Chen Gong’s residence.
Inside the main hall, Chen Gong was deep in thought, pondering how to best capitalize on Zhang Yang’s rebellion, whether to advise Feng Xian to pursue Cao Cao, and how to punish the scoundrels Chen Gui and Chen Deng once he regained power.
A long sigh escaped his lips, Chen Gong’s mind was racing, and he was not at ease.
“Military Advisor Chen!”
A minor official approached Chen Gong, head bowed.
His train of thought rudely interrupted, Chen Gong showed displeasure and said sternly, “What is it?”
“It is five hundred piculs of grain from a Yanzhou merchant. I have already stored it in the inner treasury as ordered,” the minor official said with a bow.
Grain? Yanzhou merchant?
As these words left his mouth, Chen Gong’s expression turned alarmed. At this sensitive juncture, “Yanzhou merchant” could almost represent “Cao Cao’s envoy”…
And five hundred piculs of grain? This…
Wait a moment?
When did he agree to accept these five hundred piculs of grain from Cao Cao? When did he ever see this five hundred piculs of grain!
“You scoundrel, what nonsense are you spouting?”
Berated by Chen Gong, the minor official did not falter in his speech, showing no fear as he continued, “The letter from that Yanzhou merchant has already been placed on your desk, Sir. You might as well take a look…”
This…
Chen Gong’s face changed dramatically. It was then that he noticed a roll of unopened bamboo slips at the corner of his desk. He immediately unrolled it, and at the same time, the minor official bowed and exited the hall!
“What?”
With just one glance, Chen Gong exclaimed in surprise, for the bamboo slips before him were peculiar.
The letter had been scribbled over with black ink, many words were struck out, and there were many inexplicable phrases, such as “Pi,” “collude from within,” “after the matter,” and so on!
Suddenly, Chen Gong’s eyes narrowed, and his heart leaped into his throat!
This was a letter designed to frame him… Chen Gong immediately wanted to burn the bamboo slips. He walked towards the brazier…
Just then.
“ Gongtai! What are you doing?”
Having just heard the sound of hurried footsteps, Lu Bu appeared at the entrance…
At this moment, Chen Gong held the bamboo slips in one hand and reached for the brazier with the other…
His posture was exceedingly strange and awkward!
This… Chen Gong was speechless for a moment.
“Whose letter is it that makes you so flustered that you wish to burn it!” Lu Bu stared intently at the bamboo slips in Chen Gong’s hand, his voice as cold as thousand-year-old ice!
“I… I don’t know!”
Chen Gong immediately felt a chill of fear…
He wanted to explain, but he didn’t know where to begin. After hesitating for a long time, he finally said, “It was my door attendant… He deliberately placed this bamboo slip on my desk?”
“Oh, is that so?” Lu Bu’s gaze was stern. He took three quick steps and snatched the bamboo slips from Chen Gong’s hand. He quickly scanned the contents.
Indeed, Lu Bu had served as a secretary and was literate, but there was no need to scrutinize the contents of these bamboo slips, as they were covered in scribbled marks. Judging by the color of the ink, it was clearly done recently!
Chen Gong was the only one in the room, so who else could have scribbled on it?
“Heh, according to Gongtai’s explanation, are you going to blame that minor official for scribbling on the bamboo slips as well? Humph! Is that it?”
As he uttered the last three words, Lu Bu’s tone suddenly rose.
This was the first time he had ever spoken to Chen Gong in such a cold and harsh voice…
“I… I…” Chen Gong could only smile bitterly and explain, “When the letter was opened, it… it was already like this! As for anything else, I… I don’t know!”
Heh.
Lu Bu coldly scanned the words on the letter again, his tone growing deeper.
“Gongtai, Gongtai, I know who sent it, but I never expected that you, Chen Gongtai, would be colluding with Cao Cao. Well done playing the victim, and you even attempted to pin the crime of ‘leaking intelligence’ on the Chen father and son. You truly live up to your reputation, my good strategist – Chen Gongtai!”
“Feng Xian, Feng Xian, listen to my explanation… I…” Chen Gong’s face was drawn tight, like a bitter gourd. In this situation, what could he possibly explain?
“Reporting to Marquis Wen…”
Just then, several personal guards burst into the hall. “Five hundred piculs of grain have been discovered in the backyard of the military advisor’s residence, along with a thousand gold pieces, countless jewels! Furthermore, five hundred sabers were also found!”
Ho… even sabers were found?
This was clearly a plan for an inside and outside collaboration!
“Feng Xian…” Hearing this, Chen Gong repeatedly explained, “I… I have never stored grain, nor could I possibly have stored gold, silver, or jewels!”
“Hmph…”
Lu Bu’s eyes grew increasingly grim. He was no longer willing to believe a single word Chen Gong said!
