Chapter 127: Potatoes Solve the Food Crisis
At first, after their harsh crackdown, more and more troublemakers stepped forward, causing them unbearable distress. Yet, every time they sought a solution from Cao Cao, he avoided meeting them.
Unease rapidly spread throughout Cao’s camp.
Guo Jia said, “My lord, the situation has reached a critical point; I fear it can no longer be suppressed.”
“Fengxiao, I have my own plan. You need not worry,” Cao Cao replied gravely.
Three days later, Cao Cao summoned the quartermaster of the grain supply to his tent. With a cold expression, Cao Cao stood with hands behind his back, gazing down at the kneeling quartermaster.
Despite Cao Cao’s stern demeanor, he offered a faint smile.
“The time is perilous. I wish to borrow something from you to help us through this crisis.”
Though the quartermaster did not know what Cao Cao intended to borrow, he sensed trouble from the general’s tone.
“Prime Minister, I possess nothing that could be of help...”
Cao Cao waved his hand repeatedly. “You are the only one who can assist with this matter. And I assure you, there will be a generous reward once it is done.”
The quartermaster dared not hope for any reward; his only wish was to survive.
“What is it, Prime Minister, that you wish to borrow from me?”
Cao Cao smiled, “I intend to borrow your head to calm the unrest that has stirred among the troops. But understand, this is a loan I cannot repay. I hope you will forgive me.”
The quartermaster turned pale with fear and knelt, begging for mercy.
“Please, Prime Minister, have mercy. I have children yet to grow and an elderly mother to care for. If I die, they will have no future.”
“Once you are gone, your mother will be mine to care for. I will provide for her well. Your wife and children will be treated with utmost kindness.”
“Moreover, consider this: your children by your side have little hope; by my side, their future is assured. Rest easy on that matter.”
After speaking, Cao Cao waved his hand and turned away, ignoring the quartermaster who remained prostrate on the ground, still pleading for his life.
At that moment, behind Cao Cao, the burly warrior Xu Chu flexed his massive arms.
With one swift motion, he lifted the shifty-eyed man off the ground.
Although the quartermaster tried to continue begging, Xu Chu immediately beheaded him outside and displayed his head for all to see.
“Brothers, this thief embezzled the military grain, causing your hunger and suffering.”
“Now that this scoundrel has been executed, the Prime Minister has ordered the food he hid to be released for all of you to feast upon for three days and nights!”
Xu Chu waved his hand with a hearty laugh.
The soldiers erupted in cheers, shouting, “Long live the Prime Minister!”
Soldiers behind Xu Chu brought forth countless meats and wines, and the men descended upon them ravenously.
Guo Jia observed this scene with mixed feelings.
He said, “Prime Minister, even if this crisis is momentarily averted, what of tomorrow?”
Cao Cao furrowed his brow deeply. If only he knew what the future held, he would not have resorted to such drastic measures.
“Perhaps there is only one person who can resolve this predicament,” Guo Jia said.
“Who?” Cao Cao asked eagerly.
“Cao Peng of Xuzhou,” Guo Jia named, his heart heavy.
Past troubles had forced Cao Peng to leave the frontline and take command in Xuzhou.
Now, after several months, all hopes rested on him.
“Alas...”
“At this point, pride matters little. Tomorrow I will send Dian Wei to fetch him,” Cao Cao said with a wry smile. In the end, he truly had to rely on his nephew.
Just then, soldiers hurriedly burst into the tent.
“Prime Minister, General Cao Peng is approaching with his troops—and he brings considerable grain supplies!”
The news struck like a thunderbolt.
“What?!” Cao Cao stood in shock.
Previously curled up on his bed, Cao Cao now rose without even putting on his shoes, stepping outside barefoot.
There, Cao Peng appeared clad in golden armor, astride the fiery Red Hare, wielding a strange weapon.
Behind him stood a proud, red-faced giant with phoenix-shaped eyes, holding a Green Dragon Crescent Blade—none other than Guan Yu.
“Anmin, you have finally returned!” Cao Cao said, gripping Cao Peng’s shoulder firmly.
Cao Peng couldn’t help but smile at Cao Cao’s disheveled state.
“Uncle, look—you didn’t even put on your shoes before coming out.”
“Ha! I was just so excited to see you back that I forgot,” Cao Cao laughed, linking arms with him.
“So, I heard you brought grain. How much, and how long will it last us?”
Hearing Cao Cao’s urgency, Cao Peng guessed the situation was indeed dire. Cao Cao was near starvation.
Far away in Xuchang, Xun Yu offered moral support but no tangible supplies.
Cao Peng smiled. “Uncle, the grain I brought will sustain us for a full month.”
Cao Cao was once again stunned. Could so much grain truly exist to feed the entire army for that long?
Xuzhou had suffered through war; it was not yet harvest season. How was this possible?
Guo Jia frowned. “Anmin, the army does not entertain empty boasts. Do not exaggerate.”
Cao Peng laughed, baffled by their disbelief.
“Words are no proof. Come and see for yourselves.”
Leading Cao Cao and Guo Jia toward his supply convoy, Cao Peng’s proud demeanor puzzled Guo Jia.
Could this young man truly have brought grain?
Upon seeing the endless stream of supply wagons, Cao Cao was speechless with amazement.
He eagerly approached a cart and lifted the cover, expecting to see white, gleaming grain.
Instead, he found rows of yellow, round objects.
“Anmin, what is this?”
Cao Cao’s expression shifted from joy to disappointment, then to anger at feeling deceived.
Cao Peng smiled. “Uncle, do not underestimate this food. It is called the potato. I discovered it by chance in Xuzhou and have cultivated it. It can be harvested three times a year, is easy to grow, and can be mass-produced. It sustains hunger.”
Not only Cao Cao but even Guo Jia found this hard to believe.
Guo Jia picked up a potato, bit into it, noticing its dark color, and quickly spat it out.
“Is this really edible?”