Chapter 473

The military review on the Dragon Boat Festival passed without incident.

After all, for the senior ministers of Ye who were accustomed to vast armies, riding on horseback with Gongsun Xun past the ten thousand-plus infantry and cavalry in Ye, then standing with him atop the Bronze Sparrow Terrace to watch the soldiers march past below and hear them shout a few cries of "Long Live" and "Victory"... it was really just that kind of thing.

Even Lou Zibo, who back in the day had loudly proclaimed that a true man in this world ought to lead ten thousand horsemen behind him, no longer got his blood boiling so easily after experiencing so many battles.

Because for those who had truly been on the battlefield, ten thousand military reviews could not compare to a single charge in a real battle for sheer excitement and heart-pounding tension.

In fact, even Lord Yan, Gongsun Xun himself, felt somewhat listless to the point of distraction... this was understandable. After returning to Ye, this ruler who had settled so many of Yan's state institutions in one go at Chang'an encountered, in his own stronghold, a backlash similar to the one when he posthumously honored his father as Duke Wen — a flood of memorials and face-to-face remonstrances came pouring in.

For instance, some argued that while abolishing the use of eunuchs might win the approval and delight of the scholar-officials for a time, eunuchs themselves were still indispensable for the women of the palace. For now, with everything kept simple, it was fine, but once Lord Yan unified the realm and took up residence in places like the Southern Palace, Northern Palace, or Weiyang Palace, relying solely on guards and volunteer attendants would cause real problems.

Another example: some collectively raised the point that the system of seven Chancellors was excellent and a major reason why Lord Yan's institutional reforms had won hearts, yet it shockingly contained no place for the imperial clan or consort kin, which truly worried people. Thus, they hoped Gongsun Xun could set aside a dedicated seat for the imperial clan or consort kin, or publicly declare that imperial clansmen could enter court as Chancellors, to set minds at ease.

Beyond this, some military officers were also worried about the fact that all the Chancellors were civil officials with extremely strong professional expertise, concerned about the future status of military men within the state of Yan.

However, the most concentrated remonstrances concerned the establishment of an heir. This matter was simply too important. The self-assured Lord Yan and the Empress Dowager only then realized that the supposedly classic heir-appointment system they, mother and son, had conceived, under the prevailing desire for stability, instead appeared out of step with the times!

Not to mention the flood of memorials demanding the immediate establishment of the eldest son born of the principal wife as heir; even people like Lu Fan and Tian Feng, fully aware that Gongsun Xun had other plans, still urged him, both covertly and openly, to abandon that imagined secret heir-appointment system and return to the principle of the eldest legitimate son.

And Gongsun Xun's worries about the quality of a future eldest imperial son were refuted by them using various well-established Han institutions.

To be honest, the reason Gongsun Xun and Lady Gongsun entertained the idea of a secret heir-appointment system was absolutely not because they had any particular thoughts about Gongsun Ding, nor was it to fish for reactions, and still less was it any reflection on the Han system!

The hesitation on this matter, and their indecision about the position of the imperial clan within the state system, actually stemmed not from a reexamination of Han institutions, but rather from the lessons of the so-called "future" "War of the Eight Princes."

"Why don't they eat meat congee?" and the "southward migration of minority peoples" triggered by the Eight Princes' melee were simply too horrifying.

But what was plainly obvious was that this mother and son had overlooked the fundamental demand of this era — stability!

What people wanted was no turmoil, stability, and prosperity, not all kinds of uncertainty.

In fact, after four or five days of discussion, both Gongsun mother and son had already begun to soften their stance.

After all, the very existence of the seven-Chancellor system would itself provide a safety net against phenomena like "Why don't they eat meat congee?" As for the imperial clan, by the same logic, if the bureaucratic system could be strengthened and stabilized, allowing the so-called imperial clan to merge into the bureaucracy, there probably wasn't too much to worry about either — in any case, since the main line of thought was to delegate power to the bureaucracy, why worry needlessly here about certain accidents and possibilities under a state of absolute monarchical power?

To put it bluntly, if a scenario of "Why don't they eat meat congee?" plus "southward migration of minority peoples" really did occur, it would mean a colossal catastrophe had happened midway, and the very foundation of the state was gone. In that case, no matter what, the blame could hardly be pinned on the heads of Gongsun mother and son, who were bursting with a sense of historical responsibility, right?

However, all this was for later; everything could wait until after the war. And this was the advantage of a newly founded state — as the founder and the first generation, one could revise one's thinking at any time. Especially since the two critical matters of the heir-appointment system and the imperial clan system were still entirely unannounced, so they couldn't even be called changes.

