Chapter 70: Borrowing the Road to Annihilate Guo, Attacking and Killing Liu Bei!

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Runan, Xinyang region.

At this moment, a marching army advanced, its banners emblazoned with the character for “Cao,” while the flanking regimental standards bore the name “Xiahou.” Numerous scouts patrolled the surrounding area, vigilantly surveying the terrain.

In the distance, atop a low hill.

Zhao Fan lowered his telescope, frowning in suspicion. As he had guessed, something was amiss. The flags purported a force of thirty thousand, yet only a few thousand troops could be seen—clearly a feint.

“Keep a close watch along the route. I will return to inform our lord and let him decide,” Zhao Fan said after observing a while longer, then promptly withdrew with his men.

……

Jiujiang, Shouchun.

As news spread throughout the city, unease gripped the populace. The repeated departure of troops over the past days left little doubt: war was imminent.

At this moment, inside the study.

“My lord, the Cao army has reached Xinyang, numbering just over five thousand, though their banners are so numerous they seem to represent tens of thousands. If not for the telescope you bestowed, it would have been impossible to detect the ruse,” Zhao Fan reported, dusty and travel-worn.

After hearing him out, Chu Feng frowned. As expected, Cao Cao himself had not come. Why, then, all this elaborate show? Was it merely a feint to ease the pressure on Sun Ce?

“Do we know who commands their forces?”

“There are many banners, but I saw one man with a sore over his left eye—he must be one of their principal generals,” Zhao Fan explained.

“One-eyed Xiahou Dun?” Chu Feng arched an eyebrow. Xiahou Dun was adequate at drilling troops, but on the battlefield, his record was abysmal—defeated again and again, yet still holding high rank, unmatched in his mediocrity.

“My lord, since the Cao army numbers only a few thousand, why don't we throw our full might into seizing Niuzhu, then return to defend Shouchun once it is taken?” Zhao Fan suggested.

“No, no. Let Lu Su handle Jiangdong; our true opponent is Cao Cao. For him to make such a spectacle yet send only a few thousand men—there must be something more at play,” Chu Feng mused, doubtfully. He could not believe Cao Cao would willingly let such an opportunity slip by.

If he did, there was only one explanation: a greater opportunity awaited him elsewhere.

With this thought, Chu Feng’s eyes grew sharp.

“Damn it, the real prize for that scoundrel Cao is still Nanyang!” Chu Feng exclaimed urgently, immediately dictating a letter: “Messenger! Ride at once to Nanyang and deliver this letter to Zhang Xiu!”

The bodyguard obeyed and left.

Zhao Fan looked at Chu Feng and asked gravely, “My lord, do you mean Cao Cao is still in Shouchun and plans to strike at Nanyang?”

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“I cannot say for certain what he intends, but with Sun Ce invading, even if Cao Cao is in no hurry to attack, he would still come to the front lines himself. The only thing that could draw him away from Shouchun is Nanyang,” Chu Feng declared with conviction.

Nanyang lay across open plains from Xuchang, utterly exposed—this was why, in later years, Cao Cao would campaign thrice against Zhang Xiu, always making him the top priority. Without a stable foundation, how could one dream of mastering the realm?

Zhao Fan nodded, then asked, “My lord, what should we do now?”

“Cao Cao has not come, but blind Xiahou has. We shall devour him. Isn’t Cao Cao claiming publicly that he himself is leading the army?”

“Once we have captured Xiahou Dun, we will proclaim to the world that I, Chu Feng, have slain the traitor Cao with my own hand, annihilating his hundred thousand elite troops—let it be known that the public enemy Cao Cao fell to Chu Feng.”

As Chu Feng spoke, a faint smile played at his lips.

If Cao Cao wished to deceive, then he would return the favor. When news of this broke, the world would be in an uproar.

“Brilliant strategy, my lord! I will go and ready the army at once,” Zhao Fan said, elated. He had watched other generals claim glory and was eager for his own chance.

“But the Cao army numbers only a few thousand—likely not even their elite Qingzhou soldiers. If we gather all our forces, we risk exposing ourselves and inciting further panic among the populace.”

