The gardens of Xuchang were renowned for their myriad of flowers and ponds that brought inspiration to many aspiring poets and musicians. But for Jia Xu, it was a different way to hold his spontaneous lessons with his clueless student.
"Strategy is a complex idea," Jia Xu started. "A soldier's level of understanding for strategy is simply to follow what his unit commander says. However, for a strategist, his level of understanding should come from the lessons of the past, the present, and transcend to the future."
It was sunset when they commenced. He looked over to his lone student and frowned when he saw that Ai Xin was half-asleep on the desk. Jia Xu snorted and picked up a weiqi piece and threw it. The white stone struck Ai Xin at the forehead, knocking the woman awake.
"Ow!"
Jia Xu sighed, "I gave such a nice introduction for the lesson and I see you inattentive."
Ai Xin rubbed her forehead to ease the pain. That's going to leave a bruise. "I'm sorry Master Wenhe," she said. "The days were rather eventful."
The newly promoted officer had spent her days learning the basics in chain of command. Although she knew that it would be a challenge to have soldiers follow her, she had remained steadfast in resisting their taunts for being a woman. The other day, she had earned their respect after accepting accountability for broken spear handles during formation exercises. The punishment Xiahou Dun handed out involved cleaning all horses in the stables alone.
Today, she was surprised to find her unit in well-organized lines. They bowed in unison and greeted her with respect.
"Many men claim to be well-versed in combat and in the scholarly arts," Jia Xu said. "However, when faced with a woman who possesses such qualities, that is a rare find."
"Master Wenhe," Ai Xin whined, adjusting herself in her seat. Like a bashful child, she pouted.
Jia Xu chuckled, "You still have a lot to learn in controlling your expressions, Ai Xin. If you would be dealing with irate generals and court ministers, or suing for peace with your enemies, you must learn to act with the proper facade. Nonetheless, being like a child is an act itself."
Ai Xin inhaled deeply, calming herself then exhaled. She sat up straight and maintained a calm facade. "Forgive my shortcomings today, Master Wenhe. I am ready to listen now."
Finally achieving full attention, Jia Xu said, picking up a scroll and placing it open on the table. "To handle a soldier unit is child's play. To handle an entire army and leading it to victory before blood is shed… That is the art a military strategist must master."
Ai Xin took a glance over the contents of the scroll. "I have read this before, Master Wenhe," she said.
"Reading is different from understanding," Jia Xu snapped. He then placed a weiqi board on the other side of the table.
"If you have merely read the scroll, then you will lose to me ten times," he said.
She was cocky enough to think that she could beat the strategist this time. She had made it a past time to play weiqi with other officers and learned their styles.
But as soon as the moon has risen, her master still wins.
After losing ten consecutive games to her master, Ai Xin had conceded. She ran her hands through her hair once then exhaled slowly. She thought she was able to break through at last, but the strategist exploited an unattended side leading to checkmate.
"You are concerned with the present, how to react to my moves. When the correct process is to see all possibilities and make a decision," Jia Xu said, amused at his student's attempt to keep a calm facade.
Ai Xin bowed her head. "I am accountable to my faults, Master," she said. "What can I do to improve myself?"
Jia Xu handed her a checklist of the scrolls and text she must review once more. "As Lord Cao Cao finishes off the rest of the Yuan clan and pacifies the north, he entrusts his generals to begin fortifying control over the south."
Ai Xin looked up and accepted the checklist. She skimmed over the scroll and was not able to recognize any of the scrolls. Her teacher has set new expectations of her.
The man continued, "I do not expect you to master all stratagems contained in this list after the campaign against the Yuan clan is over. Nor do I expect your opinion to be heard by the generals. For now, you must discern what your commanders would require in this southern campaign."
"For to know one's men, is one step to win the battle," Ai Xin finished. Another allusion to the Art of War.
Jia Xu smirked. At least that was one book he did not need to worry about her. "You are dismissed."
Ai Xin fixed the board pieces as her customary practice and put it away. She bowed to Jia Xu then departed.
