Chapter 105: The Tiger and Leopard Cavalry

Early autumn arrived, bringing with it clear, refreshing skies.

Following the martial competition at the West Garden, Xuchang returned to its customary tranquility. For the common folk in the marketplace, the outcome of the competition was of no consequence; it was merely fodder for idle chatter over tea, hardly a matter that would put food on their tables. Besides, how many among them could even hope to set foot inside the West Garden training grounds? The only thing known was that the Tiger Elite Army had won, the Tiger Guard Army had lost, and both of their commanders had been thrown into prison.

Cao Peng arrived at the Tiger Elite Mansion just past seven in the morning. The main gates were shut tight, giving the place a desolate, lonely air. However, the area in front of the Cao residence was quite lively. Over a dozen carriages were parked below the raised terrace, each drawn by three sturdy pack horses, signaling that the caravan’s origins were far from ordinary. Servants and maids bustled in and out, appearing remarkably busy. By the main entrance, a squad of armored soldiers stood at attention, their weapons gleaming.

Was someone planning to travel?

Cao Peng dismounted at the street corner and led his horse toward the Tiger Elite Mansion. As he drew near, a dozen pairs of eyes fixed upon him. The suspicion in their gazes made him feel deeply uncomfortable. He tethered his reins to the hitching post and ascended the steps of the Tiger Elite Mansion. Just as he reached out to knock on the door, a group of women emerged from the Cao residence.

"My Lady, please be careful!"

Leading them was a woman with a sweet appearance, her eyes constantly crinkling with a faint smile. She appeared to be in her twenties, with a graceful figure and elegant demeanor. She held a child in her arms and, supported by two older women, stepped out of the residence.

Historical records note that Cao Cao had many concubines. Eight are mentioned by name, including Lady Ding, Lady Bian, and Lady Huan. Lady Ding was the primary wife, the first woman to marry Cao Cao. Though she bore no children, she was the adoptive mother of Cao Cao’s eldest son, Cao Ang. After the Battle of Wancheng, where Cao Ang fell in battle, Lady Ding was inconsolable and clashed with Cao Cao several times. Cao Cao, having just suffered a defeat, lost his carefully nurtured heir, his nephew, and his beloved general Dian Wei, was in a foul mood. Lady Ding’s reproaches infuriated him. His harsh words drove her to return to her natal home in a fit of rage, and she had yet to return.

The other seven women were recorded in history primarily because they had borne Cao Cao’s children. As for how many women there were who had not borne children, only Cao Cao himself likely knew. In this era, it was considered entirely natural for a great man to be fond of beauty. Moreover, Cao Cao had a notorious penchant for the wives of others—was the failure at Wancheng not tainted by the shadow of a woman? Specifically, Lady Zou, the aunt of Zhang Xiu.

Cao Peng had no interest in the number of Cao Cao’s wives. He grabbed the tiger-head door knocker and rapped it three times.

There was no movement from the Tiger Elite Mansion, but a commotion erupted from within the Cao residence.

"Little White, Little White... don't run!"

A familiar-looking rabbit bolted out from the Cao residence gates, darting left and right through the crowd, causing everyone to scramble in alarm.

"Be careful, all of you! Don't hurt Little White!"

A young girl ran out behind it, calling out in visible anxiety. The rabbit, as if fated, scurried right to Cao Peng’s feet. He paused, then crouched down to scoop the creature up.

"Rabbit Brother, give Little White back to me!"

The girl ran to the steps of the Tiger Elite Mansion and recognized Cao Peng immediately. However, her choice of address made Cao Peng choke, nearly spitting out blood. *Rabbit Brother?* Where on earth did that come from?

"Wenming, don't run around," the lady who was about to board the carriage called out.

*Cao Wenming?* Cao Peng was stunned. He had never heard of Cao Cao having a daughter of that age. After seeing this girl in the garden of Dian Wei’s estate, he had asked Cao Zhen about it. Cao Cao only had one daughter, Cao Jie, who would later become Empress Xianmu of the Han. But at this moment, Cao Jie was just born, not even a year old. Who was this girl?

