Chapter 106: A Triple Celebration (Part I)

In the second year of Jian'an, from the first to the seventh month, many significant events unfolded.

In the fifth month, Yuan Shu dispatched envoys to Xiapi to announce his intent to declare himself emperor, demanding that Lu Bu fulfill their marriage alliance by sending his daughter to Shouchun. However, Chen Deng, the Chancellor of Pei, intervened and warned Lu Bu that Cao Cao, who had welcomed the Emperor and was managing state affairs, held the mandate of the people. Aligning with Yuan Shu would surely brand Lu Bu as treacherous and unjust, making him a target for the entire world to condemn.

Convinced, Lu Bu recalled his daughter, Lu Yuan, and had Yuan Shu’s envoys beheaded and sent to Xudu.

Subsequently, Cao Cao issued an imperial edict appointing Lu Bu as General of the Left as a gesture of appeasement. Upon hearing this, Yuan Shu sent his general Zhang Xun with tens of thousands of infantry and cavalry to march directly on Xiapi. At that time, Lu Bu had only three thousand elite troops and four hundred horses—a vast disparity in strength. These three thousand, however, were mostly Lu Bu’s personal followers, including the Flying Bear Army and the Camp-Breaker battalion, all battle-hardened and invincible warriors.

Still, facing tens of thousands with only three thousand was undeniably perilous. Lu Bu adopted the strategy of Chen Gui, sowing discord among Yang Feng and the others, and joined forces with them to pincer Zhang Xun. Yuan Shu’s forces were annihilated. Lu Bu then united with Yang Feng, advancing by water and land toward Zhongli, reaching within two hundred li of Shouchun.

Yuan Shu, with only five thousand men remaining, retreated to Huainan to watch the situation. Lu Bu ceased his pursuit and returned to Xiapi. He then dispatched Chen Deng, son of Chen Gui, along with his trusted subordinate Wei Xu, to Xudu to request the position of Provincial Governor. After this battle, Yuan Shu’s arrogance was greatly diminished.

In mid-June, Cao Cao sent the Gentleman Consultant Wang Fu with an imperial edict to appoint Sun Ce as General of the Household of Cavalry, granting him his father’s title of Marquis of Wucheng and the post of Administrator of Kuaiji. He also ordered Sun Ce to join forces with Lu Bu and Chen Yu, the Administrator of Wu, to pincer Yuan Shu. Sun Ce did not immediately agree, instead demanding a general’s title from Wang Fu. Wang Fu, acting under delegated authority, named Sun Ce the General Who Brightens the Han, upon which Sun Ce finally mobilized his troops.

However, as Sun Ce reached Qiantang, Chen Yu, the Administrator of Wu, ordered his Colonel, Wan Yan, to take over thirty official seals and distribute them to bandit leaders like Zu Lang, Jiao Yi, and Yan Baihu, instructing them to act as internal agents to seize the territories Sun Ce had captured. Upon discovering this, Sun Ce immediately ordered his general Lu Fan to attack Chen Yu, who was defeated and fled alone to Jizhou. Sun Ce seized the opportunity to annex Wu Commandery, gaining over four thousand troops and significantly expanding his power. For a time, the fame of the "Little Conqueror" in Jiangdong was unrivaled.

In mid-July, Cao Cao received Chen Deng in Xudu. He did not grant Lu Bu’s request for the governorship of Xu Province, but instead appointed Chen Deng as the Administrator of Guangling. After seeing Chen Deng off, Cao Cao immediately summoned his ministers to discuss the campaign against Yuan Shu. Following a year of state-sponsored farming, Xudu had a bountiful harvest, and Cao Cao no longer worried about provisions. With his troops prepared and Liu Biao and Zhang Xiu remaining peaceful, it was time for a punitive expedition. Before acting, however, Cao Cao needed to plan carefully.

Dian Wei and Xu Chu stood on either side of the hall like two temple guardians. One held a great axe, the other clutched a long saber. Their eyes fixed, they were as silent as stone statues. At first glance, they looked identical in their white robes, black boots, wide belts, and headscarves, exuding a sharp, murderous aura. Outside the hall, armored warriors patrolled.

The only difference was the short blade at Dian Wei’s waist, its hilt inlaid with a blood-red gemstone that gave it a sinister air. Xu Chu stared straight ahead, yet his peripheral vision kept darting toward that blade. Despite his best efforts to resist, he could not help himself. Dian Wei, noticing this, shifted the blade slightly to make it easier for Xu Chu to see, while holding his head higher and chest puffed out, infuriating Xu Chu.

Cao Cao had released them from prison after three days, as they had behaved well and spent their time drinking and chatting, seemingly restored to their former camaraderie. In truth, Cao Cao had locked them up hoping to foster a spirit of cooperative competition.

The two remained in their original posts: Dian Wei as General of the Household of Tiger Braves, entrusted with the Heavenly Lone Blade and the right to carry weapons into the hall; Xu Chu as Colonel, leading the Tiger Guards. However, both units had undergone changes while their leaders were imprisoned. The deputies of the Tiger Braves, Xiahou Heng and Cao Xiu, had been reassigned. Xu Ding, a follower from the Tiger Guards, was moved to the Tiger Braves as a commander, while Cao Xing replaced the former deputy in the Tiger Guards. Cao Xing, a nephew of Cao Cao, had always been close to Dian Wei, and his transfer was said to have been recommended by Cao Ren.