Think it over slowly, and whenever it becomes clear, just release it directly then.

At worst, let Gongsun Xun take the blame according to the logic of those memorials — the dignified Lord Yan, who held two-tenths of the realm, utterly lacking in magnanimity, actually tried to use his own son to restrain his father-in-law because the latter could not bear to use force against the Han Emperor, thus inviting some mockery from later generations. It wouldn't cost him a single hair.

Returning to the present, just because Gongsun Xun and his senior ministers felt nothing for the military review did not mean the scholars and commoners of Ye felt nothing for it.

There was no helping it; this era was far too lacking in cultural life! Ordinary folk, from one year's end to the next, would hold a sacrifice at a certain festival and feel quite satisfied and ceremonious. After cuju matches appeared, they never tired of watching them, and they almost became a standard feature of northern market fairs. As for dragon boat races introduced from the south, in the current north, they were a novelty unique to Ye, held for the first time only last year under the care of Lady Gongsun, who was not yet Empress Dowager then. How could they ever have seen a military review?

Military review in the morning, dragon boats at noon, a grand feast in the afternoon for the participating officers and soldiers, along with the distribution of rewards (mainly various vouchers from the Anli Company) to officials and soldiers across the realm (in practice, half of it), and in the evening, inviting the elders of Wei Commandery, the Thrice Venerable, university lecturers, outstanding grassroots clerks, and officers and soldiers to ascend the Bronze Sparrow Terrace and drink together with the ruler of Yan and his senior ministers.

And that was not all. Just as the great evening banquet on the Bronze Sparrow Terrace was underway, Gongsun Xun, with a grand wave of his hand, issued a new order: because the new building of the Bronze Sparrow Terrace was completed and it was the fifth day of the fifth month, for the following three days, Ye would lift its market curfew, night curfew, and city gate curfew. Simultaneously, markets inside and outside the city would be permitted to open for three days, and the Anli Company would openly supply and exchange goods.

For a time, the bustle in Ye clearly intensified. Many well-placed wine shops and tea houses inside and outside the city prepared to operate through the night... after all, in this era, those with the energy to spend money in such newfangled establishments late at night, apart from university students, were all either high officials or prominent nobles, and from any one of them, one could recoup the cost of lamp oil.

Even among the university students, how many were truly from poor families?

Gongsun Xun's policy of selecting officials through the archery examination merely left institutional space for the true lower classes; in the short term, it could not possibly break through the barriers of centuries-old political culture and economic cost.

"Lord Cai!"

"Master Cai!"

"Imperial Father-in-Law Cai!"

That evening, at a location roughly three or four li from the Bronze Sparrow Terrace, within the South Market outside the southern wall of Ye City, inside the tallest and most conspicuous tea house, as a man with small eyes, an upturned nose, thick lips, short eyebrows, dark skin, and a green scarf wrapped around his head entered, supported by a servant, the many university students, grassroots clerks, and military officers in the hall rose one after another to greet him.

"Aiya... everyone sit, do sit. Though today is called the Dragon Boat Festival, it is not, as the Empress Dowager said, to commemorate Grand Master Qu Yuan. Rather, it is because today is inherently a day of extreme evil, yet the astral signs are precisely in the configuration of the flying dragon in the heavens. Thus, today is exactly the day to cast aside worldly affairs and formalities, to play and sweat as much as possible, to pass through the energy of extreme yang, and to drive away evil matters and diseases... Everyone, pay no mind to this old man; just a pot of tea for me will do. Play as you were playing..." Cai Bojie had clearly drunk too much on the Bronze Sparrow Terrace; his speech was somewhat slurred and his words a bit incoherent, but his mood was not bad, and everyone was happy to see him, for once, not putting on airs.

However, just as several students vacated a seat, preparing to take the opportunity to sponge off Teacher Cai's tea money, at that moment, someone leaned out from upstairs and called down from afar: "Could that be Lord Cai before me? I am Huangfu Jianshou. My father, along with Lord Wei of Handan and the Bearer of the Gilded Mace, Lord Ma, are on the third floor playing cards and drinking tea, digesting food and escaping the heat..."

"Aiyaya, the three old friends are right here?! I was just saying how they vanished in the blink of an eye..." Cai Bojie was greatly stirred by these words, immediately rose, and could not wait to head upstairs.

