readytorunbook Chapter 1285 Another New Year's Eve, Still Chaotic
Chapter 1285 Another New Year's Eve, Still Chaotic
On New Year's Eve of 202 AD, Chenliu City was shrouded in a cold moonlight. The soldiers guarding the city walls wrapped their battle robes tightly around themselves, gazing at the scattered lights on the distant plains, with only the whistling of the wind whistling through the arrow slits in their ears. Cao Cao, wearing a plain cloak, stood alone atop the highest point of the city tower, holding a wine cup in his hand, the wine in the cup rippling in the cold wind.
He recalled years ago, also in this city, when Yuan Shao's army pressed in like a dark cloud, almost driving him to desperation. At that time, the city was about to fall, and it was Cai Yang who led his personal guards in a desperate battle at the south gate, using their own flesh and blood to buy him time to break through—if it weren't for that desperate resistance, Cao Cao would have already become a ghost under Yuan Shao's blade.
"Heh..." Cao Cao chuckled softly, downing his cup of wine. The liquor, spicy and warm, went down his throat, but couldn't suppress the complex emotions in his eyes. In just a few short years, the world had turned upside down so drastically. Back then, Yuan Shao controlled the four provinces of Ji, Qing, You, and Yan, commanding a million armored soldiers. How arrogant and triumphant he was when he ascended to the title of King of Ji! Even the emperor had to give him some leeway. But now? That once invincible overlord had turned into a pile of bones, buried in the yellow earth of Ye City.
Memories of his youth suddenly flooded back. He and Yuan Shao were both in Luoyang, scions of prominent families, sharing cockfights and dog racing, discussing the state of the world, and even once sneaking into Zhang Rang's residence, only to be discovered and gallop away on horseback, their laughter echoing all the way. Who could have imagined that these former inseparable companions would later become life-or-death rivals?
"My lord, it's late and the dew is heavy; it's time to return to camp," Cao Ren said softly as he stepped forward, carrying a fox fur coat. Li Dian and Yue Jin followed behind, each carrying a wine jug.
Cao Cao waved his hand, gesturing for them to sit down. He poured himself another cup of wine, and gazing at the night below the city, he suddenly sighed: "Tell me, if Yuan Shao were still alive, if the three sons of the Yuan family could work together, would we be drinking on the walls of Chenliu today?"
Upon hearing this, Cao Ren raised his cup and said, "Our lord's benevolence is known throughout the land, and he is also aided by Heaven. Although Yuan Shao is strong, he is suspicious and indecisive, and his sons are at odds. His defeat and destruction are inevitable."
Li Dian echoed, "Yuan Shao was stubborn and self-willed, and he did not listen to the advice of Tian Feng and Ju Shou. Now that he is dead and his son is in chaos, it is also the will of Heaven."
Le Jin, being straightforward, said loudly, "My lord, there is no need for such sentimentality! Yuan Shao is dead, and the Yuan family is in turmoil. This is the perfect opportunity for our army to pacify Hebei. Next spring, I am willing to serve as the vanguard and take Ye City directly!"
Cao Cao shook his head, gazing at the shimmering moonlight in his cup, a hint of melancholy flashing in his eyes: "That may be so, but Yuan Shao... is still Yuan Shao after all." He raised his wine cup and offered a toast in the direction of Ye City, "Today is New Year's Eve, let us drink this cup as a way to remember our deceased friends."
As the clinking of wine cups faded, Cao Cao downed his drink in one gulp. But instead of a spicy kick, a lingering bitterness filled his throat. He gazed northward toward Ye City, lamenting the lack of a successor to Yuan Shao, but then he realized that he himself was also walking on thin ice.
The brothers Yuan Shang, Yuan Tan, and Yuan Xi were fighting amongst themselves. He could laugh at Yuan Shao's poor management of his family, but how much better was his own situation? Cao Ang was steady and reliable from a young age, and was the perfect candidate for heir apparent, but his heart was set on the Western Liang, and he had no attachment to power in the Central Plains. Helpless, he could only focus his attention on Cao Pi, but although this son was shrewd, he lacked Cao Ang's composure and, moreover, his prestige in the army.
"Sigh..." Cao Cao sighed softly, his fingertips unconsciously tracing the cold wine cup. All the civil and military officials could see that he favored Cao Pi, and openly no one dared to associate too closely with Cao Ang. However, the second-generation scions of the Cao and Xiahou families, such as Xiahou Shang and Xiahou Ba, privately still followed Cao Ang's lead. After all, Cao Ang was the eldest son and had trained alongside Ma Chao in Xiliang; the heroic spirit forged in the flames of war was far beyond what Cao Pi, who had long resided in the rear, could match.
