Turbulent Times, Perilous Murderous Intent

Cao Hong was frequently dispatched by Cao Cao to garrison various regions nowadays, making it impossible for him to remain by Cao Cao's side at all times. Naturally, he needed someone close to Cao Cao to look out for him. Although Liu Ye, Dian Wei, and he were on good terms, Dian Wei was a personal bodyguard with virtually no strategic foresight. While Liu Ye was by Cao Cao's side, Cao Cao relied on him more as a strategist rather than someone holding down the home front like Xun Yu. Therefore, what Liu Ye knew, he might know, but what Liu Ye did not know, Xun Yu would certainly know as well.

Consequently, following the historical trajectory, Cao Hong proposed a marriage alliance with Xun Yu. Furthermore, forming a marriage alliance with Xun Yu meant establishing a connection with the Yingchuan Academy. From then on, at least the sources of talented individuals would increase, and he would no longer have to search for them blindly like stumbling upon a lucky draw.

Hearing such a direct suggestion from Cao Hong, Xun Yu was slightly stunned before bursting into a hearty laugh. "That would certainly be a wonderful thing! I only fear that I might fail in my fatherly teachings, and that my dog of a son will prove unruly in the future, thereby wronging your esteemed daughter."

Cao Hong laughed heartily. "What are you saying, Wenruo! I am even more afraid that my daughter will grow up to be plain-looking and wrong your esteemed son."

Xun Yu laughed out loud. "Since that is settled, let us seal the matter now. Once they reach the age of the capping and hairpin ceremonies, you and I shall be in-laws."

Cao Hong smiled. "Splendid! Such a joyous occasion certainly calls for a few more cups of wine!"

Laughing and chatting, the two ascended to the third floor of the pavilion and sat facing each other. Soon, servants brought fine wine, fruits, and delicacies, and the two began to drink and converse freely. After a while, Cao Hong suddenly recalled something and asked, "When Wenruo returned to Yingchuan this time to recruit capable men for my elder brother, did you reap any rewards?"

Hearing this, Xun Yu replied, "Although I gained quite a bit, the outcome was not entirely satisfactory."

Cao Hong asked curiously, "Why does Wenruo say that?"

Xun Yu explained, "I have two close friends in Yingchuan. One is a scholar of humble origins named Xi Zhicai, and the other is the scion of a distinguished family named Guo Jia, styled Fengxiao. Both possess talents capable of shaking the heavens and earth. My trip to Yingchuan was to invite both of them to come forth and assist our lord in bringing order to a chaotic world. However, only Xi Zhicai agreed to come, while Guo Fengxiao claimed that the time was not yet ripe."

So Xun Yu had actually gone to invite Guo Jia! The time was not yet ripe? What did that mean? Doubt filled Cao Hong's heart, but aloud he asked, "Did Wenruo ask what he meant by 'the time is not yet ripe'?"

Xun Yu answered, "Fengxiao said that although our lord currently dominates Yanzhou, the powerful clans across various regions merely fear our lord's military might. Their hearts still harbor the desire to rebel. The moment our lord leads his troops on an expedition elsewhere, chaos will erupt right under our noses."

Hearing this, Cao Hong was profoundly shocked. Could Guo Jia truly be this formidable? To be able to foresee that later this year, when Cao Cao led his troops on an expedition to punish Tao Qian in Xuzhou, the powerful clans of Yanzhou would launch a rebellion? Such discernment... neither Xun Yu nor Liu Ye could compare to it!

He immediately asked, "Then did this Mr. Fengxiao state how this can be resolved?"

Xun Yu replied, "Fengxiao said it cannot be resolved. After all, our lord is an outsider, and he merely used the momentum of pacifying the million-strong Yellow Turban rebels of Qingzhou and Xuzhou to overawe Yanzhou. These local powerful clans have yet to suffer a painful blow, so they fear our lord only superficially and naturally harbor opportunistic hopes. Unless they are allowed to revolt once and are given a harsh lesson, Yanzhou will never truly belong to our lord. If and when that time comes, and our lord still retains Yanzhou, that will be the moment he comes forth to serve."

To be brilliant to this degree—what more could Cao Hong say? This was fundamentally Guo Jia's test for Cao Cao, to see whether he could truly conquer and hold Yanzhou. Reflecting on how in Jiyin Commandery, although no one dared to openly oppose him, the only family that had proactively shown goodwill before his arrival seemed to be Wu Zhi's household, Cao Hong felt even more convinced that Guo Jia's words made complete sense. It seemed that the rebellion of the Yanzhou aristocracy was an absolute certainty.

