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"It's a trick to lure us in!" Cao Cao declared firmly, standing beside Bao Xin.
They were on a small hill outside Xingyang. The allied forces of Bao Xin and Cao Cao had just crossed the Bian River when they encountered resistance from Dong Zhuo's army.
The coalition forces of the eastern pass fought fiercely, especially Bao Tao, Bao Xin's younger clansman, who led the elite commandery troops of Jibei like a wedge, driving Dong Zhuo's forces into retreat...
However, Cao Cao felt that Dong Zhuo's army was retreating a little too quickly. After carefully observing their formation, he noticed that while the central infantry was in disarray, the flanks remained steady, showing no signs of panic.
Realizing this was likely a trap set by Dong Zhuo's forces, Cao Cao now faced a choice alongside Bao Xin: should they continue the pursuit or halt?
Bao Xin turned to Cao Cao and asked, "...In that case, should we withdraw or...?"
Withdraw?
That was undoubtedly the safer option.
By doing so, the two sides could gradually disengage, allowing Bao Xin and Cao Cao's allied forces to retreat without significant risk—at worst, they would simply recross the Bian River and return to the Suanzao camp.
But was this the best choice?
The scene from that day in Liu Dai's command tent flashed vividly before his eyes—
××××××××××××
Liu Dai sat imposingly at the head of the tent. As the others filed in, he remained seated, unmoving. Only when they bowed in greeting did he casually wave his hand and instruct them to take their seats.
As Zhang Miao's deputy, Cao Cao also attended the military council, seated behind him.
Liu Dai narrowed his eyes, stroking his beard as his gaze swept slowly from left to right, then back again. His eyes lingered briefly on Qiao Mao, the Grand Administrator of Dong Commandery, before he withdrew his gaze and smiled faintly.
"Recently, we received orders from Grand Tutor Yuan, urging us to advance to Chenggao. I have summoned you all today to deliberate on this matter."
Silence filled the tent. No one responded.
Liu Dai straightened his expression and declared solemnly, "The nation is in peril, the world stands upside down. This is the time for us to rescue the people from suffering and uphold the Han dynasty from collapse. I hope all of you will unite and strive together to overcome this national crisis!"
With such a grand proclamation, no one dared to voice dissent. The attendees glanced at each other before bowing in unison and voicing their agreement.
Seeing this, Liu Dai nodded in satisfaction. "Since the army is about to march, we must appoint a vanguard. I observe that Dong Commandery boasts strong soldiers and sturdy horses, and Yuanwei [Qiao Mao] is both learned and skilled in military governance. He should take on this responsibility. I trust Yuanwei will relieve the Son of Heaven's peril and resolve this national crisis."
He was about to issue the military order appointing Qiao Mao as vanguard when—
Qiao Mao, anxious and nervous, clutched his sleeves—only to feel something hidden within. Seizing the moment, he spoke up: "Under normal circumstances, I would obey Inspector Liu's command. However, I have previously received orders from General of the Rear [Yuan Shu] to remain in Suanzao and await his directives. I cannot act without authorization, and thus regretfully cannot comply with Inspector Liu's orders..."
Liu Dai nearly tore out a few strands of his beard in frustration. "Nonsense—Ahem! A general in the field may act according to circumstances! The situation changes rapidly—opportunities in war are fleeting. How can we afford to be rigid?" He barely stopped himself from outright calling Qiao Mao's words "ridiculous," forcing his tone into something more diplomatic.
Qiao Mao cupped his hands and replied, "Inspector Liu speaks wisely. However, as the saying goes, 'a general follows orders.' We are all bound by command. The General of the Rear surely has deeper considerations—how could someone as shallow as myself presume to understand them?"
You dare call yourself a general? The General of the Rear is the true authority here! Strictly speaking, even you should be under his command! Stop trying to fool me with empty words!
