Chapter 85: Names, Wonders Beyond Words (Part IV)

People rarely visit without a purpose, so when Xun Yu and Guo Jia suddenly arrived, Deng Ji could not help but feel uneasy. He did not know their true intentions, but he vaguely sensed they were there to test him. Yet, what were they testing? And why? Deng Ji could not fathom it. He was not a quick-witted man by nature, and faced with such a sudden situation, he was naturally flustered.

"You are a man of great talent, sir. I, Deng Ji, have no merit or ability to deserve such high regard from a Gentleman Attendant."

Deng Ji came from a humble background; although he was a clansman of the Deng family of Nanyang, he was merely from a collateral branch. Xun Yu, conversely, hailed from a prominent great clan of Yingchuan. He had been distinguished since youth, possessed exceptional talent, was considered a man of "king-making" caliber, and was a renowned scholar of the day. If one were to judge social standing by the later Nine-Rank System of the Wei and Jin dynasties, Deng Ji would certainly be below the fourth rank, perhaps even fifth or sixth; whereas Xun Yu was undeniably of the first rank. The two were worlds apart.

Xun Yu smiled. "Master Deng, there is no need for such formality. May I ask, what texts have you studied?"

This was a request to uncover his foundation, to ask about his scholarly lineage.

Deng Ji dared not delay and quickly replied, "I have studied the Minor Du Code."

"Oh?"

Xun Yu and Guo Jia exchanged glances, nodding to themselves.

The Minor Du Code was the interpretation of the Han Code by Du Yannian, one of the famous eleven meritorious officials of the Kirin Pavilion during the Western Han dynasty. Du Yannian was the youngest son of Du Zhou, the Censor-in-Chief under Emperor Wu. Du Zhou was also a famous harsh official of the time who had compiled a version of the Han Code. To distinguish between father and son, the code compiled by Du Zhou was called the Major Du Code, while the one by Du Yannian was the Minor Du Code.

Since the Eastern Han dynasty, the Minor Du Code had been the standard, and this practice continued to the present day.

Guo Jia asked, "And which branch of the Minor Du Code have you studied?"

The Minor Du Code had persisted for two hundred years, naturally giving rise to many variations. For instance, Wu Ping, the Minister of Justice under Emperor Shun, had studied the Minor Du Code for three generations; during the Yongping era, Guo Gong was also renowned for transmitting the Minor Du Code, with his father having adjudicated cases for thirty years and boasting hundreds of disciples.

With so many people studying it, disagreements naturally arose. There were the "Wu School Du Code," the "Guo School Du Code," and others, all of which remained in constant dispute.

Deng Ji scratched his head and said somewhat sheepishly, "I have studied the Zhongsun Han Code."

Guo Jia could not help but laugh upon hearing this. The so-called Zhongsun Han Code was the Minor Du Code as practiced by Guo Gong. Guo Gong, whose courtesy name was Zhongsun, was a native of Yingchuan.

Xun Yu looked at Guo Jia and chuckled, "Fengxiao, I never expected that you, a descendant of the Guo clan, would abandon the study of the Minor Du Code, only to have it valued by others."

Deng Ji was startled. "Libationer Guo, are you a descendant of the Duke of Donghai?"

The "Duke of Donghai" referred to Guo Hong, the father of Guo Gong. It was said that Guo Hong had presided over legal cases for thirty years without a single miscarriage of justice. He was honored with the title "Duke of Donghai" as a metaphor for his vast, oceanic wisdom. The Minor Du Code studied by Guo Gong was entirely based on his father Guo Hong's case files. In the third year of the Yuanhe era, Guo Gong had amended forty-one statutes, changing harsh punishments to lighter ones and advocating for leniency, which was highly praised by the world.

Guo Jia blushed slightly and said with a wry smile, "Although I am a descendant of the Guo clan, I have never delved deeply into the penal codes."

Deng Ji felt a tinge of disappointment upon hearing this. Guo Hong and Guo Gong had hundreds of disciples, and what Deng Ji had studied was merely one branch among those hundreds. It could be said that his version already differed significantly from the original Zhongsun Han Code, which was why he had always wanted to study it more thoroughly. However, Deng Ji also understood that it was excusable for Guo Jia not to study penal codes. After all, he came from a great clan, and with the degradation of law in the late Eastern Han, few young men from noble families would involve themselves in such matters.

