Chapter 10: The Chick's First Cry

Cao Ji was inexperienced and had never left Zhongyang Town since childhood. But Wang Meng was different; he had once been a bandit chief, having roamed Nanyang with the Yellow Turban Army in his early years, and had seen much of the world. Who was Master Yuan’an? Cao Ji did not know, and Cao Peng hadn’t heard of him, but Wang Meng was aware. This Master Yuan’an was named Pang Ji, a native of Lumen Mountain in Xiangyang, and a renowned scholar in Jingzhou.

When Liu Biao first arrived in Jingzhou, his position was unstable.

At the time, Zhang Hu and Chen Sheng were entrenched in Xiangyang, gathering followers and causing chaos.

Then, Liu Biao had neither soldiers nor generals, only bearing the title of Governor of Jingzhou and claiming distant royal kinship with the Han dynasty.

However, Liu Biao was one of the Eight Eminent Scholars of his era, famed throughout the land.

One must not underestimate the power of “reputation.” Sometimes, it could be worth more than a thousand troops.

Even in later generations, people would fight fiercely for the sake of a name. In the late Eastern Han, reputation was even more crucial.

Liu Biao, leveraging his status as one of the Eight Eminent Scholars, invited Pang Ji and Kuai Yue.

The two of them rode alone into Xiangyang, and with nothing but their eloquence, persuaded Zhang Hu and Chen Sheng’s tens of thousands of followers to disperse. Liu Biao then took Xiangyang without a single soldier lost, marking his first triumph in the conquest of Jingzhou. In other words, without Pang Ji, it would have been nearly impossible for Liu Biao to establish himself in Jingzhou...

Moreover, Pang Ji had another title.

In Jingzhou, there was a saying: “The Two Pangs of Lumen, the younger is the finest.”

Pang Ji, courtesy name Yuan’an, was the elder of the “Two Pangs of Lumen,” while his brother was the famed scholar of Jingzhou, Pang Degong, courtesy name Zuwen.

As for Sima Hui, he was a scion of the Sima clan of Hongnong, known as a prodigy in his youth, and also a renowned scholar in Jingzhou.

On the other hand, Wen Pin, courtesy name Zhongye, was far less renowned. At least, Wang Meng didn’t know much about his origins, but he did harbor a genuine wariness for Wen Pin’s martial skills. When Cao Peng spoke of seeking their guidance, Wang Meng broke out in a cold sweat.

Not to mention Pang Ji and Sima Hui—even Wen Pin could deal with Cao Peng as easily as crushing an ant.

To “seek guidance”?

In this era, such words were tantamount to a challenge.

Had this child gone mad?

He intended to challenge Sima Hui and Pang Ji!

Wen Pin’s expression darkened; he rested his hand on his sword, his tiger eyes wide open. A faint hint of killing intent seeped from his body, which Cao Peng felt most acutely—his whole body turned cold, his mouth dry and tongue parched.

Yet he did not feel fear!

He was taking a gamble.

He bet that Sima Hui would intercede. Since Sima Hui was renowned, and in the legends was the teacher of Zhuge Liang, Xu Shu, and Pang Tong, surely his demeanor would be above the ordinary.

In "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," Sima Hui does not appear frequently, but always leaves a deep impression.

Elegant and perceptive!

How could such a gentleman not tolerate others’ opinions?

Yet, before Sima Hui could speak, Pang Ji raised his hand and said in a stern tone, “Zhongye, mind your manners.”

His expression was solemn, dignified.

Wen Pin seemed to hold Pang Ji in high regard. At his words, Wen Pin immediately withdrew his killing intent and let go of his sword, a faint curve appearing at the corner of his mouth—a touch of disdain, as if to say: Let’s see what sense this brash youth can make.

Sima Hui’s gaze was gentle as he quietly observed Cao Peng.

Cao Peng was not tall, even a bit short among his peers. Wang Mai, also thirteen, stood nearly 170 centimeters, but Cao Peng was just over 160. Malnourished since birth, he appeared especially thin and frail.

