Chapter: Who Agrees, Who Opposes (Part 1)

In October of the second year of Jian'an, Cao Cao led his forces forward and severely defeated the army of Yuan Shu.
He beheaded many of Yuan Shu's prominent generals, including Qiao Ting, Li Feng, Liang Gang, and Le Jiu. Only Zhang Xun managed to escape with his life, escorting Yuan Shu back to Huainan.
In this year, Yuan Shu was first defeated by Lü Bu and subsequently by Cao Cao. He lost all territory north of the Huai River, and almost all of his capable generals perished. From then on, he slumped into irreversible decline, never to recover the glory of his earlier days. Meanwhile, the gentry and influential clans in the Huainan region who remained loyal to the Han Dynasty gradually distanced themselves from Yuan Shu.

In the blink of an eye, it was late October.
Counting the time, Deng Ji had already been in Haixi County for more than half a month!

During this brief half-month, Deng Ji accomplished a great deal. First, he eliminated Chen Sheng, the tyrant of Haixi, and then stabilized the prices of goods in the region, firmly establishing his foothold. The people of Haixi also discovered that this magistrate Deng seemed uninterested in suppressing bandits or similar endeavors. After recalling a hundred patrol guards, he went completely silent. Apart from paying a visit to Chen Deng, the Administrator of Guangling Commandery, he spent the rest of his time reorganizing the county yamen and repairing the city walls of Haixi. After so many years, the walls of Haixi had long fallen into disrepair, and it was indeed time to fix them.

Previously, Deng Ji lacked the strength.
Now, however, he had eradicated Chen Sheng and seized all of Chen Sheng's family property into the official treasury.

Chen Sheng's estate was staggering. According to preliminary investigations—setting aside the land and slaves under his name, as well as the goods and merchandise stored in his warehouses—the copper coin reserves alone in his household amounted to tens of millions. Even after deducting the tens of millions previously spent on purchasing grain and rice, his total assets exceeded one hundred million cash!

Even Cao Peng sighed privately that Chen Sheng was truly a master of accumulating wealth.
In ten years, amassing a fortune exceeding one hundred million... No wonder he could act as a tyrant in Haixi. His assets were almost comparable to those of ancient, noble, and influential families. After tallying Chen Sheng's wealth, Bu Zhi could not help exclaiming that such a vast amount of money and silk could exempt Haixi from taxation for three years.

However, Haixi County alone could not possibly swallow such a massive fortune.
After taking inventory of Chen Sheng's estate, Deng Ji ordered all rare treasures—excluding grain, rice, and other essential supplies—to be sent to Guangling.
This was Cao Peng's suggestion to Deng Ji.
The so-called principle of sharing benefits!

It was utterly impossible for Deng Ji alone to digest such a massive amount of wealth and goods. Rather than inviting jealousy, it was far better to be generous and forge alliances with others. The Chen clan of Guangling had given Deng Ji ample face—or rather, given ample face to the imperial court and to Cao Cao. Therefore, following the principle of reciprocity, Deng Ji had to cede a portion of his gains. Securing the support of the Guangling Chen clan was far more important than a few million cash in treasure. To this, Deng Ji also expressed his agreement...

The investigation was still ongoing, but the person in charge of it had been replaced by Bu Zhi.
Since Wei Jing had not stayed behind, the available personnel at Deng Ji's disposal remained scarce. Faced with the enormous estate left by Chen Sheng and the myriad complex affairs of Haixi County, Bu Zhi alone still found himself stretched thin. Under these circumstances, Bu Zhi, who was relatively familiar with Guangling, recommended a man to Deng Ji named Dai Qian, courtesy name Maozeng, a native of Danyang. This man had originally served as a senior official under the Han, known for his strictness and meticulous attention to detail. According to Bu Zhi, if this man could be recruited, he would certainly assist Deng Ji in governing Haixi.

