Chapter Seventy-Four: The Stolen Halberd

The battle at the Yellow Gate Pavilion ended with the total annihilation of Cao Ren’s forces. Not a single one of the five thousand cavalry escaped; all were wiped out.

Shen Chen exerted every effort to ensure that history proceeded along its destined course. In truth, he did not fear altering the course of events. If a time traveler always obsessed with the timeline were to become blind to the world the moment the butterfly effect caused even the slightest change, what meaning would there be in crossing through time at all? All the advanced knowledge acquired in later generations would be wasted, all those years of compulsory education—high school and university—would come to nothing; what difference would there be between him and a useless fool?

Back in Xu Province, he had wished to alter history but found himself powerless. Arriving in Jingzhou, he was equally unable to effect change. Only now, with the killing of Cao Ren, had he shifted the course of history, yet he had to conceal the news of Cao Ren’s death, allowing Cao Cao to suffer a great defeat at Wan City, just as recorded. Only then could he seize the opportunity, striking like a hungry wolf lying in wait, launching a fierce attack against the wounded lion.

Thus, at this moment, even though the Yellow Gate Pavilion lay seventy to eighty kilometers from Wan City—a day’s ride even for swift horses—unless Cao Cao sent someone to investigate, no one would return to report the event. Shen Chen now waited for news; his army was stationed at the Yellow Gate Pavilion, cleaning up the aftermath. He dispatched soldiers disguised as commoners to Jingyang and Wan City, gathering intelligence.

Meanwhile, Zhang Xiu, upon learning of Cao Cao’s intention to find an excuse to kill him, immediately followed Jia Xu’s instructions, secretly preparing to launch a surprise attack on the Cao army camp.

The following morning, Cao Cao staggered out of Lady Zou’s courtyard, leaning against the wall. He sent for a carriage, which carried himself and Lady Zou back to his camp north of the city.

Of his thirty thousand strong army, Cao Ren had led five thousand to attack Huyang, while Yue Jin led three thousand against Anzhong. Thus, over twenty thousand troops remained with Cao Cao. These were divided into three camps, forming a triangular defense, each separated by two or three li.

The foremost was the camp of Cao Hong, numbering five thousand men. The central camp belonged to Cao Cao himself, with over ten thousand troops, while Yu Jin commanded the rearguard.

Once inside his camp with Lady Zou, Cao Cao lost himself in pleasure, spending his days in her company. Two days later, as dawn broke and his legs felt weak upon rising, Dian Wei suddenly came to report that Hu Che’er, the great general under Zhang Xiu, had come to seek refuge.

“Oh?” Upon hearing this, Cao Cao said, “Let him in.”

Hu Che’er was tall and imposing, second only to Dian Wei. Though his martial prowess was uncertain, his formidable presence pleased Cao Cao greatly.

Moments later, Hu Che’er entered and knelt on one knee. “Hu Che’er greets Lord Cao.”

“Rise,” Cao Cao gestured, both hands raised, indicating Hu Che’er should stand. “General Hu, what brings you to my camp?”

“Um…” Hu Che’er stood, seeming somewhat embarrassed. “Though I serve under General Zhang, my loyalty lies with the court. These past days, seeing the general drinking all day and speaking disrespectfully of you, I tried to dissuade him. Instead, he beat and cursed me, saying…”

“What did he say?” Cao Cao asked.

“He said that the gold and silver you gifted me the other day were meant to win me over, and that I had long harbored thoughts of disloyalty. He threatened to drive me from the camp.” Hu Che’er hesitated. “I argued my case, but General Zhang grew angry, threw a halberd at me, and ordered the soldiers to seize me. Fortunately, my agility—and the fact that many in the camp are old friends—saved me from capture. Otherwise, I might never have reached you. With no other place to go, I have come to seek your protection.”

“So that’s how it is. Zhang Xiu is but a fool, unable to recognize true heroes.” Cao Cao, long admiring Hu Che’er’s strength, was delighted by his quarrel with Zhang Xiu. “You have come to me—abandoning darkness for the light. You shall serve in my tent as a junior officer; once you earn merit on the battlefield, I will promote you further.”

“Thank you, Lord Cao. However, I have long heard of General Dian’s bravery and have admired him. I wish to serve under him.”

