Three Kingdoms: The Peerless Strategist of Wei

Chapter 20 I have money, leisure, and a beautiful wife, isn't that great?

North of Xia Cai City, the Gu family's villa.

As the mistress of this villa, Cao Jie welcomed her elder brother, Cao Ang, who had come specifically to visit her, into the main hall of the mansion.

"Brother, what brings you here?"

Cao Jie lowered his voice and asked softly.

Cao Ang said irritably, "You have the nerve to say that? You left so suddenly. My father specifically told me to make sure my brother-in-law was safe. I went through a lot of trouble to find this place. I have to see with my own eyes whether my brother-in-law is missing a single hair."

Cao Jie then realized what was going on and said with a helpless expression, "I really had no choice. My husband suddenly had to go on a long journey, and I didn't have time to inform my father."

"Never mind, as long as my brother-in-law is safe and sound, otherwise my father will not forgive me."

Cao Ang waved his hand and stopped blaming his younger sister.

Cao Jie whispered, "When you see him later, brother, you must keep your mouth shut and not let my husband find out about our sibling relationship."

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing," Cao Ang nodded in response.

Cao Jie was relieved after hearing this and turned to lead Cao Ang into the courtyard.

"My lord, a general has come to visit us, saying that he is an old acquaintance."

Cao Jie entered the inner hall first, and then respectfully invited Cao Ang in.

"Old friend?"

Gu Cheng, who was dozing off in the rocking chair, slowly opened his eyes and glanced at the door.

"You...aren't you the Cao army officer who was seriously wounded back in Ye County?"

Gu Cheng recognized Cao Ang at a glance and immediately stood up with a smile to greet him.

Cao Ang took a step forward, bowed deeply, and said, "My benefactor is above, please accept Cao Ang's bow."

"These are all ancient matters from eight hundred years ago, and I have long forgotten about them. General, why be so polite?"

Gu Cheng smiled faintly and reached out to help him up.

As they were talking, Gu Cheng invited him to sit down and then instructed Cao Jie to prepare tea and wine to entertain him properly.

"I've heard that Commander Cao is leading a large army to attack Shouchun. General, you're not making your mark on the front lines, so how could you possibly have the leisure to visit a country bumpkin like me?"

As Gu Cheng poured him more hot tea, he asked with a smile.

Cao Ang smiled self-deprecatingly and said, "The troops attacking Shouchun this time are all elite soldiers. I am not knowledgeable and capable enough, so I can only stay and guard Xia Cai. Recently, I heard that Young Master Gu is in the vicinity, so I came here to visit him."

After the fall of Xia Cai, Gu Cheng sent Xu Chu into the city to purchase grain and provisions. Cao Ang's pretext was so plausible that it was impossible to find any flaws.

"So that's how it is."

Gu Cheng didn't think too much about it, took a sip of tea, and casually asked, "I wonder what the current situation is like in Shouchun?"

Cao Ang sighed and said, "Although our army won a great victory in the surprise attack on Xiacai and successfully crossed the Huai River to surround Shouchun City, the city's defenses are strong and its food reserves are very abundant. Our army cannot break through the city in a short time. We can only set up camps around the city and prepare for a long siege."

"A prolonged siege?"

Gu Cheng smiled upon hearing this and said, "I'm afraid Sun Ce and Lü Bu will never give you the opportunity to slowly encircle them."

"What do you mean?" Cao Ang tensed up instantly.

"Shouchun is a vital and strategic location in the heart of Huainan. Taking Shouchun is equivalent to controlling the entire Huainan region."

"Sun Ce and Lü Bu were both ambitious and ruthless figures. How could they possibly just stand by and watch Cao Cao swallow such a big piece of meat by himself?"

"I predict that the two of them will definitely lead their army straight to Shouchun, determined to get a share of the spoils from Cao Sikong."

Although Gu Cheng spoke casually, Cao Ang was startled by his words.

He immediately frowned and said, "Young Master Gu's words are all reasonable. Our army must take Shouchun as soon as possible. It's just a pity that Shouchun's defenses are too strong, and it's too difficult to break through quickly!"

"Actually, it's not that difficult to quickly take over Shouchun City."

Gu Cheng followed up on his words casually with a reply.

Cao Ang's eyes lit up instantly, and he hurriedly asked, "Could it be that Young Master Gu has a brilliant plan that can help our army quickly capture Shouchun?"

"Ah, I'm just a country bumpkin. What brilliant plan do I have to break through a city? I'm just spouting nonsense."

Gu Cheng made a self-deprecating joke and immediately changed the subject.

