In the city west, at Cao's military camp, the central tent.
"Zhicai, Gongda, look…"
Cao Cao pointed at a sketch on the table, a troop deployment map of Han, Dong, Zhang, and Yang around Luoyang.
The moon was already high, but Cao Cao was still discussing military affairs with Xun You and Xi Zhicai…
News of Zhang Yang's retreat had arrived, and Cao Chun had also reported Xiahou Yuan's successful surprise attack.
Considering Dong Cheng as half his own man, Cao Cao's only remaining obstacle to relocating the capital was Yang Feng's army. Yang Feng commanded over thirty thousand troops, a number almost equal to Cao Cao's forces, making a direct confrontation unwise.
Most importantly, during a past conversation, Lu Yu had merely mentioned that Yang Feng could be utilized. However, the current situation had changed.
With the other three warlords either defeated, retreated, or surrendered, Yang Feng had lost his value.
Cao Cao saw no gray areas; those with no utility were best removed from the world permanently.
"My Lord," Xi Zhicai spoke, "With our army's might, even in a direct confrontation, Yang Feng would be no match for you. However… Yang Feng has thirty thousand men. For every thousand enemies harmed, we lose five hundred. With the capital relocation imminent, we should avoid unnecessary casualties!"
Hearing this, Cao Cao nodded, his gaze shifting to Xun You.
"Gongda, what are your thoughts?"
Xun You pondered for a moment before speaking:
"My Lord, although Yang Feng is not particularly intelligent, if you were to propose moving the Emperor to Xudu, Yang Feng would surely disagree!"
"He would even realize belatedly that he has fallen into your scheme, that you have played him. Given his temperament, even if outmatched, he would fiercely retaliate!"
Pausing here, Xun You continued, "Rather than a frontal engagement, it would be better… Tonight, our army has just launched a surprise attack on Han Xian. Yang Feng would never expect another surprise attack following ours… In this way, we can achieve the greatest victory with the least casualties!"
Xun You's strategies often revolved around the concept of "surprise…"
He rarely offered advice, but when he did, not only Cao Cao but even Xi Zhicai's eyes would light up.
"Gongda's words are reasoned!"
Cao Cao nodded, his hand instinctively clenching into a fist, his gaze fixed. "Gongda deeply understands the art of war. A surprise after a surprise, two surprise attacks within a single night, Yang Feng will never be prepared!"
Upon hearing this…
Cao Cao was about to summon Xiahou Dun, Cao Hong, and others. He planned to gather the First and Third Battalions and launch a surprise attack immediately. As Xun You stated, this was the only way to achieve the greatest victory with minimal casualties.
Just then.
"Report… Dragon Swift Camp Sima Cheng Yu requests an audience with the Lord, stating he has an urgent military matter to report!"
An armored soldier entered the tent…
"Cheng Yu? An urgent military matter?" Cao Cao paused slightly, then waved his hand. "Not now. Report tomorrow! You, summon Yuanrang, Zilian, Zihe. Additionally… immediately assemble the First Battalion soldiers!"
"Yes…" The armored soldier agreed and was about to pass the message.
Just then…
The sound of hoofbeats echoed.
A scout was rapidly approaching Cao Cao's tent…
"Urgent dispatch, urgent dispatch…"
Even from a distance, Cao Cao could hear his shouts. Cao Cao's brow furrowed, wondering if something major had happened in Luoyang.
Before Cao Cao could ponder further, the scout dismounted and quickly entered the tent…
"Lord Cao, Yang Feng's army south of the city has mutinied!"
Mutiny?
Cao Cao started, instinctively exclaiming, "What?"
How could Yang Feng's army mutiny out of the blue?
Why mutiny now, and not earlier or later?
As Cao Cao was still thinking…
The scout's voice continued, "We have ascertained that Yang Feng's subordinate Xu Huang entered the central tent and beheaded Yang Feng. Currently… throughout the southern army camp, Xu Huang's troops are clearing out Yang Feng's former subordinates…"
Xu Huang? Yang Feng's head? Clearing out subordinates?
A series of keywords flooded Cao Cao's mind, and he was instantly bewildered. What was going on?
Even Cao Cao, at this moment, couldn't quite comprehend the situation.
It wasn't just Cao Cao who was confused; Xi Zhicai and Xun You were also stunned.
They hadn't even launched their surprise attack yet?
Why had Yang Feng's side descended into chaos on its own? And not only that… Yang Feng's head had already been severed? Then…
Happiness had come too suddenly!
