For a full two hours, Cao Ren and Xiahou Yuan’s eyes were glued to these several thick bamboo slips.
By now, it was the third watch of the night, and neither man felt sleepy.
Seeing their excitement, Cai Zhaoji, however, felt drowsy, her eyes growing a little hazy.
It wasn’t her fault. Cai Zhaoji had never been enthusiastic about military strategy, so she couldn’t possibly experience the profound brilliance of the tactics the way Cao Ren and Xiahou Yuan did, finding them astonishingly ingenious.
It should be known that the Thirty-Six Stratagems, dictated by Lu Yu and transcribed by Cai Zhaoji, was a work compiled by an unknown author during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Each stratagem was analyzed with reference to famous historical battles.
It condensed the hard work of countless ancestors, gods of war, and sages of strategy. It was far more practical than the military texts of the late Han era. Moreover, with specific case studies, it was easier to understand, unlike the obscure military doctrines of this era.
From this perspective, it was no exaggeration to say it was centuries ahead of its time!
Of course, Lu Yu had appropriately altered some of the familiar names mentioned within, making them entirely fictional, so as not to create any obstacles to understanding.
Deceiving the heavens to cross the sea, waiting with a fresh force, besieging Wei to rescue Zhao… these battlefield situations might have some echoes in the military texts Cao Ren and Xiahou Yuan had previously read, but… stratagems like creating something from nothing, feigning madness to hide one's genius, the empty fort strategy, and the trick of self-inflicted pain – these psychological gambits benefited Cao Ren and Xiahou Yuan immensely, earning their profound admiration.
“Myôtai, which stratagem do you find most brilliant?”
Lost in contemplation, Cao Ren couldn’t help but ask Xiahou Yuan.
“Zixiao? What about you?”
“Shall we write them on our hands and reveal them together?” Cao Ren suggested, preparing his brush and inkstone.
“Nothing could be better…”
Xiahou Yuan accepted the brush and ink, gracefully writing four characters on his hand. Cao Ren did the same.
This, in turn, perked up the drowsy Cai Zhaoji. She was very curious which stratagem the two generals valued most in her younger brother Lu Yu’s work, the Thirty-Six Stratagems.
“It’s actually…” Cai Zhaoji paused slightly, a little surprised.
For on the rough palms of both men were written the same four characters – “The Best Strategy is to Retreat!”
With the words “The Best Strategy is to Retreat!” uttered, hahahaha… both Xiahou Yuan and Cao Ren burst into laughter.
“Of the Thirty-Six Stratagems, retreating is the supreme stratagem. Myôtai… it seems we share the same brilliant insight!” Cao Ren said, smiling and patting Xiahou Yuan’s shoulder.
Xiahou Yuan also laughed profoundly.
The terms retreat, sounding the retreat, withdrawal, and forbearance, which were originally negative, were suddenly imbued with an aura of glory by “The Best Strategy is to Retreat.”
Can anyone who has fought throughout their life always be in an advantageous position? When circumstances are unfavorable, avoiding the enemy’s sharpest edge and temporarily enduring it is not the wisest course of action?
Of course, the Thirty-Six Stratagems explained it clearly and comprehensively. The essence of this stratagem was not simply passive escape or avoidance of difficulty, but rather a timely withdrawal to preserve oneself, reverse an unfavorable situation, and turn misfortune into fortune.
…In the span of just one night, Generals Cao Ren and Xiahou Yuan had emerged from the grief of the army’s defeat and the death of the Administrator of Jibei.
As for the reason…
Aside from the Thirty-Six Stratagems, the most significant factor was the divinely gifted genius, “Lu Yu.” He brought not only an understanding of the Thirty-Six Stratagems, but more importantly, he brought immense hope to the Cao camp, hope for turning the tide of the battle in a precarious situation!
“Ahem…”
Xiahou Yuan suddenly looked up, noticing that Cai Zhaoji was still by their side. He immediately patted his forehead, having forgotten her.
It was one thing for the two rough men to be reading by candlelight, but how could they let Miss Cai Yan stand there bored?
How rude, how exceedingly rude!
“Miss Cai Yan, please forgive us… Zixiao and I were so engrossed… we forgot about Miss Cai Yan!”
“Guards, quickly escort Miss Cai Yan…” Xiahou Yuan’s words were cut short as he immediately changed his tone.
He closed the bamboo slips of the Thirty-Six Stratagems and extended his hand, gesturing. “Miss Cai Yan, I will personally escort you back to your tent!”
So respectful and courteous, was this still the haughty general of the Qiaopei Legion?
All the personal guards were stunned.
“I will accompany Myôtai,” Cao Ren also quickly closed his bamboo slips and took the lead…
At this, all the armored soldiers were even more dumbfounded.
In just one day, Miss Cai Yan had transformed from an unnoticed woman in the military camp to a distinguished personage personally escorted by two generals. This shift in attitude was too miraculous!
