Chapter Sixty-One: Rising from the Ashes

After Cao Hong slipped into the forests of Mount Beimang, night quickly fell. There was no starlight that evening, and seeing the darkness, Cao Hong finally felt at ease. He surmised that Cao Cao had already escaped the encirclement. After all, the enemy hadn’t launched a thorough search, the night was so dim, and Mount Beimang’s terrain was so complex that, with Cao Cao’s cunning, escape would not be difficult.

Cao Hong had realized from the moment they left Hulao Gate that defeat was likely, so he felt no regrets. With tens of thousands under Xu Rong’s command, their escape was already a stroke of luck.

Using the last sharpened branch, Cao Hong speared a mountain pheasant, roasted and ate it, then determined his direction and headed north. Once out of the mountains, he planned to ask for directions and return to Suanzao to rejoin Cao Cao.

Mount Beimang’s ridges stretched far. It took Cao Hong two full days to traverse the range. During this time, he survived on wind and dew, caught fish in mountain streams, and used his wilderness skills to the fullest. He did not go hungry, but his shining armor was stained and filthy, unable to be washed, making him look every bit the fallen general.

Not long after leaving the mountains, Cao Hong encountered a group of fleeing refugees. Upon questioning them, he learned he had circled past Hulao Gate and was now outside it, only eighty li from Suanzao. He also learned from their accounts that Hulao Gate was now scorched earth, not a blade of grass remained, and the majestic ancient capital Luoyang had been reduced to ashes. Dong Zhuo’s soldiers were now excavating the imperial tombs and plundering treasures.

Cao Hong sighed inwardly—how could the fractured hearts of the eastern warlords ever accomplish anything great? He then asked about Sun Jian’s whereabouts and learned that after Xu Rong defeated Cao Cao, Sun Jian’s army engaged in battle, but Sun Jian too was beaten by Xu Rong and his whereabouts were unknown. Cao Hong could only smile wryly at this news, thinking it best to return to Suanzao and reconsider his plans.

Traveling alone, Cao Hong moved swiftly and reached the Suanzao camp in less than a day. At the gate, he saw Liao Hua leading a squad of ten waiting for him.

Seeing Cao Hong, Liao Hua exclaimed joyfully, “Isn’t this the Right Camp Inspector returned? Wonderful! Now we can report to the lord!”

Cao Hong stepped forward and asked, “How many brothers made it back?”

Liao Hua sighed, “Only fifty-six survived, but at least all the generals have returned, though they are much diminished.”

Cao Hong asked, “Did the Guard General return as well?” He had sent Pan Zhang and Shi Ah to rescue Wei Zi without much hope.

Liao Hua nodded, “He’s back. Though wounded, he’s not badly hurt. I hear Wen Gui devised a plan and faked their deaths to escape, all three disguised as refugees.”

Cao Hong laughed, “Wen Gui is certainly unconventional.”

At that moment, word was sent to Cao Cao of Cao Hong’s return. While they spoke, Cao Cao himself came out of the camp, grasped Cao Hong’s hand and said, “Without you, Zilian, I would have been in grave peril!”

Cao Hong replied, “You overstate it, elder brother.”

Cao Cao said, “Let’s return to the main tent. I have matters to discuss.”

Cao Hong nodded. Cao Cao instructed Liao Hua to continue waiting outside the allied camp for stragglers, then led Cao Hong to the main tent. The tent, once home to 5,500 men, now housed barely fifty, making it feel desolate. Yet as Cao Hong walked among the allied soldiers, he noticed not disdain, but respect, even from the Dongjun troops with whom he had previously clashed.

Cao Cao, seeing Cao Hong’s attention to the allies’ reactions, quietly said, “Brother, though we return with clipped wings and are accused by Yuan and Meng Zhuo of acting alone and suffering defeat, the allied soldiers hold us in high esteem. Our efforts are not entirely in vain. I believe scholars across the land see our brave attempt to rescue the emperor, despite the strength of the traitors.”

Cao Hong nodded. Cao Cao continued, “Zilian, I am most grateful to you. Had you not acted wisely, I would surely have been captured, and Zixu would likely have perished.”

