As Cao Pi raised his sword to strike down the two weeping women, a sudden radiance filled his eyes, causing him to stay his blade. "Who are you?" he demanded. One woman replied, "I am Lady Liu, wife of the late General Yuan Shao." "And this woman?" Cao Pi asked, pointing to the younger one. "She is Lady Zhen, wife of my second son, Yuan Xi," Lady Liu answered. "When Yuan Xi was sent to govern You Province, Lady Zhen refused to travel so far and remained here." Cao Pi pulled the woman closer. Though her hair was disheveled and her face dirty, when he wiped her cheeks with his sleeve, he beheld a visage of jade-white skin and flower-like beauty—a countenance that could topple kingdoms. Turning to Lady Liu, he declared, "I am the son of Chancellor Cao Cao. I will protect your household. Have no fear." With that, he sheathed his sword and seated himself in the hall.
When Cao Cao led his generals into the city of Jizhou, Xu You spurred his horse forward as they approached the gate. Pointing his whip at the entrance, he shouted, "Ah, Man! Without me, how could you have entered this gate?" Cao Cao laughed heartily, but the other generals, hearing this, felt deeply resentful. Upon reaching Yuan Shao's residence, Cao Cao asked, "Who has entered this house?" The guard replied, "Your son, my lord, is inside." Cao Cao summoned Cao Pi and rebuked him. Lady Liu emerged and knelt, saying, "Without your son, my household would not have been spared. I beg that Lady Zhen be allowed to serve your son as his wife." Cao Cao ordered Lady Zhen brought before him. After gazing at her, he remarked, "
Truly, she is worthy to be my son's wife!" And so he commanded Cao Pi to take her as his bride.
Having secured Jizhou, Cao Cao personally visited Yuan Shao's tomb to offer sacrifices. He bowed twice and wept bitterly, then turned to his officials and said, "When Lord Benchu and I first raised our armies together, he asked me, 'If our enterprise fails, what region can we fall back on?' I asked him, 'What do you have in mind?' He replied, 'I will hold the south along the Yellow River, block the north with Yan and Dai, and unite the desert tribes, then turn south to contend for the realm. Might this succeed?' I answered, 'I will rely on the wisdom and strength of all under Heaven, guiding them with the Way. With this, nothing is impossible.' Those words seem like yesterday, yet now Benchu is gone. How can I not weep!" All present sighed deeply. Cao Cao bestowed gold, silk, grain, and provisions upon Yuan Shao's widow, Lady Liu. He then issued a decree: "The people of Hebei have suffered greatly from the hardships of war. All taxes and levies for this year are remitted." He also submitted a memorial to the court and appointed himself Governor of Ji Province.
One day, Xu Chu rode his horse through the eastern gate, where he encountered Xu You. Xu You called out to him, "Without me, could you men have entered this gate?" Enraged, Xu Chu shouted, "We risked life and limb, shedding blood in battle to capture this city! How dare you boast!" Xu You retorted, "You are all but common men, not worth mentioning!" In a fury, Xu Chu drew his sword and slew Xu You on the spot. Carrying the severed head, he came before Cao Cao and said, "Xu You was so insolent, I killed him." Cao Cao replied, "Ziyuan was an old friend of mine—he was only joking! Why did you kill him?" He sternly rebuked Xu Chu and ordered a lavish burial for Xu You. Then Cao Cao sent men throughout Jizhou to seek out worthy scholars. The people of Ji told them, "There is Cui Yan, styled Jigui, a native of Qinghe's Dongwu City. He served as a Cavalry Commandant and often offered advice to Yuan Shao, but Yuan Shao never heeded him. He has since feigned illness and remained at home." Cao Cao immediately summoned Cui Yan and appointed him Attendant Officer of the province. He then remarked, "Looking over the household registers of this province, I count three hundred thousand households. It is indeed a great province." Cui Yan replied, "The realm is divided, the nine provinces are torn asunder, and the two Yuan brothers are fighting each other, leaving the fields of Hebei strewn with the bones of the people. You, Chancellor, have not yet inquired into local customs or rescued the people from their suffering, but instead first count the households. Is this what the men and women of this province hope for from a wise lord?" Hearing this, Cao Cao's expression changed, and he apologized, treating Cui Yan as an honored guest.