“Chen Gong! Chen Gong!”
He repeated Chen Gong’s name twice. It was important to note that Lu Bu had always addressed Chen Gong as Military Advisor, Sir, or Gongtai. Addressing him by his given name was almost equivalent to berating Chen Gong!
“I will thoroughly investigate this matter, and I will not let any of your accomplices go!”
“No wonder, for three years, your strategies presented to me have never been effective, and every action seemed to be anticipated by the enemy! When I… you always blamed it on Yin Lin being with Cao. Heh, now I know, it was not Yin Lin with Cao at all, but a spy right by my side, Lu Bu. How could I possibly win? Humph, it was my own blindness, I misjudged you, and trusted the wrong person!”
With a bang, his clenched fist slammed heavily onto the desk.
Ink and brushes flew everywhere across the entire desk…
And the rage in Lu Bu’s chest, like the scattered ink, splashed out in all directions, he was furious beyond measure…
After all, Lu Bu often betrayed others, but he hated being betrayed the most.
Precisely…
This betrayal came so fiercely!
Could it be that Chen Gong’s betrayal of Cao back then? His defection to Lu Bu, was it also… also part of Cao Cao’s scheme?
Lu Bu was precisely that kind of person; when it came to betrayal, he easily got stuck in a rut!
Immediately, he waved his hand.
“Imprison the Cao army spy Chen Gong and interrogate him severely!”
“Yes!” The personal guards received the order…
Lu Bu seemed to have thought of something else. He gave another command, “Also, interrogate all of Chen Gong’s retainers one by one. Make sure to uncover his accomplices! We must sever their connection with Cao Cao!”
“Yes!” Immediately, a personal guard dragged Chen Gong away!
At this moment… Chen Gong’s eyes were filled with shock!
Lu Bu… the foolish Lu Bu!
He doubted Chen Gong’s loyalty because of such a fabricated letter and a thousand gold pieces!
Back then, it was he… he who helped Lu Bu plan to take control of Yanzhou.
Over the years, he had diligently strategized for Lu Bu, even helping him capture Xiapi City? Why was he not credited?
Yes… it was true!
He had repeatedly lost in his battles with the Cao camp, or rather, with Lu Yu, the commander of the Dragon Cavalry.
But… but that was clearly due to a lack of ability!
How could it be that he had leaked information?
That Lu Yu, no… to be precise, that Yin Lin was meticulous in his planning. Losing to him was not exclusive to Chen Gong!
He truly lacked ability!
“Hmph…”
The last thing Chen Gong saw was Lu Bu’s furious gaze. As he was pulled further away, Chen Gong’s vision went dark.
Wait…
It wasn’t over yet!
There was still room for maneuver.
As if a thought struck him, Chen Gong struggled desperately and shouted.
“Feng Xian, Feng Xian… I… I have sent a letter to contact Zhang Yang of Henei. He… he will dispatch troops to attack Cao Cao’s rear, and the disaster in Xiapi will be resolved…”
“This is enough to prove my loyalty! Feng Xian… Feng Xian… in these few days, Cao’s army will… will retreat!”
This was Chen Gong’s last hope!
By allying with Zhang Yang and helping Lu Bu resolve the crisis in Xiapi City, such a meritorious deed would be enough to prove his innocence and his unwavering loyalty!
Indeed…
Hearing this, Lu Bu’s eyes narrowed slightly, and a trace of doubt arose in his heart.
“Chen Gong has indeed allied with Zhang Yang of Henei?” Lu Bu frowned slightly.
A spy? How could he help Lu Bu defeat the enemy?
With this thought, Lu Bu’s doubt grew, and he immediately commanded, “Do not interrogate Chen Gong harshly for now. Let’s wait a few days. I want to see… whether Cao’s army will retreat? Whether Chen Gong is loyal or treacherous!”
Given Lu Bu’s personality…
He was bound to distinguish between loyalty and treachery, and between Chen Gong and Chen Deng, one would surely be loyal and the other a villain!
Everything would await the news from Henei!
…
…
Within Xiapi City, by the Sishui River.
Countless Dragon Cavalry knights were arrayed in formation…
Lu Yu slowly walked to the bank of the Sishui River, feeling the breeze by the shore. It seemed the spray carried by the breeze was rippling, damp.
He calculated with his fingers, and it seemed the rainy season this year would come earlier, with a torrential downpour expected in about a month!
After calculating these matters, Lu Yu’s thoughts drifted.
He wondered if Cheng Yu had handled things. Judging by the time, it should be about right?
Why had no letter been sent back yet?
Waiting was always an anxious matter!
Just then…
“Agricultural Official Lu…”
A voice sounded from behind. Lu Yu turned his head and saw a group of people…
Cao Cao, Xun You, Xi Zhicai, Xu Chu, Cao Ren, and countless Tiger Guards!
