Chapter 100: The Duty of the Guard

Returning to the Pavilion of Gazing at the Heavens, Dian Man and Xu Yi were both quite intoxicated. The moment they saw Cao Zhen, the two immediately approached, flanking him on either side. Without a word, they poured down three large cups of wine on him before finally stopping.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Cao Peng whispered a few words into Cao Zun’s ear. Cao Zun paused for a moment, then nodded and rose to leave the Pavilion quietly.

"You two rascals..." Cao Zhen, slightly breathless from the drinking, watched Dian Man and Xu Yi laughing carefree beside him and could only smile wryly and scold, "In a couple of days, Commander Dian and Captain Xu are going to have a duel. If they knew you two were sticking together, wouldn’t they be furious?"

Xu Yi shook his large head repeatedly, smiling brightly. "My father said it’s a matter between elders like him and Commander Dian, unrelated to us. Whatever happens, he won’t get angry. Commander Dian feels the same way; he even told A-Man before not to let brotherly bonds grow cold."

Cao Zhen was silent for a moment, then sighed. "Captain Xu and Commander Dian truly are men of honor."

"But, A-Fu, be honest with me. That military strategy you handed over to Commander Dian—isn’t it nonsense?"

Cao Peng looked up in surprise at Xu Yi. "Second Brother, what do you mean by that?"

"Always wandering back and forth in the camp, but I never see any drills or formations practiced... How can such training possibly defeat my family’s Tiger Guards?"

Xu Yi was a bit drunk, speaking with some slurring.

"The Tiger Guards are that formidable?" Dian Man immediately took offense. "My father calls it... calls it... yes, it’s practiced with absolute confidence. You don’t understand, so don’t talk nonsense. How could A-Fu harm my father? A-Fu, you tell me, this time my father can win, right?"

Dian Man looked at Cao Peng with hopeful eyes.

Even Cao Zhen grew curious and looked over at Cao Peng.

This fellow was really something...

However, at this moment, Cao Peng was definitely siding with Dian Man and smiled. "Second Brother, have you ever heard this phrase?"

"What phrase?"

"Unified heart and mind!"

Xu Yi was stunned, and Cao Zhen was thoughtful.

"I know Captain Xu’s Tiger Guards are fierce, and I’ve seen their drills. But I think there’s one thing Captain Xu hasn’t fully grasped."

"What is it?"

"What is the true purpose of the Tiger Guards?"

Xu Yi furrowed his brow, about to reply.

Cao Peng waved him off, "Second Brother, listen to me first. I think Captain Xu hasn’t clearly seen his position. What is the role of the palace guard? Everything is about protecting Lord Cao. They would rather die than let their lord be harmed. The palace guard is not meant for competing in strength or reckless charges. Commander Dian understands this, which is why he drills formations so carefully. Those drills may seem useless now, but I guarantee that when battle comes, no matter how fierce the Tiger Guards are, they won’t break through the palace guard’s formations."

Xu Yi was left speechless by this.

Cao Zhen’s eyes flickered with a strange light.

"A-Fu, does that mean the palace guards cannot charge first?"

"Not exactly," Cao Peng took a sip of wine. "The palace guards can charge first, but only when Lord Cao’s safety is absolutely certain. If they recklessly charge and endanger their lord, what’s the difference between them and other troops? The palace guards do not seek glory; they protect the glory. So as long as Lord Cao is safe, charging first into battle and protecting honor are not contradictory."

Not seeking glory, but protecting glory!

Suddenly, silence fell over the Pavilion of Gazing at the Heavens, and everyone was lost in thought.

The Tiger Guards have always been elite, traditionally leading the charge in battle, which has become a custom. Although their duties have since expanded, no one has ever so clearly defined their role. To Cao Peng, the Tiger Guards should be like the future central guard units. They need not seek glory because joining them is glory itself... At this moment, Cao Zhen felt as if he understood something.

Understand what?

The true meaning behind the phrase "Glory is my life."

A servant entered from outside and saw everyone deep in thought. He hesitated, then resumed his usual demeanor.

He whispered a few words to Cao Peng before returning to sit beside Zhu Zan.

"Big Brother, who is Du Xi?"

