Capítulo 23: A Disputa

Guandu.

A long and restless night, yet Cao Cao remained wakeful.

Although he could not compete with Yuan Shao or Liu Bei in terms of physical appearance, Cao Cao was a poet of great talent, and he enjoyed a fine reputation in that regard. Poets are occasionally kept awake at night, lost in the composition of verses. However, tonight, his insomnia had nothing to do with such matters.

The cause was simple: a shortage of provisions! A shortage so severe it made Cao Cao’s heart flutter with anxiety. Standing by the riverbank, he felt a sudden, impulsive urge to leap into the waters.

The night wind was biting. The massive, formidable Xu Chu stood guard behind him like a silent sentinel, yet a soft chuckle broke the stillness.

"The stars are brilliant tonight; why is the Lord still awake?"

The visitor was Jia Xu.

Cao Cao’s feelings toward Jia Xu were complex—a mix of love and hate, and the realization that he could not afford to be without him. It was because of Jia Xu that the forces of Zhang Xiu, who had long entrenched themselves in Nanyang, had surrendered, thereby resolving a thorn in Cao Cao’s side. Had it been otherwise, with Zhang Xiu conspiring with Liu Biao to march north, Xuchang would have faced far more than just the likes of Liu Pi and his marauding bandits.

The man’s impeccable timing and brilliant schemes filled Cao Cao with a sense of wariness, yet he was indispensable.

"Since Yuan Shao moved his forces south, we have been locked in battle for over a year. At this critical juncture, Liu Bei has raided Xuzhou, Xu You and Gao Lan are ravaging Yan Province, and Liu Xing is growing powerful in Yang Province. With the nation in such peril, I cannot help but worry. Wenhe, tell me, can we win this war?"

"We can!" Jia Xu answered with absolute certainty.

"Why?"

"In wisdom, courage, command, and decision-making, you surpass Yuan Shao. That you have not yet secured victory despite these four advantages is only because you are too cautious, seeking absolute perfection. Once you decide to strike at his vulnerability, victory will be yours in an instant."

Cao Cao smiled and stroked his beard. "There is no one else around, Wenhe. Could you please spare me the formal pleasantries?"

Cao Cao’s intent was clear: he wanted the unvarnished truth. To his surprise, he received it.

"After Xu You returned north from Shouchun, he abandoned his former strategies and began advising Yuan Shao to exhaust his troops and grain. That man has likely been won over by Liu Xing, who intends to deplete Yuan Shao’s resources."

Cao Cao’s smile deepened. "And so, what should be done?"

"Liu Xing wishes to sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight, burning through Yuan Shao’s strength, which actually benefits you, my Lord. I suspect Yuan Shao’s grain supplies are critically low. You need only locate his granary and burn it to the ground; the outcome of the war will be sealed."

"To have you, Wenhe, is truly my good fortune."

After their conversation, Jia Xu departed. Cao Cao watched him leave, then turned to Xu Chu behind him and teased, "Xu Chu, you say this old fellow usually only moves when prodded; why did he take the initiative to offer me a strategy tonight?"

Xu Chu was a simple man, fiercely loyal to Cao Cao, and he stood on no ceremony with his master. He scratched his head and replied, "Jia Xu offended Yuan Shao earlier; if Yuan Shao wins, he won’t have a good end."

Cao Cao laughed aloud. "You are truly honest!"

Hearing Cao Cao laugh, Xu Chu chuckled as well. Suddenly, in the dark, a horseman approached at full speed. Xu Chu’s simple smile vanished, replaced by a fierce, predatory alertness, like a tiger ready to strike. The rider’s horse, sensing the killing intent, dared not draw closer.

Cao Cao stepped forward and took the bamboo tube handed to him. Inside was a piece of expensive silk with only two characters written upon it:

Wuchao!

Cao Cao looked at the characters with a sneer. "Brother Benchu, you have bribed so many people around me, attempted assassinations and incited rebellions—and yet, what has it gained you? Wealth should be spent where it matters most."

Having received the intelligence, Cao Cao set about mobilizing his prepared forces. Xu Chu reminded him from behind, "My Lord, could this be a trap?"