With this thought, Cao Hong asked, "What are Wenruo's profound insights regarding these words?"

Xun Yu said, "To be honest, I feel that this statement is somewhat alarmist. Our lord led his troops out of Xiangyi, first defeating the Heishan bandits, then purging the local bandits of Yanzhou, and finally annihilating the million-strong Qingzhou and Xuzhou Yellow Turbans, saving Yanzhou from fire and water—these are achievements witnessed by all. If the powerful clans of Yanzhou possess even a shred of conscience, they should know to repay kindness with gratitude, so how could they turn their weapons against us? Even if they harbored such intentions, they would lack the courage. However, Fengxiao never speaks without a purpose, which is why I am quite perplexed as well."

The aristocracy of Yanzhou might lack that kind of courage, but Lü Bu certainly had it! Who told him to burst in just as Cao Cao had taken a step away? Everyone in the world knew that the one who killed Dong Zhuo was Lü Bu; if even Dong Zhuo could be killed, let alone Cao Cao?

It seemed that fellow Chen Gong was the one who brought Lü Bu in. At this thought, Cao Hong suddenly asked, "Wenruo, has our lord acquired any capable individuals by his side recently?"

He was not foolish enough to ask directly where Chen Gong was; that would be far too conspicuous, and he would have no justification for inquiring about Chen Gong's movements. He certainly couldn't say that Chen Gong would rebel with Lü Bu in the future, or this future in-law Xun Yu would definitely think he had lost his mind. Therefore, Cao Hong adopted a roundabout strategy to inquire, knowing that an outstanding figure like Chen Gong would naturally be employed by Cao Cao after he took control of Yanzhou.

Xun Yu replied, "Our lord incorporated the million-strong Qingzhou and Xuzhou Yellow Turbans, greatly boosting his momentum, and immediately began recruiting local talent, thereby acquiring several strategists and brave generals."

Cao Hong asked, "May I ask who they are, Wenruo?"

Xun Yu smiled and said, "Among the civil officials, Cheng Yu, Mao Jie, and Chen Gong are all renowned local scholars. Among the military officers, there are Yu Jin and Lü Qian. This Yu Jin was formerly a Commandant under Bao Xin, the Administrator of Jibei. After Bao Xin's death, he led his troops to submit to our lord. Back when Zilian was engaged in fierce combat at Shouzhang, our lord fought alongside him and deeply admired his military leadership abilities. As soon as Zilian came to Jiyin, you immediately heavily employed this man. As for Lü Qian, he was recommended by Ying Shao, the Administrator of Taishan, and hails from a powerful family in Rencheng State. If there is anyone in Yanzhou whom Zang Ba, the banner commander of Taishan, still guards against, it is precisely this man. He has now been appointed as the Colonel of Xiangben, garrisoning Luhu to keep Zang Ba, Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan of Qingzhou, and Tao Qian of Xuzhou in check."

They were all formidable individuals! Cao Hong knew all the people Xun Yu mentioned, especially Yu Jin, whose military record was illustrious, though regrettably, he ultimately lost to Guan Yu and failed to preserve his reputation to the end. Prior to that, however, he could well be considered a commander of stellar achievements; in terms of military merits among Cao's generals, ranking him in the top five would be effortless.

However, his primary concern right now was that fellow Chen Gong. Just as he had anticipated, since Chen Gong was already by Cao Cao's side, it was impossible to prevent Cao Cao from appreciating and trusting him. Perhaps, just as Guo Jia had predicted, Yanzhou would have to endure a period of turmoil, where Cao Cao would give them a painful thrashing before they finally recognized who the true master of Yanzhou was.

Thinking of this, Cao Hong dismissed the matter from his mind and instead asked Xun Yu about Yuan Shu's movements. "When Wenruo went to Yingchuan this time, that was within Yuzhou territory. Now that Yuan Shu's fierce general Sun Jian has been killed by Huang Zu, the current Inspector of Yuzhou, Guo Gong, is Wenruo's fellow student. I wonder if he is a man belonging to Yuan Shu."

Xun Yu replied, "Guo Gong is a member of a powerful local clan. This man plays both sides and cannot be said to belong to anyone in particular; it is simply that after Sun Jian's death, he commanded the largest military force in Yuzhou, which led Yuan Shu to memorialize him as the Inspector of Yuzhou. Now that Yuan Shu's southward campaign is not going well, he must be turning his sights to the northern territory. Is Zilian worried that Guo Gong will lend Yuan Shu a hand?"

