The sender of the letter could only be Cao Cao, who wished to ally with Ye Feng to seize the territories of the remaining warlords.
"This is interesting!" Ye Feng chuckled, staring at the letter in his hand. "This king can agree, but why should I agree!"
Zhuge Liang saw it clearly. He stepped forward and cupped his hands before Ye Feng, "My King, who wishes to form an alliance with you?"
"I have long heard of your divine calculations, Sir. Why don't you deduce who this person is?" Ye Feng asked with a hint of amusement.
"The Yuan family, descendants of four generations of dukes, is too arrogant to be a possibility. As for the rest, they are mediocre and pose no threat," Zhuge Liang said with a smile, looking at Ye Feng. "However, there is one person named Cao Cao whom we must not underestimate. Could it be him?"
"You are indeed clever!" Ye Feng praised him without reservation, casually tossing the letter to Zhuge Liang. After reading it, Zhuge Liang cupped his hands again, "Does my King wish to agree?"
"I wish to hear your opinion. Do you think I should agree?" Ye Feng showed Zhuge Liang a meaningful smile, as if testing him.
"Cao Cao, though possessing great ambition and strategy, has not yet encountered the right winds to rise. If he were truly allowed to gain power, my King would face a formidable enemy!" Zhuge Liang, meeting Ye Feng's encouraging gaze, took a deep breath and laid out his thoughts. "Moreover, this man is inherently suspicious, and though he may betray others, others dare not betray him. If my King wishes to cooperate, he must be vigilant."
"You believe cooperation is possible?" Ye Feng asked softly. "That's an unusual idea. Please elaborate."
"If Cao Cao gains all the land except for Jiangdong and my King's territory, then there is one area my King must firmly hold. Simultaneously, take Ba Shu and pacify the Nanman, and with time, the world can be unified!" Zhuge Liang said proudly. He had pondered this plan countless times and was certain it would not fail.
"Jingxiang Nine Commanderies? An area that allows for both offense and defense?" Ye Feng murmured. Zhuge Liang suddenly felt sweat beads forming. The crucial area he had painstakingly identified was spoken of by Ye Feng in a single sentence.
"Precisely, the Jingxiang Nine Commanderies. Furthermore, if my King can acquire the lands of Jiangdong, the world will be at peace. However..." Zhuge Liang paused, smiling at Ye Feng, "I believe my King already has a plan. Will Cao Cao be met, or will it be through correspondence..."
"Why not? The Embroidered Uniform Guard can make a trip. They can certainly go to a coalition of warlords. We shall meet at Hulu Pass!" Ye Feng said confidently, gazing in the direction of the allied warlords.
"Does my King intend to deal with Cao Cao? Are you not afraid of losing your credibility among men?" Zhuge Liang asked with a cold laugh, speaking slowly. "My King might then be condemned by all."
"Not so. The winner is king, the loser is a bandit. I am merely being defensive. If Cao Cao goes mad and kills people, I am merely protecting myself!" Ye Feng said thoughtfully, looking at Zhuge Liang. After a pause, he added, "We can even let Cao Cao leave. Then, if rifts emerge among the warlords, the Third Legion will naturally not be breached!"
"My King's considerations are thorough. Liang cannot match them!" Zhuge Liang cupped his hands, expressing his sincere admiration. He was about to withdraw.
Ye Feng chuckled and said playfully, "You old fox, you've figured everything out perfectly. You were just waiting for me to say it. Make the arrangements. Tomorrow, I will meet Cao Cao at Hulu Pass!"
"What if Cao Cao cannot get away, my King?" Zhuge Liang hesitated. "Does my King intend to assist him?"
Ye Feng raised his hand and said without hesitation, "If he cannot handle it, then I will not see him. After all, he has no right to cooperate with me."
The order was given, and the Embroidered Uniform Guard acted swiftly. Before long, a small soldier from the allied warlords stealthily followed Cao Cao. Cao Cao had noticed him long ago but remained silent.
Cao Cao led his men to a secluded spot. With a turn of a corner, he disappeared. The Embroidered Uniform Guard instinctively pointed his Xiu Chun Dao towards the sky. Cao Cao indeed leaped down, wiped the blood from his dagger, and said with a booming voice, "To dare to assassinate this general here, you are still prepared. You have some skill!"
"The General overpraises me. I am merely entrusted by my master to deliver a message," the Embroidered Uniform Guard said, lowering his head and carefully presenting the bamboo tube to Cao Cao. Seeing the intact bamboo tube sealed with yellow mud, Cao Cao's expression relaxed, and he unhesitatingly accepted it. "Thank you for your trouble!"
With a flick of his sleeve, while the Embroidered Uniform Guard was off guard, the dagger was placed at the guard's throat. The guard tensed, and the dagger was already stained with blood. He stammered, "What do you want?"
"To sneak into the camp without anyone noticing, who do you belong to? Tell this general clearly," Cao Cao reprimanded. "Otherwise, this general will not spare you!"
"Moreover, why lose your life for your master?" Cao Cao said coldly. "As long as you speak, I will not make things difficult for you!"
The Embroidered Uniform Guard replied with a cold face, "My master can help the General achieve that matter. If you kill me, I fear there will be many complications, and I cannot guarantee whether my master will be willing to help."
What other matter could it be but to annex the allied warlords? Cao Cao immediately understood and quickly released his dagger, laughing heartily. He spoke with extreme familiarity, "My good brother, this is like the Dragon King's temple being flooded by a great river, and a family not recognizing another family!"
He nimbly helped the Embroidered Uniform Guard straighten his clothes and said with a smile, "This place is indeed prone to unexpected events. I ask that you leave as soon as possible, Sir. I will certainly follow King Chu's arrangements!"
In fact, both Ye Feng and Cao Cao understood that for cooperation to occur, tomorrow's meeting was indispensable. Ye Feng sending Cao Cao a letter was merely to reassure him!
"You are quite sensible!" The Embroidered Uniform Guard, seeing Cao Cao's demeanor, cast aside his last bit of apprehension and respect. He snorted coldly and, grumbling, prepared to leave. Cao Cao was neither angry nor annoyed, smiling as he watched the guard depart.
The moment the Embroidered Uniform Guard turned away, Cao Cao's smile instantly froze, and killing intent flared. He watched the guard walk a few steps before loudly shouting, "Guards, seize that traitor! He is eavesdropping on military secrets! Seize him!"
The warlords were already suspicious of each other, and there were many patrols. With this shout, everyone rushed over, surrounding the Embroidered Uniform Guard tightly. The guard looked bewildered and turned to Cao Cao, "Take action! Seize him, alive not dead!"
Fists against four hands, even a hero of a thousand men could not withstand the relentless attacks. Before long, the Embroidered Uniform Guard lay on the ground with wide eyes, staring intently at Cao Cao.
Cao Cao waved his sleeves and laughed heartily. "This person has gone too far! Let me see what information he has uncovered!"
One item after another was thrown out, but there was nothing to prove his identity. Cao Cao became worried, pointing at the corpse and speaking incoherently.