And Huangfu Jianshou, having confirmed it was Cai Yong, also hurried downstairs to welcome him. As for those students, being as shrewd as ghosts, they had long since taken the initiative to support Cai Bojie upstairs. Huangfu Jianshou himself, on the other hand, took the opportunity to come downstairs and sit with several officials and students from Guanxi he knew, drinking mung bean tea together.

Leaving aside what happened downstairs, on the third floor, a dozen or so people were scattered about, mostly attendants and students encountered on the road who had followed to serve. Only at a table by the window, where the evening breeze could carry the cool air from the Zhang River straight into the pavilion, sat the four "dignitaries" — Cai Yong, Huangfu Song, Wei Song, and Ma Teng — who had just returned from the Bronze Sparrow Terrace. They were comfortable, yet just as excited and unable to contain themselves as those downstairs.

Among them, Huangfu Song held the highest status, and moreover, he was the link connecting Ma Teng with the two university lecturers. Thus, after taking a sip of warm tea, he was the first to touch his animal tiles, sigh, and speak: "This old man lived in chaos in Guanxi all his life, never imagining that days could be lived like this. Today, half-drunk and drowsy, it feels as if in a dream."

"Lord Huangfu speaks truly," Ma Teng said impatiently. "Back when Liangzhou was in such chaos, and then Dong Zhuo rebelled, who could have imagined enjoying such pleasures today? Add to that being half-drunk today, and isn't it just like being in a dream... Had I known this earlier, I would have come long ago."

Over on the other side, Cai Yong raised an eyebrow slightly, about to play a tile and speak, when he heard Huangfu Song suddenly lose composure and laugh aloud in public, as if recalling something. He, along with the other three, could not help but look at him with curiosity.

"Could it be that what I said was amiss?" Ma Teng, though currently holding the highest actual post, still felt somewhat insecure before these three cultured men.

"I am not laughing at Shoucheng," Huangfu Yizhen said, gesturing for Cai Yong to hurry and play his tile while shaking his head and laughing again. "I was thinking of the appearance of that fellow Kong Wenju on the Bronze Sparrow Terrace this evening... and couldn't help but laugh."

Hearing this, the other few also laughed in unison. Even Wei Song, the most seasoned among them, could not help but let the animal tiles in his hand scatter.

The fact was, although Kong Rong was mainly active in the university, unlike Cai Yong, Huangfu Song, and Wei Song, he still held some political status in Ye and had some proper work on ordinary days, somewhat similar to Ma Teng.

Moreover, compared to Ma Teng, he did not have the taboo of being a surrendered general. Instead, because of his family background and his age being in its prime, he theoretically had the possibility of advancing further politically, so he always liked to seek the limelight.

Previously, it had been tolerable; he merely grumbled a bit in the university, and the university was not short of his complaints. But this year, first, a large number of Qingzhou Confucian scholars who had once followed Yuan Shao completed their three-year labor reform sentences and regained their freedom... many of whom were Kong Rong's former subordinates and old acquaintances... some returned home, some came to Ye to make a living, which in a way gave Kong Wenju some support. Then, Gongsun Xun established institutions and took the title of Duke, bringing forth the seven Chancellors, which ultimately tickled Kong Rong's heart unbearably, making him unable to resist jumping up and down in agitation!

Thus, ever since Gongsun Xun returned to Ye, this former Kong Beihai had been submitting memorials in every way possible, from official systems to rites and laws, from the heir apparent to the imperial clan, from recommending Qingzhou talents to commenting on southern military strategy. He left nothing untouched, his intention to break away from the Han system and pledge loyalty in exchange for employment overflowing in his words.

However, Gongsun Xun deliberately kept all of them withheld without response, making no reply whatsoever to any of this man's memorials. And Kong Wenju was precisely not a patient man. After waiting three or four days without a trace, and with Gongsun Xun likely to organize military campaigns and personally head south right after the review, leaving no further opportunity, he spent this day with a sour face, finding fault with everything.

In the morning, while watching the military review, Kong Wenju began spreading unrestrained remarks among the university lecturers and students — things like "The Northern Army is all show, looking flashy but insubstantial," not even matching the troops of the Han military reviews of old; and "The realm is not yet settled, yet such extravagance is displayed; observing this, as the superior acts, so do the inferiors, and in this battle, the south may not necessarily be unable to defeat the north." Finally, he even dragged out the great righteousness of the Han and so forth, such that one who didn't know better would think he was about to become a Han loyalist again!

And the result?

The result was that during the evening banquet, when Lord Yan went around toasting each person and it was Kong Rong's turn, he took the other's hand and very sincerely discussed the arguments in his recent memorials, expressing that he was greatly edified and would certainly consider them seriously, only that with the war ahead, it had to be postponed for the time being.

