Chapter 8: The Ambush Plan Stalls at Its Most Critical Step!
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“Miss Guan, why would you say such a thing?”
Xiao He wiped the wine from the corner of his mouth and turned to look at her.
“If you are not a disciple of the immortals, how could you have known before my uncle and Strategist Kongming that Liu Biao would die of illness, that Kuai Yue and Cai Mao would depose the heir and install the younger son, and that Liu Cong would surrender to that traitor Cao?”
“And how did you know that when my uncle withdrew south to Jiangling, the people of Xiangyang and Fancheng would be dragged into the disaster and slaughtered beneath Cao Cao’s iron cavalry?”
“You are practically capable of foretelling the future! If you have not learned some immortal art of divination, then what else could you possibly be?”
Guan Yinpeng fired off her questions in a rapid, relentless barrage.
Xiao He understood at once.
This Miss Guan had actually taken him for a disciple of some immortal who had opened his celestial eye and gained the power to predict the past and future.
Still, in an age when Zhang Jiao could use nothing more than a few talismans to deceive millions of followers, their belief in ghosts and gods was hardly without reason.
“I am nothing more than an ordinary mortal.”
“As for how I was able to deduce those events, all I can say is that what I have learned differs from what Strategist Kongming has learned.”
Xiao He had no interest in pretending to be some mysterious supernatural being, yet he could hardly explain too much.
He could not exactly confess that he was a traveler from a later age who had crossed into this world.
Who would believe that?
Thus, he neither admitted nor denied it, maintaining an air of deliberate ambiguity.
Guan Yinpeng, however, remained only half-convinced. Her bright eyes continued to scrutinize him from head to toe.
Just as she was about to question him again, the female soldiers returned, having reheated the food, and set it out once more on the table.
“I seem to be hungry again. Miss Guan, I hope you will forgive me, but I shall help myself.”
Xiao He rolled up his sleeves and picked up his bowl and chopsticks once more.
Unable to continue pressing him, Guan Yinpeng could only sit to one side and silently watch him eat with gusto.
“If he is an ordinary mortal, then how can he possess the power to foresee the future? But if he is a disciple of the immortals, where is there even the slightest trace of an immortal’s bearing in the way he eats? Just who is he…?”
Resting her chin in her hand, Guan Yinpeng stared blankly at Xiao He, her gaze gradually growing distant.
…
“Strategist Kongming, do you think this Mr. Xiao might truly have studied under some hermit immortal beyond the mortal world, and thus possess the ability to foresee the future?”
Within the main hall of the residence, Liu Bei was asking Zhuge Liang the very same question.
Zhuge Liang gave a light wave of his feather fan.
“I have said the same before: matters concerning ghosts and gods are difficult to establish with certainty. I would not dare make reckless conjectures.”
“What I can say with certainty, however, is that although Xiao Bowen claims to know nothing of strategy, he is in truth a man of immense talent, with the universe hidden within his breast.”
“Simply this plan to launch a surprise attack on Xiangyang is an extraordinary stratagem capable of turning the tide of heaven and earth!”
“That Your Lordship should encounter such a rare genius by a stroke of fortune is truly a blessing for our great Han!”
Liu Bei’s heart shuddered.
Those four words—“a blessing for the great Han”—suddenly stirred a thought within him.
“Could it truly be that, by some unseen design of Heaven, a remarkable man has been sent down to aid me in restoring the realm and reviving the Han dynasty?”
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Liu Bei raised his head toward the vast sky and murmured to himself.
…
Over the next several days, Liu Bei began secretly preparing for the surprise attack on Xiangyang.
Three days later, Guan Yu was inspecting the area outside the city when he intercepted the renowned scholar Song Zhong, who was returning from Wancheng.
After Liu Bei questioned him at length, Song Zhong had no choice but to confess the truth: he had been ordered by Liu Cong to travel north to Wancheng in secret and present Cao Cao with a letter of surrender.
Cao Cao was delighted. On the spot, he promised that Liu Cong would remain Lord of Jingzhou forever, and would be granted the rank of County Marquis along with a fief of ten thousand households.
In addition, Cao Cao secretly ordered Liu Cong to hold Xiangyang securely and await the arrival of his army, so that together they might surround and annihilate Liu Bei at Fancheng.
Xiao He’s prophecy had been proven true.
Though furious, Liu Bei did not vent his anger upon Song Zhong. After rebuking him, he released him to cross the river and return to Xiangyang.
“This Xiao Bowen truly possesses divine insight. Once again, his prediction has come to pass!”
Guan Yu clicked his tongue in admiration. Then, cupping his hands, he said indignantly:
“The evidence that Liu Cong and the two traitors, Kuai and Cai, intend to surrender to Cao is now irrefutable. Those villains even seek to join forces with Cao Cao and bring about Your Lordship’s death. They are utterly detestable!”
“If they show no loyalty, why should we show them any mercy? What is there left for you to fear, Elder Brother? Let us make our move!”
Zhang Fei was even more enraged. He leapt to his feet and roared:
“Just give the word, Elder Brother! With a single command from you, I’ll storm into Xiangyang this very instant and butcher those three curs!”
The last vestiges of Liu Bei’s hopeful hesitation vanished like smoke.
After drawing a deep breath, his gaze turned steely.