Deng Ji studied the penal codes only out of necessity. He had no access to profound learning, so he had to study the law to make a living.

Xun Yu smiled. "In that case, Master Deng and Fengxiao share the bond of being from the same school."

"I am unworthy, truly unworthy..." Deng Ji replied with repeated modesty. "Gentleman Attendant, please do not call me 'sir' anymore. My courtesy name is Shusun; you may address me by my courtesy name."

"If that is the case, then I shall not stand on ceremony," Xun Yu said, pausing for a moment to glance at Guo Jia. Guo Jia nodded and spoke, "Brother Shusun, Wenruo and I have come today with a matter to consult you on. I believe you are aware that Yuan Shao now controls the lands of Hebei, and the world fears his might. Although the Excellency holds the lands of Yu and Yan, he is caught in a difficult position with Lu Bu to the east and Zhang Xiu to the south. In recent days, the Excellency's temperament has been erratic, and everyone assumes it is because of the setback with Zhang Xiu. I asked him yesterday and learned it was because of a letter from Yuan Shao... The Excellency wishes to campaign against Yuan Benchu but fears he cannot overcome him in force, hence..."

"Brother, what is your high opinion?"

Xun Yu stared intently at Deng Ji. Deng Ji knew this might be the most important opportunity of his life. Previously, although Man Chong had valued him, Man Chong was an outsider; in terms of weight, he could not compare to these two men whose words were worth their weight in gold. Although he did not know why Xun Yu and Guo Jia had come to test him, a sense of excitement rose in his heart.

Deng Ji took a deep breath, calmed his emotions, and after pondering for a long while, said, "In ancient times, success or failure ultimately depended on capability. Thus, those with ability can overcome the strong with the weak, while those without it turn from strong to weak. The example of the High Ancestor and the Hegemon of Western Chu is sufficient to illustrate this point... Yuan Shao is outwardly magnanimous but inwardly jealous, full of schemes but lacking in decisiveness; his decrees are not upheld. Though his power is great, it is difficult for it to endure. Have you not seen a boulder standing in a torrent? It remains unmoved despite the rushing water. Water is weak, yet drops can pierce stone... If Excellency Cao is the dripping water and Yuan Shao is the torrent, the torrent cannot last, while the dripping water can pierce the stubborn rock. If the Excellency wishes to campaign against Yuan Shao, he must proceed slowly. If the ferocious tigers are not removed and Zhang Xiu is not settled, then contending with Yuan Shao will inevitably leave the rear insecure, which is not a stable strategy."

A smile instantly appeared on Xun Yu's face. He exchanged a look with Guo Jia, and they both stood up and bowed. "Hearing Brother Shusun's words today, I feel as if a veil has been lifted from my eyes."

Deng Ji quickly stood up to return the bow, blushing slightly... Truth be told, he did not truly understand the situation between Yuan and Cao. Furthermore, with his own ability, it was difficult for him to see the intricacies of the situation. Fortunately, when Cao Peng had initially come to seek refuge with him, Deng Ji had heard from Wang Meng that Cao Peng had discussed the great trends of the world with Sima Hui and Pang Ji, so he had inquired about it once. Cao Peng had repeated the "Ten Victories and Ten Defeats" theory at that time, which had left a deep impression on Deng Ji. However, when Xun Yu asked him just now, he could not recall the specific details. Fortunately, Deng Ji had his own interpretation of the Ten Victories and Ten Defeats, so after a moment of consideration, he had produced those words.

Xun Yu said, "Now, the Guanzhong region is unstable, and the Qiang and Hu tribes, along with Liu Jiyu, are constant threats. The Excellency occupies Yu and Yan, but he struggles to stabilize Guanzhong. May I ask, Brother Shusun, what is your opinion on this?"

