Chapter 75: Eight Hundred Iron Cavalry Shatter an Army of One Hundred Thousand

Xu Capital, the deep palace.

At this moment, Lady Dong hurried along, glancing nervously from side to side, fearful of being discovered. Yet, if one looked closely, a trace of delight still shimmered between her brows.

Soon, within the imperial residence.

Emperor Liu Xie, observing Lady Dong's secretive demeanor, could not help but ask in surprise, "My beloved, you seem so joyful—have you come bearing glad tidings for me?"

"Your Majesty, it is wonderful news, wonderful indeed!"

"Wonderful news? From whence does this joy arise?" Liu Xie inquired.

"Your Majesty, General Chu Feng, the Pacifier of Chaos, led eight hundred men to defeat a hundred thousand soldiers of Cao, slaying General Xiahou Dun. It is said he now heads towards Xu Capital to restore the throne."

Lady Dong's beautiful eyes sparkled, joy written all over her face.

"He slew Xiahou Dun?" Liu Xie exclaimed in delight, then hurriedly asked, "My love, is this true? Why has no one reported it to me?"

He paused, a shadow crossing his expression, and mocked himself.

"It is true. My maid overheard it, and now the entire city speaks of nothing else. Your Majesty, the Han dynasty is saved! Chu Feng is the minister who will revive us!"

"Now, all the civil and military officials within the city rejoice, and my father seizes the moment to rally the ambitious, wishing to overthrow Cao Cao and restore the House of Han."

Lady Dong recounted the rumors as she had heard them.

"Good, good! When the Han is restored, I shall richly reward General Chu and General Dong," Liu Xie's eyes reddened—at last, the day had come.

He had always believed that the loyal sons of Han were countless; how could one Cao Cao run rampant for long?

"Oh, right—where is General Chu's army now?" Liu Xie pressed, anticipation in his tone.

"No one knows, only that General Chu led eight hundred iron cavalry to strike at a hundred thousand elite soldiers, and personally beheaded Xiahou Dun amidst the host. As for their location, they must be near!"

Lady Dong summarized, for the rumors circulating among the people lacked detail; all Xu Capital knew was that Chu Feng’s eight hundred shattered ten thousand, and Cao’s army was terrified.

Liu Xie stood, pacing back and forth in excitement. Happy—truly happy! Since being thrust onto the throne seven or eight years ago, he had scarcely known a peaceful day.

Once Cao Cao was eliminated, he would grant amnesty to the land, bless the people, restore the Han’s prestige—and of course, reward Chu Feng with beauty and gold.

For a moment, Liu Xie was utterly elated.

He even imagined, a hundred years hence, the Han flourishing under his rule, the realm orderly, the people living in peace and prosperity.

Beautiful! Good! Exhilarating!

At this moment, Liu Xie longed for Chu Feng’s arrival.

Yet, the rumors spreading throughout Xu Capital and beyond were all orchestrated by Chu Feng himself. Though the wise disregard gossip, there is truth in the saying: where there’s smoke, there’s fire.

Chu Feng understood that the battle for public opinion had always existed, but whether one could master it depended on the person; played well, it was no less potent than ten thousand troops.

Now, across Xu Capital and half of the realm, tales of Chu Feng’s eight hundred iron cavalry defeating Cao Cao’s one hundred thousand elite spread, growing ever more fantastic—from the initial account of slaying Xiahou amidst chaos, to tales of Cao Cao fleeing in disguise, barely escaping death.

Three men make a tiger—a rumor becomes a fearsome beast!

In short, Cao Cao and his vast army had been bested by a few hundred of Chu Feng’s men. Especially since not long ago, Cao Cao himself had issued a proclamation, leading a hundred thousand against Chu Feng.

Thus, in places unaware of the truth, rumor held that Cao Cao was utterly defeated.

With the prestige of the Yuan clan supporting him, countless scholars began to reassess Chu Feng, some even traveling to Jiujiang to join his cause.

