Chapter 20: Cao Cao: What? Liu Bei Has Risen from the Ashes Again?

Liu Bei was torn. The fate of Fancheng was a matter of life and death. To entrust Huo Jun—a recent defector with no notable military achievements—to replace Guan Yu in defending Fancheng required tremendous boldness. It was, in fact, a gamble.

If he sought caution, Guan Yu would naturally remain the guardian of Fancheng. Yet, as Yi Ji had warned, commanding the navy was equally a matter of survival. To appoint any general other than Guan Yu, who was unfamiliar with naval warfare, to lead the fleet was also risky.

Liu Bei found himself at a crossroads.

While Liu Bei hesitated, Zhuge Liang gently fanned himself, quietly observing Xiao He. After recommending Huo Jun, Xiao He had resumed indulging in fine wine and delicacies, occasionally picking at a dish or sipping his drink, appearing entirely unconcerned whether Liu Bei would actually trust Huo Jun.

“His confidence is well-founded,” Zhuge Liang mused. “He must be certain that my lord will appoint Huo Zhongmiao. He has unwavering faith in the man he recommended.”

With a resolute gaze, Zhuge Liang bowed to Liu Bei. “My lord, since Bowen (Xiao He) knows the people and affairs of Jingzhou as clearly as daylight, I believe the one he recommends cannot be wrong. With the shining example of Wei Wenchang before us, why should you hesitate?”

Liu Bei was struck to the core, suddenly awakened.

Indeed, Wei Yan was once an obscure officer, yet thanks to Xiao He’s keen eye, Liu Bei had seized Xiangyang. Compared to Wei Yan’s obscurity, Huo Jun already had some renown. A discerning patron like Xiao He, who could recognize a thousand-li horse in Wei Yan, would surely not err in judging Huo Jun.

The hesitation in Liu Bei’s eyes vanished like smoke.

“Advisor Kongming is right. The man Bowen recommends must be a rare talent!” Liu Bei declared with determination and called out loudly, “Where is Huo Zhongmiao?”

Still dazed, Huo Jun blinked and quickly rose to attention.

Liu Bei fixed him with a serious look and asked, “Huo Zhongmiao, Bowen recommends you to replace Yun Chang and defend Fancheng. You have heard everything just now. I ask you now—do you have the courage to lead ten thousand troops to guard Fancheng against a hundred thousand Cao forces?”

Everyone present was stunned.

Not only newcomers like Ma Liang and Chen Zhen, even the seasoned brothers Guan Yu and Zhang Fei exchanged grim looks. Liu Bei was known for trusting his capable men, but none expected him to trust so utterly—to entrust a mere newcomer with the heavy burden of defending Fancheng with ten thousand troops!

What audacity!

They glanced at Liu Bei, then at Xiao He. These two—the lord and his minister—one dared to recommend, the other dared to employ. Both were formidable men.

“My lord, I, I…” Huo Jun, the man himself, was shaken, stammering with disbelief.

“What’s wrong, Huo Zhongmiao? Do you lack the courage for this responsibility?” Liu Bei pushed him with a provoking challenge.

Huo Jun’s shock turned into resolve. “Though I do not understand why Commissioner Xiao esteems me so highly, and though my talents as a general cannot compare to General Guan’s, I believe I have some understanding of city defense.”

He stepped forward and bowed deeply to Liu Bei. “Since my lord trusts me so, I am willing to shoulder this heavy duty—to guard Fancheng and resist the Cao bandits for you!”

With that, Huo Jun accepted the mission, and his boldness gave Liu Bei even greater confidence.

“Very well then, Zhongmiao, I entrust Fancheng to you,” Liu Bei laughed heartily and waved his hand. “Besides your own troops, you may select the ten thousand finest soldiers to defend the city.”

Huo Jun’s expression calmed. After a moment’s thought, he bowed again.

“My forces are limited, and my lord needs troops elsewhere. To guard Fancheng, ten thousand are unnecessary. Five thousand will suffice.”

At this, the hall erupted in astonishment.

Liu Bei himself was taken aback. Most would crave more soldiers, preferably twenty or thirty thousand. Yet Huo Jun wanted only five thousand—to hold against over a hundred thousand Cao troops! Such confidence! If successful, it would be a historic miracle, ensuring his name in the annals of history.

Having personally witnessed Cao Cao’s strength, Liu Bei could not help but marvel at Huo Jun’s assurance. Even Xiao He, who was busy enjoying his feast, looked up with mild surprise and then smiled.

Huo Jun was indeed audacious, but such boldness was justified. He had held Jiameng Pass with just eight hundred men for a year, repelling ten thousand Shu soldiers and even leading a counterattack that killed their commander.

For others, five thousand against a hundred thousand was a staggering imbalance; for Huo Jun, it should be more than sufficient.

With that thought, Xiao He chuckled. “My lord, if he asks for five thousand troops, give him five thousand.”

Xiao He spoke again.

The doubt in Liu Bei’s eyes faded, replaced by burning resolve after a brief contemplation.

“Very well. Five thousand it shall be,” Liu Bei declared. “Zhongmiao, select five thousand elite soldiers to go defend Fancheng. I will remain here in Xiangyang, watching you achieve unparalleled glory!”

…

Nanyang Commandery, Xinye City.

A short, stout man clad in a red robe, with fine eyes and a long beard, stood by the city wall, holding a sword. Stroking his beard, his hawk-like eyes gazed toward Jingzhou.

Along the road beside the city, countless banners emblazoned with the character “Cao” fluttered as a vast army marched southward.

The ranks stretched northward to the horizon, endless to the eye.

Nearly one hundred and fifty thousand Cao troops were advancing toward Jingzhou.

“Liu Biao fought me for over ten years, yet at the crucial moment of my southern campaign, he died of illness. Had it not been so, how could I have taken Jingzhou without battle?” Cao Cao spoke with domineering pride, pointing southward.

“Heaven itself aids me. This campaign is not only to claim Jingzhou but to ride the Yangtze downstream and reclaim Jiangdong.”

“I will strike with one blow, conquer Jiangnan, and unify the realm!”

Behind him, advisors Cheng Yu and Liu Ye exchanged glances filled with unease.

Arrogant and overconfident.

The counselors discerned those four words in Cao Cao’s demeanor.

This was unlike the Cao who had faced Yuan Shu, Lü Bu, Yuan Shao, or his two sons.

After pacifying the north and destroying the Yuan clan at Tadun, the Chancellor had grown somewhat complacent.

“Though Liu Cong has surrendered, Liu Bei still camps at Fancheng with ten thousand troops, not far from Xiangyang.”

“I fear Liu Bei will not surrender quietly, nor watch Liu Cong hand over Jingzhou without a struggle.”

“To avoid complications, I propose sending the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry ahead lightly armed, to reach Xiangfan before Liu Bei can react and catch him unprepared.”

Cheng Yu advised calmly.

Upon hearing “Liu Bei,” a flicker of caution crossed Cao Cao’s previously confident expression.

“Zhongde speaks wisely. I have fought the ‘Big-Eared Bandit’ for most of my life; he always rises anew. As long as he lives, I cannot rest.”

Cao Cao’s eyes blazed with murderous intent as he cracked his whip.

“Orders! I will lead the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry myself, lightly armed, and within two days—”

“Report!”

A shout interrupted him as a scout dashed into the city and climbed the tower.

“Reporting to the Chancellor: urgent news from Jingzhou! Liu Bei launched a surprise attack on Xiangyang days ago. Liu Cong was defeated and fled south, abandoning the city.”

“Xiangyang has fallen to Liu Bei!”

Cao Cao’s face blanched abruptly.