Chapter 118: The Flashpoint of War, Guandu
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After resolving the matter concerning Guan Yu, Cao Peng immediately presented his iron-smelting technique to Cao Cao.
Because Cao Cao had always trusted him, he gave the matter little thought and simply told Cao Peng to proceed as he saw fit.
All the military workshops throughout Yan Province were placed at Cao Peng’s disposal.
Yet when the first batch of products emerged, everyone was stunned.
The weapons and armor forged using this method were more than twice as strong as those made before.
Since production was still limited, all the weapons and armor manufactured for the time being were issued to the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry.
After all, the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry was the most powerful force in Cao Cao’s army.
While Cao Peng was busy with this, news arrived from Xu Province.
Thirty thousand of Yuan Shao’s troops had already gathered there.
From the look of things, they might launch an assault on the city at any moment.
As soon as the news reached him, Cao Cao sent for Cao Peng to discuss the matter.
When Cao Peng arrived at Cao Cao’s council hall, he found all of Cao Cao’s principal advisers gathered there.
On the left stood Xun Yu in the first position, Guo Jia in the second, and Cheng Yu in the third.
On the right stood Xu Chu, Dian Wei, and Cao Ren among the others.
“Anmin, you have finally arrived. We have been waiting for you for quite some time.”
Seeing Cao Peng enter, Cao Cao hurriedly invited him to sit. Cao Peng dispensed with formalities and took the guest seat beside Cao Cao.
Cao Cao had previously bestowed upon him the Greensteel Sword, granting him the authority to execute first and report afterward.
Thus, Cao Peng’s position stood above that of the civil and military officials under Cao Cao’s command.
Cao Cao asked, “Anmin, Yuan Shao has now stationed troops along Qing Province and may attempt to lay hands on Xu Province at any moment. I have also dispatched troops there. What is your opinion?”
Seeing Cao Cao turn to Cao Peng the instant he arrived, the assembled advisers could only smile bitterly.
In the past, Cao Cao had questioned them one by one: What does Wenruo think? What is your view, Fengxian? And so on.
Now, however, every question had become: “Anmin, what is your opinion?”
Cao Peng gave a faint smile. “I thought you had summoned me for something important. Though Yuan Shao has created such an impressive display, he is merely making a feint to the east while attacking in the west.”
His words made everyone somewhat inclined to believe him.
Cheng Yu spoke up at once. “Anmin, if you ask me, you should never have left Xu Province in the first place. Now that Yuan’s army is massed there, if anything happens to Xu Province, will all our efforts not have been wasted?”
Everyone felt that Cheng Yu’s concern was reasonable.
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Cao Peng, however, said, “That only proves how shallow your understanding is. You have fallen for Yuan Shao’s intended deception with astonishing ease. I left Zhang Liao stationed there at least a week ago. I would stake my life on it: nothing will happen to Xu Province.”
Cao Peng had spoken with such certainty that the others no longer dared say anything.
Cao Cao smiled wryly. “Even if nothing will happen to Xu Province, what is Yuan Shao’s purpose in deliberately setting up this feint?”
Cao Cao’s question was also the question in everyone else’s heart.
At crucial moments, one had to rely on an expert to provide the answer—and that expert was Cao Peng.
Cao Peng smiled. He had come prepared this time. From his sleeve, he drew out a map and spread it before them.
“On this map, I have charted the movements of Yuan Shao’s troops. The intelligence was reported by the Embroidered Uniform Guard.
“As for the dashed lines showing their projected march, those are my own deductions. Whether you believe them or not is up to you.
“That is all I can do. You may discuss the rest among yourselves. Farewell.”
With that, Cao Peng truly did swagger out of the hall.
Everyone had long since grown accustomed to his arrogant manner.
They gathered around the table and examined the military map he had left behind. In an instant, they were so impressed that their jaws nearly dropped.
Every piece of information pointed toward a single conclusion: Yuan Shao intended to fight Cao Cao in a world-shaking battle near Guandu.
The data on the map was so detailed that it was impossible not to believe it.
The advisers under Cao Cao were no fools. From the information presented there, they had little difficulty judging that the conclusion was sound.
“Cao Peng truly is the qilin of our house!” Cao Cao exclaimed.
…
After leaving Cao Cao’s council hall, Cao Peng had just returned to his residence and was preparing to enjoy himself with his beloved wives and concubines when Man Chong arrived once more.
“General, the man you requested has been brought back from the city of Ji by the Embroidered Uniform Guard!”
At once, Cao Peng knew whom he meant and ordered Man Chong to take him there.
They arrived at a prison specially constructed by the Embroidered Uniform Guard. Inside, Cao Peng saw a frail scholar curled up in a corner, his face filled with terror.
Cao Peng pointed at him and ordered the guards on either side, “Bring him here.”
At his command, two soldiers seized the scholar, each taking one arm, and carried him before Cao Peng.
The scholar stared at Cao Peng in terror and pleaded, “General, I have never offended you. There must be some misunderstanding, surely. Have you arrested the wrong man?”
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Cao Peng shook his head and smiled faintly. “What is your name?”
Though he did not understand why Cao Peng was asking, the scholar answered hesitantly, “Chen Lin…”
Cao Peng smiled again. “In that case, I have not arrested the wrong man. You are precisely the one I was looking for.”
At those words, the scholar named Chen Lin immediately went pale.
Cao Peng’s smile appeared perfectly friendly, yet there was something indescribably strange and terrifying about it.
Chen Lin was merely a scholar. No matter how hard he racked his brain, he could not imagine when he might have offended such a frightening man.
Cao Peng indicated that he need not think about it any longer and simply said, “I brought you here because I want you to write some articles.”
The moment he heard that he was being asked to write, Chen Lin’s interest was piqued.
Writing was his specialty.
But was this any way to invite someone? Cao Peng had dragged him here in chains from a thousand miles away.
He was just about to display the dignity of a man of letters when Cao Peng’s next words immediately dampened his spirits.
“If you write well, I will have them provide you with fine wine and good food. If there is anything you need, you may tell them, and they will do their utmost to satisfy you.
“But if your writing is poor, I will make you understand what it means to be unable to live or die.”
As he spoke, Cao Peng pointed toward the dreadful instruments of torture in the prison. Each one still bore traces of fresh blood.
Even the cells beyond seemed to exude a faint, terrifying atmosphere.
Chen Lin was ordinarily nothing more than a scholar devoted to literature. When had he ever seen a place so horrifying?
At once, he began nodding like a pecking chick.
“Rest assured, General. I will do everything in my power!”
Cao Peng paid him no further attention and left.
Having the Embroidered Uniform Guard seize this scholar from Ji Province was something Cao Peng had arranged half a month earlier.
His purpose was to have Chen Lin write an article for him.
As for its true purpose, that would become clear before long.
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