If Guo Jia's previous question was about the grand strategy, then what Xun Yu asked now was about the details. Deng Ji pondered for a long time. "There are countless generals in Guanzhong, but they do not command one another. Actually, wanting to stabilize Guanzhong is not difficult. First, Li Jue and Guo Si must be eradicated as soon as possible; second, send someone to use soft power to ally with the strongest among them. In this way, although it cannot bring lasting peace, it can force them to check each other and remain neutral. However, to execute this method, one needs a suitable candidate. Forgive my shallow knowledge; I cannot name a suitable person."

Xun Yu narrowed his eyes, remaining calm. He exchanged a look with Guo Jia, nodded, and stood up suddenly, bowing. "I have delayed you quite a bit, Shusun. Fengxiao and I must take our leave. When you have leisure, Shusun, you should come and visit us so we may grow closer."

Guo Jia also said, "Indeed. Although I have not studied the penal codes, my grandfather left behind many records. If you are interested, Shusun, I will have those records sent over... Haha, we are, after all, of the same school; we should visit each other more often."

Deng Ji was overjoyed and bowed in thanks. Xun Yu and Guo Jia walked out of the Huben Mansion side by side, but they did not head toward the Chariot and Cavalry Mansion.

As they walked, they talked in low voices.

"Wenruo, what do you make of Deng Ji?"

"He has insight and talent," Xun Yu replied. "What he said aligns with our views; he is worth recommending. However, he came from Nanyang Commandery after all, so it is best to observe him a bit more. How about this: I shall ask someone to inquire in Jiyang?"

"That would be excellent. While he is not a man of 'king-making' talent, he has the ability to adapt to changes... I just remembered, some time ago during the chaos in Langling, Man Boning sent out a Western Supervisor Cao Clerk who resolved the matter with ease. That Western Supervisor Cao Clerk seems to have been named Deng Ji."

"Oh?"

"For this matter, Xun Ji even specifically sent someone to inquire, and Gongda asked me about it once, but I did not pay much attention at the time."

Xun Yu gently rubbed his cheeks. "So, this Deng Shusun truly has real ability."

"Yes, but as you said, let us wait and see."

***

The sudden visit of Xun Yu and Guo Jia had kept Deng Ji nervous for quite a while. He did not know how he had performed or if his responses had met their expectations. Feeling anxious, he waited for two days, but during those two days, Xun Yu did not appear again. However, Guo Jia kept his word and sent over many records and documents left by Guo Gong. Deng Ji felt a slight sense of disappointment, but soon he was so engrossed in the documents that he put the matter out of his mind.

As for Cao Peng, he was not very clear about this matter. Deng Ji was a very cautious person, and before he could understand the intentions of Xun Yu and Guo Jia, he did not want to tell anyone else.

Cao Peng himself, meanwhile, was mired in a different kind of trouble. After Dian Man failed to break through the sand formation, he seemed to have developed a stubborn streak. Every morning at dawn, he would run to the fortress, first watching Cao Ji forge blades, and then dragging Cao Peng to practice the formation. At first, Dian Man would basically charge in with brute force, and he rarely lasted long before coming out bruised and swollen... But as he became familiar with the sand formation and secretly observed the methods used by Cao Peng and the others, he began to grasp some techniques. After three days of training, Dian Man could last for the time it took to burn a stick of incense. After all, he had the foundation of his family’s training, and since he was dedicated, his speed in traversing the formation soon caught up with Wang Mai and Deng Fan. Although he could not reach the level of Cao Peng, who handled it with ease, he had indeed made significant progress. His martial arts were not bad to begin with, and after practicing with the sandbags for a while, his movements and footwork became much more agile than before. Once the results appeared, Dian Man’s enthusiasm naturally soared.

At the same time, Cao Ji’s name was becoming increasingly famous in Xudu. Under the secret manipulation of Cao Peng, many versions of Cao Ji’s story circulated in the market. Some said he was a descendant of the Mohist school, others said he was a master craftsman... There were even rumors that Cao Ji possessed supernatural techniques and had obtained secret mystical formulas, which was why forging blades was as easy as flipping his hand. These rumors intensified, becoming uncontrollable and spreading from Xudu to the outside world. Even Cao Cao began to pay attention to this matter. However, he did not go to ask Dian Wei, merely wondering what the final outcome would be...