Not only that, Lord Yan then brought up on the spot the several "released after serving their sentence" Qingzhou talents Kong Rong had recommended, such as Shi Yi, Peng Mou, and Bing Yuan, and actually gave them his approval, saying he planned to examine them briefly and then employ them... By this time, Kong Rong's dissatisfaction had long since flown to the Kunlun Mountains. And when Gongsun Xun further earnestly inquired whether the other could take up the post of Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, one of Yan's twelve Courts, Kong Wenju, who had been left idle for five or six years, while agreeing, actually composed a six-character poem on the spot, extolling Lord Yan's virtue and forcefully arguing that the southern army had five certain reasons for defeat and the northern army four certain reasons for victory!

To be honest, had Huangfu Song and the others not heard Kong Rong's grumblings earlier below, they would almost have thought he had been devoted to Lord Yan for decades!

"From the capital to Ye, majestic and grand, Lord Yan worries for the state, selfless and unplanned..." Recalling Kong Rong's six-character poem, Cai Yong could not help but laugh. "This old man could never compose such a poem."

"What does that count for?" Huangfu Song shook his head and laughed. "This is not the first time Kong Wenju has composed such a six-character poem. Back when he first arrived in Chang'an, he was just as active as today and also composed a poem in public; it just so happened that Lord Cai was not present then... Let me recite it for you... Yuan and Dong vie in strife, a wrong. Moving the capital to Chang'an, thoughts of return belong. Gazing toward Hebei, a sight forlorn. Dreaming of the White Horse, coming back reborn! As if he were in Chang'an during Lord Yan's campaign against Dong Zhuo!"

The others could not help but laugh again; even a rough fellow like Ma Teng laughed heartily along... The poem was truly too blunt.

"In truth, it is just that this old man is drunk today and takes the chance to speak some drunken words," after the laughter, Cai Bojie suddenly sighed with emotion. "Regarding someone like Kong Wenju, I do understand a little. Before Dong Zhuo's rebellion, I was actually no different from him. I merely felt that living in this world, possessing talent in vain, why would sovereigns never employ me, but instead employ those petty men? Thus, I grumbled constantly on ordinary days, merely seeking an appointment... I neither bribed for office, nor betrayed friends, nor... nor sold out old ties for glory. If I was slightly discourteous, why must we laugh at him?"

"It is not the same," Huangfu Song continued shaking his head. "It is said that ministers are like beauties, and the sovereign like a philanderer; thus, all literati have the heart of a neglected woman. But one neglected woman is not the same as another... Back in Emperor Ling's reign, though Lord Cai had complaints, he could basically speak with substance. Who could say those remonstrances of yours back then were wrong? But as for Kong Wenju, his discourtesy on the Bronze Sparrow Terrace today is one thing, yet the words he spoke during the day — it is only Lord Yan's magnanimity. Had it been someone else, they might well have directly beheaded him to consecrate the banners on the charge of disrupting the flock!"

"Indeed," Wei Song suddenly spoke with a solemn expression. "If those young people have experienced little and cannot see clearly, that is one thing. But we old men, having passed from order through chaos, and from chaos back to order, how could we not know what thing in this realm is the most precious? What is the favor of a sovereign, what is striving for hegemony, what are bureaucratic systems, what are classical studies and morality — what do they ultimately seek? Is it not simply to ensure that everywhere under heaven, every day, can be as peaceful and prosperous as Ye is today? Over these several decades, through so much war and chaos, the preciousness of today has only just become apparent... Kong Wenju's arrogance before and obsequiousness after, we merely laugh at. But when he spoke during the review today of 'such extravagance, the south may not necessarily be unable to defeat the north,' this old man was truly somewhat angered!"

"Lord Wei has hit the nail on the head." Before Cai Yong could interject and speak, Ma Teng immediately followed up with a sigh of emotion. "Back in a place like Xiliang, why did I raise arms? Wasn't it simply because I couldn't survive? If we had the peace and stability of today, who would harbor rebellious thoughts? When I surrendered back then, it was because Lord Yan's troops were strong and his horses vigorous, but I never understood how Lord Yan, a mere commoner from Liaoxi, could make his forces so strong. After arriving at Yexia, though I still can't articulate the grand principles Lord Wei speaks of, I've already thoroughly awakened in my heart, and all those other thoughts have been completely extinguished."

Having spoken to this point, Ma Teng may have felt he had misspoken, so he set down his wooden tile and cupped his hands in salute to everyone at the table: "Today, half-drunk after wine, the warm breeze making one light-headed, I've spoken a few words from the heart. Please do not take offense, everyone."