“Liu Cong has abandoned Lord Jingsheng’s dying resolve to resist Cao Cao—this is filial impiety. The traitors Cai and Kuai have betrayed Lord Jingsheng’s trust—this is disloyalty. The three villains seek to ally themselves with Cao Cao and harm me—this is unrighteousness!”
“Against men who are disloyal, unfilial, and unrighteous, why should I continue to speak to them of honor and affection?”
“My decision is made. We shall launch a surprise attack on Xiangyang, purge the traitors within, and repel Cao Cao from without!”
Guan Yu and Zhang Fei let out a long breath of relief, their spirits rising at once.
The generals in the hall were likewise eager for battle, all looking forward to crossing the river and seizing Xiangyang.
“Your Lordship’s surprise attack on Xiangyang is naturally imperative. Yet there are still more than thirty thousand soldiers within the city, and the two traitors, Cai and Kuai, have been cultivating their influence there for many years. Their partisans are everywhere.”
“In recent years, Your Lordship has been constrained by Liu Biao and possesses little more than ten thousand troops.”
“The enemy is strong while we are weak. How shall we seize Xiangyang? In my view, this matter still requires careful deliberation.”
The speaker was a military officer with a broad face, a heavy jaw, and a commanding appearance. His expression was calm as he offered his warning.
The one who had spoken was Zhao Yun.
“Zilong is right. Xiangyang is the strongest fortress in Jingzhou. How we are to breach it must indeed be discussed with care.”
Liu Bei deeply agreed. His gaze turned toward Zhuge Liang.
“Strategist, do you have a sound plan?”
Everyone’s eyes gathered upon Zhuge Liang.
With a gentle wave of his feather fan, Zhuge Liang instructed his attendant to bring out a map of the Xiangyang-Fancheng region and spread it across the table.
“Since Xiao Bowen’s plan is a surprise attack on Xiangyang, its success naturally depends upon achieving victory through the unexpected.”
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“Fancheng and Xiangyang lie no more than a river’s breadth apart. The first step in taking Xiangyang is therefore to cross the river.”
“My plan is this: Your Lordship will launch a night assault on the naval camp at Fancheng and seize its warships in a single stroke. Then, with the speed of thunder before the ear can react, you will cross the river by ship and reach the walls of Xiangyang before Liu Cong and the two traitors, Cai and Kuai, learn of our actions. We shall take them completely by surprise.”
“Although Cai Mao and Kuai Yue have monopolized Xiangyang’s military and civil authority, the city is not united as one. Many resent them, and many more are unwilling to follow Liu Cong in surrendering to Cao Cao.”
“At this very moment, rumors must be spreading throughout Xiangyang. The people are fearful, and the army’s morale is wavering.”
“As long as we can break through the gates by surprise, then although the city contains thirty thousand troops, they will surely collapse without a fight. There will be no shortage of soldiers and officials who turn their coats and join Your Lordship in the midst of battle.”
“With that, Xiangyang will fall in the blink of an eye!”
Pointing to various places on the map with his feather fan, Zhuge Liang calmly presented his plan.
Liu Bei’s spirits lifted. He rose and went to the map, carefully considering every aspect of Zhuge Liang’s strategy.
Before long, a shadow passed through his eyes.
“Strategist Kongming’s plan is sound through the first several steps. It is only this final step…”
Liu Bei placed a finger upon the city of Xiangyang.
“Even if we move with the utmost speed, the defenders will have ample time to close the gates. How are we to break our way inside?”
Guan Yu and Zhang Fei nodded repeatedly. They too had clearly seen the flaw in Zhuge Liang’s plan.
Zhuge Liang’s expression turned solemn.
“That is why the key to this surprise attack lies in finding a way through the gates!”
“Given the strength of Xiangyang’s defenses, there is no possibility of storming the city and taking it swiftly by force. Our only chance is to find someone within the city who can act as an accomplice, coordinating an attack from inside and outside to seize the gates and let us in.”
“What Your Lordship must do now is seek out, among the Xiangyang defenders, a military officer who is unwilling to surrender to Cao Cao and willing to pledge himself to Your Lordship—someone who can secretly aid us in taking the gates and entering the city.”
Liu Bei suddenly understood.
“Then, in your view, Strategist, who would be the most suitable candidate?”
“Well…”
Zhuge Liang’s swordlike brows drew together slightly, and he let out a soft sigh.
“Cai Mao has controlled Xiangyang’s military authority for many years. From the highest ranks to the lowest, the garrison is filled with his trusted followers. Should we be even slightly careless and choose the wrong man, he might report our intentions to Cai Mao and Kuai Yue. If that happens, our surprise attack will fail completely!”
Having made his concern clear, Zhuge Liang cupped his hands toward Liu Bei.
“Therefore, as for the identity of our inside man, I ask Your Lordship to grant me a few more days so that I may consider the matter carefully.”
Liu Bei naturally understood the gravity of the situation and could do nothing but grant Zhuge Liang’s request.
Thus, the military council came to a halt at this final step.
Just as the generals were taking their leave to make their respective preparations, Zhang Fei suddenly remembered something. He slapped the table and sprang to his feet.
“Elder Brother! Do we not still have a master of miraculous foresight hidden here in the residence? As for the inside man, why not ask that wise man for advice?”
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