Chapter 122: Favorable Timing, Geographical Advantage, and Human Harmony

After receiving Cao Cao’s letter, Cao Hong naturally complied. It was not just because it was Cao Cao’s order; even if he wanted to mobilize, he had no troops to command. Currently, the number of soldiers Cao Hong possessed in Juancheng County was fewer than the number of able-bodied men owned by a single large clan that had migrated there. Given this situation, how could he possibly move his forces?

However, there was an advantage to having few men: with fewer soldiers, the common people felt more at ease. In an era of frequent warfare, soldiers were often as terrifying as bandits. Fewer soldiers meant fewer incidents. When the coalition against Dong Zhuo was stationed at Suanzao in Chenliu, one could only imagine the number of times women were abducted and property looted. Even Zhang Miao, the master of that territory, dared not intervene too much, as the people coming there were powerful regional figures who might not necessarily respect his authority.

Moreover, even Zhang Miao’s own subordinates were not exactly disciplined. From ancient times to the present, there have always been those who hope for special privileges. While those who enlist as soldiers may have a desire to achieve greatness and avoid starvation, deep down, they naturally hope to be treated differently—to act as bullies without fear of consequence, or to gain convenience and profit through their position. It is much like how so many people in later ages aspire to become civil servants; do they truly all wish to serve the people?

With fewer soldiers, the commoners and the great clans that had migrated to Juancheng felt secure, and everyone lived in peace. Many prominent families had now settled in Juancheng, renovating abandoned houses and moving in. Outside the city, they built fortified manors and enclosures. In the Lishan area alone, there were over a dozen such fortifications and dozens of manors. The Leize marshlands now featured many simple piers of various sizes, used for fishing, and the surrounding manors and fortifications numbered over a hundred.

Although the outermost earth-and-timber walls and the inner barbican of Juancheng were only just completed, and the third layer of the main city wall remained unfinished, Juancheng exuded an air of prosperity. The household registry had already exceeded ten thousand, including one hundred and twenty-three families with over two hundred members each—truly a flourishing land.

Cao Ang spent his days in the county office organizing documents. Seeing the population of Juancheng grow, he could not help but admire Cao Hong’s exceptional capabilities. He felt that his uncle was not only a skilled warrior and a capable commander but also possessed outstanding political talent. In his heart, he felt his uncle’s ability was perhaps only a fraction behind that of his father.

That day, Cao Hong was in his courtyard teasing his daughter, Cao Jiao. He doted on her excessively, for she was truly adorable. To that end, Cao Hong had personally crafted a cradle for her; when he had leisure time, he would place her in it and rock it gently, making the little one giggle.

Sheng Meizhen and the Qiao sisters were playing with butterflies nearby. Although it was the height of a sweltering summer, Cao Hong’s courtyard was filled with swaying willows and rustling bamboo, shielding them from the heat and providing a gentle breeze.

Days passed with immense tranquility. It was now the tenth of the eighth lunar month; it had been twenty days since Cao Hong received Cao Cao’s order to hold his position.

Just before the midday meal, Cao Xiu came to request an audience. Cao Hong handed his daughter to Sheng Meizhen and went to the study with Cao Xiu, where he asked, "Wenlie, didn't you personally lead a detachment to patrol Shanyang yesterday? Why have you returned in such haste?"

Cao Xiu replied, "Yesterday, I led ten riders from Juancheng toward Shanyang Commandery. Less than ten miles out, I saw dense wheel tracks. We followed them and discovered the supply trains of Zhang Miao’s brothers. They must have received the distress call from Ying Shao and are heading to Taishan Commandery to provide relief."

Cao Hong remarked, "To get from Chenliu to Shanyang, one must pass through either Dong Commandery or Jiyin Commandery. If they were passing through Dong, they would have to pass through Juancheng. It is evident they are heading toward Jiyin. The Administrator of Jiyin has already been killed by rebels, and the region is rife with bandits and refugees; there is no one left to defend the county seats, let alone maintain stores of grain. Dong Commandery, under my elder brother’s rule, is peaceful and well-managed. If Zhang Miao had passed through Dong, my brother would certainly have supplied them with grain for their journey. By avoiding Dong and choosing Jiyin, it is clear they do not wish to deal with my brother. To put it bluntly, they still view our forces as outsiders."

