Chapter 52: You Dare Assist Liu Bend to Humiliate Me? Execute Him!

East of Chaoyang City, within the Cao army's grain supply camp.

Under the dim, looming tents, dense ranks of Cao's soldiers stood in stern silence, fixing their unblinking gaze in the direction of the Yu River.

Having stood thus for the better part of the night, the soldiers were both sleepy and exhausted, and signs of growing restlessness began to ripple through the ranks.

Deep within the heart of the main encampment, atop a high watchtower, Cao Cao stood with his hands clasped behind his back. His brows were tightly knit as he stared fixedly into the nocturnal shadows beyond the camp perimeter.

Having waited for an entire night without a single trace of Liu Bei's anticipated raid, a quiet agitation was beginning to stir within his own mind.

"Prime Minister, dawn is fast approaching, yet there is still no sign of Liu Bei launching an attack. Could Cheng Zhongde's judgment have been mistaken? Did Liu Bei truly harbor no intention of raiding our grain camp at Chaoyang?"

Standing in attendance beside him for a long while, Cao Hong finally lost his patience, stepping closer to offer a soft reminder.

A shock ran through Cao Cao's heart, and a flicker of apprehension crossed his eyes.

Immediately, however, Cao Cao offered a cold, dismissive laugh and retorted:

"If Liu Bei had no intention of raiding our Chaoyang grain camp, why would he covertly transfer the troops of Jiangxia northward? And why would he bother preparing three days' worth of dry rations?"

Cao Hong had no answer.

Rolling his eyes in thought for a moment, Cao Hong asked once more, with utmost caution:

"Could it be that among Liu Bei's subordinates, someone managed to see through our deployment? Has Liu Bei grown suspicious and temporarily abandoned his plot against Chaoyang?"

Cao Cao's expression remained unimpressed as he stroked his beard and scoffed coldly:

"Among Liu Bei's subordinates, those worthy of being called strategists are none other than Xu Shu and that Zhukou rustic, Zhuge.

"Leaving aside whether that Zhuge rustic's intelligence is truly extraordinary, the scion is currently residing in Yicheng and is in no position to devise strategies for Liu Bei.

"As for Xu Shu, his wit may be comparable to Zhongde's, but Zhongde's strategy captures the very essence of Fengxiao's ghostly and unfathomable calculations. Do you truly believe Xu Shu possesses the capability to see through it?"

A dawning comprehension arose in Cao Hong, and the doubt in his eyes gradually faded.

Cao Cao raised his gaze to look once more toward the Yu River, stroked his beard, and said:

"Zilian, a great general must maintain his composure above all else. One must never easily waver in one's own judgment, do you understand?"

Shame flashed across Cao Hong's face as he hurriedly cupped his fists and said:

"The Prime Minister's instruction is wise. Hong should have exercised more patience."

Pointing into the distance beyond the camp, Cao Cao sneered:

"At this very moment, Liu Bei's war junks have likely already arrived, and he is undoubtedly preparing to sneakily disen—"

The thunderous sound of rapid hoofbeats interrupted Cao Cao's deduction.

A messenger galloped furiously into the camp, tumbled from his saddle, and shouted at the top of his lungs:

"Reporting to the Prime Minister! Urgent dispatch from General Cao Zixiao!

"Liu Bei personally led an army of thirty thousand to raid our grain camp at Deng County. Yu Jin failed to defend the camp adequately, resulting in the fall of the granaries.

"The four hundred thousand bushels of grain and forage in our camp have all been put to the torch by Liu Bei!"

Atop the watchtower, Cao Cao's expression altered drastically in sheer horror. His footing failed him, and he swayed violently.

"Prime Minister!"

Equally shaken, Cao Hong hurriedly reached out to steady him.

All around, the generals and soldiers of the Cao army erupted into an uproar, shocked murmurs breaking out on all sides.

"Help me down!"

With a fierce roar, leaning on Cao Hong, Cao Cao descended the watchtower in leaps and bounds, snatching the urgent dispatch directly from the messenger's hands.

The sequence of events leading to the fall of the Deng County grain camp was set down in stark black and white.

"Why has it come to this?"

"That big-eared thief was supposed to raid our Chaoyang grain camp; why on earth did he attack our granaries at Deng County instead?"

"Deng County lies mere spitting distance from our main camp at Fancheng—where did that big-eared thief find the audacity to raid Deng County?"

"What on earth is going on here?"

The grip of Cao Cao's hand on the silk scroll grew tighter and tighter, while countless questions exploded like thunder inside his mind.

"Could it be..."

Cao Cao's facial features twisted abruptly as his shock and doubt curdled into enraged fury.

He understood now.

Although Cao Ren's urgent dispatch was extremely concise and omitted the sequence of cause and effect, it was more than enough for him to deduce the truth.

No wonder Liu Bei had delayed his raid on the Chaoyang grain camp.

It was because from beginning to end, the man had never once intended to raid Chaoyang.

The target Liu Bei wished to strike was none other than the Deng County grain camp, sitting right beneath their noses all along!

From the very start, Liu Bei had seen through Cheng Yu's deployment!

So-called hidden troops aboard the boat cabins, so-called preparation of three days' worth of rations...

Every single bit of it was merely Liu Bei's counter-strategy of going along with the ruse!

