Forty-Nine: Rebirth and Transformation

After the court session ended, Zheng Tai left the palace alone. Suddenly, someone called out, “Gongye, wait, wait!” Turning, Zheng Tai saw that it was Xun You, the younger clan nephew of Minister of Works Xun Shuang, and an attendant at the Yellow Gate. Zheng Tai stopped and greeted him, “It’s you, Gongda!”

Xun You quickly caught up with him, and as they walked together into the bustling city beyond the palace, he whispered, “Gongye, do you truly believe that the Eastern warlords are no match for the traitor Dong?”

Zheng Tai smiled. “When the answer is so obvious, why ask?”

Xun You praised him, “You have great skill and courage. I believe Dong Zhuo will not only refrain from sending troops to Hulao Pass, he might even take your advice and move the capital west to Chang’an.”

Zheng Tai sighed. “If it comes to that, Dong Zhuo will abandon the fertile plains of the Luo River, which is good in itself. But I, Zheng Gongye, will go down in history as a sinner.”

Xun You was taken aback, then understood. Dong Zhuo’s character was well known—if he left, he would strip Luoyang of everything valuable and might even destroy the magnificent capital. But Xun You was unmoved, saying, “What crime is there in this? For great undertakings, sacrifices are inevitable. Even if Luoyang is reduced to scorched earth, the Eastern warlords would not be routed in a single blow and would still have a chance to contend with the traitor.”

Xun You was not one for petty concerns. Though well-read and aware of the principle of benevolence, he firmly believed that extraordinary times called for extraordinary measures. He greatly admired how Zheng Tai had outmaneuvered Dong Zhuo in court, but now Zheng Tai’s compassionate manner made his admiration wane somewhat.

Zheng Tai replied, “True, but it is only a temporary reprieve. Whether victory can be seized remains uncertain, for the hearts of the Eastern lords are not united.”

Xun You laughed, “Then it will depend on whether men of resolve like ourselves here in Luoyang can devise another plan!”

Zheng Tai was startled, “Gongda, you’re not suggesting…”

Xun You smiled, “Indeed, it’s time to plot anew. Are you not heading to Hulao Pass?”

Zheng Tai said, “Let us discuss this in detail at my humble abode.” With that, the two melted away into the crowd.

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At the Grand Tutor’s residence, Dong Zhuo asked Li Ru, “Wenyou, what is your opinion—would moving west be a wise strategy?”

Li Ru answered calmly, “Grand Tutor, the Eastern coalition is not to be feared for now. However, Sun Wentai advances northward, and the White Wave bandits ravage Hedong. We are beset on all sides. Here on the Luo plain, your rewards to the soldiers have led to unchecked looting and killing—even princesses and the wealthy are not spared. The people’s loyalty is lost. As Zheng Gongye said, your virtue and prestige still hold in Xiliang and Guanzhong, but not here. Thus, westward relocation is indeed a sound plan. It is also a chance to move the people and wealth together, leaving only elite troops to cover the retreat.”

Dong Zhuo nodded, “That is my thinking as well. Hmph, I won’t leave a single coin behind! First, store the wealth at Meiwu, station my troops there, and after personally inspecting everything, transport it to Chang’an.”

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Ten days later, in Suanzao County’s marketplace, Cao Hong sat leisurely in a second-floor private room of a tavern, drinking wine and eating meat. Pan Zhang and Liao Hua accompanied him. For days, Cao Hong had come here, drinking while watching the bustling market below.

The presence of numerous troops stationed outside the county brought business opportunities, making the merchants busier and richer than ever. The market was as lively as that of Chenliu, the county seat.

People thronged the marketplace; merchants and officers haggled, and commoners strolled about. There was no sign this was the front line closest to the enemy.

“Master, I hear Sun Wentai has already passed Nanyang and is taking the Xiong’er Mountain path into the capital region,” Pan Zhang said.

“Mmm. Wengui, what’s your view on this?” Since deciding to nurture Pan Zhang, Cao Hong often quizzed him, as a test.

Pan Zhang replied, “I think we should attack Hulao Pass now, take the capital region by force, and join with Sun the Vanquisher.”

