019 Future Plans

“Have they intercepted Guan Yunchang?” Cao Cao asked the scout for confirmation.

The scout nodded solemnly and replied once more, “They have intercepted Guan Yunchang!”

“Su Ming? He defeated Guan Yunchang?” Cao Cao still sounded incredulous.

After all, Su Ming was barely in his twenties, while Guan Yu was a renowned veteran.

“That’s right!”

“General Su Ming defeated Guan Yunchang in just three moves, knocking him from his horse!” the scout answered, then proceeded to recount the entire battle between Su Ming and Guan Yunchang, painting a vivid and thrilling picture.

To the uninitiated, their duel might have seemed little more than spectacle, but to those with an expert eye, the danger and intensity beneath the surface were clear.

Since Guan Yunchang’s arrival at Cao’s camp, he had always carried himself with great arrogance. Thus, the generals in Cao’s ranks generally held little fondness for him. Still, whatever their personal feelings, they all respected his abilities.

It could be said that, in terms of single combat, no one in the Cao camp could stand against Guan Yunchang since Dian Wei’s death at Wancheng.

Yet today, Su Ming had managed to unhorse Guan Yunchang in merely three exchanges.

What glory and might! Such prowess! In the matter of martial skill alone, even the legendary Lu Bu of old had been no more.

What’s more, this General Su Ming was none other than the Prime Minister’s illegitimate son.

“Who would have thought our Cao clan still had such a hero among us?” Cao Hong couldn’t help but praise.

At this moment, Cao Ren approached Cao Cao and, with a grave bow, said, “Brother, you must have him take the Cao surname!”

Though Cao Ren and Cao Cao were kinsmen, he usually addressed Cao Cao as Lord or Prime Minister. Today, he called him brother, for this was a family matter.

Having Su Ming acknowledge his ancestry and change his surname to Cao was not an affair of state, but rather a personal matter for the Cao family.

Upon hearing this, Cao Hong also realized the importance. “Su Ming, Su Ming… If this lad continues to rise in fame as Su Ming, who will ever know he’s of the Cao bloodline?”

Thinking thus, Cao Hong agreed earnestly, “Indeed, he must bear the Cao name. It would be a shame if he did not!”

Hearing these words from Cao Ren and Cao Hong, Cao Cao’s expression immediately darkened.

He thought to himself, “Do you two really need to say it? No one wants it more than I do, but the boy simply refuses!”

Cao Cao’s thoughts continued: “In eighteen generations, our Cao clan has never produced such a formidable fighter. How could I not wish for him to acknowledge his lineage?”

Alas, though he was the exalted Prime Minister, wielding power beyond the grasp of ordinary men, there was nothing he could do if Su Ming cared nothing for such things.

Sighing heavily, Cao Cao said, “Ah! This is the sin of my youth. Now, the child does not recognize me, and my heart is in pain.”

Seeing Cao Cao’s sorrow, Guo Jia stepped forward to offer comfort. “My lord, do not grieve so.”

“The bond of blood between father and son runs deeper than names or formal acknowledgment. Such feelings need not depend on recognition or a shared surname.”

“It is said that sincerity can move even stone and metal. As long as you treat young Master Su Ming with true affection, you are sure to move him in time.”

“Moreover, it was Master Su Ming himself who volunteered to intercept Guan Yunchang. His willingness to act for your sake shows he does not truly reject you.”

“My lord, all things must not be rushed.”

Indeed, Guo Jia was the one who understood Cao Cao best in all the camp. His words struck directly at Cao Cao’s heart, and comforted him greatly.

Cao Cao looked toward the ferry crossing at the Yellow River and said with deep feeling, “Let us hope all unfolds as you say, Fengxiao.”

...

As Cao Cao led his army toward the Yellow River crossing, Su Ming was tallying the rewards he had received for defeating Guan Yu.

Sitting in the command tent, a mechanical system prompt sounded in his ears.

[Congratulations, you have completed the quest: Defeat Guan Yu.]

[You have received the reward: Martial Soul of Qi Jiguang.]

As the system prompt ended, a surge of blue light flooded into Su Ming’s body.

In an instant, his mind was filled with new knowledge.

Naval drill manuals.

Shipbuilding techniques.

Firearm forging.

Naval warfare tactics.

...

All manner of knowledge related to naval warfare filled Su Ming’s mind; clearly, these were the skills of Qi Jiguang.

As the most celebrated naval commander in Chinese history, Qi Jiguang’s tactics and drill manuals were not merely ahead of this era—they were overwhelming in their superiority.

The Martial Soul of Qi Jiguang.

It was different from the Martial Soul of Yuwen Chengdu.

Yuwen Chengdu’s soul had granted Su Ming immense personal fighting power, but Qi Jiguang’s soul bestowed upon him advanced naval combat techniques and the ability to train an elite navy.

At this moment, Su Ming seemed to understand the system’s intention: with such a reward, was he being directed to strike at Jiangdong first?

After assimilating the Martial Soul of Qi Jiguang, Su Ming began to examine his own attributes.

[Name: Su Ming.]

[Age: 23.]

[Martial Prowess: 101.]

[Command: 90.]

[Intellect: 88.]

[Politics: 86.]

[Martial Souls: Yuwen Chengdu (Fusion 92%), Qi Jiguang (50%).]

[Primary Weapon: Phoenix-feathered Gilded Pike.]

[Secondary Weapon: Golden Mace.]

[Mount: Thunderclap Leopard.]

To Su Ming’s surprise, after obtaining Qi Jiguang’s Martial Soul, his command, intellect, and political skills had all improved noticeably.

And this was with the Qi Jiguang Martial Soul at only fifty percent fusion—there was still room to grow as the fusion increased.

Studying his attribute panel, Su Ming stroked his chin thoughtfully.

He pondered that he could no longer stay in Xuchang—he had to find a position closer to Jiangdong.

Yet, none of Lord Cao’s territories bordered the water!

The only recently acquired riverside land was the region taken from Yuan Shu.

But, if one wanted a truly water-rich region suitable for naval training, it had to be Jingzhou under Liu Biao or Jiangdong under Sun Quan.

Considered this way, to attack Jiangdong, one must first seize Jingzhou, and make it the foundation.

Then, Jiangdong could be attacked or besieged at will.

However, conquering Jingzhou would not be easy.

Liu Biao of Jingzhou might be weak, but for now, Lord Cao’s navy was virtually nonexistent.

Jingzhou’s waterways were extensive; no matter how strong the cavalry and infantry, they would be stymied there.

Meanwhile, Cao Cao and Yuan Shao were locked in fierce conflict, with the Battle of Guandu imminent.

On the surface, Yuan Shao’s strength far exceeded that of Lord Cao.

At such a time, there was no way Lord Cao could fight on two fronts.

With this in mind, Su Ming stroked his chin and decided that, when he next saw Lord Cao, he would ask to be made governor of a commandery.

He would choose the former territory of Yuan Shu, the Huainan region.

This was the best launching point for future campaigns against Jingzhou or Jiangdong.