These were all familiar faces.
Lu Yu quickly cupped his hands. “Greetings, Chancellor Cao, greetings, everyone…”
“No need for formalities.” Cao Cao waved his hand and handed him an urgent dispatch from Xudu. “This urgent dispatch was sent by Lord Xun at a speed of seven hundred li per day. Take a look!”
Lu Yu unfolded it and read…
His clear eyebrows could not help but furrow deeply.
Zhang Yang’s rebellion? Fifty thousand troops attacking “Dongshi County,” wasn’t this clearly an attempt to open a path to Xudu City? What a brilliant move, “Besiege Wei to rescue Zhao”!
This was Lu Yu’s subconscious thought…
But… whether it was “Besiege Wei to rescue Zhao” was not important. Lu Yu immediately came to his senses. What was going on? Hadn’t he sent Cheng Yu? Could it be… it wasn’t resolved?
Immediately, Lu Yu scratched his head, muttering internally that it shouldn’t be. This time, with his recall from ancient texts, combined with Cheng Yu’s usual boldness, meticulousness, steadiness, and wisdom, it was as stable as a dog!
It definitely shouldn’t have gone wrong!
Lu Yu took a deep breath, a hint of worry rippling across his clear face. He gently raised his eyes to look at Cao Cao and the civil and military officials beside him. They all looked worried.
It was no wonder their expressions were so grave. Zhang Yang’s surprise attack on the rear with fifty thousand troops would cause a terrible domino effect.
A response was definitely necessary…
But once they responded, the hard-won advantage would be lost in an instant.
A pity, a great pity?
Cao Cao’s eyes fixed on Lu Yu, his bright eyes full of anticipation.
“Agricultural Official Lu, you are most skilled at dealing with surprise attacks. What are your thoughts?”
It was better that Cao Cao didn’t ask. Once asked, Lu Yu felt very stifled. He took a deep breath and analyzed the situation for Cao Cao truthfully.
“Chancellor Cao, according to my predictions… this situation should not have occurred! Of course, if this situation truly arises, then there is no other way but to respond. However… this will undoubtedly give Lu Bu a chance to breathe, and it will be more difficult to deal with him later!”
Hearing this, Cao Cao and all the civil and military officials felt inexplicably agitated, their gazes becoming deep, and their expressions even more gloomy.
Even the usually wise Agricultural Official Lu had no solution? This… the situation was not optimistic!
Cao Ren frowned. “Why not let me lead a troop to respond! Big Brother continues the siege!”
As the words left his mouth, Xi Zhicai immediately waved his hand. “That’s not good. If we respond, how much force is appropriate? Zhang Yang has fifty thousand troops. Responding with too little will not solve the practical problem, while responding with too much… alas…”
“Furthermore, the counties and prefectures around Xudu City need to guard against Zhang Xiu, Liu Biao, and Yuan Shao… it is impossible to extract more troops. Dividing forces is not wise!”
Xi Zhicai did not finish his sentence, but the meaning was clear.
Responding with too little would be ineffective!
Responding with too much, and Lu Bu was not to be trifled with. Moreover, Xiapi City had high walls and a deep river. Without several times the number of troops, it would not be so easy to capture!
Suddenly, everyone’s face was filled with solemnity.
“In fact… besides responding,” Lu Yu said appropriately, “there really is another way.”
“What?” Cao Cao’s spirits lifted, as if seeing an unexpected yet reasonable “hope.” His bright eyes were fixed on Lu Yu.
Lu Yu muttered inwardly, Cheng Yu, Cheng Yu… it’s up to you this time. I hope… you’re just a little slow!
Thinking of this…
Cough cough…
Lu Yu coughed lightly. “In fact, before this, I had already predicted that Lu Bu would ally with Zhang Yang to launch a surprise attack on our rear!”
Hey…
As these words were spoken, everyone present was stunned.
Predicted… why didn’t you tell us? It would have been good to prepare earlier, so as not to reach this point. It was unkind of everyone to come to you, Lu Yu, for advice!
Seeing everyone’s silence, Lu Yu’s lips curved slightly, revealing a faint smile, and then he continued, “Chancellor Cao and everyone must be wondering why I, Lu Yu, predicted Zhang Yang’s actions but did not inform you. The reason is that I believe this is not a bad thing at all. In fact, in my opinion, this is a good thing, a great good thing!”
“… Uh!”
Everyone was stunned. The rear was about to be ambushed, and it was still a good thing? What was good about it?
To understand the meaning behind the words, they found that at this moment, they couldn’t quite grasp Lu Yu’s meaning.
Fortunately, these words were spoken by Lu Yu. If it were anyone else, perhaps… Xi Zhicai would have directly questioned him in a stern voice.
