Chapter 069 Enemy

Qushan marked the boundary between Nanyang Commandery and Runan Commandery. A mountain range divided the two, while a river linked them together, weaving Nanyang and Runan into a single tapestry, united yet distinct. Even during times of conflict, the connection between the two never truly broke.

Yet, their bond took another form: commerce. Langling served as the transit hub between Runan and Nanyang, where merchants traveling north and south would pass, sending Runan’s goods into Nanyang and, in turn, transporting Nanyang’s specialties to Runan—thereafter, to all corners of the realm.

Thus, whether it was Cao Cao or Liu Biao, both made an effort to keep this trade route open and thriving.

Dian Wei, as one of Cao Cao’s personal guard, was not involved in administration but often heard news of the wider world from his lord’s own lips.

Langling must not be sealed off!

This was a rule Cao Cao had set from the very moment he entered Yuzhou.

But as Dian Wei saw the checkpoints lining the road, he knew immediately that someone had broken Cao Cao’s rule.

“One person must pay ten coins, a cart of goods fifty strings of cash… At these rates, how could there be any profit left?” muttered a passing merchant, causing Dian Wei to frown.

Cao Peng quickly urged his horse forward, blocking the merchant’s path. “Elder, what’s this about ten coins per person, fifty strings per cart? What’s happening here?”

The merchant started, then, seeing that Cao Peng looked like an ordinary traveler, glanced around. Assured no one was listening, he replied in a low voice, “You seem new here, young sir. This is the rule set by the new magistrate of Langling—he calls it a transit tax. They set up this checkpoint ten days ago. Any traveler or cart must pay the fee to pass. Ten coins per person, five strings per cart. If you don’t pay, you’re not allowed through; worse, they’ll confiscate your goods.

The new magistrate claims that, though the war has subsided, bandits now run rampant. The county office needs funds to suppress them, pay for food and supplies, but there’s no money in the coffers—so the burden falls on us. I’d best not say more; if overheard, I’ll only invite trouble. Take care, young sir.”

With that, the merchant hurried off.

Cao Peng couldn’t help but laugh. Was this new magistrate a transmigrator as well? He even knew about setting up tolls—like a highway robber, but with official backing.

He turned to Dian Wei, whose expression was particularly grim.

“Uncle Dian, it’s just a few petty scoundrels, why get worked up?” Cao Peng smiled. “Lord Cao strategizes on a grand scale—he can’t attend to every detail. This must be the work of rabble. When we return to Xuchang, tell Lord Cao what’s happening—he’ll surely handle it properly.”

Dian Wei felt both humiliated and furious. All along the way, he’d praised Cao Cao’s governance to the skies, as though everyone under his rule lived and worked in peace, and all officials were diligent and upright. Yet this scene before him was a slap in the face. It made all his previous words seem a mockery.

“This magistrate of Langling deserves death!”

“One rat dropping can spoil an entire pot of soup. If you let such things anger you, Uncle, it’s not worth it.” Cao Peng laughed. “Besides, weren’t you going to treat my father and the others to authentic Langling wine? I’m still waiting for your invitation.”

“Hmph…” Dian Wei grunted heavily and nodded.

So the group continued on, blending into the flow of travelers as they approached the checkpoint in the road’s center.

Suddenly, cries and shouts erupted ahead. Two yamen runners had thrown a merchant to the ground and were dragging his goods aside. The merchant pleaded desperately, but the runners ignored him. One kicked him viciously, cursing, “You old fool! Paying the transit tax is only right and proper… My master isn’t making things hard for you—if you want to pass, pay the tax! Otherwise, your goods are forfeit. And I tell you, even if you cry to the heavens, nothing will change. This is Lord Cao’s decree—whoever dares defy it faces extermination!”

“But… all my money is tied up in this cargo. If you seize it, how will my family survive?”

“That’s none of my business!”

Inside the checkpoint, an officer shouted, “Why haven’t you driven him off yet? If you delay, be ready to answer to the master!”

The voice was sharp and shrill. Cao Peng narrowed his eyes, feeling the man looked familiar.

He couldn’t place him for the moment, so he frowned and walked forward with Dian Wei.

“Hey you, black brute—dismount this instant!” A yamen runner stepped up to block Dian Wei, about to curse, but swallowed his words at the sight of Dian Wei’s imposing figure.

Dian Wei’s eyes went wide as he barked, “I’m walking here, and you dare block my way?”

The runner, startled by Dian Wei’s roar, shivered involuntarily. Then, mustering his courage, he straightened his back and declared, “My master has ordered that, from today, everyone passing through Langling must pay the transit tax. Ten coins per person, fifty per horse, five strings per cart. Anyone who refuses is a rebel—punishable by death for their whole family. You’re nineteen people, twenty horses, one cart… that’s six strings and one hundred ninety coins. Plus, you’re carrying weapons—there’s a safety tax. Call it an even seven strings.”

