Chapter Thirty-Six: Cao Cao – Swapping Beams for Beams?

Several days later,

Xuchang, the study in the Cao residence.

Xun Yu hurried in, clutching a letter.

"Heh, Wenru, why are you in such a rush? Come, take a look at my calligraphy," Cao Cao, pinching his sleeves, glanced up at the flustered Xun Yu and chuckled as he continued writing.

"Ah, my lord, please look!" With an anxious sigh, Xun Yu slapped the letter onto Cao Cao's desk.

Cao Cao hesitated briefly, then opened the letter to read. After a moment, his eyes filled with surprise, and he laughed aloud, "Wenru, righteous men of the Han have slain Yuan Shu and his son—surely that's good news?"

"Good news? The report from Shouchun says that the slayer is Yuan Shu's illegitimate son, who killed Yuan Yao. Yuan Shu's fate is uncertain, and this son has taken command of Yuan Shu's old troops with iron-handed ruthlessness, now occupying the Jianghuai region," Xun Yu said gravely, his voice deep.

"??"

"????"

Cao Cao was stunned for a moment. What sort of move was this? The son destroys his father's capital? But now that the capital is gone, it makes Cao Cao wary.

"A trick of substitution? No, this is more like swapping one beam for another. Yuan Shu's illegitimate son seems rather capable—not only did he cleanse Yuan Shu's reputation, his name now resounds throughout the land," Cao Cao mused.

"And now the emperor is giving him rank and title? Hah, hahahaha, Yuan Shu certainly sired a worthy son!" Cao Cao's laughter grew colder, edged with murderous intent.

Enemies surrounded him on all sides; Yuan Shu, that fool, had been a headache, but now a more formidable adversary had emerged to trouble him further.

After all, Jiujiang was not far from Yingchuan. If Cao Cao were to campaign elsewhere, this enemy could attack his rear, causing endless trouble. He must be eliminated.

"My lord, that is precisely whom I fear," Xun Yu said.

"Though Yuan Shu was tyrannical and wasteful, he was the legitimate son of the Yuan family, and Runan is their ancestral home. Now this Chu Feng has appeared out of nowhere—how can we not worry?" Xun Yu narrowed his eyes and spoke solemnly.

"You fear he may rise in my heartland and ruin my plans?" Cao Cao frowned as well, his smile gone, his tone grave.

"By his deeds, he surpasses Yuan Shu tenfold, a hundredfold," Xun Yu said, then hastily added, "My lord, Chu Feng's actions are an overt strategy, and the official title must be granted."

"But we must prepare a response, or the consequences will be dire," Xun Yu declared firmly.

"Wenru, what do you propose?"

"My lord, I have heard that the Jianghuai region has suffered drought for days, and the people are in distress. Chu Feng must be troubled by this, and if he wishes to succeed, he must seek assistance or exploit it."

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"Sun Ce of Jiangdong, and Lü Bu of Xuzhou, both bear enmity toward Yuan Shu and will not let Chu Feng go unchecked—especially the Little Conqueror Sun Ce," Xun Yu continued.

"He has purged the gentry of Jiangdong, his foundation is unstable, and he surely fears Chu Feng may seize the opportunity to march south. You, my lord, could send envoys to grant Sun Ce rank and title, and also propose marriage alliances—perhaps petition his brother Ben's daughter for Zhang Gongzi."

"Furthermore, send your clan brother's daughter to marry his sibling, forging familial bonds and uniting him with Lü Bu to counterbalance Chu Feng," Xun Yu said resolutely.

"Haha, with Xun Wenru by my side, how could I fear... how could the Han realm not be at peace, how could the people not be safe?" Cao Cao laughed heartily, nearly letting slip his true intentions.

"My lord, Sun Ce and Lü Bu alone are insufficient. Sun Ce is occupied with suppressing bandits and has little time for other matters; Lü Bu lacks ambition and is content with the status quo."

"You could send envoys to meet Liu Xun, the Inspector of Lujiang. Not only is he an old acquaintance, but as far as I know, he is arrogant and greedy, sees only profit, and harbors ambitions with his own army."

