Chapter 470: The Qin and Ying Falsely Plot an Eastern Journey

"Without three hundred thousand troops, there is no way to hold Hebei!"

The possibility of war was laid bare before them. While the young scholars in Yecheng were shaken by the formal signals of war, in the sixth year of Jian'an, just as spring plowing had ended in Xinye City of Nanyang, a host of newly risen dignitaries and nobles were already formally discussing the strategy for "punishing the traitor" before the steps of the Son of Heaven.

Those in attendance included: the descendant of Prince Gong of Lu, honored by the Son of Heaven as Imperial Uncle, Governor of Jingzhou, General Who Pacifies the South, and Marquis of Xiangyang — Liu Biao; the descendant of Prince Jing of Zhongshan, honored by the Son of Heaven as Imperial Uncle, Governor of Yuzhou, General of the Left, and Marquis of Xiapi — Liu Bei; the newly appointed Minister of Works, General Who Displays Valor, and Marquis of Chen — Cao Cao; the Grand Commandant overseeing the Masters of Writing — Yang Biao; the Grand Administrator of Nanyang, Marquis of Wen, concurrently General of Tiger Might — Lu Bu; the Grand Administrator of Wu Commandery, Marquis of Wucheng, concurrently General Who Defeats the Caitiffs — Sun Ce; as well as Zhang Hong, Jing Ze, Deng Zhi, Xun Yu, and others who had accompanied them here.

And the one who opened the discussion with three hundred thousand troops was, naturally, Minister of Works Cao.

"Does it truly require three hundred thousand troops to defeat Hebei?" Not only did the other lords and ministers instantly fall silent, but even the young Son of Heaven was momentarily shaken.

"In reply to Your Majesty, that is not my meaning." Cao Cao turned around and addressed the Son of Heaven above him with a solemn expression. "What I spoke of was defense, not attack. This war, whether we use offense as defense or hold our ground to the death, is in essence about blocking Hebei's offensive along the line of Mount Tai, the Yellow River, and Nanyang... And to thwart this offensive from Hebei, nothing less than three hundred thousand troops will suffice! As for later rallying our forces and intending to advance, that is another matter entirely — without six hundred thousand, there can be no march north."

The other lords and ministers remained silent, but the Son of Heaven was clever after all and immediately recalled a historical allusion: "The Minister of Works speaks truly. Back when Wang Jian attacked Chu, even with Qin nearing a sweeping victory, he still required six hundred thousand men. And today, the might of Hebei approaches one half of all under Heaven — whether defending, attacking, or holding, it must be counted in the hundreds of thousands. However, why have I heard people say that the Guard General... that the Yan rebel of Hebei once said that any battle exceeding one hundred thousand men is useless? What does he mean by that?"

Cao Cao's face was stern as he nodded slightly: "In reply to Your Majesty, both Wang Jian and... the Yan rebel were correct. Wang Jian's argument, much like mine, concerns the grand strategic picture of a war stretching across a thousand li. What the Yan rebel said refers to the local battlefield — once a single engagement exceeds one hundred thousand men, logistics cannot keep up, and the troops cannot deploy effectively. For example, when I speak of three hundred thousand troops for defense, I mean one hundred thousand core elite soldiers prepared for field battles; another one hundred thousand diligent men capable of holding cities along the front and forming a defense in depth stretching a thousand li, to prevent Hebei's shock cavalry from penetrating and outflanking us; and yet another one hundred thousand to serve as civilian laborers transporting provisions while also acting as a general reserve force, ready to be fed into the army at any time!"

The other lords and ministers continued their silence, while the Son of Heaven nodded repeatedly and continued to inquire with a serious expression: "Then how many troops can the Minister of Works himself raise in the north?"

