Chapter 145: Unite to Eliminate Yuan Tan First

Man Chong smiled and said, "Actually, I have come this time under the direct orders of General Cao Peng. The reason Yuan Tan suddenly withdrew his troops is precisely because General Cao Peng has already dispatched his army."

Yuan Shang immediately furrowed his brow, and Guo Tu was suddenly enlightened.

This explanation made complete sense as to why Yuan Tan had sounded the retreat. If Cao Peng were leading a massive army to attack, Yuan Tan naturally had no choice but to rush back and defend his territory.

"What does Cao Peng want you here for?" Guo Tu asked.

Man Chong said in a deep voice, "The General instructed me to ask you a single question: Are you willing to unite with him to wipe out Yuan Tan?"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Shang felt his heart leap, though outwardly he retorted, "Do you take me for a fool? If I cooperate with you and Yuan Tan is eliminated, wouldn't I be next in line?"

Man Chong almost laughed on the spot; he had not expected this fellow to possess a shred of sense.

However, this tiny bit of wit had long since been accounted for and anticipated by Cao Peng.

Man Chong replied, "The General asked me to convey to you that if we cooperate to eliminate Yuan Tan first, he will petition the Emperor to appoint young master Yuan Shang as the Governor of Ji Province."

Yuan Shang's heart fluttered, and Guo Tu's heart fluttered as well.

At this moment, they were in constant peril of being crushed by Yuan Tan. Even if he were only recognized as the nominal governor of the province, they would be more than satisfied.

Yuan Shang glanced at Guo Tu, who immediately stepped forward and said, "Very well, we are willing to cooperate with General Cao. However, empty words carry no weight; we ask that you remain in our camp as a hostage."

Man Chong laughed heartily. "That is naturally not a problem. However, you must treat me to good wine and fine meat."

Yuan Shang nodded and immediately instructed the guards nearby, "Escort this gentleman to go and rest!"

Thus, Man Chong followed the guards out.

Yuan Shang immediately turned to Guo Tu and asked, "Sir, do you really believe Cao Peng?"

Guo Tu smiled. "Naturally not. But we can use Cao Peng to help us eradicate Yuan Tan. Once that is done, the only remaining bloodline of our late lord will be you, Young Master Shang. Won't the master of the four provinces then be none other than yourself, my lord?"

Yuan Shang immediately beamed with joy. He cupped his hands and said, "With your assistance, sir, why should I worry about failing in our great enterprise!"

At that moment, Guo Tu felt an overwhelming sense of self-satisfaction.

If someone were to hand him a goose-feather fan, he would truly feel as though he were directing rivers and mountains with a wave of his hand.

Meanwhile, as Yuan Tan marched his troops back, Yuan Shang also gradually began to set his own plans into motion.

On the other side, Cao Peng had already stayed at the Zhen family estate for three full days.

There was not the slightest sign that he intended to withdraw.

Even arrogant men like Guan Yu and bold warriors like Zhao Yun were beginning to panic slightly.

This was, after all, Ye City, and Yuan's forces could potentially surround them at any moment.

Right now, they had only five hundred Tiger and Leopard Cavalry at their disposal. Even though the prowess of these elite cavalry was unmatched under heaven, how could they possibly withstand tens of thousands of enemy troops?

"Zilong, why don't you go ask the General when we are going to retreat?" Guan Yu said.

Zhao Yun frowned. "Why doesn't Yunchang ask him himself? Why make me go?"

Guan Yu stammered, "Well... uh... just go and ask!"

Who knew why this fellow was always putting on such aloof airs.

Unable to bear it any longer, Zhao Yun made his way to Cao Peng's quarters, only to happen upon Cao Peng just as he was about to step outside.

"General, where are you going?" Zhao Yun asked.

Cao Peng smiled. "I am going to see Lady Zhen. Does Zilong have something specific he wishes to discuss with me?"

Hearing that Cao Peng was actually heading out to dally with a woman, Zhao Yun instantly grew somewhat irritated.

In his mind, Cao Peng was not the sort of man to ignore the life-and-death stakes of his brothers and soldiers merely for the sake of a female.