“Oh?” Cao Cao considered for a moment. “Then you shall be vice general in Dian Wei’s command.”

“Thank you, Lord Cao.” Hu Che’er bowed, a look of joy on his face.

Observing him, Cao Cao stroked his beard, pleased. In truth, when Hu Che’er first came to defect, Cao Cao harbored doubts. The timing was suspicious—amid his conflict with Zhang Xiu, Zhang’s general came to him. Was it a ruse?

Yet upon reflection, what could Hu Che’er accomplish alone? Assassinate Cao Cao? Dian Wei guarded him at all hours; Hu Che’er, for all his might, could not best Dian Wei. Now he was incorporated into the guards. Dian Wei, as chief bodyguard, commanded nearly a thousand close attendants around Cao Cao’s tent; whenever Cao Cao ventured out, dozens or even a hundred armored guards accompanied him. In the camp, over ten thousand soldiers stood ready—a mere assassin could never approach. Thus, after some thought, Cao Cao concluded that Hu Che’er’s defection was genuine.

Otherwise, what purpose could his arrival serve? Surely not to steal.

Cao Cao smiled. “Very well. Go now. Dian Wei will arrange your patrol duties.”

“Farewell.” Hu Che’er withdrew, assigned to the guards under Dian Wei’s command.

Cao Cao rejoiced at Hu Che’er’s defection. Meanwhile, Zhang Xiu feigned drunkenness every day to lull Cao Cao, but secretly mobilized his troops for an imminent revolt.

Given the disparity in strength and Cao Cao’s growing hostility, Jia Xu counseled swift action. Before Cao Cao could react, they must strike suddenly, catching him off guard.

Thus, over these days, Zhang Xiu sent Hu Che’er to infiltrate the Cao camp and scout its layout, while others disguised as commoners passed by the camp, observing from outside.

On the third day, Cao Cao sent a letter to Zhang Xiu. Zhang Xiu pretended to be deeply drunk, and Jia Xu received the messenger and the missive.

Once the envoy departed, Jia Xu returned to the tent. Zhang Xiu snapped awake, rising from his mat. “Uncle, what news?”

“The messenger is gone.” Jia Xu tossed the bamboo letter onto the table.

Zhang Xiu read the letter, then threw it aside, cursing. “That scoundrel Cao treats me like a fool!”

The letter claimed there was merely a misunderstanding and that his meeting with Lady Zou was to discuss affairs. He urged Zhang Xiu not to overthink and invited him to a banquet in the Cao camp the next day.

“Do not be hasty, General,” Jia Xu had already read the letter en route, knowing Zhang Xiu would be angered. “This shows Cao Cao intends to eliminate you tomorrow. He does not know we are already preparing to rise. Tonight, he will be least prepared—now is the time to act.”

Zhang Xiu was invigorated. “Uncle, shall we strike tonight?”

“Yes.” Jia Xu’s eyes gleamed. He nodded. “If we delay, we risk disaster. If Zhang Xiu refuses the invitation, Cao Cao will surely grow suspicious and may attack our camp directly.”

If given a choice, Jia Xu would prefer not to act thus. Cao Cao’s power and imperial legitimacy made opposition suicidal. But he was now bound to Zhang Xiu’s chariot. Zhang Xiu watched him closely; if he tried to leave the Xiliang camp, Zhang Xiu would kill him.

He could not depart. With Cao Cao poised to kill Zhang Xiu and time running short, refusal would only provoke suspicion. The worst outcome would be Cao Cao launching a direct assault on their camp, and in the chaos, Jia Xu—a mere scholar—might perish.

Thus, Jia Xu was forced to deploy his stratagem again—chaos of arms! How much this resembled what happened in Chang’an.

But men, after all, must do whatever it takes to survive. Compared to others’ lives, his own was more precious. Wasn’t it so?

Soon darkness fell, and midnight arrived. Outside the Cao army camp, bird calls echoed.

The Qiang of Xiliang were masters of bird mimicry, and Zhang Xiu’s Xiliang army included Qiang men.

Inside Dian Wei’s tent, he drank with Hu Che’er. Their tents were close, for Dian Wei, while on duty by day, slept in his own camp at night.

