Chapter 22: Cao Cao's Unique Flag

The two, father-in-law and son-in-law, dashed madly through the night. Once they had exited the Upper East Gate, they reunited with Shi A. As someone indirectly involved in the plot to assassinate Dong Zhuo, Shi A knew he could no longer remain in Luoyang. Yet, men of the martial world prized righteousness above wealth, and Shi A felt no regret at abandoning his holdings in the city. Hero Tower was but a name; if it could flourish in Luoyang, it could be established anew elsewhere.

The three conferred as they doubled back to Hero Tower to retrieve their horses. Barely had they caught their breath when Cao Cao suddenly burst into laughter. Shi A, puzzled, asked, "General, what is so amusing?" Cao Cao, shaking his head and tapping his temples, began, "I laugh at Dong Zhuo's—" but Chen Cong hurriedly clamped a hand over Cao Cao’s mouth, a chill running down his spine.

This was just like Cao Cao, always tempting fate with his boasts. If a flag was raised, disaster was never far behind. Hadn't he mocked Zhuge Liang three times at Huarong Valley, only to be beaten thrice and left with a swollen face? The Battle of Red Cliffs had yet to unfold, and here he was already laughing at Dong Zhuo. There was no Guan Yu under Dong Zhuo’s command, nor was there a Huarong Valley near Luoyang. If they were caught now, death was certain.

"Father-in-law, time is short and our task urgent. Let’s go, we can talk on the way." Cao Cao turned to see Chen Cong scooping Diao Chan into his arms, his face filled with questions. Time is short and the task is urgent, yet you insist on carrying a woman? Is talking really delaying you more than this?

With a cold face, he rebuked, "Zining, don’t be foolish. Put the woman down, fleeing for our lives is what matters." Chen Cong refused, arguing, "That won’t do. I only just traded Dong Bai for a hundred gold. Now that I’ve got Diao Chan tied up, I should at least extort a thousand from old Wang Yun."

Diao Chan had regained consciousness and was struggling fiercely in Chen Cong’s arms. As he was about to silence her with another chop, Cao Cao grabbed his arm. Dong Zhuo might open the chest at any moment; to return now through the Upper East Gate was pure suicide.

"If you want gold, I’ll give you gold. If you want beauties, I’ll give you beauties—but first, we must return to Qiao County!"

"Beauties?" Chen Cong looked skeptical. Was his father-in-law really offering him concubines? Wonders never cease. Cao Cao thought he was haggling and promised, "You know your father-in-law once served as Grand Herald, with countless beauties in the household. When we return, I’ll grant you ten—no, twenty beauties!"

Stroking his chin, Chen Cong recalled the quality of the Cao household’s beauties; perhaps they were not bad at all. "And how will I explain this to Rong’er?" Cao Cao was speechless. "Zining, a hero fears nothing. Why fear his wife?"

He had a point. Had Chen Cong not witnessed his father-in-law being dragged by the ear by his mother-in-law, he might have believed it. But the price was agreed, and delivery could be discussed later.

Chen Cong set Diao Chan down, untying her bonds and removing the cloth gag, then, almost as an afterthought, pulled away the white veil covering her face. She was stunning—her beauty surpassing even that of Cao Rong. No wonder she had bewitched both Dong Zhuo and his son. Yet, in Diao Chan, Chen Cong found none of the fluttering excitement he’d felt upon first meeting Cao Rong. Since his engagement, appearance mattered less to him; he valued gentle temperament above all.

Curiosity satisfied, he lost interest. Compared to twenty beauties from the Cao household who would comply with his every wish, Diao Chan, the adopted daughter of the Minister of Works, had little allure.

"You may go. No need to thank me for saving your life."

Diao Chan was briefly speechless. She wanted to curse Chen Cong for his shamelessness, but the presence of Shi A cast too deep a shadow on her heart. After a moment’s silence, she asked softly, "May I ask, sir, how you came by my foster father’s Seven-Star Sword?"

Chen Cong cocked his head. "Oh? So you can speak civilly after all?"

Diao Chan fumed. For a man so lacking in gallantry to criticize her—what nerve.

"Please, sir, tell me."

"Sorry, no time. Ask Wang Yun when you return."

…

That night, three riders sped westward out of Luoyang. Having previously acquired a pass from Dong Zhuo, Cao Cao encountered no resistance at the city gate. They galloped for nearly half an hour, leaving the imperial city far behind. Cao Cao burst out laughing again. Shi A, perplexed, asked, "General, what is so funny now?"

