Chapter 43: Send One to Kill One

  Light and March 3rd of year seven.

  Nanyang Yellow Turban rebel leader Zhang Mancheng led tens of thousands of rebels to besiege Wan City, and the city was breached after several days. Nanyang Governor Chu Gong died in battle, as well as numerous officials, wealthy families, and aristocrats within the city, who were either killed or wounded. The once prosperous Wan City became desolate and ruined overnight.

  The Yellow Turban rebels killed indiscriminately, and not only did numerous aristocratic families and powerful clans die, but the ordinary citizens within the city also suffered an unjust disaster.

  After the news reached the imperial court, Emperor Ling of Han issued three edicts in a row within several days, ordering Zu Zhonglang Jiang Huangfu Song and You Zhonglang Jiang Zhu Hui to lead troops to quell the rebellion as soon as possible. He also ordered Bei Zhonglang Jiang Lu Zhi to lead his army northward immediately to attack the Yellow Turban rebels in Ji Province.

  Huangfu Song sharpened his sword and fed his horse, intensifying preparations for grain and supplies, preparing to set out on a campaign ten days later.

  Northern Army Camp

  Zhou Gang had just returned to the barracks when Zhou Sheng rushed in hastily and exclaimed excitedly, "Young Master, Chen Liang is back."

  "Oh! Chen Liang?"

  Zhou Jian's spirit was suddenly lifted, and he hastily ordered: "Quickly summon him to see me."

  Zhou Sheng took his leave and left, not having much time to spare. Chen Liang walked in with a big stride, his face covered with dust.

  "I pay my respects to you, young master."

  Chen Liang's face had a tired look, but he was still spirited and energetic, and after entering the tent, he paid his respects with great ceremony.

  Zhou Jiansu said with a stern expression: "Get up and speak."

  Chen Liang stood up, and couldn't help but ask in a urgent tone: "How was your trip to Nanyang?"

  Chen Liang stepped forward and said, "I did not disappoint your expectations. Five days ago, Wan City was breached, and the governor of Nanyang, Chu Gong, has been beheaded by his own subordinates in the chaos. The blame has also been shifted to the Cao family of Linqiu County and the Xiahou family. What should we do next, please instruct us, young master."

  "Good!"

  Zhou Jian couldn't help but slap his thigh heavily, got up and paced back and forth in the tent for a few steps before saying: "Although Zhu Gong is dead, this general currently has no military achievements to his name. If he wants to scheme for the position of Nanyang Governor, it's likely to be difficult. The top priority now is to quickly establish some military achievements, then think of ways to bribe those corrupt eunuchs, only then will there be a possibility of taking office as Nanyang Governor."

  Chen Liangdao said: "What if the imperial court were to appoint him as the governor of Nanyang right now?"

  Zhou Jian's eyes flashed with a cold killing intent, and he said calmly: "Then kill me, the court sends one to kill one, this Nanyang governor position is already mine. You don't have to come back, just stay in the Yellow Turban rebel army, no matter who the court appoints as the Nanyang governor, as long as it's not me, you all think of ways to kill them."

  Chen Liang nodded and said: "I will follow orders."

  Zhou Jian asked again: "By the way, did any of you impersonate Xia Hou Dun?"

  Chen Liang replied, "Tell the young master that it was indeed Xiahou Dun who impersonated him. In the chaos of war, he beheaded Chu Gong and many people on the battlefield heard about it. I suppose it won't take long for the imperial court to receive the news."

  Zhou Jian rubbed his eyebrows, feeling a bit suffocated. What was originally going well had unexpectedly miscarried.

  Xiahou Dun was right beside Cao Cao, and if the Emperor summoned him to the palace for questioning, the truth would naturally be revealed. Given Cao's background, it's likely that not a single hair would be harmed.

  However, Zhou Wu and others went to Nanyang with the main task of killing Chu Gong, in order to humiliate Cao Cao. This was just an additional task, even if it failed, there would be no harm done, and they could still plot against Cao Cao later on.

  Chen Liang said, "Young master, after the Yellow Turbans of Nanyang rebelled and broke through Wan City, they wildly coerced the surrounding civilians into rebelling, and have already developed to tens of thousands of people. Should we get rid of Zhang Mancheng and take control of the rebels?"

