Cao Cao’s army returned victorious after annihilating the false emperor.
As the over one hundred thousand Cao troops marched through Yuzhou, tens of thousands of banners bearing the character "Cao" suddenly rose from within the ranks.
The fierce wind roared, slapping wildly against the flags, producing explosive rustling sounds that reverberated for miles.
The over one hundred thousand Cao troops did not pause for even a moment.
They merely raised their banners to signal to the surrounding elders and villagers, indicating Cao’s victorious return, that they had committed no transgressions, and then continued their westward journey.
This was the official road connecting Shouchun City to Xudu.
Cao Cao had specifically passed through Xuzhou, and at the border between Shouchun City and Xiapi City, the speed of Cao Cao’s cavalry slightly decreased.
At this moment, sharing the carriage with Cao Cao was Xun You.
Recently, he had discovered some unfavorable signs within Cao’s camp and was reporting them to Cao Cao.
Investigating the morale of his soldiers was considered a part of a strategist’s duty, and Xun You was adept at this.
“Commander Cao… when we set out to defeat the rebel Yuan Shu, we led over seventy thousand troops. Yet, upon our return, this number has more than doubled to a full one hundred eighty thousand…”
“Among these troops are a large number of Yuan Shu’s surrendered soldiers, many of whom originated from bandit gangs, the Yellow Turban Army, and mountain brigands. Their discipline is extremely lax, and they are disobedient. Previously, many veteran soldiers had lodged protests, and during the journey westward, numerous conflicts erupted between new recruits and veteran soldiers. There was even an instance… General Xiahou Yuan drew his sword and executed two new recruits, but it seems…”
Xiahou Yuan’s wrathful execution of new recruits…
This matter had long been rumored throughout Cao’s camp, and Cao Cao was naturally aware of it.
The impact of this incident was immense. While Xiahou Yuan’s execution was swift, the resulting consequences were the resentment of over one hundred thousand new recruits and the exacerbation of the conflict between new and veteran soldiers, between military discipline and the disregard for it.
Evidently…
The entire Cao army was now filled with an air of volatility, requiring only a single spark to ignite a full-scale mutiny.
For this reason, Xun You’s brow was deeply furrowed. This was already the third time he had reported on the morale of the three armies to Cao Cao.
But Cao Cao…
Every time he heard about this matter, he would simply wave his hand dismissively, as if he had already devised a strategy.
“Gongda, I understand… military discipline must indeed be rectified. I have long since prepared a plan,” Cao Cao stated.
This…
Was the same answer again, and Xun You’s expression was not good.
His tone became urgent…
“Commander Cao, rectifying military discipline is the paramount task at hand. We cannot delay. If we delay too long, I fear the rebellious sentiment of the new recruits will only grow stronger and more severe! You know better than I what kind of soldiers served under the rebel Yuan Shu.”
Xun You’s words almost explicitly stated that Yuan Shu’s army was a motley crew, a haven for criminals.
Such soldiers, if utilized well, could be a formidable force, but if misused, they would spell doom…
“Haha…” To his surprise, Cao Cao burst into laughter. “Gongda, do not forget that many of our soldiers were originally from the Yellow Turban Army! Have they not performed admirably these past few years?”
Upon saying this, Cao Cao patted Xun You’s shoulder, his subsequent words carrying significant weight. “Furthermore, Gongda… you have misspoken. Our immediate priority is not rectifying military discipline, but the autumn harvest!”
As he mentioned this, Cao Cao’s gaze drifted towards the window…
The current season was indeed autumn. Outside the window… along both sides of the official road, vast expanses of crops, yellow and golden, shimmered brilliantly…
The faces of countless farmers in the fields were filled with smiles, as if they had finally awaited such a bountiful year.
However…
This…
Xun You’s eyes darted, and it seemed Cao Cao’s words had suddenly illuminated something for him.
“Commander Cao intends to…”
“Haha…” Before Xun You could speak, Cao Cao preempted him with laughter. “Do you not remember what Chief Agriculturist Lu mentioned to us earlier?”
“The barber in the wheat field?” Xun You blurted out instinctively.
“Precisely!” Cao Cao nodded, murmuring, “Our bodies, our skin, are received from our parents!”
