Lord in the Mythical Three Kingdoms

Chapter 247: Cao Song in Peril

During the banquet,

Cheng Yu spoke to Xun Huo:

"I am ignorant and unworthy of your recommendation. However, I know of a man, exceptionally talented and well-versed, who could greatly assist you, my lord, like adding wings to a tiger!"

Upon hearing this, Cao Cao immediately raised his wine cup and eagerly asked:

"Who is this person?"

Seeing Cao Cao’s admiration for talent, Cheng Yu smiled and respectfully replied:

"Speaking of this person, it cannot be separated from Xun Wenruo."

"Me!? What does this have to do with me?" Xun Huo looked puzzled at Cheng Yu.

Cheng Yu raised his right hand, stroked his beard, and with a gleam in his eyes, said seriously:

"This person is your fellow townsman, surnamed Guo, named Jia, style name Fengxiao, currently a distinguished scholar. Compared to me, I am ashamed of my abilities!"

After a brief pause, Cheng Yu respectfully suggested to Cao Cao:

"My lord, why not actively recruit such a talented person?"

Xun Huo suddenly realized, "How could I forget him!"

He then explained to Cao Cao the necessity of recruiting Guo Jia to Yanzhou for discussing the affairs of the realm.

However, Xun You, standing aside, shook his head bitterly and sighed:

"It’s already too late!"

"What?!" Xun Huo asked in confusion.

"Uncle, you are unaware! After leaving Yuan Shao’s camp, Fengxiao was invited by his close friend, Xi Zhi, and is likely already serving under Long Chen in Yangzhou..."

"This..." Xun Huo sighed inwardly. It was regrettable that such talent wasn’t invited earlier!

Meanwhile, Cao Cao was in high spirits, reassuring everyone with a smile:

"It’s alright, it’s alright. Even without Guo Jia, with your support, what do I have to fear?"

"Furthermore, I believe your talents are no less than Guo Jia’s."

This statement greatly pleased everyone. Cao Cao did not lament the inability to recruit the top strategist Guo Jia but highlighted that Cheng Yu and others were equally capable.

Seeing that recruiting Guo Jia was futile, Xun Huo had a sudden inspiration and said respectfully:

"Guo Jia has found a master already, but I know of another person with extraordinary talents, descended from Emperor Guangwu himself. His abilities are exceptional!"

Upon hearing this, Cao Cao’s interest was piqued. He straightened up, gestured with his hand, and asked eagerly:

"Oh, who is this talented individual?"

"This person is Liu Ye, from Huainan Chengde, named Ziyi."

Cao Cao was delighted and immediately appointed Liu Ye.

News of Cao Cao’s suppression of the Yellow Turban rebels in Qingzhou had spread throughout Runan. Liu Ye knew of Cao Cao’s strong military talents and noble bearing.

This, coupled with Xun Huo’s recommendation, convinced Liu Ye to accept.

Cao Cao was equally pleased. Liu Ye possessed great strategic insight and also introduced a siege weapon that greatly interested Cao Cao: the Thunderbolt Cart.

Using magic cores as its core energy crystals, the Thunderbolt Cart could shoot with precision and immense power, making it the foremost siege weapon.

If Liu Ye’s claims were true...

Cao Cao couldn’t wait to send his soldiers to hunt magic beasts in the Magic Beast Forest of Yanzhou to obtain magic cores and have Liu Ye personally organize a battalion to build the Thunderbolt Carts!

With such assistance, future sieges would be much easier...

Additionally,

Liu Ye recommended two other individuals.

One was Man Chong from Changyi, Shanyang, with the style name Boning.

The other was Lü Qian from Wucheng, with the style name Zike.

Cao Cao knew well of their high reputation and appointed them to military positions within his ranks.

Their appointments were not insignificant, demonstrating Cao Cao’s high regard for genuine talent.

Grateful for this deep trust, both Man Chong and Lü Qian jointly recommended another person.

This person was Mao Jie from Pingqiu, Chenliu, with the style name Xiaoxian.

Cao Cao also appointed him to a military position.

Indeed, Cao Cao was showing himself to be a capable leader, already recruiting several talented advisors and strategists.

This sight made the extraordinary players serving under Cao Cao envious to no end.

They discussed Cao Cao’s fearsome reputation extensively on forums and tieba.

Not long after,

another general, hearing of Cao Cao’s illustrious deeds, led thousands of troops to join him.

This man hailed from Jupei in Mount Tai, surname Yu, given name Jin, style Wenzhe.

He was one of the future five outstanding generals of the Cao Wei faction, possessing remarkable talent in leadership and command!

Cao Cao invited him to demonstrate his skills in the training grounds.

Yu Jin wore pure black armor, exuding an aura like that of a pure black lion.

Fierce as a lion, yet calm as a viper.

Wielding a black iron spear forged over a hundred years ago, he wielded it smoothly on the training grounds, akin to a dancing serpent.

The onlookers were amazed, silently impressed, applauding and cheering.

Seeing this, Cao Cao’s eyes gleamed continuously. He hurriedly asked Xiahou Dun beside him,

"Yuanrang, what do you think of his martial arts?"

Xiahou Dun nodded slightly, "His martial arts are quite impressive. It makes me itch to spar with him."

"What’s this? Yuanrang, do you wish to challenge him to a duel?" joked Xiahou Yuan.

"I do have that thought," Xiahou Dun admitted without hesitation.

Xiahou Dun’s martial arts prowess was top-tier within Cao Cao’s army.

