Even Hannibal Folds a Hand, Cao Cao Two: Into the Suspicious Command Tent -5
I stepped into the suspicious military tent. For a war council tent, it had everything you could need. But once inside, I was at a complete loss on how to handle the cleanup.
After seizing Hagu, cut off the supply trains coming from Pengcheng. How perfect, simple, and beautiful a plan was that?
There were three variables.
The flood I started just to skim a little grain turned out way stronger than expected, causing a real deluge.
Cao Cao's forces were bigger than anticipated.
And Hefei didn't hole up for a siege. I'd planned to layer sieges around Hefei and smash any relief forces, or even hit Cao Cao's main army if the chance arose.
But with Cao Cao's larger numbers, everything went sideways.
The immediate problems snowballed, leading to the point where we had to retreat from Hefei.
And now here we are.
Thinking back, I hadn't really done anything wrong.
If anything, I misjudged Cao Cao's troop strength—that's one. Teaming up with Zhou Yu to poke at Xiaopei instead of crawling all the way to Hefei—that's two. And charging ahead without thinking about the aftermath—that's three.
Just a tiny bit of mistakes, really.
It's all that bastard Cao Cao's fault. That jerk.
What do I do?
It'd be nice if this resolved itself like some kiddie comic with a "power of friendship" speech.
In those kid-friendly Three Kingdoms comics, beating up some random jerks usually fixed everything.
"Shall we get to the point?" Guo Jia said, offering me a cup of tea.
Can I slip out of this?
No clue where Uncle Zhao Yun or Dad are at right now.
"The point? You make it sound like I've got some shady agenda."
Guo Jia snapped his fingers.
"Exactly. Quite bold of you. Things could go wrong, yet you strolled in here alone?"
I sat in the chair, eyes darting around busily. Every word from Guo Jia felt laced with barbs.
"Don't push too hard. It'll make me look bad, won't it, Military Advisor?"
Zhang Liao jumped in for me, then headed to the corner and leaned against the tent flap.
Seemed like he was checking if anyone was listening.
"Our lord values fairness in law. If he punished you for defeat, then Xiahou Dun and Cao Ren would need punishment too. That's why he hasn't held you accountable. Don't take it too hard."
"That's not why I'm troubled, Advisor."
Zhang Liao looked deep in thought.
"Why not save the chit-chat for later?"
I tossed cold water on their conversation.
My hand shook as I picked up the cup.
One wrong word, and it's my head.
Stay calm. No need to worry. I look totally harmless, like a little lamb.
"Weren't we in the middle of serious talk?"
The tension was making me want to dry-heave.
I forced a faint smile and gulped down the water.
"Thirsty, are we?"
Guo Jia refilled my cup.
I drained three in a row.
"There must be a reason you brought me here. Mind if I ask what it is now?"
He'd been nagging me to get to the point, so I threw it back. You first.
"No need to glare like that."
All sorts of wild fantasies flashed through my head at Guo Jia's casual reply.
'Then the negotiations break down. Next time we meet, blah blah blah...' Would I get beat if I said that's what I was hoping for...?
Zhang Liao shot me a look, reading my anxious eyes.
"I owe you my life. Speak freely—I'm watching."
Super suspicious, but retorting would've looked bad.
"I noticed at the banquet you didn't eat. You must be hungry—talk while you do."
Guo Jia kindly offered food.
"Is that okay?"
The table had meat dishes of unknown origin, some mushy rice porridge vibe, veggies, and fruit. Nothing fancy.
"Eat first—that's the rule. Why ask the obvious?"
Guo Jia joked, then picked up his utensils and started eating first, probably thinking I was uncomfortable.
Good host.
Wait, could it be? Are we friends after all? Right as that thought hit—
Guo Jia propped his elbows on the table and stared me down like an interrogator.
"I can't figure out why you'd walk into the lion's den. What's your game, Little Strategist?"
I looked up at Guo Jia—he'd already polished off his food and was glaring sharply.
"Kek—cough! Cough!"
"Take it slow."
Choked.
Guo Jia saw right through me.
I chewed and glanced away.
"Lord Zhang Liao, aren't you eating?"
"I'm fine."
How to play this? Can't back out of the lies I've already started.
No. Sticking to this script will get me nowhere. I've got no control... I need to seize the initiative.
I munched on an epitaph peach.
"Haa... That was delicious. Amazing cooking. Never dreamed I'd eat like this out on campaign."
"You're too kind. Now, let's lay our cards on the table."
Fine, straight to the classic ploy.
The strategy that's worked since ancient times.
Act tough and bluff hard.
"You've fed me, so by rights, I should offer something in return."
I rolled up my sleeves and narrowed my eyes menacingly, glaring at Guo Jia with intensity.
