Way of Overlord
Chapter 97: Heroes and Villains Rises

Chapter 97: Heroes and Villains Rises

While the Great Steppe is undergoing a change, it is the same for the Yan dynasty.

As the rebellion rages on in the Yan dynasty, heroes and villains emerge amidst the chaos.

Among them, the Three Jiang Brothers stand out, known for their courageous fight against the rebels and their growing reputation as formidable warriors.

Another notable figure in this tumultuous time is Xiahou Cao, the son of an influential court official.

This man is a son of an official servant of the court.

Unlike many sons of officials who remained within the safety of their homes, Xiahou Cao ventured out to join the fight against the rebels.

Clad in crimson banners stained with the blood of his enemies, he rides fearlessly on his horse, displaying his prowess as a Cavalry Commander.

Xiahou Cao is of medium stature, with small eyes and a long beard that adds to his fierce and determined appearance.

His father, Xiahou Song, enjoys close ties with the influential Eunuch Cao Teng, and it is through this connection that Xiahou Song’s rise within the official circles of the Yan dynasty has been smooth.

In his youth, Xiahou Cao developed a fondness for hunting and found delight in songs and dancing.

Xiahou Cao, known for his resourcefulness and cunning, possessed a cleverness that allowed him to navigate difficult situations.

Even in his youth, he displayed a mischievous streak that sometimes-caused trouble. His actions often drew the ire of his uncle, who would promptly report his misdeeds to Xiahou Cao’s father.

An uncle, seeing the young fellow so unsteady, used to get angry with him and told his father of his misdeeds.

His father would then always remonstrate him.

However, Xiahou Cao was quick-witted and adept at manipulating circumstances to his advantage.

His uncle did not like him and he did not like his uncle.

One day, upon seeing his uncle approaching, he immediately fell to the ground, feigning a seizure.

Alarmed, his uncle rushed to inform Xiahou Cao father, who arrived to find his son seemingly in perfect health.

Confused, Xiahou Song father questioned him about the fit he was said to have experienced. With a cunning grin, Xiahou Cao responded, "I have never suffered from fits or any such illness. But I have lost my uncle’s affection, and he has deceived you."

By diverting attention away from his misbehaviour and instead focusing on his uncle’s deceit, Xiahou Cao successfully undermined his uncle’s credibility.

From that point forward, Xiahou Cao’s father disregarded his brother’s criticisms of his son, no longer giving weight to his words.

As a result, Xiahou Cao grew up with a sense of licentiousness and lack of control, his behaviour going unchecked.

However, those sages who learns of this, could see that Xiahou Cao have talent that his father did not possess.

This shows his early talent for manipulation and his ability to protect himself from the consequences of his actions.

Such resourcefulness and adaptability would prove valuable as he ventured into the turbulent world of war and politics, carving out a path for himself as a formidable figure in the unfolding events of the Yan dynasty.

Upon hearing of Xiahou Cao’s reputation and observing his conduct, a man named Qiao Xuan sought him out.

Recognizing the impending rebellion and the need for a remarkable individual to restore peace, Qiao Xuan spoke to Xiahou Cao directly, stating, "Rebellion is at hand, and only a man of the greatest ability can succeed in restoring peace. That man is yourself."

Another individual, He Yong of Nanyang, also recognized Xiahou Cao’s potential, proclaiming, "The dynasty of Yan is about to fall. He who can restore peace is this man and only he."

Encouraged by these affirmations, Xiahou Cao sought the counsel of a wise man named Xu Shao from Runan, eager to learn more about his future and his capabilities. He posed the question, "What manner of man am I?"

At first, Xu Shao remained silent, but Xiahou Cao persistently pressed for an answer. Finally, the seer responded, "In peace, you are an able subject; in chaos, you are a crafty hero!"

Upon hearing these words, Xiahou Cao was filled with joy.

These encounters and the recognition of his abilities served to further fuel Xiahou Cao’s ambition and reinforce his belief that he had the capacity to shape the future of the Yan dynasty.

After graduating at the age of twenty, Xiahou Cao quickly gained a reputation for his piety and integrity.

He started his career as a Commanding Officer in a county within the Capital District.