"On the Dragon Boat Festival, the day of utmost evil, one ought to be this unrestrained. Friends associating, treating each other with candor — this is the rarest thing!" Cai Yong waved his hand. "What is there to mind?"

"You say not to mind anything!" Huangfu Song threw his head back and laughed. "Weren't you the one who, back then, urged Lord Yan to marry his daughter to the Son of Heaven? And after Lady Cai bore a daughter for Lord Yan, I've heard that for all these years you haven't brought that matter up again."

Cai Bojie's face flushed red for a moment, but before he could speak, Huangfu Yizhen suddenly grew despondent: "Other things aside, it's just a pity about Liu Boan!"

The table fell silent for a time.

"Let us just watch and see!" After a long while, Wei Song shook his head and replied. "This old man has dwelled in Hebei for decades without moving, and I only saw Emperor Ling bring calamity to the realm. I have not yet seen how wise today's Son of Heaven is. But in any case, the situation today cannot be blamed on Lord Yan's head, can it?"

"Indeed, on the Dragon Boat Festival, a rare moment of unrestrained joy — let us speak no more of these things." Huangfu Song also shook his head repeatedly. "A bunch of old fossils like us, we should enjoy our leisure... With so many new and interesting things in Yexia, what can't we talk about instead?"

The few of them then let it go and continued playing tiles and discussing matters — from the infant son, just over a year old, born to Lady Bian for Gongsun Xun, to his eldest daughter soon to reach the hairpin ceremony; from Dong Zhao temporarily assuming the duties of Left Chancellor, to the prospects of each family's heirs; from Sima Yi forcibly taking the cap of manhood to join the army, to the recent brawl at the Yexia Grand Academy... Yet, no matter what they talked about, in the end they could not avoid the great war before them!

"Lord Huangfu, you are a veteran general of the state. The Volunteers and the various generals of Yexia have repeatedly invited you to lecture on the art of war. Please speak frankly and tell us — how exactly will this battle unfold?" Wei Song furrowed his brow and asked.

"How could it unfold?" Huangfu Song replied dismissively while continuing to play tiles. "In a great battle like this, no one can say for certain who will win or lose. It's just that Lord Yan has always excelled in warfare, so he has an extra measure of assurance. The only thing is, given the current situation in Hebei, even if he loses there will be no danger of total collapse, but if he wins, he will instead swallow up the Central Plains! Why is it, Lord Wei, that after dwelling so long in Hebei, you instead harbor doubts?"

"It is like this." Wei Song, relieved, turned his head and looked at a tall, blue-robed youth at the table beside them. "In truth, today it was not only Kong Wenju who remarked that the troop review seemed somewhat 'hollow.' This student of mine also used the word 'hollow' during today's review, only he said it later than Kong Wenju, speaking only midway through the review. And this student of mine ordinarily never makes grand, empty claims, so I could not help but feel somewhat unsettled for a moment."

That blue-robed youth, upon hearing this, immediately rose and bowed under the lantern light, drawing sidelong glances and indignation from the other students who had been listening to half a day's secrets — with troops so strong and horses so vigorous, how could there be anything hollow about it?

"What is your name?" Huangfu Song continued playing tiles and asked without raising his head.

"This humble one is Zhuge Liang of Langya." The blue-robed youth — none other than Zhuge Liang, who had been silent all evening — immediately bowed his head once more in reply.

"Good eyes!" Huangfu Song finally raised his head, but then narrowed his eyes slightly. "Good bearing! A fine talent!"

Zhuge Liang dared not say more and merely bowed once again.

"That being the case, are the Yexia elite truly hollow?" Cai Bojie was suddenly curious. "Was Kong Wenju not speaking out of indignation?"

"What does Kong Wenju understand of military matters?" Huangfu Song could not help but laugh again. "When he said 'hollow,' it was precisely when the elite troops under Zhang Wenyuan, who had just defeated the White Horse Qiang, were passing before him... Rather, it was midway through the review, after the atmosphere had already grown fervent, that there were indeed several thousand cavalry and infantry somewhat suspect of merely making up the numbers. The word 'hollow' perfectly fits that situation."

"What is the meaning of this?" Wei Song grew increasingly tense.

