Chapter 1 The Beginning
The year 192 AD, also known as the third year of Chuping, saw the alliance against Dong Zhuo crumble, marking the start of a decade of chaotic infighting among the warlords of the late Han dynasty.
In March of the same year, these were the darkest days before Wei Wu's hegemony set sail, and the most disheartening moments for Cao Cao.
Having finally borrowed a territory from his elder brother Yuan Shao, Cao Cao was now facing his most severe test.
Few soldiers, a small city, living under someone else's roof, surrounded by formidable enemies…
How to break free? The thirty-eight-year-old Cao Cao was at a loss.
Just then, a letter penned by his father, Cao Song, from Langya Commandery in Xuzhou, greatly lifted Cao Cao's spirits.
He quietly rushed to Xuzhou that night to meet his father.
The reason was that in this letter, a name was mentioned, or more accurately, a title—Yin Lin!
…
…
“Brother, you also believe those popular rumors, that Yin Lin’s words leak heavenly secrets?”
In the dark of night, two burly men conversed while riding their horses.
The one with the handsome appearance was Cao Ren, Cao Cao’s clansman. The other, short and stout with small eyes and a long beard, was Cao Cao!
“We have no choice but to believe!”
Cao Cao declared loudly…
“Before the campaign against Dong, it was heard that Zhuge Xuan of the Zhuge clan in Langya Commandery had once helped these Yin Lin siblings. Yin Lin then suggested he sell ancestral property to buy grain and horses. Indeed, after the campaign against Dong, the prices of grain and horses increased by more than a hundredfold! The Zhuge clan profited immensely, surpassing the ‘Lu’ family and becoming the most famous wealthy merchant in Xuzhou!”
“Also, it is heard that the descendants of Marquis Wei Qing in Luoyang also helped the Yin Lin siblings. Yin Lin advised him to flee Luoyang. As expected… Dong’s tyranny led to the relocation of the capital to Chang’an, Luoyang was burned, and bodies littered the streets! This descendant of the Wei family thus escaped a disaster!”
“Besides these, Kong Rong of Beihai also received guidance from Yin Lin after helping him. Facing the fierce assault of the E Yellow Turban rebels, Yin Lin procured for him a valiant general, Tai Shici, and further invited the assistance of Liu Bei of Pingyuan, thereby repelling the Yellow Turbans!”
“There are too many rumors about Yin Lin. My father’s letter this time mentions Yin Lin’s strategy, and I, Cao Cao, would rather believe it exists. Let’s go and investigate. Giddy up…”
As he spoke, Cao Cao whipped his horse again…
At this very moment…
He desperately wished to reach Langya Commandery in Xuzhou as quickly as possible to ascertain Yin Lin’s hints to his father.
Perhaps this was the way to break through his current unfavorable situation!
Or, to put it further, if Yin Lin could be brought under his command, then… the situation in the world would be entirely different!
…
Xuzhou, Langya Commandery, Cao Family Residence!
“Father, is Yin Lin at the residence?”
Cao Cao rushed in…
He appeared anxious and flustered.
In stark contrast to his demeanor, Cao Song was leisurely sipping the wine before him.
“Meng De, do not panic…”
“Your father has not seen Yin Lin either. I merely heard that Yin Lin is in Pengcheng, so I specifically sent someone to deliver grain and silk, and to inquire about your strategy for breaking through the deadlock!”
This…
A hint of disappointment flickered in Cao Cao’s eyes.
Yin Lin was not at the residence, what a pity!
However, his eyes quickly regained their spirit. “Father, what is the strategy Yin Lin suggested for breaking through the deadlock?”
“Yanzhou!”
Seeing Cao Cao’s hurried tone, Cao Song did not conceal anything. “Yin Lin only said that the Governor of Yanzhou, Liu Dai, is about to perish, and Yanzhou will be without a leader. Cao Mengde can aim for it!”
Hiss…
Yanzhou?
Although Yanzhou was plagued by Yellow Turban rebellions and coveted by Yuan Shu and Yuan Shao externally, compared to the territory of Dong Commandery that he borrowed from his elder brother Yuan Shao, Yanzhou undoubtedly had a larger territory, a greater population, and offered more room for his ambitions!
However…
How easy would it be to seize Yanzhou?
“Father, Yin Lin’s assertion that Liu Dai will die might be somewhat arbitrary.”
“Liu Dai, as the Governor of Yanzhou, is protected by countless Yanzhou soldiers all around. How can he die so easily… If he remains unharmed, Yin Lin’s series of plans will be stillborn and have no direction!”
Cao Cao asked with a frown, his expression not looking good.
Cao Song stroked his beard, picked up his wine, and took a gentle sip. “Regarding the situation of the world, and the life and death of people, Yin Lin has never made a wrong prediction!”