Cao Cao did not care in the slightest. "When I once shared wine with Liu Bei, we discussed the heroes of the world and agreed that only he and I were worthy of the title. Do you know why?"

Xu Chu shook his head. Cao Cao drew his sword. Under the starlight, the cold blade glinted menacingly.

"Among all the warlords of the world, in the face of life and death, only he and I dare to stake everything. As for the likes of Benchu, they are not worth mentioning!"

***

"Sir, you have returned!"

Inside the great tent, Zhang Xiu had already boiled water, waiting. However, the atmosphere in the tent was heavy with tension, for there was another man present: Guo Jia.

Zhang Xiu was a rugged warrior who trusted Jia Xu above all others—not only for his intellect but because they both hailed from the Xiliang army of Dong Zhuo. Even though Zhang Xiu’s official rank was far higher than Jia Xu’s, in private, he deferred to him completely.

"General, the Libationer Guo likely has words for me. Please excuse us for a moment."

Zhang Xiu made a hand gesture that only those from Xiliang could understand and withdrew. No sooner had he left than Guo Jia chuckled.

"He truly values you, doesn't he? He actually signaled that if anything went wrong, he would storm in and capture me?"

It was clear that Guo Jia had long since deciphered the secret code used among the Xiliang men. Jia Xu, unperturbed, sat down.

"Fengxiao, have you come all this way just to show off that you’ve bought off men within the Xiliang army?"

Jia Xu used the water Zhang Xiu had boiled to brew tea and took a sip. Guo Jia sat opposite him, looking lethargic, yet his words carried a sharp, murderous intent.

"No matter how many men I bribe, you always find a way to make them 'disappear' reasonably on the battlefield. You old poison, your methods are truly brilliant."

Jia Xu lowered his head, feigning the act of drinking tea to hide his face behind his wide sleeves. Only after finishing his tea did he reply, "The feeling is mutual."

The Xiliang forces of Zhang Ji and Zhang Xiu were nominally commanded by Zhang Xiu, but they were truly controlled by Jia Xu. Seeing Jia Xu drink tea, Guo Jia, who had nothing to drink, complained, "Are you that afraid of death? The whole tent reeks of medicinal herbs; there isn't even any wine."

"Living a life of indulgence like you do, Fengxiao, is not a path to longevity."

"Life is short; one cannot live like you, shriveled up like a tortoise."

Neither could convince the other. Finally, Guo Jia said, "Yuan Shao is about to fall. You and I have been trading blows, and in the end, neither of us can overcome the other. It would be better to call a truce."

Though Guo Jia came from a humble background, he was quite arrogant. Yet here he was, seeking peace.

"To make you act this way, have you encountered a new opponent?"

"Stop playing dumb, you old poison. You and I both know that a hegemon has risen in Jiangdong; he will surely be a grave threat to our Lord in the future."

Jia Xu set down his teacup. "And what does Fengxiao propose?"

"Liu Bei has detained the families of Lu Bu’s former subordinates; word is they have been sent to Shouchun. Although Zhang Liao is a rare and courageous warrior, he is no longer trustworthy. His troops will be yours. How does that sound?"

Jia Xu smiled. "Since you know their families have been sent to Shouchun, you must also know that Liu Xing has set his sights on this Xiliang unit under Lu Bu."

Cao Cao’s own cavalry was elite, and the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry were the finest in the world, controlled by the Cao and Xiahou clans. Aside from them, the only elite cavalry units led by outsiders were the recently surrendered forces of Zhang Xiu and Zhang Liao—both branches of the Xiliang army.

"The people are in our hands; can Liu Xing simply snatch them away?"

"You and I both know the reality of Yuan Shao’s situation. Do you think Liu Xing doesn't?"

Guo Jia seemed to realize something. His expression shifted, and he stood up, hurrying out of the tent.

Zhang Xiu, who had been waiting outside, walked in, looking puzzled. "Sir, I’ve never seen that man look so shaken! What did you say to him?"

Jia Xu leisurely took another sip of tea and replied, "The General’s position in Cao Cao’s camp will be even more secure from now on."