Chapter 3: The Ambitions of the Usurper Cao

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Riding closely behind Cao Cao at a slow pace, they reached the northern crossroads of Dunqiu County, where several constables gathered around. Seeing Liu Bei lying weakly on his horse, the constables saluted respectfully, praising the imperial court’s might, likely assuming that Liu Bei had already been subdued by Cao Cao.

It seemed the constables were not unable to keep up with Cao Cao; rather, Cao Cao had assigned them to guard the crossroads.

Fortunately, Liu Bei had not fled earlier...

Liu Bei glanced at Cao Cao and caught a meaningful look from him. He returned the gaze, indicating his understanding. Cao Cao probably did not trust the constables and was signaling him not to mention the incident of robbing the Li family at Lihu to them.

Cao Cao was somewhat considerate; he did not imprison Liu Bei but instead brought him to a charitable institution just outside the county town.

“This place used to be a shelter run by the Taiping Dao sect. I intend to distribute porridge here to relieve hunger. Since we lack workers, you shall serve here to atone for your sins.” Cao Cao said this to Liu Bei, though his words were clearly meant for the other constables.

Then he turned and instructed the constables, “We will distribute porridge here tomorrow. Go to the county to fetch some rice and grain.”

“Your Excellency, the county’s reserves are limited. At most, it will last two or three days...” a county official replied respectfully.

“No matter. Whatever amount there is, we will make do. Simply do your best and have a clear conscience,” Cao Cao waved his hand and urged the constables to get to work.

Liu Bei understood the implication: send away the constables so he could gather the displaced people and prepare to act at Lihu.

After the constables left, Cao Cao asked Liu Bei, “How much time do you need?”

“Three days.” Liu Bei slid off the horse with some effort. “One day to rest and eat, one day to gather the displaced people, and one day to carry out the plan... But after it’s done, what do you intend to do with me, Brother Mengde?”

“Haha... I am a government official, naturally tasked with eradicating bandits.” Cao Cao pointed to the horse beside Liu Bei and smiled, “If you run fast, then it means I, Cao Mengde, have failed to pursue and eliminate the bandit leader, without even knowing who they are...”

Liu Bei nodded. “Then to ensure you fail in your pursuit, I won’t return this horse to you.”

Cao Cao’s smile faded but soon burst into hearty laughter. “If you weren’t a bandit, you’d be quite an interesting man! But this horse cannot be yours—it bears the Cao family’s mark. I will gift you another horse.”

Liu Bei bowed politely but shook his head. “It’s not a gift. I stole it. Brother Mengde, tomorrow night, weakened by distributing porridge, you will unwittingly lose your horse to me and have a group of displaced people coerced along…”

Cao Cao laughed heartily, tossing his wine flask to Liu Bei before departing.

...

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That night, a disturbance broke out at the charitable institution.

A group of displaced people fought fiercely over the porridge, causing a brawl before being bound by Cao Cao.

Liu Bei stepped forward to plead for them but was refused, and the displaced were tied up in the stable.

Later that night, Liu Bei “infiltrated” the stable, freed the displaced people, and led them to Lihu. Along the way, he gathered their fellow villagers from the institution, totaling over three hundred.

With Cao Cao’s tacit cooperation, Liu Bei only needed to say one sentence to persuade them to leave: “There are only two days’ worth of grain here, but the Li family at Lihu has warehouses full of fine rice enough to feed us for a lifetime.”

Of course, he also “stole” Cao Cao’s horse and had the displaced people take away the large cart the constables had used to transport grain the day before.

In fact, Cao Cao was not far behind him, watching Liu Bei’s actions closely.

After all, Cao Cao had said he would accompany Liu Bei.

But Liu Bei knew Cao Cao was not afraid he would escape.

Rather, Cao Cao feared he lacked enough men to break into the Li family’s stronghold and feared the displaced would scatter upon receiving the grain.

Therefore, as Liu Bei led the people away from the institution, Cao Cao would surely send constables and county soldiers to “pursue the rioters.”

Liu Bei knew Cao Cao was unlikely to let him go.

After all, the previous rogue had once been involved with Lady Bian—the woman destined to be Cao Cao’s wife...

Though no real betrayal occurred, would Cao Cao simply overlook it?

Cao Cao may have been upright in his youth, but he was still Cao Cao...

He wouldn’t turn on you while he needed you, but once finished, would he truly spare you?

It was expected that Cao Cao would give full effort to hunt Liu Bei down and would not relent.

As for absolving past crimes—death would surely absolve all past sins.

Therefore, Liu Bei had no intention of relying on Cao Cao’s mercy.

From the start, Liu Bei never planned to personally raid the Li family at Lihu.

There was no need.

He only needed to lead the displaced people to the area and let them take action; he had no intention of lingering to await Cao Cao’s attack.

...

Lihu was close to Dunqiu, just a two-hour walk.

Arriving at the Li family’s fortified manor in the dead of night, the moonless and windy darkness was perfect for setting fires and looting.

“See that? That’s the Li family’s estate. I’ll set the fire, and you all rush in!” Liu Bei rallied the displaced. “I’m Big Ears—no liar. That Li family is wealthy, and their granaries hold enough good rice to feed us for a lifetime!”

Calling himself Big Ears, he wished to avoid notoriety over this deed...

“Big Ears, you’re going to start the fire?” asked a tall, sturdy man clad in black.

Because Liu Bei had pleaded for them during their capture by Cao Cao and later rescued them, the displaced trusted him and even worried about his safety.

But Liu Bei knew that having company during the arson would be dangerous.

“Less is more when setting fires. Too many people would only raise suspicion,” he explained. “Once the fire starts, the Li family will come out to fight it. When they open the gates, you rush in and break through. Remember, don’t kill unless absolutely necessary, or else...”

“We understand, just the grain, no killing,” the leader assured. He was not foolish; they only wanted to survive. As long as no one was harmed, even if caught, it wouldn’t be a capital crime.

Imprisonment was bearable—the food there was better than none. But murder was a different matter altogether.

What they didn’t realize was that Liu Bei feared they might be too ruthless, forcing Cao Cao to execute him on the spot to appease the Li family...

Liu Bei dismounted, handing his horse to the tall man. “I’ll start the fire. Riding would make me too conspicuous. You lead the charge on horseback later.”

He then took off his blue shirt and gave it to the man. “Change into this so I can sneak in.”

Dressed in the man’s ragged clothes, Liu Bei approached the manor.

The displaced leader donned Liu Bei’s blue robe, leading the horse with a broad grin, telling his companions, “Brother Big Ears is truly a man of integrity.”

Soon, flames flickered in the small woods behind the manor.

Chaos erupted inside. The main gate and side doors opened, and a group of people came out carrying buckets of water.

Seizing the opportunity, the displaced surged forward and successfully breached the fortress.

At the same time, Cao Cao arrived with Dunqiu county soldiers from another side.

Not long after...

“Big Ears, you bandit! Surrender your life... Hey, where’s Big Ears? Who are you, and why are you riding this horse?”

Cao Cao had been watching his horse closely all along, only to find it was not Liu Bei riding it.

“Where is Big Ears? Where did he go?!”

Cao Cao brandished his short halberd, his anger burning with nowhere to vent, but no one knew Liu Bei’s whereabouts.

Liu Bei had fled far away when the fire started, never once looking back. By now, he had entered Dunqiu—true to his word, he had stolen another horse from Cao Cao’s stables.

It was the horse marked with the Cao family seal that Cao Cao had reclaimed.

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