The War Horse of Cao Cao's Army [Romance of the Three Kingdoms] - Chapter 2

I was suddenly thrown into the Romance of the Three Kingdoms era.

No, to be precise, it wasn’t even the Three Kingdoms yet—it was the chaotic period at the end of the Later Han Dynasty.

Having read so many works like this, I had high hopes about what kind of family I might have been born into… but it turned out to be a dirt-poor family in Wu County, Yang Province.

My parents were farmers, and my father was in poor health, so from the age of fifteen, I had to grab the plow and work tirelessly.

In reality, I wasn’t destined to be some great hero from Romance of the Three Kingdoms; I had just become an ordinary commoner, thrown into a time where each day was a struggle to survive. It was like being dragged into the worst kind of pit.

By the time a month had passed, I couldn’t endure it anymore and even had extreme thoughts of wanting to go back. But the parents I met in this life always embraced and cherished me.

However, even that didn’t last long—my father passed away when a plague swept through the village.

A local government official to provide relief from the plague? In this place, it was the bandit gangs that ruled, and the Han Dynasty’s proper administration didn’t reach us. The leader of the bandit gang was a man called ‘Yen Baihu.’

After my father’s funeral, in order to survive, I had to take his remains up the mountain and bury him there. Then, under the pretext of observing three years of mourning, I built a makeshift hut and hid away.

During that time, I met someone who had owed a debt to my father long ago, and they helped me with the funeral.

Afterward, that person asked me,

“When you’ve spent these three years here, you will have reached the age of manhood. Will you not then move to make a name for yourself?”

They then made me an offer.

“So, why not learn both literature and martial arts from me during this time?”

In order to survive in this chaotic world, I accepted the offer.

Without any cheats, noble lineage, or natural abilities, I learned purely to survive.

During the day, I practiced swordsmanship, archery, and spear techniques under that person’s guidance in front of my father’s grave. At night, I studied literature.

In order to survive, I even resorted to hunting dangerous beasts in the mountains for food—something that, under normal circumstances, would be considered improper by the rules of etiquette.

Three years passed in this way.

“Pheew—”

I gave my final bow to my father.

“It’s time for me to head down.”

The person who had stayed with me all this time also smiled and bowed to my father before we finally descended the mountain.

“In the central plains, it’s said that a descendant of the Yuan family, which produced three generations of the highest-ranking officials, gained fame across the land after observing three years of mourning for his father.”

Since I knew most of the people from this era, I was able to respond right away.

“Are you talking about Yuan Shao?”

“Haha, I’ve always thought it strange—you’ve never left the southern lands, yet you know everything about what’s happening in the central plains as if you could see it with your eyes closed!”

Yuan Shao was known in this era for holding two separate three-year mourning periods for his parents, and his reputation spread across the land because of it.

Now, with his filial piety as a symbol, he had become a powerful warlord in the central plains.

My teacher patted me on the back and said, “When we descend the mountain, I will teach you how to ride a horse. That will be the last thing I teach you, and then my duty will be fulfilled.”

“A horse, you say?”

“Occasionally, I’ve gone down the mountain and spoken with your mother. She told me that she’s saved enough money to buy you a horse.”

After training in the mountains for three years, I could finally start learning how to ride a horse.

When I returned to the village, my mother, who had been working the fields alone, embraced me and cried. Slowly, I reintegrated into the household.

Over the next six months, my teacher taught me how to ride a horse.

Of course, it wasn’t just horse riding all day long. To make a living, I hunted or helped deal with nearby bandit groups with the skills I had learned.

At some point, I became known as “Hun, the Hero of Wu County.”

And so, I celebrated my 20th birthday in Wu County.

***

On a night when the full moon hung in the sky, my mother and teacher called me late into the evening.

“At this late hour… what could possibly be going on?”

Both my mother and teacher looked at me with solemn expressions.

Whatever it was, it seemed serious.

After a long silence, my teacher was the first to speak.

“Hun, it’s time to tell you the truth.”

“…Pardon?”

The truth?

What on earth was he talking about all of a sudden?

“Hun, all this time we’ve told you that our family came from rootless wanderers without even a family name, but that’s not the truth.”

What? Are we some family with an enormous secret?

“Then…”

“We’ve raised you without revealing your family name since childhood, but in truth, our family once produced a Grand Commandant.”

…What? Are they seriously revealing my birth secret like this, out of nowhere?

Honestly, ever since I fell into this world without knowing why, I just accepted everything to survive.

But now you’re telling me our family came from one that produced a Grand Commandant during the previous emperor’s reign?

Considering the current emperor is Emperor Xian (Liu Xie), that means we’re from an incredibly prestigious family that served as Grand Commandant either under Emperor Ling or Emperor Shao.

“You are from the Cao family of Qiao County, Peiguo.”

“What!?”

This is crazy—not just any family, but the Cao family of Qiao County!

There’s only one prestigious Cao family from Qiao County in Peiguo.

It’s the family of Cao Teng, the eunuch who was an Imperial Attendant during the reigns of Emperor Huan and Emperor Ling, and his adopted son, Cao Song, who secured the position of Grand Commandant with a fortune of 100 million coins.

And finally, Cao Song’s son—Cao Cao, the cunning hero of chaos and brilliant statesman of peace.

In other words, I am part of Cao Cao’s family.

“But then why are we living here, in the southern lands of Wu County?”

“You may not remember your early childhood, but after the Yellow Turban Rebellion, we fled south to escape the chaos.”

“Ah….”