Cao Hong smiled and said, "Worried is perhaps too strong a word, but I do wish to be prepared."

Xun Yu smiled. "Zilian's mastery of military strategy is godlike; the likes of Guo Gong and Yuan Shu are no match for Zilian. However, Guo Gong is someone who hesitates and looks before he leaps in everything he does. Therefore, unless Yuan Shu can achieve consecutive victories against Zilian, leaving Zilian without the capacity to counterattack, Guo Gong will merely sit on the sidelines and watch."

Cao Hong smiled. "Hearing you say that, I am completely at ease!"

Xun Yu nodded and said, "Zilian, there is another matter. Our lord currently stations a massive army at the border between Yanzhou and Qingzhou. Because Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan are currently confronting each other in the north, while the two armies of Liu Bei, the Chancellor of Pingyuan in Qingzhou, and Tian Kai, the Inspector of Qingzhou appointed by Gongsun Zan, are still stationed in Qingzhou and can launch a surprise attack on Yuan Shao's rear at any moment, our lord and Yuan Shao are allies. Consequently, our lord is compelled to station troops to deter Tian Kai and Liu Bei's forces in Qingzhou, preventing them from leaving at will. If Yuan Shao were to launch a surprise attack to raise troops at this time, Zilian, you would have to fend him off entirely on your own. Although Yuan Shu's abilities are limited, his advantage lies in having numerous soldiers and expansive territory. Defending against the enemy alone will still require careful handling. Our lord let Zilian garrison Jiyin precisely because he believes only Zilian has the highest chance of victory when facing Yuan Shu, and can thus safeguard the gateway to Yanzhou."

So Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan were also preparing to start a war in the north! These past few years had truly given no peace! The moment Dong Zhuo died, it seemed everyone became active! Cao Hong thought to himself inwardly.

At that moment, a maid hurried up to the pavilion and reported, "General, the mistress has instructed me to inform the General that the Eldest Young Master of the State Protector's residence has arrived from Dingtao and is currently playing with the young miss down below the pavilion."

Cao Ang had arrived as well? What was this fellow here for? Cao Hong said, "Tell him to come up."

The maid acknowledged the order and departed immediately. Xun Yu asked curiously, "Did Zilian not keep the Eldest Young Master by your side, but instead left him in Dingtao?"

Cao Hong replied, "Keeping him by my side to learn military strategy and warfare is not as effective as letting him stand on his own two feet in Dingtao. Practice brings true knowledge, after all."

Xun Yu chewed over the phrase 'practice brings true knowledge' several times and smiled. "Everything Zilian says nowadays becomes increasingly thought-provoking! Truly a disciple of the 'Ocean of Learning'."

Cao Hong gave two dry laughs. Such cliché jargon from later generations was considered 'thought-provoking' here. That was hardly surprising; after all, at this time, many expressions lacked the conciseness of later eras.

After a short while, Cao Ang ran up to the pavilion. Upon seeing Cao Hong and Xun Yu, he immediately cupped his hands in salute. "Uncle! Teacher!"

Cao Hong said, "Zixiu, why are you not in Dingtao looking after the gambling house, and instead running all the way here?"

Cao Ang replied, "Your nephew hurried here to report a major matter to you, Uncle."

Cao Hong asked curiously, "What matter?"

Cao Ang stated, "Ever since Prefect Wu took office, Ji-zhong proposed reorganizing the household registers, so every ten days we conduct a house-to-house census of the population in the city. Anyone not listed on the official rolls must be immediately interrogated to ascertain their origins. Three days ago, we captured a fellow who claimed to be from Guanzhong. The moment Ji-zhong heard he was from Guanzhong—the location of the Son of Heaven—he personally interrogated him on the spot, wishing to inquire about the current situation of the Emperor. Who would have guessed that this questioning would immediately unearth earth-shattering news?"

Xun Yu asked from the side, "What news is it?"

Cao Ang replied, "Dong Zhuo's subordinates, Li Jue and Guo Si, led three hundred thousand rebellious mobs to capture Chang'an City, heavily defeating Lü Bu's forces and capturing the Son of Heaven!"

Hearing this, Xun Yu sprang to his feet in profound shock, exclaiming, "Those two scoundrels actually possess such capability?"