Having secured Jizhou, Cao Cao sent scouts to learn of Yuan Tan's movements. Yuan Tan, meanwhile, was plundering the regions of Ganling, Anping, Bohai, and Hejian. When he heard that Yuan Shang had fled to Zhongshan after his defeat, Yuan Tan led his army to attack him. Yuan Shang, unwilling to fight, fled straight to You Province to join Yuan Xi. Yuan Tan absorbed all of Yuan Shang's remaining forces and planned to attack Jizhou once more. Cao Cao sent a messenger summoning Yuan Tan, but Yuan Tan refused to come. Furious, Cao Cao sent a letter breaking off the betrothal between his daughter and Yuan Tan, and personally led a massive army against him, marching straight to Pingyuan.
When Yuan Tan learned that Cao Cao was coming in person, he sent a messenger to Liu Biao asking for aid. Liu Biao summoned Liu Bei to discuss the matter. Liu Bei said, "Cao Cao has already broken Jizhou, and his army's momentum is overwhelming. The Yuan brothers will soon be captured by him. Sending aid would be useless. Moreover, Cao Cao has long coveted Jing and Xiang. We should only train our troops and guard our own territory—we must not act rashly." Liu Biao asked, "Then how shall we refuse him?" Liu Bei replied, "Write a letter to the Yuan brothers, using reconciliation as an excuse, and politely decline." Liu Biao agreed and first sent a letter to Yuan Tan. The letter read, in part: "A gentleman, when facing difficulties, does not flee to an enemy state. I have heard that you recently knelt and surrendered to Cao Cao, forgetting your father's enmity, abandoning the bond of brotherhood, and bringing shame upon our alliance. If the Lord of Ji Province is unworthy of you, you should humble yourself and follow him. When affairs are settled, let the realm judge who is right and who is wrong. Would this not be a noble act?" He also wrote to Yuan Shang: "The Lord of Qing Province is by nature hasty and stubborn, confused about right and wrong. You should first eliminate Cao Cao to avenge your father. When matters are settled, you can then judge right and wrong. Would this not be good? If you remain confused and refuse to turn back, you will be like the Hanlu hound and the Dongguo hare exhausting themselves, only to be caught by the farmer."
Yuan Tan, upon receiving Liu Biao's letter, realized that Liu Biao had no intention of sending troops. Knowing he could not withstand Cao Cao alone, he abandoned Pingyuan and fled to Nanpi to make a stand.
Cao Cao pursued him to Nanpi. The weather was bitterly cold, and the rivers were frozen solid, preventing the grain ships from moving. Cao Cao ordered the local people to break the ice and haul the boats. When the people heard this, they fled. Enraged, Cao Cao wanted to have them captured and executed. When the people learned of this, they came to the camp and surrendered themselves. Cao Cao said, "If I do not kill you, my orders will not be obeyed. But if I kill you, my heart cannot bear it. Quickly flee to the mountains and hide, lest my soldiers capture you." The people departed in tears.
Yuan Tan led his troops out of the city to face Cao Cao's army. The two armies drew up in formation. Cao Cao rode out and pointed his whip at Yuan Tan, cursing him: "I treated you generously! How could you harbor treacherous thoughts?" Yuan Tan retorted, "You invade my territory, seize my cities, and take my wife and children, yet you accuse me of treachery!" Enraged, Cao Cao sent Xu Huang forward. Yuan Tan sent Peng An to meet him. The two horses clashed, and in less than a few exchanges, Xu Huang cut down Peng An. Yuan Tan's army was routed and fled back into Nanpi. Cao Cao ordered his forces to besiege the city from all sides. Panicking, Yuan Tan sent Xin Ping to negotiate a surrender. Cao Cao said, "Yuan Tan is a fickle young man. I cannot trust him. Your younger brother, Xin Pi, is already in my service. You should remain here as well." Xin Ping replied, "You are mistaken, Chancellor. I have heard that when a lord is honored, his subjects are glorious; when a lord is troubled, his subjects are shamed. I have long served the Yuan family—how can I betray them?" Knowing that Xin Ping could not be kept, Cao Cao sent him back. Xin Ping returned to Yuan Tan and reported that Cao Cao would not accept his surrender. Yuan Tan shouted, "Your brother now serves Cao Cao! Are you harboring divided loyalties?" These words struck Xin Ping like a blow. His chest filled with rage, and he collapsed, unconscious. Yuan Tan ordered him carried out, but within moments, Xin Ping was dead. Yuan Tan regretted his harsh words. Guo Tu then advised Yuan Tan, "Tomorrow, drive the common people forward as a shield, with our troops behind them. We will fight a decisive battle against Cao Cao." Yuan Tan agreed.
