Chapter 61: Dragon’s Pool

That night, Deng Juye drove a carriage quietly into Peach Orchard.

Deng Ji, accompanied by Cao Peng, came out to greet them in the courtyard. As Madam Hong stepped down from the carriage, both men, moved by gratitude, bowed deeply in unison. This gesture was not for show but a sincere acknowledgement of the help Deng Juye and his wife had given when the Cao family was in dire straits.

It is often said that true friendship is revealed in adversity. In times of prosperity, others rush to praise and flatter you. To be honest, when Madam Hong once pleaded with Cao Ji for her son Deng Fan to train in martial arts with Cao Peng, Cao Peng had looked down on her. But now, with his own family fallen from grace, those fair-weather friends had all vanished. Yet Madam Hong’s family continued to help—Deng Juye and his wife visiting in person, Deng Fan acting as their agent in Jiyang. Their kindness left Cao Peng at a loss for how to repay them.

He recalled how, at first, he’d only dealt with Deng Fan perfunctorily. Now, seeing how his whole family had stood by him, Cao Peng felt rather ashamed.

“Ah Fu, you mustn’t worry too much. Life is full of ups and downs. I believe you are destined for great things—nothing will happen to you. Your family is blessed, and this hardship will pass. When it does, your fortunes will change for the better,” Madam Hong said warmly, taking Cao Peng’s arm in one hand and Deng Ji’s in the other.

“Thank you for your kind words, Auntie,” Cao Peng replied. He and Deng Ji exchanged glances, then bowed deeply again.

“Da Xiong sent word: tomorrow at dawn, Ma Yu will escort your parents to Jiunü City. The county will send someone along, so Da Xiong volunteered and will stay in town overnight. With him there, your parents will be well protected,” Madam Hong continued.

“Da Xiong will be with the escort?” Cao Peng and Deng Ji looked at each other, unsure how to express their gratitude. This family was truly sincere.

Deng Juye said in his deep voice, “Shusun, I brought the things your father-in-law left at my place.”

“Things?” Deng Ji was surprised. Together, he and Cao Peng lifted the curtain to look inside the carriage. There sat a bellows and several bundles, which looked like the Hong family’s own belongings.

“Auntie, what is this?” Cao Peng asked.

With a hint of embarrassment, Madam Hong replied softly, “Ah Fu, I heard from Da Xiong that you plan to leave Jiyang once your parents are safe?”

Cao Peng nodded. No matter what happened, they couldn’t stay in Jiyang any longer.

Madam Hong went on, “Da Xiong needs someone to guide him. He said you have powerful friends, so... would you take our Da Xiong with you? There’s little hope for him here—it’s better to follow you and try his luck.”

Long ago, Mencius’ mother moved three times to seek the best for her son. All parents share the same hopes. Madam Hong and her husband wished to leave Jiyang with Cao Peng.

Jiyang County was simply too small.

Though he didn’t fully understand why Madam Hong trusted him so much, Cao Peng couldn’t reject such earnest trust. He glanced at Deng Ji, who was watching him, clearly leaving the decision to him.

“Auntie, I’m honored by your trust and grateful you would go through hardship with my family. I won’t make empty promises, but as long as I draw breath, Da Xiong will never be wronged.” Cao Peng bowed solemnly, making his pledge.

Madam Hong’s face lit up with joy.

Many people saw Madam Hong as shrewd and overbearing—just look at how deftly she managed Deng Juye. But in truth, she was clever and perceptive, with a keen sense often lacking in others. When she married into Deng Juye’s impoverished household, it was her wits that eventually lifted them to a respectable standing in their village.

She understood Deng Ji—he was a capable man, simply unlucky and without opportunity. With Cao Ji’s family’s arrival, Madam Hong saw even greater hope. Cao Peng, a mere youth, had won favor with the powerful Pang family of Deer Gate Mountain. She didn’t know how formidable the Pang family was, but she saw how deferential the magistrate was to the Cao family. From then on, she was convinced that the Cao family was destined for greatness.

Once she made up her mind, she never wavered. Even when the Cao family fell into misfortune and others in the village wanted to kick them while they were down, Madam Hong held her silence. As long as Deng Ji and Cao Peng lived, the Cao family would not fall—and those who turned on them would regret it.

Though not old, Madam Hong had seen many reversals of fortune and, in this regard, possessed sharper intuition than many men.

Now, Deng Ji was alive. Cao Peng had returned—not only that, but with companions. The moment she stepped down from the carriage, she noticed Dian Wei. Despite his servant’s attire, his commanding presence marked him as no ordinary man. After all, he was a battle-hardened warrior who had fought Lü Bu, killed countless foes, and served as bodyguard for Cao Cao—a military officer of high rank.

Even if Dian Wei himself was unaware of his bearing, others couldn’t help but notice. He was a man of consequence.

The Cao family was about to rise.

Madam Hong’s resolve only strengthened, and Cao Peng’s promise put her completely at ease.

“All right, let’s rest and prepare to set out at midnight,” Dian Wei’s booming voice rang out, and everyone nodded.