"Yanzhou and Yuzhou are densely populated — Chen, Yingchuan, Liang, Chenliu, Jiyin, Shanyang, Rencheng, Dongping, plus half of Lu, half of Dong Commandery, half of Nanyang, and half of Pei — and we would be fighting on home ground. If I said I could not raise one hundred thousand men, I fear neither Your Majesty nor the assembled lords would believe me." Cao Cao cupped his hands toward the Son of Heaven and replied earnestly. "However, as I just said, among these hundred thousand or so men, those capable of field battle number no more than thirty thousand; those capable of defending cities, no more than twenty or thirty thousand; the rest are all civilian laborers... Moreover, the territory I govern is long and narrow, and we have long been locked in a standoff with Hebei. Production has slackened somewhat, and we lack sufficient armor, warhorses, and provisions to sustain a major war!"

The Son of Heaven immediately understood and promptly turned his gaze to his Imperial Uncle, his Imperial Elder Uncle, the Marquis of Wucheng, the Marquis of Wen, and the others: "This is precisely the purpose for which I have summoned you all here... How many troops and how much provisions can each of you contribute to assist the Minister of Works?"

The first two remained silent, but the latter two were utterly unabashed.

"Though I am Grand Administrator of Nanyang, I hold only three counties and have barely over a thousand troops — just enough to serve as Your Majesty's guard!" Lu Bu cupped his hands and declared.

To this, the Son of Heaven could only nod awkwardly.

"Though I hold only two commanderies," Sun Ce also saluted the Son of Heaven with head held high, "I too carry on my father's will to serve the state. Moreover, the Minister of Works is my second father and father-in-law — whether as a subject or as a son, how could I shrink back at such a time? From the troops of my two commanderies, setting aside those needed for basic public order and defense against the Shanyue, I am willing to do my utmost to send twenty thousand men, all fully equipped with armor and weapons, and personally lead them north to serve under Your Excellency and punish the traitors for the state! Only, the lands of Jiangzuo are too remote — I beg the Son of Heaven to issue an edict ordering the regions along the way to supply provisions."

"You are truly a loyal minister!" The Son of Heaven was overjoyed, but then his face once again filled with expectation as he looked toward the two lords of the Han imperial lineage.

Yet after gazing at them for a long while, the main hall of the Xinye County government office remained utterly silent. The two great lords surnamed Liu kept their silence, and the others were equally reluctant to speak... Which made sense, when one thought about it — of these two Han imperial kinsmen, one held the entire Huai River basin, the other held all of Jingxiang. Their military strength and resources were undeniably there, but they were also in positions where a single move could affect the whole. To expect them to commit everything like Sun Ce was simply laughable.

But in the current situation, from both a political and military standpoint, how could they continue to sit by and ignore it?

"I... I am somewhat younger in years, and wish to hear my Imperial Elder Brother's words first." Unexpectedly, Liu Bei — Cao Cao's sworn younger brother, one of the Twin Pillars of the Central Plains, and the actual facilitator of the alliance — kicked the ball to Liu Biao.

Liu Biao hesitated for a long time. But he, who had always styled himself as the Southern Elder of the Han, could not remain silent when faced with such a situation. After a moment of indecision, he finally rose to his feet: "In my view, the Guard General's claim to the title of Duke is not a grave violation of protocol, and there are reasons behind it. If some mediation could be arranged..."

"Governor Liu of Jingzhou!" Before the Son of Heaven's expression could turn awkward, Cao Cao could not help but grip his belt and cut him off sharply. "We have gathered here in Nanyang, standing together before the steps of the Son of Heaven, not to debate whether we should make peace with him, nor to discuss whether to raise troops to campaign against Hebei. The point is that after declaring himself Duke and establishing his own institutions, he is still not satisfied — he even demands that we send the Son of Heaven back to him, or else he will personally lead his troops to Nanyang to receive His Majesty! What is the meaning of this? Do you truly regard the Son of Heaven as a criminal, to be sent back to Chang'an?"

Under the scrutinizing gazes of the Son of Heaven and the other lords, Liu Biao was momentarily speechless.

