roccoschili Chapter 10: Who exactly came up with this insidious plan for Cao Cao?
Chapter 10: Who exactly came up with this insidious plan for Cao Cao?
"Yes, that is indeed a brilliant plan."
"If I follow this plan, Wancheng will surely be impregnable and we can rest easy."
Cao Cao stroked his long beard, a faint smile playing on his lips.
Seeing his strange expression, Gu Cheng asked, "Uncle, you wouldn't be offering my plan to Cao Cao in exchange for credit, would you?"
Cao Cao suddenly came to his senses and quickly waved his hand, laughing, "Of course not. I am just an ordinary merchant. How could I possibly have the opportunity to meet Minister Cao, let alone offer him advice in person?"
"Alright."
Gu Cheng didn't take it to heart: "Uncle, you've already chosen an auspicious day for my wedding with your daughter."
"this...."
Cao Cao looked troubled.
Gu Cheng said calmly, "Actually, if you have taken a fancy to someone from another family, you should just say so. I won't mind at all. You don't need to keep dragging this out. Only by breaking off this engagement can I marry someone else."
He assumed that Cao Cao was dissatisfied with the marriage.
"Nephew, you misunderstand. To have a son-in-law as a prodigy like you is an immense blessing for the Yang family!"
Cao Cao quickly denied it.
Gu Cheng asked with a puzzled look, "Then I really don't understand, is choosing an auspicious day really that difficult?"
"If this drags on any longer, I'm afraid the truth will be revealed, and that will anger him."
"It seems that we have no choice but to use Zhicai's idea."
Cao Cao's mind raced with thoughts, but he quickly made up his mind.
present.
He then smiled and said, "Once this war between Cao Cao and Liu Biao is over, and I've finished this medicinal herb business, we'll return to Xuchang and I'll arrange your marriage. What do you say?"
"Alright, then we'll leave everything to Uncle's arrangements."
Gu Cheng nodded immediately.
Having set a wedding date and obtained the complete plan, Cao Cao felt completely satisfied and immediately got up to take his leave.
"Congratulations, young master! You are about to marry your virtuous wife and win the heart of your beauty."
Diao Chan sighed softly, her tone revealing a hint of unspeakable melancholy.
Gu Cheng reached out and gently stroked her cheek, smiling calmly, "No matter how virtuous Miss Yang is, how can she compare to you, Chan'er? As for what beauty? Who in this world is more beautiful than you, Chan'er? Maybe you're just an ugly Zhong Wuyan."
These words made Diaochan overjoyed, and she couldn't help but feel secretly delighted.
"Young master always says such sweet things to make Chan'er happy~"
Diao Chan's pretty face flushed crimson, and she lowered her head, complaining softly.
After her initial shyness subsided, she couldn't help but ask, "What if Miss Yang really is ugly? Does the young master really intend to marry her?"
"This was my mother's dying wish. Now that I've agreed, a man should keep his word."
"Whether that Miss Yang is beautiful or ugly, I will definitely marry her as my wife."
Gu Cheng spoke solemnly, explaining his original intention word by word.
Diao Chan remained silent upon hearing this, and a hint of admiration quietly surfaced in her eyes, which had been filled with melancholy.
"Okay, stop being sad."
Gu Cheng reached out and put his arm around her slender waist, smiling as he said, "Whether I marry a wife or take a concubine, my affection for you, Chan'er, will not diminish in the slightest."
"Cicada comes from a humble background. Being able to serve by your side and receive even a little bit of your affection is enough for me. How could I dare to ask for more?"
Diao Chan spoke softly, her beautiful face gently nestled into Gu Cheng's arms.
...
In Xiangyang City.
The news of Zhang Xiu's defeat and death, and the fall of Wancheng, had spread throughout the city.
The officials and common people of the entire city were all shocked and horrified.
The main hall of the prefectural government.
Liu Biao frowned deeply, his gaze fixed on Jia Xu, who had come to seek refuge.
"Wenhe, with your extraordinary wisdom and strategy, and with General Zhang by your side to assist you, how could you be defeated by Cao Cao in such a short time? I really can't understand it."
Liu Biao looked completely bewildered and began to speak.
Jia Xu looked ashamed and said, "Cao Cao has extraordinary people under his command who advise him. This person's wisdom far surpasses mine, which is why General Zhang ended up like this."
"There really is such a person, whose wisdom and strategy surpass even yours, Wenhe?"
Liu Biao's eyes snapped open, his face filled with shock.
Kuai Yue, his face full of surprise, asked, "Is this extraordinary person Xi Zhicai, Cheng Yu, or Xun Yu?"
"None of them."
Jia Xu gently shook his head: "Yidu, although the three people you mentioned are all brilliant strategists of our time, they may not have been able to plan to this extent, destroying General Zhang in less than two months."
"If it weren't for these three people, I really can't imagine who else in Cao Cao's camp possesses such astonishing wisdom!"
Kuai Yue's face was full of shock as he spoke.
Jia Xu said meaningfully, "Regardless of who this person is, Cao Mengde is truly like a tiger with wings with the help of such an extraordinary person, and should not be underestimated."