Just as he was about to elaborate…
“Dada-da…”
A horse galloped swiftly towards Cao Cao’s carriage.
“Elder Brother… everything is ready,” came Cao Ren’s voice.
“Good.”
Cao Cao’s spirits lifted. He instructed the coachman to stop.
Immediately, he stood up abruptly, preparing to dismount the carriage and switch to riding a warhorse.
As he dismounted, he did not forget to turn back and chant towards Xun You, “Gongda, haha… an opportunity to rectify military discipline has arrived, haha.”
As he spoke…
Cao Cao, visibly excited, descended from the carriage and mounted a magnificent horse.
Xun You remembered that this horse had once belonged to Yuan Shu, and it was indeed a fine steed.
However, while the horse was fine, Cao Cao lacked rapport with it. This action was deeply symbolic…
“Heh, Commander Cao isn't riding ‘Jueying’ and instead is riding this horse… interesting, very interesting…”
Xun You pondered for a moment, then a faint smile touched his lips.
At this moment, he seemed to understand everything. Soon, there would be a barber in the wheat field.
Just as he thought this.
Cao Cao’s resonant voice already boomed out.
“I, acting upon the Emperor’s explicit decree, have led an army to punish rebels and eliminate harm for the people. Now that the wheat is ripe… we cannot return to the capital victorious. All officers and soldiers of my Cao camp, if you pass through a wheat field, you must dismount and hold the wheat with your hands as you pass, one by one! Do not tread carelessly! Anyone who tramples the wheat fields shall be beheaded… My Cao army’s discipline is as solid as a mountain, and we have always committed no transgressions against the people. The common folk need not worry!”
Upon this declaration…
Countless swift riders repeated the command again and again, their shouts echoing through the three armies and reaching the ears of the common folk.
Upon hearing this, the people rejoiced and praised him, kneeling in supplication to Cao Cao…
Some even directly hailed Cao Cao as ‘Ten Thousand Years!’
Indeed, in this chaotic era.
What else could make the common folk’s stomachs full if not ‘Ten Thousand Years!’?
…
With Cao Cao’s personal order, the soldiers of the three armies naturally dared not violate this boundary.
Whenever they passed through wheat fields, they all held the wheat with their hands, passing it on from one to another, not daring to trample it.
This was rather challenging for these new recruits.
When they were under Yuan Shu’s command in Huainan, they had emulated their superiors, naturally learning to plunder the populace and oppress the local residents…
These wheat fields of Yuzhou, if it were a year ago, would have had nothing to do with the common folk!
Nearly ninety percent would have been looted and plundered…
But now… due to the military order, these new recruits were inevitably… restrained, afraid to act rashly.
However, for them, one or two days might be manageable, but over time, it would be difficult to resist the temptation…
After all, this was wheat, and picking even a handful, grinding it into fine flour, could provide several meals!
It felt wrong not to plunder. Perhaps, they should ignore military discipline just once? Just once?
But then…
Precisely when the mood of these new recruits began to waver.
From somewhere, a “dove” appeared and flew in front of Cao Cao’s horse. Startled, Cao Cao’s horse bolted into the wheat field, trampling a large patch of crops!
When everyone rushed over, they saw Cao Cao’s hands were covered in blood, and even the Yitian sword he held was stained with bloodstains, with droplets of blood falling…
In front of Cao Cao lay a fallen warhorse and a patch of trampled wheat field.
“Elder Brother, are you unharmed?”
Cao Ren arrived first…
Countless armored soldiers also rushed over, surrounding the area.
Xun You was among them, muttering to himself that the show was about to begin.
“Summon the accompanying chief clerk!”
Cao Cao’s long sleeves waved…
“My Lord!” The chief clerk hurried over and saluted Cao Cao respectfully.
Cao Cao wiped the blood from his hands on his clothes. Even at this moment, he remained a person who paid attention to hygiene.
“Chief Clerk, I issued a strict order yesterday. Do you remember?”
“Your subordinate remembers…”
“Speak!”
“My Lord strictly ordered all levels of officers and soldiers that we, having received the imperial edict to punish rebels and eliminate harm for the people, are now in the season of ripe wheat. When passing through wheat fields, trampling is forbidden, and those who trample shall be beheaded!”
