Chapter Fifty: Coordinated Attack from Within and Without
Cao Hong immediately rose to his feet and said, “Since elder brother has resolved to raise arms, let us return at once to the camp and await further orders.”
Cao Cao smiled and replied, “I shall accompany Zilian as well.” With that, he too stood up.
After leaving the tavern, the five mounted their horses and departed Suanzao, returning to their encampment. There, Cao Cao gathered his commanders in the main tent and declared, “I have decided to march on Hulao Pass. We will camp at Chenggao, fifteen li northwest of Hulao Pass, and await our opportunity.”
The assembled officers, seeing that Cao Cao had finally made his decision, assumed Yuan Shao had changed his mind and agreed to take action. Xiahou Dun promptly asked, “From which direction will the rest of the allied forces advance?”
Cao Cao only laughed and replied, “Once we reach Chenggao, you will know the whole strategy.”
Even a fool would understand, as did Cao Hong, that Cao Cao feared revealing that only their force would attack, while the allied army remained motionless, for that would dampen morale. Yet Cao Cao had confided in Liao Hua, Pan Zhang, and himself, which could only mean one thing: they were to lead the vanguard.
Indeed, when the officers left to prepare for the march, Cao Cao retained Cao Hong, Cao Chun, Liao Hua, and Dian Wei. He said, “This time, I plan to take only five hundred of my elite guards for a surprise attack on Hulao Pass. Once we enter, we’ll send word to the camp fifteen li away. Fifteen li can be covered in less than an hour. My five hundred guards are the best in the army; they should be able to hold until reinforcements arrive.”
Cao Hong drew a sharp breath. An hour—that’s only two hours at most. Five hundred men storming Hulao Pass, even with an insider opening the gates, would face fierce street fighting. Whether they could hold out until relief arrived was uncertain; and even if they did, how many of the five hundred would remain?
A li under the Han dynasty was about four hundred meters, so fifteen li was six thousand meters—not far, but for thousands of men marching, speed would be slow, at least an hour. Clearly, Cao Cao was staking everything on this gamble. Fortunately, Cao Hong knew that Cao Cao would be defeated by Xu Rong, not Yang Ding, who was currently defending Hulao Pass. Therefore, this surprise attack should succeed.
Cao Chun asked, “Elder brother, you didn’t mention a surprise attack just now?”
Cao Cao chuckled, produced a letter from his sleeve, and handed it to Cao Chun. Having read it, Cao Chun nodded. “So that’s the plan. It should work. There must be grain stored in Hulao Pass. Once we break in, we’ll have the men bring provisions and enter the capital region. While Dong Zhuo flees west, we’ll strike to rescue the Emperor.”
Cao Cao laughed heartily. “That is exactly my intent!”
Afterwards, Cao Hong and the others took their leave to oversee their own troops’ preparations. An hour later, the Cao army was ready to march. Before departing, Cao Cao once more visited Suanzao, persuading the alliance leader Yuan Shao to dispatch Han Fu’s militia to deliver twenty days’ worth of rations to Chenggao, while his own troops escorted the supply train.
Five days later, Cao Cao’s forces reached Chenggao. Yang Ding had previously marched through here to Taohuayu, bringing with him the pillaging traditions of Dong Zhuo’s army, leaving the county seat a dead ruin. Cao’s troops bypassed the shattered walls and set up camp within. Meanwhile, Yang Ding’s scouts, hidden in the shadows, had already returned to Hulao Pass to report Cao Cao’s movements.
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Hulao Pass was nothing more than a high-walled fortress, capable of garrisoning at most twenty thousand troops. Under Yang Ding’s command, there were over sixty thousand—fifteen thousand armored soldiers, and forty-five thousand transport troops, mainly conscripted laborers.
The fifteen thousand soldiers were stationed within Hulao Pass, while the forty-five thousand laborers were camped in Xingyang County, ten li behind the pass.
