Chapter 29: Assisting Dong Zhuo (Part I)

Outside Hulao Pass, at Cao Cao’s main camp.

Upon receiving a report from his scouts that Luo Ang’s forces had slain Wang Kuang and Zhang Yang, Cao Cao could not help but sigh with deep emotion. "Ah, Zicheng, my brother! You are truly a master of utilizing talent! This battle was executed with such clean and magnificent precision!"

Cao Ren, standing nearby, remarked with a sigh, "This Luo Ang is certainly no simple man. Everyone thought he would be unable to withstand the pincer attack from the armies of Zhang Yang and Wang Kuang, yet not only did he hold his ground against the fierce onslaught of both lords, he even managed to kill them both. He has turned the tide of the war and greatly increased his own strength! It is a great pity that a man of such caliber could not join the coalition; it truly leaves one feeling regretful."

Cao Cao frowned slightly and said, "I will go see Yuan Benchu immediately and ask him to send someone to contact Zicheng. He must not continue to make mistake after mistake!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than an officer rushed in, saying, "My Lord, the Marquis of Yan has sent an envoy, and he is currently meeting with the Alliance Leader!"

Cao Cao was delighted and clapped his hands. "Excellent! It seems that although Zicheng was forced into this situation, he does not wish to be an enemy of the coalition!" With that, he headed toward Yuan Shao’s command tent.

Just then, another officer sprinted over in a panic, shouting, "Bad news, my Lord! The Alliance Leader has ordered the Marquis of Yan’s envoy to be dragged out of the tent and executed!"

Cao Cao was shocked. He immediately led Cao Ren and rushed toward Yuan Shao’s tent. Outside the tent, Cao Cao saw from a distance that a man was being held down and prepared for execution. He hurriedly shouted, "Wait! Stay your hand!"

But the words had barely left his lips when the executioner’s blade fell, and the envoy’s head rolled into a pool of blood. Cao Cao stood frozen in place, then erupted with fury and stormed into the tent.

Inside Yuan Shao’s tent, Cao Cao charged in and demanded indignantly, "Alliance Leader, why have you wantonly executed the envoy of Luo Ang?"

Seeing Cao Cao address him in such a tone, Yuan Shao was deeply displeased. "Does this Alliance Leader need your permission to execute a rebel lackey?"

Yuan Shu, sitting on the left, chuckled and said with a sneer, "Cao Mengde, do not be confused—you are not the leader of this coalition!"

Ignoring Yuan Shu, Cao Cao said to Yuan Shao, "Luo Ang sent an envoy here surely hoping to join forces with us to topple Dong Zhuo! Dong Zhuo’s main army is currently stationed at the Sishui and Hulao passes. If Luo Ang were to launch a surprise attack on Luoyang, he could take it in a single stroke. Once Luoyang is captured, the morale of the rebel troops at the two passes would surely collapse! If we then seize the opportunity to launch a full-scale offensive, we would undoubtedly annihilate the enemy and complete the great cause of purging the rebels. Not only has the Alliance Leader abandoned this golden opportunity, but he has also killed his envoy, effectively pushing him into the camp of the traitor Dong. Has this not turned the situation against us? Do I not have the right to question this?"

Yuan Shao was rendered speechless by Cao Cao’s words, and a seed of regret began to take root in his heart.

Yuan Shu snorted coldly. "Mengde, you are merely bolstering others' morale while diminishing our own! How much trouble could a man who guards the border possibly stir up? Stop trying to frighten us with such alarmist talk!"

Cao Cao was so angry he laughed. "A man who guards the border? Do you realize that this very man recently killed Zhang Yang and Wang Kuang and seized Shangdang Commandery? I dare say that in this world today, there are very few who can stand against Luo Ang. If he leads his army south, I truly do not know how much disruption he will cause to our great enterprise!"

Yuan Shu, feeling unconvinced, retorted sourly, "I cannot agree with Mengde’s assessment! That Luo Ang is nothing more than a man with better luck than others. Furthermore, he has just fought several consecutive battles; his losses must be severe. How could he have the strength to interfere in our affairs? If he does not come, well and good; but if he dares to show his face, I, Yuan Shu, will personally lead the army to annihilate him. You may rest easy, Mengde."

Yuan Shao nodded in agreement. "That is well said. Moreover, Luo Ang was originally the son-in-law of the traitor Dong. If we let him off so easily, would it not fail to deter other traitors across the land? I have already thought this through carefully. Why must you be so concerned about the likes of Luo Ang, Mengde?"

Cao Cao felt stifled, sensing that the Yuan brothers were nothing but fools. He longed to give them a piece of his mind and storm out, but he suppressed his rage. Frowning, he said, "The matter has reached this point; even if we wished to mend things, I fear Luo Ang would not trust us. Since that is the case, we have no choice but to destroy him. I ask the Alliance Leader to issue an order to detach a portion of our troops to march north into Bing and You provinces and crush them while Luo Ang is still unprepared!"

