Chapter 33

Chapter 33

Now, when Cao Pi saw the two women weeping, he drew his sword to strike them. Suddenly, he beheld a radiant light filling the room. He stayed his sword and asked, "Who are you?" One of the women replied, "I am Madam Liu, wife of General Yuan." Cao Pi asked, "And this young woman?" Liu said, "This is Lady Zhen, wife of Yuan Xi, the second son. Since Xi was sent to garrison Youzhou, Lady Zhen refused to travel so far, so she remained here."

Cao Pi drew the young woman closer. Her hair was disheveled and her face was soiled. Cao Pi wiped her face with his sleeve and looked upon her. He saw that Lady Zhen had skin like jade and features like flowers—a beauty sufficient to topple kingdoms. He then said to Liu, "I am the son of Prime Minister Cao. I am willing to protect your household. Do not worry." He then sat in the hall with his hand upon his sword.

Meanwhile, Cao Cao led his generals into the city of Jizhou. As they approached the city gate, Xu You rode forward, pointed at the gate with his whip, and called out to Cao Cao, "Aman, had it not for me, how could you have entered this gate?" Cao Cao laughed heartily. His generals, hearing this, all harbored resentment. When Cao Cao reached the gate of Yuan Shao's residence, he asked, "Who has entered this gate?" The guarding officer replied, "The heir is inside." Cao Cao summoned him and rebuked him. Madam Liu came out and bowed, saying, "It was only the heir who could have preserved our household. I am willing to offer Lady Zhen to the heir as his wife." Cao Cao had Lady Zhen brought out and brought before him. He looked upon her and said, "Truly, she is a fit daughter-in-law for my son!" He then ordered Cao Pi to take her as his wife.

Having settled Jizhou, Cao Cao went in person to Yuan Shao's tomb to offer sacrifices. He bowed twice and wept bitterly, then turned to his generals and said, "In former days, when Shao and I raised our armies together, Shao asked me, 'If our enterprise fails, where can we establish ourselves?' I asked, 'What do you intend?' Shao said, 'I shall hold the south of the River, block off Yan and Dai to the north, combine the forces of the desert peoples, and contend for the empire by advancing southward. Perhaps that will suffice?' I replied, 'I shall employ the wisdom and strength of the empire, guiding them with the proper way, and nothing will be impossible.' These words seem spoken only yesterday, and now Shao is no more. How could I not weep!" All sighed in sympathy. Cao Cao bestowed gold, silk, and grain upon Shao's wife, Lady Liu. He then issued a decree: "The people of Hebei have suffered the calamities of war. All taxes and levies for this year are remitted." He also wrote a memorial to the court. Cao Cao himself took the post of Governor of Jizhou.

One day, Xu Chu rode through the east gate and met Xu You head-on. Xu You called to Xu Chu, "Had it not been for me, how could you have entered or left this gate?" Xu Chu was furious. "We have faced death a thousand times, fighting bloody battles to seize this city. How dare you boast?" Xu You cursed, "You are all mere common men—hardly worth mentioning!" Xu Chu flew into a rage, drew his sword, and killed Xu You. He brought the head to Cao Cao and said that Xu You had been so insolent that he had slain him. Cao Cao said, "Ziyuan and I are old friends; he was merely jesting with me. Why did you kill him?" He severely rebuked Xu Chu and ordered that Xu You be given a generous burial. He then ordered a search throughout Jizhou for worthy scholars. The people of Jizhou said, "Cavalry Commandant Yan, courtesy name Jigui, a man from Dongwucheng in Qinghe. He offered counsel to Yuan Shao many times, but Shao would not listen, so he feigned illness and remained at home."

Cao Cao summoned Yan and appointed him as Assistant Officer of the province. He said to him, "I examined the household registers of this province yesterday. There are altogether three hundred thousand people. Truly a great province!" Yan replied, "The empire is now torn apart, the nine provinces split asunder. The two Yuan brothers fought among themselves, and the people of Jizhou lie exposed on the plains. If Your Excellency does not hasten to inquire into local customs and save the people from their misery, but instead takes a census first, is this what the men and women of this province expect from a wise lord?"