“Safety tax?”

“Exactly!” The runner stuck out his neck. “You’re armed—if there’s trouble in town, it’s our job to keep order. What, our lives aren’t worth eight hundred coins? Enough talk, pay up!”

Dian Wei, enraged, laughed coldly. “Here’s your ‘tax’—on your ancestors!” He swung his riding whip, lashing the runner across the face with a crack.

With Dian Wei’s strength, and his fury behind the blow, the runner’s flesh split open at once.

“He’s attacking! It’s rebellion!” the runner screamed, clutching his face as he howled.

A group of yamen runners rushed out from behind the checkpoint. Their leader was tall and thin, with triangular eyes, a goatee, and slightly yellowed sclera.

“Who dares make trouble here?” the goateed man in black barked.

Cao Peng’s eyes narrowed instinctively. “Are you surnamed Cheng?”

The man glared with his triangular eyes, sizing up Cao Peng. “I am. Who are you?”

Cao Peng suddenly smiled. He squeezed his legs, and his horse shot forward with a piercing neigh, stopping before the goateed man in a flash.

“Does a lackey like you remember this young master?” he sneered.

The man looked confused. “You little bastard, trying to scare me?”

Cao Peng only smiled wider. “Tiger-head, aren’t you going to greet our Third Master? Back in Zhongyang Town, you conspired with Cheng Ji to humiliate my mother, forcing my family to flee our home. I was wondering where to find you—never thought you’d show up here.”

Wang Mai rode forward and recognized the triangular-eyed man as the very same Third Elder from Zhongyang Town.

Back then, Cao Peng’s mother, Madam Zhang, had tried to sell her family’s heirloom jade for money to seek a talisman in Zhongyang Mountain. The local gentry had coveted the jade, and when forced to buy it, colluded with this Third Elder to frame Madam Zhang.

Cao Peng still remembered how this man aided in their villainy. Only because he didn’t know the man’s whereabouts did Cao Peng spare him that night, after killing Cheng Ji.

But the hatred for his mother’s suffering had never faded. A cold glint flashed across his delicate features. Without another word, he drew his steel blade and, in one swift motion, brought it down—there was a crunch, and the goateed man fell dead, disbelief still in his eyes. Wang Mai, without hesitation, spurred his horse and thrust his spear into the man’s chest.

He had slandered Cao Peng’s mother and nearly caused Wang Mai’s father’s death.

The two young men’s attack came without warning; even Dian Wei, who had meant to intervene, was a heartbeat too slow.

“What are you doing, A’fu?” Dian Wei shouted. He hated these men but could not condone acting as judge and executioner.

Wei Yan laughed. “Captain Dian, at a time like this, what’s the point in asking? These men prey on the common people—they got what they deserved.”

As he spoke, he spurred his horse, his Dragon Sparrow Blade whirling, leaving carnage in his wake.

The travelers who had queued for the checkpoint scattered in panic.

Deng Ji strode up to the merchant whose goods had been seized. “You fool, why are you still here? Waiting to lose everything?”

The merchant started, then tears of gratitude welled up in his eyes. “Thank you, heroes, thank you!” He quickly beckoned his assistants and hurried away with his cart.

Meanwhile, Xiahou Lan and Deng Fan had joined the fray as well. There were only a dozen yamen runners in all; how could they withstand such a group? In moments, they were slain to the last man.

Wei Yan, still unsated, set fire to the checkpoint and laughed heartily.

“A’fu, you—these men deserved death, but the law is the law. How can you kill them without due process?” Dian Wei protested.

“He who harms the people deserves death at their hands,” Cao Peng replied calmly, glancing at Dian Wei. “Uncle, why grow timid on your own turf? In Wan or Jiyang, you killed many without hesitation. If these men live another day, they’ll harm Lord Cao all the more. Killing them now brings peace that much sooner. You always said a true man should act as he pleases—why falter now?”

Dian Wei flushed scarlet at his words.

Wang Meng and Cao Ji caught up, glancing at the corpses. “Well killed,” was all they said.

Dian Wei forced a wry smile. “Little A’fu, I never thought your blood runs hotter than mine… So be it. They’re dead, and that’s that. But let’s leave quickly, before trouble finds us.”

He had his concerns and wished not to linger. Though Dian Wei was close to Cao Cao, this was not the time to tarry.

——————————————————————

Without further delay, the group set out again.

But their escape would not be so easy.

They had gone barely ten miles when a clatter of hooves and shouts came from behind. “Stop, you thieves! Stop, you thieves!”

Dian Wei reined in his horse and looked back.

At the far end of the road, dust billowed skyward.

He frowned and spoke quietly. “A’fu, you all go on—I’ll stay behind.”

Cao Peng only smiled. “I did the killing; how can I leave Uncle here alone? I’m eager to see just what manner of man this magistrate of Langling truly is.”