Bang!
Clang!
Lu Bu slammed his fist heavily onto the wooden bars of the prison. The sheer force of the blow caused the entire wooden structure to tremble and shake. Chen Gong, with his keen perception, detected a distinct meaning within this punch.
Fengxian? Why was he so enraged?
According to… according to his expectations, Zhang Yang was supposed to launch a surprise attack on Cao Cao's rear. Cao Cao should have retreated to reinforce his forces. The siege of Xiapi City would then be easily broken. Lu Bu, if not to beg for forgiveness, at least should have invited Chen Gong back with pleasant words.
But now… what exactly was the situation?
Just then, Lu Bu spoke…
His gaze, his tone, was as cold as when they last met, as if tempered by ten thousand years of ice.
"Hmph… Chen Gong, Chen Gong. To think that I, Lu Bu, believed in you until the very end. I was wrong. I was wrong all along!"
Betrayed. Lu Bu's eyes were filled with the word "betrayed."
Phew…
This…
The rhythm is off. Chen Gong instinctively reached up and tapped his forehead. The rhythm seemed to have veered off course!
Lu Bu continued speaking.
His tone grew even colder, laced with more anger.
"How naive! I, Lu Bu, was truly naive. To think that you would actually contact Zhang Yang, to conspire with him to attack Xudu City and relieve the siege of Xiapi. Hmph, I was so terribly deceived by you, Lu Bu! So. Terribly. Deceived!"
As he uttered the words "terribly deceived," Lu Bu’s palm exerted more force, and the entire prison creaked, as if the wooden bars were about to be pushed over.
"What happened? What… what exactly happened?"
Even in this dire situation, Chen Gong still raised his head. He persistently asked, "Zhang Yang… didn't Zhang Yang attack Cao Cao's rear? It shouldn't be… he clearly promised me. He… he is my lord’s sworn brother!"
"Pah! I have no such brother!" Lu Bu said coldly. "Don't think I don't know. Your letter to Zhang Yang was merely to inform him of the dire situation, to tell him that my cause was lost, and to have him offer Henei territory to Cao Cao! Otherwise, why would Cao's banner be flying high over the entire Henei, and all of Henei's troops have surrendered to Cao! Chen Gong, you… you have a heart of stone!"
What?
Zhang Yang surrendered to Cao? Fifty thousand Henei troops surrendered to Cao Cao? Cao's banners were flying over Henei city walls. What… what in the world had happened?
Chen Gong felt like he had gone foolish. Every word that came from Lu Bu's mouth was like a knife scraping his heart. It wasn't that it didn't hurt; it was incredibly suffocating!
But Lu Bu's tone was so resolute. It seemed… the intelligence was reliable. Then… then…
Boom…
Rumble. At this moment, Chen Gong felt as if he had been struck by lightning.
His legs instinctively retreated. Finally, with a stumble, he fell to the ground.
Yet, even so, his eyes widened, his chest heaved, and his entire face was etched with four words: disbelief!
"Heh, exposed, aren't you? Your thoughts, your plan, have no place to hide now?"
Lu Bu said coldly. "Good, Chen Gong. You played a grand game. Ostensibly to help me, but in reality, you secretly colluded with Cao Cao. It's understandable, after all, you owe Cao Cao your life, and he values you exceptionally. I, Lu Bu, admit my inferiority in this regard."
This thought, Lu Bu wouldn't have come up with it on his own…
But… Diao Chan had told him so before. And this made Lu Bu re-examine the relationship between Cao Cao and Chen Gong!
Of course, Cheng Yu also contributed to this.
Especially Cheng Yu's dissemination of information, which stated that it was not Yang Chou who surrendered, but Zhang Yang. This difference in names was crucial to the situation in Xiapi City!
It could be said that both Lu Bu and Chen Gong were thoroughly manipulated by Cheng Yu.
"Fengxian, I… I had no idea Zhang Yang would betray you! This… this must be Cao Cao… No, attacking the enemy's mind. This is what Lu Yu, the Minister of Agriculture in Cao's camp, is best at. Fengxian, you must not be deceived!"
Chen Gong was still making his final explanation.
However, in the face of ironclad facts, his explanation was weak and powerless.
"Hmph, still quibbling? Even at the end, you are still quibbling?" Lu Bu glared fiercely at Chen Gong, his gaze almost capable of killing. "Are you satisfied now? Xiapi City has become an isolated city. This is all thanks to you. I, Lu Bu, was truly deceived by you. Are you satisfied!"
Lu Bu's tone rose, and his roar of fury could be heard throughout the prison.
