Simultaneous traversal: All Abyss difficulty.

Chapter 538 Zhuge Liang's Little Trick

Not long after the candy frenzy, many people were already enjoying something new.

Inside Yuan Shao's golden tent, more than ten maids entered in single file, each carrying a gilded bronze platter.

The plate was not filled with the usual delicacies, but with milky white cubes wrapped in silk.

“Madam, this is ‘yellow butter’ that was just brought from the Great Congee City.” The butler bent down and whispered in Madam Liu’s ear, “It cost three catties of gold to get just this small piece.”

Madam Liu stretched out her well-maintained fingers and gently poked the soft mass.

The sensation from her fingertips made her gasp!
It is finer than the finest mutton fat and fluffier than freshly picked cotton.

"Quick! Go and invite Sister Zhen here!" Madam Liu suddenly became excited, her voice even changing tone. "Just tell her... just tell her I have something good here!"

A commotion suddenly arose outside the tent.

Lady Zhen, Yuan Shao's most beloved concubine, trotted in, lifting her skirt. The gold hairpin in her hair jingled. She immediately spotted the cream in the copper dish, and her almond-shaped eyes flashed with a hungry wolf-like light.

"Sister!" Madam Zhen grabbed Madam Liu's hand. "I heard that the Grand Congee City has some new 'chicken cake' that's made with this yellow butter?"

Madam Liu smiled mysteriously and took out an object wrapped in oiled paper from her sleeve.

Unwrapping the layers of packaging reveals a golden, round pastry topped with patterned cream.

"This is it." Madam Zhen's voice trembled.

"Shh—" Madam Liu made a shushing gesture. "I had my servants disguise themselves as refugees and sneak into Da Zhou City. It cost me two bolts of Shu brocade to get them."

The two ladies huddled together and, like thieves, shared the cake.

The moment the cream melted on her tongue, Mrs. Zhen shed tears.

"Oh my God," she choked out, "I've lived my whole life in vain."

Meanwhile, Yuan Shao was discussing military matters with his advisors in the central command tent.

He was annoyed to find that Feng Ji, who was usually very talkative, was distracted today, while Tian Feng kept licking his lips.

"My lord!" A messenger suddenly burst in, "It's terrible! Ladies, ladies!"

Yuan Shao slammed his fist on the table and stood up: "What kind of behavior is this! Speak slowly!"

"The ladies are packing their valuables, saying they want to send someone to the Grand Congee Shop to buy some 'cream cakes'."

The tent was deathly silent!
Yuan Shao's face turned from red to green, and finally to deathly pale.

He suddenly overturned the table, scattering bamboo slips all over the floor with a clatter.

"They've rebelled! They've all rebelled!" Yuan Shao's roar echoed throughout the camp. "The battle hasn't even started, and our logistics have already been ruined by sugar-coated bullets!"

Guo Tu cautiously approached: "My lord, please calm down. Actually, I've also heard about that cream cake."

"Shut up!" Yuan Shao kicked Guo Tu to the ground. "Are you possessed by an evil spirit too?!"

"I'd like to see just how badly this sorcerer has damaged my camp!"

Stepping out of the tent, Yuan Shao was so shocked by the sight before him that he took three steps back.

His personal guards squatted in twos and threes in the corner, each clutching a colorful candy wrapper in their hand.

Even more frightening was that when he stormed past in anger, these soldiers, who had previously held him in such awe, did not immediately salute, but instead hurriedly stuffed something into their mouths.

"Yan Liang! Wen Chou!" Yuan Shao shouted sternly.

Two generals rushed over, and Yan Liang's beard was still covered in suspicious white cream.

Wen Chou kept hiccuping, and a sweet, cloying smell filled the air.

"You..." Yuan Shao's finger trembled as he pointed at his beloved general, "are you also eating that monster's food?"

Yan Liang knelt down with a thud: "My lord, you are wise! This humble general only wanted to see what tricks the enemy had up their sleeve."

"Bullshit!" Yuan Shao kicked Yan Liang in the shoulder. "Do you think I'm a three-year-old child?"

Just then, a familiar fragrance wafted over.

Yuan Shao turned his head and saw his principal wife, Lady Liu, leading a large group of more than a dozen noblewomen, each carrying an exquisite food box.

"My lord," Madam Liu said with a dignified bow, her voice carrying an unyielding resolve, "I have already ordered the carriages and horses to be prepared, and we will depart for Dazhou City tomorrow."

Yuan Shao's temples throbbed: "What did you say?" "I heard that the 'Yellow Cream Chicken Cake' must be made and eaten fresh," Lady Liu said matter-of-factly. "After much thought, I think it would be best if I went there myself."

Yuan Shao suddenly felt dizzy. He grabbed the flagpole and saw soldiers whispering everywhere in the camp. He smelled the lingering sweet scent in the air and heard the ladies discussing how much gold and silver they would take to the enemy camp to make purchases.
"It's over," Yuan Shao muttered to himself. "We've already lost before the battle even started."

In the distance, Cao Cao's camp was bustling with activity.

