061. The Strategist Jia Xu

On a clear and sunny day, Cao Xin led a detachment of guards on horseback to Wancheng. He first visited Cao Ang, who was recovering from his injuries, and conveyed Lady Ding’s instructions: he should prepare to return to Xudu together in a few days.

Afterward, Cao Xin summoned the officials of Nanyang Commandery and its counties. He listened to the administrative report on Nanyang’s work in the second year of Jian’an and outlined the priorities for the third year: continuing to reclaim wasteland for farming, build agricultural estates, and incorporate the local population.

Once the administrative meeting concluded, Cao Xin rode to Rangcheng.

Three days earlier, an imperial envoy had arrived in Rangcheng. Zhang Xiu was appointed as Colonel Who Protects the Qiang, stationed in Liangzhou to oversee the affairs of the Qiang and other non-Han tribes there. Upon receiving his post, Zhang Xiu led the Xiliang army out of Rangcheng, and Yu Du took four thousand infantry to garrison the city. Thus, all of Nanyang fell under Cao’s control.

“Haha! Ziyu, my good brother, you’ve come to see me off in person now that I’m leaving? That’s too much honor.”

Within Rangcheng, Zhang Xiu laughed heartily.

“Weiyou, won’t you stay a while longer? Leave after the New Year?”

Cao Xin greeted him with a clasped fist.

“No, no. I’ve been away from Xiliang for over ten years—many old friends there can’t wait for me to return,” Zhang Xiu replied with a broad grin. He was in high spirits; not only had he secured a real post from the court, but he also gained over a hundred thousand strings of cash, grain, and supplies. With these men and resources, he was confident of making a new beginning in Xiliang.

“Father! Something’s wrong!”

At that moment, Zhang Quan rushed over in a hurry.

Cao Xin and Zhang Xiu’s expressions changed.

Cao Xin thought to himself, “Every time I arrive, things go awry for you all. Am I some sort of jinx reborn?”

Zhang Xiu’s face darkened as he glared at Zhang Quan, “You little devil, what are you shouting about? What’s wrong now?”

“Father!” Zhang Quan came to his father’s side and whispered a few words. Whatever he said made Zhang Xiu’s face grow increasingly grim.

Cao Xin sipped his hot tea, amused. Old Zhang was becoming quite the actor.

“Ziyu, wait here a moment. I’ll be right back,” Zhang Xiu said, storming out in anger.

“Come on, let’s go together!” Cao Xin followed, eager to see the commotion at the Rangcheng camp.

According to Zhang Quan, when the withdrawal from Rangcheng was first discussed, everyone was on board: they’d take the money and supplies back to Xiliang, care for their elders, marry Xiliang women, and live a good life.

But as the time came to leave, some younger Xiliang soldiers no longer wished to return home—they preferred life in Nanyang.

Most of these men had followed Grand Tutor Dong out to war as teenagers. After more than a decade, the allure of their homeland no longer pulled at them; having seen the prosperity of the Central Plains, they found it impossible to part with this place now.

There were also those who had recently joined: soldiers from Guanzhong, Nanyang, and Jingzhou. They had never wanted to live in the barren lands of Xiliang, but as new recruits with no voice in the Xiliang army, they hadn’t dared express opposition before. Now, as the departure approached, when some Xiliang soldiers stood up and said they wished to stay, these men immediately followed suit.

Zhang Xiu stood before the noisy camp, his face turning uglier by the moment. He shouted for silence.

“Those wanting to return to Xiliang, stand to the right. Those who wish to stay, stand to the left. Stand wherever you like. With the General Who Pacifies the South here, I can’t force you to do anything,” Zhang Xiu bellowed, waving his horsewhip.

Within the camp, five thousand Xiliang soldiers began to form ranks—some to the left, some to the right. At first, most stood to the right, but as time passed, many drifted over to the left, choosing to stay.