"Imperial Elder Uncle Liu, what we are discussing now is merely how to defend!" Sun Ce, who had inherited his father's title and rank and also harbored considerable resentment toward Liu Biao, could not help but speak up in support of his father-in-law with a mocking tone. "You must understand one thing clearly — it is they who are about to strike at us, not we who are about to strike at them! If we truly lose, who can hold on any longer?"

Liu Jingsheng naturally had no need to mind Sun Ce, but he still appeared somewhat troubled. Only after a long while, under the expectant gazes of the entire hall, did he speak again, this time addressing the Son of Heaven directly: "In truth, why does His Majesty not consider making a trip to Xiangyang, to avoid the sharp edge?"

At this, not only did the father-in-law and son-in-law pair of Cao and Sun break into involuntary laughter, but even Liu Xie could no longer contain himself. He immediately rose from his "imperial seat" and raised his voice in reply: "What words are these, Imperial Elder Uncle? Wancheng is the Southern Capital of Han, the homeland of Emperor Shizu! That we have been reduced to Wancheng is already a failure of filial piety by his descendants, unable to stand firm in the old capital — how can we speak of abandoning Nanyang as well?! I have honored you as Imperial Elder Uncle, yet do you instead refuse to acknowledge that you are a descendant of the House of Han?!"

These words were far too harsh, utterly beyond what Liu Biao could bear. He immediately bowed low and replied: "I beg His Majesty to quell his anger. It is not that I am unwilling to serve with utmost loyalty, but that the situation in Jingzhou is truly worrisome and difficult to compare with other regions... After the great defeat at Nanyang back then, and Jiangxia being lost and then regained, I lost much of my authority in Nanyang, to the point that the great clans of northern Jing gradually became unwilling to support military campaigns, and the commanderies of southern Jing grew increasingly disloyal... Let me put it this way: if the Yan rebel truly leads his troops to Nanyang, as a member of the imperial clan, even without a single soldier, I would bring my three worthless sons, take up arms, and come to Wancheng to die in service to His Majesty. But in the current situation, my heart is willing but my strength is lacking! At most, I can send twenty thousand men to assist in the defense of Nanyang!"

"Jingxiang? Wasn't it said that Jingzhou enjoys a unique annual grain surplus year after year?"

Liu Biao let out a sigh and finally said not another word.

The others were truly helpless. Though indignant, they feared even more that he might simply switch sides, so they dared not press him too hard. After all, if this "Southern Elder" of the Han were forced into defecting, then the Great Han would truly be "finished"! And along with it, the several lords would be finished too!

And so, this imperial conference broke up in discord. Afterward, Cao Cao returned to the relay station to rest briefly, when he suddenly received word that Liu Bei had sent someone to invite him out of the city for a meeting, to view the sunset scenery along the Yu River. Cao Mengde, who had long been prepared for this, did not hesitate at all. He immediately took only Cao Ren and a few guards and hurriedly rode out of the city to meet Liu Bei.

The two sworn brothers met outside the city. There was not much superfluous talk between them; instead, they gave their horses free rein and galloped southward along the Yu River at full speed. Only after half a day did they stop, over ten li south of Chaoyang City on the eastern bank of the Yu River, where they reined in their horses side by side by the waterside to watch the setting sun in the west.

"Can three hundred thousand troops truly hold off the Duke of Yan?" No one knew how much time had passed. Only when the setting sun was nearing the horizon on the opposite bank of the Yu River did Liu Bei finally speak slowly from atop the embankment.

"And what if we don't hold?" Cao Mengde replied with head held high. "I understand Xuande's thoughts. Three hundred thousand men means draining the entire Central Plains. Once defeated, everything north of the Huai River, and even north of the Yangtze, cannot be held. At that point, the entire Central Plains will be nothing more than a feast for the north to nibble away and swallow whole — meat on another's chopping block!"

Liu Bei's face was expressionless.