Hearing these words, Cao Cao changed his expression, apologized, and treated him as an honored guest. Having secured Jizhou, Cao Cao sent men to gather intelligence on Yuan Tan. At that time, Yuan Tan led his forces raoling Ganling, Anping, Bohai, and Hejian. When he learned that Yuan Shang had been defeated and fled to Zhongshan, he attacked him with his army. Yuan Shang had no heart for battle and fled directly to Youzhou to join Yuan Xi. Yuan Tan accepted all his troops and planned to retake Jizhou. Cao Cao sent for Yuan Tan, but he did not come. Cao Cao was furious, sent a letter breaking off the betrothal, and personally led a great army against him, advancing as far as Pingyuan.

When Yuan Tan heard that Cao Cao was coming in person, he sent to Liu Biao for aid. Liu Biao consulted Xuande. Xuande said, "Cao Cao has already taken Jizhou and his military power is at its height. The Yuan brothers will soon be captured by Cao Cao. There is no benefit in rescuing them. Besides, Cao Cao has long had designs on Jing and Xiang. We should simply train our troops and defend ourselves—we must not act rashly." Liu Biao said, "Then how shall I decline?" Xuande said, "Write to the Yuan brothers under the pretext of making peace, and decline in polite terms."

Liu Bao approved his suggestion and first sent a letter to Yuan Tan. The letter read in part:

"A gentleman in distress does not seek refuge with his enemy. I recently heard that you humbled yourself and submitted to Cao Cao—this is to forget your ancestors, abandon the bond of brotherhood, and bring shame upon your allies. If the heir of Jizhou does not behave as a proper brother, you should humble your heart and follow him. After matters are settled, let the empire judge between right and wrong. Would that not be a noble course?"

He also wrote to Yuan Shang, the Secretary:

"Qingzhou is by nature hasty and impulsive, confused about right and wrong. You should first destroy Cao Cao to fulfill your late father's wish. After that is settled, then consider the question of right and wrong. Would that not be good? If you remain confused and do not turn back, you will be like the hound and the fox struggling among themselves, only to leave the farmer with the prize."

Yuan Tan received Liu Biao's letter and knew that Liu Bao had no intention of sending troops. Judging that he could not oppose Cao Cao, he abandoned Pingyuan and fled to defend Nanpi. Cao Cao pursued him to Nanpi. At that time the weather was bitterly cold, and the river was entirely frozen—the supply boats could not move. Cao Cao ordered the local people to break the ice and drag the boats. The people fled at the order. Cao Cao was furious and wished to arrest and execute them. The hearing of this, the people came to the camp to surrender themselves. Cao Cao said, "If I do not kill you, my orders will not be obeyed. But if I kill you, I cannot bear it. Go quickly and hide in the mountains—do not be captured by my soldiers." The people all left weeping.

Yuan Tan led his troops out of the city to meet the Cao army. When the two battle formations had been drawn up, Cao Cao rode out and pointed his whip at Tan, cursing him: "I treated you generously, yet why have you turned traitor?" Tan replied, "You have invaded my territory, seized my cities, and taken my wife and children—and yet you accuse me of treachery?" Cao Cao flew into a rage and ordered Xu Huang to advance. Tan sent Peng An to meet him. The two horses crossed, and in no more than a few exchanges, Huang cut Peng An down from his saddle. Tan's forces were routed and fled back into Nanpi. Cao Cao dispatched troops to surround the city on all four sides. Tan, now in a panic, sent Xin Ping to see Cao Cao and arrange a surrender. Cao Cao said, "That young scoundrel Yuan Tan is fickle and untrustworthy—I can hardly believe him. Your younger brother Xin Pi is already in my service. You may stay as well." Xin Ping replied, "Your Excellency is mistaken. I have heard that when the lord is honored, his ministers share in his glory; when the lord is in distress, his ministers share in his disgrace. I have long served the Yuan house—how could I turn my back on them?"

Cao Cao, seeing he could not be persuaded to stay, sent him away. Xin Ping returned to Tan and reported that Cao Cao had not accepted the surrender. Tan shouted at him, "Your younger brother serves Cao Cao—do you harbor divided loyalties?" Xin Ping, choking with rage, collapsed to the ground unconscious. Tan had him carried out, and shortly thereafter he died. Tan came to regret his words. Guo Tu said to Tan, "Tomorrow, drive the entire populace ahead of us, with the army following behind, and fight Cao Cao to the death."

