sovbooks Chapter 40 Guo Jia Arrives
Chapter 40 Guo Jia Arrives
Cao Ang sighed, "Young Master Gu, I was wrong. I shouldn't have questioned you. Guan Yu did indeed lead his army south!" Upon hearing this,
Da Qiao and Diao Chan's faces immediately lit up with joy, and they both looked at Gu Cheng.
Mi Huan shuddered, his eyes widening in shock, and he froze on the spot. "How is this possible? He actually came true!" "Why did Guan Yu retreat? Why? This doesn't make sense!" Mi Huan's thoughts raced, lost in thought.
"Oh, it's half a day earlier than I expected."
Gu Cheng remained calm and pulled Cao Ang to sit down: "General Wei has been fighting hard all day, he must not have eaten yet. Chan'er, quickly bring General Wei a pair of chopsticks."
Diao Chan realized what was happening and quickly brought Cao Ang a bowl and chopsticks. "How can I possibly eat!" Cao Ang pushed the bowl and chopsticks away and asked anxiously, "Young Master Gu, you should be able to tell me now how you calculated that Guan Yu would retreat on his own."
Mi Huan also came to her senses and looked at Gu Cheng, waiting for the mystery to be solved.
"It's actually quite simple."
"I merely sent Zhou Tai with a small force to infiltrate south of Xiapi and use a little trick to create the illusion that Lu Bu's army was attacking."
"Xiaopei's forces are depleted, and Liu Bei, in his fear, naturally hastily summoned Guan Yu to withdraw his troops and defend the city," Gu Cheng calmly explained the plan. Cao Ang suddenly understood. "That's not right!"
"I heard from my second brother that after Liu Bei reduced his troops, Lü Bu no longer harbored any suspicion towards him."
"If that's the case, it's impossible for Lü Bu to suddenly lead a large army to attack. How could Liu Bei not be suspicious?" Mi Huan suddenly spoke up to question.
Cao Ang's eyes flickered, and he said, "Indeed, Young Master Gu, what Miss Mi said makes perfect sense." "General Wei, do you remember the robbery we encountered on the border of the lake and land?" Gu Cheng sipped his wine and suddenly asked. "Of course I remember," Cao Ang nodded. "The robbers, it seems, were Zhang Fei, Liu Bei's sworn brother." Hearing this, Mi Huan's expression shifted slightly. She wondered when Zhang Fei had ever done such a thing, and why Mi Fang had never mentioned it. "I forgot to tell General Wei at the time that the group of merchants were actually Lü Bu's men, ordered to carry a large sum of money north to purchase warhorses for Lü Bu!"
"After this incident, Liu Bei had essentially offended Lü Bu!"
"Then, if Lü Bu were to lead his army to Xiaopei to demand an explanation for this matter, it would be perfectly justified. Would Liu Bei still have any doubts?"
Gu Cheng, unhurriedly, clarified Cao Ang's final point of doubt. Cao Ang's doubts were completely dispelled, and he suddenly understood.
He then filled his cup and toasted Gu Cheng, saying, "Young Master Gu's wisdom and strategy are truly beyond comprehension. You are indeed Zhang Liang reborn. I toast to Young Master Gu!"
He drank it all in one gulp.
Gu Cheng, however, said self-deprecatingly, "I'm not that magical. It's just that everything happened at the same time. If Zhang Fei hadn't gone to steal Lü Bu's gold, I really wouldn't have been able to get Guan Yu to withdraw his troops."
"It would take someone as wise as Young Master Gu to come up with the idea of using this. If it were me, I would rack my brains and still not be able to think of it."
Cao Ang did not hesitate to belittle himself.
Gu Cheng had no choice but to say, "Alright, it's enough that General Wei knows about this. Just don't let Cao Sikong find out, remember that!" "Does Young Master Gu still intend to live in seclusion and not let Cao Sikong know about your extraordinary talents and invite you to come out of seclusion?" Cao Ang asked tentatively.