Cao Peng said, “Auntie, Uncle, we have an important task tonight—you won’t be able to help. Please rest, and after midnight, travel with us. Once you cross the river, keep heading east for about forty li—you’ll reach Phoenix Ridge. Wait for us there. When our task is done, we’ll join you and seek our fortune together.”

His words comforted Madam Hong all the more.

Phoenix Ridge, later known as Zhantai Temple.

Deep into the night, in a dilapidated Taoist temple at the foot of Phoenix Ridge, Wang Meng sat by the fire, listening quietly to the report of a burly, black-bearded man.

“Chief, according to Zuo Qiu, tomorrow at dawn the government troops will escort Big Brother Cao’s family to Jiunü City. The road from Jiyang passes through Dragon Pool—a wide, open area, perfect for our cavalry charge. We’ll ambush them from both sides and hit them hard.”

The man spoke in a thick regional accent but was clear in his words.

Wang Meng replied, “Old Zhou, we’ve never feared a fight. But I must keep my brother’s family safe. An ambush could work, but it’s risky. I have an idea: since government troops are escorting them, why don’t we disguise ourselves as soldiers? We’ll pretend to join their group, blend in, then strike suddenly. That way, our losses will be fewer, and I can protect my brother’s family better. What do you think, Old Zhou, Zuo Qiu?”

The bearded man slapped his thigh in approval.

“A fine plan!” he said admiringly. “Chief, you’re sharp as ever. We’ll catch those troops completely off guard.”

“But Chief, what about their uniforms?” Zuo Qiu asked.

“We’ll head to Yuyang County tonight. There are plenty of patrols—we can get their uniforms easily enough.”

“I’ll see to it right away,” Zuo Qiu responded. He gathered a band of men outside the temple, mounted up, and rode off into the night.

Wang Meng stood, stepping outside the main hall. The bearded man followed, saying softly, “Chief, don’t worry. In the county, I saw that the officials are still treating Brother Tang’s family well. Once we rescue them tomorrow, we’ll return to Tufu Mountain—let the Huang family do as they please.”

Wang Meng smiled but said nothing.

Ah Fu, you promised you’d return—so why is there still no word from you?

Ma Yu and Deng Cai drank through the night, then waited at the city gate of Jiyang the next morning.

At dawn, the city gates opened. The old steward led the three members of Cao Ji’s family out. Cao Ji and his wife seemed in fair spirits, but Cao Nan appeared wan and dispirited, her lovely face haggard. All three wore coarse brown prison garb, escorted by five village braves.

“Deng Cai, you’ll accompany them,” the steward said flatly. “The magistrate says Jiunü City camp is short-handed, and you’re capable—so you’ll work there.”

Deng Cai stepped forward respectfully. “I obey your orders, sir.”

He threw a sinister glance at the Cao family.

“Uncle Kuai, we’ll be off now!” he said.

Kuai, the steward, was not inclined to chat. He answered coldly and turned away.

“Isn’t that Da Xiong?” Ma Yu recognized Deng Fan among the escorting braves. They’d once been loafers of the town together.

Deng Fan quickly bowed and flattered, “Big Brother Ma, greetings... I’ll be counting on you for help along the way.”

Ma Yu laughed heartily. Seeing Deng Cai preparing to shackle the three, he quickly called, “Brother-in-law, no need for that. I have a better idea—tie a rope around their waists, fix one end to my horse, and they can’t escape. With over fifty men here, we’d be a laughingstock if they got away!”

He rode over to Cao Ji, tapping him on the head with his whip. “Cao, this method was your son’s idea—who knew it’d be used on you today! Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of you on the road...”

Back when Cao Peng wanted to prevent Ma Yu and his gang from escaping, he’d devised this very rope trick. Now Ma Yu, with the upper hand, returned the favor.

A soldier fastened a rope around the three, handing the other end to Ma Yu. With a sharp tug, the Cao family stumbled, nearly falling, which made Ma Yu burst out laughing.

“Let’s go!” he called, spurring his horse. The Cao family had no choice but to trot along, looking truly wretched.

Deng Fan frowned, gripping his spear tightly. He hurried over, seemingly to steady Cao Nan, and whispered, “Sister, bear with it—it’ll all be over soon.”

Cao Nan shielded her slightly rounded belly with one hand. Hearing this, she raised her eyes, hope flickering within them.

Deng Fan nodded, then shouted, “What are you looking at? Move along!” He gave her a shove, but in truth, was supporting her so she wouldn’t fall.

Ma Yu’s laughter grew louder.

Deng Cai joined in, saying, “Brother, let me have some fun too.” He took the rope from Ma Yu and galloped ahead, nearly pulling Cao Ji down. Fortunately, years of blacksmithing had left him sturdy enough to keep his footing.

“Slow down, Brother Deng,” Deng Fan said. “You have four legs; we only have two—give us a chance to keep up.”

With a grin, Deng Cai handed the rope back to Ma Yu.

“Don’t be impatient, brother. There’s plenty of time to toy with them on the way,” Ma Yu said, tying the rope to his wrist. With a wave, he ordered, “Let’s go—on to Jiunü City!”