. Though these recruits are fierce, their aptitude is limited.”

Cao Hong shook his head. “Having one more attack technique means one more chance to survive. Don’t think the enemy won’t have shield bearers. They have fought government troops for years, capturing countless arms. Training archers takes time, but assembling a shield unit is no rarity. If we can’t master this ‘Leaping Horse Slash’ to counter the large shields and long spears, our only option is to force a direct halberd clash. But long spears measuring two zhang (about 6.6 meters) against halberds of one zhang six chi to one zhang eight chi (roughly 5 to 6 meters) give the spear units a distinct advantage, especially with shield bearers blocking the way. If we encounter such formations, an enemy shield-and-spear array of two hundred men could easily shatter my 800 halberdiers.”

Shi A responded, “If we meet such formations, we should avoid their strongest point and split our forces to attack from multiple directions. After all, shield bearers must stay close to spearmen, which slows their movement. Striking swiftly against slower troops, though requiring effort, is not impossible to win.”

Cao Hong glanced at Shi A and smiled. “Qing Mang, you’ve started reading military texts?”

Shi A blushed and replied, “Just some idle study with Wen Gui.”

Cao Hong nodded. “That’s good! But splitting forces and striking swiftly is a standard tactic, nothing novel. Once we master the ‘Leaping Horse Slash’ and combine it with halberd reinforcements, the shield formation will break in a single battle. The impact will be overwhelming, incomparable to common methods.”

Shi A agreed. “Indeed. Yet this paired technique demands the two to act as one to succeed, which is hard to achieve quickly.”

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Suddenly, Cao Hong wore a strange smile. “That may not be so!”

Shi A was taken aback, wondering how that could be possible. Before he could ask, Cao Hong issued a bizarre order:

“Qing Mang, starting tonight, all pairs training together must share a bed with a woman and engage in intimacy with her. Disobedience will be punishable by death!”

Shi A was speechless, utterly unable to fathom how this related to training. Seeing Shi A’s expression, Cao Hong laughed heartily.

When he first read Bai Qi’s “Art of Formation” under the chapter ‘Commanding Troops,’ he had the same reaction. Bai Qi described a method called “Body Transfer Cohabitation,” where several soldiers shared a woman intimately. This practice fostered unity, shared shame, shared death, and coordinated advance and retreat. Groups of soldiers who underwent this method reportedly executed formations more swiftly, marched more neatly, and aided each other in battle.

Bai Qi interpreted this as a form of complete openness and mutual trust, where intimacy with a woman created a peculiar bond akin to the infamous “Longyang” affection. Cao Hong, however, called this bond “brotherly passion...”

Need perfect coordination? This is the fastest way to achieve it. After his laughter, Cao Hong patted Shi A’s shoulder and calmly left.

That night, Shi A, still confused, began carrying out Cao Hong’s order. The 160 recruits under the newly formed unit were equally bewildered but accustomed to the general’s strange methods, so they complied without question. These soldiers, hardened by mutual slaughter, forced battles, and daily struggle for basic needs, already had twisted mentalities. They feared nothing—except the general who had molded them into such warriors, and the ever-unbeatable Deputy Commander Shi.

So that night, every pair tended to a single woman and performed the act, though none understood why.

As days passed, they gradually found their “partners” more agreeable. Suspicion gave way to trust; they stopped doubting if their partner’s stepping back during drills was deliberate sabotage, even after fighting over it. After several nights sharing a bed, they realized their partners were not such people.

Over time, after intimacy, they would chat briefly, even converse with the women, and after a month, many pairs became inseparable brothers. Eventually, they began discussing how to perfect the deadly “Leaping Horse Slash.” After such exchanges, their training made real progress.

All 160 recruits were astonished to find that by mid-September, everyone had mastered the “Leaping Horse Slash.” Even Deputy Commander Shi was surprised. That day, he was seen eagerly rushing out of the residence, clearly to find the eccentric General Cao.

The reason they found General Cao strange was obvious—who else would force two men to share one woman for months, punishing refusal with beatings?

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Cao Hong was leisurely watching Cao Ang and Cao Xiu spar in the courtyard. As Shi A trained the newly formed unit and Pan Zhang drilled the halberdiers, Cao Hong found himself with leisure time and often coached Cao Ang and Cao Xiu in martial arts. When bored, he practiced archery, a skill he rarely used in his previous life.

Under Cao Hong’s guidance, Cao Ang’s techniques became increasingly refined, emphasizing simplicity and speed. Cao Xiu’s style grew more intricate and clever. Both favored agility, but one relied on swiftness and the other on cunning, each excelling in their own way.

Cao Ang had learned the Furious Wind Quick Sword from Hainan’s Five Finger Mountain, while Cao Xiu studied the Bagua Saber style from the Minzhong region. Their duels dazzled the onlookers, mesmerizing Sheng Meizhen and the Qiao sisters.

At a moment when Cao Ang was at a disadvantage, Cao Hong shouted, “Stop!” The two parted their weapons immediately. Cao Hong smiled at Cao Ang and said, “Ping An, I’ve noticed that every time the Qiao sisters watch, you attack with your opponent’s strength against your weakness. Though your swordplay is simple and swift, you twist your waist, flourish your blade, and step like a willow swaying in the wind. What nonsense is that? Showing off? On the battlefield, you’d be cut down instantly.”

Cao Ang blushed deeply. The Qiao sisters giggled coquettishly, and Sheng Meizhen teased with a smile. Cao Xiu’s face turned red but he dared not mock his close friend. Apparently, this had happened more than once. Cao Ang’s youthful nature made him want to impress the young beauties his age; it wasn’t necessarily romantic. Besides, the Qiao sisters were Cao Hong’s concubines, so Cao Ang never dared disrespect his mentor’s wives. And since Cao Hong came from the modern world, his teasing was lighthearted.

At that moment, Shi A entered, saluting. “General, the ‘Leaping Horse Slash’ training for the newly recruited unit is complete.”

Cao Hong nodded. “Excellent, wonderful. Let me go see.”

Cao Xiu quickly found a way to rescue his embarrassed friend. “Uncle, why not bring Ping An and me along to watch?”

Cao Hong glanced at Cao Xiu, understanding his intention to ease Cao Ang’s embarrassment. He thought, “Wen Lie is clever,” then said, “You two come together.”

Cao Xiu beamed and immediately grabbed Cao Ang to change clothes and prepare horses. Cao Hong and Shi A bid farewell to the three women and left.

After a while, Cao Xiu and Cao Ang rode out, leading a horse for Cao Hong. The four headed toward the secluded residence.

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