Gu Cheng laughed and said, "With beautiful women by my side and endless money, I can travel all over the world and see all the great mountains and rivers. Isn't that wonderful? Why bother with officialdom and make trouble for myself?"
"The life you described, young master, is naturally better than that of a god; who wouldn't envy it?"
"But Young Master Gu clearly possesses unparalleled talent, yet he is unwilling to serve as an official to assist Lord Cao in pacifying the four directions and saving the people from suffering. Is Young Master Gu truly at ease?"
Cao Ang looked directly at Gu Cheng and asked.
Looking at the generous and righteous young general before him, Gu Cheng was slightly moved and didn't know how to answer him for a moment. "Why did you suddenly become so serious? Come, come, let's drink." Gu Cheng decisively changed the subject and poured Cao Ang a glass of wine.
Cao Ang still had military affairs to attend to and had only come to deliver a message. After having a drink, he took his leave. After seeing Cao Ang off, Gu Cheng turned around and realized that Mi Huan was staring at him intently, her gaze never leaving him. Recalling the bet they had just made, Gu Cheng smiled and said, "Miss Mi, I'm sorry, it seems I've won our bet." Mi Huan's heart skipped a beat, and she suddenly came to her senses. If I had lost, I would have become a slave, serving Gu Cheng for life! The promise she had made echoed in her ears.
"Could it be that I, the dignified eldest daughter of the Mi family, am destined to spend my entire life as his maid?" A blush crept across Mi Huan's face, her delicate brows furrowing as she looked troubled.
Gu Cheng didn't press her, he just watched her quietly.
"Liu Bei is no match for Cao Cao. Xuzhou will belong to Cao Cao sooner or later. My Mi family has boarded Liu Bei's pirate ship, and our destruction is inevitable. I can no longer be a pampered young lady. Staying with the Gu family will at least give me some support..."
Mi Fang sighed softly, having already made up her mind. She bit her lip, curtsied to Gu Cheng, and said silently, "I, Mi Huan, have always been a woman of my word. Since I have lost, I am willing to be your servant and obey your every command."
Gu Cheng's eyes lit up, quite surprised. He hadn't expected that this young lady from one of the three wealthiest families in the land, who had lived a life of luxury, would now lower herself and willingly become a maid.
"Enough, don't make it sound so tragic. If you want to stay in the Gu family, then stay," Gu Cheng said, waving his hand.
Mi Huan breathed a sigh of relief, but couldn't help asking, "Young Master, Huan'er has another question. I wonder if you could answer it?" "Speak," Gu Cheng said calmly.
Mi Huan said solemnly, "I've heard that behind Cao Cao's staff is a remarkable recluse, a man of almost supernatural wisdom, with countless ingenious schemes. I wonder if that man is you, young master?"
"An extraordinary recluse, with wisdom bordering on the supernatural? Are there such rumors circulating outside?" Gu Cheng looked completely bewildered.
This is understandable. Although he had a keen understanding of the affairs of the world, he spent most of his time in seclusion at home and paid little attention to the fishing boats outside. Therefore, the rumor that Cao Cao had acquired a new strategist had already spread far and wide, but Gu Cheng himself was unaware of it.
Looking at Gu Cheng, Mi Huan didn't think he was faking it. Could it be that the eccentric hermit wasn't him, but someone else entirely? She was confused again. Outside the Gu residence.
Cao Ang had already written a secret report and sent his personal guards to deliver it to Cao Cao overnight.
One hundred li northwest of Hulu City. The seat of Shanyang Prefecture, Changyi City.
After quelling the rebellion of the imperial edict in the belt, Cao Cao led an army of 30,000, marching at double speed towards Xiaopei. That evening, the army reached Changyi, and Cao Cao ordered them to set up camp outside the city, resting for the night before continuing their southward advance the next day. (Central command tent)
A young man, refined yet with a touch of untamed spirit, stepped into the main tent. "Guo Jia greets the Minister of Works."
The young man bowed deeply, neither humble nor arrogant.