In truth, Haixi County was not entirely devoid of talent.
For instance, Xu Xuan, who currently served as the chief secretary of Guangling Commandery, was a native-born son of Haixi.
However, Xu Xuan came from a distinguished background, belonged to a prominent lineage, and enjoyed a considerable reputation. Given Deng Ji's current standing, he could not easily command such a figure. Instead, capable yet frustrated individuals who lacked proper advancement were the ones who could be employed. Yet even for such men, careful planning was essential.

Reflecting on the tropes in later-generation stories where the protagonist gives a mighty shake of his shoulders and talents flock from all four directions, Cao Peng could not help feeling rather helpless.
Dai Qian?
Yet another unfamiliar name...
However, since he was recommended by Bu Zhi, he surely could not be too mediocre.

In the late Eastern Han Dynasty, there were many ways to recruit talent.
For example, through imperial summons or recommendations... But for Deng Ji, neither direct summons nor formal recommendations were entirely appropriate.
As Cao Peng had told him, "We are currently in no position to issue formal summons, and no one will volunteer to recommend themselves. If we want to attract usable talent, we must demonstrate our sincerity. Just as you personally went to visit and invite Puyang Kai back then, you should now personally go and invite Dai Qian. Only by doing so can you show your thirst for talent and move those frustrated talents in Guangling."

Deng Ji felt that Cao Peng's idea was entirely correct and decided to travel personally to Huailing to invite Dai Qian.
Before departing, however, Deng Ji had one more matter to attend to.
On the eve of his departure, he summoned the bailiffs of the four wards of Haixi County.
This was the first time Deng Ji officially summoned the petty officials of Haixi County since taking office. The ward bailiffs were selected and appointed by the county yamen from among the locals, serving as the bridge between the government and the people. Their duties included maintaining order, supervising illicit activities, urging the collection of taxes and corvée labor, and obeying the commands of the county yamen... The current bailiffs of the four wards of Haixi had been appointed three years prior by the magistrate of that time. Ever since, Haixi had remained in turmoil, and no one had bothered to manage them.

Logically speaking, the salaries of the ward bailiffs were supposed to be disbursed by the county magistrate.
Yet due to the frequent turnover of officials in Haixi over the years, their salaries had never been formally paid.
During the years Chen Sheng dominated Haixi, these bailiffs had long neglected their proper duties. If not for Deng Ji's summons, they might have even forgotten that they were still ward bailiffs.

Upon remembering, however, the four bailiffs were instantly struck with panic.
Why?
A ward bailiff, no matter how minor, was still an official of the county yamen.
When a new magistrate assumed office, the bailiffs were supposed to go three li outside the city to welcome him respectfully.
Yet more than twenty days had passed since Deng Ji assumed office, and these bailiffs had not taken a single step toward the yamen.

This constituted at least two offenses: first, dereliction of duty; second, showing disrespect to superiors. These two crimes alone were enough to keep the four bailiffs in constant trepidation.
Just as they expected, the four bailiffs were severely scolded by Deng Ji, who cursed them unsparingly.
However, just as they stood there crestfallen, preparing to slink away from the yamen, they were called back by Bu Zhi.

"Respected elders, the reason the magistrate was angry today is not simply because you failed to show respect, neglected to welcome him, or neglected to report for duty.
The magistrate is furious that, as officials of the court, you failed to act as the voice of the government, allowing thugs to run wild and dominate Haixi while the authority of the court was swept away into dust. Over the years, the reason Haixi has fallen into such a state is partly your responsibility... Yet the magistrate also understands your hardships. Calling you here today serves two purposes: first, to reprimand you; and second, to disburse the grain salaries rightfully owed to you for the past three years. According to the laws of the imperial court, each of you is entitled to forty bushels of grain in annual salary. Over three years, this amounts to one hundred and twenty bushels owed to each of you. Here are ten salary tokens. Take these tokens to the grain shop in the northern market and collect your grain salaries from Hu Ban.
The extra twenty bushels can be split evenly among the four of you as compensation..."

The four bailiffs felt as though they were walking in a dream!
Three years later, there were still grain salaries?
Clutching their salary tokens, they stumbled out of the yamen, stood on the main street staring at one another in silence for a long time, and suddenly burst into loud sobs.

