Chapter 069: Cao Peng: Let Me Bear Everything!

“Since that’s the case, General, may I ask, who dares challenge our army now?”

This time, it was Cao Ren who spoke first. Having followed Cao Cao since the earliest days of his rise, he held an important position in the army. Coupled with his familial connection to Cao Cao, among all those in the military who bore the Cao surname, he was surely the one Cao Cao trusted most.

Yet, unexpectedly, Cao Peng had risen to prominence so swiftly, even overshadowing veterans like himself. The simmering resentment in his heart had long been suppressed.

Cao Peng, however, had no intention of indulging their airs. He retorted directly,

“Gongsun Zan cannot entangle Yuan Shao for much longer. Once Yuan Shao swallows up Gongsun Zan, his power will swell into something monstrous, and we will inevitably become his next enemy!

“Moreover, with Yuan Shao to the north, Liu Biao in the south, and Sun Ce eyeing us covetously from Jiangdong in the east, if you wish to elevate our lord now, are you not thrusting us into the position of a public enemy, courting disaster from all sides?”

By the end, Cao Peng’s tone was severe.

Though he served in the military, his gift for argument was equal to any of the strategists across from him. His words were logical and well-founded, and with his status, though Cao Ren and the others bristled with indignation, they found themselves unable to respond.

In truth, what he said could also have been voiced by Guo Jia and the rest, but none of them dared speak so openly. The generals who advocated for deposing the Han Emperor all shared blood ties with Cao Cao. Anyone who spoke out rashly might be seen as an enemy by these muscle-bound, simple-minded men.

Guo Jia and his like had no desire to make such enemies. The internal strife within the Mou clan was already enough to fray the nerves—opposing this crowd of generals was simply unthinkable.

Only Cao Peng acted differently. He had never intended to rely on currying favor or boasting to win his future. What he sought was to establish a power base of his own.

The trust and authority he gained from Cao Cao would always be subject to the whims and limitations of others—only an army of his own could defend what he cherished.

Cao Peng ignored the near-predatory glares from Cao Ren and the brothers of the Xiahou clan.

The air in the room was thick with tension.

No one knew what Cao Peng truly intended, but Guo Jia felt a familiar throb at his temples—his old headaches were returning.

After so many years by Cao Cao’s side, even as the most trusted adviser, he’d still had to endure endless trivialities among the strategists.

He hoped someone else would draw the fire in the future, or else he truly feared he would die young.

In the end, before the tense atmosphere could spark an outright quarrel, it was Cao Cao himself who stepped in to mediate and bring the debate to a close.

“All right, you lot always bring up so many tangents when you get excited. Let’s discuss these matters once we return to Xuchang!”

Since Cao Cao had spoken, no one dared disobey. They bowed in thanks and withdrew.

“Anmin, stay a moment.”

As the others filed out, Cao Cao called after Cao Peng.

Cao Peng smiled knowingly—Old Cao still regarded him as his true nephew after all.

“Anmin, ‘The tree that stands out in the forest is the first to be felled by the wind.’ Are you confident you can withstand the pressure that comes with such prominence?” Cao Cao did not mention the earlier disagreement, but spoke with gravity.

Cao Peng answered with unwavering resolve, “Uncle, I have already made up my mind. Just as you wished for me, I will serve in the army as if you were present yourself. I will not only restrain the generals, but also keep the scholars in check.”

Cao Cao was taken aback. So young, yet already so bold. It seemed he had misjudged this young man before—he was not trying to undermine him, but rather to absorb all the storms upon himself for his uncle’s sake.

“Anmin…” Cao Cao’s eyes grew moist with emotion.

Seeing this, Cao Peng was a bit startled. “Well, Uncle, actually I have a request I’d like to raise while I’m here.”

“Speak freely, Anmin. Whatever it is, I shall grant it,” Cao Cao said, having already resolved to agree to any request as a form of compensation for his earlier doubts.

“With war against Yuan Shao drawing near, to increase our chances of victory, I intend to form a powerful cavalry unit and wish to borrow some men from you, Uncle.”

Cao Peng weighed his words carefully, though he knew well enough that this so-called loan was unlikely to ever be returned.

“Anmin, you truly are the qilin of the Cao family. Who is it you want? Speak.”

Without hesitation, Cao Peng replied, “Zhang Liao, Zang Ba, and the surviving veterans of the Vanguard Battalion.”

Cao Cao frowned—not out of reluctance to part with them, but from concern.

“Those two were once under Lü Bu. Their skills are immense, but their pride is great. I fear you may not be able to bring them to heel.”

“Why not summon them here and hear their thoughts, Uncle?”

Thus, Cao Cao had the two men summoned.

Staring up at the two towering figures, Cao Cao asked, “Would you two be willing to serve under General Cao Peng?”

Zhang Liao and Zang Ba exchanged glances, then turned and saluted respectfully.

“We are willing!”

In their hearts, they held deep admiration for Cao Peng. He had defended Diao Chan’s honor, upheld Lü Bu’s dignity after his death, and protected Lü Lingqi.

A man of high principle—this was Zhang Liao’s estimation of him.

Cao Cao was momentarily stunned. Something felt off. Why did it seem these two had long been waiting to follow Cao Peng? The ever-suspicious Cao Cao could not help but wonder if his nephew was stealing his men right from under him.

No, impossible. It must be a coincidence.

Cao Peng, however, paid no mind to whatever Cao Cao was brooding over. Taking Zhang Liao and Zang Ba each by the hand, he said warmly,

“Generals, together we shall forge a force even mightier than the Vanguard Battalion. Your names will resound through history.”

Zhang Liao and Zang Ba replied in unison, “We are ready to give our lives for you, General!”

In their minds, too, they wondered what a force even greater than the famed Vanguard Battalion would look like. With such an army, would there be any in all the realm who could stand against them?

At that moment, an electronic tone sounded in Cao Peng’s mind, making his spirits lift. His Interception System was distributing rewards.

“Congratulations, Host. Mission completion at 100%. Successfully intercepted Cao Cao.”

“Mission rewards: Peerless Demon God Halberd Technique, ten Tiger-Leopard Body-Refining Golden Pills, one batch each of potato, sweet potato, and corn seeds.”

At last, before returning to Xuchang, he had completed the final mission of intercepting Cao Cao.

The rewards were generous—perhaps a bonus for intercepting not only Diao Chan but also Zhang Liao and the others.

Cao Cao’s losses this time were significant, hence the abundance of rewards.