Chapter 65: Cao’s Schemes

Chen Cong suffered from insomnia, lying in bed unable to sleep no matter how hard he tried.

Marching outside was hardship enough, and yet someone had to come along and aggravate him further.

He had no idea what had possessed Xu Pang, who, instead of sleeping, spent the entire night outside his tent chatting with his personal guards. By dawn, their conversation had ended in an embrace, lips smacking loudly in the silence.

In the past, Chen Cong would have doubted Xu Chu's sense of aesthetics, but now…

Chen Shi, aside from being sturdy, having a rough voice, and a square face… actually looked quite decent…

So it was true: striking first is an advantage… Bah! Chen Cong slapped his cheeks frantically to correct his tastes, silently repeating a hundred times, "The phoenix rests only on the parasol tree, eats only bamboo fruit, drinks only the purest spring. Knowing what is right and stopping there, that is not to fight."

He barely survived till dawn, enduring a night of torment, until the drums sounded to gather the troops, releasing him from his misery.

When Chen Cong donned his armor and stepped outside, Xu Chu was nowhere to be seen—only Chen Shi, her cheeks flushed, gazing absentmindedly toward the rising sun.

The scene was no less striking than the fierce Zhang Fei breaking into a gentle smile, or Li Kui striking a coquettish pose…

"Chen Shi, tidy up and report to the Tiger Elite Camp."

"General… I…"

Chen Cong raised his hand to interrupt, "What slave? You left that status long ago. Do not demean yourself."

Touched, Chen Shi dropped to her knees and knocked her head thrice before Chen Cong, then clasped her hands in gratitude. "Thank you, General."

After growing accustomed to the precarious, blood-soaked life of a soldier, Chen Shi found it difficult to maintain the reserved demeanor of a woman. If not for Xu Chu, she might have forgotten she was a woman at all…

…

When Chen Cong entered the central tent, most had already arrived.

Cao Cao stood with his back to the crowd, studying the map.

The once high-spirited General Wen Chou, stripped of his halo, was reduced to a mere subordinate awaiting orders.

In contrast, the generals of Cao's camp stood ever closer to the front.

Chen Cong, utterly unconcerned with appearances, strode past the nobles and generals to stand beside Cao Cao. Only up close did he notice the deep, purplish circles under Cao Cao's eyes, startling him.

"Father-in-law, did you spend the night listening to saliva as well?"

Cao Cao turned, rubbing his sore eyes in confusion. "Saliva? What saliva?"

Chen Cong’s voice shifted, rough and muffled: "Ahem, I am Xu Chu, courtesy name Zhongkang, second in my family. What is your name?"

The crowd was baffled.

Yet Xu Chu, far from ashamed, straightened his back proudly and even lifted his chin toward Chen Cong.

Damn, even this oaf is putting on airs now.

Truly, a beast!

"What nonsense is this?" Cao Cao had no idea; he’d spent the night pondering Xu Rong, not paying attention to Chen Cong’s antics. He continued, "Xu Rong is a master of strategy, seasoned in the field, his tactics cunning and unpredictable. Coupled with the fierce Western Liang army, if we hold out too long, we are bound to fail…"

"Bound to fail if we hold out?" Chen Cong was shocked.

Martial Emperor Cao holds the same view as Jin Zhiren? Could he really be a top general?

All armchair strategists, this is everyone’s first real battle—why should he excel?

---

"Oh?" Cao Cao encouraged his son-in-law to use military tactics; he feared lack of thought more than a wrong plan. He smiled and pressed, "Do you have any insight?"

"Father-in-law, you’re not thinking of opening the city gates and sending cavalry to attack the enemy’s tower wagons, are you?"

Cao Cao's face darkened, cursing, "What nonsense! Never mind the Fei Xiong in the rear, just the twenty thousand Western Liang cavalry stationed on both wings, watching like tigers—opening the gates is as good as courting death."

Chen Cong sighed with relief, patting his chest.

Good, good. They’re all amateurs, so he could relax…

Cao Cao turned back to the map, tapping it as he continued, "For now, we must divide our forces: one detachment heads east from Hulao, swings north to bypass Mount Beimang, and traverses Henan County to feign an attack on Mengjin Pass. That pass is barely a hundred li from Luoyang, at the very heart of the region. Dong Zhuo, unsure of our intentions, will surely send heavy reinforcements, but the distance will require many flying cavalry. Western Liang excels in heavy cavalry—if they move out, we seize the chance to exit Hulao and fight them in the field, ending it in one decisive battle."

Yuan Shao listened intently, tapping the table absently.