The chief clerk’s words spilled out. Cao Cao turned his back to everyone and pointed at the fallen horse.
“Now my mount has trampled this wheat field. I have personally slain it, but… since I rode it, I am also culpable. What crime should I be punished with, speak!”
These words escaped his lips…
The chief clerk was stunned.
“Your subordinate… your subordinate would never dare to condemn my Lord!”
“My Cao army has always been known for its strict discipline. I myself have established these rules, and if I violate them myself, how can I command respect?”
Cao Cao suddenly raised his voice. “Today, if I am not punished, who among the soldiers will care about these rules? In the future, if someone among them disregards military discipline or provokes trouble, how will you judge them? Now, I command you to take this ‘Yitian Sword’ and sever my head, to be hung upon the military banner, as a… **warning**… **to… all**!”
Upon this declaration…
*Clack…* In the surrounding area, new recruits and veteran soldiers alike knelt, especially the new recruits… they were bewildered?
Is this… for real?
For… for the sake of Cao army’s discipline? Even Commander Cao… will have his head severed as a warning to all?
*Gulp.* All the new recruits swallowed nervously…
They suddenly realized how incredibly foolish it had been to cause trouble and disobey orders in the camp during this period…
This was practically courting death!
Commander Cao was so harsh on himself? How could their necks withstand the sharpness of the Yitian Sword?
Trembling, countless new recruits… began to tremble all over…
And Cao Cao’s words continued.
“Did you not hear? Now, I command you to take the Yitian Sword and sever my head, to rectify military discipline? Come… come!”
“No… I dare not… I dare not!” The chief clerk was almost scared to urinate. If he dared to strike Cao Cao, he could boast about it for three lifetimes, but he would certainly not see the sun the next day!
“Good! No wonder… our military discipline has become so chaotic!”
“In these past few days, rumors have spread throughout my Cao camp, with more and more officers and soldiers disobeying orders and disregarding military discipline. Hmph…” Cao Cao’s expression grew colder. “It seems the culprit is you, Chief Clerk, for your failure to enforce the law! Hmph…”
“Zixiao…” Cao Cao raised his voice again.
“Your subordinate is here.” Cao Ren cupped his hands in salute…
“Execute this Chief Clerk!” Cao Cao ordered immediately…
The Chief Clerk was completely bewildered. I didn’t kill Commander Cao, but Cao Cao wants to kill me? Who… who did I offend?
“Yes!” Cao Ren seemed to have been prepared. He exchanged glances with his left and right, and then, along with several armored soldiers, dragged the Chief Clerk away. Before his execution.
Cao Ren did not forget to whisper in his ear, “Commander Cao wants me to tell you one last thing. Rest assured, you can go. Your five-year-old son and your twenty-seven-year-old wife, Commander Cao will take care of them. They will fare better with Commander Cao than with you!”
*Swish…*
The sword rose and fell.
The Chief Clerk’s head landed on the ground.
This…
As the Chief Clerk’s head fell, the emotions of all the soldiers in the three armies were held in suspense.
They actually cut it off…
This was not a joke!
Cao army’s military discipline seemed… seemed to be no joke!
They cried…
Tears welled up in the eyes of many new recruits. They felt a sharp pain in their necks. The official’s head that had fallen to the ground felt like their own, a shared sensation!
And Cao Cao’s performance was not yet over…
Or rather, according to the script written by Lu Yu for him, it had only just begun!
“Good, you all dare not behead me? Then I will behead myself!”
Saying this, Cao Cao directly raised the Yitian Sword, looking as if he were about to commit suicide…
“Commander Cao…” At this moment, Xi Zhicai hurried over. “The ‘Spring and Autumn Annals’ speak of great righteousness, that the law does not apply to the noble… Commander Cao… you cannot, you cannot take your own life!”
“Are the words in the ‘Spring and Autumn Annals’ all nonsense?” Cao Cao waved his large sleeves. “Zhicai, I ask you, if the law does not apply to the noble? Is that fair? Is it fair to my Cao army’s officers and soldiers? Is it fair to our new recruits! Why should… if they violate military law, I, Cao Cao, live, but they cannot?”