"I can also understand Liu Jingsheng's thinking. In truth, with the wealth of Jingzhou, if he truly committed everything, he could also produce thirty thousand battle troops, thirty thousand auxiliary troops, plus enough provisions for one hundred fifty thousand men for two years, and armor and weapons for one hundred thousand men. But if he did that, Jingxiang would be nearly hollowed out..." At this point, Cao Cao could not help but laugh. "And yet, if this war is won, it has little to do with him — the greatest beneficiary would be me, Cao Cao. If it is lost, it also does not immediately concern him, because if the north wins, they will likely first swallow the defenseless Central Plains. Jingxiang, crisscrossed with waterways, would still come later. By then, he might well be as old and decrepit as Tao Qian... Given such a situation, why should he throw his entire family fortune into the Central Plains battlefield?"

"It is not only that." Liu Bei continued gazing at the Yu River without turning his head. "From what I know, these years the Duke of Yan has treated the various lords quite differently... For instance, with Elder Brother Mengde, he suppresses your titles at every turn and there are constant frictions. Others are made Provincial Governors or Generals Who Pacify the South or Generals Who Pacify the East — even the title of General of the Left that I now bear was bestowed by him — yet Elder Brother Mengde remains merely a General Who Displays Valor, a title recommended by Yuan Shao..."

"I have long known this." Cao Cao replied with a sneer. "And then with you, Xuande, he inquires after your well-being as if you were family, taking advantage of the one who is now Empress Dowager to send gifts and private letters without cease. Toward Liu Yan, Liu Junlang, he has always used intimidation — whenever an envoy goes to Yizhou, he berates him like a three-year-old child. As for Liu Jingsheng, he treats him the same as Shi Weiyan of Jiaozhou — always courteous, always urging surrender, and promising future outcomes... But Xuande, if you think this is enough to make Liu Jingsheng submit willingly, that is laughable. You must know, just last year this Great Han Southern Elder was performing the suburban sacrifices to Heaven and Earth with imperial rites outside Xiangyang City!"

"That is not my meaning. I only meant that he cannot help but be swayed by it." Liu Bei shook his head in reply. "Just like myself — both parents deceased, no brothers or sisters, nearly alone in the world. Whenever I receive inquiries from my aunt, I always feel gratitude in my heart. And I believe that over time, the concern shown to me from Hebei is no mere pretense..."

"Surely you are not about to say that you too have had second thoughts and no longer wish to fight?" Cao Cao, unexpectedly unbothered, instead burst out laughing on horseback. "No wonder you said not a single word before the throne today."

"No, quite the opposite." Liu Bei raised his head to gaze at the setting sun as he spoke. "It is precisely because of this that I have gradually come to understand my own heart... Because at this moment, I have nowhere left to hide, and can no longer deceive myself! At first, I lied to myself, saying I was merely acting as a reserve for my elder brother. Then, I told myself I had a duty to the people of Huainan as their governor. Later, I said that the civil and military officers under me wished to achieve great things, and I was compelled by circumstance and could not betray them. But when I heard the news that my elder brother had declared himself Duke and established his own institutions, I suddenly awoke — all of it, others and circumstances, were mere excuses! I simply have the ambition to replace him, I simply cannot let go of the ambition I have harbored since childhood beneath the mulberry tree before my family home! I, Liu Xuande, am nothing but a jealous, ungrateful, treacherous wretch! Is it not said that if one breaks an oath, one's blood shall run dry and one shall die? Then let my blood run dry and let me die! Am I afraid of death?"

Cao Cao turned slightly sideways, raised his head, and stared at Liu Bei's profile for a long time. Then, suddenly, he bent over his saddle on horseback and burst into great laughter, laughing until tears streamed from his eyes!

Yet Liu Bei remained sitting upright on his horse, gazing westward without moving.

Only after a long while did Cao Mengde finally cease his laughter: "We've all been led astray by that scoundrel Gongsun Wenqi. A decade ago, a great man's surging ambition was nothing that could not be spoken of openly. Yet he had to go on about 'acting for the people's welfare' and 'harming the people's livelihood is a crime,' making everyone under Heaven turn hypocritical... But in the end, does it not all come down to that one line: In the affairs of all under Heaven, why can it not be me?!"

