073. Reorganizing Military Affairs

After settling on a plan, Cao Xin summoned his commanders for a meeting.

Cao Xin, as the General of Pacification of the South, was responsible for overseeing military affairs in the southern region and safeguarding the southern front of Yuzhou.

His subordinates included Dian Wei, commander of the Martial Guards; Pei Yuanshao, leader of the Scouts; Yu Du, leader of the Langya Infantry; Liao Hua, leader of the Elite Cavalry; Liu Dashi, leader of the Logistics Battalion; Li Dayan, leader of the Archers; as well as Deputy General Yu Jin and County Commandant Chen Lan.

The first six commanded a combined force of three thousand soldiers from the Langya Army and auxiliary troops. Yu Jin commanded five thousand, and Chen Lan over three thousand. These ten thousand formed the core of the regular army, and counting the garrisons scattered across the county seats, their total reached over twenty thousand.

Compared to Danyang’s Yuan Shu, Kuaiji’s Sun Ce, Yuzhang’s Liu Yao, and Jiangxia’s Huang Zu, Cao Xin was at a numerical disadvantage.

Once all the commanders had assembled, Cao Xin briefly outlined the current situation in Huainan Commandery.

Outside, powerful lords such as Yuan Shu, Qiao Rui, and Sun Ce eyed the region hungrily; inside, spies, mountain bandits, and renegade soldiers wreaked havoc, and the Huainan aristocratic families had grown corrupt, conspiring with the rebel Yuan Shu.

With internal and external threats mounting, the situation for Cao’s army was far from optimistic.

“Gentlemen, regarding the situation in Huainan, if you have any opinions or strategies, please share them,” Cao Xin said, sweeping his gaze across the assembled officers.

Dian Wei’s face remained impassive; Yu Du’s expression was unreadable; Liu Dashi showed no emotion. Pei Yuanshao and Yu Jin furrowed their brows in thought; Li Dayan’s large eyes darted about aimlessly; Chen Lan’s brow was tightly knit, his mind elsewhere.

No one spoke.

Seeing this, Cao Xin couldn’t help but recall Wei Yan. Despite his extreme temperament, Wei Yan was quick-witted, articulate, and enthusiastic in battle; if Wei Wen-Chang were present, he would never let the main commander face such silence.

“Heh, General, with you and Chief Historian Jia here, why would we need to devise strategies? Whatever you say, we’ll follow,” Li Dayan grinned.

“Rogue! You’re a commander—using your mind is meant to train you. If you remain so complacent, how can I trust you to lead troops independently?” Cao Xin said sternly.

“Heh, General, I’ve never aspired to lead troops alone. I only wish to follow you into battle,” Li Dayan replied with a mischievous smile.

Cao Xin glared at him in annoyance: no ambition, no skills—just like the timid Cao Hong under the Prime Minister.

“Yuan Jian!” he called to Liao Hua. Liao Hua was intelligent but young and inexperienced, slow to process matters and lacking confidence.

“General!” Liao Hua hesitated. “After General Xiahou marched north, we have only ten thousand troops in Huainan—insufficient strength. I believe our top priority should be recruiting and training soldiers, maintaining order, and waiting for the enemy to attack. Then, we counterattack fiercely, which will intimidate the enemy and make them think twice about targeting Huainan.”

“Well said, Yuan Jian. To observe and react, to use stillness to counter movement—this is a suitable approach for our army,” Cao Xin replied. This plan resembled Jia Xu’s top strategy, showing Liao Hua had indeed considered the matter.

Liao Hua smiled with satisfaction and stepped back.

“Who else?” Cao Xin asked.

Pei Yuanshao clasped his hands and smiled. “General! My scouts have heard a rumor throughout Huainan and Jiangdong, and it concerns you. I’m not sure if it’s appropriate to mention.”

“Speak.”

“It’s like this: in the past, Huainan children would cry through the night, and parents would say ‘the wolf is coming,’ which would quiet them. Now, they only need to say ‘the General is coming,’ and the children are too frightened to cry.”

Laughter erupted among the officers.

Cao Xin’s face darkened. To stop children’s nighttime sobbing—is that praise?

“Yuanshao, we’re discussing military matters. Why bring this up?”