That night, all the people of Nanpi were driven out, each armed with a weapon. At dawn the next day, the four city gates were thrown open. With the people in front and the soldiers behind, a great clamor arose as they surged forth toward Cao Cao's camp. The two armies became locked in a chaotic melee. From morning until noon, neither side gained the upper hand, and the ground was covered with the dead. Seeing that he had not yet secured victory, Cao Cao dismounted, climbed a hill, and personally beat the war drum. Inspired by this sight, his generals and soldiers fought with renewed vigor, shattering Yuan Tan's army. Countless common people were slaughtered in the carnage.
Cao Hong, displaying great valor, charged into the enemy formation and came face to face with Yuan Tan. With a flurry of blows from his blade, he cut Yuan Tan down on the battlefield. Guo Tu, seeing the army in complete disarray, galloped back toward the city. Le Jin spotted him, drew his bow, and loosed an arrow. Guo Tu and his horse plunged into the city moat, and both perished. Cao Cao led his troops into Nanpi and pacified the people. Suddenly, a detachment of troops arrived—it was Jiao Chu and Zhang Nan, generals under Yuan Xi. Cao Cao personally led his forces to meet them. The two generals laid down their weapons and armor, offering their surrender. Cao Cao enfeoffed them as marquises. Then the Black Mountain bandit Zhang Yan arrived with a hundred thousand troops to surrender, and Cao Cao appointed him General Who Pacifies the North.
Cao Cao ordered Yuan Tan's head to be displayed as a warning, decreeing that anyone who wept for him would be executed. The head was hung outside the northern gate. One man, dressed in mourning clothes, came and wept beneath it. He was seized and brought before Cao Cao. Upon questioning, Cao Cao learned that he was Wang Xiu, an Attendant Officer of Qing Province, who had been banished by Yuan Tan for remonstrating with him. Now, knowing that Yuan Tan was dead, he had come to mourn. Cao Cao asked, "Do you know my order?" Wang Xiu replied, "I do." "Are you not afraid of death?" Cao Cao demanded. Wang Xiu answered, "I received my commission from Yuan Tan in life. If I did not weep for him in death, I would be lacking in righteousness. To fear death and forget righteousness—how could I face the world! If I am permitted to bury Yuan Tan's body, I will accept death without regret." Cao Cao exclaimed, "How many loyal men there are in Hebei! What a pity that the Yuan family could not use them! If they had, how could I have dared even to glance at this land!" He then ordered Yuan Tan's body to be buried with proper rites, treated Wang Xiu as an honored guest, and appointed him Colonel of the Metal Office. He asked Wang Xiu, "Yuan Shang has now fled to Yuan Xi. What strategy should I use to capture them?" Wang Xiu did not answer. "A loyal man," Cao Cao remarked. He then consulted Guo Jia. Guo Jia said, "Send the surrendered Yuan generals, Jiao Chu and Zhang Nan, to attack them." Cao Cao followed this advice, dispatching Jiao Chu, Zhang Nan, Lü Kuang, Lü Xiang, Ma Yan, and Zhang Yi, each with their own troops, to advance on You Province in three columns. At the same time, he ordered Li Dian and Le Jin to join forces with Zhang Yan and attack Bing Province, targeting Gao Gan.
Meanwhile, Yuan Shang and Yuan Xi, learning that Cao Cao's forces were approaching and knowing they could not resist, abandoned their city and fled through the night to the Wuhuan tribes in the west of Liaoxi. The Inspector of You Province, Wuhuan Chu, gathered all the officials of the province and held a blood oath ceremony to decide whether to turn against the Yuan family and submit to Cao Cao. Wuhuan Chu declared, "I know that Chancellor Cao Cao is a hero of our age. We will now go to surrender. Anyone who disobeys this order will be executed." They proceeded in turn to smear their lips with blood. When it came to Han Heng, the Attendant Officer, he threw his sword to the ground and cried out, "I have received great kindness from the Yuan family—father and sons! Now that my lord is defeated and dead, I lacked the wisdom to save him and lack the courage to die for him—I have failed in righteousness! If I were to turn north and bow to Cao Cao, I would not do it!" All present turned pale. Wuhuan Chu said, "When undertaking a great enterprise, one must uphold great righteousness. Whether it succeeds or fails does not depend on one man. Since Han Heng has such resolve, let him do as he pleases." He had Han Heng escorted out. Wuhuan Chu then went out of the city to welcome the three columns of Cao's army and surrendered. Cao Cao was overjoyed and appointed him General Who Pacifies the North.
