Chapter Fifty-Six: The Traitor Dong Moves West, Bringing Calamity to Luoyang

Xun You and Zheng Tai, upon hearing that Cao Cao was willing to sponsor their journey, both expressed their gratitude. However, Xun You, being from a prominent Yingchuan family, naturally had his own retinue for protection; among the soldiers opening the city gates were loyal guards of the Xun household. Therefore, after thanking Cao Cao for his kindness, Xun You took his retainers and departed for Luoyang on his own.

As for Zheng Tai, he accepted two gold ingots shaped like horseshoes, along with three thousand five-zhu coins, and headed south. Cao Cao promptly escorted Zheng Tai, and once Cao Cao had left with him, Pan Zhang approached Cao Hong and reported, “Young master, in my right guard camp of one hundred ninety-three men, eighty-six have died. Among the squad leaders, thirteen perished; two of the ten-man leaders are gone, but the captains and garrison commanders remain.”

Cao Hong nodded. “Though we struck unexpectedly, the losses are still grave. Wen Kui, you take charge of appointing the new squad and ten-man leaders.”

Suddenly, a commotion erupted at the western gate. Cao Hong was puzzled and remarked, “Weren’t all the prisoners detained in Guanzhong? Why is the western gate so noisy?” With that, he and Pan Zhang strode toward the western gate.

The western gate of Hulao Pass faced the River Luo plains, while the eastern gate faced Suanzao. This western gate marked the passage out of the pass. At this moment, Cao Ren’s soldiers had encircled the gate, while Cao Ren himself was shouting to his men, “Quickly report to the lord—there’s a large influx of refugees at the western gate. How should they be handled?”

Hearing Cao Ren’s call, Cao Hong approached and asked, “Brother Zixiao, why have so many refugees suddenly arrived at the western gate? Are they here seeking food?”

Cao Ren shook his head. “It doesn’t seem so. All these refugees are clamoring to pass through, saying that Luoyang is no longer livable.”

Cao Hong suddenly recalled the time when Dong Zhuo moved westward, sweeping away all the wealth of Luoyang, forcing the commoners to migrate, pillaging the rich, even excavating the tombs of emperors, and finally burning Luoyang to ashes—truly stripping the land bare. He immediately said, “Something is amiss! Brother Zixiao, let’s detain a group of refugees and question them about what happened in Luoyang, and why so many have suddenly fled. Since we are advancing toward the capital district, such matters must not be overlooked.”

Cao Ren agreed, “You’re right.” He then led his soldiers to carry out the task.

Watching Cao Ren leave, Cao Hong was about to return to reassure his own troops when Cao Cao, having just seen Zheng Tai off, approached. Shaking his head, Cao Cao sighed, “Gongye is truly a talent for saving the world, but alas, he will not serve under me!”

Cao Hong replied, “Soon enough, elder brother, your retinue will be filled with talent!”

Cao Cao sighed again, “I have issued proclamations, labored to slay the enemy, and my reputation spreads far, yet Gongda and Gongye still will not look upon me favorably. What can I do?”

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Cao Hong said, “Perhaps it’s because you don’t yet have a place to settle, so these talented men feel unable to show their full abilities and naturally hesitate. Now that you have earned a reputation, we should begin establishing our own territory. With a place to call home and a good name, people will surely come to join us.”

Cao Cao nodded. “That’s the only way! Zilian, why is there such a commotion here?”

Cao Hong answered, “A sudden influx of refugees appeared at the western gate. Brother Zixiao has already gone to investigate.”

As they spoke, Cao Ren returned with a grave expression and reported, “Dong Zhuo has resolved to move west and has sent agents to poison the Prince of Hongnong. Now his commanders are looting the property of the people everywhere to fund the migration.”

The Prince of Hongnong was the deposed Han Emperor Liu Bian. Hearing this, Cao Cao’s face changed dramatically. “It seems Dong Zhuo’s westward move is already underway. We must advance quickly to rescue the Emperor!”

