Three Kingdoms: The Peerless Strategist of Wei

Chapter 9 He was in the mountains, yet he saw farther than I did.

Zhang Xiu's army camp.

The camp was bustling with noise and excitement, most of the soldiers were drunk and oblivious to the shadow of death that was creeping in.

"Drink! We won't leave until we're drunk!"

Hu Che'er stood up unsteadily, raised the wine jar high with both hands, and took a big gulp.

After downing a full jar of wine, he wasn't quite drunk yet, but his bladder was already so full it felt like it was about to burst.

So he dragged his unsteady steps to the entrance of the camp and loosened his belt in the deep night.

"Um?"

Hu Che'er suddenly noticed a slight tremor coming from the ground beneath her feet.

A muffled rumble could be faintly heard in my ears, rolling in from afar.

Years of military service made Hu Che'er instantly tense up. He opened his eyes wide and looked carefully into the depths of darkness.

Suddenly!

Countless cavalrymen clad in iron armor roared out of the dark night like phantoms in the night.

"Cao Cao's army! Cao Cao's army has raided the camp!"

Hu Che'er sobered up considerably in an instant, and shouted sharply in a trembling voice.

But it was all too late.

Directly in front of him, Cao Hong spurred his horse and brandished his sword, rushing towards him in the blink of an eye.

"You fickle scoundrel, prepare to die!"

The fierce general of the Cao family roared and brought his long sword down with a whistling sound.

Hu Che'er didn't even have time to pull up his pants before he hurriedly reached for his waist, wanting to draw his sword.

But when he reached out, he only touched an empty belt.

It turned out that he had gotten carried away with his drinking and had carelessly tossed his sword somewhere.

"Oh no!"

Hu Che'er cried out in alarm and turned to flee back into the camp.

"Whoosh!"

Cao Hong's long sword had already fallen.

Hu Che'er's enormous head rolled to the ground with a thud as the blade flashed.

"Oh no! Cao Cao's army has raided our camp!"

"General Hu has been executed!"

"Quickly! Go and report to the young general!"

Zhang Xiu's army in the camp was startled awake from their drunken dream. Exclamations rose and fell as everyone scrambled to their feet to try and resist.

Unfortunately, they were all dead drunk, dizzy and unable to even stand properly, let alone have the strength to wield their swords and fight.

Without pausing, Cao Hong charged into the open camp gate.

With a swift stroke of the blade, two bewildered enemy soldiers fell into pools of blood.

Cao Cao's cavalry surged into Zhang Xiu's camp like a flood bursting its banks.

Thus began a one-sided massacre.

The central command tent.

Zhang Xiu was already seven-tenths drunk, but he still felt it wasn't enough. He was toasting and drinking heartily with his generals.

"Young General! Something terrible has happened!"

A guard scrambled in, shouting in terror, "Cao Cao's cavalry have launched a surprise attack on the camp! General Hu is dead! Our army can't hold them off at all; Cao Cao's army has already reached the center of the camp!"

The tent fell into a deathly silence.

Zhang Xiu's hand, holding the wine glass, froze in mid-air. He was as if petrified, and the smile on his face turned into a look of astonishment.

Even Jia Xu, who was usually expressionless, suddenly changed color, and his eyes flashed with a stormy sea.

The next second, the entire tent erupted into chaos, engulfed in extreme panic.

"Jia Wenhe! Didn't you say that Cao Cao ran out of supplies and had to retreat to Xuchang in disgrace? How come he suddenly launched a counterattack!"

Zhang Xiu suddenly came to his senses and hysterically roared at Jia Xu.

"Cao Cao had clearly run out of supplies, so there was no way he could have launched a surprise attack."

"Unless someone gave him advice and made him stockpile enough grain and fodder in Ye County in advance."

"Such a far-sighted strategy could never have come from the strategists under Cao Cao. Xi Zhicai was no match, Cheng Yu was no match, and even Xun Yu could not have produced such a masterpiece."

"Who exactly was advising Cao Cao behind the scenes?"

Cold sweat beaded on Jia Xu's forehead, and he muttered to himself, somewhat losing his composure.

