Late Han Zhao Tang

Chapter 599 Deception
Jinling City, the Prime Minister's Residence.

"madness!"

Cao Cao threw Cao Ren onto the table and said angrily, "The Tang army's repeated feigned attacks are nothing more than taking advantage of the soldiers' and generals' concern for farming. The Tang army has launched many raids and plunders, resulting in the loss of 200,000 shi of grain in the palace and the burning of fields, causing heavy losses to the soldiers and civilians."

"Instead of repairing the border defenses, Cao Ren now intends to cross the river and take revenge on the Tang people. How foolish Cao Ren is in his military strategy!"

Cao Ren's slow response and reckless counterattack in response to the Tang army's tactical attack on the grain depot greatly angered Cao Cao. After all, the Tang army had planned ahead and implemented tactical deception before raiding the south bank.

Now, Cao Ren, driven by rage and seeking revenge, is preparing to raid Jiangbei. How could the Tang generals be unprepared?

Needless to say, the Tang generals were probably already prepared, just waiting for Cao Ren to foolishly fall into their trap.

“Prime Minister, Cao Jingzhou is quick to anger and prone to using bravery in battle. We should send an envoy westward to strictly prohibit looting on the north bank, and quickly reorganize the army, fortify the city walls and camps in preparation for the Tang army.” Liu Ye said, “The grain harvest on the north bank will be in September. I believe that the Tang army will definitely make a move in the middle and late October.”

Cao Cao paced back and forth, saying, "Ziyang, you share the same view as me. Our army's only advantage is the river. If we launch a southern expedition in winter, the climate and soil are suitable for northerners, and the river is shallow and easy to cross!"

Zhou Yu said, "Jingzhou has suffered heavy losses of grain due to the plundering by the Tang people. I believe we should transfer grain from Yangzhou to the west to provide relief, so as to prevent the Jingzhou troops from running out of food. Now that the farming season is over, the 60,000 strong men should be assembled as soon as possible to train their ships and battle formations."

Cao Cao controlled one and a half provinces. Yangzhou had a population of over a million, and the various counties of Southern Chu had a population of several hundred thousand, bringing the total population to nearly two million. Now, in order to resist the Tang army's southern expedition, Cao Cao disregarded the people's grievances and forcibly conscripted adult men aged sixteen to fifty into the army, resulting in a total of 200,000 elite soldiers and the elderly and weak.

Of the 200,000 troops, 60,000 were stationed in Huainan, 60,000 in Jingzhou, and Cao Cao himself led 60,000 elite troops. The remaining 20,000 elderly and weak were left to guard Jiangdong in case of emergency, and were to be deployed by Xun Yu and Cao Ang.

This battle was a matter of life and death, and it could be said that Cao Cao went all out. If Cao Cao wanted to win, he had to defeat Zhang Liao as quickly as possible. Otherwise, if Huainan couldn't hold out and fell, and the 20,000 old and weak men in Jiangdong were not up to the task, Cao Cao's demise would not be far off.

Cao Cao nodded, then turned to Lu Su and said, "Zijing, I am now summoning all the troops to prepare for war. I have ordered the main army to assemble at Chaisang in preparation for the Tang army's southern expedition. I have also sent an envoy with my imperial edict to advance westward and warn Cao Ren to strictly guard the river defenses and not to rashly launch an attack."

"Yes!" Lu Su replied.

While everyone was discussing military matters, an attendant whispered something in Cao Cao's ear.

"Liu Bei wishes to see the Prime Minister!"

"What brings you to see me?" Cao Cao asked, frowning.

"Bring him here later, and remember to send troops to guard him."

After dismissing his attendants, Cao Cao looked around at everyone and asked, "The Tang army is about to advance. Do you have any strategies to defeat them?"

Liu Ye pondered for a while and said, "The Tang army is pressing on our borders, and the country is filled with fear. There may be many who want to surrender. If the Prime Minister wants to win, he should send someone to feign surrender, find out the enemy's strength and weakness, and then set up an ambush. Perhaps we can defeat the enemy in one battle."

"A feigned surrender?"

Cao Cao narrowed his eyes and asked, "The strategy of feigning surrender is good, but I don't know who can take on this important task?"

"Choose a general who is loyal, courageous, and highly valued!" Liu Ye said.

"Since the Tang army knows that this general is someone we value highly, how could they believe he would surrender?" Cao Cao asked doubtfully.

Zhou Yu smiled and said, "If it weren't for someone we value highly, how could the Tang army have believed our scheme? When Zhang Yu attacked Yuan Shao, Xu You surrendered to him on the battlefield. Zhang Yu used his plan to attack Xindu, severely damaging Yuan Shao and causing the surrender of the counties in Ji Province. Now that a great general has joined us, how could the Tang army not accept him?"

After thinking for a moment, Cao Xiu stepped forward and said, "Prime Minister, I am willing to go to the Tang army to feign surrender and find out the strength and weakness of the Tang people, so as to repay the Prime Minister's kindness in valuing me."