  "Impossible, once you become the bandit chief of Nanyang, you will definitely attract attention from all sides. A big tree attracts wind, and it's hard to shake off the reputation of a bandit. Even if you impersonate Cao or Xiahou, there is no guarantee that someone won't recognize you."

  Chen Liang said quietly: "This is indeed so, it's still young master who thought of this thoroughly."

  Zhou Jian said, "However, you also need to grasp more manpower to prevent being harmed by others."

  "Rest assured, young master," Chen Liang said with a smile. "After breaking through Wan City, we already have 20,000 men under our command, making us the largest force aside from Zhang Mancheng's. Even he wouldn't dare to easily make a move against us."

  Zhou Jian nodded and said, "Go down and rest for a while, let's head back to Nanyang tomorrow!"

  Chen Liang retreated at the sound of the voice and went out of the tent to find Zhou Sheng, letting Zhou Sheng arrange for him to rest in his camp.

  De Yang Hall

  The Son of Heaven holds court, and the hundred officials discuss governance.

  Emperor Ling of Han yawned as he ascended the Danzhong steps, his spirit was not high, his face slightly pale and wan, his complexion even worse than before.

  The officials on the court found that Emperor Ling was even staggering when walking, and if it weren't for Zhang Rang, the imperial attendant, supporting him by his side, he seemed to be in danger of falling over at any moment, causing them to secretly worry.

  Eunuch Zhang Rang waited for Emperor Ling of Han to sit down on the Dan Jiao throne, then shouted in a shrill voice: "Those with memorials, step forward and present them; those without, withdraw from court."

  One of the civil officials in attendance immediately stepped forward, lifted his long skirt and knelt down on the ground, saying: "Your Majesty, I have a memorial to present."

  All officials rushed to look and saw it was Attendant Middleman Huang Wan.

  The Ling Emperor's face fell, and he said weakly: "What is it that you wish to report?"

  "Huang Wan said: 'I report to Your Majesty, I heard that the Yellow Turbans in Nanyang are rebelling. There are bandits who claim to be Cao Ren and Cao Hong from Pei State, as well as Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan, who assist Zhou in his cruelty and make tigers roar with joy. The governor of Nanyang, Chu Gong, was immediately killed by the bandit leader Xiahou Dun. According to my knowledge, the Cao family of Pei County is a clan of the Grand Minister of Agriculture, Cao Song, and the Xiahou family also has a deep connection with Cao's clan.'"

  "What?"

  "Is this really happening?"

  The civil and military officials immediately began to discuss it in an uproar, while Cao Song's face changed instantly.

  The Emperor Ling heard this and became enraged, saying: "What! There is such a thing. Come, take Cao Song down and throw him into the Heavenly Prison to await trial. Also, bring all members of the Cao and Xiahou families to the capital to be punished, and have them thoroughly investigated by the Grand Judge."

  "This is impossible, absolutely impossible."

  Cao Song's soul flew out of his body in shock, and he hated Huang Wan to death. He hastily stepped forward, knelt down, and memorialized: "Your Majesty, absolutely must not! This must be someone framing him, please Your Majesty investigate clearly."

  The Spirit Emperor angrily said: "What evidence is there?"

  "Your Majesty, Xiahou Dun is currently in the capital. He serves under my son Cao Cao, who is a cavalry commander. How could he possibly have killed the governor of Nanyang, Chu Gong? Please ask him and you will see that it's clear."

  The Emperor Ling's anger was slightly appeased, and he ordered: "Quickly summon Xia Hou Dun."

  "This old servant obeys your orders."

  Zhang Yang also wiped the sweat from his heart and hastily sent someone to the Northern Army's camp to summon Xiahou Dun. Cao Cao was, after all, a person he had recommended; if the Cao family were found guilty of treason, he would not be able to escape responsibility either, and in his heart, he was truly frightened.

  However, Huang Wan is being quite ungrateful!

  Zhang Rang cast a cold glance at Huangfu's expressionless face, and calmly retreated to the imperial court. He thought that Cao Shuang was the adopted son of the late Central Regular Attendant Cao Teng, who had always been on good terms with the Ten Regular Attendants and formed a clique. This Huangfu fellow had just taken office as an attendant for a short time, but he dared not to know the current situation. He couldn't help but want to find some fun for him, looking for an opportunity to get rid of him from the imperial court and demote him to a local position.

