Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1326 Cao Cao is worried about only besieging and not attacking.

Having made his decision, Cao Ang did not hesitate any longer. That very day, he mustered the elite troops of Xuzhou and joined forces with Zhou Yu, Zhou Buyi, and others. Even Ma Yunlu brought Cao Rui along with the army. Since it was a family matter, the whole family should go together, so that his father could see his determination.

As night fell, the rhythmic sound of galloping hooves echoed outside Xuzhou City. Cao Ang, clad in military attire, stood at the front of the battle lines, his gaze fixed on his soldiers, wife, and children, his eyes now unwavering. He knew this journey was perilous; if his father couldn't reconsider, a fierce argument was inevitable, perhaps even escalating to armed conflict. But he also knew that this was the only way to spare the Cao family and their people from the ravages of war.

"set off!"

With a command, the army marched towards Jiyin. In the darkness, a long line of torches snaked forward, illuminating Cao Ang's resolute profile. His unwavering determination, "Though there be thousands, I will go," inspired everyone around him.

Two days later, Cao Anmin finally arrived in Xiapi, travel-worn. He dismounted and headed straight for the governor's mansion, but was stopped by the gatekeeper: "The eldest son has already led his troops to Jiyin, and General Xiahou Shang is now left to guard the city."

Cao Anmin was overjoyed, but then became suspicious and hurriedly found Xiahou Shang: "General Xiahou, why did the eldest son suddenly send out troops? The lord's order has not yet arrived. His unauthorized actions may displease the lord!"

Xiahou Shang was engrossed in military affairs when he heard this. He looked up with a slight smile on his face, but did not answer directly. He simply said, "The eldest son has his own arrangements. General Anmin need not ask any further questions."

Cao Anmin grew anxious and stepped forward: "But what about our lord..."

"As for the lord, the eldest son will handle the matter." Xiahou Shang put down his pen, his gaze calm. "General Anmin has had a long journey. Go and rest first. With me in charge of the defense of Xuzhou, nothing will go wrong."

No matter how Cao Anmin tried to subtly probe, Xiahou Shang remained smiling and silent. He knew that most of the second-generation members of the Cao family and their generals admired Cao Ang's benevolence and foresight, and had long been loyal to him. In their eyes, this decision to submit to Xiliang was a wise move in line with the times, and they felt no unease, even secretly approving of it.

Seeing this, Cao Anmin knew he wouldn't get any more information, so he left with some doubt. Looking at the empty governor's mansion, he felt something was off, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. He could only ride back to Qiao County with a belly full of doubts to report back.

Cao Cao's army marched day and night, the sound of horses' hooves forming a rapid drumbeat on the official road. Although he was ill and often coughed on horseback, he refused to slow down. Even when he leaned against the carriage and closed his eyes to rest, his brow never relaxed—he was afraid that by the time he arrived, Dingtao would have already fallen and Cao Ren would be a prisoner.

"My lord, we're just ahead in Dingtao!" Yu Jin reported, reining in his horse, his voice tinged with anxiety.

Cao Cao struggled to sit up, lifted the carriage curtain, and looked out. On the distant horizon, he could vaguely make out the outline of a city, and beyond the city, a vast, dark mass of camps stretched for dozens of miles—the banners of the Xiliang army. His heart tightened, and he urgently ordered, "Advance faster!"

The army marched for another half an hour and finally arrived ten miles outside Dingtao City. Cao Cao sent someone to inquire, and the report came back that the Xiliang army had been besieging the city for more than ten days, but had never launched a strong attack. They only lined up in formation to show off every day and occasionally sent small groups of troops to harass the city, as if they were... waiting for something.

"No attack on the city?" Cao Cao frowned even more, his mind filled with doubt. "What trick is Ma Chao playing?"

Yu Jin was also puzzled: "Logically speaking, with 100,000 troops from the Western Liang army pressing in, even though Dingtao's defenses are strong, they shouldn't be able to hold out for so long. Is he delaying the attack because he's waiting for our reinforcements to arrive so he can wipe them out in one fell swoop?"