To maintain law and order, he hung up clubs of various kinds at the four city gates, enforcing punishment regardless of the offender’s rank if they violated the law.

One night, an uncle of Eunuch Jian Shuo was discovered in the streets carrying a sword and was subsequently arrested.

He received the appropriate punishment, and from then on, no one dared to transgress the law, further spreading the name of Xiahou Cao.

His fame continued to grow, and he was eventually appointed as a magistrate of Dunqiu.

When the Yellow Scarves rebellion broke out, Xiahou Cao held the rank of General and was entrusted with leading five thousand soldiers to aid in the battle at Yingchuan.

By chance, he encountered the recently defeated rebels and decisively cut them to pieces.

Thousands were slain, and a significant number of banners, drums, horses, and a considerable amount of money were captured.

However, two rebel leaders, Zhang Ba and Zhang Lian, managed to escape.

After discussing the situation with Huangfu Song, Xiahou Cao embarked on a pursuit to track down the escaped rebels.

He proved himself to be a brave man, displaying great ingenuity, cunning, and wit in his pursuit of justice and loyalty to the Yan empire.

Yet, even as he demonstrated his loyalty, a hidden desire began to take root within his heart—the worm of ambition.

Day by day, it grew, feeding on his longing for power and influence.

Xiahou Cao, though initially driven by a sense of justice and loyalty, would soon find himself entangled in the complexities of his own ambitions.

This "worm" called ambition.

That was how Xiahou Cao burst into the scene that is the conflict of the Rebellion of the Yellow Scarves.

As the rebellion took hold and threatened the stability of the Yan dynasty, he found himself drawn to the battlefield, where his skills and leadership began to shine.

With his martial abilities and family connections, Xiahou Cao positions himself as a significant figure in the struggle against the rebels.

As the Yan dynasty faces the turmoil of rebellion and the rise of charismatic figures like the Three Jiang Brothers and Xiahou Cao, the fate of the empire hangs in the balance.

The clash between heroes and villains unfolds on the battlefield, shaping the destiny of the Yan dynasty and leaving an indelible mark on the pages of history.

.....

In the Yan dynasty, the rebellion is still raging and heroes began to rise.

The Yan dynasty is still there and the ambition of the people is still not stimulated.

People of Yan still have awe and there is still many loyal people. It does not seem like it will collapse.

After you are accustomed to a certain power for so long you began to believe that nothing would ever happen to it.

But every empire falls.

Event after event erodes the imperial power and sooner or later, the tides of the time could not be stopped.

While the rebellion was causing chaos and fragmentation in the Yan dynasty, a different scene unfolded in the vast expanse of the Great Steppe.

Aeryon, the son of Rakarys and Chief of the Brolgadhr tribe, employed a strategy reminiscent of great rulers from the ancient world.

He sought to conquer nearby tribes while simultaneously befriending distant nations, ultimately working towards the unification of the Great Steppe.

Similar to Alexander the Great, Aeryon embarked on a series of military campaigns to assert his dominance over neighbouring tribes.

He launched strategic attacks, utilizing his tribe’s strength and military prowess to subdue these nearby adversaries.

By expanding his territorial control, Aeryon aimed to consolidate power and resources within the region.

In addition to military conquest, Aeryon recognized the importance of diplomacy and forming alliances with distant tribes and nations.

Just as Alexander sought the support of Indian kingdoms and Central Asian tribes, Aeryon sought to establish friendly relations with tribes further afield from his territory.

Through diplomacy, cultural exchanges, and mutual agreements, he endeavoured to create a network of allies and supporters.

The scope of Aeryon actions and his overarching goal of unifying the Great Steppe may have gone unnoticed by external observers.

As he systematically conquered and forged alliances with tribes, the stability of the Southern Great Steppe became increasingly uncertain.

Aeryon calculated approach was gradually shaping the political landscape of the region, setting the stage for a larger-scale unification that would impact the entire area.

While Aeryon efforts may not have garnered widespread attention at this stage, the seeds of change and instability were sown.

The tribes of the Southern Great Steppe began to feel the influence of Aeryon ambitions, even if they were not fully aware of the extent of his plans.

As the web of conquest and diplomacy continued to expand, the region entered a period of transition, characterized by shifting allegiances and an air of uncertainty.

>>