Twilight has fallen. The hallways were quiet as everyone was in the dining halls having supper. Ai Xin entered the library, hoping to find one scroll to bring back to her room. She entered the large room and inhaled the scent of mashed mo ink. Someone had been writing recently.
She walked past the shelves, towards the older sections of the library. She plucked out scroll after scroll, reading the titles for a particular strategy in mind. When she found the text, she placed it in a small satchel she brought with her. Afterwards, she rearranged the scrolls back to the shelves and made her way out.
The library clerk should be lighting up the lanterns by now, she thought. The library is dark for her to see.
Ai Xin stopped in her steps when she heard footsteps behind her.
"Hello?" she called out.
The footsteps sounded to her right. Not wanting to be at the scared end of a prank, she followed the sound. She stopped in front of a dead end.
"Are the bad men gone?" A small child's voice echoed behind her.
Ai Xin turned around and was temporarily blinded by the sudden light of a lantern.
"Hello you beautiful creature," Guo Jia greeted happily. "You were making quite a ruckus running between the shelves."
Ai Xin exclaimed, "Master Fengxiao!" She looked from side to side. "I thought I heard a child in the library."
Guo Jia maintained his serene smile. He hung the small lantern on a hook. Its light shone against his pale face. He didn't look as tired as he was during the Guandu campaign.
"My apologies for frightening you, my lady," Guo Jia said. "It is a common rule that naughty children are not allowed here. Scholars are to teach their students in the study rooms."
"I hope you were not referring to me, Master," Ai Xin said. She stifled a squeal when Guo Jia stepped forward towards her, learning close to her. She found herself staring into the strategist's lofty hazel eyes.
"It took me this long to understand why Wenhe insisted on keeping you," Guo Jia murmured to himself. His free hand traced Ai Xin's cheek. "Who would have thought you could be my savior?"
Ai Xin's cheeks warmed at his touch. Her mind was screaming internally to put up a facade, but she was too late. She was well aware of the strategist's appreciation for women, and it was her first time to be in this kind of situation with him. Gingerly, she pried the hand off her cheek. "Dear Master Guo Jia, this is too close and uncomfortable for me."
The blond-haired man smiled, recognizing her refusal to be touched. "Normally, women would slap me at this point. But I do appreciate your peaceful act," he said. "Please forgive me."
He stepped back, releasing the lady from his imaginary prison.
Ai Xin moved away from the wall, keeping a wary gaze over the strategist. Their conversation was not yet over. "Shouldn't you be resting, Master Guo Jia? You will be marching soon with Lord Cao Cao to the north."
Guo Jia smiled, "A man like me never truly sleeps. Both day and night, my mind races through strategies and policies to forward Lord Cao Cao's vision for the land."
The sound of a gong echoed through the halls. It signaled the change of guards for the night watch. Ai Xin collected the scrolls on her reading list and placed it inside her satchel. It was enough to send a message that they must depart the library.
Guo Jia chuckled, "Let me walk you back to your room, Lady Ai Xin," he said in a gentlemanly way. "I am curious to hear your thoughts on this fascinating strategy I have come up with."
"As long as it is something I can comprehend, Master Guo Jia. I am just starting to learn more about strategy, after all."
"We have all the time this evening."
A cold wind from the south blew in, a telltale sign by the city astronomers of ongoing rains in Jing Province. The resolute general, Cao Ren stood alone in the conference hall. In Cao Cao's last war council, they had determined their goals to appease the north and initiate their survey of the southern lands. While the conqueror journeyed north, Cao Ren was left with the responsibility of imposing a presence at the edge of Jing province.
"General Cao Ren?"
The stalwart general stopped his pacing around the conference hall. A map of Xinye county attached to a canvas wall. It was the eve before the march of the Cao army to battle.
"Hm? Lady Ai Xin," Cao Ren greeted. "This is a surprise visit."
"I seek an audience with you, General," Ai Xin replied with a bow. "If.. you would allow it."
