Chapter 45: On the Eve of Raising the Army, Cao Rong Suffers from Morning Sickness
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In the end, Cao Cao still crumpled up the secret letter and spared Chen Gong.
It was not for peace of mind; rather, Cao Cao simply did not wish to silence Yuan Zhong yet—not at this moment.
By keeping Yuan Zhong, he could, in effect, control Peiguo indirectly, and for now, he still needed such a figurehead.
Naturally, Chen Cong had not grown so arrogant as to force Cao Cao’s hand.
If he wouldn’t kill, so be it—just so long as he did not regret it later.
...
That very day, an urgent report arrived in Qiao County.
Yuan Shao had invited the heroes of the realm to assemble at Suanzao to form an alliance and bring justice against Dong Zhuo!
Qiao County was instantly thrown into an uproar.
Every general gathered at the Cao residence, eager and restless, each fearing to be left off the campaign roster if he arrived a step too late.
When the father-in-law and son-in-law returned home, they could scarcely force their way through the crowd...
“If Big Brother employs me, I will give my life!”
“If Big Brother employs me, I excel at commanding troops!”
“I am willing to ride as the vanguard for my lord, to charge into battle and die without regret!”
One could hardly blame the generals for their fervor.
Qiao County had conscripted ten thousand men, of which five thousand elderly and weak were assigned as county troops under Yuan Zhong.
Cao Cao had no intention of spending his own resources on others’ affairs; in other words, these five thousand were nominally handed to Yuan Zhong, but in truth, still under his own generals’ command.
“I will guard the lord’s tent—wherever my lord is, there I shall be,” declared Xu Chu, immediately incurring the ire of the others. While everyone else volunteered to lead armies, this fellow brazenly seized the role of personal guard!
The other generals quickly changed their tune:
“I’ll empty chamber pots for Big Brother at night.”
“I’ll serve tea and water, and tend to Big Brother’s feet.”
“I’ll shield my lord when he visits courtesans.”
“Enough! Silence!” Cao Cao seated himself at the head and instantly felt a headache.
With Chen Cong ahead and Xu Chu behind, these two oafs had truly set a crooked example for the camp!
“Miaocai and Mancheng, you will remain in Qiao County.”
Li Dian was easy enough to placate; being among the least prominent of the generals, he had no great ambition for distinction and was content to garrison the home base—an opportunity to study military treatises.
The only one truly disgruntled was Xiahou Yuan.
“Why this favoritism, Big Brother?”
“Miaocai, do not misinterpret—Qiao County is the foundation of our power, not to be entrusted to any but the most capable. This arrangement is made with the utmost deliberation,” Cao Cao replied.
Xiahou Yuan wanted to argue that there were plenty of great generals in the camp.
He glanced at Chen Cong, then at Xiahou Dun, but ultimately held his tongue.
Huang Zhong, too, was a man of talent, but not being of the clan, he was naturally not in consideration.
Then he looked at Cao Ren, and his eyes lit up.
“In terms of troop command, I am far inferior to Zixiao, Big Brother. Why not appoint Zixiao to remain?”
Of course, Cao Cao would not tell him the real reason: because Cao Hong had contributed funds, and thus Cao Ren benefited by association.
Otherwise, Cao Cao would have preferred to leave both Cao brothers to guard the home.
For among the clan, Cao Ren was the steadiest hand.
“Zixiao’s prudence is valuable; let him take on the vital responsibility of transporting grain.”
Xiahou Yuan felt appeased—guarding the base was better than the hardship of overseeing grain convoys.
Cao Ren smiled slyly, saying nothing.
Assaulting Dong Zhuo was sure to be a campaign of siege, and such endeavors typically sourced provisions nearby; the chance to escort supplies over long distances was slim.
Even if there was grain to guard, it would be in the vicinity of Suanzao.
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So, in the end, was there any real difference between guarding grain or the home? Xiahou Yuan had spoken truly—Cao Ren’s foresight was that of a true general.
With Xiahou Yuan’s placement settled, Cao Cao divided his five thousand troops into four camps: front, rear, left, and right.
The front camp, a select force of a thousand, all armored and carrying bows, was led by Huang Zhong, with Cao Hong as his second.
The right camp, a thousand strong but less well-equipped—less than half armored—was under Xiahou Dun.
The left camp, another thousand, was even more poorly equipped—less than a fifth in armor—commanded by Yue Jin.
The rear camp, a thousand men in pitiful condition, lacking even basic weapons, left Cao Ren uncomfortable, though he dared not complain.
Additionally, three hundred flying cavalry, long since drawn out and trained, each with two mounts, armor, lances, and powerful bows. Their commander, needless to say, was Chen Cong.
Seven hundred Tiger Guards protected the central tent. Mi Heng was appointed as chief clerk to accompany the army. No camp commander was named, but Xu Chu beamed with satisfaction.
The rest muttered curses under their breath.
With orders given, each general returned to his camp to prepare.
...
After dinner.
Chen Cong lounged on his couch, absorbed in a copy of the Analects. It was not that he had abandoned the study of arms for Confucian learning, but with his own literacy, he could only puzzle out the Analects, and not much else.
In these times, there were no primers for beginners; learning to read on one’s own was an arduous task!
