Chapter Forty-Seven: An Alliance? What Alliance?

The entrance flap of the command tent was lifted, and a junior soldier clad in the uniform of Yuan’s army stepped inside, holding a letter in both hands. He announced loudly, “The Governor has sent correspondence for the General, please review it.”

Dian Wei moved forward at once, received the letter, and handed it to Cao Cao.

Cao Cao opened it and, after scanning its contents, his narrow eyes squinted, a flash of displeasure crossing his face. He spoke to the junior soldier, “I have understood. You may go.”

The soldier bowed and withdrew. Cao Cao snorted angrily, slammed the letter to the ground, and spat out, “A grand alliance ceremony! With the opportunity for battle right before us, they’re still fussing over some tedious ceremony? An alliance? Absurd!”

Seeing Cao Cao’s fury, no one dared speak. After a few hurried breaths, he calmed himself and said, “Benchu’s lack of discernment is astonishing. With Yang Ding advancing his troops from three directions, this is the perfect moment to strike the enemy. Yet he insists on holding this alliance ceremony, forcing the twelve route leaders to swear blood oaths and endure pointless formalities, followed by a five-day banquet where we’re meant to laugh and jest before the enemy to showcase our heroism. It’s truly ridiculous!”

Cao Hong inwardly chuckled—Yuan Shao really is flamboyant! But it makes sense; if they followed Cao Cao’s plan and launched a three-pronged attack, why would only Cao Cao suffer defeat? Suddenly, Cao Hong’s expression changed. Could it be that, in his anger, Cao Cao would send him to fight?

He tentatively asked, “Brother, what should we do now?”

Cao Cao replied, “If he wants an alliance, he won’t deploy his troops. Yang Ding’s three armies form a triangle; if we attack rashly, we’ll be caught in a pincer. Forget it! Let him have his ceremony—I’ll return to Suanzao for now. I suspect Yang Ding is merely probing with his advance, not daring to attack our camp. Even if he has the courage, he lacks the numbers. As long as he’s not a fool—”

Cao Hong exhaled deeply, relieved at his brother’s clarity. He quickly said, “Brother, your wisdom is unmatched!”

Cao Cao, his spirits dampened, waved his hand dismissively, “Enough, disperse! Tell the others to scatter as well—let them drink if they wish, or seek out camp courtesans if they please.”

The generals exchanged glances, uncertain how to comfort a lord whose fervor had been doused. Cao Hong was the first to stand and take his leave, prompting the others to follow. Once they had gone, Cao Cao turned to Dian Wei behind him, “Dian, take the guard and accompany me back to Suanzao.”

Dian Wei answered loudly. Cao Cao forced a bitter smile, muttering, “Utterly incapable of accomplishing anything!”

After leaving the command tent, Cao Hong returned to his own quarters, where Pan Zhang was waiting outside, his face alight with excitement. “Master, are the drums in camp signaling a battle?”

Seeing the boy’s flushed, eager face, Cao Hong patted his shoulder, “No, since the others won’t mobilize, why should we rush to die?”

Pan Zhang’s disappointment was clear as he responded, “Oh. I’ve finished reading the ‘Brief Explanation of Sunzi’ from the lord; I thought it might be useful!”

Cao Hong laughed, “Finished reading? Good. I’ll mention it to Yuan Jian and have you as my personal guard. No need to draw army pay—I’ll give you an annual salary of four hundred bushels. When I lead troops, you’ll be my deputy; you’ll handle logistics, camp arrangements, and formation. Do it well.”

Pan Zhang was overjoyed, “Thank you for your guidance, Master!”

Cao Hong waved his hand, noticing Liao Hua passing by ahead. He called out, “Yuan Jian!”

Liao Hua paused and approached, “Left Camp Inspector, what is it?”

“It’s Wen Gui! Now that you’re gone, I need a personal guard. Let me have him,” Cao Hong gestured to Pan Zhang.

Liao Hua glanced at Pan Zhang and laughed, “I thought it was something serious! That’s easily done. I’ll instruct the quartermaster to maintain his pay.”

Cao Hong replied sternly, “That won’t do. In our army, we strictly forbid anyone from drawing pay without service. I’ll cover it myself.”

Liao Hua nodded, “Yes, yes, you’re absolutely right.”

Cao Hong asked casually, “You look to be in a hurry—where are you headed?”

