NOVPUBThe Cao Cao of Chenliu was suddenly seized by an abrupt jolt in his heart; originally discussing the affairs for the upcoming year with Xun Yu and others, Cao Cao couldn’t help but feel somewhat dazed.
"Lord?" Xun Yu asked in a soft voice.
"For some reason, I feel rather uneasy," Cao Cao said, frowning at Xun Yu.
Just then, an urgent report came from outside the door, "An emergency report from Mount Tai!"
Cao Cao suddenly stood up, his body involuntarily swaying, [Please, don’t let it be about Zhicai!]
"Read it!" Seeing the expression on Cao Cao’s face and remembering that Zhicai had coughed up blood before, Xun Yu’s complexion turned pale. He was feeling a sense of foreboding, yet he maintained the demeanor required of him and spoke to the messenger.
"Governor Chen reports that Strategist Xi has vomited blood and fallen into a coma again," the messenger read, and at this news, Cao Cao’s small stature shook, "Zhicai..."
"Fortunately, Physician Hua in Qiaoo County has treated him and has already stabilized his condition. However, it is feared that a long period of recuperation will be necessary before he recovers," the messenger delivered a twist just as tears were about to fall from Cao Cao’s eyes.
"Can’t you just say it all at once!" Xiahou Yuan’s heart had tightened at the messenger’s words; Xi Zhicai was far too important for Cao Cao’s camp. But the sudden turn in the report made everyone who was anxious heave a sigh of relief. Because of this, although Xiahou Yuan was scolding the messenger, he didn’t have much anger, and instead, there was some sense of relief.
"Does this mean Zhicai’s condition has been stabilized?" Cao Cao asked, relieved.
"Strategist Xi’s condition has been stabilized by Physician Hua and he has just regained consciousness not long ago, but according to Physician Hua, it is best not to travel by carriage for the time being due to the consecutive injuries to his vital energy," the messenger seemed quite astute, likely having been specifically instructed by Chen Qun on how to relay the message.
"How skilled is this Physician Hua?" Cao Cao inquired.
"Lord, Hua Tuo’s medical skills are unmatched in the world, beyond the reach of ordinary people. With Physician Hua attending, Zhicai will be free from illness, and it is also very likely that his previous hidden injuries will be completely healed," Cheng Yu, who was well aware of the world’s wonders, stood up and explained.
"That’s good, that’s very good," Cao Cao finally reassured, "Since that’s the case, I will write a letter myself to Liu Xuande, asking him to look after him for a while."
Having confirmed that Xi Zhicai was out of danger, Cao Cao naturally assumed his previous feeling of unease came from Xi Zhicai, and now that he was assured, he felt at ease.
After most civil officials and military generals had left, Cao Cao kept Xun Yu, Xun You, Cheng Yu, and Zao Zhi in the room.
"Speak, what exactly happened to Zhicai? Zhicai has never exhibited such a condition before this, why did he insist on going to Mount Tai?" Cao Cao’s piercing gaze swept across Xun Yu and the others.
"Lord, to understand the matter, we must start with Zhicai’s Spiritual Talent..." Xun Yu sighed, laying out the entire situation. Cao Cao was taken aback time and again; certainly, no top sage would reveal their Spiritual Talent to others, as it was their greatest secret. Yet, what Xi Zhicai had done was to go to Mount Tai to reveal the secrets of others.
"Alas, I am still too weak, or else why would Zhicai need to go to such lengths! When Zhicai arrives, I must warn him not to continue acting this way!" Cao Cao sighed, having tolerated Xi Zhicai’s actions too much.
"Lord, the three of us speculate that Zhicai might be able to discern others’ Spiritual Talents through his own Spiritual Talent, yet he may not truly understand his own, or else such incidents should not have occurred. After all, Zhicai has used the Spiritual Talents of the three of us before without any such mishaps," Xun Yu sighed as he shared their collective conjecture.
"I’m afraid it’s exactly as you say," Cheng Yu nodded and spoke, "Logically speaking, Wen Ruo’s Talent ranks among the strongest of our age, and there has been no such situation when Zhicai used Wen Ruo’s Spirit Talent. It started happening only after arriving at Mount Tai, suggesting that he knows others but not himself."
Cao Cao sighed, "If that’s the case, I shall pen a letter to Zhicai, asking him not to probe any further, just to be safe."
"There’s nothing else we can do," Cheng Yu sighed with a tinge of reluctance, "Knowing the adversary’s Spiritual Talent would make future confrontations so much easier. Alas, ’tis a pity."
"How is the arrangement of the farmland for next spring coming along in Zao Zhi?" Cao Cao turned and inquired of Zao Zhi.
"We are only short of draft cattle. The wastelands in Yanzhou have already been cultivated and will be ready for seeding next year. If all goes well, we should be able to harvest five million hu of military grain next summer," Zao Zhi reported calmly. The farming from the previous year, although stunted by the defeat of the Yellow Turbans, produced some yield, which was just enough to support Cao Cao’s army for several tens of days of battle.
"How did Liu Xuande acquire draft cattle?" asked Cao Cao, intrigued. Both of them were poor, so it was strange that Liu Bei had so many.
"I am not sure, but I have already sent someone to investigate," Zao Zhi answered calmly. Although a low-profile figure, his importance to Cao Cao was no less than that of the Two Xuns, and he could exercise the powers they held as well.
"Very well," nodded Cao Cao, "Wen Ruo, has there been any new intelligence from Yuanchang in Chang’an?"
"Liangzhou’s Ma Shoucheng and Hann Wenyue have combined forces of a hundred thousand to campaign against the rebels," Xun Yu spoke dispassionately, believing that Ma Teng and Hann Sui themselves were rebels, and their actions were not in support of the Emperor.
"Is there an opportunity for us?" Cao Cao’s face lit up with excitement as he asked Xun Yu, coveting the Xiliang Iron Cavalry.
"The time is not right. If I’m not mistaken, both Ma Shoucheng and Hann Wenyue are doomed to defeat. Of course, even if they happen to win by chance, it would only prolong the chaos in Liangzhou into Yongzhou, which is not beneficial for the Emperor," Xun Yu shook his head, seeing the situation very clearly. In his view, Ma Teng and Hann Sui may have abundant troops, but their commands were not unified, with each faction following its own orders—anathema to military strategy. Furthermore, their adversary was Dong Zhuo’s forces, experts in Xiliang Iron Cavalry and Qiang Cavalry combat, leaving little to no chance of victory.
"What a pity, such elite forces not at my disposal," sighed Cao Cao, deeply conflicted about the cavalry situation.
"Lord, please be patient for a while longer," the usually reticent Xun You finally spoke up, "Yuanchang has his own plans, and Li Que and Guo Si are no match for him."
Upon hearing this, Cao Cao felt much reassured. Unsure of Zhong Yao’s reasoning, as a fanatical admirer of Cai Yong, under the continuous communication with Xun Yu and others, he shamelessly defected to Cao Cao’s side.
When he had nothing better to do, he would stir up trouble for Guo Si using Li Que, then trouble for Pan Chou using Guo Si, and turn around to let Zhang Ji trouble Li Que. In short, under Zhong Yao’s occasional meddlings, Dong Zhuo’s once harmonious remnants now nursed some discord. However, since they once relied on each other on the battlefield, having shielded one another from enemy swords and eaten from the same pot, their minor disagreements had not yet sparked conflict, but the thorn was already lodged deep in their hearts. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please support by voting on Qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)