He wore a gray robe faded with many washings, covered by a cotton coat.

The coat seemed too large, making him look even smaller.

Compared to everyone else present, Cao Peng’s attire was almost comically shabby. Yet he held his head high, without the slightest sign of timidity.

His eyes were calm as water, yet full of pride.

Sima Hui couldn’t help but smile.

His clothes may have been humble, but his bearing was truly praiseworthy.

“Friend, what insights have you to offer?” Sima Hui asked.

As the saying goes, “Of any three men walking together, there must be one who can teach me.” Thus, both Sima Hui and Pang Ji were not men who could not tolerate dissent.

Wen Pin remained expressionless, but inwardly he praised the youth: Though young in years, his composure is exceptional.

Cao Peng clenched his fists, his nails digging into his flesh, striving to remain calm.

As he had told Wang Mai before, in this era, to make something of oneself required more than real talent; it also needed two things.

First, family background.

Second, reputation.

Family background was determined by birth, unchangeable by man. But reputation was different—it could be cultivated, it could be earned. Cao Cao cared not for origins or virtue, but with a reputation, treatment would be different. The likes of Sima Hui and Pang Ji were shortcuts for gaining renown.

Steadying himself, Cao Peng bowed and said, “Just now, I heard you two gentlemen discussing the affairs of the realm. I am unworthy, but I dare not agree.”

“Master Yuan’an claimed that Cao Cao is no match for Yuan Shao. I, however, believe that Yuan Shao is but a man who seeks empty fame—he is by no means Cao Cao’s equal.”

Earlier, Pang Ji and Sima Hui had talked about the state of the empire, believing that despite serving the emperor, Cao Cao’s prospects were slim. The reasoning was simple: although Cao Cao controlled Yan, Qing, and now Yu provinces, in name commanding three provinces and holding the emperor as leverage over the lords, Yan and Qing were devastated, and his execution of Bian Rang had alienated the gentry of Yan. Forced by circumstances, he turned to Yu, but even so, his foundation was weak. Surrounded by enemies, his welcoming of the emperor made him the target of all.

By contrast, Yuan Shao, with four generations of high office, dominated Hebei, rich in resources. In both reputation and strength, Cao Cao had no chance of defeating Yuan Shao. Holding the emperor, if anything, might hasten his downfall.

In short, Pang Ji did not think highly of Cao Cao.

The young man beside Pang Ji watched Cao Peng with interest.

Sima Hui asked, “What is your perspective, then?”

“I believe Yuan Shao is doomed.”

“Oh? Please elaborate.”

Pang Ji was somewhat moved and gestured for the youth beside him to yield his seat.

The youth smiled and stood up, making way.

Cao Peng cupped his hands, knelt, and said, “In olden days, when the High Ancestor contended with Xiang Yu, Xiang Yu was powerful, yet was ultimately defeated. Why was this?”

“Xiang Yu was the descendant of the great general Xiang Yan; the High Ancestor was merely a local constable from Pei. This is much like today’s Yuan Shao and Cao Cao. Yuan Shao hails from a noble lineage of high officials, holds the wealthy land of Hebei, much like Xiang Yu’s might. Yet, I have heard it said, had it not been for Yuan Shao, would there have been the chaos of Dong Zhuo?”

“When the Ten Eunuchs corrupted the court, General-in-Chief He Jin wished to eliminate them. Cao Cao advised direct action, but was thwarted by Yuan Shao, who spoke of summoning border troops to the capital, unwittingly inviting the wolf into the house.”

“This shows Yuan Shao is superficial, not a truly wise man...”

Pang Ji and Sima Hui were visibly moved, exchanging glances, their eyes now regarding Cao Peng differently.

In a corner of the room, Wang Meng and the others were dumbfounded.

“Brother, where did Afu learn all this?” Cao Ji gaped.