Yet, since he had already come, he had to voice his concerns.

Zhao Yun asked, "General, we have been lingering here for days, and the surrounding enemy forces are likely to converge upon us soon. With only five hundred men, it will truly be difficult to hold out. Shouldn't we retreat now?"

Hearing this, Cao Peng merely smiled. "Zilong, let me ask you this: do you trust me or not?"

Zhao Yun answered resolutely and without hesitation, "Naturally, I trust the General."

"Since you trust me, then do not ask about anything else. Go eat and drink to your heart's content, and when the time comes, I have my own plans."

With those words, Cao Peng's figure had already reached the doorway.

Though Zhao Yun's brow remained unrelaxed, Cao Peng's calm and unruffled demeanor alleviated a great deal of his pressure.

Perhaps Cao Peng truly possessed a means to resolve this desperate predicament.

...

Cao Peng arrived at Zhen Mi's quarters.

Unlike his reckless, uninvited intrusion from the previous time, he instead instructed the maidservant at the door, "Please hand this item to your mistress."

As he spoke, Cao Peng handed her a rolled-up scroll of black ink.

Knowing Cao Peng's identity and daring not to be negligent, the maid took the scroll and hurried inside.

At that moment, Zhen Mi was seated within her boudoir, brush in hand, practicing her calligraphy.

Only by losing herself in the pursuits she loved could she temporarily vent the unhappiness churning within her heart.

Seeing the maid enter with a flustered expression, Zhen Mi knitted her delicate brows, sensing that nothing good could come of it.

She asked, "What is the matter?"

"Mistress, General Cao Peng has come, and he asked me to give this to you."

Zhen Mi found it somewhat strange. If that fellow wanted to enter, he could easily have ignored all propriety and barged in just as he did before.

Why go through the trouble of this?

Glancing at the object handed to her, she saw it was a scroll of calligraphy written in powerful, vigorous strokes.

A wave of curiosity stirred within her: could such a rough-mannered brute actually compose poetry and prose?

Upon opening it to read, however, she fell into a state of utter shock.

It was not until the maid called out, "Mistress, General Cao Peng seems to be leaving," that Zhen Mi snapped back to reality.

Startled, she clutched the poem in her hand and rushed outside.

Seeing that Cao Peng had already reached the threshold, Zhen Mi called out, "General, please stay your steps!"

Cao Peng turned back, looking at Zhen Mi with a half-smile, remaining silent.

Zhen Mi asked softly, "General, was this written specifically for me?"

Cao Peng smiled. "Naturally."

Zhen Mi cradled the poem Cao Peng had given her in her hands.

Her eyes shone as though studded with tiny, glittering stars.

The romantic soul dormant within this literary maiden had been thoroughly ignited.

In her eyes, Cao Peng instantly became a figure of towering magnificence.

Because the young lady was herself well-versed in the arts of poetry and literature, she understood precisely how much weight the composition gifted to her carried.

The piece was entitled *The Goddess of the Luo River*.

The resplendent and ornate language of the text made Zhen Mi's face burn with a rosy blush.

*Her form is light as a startled swan, graceful as a swimming dragon. Radiant as autumn chrysanthemums in bloom, luxuriant as spring pines.*

*Dimly visible like light clouds veiling the moon, fluttering like swirling snow caught in a wandering wind.*

*...*

*Her shoulders seem carved, her waist bound in silk. Her slender neck rises gracefully, her fair skin exposed. Without fragrant oils or powdered cosmetics, she wears no artificial adornments. High-piled cloud-like hair, arched eyebrows curving like fine willow leaves. Bright red lips parting to reveal gleaming white teeth, clear eyes glancing with captivating charm, enchanting dimples gracing her cheeks. Her extraordinary posture is breathtakingly exquisite...*

Once circulated, a masterpiece of this caliber was bound to be remembered and praised for all eternity.

And the protagonist depicted within this verse was none other than herself.

That Cao Peng should write such an enduring masterpiece and present it to her caused her maiden heart to flutter wildly like a trapped fawn.