Chapter 58: Cao Cao Loses His Composure

“General, if we keep fighting, we’ll lose our advantage.”

“They have ninety thousand men. There are at least fifty thousand here now, and many more inside the city.”

“If the troops in the city join them, then…”

Before long, some subordinates realized that if they continued, their losses would be unbearable. Though Liu Xie’s side also suffered casualties, in a battle of sheer numbers, they held no real advantage.

In the past, anyone who dared suggest retreat would have enraged Cai Mao. But now, after learning the enemy’s strength, his stance changed. He had risen to the rank of general by merit, after all. He understood continuing the assault would only bring disaster to his army.

“Order the troops—retreat!”

He gave the command.

“All units, withdraw at once!”

The deputy general’s shout echoed across the field. Cai Mao’s forces began their rapid retreat, their battered state clear for all to see. Against the enemy’s overwhelming numbers and relentless attacks, their suffering was evident.

As they withdrew, Liu Xie’s forces pursued them for nearly ten miles.

“That’s enough—cease the pursuit,” Liu Xie commanded at the critical moment.

“Young master, they’re fleeing in chaos! Now is our chance!” someone urged anxiously.

“No further pursuit. Haven’t you heard the saying? Never chase a cornered foe.”

“If they turn and fight with desperation, our casualties will be severe.”

“No rush. We have plenty of time to deal with them.”

With that, Liu Xie led his army back.

Cai Mao, meanwhile, led his battered troops for over fifty miles before finally halting, certain there would be no further pursuit. They took shelter in a mountainous region to rest and regroup.

“General Cai, we have just over ten thousand men left,” the deputy general said grimly.

“What? How could the losses be so great?” Cai Mao had not paid close attention to casualties during the fighting, but now the stark reality set in. He had brought fifty thousand men, and now, only a fraction remained. The city, he guessed, still held seventy to eighty thousand defenders.

To attack a city guarded by seventy or eighty thousand with merely over ten thousand men was now impossible.

“Damn it! How could I, Cai Mao, be thwarted by such a small city?” Regret gnawed at his heart. Had he known, he would not have stormed the city so rashly. This small Nanzhao had cost him dearly. He wondered how he could explain this to Liu Biao. He had made solemn promises before setting out. Now he would return in defeat, his forces decimated. He could only imagine how Liu Biao would treat him.

“General, what should we do next?” the deputy general asked meekly.

Cai Mao fell silent, at a loss. Continue the assault? The city was impregnable. Return home? He had no answer for his master. Cai Mao’s face was grim, his mind adrift.

On the other side, the triumphant Liu Xie returned to the city. To boost morale, he invited many to join him in a night of revelry and drink. He knew that after tonight’s victory, Cai Mao would not be able to mount another attack anytime soon. Nanzhao was safe, for the moment.

As Liu Xie expected, the following days were peaceful. Cai Mao, encamped in the mountains fifty miles away, sent no further troops to the city.

Meanwhile, in Xuchang, Cao Cao received news from Wancheng.

“Chancellor, a man named Liu Shiban appeared recently in Wancheng.”

“This Liu Shiban commands twenty mysterious experts. He’s the one who saved Zhang Xiu at the Xuchang city gate.”

“He’s started farming projects in Wancheng, and they’re showing results.”

Cao Cao’s spies, disguised as commoners, had infiltrated Wancheng and reported everything about Liu Shiban.

“Liu Shiban?”

“When did someone like that appear in Wancheng?”

“Do we know where they came from?” Cao Cao asked.

The subordinate shook his head.

“According to reports, they arrived in Wancheng at the end of last year.”

“Chancellor, they’ve begun recruiting soldiers. They now command an army of one hundred forty thousand.”

“Liu Shiban himself is leading ninety thousand of them to subdue the counties of Nanyang.”

Cao Cao’s face changed instantly; the news seemed unreal.

“One—one hundred forty thousand?”

“Wancheng’s population isn’t even three hundred thousand—how did he raise such a force?”

Cao Cao was unsettled. Wancheng was close to Xuchang, and Zhang Xiu was no friend of his. If Wancheng, with such a force, turned its sights on Xuchang, they would be in grave danger. Worse still, Liu Shiban was now sweeping through Nanyang with ninety thousand men. If he succeeded, the consequences would be dire.