"These walnuts are a local specialty of Xia Cai. They taste and have an excellent flavor. General, please try them."

As he spoke, he casually grabbed a handful of walnuts for Cao Ang.

Cao Ang frowned slightly, knowing that Gu Cheng was deliberately avoiding the topic because he didn't want to talk about it.

"brush!"

Cao Ang suddenly stood up.

"Yuan Shu is cruel, tyrannical, and licentious. The people of Huainan have long suffered under his tyranny. As long as Yuan Shu is not eliminated, the people of Huainan will continue to live in misery."

"I implore you, Young Master Gu, to consider the lives of the countless people of Huainan and tell me how to quickly capture Shouchun City!"

His face was filled with a solemn and impassioned expression as he bowed deeply to Gu Cheng. A flash of admiration instantly crossed Gu Cheng's eyes.

The young general before us possesses such a broad mind and magnanimity, truly a rare sight.

Even if I were to live in seclusion in the future, unless I went to Yizhou or Jiangdong, I would still have to live on Cao's territory.

So, having someone you know well to look after things will make things much easier in the future.

Since that's the case, why not do this young general a favor and let him perform a great service in front of Cao Mengde?

Moreover, saving the people of Shouchun City was also a great act of merit.

After a moment's thought, he had already made up his mind.

"General, there's no need for such a grand gesture."

Gu Cheng reached out and helped him up, laughing self-deprecatingly, "I'm just a country bumpkin, I don't have the ability or the magnanimity to accuse the common people of such a high praise as saving them from suffering. Please don't try to pin that on me."

"but...."

He abruptly changed the subject and continued, "However, since you and I seem to have a connection, General, if you insist on getting to the bottom of things, I might as well say a few random things."

Cao Ang was overjoyed and quickly cupped his hands, saying, "I humbly request that you, young master, bestow your guidance."

"But you must promise me that you will never tell anyone else that I taught you the strategy for breaching the city, especially not to mention a single word to that Minister Cao."

Gu Cheng solemnly instructed.

"Why is that?" Cao Ang asked, looking completely bewildered.

Gu Cheng sighed softly and said, "That Minister Cao has always been eager to find talented people and cherishes talent like his own life. What if he mistakenly thinks I am some kind of extraordinary talent and forces me to take up an official post? That would be a huge problem!"

Cao Ang suddenly realized, but then smiled and said, "With your talent for governing the world, young master, if you were to take up an official post, becoming a marquis or prime minister would be a piece of cake. You could also realize your ambitions. Why not do such a wonderful thing?"

"No, no, no!"

Gu Cheng quickly waved his hands and said, "I have money and leisure now, and a beautiful wife by my side. Isn't this carefree life good enough? Why do I have to become an official or something, and spend all my time worrying and scheming? I'm afraid I'll be worked to death."

Cao Ang was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, and his gaze involuntarily turned to his younger sister Cao Jie, who was standing to the side.

Cao Jie gave a faint, bitter smile, his expression full of helplessness.

"My brother-in-law truly regards fame and fortune as dirt; he really does possess some of the integrity of ancient sages. It seems that it will be as difficult as climbing to heaven for Father to persuade him to take up a post..."

After sighing inwardly, Cao Ang could only bow to Gu Cheng and say, "Young Master Gu, please rest assured, I will never mention to anyone that this plan came from you. Please do not hesitate to give me your guidance."

Gu Cheng was relieved, took a small sip of his wine, and then calmly began to speak.

"Actually, the simplest and most direct way to quickly capture Shouchun City is to divert the Huai River to flood Shouchun."

"When the flood soaks the city wall for a few days, we can bombard it with catapults and it will collapse and crumble."

"If we're lucky, the Yuan army in the city will be flooded, their morale will collapse, and they'll surrender on their own without you having to lead the attack."

Cao Ang was suddenly jolted, and his eyes suddenly opened up.

Gu Cheng then said, "However, since the general said he wanted to save the people of Shouchun from their suffering, although flooding Shouchun would quickly break through the city, it would also cause unnecessary suffering to the people in the city. Even if Shouchun is captured, it will inevitably cause resentment and dissatisfaction among the people towards Cao Sikong."

Cao Ang frowned deeply, nodded, and said, "Young Master Gu's words are all reasonable. So, besides flooding Shouchun, is there no other safe plan?"

"Don't rush me, I haven't finished yet."

Gu Cheng took another sip of wine before slowly and deliberately revealing another plan.

Cao Ang's eyes instantly lit up with barely concealed excitement, mixed with a hint of disbelief and doubt. He couldn't help but ask, "Young Master Gu, can your plan truly deceive the enemy troops in the city?"

