“Turmoil”: Battle for the Han Empire sample (Act I) -- T. P. M. Thorne
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The grieving Yuan Shao - whose clan was among those decimated by Dong Zhuo - then led what was known as the ‘Eastern Pass Coalition’ - a confederacy of provincial governors, prefectural administrators and militias - in a blockade attack on Dong Zhuo’s defending forces in the capital Luoyang. After destroying priceless bronze statues - for the purpose of minting new coin to buy supplies - and causing crippling inflation, Dong Zhuo looted the capital - and any nearby imperial tombs - and murdered many of the capital’s inhabitants before fleeing to the old capital Chang’an with Emperor Xian and his senior courtiers as hostages. A feud between Yuan Shao and his half-brother Yuan Shu caused the dissolution of the Eastern Pass Coalition, and that was, as Cao Cao recalled with regret, the on-going situation after 4 years: the Yuans were still feuding, and Emperor Xian was now a hostage of Dong Zhuo’s former associates, the latter having been assassinated, ironically enough, by his own stepson, Lü Bu.
“It is difficult to know what to say about such times,” Cao Cao suggested.
“The sooner that they are history - a memory of worse times - the better,” Xun Wenruo replied.
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2
“…Here we are, Wenruo: the home of Governor Yuan Shao of
Ji Province,” Cao Cao chuckled as his governor’s carriage slowed in front of
a large mansion. “We shall soon have to part company; I truly hope that he does not
expect you to talk to any of his more wretched followers.”
Xun Wenruo sighed miserably.
“I shall see if Xu Yòu is about,” Cao Cao promised. “He is an old
friend, as you know, and shall treat you well; better that than Chunyu Qiong or one of his
other insufferable toadies.”
“All of whom I know, Lord Cao, as a former adviser that ‘defected’,”
Xun Wenruo noted pointedly. “One of the worst, if you recall, is my younger brother.”
“…Oh, yes, of course,” Cao Cao realised at last. “All those subtle hints,
but I was so preoccupied with my own reservations… forgive me, my friend.”
“…It was me or Mister Cheng!” Xun Wenruo joked.
Cao Cao smiled, laughed and said, “Indeed! I would be a bigger fool for bringing that
bad-tempered and painfully honest man here! I might owe him much for his role in regaining my
province, but he would probably ruin everything if he decided to speak to Benchu as he speaks
to me. Benchu’s ‘touchiness’ has already cost him good officers and more than
one good official; I’d rather it didn’t cost him any of mine. …But will you
be alright, Wenruo?”