"So, let's be frank. Would an enemy commander really walk into the jaws of death? Doesn't it seem too easy?"
"......."
"While I'm here, our main force is eyeing your gaps. Consider this a warning."
Guo Jia and Zhang Liao's gazes sharpened.
"...Ridiculous."
Guo Jia crossed his arms, scanning me up and down like he was reading my face.
"So you're saying holding you here is our fatal mistake? You're not here to surrender?"
"No."
Guo Jia straightened his slouched posture in surprise.
"Can you stand by those words, Little Strategist?"
"Yes."
I patted my chest and steeled my eyes.
No backing down now.
"Haven't I leaked info on purpose? You've already met General Cao—believe it or not, that's up to the Chancellor."
Guo Jia chuckled darkly.
"If that's true, killing you here would be the smart move, right?"
"Of course. But can you really do it?"
I rolled my eyes—Zhang Liao's gaze wavered at Guo Jia's words.
Zhang Liao cracked the door, checked both sides.
Closed it and walked toward me.
"Then why walk in here yourself? You're really not surrendering?"
"No. I came because I don't want bloodshed."
I explained slowly.
"We've had similar situations before, right, Advisor?"
Guo Jia stretched lazily, amused.
"Tell me. Glad to see my judgment was spot on. You've got something special, Little Strategist."
We'd met before—I'd treated Guo Jia super nicely back then and sent him off.
"Not sure about that, but... one thing I can say confidently: whether you pluck my tongue or not, I've prepared a surefire plan to push Wei to the brink. That's why I'm here talking instead of letting it happen."
My face was heating up.
Truth is, I couldn't pull that off in a million years.
Since I'm lying anyway, might as well pile it on.
"Let me warn you: one gesture from me, and my forces swarm this place."
Guo Jia's face hardened.
"No reports or sightings of any such army. Quite the tall tale, Little Strategist."
My nose felt like it was growing.
"I repeat: I came to avoid blood. I wanted one last chance to meet the Chancellor, and you've got it now. Are you two big shots gonna squander this opportunity? I'm getting red in the face just thinking about it."
Guo Jia, who'd been silent, slammed the table and stood.
"You little shit! You think that lie will work?"
That's when it happened.
Bang! Bang! Bang!!!
Zhang Liao drew his spear and flung open the door.
"Who goes there? No one's summoned!"
"Forgive me! But... urgent dispatch!"
"Speak! If it's nonsense, you're dead here!"
"Yes! Han Sui of the Western Liang leads troops invading Chang'an! Wuhuan rebels are marching on Ye! Liu Bei of Jingzhou has mobilized—about 50,000 strong! Wu forces holding Xiaopei are advancing north! The Chancellor orders you to the war council at once!"
"...What?"
Guo Jia's face darkened.
"This is no trifle. Tell our lord I'll be there shortly."
"Yes, sir!"
The messenger bolted, door slamming shut.
Guo Jia calmly sipped water—gulp audible from here.
He relit the dying lantern and eyed me.
"What's your angle?"
????
I shrugged smugly, riding the high.
"Th-that! You just heard it! That's what I meant!"
"That? Spill everything you know, Little Strategist."
"I mean... that's why... I came?"
Guo Jia shook his shoulders.
"Answer me! Why would Wu launch a full offensive with such a troop disadvantage?"
Zhang Liao grabbed Guo Jia's excited hand.
"Enough. You're too emotional, Advisor."
Guo Jia looked at Zhang Liao, pressing his forehead in confusion.
"But... this situation feels just like..."
Guo Jia spoke slowly.
"You didn't come alone, did you? Western Liang, Wuhuan, Eastern Wu, Jingzhou? Are you saying you've orchestrated a grand alliance?"
Vertical Alliance and Horizontal Pact.
The diplomacy of the Warring States philosophers.
Vertical Alliance: small states band together against a giant. Horizontal Pact: dismantle those alliances diplomatically.
What Cao Cao feared most: a Vertical Alliance.
It's like... like Zhuge Liang's schemes. Deciding battles from a thousand li away inside this tent...!
"Have you rallied the whole world? Is that why you're so brazen?"
The tide was turning weirdly. Like an anti-Cao coalition had launched—simultaneous multisided assaults.
"Of course... I have!!!"
Guo Jia clutched his forehead.
This little kid rallied everyone in a year...?
The messenger's report proves it, doesn't it?
I need to move troops. Split the standing army fast and deploy to key spots. Standing forces can't hold forever. The Eastern Wu campaign... is over.
"Hold on. I'll be back soon—wait just a bit?"
Without waiting for a reply, Guo Jia bolted from the tent, seething inside. Kill her. Kill her while there's a chance. Too dangerous to let live.