Cao Ren raised his eyebrows. "Is this an urgent matter? Surely, you are not skipping on your duties?"
"I-I am not assigned on any watch hours tonight, Sir," she stammered. She clenched her fists, "I just wish to learn more about your plans for Xinye. It was difficult to listen when one sits at the end of a great hall."
Cao Ren laughed, "Well, height is not your advantage there." He waved her over. "Come, my lady. Have a seat. Do you drink wine? It helps me think," he said, reaching over to a pot and pouring himself some wine.
"A drink would be nice," Ai Xin said. She walked over and took her seat across from him.
"The Eight Gates Golden Locks Formation," Cao Ren recited. "A military formation created by Sun Bin during the Warring States period. The beauty of such a stratagem is that it can be interpreted as a physical foundation - a defensive fortress of moving shields."
He picked up a brush and wrote the words on the paper. He continued, "It carries the gates in succession: Inception, Life, Brilliance, Wonder, Obstruction, Repose, Pain, and Death."
"The names of the gates sound like it is a man's journey, General," Ai Xin noted.
Cao Ren nodded, "The success of this strategy requires the firm command of its implementer. For as long as the formation moves in sync with the commander, it will be impenetrable."
Ai Xin observed the drawing and realized that it looked like a formation on the weiqi board. She listened attentively to Cao Ren, imagining in her mind's eye how an enemy would attack the formation. Her fingers tapped against each other.
"My lord, it is my first time to hear such a strategy, may I know where can I find the scroll?"
Cao Ren chuckled and pointed to a box near the steps. "Feel free to take the entire pile, my lady. I have finished reading them."
The moon was high at its peak when they had finished their discussion. Cao Ren leaned back against his seat. "You have not touched your cup, my lady. Your wine has gone cold."
Ai Xin held the cold cup between her hands. She finished the drink in one tip. "I have kept you up beyond your waking hours, General Zixiao. You should be resting for your march in the morning."
Cao Ren let out a laugh. "My lady, I can see now why men are drawn to your gentle nature."
"You haven't seen me on my bad days, my lord," Ai Xin replied. She stood up and saluted the commander before leaving his presence.
Liu Bei and Zhang Fei stood at the entrance of Xinye city. By the grace of the heavens, his family member Liu Biao had accepted to grant his army shelter. In exchange, Liu Bei and his sworn brothers once more set out to the borders of Xinye to guard against Cao Cao's invasion to the south. Scouts reported to have seen Cao banners wave in the wind. Strongholds constructed along the plains establishing a supply chain from the capital to support the southern battle.
The city had fallen asleep, tired from the day's work. The peasants had grown close to him, praising him for his kindness and empathy to their plight.
"You are not yet tired, Brother Xuande?"
"No, Brother Yunchang, I am not," Liu Bei replied. "Have you rested well?"
Guan Yu nodded. "Yes, I have."
Liu Bei smiled. He and Zhang Fei were elated when Guan Yu had returned to them. Their journey towards reunion was tearful and well-remembered by many. After the fleeting happiness, they once again found themselves fighting against desperation. Liu Bei wondered how they would be able to defend against the army on the other side of the field.
"The people of this quaint town sing praises of your kindness and empathy. After seeing you with my own two eyes, I understand why it must be so."
Guan Yu and Zhang Fei immediately turned around to see who would be awake at this time and sneak up on them. Liu Bei turned around as well and was surprised to see a man dressed in scholar's garb, his forearms adorned with armor. A blade strapped to his side with a coiled hook.
"Who are you, stranger?" Liu Bei asked.
"A pleasant evening, my lord Liu Bei," the man greeted with a bow. "I am Xu Shu, a scholar."
Guan Yu placed his hand to his sword, wary that this man would know his brother's name. "For a man to know our brother's name, how are we sure that you bear no ill will?"
Liu Bei raised a hand to ease his brothers.
"Master Xu Shu, forgive my brothers. Speak, we are open to listen."