"Rabbit Brother, please give Little White back to me."

Under the gaze of those sharp, tiger-like eyes, Cao Peng smiled wryly, walked down the steps, and returned the rabbit. "If you like it, take good care of it and don't let it run off," he said softly, crouching down. "Also, my name isn't 'Rabbit Brother.' Hold it tight; don't let it escape again. If a bad person catches it, you'll never see it again."

The girl blinked her bright, innocent eyes. "Thank you!" Her face flushed red, and she hugged the rabbit and turned to run.

She ran to the carriage and spoke briefly to the beautiful woman. The lady looked toward Cao Peng, a smile gracing her sweet face. She beckoned a young man forward, whispered a few words to him, and then boarded the carriage with the child. The girl followed, casting one last glance at Cao Peng before climbing in. The young man walked quickly to the entrance of the Tiger Elite Mansion and bowed to Cao Peng.

"I am Cao Shang. May I ask the young master's name?"

"Uh..." Cao Peng was taken aback but quickly returned the bow. "I am Cao Peng."

"Is Young Master Cao familiar with the Tiger Elite Mansion?"

"Uh, I suppose you could say that."

The young man smiled faintly. "In that case, excuse the intrusion!" With that, he turned and left, leaving Cao Peng bewildered and confused.

As the caravan began to move, the girl peeked out and waved her small hand at Cao Peng. Cao Peng found himself raising his hand to wave back. What a bizarre situation!

Watching the caravan fade into the distance, he turned to knock on the door again, only to find Dian Man standing behind him, which gave him a start.

"Damn, do you ever make any noise when you walk?"

Dian Man looked aggrieved. "I’ve been standing here for a while, but you didn't notice me... Anyway, what were you looking at?"

"A caravan left the Office of the Excellency just now. I wonder who they were."

Dian Man looked enlightened. "A caravan? That must have been Lady Huan. I heard my father say a few days ago that she was returning to her ancestral home in Qiaoxian. Counting the days, she was due to depart around now."

"Lady Huan?" Cao Peng had a vague impression of this wife of Cao Cao. "Right, did you come looking for me?"

"Nonsense!" Dian Man’s interruption made Cao Peng forget the earlier scene. "My eldest brother told me yesterday that he wanted to visit our uncle... You went yesterday, didn't you? Are the two uncles alright? My brother was quite worried."

Dian Man laughed heartily. "They’re fine, though they’re probably still nursing a hangover."

"They drank that much?"

"Yeah, the two of them drank nearly ten *yinwa*."

Cao Peng winced. A *yinwa* was a wine vessel popular in the Shang and Zhou dynasties, smaller than a *zun*. Late Eastern Han *yinwa* came in five-catty and two-catty sizes. Even if they were the two-catty ones, that was twenty catties of wine. Ten catties each—Cao Peng felt a headache coming on just thinking about it.

"Wash up, then let's go find my brother," Cao Peng said.

Dian Man agreed, and they entered the Tiger Elite Mansion. After changing, they rode off toward Cao Zhen’s residence. Cao Zhen lived on a quiet street behind the Office of the Excellency. By the time they arrived, Cao Zhen had finished his morning practice and was eating with Cao Zun.

"Brother, I need a favor," Cao Peng said as he sat down.

"What is it?"

"I need someone to help my father. He’s an honest man and doesn't understand the complexities of the court. Without someone sharp to assist him, he’s bound to run into trouble. But this person needs to be both capable and of impeccable character. If they were to be bought off or act maliciously, my father would be the one to suffer."

Cao Zhen had heard that Cao Ji was to be appointed as the Inspector of the Bureau of Metallurgy. To be honest, he didn't care much for such a minor position. If not for Cao Peng asking, he wouldn't have given it a second thought. "Finding someone who is both idle, capable, and honest is a tall order, Ah Fu. Even if they had the talent, men of quality are often arrogant—they’d refuse Cao Gong’s own summons, let alone a minor post like yours."

