Chapter 52

Yuan Shu, also known as Yuan Gonglu, wanted to bind Xuzhou to his own war chariot and absolutely would not allow an alliance between Xu and Yan. He also sought an opportunity to smear Tao Qian so that he could replace him. Therefore, the mastermind behind the murder of Cao Song and his son was almost certainly the Rear General himself. Before this, Xun and Cao De had judged based on the speed of information transmission that Yuan Shu had not had time to react so quickly. Therefore, the one who truly gave the order should have been a spy he had planted in Xuzhou, and this spy was likely hiding close to the Tao family.

However, if they used homing pigeons to transmit messages, both between Yuan Shu and the spy, and between the spy and his subordinates—such as the magistrate of Juxian County who received the order and was later murdered, and the one who was just shot dead, Xue Xian—then the order was very likely given by Yuan Shu himself. After all, plotting to murder a former high-ranking official of the imperial court under Tao Qian's banner was a major plan that an ordinary spy could not decide on.

Cao De clenched his teeth and said with hatred, "I swear to avenge the heavens and the earth against that evil bandit Yuan Shu!"

Following Zhang Kai's suggestion, they killed all the soldiers from Huaxian County who had been ordered to attack the Cao family but were confused about who their true master was. They left the bodies by the roadside, and Zhang Kai's companions would report to Zang Ba. Then the group continued on their journey, trusting no one. Even when they passed through Feixian County, they refused to enter the city and instead summoned the commander, Yin Li, to come out of the city alone to pay respects to Cao Song.

North of Feixian County, they were no longer in Zang Ba's territory, and the soldiers they encountered were from Yanzhou rather than Xuzhou. However, Xun and his companions did not dare to trust the Yanzhou soldiers either, as Cao Cao had only recently taken control of Yanzhou and had not yet firmly established his authority in many areas. In other words, the Xuzhou soldiers could be considered Tao Qian's army, but the Yanzhou soldiers might not necessarily be Cao Cao's.

Therefore, despite Cao Song's objections, they refused to enter any city, setting up camp in the wilderness each night, as if facing a great enemy. Xun noticed that Zhang Kai was skilled in commanding troops, dispatching scouts, and setting up camp for security—indeed, he was worthy of being Cao Hong's trusted spy and assassin.

So, where was their final destination? The administrative center of Yanzhou was originally in Changyi County of Shanyang Commandery, but Cao Cao's main base was in Dongwuyang County of Dong Commandery, which was over 400 li away. According to Zhang Kai's latest intelligence, Cao Cao had surrounded a million Yellow Turbans in the area southwest of Mount Tai, including Suixiang and Sheqiu counties. The exact location of his main camp was unknown, but once they reached that area, they would surely encounter the genuine Cao Cao's army.

Speaking of the Yellow Turbans of Qingzhou, Xun couldn't help but recall the cute pout of Guan Si, the little girl...

He had been busy with the alliance between Xu and Yan, almost forgetting about the Guan family. He knew the fate of the Yellow Turbans of Qingzhou—if no external force intervened, they would eventually fall into Cao Cao's hands and become an important pawn in his struggle for dominance in Guandong. However, historical records did not mention Guan Hai's fate, let alone Guan Si's. What would be the final outcome for Guan Hai?

Theoretically, his fate could be one of three possibilities: 1) death, 2) surrendering to Cao Cao and becoming a general, or 3) retiring to a rural life.

The most likely outcome was death. The gentry viewed these commoners as mud under their shoes. Although the Yellow Turbans had been active for over a decade and surged through the eight central provinces, only the Zhang brothers were deemed worthy of detailed records of their deaths and causes. No one recorded the fates of Guan Hai, Zhang RAO, Bai RAO, Huang Long, or Zuo Xiao. Unless they later surrendered and became pawns in the struggle for dominance, like Zhang Yan and Zhang Niujiao, whose deaths would have been unknown if not for their succession to Zhang Yan.

The second possibility was surrendering to Cao Cao and becoming a general. Although Cao Cao's camp was full of brave generals, one more or less wouldn't make a difference. However, as the former commander of the Yellow Turbans of Qingzhou, if he truly became Cao Cao's subordinate, there would be some traces in the corners of history—unfortunately, there were none. It was strange that after the Yellow Turbans of Qingzhou surrendered to Cao Cao and became the Qingzhou Army, they did not all become farmers and stop fighting. Who led this Qingzhou Army? Historical records provided no clues.

The third possibility was retiring to a rural life. When Xun last persuaded Guan Hai in Duchang, Guan Hai claimed he intended to return home and farm. However, as the commander of a million Yellow Turbans, it was hard to believe that he would be easily allowed to return home, especially by the suspicious Cao Cao. If he were to rise up again due to dissatisfaction, what would happen?

