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

The night passed without incident. The next morning, Cao Hong rose early, but rather than hastily leaving Xiangyi, he went instead to the county office, where he sought out the magistrate—a clansman of Wei Zi. Cao Hong requested fifty county soldiers, fifty swift horses, and a four-horse carriage.

In these turbulent times, with chaos and banditry rampant, Cao Hong was not so foolish as to set out with only his wife and Shi A for company. Any thief, seeing so small a group, would surely pounce. Though neither Cao Hong, Shi A, nor even Sheng Meizhen were people ordinary bandits could easily handle, fighting their way from Xiangyi all the way back to Yangzhou was simply out of the question.

Once the county magistrate had complied, Cao Hong produced a solid gold ingot of ten taels as a reward. These hoof-shaped gold pieces had circulated as currency since the time of Emperor Wu of Han, though their weight varied and so payment required weighing.

But the magistrate adamantly refused. He declared that he had already received a letter from Wei Zi’s family, stating that if not for Cao Hong’s intervention, their lord Wei Zi would have been lost, encircled by enemies. Now, only two of Cao Hong’s personal guards remained—an act of salvation as enduring as the sun and moon. If the Wei family were to accept payment for such a debt, they would be utterly without conscience.

Seeing the magistrate’s face flush with embarrassment, trembling as he swore oaths and nearly rolled on the ground, Cao Hong could only relent. He exchanged a few courteous words and prepared to leave.

Just as he stepped outside, he found Wei Zhen, Wei Zi’s son, waiting at the entrance. Cao Hong had met Wei Zhen once before at a banquet in Xiangyi—styled Gongzhen, scholarly in appearance, of medium build, about one meter seventy-five in height, two years younger than Cao Hong at eighteen. They had even shared a cup of wine.

With Wei Zi away campaigning with Cao Cao, all household affairs had fallen to his son. Even the county magistrate deferred to this young master.

Upon seeing Cao Hong, Wei Zhen immediately knelt and kowtowed three times, his voice resounding: “Gongzhen thanks General Cao for saving my father’s life. This great kindness, our Wei family shall never forget!”

It was not yet noon, but the marketplace was bustling—merchants, drinkers, diners, idlers, all thronging the streets. The county office sat at the heart of this hubbub, and Wei Gongzhen was the undisputed second master of Xiangyi. Who did not know him? At his sudden public display, men and women alike craned their necks in astonishment, yet none dared approach. The Wei family’s influence was too great—crowding around a local magnate was like tugging a tiger’s tail.

Cao Hong had never imagined that his attempt to please Cao Cao would win him such gratitude from the Wei family. As a solitary mercenary, he had little concept of forming factions or alliances. Only after several battles did he realize that, when commanding troops, having officers who were close friends ensured mutual support, common purpose, and greater effectiveness in battle.

After all, generals are only human. If forced to work with someone they dislike, they will never cooperate wholeheartedly, and might even delay when ordered. In war, speed is everything; a delay of even half an hour might cost the battle, or even one’s life.

Thus, Cao Hong could not refuse the Wei family’s goodwill. To accept cost him nothing, and brought only profit. Wei Zi was a founding supporter of Cao Cao, highly esteemed; if not for illness, he would certainly hold great power. A friendship with the Weis meant a reliable ally—at the very least, a support against the Sima family in the future.

Approaching, Cao Hong helped Wei Zhen to his feet: “Gongzhen, there’s no need for this! I have always admired your father’s loyalty and righteousness. He helped my elder brother raise his army, and I, Cao Zilian, have long respected him as a brother. To save my brother is only my duty. Such formalities are too much!”

His words, learned from Cao Cao himself, were sincere and moving. As expected, Wei Zhen’s eyes reddened, and he choked back tears. Cao Hong laughed: “Gongzhen, a man of eighteen should not weep so easily.”