Tan followed his advice. That very night, he drove out all the people of Nanpi, armed with swords and spears, awaiting orders. At dawn the next day, the four gates were thrown open. The army drove from behind, with the people in front, and amid a great uproar they surged forth together, straight toward the Cao encampment. The two armies clashed in a confused battle that lasted from the hour of the dragon to the hour of the horse, with neither side prevailing, and bodies strewn across the ground. Cao Cao, seeing that a complete victory had not been won, mounted his horse and rode to a hill, where he beat the war drums himself. When his officers and soldiers saw this, they charged forward with renewed vigor. Tan's forces were utterly routed, and countless civilians were killed. Cao Hong, displaying fierce valor, burst through the lines and met Yuan Tan head-on. Swinging his sword wildly, Hong cut Tan down in the midst of battle. Guo Tu, seeing the army in chaos, gallled into the city. Yue Jin spotted him, fitted an arrow to his bow, and shot him down into the moat, horse and rider together.

Cao Cao led his troops into Nanpi and pacified the people. Suddenly a force arrived—it was Jiao Chu and Zhang Nan, officers under Yuan Xi. Cao Cao went out personally to meet them. The two generals threw down their weapons and removed their armor, coming specifically to surrender. Cao Cao enfeoffed them as marquises. Then Zhang Yan of the Black Mountain bandits, leading an army of one hundred thousand, came to surrender as well, and Cao Cao appointed him General Who Pacifies the North. He issued orders that Yuan Tan's head was to be displayed as a warning, and anyone who dared to weep would be executed. The head was hung outside the north gate. A man in plain hemp robes and mourning garments wept beneath the head. The guards seized him and brought him before Cao Cao. Cao Cao questioned him and learned that he was Wang Xiu, the former Attendant Officer of Qing Province, who had been banished after remonstrating with Yuan Tan and had now come to weep upon learning of Tan's death.

Cao Cao said, "Do you know my order?" Wang Xiu replied, "I do." Cao Cao said, "Are you not afraid to die?" Wang Xiu said, "While alive, I received his appointment; if I do not weep now that he is dead, that would be contrary to righteousness. To forget righteousness out of fear of death—how could I stand in this world? If I may be allowed to collect and bury Tan's body, I will face execution without regret." Cao Cao said, "How many righteous men there are in Hebei! It is a pity the Yuan clan could not make use of them. Had they been able to, how would I have dared to cast even a glance at this region?" He therefore ordered that Tan's body be collected and buried, treated Wang Xiu as an honored guest, and appointed him Director of the Treasury. He then asked him, "Now that Yuan Shang has joined Yuan Xi, what strategy should I use to take them?" Wang Xiu did not answer. Cao Cao said, "A loyal minister." He then asked Guo Jia, who said, "You can send the Yuan generals who have surrendered—Jiao Chu, Zhang Nan, and others—to attack them on their own."

Cao Cao followed this counsel and dispatched Jiao Chu, Zhang Nan, Lü Kuang, Lü Xiang, Ma Yan, and Zhang Yi, each leading his own troops, to advance on Youzhou by three separate routes. At the same time, he ordered Li Dian and Yue Jin to join forces with Zhang Yan to attack Bingzhou and strike at Gao Gan.

Now, Yuan Shang and Yuan Xi, learning that Cao Cao's forces were approaching and judging they could not withstand the attack, abandoned their city and led their troops by night to Liaoxi, where they fled to the Wuhuan. Wu Huan Chu, the Inspector of Youzhou, assembled the officials of the province and swore a blood oath to deliberate on abandoning the Yuan clan and submitting to Cao Cao. Wu Huan Chu spoke first, saying, "I know that Chancellor Cao is a hero of this age. We shall now go and surrender. Anyone who disobeys this order shall be executed." The oath was taken in turn, and when it reached the Attendant Officer Han Heng, he threw his sword to the ground and cried out loudly, "I received the deep kindness of Lord Yuan and his sons. Now that my lord has met defeat and death, I could neither save him with wisdom nor die for him with courage—I have already failed in righteousness! If I were to turn north and surrender to Cao Cao, I will not do it!"

All present turned pale. Wu Huan Chu said, "In undertaking a great enterprise, one must establish great righteousness. Whether the enterprise succeeds or not does not depend on a single man. Since Han Heng is resolved in this way, let him do as he pleases." They pushed him out. Wu Huan Chu then went out of the city to welcome the three columns of troops and came directly to surrender to Cao Cao. Cao Cao was overjoyed and appointed him General Who Guards the North. Suddenly a scout rode in with a report: "Yue Jin, Li Dian, and Zhang Yan are attacking Bingzhou, but Gao Gan is defending Hukou Pass and they cannot take it." Cao Cao led his army there personally. The three generals met him and reported, "Gan is holding the pass and it is difficult to attack." Cao Cao gathered his officers to discuss a plan to defeat Gao Gan. Xun You said, "To defeat Gao Gan, we must use a false surrender stratagem."