Cao Cao shook his head, his sharp gaze sweeping across the direction of the Xiliang camp: "It doesn't seem like it. If he wanted to besiege a point and attack reinforcements, he could have taken Dingtao first and then waited for the enemy to tire themselves out. This siege without attacking seems more like... waiting for an opportunity that doesn't require war."

Cao Cao waved his hand and said in a deep voice, "Never mind, let's go to Dingtao first and reunite with Zixiao!"

The army marched forward in formation, slowly approaching the gates of Dingtao. Surprisingly, the Xiliang army outside the city made no move whatsoever. They neither launched a surprise attack as the army entered the city nor beat drums in provocation; they seemed to be merely a group of silent onlookers. Cao Cao led his army smoothly into the city and joined forces with the defending general Cao Ren and others. His suspicions deepened; this was definitely not Ma Chao's style.

"My lord!" Cao Ren stepped forward, his face full of relief at surviving the ordeal. "You've finally arrived!"

Cao Cao nodded, his gaze sweeping over the city walls, and asked, "The Xiliang army has besieged the city for more than ten days, yet has not made a move?"

“Exactly.” Cao Ren led him up the city wall. “They have been lining up their troops every day and have prepared all the siege equipment, but they just stand still. I really can’t figure out what they’re thinking.”

Cao Cao followed his gaze and saw the endless Xiliang camps outside the city, their banners fluttering in the wind. Siege weapons such as well ramps and catapults were faintly visible within the camps, clearly indicating that preparations were already underway. He frowned, completely perplexed, and after a long while said, "Forget it, the best-case scenario is that Dingtao has not fallen. At worst, we'll fight them to the death!"

Yu Jin, Li Dian, and the other generals behind him echoed in unison, their voices somewhat hoarse. Everyone knew that the city's garrison, including the reinforcements brought by Cao Cao, numbered no more than 40,000, while the Xiliang army outside the city numbered as many as 100,000. The disparity in strength was immense, and the words "fight to the death" carried a heavy weight.

Cao Cao, observing this, softened his tone: "Gentlemen, there is no need to worry. I have already sent Cao Anmin to inform Zixiu, ordering him to transfer 30,000 to 40,000 troops from Xuzhou to provide support. At that time, he will set up camp outside the city, forming a pincer movement with the troops inside. Our total strength will reach 80,000. Although we are still at a disadvantage, we will still have the strength to fight."

Upon hearing this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Cao Ren was even more moved. His lord's willingness to let his son Xiu lead the troops into battle might be an opportunity to ease the tension between father and son, which might not be a bad thing for the Cao family.

Because Cao Cao's headache had not yet subsided, his generals dared not offer him wine. After a brief discussion of military affairs and dinner, Cao Cao went to rest. The fatigue from days of travel, coupled with his worries about the war, had not only failed to lessen his headache but had worsened. Lying down, he felt dizzy and tossed and turned, unable to sleep.

In the stillness of the night, Cao Cao sat up, put on his robe, and gazed at the deep darkness outside the window. He could almost hear the bugle calls of the Xiliang army outside the city.

When there were many men, Cao Cao's "fight to the death" posture was merely for show. Having spent half his life on the battlefield, how could he not know the current predicament? The candlelight flickered in the tent, reflecting the white hair at his temples, and his deep-seated worry could no longer be concealed.

He clearly remembered that back then, the two powerful factions of Xiliang and the Yuan family of Hebei stood side by side, mutually restraining each other, which gave him and Liu Bei a chance to breathe and establish themselves in the Central Plains. But now, the Yuan family had been destroyed, and Xiliang had become the sole power, sweeping across Hebei and Youzhou, its military might pointing directly at the Central Plains. This overwhelming force was no longer something that one or two warlords could withstand. Even if he and Liu Bei put aside their past grievances and joined forces to resist the enemy, it would probably be like a mantis trying to stop a chariot.

"Where is the hope...?" Cao Cao muttered to himself, his fingertip tracing the area marked by the Cao banner on the map. He felt trapped in a predicament everywhere. The troops in Dingtao were insufficient, Cao Ang of Xuzhou's attitude was unclear, and he himself was plagued by illness. Although his soldiers were brave, they were no match for the battle-hardened elite of Xiliang... A thousand thoughts surged into his mind, like a tangled mess, and he could not make sense of them at all.