Yuan Shao was taken aback and looked troubled. Yuan Shu sneered, "Since Mengde is so concerned about that minor provincial governor, why not lead your own troops north into Bing Province to deal with him yourself?"

Cao Cao nodded. "Very well. However, I will need reinforcements from the two of you at the very least."

Yuan Shu laughed. "That is likely impossible. Who would be willing to divide their forces to go to Bing Province at the very moment we are about to break through the pass? You have thirty thousand men under your command, Mengde—are you truly afraid of dealing with a mere Luo Ang?"

Cao Cao was enraged. He pointed at Yuan Shu and cursed, "You are a wretch with whom no great plans can be discussed!"

Yuan Shu flew into a rage, slapped the table, and jumped up, pointing at Cao Cao. "You descendant of eunuch filth, how dare you speak to me in such a way!"

Cao Cao’s expression darkened. Cao Ren, who had been standing behind him, immediately stepped forward, drew his long sword, and pointed it directly at Yuan Shu, his murderous intent surging. Yuan Shu was struck with terror; he stumbled backward in an attempt to dodge and tripped, falling to the ground.

Yuan Shao slapped the table and shouted, "Enough!"

Cao Ren ignored Yuan Shao, his eyes remaining fixed coldly on the terrified Yuan Shu, who was still on the floor, his sword showing no sign of being sheathed.

Cao Cao pressed down on Cao Ren’s arm, bowed to Yuan Shao, and said, "Alliance Leader, to underestimate Luo Ang will surely bring about unimaginable consequences. I ask that you reflect upon this!" With that, he turned and left. Cao Ren sheathed his sword and followed.

Yuan Shao watched them go with a dark expression. Yuan Shu scrambled to his feet and said bitterly, "That Cao Cao was so arrogant before you, Alliance Leader! He clearly does not hold you in any regard!"

Yuan Shao snorted coldly, looked at Yuan Shu, and snapped, "You called him a descendant of eunuch filth—of course he would be angered!"

Back in Cao Cao’s tent, he and Cao Ren paced back and forth. Cao Ren could not help but say, "My Lord, since Yuan Shao refuses to heed your advice, why waste your efforts on him?"

Cao Cao shook his head. "It is not for his sake that I worry, but for the sake of this great cause! The eighteen lords have gathered to topple Dong Zhuo, and the eyes of the world are upon us. If we abandon this midway, would we not become a laughingstock?"

Cao Ren asked, "My Lord, with the pass about to fall, what could Luo Ang possibly do?"

Cao Cao chuckled. "In my life, I have met countless people, but Zicheng is the only one who makes me feel a sense of trepidation. I have a feeling that Zicheng might become the deciding factor in the success or failure of this campaign."

Cao Ren was unconvinced but dared not argue. "My Lord, as Yuan Shu said, no one will be willing to attack Bing Province at this time. Are we to go alone? I only fear..."

Cao Cao stopped and looked at Cao Ren. "What is it? Do you think we will fail?"

Cao Ren replied, "I do not wish to admit it, but I must say that I fear we cannot take Bing Province on our own. If things go poorly..."

Cao Cao continued, "If things go poorly, we risk the annihilation of our entire force." He sighed. "It is hateful that among so many lords, everyone thinks only of their own selfish interests; no one thinks of the greater good!"

Cao Ren smiled. "At least there is one who thinks of the greater good, and that is you, my Lord!"

Cao Cao was stunned, then burst into laughter. He patted Cao Ren on the shoulder. "Zixiao, that sounds suspiciously like flattery!"

Cao Ren laughed, "I speak from the bottom of my heart, my Lord!"

Cao Cao smiled, but as he thought of Luo Ang, his expression grew heavy once more. "Though I cannot launch an expedition into Henei, I can take some precautions." He walked over to the sheepskin map hanging on the side of the tent, studied it for a moment, and pointed to a small ferry crossing twenty miles east of Hulao Pass. "Here. If Luo Ang intends to participate in this great battle, he must cross the Yellow River here."

Cao Ren examined the spot Cao Cao was pointing to, puzzled. "My Lord, Luo Ang could head straight to Luoyang; why would he cross the Yellow River here? Wouldn't that put him directly in the face of our coalition? The situation would not be very favorable for him!"

Cao Cao smiled slightly. "I know him too well; he will certainly do this! Zixiao, I want you to lead ten thousand men immediately and set an ambush in the forests near that ferry. As soon as Luo Ang crosses the river, strike him hard and force him to retreat back to Jinyang."

Cao Ren asked, "And if Luo Ang does not come?"

Cao Cao laughed, "If that is the case, then I have overestimated him, and there is nothing to worry about!"

In the Governor’s Mansion at Jinyang, Luo Ang struggled to stand up from his bed, shaking his dizzy head. "I drank far too much last night! It seems I must absolutely refrain from drinking so much next time!"

He walked to the doorway and gazed at the sky, letting the cool breeze blow away the lingering effects of the wine. Just then, an attendant hurried in and said, "My Lord, the military strategist and the others are waiting for you in the great hall!"

Hearing this, Luo Ang put on his clothes and, feeling puzzled, headed toward the great hall.