Cao Cao agreed. He summoned the surrendered generals Lü Kuang and Lü Xiang and whispered into their ears, giving them detailed instructions. Lü Kuang and the others led several dozen men straight to the pass and called out, "We were originally officers of the Yuan house and were forced to surrender to Cao Cao against our will. Cao Cao is a deceitful man and treats us poorly. We now wish to return to our old lord. Open the gate quickly and admit us!" Gao Gan was not convinced and only told the two generals to come up to the pass to speak with him. The two generals removed their armor and left their horses behind as they entered, and said to Gan, "The Cao army has just arrived—their morale is not yet settled. Tonight we can raid their camp. We volunteer to go first."

Gan Le was pleased and followed his counsel. That night he ordered the two Lüs to lead the vanguard, taking over ten thousand troops ahead. As they approached Cao Cao's camp, a great clamor rose from behind and ambushes sprang up on all sides. Gao Gan realized he had fallen into a trap and hastened back to Huguan Pass. Yue Jin and Li Dian had already seized the pass. Gao Gan fought his way out and fled to seek refuge with the Chanyu. Cao Cao led his troops to hold the pass and sent men in pursuit of Gao Gan. When Gao Gan reached the Chanyu's territory, he met the Northern Tribes' Left Sage King face to face. Gao Gan dismounted and prostrated himself on the ground, saying, "Cao Cao is swallowing up territories far and wide and now intends to invade Your Highness's lands. I humbly beg for aid—let us join forces to resist him and preserve the north." The Left Sage King replied, "I have no quarrel with Cao Cao. Why should he invade my lands? You wish to make me incur the enmity of the Cao clan!" He dismissed Gao Gan with a rebuke. Gao Gan, finding no other path, had no choice but to go and seek refuge with Liu Biao. When he reached Shanglu, Commandant Wang Yan killed him and sent his head to Cao Cao. Cao Cao enfeoffed Wang Yan as a marquis.

With Bing Province now pacified, Cao Cao held council on attacking the Wuhuan to the west. Cao Hong and the others said, "Yuan Shang and Yuan Xi have lost their armies and their strength is exhausted. They have fled far into the desert. If we now lead our forces westward and Liu Bei and Liu Biao seize the opportunity to strike at Xuchang while we are away, we will be unable to respond in time, and the consequences would be grave indeed. We urge you to turn back your army and not advance."

Guo Jia said, "What you gentlemen say is mistaken. Although our lord's prestige shakes the world, the people of the desert, relying on their remote frontier, will certainly not prepare their defenses. If we strike them suddenly while they are unprepared, we can surely destroy them. Moreover, Yuan Shao showed kindness to the Wuhuan, and the brothers Shang and Xi still survive—they must not be left alive. Liu Biao is merely a armchair strategist. He knows full well that his own talent is insufficient to control Liu Bei. If he entrusts Liu Bei with great responsibility, he fears he will not be able to restrain him; if he gives Liu Bei only a light role, then Bei will not serve him wholeheartedly. Even if you empty the state for this distant campaign, my lord, you need have no worries."

Cao Jia said, "Fengxiao's words are absolutely right."

He then led the entire army, with several thousand wagons, advancing forward. All around stretched a vast yellow desert, with fierce winds rising on every side. The roads were rugged and treacherous, and men and horses found it hard to proceed. Cao Cao began to consider turning back and consulted Guo Jia. Guo Jia, having fallen ill from the unfamiliar climate and water, was confined to his carriage. Cao Cao wept and said, "It was because I wished to pacize the desert that I sent you on this arduous journey so far, and now you have fallen ill. How can my mind find any peace?" Guo Jia replied, "I have received the Chancellor's great kindness—even death could not repay a fraction of it." Cao Cao said, "I see how rugged the northern terrain is and am inclined to turn back. What do you think?" Guo Jia said, "In warfare, speed is paramount. Now we are striking at an enemy a thousand li away. With heavy baggage trains, it will be difficult to gain the advantage swiftly. It would be better to travel light and take shortcuts to emerge unexpectedly and catch them off guard. We only need someone who knows the routes to serve as our guide."

