Chapter 43: Donated, Yet Somehow Not Donated
Seeing that Yue Jin’s expression remained unchanged, everyone became even more convinced of their suspicions.
This man was certainly a formidable one!
After all, with Chen Cong’s reputation for ferocity, for Yue Jin to show no fear, what else could he be but a tough character?
Yet, this was a classic case of perspective bias.
The warriors of Cao’s camp had personally experienced Chen Cong’s prowess—having been direct victims themselves, their firsthand encounters made them sincerely acknowledge the reasonableness of Chen Cong’s fearsome reputation.
But to most others, it was nothing remarkable.
Were the Bingzhou Wolf Riders, who stood against Lü Bu, truly unrivaled in the world? Was Lü Bu, a mere nobody, worthy to represent the pinnacle of martial might?
Such is the way of warriors: before facing a real opponent, they always believe their rival's fame stems from never having met themselves.
After all, any famed general who rose in turbulent times had, before encountering someone fiercer, been undefeated in his own corner of the world.
...
Upon hearing that Yue Jin was willing to teach his skills, Chen Cong rushed over as if a rocket were strapped to him. From the moment he entered, he flattered Yue Jin with endless praise, calling him “Brother Yue” and “Brother Jin” with every breath.
To express his gratitude for Yue Jin’s instruction, he even risked the “roaring lion of Hedong” and toasted him with three cups of wine—a rare gesture.
Others ignored Chen Cong’s shameless and wildly exaggerated words, pretending not to hear.
Unfortunately, Yue Jin not only took him seriously, but was moved by his sincerity.
He immediately picked up his spear and demonstrated a series of dazzling spear techniques.
“There is no fixed method in the spear. If you, Zining, do not mind, listen to some of my humble thoughts.”
Yue Jin handled his spear with fluid grace, explaining as he moved: “When breaking through enemy lines, spear technique emphasizes wounding over killing, agility as primary with force as complement. At times, one may first flick then thrust, targeting the shoulder, elbow, or wrist. Or first entwine then stab, striking the side of the abdomen. Sweeping blocks for defense, flicks and spins to turn attack. Thrusting is easy to kill but hard to recover; those without great strength should be cautious with changing forms...”
Yue Jin spoke in detail, and Chen Cong listened attentively.
Unlike other warriors, Yue Jin focused not on dueling, but on breaking through formations—a perspective that opened a new door for Chen Cong.
The purpose of a one-on-one duel was to boost morale, but breaking through enemy lines could truly influence the course of battle.
Victory on the battlefield does not come simply from slaying the enemy general.
This was precisely the aspect Chen Cong had previously overlooked.
Moreover, Yue Jin’s spear techniques were better suited for training troops—soldiers rarely had the chance to duel, their only aim was to survive repeated assaults and capture cities.
After his demonstration, Yue Jin put away his spear and returned to his drink.
Chen Cong, still eager, applauded repeatedly.
“I see you carry a sword at your waist, Brother Yue. Perhaps you could also teach me some sword techniques?”
Everyone looked as if they had expected this.
Yue Jin was taken aback at first, then raised his cup with a hearty laugh.
“It’s not that I am hiding anything, but in martial arts, trying to learn too much at once leads to confusion. When you have mastered the spear, it will not be too late to study the sword.”
As his voice faded—
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Chen Cong picked up his spear and flawlessly replicated the techniques Yue Jin had just shown.
His great strength made the Winged Tiger spear whistle through the air, the movements flowing seamlessly, with thrusts and strikes swifter than lightning.
Even Yue Jin was stunned, momentarily doubting whether Chen Cong had truly learned from him.
“Brother Yue, what do you think?”
Yue Jin blinked and swallowed hard, replying awkwardly, “Zining, did you really just learn this? Are you sure you weren’t already skilled with the spear, and just came to make sport of me?”
Chen Cong wanted to say, it really wasn’t difficult.
Rather than teaching technique, Yue Jin had conveyed a way of thinking.
Having already blended the strengths of many schools, Chen Cong’s spear skills were nearly perfected. A new perspective naturally made him even better.