Just as Dian Wei prepared for bed, Hu Che’er appeared with several jars of strong Nanyang liquor, saying only heroes could drink it.

Upon hearing the wine was strong, Dian Wei’s interest was piqued—he was a lover of spirits and soon began drinking heartily.

“General, what a prodigious capacity!” Hu Che’er praised, swiftly refilling his cup.

Dian Wei laughed. “This wine is remarkable—compared to it, what I’ve drunk before is but water.”

“Yes, I never saw such strong liquor in Xiliang,” said Hu Che’er. “Since coming to Nanyang, I heard this is a famed vintage from Xinye. Many of Zhang Xiu’s Xiliang warriors tried it and were all drunk under the table, but General, your capacity surpasses even ours.”

Dian Wei, pleased by the praise, drained another cup, wiped his beard, and thumped his chest. “Indeed, back in my homeland, no one could outdrink me.”

“Have another, General. There’s no fighting lately—drink as much as you like. Once we leave Nanyang, it will be hard to find such wine again.” Hu Che’er refilled his cup.

“Is that so?” Dian Wei, lost in Hu Che’er’s repeated compliments, drank yet another, saying, “Then I must seize the chance for a few more cups.”

Cup after cup, he soon downed three or four jin of liquor—over fifty degrees strong. He began to feel light-headed, his eyes blurring, seeing Hu Che’er multiply from two to four. Even Hu Che’er’s voice urging him to drink faded.

“General? General?” Hu Che’er tried to continue, but seeing Dian Wei sway, the last cup falling from his hand, he gently pushed him.

In the next moment, Dian Wei slumped onto the table, mouth agape, snoring thunderously.

Outside, bird calls sounded. Hu Che’er saw the eighty-pound double halberds Dian Wei kept in the tent. He approached and picked them up with ease—he could carry five hundred pounds.

Having stolen the halberds, Hu Che’er calmly left Dian Wei’s tent. As Dian Wei’s vice general, the patrolling guards greeted him politely.

Everyone recognized Dian Wei’s double halberds; carrying them openly would attract attention. Thus, Hu Che’er did not loiter in the camp but hurried to his own tent, where he secretly dug a pit and buried the halberds.

After some time, he feigned a patrol, heading north to the camp’s edge. His throat swelled, emitting a crisp bird call.

The sound reached outside, where the bird calls ceased.

Once he confirmed his comrades had received the signal, Hu Che’er returned to his tent as if nothing had happened.

Outside, the Qiang who relayed the message rushed back to Zhang Xiu’s camp to report.

“Hu Che’er has succeeded?” Zhang Xiu asked.

“Yes,” replied the Qiang.

“Excellent,” Zhang Xiu said joyfully. “The time has come—raise the army. Give my command: all forces, attack!”

“Understood!” The herald rushed to deliver the order.

The entire Xiliang camp burst into a flurry of activity, troops moving to assemble.

Following Jia Xu’s plan, Zhang Xiu personally led a detachment of death-defying warriors to stealthily approach the Cao camp.

A large force could not charge directly, for at night, a body of troops with torches would be easily detected. Without torches, marching would be difficult—one could not see a hand before one’s face, and the Xiliang camp lay a long distance from the Cao camp; thousands of soldiers would be lost in the darkness.

Moreover, Cao Cao was no fool; the camp was heavily guarded inside and out. Fortunately, they had already scouted the locations of the sentries, and with Hu Che’er as their inside man, the Qiang messengers could approach the Cao camp from outside.

Without such preparations, even a sudden assault would soon be detected; even a few li away, the Cao soldiers could sound the horn and alert the camp, exposing the operation.

Thus, Zhang Xiu counted himself fortunate to have Jia Xu’s wisdom at his side.

Soon, Zhang Xiu led his guards toward the Cao camp.

All sentry posts had been marked. It was deep in the night; even the sentries were drowsy, their vigilance low.

Following Zhang Xiu’s instructions, the guards silently eliminated many outlying sentries, moving up to the edge of Cao’s camp.

“Bring up the main force!” After clearing the sentries, Zhang Xiu issued his command.

Half an hour later, the Xiliang army assembled outside, torches forming a long chain, charging swiftly toward the Cao camp.