"Guo Jia, Guo Fengxiao, I've finally been waiting for you! Please, have a seat!" Cao Cao was overjoyed and rose to personally pull Guo Jia to sit down. Seeing Cao Cao's courteous treatment, Guo Jia was somewhat flattered.
Just a month ago, Xi Zhicai caught a cold and fell seriously ill, unable to continue serving as military advisor. Therefore, Xi Zhicai and Xun Yu jointly recommended Guo Jia to Cao Cao to temporarily replace Xi Zhicai as military advisor. Guo Jia, who was in Hebei, received Xun Yu's letter and immediately resigned from Yuan Shao, crossing the river south. Today, Guo Jia happens to be in Changyi County, meeting with Cao Cao, who is on his eastern expedition.
"Wenruo and Zhicai both say that you, Fengxiao, possess extraordinary strategic talent. It is truly heaven's help that I have such a wise advisor as you!" Cao Cao beamed, showering Guo Jia with praise. "You flatter me, my lord," Guo Jia smiled faintly, but said, "When I was in Hebei, I heard that you had a brilliant strategist under your command. This man's plans were flawless, comparable to Zhang Liang reborn. That extraordinary person truly deserves the title of unparalleled strategist."
Hearing Guo Jia praise his son-in-law so highly, Cao Cao was naturally pleased.
Guo Jia cupped his hands again: "My lord, I wonder if this man is currently in the army? I have long admired him and only hope to discuss the world with him and learn a thing or two from him."
"This extraordinary person does indeed exist." Cao Cao did not deny it, but sighed, "It's a pity that he was carefree and disdained fame and fortune. He only wanted to live in seclusion in the mountains and enjoy life to the fullest, and refused to serve as an official to assist me."
Guo Jia's eyes flickered, and he thought to himself, "This extraordinary person is quite to my liking. I'm increasingly eager to meet him." Just then...
Dian Wei entered the tent and announced that Cao Ang had dispatched his personal guards from the lake and land routes with an urgent report. Cao Cao immediately became alert, fearing that something had happened to Gu Cheng's safety, and hurriedly ordered the report to be delivered.
The guards entered and explained to Cao Cao how Liu Bei had sent Guan Yu to attack Hulu City, how Guan Yu had fallen into a trap, and how Guan Yu had been recalled before the city fell.
"The eldest son actually managed to use Lü Bu's power to frighten Liu Bei away from attacking the city. It was truly a stroke of genius!" Guo Jia couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.
Cao Cao smiled and said, "Fengxiao, you're overthinking it. I know my son best. Zixiu couldn't possibly have such a brilliant plan." Guo Jia was taken aback, unable to understand the implication in Cao Cao's words.
Cao Cao then asked, "Tell me the truth, who came up with the plan to break Ang'er's retreat?" The guards quickly presented Cao Cao with Cao Ang's personal secret letter.
In the secret letter, Cao Ang recounted in detail how Gu Cheng disrupted Liu Bei's wedding, abducted Miss Mi, and devised a plan to impersonate Lü Bu and launch a surprise attack on Xiaopei, thus frightening Guan Yu into retreat.
"Just as I expected, only he could have such a brilliant plan."
"But this kid actually came up with the idea of stealing the bride of the big-eared thief. He really has my style." Cao Cao looked at the secret letter and said with a smile.
Guo Jia grew increasingly curious as he listened, and couldn't help but ask, "That Magistrate Man Chong of Hulu County, though he has some strategic acumen, probably couldn't have come up with a plan to retreat the troops. Could it be that there is another expert who has offered advice to the young master?"
"Fengxiao, didn't you want to discuss the world with that extraordinary man? This time, during the eastern expedition to Xuzhou, you will naturally have the opportunity." Cao Cao stroked his long beard, his eyes and tone full of meaning.
