Chapter Sixty-Two: Returning Home to Recruit Soldiers (Part One)

After Cao Hong and the other generals had finished discussing their affairs, Cao Cao dismissed the assembly. Cao Hong returned to his own tent, only to find his trusted Right Battalion completely deserted. Only Pan Zhang and Shi A remained, sitting on the open ground and chatting idly. When they saw Cao Hong, both of them stood up at once, joy written clearly across their faces.

Pan Zhang called out, “Young Master! You’ve returned, that’s wonderful! Shi and I were saying, if the two of us could escape with General Wei, how much more likely you were to return safely, when your abilities far surpass ours!”

Cao Hong smiled. “So it seems my Right Battalion now numbers only two worthy brothers.”

Shi A sighed. “Yes, that day Wen Gui and I led the men to rescue General Wei, but all were cut down by that scoundrel Xu Rong. Luckily, Wen Gui was quick-witted—he stripped off his armor, donned enemy garb, and feigned death amidst the chaos, and so escaped with his life.”

“I see!” said Cao Hong. “My elder brother is sending me to Yangzhou tomorrow to recruit soldiers. I plan to return to Xiangyi first and bring Mei Zhen with me, and pay my respects to my father-in-law as well. Qing Mang, during this time you are to follow my elder brother to Henei to garrison troops. Wen Gui, you’ll come with me to Yangzhou.”

The two readily agreed. Cao Hong then sent Shi A to Sour Jujube County to buy a set of clothes, before returning to his tent, where he shed his armor and at last took some rest. He had been riding day and night, braving wind and dew, and had not slept properly for days. The moment he lay down on the campaign bed, he fell fast asleep.

When night fell, Cao Hong awoke to find himself filthy, his body reeking of blood. He slipped out to a small stream at the edge of camp to wash. The moon hung high overhead, and the spring night air was still biting. The icy water flowed over his skin, leaving him refreshed.

“So this is the toll of war,” he mused. “Running alongside Cao Cao, shielding him from arrows, snatching up a horse—one thing after another, I nearly lost my breath! Fortunately, I caught my wind again in the saddle, or else in that chaos, if my breath had faltered and I’d exerted too much, I might well have suffered a spasm or even coughed blood and lost my mind!”

He still shuddered at the memory of the breakout with Cao Cao. Had he been forced to run a few more steps, slay one more foe, he might have failed outright—there was no time to catch one’s breath in such a melee. Even the most skilled warrior has his limits.

A spring wind swept by, chilling Cao Hong’s skin. Suddenly, the cold shocked his whole body, setting his blood and energy surging and his bones and flesh tingling. He knew this sensation well—it was the sign of a breakthrough.

From Hulao Pass to Xingyang, then to the foot of Mount Beiman, Cao Hong had been wound tight as a bowstring, his spirit focused to the utmost. Now, finally released from tension and his strength somewhat restored, he sensed the threshold of advancement.

Each time a man is driven to utter exhaustion, he breaks past his limits a little. That was precisely Cao Hong’s state. He calmed his heart, closed his pores, and let his blood and energy circulate within.

“When qi and blood flow inward, the body grows strong.” After thirteen full cycles, the energy returned to his heart, which beat faster as the blood surged, making his senses keen and his spirit full. Every pore felt alive.

“Well! I’ve reclaimed my former prowess! Next time I see Zhang Xiu, I’ll knock all his teeth out!”

Elated, Cao Hong climbed ashore, donned the long robe Shi A had bought in Sour Jujube, and returned to camp.

The next morning, Cao Hong and Pan Zhang went first to Sour Jujube County, where they bought two fast horses and some provisions, then set out for Xiangyi. Two days later, they reached Wei Zi’s ancestral home. The county was untouched by war, as peaceful as ever. Upon entering the town, they went straight to the Wei family villa where Sheng Mei Zhen was staying.

When Cao Hong appeared before Mei Zhen, the girl rushed into his arms, sobbing uncontrollably. “Husband! When I heard the news of your defeat at Hulao Pass, I feared for you every day, but I couldn’t go to find you—there was nothing for me but worry and dread.”

Cao Hong drew her close and laughed, “Your husband is not so short-lived as that!”

Then he told Pan Zhang to amuse himself elsewhere, and carried Mei Zhen into the room. He had not visited a camp woman in some time, and after those brutal battles, he was burning with pent-up desire. Nothing else mattered now but to thoroughly enjoy this reunion with his wife.

As the saying goes, absence makes the heart grow fonder. From noon until dusk they were inseparable, finally rising reluctantly to dine together in the main hall. Over the meal, Cao Hong said, “Mei Zhen, our army has been defeated. My elder brother is sending me to Yangzhou to recruit troops. I’d like to take you home to visit your family as well.”

Mei Zhen was delighted. “I haven’t seen my father in so long! And while we’re there, you should take a concubine, Husband!”

Cao Hong was taken aback. “A concubine?” He hadn’t even brought it up, and yet his wife was the first to mention it.

Mei Zhen explained, “We have been married for years, yet you have never taken a concubine. I am grateful for your love, but now you are marching with your elder brother, braving battle after battle. Though I know you are brave and nothing will befall you, a man must have an heir. I have not borne you a child in all these years, so I wish for you to take a concubine, for the sake of your lineage.”

Cao Hong was deeply moved. This wife of his truly knew how to put others first. The resentment he had harbored, thinking her once another man’s wife, now faded a little. Before, he had seen Mei Zhen as merely a tool, her master Xu Deng more interesting than she—but now, hearing her speak so sensibly, he saw her as a virtuous wife and devoted mother.

He said, “Of all unfilial acts, to leave no heir is the greatest. Mei Zhen, you were born to a noble house and know what is right. But as for choosing a concubine, I must make the selection myself.”

Mei Zhen laughed sweetly. “Of course, Husband. If you do not approve, how could I welcome her into our home?”

Cao Hong laughed heartily, raising his cup. He had another idea in mind. Weren’t Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao both in Yangzhou? With his uncle Cao Ding as governor, the power of the Sheng family, and his own businesses there, finding these two beauties should not be difficult.

“If I’m to take a concubine, it must be a renowned beauty! I wonder if those two are of age yet? No matter—if not, I can take them as child brides! Sun Ce and his father are in Luoyang licking their wounds, and Zhou Yu is still at home, not in Yangzhou. If I don’t claim Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao now, how could I face myself? How could I face my virtuous wife?”

So Cao Hong mused to himself.