Will It Be a Dramatic Agreement or a Breakdown?
Everyone was murmuring among themselves over the letter Cao Cao had sent.
“Governor, sir, doesn’t this mean we must liquidate all our family assets in Puyang and merge them with the Chenliu trading companies?”
“Are they telling us we have to submit to the Wei Merchant Group?”
Some were seething with rage.
Yet among them were others with different calculations.
“This requires careful thought. Under these terms, the governor and Master Chen Gong would gain the authority to raise ten thousand troops in Puyang.”
“In these chaotic times, the post of Military Affairs Attendant can grant real military command at any moment.”
They were split between the wealth held by their merchant houses and the actual power of military authority.
From the atmosphere, it felt like the time had come for me to leave Puyang.
I had followed Cao Cao’s orders, touring the region to build connections with the local gentry while enjoying their hospitality and quietly reading the mood.
The decision now rested with Zhang Miao—or rather, with the true power behind him, Chen Gong.
What was certain was that Cao Cao, though acting with his usual domineering flair, had at least extended the minimum necessary carrot to the Puyang gentry of Yan Province.
The choice ultimately belonged to the Puyang gentry themselves.
I believed they would make the wise one.
Afterward, I packed my belongings upstairs.
Once I informed Zhang Miao and Chen Gong of my departure, it was time to bid this place farewell.
“Leaving in such a hurry?”
“Ah, Master Chen Gong.”
Chen Gong smiled and called me over for a moment.
We spoke together in the rear garden.
“When you first arrived, everyone treated you with the utmost respect because you were the Inspector of Yan Province’s nephew. You seemed to enjoy yourself thoroughly, didn’t you?”
“I’m not the sort of person who refuses such kindness.”
“Well, that aside, be sure to visit Puyang again once you return. I’ll invite you to a proper meal next time.”
“I look forward to it.”
From the way he spoke, it seemed Chen Gong would ultimately accept the terms.
With this, we could definitely prevent the tiger cub of Hulao Pass from coming to Yan Province.
“Ah, but there is one thing I should mention.”
“What is it?”
Chen Gong smiled as he spoke.
“You visited the tomb of Master Wenli last time, yes?”
“Yes, I paid my respects at his gravesite.”
This was about Bian Yang.
“His son will soon return to Puyang. It’s a shame you won’t have the chance to meet this time…”
“I will be sure to pay my respects when I visit next.”
I exchanged final farewells with Chen Gong, then met with Governor Zhang Miao to take my leave before departing Puyang.
It had been a place I thoroughly enjoyed before leaving.
“Uncle, I have returned safely from Puyang.”
“Ah, yes. It was a fine town, wasn’t it?”
The moment I arrived in Chenliu, Cao Cao summoned me straight to the government office. After my interim report, I recounted everything that had happened.
Cao Cao nodded at each point while his hands and eyes continued drafting plans for the second invasion of Xu Province.
“In the end, it seems Master Chen Gong will successfully persuade the other gentry.”
“That’s your assessment?”
“From what I saw of Chen Gong, yes.”
“Hmm. I tend to trust him as well.”
“He also said that next time he would introduce me to Bian Gong, the son of Master Bian Wenli.”
At that moment, Cao Cao’s brush suddenly stopped.
“Bian Yang’s son? You mean Bian An?”
“Yes. Though I have never met him directly…”
“What a pity. I received word of that friend’s death two days ago.”
“W-what?”
Sudden news like this? Bian Yang’s death was one thing, but now his son as well? Two days ago—before I had even returned to Chenliu?
“It was an unfortunate accident. They say he was riding along a rainy path, fell from his horse, and was badly injured. He received emergency treatment in a nearby county but passed away during care.”
Fell from his horse? Died after falling while riding on a rainy road? What sort of…
“Is this truly what happened?”
“What, do you think the fool was assassinated?”
“That’s not what I mean, but…”
“Accidents can happen anywhere. I found the report suspicious myself, so I ordered an investigation.”
Both Bian Yang and now his son had died under murky circumstances.
And Cao Cao firmly declared he had no part in it.
If this caused Chen Gong to change his mind, then truly…
Cao Cao sent word to Puyang and began gathering his forces.
This second invasion of Xu Province differed from the previous year right from the chosen route of advance.
“This time we’ll change direction. Puyang will serve as the forward base, with Chenliu providing rear support.”
“So the reason you placed all the merchant groups from Puyang under Chenliu’s authority was to turn this city into the supply hub from the very beginning?”
In the strategy meeting, Xun Yu nodded at Cao Cao’s confident declaration.
“My lord, has the matter concerning Chen Gong been properly settled… cough!cough!”
“Aigo, Zhicai. Worry about your own body before you worry about suspecting Chen Gong.”
“My apologies, my lord.”
Xi Zhicai’s plump frame shook as he continued coughing violently.
Even without that, his obesity combined with heavy drinking and womanizing had already made his health look precarious, but lately he was constantly drenched in sweat, his clothes soaked through, his breathing growing ragged.