“However…” Cao Cao spoke again… “The judgment that Liu Dai, the Governor of Yanzhou, will die, is still somewhat arbitrary!”
As soon as his voice fell…
“Report…”
A clansman of the Cao mansion rushed into the pavilion.
“Old Master, Young Master, accurate news has arrived from Yanzhou. The Governor of Yanzhou, Liu Dai, accidentally fell from his horse while conquering the E Yellow Turbans and was killed by their swords… The rebels are powerful, and Yanzhou is now without a leader, in precarious danger!”
“The various prominent clans are discussing the matter and plan to elect a new Governor of Yanzhou to preside over the overall situation!”
Hiss…
As soon as these words were uttered…
Cao Cao’s face froze.
“Liu Dai, Governor of Yanzhou Liu Dai truly fell from his horse and perished? Yanzhou without a leader?” Cao Cao stared wide-eyed at Cao Song, his entire body seeming to collapse, and he slumped onto the bamboo chair!
“Meng De, do you believe Yin Lin’s words now?” Cao Song retorted.
“This…”
Cao Cao had some reservations about Yin Lin’s prediction regarding Yanzhou.
But now… the facts were laid bare, speaking louder than any argument!
“This Yin Lin truly has foresight!”
“Father…” Cao Cao suddenly stood up, his spirit greatly invigorated. “Does Yin Lin have any other hints? How should I go about acquiring Yanzhou?”
Cao Cao’s ears were almost pressed against Cao Song’s mouth…
His face was filled with four characters: Impatient!
Not impatient for his father’s words, but burning with eagerness for Yin Lin’s hints!
“Meng De’s question, father’s dispatched clansman also asked Yin Lin, and Yin Lin’s reply was a series of questions!” Cao Song narrowed his eyes.
“Questions?” Cao Cao quickly pressed.
Cao Song’s tone became serious, and his words were meticulous.
“Who falsely used the Seven Star Sword to assassinate the tyrannical Dong?”
“Who initiated the campaign of the eighteen warlords against Dong?”
“When the tyrannical Dong burned Luoyang and abducted the Emperor to retreat to Chang’an, among the eighteen warlords, who pursued him?”
“It was all me, Cao Cao!” Cao Cao blurted out subconsciously…
“Then…” Cao Song continued to ask. “Within Yanzhou, who is the highest-ranking official, the Prefect of Chenliu, Zhang Miao, an old classmate of? And with whom did Bao Xin, the Commander of Jibei who held military power, find instant kinship?”
“It’s also me, Cao Cao!” As he spoke, Cao Cao’s lips curved upwards. At this moment, he had some realization!
Yin Lin’s hints were already clear enough…
The assassination of Dong, the campaign against Dong, the pursuit of Dong—this series of actions made Cao Cao’s reputation renowned throughout the Nine Provinces, and the clans and common people of Yanzhou naturally believed in him.
The largest clans in Yanzhou, the Prefect of Chenliu Zhang Miao, and the Commander of Jibei Bao Xin, through these connections, made Cao Cao’s plan to enter Yanzhou possible. In this light… as the Governor of Yanzhou, shouldn’t it be him, Cao Cao, the one to take charge, none other than himself?
Hoo…
After understanding this, Cao Cao let out a long sigh.
The lingering gloom in his heart at this moment turned into wisps of dust…
However…
At this moment, his expression was still filled with astonishment. Besides being shocked by Yin Lin’s precise hints, Cao Cao was even more appalled by “Yin Lin’s” insight and judgment of the situation!
Being only fifteen years old, yet able to grasp the world’s situation;
Despite being in Xuzhou, having a clear plan for the situation in Yanzhou!
What kind of heaven-defying insight and judgment did this require?
No wonder the Yue Dan Ping stated—He who gains Yin Lin can end the chaotic world and dominate the heavens!
For a moment, Cao Cao became immensely curious and eager for “Yin Lin”!
“Father, please continue to seek Yin Lin’s whereabouts. Once there is any trace of him, even if it is a thousand or ten thousand miles away, I will personally visit him and ask him to come out and help!”
“The Yue Dan Ping does not deceive me; he who gains Yin Lin gains the world!”
Leaving these few words, Cao Cao calmed his agitated emotions.
The immediate priority was to rush back to Dong Commandery and invite Zhang Miao and Bao Xin to discuss matters of entering Yanzhou.
Yin Lin had hinted to this extent. If he still could not take Yanzhou, he, Cao Cao, truly deserved to slap himself!
“Da da da…”
The sound of hooves echoed as Cao Cao and Cao Ren, two men on two horses, disappeared onto the dark official road.
“Hoo…”
Cao Song watched Cao Cao’s departing back and murmured, “The popular rumors say Yin Lin is also looking for a lord. Who could this lord be?”
“Nine Heavens Dragon Roar Shocks the Heavens, Upon Meeting Yin Lin, One Becomes a Dragon!”
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