Ruthless Cheng Yu, Wanted Along Every Road

Xuchang was originally Xu County. After Emperor Xian of Han moved east and established his capital here, it came to be called Xudu as well.

Yet Xu County was ultimately just a small county town, incomparable to grand capitals like Luoyang and Chang'an.

Thus, after the Han Emperor arrived last year, Cao Cao launched massive construction projects, building palaces and a new capital here.

Outside all of Xu County, laborers bustled back and forth, carrying stone and felling timber in a scene of constant activity.

Upon the city wall stood a scholar between the battlements, with a long beard and handsome whiskers. Eight chi tall, he possessed a stern and imposing appearance.

This man was Cheng Yu, one of Cao Cao's four great strategists.

In the eyes of the world, Cao Cao's four great strategists each had their own strengths.

Xun Yu was a great talent in governing a state, skilled at coordinating affairs from the center and adept at strategy.

Xi Zhicai excelled at unconventional schemes, often anticipating the enemy's moves in advance.

Qin Tian was well-rounded in every respect—commanding armies, governing the people, reading the larger situation, and devising unconventional plans. There was nothing he did not understand.

Compared to the first three, Cheng Yu was more inclined toward leading troops in battle.

For this reason, Cheng Yu had always remained in the rear. As one of the men who, alongside Qin Tian and Xun Yu, had urged Cao Cao to welcome the Han Emperor, Cheng Yu had been granted the post of Secretary.

In addition, he concurrently served as General of the Eastern Household, Administrator of Jiyin, and overseer of Yanzhou's military affairs. Compared to Qin Tian, he truly held immense power.

He had originally been due to leave for Jiyin to take up his post that very day, but because Cao Cao had gone west on campaign and Xuchang had no one to guard it, he had been kept behind to defend Xuchang, intending to take office after Cao Cao returned east.

But this lord was not one to sit idle. Aside from handling state affairs, he went out every day to inspect the construction beyond the city.

Seeing that everything outside the city was in perfect order, Cheng Yu summoned the construction overseer and asked, "How is the construction progressing inside and outside the city? How much longer until it is completed?"

The overseer was also a capable man under Cao Cao, named Zao Zhi. He had originally served as Colonel of Agricultural Garrisons.

As it was currently the slack farming season, he had brought the households under his agricultural garrisons here to build the city walls.

Facing Cheng Yu's question, Zao Zhi hurriedly clasped his hands and said, "Lord Cheng, at the current pace, the city walls will be expanded and completed by this summer at the latest."

"However, the massive timber needed for the palace halls is difficult to find. Completing them will take several years of work."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Yu frowned. "If the palaces lack timber, why waste the craftsmen? Call every last one of them over and finish the city walls first!"

Zao Zhi hesitated upon hearing this. "But the court ministers are quite dissatisfied with how small the palaces are!"

"Furthermore, His Majesty is of immeasurable worth, yet he still has no inner palace. How are the many consorts and palace maids to be housed?"

"What do they matter?"

Cheng Yu said unhappily, "You need only oversee the court construction. Bring everyone else over to build the city walls."

"If completion is delayed until summer, would that not hold up this year's spring plowing?"

"Just follow my orders. If anyone dares raise an objection, have him come find me directly!"

Seeing Cheng Yu like this, Zao Zhi could only lower his head and say, "Then I shall follow Lord Cheng's orders. This subordinate will reassign the manpower at once."

Cheng Yu nodded and only then headed toward the city.

Yet before he had gone halfway, he saw a rider galloping toward him, shouting, "Secretary Cheng, Military Adviser Guo has urgent news to report!"

Military Adviser Guo was Guo Jia. Due to Qin Tian's presence, Guo Jia had not obtained the position of Military Adviser Libationer and was currently serving as a military adviser in the Office of the Excellency of Works.

Hearing that Guo Jia had urgent business, Cheng Yu simply mounted his horse and headed for the Office of the Excellency of Works.

Upon reaching the offices, he strode inside and said in a low voice, "What does Fengxiao want with me? Could Lord Cao have suffered a defeat?"

Guo Jia was already twenty-seven that year. He had red lips and white teeth, but having taken Five-Stone Powder for years, his complexion was somewhat pale. Hearing this, he shook his head. "If Lord Cao had been defeated, it would not have come to this!"

"Something grave has happened. That is why I summoned Lord Cheng!"

"This is a letter from my lord. Please have a look, Lord Cheng!"

Upon hearing this, Cheng Yu hurried forward, took the letter, and read through it at a glance. Halfway through, his expression darkened. "Qin Zixuan actually dared to betray Lord Cao and leave?"