“Wenqian need not worry. Though Zining is skilled with the spear, he never used it in this way before—he truly just learned it,” explained Xiahou Dun.
When it came to Chen Cong’s spear technique, he had the most authority.
Chen Cong had forcibly stitched together the strengths of various schools into a twisted conglomeration.
Agile spear work? Nonsense.
That fellow could use a spear for the drag-blade tactic!
Can’t cut with a spear?
A misconception!
As long as the distance was managed, the edge of the spearhead could be used just like a blade.
Even more astonishing was Chen Cong’s uncanny mastery of force—he could cut with a spear better than others could with a sword.
Moreover, the Winged Tiger spear had wing-shaped blades at the junction of the spearhead, leaving opponents unsure whether he would cut with the spear’s edge or the tiger’s wings—a truly baffling technique.
After half an incense stick’s time,
Brother Yue became the butt of the joke.
Even Li Dian, who had been silently observing, couldn’t escape being drawn into teaching his skills.
Cao’s camp had two more victims.
In the end, only Cao Cao himself could step in to halt the farce, ensuring the two newly recruited generals weren’t left embarrassed.
Late at night, both men tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
Waking in the middle of the night, they finally realized: the burly man who blocked the door was one of the few honest men in Cao’s camp!
...
After the New Year, Old Lord Cao moved his entire household to Langya, claiming it was to avoid disaster.
Cao Cao somehow persuaded Yuan Zhong, who left his own county to build a governor’s mansion in Qiao County instead.
Thus,
The situation in Pei was finally clear.
Because he raised his army at home, Cao Cao received support from all sides, making his resources plentiful.
Aside from the thirty thousand gold left by Old Lord Cao, the two Cao families and the Xiahou clan contributed another twenty thousand gold, over a hundred thousand bushels of grain, and more than a thousand servants and soldiers.
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Additionally,
Cao Hong, the wealthy magnate, contributed ten thousand gold from his own funds.
Major shareholder Chen Cong added another ten thousand gold.
As for the source of these funds...
Part came from wedding gifts Chen Cong received, part from Cao Rong’s dowry, and part from selling a house.
It’s hard to judge...
After all,
The wedding gifts were given out of respect for Cao Cao.
Cao Rong’s dowry was provided by her father’s family.
The luxury mansion sold at a premium to Yuan Zhong for his governor’s residence was also a gift from the father-in-law.
After selling the mansion, the whole family moved into the father-in-law’s house, enjoying his hospitality—even the monthly wages for the servants were paid by him...
It seemed Chen Cong contributed everything, yet nothing at all...
The happiest in all this was Lady Ding.
She had felt a bit sad when her daughter married, but after the new year, not only did her daughter return, she also gained half a son for free.
That “half son” spent his days drilling the household staff, making a bit of a racket.
Not everyone was pleased.
For example, the renowned Chen Gong, styled Gongtai.
...
Cao residence, main hall.
“Mengde, with the army about to march, why send five thousand men to reinforce Yuan Zhong’s county forces?”
“Hahaha, Gongtai, what makes you say that? Yuan Zhengfu is the governor of Peiguo—he allowed me to raise troops in Qiao County, so I am returning the favor. What’s wrong with that?”
Chen Gong frowned, trying to read Cao Cao’s face for any clue, but found only genuine sincerity.
It seemed that was truly what Cao Cao believed.
A glance at Chen Cong and Mi Heng, whispering quietly as if uninvolved, made Chen Gong feel insulted.
They definitely knew something!
Chen Gong could not understand.
Among the earliest veterans to join Cao Cao, why was he the only one excluded from their inner circle?
With Chen Cong’s intervention, Cao Cao gained Shi A’s protection on his escape, lost his pursuers, and thus avoided the episode at Zhongmu County—no more “release and capture” at the bridge, nor the bloody massacre of Lü Bo She’s family, and the infamous line “Better that I wrong others than others wrong me.”
Yet those two friends—bound by love and rivalry—seemed on the verge of falling out again...