"Fengxian… Fengxian…"
Chen Gong wanted to explain further, but his words choked him. He became speechless, unable to utter another word.
He even realized that this… this might have been Lu Yu's elaborate scheme, intricately woven, perfectly seamless, designed to sow discord between Lu Bu and himself, leaving no room for recovery!
Heh heh…
Lu Yu understood Lu Bu too well, and he understood Chen Gong too well.
This series of strategies was aimed directly at their personality weaknesses.
There was no way to refute it, absolutely no way!
Thinking of this, Chen Gong closed his eyes.
But… as soon as he closed his eyes, Chen Gong suddenly thought of something.
His eyes were filled with anxiety…
"Fengxian, there's still a chance… I heard that Cao Cao is digging deep trenches outside the city, appearing as if he intends to enter Xiapi City via tunnels. But… I am certain this matter will not be so simple. It is currently the rainy season. If these trenches are dug towards the Sishui River, then… then it is very possible for the Sishui River to flood back!"
"Fengxian… Cao Cao will definitely pour all his efforts into digging the trenches to the Sishui River, mobilizing all his troops. If you lead the Bingzhou Wolf Cavalry out now… you will surely be able to defeat them, and also thwart his plan to divert the Sishui River to flood Xiapi. In this way… we… we still have a chance to turn the tide!"
Chen Gong had thought of everything he could.
He calculated precisely. Digging to the Sishui River, racing against the arrival of the rainy season, Cao Cao would inevitably commit the largest number of troops. And this… was undoubtedly an opportunity, an opportunity!
"No need!"
Unexpectedly, Lu Bu refused him outright, his eyes filled with suspicion.
Chen Gong continued to advise, advising with the frustration of not being able to turn iron into steel, "My lord, Cao's army is not as powerful as imagined. Lu Yu is skilled at attacking the mind, and Cao Cao is even more skilled at strategy. But… precisely because they have seen through you and me, they are confident that you and I are at odds, and they are confident that you, Fengxian, dare not attack! What they haven't accounted for is that… this is the opportunity!"
"Chen Gong!"
Lu Bu narrowed his eyes at Chen Gong and said faintly, "Even now, are you still trying to deceive me? You are so eager to have me leave the city, isn't it precisely to trap me in Cao Cao's encirclement, and thus allow Cao Cao to enter Xiapi City?"
"What flood back the Sishui River to Xiapi, hmph, in my opinion, it's just Cao Cao's ploy to lure the enemy, his collusion with you, Chen Gong! To lure me out of the city! Hmph… do you really think I, Lu Bu, am a mere brute?"
This…
Hearing this, Chen Gong's heart sank completely. He realized that the current situation was irreversible.
He had lost. He had already lost.
For the first time, Chen Gong lowered his "noble" head. His eyes narrowed, and he turned his head away from Lu Bu.
He sighed with a bitter smile.
"Ridiculous, ridiculous! Haha… Marquis Wen, Peerless Divine General!"
"Lu Fengxian, you are ultimately just a brute!"
"Who is Lu Yu? The Hidden Dragon of our generation. His specialty is to probe the human heart. But your vision is narrow, and you are played around by him without realizing it. You are simply a brute!"
This statement instantly enraged Lu Bu.
Lu Bu placed his hand on his sword, his eyes chilling.
"What did you say? Say that again!"
"Hmph…" At this point, Chen Gong no longer cared. He raised his voice and shouted, "The rainy season is approaching, Cao's camp is digging trenches, the Hidden Dragon has finally revealed a flaw, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to turn the tide is right before us, yet you… you judge a gentleman by a petty man's standards. Do you still dare to call yourself not a brute?"
Chen Gong cursed in anger. If… if this opportunity were missed, then… there would be no more chances.
With a *swish*,
Lu Bu drew his long sword. "Chen Gongtai!"
His eyes were filled with fury. "Bastard!"
Ultimately, remembering their past affection, Lu Bu did not draw his sword against him. This was to leave them both with a shred of dignity!
"Hmph," he snorted coldly and turned around, his back to Chen Gong.
He loudly declared, "It seems Mr. Chen has had too comfortable a time in prison. Issue an order: Mr. Chen is holding up well. From today onwards, he shall not be given food, nor any drink! Furthermore, Mr. Chen's family, his wife and children, are to be apprehended as well! All of Mr. Chen's property is to be confiscated! Hmph…"
"You…"
As soon as he heard that his family was implicated, Chen Gong wanted to curse loudly. But considering the current situation, did his curses have any meaning?
This had never been because of Lu Bu, but rather… but rather because of the Hidden Dragon, Lu Yu, who had already treated them as chess pieces and played them step by step!