Liao Hua grinned mischievously and lowered his voice, “Didn’t the lord tell us to seek out camp courtesans? I’m just following orders. Inspector, do you want—”

“Scoundrel! Watch out for disease!” Cao Hong laughed and scolded him.

Liao Hua departed laughing. Cao Hong said to Pan Zhang, “If I get hold of any rare military treatises in the future, you’ll be the first to read them. Of course, whether you understand them is up to you.”

Pan Zhang answered repeatedly in agreement. Cao Hong then told the soldiers outside his tent, “Have your fifty-man leader make arrangements for this boy; he’s my personal guard.”

The soldier immediately replied, “Yes, sir!”

Cao Hong patted Pan Zhang’s shoulder and returned to his tent.

Another day passed in the allied camp, with its officers enjoying leisure. Meanwhile, at Suanzao, following the alliance, every leader was bestowed a general’s title and began feasting. Yuan Shao was named General of Chariots and Cavalry, Cao Cao was titled General of Martial Valor, even Sun Jian far to the south received the title of General Who Breaks Bandits.

At the banquet, General of Martial Valor Cao Cao drank in silence, frustrated that his brilliant plans could not be implemented. Yet he had no idea that, at that very moment, Dong Zhuo was even more troubled than he.

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In the capital region, within Luoyang city, at the Grand Tutor’s residence, Dong Zhuo slammed his desk, splitting it in two, and roared, “My brilliant son-in-law lost to the White Wave bandits?” His tone was one of disbelief.

Dong Zhuo’s son-in-law was named Niu Fu, like him a burly man from Xiliang and a Commandant, ranking above Li Jue, Guo Si, Zhang Ji, and Yang Ding, and comparable to his own officers Dong Yue, Duan Wei, Hu Zhen, and Xu Rong. Leading twenty thousand elite Xiliang troops, he was still defeated by a band of Yellow Turban remnants; it was astonishing.

Li Ru, standing nearby, said, “Grand Tutor, the White Wave bandits are remnants of the Yellow Turbans, entrenched in White Wave Valley of Xihe, near the Qiang and Hu tribes. They must have recruited many fierce Qiang and Hu warriors. This incursion into Hedong must have been well prepared. General Niu’s defeat was within reason.”

Across from Li Ru, Lü Bu suddenly spoke, “Now that the White Wave bandits have entered Hedong, they can move south to cross the river and block the route between Guanzhong and Luoyang. Our supplies are mostly in Chang’an, Guanzhong. If the supply line is disrupted, and word of this reaches the rabble in the east—”

Had Cao Hong heard this, he would have been stunned—Lü Bu, famed as a reckless warrior, possessed such keen strategic insight, an impressive surprise.

Dong Zhuo fell silent after hearing this, and the three in the hall were quiet, for Lü Bu had pointed out the greatest hidden danger facing the Xiliang army: before the troops move, the supplies must be secured. If the supply line is blocked and the soldiers run short of food, defeat is inevitable.

Suddenly, Lü Bu bowed and declared, “Father, grant me five thousand elite troops—I will surely rout the White Wave bandits!”

Li Ru sighed, “Commander, even if you defeat the White Wave bandits, the supply line may not be secure. General Niu’s letter stated that these bandits are a mix of thieves and refugees, over a hundred thousand strong. Even if routed, they’ll scatter throughout the capital region. Between Guanzhong and Luoyang, aside from Tong Pass and Hangu Pass, there are hundreds of miles; with these refugees causing trouble, transporting grain will be extremely difficult.”

Lü Bu fell silent at this. To him, a hundred thousand refugees were not daunting, but to kill them all with five thousand men was pure fantasy, so he wisely held his tongue.

After some thought, Dong Zhuo said, “Enough. Tomorrow I shall confer with the ministers at court. Over these days, I’ve employed many scholars; though most are treacherous at heart, some remain loyal to me.”

Li Ru agreed, “Grand Tutor, your words are wise. If someone proposes a sound strategy, backed by reason, it would be best.”

Dong Zhuo laughed wildly, “If no one speaks up, I’ll simply muster all the Xiliang troops and the north-south guards, drive those eastern scoundrels back to their mothers’ wombs! Then I'll slaughter the White Wave bandits, and let their blood nourish the vast plains of the River Luo!”