Accordingly, Guo Jia was left in Yizhou to recover, and a guide was sought to lead the way. Someone recommended Tian Chou, a former general of Yuan Shao who knew this region well. Cao Cao summoned him and asked about the route. Tian Chou said, "Along this road, there is water in summer and autumn—too shallow for wagons and horses, too deep for boats. It is the most difficult stretch to traverse. It would be better to turn back the army, take the Longkou Pass, cross the perilous terrain of Baitan, emerge through the empty lands, and advance upon Liucheng. If we catch them unprepared, Modu can be captured in a single battle."

Cao Cao followed his advice, enfeoffing Tian Chou as General Who Pacifies the North and appointing him as guide to lead the vanguard. Zhang Liao was second in the line. Cao Cao himself brought up the rear, advancing with light cavalry at double speed. Tian Chou led Zhang Liao forward to White Wolf Mountain, where they encountered Yuan Xi and Yuan Shu joining forces with Modu and tens of thousands of cavalry. Zhang Liao sent word flying back to Cao Cao. Cao Cao rode to the top of a rise to survey the field and saw that Modu's troops were in no formation, disorderly and uneven. Cao Cao said to Zhang Liao, "The enemy is in disarray—we can attack them." He handed his command flag to Liao. Liao led Xu Chu, Yu Jin, and Xu Huang down the mountain in four columns, attacking with all their might. Modu's forces fell into chaos. Zhang Liao spurred his horse and cut Modu down in the saddle, and the remainder all surrendered. Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang fled with several thousand cavalry to Liaodong.

Cao Cao led his army into Liucheng and enfeoffed Tian Chou as Marquis of Liuting to garrison the city. Tian Chou wept and said, "I am but a man who fled for his life in defiance of righteousness. To have received such generous mercy and been spared alive is fortune enough. How could I betray the Longkou stronghold in exchange for reward and rank? I dare not accept the marquisate even unto death." Cao Jia, moved by his sense of honor, instead appointed him as a Court Counselor. Cao Cao pacified the Chanyu and his people, obtained ten thousand fine horses, and turned back his army that very day. At that time the weather was cold and drought-stricken—for two hundred li there was no water, and the army was running short of provisions. They killed horses for food and dug three or four zhang into the earth before finding water. When Cao Cao returned to Yizhou, he richly rewarded those who had earlier urged caution, and said to his generals, "I undertook this distant campaign against the odds and succeeded by sheer luck. Though we prevailed, it was Heaven's aid—this cannot be taken as a model. Your counsel was the plan of perfect safety, and for that I reward you. In future, do not hesitate to speak."

When Cao Cao arrived at Yizhou, Guo Jia had already been dead for several days, his coffin resting in the official residence. Cao Cao went to offer sacrifices and wept aloud, saying, "Fengxiao's death is Heaven's bereavement of me!" He turned and said to his officials, "In years, you gentlemen are all my equals, but Fengxiao was the youngest. I had intended to entrust my affairs to him, yet he died in middle age—it shatters my heart!" Guo Jia's attendants presented a letter sealed by Guo Jia before his death, saying, "Lord Guo wrote this with his own hand as he lay dying, and instructed: 'If the Chancellor follows what is written in this letter, the matter of Liaodong will be settled.'" Cao Cao opened the letter and read it, nodding and sighing. None of those present understood its meaning.

The next day, Xiahou Dun led his officers in and reported, "The Grand Administrator of Liaodong, Gongsun Kang, has long refused to submit. Now Yuan Shang and Yuan Xi have gone to seek refuge with him—this will surely become a trouble for the future. We should strike before he moves and campaign against Liaodong at once; the province can be taken." Cao Cao smiled and said, "I need not trouble you gentlemen with your martial might. In a few days' time, Gongsun Kang will send the heads of the two Yuans here of his own accord." None of the generals believed him.

Now Yuan Shang and Yuan Xi led several thousand cavalry to flee to Liaodong. The Governor of Liaodong, Gongsun Kang, was a native of Xiangping and the son of Gongsun Du, the General of Martial Might. When he learned that Yuan Shang and Yuan Xi had come to seek refuge, he gathered his subordinates to discuss the matter. Gongsun Gong said, "During Yuan Shao's lifetime, he always harbored the ambition to swallow up Liaodong. Now Yuan Shang and Yuan Xi have lost their armies and their followers, with nowhere to turn. They come to us for shelter, but this is the cuckoo's intention to seize the magpie's nest. If we accept them, they will certainly plot against us later. Better to lure them into the city and kill them, then present their heads to the Duke of Cao, who will surely treat us with great favor." Gongsun Kang said, "I only fear that Cao Cao will lead his army down to Liaodong. Would it not be better to accept the two Yuans and make them our allies?" Gongsun Gong said, "We can send someone to find out. If Cao Cao's army attacks, then we keep the two Yuans. If he makes no move, then we kill the two Yuans and send their heads to the Duke of Cao." Gongsun Kang agreed and sent a man to scout for news.

