Weird Three Kingdoms

Chapter 3839 Golden Cicada
After leaving Xiaohuang County, as Wei Yan and Gan Feng led their elite cavalry deep into Chenliu territory, the situation began to change, gradually deviating from Wei Yan and Gan Feng's original plan.

In Wei Yan's mind, they should be like a sharp knife trying to pierce the heart. Even if they cannot kill the Cao and Xiahou clans in one blow, they should be enough to provoke Cao Cao's sensitive nerves, forcing the Cao clan to use military means such as encirclement, interception, or ambush to target them.

Then Wei Yan and Gan Feng could have a good, unrestrained time in the open, in this almost flat terrain, and show Cao Cao's army what a four-legged meat tank really is...

But as they drew closer to Qiao County, the hometown of Cao Cao, they felt as if the air around them was becoming increasingly viscous, and an invisible resistance was resisting them.

The smoothness I felt in Jizhou and Qingzhou seemed to have vanished here.

This land seemed to have been draped in an invisible yet resilient armor at some unknown time.

This armor is not made of bricks and stones, but woven from a silent attitude.

When this army, bearing the banner of the Flying Cavalry, appeared, the villagers and farmers along the way would immediately drop what they were doing and gather in the villages, silently watching the Flying Cavalry with eyes that were a mixture of vigilance, scrutiny, and even a hint of hostility.

They tried sending small teams, carrying enough money for a cavalry unit, to larger markets or wealthy households to buy provisions. However, they were met only with closed doors and deathly silence.

Even if someone dared to speak through the gate, they would only receive a curt reply: "No grain to sell."

On the one hand, these villages genuinely lacked food supplies; most only had enough for winter and seeds for spring, and had no grain to sell. On the other hand, they were unwilling to come into contact with the Flying Cavalry, as if the Flying Cavalry had brought the plague...

"Damn it!"

Gan Feng, exasperated, lashed his whip against a tree trunk by the roadside. "These unruly people! They don't want their money; do they want the grain to rot?!"

Wei Yan frowned as he looked at the bare tree, lost in thought.

Gan Feng followed Wei Yan's gaze, but saw only withered branches and bare trunks, nothing at all. After looking for a while, he still couldn't figure out what Wei Yan was looking at. "Wen Chang?"

Wei Yan pointed to the tree branch, then to the other trees around him, "Look, these trees... they're actually still alive, they've just lost their leaves... and this bark..."

"Huh?" Gan Feng was completely confused. "What?"

Wei Yan frowned. "I remember... in some places in Ji Province... even the bark was stripped off..."

A tree without bark will most likely die.

Of course, it's not that a tree dies from slight damage to its bark, but rather from girdling or large-scale stripping.

Look at these fields again...

Wei Yan then pointed to the fields not far away.

Most of these cultivated fields are neatly repaired, and the ditches and ridges are well-maintained, clearly indicating that they have undergone relatively careful management.

Along the way, you can see some water conservancy facilities operating normally.

"Uh..." Gan Feng seemed to understand something, but also seemed to understand nothing at all.

"If there were starving people everywhere..." Wei Yan said slowly, "the situation wouldn't be like this..."

Wei Yan's voice held a hint of gravity, "It seems... the officials here did indeed do some practical things..."

"What do you mean?" Gan Feng asked subconsciously. He didn't like to use his own brain when there were other people's brains around him.

Wei Yan pondered for a moment, without answering immediately.

Actually, this matter is quite simple. Cao Cao was not entirely inactive in his early years.

In the early years of their rule, the Cao and Xiahou clans did indeed accomplish certain practical things, and these measures were the key factors that enabled Cao Cao to turn defeat into victory in the power struggle between the two Yuan brothers, which was a gap between two men.

In the early stages of welcoming the emperor, Cao Cao, in order to promote production and restore people's livelihoods, regardless of whether he copied Fei Qian's work, did achieve almost immediate results through military farming and settlement. "Within a few years, grain was stored everywhere, and granaries were full." This measure not only solved Cao Cao's military food problem, but also provided a stable economic foundation for Cao Cao's subsequent wars. At the same time, it resettled a large number of displaced people and reclaimed barren land.

Meanwhile, the Cao family's political group also undertook water conservancy projects to ensure agricultural production. For example, in Chenliu, there was the Taishou Weir, which was built under the supervision of Xiahou Dun. This water conservancy project was used to irrigate farmland, ensuring the region's agricultural harvest and serving as a good example. At that time, Xiahou Dun personally went to the construction site, shoveling soil and carrying it on his back, which was witnessed by many local people.