Cao Xiu added, "Their intentions are treacherous. During the alliance assembly, Zhang Miao’s younger brother, Zhang Chao, the Administrator of Guangling, brought along Zang Hong and Chen Rong—who are known with him as the 'Four Friends of the North'—and stationed them in the commandery. Now that the Kanto Allied Forces have returned to their respective posts, he, as the Administrator of Guangling, has not returned to his post in Xu Province. It is clear he intends to seize a commandery while the banditry in Yan Province rages and other administrators are suffering, preferably Jiyin or Dong, which border Chenliu. However, Zhang Miao lacks the rank to petition the imperial court, and his position is illegitimate. Seeing my uncle appointed as Administrator of Dong Commandery by the Inspector of Yan Province, he wishes to follow suit. He hopes to use this relief mission as an opportunity to petition for Zhang Chao to become the Administrator of Jiyin, so the brothers can support each other. With such motives, why would they ever pass through my uncle’s territory?"

Cao Hong nodded and said, "He is afraid we will steal the credit." He looked at Cao Xiu and smiled, "Wenlie, I never thought you were capable of analyzing the situation like this."

Cao Xiu scratched his head and laughed, "When I was on duty in Dongwuyang, I often received guidance from Master Xun and Master Liu, so I learned to understand the local situation."

Xun Yu and Liu Ye were mentoring Cao Xiu? Cao Xiu was his own nephew; did their care imply something? Cao Hong suddenly thought of how he had recommended Liu Ye and Xun Yu, and how Liu Ye had advised him to persuade Yuan Shu. Perhaps this was a friendly signal. After all, they were strategists, and Cao Hong was a general; since ancient times, subordinates had privately looked out for one another, though rulers often termed this "forming cliques."

It seemed clear that Liu Ye and Xun Yu were signaling their loyalty to him. It appeared they wanted to align themselves with him. Thinking of this, Cao Hong felt a sense of pride. Wei Zi, Cao Ren, Xun Yu, and Liu Ye were all gravitating toward him; it seemed he possessed a certain charisma after all.

Recovering from his pride and returning to the matter at hand, he said, "They are taking a detour, and my brother may not be aware of it. Send a message immediately to inform him."

Cao Xiu agreed and left.

Three days later, Cao Cao’s reply arrived. The messenger was not a common scout, but Liu Ye himself, which made Cao Hong realize the weight of the communication. He received Liu Ye in the county office.

After exchanging pleasantries, they turned to business. Liu Ye said, "General Zilian, are you aware that the Province of Yan is now within the grasp of our lord?"

Cao Hong asked, "How so?"

Liu Ye smiled, "Our lord controls Dong Commandery, and its fifteen counties have all submitted. The autumn harvest is approaching; although there have been bandits, there have been no natural disasters. While the harvest may not fill all the granaries, it is more than enough to pay the taxes, and our military stores will be replenished in no time. This is the 'Heavenly Timing.' Furthermore, Dong Commandery is located west of Taishan, Jibei, and Shanyang, so we do not face the brunt of the Yellow Turbans from Qing and Xu provinces. We can advance to attack or retreat to defend; this is the 'Geographical Advantage.' Having secured both, our lord now only lacks the 'Human Factor.'"

Cao Hong laughed, "Your words are wise, sir. When will this 'Human Factor' arrive?"

Liu Ye smiled, "Once Liu Dai, Zhang Miao, Bao Xin, and Ying Shao are defeated, the 'Human Factor' will arrive."

Cao Hong asked, "You mean that once these four fail, the people of Yan Province will naturally look to my brother to resist the bandits?"

Liu Ye replied, "Exactly. These four are no match for hundreds of thousands of enemies. Once they are defeated, our lord will naturally become the only hope for Yan Province."

Cao Hong did not ask why Liu Ye was so certain they would fail; there was no need. History had already confirmed Liu Ye’s prediction. Thus, he focused on another question: "May I ask why you have come, sir?"

Liu Ye replied, "Our lord sent me here to serve as the military overseer under your command. Once our lord marches, you, General, shall be the vanguard."