Victory Through Inheritance
I carried out Cao Cao's orders and began preparing the main camp for withdrawal.
"Since he's taken all the cavalry I commanded yesterday, it should be quite the battle."
Cao Cao had gathered every cavalry unit currently in the Cao army and was personally leading them to strike Gongsun Zan's forces. In the distance, I could see the dust clouds kicked up by the horsemen, and the war drums signaling the start of battle echoed across the field.
"It's begun."
"Young master, this is no time to stand here mesmerized by our lord's battle. Hurry and prepare for the retreat."
"Ah, yes."
At Cheng Yu's grumbling, I led the remaining soldiers and began gathering our supplies. Though calling it "supplies" was generous—we were mostly dismantling the tents we'd set up, collecting timber, canvas, and the military rations we'd brought from Yan Province.
"Anyone who can still move their limbs, lend a hand. Once we finish organizing this, we'll begin the withdrawal this evening."
Most of the soldiers here were wounded, yet we still needed to borrow even their strength. While we prepared for the retreat, I found my gaze drifting not toward the front lines where the Cao army clashed with Gongsun Zan's troops, but toward the rear.
"Young master, what are you doing?"
At Cheng Yu's question, I pointed toward Yuan Shu's army positioned in the rear.
"We're packing up our supplies right out in the open like this. Do you really think they won't make a move?"
"Hmm?"
"We need to ensure a safe withdrawal, but I'm not sure if Yuan Shu's forces will simply sit still."
Cheng Yu narrowed his sharp, stubborn eyes as he looked toward the rear and gave a nod.
"I already sent out several scouts to observe Yuan Shu's army. I instructed them to report back every two quarters, so we should hear from them soon."
Even in the midst of all this, Cheng Yu had thoroughly prepared as the military advisor. Meanwhile, the sounds of clashing weapons and war drums from the front grew increasingly fierce, signaling that the battle was intensifying.
"Young master, as you can see from the front, Tao Qian's forces in Xiaopei have yet to open their gates."
"Ah, I see. So even though Gongsun Zan and Yuan Shu supposedly came to rescue Xu Province, they're not actually helping at all."
"In the end, all three warlords are moving solely according to their own interests. Since Tao Qian has lost the will to fight, Yuan Shu won't commit himself aggressively either."
It wasn't simply because his son had been injured. That was merely an excuse for him to drag his feet and avoid action. And if Cao Cao defeated Gongsun Zan and then withdrew, they could simply claim they had "prevented Cao Cao from occupying Xu Province" and return to their own territories without much trouble.
"Then did Uncle anticipate all of this...?"
"His plan is to keep sounding the victory drums against enemies who have no will to fight, making it clear to everyone that while we are retreating, we have not been defeated. Though I advised him several times that it was too dangerous..."
When Cao Cao had declared in a fit of rage that he would defeat Yuan Shu, Tao Qian, and Gongsun Zan one by one before returning, I had been genuinely worried. But seeing it unfold like this, I felt like I was beginning to understand something about the battlefield.
And I realized just how crucial a war's justification and a commander's will truly were.
"If you understand, then hurry up and finish packing."
"Yes, let's do that."
Cheng Yu could be rather prickly, but he read the flow of battle exceptionally well. That was probably why he served as one of Cao Cao's core strategists alongside Xun Yu.
And though I hadn't met them yet, there would be many more advisors joining Cao Cao's army in the future. I would need to have conversations with each of them.
"Come now, move faster! We don't know when our lord will finish the battle and return!"
We continued urging everyone on, and by the afternoon, we had managed to gather most of the supplies. Right on schedule, a messenger arrived.
"Reporting!"
"Yes, what of Yuan Shu's army?"
"They are currently focused on treating a large number of wounded. Word has spread throughout their ranks that the enemy general who injured Yuan Yao yesterday was the young master Wen Lie. As a result, they have completely lost the will to fight."
"Then that's settled."
"Yuan Shu's forces are merely holding their position. Not a single one of their generals has shown his face. They all seem to be inside their tents discussing something."
Cheng Yu nodded as if he understood the situation perfectly.
"It means they don't want to suffer meaningless troop losses in Xu Province. That's why they're just watching and stalling. Good. It seems we can safely avoid any trouble from Xu Province."
