Chapter Eighty: The Death of Yue Jin

The army under Yue Jin had collapsed, and what followed was nothing but pursuit and slaughter. Large numbers of Cao’s troops fled south in panic, some so desperate they plunged straight into the surging waters of the Yu River. Gan Ning, relentless, pressed his attack on Yue Jin, who fought while retreating, now surrounded by more than a thousand men. At this point, he had reached the end of his rope, driven to the riverbank with only a handful of guards remaining by his side.

Across the distant battlefield, scattered soldiers of Cao’s army were being taken prisoner, while more still lay cut down upon the earth. By now, even if Cao Cao himself arrived, there was no turning the tide.

“Yue Jin, surrender,” Shen Chen called out as he rode forward from the ranks, fixing his gaze on this fierce and valiant man. His voice was clear and sonorous: “Cao Cao, blinded by lust, brought about Dian Wei’s death. Such a man is not worthy of your loyalty.”

Yue Jin stood firm on the riverbank, watching the Jingzhou soldiers press in from all sides. He laughed freely and declared, “Since ancient times, loyal ministers have not served two masters. Having pledged myself to Lord Cao, how could I betray him for the sake of survival?”

Shen Chen replied, “If you died on the battlefield for Cao Cao, no one would fail to praise your bravery. But for him to seduce another’s aunt and drive Zhang Xiu to rebel, thus causing the death of his own generals—such a reason for your sacrifice is truly laughable.”

Yue Jin fell silent. In truth, he did not know why Zhang Xiu had rebelled; all he knew was that the Xiliang army had suddenly launched a surprise attack, breached Cao Cao’s main camp, and led to the deaths of Dian Wei, Cao Ang, and Cao Anmin, forcing Cao Cao’s retreat from Wuyin.

After all, the matter was a disgrace. When Yue Jin sent scouts to investigate, Cao Cao was never going to tell him the whole story. Only now did he fully understand the sequence of events.

Moreover, Yue Jin believed Shen Chen’s words, for there was no need to deceive him at this point. He was already cornered; his fate hung on a single command. Even if they wished to win his surrender through lies, once the truth came out, would he ever serve with loyalty?

More importantly, Yue Jin had once served as Cao Cao’s personal guard and knew his master’s nature all too well—always unable to resist a beautiful woman. To seduce another’s aunt was entirely in character.

Thus, he did not doubt the truth of Shen Chen’s words in the slightest.

Still, his nature was unyielding. Even knowing that so many soldiers had died over such folly, he could only let out a bitter laugh. “Lord Cao… Lord Cao was merely momentarily blinded by desire. Who among men is free of such failings? There’s no need to say more. Was it you who led this battle?”

“It was,” Shen Chen answered.

“You are very young—look to be fourteen or fifteen. What is your name?”

“Shen Chen. I am twelve years old this year.” Shen Chen’s expression was grim. “When Cao Cao slaughtered Xuzhou, I was among the survivors. My family and relatives—over a hundred members of the Deng and Shen clans—were all put to the sword by Cao’s soldiers.”

“I see.” Yue Jin nodded and laughed. “I remember now—was it you who cut off Zixiao’s ear?”

“He lost more than his ear. I took his head as well, to honor the souls of the dead.”

“So, it seems I’ll soon be seeing him myself.”

“Yes. Do you still refuse to surrender?”

“Words are wasted.”

“Very well.” Shen Chen waved his hand. “Kill them.”

“Come, then!” Yue Jin bared his teeth in a grin, gripping his ring-hilted blade, fearless in the face of death.

Shen Chen had already turned his horse away, not looking back. Behind him, the clash of weapons and dying cries rang out.

Surrounded by thousands on the muddy riverbank, not even Lü Bu on his Red Hare could hope to escape—unless, like Gan Ning, Yue Jin could swim the turbulent Yu River. Otherwise, there was no road to survival.

One of the Five Great Generals was lost, and with Dian Wei, Cao Ren, and Cao Ang also gone, perhaps this battle was a scant repayment for the lives of the hundreds of thousands butchered in Xuzhou.

...

...

“Agony! Such agony!”

Over two hundred li from Wancheng, in the rear courtyard of the county office at Wuyin, Cao Cao received news of the deaths of Dian Wei, Cao Ang, and Cao Anmin. The pain in his heart was so fierce that he nearly fainted.

His shoulder was still wrapped in bandages, but the arrow wound on his arm was nothing compared to the grief within. He swayed, nearly collapsing beneath the corridor.

Cao Hong and Yu Jin exchanged glances, but dared not utter a word. Though they blamed him in their hearts—wasn’t it his own doing that led to this?—they dared not speak, nor even ask.

After a while, Cao Cao found his composure and gritted his teeth. “Where are their bodies now?”