"It's nothing..." Huangfu Song grew ever more dismissive. "I know the quality of the Yexia elite, and I have seen them all. There are no troops among them that merely make up the numbers. So it must be that a portion of the elite troops have gone off on official duties, and they found some local commandery soldiers from Wei Commandery or auxiliary troops of various squads, dressed them in fine iron armor and iron helmets, and had them put on a show there... Did any of you see Xu Gongming today, the one most skilled in long-range raids? Just watch and see — at the earliest tomorrow, at the latest in three to five days, there should be good news... One can only say, it is rare that Lord Wei's student here has such discerning eyes."

The crowd was first stunned, then enlightened.

"Young man from Langya, I see you have considerable natural talent. Would you be willing to study the art of war under me?" Seeing this, Huangfu Song did not say much more, but instead pointed a wooden tile at Zhuge Liang.

"This humble one is fond of reading, without seeking overly deep understanding. If Lord Huangfu is willing to teach, then I am willing to learn. Only, what I have studied has never been refined, and if I achieve nothing, I hope Lord Huangfu will forgive me at that time." With that, Zhuge Liang bowed deeply in a grand salute.

"No matter." Huangfu Song's mood grew increasingly cheerful. "Those people always think that this old man, Lord Yan, the Right Chancellor, and others possess some secret formula for the art of war, and that obtaining it would make one a famed general of the state. Little do they know, the art of war requires drawing parallels by analogy, storing all manner of miscellaneous knowledge in the heart, and then applying it with singular focus when the time comes. The rest is merely talent, experience, and courage! And since you have performed this salute, I must assume the airs of a teacher and assign you a task... Tomorrow I will recommend you to accompany the army on campaign, as a form of practical training! You must understand, in a great battle like this, even just accompanying the army and helping wash horses all day is enough to transform a person completely. You absolutely must not miss this!"

Zhuge Liang bowed again, and although Wei Song was momentarily reluctant to part with him, he ultimately did not object.

By this point, the group had finished another round of animal tiles, had long since digested their food and cooled off properly, and were quite ready to leave as the evening's enjoyment waned. They all rose to their feet. However, before they could tidy up properly, they suddenly saw several riders of the White Horse Volunteers galloping to the base of the South Market tower, shouting and proclaiming something. Then the entire building seemed on the verge of being overturned by the roar of voices from the lower floors...

The people upstairs, having been forewarned by Huangfu Song, were already prepared and thus heard clearly.

It turned out that what those Volunteers proclaimed was this — Xu Huang and Zhang He had conducted a long-distance raid, leading their own three thousand elite troops, five thousand Wei Commandery soldiers, and five thousand Henei soldiers, successfully crossed the Yellow River in secret at Baima Ford, and taken the key town of Baima in Dong Commandery in a single strike!

At this point, who still did not understand?

What troop review, what display of extravagance — it was all a pretense. Gongsun Xun, even after becoming Lord Yan, was still that same sharp-edged Gongsun Xun, still that same White Horse General whose blade was the keenest under heaven!

Previously, after receiving the full support of Liu Biao and Liu Bei, Cao Cao had openly sent a declaration of war to Yecheng, claiming to have marshaled seven hundred thousand troops and wishing to meet Gongsun Xun in formation at Baima — that great river stronghold with its double meaning — though whether to bolster his courage or because he truly had confidence was unclear.

And the result? Before either side had even fully mobilized, Gongsun Xun had first openly repaired the gallery roads while secretly marching through Chencang, striking by surprise and seizing Baima, answering his invitation.

One could only say that the broken blade in Lord Yan's bosom, though it had not left its sheath for several years, was still as sharp as ever. Moreover, the university students aside, how could Huangfu Song, Ma Teng, Cai Yong, and Wei Song not know the sharpness of Gongsun Xun?

Thus, their spirits thoroughly lifted, they could not be bothered to pay any attention to those students gathering again at the Bronze Bird Terrace late into the night, and directly shared a carriage into the city to rest.

"The Heaven Tile is Xuande?"

Three days later, in the great hall of Chen County in the state of Chen, Cao Mengde, having received the news of Baima's fall not half a day before and just finished dispatching reinforcements properly, received the second gift of the day from Gongsun Xun. When he opened it publicly, he found it to be an exquisitely crafted set of wooden animal tiles.

However, in the center of this set of animal tiles, instead of the usual pasted paper images of corresponding animals, there were clearly block-printed texts bearing certain people's names, biographies, and the like.

For instance, when Cao Mengde opened it at this moment, the first Heaven Tile was conspicuously pasted with Liu Xuande's name, official title, and a description of his appearance.

"The Earth Tile is Liu Jingsheng?" Cao Cao lifted another tile in the order arranged in the box, his brow furrowing further.