Another important factor is that the Cao family's political group was relatively "clean" in the early stages of their rule...

When Cao Cao first took control of the court, he used administrative and legal means to suppress the power of the local magnates. This was not only to consolidate his rule, but also to objectively clear obstacles for the implementation of the military-agricultural system and protect the interests of small farmers.

A considerable number of children from poor families who possessed ideals, abilities, ambitions, and morality were gradually given important positions and promoted during this period.

For example, Zhougu in Xiaohuang County.

These officials did indeed achieve good results in curbing the exploitation of the people by powerful clans, pacifying the masses, and urging production.

This naturally earned him the support of the people.

The feelings of ordinary people are always simple and unpretentious.

The officials did practical things for the people, and although the people don't know how to sing their praises in flowery language, they will remember them...

They were even willing to argue with the cannibalistic cavalry, whom they feared, all for the sake of a single good point about someone they admired.

From another perspective, the common people of feudal dynasties were undoubtedly pitiful and lamentable, because most of the "achievements" of the officials they commemorated, remembered, and passed down by word of mouth were actually just the officials' "job duties".

In feudal dynasties, as long as an official didn't relentlessly exploit the people, embezzle public funds, or cause widespread suffering, he was considered a "good" official. If he could also do some practical things like mediating conflicts, promoting production, and protecting people's livelihoods, he would be elevated to the level of a "righteous and upright official"...

In the early stages of welcoming the emperor, Cao Cao did not merely engage in political maneuvering and disregard the people's livelihood. On the contrary, in the early years of the Cao and Xiahou clans' rule, they almost directly confronted powerful clans, ensuring that ordinary people did indeed benefit. They successfully transformed the devastated Central Plains, a buffer zone between the two Yuan brothers, into a solid base capable of supporting their hegemony.

Of course, the rate of corruption within the Cao and Xiahou clans was equally astonishing...

However, the common people are kind-hearted. They remember the kindness that the Cao and Xiahou families once showed to them. So even though corruption has resurfaced in some areas, or even relapsed, these people who once benefited from the Cao and Xiahou families still have some hope. They believe that it is an isolated problem of isolated officials and that as long as the superiors of the Cao and Xiahou families come, these petty officials can be eliminated once again.

The people have their own scales of justice. Whoever has been kind to them, no matter how small the favor, will turn that gratitude into the simplest form of loyalty when faced with the military might of "outsiders".

Until one day, these most basic forms of 'loyalty' were completely worn away, leaving only resentment...

And now, the people around Chenliu County and near Qiao County clearly haven't completely lost their 'loyalty' to the Cao and Xiahou clans.

"What are we going to do then?" Gan Feng stared wide-eyed. "We need to feed both men and horses! If we can't get any more food, we'll starve ourselves even before Cao Cao's army comes to attack!"

Wei Yan's gaze swept over the faint outline of a fortified village on the distant horizon. The village had high walls and deep moats; though the banners were indistinct, they likely held a considerable amount of grain. A cold glint flashed in his eyes, and he said in a deep voice, "We have no other choice but to resort to this desperate measure. We'll capture one or two fortified villages, seize their stored grain, and alleviate our immediate crisis."

Gan Feng's spirits lifted: "It should have been done long ago! I'll take some men right now..."

"Wait!" Wei Yan interrupted him, his tone resolute. "If we're going to fight, we can only fight the Cao family or the Xiahou family!"

Wei Yan emphasized the fortified villages of the Cao or Xiahou clans in order to maintain a moral high ground and demonstrate that they were targeting the core power of the Cao clan, not ordinary powerful families or common people.

If you open a fortified village and treat it like a turtle shell, you can certainly get more food and supplies, but what problems arise from that?
Although Wei Yan has a goofy personality and can destroy things, at least he won't turn around and bite his lord.

Similarly, this also proves that Wei Yan, after his time at the military academy, has made some political progress compared to his historical counterparts, and has learned to consider political factors from a strategic perspective...

Although Gan Feng felt somewhat constrained, seeing Wei Yan's serious tone, he reluctantly agreed.

After some reconnaissance, the scouts reported that they had discovered a sizable fortified village, which was said to be an important branch of the Cao family in Qiao County, named "Caojiaji".

Wei Yan and Gan Feng immediately led their elite troops straight to Caojiaji.

With gags in their mouths and horses' hooves wrapped in cloth, they silently surrounded the seemingly impregnable fortress as dusk fell.