Xu Shu flashed a serene smile. "Gracious lords, you stand ready to fight tooth and nail against a powerful army. However, no matter how strong your men are, or how valiant their deeds may be… Your army lacks cohesion, formation. A guiding light that will steer the battle to your favor."
Zhang Fei impatiently intruded, "Enough with the flowery words and get to the point."
"Yide!" Guan Yu chastised Zhang Fei with a quick slap on the hand.
"What you need my lords for is a military adviser," Xu Shu spoke simply. "Even the great Lu Bu Fengxian listened to the counsel of Chen Gong that earned him multiple victories over Cao Cao. Let us not forget that it was due to Lu Bu's refusal to listen to his strategist that cost him his life as well," he said.
Liu Bei curled his fingers to a fist. The man turned to Xu Shu and pressed his hands into a salute. "Master Xu Shu, you are right that my brothers and I are in need of a strategist. Isn't it that in these parts there lies an intelligent man known as the Sleeping Dragon? Could he be you?"
A brief look of disdain passed by Xu Shu's features. Yet he shook it off immediately. "I am by no means the Sleeping Dragon. If I were a star in the night sky, he would be the moon at its fullest," he said. "I shall guide your way to him. However, it is imperative that you must listen to me."
Zhang Fei cracked his knuckles. "And why should we listen to you? We just met you?" he asked with suspicion.
Xu Shu once more gave a smile, and gestured to the mountain behind the Cao banners. "My lord, you must listen to me for behind that battlefield lies the path to the lair of the Sleeping Dragon."
On the day of battle, Cao Ren had set out early with his men to organize the formation. While in the main castle, Li Dian continued his role as the second in command, receiving updates from the field.
"I don't like this at all," Li Dian uttered. "It's like the more the day goes by, the worse the news becomes. What in the world did General Cao Ren get himself into?"
"Report! General Zhang He and Master Jia Xu are arriving, leading the first wave of reinforcements to assist the campaign!"
Xiahou Dun waited by the main pathway to the camp square. He did not move as horsemen filed into the camp. He watched as Jia Xu got off his horse and approached him. Zhang He had fluttered off to bother his favorite friend.
"How are we holding up so far, General Xiahou Dun?" Jia Xu asked.
Xiahou Dun crossed his arms and calmly responded. "With great difficulty, Master Jia Xu. Cao Ren along with the rest of the vanguard are cornered within his own formation. The attack was led by Zhao Yun. We have attempted to enter the formation, but we were driven out when Liu Bei himself led a second attack."
Jia Xu scoffed, "That's an interesting turn of events. Isn't it that General Li Dian was supposed to assist General Cao Ren with the decisions? What went wrong?"
Li Dian arrived to greet Jia Xu. He cowered a bit upon seeing the shifty disappointed look from the strategist. "I should have been firmer in advising General Cao Ren," he said. "I had a bad feeling last night. A feeling that someone out there is helping Liu Bei."
A glint of interest passed by Jia Xu's eye. "It doesn't matter what the past mistakes are. But I must praise General Li Dian for being correct that someone is helping our enemy. To be more accurate, Liu Bei has gotten himself a strategist. To have countered the Eight Gates formation, he certainly knows his war manuals."
Xiahou Dun snorted, "Liu Bei has a strategist. Now that is news."
Eager at the prospect of having his wits tested, Jia Xu glanced at Xiahou Dun. "At the strike of the noon sun, we will ride out and save Cao Ren and his men."
"Before I tell you my thoughts on turning this battle around, what have you observed?" Jia Xu spoke.
The woman glanced over to her master. She picked up a brush and drew the formation on a scroll. Afterwards, she picked up the wooden pieces to serve as markers. "In the center of the layers of defense, General Cao Ren has set his center of command. For as long as communication is constant, the formation would be impenetrable."
"And what went wrong?"
Ai Xin placed a marker on one of the entrances. "The enemy entered through the Gate of Life, and disrupted communication by forcing their way through the Gate of Obstruction. With this, the timing of opening and closing of the gates would not sync with the flow of our troops. The end result would be a death trap should one get caught in a dead-end gate."
