One Hundred and Forty-Five: An Unexpected Welcome

The next day, Cao Hong and Cao Cao parted ways. While Cao Cao continued to pursue the Yellow Turban remnants from Qingzhou and Xuzhou, Cao Hong led his troops back to Juancheng in Dongjun to fetch his wives and concubines. Once Zang Ba agreed to cooperate, the Qingzhou and Xuzhou rebels were like fish in a barrel. Therefore, for Cao Cao, who was eager to secure a firm footing in Yanzhou, it was crucial to extend his influence into the other commanderies of the province. Jiyin Commandery, located in the southern part of Dongjun, was a place of great strategic importance.

Jiyin bordered Dongjun to the north, Chenliu Commandery to the west, Shanyang Commandery to the east, and Liang State and Pei State in Yuzhou to the southern side. Controlling Jiyin meant not only holding the gateway between Yuzhou and Yanzhou, but also keeping a tight grip on Zhang Miao, who garrisoned Chenliu, and the Yanzhou Inspector’s Office stationed in Shanyang Commandery, as forces from Jiyin could easily advance upon any of these three locations.

When Cao Hong had marched his troops to Xiangyi, he had passed through Jiyin and wiped out several prominent local clans that refused to open their county gates and supply grain. His reputation was thus exceedingly formidable in Jiyin, which was presumably one of the reasons why Cao Cao sent him there.

After sixteen days of marching, Cao Hong returned from Shouzhang to Juancheng. He gathered Sheng Meizhen, his daughter Cao Jiao, and the Qiao sisters, and set out together for Jiyin Commandery. Among the eight commanderies and states of Yanzhou, Jiyin ranked fourth, coming after Chenliu, Dongjun, and Taishan. It governed eleven counties, and its administrative seat, Dingtao, was one hundred and sixtyli away from Juancheng, requiring about eight days of marching.

Cao Hong had also passed through Dingtao the previous time, but that memory was not particularly pleasant. He had annihilated a powerful local clan surnamed Li in Dingtao and then installed a family surnamed Wu to manage the county on his behalf. At the same time, he had instructed the head of the Wu family to remember his "Cao" banner, warning them that whenever he returned with that banner in the future, the Wu family better cooperate fully.

The Wu family had been the second-largest clan in Dingtao, but they had been heavily suppressed by the Li family, leaving them with few manors and fields. The head of the house was a man in his early thirties named Wu Meng, styled Bokai. He was a timid and submissive little man. His father had passed away three years before Cao Hong entered Jiyin, and his family had been forced to pay hefty tributes of rice, vegetables, and even cloth and silk to the Li family every year. Therefore, after Cao Hong destroyed the Li family, he left the Wu family behind to look after Dingtao simply because Wu Meng was soft and obedient enough.

This time, upon leaving Juancheng, Cao Hong headed straight for Dingtao. At noon on the eighth day after departing Juancheng, Cao Hong arrived at the moat of Dingtao. It was the verdant month of March, and lush green sights filled the landscape. Peasants and townsfolk thronged the outskirts of Dingtao to visit the markets, presenting a much better scene than the previous time when the city gates had been tightly shut.

Cao Ang, riding alongside him, smiled and said, "I never imagined the administrative seat of Jiyin would be so prosperous."

Cao Hong glanced at the citizens entering and leaving the city and remarked, "Wu Meng may be timid, but he certainly has a knack for managing local affairs."

The nearby peasants unconsciously stepped aside and cleared the way upon catching sight of Cao Hong's army. The stout guards stationed at the city gates immediately stepped forward to salute and asked, "May we ask if the General belongs to the army of Lord Cao, the Provincial Governor?"

Hearing this, Cao Hong smiled and asked, "You know that the Provincial Governor is Lord Cao?"

The guard smiled ingratiatingly and replied, "You jest, General. The news of Lord Cao beating back the remnants of the Yellow Turbans has long spread among the common folk. To have such a hero presiding over Yanzhou is truly our immense fortune."

Cao Hong listened and inwardly sighed that the power of public opinion remained the same across ancient and modern times alike. He then said, "Indeed. I am Cao Hong, style Zilian, the General Who Exhibits Might under the command of Governor Cao of Yanzhou. I had a brief meeting with the head of the Wu family, the prominent local clan here, more than a year ago. As long as he sees me, he will know who I am."