Therefore, the most likely scenario was that the million Yellow Turbans of Qingzhou surrendered to Cao Cao, but Guan Hai was killed—perhaps in battle, perhaps by the surrender faction, or more likely as a sacrifice to Cao Cao's acceptance of their surrender. If Guan Hai died, Guan Si would be in grave danger. Despite her martial skills, she was just a young girl. What would happen to her among tens of thousands of Yellow Turbans and thousands of Cao Cao's soldiers? Xun didn't dare to think about it...

This time, if he could save Guan Si's life, it would be good. Xun began to rack his brain. However, his thoughts often strayed—bringing Guan Si, the little girl, to his side wouldn't be bad. Unfortunately, she was still young, and... couldn't you grow a bit taller? Keeping you would make me feel guilty, you know? Thinking of Guan Si, he couldn't help but think of his fiancée, the Cao family's young lady he had "accidentally" met in the snow... This one was already taller than me, please don't grow any more!

While he was deep in thought, the group turned north from Liangfu County and headed west, crossing the Wen River, passing through Juping County, leaving Taishan Commandery, and entering Jibei. They spent the night in a pavilion east of Sheqiu County, with about thirty li left to the county. They estimated that they would reach the county by morning the next day, and might even encounter Cao Cao's soldiers before that. Once they revealed Cao Song's identity, they would be heavily guarded and safe as a mountain.

Heaven, please don't send any more trouble. Let us reach Cao Cao's camp safely.

Xun shivered inwardly because, although the journey seemed peaceful on the surface, it was fraught with hidden dangers, all of which he saw and feared. Since they did not enter any cities, they mostly camped in the wilderness, occasionally staying in inns or pavilions. Inns and pavilions were naturally fine for the Cao family, and Xun, as a scholar, could also stay there. The soldiers camped outside, which was reasonable—officials and their families could stay in inns and pavilions, but not soldiers.

However, if they camped in the wilderness, the Cao family would set up a super luxurious tent with a golden top and silk curtains, divided into several compartments, more eye-catching than a general's main tent. The soldiers could not help but feel envious. Of course, no matter how large the tent, hundreds of soldiers could not fit inside, so they could only envy. Cao Song's meals, served twice a day with bells and drums, included the finest rice, wine, meat, vegetables, and hot soup. Xun was always a guest, and Zhang Kai occasionally joined in. Even the Cao family's servants and laborers ate well. How could the soldiers, who ate dry rations and drank plain water every day, bear it?

Xun instinctively noticed that many soldiers looked at the Cao family's tent and the servants cooking outside with envy, jealousy, and even a hint of malice. If these negative emotions accumulated, something might happen—after all, Zhang Kai was not their true commander, just a temporary leader of a few hundred men.

Therefore, Xun advised Cao De to distribute some millet, pickled vegetables, and even pickled meat to the soldiers to control their unstable emotions. Ideally, he should give each soldier some money and promise double rewards upon arrival. However, the old man Cao Song was unwilling to part with his wealth, and even Cao De's persuasion failed to get a single coin from him.

What a miser! You're courting death! Xun sometimes thought, hoping that once he delivered the old man to Cao Cao, the burden on him and Xuzhou would be lifted, and the soldiers would mutiny and kill him!

So, he eagerly awaited their arrival. However, as the saying goes, "Sincerity brings miracles," and since Xun did not believe in heaven, heaven would not give him an easy time...

On the evening before reaching Sheqiu County, they set up camp. Xun attended the Cao family's banquet, ate until he was full, and then felt uncomfortable. He left the camp and went to a bush to relieve himself. He didn't need to go far, as soldiers often relieved themselves near the camp, but he was not used to squatting in front of others and wanted to maintain his dignity, so he went a bit further.

He leaned against a bush, lifted his robe, and untied his belt. In this era, scholars wore long robes, and their pants were basically just two legs tied with a string, without a crotch. Only poor men who needed to ride horses or climb high wore pants with a crotch, called "poor pants." However, Xun, coming from the future, was not used to the wind between his legs and needed to ride horses, so he wore poor pants.

Sometimes, the urge to relieve oneself is strange, like luck or the opportunity to meet someone. It often comes unexpectedly and disappears when you are fully prepared. Xun squatted and tried hard, but nothing happened. He was silently reciting, "This urge has gone with the crane, this place remains empty..." when he suddenly heard a faint voice nearby.

Was someone else also relieving themselves? He thought, amused by the idea of meeting a fellow traveler in ancient times. He listened carefully and heard one voice say, "The defenses are quite tight, what can we do?" Another voice hissed, "Lower your voice! If Cao Cao's spies hear, we won't be able to act."

Oh no, heaven, this isn't a journey to protect Tang Sanzang on a pilgrimage, requiring us to face demons at every step! Besides, that old man is more like a greedy pig, not a pure and handsome Tang Sanzang! Xun was shocked and instinctively stood up, holding his pants. He heard a "crack" under his feet, as if he had stepped on a branch.

Panic set in, and he didn't even have time to pull up his pants before turning and fleeing!

Page break for ads

End of page break for ads