“Instead, dispatch the cavalry. Tell them there is a mission tonight, prepare three days’ rations, and rest early. Once night falls, they are to follow me out of the city for a swift and decisive battle,” Chu Feng said after some thought.

“But my lord, we have only eight hundred riders, while the enemy outnumbers us several times—how can we prevail?” Zhao Fan pressed, anxious.

“Worry not. Go make ready! And summon Liu Ye and Qiao Rui to me,” Chu Feng instructed with a wave of his hand.

“At once!”

————

Xuzhou, within the city of Xiapi.

After instructing that Yan Xiang be shown to his quarters, Lü Bu turned to Chen Gong. “Gongtai, what do you think—should we intervene or not?”

“My lord, the alliance between Sun and Cao appears unbreakable, but in truth, both harbor their own ambitions. Sun Ce seeks Yuzhang; as for Shouchun, it is a mere chicken rib to Cao Cao—he will not commit to a full assault.”

“Moreover, Chu Feng is no Yuan Shu. He is shrewd and resourceful; even if Cao Cao did lead the campaign himself, he could not take Shouchun swiftly,” Chen Gong said, stroking his beard.

“So you advise we do not aid him?”

“Far from it—we must aid him, and openly at that. My lord, you should send a letter to Liu Bei, inviting him to join forces against the traitor Cao.”

A cold smile played at Chen Gong’s lips.

“Invite Liu Bei to join us? Will he even send troops?” Lü Bu raised an eyebrow.

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“Cao Cao, the traitor to the realm, slaughterer of loyal men—his infamy is known to all. Liu Bei claims descent from the imperial family—how could he refuse to fight?”

“When the time comes, my lord, ride out with the Wolf Cavalry alongside Liu Bei, but leave Generals Gao Shun and Zhang Liao in reserve. Once Liu Bei has left, strike out for Xiaopei and destroy him at once.”

“This is the classic stratagem of ‘borrowing a path to attack Guo,’” Chen Gong’s eyes narrowed, voice dark with intent.

“Destroy Liu Bei?” Lü Bu exclaimed in astonishment.

“My lord, Liu Bei is a hypocrite. When you seized Xuzhou from him years ago, could he not have borne a grudge? And as I understand it, he has recruited over ten thousand men at Xiaopei—can we risk trusting him? This is the perfect opportunity to eliminate him in one stroke!”

A murderous glint shone in Chen Gong’s eyes.

“But Gongtai, Liu Bei is merely a guest in Xiaopei. Would not attacking him without cause ruin my reputation?” Lü Bu frowned.

Chen Gong was speechless for a moment, casting a strange look at Lü Bu. My lord, are you jesting? You still care about your reputation?

There’s even a folk rhyme: “Among men, Lü Bu; among horses, Red Hare. The Sky-Piercing Halberd—famous for slaying foster fathers!”

Yet here you are, worrying about your good name?

Seeing Chen Gong’s incredulous expression, Lü Bu cleared his throat. “Gongtai, it’s just that Liu Bei has done nothing against me. It would seem unjust to attack him without cause…”

“My lord, I have intercepted Liu Bei’s correspondence—he has been secretly colluding with Cao Cao, plotting to seize Xuzhou,” Chen Gong replied.

“Bang!” Lü Bu slammed his hand down in fury. “He dares covet my Xuzhou? I will send him a letter at once, proposing we join forces against Cao Cao—then take Xiaopei for myself!”

Chen Gong was left speechless.

He pursed his lips. So naïve—no wonder the world calls him brave but witless. But at least it saved Chen Gong the trouble of further explanation.

As for crushing Liu Bei, Chen Gong had long harbored that intention.

Previously, Lü Bu had taken in Liu Bei mainly because Yuan Shu had refused to supply grain and was plotting against Xuzhou, so Liu Bei had garrisoned at Xiaopei.

But now Chu Feng was in power, and his short-term ambitions did not include Xuzhou; thus, Liu Bei’s presence was no longer necessary. This was the perfect opportunity to eliminate him and cement an alliance with Chu Feng.

This way, they could feign attacking Cao Cao while seizing Xiaopei—a double victory.

After all, Liu Bei’s ambitions ran deep; leaving him nearby was a constant threat.