At the same time, Jiang Gan stood motionless below among the many civil and military officials and armored guards, his face expressionless, as if he heard nothing.

"Four Dragon Tiles... Wenruo, Lu Zijing, Zhou Gongjin, Yuanrang? Quite appropriate." Cao Mengde continued flipping through in order, his interest suddenly greatly piqued. "Four Tiger Tiles... Lu Bu of Jiuyuan, Sun Ce of Wu Commandery, Zhou Tai of Jiujiang, Huang Zhong of Nanyang. Wenqi truly has long harbored designs on the Central Plains! Four Horse Tiles — Miaocai, Zixiao, Wenqian, Jingze... Zixiao, look, you are a Summer Thousand-Li Horse, the same as Miaocai and Wenqian... A pity, Miaocai just set out to reinforce Yanjin, and Wenqian is likely already at the front lines."

Cao Ren, standing nearby, hastily took those tiles and handed two Dragon Tiles to Xiahou Dun and Xun Yu beside him to look at, then examined his own tile, immediately beaming with joy. It must be said, by now animal tiles had long since evolved beyond the initial simple gameplay of comparing sequences; due to the nature of the animals themselves, many additional interesting ways to play had developed, completely surpassing Lady Gongsun's imagination.

One could only say, the wisdom of the laboring people has always been a bit higher than that of Lady Gongsun.

But in any case, the Horse Tile had always been a relatively high position, universally acknowledged from north to south as second only to Dragon and Tiger — no wonder Cao Ren was momentarily smug.

"Four Dog Tiles — Wen Ping of Nanyang, Li Tong of Runan, Chen Dao of Runan, Huang Gai of Lingling..." Cao Cao actually found himself liking them more the more he looked. "Aiya, Jiang Ziyi, is your Lord Yan afraid that I do not recognize the various talents of the Central Plains? Did he specially send you to deliver this item to remind me, lest I miss out on great generals?"

"That is not the intent." Jiang Gan replied with slight embarrassment. "These are for bounties. Every officer in our army has them, and every company has a set..."

"How do you mean?" Cao Cao, seated in his place, visibly paused.

"It is like this." Jiang Gan cupped his hands toward the north and answered earnestly. "The State of Yan has just been founded, and its noble titles stand vacant, perfectly suited for this purpose... For instance, the Dragon Tile — capturing one entitles you to immediate enfeoffment as a Founding County Marquis of Yan. Tiger Tiles, Horse Tiles, and Ox Tiles all correspond to Township Marquis. Dog Tiles, Goat Tiles, and Snake Tiles correspond to Full Marquis. Those further down are no longer marquises, but all have corresponding rewards..."

Cao Cao remained stunned. Xiahou Dun immediately glared with fury. Xun Yu, however, continued to smile without speaking. Only Cao Ren first laughed awkwardly, then smoothly tucked his own tile into his bosom: "I never imagined I would be worth a Township Marquis in the eyes of an old acquaintance. What of the Heaven and Earth Tiles?"

"Still Founding County Marquis, but with a fief of ten Battalion Commander!" Jiang Gan showed no intention of concealing it.

"It does seem like your Lord Yan's methods, though even Liu Xuande has a bounty on him." Cao Cao came back to his senses and shook his head repeatedly. "But have you not placed bounties on me and the Son of Heaven?"

"How could there be a bounty on the Son of Heaven?" Jiang Gan laughed awkwardly. "The original intent was to invite the Son of Heaven back to Chang'an. However, there is indeed a bounty on Lord Cao... placed alongside Yang Wenxian, Yuan Gonglu, and Chen Gui of Xuzhou..."

Cao Cao grew even more puzzled: "Yuan and Yang are one thing, but Chen Gui... Could it be arranged by family status? And why are the four of us not entered into the tiles? Could it be difficult to set a bounty?"

"You are entered." Jiang Gan grew increasingly cautious and embarrassed.

"I have not seen it?"

"Lord Cao and the other three are the Monkey Tiles — they are further down!"

The entire hall fell utterly silent.

And Jiang Gan could only steel himself and continue: "Beyond this, my Lord Yan also has a message he bade me convey to General Fenwu..."

"Speak!" Cao Cao replied coldly.

"He said that by the time news from the front reaches Chen Commandery, he will already have led the elite troops from Ye across the Great River to Baima to answer the call. He urges General Fenwu not to delay further, or Xiahou Miaocai's head will not be kept!" Jiang Gan exhaled deeply, then spoke in a deep, resolute voice.

"How does he know I would send Xiahou Miaocai as reinforcement?" Cao Cao remained seated, cold and unmoving. "Could it be that you just heard our military situation and are casually bluffing me?"