"Du Xi?" Cao Zhen looked puzzled. "You mean Du Zixu?"

Cao Peng had no idea who Du Zixu was. Judging by Cao Zhen’s expression, this seemed to be an important figure, so he glanced at Cao Zun, who nodded.

"Oh, Du Zixu is a native of Dingling in Yingchuan and a famed gentleman of Yingchuan. His ancestors, Du An and Du Gen, were both men of great talent and reputation, having held high office at court. During the Taiping Dao rebellion, he went to Jingzhou. Later, Liu Jingsheng, the governor of Jingxiang, held him in high regard. Last year, when Lord Cao went to Luoyang to escort His Majesty, Du Xi returned to his hometown and was appointed commander of Western E. At that time, Western E was in turmoil with bandits rampant. Du Xi was brave, donning armor and wielding a spear, leading troops to slay hundreds of bandits. When the city fell, he gathered officials and civilians, and not a single person joined the bandits."

"Oh?"

Cao Zhen continued, "This time, when Lord Cao appointed Zhong Yuanchang as supervisor of the capital, Zhong specifically chose Du Xi as a military adviser to accompany the Guanzhong region."

"This Du Xi is no ordinary man!"

"Of course not... By the way, why bring him up now?"

Cao Peng said, "Those people we met earlier were guests of Du Xi. The elegant room we saw was also arranged by him."

Cao Zhen frowned slightly and whispered, "So those people have quite a background!"

"What do you mean by that?"

Zhu Fei cut in, "Du Gong is a proud and aloof man, only associating with men of high virtue. He values lineage greatly. If they were not nobles, he would never have arranged it. You know, the third floor of Yuxiu Tower isn’t a place for just anyone."

Dian Man and Xu Yi were now somewhat confused.

Wang Mai and Deng Fan had nothing to add and just looked at Cao Peng and Cao Zhen in puzzlement.

Cao Zhen thought for a moment, "Forget it, it was a misunderstanding. Let’s not dwell on it... Xuzhou accents? I’ll inquire later."

He could see Cao Peng was quite interested in those people, so he took the matter upon himself.

Cao Peng said, "Exactly, it’s not related to us anyway. Today is to see off Fourth Brother and Sixth Brother, so let’s not speak of dull matters. Fourth Brother, Sixth Brother, may you expand your grand ambitions and uphold the reputation of our Eight Righteous Ones. Let us drink to that."

Cao Zhen and the others all raised their cups.

Zhu Zan and Cao Zun also smiled, accepting every offer, drinking cup after cup.

The banquet lasted until near the hour of the Dog, when the gates of Xudu city were already closed. Cao Peng then took Wang Mai and Deng Fan back to the Tiger Guards’ headquarters with Dian Man to stay for the night. Dian Wei was on duty and not at the residence. The four had drunk a good deal and collapsed onto their beds, falling into deep sleep.

Yet Cao Peng lay awake, tossing and turning on his bed.

He dressed quietly and stepped out of the side chamber, wandering through the Tiger Guards’ garden.

The moon shone brightly, casting a light veil over the courtyard. Occasionally, night birds sang, adding to the tranquil aura.

Moonlight hazy, birds hazy...

Cao Peng entered a pavilion and sank into thought.

He truly could not recall what had happened in the second year of Jian’an.

Even having read the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, he couldn’t clearly remember what occurred that year. Logically, Lü Bu and Cao Cao were enemies, so no connection seemed possible. Yet at this time, someone came from Xuzhou... what was going on?

Right, when did Lü Bu die?

Suddenly, Cao Peng’s memory went blank.

The Battle of Guandu... The Battle of Guandu!

In his memory, the Battle of Guandu occurred in the fifth year of Jian’an. Lü Bu died before that battle. So Lü Bu lived at most two more years? No, that can’t be right. Lü Bu shouldn’t have been killed in the year of Jian’an’s death because of the edict involving the imperial belt. Guan Yu had followed Cao Cao for a time before slaying Yan Liang and Wen Chou and riding alone for a thousand miles.

So Lü Bu died in the third year of Jian’an or perhaps even earlier?

His memories grew muddled.

Bits of information surfaced one after another in his mind, leaving him confused.