“Please forgive me, General,” Pei Yuanshao continued, “Since you arrived in Huainan, you’ve defeated and slain many renowned local commanders. Your reputation is known throughout Huainan and even Jiangdong—no one is unaware, even three-year-old children. I believe, with you here, the enemy would not dare invade Huainan lightly.”

Pei Yuanshao meant that Cao Xin’s reputation for ferocity was so great that Yuan Shu wouldn’t dare stir up trouble, so there was little need to worry about invasion.

The commanders nodded in agreement. Jia Xu also nodded—his top strategy advocated watching and responding, solving problems as they arose, and ignoring them otherwise. But Cao Xin preferred swift, decisive action, hence the alternative strategies.

Cao Xin shook his head. Now in Huainan, still leading troops alone—how can one avoid battle? Without fighting, how can he earn attribute points and increase his resistance to a hundred?

“Yuanshao makes a valid point, but a thousand days defending against thieves is not as effective as eliminating them. Our mission in Huainan is not merely to stabilize one commandery, but to prepare for conquering all of Yangzhou. Passive observation is not enough—I intend to secure Huainan, then Lujian, seize Yuzhang, invade Danyang, and bring all of Huainan and Jiangbei under our control.”

Cao Xin clenched his fist as he spoke.

The officers reacted variously: some excited, some hesitant. Dian Wei and Liu Dashi remained expressionless.

“General! We have only ten thousand troops in Huainan—a small force. I believe caution is paramount in the current situation,” Yu Jin said, bowing.

“Haha, Wen Ze’s reminder is appreciated. I understand. Until Huainan is fully pacified, I won’t launch external campaigns,” Cao Xin reassured him.

—

With the military discussion concluded, Cao Xin began assigning tasks.

Yu Jin, as Deputy General—the equivalent of a colonel—was the highest-ranking officer under him. Cao Xin ordered Yu Jin to continue defending Liu’an County, guard against Qiao Rui and the Jiangxia forces to the west, and protect the five counties of Lujian—a heavy responsibility that only Yu Jin could bear.

Among the remaining commanders, Pei Yuanshao was to lead the Scouts to gather intelligence, monitor the movements of neighboring lords, apprehend spies within the city, and investigate local aristocrats and officials colluding with Yuan Shu.

Liao Hua and Chen Lan were tasked with eradicating bandits and marauders within Huainan Commandery and maintaining public order.

Liu Dashi was assigned to recruit and train soldiers and to gather provisions.

Yu Du and Li Dayan were to patrol Shouchun with their troops, preparing for battle.

Dian Wei was responsible for protecting the main commander, Cao Xin, and Chief Historian Jia Xu.

“Yes, General!” The officers bowed and departed, except for Chen Lan, who hesitated and remained behind.

“Commandant Chen, is there something you wish to discuss?” Cao Xin asked, holding his teacup.

“General, while I was stationed in Huainan, I had some unpleasant dealings with General Xiahou. I’d like to explain—mainly because...”

Before Chen Lan could finish, Cao Xin waved him off.

“Commandant Chen, you were recruited by me. I don’t care how you performed under other generals; but under my command, if you don’t work diligently, I will not let it pass lightly.”

“Yes, General! I will work diligently and fulfill your tasks. If I err, I accept whatever punishment you deem fit,” Chen Lan replied loudly, a sheen of sweat on his brow.

Cao Xin nodded, invited Chen Lan to sit and have tea, inquired about matters in Huainan, and only after understanding did he send Chen Lan off to his duties.

“Mister Wenhe, is this arrangement satisfactory?” Cao Xin asked.

“Most satisfactory,” Jia Xu nodded, putting down his brush. “As commander of southern military affairs, you should have clerks, aides, and staff officers. Right now, you have only me. You ought to recruit more talented individuals to advise you.”

Jia Xu rubbed his wrist. The task of recording meetings should be handled by a secretary, but since Cao Xin had no such personnel, Jia Xu, as Chief Historian, had to do it himself. At over fifty years old, he felt it was unfair to be put to such clerical work.

Cao Xin laughed. “Rest assured, Mister Wenhe. The people I’ve recruited are on their way. In two days, they’ll arrive. Please guide them when they do.”

Jia Xu agreed, relieved.

“General, Yang Hong, the Governor of Huainan, requests an audience,” Dian Wei announced from the doorway.

“Haha, just in time. I was about to seek him out.” Cao Xin left the hall, personally going out to greet his guest.

—