The Sixth Son of the Cao Family

In the first year of Jian'an (197 AD), at the beginning of the year, Cao Cao led his troops to attack Zhang Xiu at Wancheng, and the army camped by the Yu River.

It was midday. The generals were dining in the main tent, and Cao Cao was present as well.

Suddenly, a loud fart echoed through the tent.

"Outrageous!"

General Li Feng, Cao Hong, slammed his palm on the table and glared at everyone with his bull-like eyes.

"Who did it? How dare anyone be so brazen before the Prime Minister? Show yourself and apologize at once!"

The generals glanced about, food boxes in hand, but no one admitted guilt.

"Let it be, Zilian. It's only a fart, nothing worth pursuing," Cao Cao said, waving away the smell from his nose.

"Prime Minister, we can't let this go. Today, this scoundrel dares to break wind before your very face; tomorrow, he might dare to urinate in public, and the day after, rebel. Such a black sheep must be rooted out early," Cao Hong thundered indignantly.

A snicker escaped from the corner table, where Cao Xin couldn't help but laugh.

Having lived at the end of the Han for over four years, he had met many remarkable historical figures, and Cao Hong was certainly one of the more amusing. Because he had been among Cao Cao's earliest followers, saving his life at Yingyang and Bianshui, he had earned Cao Cao's trust. Since Cao Cao's rise to Prime Minister, Cao Hong had grown ever more arrogant, often invoking authority over trivial matters and inflating everything to a political issue.

"Cao Sixth, what are you laughing at? Was it you?" Cao Hong demanded, glaring at him, his greasy, fleshy face quite fearsome.

"It wasn't me. Don't slander the innocent," Cao Xin replied.

"It must be you. In my experience, the one who farts can never help laughing, and look at you—grinning like a fool," Cao Hong said, pointing at his face, his belly thrust out.

The other generals looked at Cao Xin, seeing that his handsome face was alight with merriment. Suspicion grew.

"Nonsense!" Cao Xin retorted angrily. "Cao Hong, I'm two zhang away from the Prime Minister. If it were me, how could he have smelled it? You're the closest, and the sound came from your direction. If you ask me, someone is crying thief to cover his own theft."

The others turned their gaze to Cao Hong, finding this argument convincing.

"Insolence!" Cao Hong's face turned red as he raised a fist and bellowed, "Cao Sixth, you dare to frame me? I'll beat you to a pulp!"

"Hit me? Ha! Come on, let's spar," Cao Xin said, rolling up his sleeves, unafraid.

"Enough, enough, Zilian, Ziyu, stop your quarreling. Eat, eat!" Cao Cao massaged his forehead, looking helpless.

He had gathered his generals for this meal in the command tent, hoping to emulate famed commanders Wu Qi and Li Guang by raising morale, so that his men would fight harder in battle. Yet, things had devolved into chaos.

Cao Hong shot Cao Xin a hostile glare before returning to his seat in displeasure.

Cao Xin smiled quietly to himself. The year before last, he had stolen Cao Hong’s beauty in Xiaopei, and since then Cao Hong had openly and secretly targeted him. But with Cao Cao’s protection, he needn’t care.

The meal resumed.

Suddenly, a messenger ran up to the command tent, drawing out his cry as he knelt, panting and breathless.

"Prime Minister! Zhang Xiu is leading five thousand troops this way—less than five li from our camp. They'll be upon us any moment!"

"Oh?" Cao Cao frowned and set down his chopsticks.

The generals also set aside their meals, their moods soured. They were in the midst of dining, and now that brat Zhang Xiu was coming to make trouble for Cao Cao!

"Gentlemen, Zhang Xiu has seized the moment while our position is unsettled to lead an assault. Who among you will volunteer to go forward and drive him back for me?" Cao Cao asked the assembled commanders.

"Prime Minister, I volunteer!" shouted Xiahou Dun, Cao Hong, Yu Jin, Yue Jin, as well as Cao Ang, Cao Anmin, Cao Chun, Cao Xiu, Xiahou Shang, and Xiahou Jie, rising one after another to vie for the lead.

Seeing their high spirits, Cao Cao nodded in satisfaction; the meal, it seemed, had not been in vain.

"Zhang Xiu is a fierce general from the west, famed as the King of Spears in the Northwest, and Wancheng’s army is the elite force left by Zhang Ji. This battle will not be easy—only the bravest can withstand him."

"Prime Minister, why give him so much credit? Give me five thousand men, and I’ll deliver Zhang Xiu to you alive," Xiahou Dun roared.

