Chapter 82: A Name Beyond Words (Part One)

Xu Du, Tiger Guards Headquarters.

Deng Ji escorted thirty horse-drawn carts into the compound and directly dumped the stones from all thirty carts into a pond in the backyard.

“Afu, what kind of trick are you playing here?” Dian Wei frowned deeply as he looked at the pond filled to the brim with stones.

As the stones fell into the pond, the water instantly turned black. It turned out that what they called “black stones” were simply ordinary stones dyed black with ink.

Looking at the dark pond, Deng Ji was equally puzzled.

He had waited for Zhou Cang at Langling and then received a sealed letter from Cao Pengyi. The letter instructed him to bring back thirty carts of stones to Xu Du and to dye the stones black.

At the same time, Cao Peng also explained a certain strategy in the letter.

To be honest, Deng Ji couldn’t quite figure out what Cao Peng was thinking. He felt, “If you want to make swords, just make swords. Why all these tricks?”

But Cao Peng wore a mysterious and profound smile.

“After dark, load these thirty carts full again and send them out of the city to the fortress.”

“Huh?”

“There’s no need to use these stones. They just need to look full... In short, we want to create an illusion so that everyone believes Uncle Dian is going to make swords from this black iron stone. Once that purpose is achieved, you need not worry about anything else.”

Dian Wei and the others looked at Cao Peng, shaking their heads, utterly confused.

Cao Peng smiled and said, “I suppose by now the news has spread outside. Someone will come asking who you’ve invited to make the swords.

Uncle Dian, you must never say anything. No matter who asks, just say: ‘That’s not true.’”

“Huh?”

“This is called ‘letting go to catch.’ With thirty carts of black iron stone there, even if you deny it, no one will believe you.”

“Then why deny it at all?”

“The more you deny it, the less they believe, and the more they want to know... Then, after you get drunk one day, you can pretend to accidentally let it slip. Uncle Dian, do you know how to put on a show? Just say you invited a reclusive master from Nanyang. Besides that, don’t say a word. If Lord Cao asks, answer the same way.”

“Isn’t that deceiving my lord?”

Cao Peng grew serious: “Uncle Dian, is my father making swords?”

“Uh, yes!”

“Did he tell you he wants to make thirty superior swords in three months?”

Dian Wei thought for a moment. “Yes.”

“Then after three months, as long as my father delivers thirty good swords, isn’t that the fact? How is that deception?”

Dian Wei scratched his head; Cao Peng’s logic seemed sound.

Deng Ji couldn’t help but ask, “Then what’s the meaning behind this black iron stone trick?”

“Uh, I just think ‘black iron stone’ sounds more impressive.” Seeing Deng Ji’s gloomy expression, Cao Peng laughed heartily. “Brother-in-law, when putting on a show, you must do it well. Besides, the reason I’m making such a big fuss is actually for the martial demonstration four months from now.”

“Oh?”

Dian Wei’s interest was instantly piqued.

“What are you planning?” he asked Cao Peng curiously. “Even if you make thirty good swords, it’s not enough to equip my unit, right?”

“Well... that’s a secret!” Cao Peng smiled mysteriously, leaving Dian Wei even more baffled.

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That night, Cao Peng followed Deng Ji, driving empty carts, leaving the northern part of Xu Du and entering the fortress outside the city.

Zhou Cang brought over a hundred loyal men from Tufu Mountain and traveled with them. He had returned to Tufu Mountain to explain the situation to his men. Most were willing to follow Zhou Cang to serve under Dian Wei, after all, being branded as bandits was not flattering. Having a legitimate background was a fortunate opportunity.

However, some were reluctant to leave their homeland and, unfamiliar with Cao Cao, after much consideration, decided to stay on Tufu Mountain and continue their promising bandit lives.

The leader was named Du Fei, from Runan.

Over eighty men followed Du Fei, with some families remaining in the mountains.

Everyone parted amicably; Zhou Cang did not force the issue.

“Du Fei wasn’t originally one of Lord Qu’s men, so he’s a bit distrustful of Lord Qu.”

“Huh?”

Zhou Cang explained: “He was originally part of the Runan Dao, under Zhang Zhangba. After Zhang died in battle, the Runan Dao scattered... Actually, Tufu Mountain was first occupied by this man. Later, I brought a group of brothers there and was taken in by him, which stabilized us. He didn’t want to come with us, and I couldn’t force him... After all, we’re brothers; I wouldn’t want to harm him over this.”

Wang Meng nodded appreciatively. “Old Zhou, you’re honorable!”

He thought for a moment and said to Zhou Cang, “Dian Zhonglang has been promoted to Tiger Guards Lieutenant General and is recruiting soldiers. I have the Lieutenant General’s favor and now serve as a Lang Officer in the Tiger Guards, which is a promising future. Old Zhou, why not join me in the Tiger Guards and strive for glory?”

Zhou Cang pondered briefly. “I’ll wait a bit longer.

I still don’t quite understand the court’s affairs. It’s better to stay here and watch. Besides, the Tiger Guards have heavy responsibilities and many rules. I’m used to a wild nature and might not tolerate such constraints. As for my brothers, if Lord Qu finds them useful, maybe they could have a future. I’ll wait and see; if it doesn’t work out, I’ll go to Runan to find Brother Wei.”