Suddenly, Cao Peng felt something nibbling his pant leg. Looking down, he saw a snow-white rabbit, somehow having appeared and sitting at his feet.

A rabbit in Dian Wei’s residence?

Cao Peng bent down and picked up the rabbit.

Impossible... Dian Wei and Dian Man were not the type to be fond of animals. Cao Peng could believe they might eat rabbits, but raising one? That was unthinkable. Rabbits were generally pets favored by girls, weren’t they?

Yet the Tiger Guards’ residence was full of rough men.

Previously, Cao Cao had gifted Dian Wei over twenty maidservants, but Dian Wei found them troublesome and sent them all to the fortress, not keeping any at the residence.

So where did this rabbit come from?

As Cao Peng pondered, faint footsteps sounded nearby.

Since entering the bone refinement stage of his internal cultivation, Cao Peng’s hearing had greatly improved. He quickly slipped behind the pavilion and peered toward the sound. Under the moonlight, a vague figure floated closer — a girl.

She appeared about twelve or thirteen years old, taller than average for a girl, perhaps around that height. She wore a pale yellow-green long dress, her hair styled neatly into a bun with a traditional Japanese-style hairpin.

"Bai Bai, Bai Bai..." the girl whispered softly, her voice barely above a whisper, as if restraining herself.

The moonlight was pure and clear, allowing Cao Peng to see her well.

The girl was a beauty in the making, with an oval face, delicate features, bright eyes, and dimples on her cheeks. Her cherry-red lips and upturned nose were exquisitely matched.

At this moment, she seemed anxious, calling out repeatedly.

Cao Peng looked down at the white rabbit in his arms.

White? The name suited perfectly!

"Hey!"

Cao Peng stepped out from behind the pavilion.

The girl startled, like a frightened rabbit, stepping back two steps and staring at Cao Peng warily.

Cao Peng had grown noticeably taller and sturdier recently. Dressed in his robes and holding the rabbit, he smiled kindly at the girl. "Hey, is this yours?"

He tried to use a gentle tone, but the girl remained on guard.

She nodded quickly, her head bobbing like a chicken pecking grain.

She said nothing but blinked her large, watery eyes at Cao Peng, as if pleading him to return the rabbit.

"Here, take it!"

Seeing her caution, Cao Peng felt there was no use asking further and set the rabbit down.

"Bai Bai, come here!" the girl softly called, and the rabbit darted to her like the wind.

"What’s your name? How did you come to be here?"

Cao Peng asked as she picked up the rabbit.

But the girl said nothing and ran off.

"Hey!"

Cao Peng quickened his pace, calling after her, but she ran faster.

"Be careful, don’t fall."

He stopped, shaking his head with a wry smile and called after her.

Inside, he wondered: Do I look that scary?

"Thanks... for not eating Bai Bai," the girl suddenly stopped and thanked him before turning away.

Cao Peng was stunned.

He seemed to understand now — the culprits behind this must be the Dian family. Could it be that those two fools liked eating rabbits?

When he looked up again, the girl’s figure had vanished into the night.

Cao Peng did not pursue further, for beyond lay the Dian family’s inner residence. Who knew if Dian Wei had a secret mistress? Though Cao Peng was familiar with the family, some places required propriety. If he went there alone, rumors would spread poorly... Or perhaps the girl was a relative of Dian Wei?

After this commotion, Cao Peng felt much more at ease.

If you can’t figure it out, don’t think about it... When the time comes, you’ll know.

He turned and went back to sleep.

The next morning, Dian Man came to find Cao Peng for training.

He looked a bit listless from lack of sleep, yawning as he changed clothes and muttering.

"Third Brother, does your house have a female visitor?"

Dian Man was startled. "I don’t have any female visitors!"

"I clearly saw a girl in your rear courtyard yesterday..."

Dian Man panicked, "A-Fu, don’t say such things. If my mother finds out, my father will surely be scolded again!"

Ah... Dian Wei feared his wife!

Honestly, Cao Peng rarely heard Dian Wei mention his wife.

And after staying in Xudu so long, he’d never seen Dian Wei bring his wife over.

What was Dian Madam like? What kind of temperament?

Cao Peng had always been curious. Today, hearing Dian Man slip up, he seemed to understand why Dian Wei refused to bring his wife over.

