Chapter 30: The Retinue (3/3) — Rolling on the Ground for Recommendations

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Today I’ve written ten thousand words. Rolling on the ground, I beg for recommendations, for clicks, for favorites.
Guess, in the city of Nine Maidens, which great figure will young Cao encounter?
The answer will be revealed tomorrow!
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“You’re going with Uncle Sun?” When Madam Zhang heard this, she immediately became anxious. She leaped up and shouted loudly, “No, you can’t go. You’re so young—what’s the point of you going along? Besides, that’s a military camp, what are you going there for?”
It wasn’t just Madam Zhang who disapproved; even Cao Nan objected.
Deng Ji’s eyes reddened as he stepped forward, taking Cao Peng’s hand with some emotion. “Afu, I appreciate your intentions—but I can’t take you. The camp is full of all sorts, good and bad mixed together. If anything happened to you, how could I live with myself? Listen to me, stay home and keep your parents and sister company. When I return, I’ll take you out to have some fun.”
What nonsense! I’m not a child anymore!
Cao Peng smiled bitterly to himself but said nothing, turning his gaze to Cao Ji.
“Your father, say something.”
Cao Ji slowly raised his head, looking at Cao Peng, and asked in a deep voice, “Peng’er, if you go with your brother-in-law, how will you actually help him?”
As he spoke, Cao Ji glanced at Cao Peng's arms and legs.
The implication was clear: Don’t say you’ll protect your brother-in-law—your small frame wouldn’t count for much in a military camp.
Cao Peng smiled, a bright, radiant smile.
That smile immediately calmed the somewhat anxious Madam Zhang, and it even gave Deng Ji the sense that Cao Peng was confident and composed.
“Father, as the saying goes, brothers hunt tigers together, fathers and sons fight side by side.
I’m not saying my brother-in-law is lacking—it’s just that he’s too honest and easily bullied. If I go with him, at least I can offer him advice. I’m not saying I’m so brilliant, but in some respects, I can help him avoid unnecessary trouble. Just as he said, the camp is full of all kinds, and with his temperament, if he doesn’t have someone sharp by his side, he’ll easily suffer.
Coincidentally, I suppose I count as someone with some sense…”
Cao Ji and Wang Meng nodded in unison.
This boy is not just sensible—he can sit and discuss the fate of the world with Sima Hui and Pang Yuan’an; he’s far more than just perceptive…
Cao Peng continued, “Secondly, because I’m young, no one will pay much attention to me if I go with my brother-in-law. Some things I can do, which he might not be able to. So even if I’m not strong, at least my wits are decent.
And besides, I’ve grown up so much but never seen much of the world.
Gan Luo became prime minister at twelve, Huo the Cavalry Commander chased the Xiongnu for a thousand miles at eighteen, making them tremble at his name. I recall what the old sage who taught me said: ‘Reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles.’ My brother-in-law has been summoned for service; isn’t that also a chance for me to broaden my horizons?”
Brothers hunt tigers together, reading ten thousand books…
Cao Ji had never heard these sayings, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t understand their meaning.
Upon reflection, there was some logic to it.
Cao Ji thought for a moment and was about to speak when Wang Mai said, “Father, Uncle, I’ll go with Afu. Afu is clever, and my own martial skills are not bad. Although not top-notch, I can handle ordinary situations and can protect both Afu and brother-in-law. Besides, I’m about the same age as Afu, so it won’t attract attention. And as Afu said, brothers hunt tigers together—he and I may not be blood brothers, but we’re as close as family. If we go together, we can look after each other.”
Wang Meng was momentarily stunned, then smiled.
Cao Ji thought it over and found the argument reasonable.
Madam Zhang said, “Hutou, even if you go, wouldn’t it be better to have your uncle or your father accompany you?”
Cao Peng immediately objected, “Mother, if Father or Uncle Wang go, that would be too conspicuous. Hutou and I are young and won’t draw attention, but Father and Uncle Wang… I think just the two of us will do. Anyway, we won’t be gone long—it’s just like having a little adventure.”