“They should still be outside Wancheng,” Cao Hong replied. “Our scouts saw the Xiliang army clearing the battlefield. Many corpses have yet to be gathered.”

Clutching his head in grief, Cao Cao rasped, “Send men to retrieve their bodies at any cost.”

“Yes, my lord,” Cao Hong answered, withdrawing at once.

After a moment, Cao Cao asked Yu Jin, “Where are Zixiao and Wenqian now?”

Yu Jin responded, “I have already sent to inquire. Zixiao is far away and has not replied, but Wenqian has returned from Anzhong and will soon arrive at Wuyin.”

“Good.” Cao Cao nodded. “Keep sending messengers to contact Zixiao. Tell Wenqian to be cautious on his way back.”

“Rest assured, my lord,” Yu Jin said. “Zhang Xiu’s victory was only thanks to a surprise attack at night. In open battle, Wenqian would not fear him, and our army can always support as needed.”

“That is well.” Cao Cao sighed, then thought again of Dian Wei and Cao Ang. The pain in his heart was unbearable, his mind ringing. He waved Yu Jin away.

Yu Jin, perceiving Cao Cao’s distress, left at once to attend to his duties.

He was not worried for Yue Jin. What he had said to Cao Cao was not mere bravado, but fact. Zhang Xiu was severely outnumbered and had only succeeded by launching a surprise attack at night. In a direct fight, he would not easily defeat Yue Jin’s forces. Should Yue Jin withdraw towards Wuyin and Zhang Xiu dare attack, word would quickly reach Wuyin and Cao Cao could send reinforcements. Not only could they rescue Yue Jin, but they might even destroy Zhang Xiu’s force entirely.

Thus, neither Cao Cao nor Yu Jin truly feared for Yue Jin’s safety. The only thing that seemed odd was the lack of news from Cao Ren’s direction. Yet as Luyang was a distance away, a delay of a day or two seemed normal. They continued to send scouts, awaiting definite news.

Little did they know that Liu Biao’s forces had already intervened days before, and that both Cao Ren and Yue Jin had fallen in Nanyang, never to return.

Soon enough, they would face yet another bitter blow.

Once Yu Jin had gone, Cao Cao clutched his chest and curled up beneath the eaves, unable to hold back his tears any longer. He shrank into himself, head buried in his arms, while muffled sobs escaped, soaking his robes, staining his inner clothes, and pooling on the wooden boards beneath him.

“Zixiu, Dian Wei…” he wept.

The spring wind of the second month brushed the earth, gently swaying the young trees in the courtyard. A few leaves, caught by the breeze, spun through the air and drifted down beside Cao Cao.

The sun hung high, its warm rays dappled through the branches, falling upon the body of a middle-aged man lost in tears.

For a moment, the world seemed filled with nothing but his sobbing.

...

...

Liu Biao learned of the battle’s outcome three days after the clash at Huangmen Pavilion. In name, Gan Ning was still his general, so on the second day after Cao Ren’s defeat, an official report was sent to Xiangyang.

Only then did he realize that not only had news come of Zhang Xiu’s surrender in Nanyang, but also that Luyang had been attacked. Yet he was heartened to find Gan Ning, the commander at Luyang, had not let him down; not only had he defended Luyang, but, together with Deng Hong—who was on leave at Huangmen Pavilion—had annihilated the invading enemy.

Initially, Liu Biao’s plan, upon learning Zhang Xiu had surrendered to Cao Cao, was to contract all forces in Nanyang and defend the line around Xiangyang. Luyang was somewhat removed from Xiangyang, so he intended to transfer Gan Ning to Caiyang in the rear. That way, with Deng County to the northwest, Fancheng to the north, and Caiyang to the northeast, three defensive lines would combine with the garrison at Xiangyang, forming a bulwark against Cao Cao’s advance.

He had prepared for the worst, assuming Cao Cao would seize Nanyang with ease and then strike at Xiangyang, just as Yuan Shu had once sent Sun Jian to attack.

Never did he expect Gan Ning to repulse the enemy. So, Liu Biao decided Gan Ning should continue scouting, and only fall back if the situation worsened.

On the fifth day after the battle at Huangmen Pavilion—three days after Zhang Xiu’s night raid on Cao Cao—new intelligence arrived. Shen Chen had annihilated Yue Jin’s forces at the Yu River; that very day, Deng Hong sailed downriver to Xiangyang to report.

Now, in the governor’s mansion at Xiangyang, Liu Biao, upon learning of Deng Hong’s return, called out, “Let him in at once!”

As Deng Hong entered, he saw the hall was full. Not only were the regular officials—Kuai Liang, Liu He, Zhuge Xuan, Liu Xian—present, but also several guests: Fu Xun, Yi Ji, Wang Can, Du Kui, and others. The Grand Administrator of Nan Commandery, Cai Mao, and the garrison commander of Fancheng, Zhang Yun, were also there. Except for the Grand Administrator of Zhangling, Kuai Yue, who was absent, all Liu Biao’s chief advisors were present.