In the end, over four thousand chose to remain, while only about eight hundred—mostly older men in their thirties and forties—stood on the right, wishing to return.

Seeing this, Zhang Xiu swayed unsteadily.

“Father!” Zhang Quan rushed to support him. “Why not stay, Father? Nanyang is a good place.”

Zhang Xiu looked at him in surprise, “You don’t want to go back to Xiliang either?”

Zhang Quan stepped back, lowered his head, and said, “Father, I left home with you as a child. I can barely remember what Liangzhou is like. They say it’s all desert, with people living in caves, never enough food or clothing—just like savages. Honestly, I prefer Nanyang.”

“You unfilial son!” Zhang Xiu kicked Zhang Quan to the ground.

“Haha, Weiyou, don’t be angry,” Cao Xin stepped forward to restrain him, laughing. “As the saying goes, people strive upwards while water flows down. For people, the bustling and thriving places are the high ground. Young men crave excitement—it’s only natural. There’s no need to be harsh.”

Zhang Xiu sighed, disappointment plain on his face. “Ziyu, for those who won’t return to Xiliang, I hope you can arrange for them. What do you think?”

“No problem!” Whether Zhang Xiu was acting or not didn’t matter; no general resented having more soldiers.

Cao Xin summoned the commanders Zhang Baiji, Yu Du, Bai Feng, Li Dayan, and Wei Yan to select men.

Cavalrymen went to Zhang Baiji’s cavalry battalion. The swift-footed joined the Mountain Corps. Those with great strength joined the Langya infantry. Skilled archers went to the Bow Corps. Men from Nanyang and Jingzhou joined the Blood-clad Battalion.

In the end, Zhang Baiji took over four hundred Xiliang cavalry, Wei Yan took more than a thousand Nanyang and Jingzhou soldiers, Yu Du took over a thousand elite troops, Bai Feng took more than three hundred strongmen, and Li Dayan took over five hundred archers.

Nearly a thousand men remained, whom Cao Xin assigned to Zhang Quan, arranging for him to serve as Liu Dash’s deputy.

“Ziyu, all the elite soldiers I’ve spent years raising, in the end, you get all the benefit,” Zhang Xiu said sourly.

“Haha, with a few thousand fewer mouths to feed, you haven’t really lost out,” Cao Xin replied.

Zhang Xiu shook his head and walked down from the dais, looking dejected.

“General!” Liao Hua hurried over. “Jia Wenhe tried to sneak out dressed as an old woman and was caught red-handed by the scouts. Old Pei is waiting for you to deal with it.”

“In women’s clothing? Truly, Jia Wenhe’s bottom line is more flexible than Zhou Yu’s!” Cao Xin burst out laughing and hurried back to the city with Liao Hua.

—

At the yamen’s parlor, several sentries stood guard at the door. Pei Yuanshao sat inside with Jia Xu, drinking tea. Jia Xu was indeed dressed in an old woman’s robe, beard shaved clean, his round face smeared with rouge, dimples showing—a veritable old demon.

Seeing Cao Xin enter, Jia Xu turned his back, ignoring him.

Suppressing his laughter, Cao Xin scolded, “Yuanshao, how could you let Master Jia wear such clothes? It’s improper! Take him to get changed at once.”

“Yes, General!” Pei Yuanshao smiled and invited Jia Xu next door to change; Jia Xu did not object.

Only after Cao Xin had finished a cup of tea did Jia Xu return, now in a fresh black robe, waving a black-feathered fan. Save for his bare chin, he looked much as before.

“Master Jia, Liangzhou is bitterly cold and plagued by sandstorms. Why burden yourself with suffering and follow Zhang Weiyou back?” Cao Xin poured a cup of hot tea for Jia Xu.

Jia Xu shook his head with a sigh. “There are too many talented people in the Central Plains. I am but a useless old man, wishing only to return to Xiliang and spend my remaining days in peace.”

“Haha, Master Jia, you are unmatched in wit! How can you call yourself useless?”