—

Xu Capital, the General of Chariots and Cavalry’s mansion.

This office belonged to Cao Cao, granting him authority to open court and deliberate affairs. Now, Xun Yu sat with a darkened brow, two reports in hand making him grit his teeth.

"To kill not only the body but the spirit—what ruthless methods."

Beside him, Cheng Yu frowned. "Chu Feng is not to be underestimated. After this, his fame will soar—he’ll become a grave concern for our lord."

Xun Yu agreed. These rumors had shamed Cao Cao and brought Chu Feng’s name to the fore, cloaked in the noble cause of ridding traitors and restoring Han. Soon, the people would follow him.

"Zhongde, what do you think we should do?" Xun Yu turned to Cheng Yu, seeking advice.

"Chen State has fallen, dangerously close to Xu Capital—we cannot let it stand. With so many rumors now, I fear some will grow restless. Only our lord’s personal presence can quell the malcontents and pacify Chen State!"

Cheng Yu spoke gravely.

"We are of one mind. If Chu Feng occupies Chen State for long, he will be a sword poised above us, far more dangerous than Zhang Xiu."

Xun Yu said solemnly.

"I will send a letter to our lord, urging him to return with the army and pacify Chen State."

—

On a somewhat dilapidated official road,

A column of troops marched swiftly.

Upon the carriage, Cao Cao was restless. "Cao Ren, where are we now?"

"My lord, we're nearly at Kunyang," Cao Ren replied. Once past Kunyang, they would enter Ye County, which belonged to Nanyang.

"Cao Ren, send word to the army—I have ordered Ye County’s governor to prepare a feast. Tell them to press forward, and when we reach Ye County, all shall dine well."

Cao Cao spoke with gravity, a sense of impending trouble gnawing at him.

"Understood!" Cao Ren replied, wheeling his horse to relay the orders.

No sooner had he left, than a rider bearing a command flag galloped in, shouting, "Urgent dispatch from Xu Capital! Urgent dispatch!"

Hearing this, Cao Cao felt uneasy. He considered refusing it outright, but after much hesitation, he took the envelope and read.

As he finished, his face darkened.

With a tearing sound, he shredded the message to pieces,

Rising, he roared at the heavens, "Chu Feng, you wretch! You have gone too far! I swear, I will see you torn to pieces!"

With that, Cao Cao felt his vision blur, and collapsed. Faintly, he heard voices calling, "My lord! My lord!"—and others summoning the military physician.

After a long while, Cao Cao revived.

Guo Jia, Cao Ren, and others gathered around.

Cao Cao, weak and trembling, said, "Cao—Cao Ren, order a retreat. Retreat!"

"My lord, what has happened? We’re about to enter Nanyang. If we retreat now, it will all be for naught!" Cao Ren protested.

"Liu Chong and Luo Jun are dead, Chen State has fallen to Chu Feng. He has spread rumors that eight hundred cavalry defeated my hundred thousand troops—Xu Capital is unstable. We must withdraw at once!"

Cao Cao spoke through gritted teeth, veins on his forehead standing out.

"But, my lord, Zhang Xiu’s power in Nanyang is greatly diminished. If we miss this chance, I fear—" Cao Ren pleaded, unwilling to give up.

For once Nanyang was surrounded, Zhang Xiu would surely surrender.

"Cao General, give the order," Guo Jia said, his brows tightly drawn, looking to Cao Ren.

He understood that Cao Cao, more than anyone, wished to conquer Nanyang—to then focus on the wider realm. But circumstances no longer allowed it.

Fortunately, Zhang Xiu had been severely wounded and would not dare make a move for a while. The next contest would surely be with Chu Feng, Lü Bu, and their ilk.

"Alas!" Cao Ren sighed heavily.

He cursed inwardly—he had just promised a feast ahead, and now they were to retreat. It felt like a game.