Liu Biao and Kuai Yue exchanged a glance, a hint of unease rising in their eyes.
In an instant, the atmosphere in the entire hall became extremely heavy.
"No matter what extraordinary talents Cao Cao may have to assist him, Wancheng is the northern shield of Jingzhou. Now that it has fallen into the hands of the traitor Cao Cao, it's like a sharp blade hanging over the heads of Jingzhou!"
"My lord, we cannot stand idly by; we must immediately raise an army and retake Wancheng!"
Cai Mao stood up angrily, breaking the silence in the hall.
Liu Biao's body jolted, and he turned to look at Kuai Yue beside him.
"If Wancheng falls into Cao Cao's hands, his Tiger and Leopard Cavalry will march south day and night, and within three days they will be at the Han River, directly threatening Xiangyang."
"Wancheng must not fall into Cao Cao's hands."
Kuai Yue's analysis clearly indicated that he strongly supported sending troops.
Jia Xu, however, cautioned, "Cao Cao's military tactics have always been cunning and unpredictable. Now, with the help of a remarkable man, even if Lord Liu intends to send troops to retake Wancheng, he absolutely must not engage Cao Cao in a direct confrontation!"
"Wenhe is absolutely right."
Liu Biao nodded emphatically and quickly asked, "In Wenhe's opinion, how should our army fight this battle?"
Jia Xu sneered and said, "Cao Cao is now surrounded by enemies and certainly cannot hold Wancheng for long. Liu, you only need to lead your army north, advancing step by step towards Wancheng, but do not engage him in direct combat. Wait until Cao Cao has trouble elsewhere and has to personally lead his army back, then launch an attack on Wancheng, and you will surely take it in one battle!"
"Excellent, Wenhe, this plan is absolutely brilliant!"
Liu Biao, beaming with joy, said, "Cai Mao, obey my command!"
"Your subordinate is here!" Cai Mao stood up abruptly.
Liu Biao waved his hand and said, "I order you to lead an army of 40,000, cross the river, and march north, advancing step by step until you reach Wancheng!"
"This subordinate obeys!"
Cai Mao immediately accepted the order.
Day two.
Cai Mao then led an army of 40,000 across the Han River, marching north in a grand procession, heading straight for Wancheng.
Two days later, Cai Mao led his army into Xinye City.
Night fell in the central command tent.
Cai Mao stood in the tent with his hands behind his back, his eyes fixed on the map of Nanyang in front of him.
Cai He strode into the tent and said in a deep voice, "Brother, something terrible has happened! That Cao Cao has actually issued an order to confiscate all of the Cai family's land and houses in Wancheng and even the entire Nanyang Prefecture!"
"What did you say?"
Cai Mao's expression suddenly changed, and his brows furrowed tightly.
Nowadays, the feudal lords of the world are vying for supremacy, and the powerful clans and gentry, large and small, are all betting on their own interests.
No matter who is in charge of any prefecture or county in the land, they cannot touch the property of the local gentry and powerful families. This has long been an unspoken rule tacitly accepted by all the warlords.
Therefore, even though Wancheng fell into Cao Cao's hands, Cai Mao never worried that anything would happen to his Cai family's property in Wancheng.
But to his utter surprise, Cao Cao did not play by the rules and actually wanted to confiscate all of Cai's family's land!
"Cao Mengde, we've been friends for a while now, how dare you treat my Cai family like this!"
Cai Mao slammed his fist hard on the table, his teeth grinding together, his face full of hatred.
Cai He then said in a deep voice, "Brother, most of the Cai family's land is in Nanyang. If Cao Cao confiscates it all, the family will be severely weakened. At that time, our power in Jingzhou will probably be completely suppressed by the Kuai family."
Cai Mao's expression instantly hardened.
He paced back and forth in the tent, lost in thought for a long time.
He turned around abruptly.
Cai Mao snorted coldly and said, "Cao Cao surely thinks I will proceed cautiously, arriving at Wancheng in seven days. I, however, will lead my light cavalry northward at breakneck speed, reaching Wancheng within two days, catching him off guard, and retaking Wancheng in one fell swoop!"
"Brother, you are wise! I will go and issue the military order immediately!"
Cai He immediately accepted the order and quickly turned to leave.
"Cao Cao, even if you have some extraordinary people assisting you, you would never have expected me to pull this trick!"
Cai Mao stared intently at the map in front of him, a cold smile playing on his lips.
Bowangpo is located 30 li southwest of Wancheng.
On the hillside, Cao Cao reined in his horse and stood still, his gaze coldly sweeping down onto the road below.
Battle flags fluttered in the wind, and a sandstorm swept across the sky. A large army was rapidly approaching, its movements barely visible.
The scout rode up at full speed, shouting, "Reporting to the Minister of Works, the enemy general Cai Mao is leading a large army, lightly armed and moving swiftly, and has now entered the territory of Bowangpo!"
Cao Cao immediately laughed.
"Sikong is truly a master strategist! As expected, Cai Mao, upon learning that the Cai family's assets had been confiscated, recklessly advanced his troops, falling right into Sikong's trap!"