For three years, they had endured countless grievances. Now, they finally felt the return of official governance. Perhaps starting from today, the skies over Haixi were going to change!

The four bailiffs had been reprimanded by Deng Ji and simultaneously reimbursed for three years of grain salaries.
In the eyes of the people of Haixi, the newly repaired county yamen suddenly radiated once again that majestic and stern aura it had lost for so many years.

"Master Wang, Magistrate Deng has returned, yet to this day he refuses to summon us. What on earth is he planning?"
Once again, the merchants felt the invisible pressure emanating from the county yamen. Deng Ji's act of summoning the ward bailiffs conveyed a clear message to everyone: from now on, Haixi County was to be incorporated into the governance of the yamen. All affairs would be decided by the magistrate.

How, then, would Deng Ji deal with the merchants who had previously opposed him? Chen Sheng's cautionary example was still vivid in their minds.
Dozens of dried human heads were still hanging from the watchtower of the city walls. As long as Deng Ji refused to state his position, the merchants of Haixi could not have a moment of peace. Driven by necessity, they once again gathered in a group and came to Wang Cheng's residence. This time, they were genuinely terrified!

"Magistrate Deng has gone out again."
"Ah?"
"Last night, he led men toward Huailing and is currently not in the county yamen."

Wang Cheng also wore a helpless expression, smiling bitterly as he said to the crowd, "To be frank with you all, ever since the banquet at the yamen that night, I haven't seen Magistrate Deng again. All yamen affairs are currently being handled jointly by the Assistant Magistrate and the Registrar. Master Puyang has recently been busy handling official documents and case files, while Registrar Bu's primary energy has been devoted to taking inventory of Chen Sheng's estate, so neither of them is clear on Magistrate Deng's intentions."

"What about Young Master Cao?"
Shopkeeper Ma of the linen shop could not help asking.
During this period, he had indeed expended a great deal of effort and found out many things.
He asked, "I heard that Magistrate Deng obeys his brother-in-law implicitly in all things. Although he only holds the rank of Military Cao, in terms of status, he ranks above the Assistant Magistrate and the two Commandery Captains. Master Wang, if all else fails, why don't we pay a visit to Young Master Cao and invite him out for a drink?"

"Indeed, indeed!"
Since they could not see Deng Ji for the moment, establishing a connection with Young Master Cao was an alternative.
The merchants seemed to have suddenly enlightened themselves, chiming in all at once.
"Invite Young Master Cao to the Lotus Pavilion..."
"Bah, it's winter now, there's nothing in the lotus pond, are you going to let Young Master Cao drink the cold wind? You'd better invite him to my Nine-Rank Bathhouse..."
"Stop talking nonsense! Considering how long it's been established, how can your Nine-Rank Bathhouse compare to my Lotus Pavilion?
The maidens at my Lotus Pavilion are all fresh and delicate, blessed with peerless beauty. How could a place like the Nine-Rank Bathhouse presume to invite Young Master Cao's great presence?"

It seemed that both the Lotus Pavilion and the Nine-Rank Bathhouse were establishments of that sort... well, you understand! Wang Cheng was left laughing despite himself, standing up to raise his voice and halt the commotion.

"Gentlemen, gentlemen, please hear me out.
As for inviting Young Master Cao, I can certainly help. However, Young Master Cao is a refined scholar. Back then, he was appreciated by Palace Attendant Pang of Lushan Mountain in Xiangyang, and almost became a disciple of the Lumeng Academy. The places you mentioned are truly unrefined and lack elegance; it would be best not to mention them again.
Furthermore, Young Master Cao is only fourteen years old, and I have never heard of him taking an interest in such matters.
I have, however, heard some rumors. Young Master Cao's esteemed father—that is, Magistrate Deng's father-in-law—is a Grand Master of the Hidden Mohists, currently serving in the Lesser Treasury. In my opinion, instead of inviting Young Master Cao to such places, it would be far more useful to find some clever mechanical contrivances or rare novelties to present to him. That might prove much more effective."

