Chapter Eighty-One: Temptation

Liu Ye noticed that Cao Hong was looking at him. With a slight smile and a subtle nod, Liu Ye acknowledged him. Cao Hong understood and, turning to Li Feng, said with a laugh, “Then, General Li, please lead the way.”

Li Feng replied, “The county office is located in Pingyu County, two hundred miles west from here along the main road. At every township and post along the way, supplies and provisions will be replenished for your men and horses, so you need not worry about any shortage of rations due to a change in route.”

Cao Hong burst into hearty laughter. “The Yuan family of Runan is the wealthiest in the land. How could I, as a guest of Lord Yuan, ever fear going hungry?”

With that, he ordered his men, livestock, and horses to follow Li Feng towards Pingyu County. Li Feng cupped his hands in salute, stepped forward to lead the troops, and departed. Once Li Feng had left, Shi A, who stood by Cao Hong’s side, spoke. “Master, when I was in Luoyang, I also heard that Lord Yuan Gonglu is an arrogant fellow who regards no one with respect. In past years, when Lord Mengde was also in Luoyang, he and Yuan Gonglu had little interaction. Now, inviting you to Pingyu is, to my mind, extremely peculiar.”

Though he spoke tactfully, his meaning was plain: Yuan Shu thinks little of even Cao Cao, so why would he invite you, a mere kinsman of Cao Cao, to Pingyu?

In truth, Cao Hong himself could not fathom the reason, so he turned to the most intelligent man present and posed the question. “Ziyang, what do you think Lord Yuan’s intentions are in inviting me?”

Liu Ye smiled lightly. “Ah, that… is a rather long story.”

Shi A was intrigued. “A long story? How so?”

Cao Hong chuckled. “No matter, we have plenty of time.”

At this, Liu Ye nodded and began, “Then let us start with the current state of affairs in the realm.”

Shi A could not help but interject, “And how does Lord Yuan’s invitation relate to the affairs of the world?”

Liu Ye replied, “It is deeply connected. Today, the warlords of the land have all risen to campaign against the traitor Dong, yet their efforts have been frustrated and no real progress has been made. Lord Cao and Sun Bopu have both suffered defeat at Dong Zhuo’s hands. Now, at this juncture, Dong Zhuo seeks to withdraw westward. Qimang, suppose you were sparring with someone and gained no advantage, and that person then wished to withdraw—what would you do?”

Shi A answered, “If I gained nothing, then the other’s skill must surpass mine. If he wishes to retreat, I could not ask for more. I would bide my time, conceal my strength, and challenge him again in the future.”

Liu Ye laughed heartily. “Precisely! That is the situation among the warlords opposing Dong Zhuo. Dong’s withdrawal is his desire to retreat, and they welcome it gladly. They are already preparing to bide their time and nurse their strength for the days to come.”

Even after hearing this, Shi A remained puzzled, but Cao Hong understood Liu Ye’s meaning. “Ziyang, are you saying that Yuan Shu wishes to win me over to his side?”

Liu Ye smiled. “There is nothing strange about that. Now, Lord Cao has suffered defeat and is left with barely any troops or territory, while you, General, have sold your family assets for fine horses, sharp weapons, laborers, livestock, and two thousand elite soldiers. These are your own forces, not Lord Cao’s. For Yuan Shu to wish to win you over is only natural. Since time immemorial, the wise bird chooses the right tree to nest in—this is an unchanging truth.”

Cao Hong laughed. Yuan Shu, seeing Cao Cao’s decline and Cao Hong’s rising power, believes he might seek a new patron. Yet a question remained, which Cao Hong now voiced. “But on what grounds does Lord Yuan expect me to abandon my elder brother and serve him instead?”