Without Western Liang cavalry, would the allied army surely win a field battle?

Uncertain.

What if Dong Zhuo deployed eight thousand Fei Xiong?

Even more uncertain.

Though Cao Cao’s plan held many variables, Yuan Shao really had no choice.

Protracted warfare would be most brutal; stubborn defense at Hulao would steadily raise casualties. Elsewhere, such losses might be tolerable, but here the eighteen allied lords each had their own ambitions. If the casualty numbers far exceeded their expectations, the alliance could fall apart overnight.

Better to gamble while morale was still intact—let fate decide victory or defeat!

Yuan Shao was indecisive, but between ‘certain defeat’ and ‘a chance at victory,’ he could make the right call.

He immediately declared, "Very well! How does Mengde wish to divide the troops?"

"Each lord sends one thousand men—not elite soldiers. Then select one chief general to command, and two deputies to assist."

The lords did not mind; no need for elites, just a thousand old or weak men…

Yuan Shao asked again, "Whom does Mengde wish to appoint as generals?"

Within the tent, every general straightened, showing their strength and valor.

What of a feigned attack?

What of mixed troops?

It was still a force of twenty thousand—enough to rival a regional lord!

And with only three commanders, the credit would be concentrated.

Cao Cao surveyed the room and first appointed Bao Xin. "I have long heard that Yu Jin, a great general under Yuncheng, commands his troops with strict discipline. Let him assist."

"Agreed."

Cao Cao was about to name Yan Liang when he spotted a fierce, imposing man standing beside Zhang Miao.

He stood nearly nine feet tall, built like a bear or tiger, arms thick as pillars, bearing two iron halberds on his back, as immovable as a mountain, radiating a fierce aura.

Cao Cao secretly admired, ‘What a fierce man,’ and strode quickly to Zhang Miao.

He clasped his hands and asked, "Who is this behind Meng Zhuo?"

Zhang Miao forced a laugh, "Dian Wei, a rough man from Chenliu, has never commanded troops and lacks experience. Mengde should look elsewhere."

Cao Cao was instantly delighted.

He and Zhang Miao were close friends; he knew well what Zhang Miao was up to.

Usually, people would not refuse such an appointment, but Zhang Miao did, even belittling him—clearly afraid Cao Cao would steal his prized warrior.

---

The more one fears losing something, the more it is cherished!

The more one fears losing, the more one must seize it!

This prized warrior, Cao Cao would not let go.

He grinned, bypassed Zhang Miao, and approached Dian Wei, clasping his hands, "I have observed your extraordinary bravery, General. I wish to appoint you as deputy commander of the army, if you would accept."

Dian Wei scrutinized Cao Cao for a moment, seeing only sincerity in his eyes.

After brief thought, he clasped his hands and rumbled, "I am willing."

Zhang Miao was so furious he cursed aloud.

This man was a fugitive, protected by Zhang Miao in the mountains for his ability to chase tigers across rivers.

At first, Zhang Miao had no particular attachment, using Dian Wei as a tool, later recruiting him into the army.

Afterwards.

When Chen Cong fought fiercely at Sishui Pass, Cao Cao earned the title of General Who Conquers the West. Only then did Zhang Miao truly appreciate the value of a fierce general.

He promptly promoted Dian Wei to keep him close.

But in truth, they were partners.

He wanted to use Dian Wei’s courage, Dian Wei relied on him to avoid punishment.

Now Cao Cao had intervened, and with his cunning, if he set his sights on Dian Wei, what place would Zhang Miao have?

But with Dian Wei already switching sides, Zhang Miao’s refusal meant nothing.

The last appointment was the chief commander!

As Cao Cao looked over, Chen Cong’s breath caught, and he darted to stand before Cao Cao.

"Zining…"

"Father-in-law!"

"Step aside, you’re blocking my path."

Chen Cong: ???

Cao Ren’s lips curled upward—if not Chen Cong, then it must be him, Cao Ren. His elder brother had praised him as ‘honest and steady, with the bearing of a great general.’

"Hansheng."

Cao Ren’s smile froze, recalling that night when he’d slept foot-to-foot.

So his elder brother had found a new favorite…

Huang Zhong smiled and clasped his hands, replying softly, "At your command, my lord."

Cao Cao stepped forward, grasping Huang Zhong’s arm with genuine emotion. "This task is weighty; thank you for undertaking it personally, Hansheng."

"Father-in-law! I am young, I do not fear hardship!"

Cao Cao’s brow twitched.

Did he speak of hardship? He spoke of trust, of responsibility, of high expectations.

"Get out!!"

"Ah, yes."