Patience.
Regardless of anything else, Lu Yu's arrival added a great deal to Cao Cao's patience. At the very least, for the time being, he no longer had to worry about the grain supply.
However... the difficult part was that patience alone was not enough to capture the city of Puyang.
Ultimately, Cao Cao felt a sense of unease.
That evening, inside the grand tent, Cao Cao was alone, savoring Lu Yu's words... no, to be precise, Lu Yu's quotation of Xun Yu—The wind rises from the end of Qingping, and the waves form in the ripples.
Qingping, ripples, the so-called opportune moment, when would it come?
Cao Cao tilted his head back, gazing at the starry sky through the tent's opening, sighing with emotion.
"Big Brother, Big Brother..." Just then, Xiahou Yuan rushed into the grand tent, hastily addressing Cao Cao, "The members of the Tian clan have secretly slipped out of Puyang city. Just a moment ago, they brought a letter, inviting us to dispatch troops immediately... They have already controlled the southern gate of Puyang and will open the city gates for us tonight."
As he reached the end of his sentence, Xiahou Yuan's tone became significantly more solemn. "This is an excellent opportunity to capture Puyang city in one fell swoop!"
Hoo...
The Tian clan offering the city?
As the former Governor of Dong Commandery, adjacent to Puyang, Cao Cao was no stranger to the Tian clan of Puyang.
The Tian clan was the wealthiest family in Puyang city and had always been on good terms with several of Xiahou Yuan's cousins. In the past two years... since Cao Cao settled in Yan Province, although the Tian clan's financial support did not match that of the Wei family of Chenliu, their assistance, both large and small, had never ceased.
It could be said that Cao Cao and the Xiahou family both trusted the Tian clan of Puyang implicitly!
"Attack the city tonight? So urgently?" Cao Cao retorted...
"That's right," Xiahou Yuan reminded him. "The envoy is waiting outside. He said it's a matter of utmost urgency. Their Tian clan has bribed the guards at the southern city gate. If we don't attack tonight, there might be a change of plans later!"
Cao Cao narrowed his eyes...
If the news of the Tian clan offering the city was true, then it would be like manna from heaven for him.
It was no exaggeration to say that if Cao Cao's camp was short of provisions at this moment, he would unhesitatingly emulate Xiang Yu, the Hegemon-King, by smashing the cauldrons and sinking the boats, fighting with his back to the river in a gamble.
But... Lu Yu had just brought enough grain, which allowed Cao Cao to calm down and re-evaluate whether this matter... was worth the risk!
The abundance of grain and fodder restored him to the wise, calm, cautious, and suspicious overlord.
"Mengcai, please go and stabilize the Tian clan's envoy first."
"Big Brother..." Xiahou Yuan wanted to persuade him further.
Unexpectedly, Cao Cao waved his hand and immediately ordered other armored soldiers, "Quickly summon Advisor Xi and Advisor Xun to the grand tent for a discussion..."
"Yes!" The armored soldier acknowledged the order and was about to pass it on...
"Wait!" Cao Cao hurriedly called them to a halt. He suddenly thought of something and quickly added, "Also summon Administrator Lu..."
When he mentioned the words "Administrator Lu," he particularly emphasized them.
It was evident... he desperately wanted to hear Yu'er's opinion on this matter, especially since... just a few hours ago, Yu'er had mentioned that phrase—The wind rises from the end of Qingping, and the waves form in the ripples.
The Tian clan offering surrender? Was this the "end of Qingping," or "between the ripples"?
...
In less than half the time it takes for a cup of tea to steep, Xun You and Xi Zhicai had arrived at the central army tent.
Along the way, the armored soldier had already informed them of the Tian clan's offer to surrender.
Upon entering the tent, Xi Zhicai immediately said, "I have long heard that the Tian clan has repeatedly aided Duke Cao and is on extremely good terms with the Xiahou family. Lü Bu has only recently entered Puyang city. In such a short period, it's impossible for him to have established close contact with the Tian clan, let alone collude with them. In my opinion, the Tian clan is definitely offering the city with sincere intentions! And this is a heaven-sent opportunity for you, my Lord!"
Xi Zhicai laid bare his thoughts.
Along the way, he had been pondering this issue, even conducting numerous simulations...
But no matter how many simulations he ran, he could not deduce... that the Tian clan would betray Cao Cao's camp and defect to Lü Bu.
Hearing this, Cao Cao nodded slightly...