Liu Ye smiled. “On wealth, on official rank, on cities—anything that Lord Cao cannot give, Yuan Shu can. He is of noble birth, and it is not difficult for him to petition the emperor for a general’s title for you. Look at Sun Wentai—did Yuan not recommend him for the title of General Who Rout Rebels? Moreover, the grain for Sun Wentai’s campaign against Dong Zhuo was all supplied by Yuan Shu. Yuan even used his reputation to persuade Li Min, governor of Yingchuan, to cede Yangcheng for Sun Wentai’s troops to garrison. As a result, Sun Wentai was defeated by Xu Rong and Li Meng, and Li Min was boiled alive. Now, Yingchuan is masterless. Though Sun Wentai lost, he gained Yingchuan as a new foothold.”

“So your meaning is that Yuan Shu would treat me as he did Sun Jian?” Cao Hong asked.

Liu Ye replied, “Naturally. You command fifteen thousand men, your army is well-equipped, your livestock and horses are many, and you make a grand display wherever you go. Yuan Shu must have long known your true strength. If he can win you over, does that not further add to his power?”

Cao Hong fell silent at this. In that moment, his thoughts turned to another man: the Little Conqueror of Jiangdong, Sun Ce. That man, after bringing his father’s old troops to Yuan Shu, borrowed men, horses, and provisions, crossed the Yangtze, and seized the six commanderies of Jiangdong, laying the foundation for the Kingdom of Wu. If Yuan Shu were to treat him the same way… As one who knew the course of history, could he not emulate Sun Ce?

If I establish a foothold in Runan, then move east to Xuzhou, striking at Tao Qian while all are still entangled with Dong Zhuo—backed by Yuan Shu’s support, Liu Ye’s cunning, my own valor, and Bai Qi’s treatise on military formations—would my chances not be high?

If I conquer Xuzhou, would that not set the stage for vying for the empire? At this thought, it was as if another door suddenly opened before Cao Hong.

Liu Ye smiled. “General, are you tempted?”

Cao Hong was about to admit that he was, when suddenly the fate of Sun Ce’s father, Sun Jian, flashed through his mind, and he sobered instantly. Was it not Yuan Shu who incited Sun Jian to attack Liu Biao in Jingzhou, where he had yet to secure a foothold? And did that not lead to Sun Jian’s death? Both Tao Qian and Liu Biao were unassuming in history, yet not to be trifled with. The fact that Cao Cao could batter Tao Qian meant nothing—Cao Hong might not be so fortunate. Moreover, the troops at his disposal were only two thousand, with no competent generals, an even worse situation than when Lü Bu seized Xuzhou. If he allowed himself to be seduced by Yuan Shu and betrayed Cao Cao, he would have to face the chaos alone.

What folly that would be! He was no Han Xin, with an unbroken record of victory. Thus, Cao Hong laughed and said, “Yuan Shu holds himself in high regard, but serving under him would not necessarily be advantageous. My elder cousin and I are bound by blood and mutual trust. Especially now, with my cousin in dire straits, if I were to abandon him, I would be shaming my lineage.”

More importantly, he thought to himself, Cao Cao is the most capable man alive—following him is the safest course. Whether with Yuan Shu or striking out on my own, neither could compare in security. This, however, Cao Hong kept to himself.

Liu Ye was moved. “General, your loyalty and righteousness are truly admirable. In that case, there is no need to accept this invitation.”

But Cao Hong burst out laughing, then lowered his voice and said to Liu Ye, “Yuan Shu’s actions are nothing short of kicking us when we are down, trying to divide the strength of the Cao family. It is truly despicable. If I do not teach him a lesson, he’ll think I am just a mercenary lout, blind to loyalty and profit.”

Liu Ye hesitated. “What does the general intend? This is Yuan’s territory; any action here would be difficult.”

Cao Hong smiled, utterly composed. “I can do nothing about it myself, but you, Ziyang, without ever leaving Yangzhou, are versed in the affairs of the world and have analyzed Yuan Shu’s mindset so precisely. Surely you have a plan that will leave him speechless with regret?”

Liu Ye, upon hearing this, was momentarily stunned.