Chapter 103: Guo Jia’s Far-Reaching Concerns

After the four arrived at the residence, Shi A immediately began training the recruited camp soldiers in the "Mounted Horse Chop" technique. Cao Hong watched with satisfaction and nodded approvingly. Cao Xiu and Cao Ang observed carefully, occasionally whispering to each other, clearly eager to find time to practice together. Cao Hong, watching from the side, had a thought: if he taught Cao Xiu and Cao Ang a combined attack technique, their bond would surely deepen, which would greatly benefit Cao Xiu’s future development.

However, what martial art to teach still required careful consideration. For now, it was best to focus on training the recruited camp well. After the soldiers finished their practice, Cao Hong raised his voice and said, “Alright, now I will teach you the final set of skills. Watch closely!”

With that, he prepared to demonstrate the Soul Hook Saber technique. He removed his outer robe, rolled to the ground, and performed a set of blade movements that left everyone stunned.

Cao Hong rolled on the ground, sweeping, intercepting, falling, lunging, striking, spinning, chopping, and striking again. His moves wrapped around, swung, struck, and flipped; the entire sequence was fluid and complex. One hundred sixty recruited camp soldiers watched dumbfounded, Shi A was sweating coldly, and Cao Xiu and Cao Ang could barely contain their amazement.

The recruited camp soldiers had clearly never seen such a technique and did not understand its significance. Shi A, a master swordsman, immediately recognized the brilliance of this set of moves, which primarily attacked the lower three routes. If faced with this technique, one might be forced into a defensive position from the very start due to unpreparedness.

Thanks to Cao Hong’s guidance, Cao Xiu and Cao Ang had exceptional insight and quickly grasped the underlying principles. Cao Xiu then said, “Ping’an, uncle’s saber technique is formidable. If used against cavalry, it could probably cripple the horse’s hooves at first contact.”

Cao Ang admired and added, “Hooves? Against a man, it would disable the legs. Who would have thought an opponent could roll on the ground during combat so fiercely? Especially when facing long weapons, it truly is a great advantage.”

After finishing the demonstration, Cao Hong stood up and said, “This ground-rolling saber technique consists of twenty-six moves. I will teach it to Deputy Commander Shi, who will then instruct you all. You must practice diligently.” He then took out a scroll of silk from his chest and handed it to Shi A, saying, “Qing Mang, all the moves and their explanations are inside. Study it carefully.”

Shi A accepted it with both hands and replied, “Understood!”

Cao Xiu immediately tugged at Cao Hong’s sleeve and said, “Uncle, I want to learn it too.”

Cao Hong smiled and said, “Later, I will teach you an even more powerful technique. In some time, I will teach you and Ping’an a combined attack method that doubles your strength when used together.”

Hearing this, Cao Xiu and Cao Ang were overjoyed. Cao Hong patted the two youths on their shoulders and said, “Go back for now. First, practice the skills I have taught you well.”

The two youths obediently left with Cao Hong. Encouraged by Cao Hong’s promise, they began to train even harder. Shi A also started systematically teaching the recruited camp soldiers the ground-rolling saber technique. Days passed by, and before long, it was the first day of the twelfth lunar month.

Though the cold was biting, no snow fell that day. Cao Hong received a marching map, which marked his route along with the locations of large-scale bandit encampments and some prominent noble families’ residences. Small notes beside each place instructed Cao Hong to either eliminate, plunder, or assess the situation on his own. The map also indicated the expected arrival date at the destination — the fifteenth day of the first month in the second year of Chuping — where he was to rendezvous with Cao Cao in Dongwuyang County of Dongjun.

After folding up the map, Cao Hong asked the messenger, “Before the march begins, will the lord gather us for a discussion?”

The guard replied, “General, the lord has not mentioned such a thing. From what I know, the lord will depart on the ninth day of this month with all the generals and his family members to Dongjun. As for the generals, you may start the march at any time after receiving the map.”

It turned out Cao Cao planned to bring all his family members of the generals along. No wonder all the laborers were following him. If the army left, only the local militia would remain in Xiangyi, which would be unable to withstand a major bandit attack. But if Cao Cao’s family members left with the army, bandits would likely not dare to attack Xiangyi. Additionally, Cao Cao could use his family to maintain control over the generals, killing two birds with one stone. It was a clever move, though it meant foregoing the usual pre-battle mobilization speeches. This elder brother was indeed interesting.