Cao Rong, meanwhile, was packing up luggage, muttering ceaselessly.
“Father is truly something—who has ever heard of marrying off a daughter and then dragging the son-in-law to war right after? No, I must go talk to him, see if he’ll switch you with Uncle Miaocai. If not, maybe let Big Brother go instead.”
“My, I should thank Zixiu on his behalf for your generosity.”
“Chen Zining! Stop being so sarcastic! I’m only thinking of Big Brother’s good—always talking theory, what future can he have?”
“Well said, but perhaps next time, don’t say it. Your husband isn’t even as good as Zhao Kuo—at least Zhao Kuo had studied the art of war.”
“Hmph!”
Knowing she could not persuade him, Cao Rong continued packing, paying no attention to what Chen Cong actually needed—only adding whatever came to mind.
Not only did she pack seven or eight changes of clothes, but she also stuffed in seven or eight packs of camphor for repelling insects.
But in this freezing weather, what mosquitoes could possibly survive?
“By the way, Chen Shi came to me, asking to join the campaign.”
Chen Shi...
A product of her times—she was the only woman among the trained household slaves to earn a place as a personal guard.
Her reason for insisting on military service was not some awakening of feminine consciousness, but the hope of earning military merit to transfer to her brother, helping him escape slavery and gain a promising future.
It was touching, but Chen Cong could not be moved.
It’s not so easy to become a Mulan; her ballad may be beautiful, but reality was far less so.
Setting aside the differences between men and women, just the matter of relieving oneself in camp posed a serious challenge for a woman—not to mention other troubles.
“Tell her to think it through. If she stays in Qiao County, she can still gain her freedom and be promoted to martial instructor.”
“You just dislike her for being so burly. If she looked like Jianjia, you’d be all too happy.”
“I’m thinking of her own good.”
“Ugh!”
Chen Cong closed his book and, inexplicably aggrieved, protested, “Young Lady, isn’t your ‘ugh’ a bit much of an insult?”
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Cao Rong waved her hand as if to say something, then suddenly retched again.
At last, Chen Cong sensed something was wrong. He dropped the book and hurried to fetch Hua Tuo.
...
The couple resided in the east wing of the Cao residence; Hua Tuo was a guest in a side room to the west.
Looking for him inevitably startled the Cao household—Cao Cao and Lady Ding included.
Soon, the small courtyard outside was packed with people: father-in-law, mother-in-law, brother-in-law, and little sister-in-law—like the bride’s family about to seek justice.
It made Chen Cong a little nervous.
He urged Hua Tuo, “Old man, are you up to this or not? Still haven’t made a diagnosis?”
“Sigh!” Hua Tuo withdrew his hand, stroked his beard, and sighed deeply without a word.
Chen Cong was instantly alarmed. He rushed forward, grabbing Hua Tuo by the collar. “Hua Tuo! You’re a miracle doctor! Why are you sighing? If you cure her, I’ll kowtow to you! If you can’t—”
“You allow an old man to be falsely accused of assassinating officials, but not to sigh?”
“You—damn it—!”
“Young man, you’re going to be a father.”
It was as if Chen Cong had been struck by lightning. He released his grip and stood there, looking helplessly at Cao Rong.
A father...
Chen Cong almost wanted to laugh.
From a soon-to-be overworked college graduate on the brink of a 9-to-9, 6-day workweek, to being cast into the chaos at the end of Han, then catching the express train with the future Emperor Wu of Wei—an epic life unfolding before him.
Yet he had always overlooked one thing.
Returning to the beginning of the matter...
Why, at the start, did Cao Cao personally bring food to the woodshed?
It was all for love—truly, one’s own is always dearest.
“Chen Cong! What’s that look on your face? Aren’t you happy that I’m having morning sickness?”
As Cao Rong raised her small, pink fists in mock anger, Chen Cong smiled, pulled her into his arms, and spun her twice on the spot.
“Thank you, my lady, for bearing children for this humble man.”
“Hmph!” Cao Rong wrinkled her delicate nose but smiled as well. “That’s more like it. Then—”
Knowing what she wanted to ask, Chen Cong shook his head and gently patted her back.
“Don’t worry, Rong’er. Your husband is invincible—wait at home, and I’ll win a marquisate for our child.”
With that, he released Cao Rong.
He kowtowed three times, heedless of how far Hua Tuo had shied away.
“My wife and child are entrusted to you, Master Yuanhua.”
Hua Tuo responded awkwardly, “You... Very well, I shall do my utmost. But as for the Imperial Physician’s post...”
“Rest easy. Even if a sword rests on Liu Xie’s neck, I’ll win you that title.”
“Who is Liu Xie?” Hua Tuo asked, puzzled.
“Don’t speak nonsense!” Cao Cao burst out, alarmed.
“Zining, a true man!” Cao Ang grinned foolishly.
“Enough, enough—our son-in-law was only making a point,” Lady Ding said, nudging Cao Cao in the waist. As a woman and a mother, she cared little for statecraft—her only wish was for her children’s happiness and safety.
“Mother, who is ‘making a point’? Why does brother-in-law want to make a point? Will he beat Brother Ziling?” Little Cao Fu’s innocent words set everyone roaring with laughter.
Perhaps there truly was a streak of romance in the Cao family’s very blood...