Upon hearing this, the guard's expression changed drastically, and he cried in astonishment, "So the General is the very same General Cao who wiped out the Li family over a year ago! I am also a man of the Wu household. My master instructed us long ago: the moment we see General Cao, we are to invite the General straight to the General's Mansion!"

Cao Hong was taken aback and asked, "The General's Mansion?"

The guard smiled obsequiously and answered, "Yes! Ever since the General left, my master, deeply moved by your divine valor, had a General's Mansion built with one hundred and eight courtyards. Every single courtyard features a pavilion of a different architectural style. Day and night, he prayed for the General's return, so he ordered the servants to sweep the grounds daily and planted flowers in the courtyards. Now that spring has arrived, the flowers are in full bloom and the pavilions are spotlessly clean. It is the perfect time to move in."

Hearing this, Cao Hong suddenly laughed and said, "Wu Bokai certainly has quite a bit of foresight. However, I still need to settle my soldiers. Going to the General's Mansion will have to wait until later."

The guard immediately chimed in with a smile, "Rest assured, General. My master has already constructed a military camp in the southeast corner of the county, built entirely from top-quality timber with barracks large enough to accommodate five thousand men. He has even set up a military market. The moment the General's soldiers move in, my master will immediately send merchants to trade with them."

Cao Hong looked at the guard and suddenly chuckled. Could this Wu Meng have been transmigrated too? How could he be so clever? Back then, when he first saw him, the fellow could not even speak coherently. Still, since he had arrived, he might as well settle in. A tiny place like Dingtao could not possibly pull off any tricks. Thus, Cao Hong instructed Cao Ang, "Go to the rear guard, find Wenwei and Qingmang, and tell them to take the troops to the military camp and settle them in. Once that's done, come to that what-do-you-call-it General's Mansion to find me. Lead Meizhen and the carriages to the back and follow me to the General's Mansion."

Cao Ang acknowledged the order and wheeled his horse around. The guard waved at another sentry guarding the city gate to come over and lead the way, while he himself took hold of Cao Hong's mount and led him into the county, heading straight down the main avenue. At a glance, Cao Hong spotted the estate to the left of the county office—situated in the exact same relative position as Cao Song's residence in Huaxian. Although it lacked a bit of the imposing grandeur of Cao Song's mansion, the red walls, green tiles, and tree branches peeking over the courtyard walls gave it a much more vibrant and nimble charm.

Cao Hong suddenly asked the soldier leading his horse, "You are well-spoken and articulate. You must have read books for a few years, right?"

The guard flattering replied, "Any servant in our Wu household who wishes to can listen in when the young master is studying. Over time, you pick up how to speak like a civilized person."

Cao Hong asked casually, "How old is your young master?"

The guard replied, "He just turned fifteen this year and is preparing for his coming-of-age ceremony."

Cao Hong then inquired, "Why hasn't your master come out to welcome this General?"

The guard answered, "The brothers on the city wall must have already notified the master when the General arrived. By now, the master is surely waiting at the gates of the General's Mansion to welcome you."

As they spoke, the two had already arrived in front of the estate. Sure enough, they saw Wu Meng standing with a crowd of people in front of the residence. To his left stood four youths of similar age, and to his right were several women of varying ages, all of whom, young and old alike, possessed considerable beauty.

Upon seeing Cao Hong, the group bowed in unison—the men cupping their fists and making obeisance, while the women curtsied. Wu Meng spoke up: "Hearing of the General's grand arrival, this humble commoner has specifically brought his entire family to respectfully welcome you at the gates."

As he spoke, he still trembled slightly, seeming somewhat fearful of Cao Hong, not at all like a man who had devised so many elaborate schemes to welcome him.

Cao Hong waved a hand and said, "Spare the mundane courtesies. There is no need to host a banquet or anything of the sort. My family and I are tired and wish to rest. If you must hold a banquet, save it for tonight."

Wu Meng was stunned for a moment, at a loss for how to respond, when stuttered—

"Father, the General has had a tiring journey. We should not disturb him further; let us just leave the General's servants behind to attend to things," said the youngest youth standing on his left.

Cao Hong's gaze immediately locked onto the youth's face, and he asked coldly, "What is your name?"