Three Kingdoms: Start by buying a governor.

Yuan Shao, filled with awe, said, "Mengde's assassination attempt on Dong Zhuo was a heroic act! Although I drew my sword in public, it was not as risky as your solo daring!"

Cao Cao waved his hand and said, "Brother Benchu, you dared to confront Dong Zhuo in public; that's what makes you a true hero! Watching from the sidelines, I could only think one thing: How can anyone be so audacious!"

The two looked at each other and suddenly laughed.

Afterwards, the two exchanged compliments, then sat down to drink tea and discuss their future plans.

The two of them exclaimed in unison, "Let's get rid of Dong Zhuo!"

After saying that, they looked at each other and laughed again.

Yuan Shao lamented, "Mengde, my biggest regret now is suggesting to General-in-Chief He Jin that Dong Zhuo be summoned to Luoyang. That old scoundrel Dong Zhuo is a hundred times more ruthless than the eunuchs! The eunuchs wanted money, he wanted lives! The eunuchs wreaked havoc on the court, he directly abolished the court! General-in-Chief He Jin is dead, He Miao is dead, the emperor has been deposed... All of this was caused by my own hand!"

Cao Cao sighed and said, "Brother Benchu, you regret it, but I regret it even more. That day at the Prime Minister's residence, I even drew my knife, it was so close! If I had hardened my heart and stabbed him, even if I died, it would have been worth it! But I... I fucking chickened out! Thinking about it now, I want to slap myself twice!"

The two sighed at each other, their faces full of regret.

After sighing, Yuan Shao said solemnly, "Mengde, since we both regret our actions, let's atone with them. You prepare well in Chenliu, and I'll raise an army there as well. Let's join forces, brothers, and take down that damned Dong Zhuo!"

Cao Cao nodded emphatically and said, "It's settled then!"

After leaving Yuan Shao's residence, Cao Cao knew in his heart that having only enthusiasm would not accomplish anything.

To defeat Dong Zhuo, we need soldiers, provisions, and weapons.

He wrote a letter overnight and sent it to the Cao clan in Qiao County.

The letter contained only one sentence:

"The Cao family's century-old legacy must now be sacrificed to the nation's calamity. Sell all your land and houses, exchange them for money and grain, and come to Chenliu to see me."

The day after the letter was sent, he paid a visit to Wei Zi, a scholar from Chenliu.

Wei Zi was one of the most powerful and wealthy families in Chenliu. He was extremely rich and highly respected in the area. What was even more remarkable was that he had always been patriotic and deeply abhorred Dong Zhuo's tyranny.

Cao Cao had previously interacted with Wei Zi when he was an official in Luoyang.

Weiz once sighed to someone, "This man is destined to bring peace to the world."

In the study of the Wei family mansion, the candlelight flickered as the two men talked all night long.

Cao Cao didn't beat around the bush and revealed his intention to raise an army to attack Dong Zhuo.

Speaking of the miserable plight of the people of Luoyang, he slammed his hand on the table, causing the candlelight to flicker.

"Now, the governors and prefects of all the states and counties in Guandong are all in charge of heavy troops, but they are only concerned with protecting their own territories, disregarding the emperor and the common people! I, Cao Cao, will give up all my wealth to raise an army, and even if I am only one person and one horse, I will march west to punish the rebels!"

Upon hearing this, Wei Zi felt his blood boil, and he abruptly stood up and bowed deeply to Cao Cao:

"With such lofty ambitions as Mengde, how can I, Wei Zi, stand idly by! My family has some wealth, and I am willing to contribute it all to raise troops, provide funds, and purchase military equipment and provisions for you! Suppressing the rebellion and saving the country is simply our duty!"

Cao Cao's eyes welled up with tears, and he immediately rose to return the bow, his voice trembling slightly.

"Your actions are not only to help me, Cao Cao, but also to save the Han Dynasty and the people! I will never fail in my duty to you today!"

...

A few days later, news came back from Qiao County.