"My Lord…" Xi Zhicai was the first to recover from the shock. His eyes darted, "Sima Cheng of the Dragon Swift Camp is waiting outside the tent. The armored soldier just reported that he has an urgent military matter to convey…"
"My Lord, perhaps Sima Cheng's report is related to this matter!"
As these words left his mouth, Cao Cao suddenly came to his senses. "Let Cheng Yu in, quickly, quickly!"
The sky seemed to brighten slightly. This pitch-black night was about to welcome the dawn.
Soon after, Cheng Yu entered the central tent.
"Dragon Swift Camp Sima Cheng Yu pays his respects to Lord Cao!"
"Sima Cheng, there is no need for formalities. What has happened?" Cao Cao did not ask about the urgent military matter or anything else, but directly asked what had occurred!
Evidently, Cao Cao had already connected the mutiny in Yang Feng's army with Cheng Yu, the Dragon Swift Camp, and even Lu Yu. Otherwise, how could such coincidences exist in this world?
"Lord Cao…" Cheng Yu straightened his back. "Even before the army set out, Lu Gongcao assigned me several tasks: to go to Runan to persuade Xu Chu, Huang Shao, and He Yi to surrender, and to go to Luoyang city to win over Xu Huang…"
Pausing here, Cheng Yu then uttered four words: "I have not failed my mission!"
Boom…
Rumbling!
Though Cheng Yu's words were soft and gentle, they struck Cao Cao's ears like thunder, deafening and resounding!
No wonder Xu Huang had beheaded Yang Feng.
No wonder Yang Feng's army south of the city had mutinied tonight!
It turned out… it was all… all Cheng Yu's accomplishment!
I have not failed my mission…
Heh heh… I have not failed my mission!
To Cao Cao, these four words sounded incredibly boastful, yet he felt this boast was powerful, signifying the allegiance of tens of thousands of troops and the current winning situation!
This boast, Cao Cao found incredibly pleasing!
For a moment, he even wished he could quietly watch Cheng Yu forever, no… not watch Cheng Yu, but quietly watch Yu show off forever! This must be the joy of a father!
Hoo…
Cao Cao's chest heaved.
Instinctively, he tilted his head back, looking out the window into the void. It was over… the march west to Luoyang and welcoming the Emperor was thoroughly concluded amidst these incredibly boastful words, "I have not failed my mission."
Hoo…
Hoo…
One breath, two breaths, ten breaths, twenty breaths!
For a full thirty breaths.
Cao Cao's almost hoarse voice suddenly arose.
"Dragon Swift… Dragon Swift Camp has made great contributions! Cao Xiu has made great contributions, and Cheng Yu has made the greatest contribution!"
With these words, Cao Cao thought of Cao Xiu and Cheng Yu. These two under Yu, one a warrior, the other a scholar, were truly rare talents!
"Hahahaha…"
In the middle of the night, Cao Cao's devilish laughter echoed throughout the entire camp!
…
The next day, Xu Huang led over twenty thousand soldiers from the east of the city to surrender to Cao Cao!
The bloody head of Yang Feng in his hand served as his pledge of allegiance!
The biggest obstacle to welcoming the Emperor had been resolved. The four warlords around the Emperor had been dealt with.
Not only resolved, but by incorporating Dong Cheng and Yang Feng's troops, and with the loyalty of Xu Chu, Huang Shao, and He Yi from Runan, Cao Cao's strength had been greatly and unprecedentedly enhanced.
Now… welcoming the Emperor and relocating the capital to Xudu would proceed without hindrance.
As for the Emperor's opinion on the capital relocation?
Was it important? It seemed not at all.
Cao Cao had ten thousand ways to persuade the Emperor.
"My Lord, what if we report the capital relocation to the Emperor and he refuses?" Xi Zhicai asked loudly…
Hahahaha…
Cao Cao's laughter echoed through the ruined walls of Luoyang.
"Refuse?" He paused slightly. "Zhicai, if His Majesty does not go to Xudu city, he will go hungry, and there will be no dumplings to eat!"
"Hahaha… Let's go… accompany me to pay respects to the Emperor!"
Saying this, Cao Cao did not forget to instruct Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, Cao Chun, Cao Hong, Cao Xiu, Xu Huang, and others beside him.
"Assemble the troops and let His Majesty review them! Today, we escort His Majesty to relocate the capital to Xudu!"
"Yes!"
The generals and soldiers shouted in unison.