"Prime Minister, give me three thousand, and I’ll bring Zhang Xiu back for your drinking pleasure," said Cao Hong, who, though first to rise, took some time to get to his feet due to his bulk.

"Prime Minister, two thousand will suffice for me to drive Zhang Xiu away," Yu Jin and Yue Jin declared.

"Prime Minister, allow me to lead my own one thousand and I too will repel Zhang Xiu," Cao Ang and Cao Xiu stepped forward.

"Prime Minister, and me as well—just give me five hundred men," blurted the slow-witted Cao Anmin, eager to join in.

"Out of the way! I asked for three thousand—what do you need five hundred for? Think you fight better than I do?" Cao Hong bellowed at him, eyes wide.

"Anmin, just stand aside and watch. Don’t make a fuss," Cao Ang waved him off.

"I’m not making a fuss. My five hundred can each fight like ten, so that’s five thousand—I did the math," Cao Anmin muttered under his breath.

The generals fell silent.

Cao Cao stroked his beard as he surveyed the group, unsure whom to choose.

Just then, someone yawned.

"Insolence! Cao Sixth, it’s you again!" Cao Hong pointed at him and scolded, "Everyone else is vying to be the vanguard, and you, a Commandant of the Guard, just sit and watch?"

Cao Xin pushed his hand aside, stepped forward, and saluted. "Prime Minister, just give me fifty men. I guarantee to repel Zhang Xiu and let you all resume your meal."

"What did you say?!"

"Fifty against five thousand?"

Everyone stared in shock.

"Cao Sixth, must you boast so shamelessly? Fifty against five thousand—are your men gods and immortals?" Cao Hong barked.

"That’s right, Sixth Uncle, fifty is far too few," Cao Ang and the other juniors shook their heads.

Cao Xin was helpless. Competition in Cao Cao’s camp was so fierce that if you didn’t outdo everyone, you’d never stand out.

"Prime Minister, there’s no jesting in the army. If I fail to drive off Zhang Xiu, I’ll answer for it with my head. Who among you dares to sign a military pledge with me?" Cao Xin challenged the other contenders.

Cao Anmin, Cao Chun, Cao Xiu, Xiahou Shang, and other young officers gave him a “you win” look and quietly withdrew.

Only Xiahou Dun, Cao Hong, Yu Jin, Yue Jin, and Cao Ang stubbornly stayed at the front.

Cao Cao glanced at the six, his gaze finally settling on Cao Xin.

"Ziyu, there is no joking in the army. Are you confident you can repel Zhang Xiu?"

"Prime Minister, rest assured, I always keep my word!" Cao Xin patted his chest.

Four years ago, he had crossed into the late Han, appearing within the borders of Langya in Xuzhou. At that time, the Yellow Turban Rebellion had been crushed, Dong Zhuo was dead, the alliance of the eighteen warlords had fractured, and the balance of power was set.

When he arrived, he was penniless, with only a small golden finger. In less than a year, he had seized a mountain stronghold and trained five hundred elite soldiers.

Later, while out raiding at the frontier of Xuzhou, he happened by chance to save Cao Song and others who were fated to die. Upon learning that he was also named Cao, Cao Song, overjoyed, adopted him as a sworn son—making him Cao Cao’s younger sworn brother, sixth in the family.

Cao Cao, grateful that he had saved the Cao family, rewarded him with wealth and made him a Commandant in charge of five hundred troops.

Over the next three years, he followed Cao Cao through more than ten campaigns, earning honors and promotions: first as Commandant of the Guards, then Cavalry Commandant, and finally Commandant of the Martial Guard.

Last year, when Cao Cao brought Emperor Xian to Xuxian and established the capital, the emperor made Cao Cao Grand Minister and Prime Minister, and Cao Xin was named Marquis within the Pass and given the honorary title of General of the Auxiliary Forces, with a stipend of a thousand shi.

Through repeated battles, aided by his golden finger, his strength had steadily grown—so much so that even when facing Dian Wei, he was not outmatched. This, too, gave him confidence in defeating Zhang Xiu.

And besides, he doubted that the old man would really give him only fifty men for the fight.

"Ziyu, I’ll give you a thousand men. If you can hold Zhang Xiu off for two hours, I’ll reward you handsomely," Cao Cao said, handing him the command token.

"Yes, sir!" Cao Xin accepted the token and strode out of the tent.

"Sigh—if I’d known, I’d have asked for only fifty too," several young officers, including Cao Anmin, thought to themselves in secret.

"Next time, I’ll ask for even fewer. Otherwise, when will my turn come?"