“Your Excellencies… I…”
“Miss Cai Yan, it is late, let’s go.”
Cai Zhaoji had intended to decline, but now the sky outside was completely dark, and frankly, she was a little frightened.
Thus, under the escort of Cao Ren, Xiahou Yuan… and a host of personal guards, Cai Zhaoji returned to the main tent.
After watching the two generals leave, she turned and leaned back beside Lu Yu, gazing at the younger boy with a faint sigh.
She murmured to herself, “Little brother Lu Yu, as expected, nothing escapes your prediction.”
“Once the Thirty-Six Stratagems are revealed, our good days are also destined to flee.”
Thinking of this, Cai Zhaoji gently caressed Lu Yu’s cheek.
Such a clear and handsome face, yet possessing such a profound heart.
With all these enhancements, for a moment, Cai Zhaoji found her little brother Lu Yu utterly captivating. But, he was her brother, and in Cai Zhaoji’s heart, Lu Yu had always been just a younger brother!
…
…
Chenliu Commandery, the Yamen.
Inside the yamen at this moment, besides Cao Cao, were generals Xiahou Dun, Cao Hong, Li Dian, and Yue Jin.
All of them were facing a coffin, heads bowed in silence. The coffin contained the corpse of Bao Xin, the Administrator of Jibei.
It had been painstakingly found amidst the chaotic battle, and his body was already shattered beyond recognition.
Cao Cao wept, tears streaming down his face.
He rarely shed tears. Historical records only mention him crying four times, and this time, he was overcome with grief for his most supportive brother and comrade-in-arms – Administrator Bao Xin of Jibei!
“I and the Yellow Turban rebels are irreconcilable! We cannot coexist! We are sworn enemies!”
Cao Cao clenched his fists and pounded them on the coffin. He couldn’t bear to look at Bao Xin’s appearance within; the anger in his chest had boiled over.
When the eighteen allied lords attacked Dong Zhuo, Cao Cao pursued the defeated enemy relentlessly, and the only one who supported him was Bao Xin.
When planning for Yanzhou, Bao Xin was the first to stand up and lobby the influential families for him.
When Cao Cao lacked troops, Bao Xin handed over all his Yanzhou soldiers to him for command. How could such brotherhood not make Cao Cao grieve intensely?
At this moment, his mind was filled with thoughts of avenging his good brother, but facing three hundred thousand Yellow Turbans within his own territory, he could barely protect himself, let alone seek revenge.
“Brother Bao, I, Cao Cao, know you cannot rest in peace, but the Yellow Turbans are too powerful? What path should I take?”
Cao Cao murmured to himself…
Hearing this, all the generals bowed their heads. They wanted to advise Cao Cao, but didn’t know how, so they could only remain silent, not uttering a word.
Silence, a silence so profound that a needle drop could be heard, lasted for a long time!
Then, Cao Cao took out a proclamation from his怀. This was the proclamation he had issued when he raised his army in Chenliu to call upon heroes to attack Dong Zhuo.
But at this very moment, even he couldn’t help but feel lost. Was everything that had happened in the past right or wrong?
“When I first raised my army, it was to bring peace to the world. During difficult times, I was guided by Yin Lin to take charge of Yanzhou. My initial intention was to protect the borders and the people, but unexpectedly, my brothers and my armored soldiers suffered tragic deaths in a foreign land… My sins, Cao Cao, are indeed profound.”
“Perhaps Yin Lin misjudged me, Cao Cao, in the past, and the Yue Dan Ping also misjudged me, Cao Cao. Although I have the heart to protect the borders and the people, I lack the ability to quell the chaos. I have failed Brother Bao, and I have failed my armored soldiers!”
The failure in campaigning against the Yellow Turbans and the tragic death of his brother made Cao Cao deeply doubt himself. He even felt unworthy of taking charge of Yanzhou, unworthy of his brothers entrusting their soldiers to him completely.
When people are in adversity, self-doubt is perfectly normal, and even Cao Cao could not avoid it.
Just then.
“Brother, brother…”
Cao Ren arrived in a hurry and immediately saw Cao Cao’s current sorrowful expression. “Myôtai is bringing three thousand Qiaopei soldiers to Chenliu Commandery. I came ahead to report to you, brother!”
“Brother, in the Qiaopei Legion, we discovered a peerless young man. Before your campaign against the Yellow Turbans, he boldly predicted that the battle would be lost, and within his chest lies the key to defeating the thirty thousand Yellow Turbans!”
Cao Ren’s voice was not loud, and his tone was very gentle.
But, upon hearing this, everyone present was in an uproar.
Especially Cao Cao, whose eyes suddenly released a dazzling light. It was a glint that only appeared in his eyes, a bloodthirsty gleam, when hope was seen in a desperate situation!
…
…