"Chu Feng has executed Lei Bo and Chen Lan, which must have caused Liu Xun to panic. Thus, you may send someone with gold and silver to persuade him, turning the facts to your advantage."

"Moreover, Chu Feng is an illegitimate son—who can prove his lineage?"

"His rebellion is for revenge, an act of righteousness; I believe Liu Xun will be tempted. Then, my lord, dismiss Lü Bu from his post as Inspector of Yangzhou and appoint him as Governor of Xuzhou instead."

"Make Liu Xun Inspector of Yangzhou, concurrently Governor of Jiujiang, grant him the title Marquis of Shouchun, and appoint him as General Who Displays Might. This way, Liu Xun will rebel whether he likes it or not—a scheme of wolves devouring a tiger," Xun Yu explained with a furrowed brow.

This was the strategy he devised upon receiving the report.

"Excellent, a scheme of wolves battling a tiger. When the time comes, let Chu Feng take Lujiang, and I’ll grant him the title Marquis of Wancheng and General Who Pacifies Rebellion, then I can sit back and watch the tigers fight," Cao Cao said with a hearty laugh.

With Xun Yu at his side, his efforts were twice as effective.

"Wenru, let’s do as you say. Let Chu Feng take Lujiang, grant him the title Marquis of Wancheng, and General Who Pacifies Rebellion. Meanwhile, arrange for envoys to visit Lü Bu, Sun Ce, and Liu Xun," Cao Cao decided on the spot.

"Understood!" Xun Yu cupped his hands and withdrew.

———

Meanwhile,

Outside Shouchun.

Chu Feng personally led a party to welcome Zhang Xun, Liang Gang, Le Jiu, Li Feng, and others. On their way back, the group learned of the political upheaval in Shouchun.

If not for Ji Ling, some of them might have had thoughts of rebellion. Even with Chu Feng in power, Yuan Shu should have appeared to announce it to the officials, but Ji Ling explained that Chu Feng was protecting Yuan Shu, thus he could not show himself.

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It made sense, and with military provisions supplied by Shouchun, any rebellion would leave the army rootless, leading to mutiny. Therefore, the troops returned, setting the stage for Chu Feng to come out and welcome them.

"Generals, you have endured much on your journey. Come, I have already arranged a banquet to welcome you and cleanse the dust of travel," Chu Feng said with a gentle smile at the city gate.

"We appreciate the eldest son's personal welcome! But Xun has just returned and ought to pay respects to the... to the lord first; only then should we enjoy the banquet. What do you say, sir?" Zhang Xun looked to Chu Feng with a warm smile.

He had received favor from Yuan Shu and was close to Yuan Yao; now with Yuan Yao slain and Yuan Shu unseen, as a subordinate he had to seek justice.

Otherwise, once he handed over military authority, what justice would remain?

His words caused the atmosphere to freeze.

Beside him, Zhao Fan slowly pressed his palm to his sword, ready to draw and strike at any moment. Ji Ling was tense as well, uncertain, without a sense of right or wrong.

Behind Zhang Xun, the other generals gripped their swords.

One word, and the scene was on the verge of erupting.

"Haha, General Zhang, your concern is truly a blessing for the people of Shouchun. But mind your words—my father is Chu Shu, not Yuan Shu."

"Yuan Shu is dead; all the world knows it."

Chu Feng laughed heartily, his voice loud.

Everyone was left bewildered.

"Very well, if you wish to see my father, please follow me. He has been waiting in the rear courtyard for your return," Chu Feng continued with a smile.

Zhang Xun narrowed his eyes—Chu Feng did not seem to be lying.

He turned to give instructions to his deputies, likely in case of sudden events, such as an attack, and brought a few close followers into the city.

Watching them enter, Zhao Fan frowned and said, "My lord, Yuan Gong has much resentment toward you for his confinement. If they meet, what if Yuan Gong exposes you?"

Chu Feng narrowed his eyes, his voice cold, "My father may be foolish, but only I can care for him in his old age. If he fails to see the situation clearly and speaks recklessly, then Zhang Xun and his men need not leave alive. Also, have our own men close to their troops—if anything happens, shoot their officers immediately and take command!"

Having said this, Chu Feng followed with a smile.

Zhao Fan swallowed and nodded.

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