Liao Hua laughed, “Come off it, Wengui. All the generals just drink and carouse every day. Apart from our men and the troops from the State of Jibei, have you seen anyone drilling outside the camps? Even the famous fish-scale armored troops of Yuan’s army have shed their armor for the company of camp women. No one is building siege engines—how can we make an assault?”

Pan Zhang sighed, “That’s exactly the problem—why do the generals all seem so unmotivated?”

Liao Hua said, “Wengui, we’ll never know what these big shots are thinking. You and I are just pawns for the master. Why bother worrying?”

Cao Hong smiled, “Yuanjian, you’re getting more and more shrewd.”

Liao Hua chuckled, “It’s the truth. Since following the lord, I’ve learned to keep my head down, do my job, ignore the rest, and obey orders.”

Pan Zhang disagreed, “Yuanjian, with that attitude you may become a valiant general, enough for self-preservation, but never a great commander. A true leader must judge the situation, and even if powerless to change it, must seek the best outcome—like how cunning merchants profit during famine. That’s real ability.”

Cao Hong was moved. “Wengui, you’ve made great progress lately.”

Pan Zhang scratched his head, a bit embarrassed. “That’s just what the master’s military books say.”

Cao Hong nodded, “If you can learn that, you’re teachable.”

Liao Hua laughed, “I have no interest in high command. If I can be a fierce warrior like Dian Wei, and protect the lord and master in times of crisis, I’m satisfied.”

Cao Hong took a sip of wine, nodding, “You’re all fine men.”

At that moment, someone called from outside the private room, “Zilian, Zilian, are you here?”

The voice was unmistakably Cao Cao’s. He knew Cao Hong’s habits and had come to find him. Cao Hong answered, “Elder brother, Zilian is here.”

Soon, the door slid open and Cao Cao entered with Dian Wei. The three men quickly saluted. Cao Cao laughed, “No need for formality, sit!” He took a seat and had Dian Wei do the same.

Once Cao Hong had sat, he asked, “Elder brother, is there urgent news? What brings you to the tavern in person?”

Cao Cao grinned, “Indeed, something big has happened. The remnants of the Yellow Turbans, the White Wave bandits, have slaughtered their way through the capital region and are wreaking havoc in Hedong, accidentally cutting off Dong Zhuo’s supply lines. Now Dong Zhuo, worried about being attacked from both sides and having lost the people’s support due to his misdeeds in Luoyang, is preparing to loot the Emperor and move west to Chang’an. Yang Ding has already withdrawn his three armies back to Hulao Pass.”

Cao Hong thought, ‘It’s come!’ Then asked, “Did a spy bring this news?”

Cao Cao replied, “Not a spy, but someone in Luoyang sent a secret letter to Benchu, revealing all this and even suggesting that, at midnight in fifteen days, our troops fire three signal arrows as a sign. The city gates at Hulao will be opened for us to storm into the capital, driving straight on.”

Cao Hong was deeply moved. “Is the informant trustworthy? Could this be a trap?”

Cao Cao said, “The informant is a loyalist of the Han, and there are current high officials among his kin as guarantors. It shouldn’t be false. Moreover, Benchu—though unwilling to send troops—never suggested it was an enemy ruse. So this is highly credible!”

Cao Hong was perplexed. If it’s not a trap, why won’t Yuan Shao seize this golden opportunity? He asked for the reason.

Cao Cao sneered, “At the time, only I, Benchu, and Mengzhuo were present. Both Benchu and Mengzhuo believed that since Dong Zhuo is set on moving west, he’ll surely send strong troops to cover his retreat. Fighting him would bring loss, not gain. It’s better to wait until Dong Zhuo leaves, then enter Luoyang at leisure.”

Pan Zhang could not help but interject, “Knowing the Emperor is to be abducted and not sending troops—this is treason!”

Cao Cao glanced at Pan Zhang, recognizing him, and smiled, “Wengui, you’re absolutely right. That’s why this time we’re taking action ourselves. I’ve secured the letter. We’ll go to Hulao Pass, slaughter the capital region’s enemy, join up with Sun Wentai, and pursue Dong Zhuo west to rescue His Majesty!”

Cao Hong now understood: Cao Cao had given up on the Eastern alliance and was determined to act independently. When defeat loomed, they all came together; but now, at this critical juncture, Cao Hong felt himself nothing more than a pawn of history, powerless to change its course.