“I dare not accept such praise. I can only devise harmful, self-defeating schemes—hardly the wisdom of a sage. I am but a foolish old scholar,” Jia Xu replied, half closing his eyes in self-mockery.

“Hahaha! Master Jia, do not belittle yourself. You are skilled at self-preservation, keep a low profile, and avoid the limelight, but whenever you act, your plans are flawless. In recent years, I have met many famous and virtuous men—Xun Yu, Xun You, Guo Jia, Cheng Yu, Kuai Yue—and in my view, your wisdom is second to none.”

“General, you flatter me.” Jia Xu’s narrow eyes remained unmoved.

Cao Xin laughed. “Master Jia, what do you think of my Langya army?”

Jia Xu recalled the Langya troops’ battles in Nanyang and sighed, “Elite soldiers and strong generals. No army in the world can surpass the Langya army.”

“Haha, you’re right. The Langya army is strong, but it lacks a strategist to guide its campaigns. Master Jia, with your peerless intellect and fitting temperament, I wish to appoint you as Chief of Staff for the Langya army. I hope you’ll accept.”

Jia Xu waved his fan, “General Cao, if I refuse, will you kill me?”

“I will!” Cao Xin answered without hesitation. Seeing Jia Xu startled, he smiled faintly, “Does Master Jia know the ambition of the Langya army?”

“To pacify the chaos and bring peace to the land.”

“Exactly. Master Jia, you are unmatched in cunning; every strategy you devise brings rivers of blood and turmoil to the world. If you will not serve me, for the sake of the people, I must be ruthless. I hope you understand.”

Jia Xu’s breathing grew uneven. Such a righteous excuse left him speechless. He brushed off his sleeves, stood, and bowed deeply to Cao Xin.

“Jia Xu pays respects to the General!”

“Haha, excellent! Chief Jia, you may rise!” Cao Xin laughed, personally helping Jia Wenhe to his feet.

Zhang Xiu, having sorted his troops and packed his belongings, set out with over eight hundred men and a dozen wagons of wealth, heading north through Nanxiang and Shanyang. His long convoy stretched out across the wild grass.

The journey to Xiliang was thousands of miles, with the remnants of Li Jue and Guo Si’s Xiliang forces, and a dozen warlords like Ma Teng and Han Sui entrenched in the northwest. For Zhang Xiu, returning safely and establishing himself was no simple matter.

—

After handling affairs in Rangcheng, Cao Xin sent word to Lord Cao, asking for a general to be stationed in Nanyang.

His only capable commander was the young Wei Yan, who, as Nanyang’s military officer, had no authority over so many troops.

Of the eight Langya captains, only Zhang Baiji had the talent for command. The others were good at drilling troops and leading charges, but not suited to independent command. Moreover, Zhang Baiji and the rest wished to campaign with him in Xuzhou and Yangzhou, not to garrison a single location.

Soon, Cao Cao replied: there was no one to spare.

Cao Cao, the two Xiahou cousins, and Le Jin, Shi Huan, Xu Huang, and Yu Jin each had postings to guard the realm. The remaining officers were all captains or lieutenants, no more qualified than Wei Yan.

Cao Cao instructed him to continue commanding the Nanyang forces himself. With peace established with Jingzhou, there would be no war in the short term, so a major general was not needed.

Cao Xin had no choice but to agree. He and Lord Cao shared the same frustration.

This year’s campaigns had gone well, their forces growing, their territories expanding, yet there were too few outstanding commanders. Often, he had to press-gang fierce warriors into acting as generals.

Since Lord Cao had no one to send, Cao Xin convened a meeting with Jia Xu, Li Yan, and others to make some simple adjustments to Nanyang’s administration and military.

Mao Jie would remain deputy governor until recalled to the chancellery next year, at which point Li Yan would succeed him, with Yi Ji as chief clerk.

