The Second Disciple (3)
At that moment, in the Cao Cao army camp in Xuzhou.
"Our forces have now captured ten cities. And we've demolished everything around those cities."
Demolished. Xun You avoided using more brutal terms directly. Some might call it a soft expression, but the generals didn't nitpick over words like "smashed," "razed," or "scorched earth."
No matter if the reality was a massacre—repeating it day after day would only breed disgust and self-loathing, making everyone uncomfortable.
It was just a way to ease the mind by changing the language. Everyone knew it was a massacre, but they avoided calling it one to spare someone's feelings.
The feelings of the one who had ordered the massacres.
"So now, we'll use these ten cities as a base and advance slowly westward."
"So, just like before, we'll grind them down inch by inch like ants crawling?"
"Yes."
"I oppose."
The man closest to Cao Cao among the generals shook his head. He was Cao Ren, the general who had achieved the most brilliant feats in this Xuzhou campaign.
"Give me a thousand cavalry, and I'll take Xuzhou right now."
"I understand your eagerness to charge ahead, Zixiao. But..."
"I know Xun You's strategies well enough! But sometimes, a general's valor shines brighter than any scheme."
Cao Ren stepped forward and bowed deeply toward the woman at the head seat.
"My lord. Give me the order to march. Just as you commanded me to lead a detached force and shatter Gongsun Zan's army before, let me crush Gongsun Zan's cities."
"Zixiao, you've earned merit once already—now you want more?"
A middle-aged man beside him stood and chimed in.
"My lord, give this Xiahou Yuan the chance this time. I'll put an arrow through both of Gongsun Zan's eyes."
"Hm..."
Xun You let out a groan as two men stepped forward. These were generals who had stood by Cao Cao since the anti-Dong Zhuo coalition days—their influence was considerable.
Were they just accustomed to bloodshed, or did they no longer want the pointless slaughter?
"Let's gather the troops and take Gongsun Zan's head right now!"
"Calm down. Once autumn passes, the weather will turn cold. Can we really catch him in just two months? He'll barricade the gates."
"If we advance as fast as possible... Ngh, I know it's tough, but we can't just sit here without trying!"
"But one attempt, and there's no turning back."
Everything hinged on Cao Cao's decision, but the advisors and generals' words swayed it.
"Generals—"
"Xun You, I'll handle this."
Cao Cao rose from her seat. Everyone bowed and fell silent at once.
"Thanks to Xun You's strategy, we've securely taken ten cities. It may seem leisurely to others, but we've crushed them thoroughly. No losses on our side, and we've slain tens of thousands of Gongsun Zan's men. Cao Ren, why the rush to seize all of Xuzhou?"
"Two reasons for vengeance."
Cao Ren dropped to one knee.
"First, to avenge Elder Cao Song as swiftly as possible. Second, I'm worried others will seek revenge against the Cao army."
"Elaborate."
"...Among those fleeing Xuzhou to escape the chaos, some might become future threats."
Xun You closed her eyes at Cao Ren's words.
"Well, the cunning ones have probably already escaped Xuzhou, right?"
"They won't serve our army, so they'll become enemies later."
"...To cut out future threats, we do need to move fast. Indeed. Zixiao's right!"
Murmurs grew louder.
"Understood."
Cao Cao raised her hand quietly. The generals shut their mouths and awaited her words.
"Yuanyang, how are our supplies?"
"Ah, that? Enough to fight through winter, right?"
The bearded general pointed at the map with a casual air.
"Pushing further east from here makes logistics tricky. Even scraping everything in sight, it'll be tight, no? Mengdeok, you planning to go deeper?"
"Of course."
The only one in the camp who could freely call her "Mengdeok."
"Logistics will be tough. Winter's coming soon. What we brought won't cut it."
"Is that so?"
"Yep. It's not just fighting and advancing. Soldiers get worn out plowing fields, smashing buildings, burning farmland. We've steeled our hearts, but we have to think of the rank-and-file too. Constantly clearing and burning corpses wears on them. Not the body—this."
Xiahou Dun tapped his head.
"Those who'll point swords at us later? Deal with them when it happens. Can't we rest a bit now? Honestly, I'm beat."
"......Rest."
Cao Cao shook her head.
"Not quite 'rest'—more like sheathing the blade of vengeance for a moment."
"My lord!"
"It's fine, Zixiao. If you crave blood, there'll be another chance. And going now... won't work."
Cao Cao fiddled with the silk scroll placed beside her like a treasure.
"I'm not forgetting vengeance. Not missing the timing."
No one knew the silk's contents, but it surely held her "direction" for this Xuzhou invasion. A vow for Cao Song's revenge? Or a concrete strategy? Whatever it was, her gazing at it meant she had a policy in mind.