At a glance, his condition looked dire.
“Still… inhale …if Chen Gong firmly assumes the role of Military Affairs Attendant and we bring him to Chenliu entirely…”
“Enough, Zhicai. Let’s drop that topic.”
“My lord, but this concerns the war. In case anything unexpected occurs, during this expedition you should select only the elite troops from Chenliu and have them immediately take command of the ten thousand men to be conscripted in Puyang.”
With Cheng Yu adding his voice, Cao Cao pondered for a moment before nodding.
“Very well, we’ll do that. Yuan Rang.”
“What is it, Aman?”
“During military councils, use proper titles…”
Cao Cao gave Xiahou Dun a light rebuke before moving on to the main point.
“This time you will go to Puyang as well.”
“Huh? Not staying in Chenliu?”
“The rear defense of Chenliu will be handled by Xun Yu and Xi Zhicai. The moment you reach Puyang, you and Zhang Miao will maintain the supply lines between Chenliu and Puyang. Supplies will then be forwarded to the front through Chen Gong.”
It was a plan to establish a continuous supply chain that would flow without interruption.
“Understood. Up to Puyang, then.”
“And Wen Lie.”
“Yes, Uncle.”
“You will move together with Yuan Rang this time. Travel via Taishan. Wait inside Puyang Castle and be ready to rush to me the moment I call.”
“I will keep it firmly in mind, Uncle.”
And so the second invasion of Xu Province was finalized.
Departure was tomorrow. I maintained my armor for the occasion and carefully sharpened the spear Cao Cao had given me long ago.
“Young master, Master Zhicai has come to see you.”
“Who? Master Xi Zhicai?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
At the butler’s words, I set the spear aside and stepped outside at once.
There stood Xi Zhicai, still coughing, wiping away sweat with a towel even though the night air was not particularly warm.
“Master Zhicai, why are you waiting outside? Please come in.”
“No need. I came because I have something to tell you alone… cough!cough!”
“Master Zhicai, are you all right? Your health seems to have deteriorated since I last saw you.”
“I’ve worn my body down by drinking every single day. But this head of mine still spins just fine.”
Despite his dark complexion, Xi Zhicai drew me aside and spoke in a low voice.
“I wanted to tell you this before we depart tomorrow.”
“What is it?”
“You know the Wei Merchant Group operates an intelligence network, yes? After Bian Yang’s death, Chen Gong learned that his son Bian An had died from a fall from his horse. I received a report that Chen Gong has begun his own investigation.”
“!?”
“I will speak plainly. Even after mobilizing every intelligence asset across Yan Province, the conclusion remains the same. The man truly died in an accident.”
Since Xi Zhicai himself was saying this, it appeared the death really had been an accident.
Of course, I refrained from asking whether Bian Yang’s own death had been an assassination.
“But why are you telling me this…?”
“The Wei Merchant Group’s intelligence is the finest in Yan Province, and their leader Wei Hong delivered the report to our lord personally. Yet he has decided he cannot abandon Chen Gong after all. Therefore, we must prepare the minimum necessary safeguards.”
So the die had been cast after all.
Just when it seemed the situation was barely being salvaged, the deep-rooted discord among the Yan Province gentry, the suspicious death of Bian Yang whom Chen Gong revered, and the sudden demise of Bian Yang’s son who had sought to uncover the truth had all come together.
If Puyang chose rebellion because of this, there was only one answer.
Rather than repeating the original history where Cao Cao’s expeditionary army was ambushed from behind and lost its base, it would be better to settle everything inside Puyang and cut out every last root.
If it came to that, Cao Cao could completely subjugate Yan Province. After the resisting gentry were swept away, their wealth would flow entirely to the pro-Cao Cao faction. Commercial dominance would fall to the Wei Merchant Group, the pro-Cao Cao trading power.
In the end, no matter which path was taken, a purge in Puyang could not be avoided.
“Have you made preparations?”
“Within two days of our arrival in Puyang Castle, if you simply wait, the soldiers I prepared in advance will move. The ideal outcome is for the people of Puyang to remain obedient, but we cannot read the true intentions of Zhang Miao’s brother Zhang Chao or Chen Gong.”
“Understood. I will watch those two closely.”
Having said this, Xi Zhicai suddenly grasped my hand tightly, his eyes burning with resolve.
“Please take good care of our lord. I have done everything in my power for him until now, but this matter alone—I cannot predict how it will end.”
“How can you speak like that…”
Xi Zhicai was adamant. As he asked, I promised that no matter what erupted inside Puyang Castle, I would stop it.
Ultimately, Puyang’s choice—the one that would decide the final outcome between Cao Cao and the Yan Province gentry—was set to be revealed by tomorrow’s early morning march.
From now on, my role was to prevent the rebellion in Puyang before it could ignite and to catch any swarm of locusts that might leap out from nowhere.