Chapter Twenty: Cao Cao’s Ambition

When Cao Cao heard that Cao Hong was the first to express his support, a brilliant smile immediately lit up his otherwise sly and unattractive face. “Zilian, oh Zilian, indeed, after your training in Qichun, you are a changed man! Uncle Jingjie can set his mind at ease as well.”

There was a sincerity in Cao Cao’s smile that seemed to come from the depths of his heart, making one feel that he was utterly genuine, with not a hint of artifice—perhaps this was his secret weapon in attracting talented people.

At this moment, Xiahou Dun also spoke: “I too agree with Mengde’s opinion. If we merely follow in Zhang Miao’s wake, then at best we are but his vanguard pawns. The venerable Elder Cao holds the lofty rank of Grand Commandant—how could his descendants allow themselves to be subordinate to such men?” Xiahou Dun was close in age to Cao Cao, and had, together with Xiahou Yuan, followed Cao Cao through the Yellow Turban Rebellion, beheading tens of thousands. After years of campaigning together, their bond was deep. It was only he who dared address Cao Cao as “Mengde”; even Xiahou Yuan only followed the likes of Cao Ren and Cao Hong in calling him “Elder Brother.”

Cao Cao smiled and said, “Please be seated, worthy brothers!” Once all were seated, he continued, “Zixu is also in favor of this plan. Speaking of Zixu, you should all make an effort to befriend him. He is a man of great talent, rich in wisdom and vision. Both the General of Chariots and Cavalry and the Grand Commandant have repeatedly tried to recruit him, yet he declined them all, but has singularly favored me, Cao, offering me his full support. For this alone, the Cao and Xiahou families must not let down the Wei family!”

Zixu was none other than Wei Zi, whom Cao Hong had seen outside the city. At this time, he was likely busy settling the retainers. Cao Hong greatly admired Wei Zi’s eye for investment. Currently, Cao Cao had lost his official position and was like a stray dog, dependent on others. Yet Wei Zi, who ignored even the summons of the Three Excellencies, chose to support Cao Cao—proof that he had already discerned the latter’s extraordinary potential.

Upon hearing Cao Cao’s words, the four all eagerly voiced their agreement. At that moment, Xiahou Dun sensed something and said, “Zixu is here!” His martial cultivation had reached the highest levels—though not quite supreme, his senses were so sharp that recognizing someone by their footsteps was hardly a challenge.

Sure enough, a moment later there was a knock at the door. Cao Cao called out with a smile, “Zixu, come in.”

Wei Zi entered, took a seat, and reported, “Lord Mengde, I have already arranged for the two young gentlemen’s retainers to be stationed in the barracks. Their quarters are a fair distance from those under the Zhang brothers, so there should be no conflict.”

The way he spoke, it was clear he regarded Cao Cao as his true master. For such a noble and aloof man, who had refused the highest summons, this was truly rare. Cao Cao responded with heartfelt gratitude, “Thank you for your trouble, Zixu.”

Wei Zi modestly waved it off and continued, “The proclamation to denounce Dong Zhuo is nearly finished. I wonder, when shall we send it forth to the realm?”

Cao Cao replied, “Let us begin spreading it in the tenth month, when winter has set in. Even if Dong Zhuo receives it and wishes to march against us, the weather will bring him much difficulty.”

Wei Zi nodded in assent, but Cao Ren raised a concern, somewhat worried, “The Zhang brothers and those so-called ‘Northern Four Friends’ clearly intend to be the first to take up arms and become the leaders of this cause. If you act before them, elder brother, might it not rouse their resentment and lead to conflict?”

Cao Cao laughed heartily. “Tomorrow, I shall take my brothers and family and leave Chenliu County for Xiangyi. That is Zixu’s home, and I have already sent Zi He ahead to prepare our lodgings! Even if the Zhang brothers learn that I have acted first, they will not dare trouble me. I call together the heroes of the land in the name of justice—if they attack me out of personal spite, would they not become the laughingstock of the world?”

Xiangyi, under the jurisdiction of Chenliu Commandery, was only a three-day march from Chenliu County. Zi He was Cao Ren’s younger brother, Cao Chun, twenty years of age this year. It seemed Cao Cao had long planned to leave once Cao Ren and Cao Hong arrived.

Hearing such arrangements, everyone’s doubts were dispelled. They called over the wine steward, ordered food and drink, and soon were feasting heartily. During the banquet, Cao Cao said, “Zixiao, Zilian, I am presently staying with my family at the Zhang family’s villa. The villa has eighteen courtyards—while it cannot compare to my own estate, it is not crowded. Why don’t you both stay for the night, and tomorrow we’ll be off!”

Cao Ren and Cao Hong immediately agreed. Cao Hong added, “I’ve had the housekeeper arrange for Meizhen to stay at an inn, but I’m not sure how many inns there are in this county.”

Wei Zi replied cheerfully, “There’s no need to worry, young master. I have considerable property and staff in the county. I will inquire and find out immediately.”

Cao Hong, delighted, described his carriage and Cao Fu’s appearance. Wei Zi apologized and went quickly to make arrangements.

Cao Ren praised him sincerely, “Brother Zixu is truly a good friend to the Cao family.”

Cao Cao laughed, “Of course! Worthy brothers, in the days of the Yellow Turban chaos, though we made some name for ourselves, we were far from famed throughout the land! This time, we shall make our power known across the realm!” He raised his cup and declared, “To victory!” At that moment, Cao Cao truly seemed to have the bearing of a great hero.