I asked cautiously, "Master Zhongde, what if this is a trap and they launch a surprise attack on our rear?"
"If they intended to do that, they would have attacked the moment they saw us packing our supplies."
"Ah, is that so?"
"Besides, our withdrawal isn't a panicked retreat with our tails between our legs. We are withdrawing after achieving victory on the battlefield and will march with pride. In the end, Yuan Shu's army won't be able to move properly in this contest of momentum."
So even a retreat involved psychological warfare. Having heard that, I focused on preparing the withdrawal with peace of mind.
Before long, the sound of victory trumpets rang out. As expected, Cao Cao was Cao Cao.
He had said he would win this one battle and leave, yet he had gone and defeated Gongsun Zan's northern cavalry—the strongest mounted force in the north—and returned triumphant.
"Everyone, look! We have won! Our lord is returning after sounding the victory trumpets!"
Cheng Yu shouted urgently, waving both hands vigorously through the air. This was his signal. Now that our lord was returning with the victory drums thundering and his spirits soaring, the soldiers remaining in the main camp were to cheer loudly and completely crush the morale of the nearby Yuan Shu and Tao Qian forces.
"Waaaaah—! Waaaaaaaaah—!"
The wounded soldiers and those on standby all joined in the roaring cheers.
"Behold! As this body declared, I have fought and defeated Tao Qian, Yuan Shu, and Gongsun Zan—all of them!"
"My lord, congratulations on your victory!"
Cao Cao rode forward with both arms spread wide in triumphant exultation. Though his red battle robe and armor showed no traces of blood, it seemed he had only commanded from the rear and hadn't fought personally.
"My hardworking soldiers, you have done well! We now march for Yan Province!"
At the mention of returning home, the soldiers cheered even louder.
That evening.
As the sun set, Cao Cao ordered the withdrawal as promised. With all supplies already packed, the soldiers moved with perfect discipline. Cao Cao took the lead at the front.
"Miao Zai, Zi Xiao. You two watch the rear and make sure no one is trying to bite at our tail."
"Yes, my lord."
"Zi Lian, keep an eye on Yuan Shu's army as we pass by. If they try to make any moves, give them a good tongue-lashing."
"Understood."
Even during the withdrawal, Cao Cao remained vigilant against the enemy. However, just as Cheng Yu had predicted, with Cao Cao marching proudly after his victory, no one dared to move against us.
In the end, the occupation of Xu Province had failed, but the gains were substantial.
We had defeated the elite troops of the era's three major warlords—Tao Qian, Gongsun Zan, and Yuan Shu—each in turn. We had completely razed the fortresses and villages around Xiaopei in Tao Qian's territory and relocated all the civilians to Yan Province.
"Wen Lie."
"Yes, Uncle."
"What do you think of this battle?"
"Pardon? Well, that is..."
"Speak freely."
"I learned a great deal."
"Then say it immediately. What did you learn?"
Cao Cao was essentially asking me to review what I had gained from the battle, like a post-action analysis. So I simply spoke my thoughts as they came.
"Although the occupation of Xu Province failed, your name, Uncle, will spread throughout the realm."
"Oh? And why is that?"
"Wasn't the justification for this campaign to suppress the bandits of Xu Province and seek revenge? Instead of merely punishing the bandits who stole supplies, you swept away the fortresses and villages near Xu Province and relocated their people to Yan Province. As a result, next year's harvest in Xu Province will be nearly impossible. It will become a land of famine."
"Hmm."
"Furthermore, you achieved a great victory against three of the era's foremost warlords. Who would dare call this a defeated campaign? If it had dragged into a prolonged war, even a dog passing through Yan Province could tell you what would have become of Xu Province's fate."
"Haha, hahahaha!"
Cao Cao laughed heartily and patted my back with his hand.
"I too discovered your martial prowess and military talent in this battle, Wen Lie. That alone makes it a great success."
"Thank you, Uncle."
"Once we return to Yan Province, we must gather more military rations and conscript any useful men from the Xu Province refugees."
"Pardon?"
"I will conquer Xu Province next year."
So this was how the second invasion of Xu Province was confirmed. What came next would be crucial.