Cao Hong was not surprised to hear of Dong Zhuo’s murder of the young emperor, but when he heard Cao Cao speak of a rescue, he too was alarmed. With Dong Zhuo’s generals plundering Luoyang, enemy forces could be encountered at any moment. After the battle at Hulao Pass, their numbers were already diminished, and now they faced entering Luoyang to save the Emperor—was this not the act of an isolated force plunging deep alone?

Thus, Cao Hong quickly advised, “Elder brother, our troops are exhausted after the fierce battle, and our numbers are few. Dong Zhuo commands the troops of Xiliang and has gathered the north and south armies of Luoyang. Any minor officer under his command could have several thousand men. If we encounter them, I fear we will not prevail.”

Cao Ren added, “Exactly, elder brother. To advance deep into enemy territory may bring us face-to-face with the enemy at any moment. We are blind to their movements, and could stumble into a large army, making it hard to retreat.”

Cao Cao gave a bitter smile. “How could I not know the dangers? Yet now that Hulao Pass has fallen, if I do not press forward into the capital district, how will the world see me? Standing at the gate, knowing the Emperor is in peril ahead, yet remaining idle at Hulao Pass—how will the world judge Cao Mengde?”

Cao Ren said, “But who among the Eastern Alliance has moved? Never mind the northward march of Sun Wentai and Yuan Gonglu—elder brother, you are the only one among the Eastern Alliance who has crossed swords with Dong Zhuo!”

Cao Hong nodded, “Yes, elder brother. You have issued proclamations, fought battles, and earned fame. Why not preserve your strength, wait to govern territory and attract talent, then expand your power?”

Cao Cao sighed, “My wise brothers, your vision is somewhat limited! Precisely because I issued the call to arms and reached Hulao Pass, the arrow is already on the string and cannot be held back! The Eastern Alliance’s inaction can be attributed to following my proclamation, or to their isolation in Suanzao, unable to learn of the westward move. But I am at Hulao Pass, surrounded by refugees—how can I feign ignorance? If I do not advance, the world will think I fear Dong Zhuo’s might and dare not press forward, and the reputation I earned with my proclamation will be destroyed!”

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Hearing this, Cao Hong and Cao Ren exchanged glances, understanding the truth in Cao Cao’s words. Cao Cao’s vision was indeed more far-reaching, his perspective more comprehensive. Only at this moment did Cao Hong truly understand why someone as talented as Cao Cao would risk everything to charge into the capital district.

Originally, after capturing Hulao Pass, he could have allowed the Eastern Alliance to occupy the pass. Even if the Eastern Alliance remained inert, at least Cao Cao would have access to provisions and the support of the allied army; if battle went badly, he could retreat to Hulao Pass to regroup, waiting for Sun Jian’s army to catch up, never needing to risk advancing alone.

But now, time did not allow him to summon the Eastern Alliance to Hulao Pass. With Dong Zhuo already launching the westward migration and the Emperor about to leave at any moment, if Cao Cao stalled and waited for the allies to arrive at Hulao Pass to decide the next move, he would be accused of knowingly delaying the rescue of the Emperor. If such talk spread, his impassioned “Proclamation Against Dong Zhuo” would become a laughingstock.

At first, Cao Cao had so fervently called for the campaign against Dong Zhuo, but now, standing at Hulao Pass, he would watch Dong Zhuo depart with the Emperor and the treasures right under his nose—what kind of campaign was that? If such rumors spread throughout the land, then Cao Cao, not yet established, would not survive in this era where reputation was everything.

Cao Hong realized that Cao Cao was gambling with his life and fortune for a good name. He already knew that entering the capital district this time meant certain defeat. In fact, he might even believe that the more disastrous the defeat, the better, because more people would know how fiercely Cao Cao fought against the traitor.

This was not solely Cao Cao’s desire to gamble, but Dong Zhuo’s timing forced him to do so. And, in a sense, Zheng Tai and Xun You had also contributed to the situation.

The emergence of a great hero was shaped not only by subjective reasons, but also by objective circumstances. Cao Hong gained a deeper understanding of the course of history.

He then declared decisively, “Since the arrow is on the string, even if it means braving blades and flames, Zilian will follow elder brother wherever you go!”