  Northern Army Camp

  Cao Cao was gathering his generals of rank above lieutenant-general to discuss military affairs when a personal bodyguard rushed into the main tent with a look of alarm on his face.

  "What's the hurry!"

  Cao Cao furrowed his brow and let out a loud shout, his face showing displeasure.

  The attendants' faces were shocked and frightened, just as they wanted to speak, the curtain was lifted, and another person entered from the large tent.

  Eunuch!

  Cao Cao and his generals were all stunned, unable to understand how eunuchs had arrived at the military camp.

  Xiahou Dun received the imperial edict.

  The eunuch who came to deliver the imperial edict took a glance at the tent and suddenly shouted in a shrill voice.

  "Angel?"

  Cao Cao was shocked and reacted first, hastily kowtowing on the ground, and urgently making eye contact with Xiahou Dun.

  Xiahou Dun also came back to his senses and hastily stepped forward a few steps, kneeling on the ground with his head bowed: "Your subject Xiahou Dun has received your orders."

  The rest of the crowd didn't dare sit anymore, hastily got up and knelt down.

  The little yellow gate swept a glance at the kneeling generals, then shouted in a shrill voice: "Pass on the imperial edict, immediately take Xiahou Dun to the palace for trial and take him away."

  "What...this..."

  Cao Cao was shocked and lost his composure, his small eyes darting about wildly, and for a moment he didn't know what to do.

  Xiahou Dun was also stunned, unable to understand what crime he had committed that would cause the Emperor himself to issue an edict for his arrest.

  Cao Cao did not dare to get up, and crawled on the ground, hastily making a flattering smile and asking: "I venture to ask the heavenly envoy, Xia Du Hou only held the position of military governor, I don't know what crime he committed, why did the emperor personally issue an edict to summon him for trial?"

  Xiao Huangmen glanced at Cao Cao, thinking that the Cao family and eunuchs were in cahoots. He decided to give Cao Cao some face, so he stepped forward and whispered something in his ear. Cao Cao's expression changed again, and he was speechless for a long time.

  When Xiahou Dun was taken away by Cao Cao's imperial guard, Cao Cao finally came to his senses, his face turned iron-green.

  The generals and officers saw this situation and immediately bid farewell and withdrew from the account.

  Bang!

  Cao Cao slammed his fist heavily on the table, gritting his teeth and saying in a low voice: "Who is so vicious as to want to destroy my Cao family and Xiahou family, making us disappear forever? If I find out who it is, I will not let you off easily."

  It's okay, Yuan Rang is in the army.

  Otherwise, this time it would be really hard to defend oneself, plotting rebellion and treason are crimes punishable by the extermination of nine generations!

  Cao Cao thought of the sinister plan to frame others, and he couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine. Fortunately, the person who framed him was unaware, and had forged Yuan Shao's name. Otherwise, it would have been difficult for the Cao and Xiahou families to clear their names.

  Anxiously waited for three hours, even lunch had no appetite to eat.

  Cao Cao was anxious and worried when Xiahou Dun finally returned unscathed.

  "Yuán ràng, zhuàng kuàng rú hé, sù sù yǔ mǒu dào lái."

  Translation: "Yuan Rang, how are things? Come quickly with Mo Dao."

  Cao Cao finally breathed a sigh of relief and pulled Xiahou Dun into the main tent, asking in a hurry.

  Xiahou Dun's face was extremely ugly, and a fierce glint flashed in his tiger-like eyes as he gritted his teeth and said: "I don't know what kind of scoundrel would dare to impersonate me, Xiahou Dun, and the Cao family, causing chaos among the Yellow Turbans in Nanyang. It's truly detestable. The scoundrel who impersonated me even killed Governor Che Gong of Nanyang. If I find out who that scoundrel is, I will definitely chop him into a thousand pieces."

  Cao Cao's small, narrow eyes also flashed with a fierce light, thinking far more than Xiahou Dun. He said in a deep voice: "The most urgent task is to investigate as soon as possible and find out who wants to destroy the entire Cao and Xiahou families. Send someone to deliver a message to Qiao County, letting Zi Xiao and Miao Cai secretly go to Nanyang to investigate and find out the origin of the bandits."

  Xiahou Dun said: "Meng De rest assured, I will go and make arrangements now."

  Cao Cao nodded, a hint of gloom flashing in his eyes.