Suddenly, a scout reported: "Le Jin, Li Dian, and Zhang Yan are attacking Bing Province, but Gao Gan is holding the Hulu Pass, and they cannot take it." Cao Cao personally led his troops forward. The three generals met him and explained the difficulty of taking the pass. Cao Cao gathered his commanders to discuss a plan to defeat Gao Gan. Xun You said, "To break Gao Gan, we must use a feigned surrender." Cao Cao agreed. He summoned the surrendered generals Lü Kuang and Lü Xiang and whispered instructions in their ears. Lü Kuang and Lü Xiang led a few dozen troops to the foot of the pass and called out, "We were originally generals of the Yuan family and surrendered to Cao Cao only under duress. Cao Cao is cunning and treats us poorly. We have now returned to our old master. Open the pass quickly and let us in." Gao Gan was suspicious and ordered the two generals to come up to the pass and speak. They disarmed and dismounted, entering the pass. They said to Gao Gan, "Cao's army has just arrived. You can take advantage of their unsettled morale to attack their camp tonight. We will lead the charge." Delighted, Gao Gan agreed. That night, he ordered the two Lü brothers to lead over ten thousand men forward. As they approached Cao Cao's camp, a great shout arose from behind, and ambushers sprang up from all sides. Realizing he had fallen into a trap, Gao Gan hurried back toward the Hulu Pass, but Le Jin and Li Dian had already seized it. Gao Gan cut his way out and fled to the Xiongnu Chanyu. Cao Cao's forces held the pass, and he sent men in pursuit. Gao Gan reached the Xiongnu border and encountered the Left Worthy Prince. He dismounted, knelt, and pleaded, "Cao Cao is swallowing up territories and now intends to invade your lands. I beg you to rescue me and join forces to restore the north." The Left Worthy Prince replied, "I have no enmity with Cao Cao. Why would he invade my lands? You want me to incur Cao Cao's wrath!" He dismissed Gao Gan with a rebuke. Finding no other refuge, Gao Gan decided to go to Liu Biao. On the way, at Shangluo, he was killed by Colonel Wang Yan, who sent his head to Cao Cao. Cao Cao enfeoffed Wang Yan as a marquis.
With Bing Province pacified, Cao Cao discussed attacking the Wuhuan in the west. Cao Hong and others objected: "Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang are defeated, their forces scattered, and they have fled to the distant desert. If we now march west to attack, and Liu Bei and Liu Biao take the opportunity to strike Xuchang, we would be unable to respond in time, and the consequences would be dire. We should withdraw and not advance." Guo Jia countered, "You are all mistaken. Our lord's might shakes the realm, but the desert people, relying on their remote location, will certainly be unprepared. If we strike them suddenly, we can surely defeat them. Moreover, Yuan Shao had ties of gratitude with the Wuhuan, and Yuan Shang and Yuan Xi still live—they must be eliminated. Liu Biao is but a man of empty talk. He knows his own abilities are insufficient to control Liu Bei. If he gives Liu Bei heavy responsibility, he fears he cannot control him; if he gives him light responsibility, Liu Bei will not serve him. Even if you empty the realm and march far away, you need not worry." Cao Cao declared, "Fengxiao's words are exactly right." He then led his entire army, with thousands of carts, and advanced. But they encountered vast, yellow deserts, howling winds, and treacherous roads that made progress difficult for men and horses. Cao Cao considered turning back and consulted Guo Jia. Guo Jia, by now unaccustomed to the climate, was lying ill in his carriage. Cao Cao wept, "Because I wanted to pacify the desert, I have made you endure such hardship and fall ill. How can my heart be at ease!" Guo Jia said, "I am grateful for your great kindness, Chancellor. Even in death, I could not repay a ten-thousandth of it." Cao Cao said, "I see the harshness of this northern land and am thinking of turning back. What do you think?" Guo Jia replied, "Speed is the essence of war. To strike from a thousand li away, heavy baggage will only slow us down. It would be better to take a light force and march swiftly, catching them off guard. But we must have a guide who knows the way."