Just like that, time passed, and it was midsummer. Spring departed, summer arrived, and the weather grew increasingly hot. The scorching sun made people feel restless. Even sitting in the shade felt as if one were trapped in a furnace.

In the fifth month of the second year of Jian'an, Liu Biao sent his subordinate general Deng Ji to invade Langling. The Magistrate of Langling, Xun Ji, fought in haste and inadvertently fell into an ambush laid by Deng Ji, dying at the foot of Queshan. When the news reached Xudu, Cao Cao was furious. He had originally planned to campaign against Lu Bu, but because of this incident, he had to change his plans. In mid-May, Cao Cao ordered the Administrator of Runan, Man Chong, to station troops at Queshan. Subsequently, he personally supervised the army, using Man Chong as the vanguard, and forcefully entered Nanyang Commandery, breaking through Fuyang within ten days. After his great victory at Langling, Deng Ji could not help but become arrogant. But soon, he was defeated by Man Chong and retreated in disarray, finally defending Huyang County with strict vigilance... Cao Cao's sudden thrust into Nanyang was equivalent to declaring war on Liu Biao. Liu Biao was enraged, but constrained by the strength of Cao Cao's expedition, he had to be cautious...

***

"A-Fu!"

Early in the morning, Dian Man arrived at the fortress to find Cao Peng. After more than a month of interaction, Dian Man had developed a sense of closeness with Cao Peng. At first, he had looked down on Cao Peng, thinking he was not as impressive as his father, Dian Wei, had described. But as time went on, his attitude changed. Although Cao Peng was young and frailer than him, he knew much more than Dian Man. Furthermore, because Deng Ji had visited Xun Yu and Guo Jia a few times, Dian Wei had begun to value this family even more. Dian Man began to admire Cao Peng a little.

Cao Peng had just finished his morning practice and was preparing to go help in the iron furnace.

"A-Man, what is the matter?"

"Can you help me?"

Dian Man no longer minded Cao Peng using his childhood name, and he looked at him with a pleading expression.

Cao Peng asked in surprise, "Help you? What happened to you?"

"Sigh... it’s my father again," Dian Man sighed. "You know that this time the Excellency went to Nanyang, he didn't take my father, but chose Xu Chu instead. My father has been unhappy for the past two days, always saying the Excellency doesn't trust him anymore since he didn't bring him along. He’s been drinking heavily at home... I see he’s in a foul mood, but I don't know how to console him. You are smarter than me; can you think of a way?"

Cao Peng suddenly realized. Cao Cao had gone on the expedition to Huyang County without taking Dian Wei, choosing Xu Chu instead. This had made Dian Wei feel awkward, and his stubborn temper had led him into a dead end.

Cao Peng thought for a moment and nodded. "I was planning to go into the city anyway. It’s been a while since I visited my uncle, so this is a good opportunity."

"Let's go together, let's go together!" Wang Mai became excited as soon as he heard Cao Peng was going out.

"Get lost... go back to your training," Cao Peng said sharply. "If you can't last for the time of a stick of incense in the sand formation, don't even think about stepping out."

"Ah?" Wang Mai’s face soured. "A-Fu, I haven't been out in forty days; let me go out just once."

"Don't even think about it," Cao Peng said, shouting to Xiahou Lan, "Xiahou, watch him. If he dares to sneak out, watch out, or I'll deal with you!"

Wang Mai’s face twisted in misery, and he had to give up.

***

Cao Peng changed into a long white gown and walked out of the fortress with Dian Man. The two mounted their horses and headed straight for Xudu. Before long, they arrived outside the city... Dian Man was a well-known figure in Xudu, so the gate guards did not stop them. They soon arrived outside the Huben Mansion, only to see Deng Ji in a green gown stepping out of the gate.

"Brother-in-law, are you going out?"

Deng Ji smiled. "A-Fu, why are you here? I have an appointment with a friend and am just about to leave."

"Is Uncle Dian at home?"

Deng Ji rubbed his nose. "He is practicing martial arts at the training ground. He’s in good spirits today; he didn't drink this morning... You came at the right time, go see him."