"...Xun You, are these ten captured cities strategically valuable?"
"No."
"Jeong Uk, if we withdraw temporarily from here, will Gongsun Zan send troops again?"
"No. He won't reinforce a once-captured place."
"Won't station troops?"
"This is Guo Jia's view, but..."
"He'll send civilians to resettle the cities."
"Hm."
Everyone groaned. If the Cao army left Xuzhou for the rear without garrisons, Gongsun Zan would reclaim it. The issue: those reclaiming it would likely be Xuzhou locals who'd fled east temporarily—not Gongsun Zan's army.
In other words, using civilians as shields.
"Zixiao, if we return next year, will retaking these be easy?"
"We can take them without much trouble next time too."
"Zilian. Your thoughts?"
"Well."
The man with the gleaming golden helmet stepped forward.
"It'd be good to retreat, regroup the army. How about holding at Puyang for a bit? With Qingzhou troops coming down northeast of our captured Puyang, it cuts off the waist."
"Hm."
Cao Cao tapped the armrest lightly.
"Generals, hear this. Winter approaches like this. Sieges amid poor supplies are dangerous. With the rear unstable, we'll withdraw to Puyang temporarily. And..."
Bam.
"In spring, when the weather thaws, we'll return. Prepare to withdraw."
"Your command!"
The direction was set. Some were disappointed, some glared at others, some dragged friends away with shoulder pats, some sighed in relief.
And amid it all.
"...Fengxiao."
Cao Cao quietly called Guo Jia.
"This will turn many scholars against us, right?"
"Yes."
"Then... with the talents I've gathered from the Central Plains and Hebei, can I defeat Xuzhou and Jiangdong?"
"Of course. The one who pacifies the Four Commanderies and Hebei will unify the realm."
"Right. Hebei... I must defeat Yuan Shao."
Cao Cao unrolled the silk.
"Gold Teacher wrote to Sun Uk: Seizing Xuzhou means clashing with Yuan Shao. If we take it now, he'll grow wary. He might ally with Gongsun Zan to split the world east-west, since we can't even hold Yanzhou properly. Do you think so too?"
"Yes. Trouble could brew in Yanzhou."
"Probably."
Cao Cao smiled bitterly, gently stroking the silk.
"Truly... tempting. Without him, I'd have lost my mind and razed all of Xuzhou."
"You'd have figured it out eventually."
"No. By then, half of Xuzhou would be ashes."
The reason Cao Cao followed Xun You's plan to crush Xuzhou slowly. Despite knowing countless talents and civilians would flee.
"When we return to Puyang, go straight to Jingzhou. Gauge his intentions."
"What intentions?"
"Is he disappointed in me?"
"......Who knows."
Guo Jia didn't answer easily.
"If you truly want him, my lord, it's not impossible."
"Oh? A good idea?"
"Well..."
Whisper whisper.
Cao Cao blinked at Guo Jia's words, then.
"...Me, do that?"
Her face flushed as she growled at Guo Jia.
"Me, this me?"
"If he's that desirable a talent, why not?"
"......Fengxiao. That's an order. Visit Heohyeon once this winter."
Cao Cao grabbed Guo Jia's shoulder with a grin.
"I need to meet him in Heohyeon, just once."
* * *
Winter arrived.
Jingzhou was still flooded with refugees from Xuzhou. Through Cai Xuan, I fed Liu Biao sweet nothings to accept them.
"If you aspire to embrace lands broader than Jingzhou in the future, why not first embrace the people from elsewhere, not Jingzhou?"
Whether from benevolence, hegemony, or ambition, Liu Biao took in Xuzhou's refugees. The pragmatic side showed: those with wealth or fame went to Yangyang, the destitute to north of the Yangtze—near Xinya or Jiangxia.
Whatever. Better than starving to death.
Suyeon Academy was the same.
"Seo Seo, the soup's too salty today. Your doing?"
"S-sorry."
"Guests today—do it right. Who'd entrust a child to bad food?"
I straightened my robes. With Sima Hui away briefly, I was acting head of Suyeon Academy.
Creeeak.
Right on time, the academy door swung open precisely. I bowed deeply to the familiar middle-aged man.
"Welcome, elder."
"No need for such formality. Lower your words. Aren't you about to become my niece's teacher?"
"How could I? You're becoming my disciple's parent."
Jeokgal Hyeon.
"Liang, greet him."
"...Hello."
"Yes, hello. Nice to meet you."
I crouched to meet the white-haired girl's eyes, dressed like a scholar.
"Here to learn the world?"
"...Yes."
"Good. Thanks for coming."
I extended my hand.
"I'm Kim Taeyang."