…
…
Outside Changle Palace, Cao's soldiers stood in formation.
Speaking of which, when Cao Cao went to Luoyang to welcome the Emperor, he mobilized thirty thousand troops. But now… the more they fought, the more they grew, and now… they exceeded fifty thousand armored soldiers!
Now, lined up, the dark black xuánjiǎ armor reflected dazzling light under the sun!
This was a fierce and formidable army capable of hard battles!
Thump, thump, thump…
The Emperor and his officials emerged from Changle Palace under Cao Cao's escort.
Seeing the tens of thousands of soldiers before him, Emperor Liu Xie felt a hint of panic and fear.
Cao Cao, however, bowed respectfully.
"Your subject, Cao Cao, Governor of Yan Province, respectfully welcomes His Majesty to review the Yan Province soldiers!"
Emperor Liu Xie tremblingly turned his head to survey the Cao camp soldiers before him, greatly astonished.
"Minister Cao… are these… are these soldiers all yours?"
"No!" Cao Cao still clasped his hands, shaking his head. "They are all Your Majesty's soldiers!"
"Minister Cao… then… then how many troops do you have?" Liu Xie asked next.
"Currently, there are two hundred thousand elite troops in Luoyang city, and another three hundred thousand elite troops in Yan Province and Xuzhou. Your Majesty has a total of fifty thousand troops! In addition to this, there are over a thousand skilled generals!"
This was what he meant. Cao Cao's fifty thousand elite troops were presented as the Emperor's fifty thousand elite troops, which carried another meaning for His Majesty.
Speaking of this, Cao Cao said calmly, "Your Majesty, please look upon this mighty army of Han! The rebels Li Jue and Guo Si attempted to pursue Your Majesty, but upon encountering this mighty army, they lacked the courage to fight and fled at the mere sight!"
"Han Xian and Yang Feng rebelled against the Emperor and overthrew the Han. I only deployed ten percent of my troops, yet they were decapitated, eradicating the rebels for the Han! Their heads were hung on the city gate!"
"And these are Your Majesty's troops, fifty thousand armored soldiers, all loyal to Your Majesty!"
Huo…
Looking at the armored soldiers at the foot of the steps, their robes stained with blood, their armor sharpened, their warhorses powerful…
"Remarkable, truly remarkable…" Liu Xie exclaimed, "Minister Cao is ten times more heroic than Dong Zhuo, Li Jue, and Guo Si!"
Whoosh…
Cao Cao drew the Yitian sword from his waist, its blade pointing directly at the sky.
Instantly, the drums thundered…
"Feng!"
"Feng!"
"Feng!"
Ancient roars, tens of thousands of armored soldiers shouted in unison, their voices shaking the heavens.
In fact, the shout of "Feng" was first uttered by the Dragon Swift Camp. As for the Dragon Swift Camp, Lu Yu had casually mentioned it once, feeling that constantly shouting "Kill, kill, kill" was not imposing enough.
Thus, he taught the Dragon Swift Camp soldiers to shout "Feng" or "Da Feng" as a battle cry, making it more imposing.
Of course, due to the influence of many film and television dramas, many people believe that "Feng" was the battle cry of Qin soldiers. However, in reality, "Feng" and "Da Feng" were unique battle cries of Tang soldiers.
According to records, the armies in the northwestern regions during the Tang Dynasty first popularized shouting "Da Feng" in battle formations to boost morale. Later, the effect was very good, and it became widespread among Tang troops.
Of course, Lu Yu would never have imagined that his casual teaching of the "Feng Feng Feng" battle cry would now be shouted in unison by tens of thousands of armored soldiers, shaking heaven and earth.
Indeed…
The "Feng, Feng, Feng" battle cry awed Emperor Liu Xie, as well as all the officials and any potential troublemakers!
"This… this…"
Even Emperor Liu Xie hesitated, unsure how to express his current feelings.
"I… I have a loyal general like Cao, which is truly… a blessing for the court, a fortune for the Han! The rebels can be destroyed, great deeds can be expected, and the Han dynasty's restoration… rests on General Cao!"
Liu Xie's words were stammered.
In the end, he suddenly remembered something.
"I forgot, I… how could I forget? I… I want to… reward General Cao."
"I am willing to appoint Minister Cao as… as Great General and enfeoff him as Marquis Wuping. From today onwards, Minister Cao is, is the pillar of our Han dynasty. I… I will rely on Minister Cao to restore this Han dynasty!"