“Hahaha, the ‘Spring and Autumn Annals.’ If one reads the ‘Spring and Autumn Annals’ blindly, it will only blind your eyes and serve no other purpose!”
Although Cao Cao spoke of the ‘Spring and Autumn Annals,’ every word and sentence pointed to military discipline. Today, he was determined to clarify this matter openly, so that all soldiers of the three armies would engrave it into their very bones.
“Commander Cao’s refutation is excellent…” Xi Zhicai’s eyes darted. “But… has Commander Cao considered that Commander Cao is undertaking this campaign against rebels under the Emperor’s imperial decree? Now that we are returning victorious to the capital, if Commander Cao were to take his own life? Who would explain this to His Majesty? If another Yuan Shu were to appear in the world? Who would be able to lead a large army to punish the rebels? Who would eliminate harm for the subjects of the world.”
Upon this statement…
Cao Cao feigned hesitation and finally nodded. “This is indeed true. I still bear the heavy responsibility of supporting the Han dynasty and punishing rebels. Although military discipline is paramount, it is not higher than rectifying the court’s affairs, nor higher than supporting the Son of Heaven. Very well, then my life shall be spared for the time being! After the world is pacified, then my head shall be taken.”
Hearing this, Xi Zhicai quickly said… “My Lord is wise!”
— “My Lord is wise.”
Tens of thousands of soldiers echoed this sentiment in unison…
Many new recruits’ voices trembled in their throats.
*Swish…*
At this very moment…
Cao Cao used the Yitian Sword to shave off a large portion of his hair!
His voice continued to ring out.
“Today, I, Cao Cao, shall shave my hair as a substitute for my head. Tomorrow, I shall earn merit to atone for my sins. Issue an order immediately to display my ‘head’ throughout the three armies, to rectify military law and clarify military discipline! Furthermore, then spread this ‘head’ throughout all the states and commanderies of Sizhou, Xuzhou, Yanzhou, and Yuzhou, so that they may all know that I, Cao Cao, am a criminal. My head is merely resting on my shoulders temporarily!”
Upon this declaration…
Indeed, the Tiger Guards picked up Cao Cao’s hair.
In ancient times, the concept of respecting one’s body and hair as gifts from one’s parents was paramount. Within the Confucian legal code, shaving one’s hair was almost equivalent to cutting flesh. This was an act of great filial impiety!
However… Cao Cao punishing himself in such a manner, by extension… made the emotions of all the soldiers in the three armies suddenly tighten.
Silence, a long silence.
Even after Cao Cao had walked away, the armored soldiers remained silent!
Many armored soldiers’ hands supporting the wheat fields were trembling, fearing that they might accidentally trample the crops.
Military discipline, discipline as solid as a mountain!
At this moment, it penetrated the hearts of Cao’s new and veteran recruits, reaching the very marrow of every soldier.
It seemed…
That rather intractable problem, those over one hundred thousand disobedient new recruits, at this moment… their moods were all stirred.
“Brilliant…” Xun You, observing all of this from a distance… nodded frequently, murmuring his praise.
In his opinion…
Chief Agriculturist Lu’s stratagem of the “barber in the wheat field,” and Commander Cao’s move of “shaving hair as a substitute for the head,” were truly ingenious!
Of course…
The most ingenious aspect was not merely these. The most ingenious was that Commander Cao would have these “hairs” displayed throughout the three armies, and sent to all the states and commanderies of Sizhou, Xuzhou, Yanzhou, and Yuzhou!
It was thought that these “hairs” would resonate like great bells in the hearts of every Cao soldier, and be deeply imprinted like a brand upon the hearts of every soldier.
The great troubles, the great difficulties, were all resolved at once.
*Hoo…*
Xun You let out a sigh of relief. His eyes lifted slightly. He knew that such strict military discipline would have positive effects extending far beyond the army itself, and would even influence the entire realm!
This was more effective in attracting talent than the “Order for Seeking the Virtuous,” and more capable of striking fear into Lu Bu and Liu Bei than an army of a hundred thousand pressing down upon them!
—What a brilliant “barber in the wheat field!”