Initially, he had some doubts about this matter, but the more he thought about it, the more he felt it was an opportunity, truly a heaven-sent chance!
After all, given the Tian clan's relationship with the Xiahou family and their two years of support for Cao Cao's camp, they were trustworthy!
"Gongda, what do you think?"
Cao Cao turned to look at Xun You.
Xun You shook his head. "I can't say for sure..."
It wasn't that he couldn't say for sure; it was that he felt something was amiss, but he couldn't pinpoint what it was. After all... Xun You had also interacted with members of the Tian clan. Despite being the wealthiest family in Puyang, the Tian clan's patriarch was humble, polite, and honest, not like someone who would waver.
However... the timing of this offer of surrender and plea for submission was too sensitive.
"Gongda doesn't mean he can't say for sure, but he's undecided, isn't he? Haha..." Cao Cao smiled faintly. His thoughts were similar to Xun You's...
He wanted to take the gamble, yet he was also worried about falling into a trap.
"My Lord!" Xi Zhicai spoke again, his tone solemn. "Opportune moments on the battlefield often appear in an instant. If we are to seize the moment, then it is unavoidable to take some risks... If we proceed step by step, I fear that Puyang city might not be broken even after another year or two of siege!"
As he said this, Zhicai's tone became grave. "I hope Duke Cao will make a swift decision and capture Puyang city in one fell swoop!"
Xi Zhicai's personality and strategic thinking were quite similar to Guo Jia's. They were adept at seizing opportunities and making the most rapid judgments. Besides that, they shared another common hobby—an addiction to gambling.
A gambler would never give up any opportunity to hit the jackpot.
Seeing Cao Cao still hesitating, Xi Zhicai spoke again. "My Lord, opportunity knocks but once, and time waits for no man!"
Before his words had even fallen...
"That's right, Duke Cao... Opportunity indeed knocks but once, and time waits for no man!"
A crisp voice came from the entrance of the grand tent. Turning to look, who else could it be but Lu Yu, who had arrived late?
Hmm...
Upon hearing Lu Yu's supportive voice, Xi Zhicai was overjoyed.
"Haha, it seems that Lu Administrator and I have the same thoughts..."
This...
Cao Cao's eyes narrowed. If Lu Yu also said this... then...
Cao Cao instinctively felt that the matter had become more reliable.
Xun You's eyes narrowed. He felt that this matter was not that simple, especially since their opponent was Chen Gong. In the Han Dynasty, the title of "Talent of Dong Commandery" was comparable to that of "Talent of Yingchuan." As the foremost among the talents of Dong Commandery...
The Tian clan offering the city, could this be a grand scheme orchestrated by Chen Gong?
Thinking of this, Xun You intended to offer a reminder or two, but a voice preempted him.
"Although it is also a case of opportunity knocking but once, my thoughts are completely different from Advisor Xi's."
Ah... ah...
Xi Zhicai was a little stunned. He felt slapped in the face, but it was a very light slap, he didn't feel anything...
"Administrator Lu? What do you mean? Could it be... you think the Tian clan is feigning surrender?"
"Exactly!" As soon as Xi Zhicai asked, Lu Yu immediately replied, "Advisor Xi, think about it. Does this act of the Tian clan offering the city resemble the time when Lü Bu, in collusion with Zhang Miao, attempted to seize Chenliu Commandery, and I 'turned the tables' to decisively defeat Lü Bu?"
As soon as these words were spoken...
Cao Cao, Xi Zhicai, and Xun You all raised their eyebrows.
They were all intelligent people, and they didn't need many words. Even a slight hint was enough for them to understand immediately.
At that time, Lü Bu had colluded with Zhang Miao to plot against Chenliu Commandery, and Lu Yu, by turning the tables, had ordered Cao Chun to set up an ambush in advance, decisively defeating Lü Bu at the southern city gate of Chenliu Commandery!
And this time, it was Cao Cao colluding with the Tian clan!
If Lü Bu and Chen Gong also turned the tables, wouldn't they be able to set up an ambush, lure Cao Cao's army into the city, close the gates, and capture them like a turtle in a jar?
Hiss... this...
Thinking of it this way, Chen Gong was using Lu Yu's past strategy against him. No wonder Lu Yu had seen through it at a glance!
Xi Zhicai's eyes darted back and forth. He nodded slightly, it seemed... Lu Yu's reminder had enlightened him!