Thinking this over, Cao Hong smiled and said, “Understood. Thank you.”

The guard saluted and took his leave. Cao Hong immediately summoned Sheng Meizhen and sent for Pan Zhang and Shi A. Shortly after, Sheng Meizhen arrived, and Cao Hong informed her about Cao Cao’s plan to bring the family members. Sheng Meizhen smiled and said, “Husband, don’t worry about the battle. Considering our child won’t be full-term until after the Lantern Festival, you will still be here when I give birth.”

Cao Hong smiled and nodded, then said, “The clan members and property who came with me, you can hand them over to the Great Young Master before you leave. He will manage everything properly.”

After Sheng Meizhen agreed, she went to prepare their belongings. Soon after, Pan Zhang and Shi A arrived together. Cao Hong told them, “We will march to Dongwuyang County in Dongjun two days from now. Prepare yourselves.”

Both nodded in agreement and took their leave. Cao Hong then took out the detailed marching map again, sighed, and said, “Being the leader is truly not easy. Just collecting all this intelligence is exhausting. These bandit hideouts and noble family locations must have been gathered by elder brother’s scouts with great effort. Compared to them, all I have to do is follow the map—much easier indeed.”

At that moment, Cao Xiu entered the hall, bowed to Cao Hong, and said, “Uncle, the commander of the Tiger-Leopard Cavalry has ordered all soldiers to report to the camp, so I have come to bid farewell.”

Cao Xiu had been appointed squad leader of the Tiger-Leopard Cavalry by Cao Cao. Because of Cao Hong’s guidance and his good relationship with Cao Ang, he had been spared from drills. Now that the march was imminent, he naturally had to report.

Cao Hong nodded and said, “Aunt Wenlie is also accompanying the lord on the march. Take good care of her.”

Cao Xiu puffed out his chest and said, “Uncle, you can rest assured.”

Cao Hong smiled and nodded, “Go ahead.”

Cao Xiu bowed once more and left proudly. Cao Hong tucked the marching map back into his chest, stood, and went inside to prepare for departure.

Meanwhile, just as Cao Cao was about to set out, the strategist Guo Jia, who would later become of great significance to Cao Cao, was packing up to leave under Yuan Shao’s command in Bohai Commandery. In his room was his close friend and fellow defector, Xun Yu.

Xun Yu and Guo Jia had only recently joined Yuan Shao but had already gained his favor, receiving fine horses, beautiful women, lavish mansions, and treated with utmost respect, without the airs of a noble family. Xun Yu could not understand why Guo Jia suddenly wished to leave.

With a wry smile, Xun Yu asked, “Fengxiao, may I ask why? Does Lord Yuan not treat us well?”

Guo Jia laughed heartily, slung his bag over his shoulder, and said, “A wise man judges his lord well to ensure success. Yuan merely imitates the Duke of Zhou in lowering his subordinates, but he does not understand the crucial timing to employ talents. He is indecisive and overly complicated, good at planning but poor at execution. To assist in navigating the world’s great difficulties and establish an empire is difficult indeed!”

He then bowed slightly to Xun Yu and said, “Brother, since we arrived, we have urged Yuan to seize Jizhou from summer until winter. Yet he hesitated and failed to take what was within easy reach. How then can he contend for the realm? Take care, Wenruo!”

Xun Yu fell into deep thought upon hearing this: “Indeed, Han Fu of Jizhou feared Yuan’s reputation and deliberately reduced grain supplies during the campaign against Dong Zhuo. Yuan stood idly by during the fight against the Black Mountain bandits. It was all part of a ‘divide and conquer’ strategy. Why then the hesitation and indecision? Could it be, as Fengxiao says, ‘good at planning but poor at execution’?”

Guo Jia and Xun Yu passed each other on the way out. Xun Yu asked, “Fengxiao, where do you intend to go?”

Guo Jia smiled lightly, “I will retreat to the mountains and marshes of Yingchuan to observe who disrupts Yanzhou and who benefits. It is far better than staying here, waiting with Yuan in hesitation.”

With that, Guo Jia departed calmly, while Xun Yu repeated softly, “Yanzhou...”