Gan Feng was eager to fight a tough battle, and planned to pry open the turtle's shell to make soup and eat the meat.

However, when the vanguard troops approached the gate of the fortress, they discovered that something was amiss.

There were no soldiers patrolling the fortress walls, the watchtower was empty, and the two heavy iron-clad wooden doors were...

Was it partially closed?
An ominous premonition welled up in Wei Yan's heart. He ordered a small squad of soldiers to cautiously push open the gate of the fortified village.

The grating creaking of the door hinges was particularly jarring in the quiet twilight.

The gates opened wide, revealing the interior of the fortress to everyone.

empty.

Looking around, the vast interior of the fortified village was eerily empty.

The main road of the fortified village was littered with miscellaneous items, but there was not a single person in sight.

The doors and windows were empty, like emotionless eyes, indifferently watching the uninvited guests.

Further inside, the cavalry soldiers found the warehouse door wide open, and it was practically empty except for a few grain husks and straw that hadn't been swept away.

A dilapidated wooden bucket lay discarded beside the well.

Only dried manure remained in the livestock pen.

Gan Feng refused to believe in superstition and personally led his men into the largest courtyard inside the fortress, which should be the residence of the fortress lord.

The hall and courtyard were also completely empty; even the decent furniture had been moved out, leaving only some heavy, broken tables and chairs covered in dust. "Damn it!"

Gan Feng cursed loudly and kicked a broken earthenware pot at his feet.

The earthenware pot crashed against the wall, the sound of it shattering echoing through the empty castle.

"It's empty! Everyone's already gone!"

Yes, they ran away a long time ago...

Cao Cao, or rather his capable subordinates, had long anticipated this.

They anticipated that the Cao and Xiahou clans' fortified villages would be the first to be targeted after the cavalry marched south, so they evacuated them in advance and transferred all the supplies they could carry, especially the grain.

Wei Yan didn't berate the scout who had inquired about Caojiaji, nor did he vent his frustration and anger. He understood that the scout had definitely been deceived, or that the person had told the truth, but clearly hadn't told the whole story...

Scouts patrolled and explored the fortified villages of the Cao and Xiahou clans, and this place was indeed Caojiaji, the hometown of the Cao clan.

However, no one told the cavalry scouts that Caojiaji Fortress had already been emptied out...

With supplies running low, the road ahead blocked, and the road behind long and arduous, the enemy's provisions were running out.

A heavy pressure, like the gradually descending night, weighed heavily on the hearts of Wei Yan and all the cavalrymen.

Their sharp daggers seemed to be piercing a tough but empty wad of cotton, finding no foothold and instead risking being trapped and worn down.

Wei Yan needs time and wisdom to break the deadlock, but unfortunately, he currently lacks both of these qualities...

……

……

Around the same time, Cao Ren and others in Xiangyang, northern Jingzhou, also encountered a similar problem to Wei Yan.

Inside the main hall of the Xiangyang government office, the atmosphere was even more somber and chilly than the cold wind blowing from the north.

The candlelight flickered on the wall, illuminating the ashen faces of Cao Ren and Cao Zhen.

They learned through certain channels that Cai Mao had returned to Jingzhou...

"That scoundrel Cai Mao is truly audacious!" Cao Zhen said through gritted teeth. "If we capture him, we must cut him into a thousand pieces! Only then can we vent our hatred!"

Cao Ren remained silent.

The problem is serious now...

You can't kill a snake by hitting it.

They failed to kill Cai Mao in one blow, and as a result, everyone in Cai Prefecture fled. Cai Mao is now practically invincible. In the Han Dynasty, without cameras, how easy would it be to capture him again?

not to mention……

They also had the protection of local powerful clans and gentry in Jingzhou!
Cao Cao, who had a lot of experience in escaping, had discussed this point with Cao Ren.

At the time, Cao Ren thought the Han Dynasty law's principle of "relatives protecting each other" was absolutely correct, but now...

Why doesn't anyone "put righteousness before family"?
This is not scientific, cough cough, this is not reasonable!

It was a mistake not to immediately subdue the Kuai clan upon receiving news of Cai Mao's appearance.

But at that time, Kuai Shi had not yet shown any signs...

When Cao Ren discovered that Kuai Shi had been on sick leave for several days and had not returned to work after the holiday, he sent someone to investigate. The person said that Kuai Shi was seriously ill and seemed to have contracted the plague, and many people in the entire manor had died.

So Cao Ren put the matter aside for the time being.