"But I really saw a girl."

"You must have been mistaken..." Dian Man said, "There are truly no women in my house. You know, my father sent all the maidservants given by Lord Cao to the fortress because he didn’t want them here. You must have been seeing things, and there’s no one in the rear courtyard!"

"I don’t believe it!"

Dian Man angrily grabbed Cao Peng and headed toward the rear courtyard.

There was a main hall and dozens of side rooms. Upon entering, Cao Peng immediately knew Dian Man was telling the truth — the courtyard was desolate, utterly devoid of any human presence.

Even if someone had stayed here before, it wouldn’t look like this.

Though clean, as if regularly swept, it was obvious no one actually lived here.

Suddenly, a chill ran down Cao Peng’s spine.

Could the girl I saw last night have been a ghost?

In his previous life, Cao Peng was a staunch atheist, disbelieving in ghosts and spirits.

But now, having transmigrated and become someone else, such absurd things had occurred.

If it had been his old life, he would never have believed it.

Yet now, it happened.

Who could say there were no ghosts or spirits in this world?

If there were none, how else to explain his situation?

Confucius said, "The Master does not speak of strange phenomena, strength, disorder, or spirits." He also said, "The Way of Heaven is distant, the Way of Man is more distant." It wasn’t that Confucius refused to discuss ghosts but that such matters were beyond the scope of ordinary people. Does that mean Confucius acknowledged their existence? It’s hard to say.

"A-Man, find a sorcerer later to perform some rites," Cao Peng suggested.

"Why?" Dian Man asked suspiciously.

"Uh, it’s too quiet! You know, too much silence invites unclean things. Performing rites brings peace of mind."

Saying this, Cao Peng prepared to leave.

The rear courtyard was too eerie... He wasn’t originally afraid, but once the thought of a ghost arose, it couldn’t be dispelled.

He felt cold winds blowing down his spine — quite frightening.

Yet just as he turned, he suddenly stopped.

"A-Man, what’s wrong?"

"Why is there a door here?"

Cao Peng pointed to a discreet moon gate in the corner of the courtyard.

Dian Man smiled, "Oh, that’s Lord Cao’s residence. When he came to Xudu, he told my father to open a door here for convenience. You know, Lord Cao trusts my father a lot; back in Yanzhou, he often pulled him along for drinks. Opening this door makes coming and going easier."

Cao Peng pondered.

"A-Man, do you like eating rabbits?"

Dian Man was startled. "How did you know? I hadn’t thought about it in a while. Now that you mention it... I haven’t eaten rabbit for a long time."

"From now on, don’t eat rabbits!"

"Why?"

"Because the rabbit spirit will come to settle accounts with you at night."

Cao Peng turned and walked away, feeling somewhat enlightened.

Could the girl have been a member of Lord Cao’s household? Or perhaps a servant of the Cao residence? No, judging by her dress, she was unlikely a servant — she must be a family member!

Dian Man shivered slightly.

"A-Man, wait for me!"

He hurried after Cao Peng, whispering, "Is there really a rabbit spirit?"

The rivalry between the Tiger Guards and the Tiger Elite was growing ever closer!

The streets of Xudu were abuzz with talk of the upcoming duel.

Dian Man and Xu Chu were both renowned tiger generals — one notorious for ferocity, the other nicknamed the Tiger Fool — and both were Lord Cao’s most trusted men.

This battle would decide who was the foremost guard, sparking widespread excitement.

Some said the Tiger Elite were invincible;

Others believed the Tiger Guards were braver.

In any case, various speculations abounded, shrouding this martial contest in mystery.

Lord Cao also declared there would be rewards after the duel, but what those rewards were, he did not reveal, heightening curiosity.

On the tenth day of the seventh month, the day of the contest arrived.

Early in the morning, Cao Peng arrived outside the Western Garden training grounds.

"A-Fu!"

From afar, Cao Zhen, clad in armor, waved to him.

Cao Peng hurried forward and saluted Cao Zhen.

"A-Fu, I’ve found out something!"

"Found out what?"

"The people at Yuxiu Tower... they’re emissaries of Lü Bu from Xuzhou. Remember the one I nearly knocked over? That’s Chen Yuanlong!"