This prevented either the Tiger Braves or the Tiger Guards from being dominated by a single faction. Dian Wei was now checked by Xu Ding, and a "nail" had been driven into Xu Chu’s unit. The balance shifted from one dominated by the Xu clan to a rivalry between the Tiger Braves and the Xu clan.

Xu Chu swallowed hard, his eyelids drooping, refusing to look at Dian Wei. He knew Dian Wei was provoking him. Although their relationship had mended, the competition remained. *Damn luck,* he thought, *if not for the help of Ah Fu’s family, how could you be worthy of the Heavenly Lone Blade?*

Cao Cao’s "Thirty-six Stars of Heaven" now had its first star settled. Dian Wei, the Heavenly Lone Star, was the only one officially confirmed among the thirty-six, sparking envy and jealousy throughout the Cao camp. But there were thirty-five more to go. Xu Chu comforted himself with the thought of having his men ask Ah Fu for help to reclaim his honor.

As the two giants engaged in their petty rivalry, Cao Cao’s strategists watched from the hall, amused and expectant. Cao Cao had declared that the thirty-six stars were not based on martial prowess alone; the wise could also be honored. Furthermore, he noted that once Cao Ji took charge of the various smelting bureaus, they would forge a second set of blades—the seventy-two Earthly Fiends—to complete the full count of one hundred and eight.

"My Lord," someone spoke after the meeting, "Chen Deng, as Administrator of Guangling, may restrain the 'Raging Tiger' (Lu Bu), but he is a prominent family member of Xu Province and may not be truly loyal."

Cao Cao, himself from an official family, understood that such clans prioritized their own interests. He glanced secretly at Xun Yu. "Wenruo, what do you think?"

Xun Yu replied calmly, "Since you have employed Chen Yuanlong, why not trust him? He is a clever man and knows the 'Raging Tiger' is not a wise master. If you wish to plot for Xu Province, this is the right time."

"How should we proceed?" Cao Cao asked.

"Send someone to Guangling to establish a firm foothold. This will serve to restrain Chen Deng and monitor Xiapi simultaneously."

"What does Fengxiao think?"

"Wenruo’s words are excellent."

"Then who should be sent, and how shall they establish themselves?"

Xun You suddenly spoke up, "I have heard that since the second year of Xingping, Haixi has been plagued by bandits and chaos. Local powerful families collude with mountain brigands, and three successive county magistrates have met mysterious ends there. Chen Yuanlong has mentioned that Haixi is in such disarray that no one wishes to go. Why not send someone there? If they can bring order to Haixi, they will have a foothold."

"Haixi?" The hall buzzed with whispers.

After a moment of contemplation, Cao Cao asked, "Gongda, do you have a suitable candidate?"

Haixi was at the intersection of Guangling, Xiapi, and Donghai, a place difficult to control. Since Lu Bu’s victory in May, his strength had surged, and with Gao Shun as his advisor, Cao Cao had to be cautious. Sending someone to Haixi was like driving a nail into the heart of Xu Province—a dangerous task requiring someone trustworthy, capable, and discreet enough to avoid drawing too much attention.

"My Lord," Liu Ye, the Clerk of the Ministry of Works, stood up, "I recommend one man for this heavy task: Liang Xi, the Magistrate of Chengshi."

"Liang Xi?" Cao Cao looked toward Dong Zhao, who nodded. "My Lord, Liang Xi was the Registrar of Chen Commandery. You recruited him last year, and he has governed Chengshi well for the past six months."

Xun Yu stood up, "My Lord, Liang Xi is indeed talented, but he has only been in Chengshi for half a year. To move him now would be detrimental. If he goes to Haixi, who will take his place in Chengshi?"

The concern was valid. Continuity in governance was crucial.

"Wenruo, what do you suggest?"

"I have a candidate. In terms of seniority and talent, he may not match Ziyu (Liang Xi), but he is sufficient to garrison Haixi. His name is Deng Ji, courtesy name Shusun."

Deng Ji? Most in the hall were unfamiliar with the name. Dong Zhao whispered into Cao Cao’s ear, "He is the son-in-law of Cao Jun."

Cao Cao recalled the "one-armed adjutant" who had helped Xiahou Heng and Cao Xiu form the Tiger Braves. He had been meticulous, keeping clear records of every supply, which allowed the others to focus on training.

Guo Jia also stood up, "Deng Ji is indeed a suitable candidate."

"Is this Deng Shusun reliable?"

Guo Jia replied, "Deng Ji and I share the same teacher." That was all that needed to be said.

Xun You added, "I also agree with appointing Deng Ji as the Magistrate of Haixi."

Xun You explained that he had learned of Deng Ji earlier, noting his background as a minor official in Jiyang and his role in the Langling incident where he had personally beheaded Cheng Yao.

Cao Cao nodded. He remembered the reports from Man Chong regarding the Langling chaos.

"My Lord," Liu Ye said, "if Gongda says so, Deng Shusun is indeed more suitable than Ziyu."

Cao Cao had made his decision. Deng Ji was talented, discreet, and had strong connections to Dian Wei and Cao Zhen. He was the perfect choice to be the "nail" in Xu Province.

"Gongren," Cao Cao said, "write a letter to Man Boyong (Man Chong) in Pingyu. As for the appointment of the Magistrate of Haixi, I will consider it carefully before making a final decision. Wenruo, organize the dossiers and report on the situation in Haixi immediately."

Xun Yu bowed, "I will handle it at once."

As Cao Cao walked out of the hall, he kept murmuring the name "Deng Ji," a smile appearing on his face as he glanced at Dian Wei.