Once Cao Cao returned to Yan Province, the key would be how effectively he could use the massive number of civilians taken from Xu Province to build fortifications, cultivate the wasteland, and extract profit from them.
From now on, it was time to witness not the abilities of "General Cao Cao," but those of "Administrator Cao Cao of Yan Province."
That night, after leaving Xu Province, we set up camp. The next morning, he ordered another early march.
"We will reach Yan Province in two days. Everyone, keep up your strength!"
"My lord! My lord!"
At that moment, one of the scouting officers from the front came galloping back in a hurry. Upon closer inspection, it was Yue Jin—a short officer carrying a crescent blade.
"My lord, I have a report."
"Your name was...?"
"Yue Jin, my lord."
"Ah, yes. Yue Jin. What is your report?"
"My lord, I scouted the road ahead and discovered a massive column of refugees marching in front of us."
"What?"
"They are refugees from Xu Province displaced by the recent chaos."
"Hmm, we cannot simply pass them by."
Cao Cao immediately increased the army's marching speed and caught up to the column of refugees. There was no need to be alarmed.
After all, the idea of a "great massacre" had long since vanished from Cao Cao's mind.
"Everyone, halt!"
"Hiiik?"
At a glance, the number of refugees far exceeded Cao Cao's withdrawing forces. They carried all sorts of bundled belongings, searching for a place to live. Upon spotting the Cao army, their faces turned deathly pale.
"M-my lord..."
An elderly woman who appeared to be a village elder approached and prostrated herself before Cao Cao.
"Where are you headed?"
"A great war has broken out in Xu Province, so we packed our belongings and fled."
"Do you have somewhere to go?"
"People from nearby villages have all gathered together, each seeking their own path to survival. Please, have mercy on us."
"Mercy? Hahaha, do you think I intend to kill you all?"
"...Aigoo, my lord!"
These people clearly had no idea who Cao Cao was. They had simply thrown themselves at his feet in terror.
"I have a proposal. I am Cao Cao, Governor of Yan Province. In my lands, many refugees from Xu Province like yourselves are already clearing wasteland and raising livestock. Would you join them and lend your strength?"
At that moment, the countless refugees began murmuring among themselves until someone shouted loudly.
"If we can have food and a place to live, we'll go!"
"I'll go too! If you need bricks carried, I'll carry them! If you need fields plowed, I'll plow them!"
"Excellent! Very good! Then all of you shall go to Yan Province."
Cao Cao looked over the enormous column of refugees and gave a faint smile. But then he suddenly froze, staring at one spot.
"Hmm?"
"Uncle, what is it?"
"Oho, this..."
Huh?
Suddenly, Cao Cao jumped down from his horse. He strode straight into the middle of the refugee column. Everyone, already terrified, shrank back as he approached. I hurriedly dismounted and followed after him. The place where Cao Cao stopped was none other than...
"G-great lord, why are you doing this so suddenly?"
"How lovely. What truly beautiful features!"
Out of nowhere, Cao Cao had spotted a stunning beauty among the refugees, leapt from his horse, and walked right up to her.
A woman of striking beauty stood trembling among the weary refugees. Her name was Huan E.
"What is your name?"
"H-Huan E, my lord."
"Huan E! A child as silver-pure as her surname! I like her. I shall take you in."
Good heavens... Even in the middle of this, Cao Mengde's character—spotting a beauty among refugees and immediately trying to make her his concubine...
At that, people who appeared to be her family came running over.
"M-my lord! This child is our family's only daughter!"
"So? Does she have a husband?"
"N-no, she doesn't, but..."
"Well, even if she did, it wouldn't matter..."
Cao Cao pulled a pouch from his robes. He took out the gold coins inside and scattered them before the woman's family.
"When you reach Yan Province, seek out Cao Mengde. I will provide your household with a proper home."
"Kyaa?!"
Then, right in front of her family, he pulled the young lady of the Huan clan into his arms and walked away leisurely. He placed her on the horse in front of him and ordered the army to resume marching.
What Cao Cao had truly gained from this campaign... Hmm.
Anyway, once we returned, Lady Ding would surely throw a fit, demanding to know why he had gone to war only to bring back yet another concubine.