As he spoke, Cao Cao gripped Cao Hong’s arm tightly, his gratitude evident. Cao Hong rejoiced inwardly; it seemed that now, among all the members of the Cao clan, he was the most trusted by Cao Cao. This was a promising start.

They entered the tent, which was already filled with all the Cao family’s commanders—Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, Wei Zi, Cao Ren, Cao Chun, Dian Wei, Yue Jin, even Shi Huan.

The assembled officers rose and greeted Cao Hong. Having survived disaster together, their bonds had deepened; Wei Zi even thanked Cao Hong for saving his life.

After greetings, everyone returned to their places. Cao Cao took his seat and said, “The other day, I returned to Suanzao and advised Yuan and the others to station troops at Mengjin while Dong Zhuo rampaged in Luoyang, occupy Chenggao, secure Ao Cang, build camps at Huan Yuan and Taigu to control the strategic points. Yuan Gonglu could move from Nanyang to Dan and Xi, enter Wuguan and launch a surprise attack on Guanzhong. Success would be assured. Unfortunately, Yuan and the others think Dong Zhuo too powerful to oppose, and now with Sun Wentai’s defeat, they are even less willing to act, choosing instead to feast daily. Such men are not fit for great deeds!”

His words were full of frustration, and the officers fell silent. Their defeat was not in strategy, but in numbers. Had Xu Rong not been so strong, they could have confronted him outside Xingyang instead of falling into ambush beneath Mount Beimang. Yet the eastern allies believed Dong Zhuo too formidable and no one dared strike, which led to the current predicament. The defeats of Cao Cao and Sun Jian further chilled their courage.

Xiahou Dun spoke, “Mengde, after this, we know the eastern alliance is not destined for greatness. Let us leave.”

Cao Cao replied, “The call to arms was issued in my name; how can I be the first to leave? Still, we have done our utmost. The world will judge us. Our immediate task is to recruit new troops.”

Yue Jin was the first to rise, saying, “My lord, I have resources in my hometown. Let me return there and recruit soldiers.”

Cao Ren added, “I too have wealth in Peiguo. Let me go and raise troops for you.”

Seeing the others volunteer, Cao Hong knew he could not avoid it and said, “I have funds in Yangzhou, and Uncle Jingjie is on good terms with Administrator Chen Wen. I can go to Yangzhou and recruit soldiers for you, elder brother.”

Cao Cao laughed heartily, “Excellent! Wenqian, Zixiao, Zilian—while recruiting, do not forget to seek out talent. What we lack most now are strategists. Though we were defeated by Xu Rong, we did take Hulao Gate. I believe scholars across the realm will see us in a new light!”

After Yue Jin, Cao Ren, and Cao Hong agreed, Cao Cao addressed Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, and Wei Zi, “Yuanrang, Miaocai, Zixu, you should also go recruit troops. We have too few men now to remain here feasting daily with these others. Tomorrow, while you are recruiting, I will cross Hulao Gate and garrison troops in Henei.”

Cao Chun asked, “Elder brother, will you go to the capital region? What if you encounter Dong Zhuo again?”

Cao Cao smiled, “Henei is the homeland of Sima Fang, who recommended me for office. The Sima family is a renowned clan there, with many private soldiers. If Dong Zhuo dares to cause trouble in Henei, I will join forces with the Sima family and give him a lesson!”

Everyone praised Cao Cao’s wisdom. Cao Hong’s mind stirred—Henei’s Sima family? Sima Fang of Jingzhao? This was Sima Yi’s father! So it was he who recommended Cao Cao for office. No wonder Cao Cao, though not favoring Sima Yi, never suppressed the Sima family, and now intended to garrison troops there. Clearly, they were connected.

That the Sima family could usurp the throne from Cao Wei must have stemmed from these deep ties; even now, their fates were intertwined. There would surely be complications ahead. As a member of the Cao clan, Cao Hong was naturally opposed to the Sima family, especially as he was now tutor to Cao Ang. The Sima family later served under Cao Pi—making them even less aligned.