Although some elders of the Cao clan were reluctant to give up their century-old family business, Cao Ren, Cao Hong, Cao Chun, and other members of the Cao clan had already been ignited with passion by Cao Cao's letters.

Cao Hong immediately sold all his land and shops and rushed to Chenliu with the money and grain.

Cao Ren led hundreds of Cao family retainers, traveling day and night to arrive.

Those farmhands were all tenants and guards whom the Cao family had supported for many years. They were all strong and sturdy. When they heard that they were going to fight Dong Zhuo, their eyes turned red with rage. How many families had the Xiliang soldiers robbed? They had long wanted revenge!

Even Cao Cao's usually cautious father, Cao Song, eventually relented and tacitly approved of Cao Cao's decision to sell off ancestral property.

He knew that once his son made up his mind about something, nothing could change it.

He advised Cao Cao not to become an official, but Cao Cao did not listen.

Later, he advised Cao Cao not to provoke the Ten Attendants, but Cao Cao did not listen.

Now he advised Cao Cao not to provoke Dong Zhuo, but Cao Cao still wouldn't listen.

Never mind, let him be.

What truly stirred Cao Cao's heart were the brothers Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan.

Upon receiving the news, the two immediately distributed all their family wealth, gathered the Xiahou clan members, and led nearly a thousand farmhands and provisions to Chenliu, traveling day and night.

The moment Xiahou Dun met Cao Cao, he was covered in dust, but his gaze was firm:

"Mengde, my brother and I are willing to serve you to the death, even if it means going through fire and water! If you want to punish the traitors, we will go with you. Even if we die, we will die on the road westward!"

Looking at the group of people in front of him—Cao Ren, Cao Hong, Cao Chun, Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Yuan, and the Cao and Xiahou clan members who were arriving one after another—Cao Cao's eyes welled up with tears.

These people are all his family members, his brothers.

They could have lived a peaceful life in their hometown, but because of one sentence, they sold their property and traveled thousands of miles to join us.

This trust, this affection, is more precious than anything else.

Members of the Cao and Xiahou clans came to join him one after another, and Wei Zi's family wealth was continuously converted into grain, fodder, and military equipment. Zhang Miao openly cleared all obstacles for him.

Looking at the core members gathered before him and the grain and fodder piled high in the warehouse, Cao Cao knew that the time had come.

He led all his troops and entered Jiwu County of Chenliu Commandery.

...

Soon after, a striking proclamation was posted next to the city gate of Jiwu County.

The black and white text, each word written with blood and tears, details Dong Zhuo's numerous crimes: arbitrarily deposing and installing emperors, burning palaces, desecrating imperial tombs, plundering the people, and bringing disaster to the country.

The manifesto ends with a clear statement:

"Cao Cao, the Cavalry Commandant of the Great Han Dynasty, is now recruiting righteous soldiers here, vowing to punish the traitors to the country and restore the Han Dynasty. Anyone with a heart to serve the country is welcome to join us!"

At first, the onlookers just discussed it amongst themselves.

Dong Zhuo's fearsome reputation had already spread throughout the land, and the brutality of the Xiliang cavalry made everyone tremble at the mere mention of his name.

Some people shook their heads and sighed, "General Cao is courageous, but how can he possibly contend with Grand Tutor Dong's hundreds of thousands of troops with such a small force? Isn't this like throwing an egg against a rock?"

There were also refugees whose families had been destroyed by Dong Zhuo. They gripped the wooden sticks in their hands, stared at the proclamation with red eyes, but hesitated to step forward. They were so afraid of being bullied that they could not believe that there were still people in the world who dared to oppose Dong Zhuo.

Three days later, at the drill ground in Jiwu County, Cao Cao ascended the temporary high platform.

That day, the cold wind howled, chilling people to the bone, but it couldn't extinguish the passion in the training ground.

Cao Cao shed his coarse cloth and short tunic, donning a brand-new set of black iron armor, the ring-pommel sword at his waist gleaming coldly in the winter sun.

He stood there on the high platform, looking down at the crowd of commoners, hunters, down-on-his-luck warriors, and displaced able-bodied men who had gathered below.