This strategist, renowned throughout the land for his treacherous schemes, had never lost his composure like this, even when Dong Zhuo was dead and the Liangzhou army was on the verge of total annihilation.

At this moment, he was truly in a state of utter confusion and completely lost his composure.

"Cao Cao! I don't care who's giving you advice behind the scenes, tonight I, Zhang Xiu, will not let you have your way!"

Enraged, Zhang Xiu staggered to his feet and shouted, "Order all soldiers in each camp not to panic! Follow me out of the camp to meet the enemy!"

Before he finished speaking, he grabbed the silver spear beside him and was about to rush out of the tent.

By the time Jia Xu came to his senses and tried to dissuade him, it was too late.

"I never imagined that Cao Mengde would have such a genius assisting him. This man's wisdom far surpasses mine!"

"Cao Cao will certainly not accept my surrender again, and following Zhang Xiu will only lead to my death. Now, I have no choice but to seek refuge with Liu Biao."

Jia Xu sighed to himself, then quietly slipped out of the tent and fled south.

As dawn broke, the brutal massacre finally came to an end.

On the city walls of Wancheng, Cao Cao's army's banners were once again flying high.

Corpses littered both inside and outside the city; Zhang Xiu's army had either been killed in battle or surrendered, and the entire army had been wiped out.

Cao Cao stood atop the city wall with his hands behind his back, his eyes flashing with a cold killing intent.

Before long, Zhang Xiu was brought to the city wall, and Dian Wei stepped forward and pinned him down at Cao Cao's feet.

Cao Cao looked down at him, his tone icy, and said, "Zhang Xiu, you are fickle, surrendering and then rebelling again. Did you ever imagine you would end up like this?"

Zhang Xiu, his face filled with shame and his voice filled with sorrow, said, "The victor is king, the loser is villain. I have no complaints about losing to you. I only ask to know before I die who advised you and drove me to this predicament!"

"You're not worthy to know!"

Cao Cao sneered and waved his hand, shouting, "Guards! Execute him on the spot and send his head to Xuchang to present to the Emperor!"

Once the order to execute was given...

The Tiger Guards on both sides immediately stepped forward and dragged Zhang Xiu away.

"Who is it?!"

"Who exactly is giving you advice?"

Tell me! Otherwise, I'll die with my eyes wide open!

Zhang Xiu screamed hysterically, his voice filled with endless grief, indignation, and resentment.

The piercing screams abruptly ceased.

A messenger rode swiftly, carrying Zhang Xiu's head, towards Xuchang in the north.

The generals all took their leave, each leading their troops to restore military discipline and take over the defense of Wancheng.

Wait until there is no one else around.

Xi Zhicai smiled and exclaimed, "Sikong's ability to turn defeat into victory, kill Zhang Xiu, and recapture Wancheng is all thanks to Gu Cheng."

"Dian Wei, prepare the horses!"

Cao Cao smiled with satisfaction and waved his hand, saying, "I need to go to Ye County to see my future son-in-law again."

...

South of Ye County, the Gu family mansion.

Gu Cheng was lounging in a rocking chair, basking in the warm sun, just as he always did.

"My lord, news has just arrived from our caravan that Lord Cao's surprise attack on Wancheng was a great success, and he has already killed Zhang Xiu!"

Diao Chan walked over with light steps and handed over a piece of information sealed in a wax pellet.

A hint of surprise flashed in Gu Cheng's eyes. He took the scroll and began to examine it carefully.

"It seems that Xi Zhicai and Cheng Yu, who are under Cao Mengde, are not ordinary people either. They actually thought of my plan."

Gu Cheng sighed softly and then lay back down in the rocking chair.

He had barely lain down when Zhou Tai sent someone to report that his future father-in-law had come to visit.

"Shouldn't he be in Xuchang? How did he end up in Ye County?"

Although Gu Cheng had some doubts, he still stood up and went out to greet them.

Outside the Gu family's gate.

Cao Cao stood there in plain clothes, his hands behind his back, with only Dian Wei by his side.

"So it's you, Uncle, who has graced us with your presence. What brings you to Ye County?"