"Is this change wrong?" Liu Bei interrupted him, still not shifting his gaze. "Can one not simply admit that one is an ambitious man? Why must one argue so strenuously? Seeing Elder Brother Mengde today, with your fighting spirit so fierce, is it not because you have come to the same realization?"

"Xuande." Cao Cao sighed. "We are not the same... Your relationship with the north is ultimately closer. You are his brother, so you have nowhere to hide and can only admit your surging ambition. But I am different — I am merely his friend. Between friends, one need not push oneself to that extreme... Do you know, when he issued that proclamation saying 'Do not say I did not warn you,' he also had his envoy deliver a letter to me?"

"Oh?"

"When I opened the letter, there was only a single line." Cao Cao's tone suddenly turned strange. "What do you think it was?"

"..."

"He said, now that he is a Duke of the State, he can employ certain extraordinary rites, and so he asked me to perform the Grand Sacrifice at the tomb of Elder Qiao on his behalf!" Cao Cao's tone remained strange.

And Liu Bei, gazing at the setting sun, was momentarily stunned, clearly recalling something: "I have heard of Elder Qiao's past. I know that back then he thought highly of both the Duke of Yan and Elder Brother Mengde, but esteemed Elder Brother Mengde even more. People of the time often thought Elder Qiao had rarely misjudged anyone, and the Duke of Yan's action is clearly a taunt, a goading strategy!"

"It is a goading strategy, and it has struck right at my heart!" Cao Cao finally changed color in fury. "Gongsun Wenqi has long known of Elder Qiao's earnest hopes for me! He may well have long known that Elder Qiao, in his lifetime, made a pact with me — that once I achieved fame and success, I would perform the Grand Sacrifice for him... Yet he humiliates me like this! How can I not fight?! What else? Do you want me to lay down my arms, shed my armor, and surrender to him, then stand as an attendant to the side before Elder Qiao's tomb, watching as he usurps my pact of sacrifice?!"

"In the end, it is simply that Elder Brother Mengde has never submitted to the Duke of Yan!" Liu Bei finally allowed himself a faint smile. "Since ancient times, the human heart stirs when there is injustice, and when stirred, it cries out. This goading strategy truly strikes with a single blow and is fatal! It seems my elder brother also wishes to settle everything in one campaign..."

"He has always been like this!" Cao Cao replied with a cold sneer. "Seizing the grand momentum, taking the initiative, adding overt schemes, forcing the opponent into a decisive battle, and then finishing them with a single stroke of his blade, the keenest under Heaven... But he does not realize that this is precisely his weakness! When two blades cross, he is a treasured sword, and I am a broken blade. Yet a treasured sword can kill, and a broken blade can also press forward and take a life! It is precisely in such a great war that one must seek that three-in-ten chance of victory and then decide who is cock and who is hen!"

Liu Bei's expression grew slightly solemn.

"You and I have both declared our resolve — does Xuande have only these words to offer?" Cao Cao continued to press him.

"Where will the battlefield be?" Liu Bei, with head held high, reined in his horse against the setting sun and asked in return.

"I intend to march north to Chenliu and face Hebei at Guandu." Cao Cao replied crisply.

"In that case, I can send one hundred twenty thousand men!" Liu Bei said without changing expression. "Provisions and armor I will also do my utmost to provide... The Xuzhou navy of over ten thousand will go north to counter the Qingzhou navy — that goes without saying. Beyond that, I will also have Zhou Gongjin lead ten thousand auxiliary troops to assist in defending the northern border of Xuzhou. Then I will appoint Lu Zijing as Grand Commander and Liu Ziyang as Deputy Commander, leading the full might of the two Huai regions — one hundred thousand men, comprising thirty thousand battle troops, thirty thousand auxiliary troops, and forty thousand civilian laborers — northward, to serve under Elder Brother Mengde's command!"