Upon hearing this, Cao Cao's expression did not change. He was a pragmatist!
Compared to the title of Great General and Marquis Wuping, he cared more about the Emperor. Apart from the Emperor, everything else was mere reputation!
"Your subject thanks Your Majesty for your profound grace!"
Cao Cao bowed his hands and then said loudly, "Your Majesty, your subject has a memorial to present!"
"The Eastern Capital Luoyang is now in ruins. The palaces and temples have all been destroyed by the rebel troops. Furthermore… the area around Luoyang city is filled with petty villains. For Your Majesty's safety and the revival of the Han dynasty, I earnestly request Your Majesty to relocate the capital to Xuxian county and rebuild the court! Restore the imperial court!"
"That place is only a hundred li from Luoyang, and I have already sent people to build palaces and ensure sufficient provisions. I have also deployed twenty thousand armored soldiers to protect Your Majesty!"
This…
As these words were spoken, as expected, all the officials began to discuss.
"This must not be done!"
"If the capital is relocated to Xuxian county, wouldn't His Majesty fall into Cao Cao's grasp? Is Cao Cao's action no different from Dong Zhuo's relocation to Chang'an?"
"Although Luoyang is in ruins, it has been the imperial capital for two hundred years, blessed with heavenly spirit and auspicious terrain, a strategically vital location… What kind of broken place is Xuxian?"
The officials debated…
These words reached Emperor Liu Xie's ears and Cao Cao's ears…
"Cough cough…" Cao Cao coughed lightly and shouted loudly, "Your Majesty, your subject does not wish to force Your Majesty, nor to let the world misunderstand me, Cao Cao! Cao's army has limited provisions, and Luoyang city lacks the wood and stone to build palaces!"
"Your Majesty is currently living in this ruined Changle Palace and can still eat dumplings! But within three days, I, Cao Cao, will have no more food to offer! At that time, Your Majesty and all the officials will be hungry again! Within a month, this Luoyang city will only be filled with dry bones!"
"Furthermore, I do not know… how many villains will come to Luoyang city coveting the Emperor's throne! According to the opinions of all the ministers? Are these your reasons for not relocating the capital? Is this your so-called loyalty?"
"Haha, Luoyang city, blessed with heavenly spirit and auspicious terrain, a strategically vital location! It is good, but open your eyes and look at the current Luoyang city. On this ruin, can it still be an imperial capital? Does the court have the money to rebuild Luoyang?"
Speaking of this, Cao Cao suddenly turned around and stood with his hands behind his back.
His tone changed.
"But if we go to Xudu city, Your Majesty will not have to live in this ruined Changle Palace, and all the officials will have a decent court, and you can all eat dumplings at any time? This is what it should look like to be an Emperor! This is what it should look like to be a court!"
"Only in Xudu can Your Majesty receive the protection of so many elite soldiers and generals, the court can be safe and secure! Only then can the Han dynasty be revitalized!"
Cao Cao's speech left the Emperor Liu Xie and the officials silent…
They looked at each other but could not utter a single refuting word.
After all… the heads of Han Xian and Yang Feng were still hanging on the city gate, and Cao Cao was so humble and courteous. This was a combination of grace and power.
Many realized they seemingly had no choice!
"I… I…"
After a moment of hesitation, Emperor Liu Xie finally spoke, "I approve the memorial, the relocation of the capital to! To Xuxian!"
Almost word by word, Emperor Liu Xie shed tears, his voice choked with emotion.
Lingering affection, unwillingness to part… but… in fact, Luoyang city truly could not serve as an imperial capital; there was not even a basic court here.
Upon hearing this…
Cao Cao nodded with satisfaction, and he drew his Yitian sword again.
When the soldiers saw this, they shouted in unison.
"Long live, long live, long live…"
…
Closer, ever closer!
The Emperor's retinue drew nearer to Xudu…
And at this moment… on the northern bank of the Yellow River, in Jizhou.
With a "bang," Yuan Shao slammed his desk. He roared, "What? The Emperor actually appointed Cao Aman as Great General? Who is this Cao Aman? How dare he be called Great General!"
His eyes bulged with rage.
At this moment, Yuan Shao wished he could rub Cao Cao into the ground!
Simultaneously, a man in Confucian robes strode out.
"Lord Yuan, it is not too late to mend the fence after the sheep have escaped. Now is the time to raise troops and intercept the Emperor. I have a plan that can completely destroy Cao Cao and eliminate future troubles!"
…
…