Cao Cao left Guo Jia at Yizhou to recover from his illness and sought a guide. Someone recommended Tian Chou, a former general of Yuan Shao who knew this terrain well. Cao Cao summoned and questioned him. Tian Chou said, "This road has water in autumn and summer, too shallow for carts and horses, too deep for boats—the most difficult to travel. It would be better to turn back, go through the Lulong Pass, cross the dangerous Baidan Mountains, emerge through the empty wilderness, and approach Liucheng, catching them unprepared. Tadun can be captured in a single battle." Cao Cao followed his advice, appointed Tian Chou as General Who Pacifies the North to serve as guide and vanguard, with Zhang Liao as second, and Cao Cao himself bringing up the rear. They advanced with doubled speed, using only light cavalry.
Tian Chou led Zhang Liao to the White Wolf Mountain, where they encountered Yuan Xi, Yuan Shang, and Tadun with tens of thousands of horsemen. Zhang Liao sent a swift report to Cao Cao. Cao Cao rode to a height and surveyed the enemy. He saw that Tadun's troops were disordered and poorly arrayed. Cao Cao said to Zhang Liao, "The enemy is disorganized—we can attack." He handed his command banner to Zhang Liao. Zhang Liao led Xu Chu, Yu Jin, and Xu Huang down the mountain in four columns, launching a fierce assault. Tadun's forces fell into chaos. Zhang Liao spurred his horse forward and cut down Tadun with a single blow. The remaining troops surrendered. Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang fled with a few thousand horsemen toward Liaodong.
Cao Cao led his army into Liucheng and enfeoffed Tian Chou as Marquis of Liuting to guard the city. Tian Chou wept and said, "I am but a man who fled in dishonor. To have been spared by your great kindness is already fortune enough. How could I sell the Lulong Pass for a title and reward? I dare not accept a marquisate even in death!" Cao Cao, moved by his righteousness, appointed him as a Court Gentleman instead. Cao Cao pacified the Wuhuan people, seized ten thousand fine horses, and immediately began his return march. The weather was bitterly cold and dry. For two hundred li, there was no water, and the army was short of food. They slaughtered horses for meat and dug wells thirty or forty zhang deep before finding water. When Cao Cao returned to Yizhou, he richly rewarded those who had previously advised against the campaign. He said to his generals, "I recently risked danger on a distant campaign and succeeded by luck. Though we won, it was by Heaven's favor and should not be taken as a model. Your advice was the plan of ten thousand safeties, and so I reward you. In the future, do not hesitate to speak your minds."
When Cao Cao reached Yizhou, Guo Jia had already been dead for several days, his coffin resting in the official residence. Cao Cao went to pay his respects and wept bitterly, crying, "Fengxiao's death is Heaven's way of destroying me!" He turned to his officials and said, "You are all of my generation in age, but Fengxiao was the youngest. I intended to entrust him with my legacy. That he should die in his prime rends my heart!" Guo Jia's attendants presented a sealed letter that Guo Jia had written before his death. They said, "Lord Guo wrote this with his own hand and instructed us: 'If the Chancellor follows the words in this letter, the affairs of Liaodong will be settled.'" Cao Cao broke the seal, read the letter, nodded, and sighed. No one understood its meaning. The next day, Xiahou Dun led the others to report: "Gongsun Kang, the Grand Administrator of Liaodong, has long refused to submit. Now Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang have fled to him, and they will surely become a future threat. We should take advantage of the situation and attack before they can act. We can capture Liaodong." Cao Cao laughed and said, "There is no need for your tiger-like might. In a few days, Gongsun Kang will send the heads of the two Yuans to me." None of the generals believed him.
Meanwhile, Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang fled to Liaodong with a few thousand horsemen. Gongsun Kang, the Grand Administrator of Liaodong, was the son of Gongsun Du, the General of Martial Might. Learning that Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang were coming to seek refuge, he gathered his officials to discuss the matter. Gongsun Gong said, "When Yuan Shao was alive, he always coveted Liaodong. Now Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang, defeated and homeless, come seeking shelter. This is like a cuckoo trying to take over a magpie's nest. If we take them in, they will surely plot against us later. It would be better to lure them into the city, kill them, and send their heads to Lord Cao. Lord Cao will surely reward us handsomely." Gongsun Kang replied, "But what if Cao Cao himself leads an army against Liaodong? Then it would be better to keep the two Yuans as allies." Gongsun Gong said, "Send spies to find out. If Cao Cao's army is coming, keep the two Yuans. If he does not move, kill them and send their heads to Cao Cao." Gongsun Kang agreed and sent scouts.
Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang, upon arriving in Liaodong, secretly discussed their plans. Yuan Xi said, "Liaodong has tens of thousands of troops, enough to contend with Cao Cao. For now, we will submit to them. Later, we will kill Gongsun Kang, seize his land, build up our strength, and resist the Central Plains. We can recover Hebei." Having agreed on this plan, they went to see Gongsun Kang. Gongsun Kang lodged them in an official guesthouse, pleading illness and refusing to meet them immediately. In a few days, a spy returned with news: "Lord Cao's army is stationed at Yizhou and shows no sign of moving against Liaodong." Overjoyed, Gongsun Kang first hid armed assassins behind the wall hangings, then summoned the two Yuans. After the formal greetings, he invited them to sit. The weather was bitterly cold, and Yuan Shang, noticing that the couch had no cushions, said, "Could you provide some seating mats?" Gongsun Kang glared at him and said, "Your heads are about to travel ten thousand li! What need have you for mats?" Yuan Shang was stunned. Gongsun Kang shouted, "Why don't my men act!" The assassins rushed out and cut off the heads of the two Yuans where they sat. They placed the heads in wooden boxes and sent messengers to Yizhou to present them to Cao Cao.
At that time, Cao Cao was in Yizhou, keeping his troops idle. Xiahou Dun and Zhang Liao urged him, "If you are not going to attack Liaodong, you should return to Xuchang, lest Liu Biao cause trouble." Cao Cao replied, "Wait until the heads of the two Yuans arrive, then we will return." The generals secretly laughed. Suddenly, a messenger from Liaodong arrived, sent by Gongsun Kang, bearing the heads of Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang. All were astonished. The messenger presented a letter. Cao Cao laughed heartily and said, "Just as Fengxiao predicted!" He richly rewarded the messenger and enfeoffed Gongsun Kang as Marquis of Xiangping and General of the Left. The officials asked, "How did you know this would happen, Chancellor?" Cao Cao then produced Guo Jia's letter and showed it to them. The letter read, in part: "I have heard that Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang have fled to Liaodong. You must not send troops against them. Gongsun Kang has long feared being swallowed up by the Yuan family. When the two Yuans come to him, he will be suspicious. If you attack with troops, they will unite against you, and the city will be hard to take. If you take no action, Gongsun Kang and the Yuans will surely turn on each other. Such is the logic of the situation." All present were filled with admiration and praised the plan. Cao Cao led his officials to hold another memorial service before Guo Jia's spirit. Guo Jia had died at the age of thirty-eight, having served on campaign for eleven years and accomplished many extraordinary feats. Of him,
history records that Heaven had bestowed upon the world a man named Guo Fengxiao, a hero who surpassed all others. His mind was filled with the classics and histories, and within his breast lay hidden entire armies. In strategy, he was like Fan Li; in decision-making, he was like Chen Ping. What a pity that he died so young—the great pillar of the Central Plains had fallen.
Cao Cao led his army back to Jizhou and sent men to escort Guo Jia's coffin to Xuchang for burial. Cheng Yu and others petitioned him: "The north is now settled. When we return to Xuchang, we should soon develop a strategy to cross the Yangtze and conquer the south." Cao Cao smiled and said, "I have long harbored this ambition. Your words are exactly what I have in mind." That night, he lodged in the eastern tower of Jizhou city. Leaning on the railing, he gazed up at the stars. Xun You was by his side. Cao Cao pointed and said, "The southern region's astral energy burns brightly. It may not be easy to conquer." Xun You replied, "With your heavenly might, Chancellor, what can refuse to submit?" As they watched, a sudden golden light rose from the ground. Xun You said, "There must be treasure buried beneath." Cao Cao descended the tower and ordered his men to dig at the spot where the light had appeared. Truly: the celestial signs pointed southward, but gold and treasure emerged from the northern earth. What did they find? Let the next chapter reveal.