When Yuan Shang and Yuan Xi arrived in Liaodong, they held a secret discussion. "Liaodong has several tens of thousands of troops—enough to contend with Cao Cao. For now we will take refuge here. Later we will kill Gongsun Kang and seize his territory, build up our strength and resist the Central Plains, and we may recover Hebei."

Having settled their plan, they went to see Gongsun Kang, who lodged them in the guest quarters, pleading illness and not granting them an audience. Before long, the spies returned with word: "Cao Cao's army is encamped at Yizhou, with no intention of descending upon Liaodong." Gongsun Kang was overjoyed. He first concealed swordsmen and axemen behind the walls, then summoned the two Yuans to enter. After the courtesies were exchanged, he bade them sit. The weather was bitterly cold. Yuan Shang noticed there were no cushions on the couch and said to Kang, "We wish to have mats spread for us." Kang glared and said, "Your two heads are about to travel ten thousand leagues—what use have you for mats?" Yuan Shang was greatly startled. Kang shouted, "Why do you not strike, men?" The swordsmen and axemen rushed out and, right there on the sitting mats, cut off both their heads. They were placed in a wooden box and sent to Yizhou to be presented to Cao Cao.

At this time Cao Cao was in Yizhou, holding his forces in check. Xiahou Dun and Zhang Liao came in to report: "If we do not attack Liaodong, we should return to Xuchang; I fear Liu Table may be nursing ambitions." Cao Cao said, "When the heads of the two Yuans arrive, I will withdraw the army." The officers all snickered behind his back. Suddenly it was reported that Gongsun Kang of Liaodong had sent men bearing the heads of Yuan Shang and Yuan Xi. The officers were all astounded. The messenger presented a letter. Cao Cao laughed loudly and said, "It has turned out exactly as Guo Fengxiao foresaid!" He richly rewarded the messenger and enfeoffed Gongsun Kang as Marquis of Xiangping and General of the Left. The officers asked, "How did it turn out exactly as Guo Fengxiao foresaid?" Cao Cao then produced Guo Jia's letter for them to read. The letter read roughly:

I have now heard that Yuan Shang and Yuan Xi have gone to seek refuge in Liaodong. Your Excellency must on no account send troops against them. Gongsun Kang has long feared that the Yuan clan would swallow him up. When the two Yuans come seeking refuge, he will certainly be suspicious. If you attack with your forces, they will unite to resist you, and the situation will be urgent and difficult to resolve. If you bide your time, Gongsun Kang and the Yuans will certainly plot against each other—such is the natural course of things.

The officers all leaped with praise. Cao Cao led his officers in making offerings again before Guo Jia's spirit tablet. Guo Jia had died at the age of thirty-eight. He had followed Cao Cao on campaigns for eleven years and had often achieved extraordinary meritorious deeds. A later poet praised him:

Heaven gave birth to Guo Fengxiao,

A hero who stood above all the brave.

Within his breast he stored the classics and history,

Within his heart he concealed armies and arms.

In devising stratagems he was like Fan Li,

In making decisions he rivaled Chen Ping.

Alas that his body perished first—

A pillar of the Central Plains was cast down.

Cao Cao led his army back to Jizhou, sending men ahead to escort Guo Jia's coffin for burial in Xuchang. Cheng Yu and others petitioned: "The north is now settled. If we return to Xuchang, we should early establish a plan for subduing the lands south of the river." Cao Cao smiled and said: "I have held this ambition for a long time. What you gentlemen propose accords precisely with my own wishes." That night he lodged in the eastern corner tower of Jizhou city, leaning on the railing and gazing up at the heavens. Xun You was at his side. Cao Cao pointed and said: "The vital force of the south is brilliantly manifest—I fear it cannot yet be conquered." Xun You said: "With the Heaven-sent might of the Prime Minister, who would not submit?"

As they were gazing, suddenly a streak of golden light rose from the earth. Xun You said: "There must be a treasure beneath the ground." Cao Cao descended from the tower and ordered men to follow the light and dig.

The stars' pattern points toward the south,

While golden treasure springs from the north.

What was unearthed will be told in the chapters that follow.