Cao Cao adjusted his mood, preparing for the upcoming battle, as he had received word that Cao Bao was leading 30,000 elite troops from Danyang towards him.
Over the next two days, the Cao army continued its disaster relief efforts, just as Xun You had predicted. The dead could not testify against the Cao army, and as they repeatedly executed the bandits and rioters pretending to be Cao’s forces, many of the Xuzhou people truly believed that it wasn’t the Cao army committing the slaughter but rather soone tarnishing Cao’s reputation.
"Hahaha, the situation is improving again. Now we just need to find the real culprits!" Cao Cao’s spirits lifted as he reviewed the reports from various places, imagining how many armies he could form with the wealth he had plundered from Xuzhou. He felt one step closer to his dream of becoming the Grand General of the West, conquering the frontier.
"Report, a letter from Strategist Xi." As Cao Cao was reveling in the good news, a ssenger rushed in with a letter.
"Hahaha, a letter from Zhicai! Good news, good news! It seems Zhicai has recovered considerably." Cao Cao laughed, feeling as though fortune was smiling upon him.
After reading the letter, his smile grew even broader. "Go, claim your reward at the rear camp."
"My lord, has there been good news?" Cheng Yu asked with a smile.
"Zhicai has recovered, and he has found two great talents for , as well as retrieving Zhaoji, who was lost in Chang’an," Cao Cao exclaid joyfully.
"Congratulations, my lord!" Cheng Yu offered sincere congratulations.
"Report, General Cao Chun has sent a ssage." Another ssenger rushed in.
"Read it," Cao Cao said, this ti with more solemnity, as it was a military report.
"General Liu Bei’s vanguard, led by Zhao Yun and 3,000 White Horse Cavalry, has arrived at Linyi. Sima Li Zheng has fallen in battle. General Cao is besieged in Linyi and cannot break through." The ssenger reported with his head bowed.
Cao Cao's expression grew serious. Though he had anticipated Liu Bei's return, he had not expected him to arrive so quickly.
"Send orders to Cao Xiu to lead 3,000 infantry to reinforce Linyi. Hold the position and do not engage. Wait for
to defeat Cao Bao, and then we will et Liu Bei in Langya!" Cao Cao instructed calmly.
As soon as the ssenger left, another rushed in with a letter. "My lord, a letter from Zhuge Ziyu."
"Zhuge Ziyu?" Cao Cao frowned, then his mood brightened. "Hahaha, another great talent! Today is indeed a day of great fortune!"
But as he opened the letter, his face turned pale. "How dare this commoner insult my ancestors!"
Though Cao Cao cursed aloud, his heart ached. This was the prodigy that Xi Zhicai had recomnded, yet he had driven him away, making him a lifelong enemy.
"My lord, please calm down," Cheng Yu said, trying to soothe Cao Cao as he tore the letter into pieces in his rage.
"Zhongde, there’s no need for this. I want to see what talent this Zhuge family from Langya truly has! Hmph!" Cao Cao forced himself to suppress his anger, speaking as calmly as possible.
"Report, a letter from Mount Tai!" Another ssenger arrived.
"Bring it," Cao Cao said, his eyes flashing coldly.
When he opened the letter, two books and two letters fell out. He opened the thicker letter first, finding no insults, only a lengthy strategy. As Cao Cao read, he found himself nodding in approval, even murmuring, "A true genius. I wonder which family he belongs to."
But as he reached the end and saw the signature, his face turned red and white. "Zhuge of Langya, Liang, aged twelve. This is prepared for you, Cao Thief. You slaughtered my holand; I will ensure you regret this for the rest of your life!"
Seeing the signature, Cao Cao felt a bitter taste in his throat, but he forced himself to swallow the blood. His face contorted in a cold smile. "Zhuge of Langya, let’s see how capable your family really is!"
Despite his words, Cao Cao had already etched Zhuge Liang’s na deeply in his mind. A twelve-year-old who could draft such a strategy—if it wasn’t ghostwritten, he would indeed be a formidable enemy.
Opening the other letter, he found only two words, written in familiar red ink. The mories of Cai Yan’s voice and smile flashed through Cao Cao's mind. But seeing the red words "break ties," Cao Cao couldn’t suppress his emotions any longer. A mouthful of blood spewed from him, staining the letter red as he collapsed once again.
The death of his father, the guilt of massacring Xuzhou, the sorrow upon receiving his father’s final words, the scorn from Zhuge Jin, the talent of Zhuge Liang, and Cai Yan’s cold rejection—all these blows overwheld Cao Cao, and he fell ill in the camp.
anwhile, Liu Bei’s army moved slowly. If not for the burden of refugees, Liu Bei would have already reached Pengcheng and joined forces with Cao Bao for a decisive battle against Cao Cao. But the mass of starving, freezing refugees made it impossible to advance. Liu Bei could only set up camp, constantly gathering supplies to sustain the people.
The more he saw of Xuzhou’s desolation, the more Liu Bei hated Cao Cao. Though he had never been to Xuzhou before, he knew that under Tao Qian’s three years of minimal taxation, the region had prospered. Now, however, it was a land of sorrow.
When Chen Xi finally arrived with large quantities of food, winter clothes, dicines, and doctors, Liu Bei was still stuck in Donghai County, unable to advance. The tens of thousands of refugees were too much for him to manage, and he couldn’t ignore them just to pursue Cao Cao. His conscience wouldn’t allow it.
As for Cao Bao, who had reached Pengcheng and was posturing as a champion of the people, he completely ignored the Xuzhou refugees and even sent a letter to Liu Bei questioning his invasion of Xuzhou.
Whether Cao Bao was deluded or simply full of himself, Liu Bei, who had initially considered helping him, was thoroughly disappointed and chose to ignore him. Instead, he focused on caring for the people of Xuzhou.
Though he spent vast amounts of resources daily, Liu Bei didn’t mind. Seeing the people gradually recover from their grief, he found a new purpose. He moved among the people, working tirelessly to solve their problems, organizing them into groups, and sending them to safer parts of Xuzhou or, if they wished, to Mount Tai under his protection. Though it was repetitive work, Liu Bei found great joy in it.
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