Zhou Cang didn’t want to join the Tiger Guards?

Cao Peng was momentarily stunned and secretly studied Zhou Cang but said nothing.

Wang Meng didn’t press and just smiled. “Since you have your plans, I won’t force you!”

With that, he set the matter aside.

After all, everyone has their aspirations. It was natural that Zhou Cang did not want to be constrained in Xu Du. Wang Meng only felt a bit regretful about Zhou Cang’s excellent martial skills.

Zhou Cang’s expression remained unchanged...

“Afu, your father has finished forging the iron furnace. All materials are ready for work tomorrow.”

Wang Meng turned to Cao Peng. “Now that things have settled, what are your plans?”

Cao Peng smiled. “First, help my father make swords. Once that’s done, we’ll talk about other matters. In my free time, I’ll study with my brother-in-law. The books Master Pang gifted me are not yet finished. Previously, I was busy with many things; now is a good time to savor them slowly.”

“Studying is good, very good!”

Deng Ji looked relieved.

To be honest, he worried about Cao Peng.

In Deng Ji’s eyes, Cao Peng had extraordinary strategic insight, even surpassing himself.

For example, during the Battle of Wan, when everyone thought Cao Cao would surely win, only Cao Peng predicted his defeat.

Moreover, his assessments afterward were very accurate.

If he studied well, he was sure to achieve great success. Deng Ji’s greatest fear was that Cao Peng might become complacent and stop striving. But now, since he was willing to continue studying, it showed a clear mind.

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Dian Wei prepared to make swords to face the martial demonstration four months later!

Within just a day, the news spread throughout Xu Du, even reaching Cao Cao, who smiled and asked Dian Wei the next day, only to receive a clear answer.

How would Dian Wei make the swords?

Who would make the swords for Dian Wei?

For a time, speculation ran rampant...

Those thirty carts of Western Region Qiwu stones brought tremendous pressure on Xu Chu.

If Dian Wei’s Tiger Guards really equipped themselves with top-quality swords, the martial demonstration would pose a huge threat.

“Zhongkang, have you heard that Lord Dian has invited a rare master from Nanyang to make the swords?”

Xu Chu’s elder brother, Xu Ding, styled Mengkang, learned the news and immediately rushed to Xu Chu’s house, asking anxiously upon arrival.

Xu Chu nodded solemnly. “Today, the lord also asked, and Lord Dian did not deny it. But there are only four months until the demonstration; he can’t possibly make good swords so fast. I think the key lies with the swordsmith.”

“What do you mean?”

“This time, he barely escaped death in Nanyang. Could it be he really met some master?”

Xu Ding scratched his head and sat before Xu Chu.

“Do you think it might be a trick by Dian Wei?”

“That’s impossible!” Xu Chu shook his head immediately. “I know Lord Dian’s temperament well. He is straightforward and doesn’t play tricks. Besides, even if he deceives anyone, he wouldn’t deceive our lord. So I believe he truly intends to make the swords.”

Many might not understand—why make such a fuss over making swords?

At the end of the Eastern Han, the standard swords had begun to spread, but most were crudely made, far from high quality.

A good sword could boost combat effectiveness by twenty percent.

The problem was, good swords were rare and hard to come by... Dian Wei had brought in so much “black iron stone,” apparently to mass-produce swords. Black iron stone, also known as “Western Region Qiwu,” was recognized as premium sword-making material. With Dian Wei admitting his intent to make swords, many were naturally watching closely. What they really cared about was: who was making the swords?

If such a person existed who could mass-produce good swords in a short time, they would surely be courted by all sides.

But who was this person?

No one knew yet...

While Xu Chu and Xu Ding discussed, a servant came to report.

“Eldest and Second Young Masters, I’ve found out some news.

Last night, Lord Dian ordered the Western Region Qiwu stones sent to the fortress outside the city... I’ve learned that the fortress was originally vacant, but recently a group moved in—apparently those who rescued Lord Dian. One of them seems to be a blacksmith.”

“A blacksmith?”

Xu Chu’s eyes lit up.

Xu Ding quickly asked, “Did you find out the blacksmith’s name?”

“It seems his surname is Cao, but I haven’t learned his full name yet. The fortress is guarded tightly by Lord Dian’s men. I only learned this because someone recently went in to help build an iron furnace. I heard the furnace’s design is very unusual, but it’s definitely for smelting iron... I plan to try to gather more information in a few days.”

“Surname Cao?” Xu Ding looked at Xu Chu.

Xu Chu thought and nodded. “Among those who saved Lord Dian, there was indeed someone named Cao. I didn’t pay attention at the time, so I can’t recall his name now... Brother, this means Lord Dian’s sword-making isn’t a lie.

This guy is really lucky—he not only survived but found a master swordsmith.

Brother, if the Tiger Guards get a batch of good swords, my Tiger Guards might not be their match! What should we do?”

Xu Ding fell silent, thinking hard.

“First, find out this Cao’s full name.”

Xu Ding spoke softly, “There’s still some time before the martial demonstration. We’ll take our time and see if Lord Dian can really make those good swords!”

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