“How should I know? The boy was never talkative, never discussed such matters with me. You’d better ask Tiger-head, he might know more.”

Wang Meng looked at Wang Mai, who shook his head. “I don’t know either. Though Afu played with me often, he never spoke of these things.”

“This child is truly extraordinary!” Wang Meng and his group whispered among themselves, while on the other side, Cao Peng grew more composed.

“In my view, Yuan Shao’s strength is not to be feared.”

“Pray, explain further.”

“I see ten failings in Yuan Shao, and ten strengths in Cao Cao.”

Yuan Shao was of noble birth, bound by excessive ceremony; Cao Cao was natural and unrestrained—this was an advantage of character.

Yuan Shao was rebellious, Cao Cao compliant—an advantage of righteousness.

Since the reigns of Emperor Huan and Emperor Ling, government was lax; Yuan Shao governed with leniency, but Cao Cao enforced strict discipline—an advantage of governance.

Yuan Shao was outwardly lenient but inwardly suspicious, appointing only his kin; Cao Cao was plain on the surface but discerning within, employing the talented—an advantage of judgment.

Yuan Shao was indecisive, while Cao Cao acted swiftly upon counsel—an advantage of strategy.

Yuan Shao sought empty fame, Cao Cao was sincere—an advantage of virtue.

Yuan Shao favored petty men and distanced worthy ministers, while Cao Cao was thorough in consideration—an advantage of benevolence.

Yuan Shao was misled by slander and confusion, while Cao Cao saw clearly and was immune to corrosion—an advantage of wisdom.

Yuan Shao muddled right and wrong, while Cao Cao maintained strict laws—an advantage of order.

Yuan Shao favored empty displays, ignorant of military affairs; Cao Cao could win with few against many, a master of warfare—an advantage of martial skill.

Therefore, I believe that with these ten strengths, Cao Cao is destined to defeat Yuan Shao!”

During the late Eastern Han, discourse was remarkably free.

Commoners could discuss state affairs and critique famous men without fear of punishment from the government. Among scholars, criticizing high officials was a matter of course. Those criticized could not bear grudges—in fact, they were expected to visit for advice or even express gratitude. To retaliate would be seen as petty and narrow-minded.

Historically, in the third year of Jian’an, Yuan Shao challenged Cao Cao. At that time, Cao Cao still had some misgivings about Yuan Shao. So his adviser, Guo Jia, serving as adviser-in-chief, submitted this assessment of ten advantages and ten disadvantages.

Among the many strategists of the Three Kingdoms, Cao Peng’s favorites were not the universally acclaimed Zhuge Liang, but Jia Xu and Guo Jia. He often lamented that Guo Jia died before achieving his ambitions. Guo Jia’s mark on history was not extensive, but the “ten strengths and ten failings” was one of his most classic contributions.

Some scholars in later generations argued that this analysis did not originate from Guo Jia, but Cao Peng firmly believed it was his work. Now, seeking renown before Pang Ji and Sima Hui and with the topic being the rivalry between Yuan Shao and Cao Cao, he naturally chose to present it.

Pang Ji and Sima Hui exchanged glances.

The "ten strengths and ten failings" rang out like a great bell, provoking deep thought.

Even Wen Pin, standing aside, nodded repeatedly. For insight alone, Cao Peng had earned his respect.

“You claim that Cao Cao will surely triumph?” the youth who had been silent at Pang Ji’s side suddenly asked.

Cao Peng nodded without hesitation. “Exactly.”

“What if he does not?”

“Pardon?”

“I mean, if Cao Cao loses to Yuan Shao?”

The youth’s words carried an edge of challenge.

Clearly, Cao Peng’s arguments had moved Pang Ji and Sima Hui, but had not fully convinced the youth.

Cao Peng did not rush to reply. Under the gaze of Pang Ji and Sima Hui, he pondered a moment, then raised his head and said, “If Cao Cao fails, the common people will suffer.”

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