But... for just a moment, Xi Zhicai shook his head. No, something was not right!
How long had Lü Bu been in control of Puyang city? How could he have established such close ties with the Tian clan so quickly, and made them act like this, feigning surrender and betraying Cao Cao? This simply defied logic.
"Administrator Lu? Do you think... the Tian clan would betray Duke Cao and defect to that Lü Bu fellow?" Xi Zhicai directly asked all his doubts.
"Yes!" Lu Yu's tone was firm. "You think the Tian clan's assistance to Duke Cao for the past two years was out of loyalty, Advisor Xi?"
This... Lu Yu answered for Xi Zhicai before he could.
"No, it was for profit! The stronger Cao Cao's power became, and the more stable his territory, the smoother the Tian clan's business would be. Therefore... by assisting Cao Cao, the Tian clan stood to gain. But what if... Lü Bu offered them greater profits? In times of chaos, there are no eternal friends, only eternal interests!"
As the words spilled out...
Lu Yu had a profound understanding of the opportunistic behavior of merchants in these chaotic times.
For example... When Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei were recruiting soldiers and horses in Zhuo Commandery, why... did the merchants Zhang Shiping and Su Shuang eagerly assist them with iron, grain, and warhorses, helping them forge their double-edged swords, Green Dragon Crescent Blade, and Eighteen-Foot Serpent Spear?
Was it "true love"? No! No! No! This was also an opportunistic act by merchants.
Only after Liu, Guan, and Zhang had driven out the Yellow Turban rebels within the area of Zhuo Commandery could the merchants Zhang Shiping and Su Shuang restore their trade routes and profit from it.
And the so-called assistance was actually a disguised form of protection money.
These were chaotic times; who was any cleaner than the other?
The Tian clan's relationship with Cao Cao was, in fact... equivalent to Zhang Shiping and Su Shuang's relationship with Liu, Guan, and Zhang. The only difference was that one investment succeeded, and the other failed.
Similarly, since it was an investment, they could also choose to invest in Lü Bu. If Lü Bu prospered, the Tian clan would naturally rise with him, even becoming the wealthiest family in Yan Province.
There was nothing wrong with this at all!
After all, that's how the world was. In dreams, one vaguely saw the tears of a loving mother; on the city walls, the king changed. Whoever was king, that's who they would support!
Lu Yu summarized his thoughts into a few concise sentences, simply explaining them to Cao Cao, Xun You, and Xi Zhicai.
The core point to convey was... nowadays, no one could be relied upon!
"Duke Cao, have you forgotten? Your former classmate and close friend, Zhang Miao, the Governor of Chenliu who helped you establish yourself in Yan Province, betrayed you! Let alone a small Tian clan? Although Chen Gong is not one for smiles, his tongue is quite sharp!"
"Furthermore, the Tian clan offered the city at this particular time, not earlier or later, but precisely when Duke Cao's grain supplies were about to run out. Chen Gong calculated that Duke Cao, desperate at this moment, would surely take the risk! He is certain that Duke Cao will fall for it."
Hoo...
Cao Cao exhaled a breath.
It had to be said, Lu Yu had successfully persuaded him!
In fact, it wasn't just Cao Cao; Xi Zhicai and Xun You were also deeply convinced at this moment...
As expected, Lu Yu was indeed formidable when it came to understanding human nature!
Thinking along these lines, Chen Gong's scheming of this feigned surrender, Lü Bu's collusion with the Tian clan, this was... this was intended to take Cao Cao's life!
Understanding this, Cao Cao's brow furrowed, and a surge of anger and hatred filled his chest!
What he loathed the most now was the betrayal of those he trusted!
Hoo...
With a heavy sigh, Cao Cao's chest heaved. After a few moments, he finally spoke, "If that's the case, then these members of the Tian clan deserve to die! The entire Tian clan deserves to die!"
A cold glint flashed in Cao Cao's eyes.
"Duke Cao... calm down, calm down!" Lu Yu comforted him. "Don't get angry. Anger will reduce wisdom, and there's no need to resent the enemy; resentment will also make Duke Cao lose his judgment. Instead of getting angry or resenting, it would be better to use them for Duke Cao's benefit!"
This sentence... Lu Yu blurted it out, as if it were a line from a TV series; he had watched too many, and it just came to him!
However... it was quite timely.
Hearing this...
Cao Cao's eyes suddenly narrowed, and Lu Yu's words continued to echo and reverberate in his ears!