"Hahaha! Excellent!" Jia Xu exclaimed. "So how do you think we can reverse this and pull things back to our favor?"
The woman returned his question with a smile. She picked the marker from the main base and traced a track into the center of the formation.
Jia Xu looked pleased with the outcome.
At noon, the sound of the marching drums rallied the men out to a march. The main contingent raced through the battlefield towards what seemed to be a living fortress. Tall shields moved constantly at the sound of the beating drum. However, it was evident that the formation was in chaos.
Ai Xin's eyes widened. Her hands gripped tight to the reins. The formation was larger than what she had discussed with Cao Ren and studied, a variation of the stratagem that reflects the strongman's military style. She glanced to the side to see her flamboyant general riding next to her.
"Ride with me, my lady. We shall save our commander Cao Ren from the grasp of Liu Bei! The man shall pay with his life for ruining Lord Cao Ren's beautiful strategy!"
Just before the contingent reached the first gate, Jia Xu began directing men to take their positions.
"Cover all exit gates in four directions and slay the enemy soldiers. Do not let a single one flee," he ordered the commanders. "General Xiahou, General Zhang, come with me. We shall purge the enemy from the inside."
They entered through the first gate. At Jia Xu's command, Li Dian fired an arrow that struck a gong. The sound echoed across the surface, as if awakening the fortress. The sound of metal grinding against ground, synchronized footsteps pulling the first gate shut.
Li Dian smirked, "Alright. Let's get to work."
The rescue unit attacked swiftly through the enemy ranks, defeating enemy officers left and right. They followed Jia Xu's clear commands to the letter, marching through the gates and sounding the gongs. Upon reaching the intersection that led to the gate of Pain and Death, the rescue unit was drawn to the sound of fighting at the gate of Pain.
In the eye of the formation, Cao Ren believed that he would face death in battle. The warrior Zhao Yun fought with valor and prowess that matched the likes of Guan Yu. But he would not give in, for his lord!
He pulled his shield in front of him and blocked Zhao Yun's spear. He drew the blade from with the shield and thrust forward, pushing the warrior back.
"I will stand my ground, until my dying breath!" Cao Ren shouted to rally the men around him.
Zhao Yun took steps back and then thrust his spear forward. "To slay the mighty Cao Ren for the honor of my lord!"
Cao Ren steeled himself, readying for the last blow on him. He immediately noticed the lack of the sound of metal. Instead, he saw a spiky-haired man in front of him.
"Hey look, I'm sorry that you and I didn't get along well about how we're going to go about with this battle," Li Dian said. "But I'm making it up to you, because you're just that important General Zixiao."
"Mancheng!" Cao Ren's hope grew larger at the sight of the allied banners entering the core of the formation.
Zhao Yun retreated from the deadlock and moved to the defensive at once. Li Dian delivered fast and devastating attacks towards the Little Dragon. The seasoned veteran ran a hand through his hair with an easy smile on his face.
"Playtime is over for you, Zhao Yun Zilong," Li Dian said. "It's time you find out how we persevere in every trial."
"Prove to me that your analysis is correct. Break away from the formation when you see fit."
That was the secret order Jia Xu had handed to her in passing. She knew not to question her teacher in strategy, but she wondered if this was intentional disobedience to her commander. She made her way through the Gate of Death and was surprised to find it nearly empty.
Keeping her guard up, she proceeded deeper into the hall, stepping over corpses of both sides. A lone man stood in the center of the section.
"Greetings sir," she announced aloud. "May I know your name?"
The hooded man introduced himself, "I am Xu Shu styled Yuanzhi. That is all you need to know about me. What brings a lady warrior here?"
"Oh, then, uhm, I am Ai Xin," the woman introduced herself. She replied to the question, "I was just curious what awaits beyond death."
"No one truly knows, maybe you can tell me at a later time, Lady Ai," Xu Shu said. He started walking. Just as he was about to pass her, Ai Xin extended her blade, stopping the man.
"I have heard that Liu Bei had found a strategist. Are you that man?" she asked.