Jiang Gan exhaled deeply once more, then drew a brocade pouch from his bosom and handed it to the exceptionally brawny Xu Chu beside him. After inspecting it, Xu Chu took out a slip of paper and immediately strode past the assembled civil and military officials, presenting it with both hands to Cao Cao at the head seat above.

"My lord Yan Gong foresaw this long ago — if General Fenwu were to dispatch troops to support the front, he would certainly send Xiahou Miaocai as the vanguard." Jiang Gan's confidence swelled, drawing alarmed murmurs from Cao Cao's officials around him. "The words in that brocade pouch were written in Luoyang over ten days ago!"

Cao Mengde paid Jiang Gan no heed whatsoever. Only after clearly making out the four characters "Xiahou Miaocai" written in his old friend's handwriting did he rise directly, draw his sword, and with a single stroke cleave apart the desk before him along with that box of animal cards!

The desk split into two halves, the animal cards scattered across the floor, and those to his left and right, shaken, fell silent.

"Gentlemen!" Cao Mengde held his blade and glared imperiously around him. "I know this man Gongsun Wenqi thoroughly. As early as when he had just come of age, he went to Peixian seeking to view the Yellow Dragon. Looking back now, his heart for usurpation was already present then! And now, the only reason that man dares not replace the Han is nothing more than his wariness of Dong Zhuo, the two Yuans, Ma and Han, the three Lius, and me, Cao Cao! Now Dong Zhuo and Yuan Shao are dead, Yuan Shu is deposed, Liu Yan wavers, Han and Ma have submitted, and Liu Biao and Liu Bei dare not confront him directly. Thus the weight of all under Heaven, the survival or extinction of the House of Han, now rests solely on my shoulders, Cao Cao! Therefore, my resolve is set. With Wenruo as rearward Regional Commander, I will not wait for Lu Zijing's reinforcements. I shall first mobilize the hundred thousand fierce tigers assembled in Chen Commandery, march north to Baima, and face him in decisive battle! I hope you gentlemen will strive in battle and follow me forward. Let any who retreat be as this desk!"

With those words, he cast aside the wreckage on the floor, strode past Jiang Gan below the hall carrying his bare blade, and led the host of civil and military officials out of the hall!

Jiang Gan stood rigid for a moment, then, under the gaze of the armored guards in the hall, bent down to pick up one animal card, tucked it into his bosom, and turned to leave as well.

In the summer of the sixth year of Jian'an of Han, on the Dragon Boat Festival of the fifth month, after the expected failure of posturing diplomatic maneuvers, Yan Gong, General of the Guards Gongsun Xun, sent Xu Huang and Zhang He as the vanguard across the river to seize Baima — a great victory!

Immediately after, on the seventh day, he personally led ten thousand infantry and cavalry from Ye, and on the eleventh day crossed the river to Baima.

On the twelfth day, Cao Cao's relief force commander Xiahou Yuan led the entire five thousand cavalry of Yan and Yu provinces to Baima. Seeing the banners of Baima from afar, he was alarmed, dared not even remain in Yan County, and directly retreated to defend Yanjin, the strategic point west of Baima, in order to monitor the Yellow River.

On the seventeenth day of the fifth month, Cao Cao led the thirty thousand Yuzhou troops assembled earlier to Pingqiu, yet both sides instead entered a strange period of silence.

But as both sides continuously deployed generals and massed troops, large-scale skirmishes began erupting everywhere along their border stretching thousands of li.

The sixth year of Jian'an of Han: August Heaven stands upright, and all under Heaven is greatly auspicious!

The poem says:

Purple vapor soars aloft, it does not scheme for itself; who pities the straining tortoise, kept within its box.

The fierce beasts of the Western Mountains rampage unchecked; when will the long whale of the Northern Sea be taken?

The stars and dippers cannot bear to serve drunken dances; the dragon will be seen returning to the deep pool.

When the deed is done, it transforms and leaves no trace; gazing out, cut off from the Zhang River, the hundred-foot tower.

———————I am the shameless dividing line———————

"With my host of troops, were we to cast our whips into the river, it would suffice to sever its flow." — Reply to General Fenwu Cao Cao. Yan. Gongsun Xun. Fifth month, sixth year of Jian'an, at Baima.

End of this volume.

PS: Couldn't get it done for half the day, and the internet actually recovered on its own...

Continuing to push a book sacrifice: "I'm Really Not a Jinx." Got the name wrong last time, embarrassing.

(End of this chapter)