Wei Zhen nodded, wiped his eyes, and replied, “General Cao’s virtue is beyond measure! Since you regard my father as a brother, I shall treat you as an uncle.” With that, he stepped back and bowed deeply. Cao Hong could only accept; though only two years older, he had just claimed Wei Zi as an elder brother, making Wei Zhen’s gesture appropriate.

After accepting Wei Zhen’s salute, Cao Hong said, “Gongzhen, I am under orders to return to Yangzhou to recruit troops. I must go back to the villa to prepare for departure—please excuse me.”

Wei Zhen replied, “Allow me to escort you, General.”

Cao Hong nodded, and together they returned to the villa. He summoned Shi A and Sheng Meizhen, settled Sheng Meizhen in the carriage, and set out with fifty mounted county soldiers. Wei Zhen accompanied them for ten miles beyond the city, bidding farewell to each, especially to Sheng Meizhen and expressing his gratitude to Shi A.

After Wei Zhen departed, Cao Hong and his party began their journey back to Yangzhou. Xiangyi lay in Chenliu Commandery of Yanzhou, while their destination was Wu Commandery in Yangzhou, separated by Yuzhou in between. Fortunately, Yuzhou was still under the allied forces, so they could rest and resupply in towns along the way. Thus, they traveled lightly once more.

As Cao Hong journeyed south, another man was also making his way from Luoyang, though his destination was not Yangzhou, but Jingzhou. Unlike Cao Hong, he traveled with only one companion and two horses, entering Yuzhou through Wuguan, avoiding main roads and county seats, sticking to byways.

This man was Liu Biao, accompanied by Chang Feng, disciple of Leng Shouguang, who had delivered a letter to Wuling’s governor, Cao Yin, urging him to incite Sun Jian to kill Wang Rui, the Inspector of Jingzhou.

Liu Biao was a dignified man, refined in bearing, his three long beards flowing down his chest. Already past fifty, his face was clouded with worry, lost in thought.

Chang Feng, noticing Liu Biao’s troubled expression, laughed and said, “After receiving Dong Zhuo’s recommendation as Inspector of Jingzhou, you head south—surely a dragon entering the sea. Why the gloom?”

Liu Biao sighed, “Jingzhou is a land of entrenched factions. Dong Zhuo sends me without a single soldier. My predecessor met a violent end. How can I be at ease?”

Chang Feng replied, “There’s no need for concern. My master has entrusted me to you. With his support, Jingzhou will surely be pacified.”

Liu Biao hesitated, then said, “Sir, forgive my bluntness. I am but a scholar. Although I have heard of your master’s renown and know he slew Zhang Jiao, the leader of the Yellow Turbans, the outcome was less than ideal. The remnants of the Yellow Turbans still ravage the land. Removing the root is wise, but the embers remain, bringing suffering to the people. Even with your master’s support, does he intend to slaughter all the local gentry in Jingzhou?”

Chang Feng burst out laughing. “You know only half the truth, my lord. Jingzhou is not like the rest of the realm. The ‘Three Friends of Dongting’ are famed there; many bandit chiefs and noble families fear them. In the past, my master never openly backed any side, which is why Jingzhou has grown so chaotic. But with your arrival, my master will ensure the legitimate local gentry support you, and together you will eliminate the bandits and those who rely on force.”

Liu Biao suddenly understood. “So your master favors preserving the local families and destroying the outlaws.”

Chang Feng smiled. “The local gentry have deep roots in Jingzhou. They are learned and understand the ways of governance. Only they can restore peace. Yet for years, they have vied for supremacy, each unwilling to yield. So my master stood aside, allowing bandits and officials to run rampant, giving the gentry a bitter lesson—they cannot control Jingzhou alone. You, as a member of the imperial clan, of noble stature and one of the ‘Eight Talents,’ famed throughout the realm, are the only one they will truly respect.”

Liu Biao was overjoyed. “Your words have dispelled my doubts. Without them, I would not know how to govern Jingzhou!”