Mythical Three Kingdoms

Chapter 380 - 363: Cao and Liu

Cao Cao adjusted his mood, ready to face the upcoming battle, as he had already received news that Cao Bao was leading thirty thousand elite troops from Danyang, marching grandly in his direction.

In the following two days, the Cao Army continuously carried out relief efforts. Just as Xun You had estimated, the dead could not testify against the Cao Army’s actions. After the real Cao Army had consecutively slain groups of rioters waving the Cao Army’s flag, many people in Xuzhou truly believed that it was not the Cao Army conducting the slaughter but someone else tarnishing the Cao Army’s name.

"Hahaha, the situation is turning for the better again. All that’s left is to find the perpetrator!" Cao Cao, looking at the intelligence reports from various places, felt his previously gloomy mood improve significantly. He did not wish to lose the people’s trust.

"Report, a letter from Strategist Xi." Just as Cao Cao was feeling joyful at the intelligence reports and envisioning how he could form more troops with the resources collected from Xuzhou to advance one step closer to the campaign Beyond the Great Wall and achieve the title of Grand General Who Conquers the West, a messenger rushed in.

"Haha, a letter from Zhicai—that’s good news, good news. It seems Zhicai’s health has largely recovered," said Cao Cao with a laugh, feeling doubly blessed.

He took the letter, read through it quickly, and his face showed even more joy. "Go, head to the Rear Camp for your reward."

"Lord, is there some good news?" Cheng Yu asked with a smile.

"Zhicai’s health is no longer a concern. Moreover, he has found me two great talents and also located Zhaoji, who had been scattered from Chang’an," Cao Cao declared, laughing heartily.

"Congratulations, Lord!" Cheng Yu congratulated wholeheartedly.

"Report, General Cao Chun and Cao Zi have come to report." Another messenger burst in.

"Read it." Hearing it was a military report, Cao Cao didn’t reach out to take it.

"General of the East Liu Xuande’s vanguard Zhao Yun, leading three thousand White Horse Righteous Followers, has already arrived at Linyi. Sima Li Zheng was killed in battle, General Cao is trapped in Linyi and unable to break free," the messenger said, bowing his head.

Cao Cao’s expression turned serious. Although he had anticipated Liu Bei’s return, he had not expected Liu Bei to return so soon.

"Order Cao Xiu to lead three thousand infantry to Linyi for reinforcements. Hold the fort and await help, do not initiate an attack. After I crush Cao Bao, I’ll join Liu Xuande for a hunt in Langya!" Cao Cao said calmly, [Liu Bei, since our separation at Hulao, we’re finally going to face each other. I had this premonition then and didn’t expect this day to come so swiftly. But that’s just as well. Let me see what this so-called Hegemon of Central Plains is made of!]

The messenger had only left a moment ago when another one came in with a letter, "Lord, Zhuge Ziyu has sent a letter."

"Zhuge Ziyu?" Cao Cao frowned, then a trace of joy crossed his face. "Hahaha, a great talent indeed. Today truly is a day of multiple joys!"

As he opened the letter, Cao Cao’s face turned pale with rage, "How dare this common man insult my ancestor!"

Although Cao Mengde cursed angrily, his heart bled continuously. This was the genius mentioned by Xi Zhicai that he had driven away, sworn to be irreconcilable enemies!

"Lord, please calm your anger," Cheng Yu, seeing Cao Cao furiously tearing up the entire letter into pieces, hurriedly intervened to soothe him.

"Zhongde, there’s no need for such actions. I really want to see what sort of figure the Zhuge Clan of Langya has produced! Hmph!" Cao Cao forcefully suppressed the anger in his heart, trying to speak as calmly as possible.

"Report, a message has arrived from Mount Tai!" Another messenger soldier announced.

"Bring it here," Cao Cao said with a glint of cold light in his eyes.