Now, Yu Jin’s display of spear techniques had piqued Xiahou Dun’s interest. How could Cao Cao not be pleased?

This was indeed a good thing, gaining another talented general.

Cao Cao sighed with emotion in his heart.

As for letting Xiahou Dun spar with Yu Jin, Cao Cao did have that idea, but the timing wasn’t right, not now.

Since Yu Jin had just arrived, it was appropriate to entertain him first, wine, dine, and amuse him, and become familiar later.

Whenever they were ready for a one-on-one challenge, as long as they had the strength...

Afterwards, Cao Cao acknowledged Yu Jin’s proficiency in archery and horsemanship, appointing him as Captain of the Point Guard.

From then on,

Cao Cao’s subordinates had both talented strategists and fierce generals.

They dominated Shandong with their might!!!

One day,

Cao Cao sighed deeply in his mansion, as Lady Ding approached.

Softly she inquired, "My lord, what troubles you so?"

"Isn’t this a time when my lord’s grand ambitions are flourishing? Why sigh so deeply?"

Lady Ding was not only Cao Cao’s lawful wife but also cherished by him, holding a prestigious position in the household.

Cao Cao pulled Lady Ding into his arms, caressing her jade-like hands, and sighed in response,

"My dear, you don’t know. I think back to the time when I sold our family treasures to recruit soldiers, leaving my father suffering at home... I regret it deeply."

The elegant Lady Ding chuckled softly upon hearing this, covering her mouth, then said,

"My lord, why is this difficult? Why not send someone to fetch your father from our hometown, so he can share in our wealth and glory?"

"Yes, why didn’t I think of that!" Cao Cao slapped his thigh in realization.

"My lord, you’ve been busy day and night in the military recently. It’s no wonder you didn’t think of this," Lady Ding gently tapped Cao Cao’s forehead.

Afterward,

Cao Cao promptly dispatched the Governor of Mount Tai, Ying Shao, to welcome his father Cao Song back from Langya Commandery.

Since seeking refuge in Chenliu, Cao Song had been living in seclusion in Langya Commandery.

Upon receiving Cao Cao’s letter that day, he and his younger brother Cao De, along with their family and over forty people, accompanied by numerous attendants totaling nearly a hundred, and nearly a hundred carriages, headed straight towards Yanzhou.

En route through Xu Province,

Tao Qian, Governor of Xu Province, styled Gongzu, was known for his gentle and honest character.

Simply put, he was a straightforward and honest man.

Seeing Cao Cao’s recent rise to prominence, though not comparable to the champion Marquis Long Chen of Yangzhou, his accomplishments were still remarkable.

Therefore, wanting to establish a relationship with Cao Cao, he worried there was no suitable opportunity.

Learning that Cao Cao’s father was passing through, he immediately went out to greet him, showing utmost respect, hosting a lavish feast and entertaining them for two days.

When Cao Song intended to continue his journey, Tao Qian personally escorted him out of the city.

Furthermore,

Tao Qian specially dispatched Commandant Zhang Kai, leading over five hundred soldiers to escort them personally. freewebnøvel.coɱ

Old Master Tao went to great lengths to please Cao Cao, the warlord.

If not for the events that followed, it’s uncertain whether Cao Cao would genuinely have a favorable impression of Tao Qian, the Governor of Xu Province.

However...

As Cao Song traveled with his family between Hua and Fei,

At the time, it was late summer transitioning into early autumn.

The clear sky suddenly became densely overcast with ominous clouds, intermittently flashing with lightning and thunder.

Boom! Boom!

The thunder echoed through the sky, and shortly after...

Torrential rain poured down suddenly, cascading loudly onto the ground.

The dry soil quickly became saturated, turning sticky and making walking extremely uncomfortable and difficult.

Old Master Cao Song, already advanced in age, couldn’t endure such a downpour. He ordered his servants to immediately find shelter for temporary rest.

They would continue their journey after the rain stopped.

For miles around, there was no sign of human habitation.

They only found a dilapidated ancient temple in ruins. Helplessly, they had no choice but to take shelter and spend the night there.

The monks of the temple welcomed them inside.

Cao Song began arranging accommodations for his family, ordering Tao Qian’s general Zhang Kai to station the troops in the temple’s corridors.

The soldiers’ clothes were soaked by the rain, and collectively they sighed and grumbled in discontent.

They regretted undertaking this escort mission, enduring hardships like this.

Seeing the soldiers’ morale declining and their resentment growing, Zhang Kai secretly felt pleased.

This way, he could influence their morale!

Shortly after,

Zhang Kai personally summoned his subordinates to a quiet place for a discussion. He began,

"We were originally remnants of the Yellow Turbans. After their defeat, we reluctantly surrendered to Tao Qian, yet gained nothing in return.

Now, Cao Cao and his family have countless carriages and wealth. This wealth alone could make us all wealthy and respected."

Upon hearing this, the subordinates in the military flashed a fierce look, unconsciously gripping their sword hilts.

They were originally leaders of the Yellow Turbans, and later surrendered to Tao Qian out of pragmatism rather than any other reason.

Due to Tao Qian’s leniency, he did not strictly control his troops.

As a result, the soldiers’ hearts were not united, and the remnants of the Yellow Turbans’ thoughts had not been completely eradicated; instead, they grew stronger.

Now, hearing Zhang Kai’s words, the desire to raid and enrich themselves surged uncontrollably.

"We will follow the general’s orders."