"I am no strategist. I am just another man with a lot of ideas," Xu Shu replied.
"My lord would be interested in meeting you then," Ai Xin said with a cheery smile. "I am sorry but I cannot let you walk away."
Xu Shu drew his blade and delivered an upward strike. Ai Xin saw it just in time to jump back to evade.
"Lady Ai Xin, I do not wish to put into action the essence of the Gate of Death," Xu Shu said. "I must retreat now."
He raised his blade. Without another word, he charged towards Ai Xin with the intent of breaking through to escape.
Immediately, Ai Xin moved to the defensive, anticipating attacks and delivering counter blows. She just needed to stall long enough for her comrades to find her. When Xu Shu had begun to utilize his swinging hook, Ai Xin knew she had to improvise. She picked up a stone from the ground and threw it above Xu Shu.
The stone struck against a gong that echoed once, causing the formation to move and the gates close behind her.
"You have imprisoned us both in this section of the formation with our only option is help from the outside," Xu Shu said. "What are you planning?"
"Honestly, this was just improvisation," Ai Xin replied. She found a sword and picked it up with her right hand. As a show of bravado, she displayed a brief swordplay with the twin blades. She maintained her serious look while keeping an offensive stance.
"Do you have time for a swordfight, Master Yuanzhi?"
Xu Shu pulled his hood down, revealing more of his rugged features. "Commit to your sword style, my lady. I will not make this duel easy for you," he said.
The Cao army had successfully rescued Cao Ren and his men from certain defeat. With his mind refocused to redeem his honor as a commander, the general assumed the role once more.
"Reform the ranks! Open all the gates! We march towards the enemy's main camp!"
The sound of the last gong rang through the central command station.
"That came from the Gate of Death," Cao Ren said.
Xiahou Dun caught the sly look of victory in Jia Xu's face. It was only then that he realized that his female officer had been missing since their rescue of Cao Ren. If she had gotten herself into trouble again, he was certain to suggest demotion to keep her out of the battlefield.
Jia Xu ordered, "General Zhang He, you are the fastest among us. Please deactivate the last gate and rescue our comrades from that section. For the rest of the units, we must continue forward and chase Liu Bei away from his main camp. That will push our frontlines further into Xinye."
Zhang He had taken off before Jia Xu had finished his other orders. The Butterfly raced through the Gate of Death as soon as the shields forced open. Bursts of cold wind greeted him, making the man cover his face from dust that flew in the air. Afterwards, he saw his friend in an intense duel with the swordsman Xu Shu.
If it wasn't for her participation in battles in Guandu and perseverance in Xiahou Dun's exercises, Ai Xin may not have been able to withstand her opponent's techniques. Strike after strike, parry after parry, Ai Xin was amazed to be able to hold off Xu Shu on her own.
But something inside her heart is telling her that she had seen worse.
Xu Shu raised the flat edge of his blade and used the ray of the sun to blind the woman. Ai Xin closed her eyes and raised her weapons in defense.
The lady had stalled long enough to hear the cheers of reinforcing soldiers behind her.
Zhang He burst into the scene. "Lady Ai Xin! Fear no longer for Zhang Junyi has come to rescue you!"
At the man's signal, his elite soldiers formed a circle, further entrapping Xu Shu from escape.
Ai Xin's shoulders relaxed slightly, keeping her eyes on her opponent. "Master Xu Shu, please, lay down your weapon. Comply, and General Zhang He will not attack," she advised.
The swordsman gathered his breaths. He couldn't believe that he had fallen trap in his own strategy. Admitting defeat, he lowered his guard and sword. "I shall surrender," he announced.
At Zhang He's signal, soldiers bound Xu Shu in ropes and escorted him away. When the prisoner was gone, Zhang He turned to face Ai Xin and caught the lady who had fallen on her knees in exhaustion.
"You have pushed yourself too far, Ai Xin," he said, helping her up. "But your sword skills have improved a lot!"
Ai Xin smiled, pushing herself back up to her feet again. "It was worth the trouble and punishment I will be getting after this battle."