Cao Cao knew well the strategic importance of Nanyang in this era. It was the most populous and prosperous region in all the Three Kingdoms. Though only a commandery, in some ways it rivaled entire provinces.

Now, Nanyang at his doorstep seemed like a lurking tiger, ready to pounce on Xuchang at any moment. He had never dreamed that unremarkable Wancheng would become such a threat.

At that moment, Xun Yu and Guo Jia were lost in thought. When Liu Shiban’s name was mentioned, the two exchanged glances, their eyes conveying silent understanding.

“Xun Yu, Guo Jia, what do you make of this?” Cao Cao turned to them, setting aside Liu Shiban’s identity for now. The sudden emergence of such a vast army in Wancheng was the immediate crisis.

“Chancellor, though they claim one hundred forty thousand soldiers, all are newly recruited. If we risk everything and attack Wancheng now, we might prevail. However, that would leave us unable to deal with Yuan Shu.”

“Presently, Wancheng is still developing. Even if they take all of Nanyang, stabilizing it will take time.”

“In my opinion, we should focus on subduing Yuan Shu first. He holds abundant resources—if we seize them, Zhang Xiu and Lü Bu will no longer pose threats.”

“Moreover, I hear Yuan Shao of Jizhou has begun moving against Qing, You, and Bing provinces. If he succeeds, he’ll hold four provinces, and our situation will be even more precarious.”

“Therefore, I advise we attack Yuan Shu first. After all, our imperial edict to punish the traitor has already been issued.”

Xun Yu laid out his suggestion. Cao Cao calmed himself, weighing the options.

“You’re right. Yuan Shu’s resources are many. Once we take him down, Zhang Xiu and Lü Bu will no longer be problems. But the question is, how many will answer our call to arms?” Cao Cao’s tone was heavy.

Xun Yu and Guo Jia exchanged glances. Guo Jia spoke:

“Chancellor, it’s said Sun Ce has left Yuan Shu and returned to Jiangdong. Sun Jian built much there, and Sun Ce will surely inherit his father’s legacy. He hates Yuan Shu and will certainly join us.”

“As for Lü Bu, if handled properly, I believe he too can be persuaded to join.”

The two strategists offered their advice, and Cao Cao nodded repeatedly—their words echoed his own thoughts.

“Very well, we’ll do as you say. We’ll go after Yuan Shu first.”

Cao Cao made his decision.

Afterward, when Guo Jia and Xun Yu left the Chancellor’s residence, they found themselves side by side.

“Brother Wenruo, what do you think of Liu Shiban?” Guo Jia asked in a low, anxious voice.

Xun Yu glanced around, “Fengxiao, haven’t you already guessed?”

“When the Chancellor’s general’s son was assassinated, you were the one who investigated. The assassins’ methods were masterful.”

“Don’t you think it’s related to this?”

Guo Jia nodded slowly, deep in thought.

“So it seems, Liu Shiban is truly…”

“Fengxiao, caution!” Xun Yu cut him off before he could finish. They were surrounded by many people—not the place for such talk.

“We’ll discuss this back home.”

Thus, they went to Xun Yu’s residence and began a secret conversation.

“Fengxiao, I believe you’ve already guessed—Liu Shiban is very likely His Majesty himself. I also think the Chancellor will realize this sooner or later,” Xun Yu said quietly, his face grave.

“Then what do you think we should do, Brother Wenruo?” Guo Jia asked, leaning closer.

Xun Yu fell silent.

In truth, he was one of the very few among Cao Cao’s circle—and in all the Three Kingdoms—who remained loyal to the Han. In some ways, he was even more loyal than Liu Bei.

“No matter what, His Majesty must not come to harm. Of course, His Majesty has made such bold moves in Nanyang—he clearly intends to restore the Han.”

Xun Yu sighed deeply, understanding Liu Xie’s intentions.

“Yes, if I were His Majesty, I too would plot from Wancheng, then turn toward Jingzhou. With Jingzhou in hand, the restoration of the Han becomes possible.”

Guo Jia, a true genius of his age, immediately grasped Liu Xie’s grand design.