The four responded with a thunderous cheer, downing their wine, and soon laughter and talk filled the room. After a while, Wei Zi returned and reported that everything was settled. After eating and drinking for a while longer, everyone took their leave. Before departing, Wei Zi promised to arrange for Cao Ren and Cao Hong’s retainers to leave the city, assuring them there was nothing to worry about.

Cao Cao brought the two Xiahou cousins, along with Cao Ren and Cao Hong, back to the Zhang family villa where he was staying, and had quarters prepared for the two. Not long after, He Fu arrived with Sheng Meizhen. Cao Hong immediately took Meizhen to pay respects to Cao Cao. After some brief conversation, Cao Cao sent Meizhen away, saying he had private matters to discuss with Cao Hong. The two retreated to a secluded courtyard and entered an unused study to speak in private.

Cao Hong wondered what Cao Cao wished to say that required excluding Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, and even Cao Ren, when he heard Cao Cao begin, “Zilian, today when I proposed sending proclamations to the land, you were the first to agree. I wonder, what were your thoughts?”

Cao Hong replied frankly, “Naturally, I did not wish to let the Zhang brothers steal the limelight.”

Cao Cao chuckled, “Exactly! Zilian, you are quick to grasp your elder brother’s intentions. But in truth, there is a deeper reason—do you wish to hear it?”

“Uh? Please, elder brother, go on.” Cao Hong was puzzled why this was being said to him alone.

Cao Cao’s face turned serious, his manner dignified and solemn. “Consider our Cao family: though descended from eunuchs, my grandfather Ji Xing served four emperors without fault, and our elders have served the state, some even sacrificing their lives. During the Partisan Prohibitions and the strife between the Ten Attendants and the imperial relatives, our family remained upright. So, we count as a loyal and worthy household. Now that traitors run rampant, I am determined to support the realm in its peril!

“Yet, among the renowned scholars of the land, many criticize me for my ancestry. Even dragons have nine sons, each different—how much more so with people? There are good and bad among eunuchs, but these scholars refuse to distinguish. Even though I served justly in Luoyang, even executing relatives of the eunuchs, I could not win their approval. Though ranked among the Eight Captains of the Western Garden alongside Yuan Benchu, when it comes to reputation and prestige, I fall far short of the Yuan brothers!”

Cao Hong listened in silence. When Cao Cao had finished, he responded, “So, elder brother, you wish to take this opportunity, with the proclamations going out across the land, to spread your name far and wide, letting the scholars know that the first to rise against Dong Zhuo was you. In this way, with fame will come talented followers and the support of more powerful factions.”

Cao Hong finally understood the critical importance of the proclamation to Cao Cao. At present, Cao Cao was unknown and wielded little influence, far outshone by the likes of Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu. His father, Cao Song, had long since retired, and his grandfather, Cao Teng, a eunuch, had left him neither fame nor fortune. Compared to the Yuan family's retainers and influence, the Cao family was all but destitute. In this age, reputation was the foundation for gathering the talented. If no one knows who you are, what is the point of raising the banner? Even if you are invincible and possess unmatched wisdom, what use is it?

What Cao Cao needed most now was fame, and sending proclamations throughout the land to rally heroes against Dong Zhuo was a golden opportunity to make his name known.

When Cao Cao heard Cao Hong speak his heart’s desire, he slapped the table with enthusiasm. “Exactly! Without strength, how can one save the world? And to gain strength, one must have fame! That is why I devised this plan. When I left Luoyang for Chenliu, it was with this in mind. I pretended to work with Meng Zhuo to raise troops against the traitors, which brought his brother and two friends here. But they miscalculated, only thinking of being the first to act, not of rallying all the heroes together. They sought only to seize the initiative, not realizing that going too far can backfire. Such is the shortsightedness of petty scholars!”

A chill ran down Cao Hong’s spine. Cao Cao had clearly grasped the motives of Zhang Miao and the ‘Northern Four Friends’, and had cleverly leveraged Zhang Miao’s social standing. If it were only Cao Cao raising the banner, the impact would be minor—he was just a former eunuch’s descendant fleeing from Luoyang. But now, with two prefects and three of the Northern Four Friends joining in—well-known figures in Hebei—the effect in the north would be enormous.

With famous men, prefects, and soldiers, many would come along for the excitement, swelling the ranks. The larger the momentum, the louder the reputation of the instigator, Cao Cao—boundless profit! Truly worthy of being the future Emperor of Wei! Cao Hong admired him greatly in his heart, but was left wondering, why confide this only to me?

Soon enough, Cao Cao gave an answer that left Cao Hong both amused and exasperated: “The reason I’ve told you, Zilian, is because I believe you have truly come into your own. Just now, in the main hall of the commandery office, I sat below Meng Zhuo and his group, and they even slighted two of our worthy brothers. Zixiao and Miaocai’s indignation was plain to see—they may become great generals on the battlefield, but such temperament is ill-suited to the court. Yet Yuan Rang and you, Zilian, showed no reaction, remaining calm and composed. Such men can be entrusted with great responsibility. As the Grand Historian once said: ‘A man whose heart rages with thunder, but whose face is as calm as the placid lake, is fit to be a great general.’ You two are of the highest talent! And you, Zilian, as a member of the Cao family, are all the more precious!”

All this, just for that? I just thought you’d outdo them sooner or later, so I didn’t care! Cao Hong thought helplessly. He did not know that this very moment had set his place in Cao Cao’s heart.