Cao Peng did not ask where Deng Ji was going; he bowed and walked into the mansion with Dian Man. Unlike the desolate state of the Huben Mansion more than a month ago, the place was now much more lively, with many more servants and maids. Dian Man led Cao Peng all the way to the training ground. As soon as they reached the entrance, they could hear the sound of wind whistling and the occasional roar of a tiger.

Dian Wei was shirtless, revealing dark, steel-like muscles. A pair of heavy iron halberds flew in his hands, striking left and right. Cao Peng and Dian Man stood at the entrance, not daring to walk inside. For someone like Dian Wei, it was safer to stay far away while he practiced. Dian Wei’s iron halberds were used beautifully; years of combat had imbued his movements with a thick, murderous aura that made people afraid to approach. Even Dian Man, who was used to seeing his father practice, felt his face pale from that aura. Cao Peng, however, watched with great interest, seemingly unaffected by the aura. Seeing this, Dian Man’s admiration grew.

"Good!"

Dian Wei sheathed his halberds and stood still. Cao Peng immediately clapped and cheered.

"A-Fu, why are you here?"

Cao Peng smiled. "I haven't seen you in a long time, Uncle, and I missed you. I was heading into the city for business today, so I came to visit."

"Hahaha, you brat, you sure know how to talk." Dian Wei laughed heartily, then his expression darkened as he looked at Dian Man’s pale face. Dian Man’s martial arts were indeed not bad; he had reached the peak of the 'bone-tempering' stage and could break through the bottleneck at any time. But in the end, he had grown up in a greenhouse, incomparable to Dian Wei, who had chased tigers across ravines and drifted through the world. He hadn't been on the battlefield or experienced the slaughter of the frontier; no matter how good his martial arts were, they were of no use.

"A-Man, why are you still in such an unrefined state after all this time?"

Dian Man lowered his head and said nothing. He was always somewhat fearful of Dian Wei...

Cao Peng smiled. "Uncle, don't blame A-Man. He has made great progress; he can last for the time of a stick of incense in the sand formation now, he just lacks experience."

"Hmph." Dian Wei’s expression softened. "A-Fu, what are you buying in the city?"

"Hehe, buying some medicinal herbs."

"Medicinal herbs? Are you ill?"

Cao Peng shook his head quickly. "Not ill, it’s for my training... Uncle, I heard from A-Man that you’ve been drinking every day lately. Is something bothering you?"

Dian Wei was startled, then glared fiercely at Dian Man.

"Uncle, don't blame A-Man, he was just worried about you... If it were anyone else, do you think he would care?"

These words warmed Dian Wei’s heart, and the look he gave Dian Man softened significantly. He wiped the sweat from his body, sat down in a small pavilion in the training ground, and sighed softly.

"A-Fu, you be the judge. Ever since I followed the Excellency, from the conquest of Xuzhou to the attack on Puyang, in nearly a hundred battles, the Excellency has always brought me along. But this time, he only took Xu Chu. I just can't understand why he didn't bring me, but took that silly tiger instead?"

Cao Peng sat down in the pavilion, thought for a moment, and suddenly smiled.

"Uncle, what is your official position now?"

Dian Wei looked at Cao Peng, stunned. "You brat, asking when you know the answer. Huben General of the Household."

"Then, have you completed the tasks the Excellency entrusted to you?"

"What tasks?"

Cao Peng sighed helplessly. "Uncle, you are the Huben General of the Household; naturally, your task is to build the Huben Army. I presume you have gathered the men, but have you trained them? Can they fight in battle?"

Dian Wei stared, shouting, "My Huben Army is full of good men, every one of them is a killer!"

"Killing is one thing, but training is another... Surely you don't intend to have your troops swarm in a chaotic mess when they reach the frontier?"

"This..."

"Uncle, governing an army is not that simple. It is not just about the soldiers being brave; they need to understand how to follow orders and move in unison. When attacking, move forward; when retreating, keep the formation. When defending, be as solid as a fortress... Have you paid attention to these things?"

"This..."

"Uncle, the Excellency didn't take you because he wants you to train the Huben Army well. He is not slighting you; he values you more than ever before!"

Dian Wei fell into deep thought upon hearing this... After a long time, he finally looked up and asked softly, "A-Fu, give me an idea then: how should I train my troops?"