Chapter 59: Capturing Cai Mao

That's right, Liu Xie’s plan was exactly as it appeared. His occupation of Wan City was driven by its strategic geographical advantages. Wan was the seat of Nanyang Commandery, which gave it an official prominence. By holding Wan, he could seek to control Nanyang, and with Jingzhou’s seat, Xiangyang, just next door, the path forward was clear. If Nanyang grew strong enough, he could advance on Xiangyang at any time. Once Xiangyang was captured, all of Jingzhou would essentially be in his grasp.

“Enough about that,” he said. “No matter what happens, for now we only need to act as though nothing has occurred.”

“The Emperor changed his name, likely to conceal his true identity,” another replied. “If that’s the case, we should pretend ignorance and simply guard the palace in Xu Chang. As for the rest, I trust the Emperor has his own plans—let him see them through.”

At first, Xun Yu and Guo Jia had been preoccupied with how to help Liu Xie. But now, seeing the commotion he’d stirred up in Nanyang, even posing a threat to Cao Cao, they realized there was little they could do. Their role was simply to act unaware, and wait until Cao Cao discovered Liu Shi Ban’s true identity. Then, they could reconsider.

County Office of Nanzhao.

“What? An imperial edict to punish the traitor?” Liu Xie looked up at his subordinate.

News had just arrived: Cao Cao had issued an edict in the Emperor’s name, commanding the campaign against Yuan Shu, who had declared himself emperor. It was almost laughable. Here he was, the true Emperor, while Cao Cao was issuing imperial decrees in his name. Historically, Cao Cao wielded the Emperor as a tool to command the lords. Now, even though he didn’t have the Emperor in his grasp, he was still issuing orders.

“Yes, sir. Sun Ce of Jiangdong has already responded, and Cao Cao is preparing to march for Shouchun,” the subordinate reported.

This was all within Liu Xie’s expectations. He knew it wasn’t just Sun Ce; even Lü Bu would join the campaign against Yuan Shu. The outcome was clear: Yuan Shu was doomed.

“We must finish our battle here quickly,” Liu Xie said, his expression stern. “We must also go to Yuan Shu’s territory.”

“But, sir, isn’t this unrelated to us?” a member of the Wolf Shadow team asked, puzzled.

To him, their own development was all that mattered, and the chaos among the others was a good opportunity. But Liu Xie shook his head gently.

“Perhaps you don’t yet know why Yuan Shu declared himself emperor. It’s because the Han Imperial Jade Seal is in his possession. That seal rightfully belongs to me.”

Indeed, Liu Xie had no intention of seizing Yuan Shu’s territory or resources. His goal was to reclaim the Jade Seal, which was his by birthright. How could an emperor without the seal be considered legitimate? It was as absurd as a soldier without a weapon claiming to be a soldier. Thus, Liu Xie had to go.

“Any news from Lord Jia and General Hu?” Liu Xie asked again.

“Sir, Lord Jia and his party have arrived in Xin Ye secretly and begun their work,” the subordinate replied.

Liu Xie nodded in satisfaction. “Very good. It seems our battle with Cai Mao is coming to an end.”

In the mountains outside Nanzhao City.

For days, Cai Mao remained with his remaining ten thousand troops, stuck in limbo. He was frustrated to the point of despair. Advancing was impossible—he couldn’t breach Nanzhao, and the city’s tens of thousands of defenders left him powerless. Retreating felt humiliating; he dreaded explaining his failure to Liu Biao upon his return.

“General, we can’t linger here any longer. Our provisions are nearly depleted,” his deputy pleaded.

At last, Cai Mao resolved to withdraw and regroup in Xin Ye, vowing to retake Nanzhao someday. With that, he broke camp and marched toward Xin Ye.

But as they retreated, just a few dozen miles from Xin Ye, trouble arose behind them.

“General! Disaster! Liu Shi Ban has sent a large force in pursuit—they’re less than twenty miles from us!”

Cai Mao was stunned. “What? How could they be chasing us? Hurry, back to Xin Ye!”

He knew that the force from Nanzhao would be vast, and with only ten thousand men, he stood no chance. His only option was to retreat and defend Xin Ye.

Upon arrival, however, he found the city gates tightly shut, with not a sound from within.

“I am Cai Mao, general under the governor of Jingzhou! Open the gates!” Cai Mao shouted.

