Settling the Remnants
Lu Bu was dead. With that, Xiapi had fallen, and the entire Cao Cao army erupted in victory cheers that soared to the heavens.
“He went as a true warrior in the end.”
It was only a corpse now, but I wondered what Lu Bu in the afterlife might think of this death. I approached the wide-eyed body and gently closed his eyelids with my hand. Since his eyes had stayed open until the final moment, this small courtesy was the last respect I could offer.
“Clean this up.”
“Yes, Military Colonel.”
The soldiers loaded Lu Bu’s corpse onto a stretcher, covered it with cloth, and carried it away to where Cao Cao waited. What remained was the disposition of the generals who had served under Lu Bu.
“Hou Cheng, is it? You commanded the cavalry for Lu Bu’s army?”
“That is correct, Chancellor.”
Hou Cheng, the man who had opened Xiapi’s gates for us, knelt before Cao Cao with a perfectly calm face.
“You contributed greatly to the capture of Xiapi. Name your desire and it shall be granted.”
“This humble one… wishes to return home with my family after this battle and live quietly.”
“Oh? Why would you ask such a thing? I had hoped to employ you.”
“I have grown weary of war. I beg you to ensure my family’s safety and permit us to retire to the countryside.”
“A shame. Still, your wish shall be honored.”
Cao Cao flicked his command baton, ordering the ropes binding Hou Cheng to be cut. Hou Cheng removed his armor, bowed deeply to Cao Cao, and withdrew in silence. Even after betraying Lu Bu, he clearly intended to serve no one else.
Next came Song Xian and Wei Xu.
“Chancellor, we wish to lead troops beneath your banner.”
“Indeed. At last we desire a proper lord so we may fight as we should.”
Cao Cao listened to their words and burst into hearty laughter. Then he pointed at Wei Xu.
“Wei Xu, I am told you are a kinsman of Lu Bu?”
“We have been acquainted since our days in Bing Province, yet now he is less than a stranger to me.”
“Oh? How so?”
“Lu Bu was a degenerate lost to wine and women. When drunk he would whip his relatives and officers, kill soldiers on a whim, and kidnap the daughters of powerful clans to take as concubines. I could no longer serve such a man, not as family and not even as a human being.”
Huh. That was exactly what the Cao Cao of the original history did too… No! At least the current Cao Cao wasn’t like that.
“I will find suitable posts for you both as local administrators. You may withdraw and wait.”
“Thank you, Chancellor.”
One by one the matters were settled. Now only the true main figures remained.
The next man brought forward was Zhang Liao. He stood before Cao Cao with the same relaxed smile he had worn from the beginning.
“Well now, look at this fellow. He’s actually smiling?”
“I smile because the situation is absurd!”
“Absurd?”
“My lord Lu Fengxian was the greatest warrior under heaven. That man fell in single combat. The mighty city of Xiapi collapsed pathetically from internal betrayal. We never even had a proper fight before it crumbled like a sandcastle. How could I not find it absurd?”
Zhang Liao threw his head back and laughed loudly in front of Cao Cao. He truly was a man of character, displaying such spirit even when a single misstep could cost him his head.
“Zhang Liao, your name has long reached my ears. A renowned warrior from Bing Province, and even Guan Yunchang knows of you. Your skill is proven.”
“So what do you intend to do with me?”
“If I were to accept you, could you become my blade and my warhorse?”
Cao Cao offered surrender. Zhang Liao glanced around, gave a bitter smile, and spoke carefully.
“The blood of my sworn lord has not yet dried. You ask me to switch masters so quickly?”
“Blood runs hot when thoughts arise, but once it cools, interest fades. That is why I ask now.”
“…Can you guarantee the safety of my family in Xuzhou and the people of Xiapi?”
“Heh heh heh. Do you take me for a butcher like Xiang Yu or Bai Qi? Besides, what need is there? Xuzhou is already mine.”
“I surrender.”
“You have chosen well. Very well indeed!”
Thus Zhang Liao returned to our side.
“Zayul, untie Zhang Liao’s bonds yourself.”
“Yes, Uncle.”
I stepped forward, loosened the ropes, and helped him to his feet. He brushed dust from his clothes, bowed respectfully to Cao Cao, then looked at me, chuckled, and exchanged a fist salute.
“Your spear technique the other day left a deep impression. If even the Chancellor’s young kinsman possesses such martial skill, perhaps this was a battle we could never have won from the start.”
“Welcome to our army.”
Zhang Liao bowed politely to me as well before being escorted to his tent.
“Now then. Next.”
It was Gao Shun. Even bound, he kept his eyes closed and remained utterly silent.
“Gao Shun, yes? Your reputation is said to rival Zhang Liao’s. And it was my Zayul who captured you.”
“…”
“You are a talent too valuable to waste. Song Xian, Wei Xu, and Zhang Liao have already submitted. Join us.”
“…”
“Come now, say something. One word and I can spare your life.”
“…”
Gao Shun kept his mouth sealed tight. If he had simply said “Kill me,” Cao Cao would have tried every means of persuasion. But his total silence left the Chancellor visibly frustrated.
“Gao Shun, I genuinely wish to recruit you. Do you require the rank of Zhonglangjiang? Or shall I appoint you Administrator of Xiapi itself?”
“…”
“Good heavens, have you ever seen such a man? You truly intend to say nothing at all?”
“…”
Eyes closed, mouth shut, Gao Shun remained perfectly calm. Cao Cao finally gave up, turning away with a wave of his hand.