Following this, he thought more, and further... From Chen Gong's "turning the tables" in Puyang city, he thought back to Yu'er's "turning the tables" in Chenliu Commandery, and then to the strategy of "attacking the enemy's mind" when attacking Pengcheng.
Suddenly, Cao Cao seemed to have a sudden enlightenment.
"Haha... Hahaha..."
Cao Cao burst into laughter, waving his hands, as happy as a child.
Now...
Xi Zhicai and Xun You were momentarily caught off guard.
This wasn't about breaking through Puyang city. It was merely... seeing through the enemy's scheme, and there seemed to be no need for such laughter.
Only Lu Yu, the corners of his mouth also curved into a faint smile as he chuckled. He mused that Old Cao was indeed a wise man; he had most likely understood!
Indeed, Cao Cao had understood, completely understood.
Wasn't there a strategy to defeat the enemy hidden in Lu Yu's seemingly casual words?
—Instead of getting angry or resenting, it would be better to use them for my benefit! Haha... Hahaha...
Cao Cao's laughter grew louder and louder, shaking the very tiles.
Xi Zhicai couldn't help himself and hurriedly asked, "Why is Duke Cao laughing so heartily..."
"Hahaha..." Cao Cao raised his hand, first glancing at Lu Yu, then proclaiming loudly, "I laugh at Lü Bu's utter stupidity and Chen Gong's self-proclaimed cleverness. I laugh that tonight, Puyang city will change its master!"
Ah...
Xi Zhicai was still a bit bewildered?
Didn't Lu Yu say that this was the enemy's feigned surrender!
If it was a feigned surrender, how could they counterattack and capture Puyang city... Hmm... Wait...
Xi Zhicai suddenly thought of something...
That's right, using the enemy's strategy to one's own advantage. Chen Gong turned the tables, so why couldn't we also turn the tables?
The Tian clan's feigned surrender, that's perfect... we can turn the tables!
As usual, dispatch a contingent of troops to the southern city gate, actively fall into Lü Bu's encirclement, lure out the ambushing forces to delay Lü Bu's main army!
At the same time, mobilize the main forces to attack from the east, west, and north city gates simultaneously. Cao Cao's forces have an absolute advantage, and Lü Bu's ambushes are all concentrated at the southern city gate. The defenses of the other city gates must be empty. Within an hour at most, Cao's army will be able to break through the city!
At that time... attack from the east, west, and north city gates, and annihilate Lü Bu in one fell swoop—isn't this precisely turning the tables!
Of course, it could also be described as catching a turtle in a jar, except this little turtle would change from Cao's army... to Lü Bu and his Bingzhou wolf cavalry!
Brilliant... Brilliant!
Xi Zhicai was excited to have come up with this strategy, but... this excitement clearly didn't last long.
Because, at this moment, not only Cao Cao was laughing in the grand tent, but Xun You and Lu Yu were also laughing. This space... seemed to be submerged in an ocean of laughter.
And Xi Zhicai realized that he seemed to be the last one to understand!
Oh dear... He wasn't old, so why was his reaction so slow?
Just then...
Perhaps because Cao Cao's demonic laughter was too loud and penetrating, it startled Xiahou Yuan next door, who looked bewildered.
The Tian clan member he was conversing with also looked bewildered.
Xiahou Yuan smiled awkwardly and ran to Cao Cao's grand tent.
"Big Brother... why are you laughing so heartily?"
Ah...
Xiahou Yuan's sudden voice startled Cao Cao. He then noticed that he seemed too happy, laughing too loudly, and had completely forgotten about the Tian clan's envoy!
However... Cao Cao reacted quickly.
"Mengcai, I am truly happy. Quickly take me to see this member of the Tian clan. With the Tian clan's assistance... tonight, we will surely break through Puyang!"
"Under such fortunate circumstances, how can I not laugh? Hahaha, hahahaha..."
The demonic laughter erupted again, and Cao Cao deliberately increased the volume of his laughter. If possible...
He wanted Lü Bu and Chen Gong in Puyang city to hear this laughter.
Cao Cao was truly happy today!
However... the meaning behind this laughter.
Perhaps...
The Tian clan envoy could grasp the first level;
Lü Bu could grasp the second level;
Chen Gong could grasp the third level;
Hahaha... He, Cao Cao, had already grasped the fifth level, and further up was the 'Nine Heavens' where Yu'er resided!
...
...