Chapter 15: The Governor of Nanyang

After taking control of Bowang County, the head of the Cao family dispatched his generals to gather the scattered troops. In just five days, they managed to regroup over 28,000 soldiers. The remaining more than 20,000 were either dead, had fled in the chaos, or were too gravely wounded to fight again. The losses were substantial.

On Zhang Xiu's side, the outcome was no better; from over 30,000 men, only a little more than 10,000 remained. When Cao's army once again approached the Yu River, Zhang Xiu led his men out of Wancheng, retreating south to Rangcheng, where he continued to defend the northern gateway of Jing Province. Thus ended the first battle of Wancheng—both sides battered and bloodied, each having sown the seeds of their own defeat. Neither could claim to be wrongly vanquished.

Cao’s forces re-entered Wancheng. Despite the tremendous setbacks, they had at least taken the city. To boost morale, the Chancellor held a victory banquet atop the city tower, making merry with his officers.

“Brother Ziyu, we owe you a great debt this time. If it weren’t for you, many of our brothers, including Xiahou Shang, would have lost their lives. I raise my cup to you,” said Xiahou Dun, approaching with his wine, a broad smile on his face. Four years prior, during the campaign against Lü Bu, Xiahou Dun had lost his left eye to an arrow from Cao Xing, earning him the nickname “Blind Xiahou.” He was a burly, formidable man.

“Second Brother, say no more; I only did what was expected of me,” Cao Xin replied, clinking his cup against Xiahou Dun’s.

“Haha, Ziyu, you’re admirable in every way, except that you’re far too modest. If someone else had accomplished as much as you, they’d be strutting with their tail in the clouds by now,” Xiahou Dun teased, glancing at Cao Hong in the corner.

“Hmph!” Cao Hong scoffed, scratching at a wound. “Cao Little Six has his merits, but he’s not blameless. If he hadn’t taken Lady Zou away and stopped the Chancellor from forming a marriage alliance with her, the Xiliang troops wouldn’t have rebelled.”

“Rubbish!” Cao Xin slammed his cup down. “After Zhang Xiu surrendered, I often visited him to build rapport, to see if he was sincere in his surrender. From my observations, he truly wanted to submit to the court and become a marquis. But after the Xiliang army surrendered, you lot looked down on them, called them cowards. How could those proud officers bear such insults? Then you went to his residence and seized his woman—far too much! Such an affront would have provoked anyone, not just a man like Zhang Xiu from the northwest. Anyone would have sought an opportunity to retaliate!”

Cao Xin sneered.

“Even if it wasn’t wise of me to seize someone from Zhang Xiu’s house, what you did in public was a hundred, a thousand times worse—utterly bestial! How dare you lecture me? I say it was your bullying of Lady Zou that enraged the Xiliang army, provoking Zhang Xiu’s rebellion. You’re the true culprit behind our defeat at Wancheng!” Cao Hong retorted.

“Blame me? Ha! I was merely putting on an act with Lady Zou as a temporary measure to get you to leave sooner. I did nothing untoward. The next day, I went to explain to Zhang Xiu, and he harbored no grudge against me. It was you who spread rumors throughout the city, stirring up trouble and making a scandal of it all. This is your doing, and you have the nerve to blame me? A thankless man who refuses to admit his faults—saving you was a mistake!”

“Hmph, I asked you to hold off the Xiliang army for me, and you just gave a halfhearted effort. I ended up taking three extra cuts—I nearly died because of your negligence. How dare you claim to have saved me?”

“Damn, how can you be so shameless?”

“All right, enough squabbling!” the head of the Cao family intervened, waving his wide sleeves and turning to Cao Xin. “Ziyu, you say you and Lady Zou were only acting?”

“It has since become real. I haven’t had the chance to report to the Chancellor. I beg your pardon,” Cao Xin replied, bowing with clasped fists.

“Ah, haha, no need for apologies, Ziyu. Your sister-in-law always says your household is rather empty, lacking even a single concubine. She often urges me to reward you with a few beauties. I’ve heard that the woman surnamed Zou is quite attractive. I shall grant her to you as a concubine,” the Chancellor declared with a hearty laugh.

“My deepest thanks for your generosity, Chancellor!” Cao Xin responded, bowing again.