…
At this moment… the grand army continued its triumphant return.
Cao Cao and Xi Zhicai shared a carriage…
As Cao Cao tidied his fluffy, messy hair, he did not forget to pat Xi Zhicai on the shoulder.
“Zhicai, you acted well.”
Xi Zhicai cupped his hands and smiled, “It is Commander Cao who acted better… my acting skills are far inferior to Commander Cao’s. I still have much to learn.”
“Do not be modest, you acted well too.” Cao Cao smiled again…
Xi Zhicai dared not take credit and hurriedly saluted, “Actually… it is all thanks to Chief Agriculturist Lu’s excellent design! What to say, and when to say it, Chief Agriculturist Lu had it all planned out.”
After all, Xi Zhicai had once been saved by Lu Yu due to a bout of influenza.
His life owed to Lu Yu, a grace akin to a rebirth, naturally, he would subconsciously attribute the credit to his benefactor Lu Yu.
However, he didn’t need to attribute the credit…
Cao Cao knew, of course, that it was Yu’er’s “script” that was so well-written.
“Hahaha…”
Cao Cao burst into hearty laughter…
As this satisfied laughter subsided, Cao Cao’s eyes darted, and his expression turned serious.
“Zhicai, do you still remember what Chief Agriculturist Lu mentioned about ‘Two Tigers Competing for Food’?”
This…
Xi Zhicai’s expression also instantly turned serious, and his tone was scrupulously precise. “Naturally, I remember. This is Chief Agriculturist Lu’s ‘Eastern Gaze’ strategy aimed at Lu Bu and Liu Bei. Commander Cao wouldn’t be thinking of…”
“Haha…” Cao Cao smiled mysteriously. “Since it is ‘Two Tigers Competing for Food,’ why shouldn’t I add fuel to the fire for Xiapi and Xiaopei cities, for Lu Bu and Liu Bei… let them burn!”
As he said this…
Cao Cao’s eyes narrowed. He gestured for Xi Zhicai to lean closer.
“The renowned scholars of Xuzhou, Chen Gui and his son Chen Deng, we can now utilize them!”
Upon these words…
Xi Zhicai’s expression stiffened.
He realized that Commander Cao was preparing to get serious.
“Commander Cao, then I can only congratulate Commander Cao. The entire territory of Xuzhou will soon submit!”
With a meaningful reply,
Cao Cao and Xi Zhicai exchanged glances with each other…
Then, with hearty laughter, they both erupted into laughter.
Speaking of which, Cao Cao, in his laughter, found himself missing Yu’er quite a bit… he wondered what he was doing lately?
Had he stayed in Lujiang for a long time?
Why hadn’t he returned to the capital? Was there something that held his soul captive?
Thinking of this, Cao Cao asked curiously, “Zhicai? Do you know what Chief Agriculturist Lu is doing in Lujiang recently?”
Doing what?
Xi Zhicai was slightly taken aback. Speaking of which, he actually knew what Chief Agriculturist Lu was doing…
And the answer was simple… remove the character “what” from the phrase “doing what,” and the single word “doing” perfectly encapsulates what he had been busy with during this period.
It was most fitting!
“Commander Cao, there’s a saying in the marketplace… Lujiang has the Two Qiaos, and Zhen Mi of Hebei is beautiful. Since Chief Agriculturist Lu has arrived in Lujiang, what else could possibly keep him there except for the pomegranate skirts of the Two Qiaos?”
“Commander Cao, Chief Agriculturist Lu must have been quite busy lately!”
Uh…
Upon hearing this, Cao Cao was stunned.
Busy… Could Yu’er be busier than he, Cao Cao?
After all, thanks to Yu’er’s strategies, after capturing Shouchun City, among the spoils of war, Lady Yin, He Jin’s daughter-in-law, and Lady Feng, Yuan Shu’s wife, were also peerless beauties!
And Lady Yin’s son, “False Hidden Dragon” He Yan, was also a very adorable child!
— A good child who prefers girls’ clothing over boys’ clothing!
Thinking of this, Cao Cao felt that Yu’er was like two, and he was also like two, counting He Yan as two and a half, he was also very busy!
…
…