Xi Zhicai, standing behind him, bowed respectfully, clicking his tongue in amazement, his face full of admiration.
Cao Cao said calmly, "Zhicai, you are wrong. This plan was not my idea; it came from someone else."
"Anyone else?"
Xi Zhicai was taken aback at first, but then he realized what was going on and asked in surprise, "The day before yesterday, Sikong went to Ye County to visit Gu Liheng. Could it be that he offered this plan to Sikong?"
"It was him."
Cao Cao nodded slightly, but said with a smile, "However, how could he offer me a plan on his own initiative? I put in a lot of effort to trick him into giving me a brilliant idea."
Xi Zhicai suddenly realized and couldn't help but sigh, "It really was Gu Cheng's plan again. He understood the Cai family's weaknesses and Cai Mao's thoughts so thoroughly. It's truly unbelievable."
"Without such extraordinary abilities, how could you be worthy of being Cao Cao's son-in-law!"
A look of undisguised smugness appeared on Cao Cao's face.
As they spoke, half of the Jingzhou army had already passed by on the slope. As the terrain gradually narrowed, the march became slow and crowded.
This Bowangpo was precisely the trap that Cao Cao had carefully chosen for Cai Mao to meet his demise.
Cao Cao's smile instantly transformed into a chilling killing intent, and he lashed out with his whip: "Light the signal fire!"
At the command, a beacon fire was immediately lit, shooting straight into the heavens.
Upon receiving the signal, Cao Cao's troops, who were lying in ambush on both flanks, immediately set fire to hundreds of rattan balls filled with flammable materials.
The blazing fire instantly illuminated the entire mountainside.
"suddenly!"
"suddenly!"
"suddenly!"
In the next instant, hundreds of blazing fireballs were pushed down the hillside and rolled toward the unsuspecting Jingzhou army.
"There's an ambush! There's an ambush on the hillside!"
"It's an ambush by Cao Cao's army!"
"Oh no! A fireball is coming!"
The Jingzhou army finally reacted, and their terrified screams rose and fell, echoing all around.
But it was all too late.
The road was already narrow, and the group was crammed together. In the midst of the haste and chaos, they had no time to dodge.
The next instant, the fireball crashed down on the chaotic Jingzhou army.
Hundreds and thousands of Jingzhou soldiers were knocked to the ground by the fireballs, some dying instantly, others having their bodies engulfed in flames.
A heart-wrenching wail instantly resounded throughout the entire world.
Along the road stretching for miles, nearly 40,000 Jingzhou soldiers fled in panic, completely engulfed in utter chaos.
At the top of the slope.
The murderous intent in Cao Cao's eyes intensified. He drew his long sword from his waist and pointed it sharply forward: "All troops, attack! Slaughter all the enemy!"
The earth-shaking sound of war drums suddenly rang out.
The thousands of Cao soldiers who had been lying in ambush all around rushed out from their hiding places.
Generals such as Yue Jin, Cao Hong, and Li Dian, each leading their own troops, swept down like a torrent.
Amidst the chaos of war.
Cai Mao, his face covered in dust, looked around in panic, his eyes filled with disbelief, fear, and astonishment.
"Cao Cao actually set up an ambush here?"
"Could it be that I fell for Cao Cao's treacherous scheme from the very beginning?"
"How hateful! This plan is so vicious! Who on earth came up with it for Cao Cao?!"
Cai Mao gritted his teeth in hatred, completely losing his composure.
Just as he was in a panic, Cao Cao's army on both flanks swept down like a tidal wave.
The Jingzhou army had already lost its geographical advantage, and now its morale was completely in chaos. How could it possibly be a match for Cao Cao's army? In the blink of an eye, it was completely routed and scattered in all directions.
"Brother, we've fallen into Cao Cao's trap! We must retreat to Xinye immediately!"
Cai He galloped over on his horse, shouting loudly in a trembling voice.
Cai Mao gritted his teeth and said, "My lord entrusted me with 40,000 troops, and now I've suffered such a crushing defeat. How can I possibly face him again!"
"The army may be gone, but the Cai family will remain the most powerful clan in Jingzhou!"
"My elder brother is the head of our Cai family. If he were to perish here, how could our Cai family possibly bear the consequences!"
Cai He pleaded and persuaded him.
Cai Mao suddenly came to his senses and shouted, "Retreat! The entire army must retreat south immediately!"
Before he could finish speaking, he had already turned his horse around and galloped off to the south.
Cai He led his personal guards behind him, desperately covering his retreat.
The deafening shouts of battle echoed across Bowangpo, and the entire road was already completely stained red with blood.
On the hillside.
Looking at the enemy's crushing defeat, Xi Zhicai couldn't help but sigh, "Gu Liheng's plan has caused Liu Biao to lose 40,000 troops in the blink of an eye, severely damaging Jingzhou's vitality. From now on, Wancheng can rest easy."
Cao Cao stroked his long beard and laughed loudly, already planning in his mind how to marry his daughter Cao Jie into the Gu family in a grand and glorious manner after returning to Xuchang.