Wei Xiaobao's Three Kingdoms Adventure

Chapter 93 How can you fish without bait?

On the way to Puyang, Wei Xiaobao deliberately told Guo Jia that the plan of luring Lu Bu out of the city and then ambushing Lu Bu could not be said to be Wei Xiaobao's idea.

Guo Jia knew that Wei Xiaobao was worried that Cao Cao would be jealous of his great achievements, so he told Wei Xiaobao an experience he had in Jizhou.

Guo Jia said, "Sir, I went to Yuan Shao to borrow troops. When I first entered Jizhou, I spread the news that the emperor was in Jizhou. I didn't expect that this news would be known to Yuan Shao's military advisor Ju Su before I even arrived in Yecheng."

Wei Xiaobao asked, "Could it be that Ju Shou also knows astrology?"

Guo Jia laughed and said, "If Ju Su really knew astrology, how could he believe this fake news?"

Wei Xiaobao smiled awkwardly.

Guo Jia continued, "Ju Su actually persuaded Yuan Shao to welcome the emperor, but instead of escorting the emperor back to Luoyang, he wanted to keep him in Yecheng."

Wei Xiaobao thought to himself, "What a close call! The person who almost held the emperor hostage to control the princes turned out to be Yuan Shao."

Wei Xiaobao asked, "Did Yuan Shao send people to Jizhou to look for Liu Xie?"

Guo Jia shook his head and said, "Yuan Shao still has two men under his command, Guo Tu and Chun Yuqiong. They tried their best to dissuade Yuan Shao, saying that the Han Dynasty was in decline, just like the Qin Dynasty in its day. Now is the perfect opportunity for whoever captures the capital first to become emperor. Keeping the emperor in Yecheng would not only waste food, but also require petitioning the emperor for everything, which would be very troublesome."

Wei Xiaobao laughed and said, "These two are really ignorant."

Guo Jia said, "Actually, that's not the case. These two weren't against welcoming the emperor, they were just against Ju Su. Yuan Shao is a soft-hearted man who loves to be flattered. He also strongly supported Liu Bian's succession to the throne, and he left Luoyang after confronting Dong Zhuo over the issue of deposing the eldest son and enthroning the youngest. Guo Tu and Chunyu Qiong were worried that Ju Su would become too powerful, so they've been trying to suppress him. So they're taking this opportunity to follow Yuan Shao's lead and oppose welcoming the emperor to Yecheng."

Wei Xiaobao thought for a long time and said, "Are you trying to say that I am Ju Su, who is by Cao Cao's side? But you are not Guo Tu and Chunyu Qiong, so I don't have to worry about anyone harming me, let alone Cao Cao wanting to get rid of me."

Guo Jia smiled slightly and said, "Teacher, you are very wise. This is exactly what I meant."

Wei Xiaobao thought to himself, "Guo Jia, oh Guo Jia, are you trying to repay me, or are you trying to keep me here for Cao Cao? You were the one who wanted to save me and helped me escape, and now you're the one telling me not to worry about Cao Cao."

Guo Jia seemed to have sensed Wei Xiaobao's thoughts and continued, "After the Lord has pacified Yanzhou, he will have the energy to escort His Majesty back to the capital. You no longer need to worry about being in danger by the Lord's side. Besides, you are assisting His Majesty, not the Lord."

Wei Xiaobao didn't say anything, but was thinking to himself: "If I take Shuang'er and the others back to the Qing Dynasty and leave Zhang Jue alone with Cao Cao, would that be considered disloyal? But compared to Zhang Jue and Xiao Xuanzi, Xiao Xuanzi and I have a better relationship. So I should sacrifice Zhang Jue for Xiao Xuanzi."

Wei Xiaobao was so absorbed in his thoughts when he suddenly heard a cavalryman behind him say, "Military Advisor, our main camp is just ahead."

Wei Xiaobao looked up and saw that Cao Cao's army had surrounded Puyang City tightly. A spy on a fast horse came to the military camp to greet them. After seeing the two of them, he hurried back to the camp to report to Cao Cao.

Cao Cao was surprised when he saw Wei Xiaobao, but then he immediately changed his expression to one of joy and asked, "Sir, has your injury healed?"

Wei Xiaobao said, "It's no longer a problem. I can ride a horse. Feng Xiao came back from Jizhou and said he had something important to report to you. I also wanted to come to the front line and learn how to fight from you, so I followed you."

