Chapter 27: Neither Here Nor There
Luoyang.
Within the Grand Commander's Mansion, the so-called demon king who boasted his power overshadowed even the emperor was furious.
Everything within reach was smashed to pieces.
A row of Xiliang generals knelt in silence, not a single soul daring to utter a sound.
“Useless! Fools! Why did I bother to keep you around? Four thousand cavalry—an entire four thousand elite riders—and you can't find two mere traitors? Guards, drag them all out and give them forty strokes of the rod!”
It was little wonder Dong Zhuo was beside himself with rage.
Four thousand ironclad riders! Among them, three thousand Flying Bear soldiers, all armed with powerful bows and crossbows!
Even when he pacified the Qiang tribes in Liangzhou, he hadn’t deployed such a force.
Yet these incompetents had searched for a month, turning the city upside down, and hadn't even caught a glimpse of Cao Cao. How could he not be furious?
“Father-in-law, please, have mercy!”
“Out of my sight! Since when am I your father-in-law? I have no son-in-law as heartless and treacherous as you!”
After cursing Li Ru, Dong Zhuo dropped the matter of the rods.
The splendor of Luoyang had indeed dulled his ambitions, but, as a seasoned warlord who had clawed his way up from the ranks over decades, he was far from senile.
Rebellion was brewing all across the land, and chaos might erupt at any moment.
If he punished his generals now, who would lead his armies should disorder break out?
He was nearly sixty; he could no longer wield a blade himself.
No matter how furious he was, he had to bear it.
In a daze, Dong Zhuo’s eyes suddenly lit upon a man cowering behind Hua Xiong, and his wrath found a new target.
“Zhang Ji, you wretch! Where do you think you’re hiding?”
Zhang Ji crawled out from among the ranks, trembling on the floor.
“G–Grand Commander…”
“Hmph! Of all the useless ones, your nephew is the worst. Two hundred mounted soldiers couldn’t capture a single traitor, and you let both Cao Cao and Chen escape—you are the chief culprit. Guards, drag this worthless fool out and give him forty strokes!”
Zhang Ji was terrified. Forty strokes with the army rod would leave him bedridden for at least two months, and if the soldiers weren’t careful, he might be beaten to death on the spot.
“Grand Commander, I’m innocent!”
“Take him away!” Dong Zhuo waved his hand in disgust.
Li Ru knew better than to try to intervene.
He understood Dong Zhuo—he was not one to swallow his anger.
If this fury didn’t fall on Zhang Ji, it would fall on someone else.
Luckily, Zhang Ji’s abilities in command and deployment were mediocre; if he took a beating, so be it.
Before long, pitiful screams could be heard from outside the hall...
Dong Zhuo exhaled heavily. “Has Fengxian returned yet?”
Li Ru replied, “The Marquis of Dutting sent word two days ago; he is still blocking Cao’s traitors near Guancheng.”
“Fengxian is the only one I can count on—my loyal son. When he returns, inform me at once. I intend to reward him generously.”
“Yes, sir.”
Li Ru saw through it all but didn’t voice it, a deep sense of helplessness welling in his heart.
His father-in-law’s desire to reward Lü Bu had nothing to do with loyalty.
It was simply that Lü Bu was useful again.
Because Lü Bu was unmatched in valor, because he was peerless in battle.
Dong Zhuo needed him to command the cavalry and resist the coalition lords.
Li Ru did not oppose Dong Zhuo’s closeness with Lü Bu.
Yet this opportunistic way of using people—embracing them when needed, discarding them when not—was too calculating. Estrangement between father and son was only a matter of time.
‘Perhaps… he really is getting old now.’
Li Ru sighed softly and went outside to see how Zhang Ji was faring.
He could only hope the man hadn’t been beaten to death…
…
…
A land of beauties, a tomb for heroes.
When he left Gong County, Cao Cao’s waist and knees were weak, his limbs powerless, yet he still smacked his lips with relish, savoring the blissful month that had passed.
It had been an entirely new experience, unlike anything before.
Not to mention the admiring gazes of those lovely girls—enough to make any man lose himself.