His sole objective was to lure Cao Cao's main force to draw north, self-righteously setting up an ambush at Chaoyang.

Only by doing so would the Deng County grain camp be left devoid of troops.

Only then would Liu Bei dare to seize this heaven-sent opportunity, crossing the river suddenly with an army of thirty thousand to catch Yu Jin completely off guard.

And in a single stroke, burn every last bushel of his four hundred thousand bushels of grain to ashes!

"I have actually been made a fool of by that big-eared thief, falling right into his diversionary stratagem! How hateful!"

Consumed by shame and anger, Cao Cao gnashed his teeth and tore the urgent dispatch in his hands to shreds.

"Prime Minister, Hong does not understand—what on earth is happening here?

"Why did Liu Bei go to raid Deng County? Shouldn't he have come to raid Chaoyang and walk right into our net?"

Cao Hong remained bewildered and lost.

"What is happening here is something I must return to Fancheng to verify personally!

"Pass the order: leave twenty thousand troops to hold Chaoyang, and let the rest of the main army depart immediately for the Fancheng encampment!"

With an ashen face, Cao Cao issued a stern command.

Though swirling with confusion, Cao Hong dared not ask further and hastily transmitted the orders.

The decree was given, and the seventy thousand Cao ambush troops immediately broke camp, rushing southward in a flurry of wind and fire.

When night fell once more...

With a face like iron and furrowed brows, Cao Cao sat within the central military tent, listening to Cao Ren and the others report the detailed account of the battle at Deng County.

The truth stood revealed.

The events related by Cao Cao confirmed his earlier deductions completely.

Liu Bei had not only seen through Cheng Yu's stratagem, but had also turned the tables with a brilliant diversionary tactic, making a feint to the east while attacking the west.

His attempt to ambush Liu Bei had failed utterly, and in return, he had lost four hundred thousand bushels of grain.

He had lost the battle and thrown away his army into the bargain...

"Prime Minister, it was my miscalculation. I failed to foresee that Liu Bei would be capable of piercing through my scheme, causing the Prime Minister to fall for his diversionary trick.

"For the failure of this battle, I bear unshirkable blame. I beg the Prime Minister to punish me!"

Showing no inclination to shirk responsibility, Cheng Yu stepped forward with a look of shame to proactively accept his punishment.

"Even Fengxiao had moments when his calculations fell short. While you, Cheng Zhongde, certainly bear the blame for this miscalculation, it is not yet to the degree where I must punish you with death.

"As for you!"

Cao Cao's gaze, sharp as a blade, shifted toward the trembling figure of Yu Jin:

"Back during the battle of Guandu, you held Baima with a mere three thousand troops, withstanding the siege of tenfold Yuan forces without losing the city.

"Today, although Cheng Zhongde's plan went awry, I nonetheless left you with ten thousand elite troops. How is it that you so easily lost the grain camp?"

Yu Jin's body quaked. He dropped to his knees with a heavy thud, lowering his head in shame, unable to offer a defense.

"I ask you: ever since your appointment to the Deng County grain camp, have you spent your days and nights drinking in the camp, utterly neglecting military affairs?"

Cao Cao's gaze was like a knife as he demanded an answer in a harsh shout.

Yu Jin felt his shame redouble, utterly lacking the courage to reply.

"When the grain camp fell, did you once again kneel and plead for surrender to Guan Yu?"

Yu Jin lowered his head further still, remaining mute.

The fury upon Cao Cao's face grew heavier still as he shouted once more:

"I ask you this: since you were captured alive by Liu Bei, why did that big-eared thief let you return alive?"

This time, Cao Cao finally posed a question that Yu Jin could answer.

Panicking, Yu Jin raised his head and explained:

"The reason that big-eared thief permitted Jin to return is that he wished for Jin to bring a message to the Prime Minister."

A flicker crossed Cao Cao's eyes, and he demanded:

"What message did that big-eared thief bid you bring to me?"

Kneeling a fraction straighter, Yu Jin replied:

"Liu Bei said that if the Prime Minister knows what is good for him, he will immediately lead his army and retreat northward. Otherwise, he swears he will ensure our hundred and fifty thousand troops never return, vanishing like ashes into smoke!"

As these words left his mouth, the entire tent erupted in a stunned uproar.

"Yu Wenze, oh Yu Wenze, how utterly foolish you are! You are courting your own destruction..."

Cheng Yu muttered inwardly in bitter complaint, the palms of his hands slick with cold sweat for Yu Jin.

Surrendering to Liu Bei a second time and losing the grain camp was already a grave crime.

Had you simply said nothing and bowed your head in silent acceptance of your guilt, the Prime Minister, mindful of your decade and more of loyal service, might have spared your life and permitted you to cast aside your armor and return to your fields.

And yet you—you chose to openly proclaim Liu Bei's "ultimatum" right here in front of so many military strategists and generals.

Is this not striking the Prime Minister across the face in public?

You are simply pouring oil upon the fire while the Prime Minister is already in the throes of rage!

If the Prime Minister spares you now, it will be a miracle!

Sure enough.

Cao Cao's eyes bulged wide, his expression shifting violently as he slammed his hand down on the armrest and roared in wrath:

"Guards! Drag Yu Jin out immediately and execute him to uphold military law!"