"I laugh at Dong Zhuo’s lack of decisiveness, Lü Bu’s lack of courage, Li Ru’s lack of cunning. If only—ow!"

Chen Cong flicked a stone, striking the rump of Cao Cao’s black horse, which bolted, abruptly cutting off Cao Cao’s second attempt at tempting fate.

...

On the other side, Dong Zhuo, having bathed and changed, carried the chest into his bedchamber. He opened the lid—

His face, already dark, flushed red, then quickly turned purple.

"Cao Cao, you scoundrel! Chen Cong, you cur! How dare you!"

He checked his granddaughter’s breath, summoned a physician, and, suppressing his fury, returned to the main hall.

"Men! Beat the drums! Summon the generals!"

The war drums thundered through the midnight air. Within the time it took for half a stick of incense to burn, Dong Zhuo’s warriors assembled in the main hall of the Grand Commandant’s residence.

Seated at the main position, Dong Zhuo’s expression was cold and murderous. None of the generals dared utter a word. Only Li Ru had the courage to speak.

"Father-in-law, what angers you?"

"Because—" Dong Zhuo opened his mouth, unsure how to explain.

What should he say? That Cao Cao had kidnapped his own granddaughter as a gift? What of Dong Bai’s reputation? She was shy by nature; if such a scandal spread, she might end her own life. At least for the moment, only he knew the truth, and the situation was still manageable.

But if he said nothing, he would have no grounds to execute the criminals. In the eyes of others, Cao Cao was his trusted aide—if he killed him without cause, he would breed fear and suspicion among his followers.

Yet how could Dong Zhuo swallow such humiliation?

"Wenyou, come forward."

"Yes, sir."

After a whispered exchange, Li Ru was left astonished—Cao Cao kidnapping Dong Bai as an offering to Dong Zhuo? What madness was this?

Unlike Dong Zhuo’s seething rage, Li Ru was more puzzled. Why would Cao Cao provoke Dong Zhuo? What could he gain? Li Ru quickly thought of Yuan Shao, governor of Bohai, of Rear General Yuan Shu, and Sun Jian, the Tiger of Jiangdong. The realm was already in turmoil; the warlords were gathering power and refusing to bow to Dong Zhuo.

Cao Cao must be seeking fame by provoking Dong Zhuo at this moment. Otherwise, with his infamous background and lack of official position, he would not even qualify to join the coalition of lords.

If Dong Zhuo sent troops to pursue him, things would change completely. A hero who could make a fool of the demon king would become a prize sought by all the powers.

Li Ru understood, but could not advise thus. Dong Zhuo, consumed with rage, would not be dissuaded from wanting Cao Cao flayed alive.

"Father-in-law, could there be some misunderstanding?"

Dong Zhuo’s eyes bulged, and he slammed the table. "Misunderstanding? What misunderstanding!"

Li Ru whispered, "Cao Cao has never met Bai before; perhaps he meant well but did wrong. If you must act, do so discreetly. If you pursue him openly, the scandal will engulf the city and ruin Bai’s reputation."

Dong Zhuo paused. That was indeed possible.

Just then, a servant announced, "Grand Commandant, the young mistress has awakened."

Dong Zhuo rushed to the inner chambers.

…

Dong Bai, still frightened, awoke to find everyone a villain. The first thing she did was slip from the bed, scurrying to a corner and trembling like a frightened rabbit. The physicians, fearing to frighten her further, withdrew.

Until Dong Zhuo entered.

She burst into tears. "Grandfather, I thought I’d never see you again."

Dong Zhuo’s heart ached as he gently patted her back. "My precious child, my heart, it’s all right now, it’s all right. Grandfather will avenge you."

After crying for a while, Dong Bai calmed somewhat, then suddenly remembered the conspiracy she had overheard and looked up anxiously.

"Grandfather, you must be careful! Cavalry Commander Cao Cao plans to assassinate you, and Chen Cong is his accomplice!"

"What?!" Dong Zhuo’s eyes widened—he’d been desperate for a reason to kill Cao Cao. He recalled the way Cao Cao had presented the sword earlier: blade-first, as if to strike, not to offer tribute.

Li Ru cursed inwardly—now he understood Cao Cao’s ploy, but it was too late.

Dong Bai’s anxious voice rang out again. "It’s true! When I was trapped in the chest, I heard them plotting—planning to kill you and use me as a hostage to divert your men!"

"Villains! I’ll send my troops to catch them now! Wait here, my child, I’ll have them torn to