Gu Cheng greeted him with a smile and bowed respectfully at the door.

"My dear nephew!"

Cao Cao stepped forward and patted Gu Cheng on the shoulder, saying with a hint of complaint, "Why did you come to Ye County without telling me beforehand? That's really not very nice of you."

"I don't think I need to ask Uncle for permission to go anywhere, do I?"

Gu Cheng asked indifferently.

Cao Cao was taken aback, feeling somewhat embarrassed by Gu Cheng's question.

Gu Cheng then laughed heartily and invited Cao Cao into his residence.

The two sat down as host and guest, and a maid quickly served fragrant tea.

"Uncle, how did you know I came to Ye County and even find my way here?"

Gu Cheng asked curiously.

Cao Cao said in a serious tone, "I was transporting medicinal herbs for the government and happened to pass through Ye County. I learned from two young officers who came to collect the herbs that they had been rescued by a young master named Gu Cheng. Based on their description of his appearance, I guessed that it was you, my nephew, so I came looking for you."

Gu Cheng suddenly realized what Cao Cao was saying and couldn't help but think of Cao Ang and Cao Anmin. He then believed Cao Cao's airtight explanation without a doubt.

"Nephew, I heard that the five thousand bushels of grain in Ye County were all sold to Minister Cao by you."

"You've made a great contribution to his success in killing Zhang Xiu and capturing Wancheng."

Cao Cao smiled and praised him.

"I'm just taking advantage of Cao Mengde's influence to make a little money."

Gu Cheng casually remarked, "However, even though Cao Sikong killed Zhang Xiu, he may not be able to defend Wancheng."

"What do you mean?"

A glint flashed in Cao Cao's eyes, and his nerves tightened involuntarily. "Wancheng belongs to Nanyang Commandery, which in turn is under the jurisdiction of Jingzhou. From Wancheng, cavalry can reach the banks of the Han River within three days."

"Therefore, Wancheng is the northern gateway to Jingzhou and the first line of defense for Xiangyang."

"It was precisely for this reason that Liu Biao allied with Zhang Xiu, sparing no expense to provide him with provisions and troops, and to have Zhang Xiu garrison Wancheng, guarding the northern gateway for him."

"Now that Cao Cao has captured Wancheng, it's like a sword of Damocles is hanging over Liu Biao's head, ready to fall at any moment!"

"Do you think Liu Biao would just stand by and watch Cao Cao firmly occupy Wancheng?"

Gu Cheng took a sip of tea and asked in return with a smile.

Cao Cao nodded thoughtfully.

"This kid's vision is indeed broad. He's not limited to the gains and losses of Wancheng alone; he even anticipated Liu Biao's reaction..."

Cao Cao nodded to himself.

He then sneered and said, "Even if Liu Biao wanted to send troops to attack Wancheng, do you think he could be a match for Cao Sikong?"

"Of course not."

"Even if a hundred Liu Biaos were put together, they wouldn't be a match for Cao Cao."

Gu Cheng said firmly.

Hearing his evaluation, Cao Cao felt a surge of satisfaction.

"But Cao Cao has Liu Bei to the east, Yuan Shao to the north, and Yuan Shu and Liu Biao to the south; he's surrounded by enemies on all sides. Can he really hold Wancheng and be on guard against Liu Biao at all times?"

Gu Cheng changed the subject and asked in return.

Cao Cao was suddenly jolted.

"Liu Biao only needs to wait until Cao Cao leads his troops to attack other places before sending a large army north. Tell me, how many troops would Cao Cao need to leave in Wancheng to hold it?"

Gu Cheng asked again.

Cao Cao remained silent.

Half an hour passed.

He said with a wry smile, "My dear nephew is right. Although Cao Sikong has captured Wancheng, it will not be easy for him to hold it firmly."

"Young Master Gu, I've heard that Liu Biao was able to occupy Jingzhou entirely thanks to the support of the Cai and Kuai families. If Liu Biao were to send troops to retake Wancheng, would Cai Mao and Kuai Yue agree?"

Dian Wei suddenly interjected with a question.

"Oh my, Uncle, this guard looks like a rough fellow, but I didn't expect him to be so knowledgeable."