Cao Zun, who had been silent, set down his chopsticks and cleared his throat. "Zi Dan, if we follow Ah Fu's requirements, we’d be hard-pressed to find anyone in Xuchang. However, I do recall one person."

"Who?"

"Hou Sheng. Remember him?"

Cao Zhen looked enlightened, but then frowned. "Wait, Hou Sheng? That won't work. He’s from a prominent family in Shangdang. He wouldn't even consider being an Inspector of the Bureau of Metallurgy."

Dian Man chimed in, "Hou Sheng was a military advisor under the Excellency. After moving to Xu County, he opposed the Excellency's plan for military colonies and argued with him repeatedly in court. He was stripped of his position earlier this year."

Cao Peng realized this was a big shot, not someone who would work for his father.

Cao Zun laughed. "Zi Dan, Ah Fu is smarter than you. We don't need Hou Sheng himself; we need to get someone *from* him."

"Who?"

"Do you remember that Hou Sheng has a steward named Guo Yong?"

Cao Zhen thought for a moment and shook his head, smiling bitterly. "I don't recall. Who is this Guo Yong?"

"Guo Yong has been a steward for the Hou family for generations. I’ve met him before. He managed purchasing for the Hou family and followed Hou Sheng to serve under the Excellency as a minor clerk in the granary, managing the armory. When Lu Bu attacked Puyang, the armories were in chaos, but the one managed by Guo Yong was perfectly organized. He’s a man who gets things done. He lacks status and fame, but he has talent, is loyal, and possesses high moral character. Doesn't that fit Ah Fu’s requirements perfectly?"

Cao Zhen nodded slowly. "But if he is a Hou family retainer, would Hou Sheng let him go?"

Cao Zun smiled. "Whether he lets him go is not up to him. The Hou family is a shadow of its former self after the wars in Shangdang. Hou Sheng is currently drowning his sorrows in wine, hoping to restore his family's prestige. Zi Dan, if Uncle Zi Lian intervenes, Hou Sheng will surely hand him over."

Cao Zhen grinned. "Ah Fu, what do you think?"

"If Brother Zun recommends him, then he must be the one," Cao Peng replied.

"Then I shall go speak with my uncle immediately."

"Is there such a rush?"

"We must hurry," Cao Zhen said. "My uncle is leaving Xuchang for Ye County tomorrow morning. If we don't go now, it will be too late."

Dian Man added, "My father and Uncle Xu are likely still asleep, so let's go find Da Tou, visit Uncle Cao, then grab some food to take to my father and Uncle Xu. They should be awake by lunchtime."

"Agreed," the group decided.

As they walked, Dian Man mentioned, "The Excellency gathered his generals last night to discuss forming an elite cavalry unit. He wants to emulate the great Huo Qubing and sweep the northern deserts. He was very pleased with the three treasures your father presented, Ah Fu. He has decided to form the 'Tiger and Leopard Cavalry,' modeled after Gongsun Yuan's 'White Horse Followers.' I want to ask, can you help me get into that unit? I suspect the commander will be General Dian."

*The Tiger and Leopard Cavalry!* Cao Peng’s heart skipped a beat. In the history of the Three Kingdoms, this was one of the most legendary elite units.

"Why do you think General Dian will lead them?" Cao Peng asked.

Cao Zhen replied, "General Dian’s prowess is unmatched. I heard the Excellency has decided to move Xiahou Heng and Cao Xiu into the unit. Since General Dian is their current commander, it follows that he would lead the new unit, doesn't it?"

Cao Peng shook his head. "Brother, I don't think General Dian will lead the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry. He is a bodyguard, not a grand strategist. The Excellency will never hand such an elite force to someone without the pedigree to lead a campaign. He will likely appoint a member of the clan. If you want in, keep an eye on which Cao-surname generals the Excellency summons most frequently. As for General Dian, he will likely remain with the Tiger Elite Army to guard the Excellency."

Cao Zhen nodded, deeply impressed. "Ah Fu, your words make perfect sense. I will keep a close watch."

As they spoke, they reached the residence of Xu Chu. The gates were wide open, and Xu Yi was just stepping out, preparing to leave.