Chapter 42: Assassination of Chū Gòng

  Wancheng East Gate.

  The sound of killing shook the wilderness, and the bloody battle continued for days.

  Wave after wave of yellow turban bandits charged up the city walls under the leadership of their chiefs, engaging in a fierce and deadly battle with the defending provincial soldiers.

  Nanyang Governor Chu Gong, with a haggard appearance and pale complexion, personally ascended the city wall to direct the battle under the guard of over ten trusted soldiers. Since the Yellow Turban rebels besieged the city several days ago, he had not slept well or eaten a good meal.

  For officials and scholar-officials, the Yellow Turbans were a disaster.

  Chu Gong even if he wanted to abandon the city and escape, but Wan City was surrounded by the Yellow Turban rebels, there was no way to escape, and could only hope that the imperial court's rebel-suppressing army would arrive soon. Otherwise, once the city fell, as the governor of the prefecture, he would absolutely have no way to survive.

  "Something terrible has happened."

  Just then, a small school rushed up to the city gate in big strides, took a deep breath and exclaimed: "The bandits are attacking fiercely, the north gate has been breached, and the Yellow Turban bandits are killing their way towards the east gate."

  "What? The North Gate has been breached?"

  Chu Gong was taken aback, his eyes widened in shock, and he almost fell off the city wall.

  "Oh no!"

  "We're done for."

  The officers around Zhu Gong were also shocked and lost their color, frightened to the point of soul flying and scattered, once the Yellow Turban thieves broke into the city, these people would definitely be killed to vent their anger, and there was no way to survive.

  The little school's face was pale and desperate, his eyes hopeless, and he shouted in a hoarse voice: "Sir, hurry up and escape, it will be too late if you wait any longer."

  Chu Gong said with a bitter smile: "Escape? The city is surrounded by Yellow Turban rebels on all sides, where can we escape to?"

  The little school was stunned for a moment, and her face turned pale instantly, unable to speak.

  In the midst of hurried footsteps, Nanyang's chief officer rushed over, covered in blood, and loudly said: "Sir, the North Gate has been destroyed, Wan City can no longer be defended. Quickly follow me with 800 remaining soldiers to break through the West Gate, or it will be too late."

  Chu Gong's spirit was suddenly lifted, as if he had grasped a lifesaving straw, and he repeatedly said: "Right, right, let's go quickly."

  Very soon.

  While the Yellow Turban rebels had not yet arrived, Chu Gong and over a hundred officials from the provincial government, as well as wealthy families in the city, under the protection of 800 remaining soldiers, opened the west gate and broke out of the city, desperately trying to break through the siege.

  "Dog official is gone, Xiahou Dun is here!"

  Just then, a loud shout of thunder exploded in front, and Chu Gong was shocked to raise his head. He saw a yellow turban bandit riding a horse and killing him. The three-ring double-blade knife brought out a bloody light, and no one could stop it for a moment. It quickly killed him nearby.

  "Xi Men unexpectedly has an ambush, what's good about this, what's good about it?"

  Zhu Gong was so frightened that his heart and gall were split, and he was at a loss for what to do.

  "Gentlemen, don't panic, wait until the end and I will behead this rebel general."

  Dianwei let out a loud shout and urged his horse forward, brandishing his spear to confront Xiahou Dun, which slightly eased Zhu Geng's anxiety.

  However soon.

  Duiwei and bandit general 'Xiahou Dun' clashed but had only exchanged a few blows when he was cut down by a single sword stroke under his horse.

  The Yellow Turban rebels were suddenly filled with energy, shouting loudly as they charged forward. The 800 remaining soldiers from Nanyang were already disheartened and, seeing their commander beheaded, completely lost morale and could no longer be controlled. With a single shout, they immediately scattered in all directions, fleeing wildly.

  "This..."

  Chu Gong and a group of officials and wealthy families were all stunned, like frogs struck by lightning, flustered and at a loss for what to do.

