Capture the ringleader first to subdue the bandits

"Cao Hong, take fifteen hundred cavalry and secure the granary, treasury, armory, and other key locations. Give me five hundred riders—I’ll personally go and slay Huang Zu!" Su Ming issued his order.

Su Ming’s aim was to occupy Jiangxia, not to destroy it. The granary, treasury, and armory had to be seized intact. After all, governing Jiangxia post-battle would be impossible without grain and silver.

"Understood!" Cao Hong replied, but as he mulled it over, he wondered if Su Ming was being too hasty—only five hundred cavalry to kill Huang Zu? Huang Zu was, after all, the ruler of Jiangxia. If Su Ming failed to storm the government office and slay Huang Zu, things could get complicated.

It was night; the city’s defenders couldn’t see how many troops had entered, so they could bluff their strength. But come dawn, their numbers would be clear, and if Huang Zu hadn’t been taken, they’d be in real trouble.

"General Su, is five hundred men enough?"

"Perhaps it would be better if you and I each led a thousand cavalry?" Cao Hong suggested. Though securing the granary, treasury, and armory was important, killing Huang Zu was paramount. Once Huang Zu was dead, all would be well. If not, dawn would bring Huang Zu’s counterattack.

They were already inside the city; Huang Zu was at Su Ming’s mercy. If he couldn’t seize Huang Zu now, he might as well hang himself from a crooked tree.

"No need for more words. Five hundred will suffice!" Su Ming cut him off.

Su Ming was the commanding general in this assault on Jiangxia, and all orders were to be obeyed. With Su Ming’s command clear, Cao Hong said no more.

Cao Hong led fifteen hundred cavalry, swiftly heading for the granary, treasury, and other important locations within the city. Su Ming personally led five hundred riders straight for the government office, ready to enact the classic strategy: capture the king first to subdue the bandits.

With the city gate lost and night obscuring everything, chaos reigned throughout Jiangxia. Su Ming’s five hundred cavalry, like a sharp awl, quickly pierced the confused defensive line and reached the gates of the government office.

In the depths of night, Huang Zu was sleeping soundly.

The battle in the city alarmed the defenders, and someone rushed to report to Huang Zu.

"Governor! Governor!"

"Disaster! Cao Cao’s troops have entered the city—the gates have fallen!" A defender burst into Huang Zu’s residence, breathless with urgency.

Huang Zu was embracing his newly acquired concubine, drowsy, when his men hurried in with the news. Half asleep, he asked, "What’s that you say? Who’s invaded?"

He had always enjoyed the shade beneath a great tree; since seeking refuge with Liu Biao of Jingzhou, his powerful patron, no one dared trouble him. His only enemies were the Sun clan of Jiangdong. Yet Sun Ce had recently died, and Sun Quan had just succeeded him; they wouldn’t strike so soon.

"Cao Cao! Chancellor Cao’s forces!"

"They’re inside the city—swarming everywhere! The whole place is overrun with Cao’s troops!" The reporting soldier painted a vivid picture.

It was pitch dark, visibility poor; the defenders had no idea how many Cao troops had entered. Su Ming and his men attacked fiercely, bluffing their numbers, creating the illusion that the city was packed with Cao’s forces.

Hearing that Cao Cao’s men had come, Huang Zu was terrified; he sat up abruptly.

He was no longer sleepy.

In his youth, Huang Zu had been quite valiant. He had slain the fierce tiger of Jiangdong, Sun Jian, after all. But since he sought shelter under Liu Biao, with no threats and a life of leisure, he lost his old martial vigor.

The mere mention of Cao Cao’s name shattered his courage.

Cao Cao’s reputation had grown monstrous these last few years. Lü Bu was invincible in personal combat, yet died at Cao Cao’s hands in White Gate Tower. Yuan Shu, powerful with his imperial seal and tens of thousands of troops, was also defeated by Cao Cao. Liu Bei, whose followers Guan Yu and Zhang Fei possessed extraordinary bravery, was beaten by Cao Cao and reduced to a wandering fugitive seeking refuge with Yuan Shao.

Cao Cao’s record was illustrious; his fame resounded everywhere.

"It’s all Liu Biao’s fault!"

"He’s always cozying up to Yuan Shao and has offended the Chancellor. Now look! The Chancellor advances, and I’m left to bear the brunt for Liu Biao!"

"Damn that Liu Biao, damn him!" Huang Zu paced like an ant on a hot pan, anxious and fretful.

Seeing Huang Zu so flustered, his new concubine offered advice: "My lord, in my humble opinion, why not turn to Chancellor Cao? Surrender might be best."

Her words struck a chord with Huang Zu. He thought, in the end, the world might belong to Chancellor Cao; maybe it was time to throw in his lot with him.

But then, glancing at his delicate concubine, Huang Zu abandoned the idea. He recalled that the villain Cao Cao was notorious for coveting other men’s wives. If he surrendered, he’d surely lose his many tender concubines. If Cao Cao cuckolded him, he’d become a living joke.

With this in mind, Huang Zu decided he’d better gather his gold and valuables and flee to Liu Biao in Jingzhou.

"Don’t mention surrendering to that villain again."

"Hurry, pack everything—we’ll take our gold and treasures and head for Jingzhou!" Huang Zu ordered.

Uncertain of the situation in the city, Huang Zu had no will to fight; he only wanted to escape. He had been governor of Jiangxia for many years and amassed considerable wealth. Even in eight lifetimes, he couldn’t spend it all.

Soon, news of Cao’s troops breaching the city spread throughout Huang Zu’s residence. His dozen wives and concubines began noisily packing belongings; a single woman was as loud as five hundred ducks—imagine the chaos in his mansion now.

Fortunately, Deng Long, a crafty fellow, guessed that Huang Zu would try to escape once he heard of Cao’s troops in the city. So Deng Long catered to his desires, bringing a squad of soldiers and a dozen large carts to help Huang Zu pack.

"Never mind these worthless things!"

"Paintings, porcelain, gold, jewels—take whatever’s most valuable first!" Huang Zu directed his household staff, who, like ants before a storm, hurriedly loaded the carts.