“Of course, although it is a good thing, we cannot just sit and wait for death. Therefore… I have dispatched Cheng Sima of the Dragon Cavalry to the land of Henei to carry out this related task!”
“In my opinion, dealing with a mere Zhang Yang, dealing with these fifty thousand troops, Sima Cheng alone is enough. Of course… in your opinion, this is a move to save the situation from ruin, but in Sima Cheng’s opinion, it is nothing special. His intervention is enough to nip Zhang Yang’s plan to launch a surprise attack on Xudu City in the bud, and perhaps… he might even gain some advantage!”
The further he spoke, the more confident Lu Yu became.
After all, according to ancient texts and literature, even if he didn’t send Cheng Yu to Henei, Zhang Yang’s rebellion would be quelled by his subordinate Yang Chou, but it was a pity for Yang Chou, who was killed by Sui Gu. It was even more regrettable that tens of thousands of troops were led by Sui Gu to Yuan Shao’s camp.
This was equivalent to aiding the enemy!
Therefore, the worst-case scenario in Henei was losing these fifty thousand troops and losing the land of Henei!
But if Zhang Yang were to launch a surprise attack on Xudu City, it was impossible, absolutely impossible!
Even if Cheng Yu’s mission failed, this would not happen.
For this reason, the truth was simple: this urgent dispatch from Xudu had been sent a long time ago, and Sima Cheng’s carrier pigeon was still on its way.
Hey…
Cao Cao listened intently. He still trusted Lu Yu’s words.
However, Xi Zhicai and Xun You were becoming anxious…
Indeed, they also believed Lu Yu’s words and deductions, but when the urgent dispatch truly arrived, they would subconsciously have other thoughts.
Could it be… that Sima Cheng’s mission had failed this time?
After all, the current intelligence was not good!
“Agricultural Official Lu, what is your confidence in Zhong De’s current action?” Cao Cao asked proactively…
Lu Yu answered seriously…
“Originally, it was ninety percent. Now, I believe it is a hundred percent, very stable!”
Thinking of this, Lu Yu blinked and continued, “Chancellor Cao and everyone seem to only see Zhang Yang’s rebellion itself, but… in fact, through this event, we might as well try to understand Zhang Yang as a person!”
“You are all familiar with his character, I’m sure. Kind and amiable… honest and humble. Such characteristics are perfectly fine for a strategist or a capable official, but he happens to be a warlord, and he has fifty thousand soldiers under his command! In this capacity, if his honesty is excessive, it is equivalent to this person lacking authority and being insufficient to command respect, and his benevolence in this chaotic world is an even greater taboo in warfare!”
Just like “emotions” are a great taboo in the frontline…
Benevolence is a great taboo for a general, a commander!
“Chancellor Cao and everyone have probably not heard of a story about Zhang Yang! In the past, Zhang Yang had a subordinate who was preparing to rebel, but Zhang Yang found out. Normally, any warlord would severely punish such a traitor to enforce military law and serve as a warning, but Zhang Yang’s approach was completely different. Instead of punishing this traitor, Zhang Yang went to him and pleaded, and in the end, he stopped pursuing the matter after crying.”
Lu Yu paused at this point and continued, “This is Zhang Yang, who always uses his kindness to tolerate others, and always has no airs or prestige in the army. If it were during ordinary times, there would be no problem, but he is launching a surprise attack on Chancellor Cao this time, which is tantamount to launching a surprise attack on the Son of Heaven. This is breaking ties with the Han court, this is acting as a rebel!”
“What will his subordinates think? How will they act? These… I don’t need to say, you can all understand. To put it in a broader perspective, anyway, rebelling against Zhang Yang has no negative consequences. As long as someone incites them a little, it is enough… for the three armies to mutiny, and Zhang Yang can be overthrown overnight, enough to lead these tens of thousands of Henei soldiers onto the right path! Into Chancellor Cao’s camp!”
Lu Yu’s words did not directly reveal his plan.
But…
The general idea had been expounded.
Hearing his words, Cao Cao’s heart was immediately filled with countless hopes.
To understand people’s hearts and conquer without fighting, this is Yu’er’s strength, it was like this before, and it is like this now…
The other strategists and generals, upon hearing this, were also lost in thought.
And almost simultaneously.
A carrier pigeon landed within the military camp. The soldier responsible for delivering the message quickly took the silk cloth from the pigeon’s leg and hurried towards the Sishui River, towards Cao Cao’s location.
This was an urgent report!
It was an urgent report sent by pigeon from Henei, station by station.
The same urgent report, but delivered by different means, naturally resulted in completely different content!
However, although this urgent report was a silk cloth, its weight was much “heavier” than the bamboo slips from before!
…
…