"You will not come?"

"I will not... For one thing, I still do not wish to break my oath. For another, if I go north, when the battle troops combine, who will be in charge and who will be subordinate? Lu Zijing is shrewd in great matters and magnanimous in small ones — he is exactly the right man to coordinate under you."

"Excellent!" Cao Cao finally let out a long breath. "I knew Xuande would not fail me... But what did you say to Yide? Can he come?"

"How could he?" Liu Bei finally sighed. "Zhu Fu surrendered to me last month. Before I came, I had already appointed Yide as Grand Administrator of Yuzhang, and Zibu as Grand Administrator of Danyang... I will sit here in Runan to manage logistics for you. If things go wrong, I will naturally follow them to Jiangdong!"

"If things go wrong, what use is holding two commanderies in Jiangnan?" Cao Cao dismissed it with contempt.

"Let us wait and see!" Liu Bei paused slightly, and in the end did not explain. "Beyond that, this battle is of immense importance. I have a plan that might make Liu Biao commit his full forces!"

"What plan?" Cao Cao, hearing this, was not pleased but rather grew wary.

"Give Nanyang to him!" Liu Bei answered frankly. "Nanyang originally belongs to Jingzhou, and it lies right before Liu Jingsheng's eyes. If he gains the benefits of Nanyang, and holds both the Son of Heaven and a shield before him, that man will certainly be willing to send troops... At that point, a host of three hundred thousand will be no empty boast!"

Cao Cao gave a cold laugh.

"I have not finished. Nanyang is rich and populous; I cannot let Brother Mengde give it away for nothing. Therefore, I am willing to give Peinan to you!" Liu Bei spoke again, though he could not help but look dejected. "Once agreed, we can transfer it immediately. Beyond that, we can also have the Son of Heaven appoint me as Governor of Yangzhou, and yield the post of Governor of Yuzhou to you. That way, if this battle is won, Runan can also be handed over to Brother Mengde with full legitimacy... What do you say?"

Cao Cao started to speak, then stopped.

"Is this good or not?" Liu Bei asked again.

"Good, certainly good..." Cao Cao laughed despite himself. "If it were not you, Xuande, standing before me, I would almost want to leap onto my horse and shout 'Long live the Emperor!' But Xuande, with such boldness, giving away such a great commandery so lightly, just to mend the rift in our alliance and set my mind at ease to fight with full strength — it makes me feel, just as I did during the alliance council years ago, a sudden fear of you in my heart!"

"Fear the Yan Duke north of the River instead!" Liu Bei said somberly, and at last turned around for the first time. "You said it yourself: if this battle is lost, at the very least the Huai River cannot be held. It may well be that everything north of the Great River cannot be held... What is a mere one and a half commanderies of Yuzhou? What is there to begrudge?"

With these words, he led his men, turned his horse, and rode away. The sun set in the west, and the light gradually dimmed. Cao Mengde stood alone atop the Yu River embankment. After a brief calculation in his mind, he finally could not restrain himself — he leaped onto his horse, and before the dumbfounded stares of Cao Ren and the others, drew his sword and pointed north, shouting "Long live the Emperor!"

————I am a dividing line that likes to cheer for myself————

"Now, fortunate to receive the trust of the General of the Left, the General Who Pacifies the South, the General Who Smashes the Caitiffs, and the General of Tiger Might, and again receiving the Son of Heaven's command, I have been given governance over a host of seven hundred thousand horse, foot, and naval troops. I shall meet you for a hunt at the old ground of Baima... As for the sacrifice at Duke Qiao's tomb, I have just performed it. If you wish to do so, please come yourself to the Sui River." — "Reply to Yan Duke's Demand for the Son of Heaven," Cao Cao, fourth year of Jian'an, fourth month

PS: I can't go on. When one grows old, the will falls short of the strength. My apologies to everyone for the routine delayed update.

(End of chapter)