  "Run!"

  It was unclear who shouted, but more than 100 people finally came back to their senses and immediately scattered in all directions.

  "The corrupt official is on the run."

  Among the loud shouts, the bandit 'Xiahou Dun' galloped over on horseback and with one swing of his sword, beheaded Chu Gong. Immediately after, he picked up Chu Gong's head with the tip of his knife and loudly shouted: "Chu Gong is dead! Brothers, let's go kill!"

  "Kill, kill, kill..."

  The Yellow Turban rebels were suddenly filled with morale, and they charged into the west gate like wolves and tigers.

  Rebel rear guard.

  The Dog Head Military Advisor exclaimed with great joy: "General, the city gate has been breached, Zhu Gong is dead, and everything is settled."

  Zhang Mancheng said with a flourish: "Good, this Cao Ren really has some skills, and he broke into the city so quickly. Pass on the order, after the army enters the city, the soldiers can indulge for three days. Anyone who is dressed in fine clothes or rides a proud horse will be killed; anyone who lives in a large mansion will be plundered, no need to report."

  "Roger."

  Beside him, there were already scouts who responded with a shout and immediately galloped away.

  Luoyang, the Northern Army's large camp.

  Huangfu Song gathered all military officers above the rank of Sima under his command for a military council, with over 50 people in attendance.

  Zhou Jian was a school lieutenant, whose position was above the military governor, ranked third in the right column, and looked at the person in the upper left column with a straight ear.

  This man is about thirty years old, wearing a brocade robe, with a moderate build, wide face and broad ears, quite dignified, occasionally flashing a sharp light in his eyes, and sometimes revealing an almost imperceptible cunning and slyness in his small eyes, giving people a very rich and complex impression.

  This man is none other than Cao Cao, Cao Mengde.

  Cao Cao was appointed as a Cavalry Commandant, with a position similar to that of a Colonel, but with a slightly higher status, thus ranking first among the many Colonels.

  Zhou Jian still saw Cao Cao for the first time, and since entering the commander's account, he had been quietly sizing up this ancient hero. As for what Huangfu Song and the other generals said, he didn't bother to pay attention.

  It was nothing more than the imperial court repeatedly urging them to intensify their training of soldiers in order to send troops out as soon as possible to suppress the rebels.

  Huangfu Song turned his head and asked Cao Cao, the first on his left, "Mengde, what's your view?"

  Cao Cao narrowed his small eyes and said, "General, the Yellow Turban rebels are now extremely powerful, the local cities and counties have lost their territories, the people are in danger of being overthrown, and the country is on the verge of collapse. Our army should launch an attack as soon as possible to quickly quell the rebellion, lest we miss a good opportunity."

  Huangfu Song nodded, saying: "Meng De's words are reasonable. The Yellow Turban bandits' momentum is so vast that it has almost swept across the entire country. Local prefectures and counties have weak military defenses, and they have lost cities and territories one after another. The Emperor has already issued consecutive edicts urging us to send troops. If we do not take advantage of the fact that the Yellow Turban rebels in various places have not yet joined forces before annihilating them, I fear that disaster is near."

  All the generals said: "The general is right."

  Huangfu Song suddenly stood up and said: "The commander has decided that ten days later, the army will take an oath to go out and fight. All generals can lead their own troops and horses, in front of the commander's account, kill the enemy and make achievements, break the bandits, and do not make mistakes."

  "I will obey orders."

  The generals hastily retreated and obeyed orders, each with an excited expression, their blood mysteriously boiling up.

  Zhou Jian came out of the commander's tent and was about to return to his quarters when he heard someone shouting behind him.

  "General Zhou, please stay."

  Cao Cao hastened his pace, with a robust man eight feet tall following closely behind him. Cao Cao asked with a smile: "Just now in the commander's tent, I saw that you did not utter a word, but seemed to be somewhat displeased with me; I wonder what is the reason?"