What’s more, the young ladies not only refused his money, they even contributed their own, all to help the destitute “talent” named Jili.
During this time, Cao Cao was the center of attention, living even better than Liu Sanbian, the famed freeloader of the Northern Song’s pleasure quarters.
After all, Liu Sanbian only enjoyed for free, but Cao Cao actually made money.
Who could argue with that?
Meanwhile, as Chen Cong still blushed over borrowing “inspiration,” Cao Cao had already acquired many exquisite poems from him.
He claimed, “I can’t bear to let the talent of that poetic immortal go to waste. Though the man is gone, his poems should be celebrated through the ages.”
As for why every poem bore the name “Jili,” well, that was open to interpretation.
During a brief stop to relieve himself by the roadside,
Cao Cao, having left Shi A and Mi Heng behind, sidled up to Chen Cong.
In a low voice he asked, “Zining, does your poet friend have any more fine works?”
Chen Cong nearly startled himself, almost spilling on his hand.
He replied warily, “What do you want?”
These days, just seeing Cao Cao made his teeth ache. He feared the future chairman of Cao Wei might die on a woman’s belly.
If the butterfly flapped and Wei Wudi ascended too soon, all his early investments would be wasted!
Cao Cao chuckled awkwardly, “Don’t worry, Zining. I only wish to cultivate my tastes.”
Cultivate his tastes?
That was just burning a straw and calling it incense—sheer nonsense!
Chen Cong replied resolutely, “There are no more!”
“Really none?” Cao Cao didn’t believe him.
“I’m illiterate myself. I only memorized these poems because I have a good memory, so please don’t ask again. Besides…”
“Besides what?”
“Some love talent, some love power. If one day you become master of the realm, won’t you attract even more adoration?”
Cao Cao was alarmed and clapped a hand over Chen Cong’s mouth.
He whispered harshly, “Don’t talk nonsense! I am no rebel against the throne!”
Chen Cong brushed his hand aside.
He laughed, “Why insult the great founder emperor, Father-in-law?”
Cao Cao snapped, “When did I insult the founder?”
“Liu Ji was a mere petty official who fed on Qin’s salary and then replaced them with Han—is that not a traitor?”
“…”
“King Wu attacked his lord, overthrew Shang for Zhou—was he not a traitor?”
“…”
“Leaving aside ancient times, what about Fatty Dong? If he really swept the land and restored order, would the historians call him a traitor?”
“…”
“Father-in-law, ‘traitor’ is the mark of failure. Succeed, and you are ‘Heaven’s chosen, blessed with enduring prosperity.’”
Cao Cao’s eyes widened in shock.
He had never imagined Chen Cong would dare speak so boldly.
So the question arose—was it good or bad that his son-in-law recognized only him, not the Han dynasty?
In the end, he concluded: both.
But since he had no troops at hand, such rebellious talk was rather extravagant…
After a long silence, Cao Cao’s reason finally triumphed over ambition.
“Zining, when did you become so glib?”
Chen Cong bowed, “It’s all thanks to your teaching, Father-in-law.”
“Let’s not speak of this again. Our family has served the Han for generations; loyalty to the throne is our duty.”
“Well said, Father-in-law—better than any song those courtesans sing at Hundred Flowers Pavilion.”
Cao Cao’s face clouded, “Get out of here!”
“Yes, sir!”
Chen Cong, as if granted amnesty, leapt onto his horse and quickly rode off.
All his talk wasn’t meant to change Cao Cao’s mind.
What was the point? Whether loyal minister or cunning traitor,
There has only ever been one path up Mount Hua since ancient times.
Even if he wished to be loyal, he’d have to survive long enough.
After all, those who risked their heads to follow him through storm and strife weren’t doing it for his immortal reputation.
Of the three great contenders at the end of Han, was there a single one who could hand power back to Liu Xie?
Not even Liu Bei, who prided himself on virtue, could do it.
The same logic applied—even if Liu Bei wished it, would Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and that pork-loving brother agree?
Chen Cong said all this only to help Cao Cao see what mattered.
So he wouldn’t spend all day with his mind on the wrong things, chasing after pretty girls.
Otherwise, who’d be blamed if his stock sank to rock bottom?