It is worth noting that the former official Deng Yi had quarreled with Liu Biao. Last year, when Cao Cao received the emperor, Liu Biao, while paying tribute to Emperor Xian, also allied with Yuan Shao. Deng Yi objected, but Liu Biao ignored him, so Deng Yi resigned. Now a new assistant, Liu Guan (courtesy name Wangzhi), had been appointed in his place.

Now, more than twenty officials and advisers crowded the hall.

Deng Hong entered and saluted. “My lord.”

“Be seated,” Liu Biao said, waving his hand.

Deng Hong took his place. His rank was not low; Cai Mao and Zhang Yun sat at the governor’s right and left, and the clerks and officials were seated in order—Kuai Liang, Liu He, Liu Xian, Zhuge Xuan, and then Deng Hong himself—placing him among the more prominent.

Once Deng Hong was seated, Liu Biao asked, “Youshuo, how goes the war in Nanyang?”

Deng Hong smiled. “Congratulations, my lord! A great victory!”

“A great victory?” Liu Biao was baffled. How could that be? Though he had stationed thousands outside the city, apart from Wen Pin, Zhang Yun was unreliable. Since Cao Cao’s entry into Nanyang, the war had raged for nearly half a month. All he knew was that Cao Cao was advancing, Zhang Xiu had surrendered, Nanyang had fallen, and Gan Ning had repulsed the enemy at Luyang. He had heard nothing else.

Wen Pin had clashed with Yue Jin near Anzhong, but withdrew quickly, his forces too few to withstand Cao’s army. Thus, Wen Pin’s intelligence was scarce, and his scouts could not range far. Zhang Yun, with over ten thousand troops, simply sat in Fancheng, sending out barely any scouts. Apart from Wen Pin’s reports of Yue Jin’s raids on Anzhong and Rangcheng, Liu Biao was utterly in the dark about Nanyang’s situation.

He had thought the situation dire, but now Deng Hong had returned by boat, announcing a resounding victory.

What did this mean?

Deng Hong replied, “My lord, Zhang Xiu feigned surrender, then routed Cao’s army by night. After General Gan repulsed the invading force at Luyang, he pursued them all the way to Huangmen Pavilion near Xinye, where he slew Cao Ren. There, he encountered Yue Jin, who retreated to Jiyang and was finally defeated at the Yu River. Cao Cao himself has withdrawn to Wuyang, his army nearly annihilated.”

“Is this possible?” Liu Biao was astounded. Only days before, he was told Zhang Xiu had surrendered and Nanyang had fallen. Now, in the blink of an eye, it was a ruse—Cao Cao crushed, his army destroyed.

Had the world changed too quickly, or had he simply failed to keep pace?

Deng Hong bowed. “Indeed, my lord. In this campaign, we wiped out both Cao Ren’s and Yue Jin’s divisions. General Gan alone destroyed nearly ten thousand of Cao’s soldiers. General Zhang is now leading his men toward Wuyin, preparing to press the attack on Cao Cao. My lord, in my view, now is the perfect moment to pursue and annihilate the enemy.”

“My lord, you must not!” someone immediately objected. “Cao Cao holds the emperor and has the mantle of legitimacy. If we destroy him, the court will surely hold us to account.”

“Indeed,” Kuai Liang added. “Though Cao Cao was first to invade Jingzhou, he did so in the emperor’s name, not to attack you directly, my lord. Should you destroy him, it would be seen as improper, and the emperor would surely censure you.”

Seeing Kuai Liang give him a meaningful glance, Liu Biao nodded. “That is true. We will not pursue the enemy further. Deng Hong, instruct Gan Ning to return and continue guarding Luyang.”

Deng Hong was surprised, but recalling what Shen Chen had told him before leaving for Xiangyang, he bowed and said, “As you command, my lord. I have one more matter to report.”

“What is it?”

“Zhang Xiu, having feigned surrender and defeated Cao Cao, asks me to request an alliance on his behalf. What does my lord think?”

Liu Biao stroked his beard. “So be it—let us carry on as before.”

“Yes, my lord,” Deng Hong replied. “I will return to Nanyang at once, recall Gan Ning, and inform Zhang Xiu of your decision.”

“Good,” Liu Biao said with satisfaction. He looked about the hall, smiling. “You are all dismissed.”

“Yes, my lord!” The officials rose and departed. As Zhuge Xuan left, he coughed lightly, his complexion poor—he had taken ill last winter and had not recovered since.

Only after the others had gone did Liu Biao turn to Kuai Liang and ask, “Zirou, what is your opinion?”