  Zhou was startled, this thread of keen observation caught even the slightest chill in his gaze when they first met, it seems that from now on he needs to be extremely careful, if this guy becomes guarded, it won't be easy to make a move.

  Zhou Jian remained calm and composed, smiling as he said: "Brother Meng De, why do you say this? I have always admired you, Brother Meng De. I've heard that during your tenure as the Northern District Magistrate and Dongqiu Prefect, you achieved great merits and brought prosperity to the people through your benevolent governance. I truly admire you deeply."

  Cao Cao was surprised and uncertain, cupping his hands in a humble gesture: "General, you're overpraising me. I've heard that General has not only governed the army with wisdom but also possesses the bravery to charge into battle alone, now being able to fight alongside General is truly my good fortune, my great fortune!"

  Zhou Jian hastily made a few polite remarks and glanced at the robust man standing behind Cao Cao, asking: "Who is this?"

  Cao Cao seemed to have just remembered that there were still people around him, and he hastily introduced: "This is my cousin Xiahou Dun, courtesy name Yuanrang." He then said to the robust man: "Yuanrang, haven't you met General Zhou yet?"

  Xiahou Dun cupped his hands and said: "I have seen General Zhou."

  Xiahou Dun?

  Zhou Jian was taken aback for a moment, his mind racing with thoughts, and he also cupped one hand in the other to return a salute, praising: "A true hero indeed!"

  Cao Cao gently stroked his short mustache under his chin and smiled without speaking.

  Xiahou Dun's face was expressionless, standing silently behind Cao Cao, like a guardian deity.

  Zhou Jian responded with a few words, until he saw Cao Cao and Xiahou Dun leave, then he couldn't help but clench his fists tightly. He had originally wanted to splash some dirty water on the Cao and Xiahou families, but unexpectedly, Xiahou Dun was actually in the army, which was truly beyond his expectations.

  Since Xiahou Dun is by Cao Cao's side, most of the framing and slandering will likely end in failure.

  A flash of coldness swept across Zhou Jian's eyes, but it was quickly deeply hidden again.

  In just a few words, he had already outlined a rough outline of Cao Cao in his mind. This guy is indeed a legendary hero, and judging from the heart, Cao Cao has surpassed others in terms of temperament and demeanor. What's rare is that there isn't even half a bit of the superior feeling of being a noble son who looks down on the world, nor does he belittle others because of their humble status, at least not on the surface.

  Leaving other things aside, Cao Cao undoubtedly had a very strong personality charm.

  If Zhou Jian were not a man of this era, after the brief conversation just now, he would also think that it's not bad to make friends with Cao Cao, but unfortunately Cao Cao is a hero of the world, and he wouldn't be willing to die for anyone.

  Some things have already been destined.

  Zhou Jian's mind was quietly turning with thoughts of how to find an opportunity to get rid of Cao A'Dan.

  But to kill Cao Cao, we can't be rash.

  Zhou Jian is now a general of the imperial court, and Cao Cao is his sworn brother. It would be easy to kill Cao Cao, but the consequences of doing so cannot be ignored. If he were to be punished for killing Cao Cao, and without the powerful backing that Yuan had, it's likely that he would never be able to recover.

  If you want to kill someone, you have to find an opportunity without putting yourself in danger.

  Cao Cao took Xiahou Dun back to the camp and said, "I've heard that Zhou Jian has the bravery of a thousand men, and once personally hunted down a fierce tiger and gave its skin to Zhang Liao. From now on, we must be more careful with this man."

  Xiahou Dun exclaimed: "What's going on here?"

  Cao Cao furrowed his brow and said, "Just now in General Huangfu Song's command tent, this person was secretly sizing me up. I always feel that he seems not to be friendly towards me, but I don't know why. In any case, being cautious can't go wrong."

  Xiahou Dun's eyes flashed with a fierce light as he said in a low voice, "Don't worry, Meng De, I understand."

  Cao Cao nodded and thought of something else, then fell into deep contemplation again.