"I have no doubt in my heart that you are special, my lady," Zhang He continued. "You just have the worst of luck in decision making. To stray away from the path to save Lord Cao Ren just to satisfy your curiosity! You could have dragged me along, my lady! We could have taken down the swordsman together!"
"And we did, Junyi, you were just a little bit late," Ai Xin defended. "If I had not done so, we may not be able to capture the man."
As she had predicted, her commanding officer was furious to the bone. She withstood his yelling and maintained a straight face as Xiahou Dun's angry spell caught the attention of the whole camp. Even though the woman had done a great feat, to calmly receive his rage was almost too comical.
It was through Cao Ren's recommendation to Cao Cao that her punishment did not involve a demotion from her rank. The acquisition of Liu Bei's strategist was enough saving grace.
In the camp stables, Ai Xin pushed a cart full of feed for the horses.
"I am back again," she greeted the horses. She lifted a sack of feed and poured it over the food container. "This time, you'll be seeing more of me until we head back to Xuchang."
The horses could only neigh and shake their manes.
Unaware to the lady, she was being watched by her commander and teacher.
"You gave a secret order right under my nose," Xiahou Dun growled. "Underhanded tactics that could have cost me the life of my officer."
Jia Xu chuckled, "Ah General. The lady knew what she was doing. Surely you must have some ounce of pride in having trained a great duelist. Or are you actually voicing out concern for her well-being?"
Xiahou Dun scoffed defensively, "If it wasn't for Zhang He's intervention, she would have certainly been defeated."
"She handled the swordsman quite well. But maybe she's just lucky," Jia Xu countered. The strategist let out a long sigh, "The scouts have reported seeing Liu Bei's army retreat further south, but have also reported seeing movement among his men going up into the mountains."
"Tch, whatever that wanderer aims to do, I am sure we will be able to hunt him down," Xiahou Dun said.
After the Cao army had driven Liu Bei away from his main camp, Cao Cao sent his orders through the messengers to call for the retreat of the main cavalry while maintaining a strong garrison at the border of the province.
Xu Shu paced around in the guesthouse. His thoughts racing wild. He knew he should be thankful to have been treated properly despite his capture. He stopped and bowed when Cao Cao made his presence known.
"Xu Shu, isn't it?" Cao Cao said. He gestured to the table. "Come, sit and drink with me."
The man complied, taking a seat across from the warlord. He kept his head down.
"Your strategy was effective in dismantling my general's seemingly impenetrable defense. I am impressed."
Xu Shu looked up and scoffed, "Dismantle? My strategy was read so thoroughly by a mere woman. How am I worthy of your praise?"
Cao Cao smirked. It was the talk of the camp after all. "You have underestimated the power of this particular woman, Xu Shu."
The man sighed and looked down.
"I have done my part in showing Liu Bei the way, my purpose is complete," Xu Shu muttered to himself. He looked at Cao Cao and spoke aloud, "I am captured, a prisoner. My life is in the hands of the victor."
Cao Cao was leaning his head against his hand. His free fingers tapped the table, evident that the warlord was bored. "That is all the fire you have left in your heart?" he asked harshly. "Such short-sightedness for an erudite such as you."
Xu Shu's eyes widened. "So the Hero of Chaos does not see me worthy to serve him," he said.
"No," Cao Cao countered. "It is you who have made yourself unworthy to serve your talents."
"Tch," Xu Shu uttered. "I know I could do more. The fear of failing has blinded me into committing more mistakes. I want another chance to redeem myself. To make use of my strengths to help this land."
"Then redeem yourself under my name. If it fulfills your desire to be known, you may use me to achieve that end," Cao Cao said, pushing a cup of wine in front of Xu Shu. "Prove to the world that you are what you make yourself to be."
Xu Shu stared at the reflection in his cup of wine. From the lonely distant look in his gaze, it turned into a pair of determined eyes. He raised his cup respectfully and proposed a toast.
"Thank you, my lord Cao Cao."