Chapter 60: Intercepting Diao Chan—A Crisis at Hand

Within the city of Xuzhou, inside the residence belonging to Cao Peng.

Lü Lingqi, her face haggard and streaked with tears, clung tightly to Cao Peng. A long time had passed.

“Don’t cry anymore. The final wish of the Marquis was for me to keep you safe and rescue your mother,” he said gently, his warm hand softly patting her shoulder.

Gradually, Lü Lingqi’s sobs faded as she felt the comfort of this man’s touch. She wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, bit her lip hard, and looked at Cao Peng with helpless eyes.

“What should we do?” she asked.

“You only need to stay here with me. No one will dare harm you. I will go and rescue your mother,” Cao Peng replied.

“All right. I’m counting on you!” Lü Lingqi said, gazing at him. Even she herself hadn’t noticed how much trust she had already placed in him.

...

After parting with Lü Lingqi, Cao Peng prepared to attend the banquet. He needed to think carefully about how to intercept Cao Cao before he could claim Diao Chan.

As night fell, the city of Xuzhou was filled with the sounds of raucous celebration. The battle for Xuzhou, after much hardship and turmoil, had finally ended in victory for Cao’s army.

This battle marked the moment when Cao Cao truly claimed Xuzhou, his military strength now rivaling that of Yuan Shao. In this era, possession of a city meant the ability to recruit soldiers and grow grain endlessly.

Overjoyed, Cao Cao ordered everyone to drink freely.

Thus, the banquet brought revelry to every corner of Xuzhou. Both officers and ordinary soldiers indulged in drink and merriment.

Only the surrendered commanders from Lü Bu’s camp felt ill at ease.

Cao Peng noticed that Zhang Liao and the others were unfamiliar with the officers of Cao’s army and seemed somewhat despondent, so he took the initiative to join them.

“Come, come, come!”

“On such a lively day, let me toast all of you!”

Zhang Liao and his fellows quickly rose to greet Cao Peng. They knew that after Lü Lingqi was captured, Cao Peng had not only spared her but treated her as an honored guest, and after witnessing his actions today, Zhang Liao felt gratitude, and Zang Ba and others were full of admiration.

“An Min!”

Just as Cao Peng was about to chat with the group, he heard an unmistakably familiar voice. He turned in delight—it was indeed Cao Ang.

“Zixiu, what brings you here?” Cao Peng warmly approached Cao Ang and embraced him.

“Haha, father ordered Xun Yu to guard the city and sent me with supplies to Xuzhou to reward the troops,” Cao Ang explained.

“Good, pour the wine quickly!”

Cao Peng called eagerly. Zhang Liao and the others, realizing that Cao Ang was the eldest son of the Cao family, dared not neglect him.

“Let’s all drink together!” Cao Peng raised his cup again.

“The general can hold his liquor!”

“Let’s drink together!”

The festive atmosphere drew others in; Xu Chu and Dian Wei joined the group.

“I had no idea this ‘Erguotou’ was brewed by the general himself—truly impressive!” said Xu Chu, a notorious lover of wine.

Back in Xudu, this very brew had nearly caused a commotion. Thinking back, Cao Peng couldn’t help but sigh.

“In the future, we are all one family. Come, let me toast everyone,” Cao Peng said.

Dian Wei joined in, and with Xu Chu and Dian Wei’s arrival, Zhang Liao and the others began to feel more at home in this company.

Everyone drained their bowls, faces flushed with intoxication. It seemed that this spirit from two thousand years in the future had easily captivated these lovers of drink.

Though Cao Peng dealt with these boisterous drinkers, his mind raced.

By now, Diao Chan was likely already with Cao Cao in the White Gate Tower; intercepting the lord was urgent.

Yet, lacking a good plan, he continued to rack his brain.

Until, after several rounds of wine, an opportunity presented itself.

Xu Chu, tipsy, stood up. When asked what he was doing, he replied, “Why isn’t the lord here?”

His question reminded everyone—such a grand celebration, yet Cao Cao was absent.

Cao Peng realized his chance had arrived, and began a tactical sigh.

“Ah…”

The sudden sigh caught everyone’s attention.

“Why are you sighing, young general?” Dian Wei asked.

Cao Peng shook his head and did not answer, instead saying, “You all enjoy yourselves—I’m heading back…”

He then stood up, preparing to leave.