"This plan isn't particularly ingenious. It might be easily seen through by others, but Yuan Shu's advisors are all mediocre and incompetent. I'm sure they won't be able to see through its intricacies."

Gu Cheng's voice was full of undisguised disdain.

Cao Ang suddenly realized.

"I have already presented both plans. As for which one to use, that is entirely up to the general to decide."

"But there's one thing you must remember: you absolutely must not tell anyone else that this plan was mine."

Gu Cheng once again solemnly gave his instructions.

Cao Ang had already made up his mind. He immediately stood up, cupped his hands in a salute, and said, "Please rest assured, Young Master Gu, I know what to do. I will take my leave now."

After saying this, Cao Ang immediately left his accompanying troops to set up a guard around the Gu residence to protect Gu Cheng and his family.

Cao Ang himself, accompanied by his personal entourage, traveled day and night, heading straight for Cao's army camp at the front line in Shouchun.

...

North of Shouchun City, Cao Cao's main camp was located.

Cao Pi followed the grain transport team and arrived at Cao's army camp at the Shouchun front before Cao Ang.

Inside the large tent.

"Pi'er, why didn't you stay in Xudu to oversee things? Why did you suddenly come to the front lines in Shouchun?"

When Cao Cao saw Cao Pi suddenly appear in his tent, his face was full of surprise.

Cao Pi bowed to Cao Cao and said, "Father, I was originally supposed to stay in Xuchang, but after hearing that the siege of Shouchun had been going on for a long time, I took it upon myself to come to the front with the supply convoy, hoping to share your burdens."

"It's truly commendable that you have such filial piety."

Cao Cao nodded first, a look of approval on his face, but then changed the subject and said, "However, attacking cities and capturing strongholds is a major military matter. If you want to help, I'm afraid you are willing but unable to do so and can't be of much help."

"Father!"

Cao Pi's expression turned serious, and he said, "When I was in Xuchang, I came up with a plan to quickly capture Shouchun, which may be of great help to Father."

Cao Cao's eyes lit up instantly.

The faces of Xi Zhicai, Xiahou Yuan, Yue Jin, and other civil and military officials in Cao Cao's camp all showed surprise.

"What brilliant plan do you have, Pi'er? Tell your father quickly!"

Cao Cao asked with great interest.

Cao Pi cleared his throat and said loudly, "Your Majesty's plan is to breach the dikes of the Huai River and divert its waters to flood Shouchun City!"

This statement came out.

Everyone in the tent was shocked, their eyes wide with astonishment.

Cao Cao was instantly invigorated, and a look of sudden enlightenment flashed across his face.

"No matter how strong the defenses of Shouchun City are, if we let it be flooded for more than ten days and then bombard the city walls day and night with catapults, the city walls will surely collapse."

"Once the city walls collapse, our soldiers can swarm in. How can we not destroy Yuan Shu and take Shouchun City!"

Cao Pi stood with his hands behind his back in the tent, loudly analyzing the key points, exuding an aura of confident composure.

The generals in the tent were both surprised and delighted, and immediately began to discuss it among themselves.

Xi Zhicai stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Master Sikong, the Second Young Master's plan does indeed have a high probability of capturing Shouchun in one fell swoop."

Xiahou Yuan was even more excited, shouting, "Minister, Zihuan is about to achieve a great feat! What are we waiting for? Immediately order the dikes to be breached and that scoundrel Yuan Shu to be drowned!"

The generals in the tent were only focused on capturing the city as soon as possible, and did not think too deeply about the matter. They all spoke up and agreed to immediately adopt Cao Pi's plan.

Cao Pi remained standing with his hands behind his back, a hint of undisguised smugness subtly creeping onto his lips.

Cao Cao raised his hand to stroke his long beard, lowered his eyes and pondered silently, a lingering worry seemingly hidden deep in his eyes.

"I know that Sikong has concerns, but the Second Young Master's plan is probably our only chance to quickly capture Shouchun. It is also the only option we have at the moment."

Xi Zhicai had already seen through Cao Cao's thoughts, and immediately sighed and offered a reminder.

Cao Cao let out a long breath, raised his hand and slammed it on the table in front of him, about to give an order.

"Father, there's no need to use flooding to capture Shouchun!"

A familiar voice suddenly came from outside the tent.

No sooner had he finished speaking than Cao Ang flung open the tent flap and strode in, appearing directly in front of Cao Cao.

Everyone in the tent was startled, and all eyes turned to Cao Ang, who had just entered.

Cao Pi turned to look at his elder brother Cao Ang, who had suddenly appeared, and his brows furrowed involuntarily.