Chapter 33: A Death to Liven Things Up?

The seventh day of the twelfth lunar month.

Outside the city gates of Qiao County, the crowd was dense and bustling with excitement.

All who gathered were heroes.

There stood the towering and robust Xiahou Dun, measuring nine feet tall; the broad-shouldered, wolf-waisted, ape-armed Xiahou Yuan; the sturdy and agile Cao Ren; the impetuous and rash Cao Hong...

Each man craned his neck, eagerly awaiting.

At the first sign of an approaching figure, the assembled heroes dashed forth on horseback, surrounding the newcomer in a manner reminiscent of stars encircling the moon.

“Eldest brother, we’ve waited and waited, and at last you have returned.”

“Yuan Benchu has summoned the heroes of the land to rise against Dong Zhuo. Now that you’re back, brother, we finally have someone to rally around.”

“Enough of that empty talk—Cao Hong is willing to contribute ten thousand gold to help our cousin gain momentum!”

“Brother, just say the word. We all await your command.”

Xiahou Dun, Cao Ren, Xiahou Yuan, Cao Hong...

Cao Cao’s gaze swept across the familiar faces, and he responded to each with a cupped-fist greeting.

Until—

“My lord, why is Zining not with you?”

The question, sudden and unexpected, struck through Cao Cao’s defenses in an instant.

It was Huang Zhong!

The righteous man to whom he had entrusted a blade was still here, but the young man who once practiced swordplay with him was nowhere to be found.

“Hansheng…” Cao Cao dared not look at Huang Zhong. His lips quivered as he spoke the name, and tears had already filled his eyes.

He too wanted to know—why was Zining not among them?

During those darkest days in Luoyang, father-in-law and son-in-law had supported one another through every hardship. Many of his strategies, which he dared not even share with his own wife, he entrusted wholly to his son-in-law.

Now, his achievements were renowned.

His fame for assassinating Dong Zhuo had spread across the land; talented men and valiant generals flocked to his side in ever greater numbers.

He had gained the great general Huang Zhong, the chivalrous Shi Ah and his network of sworn brothers, the proud talent Mi Heng, and passing through Zhongmou he had also gained the wise Chen Gong Jingcong.

Everything seemed to be moving in a favorable direction.

But why, amid all this, had he lost Chen Cong?

He once lingered in Zhongmou for a month, leveraging the influence of Magistrate Chen Gong to make all possible inquiries.

Yet his son-in-law seemed to have vanished into thin air.

No sign of life, no trace of death.

By now, Cao Cao no longer allowed himself any false hope.

Or perhaps, he had already guessed the truth, but could not admit it to himself.

After all, who in this world could escape unscathed from Lü Bu’s pursuit?

Had he known it would come to this, Cao Cao would have willingly foregone the fame of assassinating Dong Zhuo, if only his son-in-law could have remained safe.

But reality offered no such bargains.

Chen Cong had stood against the indomitable Tiger Lü, had withstood the ferocious Wolf Cavalry of Bing Province, and in the end, left only himself behind.

That boisterous young man, whose drinking capacity was so pitiful, would never again call him “Chao-ge” with a slurred tongue...

Cao Cao no longer knew how to face Huang Zhong, let alone Cao Rong.

He dreaded that his daughter would ask him:

“Father, the wedding date has long passed—why haven’t we seen Zining?”

—

Even the thought of Cao Rong’s hopeful gaze left his heart twisted with unbearable pain.

Huang Zhong was silent for a moment, clenching his fists.

In a low voice, he said, “I understand. My lord, please tell me the enemy’s name. I, Zhong, shall avenge Zining.”

“Lü Bu!”

With a voice hoarse, almost a beast’s roar, Cao Cao thundered out the name, unable to contain the storm of hatred surging within his chest.

Lü Bu deserved death. But was Cao Cao any less guilty?

It was his own arrogance—he lingered in conversation even as Zhang Liao’s laxity should have warned him. Otherwise, how would they have run headlong into Lü Bu’s patrol?

His trusted aide! A general of the highest caliber!

Just like that, he died obscurely in a pursuit that should never have occurred!

“The pain! It tears at my heart!”

Grief and remorse surged together, and Cao Cao felt his head splitting. He clutched his head, vomited blood, and fell unconscious from his horse.

Panic ensued.

...

“My lady, the lord has only suffered an acute attack brought on by rage; with three days’ rest, he will recover. However…”

Lady Ding pressed, “I hope the divine physician will speak plainly.”