The Chancellor laughed and waved his hand. “Now, regarding the affair at Wancheng, let me sum it up. For merit, Ziyu turned the tide and saved me from defeat—that’s first. The officers who protected me deserve second. For faults: Zilian bullied his comrades and seized a civilian woman, inciting the Xiliang army to revolt—he’s the main culprit. My own lax discipline is the second fault. Ziyu’s minor errors come third. That’s settled. No one is to mention it again.”

“Yes, Chancellor!” everyone answered, bowing.

Cao Xin curled his lip. There were so many points to criticize, he didn’t even know where to start. But he didn’t care much about praise or blame—he’d come to Wancheng to earn attribute points, and as long as he achieved that, nothing else mattered.

“Ziyu, I have another matter to discuss with you,” Cao Cao said after the banquet.

“What is it, Chancellor?”

“You’ve fought well these past battles, and your Langya troops are commendable. I want to recommend you as the Administrator of Nanyang, to garrison Wancheng and help me fend off the Jing Province troops and Zhang Xiu. What do you think?” the Chancellor asked, seeking his opinion.

“Garrison Wancheng?” Cao Xin stroked his chin, considering.

There were pros and cons to staying in Wancheng. The upside was a promotion—Administrator of Nanyang was a high-ranking regional post with a salary of 2,000 bushels. It was a good position, and the next step could be a central government appointment as one of the Nine Ministers. As Administrator, he’d command troops, have territory and tax revenue, and a degree of autonomy—he could fight whom he wished.

But the downside was that the Cao forces held only Wancheng and seven county seats in Nanyang. His position would be administrator in name only. Moreover, he’d have to remain in Wancheng, unable to follow the main army to new campaigns or participate in major battles.

After careful thought, Cao Xin decided that whatever happened, it was best to secure a promotion first.

“Chancellor, I’ve no objection to staying in Wancheng, but you know I’m a rough man, not skilled in administration. Could you appoint a few assistants to help me manage Wancheng and the surrounding counties?” Cao Xin asked with a smile.

“Who do you want to help you?”

“Anyone I like? If I asked for Master Xun Yu, I’m sure the Chancellor wouldn’t approve.”

“Nonsense!” the Chancellor shot him a look. “Wenruo is the Minister of the Secretariat, a top official. Why would he leave the court to serve as your assistant?”

Cao Xin laughed. “Chancellor, you have so many subordinates in your residence, I don’t even know their ranks. Perhaps you could select a few for me?”

“You! You need to learn more and stop blundering about,” the Chancellor chided.

“I understand, Chancellor. I will make an effort to learn,” Cao Xin promised. He planned to study once his intelligence reached one hundred points—perhaps he’d even unlock a special talent. For now, his intelligence was too low; studying was a headache and a waste of time.

Nearby, the Chancellor’s gaze swept over several of his civil officials and finally settled on Mao Jie, the chief clerk. Mao Jie, fifty years old, had served as a local magistrate and held posts such as Administrative Officer and Clerk of the Eastern Bureau in the Chancellor’s residence. He was skilled in governance, upright and honest—a fine assistant.

“Xiaoxian, are you willing to stay in Nanyang and help Ziyu resist the Jing Province troops?” the Chancellor asked.

“I will not fail the Chancellor’s trust,” Mao Jie replied, stepping forward and bowing.

“Excellent!” the Chancellor rejoiced, taking both men by the arm and entrusting Nanyang to their care, urging them to work together and defend the rear of Xuchang.

Both promised not to betray his trust.

Cao Xin recalled that Nanyang was home to many famous figures—Zhuge Liang, Huang Zhong, Wei Yan, Deng Ai, Deng Zhi, and others were all born there. Perhaps he could recruit a few to help him earn more experience.

——

With the battle of Wancheng concluded, Cao Xin was rewarded for his merits by the court, appointed as Administrator of Nanyang and General Who Pacifies Rebels, commanding fifteen thousand troops to garrison Wancheng. Mao Jie served as Deputy Prefect, overseeing civil affairs in the counties, Zhang Baiqi as Commandant, responsible for military and public order, and Liao Hua continued as chief clerk. The others also received appointments.

Before officially taking office, Cao Xin returned to Xuchang with the main army to rest and visit Yuniang.

——

Tomorrow begins the first round of recommendations. Please show your support. This is my first time writing historical fiction—your guidance is greatly appreciated.