It was past midnight. The night dew was getting heavier, carrying the chill of winter, and seeped in through the cracks in the window, causing the candlelight to flicker slightly. Cao Cao felt his headache returning, waves of dizziness washing over him, and his eyelids growing heavier and heavier.

He was getting old and his energy was waning.

"Enough..." Cao Cao closed his eyes wearily, pushed the map aside, and leaned against the couch. Perhaps the days of travel had exhausted his mind, or perhaps the unsolvable predicament had crushed his will. Before long, he held his drowsy head and fell into a deep sleep.

In his dream, he seemed to have returned to his youth, riding his horse through the streets and alleys of Luoyang. At that time, the world was at peace, and he was just a spirited young man who never thought that he would bear so much in the future... But this peaceful dream was soon torn apart by the faint sound of horns in the distance. He woke up with a start. There was still only the flickering candlelight in the tent, and outside the window, the sky was already bright.

As dawn broke, hurried footsteps echoed across the walls of Dingtao. A personal guard rushed into Cao Cao's tent: "My lord, the Xiliang army is arrayed!"

Cao Cao's heart tightened. He struggled to his feet and ordered his armor to be brought. As he put it on, his fingers trembled slightly from the lingering effects of the headache, and his attendants quickly helped him tighten the straps. "Is Ma Chao planning a full-scale attack now that I've arrived?" he asked in a low voice as he hurried towards the city wall.

Upon reaching the city wall, Cao Cao was stunned. The anticipated battle had not materialized. The Xiliang army outside the city stood as disciplined as an iron barrel, with infantry in square formations and cavalry in orderly ranks. Although siege towers, catapults, and other siege equipment were present, they stood silently, showing no sign of an impending attack. Sunlight shone on the Xiliang army's armor, reflecting a cold gleam; their chilling aura was more unsettling than any actual charge.

Cao Ren, Yu Jin, and other generals stood with their hands on their swords, their faces solemn. "My lord, what are they doing..." Before Cao Ren could finish speaking, the Xiliang army formation slowly parted to the sides, revealing a passage.

A group of heavily armored generals lined up and surrounded the man in the center—Cao Cao shaded his eyes with his hand and looked up; the figure on white horse and in silver armor was none other than Ma Chao. He spurred his horse forward, with the generals following closely behind, and they made their way to the city of Dingtao at a leisurely pace.

"Archers, prepare!" Cao Ren shouted sternly. The archers on the city wall immediately drew their bows and nocked their arrows, pointing them straight down at the city.

"No need." Cao Cao pressed down on his arm, his gaze sharply fixed on Ma Chao. "Judging from his appearance, he's not here to attack the city."

Sure enough, just an arrow's throw from the city wall, Ma Chao reined in his horse, and all the Xiliang generals stopped as well. The wind in front of the formation billowed Ma Chao's cloak, and he looked up at the city wall and said loudly, "Lord Cao, I heard you've arrived. It's a good opportunity for a chat."

The voice was clear and bright, carrying through the morning mist to the city walls; every word was clearly audible.

Cao Cao frowned slightly, his doubts deepening. A seasoned warrior, he had never witnessed such a spectacle—a hundred thousand troops arrayed, all for a mere "discussion"? He remained silent for a moment, then raised his voice: "What does the King of Liang have to say?"

Ma Chao smiled slightly, his tone calm yet weighty: "Lord Cao, the world has been in turmoil for many years, and the people have suffered greatly. Now that Xiliang has pacified Hebei and Youzhou, we are willing to cease hostilities and make peace with you, Lord Cao, to bring peace to the world together. If you are willing to surrender, I will guarantee your Cao family's wealth and honor, and the people of Dingtao will also be spared the ravages of war. What do you say?"

A hush fell over the city walls; even the wind seemed to have stopped. Cao Cao gazed at the imposing young man below, recalling the years of battles, the tragic destruction of the Yuan clan, and his own helplessness due to illness. A complex mix of emotions welled up within him.