Chapter 44: Zhang Xiu's Rebellion

The decision was made swiftly, and Hu Che'er immediately went to summon the troops. Jia Xu assisted from behind the scenes. Only Zhang Xiu remained where he was, sitting calmly and alone so as not to arouse suspicion from Cao Cao.

Not far away, in a nearby inn, Liu Xie sat by the window with a faint smile, watching the world outside. Before long, a subordinate entered and bowed respectfully at his side.

"Young master, there is movement on Zhang Xiu's side," he reported. "Hu Che'er is gathering the troops. Should we act on Cao Cao’s side as well?"

Liu Xie shook his head gently, the smile never leaving his face.

"No need to rush things on Cao Cao’s end. Let us give Zhang Xiu more time—there is no hurry with these matters. By the way, are our preparations complete?" Liu Xie murmured, calculating the time.

"Young master, everyone is ready. We await only your command," came the impassioned reply.

Lin Xiao nodded in satisfaction. "Good, then we wait. Wait until Zhang Xiu is fully prepared before making our move. Remember, you must maintain control over the city gates. Should we lose them, we’d be in grave trouble."

Liu Xie gave his orders with renewed gravity.

Time slipped by, and evening soon arrived.

In the Cao residence, Cao Cao was deep in discussion with his advisors when a feathered arrow suddenly shot into the great hall, burying itself in the table before him.

"Assassins! Protect the lord!" shouted several men, drawing their swords and scanning the surroundings warily. Instantly, the entire residence was thrown into turmoil, with countless guards searching for the intruder. Yet, after a long and fruitless search, nothing was found.

At last, Cao Cao’s gaze fell upon the arrow. Tied to its shaft was a scrap of paper. He untied it and, reading quickly, his expression grew grave.

"Zhang Xiu means to revolt?"

"Cao Hong!" he barked.

After reading the message, Cao Cao grew anxious. "Quickly, muster the troops—kill Zhang Xiu!" he ordered without delay.

"Uh—my lord, what’s happened?" Cao Hong asked, bewildered, not yet understanding the situation.

"Zhang Xiu intends to rebel. Go and gather the troops at once!" Cao Cao snapped, not pausing for further explanation. His men dared not question him and rushed off to carry out his orders, leaving Cao Cao in a state of burning urgency.

Elsewhere, in Zhang Xiu’s own residence, everything was ready—only the final command remained. In the room, Zhang Xiu, Hu Che'er, and Jia Xu waited in mounting anxiety—or rather, it was Hu Che'er and Jia Xu awaiting Zhang Xiu’s order.

"My lord, do not hesitate any longer—wait and it will be too late!" pressed Hu Che'er, unable to contain his impatience.

"Indeed, my lord, give the command. We must do this eventually. Delay any further and Cao Cao may strike first," urged Jia Xu.

Suddenly, a scream echoed from outside.

"Break into the compound! Kill Zhang Xiu!" came the shouts, ringing through the courtyard.

Alarmed, Zhang Xiu and his men realized the urgency. "Cao Cao moves quickly—there’s no turning back now."

"General Hu, take the vanguard! Break out of the residence and go straight for Cao Cao!"

With a swift motion, Zhang Xiu drew his sword. "Charge!"

At his command, Hu Che'er led the charge toward the gate. As they rushed out, those who had stormed the compound earlier withdrew just as swiftly. When Zhang Xiu's men pursued, their adversaries had already vanished.

Instead, at the far end of the street, a general under Cao Cao’s banner approached with a large force.

"Zhang Xiu, surrender! Your life is forfeit!" bellowed the general, brandishing his spear and charging forward.

"Mount up! Fight your way out!" shouted Zhang Xiu.

His men, already prepared, rallied from all sides. Hu Che'er, as the vanguard, charged ahead with the rest of the soldiers close behind.

"Dare you rebel? You seek death!" the opposing general roared.

Hu Che'er offered no words, only action: he cleaved the man down with his great blade.

"Everyone, follow me to Cao Cao’s residence!" Hu Che'er proclaimed, leading his men in their assault.

The streets of Xuchang soon echoed with the thunder of hooves and the clamor of battle cries.

Meanwhile, Liu Xie remained in the inn, listening to the commotion outside with a contented smile.

Before long, twenty members of the Shadow Wolf unit returned.

"Young master, the plan succeeded! Zhang Xiu and Cao Cao are at each other's throats—neither suspects us," one of them reported with delight.

In truth, it had not been Cao Cao’s men who stormed Zhang Xiu’s residence, but their own operatives. Their aim had been to spark open conflict between Zhang Xiu and Cao Cao. They timed their attack for when Cao Cao’s soldiers would be arriving, so that as Zhang Xiu's men rushed out, they would collide directly with Cao Cao’s troops. With tempers high and weapons drawn, the two sides would fall upon one another without question.

Just as Liu Xie predicted, his interventions ensured that Zhang Xiu rebelled. Admittedly, even without Liu Xie’s machinations, Zhang Xiu was destined to rebel eventually—but the circumstances would have differed. Historically, Zhang Xiu’s rebellion caught Cao Cao completely off guard, resulting in devastating losses for Cao Cao. But now, with Liu Xie’s interference, Cao Cao was at least partially prepared, making Zhang Xiu’s rebellion far less smooth.

And that was exactly what Liu Xie wanted. Only by complicating matters could he carve out room for his own maneuvering.

Thus, a great conflict was about to erupt in the heart of Xuchang.

Hu Che'er and Zhang Xiu, leading their soldiers, charged all the way to the gates of Cao Cao’s residence.

"Break into Cao Cao’s residence! Kill Cao Cao!" Hu Che'er roared, brandishing his blade in a furious frenzy.

"Break into Cao Cao’s residence! Kill Cao Cao!" the soldiers echoed, their spirits ignited. Like a volcano erupting, some battered at the gates while others raised scaling ladders against the walls.

In a matter of moments, Cao Cao’s residence was breached. Countless soldiers poured inside, cutting down Cao Cao’s defenders.

Amidst the chaos, Cao Cao completely lost his composure.

"Quickly! Where are the troops Cao Hong was to summon? Where are they?!" Cao Cao shouted in panic.

He had anticipated Zhang Xiu’s rebellion, but not the swiftness of his assault. General Cao Hong was already out gathering the army, but that was not a task accomplished in an instant. Now, with Zhang Xiu’s forces storming his residence, Cao Cao’s ranks fell into utter disarray.

"Do not fear, my lord! Dian Wei is here!"

"Father, your son Cao Ang is at your side!"

Within the residence, Cao Ang and Dian Wei, Cao Cao’s most trusted bodyguard, stepped forward resolutely.