“The lord has a chronic ailment in his brain, which will require long-term treatment with decoctions, supplemented by acupuncture, to prevent the symptoms from worsening.”

Relieved, Lady Ding sighed deeply. “Then I must trouble you, divine physician.”

“The humble old man dares not claim credit, but…”

Lady Ding frowned in displeasure at his hesitance—what an aggravating, dithering way to speak. Were it not for her son-in-law’s recommendation, her temper would have flared already.

She forced a smile and said politely, “Divine physician, please speak freely.”

“Once the governor is restored to health, I wonder when your son-in-law might fulfill his promise to recommend me for the Imperial Physician’s post… ahem, I would also appreciate his support for the position of County Assistant in Qiao County, as promised.”

Before Lady Ding could ask who this “governor” was,

Cao Cao suddenly sat bolt upright and seized Hua Tuo’s wrist.

He barked, “What son-in-law? Old man, do you dare use my deceased son-in-law’s name as leverage? Are you not afraid of my sword?”

Tch!

Lady Ding covered her mouth to stifle a laugh and quickly pulled Cao Cao aside.

“Mengde, perhaps you should listen a little more closely.”

“My lady…”

Lady Ding was alarmed; she recognized this as a sign of her husband’s true feelings, and she knew his heart was genuinely wounded.

But there were outsiders present.

She could not bear to lose face!

She gently pushed away Cao Cao’s attempt to seek comfort and pointed coquettishly toward the door. “Just listen, will you? Why so dramatic?”

Amid the commotion, Cao Cao suddenly heard a familiar voice.

“Dunzi, if you ever travel the land, just mention my name and you’ll be fine.”

“Heh, heh, Zining, you and I are not of the same generation—you can’t call me brother.”

“Nonsense! If I can call Chao-ge ‘brother,’ then less talk, drink this bowl dry, and you’re my blood brother.”

“Yuanrang, why be so particular? We’re all rough men here; what’s the point of generations?”

“Hahaha, Zilian speaks the truth!”

...

Cao Cao, astonished and overjoyed, turned to his wife, as if seeking confirmation from her expression.

Lady Ding laughed and nudged him, pointing to Hua Tuo.

She said, “This is the divine physician Hua Tuo, styled Yuanhua—the one your fine son-in-law brought back. As for the Imperial Physician’s post or the County Assistant of Qiao, you can explain that yourself.”

Uh...

The door opened, and Chen Cong swaggered in, swaying a small jug of wine.

“Yo, Chao-ge, long time no see!”

“Zining…” Caught between joy and sorrow, Cao Cao nearly wept.

Chen Cong leapt backward in fright—if there was one thing he could not handle, it was men being sentimental.

“Don’t! If you get all emotional now, I can’t very well die again just to oblige you. Calm your spirit!”

Cao Cao: ...

It was one thing for his wife to scorn him, but what nonsense was this scoundrel spouting?

“Scoundrel!”

Cao Cao cursed, then gave Chen Cong a fierce bear hug.

Yet, with his own height barely seven feet and Chen Cong over eight, the embrace was oddly comic.

All the gloom in his heart evaporated, and his illness felt lighter.

As he pondered whether to silence the meddlesome old physician, whispers drifted into his ear.

“Chao-ge, it’s just the position of County Assistant—grant it to him!”

Cao Cao wanted to curse.

Since leaving Luoyang, he was at best a cavalry captain with nominal authority.

To call the County Assistant of Qiao County a “mere” position? If he truly had the power to appoint such an official at will, he could ascend the throne the next day.

Especially since Qiao County was the administrative seat of Yuzhou!

Never mind Hua Tuo—Cao Cao himself longed for that position!

Worse still, the “governor” Hua Tuo mentioned referred to him.

Things Cao Cao would not dare dream of, they bandied about as if it were nothing.

In reality, even the county magistrate could ignore him if he wished...

“Ahem! If Yuanhua does not mind, stay here a few days. I will report to the Son of Heaven and decide accordingly.”

“Ah, ah!” Hua Tuo bowed deeply several times. “Then I must trouble the Governor of Yan Province.”

Cao Cao was left speechless.

The Governor of Yan Province appointing the Assistant of Qiao County...

These two eccentrics—one dared speak, one dared believe.

Even if there were to be such an appointment, wouldn’t it be the Governor of Yu Province’s authority?

What did it have to do with the Governor of Yan Province...