A hint of appreciation flashed in Gu Cheng's eyes.

Dian Wei was somewhat displeased that Gu Cheng had called him a "brute," and he couldn't help but frown.

"Nephew, what my guard said makes sense. What do you think?"

Cao Cao nodded in agreement and looked at Gu Cheng again.

"Nanyang was a famously prosperous place. After it was destroyed by Yuan Shu, its population was halved, which freed up a lot of fertile land."

"After Liu Biao occupied Jingzhou, the Cai and Kuai families, with his tacit approval, amassed large tracts of land in Nanyang. As far as I know, the Cai family alone owned nearly 10,000 mu of fertile land near Wancheng."

"Now that Wancheng has fallen into Cao Cao's hands, the land that the Cai and Kuai families seized in Nanyang could be confiscated at any time. Do you think they would be willing to give up these assets, Uncle?"

Gu Cheng spoke slowly and deliberately, revealing the full details of the Cai and Kuai families.

Cao Cao couldn't help but gasp.

In order to launch a campaign against Zhang Xiu, he had already sent people to conduct a detailed investigation of the situation in Wancheng and even the entire Nanyang.

However, he did not take Gu Cheng's claim that the Cai Mao and Kuai Yue clans owned large tracts of fertile land in Nanyang to heart.

The Gu Cheng in front of me, who usually lives a secluded life and can stay at home for a whole year, is surprisingly knowledgeable about these matters!

"Although he lives in the countryside, he has the world in his heart and his vision is much broader than mine."

Cao Cao secretly admired him.

After expressing his feelings, Cao Cao couldn't help but ask, "In my opinion, what should Minister Cao do to firmly defend Wancheng?"

"Uncle, let's not talk about these stressful things. Why don't we have some tea, bask in the sun, and enjoy this peaceful and carefree time?"

Gu Cheng didn't want to continue talking about Cao Cao.

Cao Cao smiled wryly and said helplessly, "My Yang family has business dealings with the government troops, and the battle at Wancheng is also related to me, which is why I care so much."

Since his future father-in-law had already put it so bluntly, Gu Cheng couldn't refuse any longer and had no choice but to continue chatting with him.

He took a sip of tea and said, "It's actually quite simple. As long as Cao Cao can inflict a heavy blow on Liu Biao, severely weakening him so that he won't be able to march north for several years, Wancheng will naturally be safe and sound."

"Did you hurt Liu Biao?"

Cao Cao, however, said, "Although Liu Biao is mediocre, he still commands an army of 100,000. If he were to launch a full-scale northward campaign, it wouldn't be easy to inflict heavy damage on him in a short time. I fear that a protracted war would give Liu Bei and Yuan Shu an opportunity to exploit the situation."

Gu Cheng's eyes lit up, and he secretly praised his future father-in-law for having some insight, knowing that it wouldn't be easy to defeat Liu Biao quickly.

Gu Cheng then said, "It's not difficult to quickly defeat Liu Biao; it's simply a matter of using unconventional strategies and deploying surprise troops."

"A clever plan?"

Cao Cao immediately perked up and hurriedly asked, "Nephew, what brilliant plan do you have? Tell me quickly."

"Under Liu Biao, Cai Mao was in charge of military affairs, and Kuai Yue was in charge of political affairs. If Liu Biao were to send troops north, he would certainly appoint Cai Mao as the commander-in-chief."

"If Cao Cao wants to defeat Cai Mao, he only needs to lure Cai Mao into leading a small force on a reckless advance, and then ambush him halfway. This will surely cripple his army!"

Gu Cheng casually remarked, and a brilliant plan immediately came to mind.

"Yes, that is indeed a brilliant plan."

Cao Cao nodded slightly, but then said, "But Cai Mao isn't a fool. Why would he so easily lead his troops in such a reckless advance?"

"It's very simple."

Gu Cheng sneered, "As long as Cao Cao issues an order to confiscate all of the Cai family's land in Wancheng and even the entire Nanyang, do you think Cai Mao wouldn't rush over with his light troops after hearing the news?"

Cao Cao suddenly realized the truth, and everything became clear to him.