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Though Deng Ji wanted to object, he couldn’t find a reason.
Wang Meng and Cao Ji exchanged glances; Cao Ji stood up and said, “Since that’s the case, let’s leave it at that! Peng’er has great ambitions, so let’s not object any further. Besides, Uncle Sun is a learned man, and if the three brothers work together, nothing will go wrong.
Old Wang, help me light the forge.
I’ll make two weapons for Uncle Sun, and also prepare some armor for Afu and Hutou. Since you’re going to a military camp, you shouldn’t go empty-handed.”
Fortunately, Deng Ji had previously arranged for Cao Ji to handle weapon repairs, so it wasn’t difficult to put together a few sets of equipment.
Seeing that the decision was made, Madam Zhang and Cao Nan had no choice but to acquiesce.
Though they still felt uneasy, it was better than the previous helplessness—at least a bit more reassuring.
“Brother-in-law, is there really going to be a war?”
Cao Peng and Deng Ji went to help Cao Ji, and in private, Cao Peng asked in a low voice.
Deng Ji no longer saw Cao Peng as a naïve boy. Regardless of his future as a disciple of Lumen, based on his words just now, he was at least someone who understood the world. Speaking to someone like that required a different tone, with added gravity.
“Yes, I hear that Minister Cao is about to mobilize his troops!”
Minister Cao referred to Cao Cao.
The first year of Jian’an was a crucial year for Cao Cao.
In the first month, he took the advice of Xun Yu and Cheng Yu and decided to welcome the Emperor from the west; in the second month, he campaigned against the Yellow Turban rebels in Runan and Yingchuan, moving his base from Yanzhou to Yuzhou and receiving the title of General of Jiande for his efforts; in June, he was appointed General Who Pacifies the East and made Marquis of Feiting; in July, he personally went to Luoyang to welcome and install the Emperor, was granted the imperial authority, and assumed control of the secretariat—thus achieving a strategic advantage.
In September, the Emperor promoted Cao Cao to Grand General and Marquis of Wuping.
But due to Yuan Shao, Cao Cao soon relinquished the title of Grand General to Yuan Shao, appointing himself as Minister of Works and acting General of Chariots and Cavalry.
In October, Cao Cao campaigned against Yang Feng and took in Liu Bei, who had been defeated by Lü Bu, losing his family and left with nowhere to turn…
“Liu Bei?”
Deng Ji nodded with a smile, “Yes, that’s Liu Bei.”
In speaking, Deng Ji showed no particular respect for Uncle Liu, as if he were talking about any ordinary person.
Wasn’t Liu Bei supposed to be quite famous among the people?
Cao Peng couldn’t help but ask, “Who exactly is this Liu Bei?”
“Well… I’m not entirely sure. I’ve only heard that he and Gongsun Zan, as well as Liu Deren, once studied under Lu Zhi. Later, when the Yellow Turban uprising broke out, he followed Zou Jing to suppress the rebels and was made magistrate of Anxi. But he wasn’t content—soon after, for flogging Du You, he resigned and went on the run… Later, Grand General He Jin recruited soldiers to resist the Yellow Turbans, and Liu Bei answered the call, fighting bravely at Xiapi and becoming magistrate of Xiamu. After a brief stint, he was transferred to Gaotang, and later became governor there as well.”
Cao Peng had never really bothered to inquire about Liu Bei.
First, he hadn’t had the chance; second, Liu Bei’s reputation wasn’t particularly loud.
At least in Nanyang commandery, not many people knew of him. Deng Ji, as an official in Jiyang county, handled official correspondence and thus had access to such information. If it had been someone else, they might not even know who Liu Bei was.
But from Deng Ji’s account, it seemed rather different from what Cao Peng had imagined.
And judging from Deng Ji’s tone, he didn’t think much of Liu Bei…
“And after that?”