Guo Jia hurriedly said, "We are all at the front, and there is no one in Chenliu to keep you company. Fengxiao took it upon himself to agree to let you come to the front to supervise the battle."

Wei Xiaobao thought to himself, "You're really good at talking, kid. You're clearly telling Cao Cao that you brought me along because you were worried I'd escape if I were left alone in Chenliu. It's not like you were disobeying military orders. You even said I was here to supervise the battle, which is quite respectful of me."

Cao Cao said, "Puyang has been besieged by me, and I have made sufficient preparations. It will not be attacked by Lü Bu again like last time."

Wei Xiaobao remembered the last time Cao Cao was chased by Lu Bu and had to hide behind Dian Wei to escape. He was about to laugh, but he forced himself to hold it back.

Guo Jia asked, "My Lord, is it inappropriate to besiege the city like this?"

Cao Cao asked, "Why do you have such doubts?"

Guo Jia said, "As the Art of War states, a besieged army must have a gap. Puyang is bordered by the Pu River to the south. If we can create a gap there, Lü Bu's army will surely flee. If we can set up an ambush on both sides of the canal, waiting for the enemy to flee, then surround and annihilate them, this battle is certain to be won." Cao Cao laughed and said, "Chen Gongtai is well-versed in the Art of War, so how could he not understand this principle? Lü Bu has seized my prefectures, and Zhang Miao has betrayed us. I will not allow a single soldier from Puyang to escape."

Cheng Yu advised: "My lord, if we continue like this, I'm afraid our food and fodder will be too depleted. Even if we defeat Lü Bu, we won't be able to attack Xuzhou again."

Cao Cao said, "That's what I'm worried about, but Lü Bu, Chen Gong, and the others are determined to defend the city to the death. Three of the men we sent to try to lure them into surrender have already been killed by Lü Bu."

Wei Xiaobao smiled and whispered in Guo Jia's ear, "Have you ever fished?"

Guo Jia suddenly realized something and said to Cao Cao, "My lord, I have a plan. I wonder if I should share it with you?"

Wei Xiaobao cursed in his heart, "I told you to use Cao Cao to lure out Lu Bu, damn it, you fished out Cao Cao first."

Cao Cao said, "Feng Xiao, please feel free to speak."

Guo Jia said, "As I walked along, I saw that the millet on the road was already turning yellow. My lord, why don't you arrange for the soldiers to harvest it quickly?"

Cao Cao asked, "What does this have to do with the attack on Puyang?"

Guo Jia said, "There are many fertile fields on the south bank of the Pu River. I'm afraid it will take the whole army to deal with them."

Cao Cao thought for a long time, then laughed heartily and said, "I will leave only a thousand soldiers on the north bank to collect grain. Lü Bu will be watching me rob his grain from the tower every day. In a few days, he will surely be anxious and annoyed, and will naturally attack me when I am least prepared. This is a brilliant plan!"

Wei Xiaobao was delighted: "Silly old man, I used you as bait, and you are not angry but happy instead."

Cao Cao picked up the command arrow and asked, "Where are Dian Wei and Xu Zhu?"

The second general stepped forward and said, "I am here!"

"I order you two to wear soldier uniforms, lead a thousand elite soldiers and carry caltrops, and follow me tomorrow to the outskirts of Puyang City to collect grain."

"Here!"

Cao Cao then issued an order: "Order Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan to command the left army, and Li Dian and Le Jin to command the right army. Lead the troops to ambush in the Pu River canal. These orders must be obeyed and no one is allowed to move without authorization. Anyone who disobeys the order will be executed!"

The four generals received the order: "Yes!"

Cao Cao continued his instructions, "Order Yu Jin and Lü Qian to form a rearguard, lead the archers to hide on the south bank of the Pu River, and set up a barricade in advance!"

"Here!"

"Order Xun Yu and Cheng Yu to assemble the Jizhou troops and march south of the Pu River starting tomorrow. Use cattails and branches to stir up dust to confuse the enemy troops in the city! Lü Bu is unaware that I borrowed troops from Benchu. He must be assuming that the troops in the rear who are gathering grain are our main force."

"Here!"

"Sir, you and Feng Xiao will command the generals in the camp, how about that?"

Wei Xiaobao smiled and nodded, thinking to himself, "This old fellow didn't suffer in vain. He remembered the lessons from the last battles at Puyang and Runan. He also arranged a way to restrain Lu Bu's cavalry early on, and also issued a death order for the ambush."

Guo Jia said: "Wait for the lord's triumphant return!"

(End of this chapter)