He dared not think too deeply about whether, if he were to pass away one day, Cao Ang and Cao Pi would follow the same path as the Yuan brothers, and whether the Cao family's legacy would also fall apart.
His thoughts drifted back to not long ago, the sounds of battle outside Runan City still seemed to echo in his ears. He and Liu Bei were locked in a fierce struggle there, each gaining an advantage over the other, when news of Yuan Shao's death arrived. At that moment, he almost immediately sensed an opportunity—Yanzhou was vulnerable, making it the perfect time to penetrate Hebei.
So he left Xiahou Dun to guard Runan and rushed to Yanzhou overnight, leaving Cao Pi in Xuchang to oversee the rear. But before leaving, looking at Cao Pi's still somewhat immature face, he felt a sense of unease. If Cao Ang were willing to turn back, he should be the one in charge of Xuchang right now. With Cao Ang there, why would he be so worried?
"My lord, would you like another cup?" Cao Ren saw that he looked dazed and carefully handed him the wine pot.
Cao Cao didn't take the cup, but simply gestured for it to be refilled. He drank cup after cup, as if trying to drown all his sorrows in it. Seeing his furrowed brow and troubled expression, the generals wisely kept quiet, silently drinking with him. Cao Ang guarding Xuzhou, Cao Pi still needing training, Liu Bei holding Jingzhou, Ma Chao dominating Guanzhong… each and every one of these matters weighed heavily on his heart like a stone.
The wind on New Year's Eve grew colder, swirling snowflakes that pelted the city walls, making the candlelight flicker precariously. The wine jugs on the table gradually emptied, but Cao Cao's eyes grew increasingly clouded. Gazing at the dark wilderness below, he suddenly murmured softly, "Benchu, oh Benchu, we've fought each other our whole lives, and in the end, we share the same sorrow..."
These words, spoken so softly as if in a dream, sent a shiver down the spines of Cao Ren and the others beside him. They had never seen their lord so forlorn, as if he had aged ten years in an instant. Indeed, in chaotic times, even powerful figures like Cao Cao and Yuan Shao could not escape the worries of what would happen after their deaths.
As the drinking drew to a close, Cao Cao slumped onto the battlements, falling into a deep sleep, emboldened by the alcohol. Cao Ren quietly draped a fox fur coat over him and gestured for everyone to be quiet. Only the howling wind and the suppressed breathing of this powerful figure remained atop the city wall.
That night in Chenliu City, there was no New Year's Eve jubilation, only a multitude of sorrows and endless cups of bitter wine. Meanwhile, outside the city, the world remained in turmoil, awaiting the awakened overlord to continue his unfinished conquest.
On New Year's Eve in Jingzhou, the damp, chilly air, carried by the evening breeze, seeped through the windowpanes. Inside Liu Bei's residence, candlelight flickered, illuminating the map spread out on the table. Liu Bei sat in the center, his brows slightly furrowed. Guan Yu stood to his side, his hand on his sword, while Pang Tong waved his feather fan. Zhuge Liang lightly tapped the table with his fingertips, his gaze fixed on the blank space at the southern end of the map.
“Cao Cao retreated to Yanzhou, leaving Runan temporarily empty. This was the perfect opportunity to march north,” Liu Bei sighed. “But urgent news came from the south that Meng Huo led various Nanman tribes in rebellion, conquering several counties including Zangke and Yuexi, and boasting that he would take Jingnan directly. If we do not send reinforcements, the rear will be unstable.”
Guan Yu raised a thick eyebrow: "What is there to fear from mere barbarians! I am willing to lead a small army south to quell the rebellion and make Meng Huo surrender without resistance!"
Pang Tong waved his hand: "General Yun Chang is the bravest in the army, but the terrain in the south is complex and there are many tribes. It cannot be settled overnight. Although Cao Cao has retreated, Yuan Shang is still not pacified in Hebei, and Ma Chao is eyeing Guanzhong with covetous eyes. If we divide our troops to go north at this time, I'm afraid it will be difficult to take care of both."