“I cannot bear to look at him any longer. Take him away and—”
“Uncle!”
“What? What is it, Zayul?”
Cao Cao started at my sudden call.
I approached and spoke earnestly.
“It seems Gao Shun is too shaken to speak properly. I beg you to entrust his recruitment to me.”
“To you? Hmm.”
“There are many prisons inside Xiapi. Lock him up for now. I will persuade him myself. Grant me fifteen days.”
Cao Cao glanced once at Gao Shun and nodded.
“Fifteen days seems unlikely to work on this one. I will give you a full month.”
“Thank you, Uncle.”
“Take him.”
Gao Shun, who should have been beheaded, thus earned himself another month of life. As I lifted him to his feet and led him toward the prison, he muttered under his breath.
“Pointless effort. Killing me now would be easier for everyone…”
“You are far too valuable a general to kill.”
“Even so, I will never serve another lord. My loyalty belongs solely to my late master.”
“There is no such thing as ‘absolute’ in this world.”
I handed Gao Shun over to the guards and had him locked away. From now on, while I stabilized the hearts of the people in Xuzhou, I would slowly work to persuade him.
After he was taken away, one final man remained.
Chen Gong.
For Chen Gong’s last appearance, not only Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei but also Cheng Yu and Xun You watched in silence. Such was the reach of his fame—his talent was known throughout the Central Plains.
“Chen Gongtai, I cannot tell you how long I have looked forward to this moment.”
“Kill me.”
“Do not speak so coldly. I am merely curious how our relationship came to this.”
“Ha! I said kill me! Why does the great Cao Mengde’s tongue flap so endlessly?”
Chen Gong openly mocked Cao Cao. The Chancellor flicked his baton a few times, then stopped. His face turned icy.
“I ask you sincerely. What was the reason?”
“You know the reason better than anyone, don’t you?”
“What?”
Chen Gong spat directly at Cao Cao’s feet.
“Back when you fled from Dong Zhuo, which member of the Cao clan was it that murdered the respected elder of the Lu family?”
Cao Cao’s expression changed dramatically. The story of Lu Boshe had clearly struck his reverse scale.
“And who was the Cao who killed the venerable Wen of the Yuan clan in Yanzhou—and then made certain to kill his son as well?”
“You speak nonsense. Do you truly believe I, Cao Mengde, killed them all?”
“You deny it!”
Chen Gong’s eyes bulged, veins standing out on his face.
“I regret recommending you as Governor of Yanzhou on the strength of the local clans. I thought you would protect Yanzhou in these turbulent times. I never imagined you were a thief who would discard the clans the moment they outlived their usefulness and use their corpses as stepping stones to steal the empire.”
“Oh~”
“It was my own doing, yet I regret it with all my heart. We raised you as Inspector without realizing someone worse than Dong Zhuo might strangle us all.”
“And with that rationalization you crawled beneath a man like Lu Bu?”
“Mengde, if it meant driving you out of Yanzhou, I would have joined hands with anyone—no matter how vile!”
In the end, that was Chen Gong’s truth. He had begun in Yanzhou, stood at the center of the local clan alliance, and recommended Cao Cao as protector alongside Bian Yang. Yet the moment Cao Cao seized power, he brought in men from Yingchuan in Yuzhou, drained Yanzhou of everything useful, and eliminated every voice that opposed him.
“And then that scoundrel who tried to kill his own friend the moment Yuan Shao sent troops and funds! Shamelessly seizing the Emperor, pretending to be a loyal subject while using the throne’s authority to slaughter every hero in the realm—you treacherous hypocrite!”
At that moment Liu Bei rose from his seat.
“Brother Mengde, this man should not remain here any longer. Let us withdraw.”
“Xuande, my brother, shall we?”
Liu Bei, realizing nothing good would come from staying, quietly left. Cao Cao’s face had grown steadily redder beneath Chen Gong’s relentless provocations.
Liu Bei gave Chen Gong a look of pity, but Chen Gong ignored him and turned to Cao Cao’s strategists.
“Cheng Yu, listen well! Though you hail from Yanzhou, you will soon watch with your own eyes as your homeland is sucked dry by Cao Mengde.”
“Y-you…!”
“Gongda, you listen as well. After Yanzhou comes Yingchuan. For now your bowls are full, so Cao Mengde feasts. The moment they become empty bowls, only the shells will remain before vanishing entirely!”
“Hah…”
Even Xun You turned away, as if the words were too absurd to bear.
“Cao Cao is a gluttonous monster. A monster that will devour the entire Han without leaving a single drop of sweetness, forever craving more, endlessly consuming the world!”
“Take him away and execute him.”
“What, do unpleasant words hurt your ears?”
“After his death I will bury his remains with care and look after his family.”
“Ha! How very gracious of you~!”
In the end, Chen Gong unleashed a torrent of curses and walked proudly toward the execution ground.
The war had ended, yet watching the mountain of postwar arrangements left me dizzy.
“You have all worked hard. Today I will provide ample wine and meat. Eat and drink your fill.”
“Yes, my lord!”
Everyone obeyed. I slipped away quietly and returned to my tent.
“Whew…”
I shed the heavy armor, set my spear aside, and collapsed where I stood, strength fleeing my limbs. I had been through many battles, yet the mental exhaustion this time was overwhelming.
“It’s cold…”
I grabbed a thick bearskin from inside the tent, wrapped it around myself, lit a small campfire, and rested in silence.