"..." Liu Dai finally lost his composure. His smile vanished as his sharp, triangular eyes fixed on Qiao Mao. "...Yuanwei claims to have orders from the General of the Rear. Where are these orders?"
Qiao Mao retrieved a letter from his sleeve, briefly displaying Yuan Shu's name on the cover before swiftly tucking it away again. "The General of the Rear's orders to me are confidential and cannot be publicly disclosed. If Inspector Liu has doubts, you may send someone to verify them with the General of the Rear."
Don't believe me? Then go ask Yuan Shu yourself!
Before Liu Dai could respond, Qiao Mao pressed on: "The Han dynasty now hangs by a thread. As a descendant of Prince Hui of Qi, Inspector Liu should lead by example for all under heaven. If you personally take the field, Dong Zhuo's rebels will surely surrender at the mere sound of your drums! A single battle could decide everything, securing your name in history and earning the praise of generations! Thus, I implore Inspector Liu to personally lead the campaign. I will spare no effort in supplying your army's provisions, ensuring your success in this monumental endeavor!"
This instantly placed Liu Dai in an impossible position—agreeing would be like tying a noose around his own neck, yet refusing would make a mockery of his earlier grandstanding.
Liu Dai nearly choked on his fury. Noticing Zhang Miao's faintly mocking smile, he gritted his teeth and declared, "Very well! I shall lead the campaign myself!"
The assembly was stunned—no one had expected Liu Dai to agree. But then, he turned to Zhang Miao and said, "I will personally command the central army. Zhang of Chenliu, you shall serve as vanguard! Unless, of course, you too possess some secret orders?"
Zhang Miao dearly wished to claim he did, but where could he produce such a document on the spot? Forced to comply, he bit back his frustration—but he was no easy target.
"A campaign requires provisions first," Zhang Miao countered. "As vanguard, I request that Inspector Liu allocate rations. Otherwise, how can we fight?"
If you can't provide the supplies, I can't be the vanguard—simple as that.
Though demanding provisions before a campaign was standard procedure, Liu Dai had no choice but to agree. He instructed Zhang Miao to calculate the required amount and report back, then glared at Qiao Mao.
"Since Grand Administrator Qiao remains in Suanzao, he shall oversee provisions. Any shortages will be met with military justice!"
Qiao Mao bowed in acknowledgment but added, "Given the suddenness of this campaign, provisions cannot be prepared overnight. Inspector Liu must first allocate the initial rations for Zhang of Chenliu's departure. Subsequent supplies will follow gradually."
As he spoke, he subtly exchanged a glance with Zhang Miao, who gave a slight nod of understanding.
"This..." Liu Dai glared at Qiao Mao but could find no rebuttal. Grain didn't fall from the sky—even requisitioning required time. His options were either to allocate supplies to Zhang Miao himself or grant Qiao Mao time to gather them. But delays risked further complications.
Turning to Zhang Miao, he asked through gritted teeth, "How much do you require?"
Zhang Miao spoke confidently: "On the march, a regular soldier consumes six sheng of grain daily, auxiliaries slightly less. In battle, regulars require eight sheng, auxiliaries six. Warhorses consume three times a soldier's ration. Currently, my forces consist of 20,000 regulars, 40,000 auxiliaries, and 3,000 horses. Factoring in travel losses, the initial required allocation is..."
After a brief calculation, he continued, "...Fifteen thousand dan of grain!"
Liu Dai nearly choked. Fifteen thousand dan?! Do you think grain grows on trees?!
××××××××××××
(Meanwhile, in another campaign...)
Cao Cao's troops were marching through arid land, parched with thirst. Spotting their distress, Cao Cao devised a ruse. Pointing ahead with his whip, he declared, "There are plums ahead!"
The soldiers, imagining the sour fruit, began salivating, momentarily relieving their thirst.
After marching another hundred li, they reached Bingzhou, where they beheld towering mountains of coal stretching endlessly across the horizon.
Cao Cao, alarmed, tried to retreat—only to find his officers surrounding him...