Chapter 40: Return to Xuchang

Although Lady Fushou was deeply anxious and afraid, Liu Xie, in contrast, appeared much more composed. All of this had been within his expectations.

“Don’t worry, nothing will happen. Cao Cao won’t discover us,” he said reassuringly. “Besides, we haven’t used our real names while moving about in Wan City.” Liu Xie smiled as he spoke.

Gradually, Fushou’s anxiety began to subside, though she remained uneasy. “I hope you’re right. If he truly finds out we’re here, then… then we’re finished.” She was extremely cautious, hardly daring to step outside for several days. Even within the household itself, she moved about with utmost care.

Just as Liu Xie had predicted, after Cao Cao captured Wan City, he was too busy reveling in his victory to concern himself with the residents of an ordinary courtyard. Thus, he took no notice of Liu Xie and his companions.

Some time later, having secured Wan City, Cao Cao led his troops back to the capital. Zhang Xiu and his men were also taken along.

Meanwhile, Liu Xie prepared to make his move.

“My lady, I may have to leave for a time, but don’t worry—I’ll return soon.” Before departing, he offered Fushou words of comfort.

“Will it be dangerous this time?” she asked, still filled with concern.

Liu Xie gave a faint smile. “In such chaotic times, how could there be no danger? But rest assured, everything is under my control.” He was full of confidence.

He then left the residence, taking twenty members of the Wolf Shadow Squad with him. Only a few women remained behind: Fushou, Jiayu, several maids whom Liu Xie had rescued, and Jiayu’s daughter.

With Liu Xie and his men gone, the house suddenly felt far more empty.

Once outside the city, Liu Xie and his twenty companions spurred their horses, galloping directly toward Xuchang. All of Liu Xie’s preparations had been made.

Historically, after Zhang Xiu surrendered to Cao Cao, he later rebelled due to Cao Cao’s actions. On Cao Cao’s second campaign against Zhang Xiu, he finally subdued him completely. This time, Liu Xie intended to fan the flames when Zhang Xiu rebelled, ensuring that Cao Cao would not get a second chance.

Meanwhile, Zhang Xiu and his followers, now journeying with Cao Cao’s army toward Xuchang, were met with an unexpected conversation. Halfway there, Hu Che’er, who was riding beside Zhang Xiu, spoke up hesitantly.

“My lord, there is something I’m not sure I should say,” Hu Che’er began in a timid voice.

“What’s gotten into you? You’re usually so forthright—why so hesitant now? Speak your mind,” Zhang Xiu replied, straightforward as ever.

Still, Hu Che’er seemed unsure how to begin. “My lord, the truth is, someone foresaw all of this—the usurpation of the throne by Yuan Shu, Cao Cao’s campaign, our surrender… It was all predicted.”

He had never mentioned his wager with Liu Xie to Zhang Xiu before, but now, with things as they were, he decided to lay out everything.

“Oh? Foreseen? What do you mean—could someone truly have known all this in advance?” Zhang Xiu was skeptical, a trace of doubt and disbelief flickering in his heart. It was too far-fetched to take seriously.

“Yes, my lord. Do you recall the man I once mentioned—Liu Ten?” Zhang Xiu nodded slightly.

“It was him. Over a month ago, when I first met him, he told me all this. We even made a wager about it. He said that after the New Year, Yuan Shu would declare himself emperor, Cao Cao would march against us, and we would surely surrender. He also said that after our surrender, we would inevitably rebel against Cao Cao, and that Cao Cao himself would be the cause.”

Hu Che’er relayed all that Liu Xie had told him, his words stirring both awe and dread. But Zhang Xiu dismissed it offhand.

“General Hu, I know you’re upset about surrendering, but there was no other choice,” Zhang Xiu said with a heavy sigh, trying to console him. In his mind, Hu Che’er’s story was simply an expression of his dissatisfaction. The idea that someone could predict all this was simply impossible.

Hu Che’er was left with nothing but resignation. Even he had not believed Liu Xie at first, let alone anyone else. But the facts spoke for themselves. Still, even if Zhang Xiu refused to believe, that didn’t mean everyone else would.

As Zhang Xiu rode ahead, Jia Xu deliberately slowed his mount to draw alongside Hu Che’er.

“General Hu, is everything you said just now true?” Jia Xu asked, his tone serious.

Hu Che’er perked up eagerly. “Advisor Jia, I swear on my life, every word I said is true. Their strength is formidable—just one of their ordinary men could defeat me. You know what kind of man I am; I never praise others unless they truly deserve it.”

He was afraid Jia Xu wouldn’t believe him, so he explained with marked fervor.

Jia Xu nodded slowly. Compared to Zhang Xiu, he was more inclined to believe. “If he truly predicted all of this, it’s remarkable. But that we might rebel against Cao Cao after surrendering—now that’s a stretch.”

Even Jia Xu found it hard to accept. Having already surrendered, how could they possibly rebel again?

So Zhang Xiu and his company followed Cao Cao into Xuchang. Not long after, Liu Xie and his twenty followers, disguised and blending in, also slipped into the city. They took lodging at an inn not far from Cao Cao’s military encampment.

“Young master, when will we act? What is our mission?” one of his men asked impatiently as soon as they had settled in. They all knew their own strength and were eager for a chance to prove themselves.

But Liu Xie remained unhurried. “There’s no rush. We’ll rest here for a few days. When there is movement within Cao Cao’s camp, then we’ll act. Meanwhile, we must add fuel to the fire.”

A mischievous smile played at Liu Xie’s lips.

“Add fuel to the fire? Young master, how do we do that?” his subordinate asked in confusion.

“Patience. When the time comes, I’ll tell you.” Liu Xie smiled, confident that everything was under his control.

This time, he was determined to see Cao Cao suffer heavy losses, and to ensure that Zhang Xiu’s rebellion would be even more resolute.

Time slipped by, and a few days later, there was finally movement within Cao Cao’s camp.