34. Usurping the Han (6)

Half a month later, Cao Cao, having failed in his attempt to assassinate Dong Zhuo, was fleeing in a panic when he encountered a troop of soldiers just outside the city walls.

Cold sweat broke out on his back. My life ends here!

Just then, the young commander leading the troops respectfully invited him to mount a horse, claiming he had been ordered to provide assistance. Cao Cao was immediately struck by doubt and suspicion. He had not told a single soul about his assassination plan; how could this person possibly know? And why send someone specifically to intercept him?

When Cao Cao asked whose orders the young officer was following, he received a startling answer: Tang Yunyao, the Administrator of Dong Commandery.

Even more skeptical, Cao Cao refused to board the transport. How could someone thousands of miles away know of his secret plans? He feigned compliance, intending to escape midway, but was repeatedly brought back by the guards. After much struggle along the way, he finally reached Dong Commandery and was forced to believe the young officer’s claims.

There, outside the city gates, stood a woman as radiant as a flowering hibiscus, waiting to welcome him. A year had passed, and she now possessed a formidable aura; every gesture and smile carried an effortless, inherent majesty. He could hardly recognize her.

Yunyao smiled faintly, her eyes holding a deep, enigmatic meaning. "Mengde, I have finally waited for you."

In an instant, Cao Cao recalled her words upon their parting, when she promised they would meet again. Did her "finally waiting" refer only to waiting at the city gates, or had she been waiting since the moment they parted? Could it be that she had foreseen this day all those years ago?

Suddenly, Cao Cao felt that his former friend had become unfathomable, a mystery he could no longer penetrate.

Yunyao arranged a banquet, receiving Cao Cao with the highest formalities to demonstrate the importance she placed upon him. Everyone present at the feast was from the local landed gentry and elite families. After the banquet, she provided him with a luxurious residence and servants, attending to his every need with meticulous care.

Dong Zhuo had posted wanted notices everywhere to hunt down Cao Cao; this place was his safest sanctuary. Yet, this was not enough. Mere kindness would not be sufficient to conquer a hero of such ambition; he would eventually take flight to carve out his own legacy.

Unwilling to let such worries linger, Yunyao turned to her strategist for counsel. Xun Yu listed his strategies point by point, effectively placing the ambitious warlord within the palm of her hand. Upon hearing this, Yunyao’s eyes brightened, and a smile blossomed on her face. He was truly a confidant who understood her heart, instantly dispelling her anxieties.

Yunyao immediately summoned Cao Cao and said to him, "Dong Zhuo is cruel, inhumane, and acts against the natural order. I intend to raise an righteous army to overthrow the tyrant, and I ask for your assistance, Mengde!"

Hearing this, Cao Cao was filled with immense excitement. The very reason he had risked his life to assassinate Dong Zhuo was his lack of troops. Now that someone was willing to step forward, it perfectly aligned with his desires.

He replied, "Yunyao, your concern for the state is a blessing for all living things. I shall certainly assist you!"

Yunyao immediately recruited him and granted him control over half of her military forces. Cao Cao was moved by her trust. To be entrusted with such heavy responsibility right from the start showed her great courage and magnanimity. One had to understand that military power was not something to be divided lightly; a single misstep could lead to the subordinate usurping the master.

Nearby, Xun Yu remarked, "I have heard that when Mengde escaped from Luoyang, you carried a secret decree from the Emperor."

Cao Cao asked, confused, "Where did you hear this?"

The next moment, he realized the intent. Whether it existed or not did not matter; the key was to have a standard to rally the armies of the world. Opposing Dong Zhuo was the common will of the people; no one would question the authenticity of such a claim.

Thus, he said, "Indeed. His Majesty commanded me to seek out loyalists and righteous men to raise an army and punish the traitor."

Yunyao said, "Then, Mengde, please present the secret decree to me tomorrow."

Cao Cao nodded. That night, he drafted a secret decree, writing it with such passionate, stirring eloquence that the prose practically sang.

Yunyao ordered copies of this decree to be made and sent to every province and commandery, then began the campaign against Dong Zhuo. Once the decree was issued, the world responded in kind, with armies rising in every region. Since Yuan Shao possessed the most powerful lineage and influence, he was named the leader of the coalition.

At first, the coalition worked in unison, but once the elite Xiliang cavalry under Dong Zhuo arrived, their resolve began to crumble. No one wanted to be on the front lines; everyone merely hoped to scavenge for gains from behind.

In this situation, Yunyao fought on alone, wading through blood and battle. She was like an arrow shot straight into the fray, inflicting heavy casualties upon the Xiliang army. Gradually, as supplies became increasingly scarce, she felt the pressure, yet she continued to fight forward with valor. Whenever the army's spirit was on the verge of collapse, she was always there to boost morale and unite their hearts. It seemed as if, as long as she stood, the army would never fall. This left Cao Cao filled with profound admiration.

Finally, feeling that her army had reached its limit, Yunyao was forced to withdraw. Pressed by her offensive, Dong Zhuo relocated the capital to Chang'an.

On the return journey, Yunyao’s wounds reopened, and she nearly fell from her horse. Cao Cao rushed forward to support her, asking with deep concern, "My Lord! You should ride in the carriage instead!"

He spoke the title "My Lord" with genuine sincerity.

Yunyao smiled. Although this campaign yielded no material gains, it had shown the world her determination to restore the nation. It would not just be Cao Cao; more and more people would eventually come to serve under her banner.