In the main camp at Hulao Pass, Yang Ding and the newly arrived Inspector Zheng Tai were discussing Cao Cao’s army encamped at Chenggao.
Yang Ding said, “Inspector Zheng, the scouts report that about five thousand have arrived, flying Cao’s banners. It must be that Cao Cao, who issued the manifesto, has come in person. Our force is three times their number. Should we sally forth and attack?”
Zheng Tai smiled and answered, “That is for General Yang to decide. However, the Grand Tutor and his officers are busy gathering wealth from Luoyang and other counties and relocating the populace. If you lead the army out, and in the confusion an enemy sneaks over the mountains to threaten the Grand Tutor and hinder his westward retreat, then…”
Yang Ding nodded. “You’re right! Even if we attack, victory will not come in a day or two. During that time, our lines in the hills near the pass will be thin, and someone might take advantage of the chaos. Perhaps this is Cao Cao’s plan to lure us out. We must hold fast.”
Zheng Tai laughed. “General, you are wise! Five thousand men, without siege engines, cannot hope to take this pass. Surely this is a ruse. Better to increase patrols on the mountain paths near Hulao Pass.”
Yang Ding agreed. After a few more words, Zheng Tai left and returned to his tent. The guards surrounding Yang Ding’s tent were not his real bodyguards from Luoyang, but diehard followers of the Xun family, placed there by Xun You; the real guards had been killed en route from Luoyang to Xingyang.
Xun You himself had disguised as a guard and blended in with Yang Ding’s entourage. As Yang Ding entered his tent, Xun You, dressed as a bodyguard, immediately asked, “Will Yang Ding march out to attack?”
Zheng Tai replied, “I have already convinced him it is a trap; he won’t attack.”
Xun You nodded enthusiastically. “Excellent! Who would have thought Cao Cao would dare to advance so near Hulao Pass, only fifteen li away. This suits us well. We need not use signal arrows. I’ll leave the pass and meet Cao Cao, arranging to strike three days from now at the second watch. Brother Gongye will seize the gatehouse garrison and light a beacon as the signal!”
Zheng Tai assented. “That is safest. Every night since I arrived at Hulao Pass, I have led my guards to patrol the walls and shared wine with the soldiers. They are used to it. On the appointed night, I’ll drug their drinks and easily seize the gatehouse, opening the gates.”
Xun You nodded. “Brilliant! We’ll wait a half hour before the second watch, just a li from the pass. Once you light the signal fire, we’ll be upon you in a flash. Your safety will be assured!”
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Zheng Tai smiled. “Since we have resolved to eliminate the traitor, what matter is my own head?”
Xun You raised his thumb in admiration. “Such spirit, Gongye! In that case, tomorrow I shall disguise myself as a wandering refugee and go to Cao’s camp.”
Zheng Tai replied, “Forgive the trouble, Gongda!”
Xun You smiled and left the tent.
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At Chenggao, all manner of supplies were being unloaded. The Cao army was placing cart after cart of provisions in a single location. Cao Cao, on horseback, supervised while his officers looked on. Xiahou Yuan cursed, “Damn it, just a bunch of laborers and they dare act up! Were it not for the alliance, I’d have whipped five hundred of them myself!”
Xiahou Dun laughed. “My talents, these laborers are not under our command. Delivering the rations to Chenggao completes their task. If they don’t arrange things properly, it’s only to be expected. No need to care.” He turned to Cao Cao. “Mengde, Hulao Pass is before us, fifteen li—a mere hour’s march. Should we guard against Yang Ding launching a night raid?”
Cao Cao laughed heartily. “I doubt he will come!” After a moment’s thought, he commanded, “Order the army: starting tomorrow, gather the refugees. There will be grain distributed at Chenggao.”
The officers were astonished. Yue Jin said, “Master, our provisions are limited, and letting in refugees risks enemy spies.”
Cao Cao laughed again. “Do as I say!”
Left with no choice, the officers agreed in unison.