But his call went unanswered. Instead, movement appeared atop the walls: archers lined up, bows drawn, aiming at Cai Mao’s army below.

Seeing this, Cai Mao’s expression darkened. “Who are you? Why are you here? Open the gates immediately!” he demanded, growing agitated.

A burly, armor-clad figure stepped onto the ramparts, looking down at Cai Mao. “Cai Mao, do you recognize me?”

Cai Mao’s brow furrowed. “Hu Che Er! Why are you here? How did you get inside?”

Indeed, it was Hu Che Er atop the wall, with Zhang Xiu’s original three thousand troops beside him.

“Why am I here? Hmph. Cai Mao, your arrogance is your downfall. You thought you could take Nanzhao quickly, and assumed we wouldn’t dare cut off your retreat. Now look!”

Hu Che Er shouted loudly.

Cai Mao seethed with anger. Defeated and now trapped, he felt utterly stifled.

“Hu Che Er, do you intend to rebel by seizing Nanyang? Don’t forget, it would be easy for Jingzhou to wipe you out!”

Even now, Cai Mao remained haughty. Hu Che Er laughed dismissively.

“Never mind what Jingzhou could do—let’s focus on the present. Killing you would be effortless, but look behind you. Do you really think you’ll escape alive today?”

Instinctively, Cai Mao turned. Far behind his army, a vast mass of figures appeared.

“General, Liu Shi Ban’s army has surrounded us on both flanks and at the rear. We are surrounded!” his subordinate reported.

With this, Cai Mao lost all hope. Ahead was a city he could not take quickly. Behind him, Liu Xie’s tens of thousands of troops. Even with ten thousand men, he was helpless.

“Soldiers of Cai Mao’s army, hear me! Surrender and you will be spared—except for Cai Mao!” Liu Xie shouted from horseback.

Cai Mao grew anxious.

Surrender? Impossible. He still had ten thousand men—how could they surrender without even a fight? It was too shameful.

“Listen well! All but Cai Mao may surrender. Otherwise, none of you will live!” Liu Xie declared, sweeping his hand.

Immediately, his ten thousand archers drew their bows in unison, and the infantry leveled their spears. From inside, Hu Che Er’s three thousand, and outside, Liu Xie’s tens of thousands, all shouted loudly.

Their overwhelming momentum filled the air, and Cai Mao’s army, trapped in the middle, began to panic. They had already lost the psychological battle.

“You know well that if you fight, you will lose. And when you lose, not one of you will survive. But if you surrender, I guarantee your safety, and you’ll join my Nanyang forces. Now, I give you one last chance. Refuse, and you all die!”

Normally, Liu Xie was a kind and approachable leader, revered by the people. But now, his commanding presence and ruthlessness were like that of a god descended to earth.

“I—I surrender! I want to live, I don’t want to die!” someone finally broke, throwing down his weapon.

“I surrender too! I don’t want to die.”

“I surrender, Lord Liu! We’ll follow you!”

One surrender led to another, and soon, the entire army of over ten thousand cast down their arms.

“You—you—!” Cai Mao panicked. His army had defected in a moment.

Desperate, he resorted to threats. Without hesitation, he killed a soldier beside him.

“Don’t be afraid! With me here, let’s see what he can do to you!” he shouted.

“Seize Cai Mao!” Liu Xie commanded.

Twenty Wolf Shadow riders galloped toward Cai Mao. They swept through his army unimpeded, and in an instant, reached him. Their curved blades flashed, and several of his deputy generals were slain before Cai Mao could react. Then, several spears pressed against his throat.

Cai Mao was captured.

“Now, you can rest easy,” Liu Xie said. “Follow me, and someday you’ll count this among your blessings. General Hu, open the gates and let everyone enter!”

With a loud call, the gates slowly opened, and Liu Xie led his tens of thousands into the city.

County Office of Xin Ye.

Liu Xie sat high behind the desk, and below him was Cai Mao, tightly bound and grim-faced.

“General Cai, how do you feel? Any last words?” Liu Xie asked with a smile.

Cai Mao snorted and turned away. “Hmph, now that I’ve fallen into your hands, kill me if you wish—spare me your chatter.”

He was utterly disdainful.

Liu Xie smiled faintly. “Rest assured, I have no intention of killing you—not yet. I want to use you for a bargain with Liu Biao.”