“After that, he was defeated by remnants of the Yellow Turbans and took refuge with General Gongsun Zan, serving as a subordinate officer. Then he joined Inspector Tian Kai of Qingzhou to fight against Yuan Shao of Jizhou, achieved some military merit, and became Chancellor of Pingyuan. It’s said that he administered Pingyuan well and was quite respected. When Minister Cao campaigned against Xuzhou, Liu Bei abandoned Pingyuan to aid Tao Qian of Xuzhou and gained Tao’s high regard.
Tao Qian even recommended Liu Bei as Governor of Yuzhou, but it wasn’t approved, so he garrisoned at Xiao Pei. When Tao Qian died, I don’t know how, but Liu Bei took over Xuzhou and defeated Yuan Shu, which earned him some fame. But then, he took in Lü Bu, who turned on him and seized Xuzhou, forcing Liu Bei to become Lü Bu’s subordinate… In short, this man gives me the impression of someone who shifts allegiances—a man not to be underestimated.”

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Cao Peng didn’t know if this was only Deng Ji’s opinion or a common view, but it was quite different from what he had imagined, and overall, the impression wasn’t a good one…
“Afu, go to the storeroom and fetch that iron halberd-spear.”
Cao Peng agreed and hurried to the storeroom, retrieving a spear about twelve feet long that stood by the door.
The serpent-spear weighed over forty pounds, different from an ordinary spear.
A so-called serpent-spear wasn’t named for its shape, but its length. According to Liu Xi’s “Explaining Names—Weapons,” a spear of over sixteen feet was called a “shuo”—this was that type of long spear. The iron halberd-spear was a bit shorter, its spine raised, with grooves on either side to allow air to pass and make it easier to withdraw. In the late Eastern Han, there weren’t many who used sixteen-foot spears, but quite a few used iron halberd-spears.
Cao Peng handed the spear to Cao Ji and asked, puzzled, “Father, do you mean to repair the spear?”
“Hutou isn’t good with a sword—he prefers spears.
I found this spear yesterday; the quality is decent. After some repairs, it may not be a legendary weapon, but it can pierce armor and take lives. I’ll forge a blade for you and a sword for Uncle Sun. You two, go pick some weapons—see if you can find something suitable.”
It was clear Cao Ji was very thoughtful.
With his son and son-in-law heading to the camp, having a good weapon in hand would provide some safety.
Cao Peng agreed and called Deng Ji to the storeroom to choose.
The storeroom was a side room at the front of the house. There were three rooms in all; Wang Meng and his son each occupied one, and the remaining room had become an armory. The two entered, choosing weapons as they talked.
“Brother-in-law, where were we just now?”
“Oh, Liu Bei…”
“No, about Minister Cao mobilizing the troops.”
Deng Ji slapped his forehead and smiled. “You interrupted and nearly made me forget the main point.”
When Cao Cao took in Liu Bei and was preparing to attack Xuzhou, news came that Zhang Xiu had seized Wancheng and allied with Liu Biao.
Truth be told, Cao Cao did not fear Liu Biao, nor Zhang Xiu’s uncle, Zhang Ji.
But Zhang Xiu—he did regard with some wariness.
Back when Dong Zhuo entered Luoyang, Zhang Xiu was already a famed general from Xiliang—skilled in both martial arts and strategy.
While Zhang Ji lived, Zhang Xiu was somewhat restrained.
But after Zhang Ji’s death, Zhang Xiu commanded the Xiliang army and, with Liu Biao’s support, garrisoned Wancheng, like a nail in Cao Cao’s back.
Because of this, Cao Cao even gave up his campaign against Xuzhou and rushed back to Xudu.
Deng Ji picked up an iron sword and tested it in the air.
“My guess is, Liu Jingzhou’s sudden reuse of the city of Nine Maidens is because of this.” He nodded with satisfaction, smiling, “This will do. I’ll take it to Father and have him mend it. Afu, have you found your weapon yet?”
“I’ll keep looking.”
Deng Ji nodded and walked out with the sword.
At the door, he suddenly stopped and turned back to look at Cao Peng. “Afu, why do you think I was summoned this time?”