He had lost. He had been defeated by Lu Yu!
"Mr. Chen, take care of yourself!"
*Thump thump thump*…
With heavy footsteps, Lu Bu left the prison, his heart filled with endless rage. He couldn't bring himself to strike, but he would ignore Chen Gong, as if he had never appeared!
"Mr. Chen…" After Lu Bu had walked away, a jailer quickly approached Chen Gong’s side. "Why did the strategist provoke His Lordship? His Lordship was born in Jiuyuan and has been fighting against barbarians since childhood. For him, no one can be trusted except the strategist and his wife. His Lordship will eventually understand. He cannot do without the strategist!"
This jailer had followed Lu Bu from the beginning. Precisely because of this, he saw things most clearly.
Chen Gong's importance to Lu Bu and Xiapi City was self-evident!
"It's too late!"
"Everything is too late!"
Chen Gong's body suddenly trembled. His pupils were filled with regret and unwillingness. He came back to his senses and sighed.
"From today onwards, do not bring me any more wine. He, Lu Bu, is a brute, and I, Chen Gong, am also a foolish and stupid fellow. I am not worthy of being his strategist, and he is not worthy of being my lord!"
"Everything… everything is over!"
With these final words, Chen Gong closed his eyes and remained silent…
And these final words were filled with deep meaning!
…
…
Outside Xiapi City, in the central military tent.
Only Cao Cao and Lu Yu were present. Now… ten days had passed, and the trenches for diverting the Sishui and Yishui rivers were being dug with full effort, with over seventy percent of the progress completed. It could be said… only a little was left.
The capture of Xiapi had reached its most critical stage.
All that was needed was a torrential downpour, followed by the opening of the gates to release the water, flooding Xiapi… turning Lu Bu into a fish out of water!
"Lu Sinong, according to the progress, the trenches will be completed in another five days. And the news from Xiapi City is that Lu Bu and Chen Gong have completely fallen out, imprisoned Chen Gong, and even specifically ordered to cut off his rations!"
"If not for some jailers secretly bringing him some food, Duke Chen Gong might have already breathed his last!"
Mentioning Chen Gong's tragic plight, Cao Cao's tone actually carried a hint of regret. He and Chen Gong had been brothers who shared hardships in the past. However… their beliefs were ultimately different, leading them down entirely different paths!
Haha…
Cao Cao let out a wry smile, smoothing over this touch of sadness in his heart. He said with a smile, "Regardless, the situation is excellent! Once the torrential rain pours down, Xiapi City will be submerged, Xu Province will be recaptured, and we will be able to contend for the Central Plains!"
Cao Cao’s mood seemed quite good…
Everything was proceeding according to plan: Chen Gong was dismissed, Lu Bu dared not sally forth, and the digging of the trenches went unexpectedly smoothly.
This also eased Cao Cao's mind considerably, making him feel much more relaxed.
Precisely at this moment.
Lu Yu's rather untimely question cast a shadow over Cao Cao's mood. "Sikong Cao? Do you really intend to divert the water to flood Xiapi City?"
Uh…
This…
Cao Cao was a little confused. Wasn't this strategy proposed by this young man?
Why was he now questioning him? It was as if he, Cao Cao, had proposed flooding Xiapi.
"Does Lu Sinong have other ideas?"
"Just a little!" Hearing Cao Cao's question, Lu Yu replied truthfully. "If the water is indeed diverted to flood the city, then naturally Xiapi City will be submerged, and Lu Bu and his Bingzhou Wolf Cavalry will become drowned rats. But what about the common people? Caught unprepared, they will also be flooded, and may even lose their lives because of it."
"Now, after all the effort… thanks to Yang Dezhu and Chen Deng earning us the people's favor, it will be ruined in an instant. The common people will not remember who healed their fevers, they will only remember that Sikong Cao caused them to lose their homes, and this hatred will continuously spread and agitate, becoming a future hidden danger. By then… even if the city is taken, but… won't the price be even greater?"
Speaking of which… Lu Yu had heard many experts and professors discuss "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu.
The core of "The Art of War" was the character "quan" (全), meaning "completeness" or "whole," and this "quan" was most deeply ingrained in Lu Yu's heart!
What is quan?
Therefore, there is the meaning of "preservation," but more importantly, it is about achieving the greatest victory with the smallest cost.
Before flooding Xiapi, it seemed… the Cao camp had no cost.
But in reality, if one had a broader perspective and considered Xiapi City as their territory from the beginning, then… the "cost" of this city being flooded would be too great.