Li Tong would serve as commandery captain, commanding five thousand men alongside Wu Ba in Wancheng, continuing to suppress bandits and maintain order throughout Nanyang.

Zhang Baiji was promoted to General of the Left, stationed at Xinye, commanding eight hundred cavalry, four thousand infantry, and two thousand archers.

Wei Yan was promoted to Colonel Who Assists the Army, commanding four thousand Blood-clad troops garrisoned at Huyang, guarding against Jingzhou’s Jiangxia and the Yellow Turbans of Runan, under Zhang Baiji’s command.

Bai Feng was promoted to Colonel Who Protects the Army, leading the Mountain Corps—four thousand infantry—both to defend against the Jingzhou army and Xiangfan river pirates, and to drill troops, making Nanyang a second training ground for elite infantry and cavalry. After the Xuzhou campaign, Bai Feng and Yu Du would switch roles, leading the Langya infantry in battle.

The remaining officers would follow Cao Xin.

Yu Du would command one thousand Langya infantry, Li Dayan five hundred elite archers, Liao Hua five hundred light cavalry, Liu Dash one thousand logistics troops, and Pei Yuanshao the scouts, serving as Jia Xu’s deputy.

Cao Xin himself would lead one hundred forty-five Langya cavalry, a total of more than three thousand troops.

These three thousand would be his main force for next year’s campaign against Lü Bu in Xuzhou.

“Once we return, step up training. Don’t let the men run wild. The Chancellor is reorganizing the army in Xudu—it’s chaotic,” Cao Xin said to Li Dayan, Yu Du, and the other officers as they rode.

“And the farm’s fat pigs have been slaughtered. I’ve arranged for thirty thousand catties of pork to be delivered. Eat and drink well—build your strength.”

“Yes, General,” they replied with clasped fists.

“General, our men are all elite and in good shape. Why not quicken the march? We could cover a hundred li a day and reach Xudu in three days,” Li Dayan suggested.

“It’s too cold for such a pace,” Cao Xin waved him off.

“Heh, General, you don’t get Li Dayan’s meaning—he just wants to hurry home to see his wife,” Yu Du said with a laugh.

Liao Hua, Pei Yuanshao, and the others joined in, teasing.

“So that’s it. Dayan, you can go ahead; Liao Hua will lead the archers for you,” Cao Xin said.

“No, no, I’m not in such a rush,” Li Dayan replied, grinning awkwardly.

“Really? As you wish,” Cao Xin laughed.

“Uncle! Uncle!” Cao Ang caught up on horseback, dressed in furs, a long sword at his waist, looking spirited, with the scholar Yang Xiu in white robes following behind.

“Zixiu, why are you riding? Get back in the carriage before you aggravate your old wounds,” Cao Xin admonished.

“Haha, Uncle, I’m nearly healed—I can ride just fine,” Cao Ang replied easily.

“You should still be careful. Don’t worry your mother,” Cao Xin said, shaking his head.

“I know, Uncle,” Cao Ang nodded. After a moment’s hesitation, he said, “Uncle, since I’m almost well, I’d like to start training cavalry. What do you think?” He blushed as he spoke.

Cao Xin smiled gently, “You want those hundred suits of heavy armor and barded horses? Don’t worry, they’ve long been prepared for you.”

“Thank you, Uncle! Thank you!” Cao Ang’s face flushed with excitement.

Yang Xiu shook his head. “My lord, Sunzi said: ‘The highest form of warfare is to subdue the enemy’s strategy; next is to disrupt alliances; next is to attack armies; and the lowest is to besiege cities.’ You should study the art of war, to strategize and win from afar, not focus on mere battlefield fighting.”

“Dezu is right. I’ll study tactics,” Cao Ang replied perfunctorily.

Yang Xiu sighed, helpless. The young lord was learning bad habits from Cao Xin; he would have to speak with the Chancellor and suggest he keep his son away from this uncle.

Cao Xin smiled, flicked his horsewhip, and led the cavalry forward at a gallop.

—