Yuan Shao squinted and vaguely saw Cao Cao's soldiers unloading cartloads of goods wrapped in oiled paper.

Xiahou Yuan stood to the side, constantly marking up the ledger in his hand.

Yuan Shao suddenly understood something, and a chill ran from the soles of his feet to the top of his head.

"Cao Cao!" he spat out through gritted teeth, "You were long ago, long ago!"

Who exactly was Cao Cao?

Top-tier housewife enthusiast!
What is most tempting to women these days?

Of course it's this one, from Da Zhou Cheng, the yellow butter sponge cake!
Yuan Shao and Cao Cao's camps have been ravaged into this state, and Liu Bei's camp is also in turmoil.

The soldiers were craving it, their families were craving it, everyone wanted to try the new dessert in the congee.

Liu Bei watched with gritted teeth, but there was nothing he could do.

It seems that in this world, only he still speaks of the Han dynasty.
"Lord Liu," Xu Shu said, bowing. "I have an old friend here named Mr. Wolong. I see you look worried; why don't you go and ask him what he thinks?"

"Wolong?"

Upon hearing the name of the Crouching Dragon, Liu Bei felt somewhat at ease and, accompanied by Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, traveled lightly to Crouching Dragon Hill.

Along the way, the three saw people with smiling faces, holding various desserts in their hands, and even children chasing and playing, with candy in their mouths, their laughter never ceasing.

Liu Bei frowned, his heart growing heavier.

Upon arriving at Wolonggang, one sees thatched cottages nestled among lush bamboo groves, exuding a serene and elegant charm.

Liu Bei straightened his clothes and respectfully knocked on the door.

A moment later, the door opened slightly, and a young man with a feather fan and a turban, and a refined appearance, came out to greet them. It was Zhuge Liang.

"Lord Xuande has come from afar; I have failed to greet you properly." Zhuge Liang smiled slightly and stepped aside to let the three of them in.

After the guests and host were seated, Liu Bei said impatiently, "Sir, the sorcerer Fang Yu has now occupied Luoyang. He is using porridge to bewitch the people and sweets to disrupt the morale of our army. How can our Han dynasty tolerate such arrogance? I humbly request your guidance on how to break this porridge trap!"

Zhuge Liang gently waved his feather fan, his gaze deep: "Lord Xuande, I have a question, but I don't know if I should ask it."

Liu Bei cupped his hands in greeting: "Please speak freely, sir."

Zhuge Liang slowly said, "Lord Xuande keeps saying that Fang Yu is a sorcerer, but he distributed porridge to the people and gave sugar to the common people, so that the hungry could eat and the poor could be happy. How is this any different from Lord Xuande's reputation for 'benevolence'?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Bei was speechless for a moment.

Zhang Fei, however, could not contain himself and slammed his fist on the table, exclaiming, "Sir, you are mistaken! That Fang Yu is clearly using sorcery to deceive the masses; how can he be compared to my elder brother!"

Zhuge Liang remained calm and took out a piece of cream cake wrapped in oil paper from his sleeve and placed it on the table: "General Yide, have you tried this?"

Upon seeing the cake, Zhang Fei's Adam's apple bobbed, but he suppressed his appetite and coldly snorted, "It's just a monster, I don't care for it!"

Zhuge Liang chuckled: "General Yide, why deceive yourself? This thing is made of sugar, eggs and milk. How can it be a magical substance? Fang Yu is able to turn the rotten into the miraculous with ordinary things. This is truly a great talent."

Liu Bei remained silent for a long time before finally sighing, "What you say is absolutely right, sir. But Fang Yu has occupied Luoyang and established his kingdom with the name 'Zhou,' which is clearly a contempt for the legitimate lineage of the Han Dynasty. As a member of the Han imperial family, how can I sit idly by?"

Zhuge Liang put away his smile and said seriously, "Lord Xuande, the strength of Fangyu lies not in porridge and sugar, but in the hearts of the people. When he distributes porridge to help the people, they are grateful. When he shares sugar with children, the children are happy. If you forcibly conquer him, you will only make the people see you as an enemy."

Liu Bei asked eagerly, "Then, in your opinion, what should I do?"

Zhuge Liang tapped his feather fan lightly and said slowly, "If Lord Xuande wants to break this deadlock, the only way is to treat others with benevolence and repay kindness with kindness. When Fang Yu distributes porridge, you should open your granaries and distribute grain; when Fang Yu distributes sugar, you should spread kindness far and wide. Once the people's hearts are won over, Fang Yu will collapse without a fight."

Liu Bei felt as if someone had grabbed him by the throat. "This..."

Zhuge Liang smiled and said, "It's alright. I do know some farming tricks, and there's plenty of vegetables! He has congee and steamed egg custard, and I have steamed buns and cabbage. Let's compete with him on the issue of people's livelihood!"

Liu Bei quickly bowed, "Sir, thank you for your trouble!"

Guan Yu also cupped his hands in greeting, saying, "Zhuge Kongming truly lives up to his title of 'Sleeping Dragon'!"

Zhang Fei hesitated for a long time, then wiped the drool from the corner of his mouth and said, "Me! Me too!"

(End of this chapter)