He had no personal grudge against Qin Tian, but the two could be said to have never had any dealings with each other. Their political views clashed, and they were practically political enemies.

Now that he had seen the whole course of events, he immediately branded Qin Tian a deserter.

Guo Jia frowned upon hearing Cheng Yu's words. "Zixuan is not a traitorous man. If he truly were one, he could have turned against us and joined the enemy. Why would he leave behind his seal and depart?"

"He must have suffered some grievance in the army to leave like this!"

Though Guo Jia had been brought in by Xun Yu to counterbalance Qin Tian, the two actually had a good relationship.

Drinking, chatting, and visiting brothels—they had done plenty of all three together.

Of course, Qin Tian went to brothels to drink, while Guo Jia stayed the night every time.

Now that he heard Cheng Yu's words, Guo Jia knew Cheng Yu had murderous intentions. He quickly said in a low voice, "According to Lord Cao's orders, we are to keep Zixuan here. Lord Cheng must act with utmost caution."

Cheng Yu sneered. "I know what Lord Cao means. He must be reluctant to part with Qin Tian's talent."

"But Fengxiao, why not tell me how we are supposed to proceed cautiously?"

"Qin Tian has already left the Yu River camp, and his whereabouts are unknown. How are we to keep him here?"

Guo Jia immediately frowned. "What are you saying, Lord Cheng? Zixuan's family is still in the city. Why can we not keep them here?"

"If Lord Cheng is unwilling, I shall go to Zixuan's home myself. I will certainly persuade Cai Zhaoji to write a letter calling Zixuan back!"

"Fengxiao, you still intend to seek out Qin Zixuan's family?"

Cheng Yu glared coldly. "Perhaps you do not know this, Fengxiao, but Qin Tian's family left the city five days ago!"

"Xiaoshi had already informed me of it at the time."

"I thought that since the man himself was still away on campaign, and Cai Zhaoji wished to pay respects to Master Cai, there was no reason to refuse."

"If I had known earlier that Qin Tian harbored treasonous intentions, I would have placed his family under house arrest that day. Let us see where he could flee alone!"

"Zixuan's family has already left?"

Guo Jia's body trembled at this. Then he glared at Cheng Yu. "You actually dared to have Xiaoshi monitor Zixuan's family?"

Xiaoshi was Cao Cao's intelligence organization, akin to the Eastern and Western Depots and the Embroidered Uniform Guard of later generations, specially tasked with monitoring the officials.

Guo Jia was exceedingly clever. The moment he heard this, he knew the matter was far from ordinary.

But Cheng Yu shook his head. "How could I possess such authority? Xiaoshi's commander, Lu Hong, obeys only Lord Cao's orders!"

"This was Lord Cao's intention!"

"But now it seems Lord Cao was indeed far-sighted. Qin Tian truly has treacherous bones!"

At this point, Guo Jia could no longer hold back. He shouted, "If you treat a worthy man this way, who could endure it?"

"Zixuan has devoted himself heart and soul to Lord Cao, yet Lord Cao behaved in this manner. It is simply appalling!"

"No wonder Zixuan insisted on leaving. If it were Jia, Jia could not endure it either!"

He was genuinely stunned. He could understand Cao Cao's suspicious nature.

But Cao Cao had already admitted his mistake, while Cheng Yu still stood here stubbornly clinging to his views.

How had Qin Tian left? Did they truly have no idea?

If not for pressure from all sides, how could Qin Tian possibly have been driven to this point?

Just thinking of it made Guo Jia feel it was unfair to Qin Tian. It was one thing to suffer grievances in his official position, but there had even been guards watching his home. Who could accept that?

Hearing this, Cheng Yu said in a deep voice, "At this point, it is too late for such words!"

"The urgent matter is to swiftly retrieve Qin Tian's family!"

Before Guo Jia could speak, Cheng Yu stepped forward and shouted, "Men! Order General Cao Chun to lead a thousand troops north and immediately retrieve Qin Tian's family!"

"Also, have General Cao Hong issue an immediate warrant for Qin Tian. Spread it throughout every county. Do not let that brat Qin Tian escape from our ranks!"

Upon hearing the order, Guo Jia glared again and shouted angrily, "Does Lord Cheng intend to kill Qin Zixuan?"

"Cao Zilian and Zixuan have never gotten along. Is Lord Cheng not using public office to settle a private grudge?"

Faced with Guo Jia's rebuke, Cheng Yu's expression did not change. "If Qin Tian is willing to return, I naturally will not kill him."

"If he refuses to return, then he must be killed!"

"He is greatly talented. If he cannot be used by Lord Cao, then he must not be allowed to serve anyone else!"

Having said this, Cheng Yu strode out of the office, preparing to handle the matter personally.