Chapter Nineteen: The Sly and Cunning Cao Cao

After entering Chenliu County, Wei Zi spoke up, “Gentlemen, please proceed ahead. Allow me to arrange for your sons to be settled at the military barracks west of the city.”

Cao Ren and Cao Hong agreed at once, letting Shi Huan and Liao Hua lead their retainers away with Wei Zi. Meanwhile, Sheng Meizhen’s carriage was driven by Cao Fu to an inn in the county. Since their hosts hadn’t offered them lodging, Cao Hong had no intention of shamelessly asking for it—after all, he was a scion of a noble family.

Once the retainers and carriages departed, only Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, Cao Ren, and Cao Hong remained, riding their horses down the main street of Chenliu County. The marketplace flanked both sides of the thoroughfare, and the bustling crowds left the four with no choice but to proceed at a leisurely pace.

At that moment, Cao Ren remarked, “Elder brothers, it seems Zhang Mengzhuo does not care much for us.” The ties between the Xiahou and Cao families were deep and tangled, for Xiahou Yuan’s wife was the sister of Cao Cao’s wife. Thus, there was no distance between them, and Cao Ren addressed the two as elder brothers without hesitation.

Xiahou Dun chuckled, “Zhang Mengzhuo and Mengde are sworn friends, yet he simply enjoys being the one others defer to. The Zhang family is a powerful clan in Yan Province; his younger brother, Zhang Chao—Menggao—is Prefect of Guangling, and he himself is Prefect of Chenliu, his official rank higher than Mengde’s. Naturally, he’s somewhat overbearing. And since you, Zixiao and Zilian, hold no high offices, it’s hardly surprising he doesn’t pay you much heed.”

Though Cao Ren wielded the power of a warlord, he held no official title. Cao Hong was wealthy, but merely a county magistrate, far beneath a prefect. To put it plainly, Zhang Miao and Zhang Chao were like mayors sizing up a gang leader and a county official—hardly with any courtesy. Even Cao Cao, despite their old friendship and his father’s exalted rank, was treated little better, trailing after Zhang Miao like a lesser companion.

Hearing Xiahou Dun’s words, Cao Ren’s expression darkened. Cao Hong, noticing, clapped him on the shoulder. “Cousin, the empire is in flames. This is the time for men of talent and valor to prove themselves—why be troubled by the slight of those who are empty in name alone?”

At this, Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan both showed their approval. Xiahou Yuan gave a thumbs-up. “Well said, Zilian! That’s the spirit. When we’re on the battlefield, let’s see what these so-called Four Friends of the North can truly do!”

Cao Hong asked in surprise, “The Four Friends of the North?”

Xiahou Yuan scoffed, “Just a group of men of idle reputation! Zhang Mengzhuo’s brother, Zhang Chao, has brought troops from Guangling. Under his command are Zang Hong—Ziyuan—and Chen Rong—Fusheng. Those three, together with Tian Chou of Beiping, are called the Four Friends of the North. In their youth, they traveled and studied in the northern lands, famous for their learning.”

“The late Han’s penchant for judging men by their learning seems to be everywhere, and it only worsened in Wei and Jin,” Cao Hong mused. “All empty talk, which led to the Five Barbarians invading China. In the face of overwhelming force, all these evaluations are hollow.” He reflected further: “Tian Chou? That name sounds familiar—perhaps I read it in some book. In the late Han, those with real fame must have had genuine ability; otherwise, how could they have left their mark on history?”

No wonder, even when suppressing local powers like Cao Cao, it was still necessary to employ men of reputation. They were the backbone of this society—of that, there could be no doubt.

As they conversed, the four arrived at the governor’s office. The county guards clearly recognized Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan, greeting them politely and leading them inside—one escorting them to the main hall for discussion.

Inside the hall, five men awaited. Zhang Miao sat at the head, and to his left sat a man with a resemblance—surely Zhang Chao, the Prefect of Guangling. At the right-hand seat sat a refined scholar of about thirty; next down was Cao Cao, and opposite him, another scholar in his thirties.

In Han tradition, the left was the seat of honor. With five men in the room, Cao Cao sat second from the right, the lowest position. Watching this, Cao Hong sighed inwardly at Cao Cao’s misfortune: leaving Luoyang, losing his post as one of the Eight Captains of the West Garden, and now forced to seek shelter under others, relegated to the lowest seat. Of course, Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, Cao Ren, and Cao Hong would have to sit even lower.

Once the four entered, Cao Cao rose immediately and introduced them to the assembly. Besides Zhang Miao and Zhang Chao, the man on the right was Zang Hong, and beside Zhang Chao sat Chen Rong. These two, with Zhang Chao and Tian Chou, were known as the Four Friends of the North.

When Cao Ren and Cao Hong saluted the three, their responses were perfunctory—scarcely masking their disdain. Once everyone was seated, Zhang Miao spoke first: “Now that Mengde’s valiant kin have arrived, it is time to plan great deeds. The traitor Dong has committed heinous acts, deposing the Emperor and enthroning another. Let us raise the banner of justice in Chenliu and strike against this villain.”

Cao Hong found this declaration odd—did Zhang Miao truly intend to oppose Dong Zhuo by himself? How many soldiers could two prefectures muster? Dong Zhuo controlled Luoyang; the Southern and Northern Armies alone numbered at least eighty thousand. With his Xiliang troops, he commanded well over a hundred thousand. Did two prefects truly dream of toppling him? Was this not pure fantasy?

Zang Hong then spoke: “Mengzhuo speaks truly! If we raise the banner of righteousness, men of ambition across the realm will surely follow. Then the cause of justice will rest on Mengzhuo and Menggao’s shoulders.”

At these words, Zhang Miao and Zhang Chao revealed self-satisfied smiles, and Cao Hong instantly understood—they wished to be the first to eat the crab, to seize the initiative and have others follow their lead.

Cao Cao burst out laughing, “Exactly so! Mengzhuo, you are truly bold. This time, let us make no sound unless it is earth-shattering!”

The assembly echoed their approval with laughter, soon agreeing to rise in arms the following year and concluding their council. Once Zhang Miao, Zhang Chao, and the two of the Four Friends had departed, Cao Cao turned to Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, Cao Ren, and Cao Hong. “Brothers, why don’t the five of us go to the county tavern for a drink?”

They agreed at once, and upon reaching the tavern in the marketplace, the innkeeper promptly led them to a private room in the upper floor. As soon as they entered, Cao Cao declared, “I have reserved the entire upper floor, so there’s no need to fear eavesdroppers. There’s only one thing I wish to say to you all: Zhang Miao and Zhang Chao intend to seize the spotlight and be the first to move against Dong Zhuo. But I will not let them have their way. I have already had a manifesto drafted, which will be sent throughout the land, listing Dong Zhuo’s crimes and calling on all men of virtue to rise at my summons. What do you think?”

Cao Hong was inwardly impressed: Brilliant! Let Zhang Miao be ‘the thunder that shakes the world,’ and you seize the moment yourself—how cunning! But I like it; this is the way of a true man of action!

He immediately spoke up, “Elder brother, your plan is truly superb. With men like Yuan Benchu, Yuan Gonglu, and Sun Wentai, Zhang Miao’s dreams of monopolizing the cause are little more than a fool’s delusion!”