If it was during that time, I would have been a mere child, likely around elementary school age before I took over this body.

Although my memories of the past were faint, it seemed like something significant must have happened in my hometown for us to go so far as to hide our identities in this chaotic era.

My mother then gestured to my teacher, who stood by my side.

“This man, who has taught you martial arts, was once a comrade of your father during the Yellow Turban Rebellion.”

So that was it—a veteran of the Yellow Turban Rebellion.

Everything made sense now, from how he had taught me literature, martial arts, and horseback riding.

“Master, I finally understand.”

“It was a promise I made to your father. If he were to die before me, he asked me to guide you until you became a true warrior.”

I bowed my head once more to my teacher in gratitude.

Knowing this truth made my heart race uncontrollably.

After four years of training, the truth was finally revealed—I was a member of the Cao family.

“This mother of yours will now tell you your true name, not just your childhood name. Your name is Xiu (休), and when you come of age, the courtesy name given to you will be Wenlie (文烈).”

My goodness!

Cao Xiu, courtesy name Wenlie.

A member of the Cao family from Qiao County, Peiguo, and a collateral member of the Cao Wei royal family. He would later rise to the rank of Grand Marshal.

According to my extensive Romance of the Three Kingdoms knowledge, Cao Xiu’s birth year was uncertain, but he had to leave his hometown of Qiao County under certain circumstances. After his father passed, he lived with his widowed mother and joined Cao Cao when he raised his army. After that, he served as a general under Cao Cao, Cao Pi, and Cao Rui, playing a prominent role.

Although he participated in major battles, Cao Xiu didn’t achieve any particularly extraordinary military feats. However, being trusted by the Cao family and having the background of a royal with military influence was enough to alter the course of history.

If I had known from the beginning that I was Cao Xiu, I would have taken my parents and gone to seek out Cao Cao right away!

“Now that you’ve come of age, I will address you by your courtesy name—Wenlie!”

“Yes, Master.”

The name ‘Hun.’

Letting go of that name and embracing the identity of Cao Xiu Wenlie stirred something deep inside me.

…Yes, I am Cao Xiu Wenlie.

The truth of my identity washed away the hardship of those grueling four years… It was truly ironic.

“It’s time for you to leave Wu County and return to the Cao family.”

“Am I heading to Yanzhou?”

“No, you will go to Xuzhou.”

“Pardon? Did you say Xuzhou?”

Cao family… Xuzhou… Great Filial Piety… Something about this feels off.

“The Grand Commandant, the eldest in our family, is currently staying in Langya, Xuzhou. He is planning to move to Yanzhou soon, but you will go and deliver this letter to him as a formal introduction.”

With that, I was handed a sealed letter, closed with wax.

“You want me to go to Langya and personally greet the Grand Commandant?”

“Yes, during this time, your mother will be safely escorted to her hometown in Qiao County, Peiguo, under my protection.”

My mother would return to her homeland with my master’s escort, while I would travel to Xuzhou to meet the Grand Commandant.

That Grand Commandant was none other than Cao Song, Cao Cao’s father, and the Langya region where he resided was the very place where the Cao family massacre had occurred.

This was truly fate—and an opportunity.

I had been given the chance to change history.

“Can you leave first thing tomorrow morning?”

“I will go immediately.”

“Hahaha, you’ve become quite the man now, Wenlie!”

My teacher laughed heartily as he handed me a sword.

“You’ll be leaving tomorrow morning, so I’m giving this to you as a gift for your coming-of-age ceremony.”

“Th-thank you.”

“Go, greet the Grand Commandant, and make a name for yourself within the Cao family. I’m cheering for your future.”

My teacher praised me with a kind expression, and my mother smiled quietly as she handed me a small box.

“Open it.”

When I did, I found new clothes, shoes, and a small amount of silver inside.

“Since you’ll be leaving this place, I sold the house and land to provide you with these clothes and travel expenses.”

“Mother…”

“I’m sorry for all the hardships you’ve had to endure.”

In that moment, I was overwhelmed with emotion.

I had once thought I’d fallen into hell, but looking back, this woman had cared for me, even in the midst of her own difficult life—she was truly my mother.

“I hope you will be recognized by the greater family and make a name for yourself in this world.”

Suddenly, I was in tears, and my heart surged with emotion.

The mother who had guided me through an unfamiliar world.

Despite all the struggles, she had cared for me until the very end.

And here I was, finally able to express my gratitude.

“Thank you, Mother.”

***

The next day.

Before departing on horseback, I took one last look at the land of Wu County.

It was the place where I had lived in despair for four long years, but now it was time to say goodbye.

Perhaps when I return, it will be as a general under Cao Cao’s army, coming back to these lands as part of the conquered territories.

The journey from Wu County, Yang Province, to Langya, Xuzhou, would take just under ten days.

As I rode, I gathered my thoughts on the current situation.

Right now, it’s the year 193 CE, just before the Xuzhou Massacre.

Cao Cao’s father, Cao Song, along with the rest of the family, are still in Xuzhou and alive, for now.

Yes, I can still save them.

The most infamous act attributed to Cao Cao in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms era is the ‘Xuzhou Massacre,’ and the cause of that massacre was the ‘slaughter of his family in Xuzhou.’

But what if I go there first and save Cao Cao’s father and his family?

And then, after ensuring their safety, reveal myself to Cao Cao as a member of the Cao family from Qiao County, earning the support of his father?

That would be the beginning.

I could carve out my own fate in the world of Romance of the Three Kingdoms!