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Some people prefer a life of ease, while others thrive on adventure. Cao Cao was one of the latter. The task at hand—rescuing the deposed emperor—was something that would make an ordinary person nervous under pressure, likely causing them to fumble and make mistakes. But for Cao Cao, the greater the pressure, the calmer he became. He even relished the thrill that such pressure brought.
After returning home alone, Cao Cao had his evening meal and then retreated to his room, dismissing all his servants so he could ponder the situation in solitude.
As night fell, Cao Cao didn't bother to light any candles. Beneath his thick brows, his small eyes gleamed faintly in the darkness, as if a fire burned within them.
During his time as a captain in the Western Garden, Cao Cao had managed to win over a number of soldiers. For this operation, after careful consideration, he had selected a specific group of men to participate. Though their numbers were few, these men were either indebted to Cao Cao personally or to the Cao family, which effectively eliminated the possibility of betrayal at a critical moment.
Moreover, Cao Cao's lofty banner of righteousness and his promise of substantial rewards upon success had bolstered their courage. After all, wasn't the reason they joined the military to achieve glory and wealth?
While promises of future rewards could be motivating, they paled in comparison to tangible benefits that could be grasped immediately. Cao Cao understood this well. In the days leading up to the operation, he liquidated everything of value in his household, converting it into silver and copper coins, which he then distributed to the soldiers who were to follow him into battle. This money served as a settlement for their families.
Those who aspire to achieve great things cannot afford to be stingy. By filling their pockets with gleaming silver and heavy copper coins, and by personally promising them even greater rewards in the future, Cao Cao ensured that these men would not falter when the moment of truth arrived.
As for the long-serving servants in his household, Cao Cao planned to send them out of the city on various errands the next day. Once chaos erupted, they would have the opportunity to flee. Some might return, but that would depend on their individual fates.
After all, Cao Cao couldn't reveal his plans to these servants at this stage. Making some arrangements for them was already a gesture of gratitude for their years of service.
As for the newer servants and maids, who had not been with the family for long, Cao Cao could only leave them to their own devices. When pursuing grand ambitions, it was impossible to attend to every minor detail.
The autumn night carried a chill, but Cao Cao felt no cold. The blazing fire of his ambition burned fiercely within him, filling him with a sense of exhilaration.
After meticulously reviewing every detail of the plan for the next day, Cao Cao lay down on his bed, closed his eyes, and soon fell into a deep sleep.
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The next day, as evening approached, thin wisps of smoke rose from the chimneys of every household as families prepared their dinners.
Yuan Shu, with dark circles under his eyes, stared at a plate of beef that had been specially prepared for him. Though he had little appetite, he forced himself to eat a few pieces, knowing that it might be a long time before his next meal.
This was a rundown little courtyard near the southern gate of the city.
The southern part of Luoyang, close to the Luo River, was a hub for goods and a rather chaotic and noisy area. It was primarily inhabited by the city's poorer residents, making it a slum of sorts.
The courtyard was already filled with people. Some wore plain clothes, while others were clad in armor. Despite the crowd, not a word was spoken. They stood in small groups, quietly awaiting Yuan Shu's orders.
These men were Yuan Shu's private soldiers. The longest-serving among them had been with him for nearly six years, while the newest recruits had joined a little over a year ago. The annual tribute Yuan Shu received from Nanyang Commandery was largely spent on maintaining this force.
Yuan Shu's face was dark with frustration. It was already this late, and Cao Cao still hadn't shown up. Had he chickened out at the last minute?
Damn that guy! What should I do now?
The arrow was already on the bowstring—could they really just withdraw?
Just then, a guard entered the room carrying a letter, saying that someone had just delivered it.
Yuan Shu snatched the letter and tore it open. Inside, he found only a few words: "I have arrived. Proceed as planned." The letter was signed with a single character: "Man."
Yuan Shu nearly cursed out loud but managed to restrain himself. Hadn't they agreed to meet here? Now Cao Cao sends a letter saying he's already arrived? Where is he? I don't even see his shadow, and he expects me to proceed as planned?
But then again, perhaps this was for the best.
Yuan Shu let out a cold "hmph." He had been worried that Cao Cao might notice if he didn't put in his full effort during the attack on the Southern Palace. Now that Cao Cao wasn't here, Yuan Shu's shortcomings would go unnoticed.
Yuan Shu instinctively thought to burn the letter but stopped himself. After a moment's thought, he casually tossed it under the table and stood up, walking out of the room.
The eyes of everyone in the courtyard immediately turned to Yuan Shu as he emerged.
Yuan Shu said nothing at first. Instead, he adjusted his hat and then bowed deeply to the assembled men, who quickly returned the gesture.
Straightening up, Yuan Shu made a gesture indicating that it was time to move out. The men in the courtyard began to file out through the front and back gates, gradually blending into the streets.
Yuan Shu and a few close guards were the last to leave. The private soldiers who had just left were tasked with seizing the southern gate during the chaos, ensuring Yuan Shu's escape route. Now, Yuan Shu needed to meet up with Zhang Xiao and join forces with his troops to attack the Southern Palace. Though Yuan Shu knew that the attack on the Southern Palace was merely a diversion, and that Zhang Xiao was nothing more than a sacrificial pawn to draw attention, he still had to put on a convincing show.
Not far away, in a small house, Cao Cao peered through a slightly open window, his eyes narrowed as he watched Yuan Shu and his guards depart.
It seems Yuan Shu isn't deceiving me after all—he's really going through with this.
Only now, seeing Yuan Shu actually mobilize such a large force, did Cao Cao's suspicions begin to ease.
No matter how many reasons Yuan Shu had given, no matter how logical his explanations, Cao Cao had always harbored doubts. After all, this wasn't like having a meal or drinking wine, where mistakes could be rectified. This was an attempt to kidnap the emperor! Even though Liu Bian was now a deposed emperor, he was still the only one of his kind in the entire realm.
Moreover, compared to Yuan Shu, Cao Cao's only advantage lay in his connections within the palace. In terms of manpower, he was at a significant disadvantage. If they were to act together and Yuan Shu suddenly changed his mind, Cao Cao would be caught off guard. This was a risk he had to guard against.
After all, Yuan Shu and Cao Cao had never seen eye to eye.
Now, with Yuan Shu leading the attack on the Southern Palace to draw the attention of the city's defenders, Cao Cao would take the opportunity to break into Yongan Palace from the inside, rescue the deposed emperor Liu Bian, and spirit him away.
As for Yuan Shu's safety…
Standing behind the window, Cao Cao clasped his hands in a gesture of respect toward the departing Yuan Shu and said, "Yuan Shu, consider us even after this."
With that, Cao Cao turned and left the house, leading his men toward the northeastern corner of Yongan Palace.
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A/N: The Yuan family's wealth and influence were no mere boasts. Runan and Nanyang were both vast commanderies, with thriving commerce that provided Yuan Shu with considerable advantages. This was why, when the Guandong Coalition was formed, Yuan Shu was appointed as the overseer of provisions—he had the most grain stockpiled.