Guo Jia's spirits lifted; he was already eager to meet that extraordinary man who inspired fear in all the warlords. "This plan won't fool that big-eared scoundrel for long; he'll inevitably attack Hulu again." "There's no time to lose. Set off south immediately and reach Hulu before that big-eared scoundrel realizes what's happening," Cao Cao readily ordered. That night...
Cao Cao's 30,000 troops broke camp and set off again, marching day and night towards Hulu City.
Xuzhou, south of Xiaopei City.
Liu Bei walked along the main road, looking at the barren fields that looked like they had been plowed through, and at the rotten branches scattered everywhere, his eyes filled with suspicion. "Lü Bu's" army had been wreaking havoc south of the city for two whole days, its momentum seemingly immense. But today, Guan Yu had just led his army back to the city, and "Lü Bu's" army had vanished without a trace. It was as if more than ten thousand soldiers had evaporated from the face of the earth in an instant. "My lord, we've fallen into a trap!" Zhao Yun pointed to the branches on the ground. "There was no Lü Bu's army at all. It was just a small cavalry unit that tied branches to their horses' tails, galloping back and forth, creating a cloud of dust that made us mistakenly believe Lü Bu's army was attacking!"
Everyone suddenly realized.
Liu Bei snapped the branch in his hand, angrily saying, "Who was it that came up with such an unexpected method? None of us even saw through it!"
Zhao Yun said silently, "My lord, I told you long ago that Gu Cheng is incredibly cunning; this must be his doing." "Gu Cheng, it's that Gu Cheng again!"
"I, Liu Bei, a hero of my generation, have been repeatedly mocked by you, a mere brat!" "This is intolerable!"
Liu Bei was furious and shouted, "Yun Chang, this time you are leading the army to defend the city, but I will personally lead the army to attack Hulu and kill that little thief Gu Cheng with my own hands!"
The words had barely left his mouth.
Jian Yong rushed from Xiaopei, shouting, "My lord, something terrible has happened! Cao Cao has led 30,000 troops into our territory and is less than 30 li away from Xiaopei!"
Liu Bei's body stiffened, and his expression changed in astonishment.
"Cao Cao is attacking!" These four words caused not only Liu Bei but everyone present to change color. "My lord, Cao Cao is coming too fast!" "Our city walls have not been fortified yet, and the grain and fodder collected from various counties have not been able to be transported to Xiaopei in time. This battle is going to be unfavorable!" Zhao Yun said in a deep voice.
Liu Bei remained silent, his face grim. Sun Qian sighed, "We originally had time to fully prepare for the battle of Xiaopei, but because of Gu Cheng, we were forced to send troops to Hulu, wasting precious time." "Gu Cheng, Gu Cheng—" Liu Bei clenched his fists, his eyes burning with deep hatred. Zhang Fei, however, said arrogantly, "What's there to fear if that traitor Cao comes? With me and my second brother, we'll surely annihilate him, leaving not a single one alive, just to rid the Emperor of that treacherous Cao Cao!" "Third brother, don't underestimate the enemy!"
Guan Yu, however, rebuked him, saying in a deep voice, "Cao Cao's military tactics are cunning and treacherous, he has countless fierce generals and brilliant strategists. Even if we are not afraid of him, we cannot underestimate him." Liu Bei nodded slightly, "Second brother is right. Cao Cao's annihilation of Zhang Xiu and Yuan Shu were both incredibly swift. This battle is extremely dangerous for us." "My lord, holding Xiaopei to the death is likely to lead to dire consequences. Perhaps we should cede the city and flee," Sun Qian suggested, seeing through Liu Bei's thoughts. Upon hearing this, everyone tensed.
Zhang Fei angrily said, "You make it sound so easy. Tell us not to leave the city, where can we go? Are we going to go and serve that three-surname traitor Lü Bu again, only to be despised by him!" "We lost Xuzhou, and we finally got Xiaopei as a foothold. If we just give it up like this, it will be as difficult as climbing to heaven if we want to take it back or even recover Xuzhou in the future." "Please think it over, brother," Guan Yu also cupped his hands and advised.