Light and Shadow

Chapter 25 - A Hollow Victory

Two months passed by since Cao Cao's raid on Wuchao. His small platoon of troops took what supplies they could carry and burned the rest. From the comfort of his tent, Yuan Shao and his closest advisors watched as a giant plume of black smoke filled the sky from the direction of their supply depot.

"Tian Feng, tell me that Wuchao is not burning." Yuan Shao stated icily.

"My Lord, I cannot possibly answer that because I do not know if Wuchao has been attacked." Tian Feng replied nervously.

A soldier clad in goldenrod colored linen clothing beneath iron armor rushed into the luxurious tent and bowed.

"My Lord, Wuchao is in flames! Cao Cao led an assault unit there himself and razed the place, burning it to the ground!" The soldier exclaimed. The ends of his sleeves were slightly charred and he smelled of smoke.

"Aiya, why can't I have competent people in my employ like Cao Cao?!" Yuan Shao gushed angrily, feeling outraged by what he had just heard.

After being dealt this devastating blow by Cao Cao, Yuan Shao was forced to withdraw shortly after due to the lack of provisions for his army. Yuan Shao executed Tian Feng, who initially advised against him attacking Cao Cao at Guandu, and then ordered the rest of his forces to retreat. Shortly after his retreat, however, Yuan Shao fell ill and succumbed to illness, leaving his three sons to fight over who would succeed their father as Lord. Guo Jia and Cao Cao took advantage of this conflict among siblings and swiftly defeated the three brothers, effectively uniting the northern plains under his banner.

Cao Cao then quickly scribed a note that detailed his victory over Yuan Shao and his sons to Xun Yu, also mentioning that he would be returning to Xu in one weeks' time from when he receives the letter and that he should start preparing the city for his return. After he finished writing what he wished to say, he closed the scroll and sealed it before seeking out a messenger and paying him a generous sum to quickly deliver the letter to Xun Yu.

He was eager to return to Xu after being away for several months, and he felt happiness and joy building up within him as he thought of the sights and smells, his friends, and Xun Yu, all of which awaited him once he returned. However, his joyful spirits were dampened when a soldier ran up to him with a tearful and panicked expression.

"My Lord, it's Master Guo Jia! He's dying and wants to see you!" The soldier stated as tears streamed down his face.

Cao Cao's eyes widened in shock and disbelief, and he immediately rushed to Guo Jia's tent as fast as his legs would carry him. He quickly parted open the tent and rushed over to the man's side, gazing down at his pale and weary form with tears streaming down his face. Guo Jia looked over at the man and smiled softly as he extended a hand upwards toward him. Cao Cao gently grabbed his hand with both of his and sat down beside his dying friend on the edge of the bed.

"Fengxiao, why didn't you tell me?" Cao Cao inquired tearfully.

Guo Jia shook his head.

"There was no time. I desperately wanted to help you unite the north before I ran out of time, and it looks like I was able to achieve that goal. I apologize for leaving you so soon, please consider this as my parting gift," Guo Jia said weakly with a painful chuckle. He watched as tears silently gushed down the man's face. "Please don't cry, you will make me cry, and I do not want you to look upon my passing with sadness. Promise me that even after I am gone, you will share wine with me; only the good stuff, not the cheap stuff."

Cao Cao nodded.

"Of course, I will share only the finest of wine with you, and the rich soil of the earth will bear witness to our continued friendship and memory." Cao Cao replied gently.