"Ah..."
A series of low exclamations echoed through the room.
So Young Master Cao's father was actually a Grand Master of the Hidden Mohists!

"Master Wang is truly Master Wang, brilliant indeed."
Shopkeeper Huang of the Gold Market clapped in praise, wearing a flattering smile as he said to Wang Cheng, "As it happens, I have some small trinkets in my household that perhaps Young Master Cao might fancy."
"Only your household has treasures, while the rest of us have none?"
"Exactly, Shopkeeper Huang, how can you be so ungenerous? Master Wang is looking out for everyone, how can you only think of yourself?"
A group of grown men burned with righteous indignation, pointing at Shopkeeper Huang and scolding him roundly.
That left Shopkeeper Huang looking sheepish and embarrassed...

A sharp glint flashed through Wang Cheng's eyes.
A faint, imperceptible smile surfaced on his face. Narrowing his eyes, he softly asked, "I wonder what kind of treasures each of you gentlemen keeps in your households?"

A night of winter rain caused the temperature to drop once again.
Cao Peng got up early, stepped out of his bedroom, and stretched his limbs.
Wang Mai and Deng Fan were already up, practicing with weighted poles on the open ground next to the adjacent courtyard. The white waxwood poles, as thick as a child's thigh, produced a strange vibration with their movements, resonating with the muscles in their bodies. Standing aside, Cao Peng could sense the rhythmic pulsing of qi and blood within their bodies... He nodded inwardly; it seemed that Tiger-head Big Brother and Big Bear were on the verge of a breakthrough!

Wang Mai seemed close to entering the realm of tendon-tempering, while Deng Fan was approaching the peak of bone-tempering.
Given time, he would soon have two more tendon-tempering experts by his side...

"A-Fu, let's spar."
Just as Cao Peng was watching Wang Mai and Deng Fan practice, Dian Man and Xu Yi ran over, sweating profusely and beaming with excitement.
"That's right, ever since we left Xuchang, we haven't sparred properly."
Xu Yi said with a beaming, excited expression as he smiled at Cao Peng.

Both of these youths had already reached the level of tendon-tempering. Although their raw strength and combat experience could not yet match Zhou Cang or Xiahou Lan, compared to when they were in Xuchang, the difference was like heaven and earth.
True to being descendants of famous fierce generals, their genetic makeup was simply different from ordinary people.

Wang Mai had spent the longest time training under Cao Peng, yet he had not yet broken through the bone-tempering stage. Dian Man and Xu Yi, on the other hand, had successfully advanced ahead of him.

Cao Peng warmed up his limbs and took off his cotton robe.
Just as he was about to step onto the grounds to spar a few rounds with Xu Yi, he saw Hu Ban running over in a hurried manner from the front courtyard.
"Young Master, Wang Cheng requests an audience!"

Cao Peng was slightly startled. "Wang Cheng? Didn't he come yesterday? Why is he here again? Just tell him the magistrate has not yet returned, and if there's any matter, he can discuss it with the magistrate directly."

Hu Ban hurriedly shook his head. "Young Master, Wang Cheng is here to see you."
"To see me?"
Cao Peng froze for a moment, then burst out laughing!
"What, have they finally remembered me?"
"Ugh..."
Hu Ban truly did not know how to respond to Cao Peng's remark.

Fortunately, Cao Peng did not dwell on the question, shifting his tone abruptly. "Hu Ban, go tell Wang Cheng that I understand the purpose of his visit. Tell him to go back and inform those people that tonight I will be hosting a banquet at the Feiyang Pavilion in the northern market. Those who ought to come must not miss a single one; as for those who have no business showing up, they had better stay out of my sight. And add one more thing: tell him I am not as easy to talk to as Magistrate Deng."

"Understood!"
Hu Ban bowed, then added, "Then what about the gifts Wang Cheng brought..."
"If they want to send them, let them leave them."
"This subordinate understands."
Hearing this, Hu Ban chuckled and turned to leave.

Meanwhile, Cao Peng turned around, walked into the center of the training ground, assumed a starting posture, and smiled at Xu Yi, "Second Brother, let's begin!"