Houses would be washed away by the flood, and the hearts of the people would be scattered by the flood. This was a huge cost, a cost that was difficult to bear and repair!
Most importantly…
Lu Yu could not forget the torrential rain in the Yellow River region he experienced in his previous life. He was trapped in the subway, and the water had already reached his waist. Countless people were still posting on their social media, trying desperately to send for help. That experience made him realize most acutely the mercilessness of water and fire!
Would such a tragic scene really unfold in Xiapi City?
Phew…
Hearing this, Cao Cao's expression was somewhat moved. He seemed to understand Lu Yu's intentions and purpose!
However.
Cao Cao immediately retorted, "If we don't flood Xiapi and attack the city forcefully, then the loss will be my Cao camp's tens of thousands of soldiers. They also have wives and children, and they also have their homes. Are their lives cheaper than the lives of Xiapi's common people?"
This…
Lu Yu could understand Cao Cao's feelings. As the foremost butcher of the Three Kingdoms, he was never someone who cherished the common people!
Conversely, if Lu Yu had not appeared here, and history had unfolded according to its normal course, the number of Xu Province commoners who died at Cao Cao's hands would have been more than hundreds of thousands.
What would Cao Cao do besides uttering a line like "White bones exposed in the wilderness, a thousand miles without a single chicken crowing," and what else could he do?
In times of chaos, it has always been that a general's success is built upon the bones of countless soldiers.
If one truly wanted to be benevolent, then the outcome… Zhang Yang of Henei Commandery was a prime example!
Of course, Lu Yu was not being benevolent, but rather he had a completely new idea, an idea to achieve victory in Xiapi City with an even smaller cost.
These trenches leading to the Sishui River could not only flood Xiapi City but also intimidate Xiapi City!
This intimidation, used well, might even be more than ten times more effective than flooding Xiapi!
Besides this…
Lu Yu also had to consider that man who was skilled at manipulating hearts. If Cao Cao lost the hearts of the people, then the person in Xiapi City who was best at winning hearts would be delighted!
Liu Bei… Liu Bei, who prioritized benevolence and righteousness!
This person must not be given any opportunity!
With this in mind, Lu Yu spoke, his tone exceptionally serious.
"Sikong Cao, I have an idea, perhaps… we won't need this flood to surge back!"
His eyes narrowed, and a look of confident planning suddenly appeared. "Floods are merciless, but human affection exists… If Sikong Cao acts like this, then perhaps there will be no need for the Sishui River to flood back, and someone will voluntarily open the city and surrender. This is the true meaning of 'subduing the enemy without fighting' and 'achieving ultimate victory with the smallest cost'!"
At this point…
Lu Yu slowly narrated the plan in his heart.
"＊＊＊! ＊＊＊! ＊＊＊!"
At first, Cao Cao listened nonchalantly. He even felt that Yu'er should not be so benevolent. As his future successor, a future overlord, he should possess a desire for conquest.
However, as Yu'er's words sank in… a spark of brilliance appeared in Cao Cao's eyes.
He felt that although this opportunity was somewhat risky, it was in line with Yu'er's usual style of conduct!
This was not benevolence at all!
For Lu Bu, this was simply "cruelty" ten times more cruel than "cruelty" itself. "Attacking the heart" was always more cruel than "killing people"!
"Lu Sinong…" Hearing the end, Cao Cao narrowed his eyes. "How many percent sure are you of this plan!"
"I don't know. There are too many variables. Sikong Cao's words and Yang Dezhu's actions are all crucial to success!" Lu Yu exhaled lightly. "The key to success lies in whether we can mobilize the emotions of the soldiers and civilians in Xiapi City."
This…
Cao Cao hesitated slightly.
"What if it fails?"
"Then…" Lu Yu paused, then said with a wry smile, "If it fails, then we will have to proceed according to the original plan. Sikong Cao can boldly divert the Sishui River to flood Xiapi City. Because of the groundwork laid by the previous actions, the soldiers and civilians of Xiapi City will be able to better appreciate Sikong Cao's good intentions. Although the city will be destroyed, the hearts of the people will not be extinguished! As long as the hearts of the people are not extinguished, everything can be remedied!"
Phew…
What a sentiment, "the hearts of the people will not be extinguished!"
Cao Cao let out a breath. Hearing this, he deeply agreed and nodded.
"Then we shall proceed according to your plan. Your strategies always put one at ease!"
Saying this, Cao Cao patted Lu Yu's shoulder and added one last sentence.
"Your words are always like 'drinking fine wine, intoxicating'!"
"Alright, the rest will be left to me, Cao Cao, and your Taixuesheng, Yang Dezhu! Haha…"
…
…