Zhuge Liang picked up the conversation, his finger tracing a path from Runan to Jingnan, and then extending to Nanzhong: "I believe we should abandon Runan, stabilize Jingnan, and then target Nanzhong. Cao Cao and Yuan Shao are locked in a stalemate in Hebei and have no time to look south for the time being. Ma Chao will certainly not let this great opportunity slip by and will definitely intervene. In such a three-way struggle, how much of an advantage can our army gain? If we go north now, we will only gain a commandery. If we lose Nanzhong, Jingnan will be in danger, and we will have nowhere to stand."
He paused, his eyes gleaming: "Although Meng Huo is fierce, his tribes are numerous and each harbors its own ambitions. If we can win their hearts and minds and subdue their people, the fertile lands of the south, rich in resources, can serve as our army's granary; their tribal warriors can also be incorporated into the army, enhancing our fighting strength. In this way, with Jingzhou as our base and the south as our support, we can advance and retreat with a clear strategy, which is the only long-term solution."
Liu Bei's eyes lit up, and he stood up and clapped his hands: "The strategist is absolutely right! In the past, Emperor Gaozu conquered Ba and Shu and pacified the world. If we can pacify the south and connect with Jingnan, even if the situation in the north changes, we will have a secure rear."
Although Guan Yu was warlike, he also knew the importance of things. He clasped his hands and said, "Since my lord and the strategist have made a plan, I am willing to lead the army south to first blunt Meng Huo's momentum!"
Pang Tong laughed and said, "General Yun Chang is stationed in Jingnan, which can stabilize the rear. I am willing to accompany my lord to the south to observe the terrain and find someone who can win hearts and minds. I have heard that Meng Huo's brother, Meng You, has always been willing to make peace. Perhaps we can use his strength to divide the various tribes."
Liu Bei raised his wine cup to the three men: "On New Year's Eve, let's not discuss war. Let's drink this cup and wait until next spring, when we can pacify the south together and then plan our northern expedition!"
The wine was warm, reflecting the candlelight and the unwavering determination in the eyes of the four men. Outside the window, firecrackers crackled intermittently; in the night of Jingzhou, a road heading south was quietly unfolding.
On New Year's Eve in Chang'an, lanterns hung high on the city walls, illuminating the city's lights, but they could not conceal the surging war intent within the Prince's mansion. Ma Chao hosted a banquet, and amidst the clinking of glasses, news of Yuan Shao's recent death was like a spark, landing in a tent full of dry firewood, instantly igniting a raging fire of desire for battle.
"My lord! Yuan Shao is dead, and the brothers Yuan Shang and Yuan Tan have turned against each other. Hebei is now vulnerable, which is the perfect opportunity for our army to march east!" Pang De could not contain himself any longer. He stood up, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said with great enthusiasm, "This humble general is willing to lead an elite force to take Bingzhou and share Hebei with Cao Cao!"
Zhang Liao followed closely behind: "General Pang De is absolutely right. Cao Cao is locked in a stalemate with Yuan Shang in Yanzhou and has no time to look west. If our army goes out of Tongguan, we can take advantage of the situation to seize Hedong and then threaten Ji and You. This is a golden opportunity!"
Zhang Xiu, Xu Huang, and other generals echoed the sentiment, and the tent was immediately filled with voices of volunteers, as if the clash of swords was already taking place in the midst of their conversation.
Ma Chao refused, saying, "The war in Yizhou was only half a year ago, and it has been less than five years since the Great War on the grasslands. Xiliang has not yet fully recovered. If we continue to wage war relentlessly, how can the people get a chance to breathe?"
Li Ru stroked his beard and slowly began to speak: "Generals, please calm down. It is certainly reasonable for our lord to be concerned about recuperation after the war, but in chaotic times, opportunities are fleeting. Yuan Shao has been managing Hebei for more than ten years, and now the region is leaderless. If we do not seize this opportunity to intervene, it will be difficult to advance eastward once Yuan Shang stabilizes his position or Cao Cao annexes Hebei!"
Jia Xu nodded and said, "What Lord Li said is very true. If Hebei is in chaos, the whole country will be in turmoil. If our army can occupy Bingzhou, we can connect with Guanzhong, and we can look to Yizhou in the south and threaten the Central Plains in the east. This is the foundation for establishing our rule."
Ma Chao tapped his fingers lightly on the table, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. How could he not know this was a golden opportunity? It was just that the battle of Yizhou had only just ended, and he wanted to give the people a breather, encourage agriculture and sericulture, stockpile grain and fodder, and allow them to recuperate.