Upon opening the envelope, two books fell out, along with two letters. He first opened the thick envelope—there were no insults, only a long strategic plan that made Cao Cao nod in approval, mumbling to himself, "Indeed a rare talent, I wonder from which family this person comes."

By the end, Cao Cao couldn’t help but entertain the idea of bringing this letter-writer under his command. Upon seeing the signature, his complexion fluctuated between pale and flush, "Zhuge Clan of Langya, Liang, presently twelve years old. This is what I have prepared for Bandit Cao. You slaughtered my hometown, I will ensure you regret it for the rest of your life!"

At that signature, a sweet taste rose in Cao Cao’s throat, but he forced down the blood that wanted to spurt out, his features twisted in a sinister smile, "Zhuge Clan of Langya, I’d like to see just how capable you Zhuge Clan of Langya really are!"

Despite his words, Cao Cao had already deeply engraved Zhuge Liang’s name into his heart—a twelve-year-old capable of devising such strategies; if he had indeed not been ghostwritten for, it was no exaggeration to call him a formidable enemy!

He opened the other letter, which contained only two words, written with a cinnabar brush. They were in a handwriting as familiar as ever, bringing the sound of Cai Yan’s voice and her smiling face flooding into Cao Cao’s mind. But staring at the red characters spelling "Sever Ties," Cao Cao could no longer contain himself, and a mouthful of fresh blood sprayed forth, staining the entire letter red before he fell backwards to the ground.

The death of his father, the guilt of bloodbathing Xuzhou, the self-loathing after receiving the last words, the humiliations from Zhuge Jin, the talent of Zhuge Liang, the merciless script from Cai Yan—a series of blows caused Cao Cao to spit out blood, falling ill in the military camp.

Elsewhere, Liu Bei led his army at a slow pace. If not for the drag of the refugees from Xuzhou, he would have already arrived in Pengcheng State to join forces with Cao Bao and engage in a life-or-death battle with Cao Mengde. Unfortunately, due to the multitude of starving and freezing refugees, Liu Bei was simply unable to advance and could only silently set up camp, continually rallying grain and supplies from the rear to ensure the survival of the refugees.

The more this happened, the more Liu Bei hated Cao Cao. Although Liu Bei had never personally been to Xuzhou, he was aware that under Tao Gongzu, despite the three years of increased taxation, Xuzhou was still a place where every family had surplus grain. And yet, now when he looked around, all he saw was a vast expanse of misery and desolation!

When Chen Xi finally arrived with a large stock of food, winter clothing, medicinal materials, and physicians, Liu Bei had barely managed to hold his position in East Sea Commandery, unable to advance an inch. The pressure of tens of thousands of refugees was simply too great, many supplies couldn’t keep up. If he were to prioritize defeating Cao Mengde over caring for these people, Liu Bei simply couldn’t get past this moral stumbling block.

As for the army of Cao Bao, who had already reached Pengcheng with the guise of avenging the people, they couldn’t care less about the Xuzhou refugees and even sent a letter of reproach to Liu Bei.

To say Cao Bao was muddled or overly confident is an understatement—questioning why Liu Bei invaded Xuzhou, this left Liu Bei who had intended to assist Cao Bao utterly snubbed. Liu Bei consequently ignored Cao Bao, devoting his energy to caring for and rescuing the people of Xuzhou in East Sea Commandery.

Every day, as huge amounts of resources were spent without a second thought by Liu Bei, watching the people of Xuzhou gradually emerge from the suffering of losing their loved ones and homes, even the initially angry Liu Bei’s face slowly began to wear a smile.

He dashed among the populace, doing his utmost to solve their future living issues, then organized them into groups, deploying troops to send them to other stable parts of Xuzhou, or, if they were willing to join his jurisdiction, he commanded people to escort them to Mount Tai. Day in and day out, he repeated these tasks tirelessly. (To be continued. If you like this work, welcome to Qidian ) to vote for recommendations, monthly tickets; your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)