"Wenlie?"

Cao Cao shook his head and said, "You are my nephew and my trusted and beloved general. If you were to feign surrender now, I fear the Tang people would not believe you."

Cao Xiu said in a deep voice, "What the Prime Minister says is not so. If an ordinary person were to feign surrender to the Tang army, the Tang army would certainly be suspicious. However, I am the Prime Minister's cousin and am highly valued by the court. Because of my status, I am more likely to gain the trust of the Tang people." Cao Cao remained silent. If he were a general in the Tang army, he would be suspicious of ordinary people who came to surrender.

However, if it is someone of noble status, it is unlikely that they would surrender, so he is less suspicious. After all, someone like Cao Xiu, as a general under the ruler, is a trusted confidant. Such a person is the least likely to surrender, and normal people would not allow their trusted generals to feign surrender.

Cao Cao waved his hand and said, "The strategy of feigning surrender is feasible, but the specific person to be chosen should be carefully considered and not decided rashly. Moreover, the movements of the Tang army are currently unclear, so we can wait until after we send out troops to plan the strategy of feigning surrender."

"promise!"

After a brief discussion of strategies to defeat the enemy, Cao Cao issued new instructions regarding the military situation in Huainan. In order to better delay the Tang army's advance in Huainan, Cao Cao issued an edict to the generals in Huainan, stating that those who surrendered within three months would have their families spared punishment.

With everything arranged and the civil and military officials taking their leave, Cao Cao finally had time to meet with Liu Bei.

After a year apart, Liu Bei had gained weight due to his daily drinking and revelry, and was no longer the man who once dominated the world.

"It's been a long time. What brings you here, Xuande?" Cao Cao asked with a smile.

Liu Bei, with a humble expression, said, "I have heard that the Tang army is launching a large-scale southern expedition, intending to destroy the Han Dynasty in one battle. The Prime Minister has been entrusted with a heavy responsibility and is leading troops to meet the enemy. I am of limited talent and learning, and now that the country is in turmoil, I am willing to follow the Prime Minister on this expedition to resist the Tang invaders."

"Guan Yu and Zhang Fei are old comrades. If the Prime Minister can persuade them to surrender, and the Prime Minister can coordinate with them from within and without, it is not impossible to turn the tide."

Upon hearing this, Cao Cao was somewhat tempted, but more so, he was suspicious. After all, he and Liu Bei had a deep-seated grudge, having been imprisoned and forced to seize power; if it were him, he would have preferred to die.

"Is what Xuande said sincere?" Cao Cao asked, sipping his tea to conceal his true feelings.

Liu Bei knelt down to pay homage to Cao Cao, and said with tears in his eyes, "I have devoted my life to the Han Dynasty. How can I bear to see the Tang invaders destroy the Han? Although I have a deep-seated hatred for the Prime Minister, I should put aside my personal grudges and serve the country for the greater good."

"If the Prime Minister does not trust me, I hereby request to be given weapons and armor to lead the army into battle and repay the Han Dynasty."

Seeing this, Cao Cao helped Liu Bei up and comforted him, saying, "Xuande's great courtesy is too much for me to accept. Now that Xuande is willing to go on the expedition, please allow me to make proper arrangements."

With that, Cao Cao ordered his men to leave, saying, "Military affairs are busy today, so please forgive me for not being able to wait for Xuande any longer. You may return to your residence now and await my summons."

"promise!"

Liu Bei had no choice but to swallow his words and take his leave.

After Liu Bei left the main hall, Cheng Yu frowned and asked, "Does the Prime Minister intend to take Liu Bei with him on the expedition?"

Cao Cao hesitated for a long time before saying, "Although Liu Bei and I have a grudge, with a large army pressing on our borders, if we can use Liu Bei to recruit Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, it might be of some help in our military affairs."

Cheng Yu shook his head and advised, "Previously, the Prime Minister used Liu Bei's letter to recruit Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, but the two generals not only refused to surrender, but also cut off Jiang Gan's head and sent it to Chang'an. Does the Prime Minister know the intentions of Guan Yu and Zhang Fei?"

"Liu Bei and the Prime Minister have a feud over the usurpation of the throne and imprisonment. Liu Bei has roamed the world for many years. How could he be a loyalist who would die for his country? In my opinion, Liu Bei is only pretending to be loyal to the Han Dynasty in order to establish a separatist regime."

"May I ask you, Prime Minister, if Liu Bei were to seize your empire, and now the Tang army were to attack Liu Bei, how could you be more worried than happy?"

"Liu Bei was by no means a man of great righteousness, much less one who could forget personal grudges for the sake of righteousness."

Cheng Yu continued, "Forgive my humble opinion, but Liu Bei may harbor vengeful intentions. If he goes on a military campaign, he might secretly collude with the Tang invaders to avenge the Prime Minister's imprisonment. How can I allow such a villain to serve me beside my bedside!"

"Detain Liu Bei in the mansion and forbid him from leaving!"

"The Prime Minister is wise!"

(End of this chapter)