The result is now...

Cao Ren remained silent, his gaze slowly sweeping across the markings on the map representing the manors of aristocratic families around Xiangyang, his eyes filled with malice.

Now that things are put together, it seems the plague is a pretext, while the real issue is outward compliance but inward defiance!

Cai's complete defection and Kuai's feigned compliance were like two poisonous thorns, causing delays in transportation in the Jingzhou and Xiangyang areas, hindering the implementation of government orders, causing conscripted laborers to repeatedly desert, and even spreading rumors in the army.

Cao Ren finally spoke, his voice hoarse and cold, "In chaotic times, severe punishments are necessary! Although the Kuai clan has not openly disobeyed orders, feigning illness at home, their actions are still outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant! They should be executed as a warning to others, to deter such vile and despicable people!"

A hint of ruthlessness flashed in Cao Zhen's eyes. "General, you are absolutely right!"

It was night, the moon was dark and the wind was high.

The side gate of Xiangyang City opened silently, and Cao Ren and Cao Zhen personally led the elite troops of Cao Army straight to the Kuai family manor, which was dozens of miles outside the city, without saying a word.

Cao Ren's face was cold and hard. He was calculating how to surround the manor with lightning speed, capture the key figures of the Kuai clan, and preferably obtain conclusive evidence of their collusion with the General of the Cavalry. Then he would execute them in a public manner and use blood and death to stabilize the crumbling order.

Even if there is no evidence, there will be!

There's a war going on!
Getting evidence isn't that easy?
However, when they arrived at the Kuai family manor, they encountered a problem similar to that of Wei Yan...

"General! The manor...the manor gates are wide open! It seems...there's no one here!"

The scouts brought news that surprised Cao Ren and Cao Zhen.

Cao Ren's heart sank, and he spurred his horse forward.

Sure enough, the once magnificent manor, which should have been brightly lit, now lay on the ground like a dead corpse, its mouth agape.

Beneath the towering gatehouse, two vermilion doors studded with copper nails lay wide open, swaying slightly in the night breeze and creaking monotonously and mockingly.

The private soldiers and servants who used to patrol the manor walls were nowhere to be seen; only a few tattered flags fluttered helplessly in the night wind.

"search!"

Cao Ren squeezed out a single word through gritted teeth.

Cao's soldiers flooded into the manor like a tidal wave.

The torches were lit, and the flickering flames dispelled some of the darkness, but also illuminated an even more chilling scene.

air.

A chilling emptiness.

The pavilions and towers remain, and the waterside pavilions and corridors still stand, but all the doors and windows are wide open, and the inside is empty.

The warehouse that used to store grain and fodder is now devoid of even a rat.

Even the garden, which should have been carefully tended, is now piled with fallen leaves and dust, and the ornamental fish in the pond are floating belly up, emitting a foul odor.

The main house was also desolate after the mess.

All the expensive valuables, property, and books were moved out.

Only drag marks left from moving heavy objects and some worthless, broken furniture remained on the ground.

This was not a spur-of-the-moment escape; it was a meticulously planned and orderly evacuation.

The Kuai clan, a local power that had been entrenched in Jingzhou for many years, clearly sensed the danger. After colluding with Cai Mao and others, they took advantage of their familiarity with the local waterways and, under the pretext of a plague and the current loopholes in Cao Cao's army's poor governance and weakened control, they vanished before Cao Ren and Cao Zhen could react!
Cao Ren's attack missed its mark. Not only did he fail to make an example of someone, but it felt like a heavy punch landing on cotton. The feeling of having nowhere to land made Cao Ren's chest feel tight.

More importantly, the successful withdrawal of the Kuai clan will undoubtedly send an extremely dangerous signal to the gentry and powerful families in Xiangyang and even the entire Jingbei region who are watching from the sidelines!

Cao Jun has lost his informants and his control over this territory!

"What a clever man, Kuai!"

Cao Ren practically gritted his teeth as he uttered those words.

What worried Cao Ren even more was whether there were other aristocratic families in Xiangyang who were also making preparations in secret.
Cai Mao's betrayal and Kuai's escape were like the first domino to fall, and the chain reaction they triggered has probably only just begun.

The cold night wind swept through the empty manor, swirling up fallen leaves and ashes, as if playing a silent elegy for the Cao family's rule in Jingbei.

Cao Ren stood there, his shadow stretched long in the firelight, making him appear particularly isolated.

Should we find another chicken to kill?

But even if we were to look for someone, who could we turn to?