Chapter 26: Has Liu Bei Been Transformed? Cao Cao: Investigate! Find Out Everything!

"Fengxiao, are you certain of what you say?"

Cao Cao suppressed his astonishment, attempting to confirm the information once more.

"Absolutely certain. The report just arrived. Please, Inspector, take a look."

Guo Jia, his expression grave, presented the silk scroll he held. Cao Cao immediately rose and stepped forward, grabbing the scroll before Guo Jia could even reach the desk. Xun Yu also stood up, leaning in close.

The scroll clearly detailed the events of the Battle of Chengfu. It also described how Liu Bei had sailed from Haixi into the Huai River, seized Yuan Shu’s grain supplies at Xutai, and slain Yuan Shu’s son, Yuan Yao.

After reading it, Cao Cao drew a long breath and exchanged a look with Xun Yu. At this moment, a look of intrigue flashed across Xun Yu’s face. He had miscalculated! Liu Bei had not followed the script he had envisioned—begging for mercy from Lü Bu to become his pawn against Yuan Shu. Instead, he had employed a "cicada shedding its skin" maneuver, successfully escaping Xuzhou for Runan. With only three thousand troops, he had nearly annihilated a combined force of six thousand from Yuan Shu and Lü Bu, entering Runan riding the momentum of a great victory!

"I truly did not expect Liu Xuande to play such an unorthodox move!" Xun Yu, having recovered his composure, could not help but exclaim in wonder.

"I must admit, this bizarre move of his is truly a brilliant strategy to find life in the midst of death," Guo Jia added, sounding deeply impressed.

Cao Cao picked up the silk scroll again to read it carefully. The look of surprise faded, replaced by a deep sense of approval. "He exploited the arrogance and overconfidence of Cao Bao and Li Feng, using abandoned baggage and a feigned retreat as bait to lure the two generals into a reckless pursuit. Then, he utilized the terrain to set an ambush, winning against superior numbers."

"Indeed, I must say, Liu Bei’s grasp of the enemy's psychology and his application of the terrain were timed to perfection. It is said that after three days, one must look at a scholar with new eyes; Liu Bei is truly impressive." Cao Cao stroked his thin beard, nodding slightly with a look of commendation.

Guo Jia, however, offered a knowing smile and countered, "Barely a month ago, Liu Bei lost Xuzhou and suffered two crushing defeats, nearly driven to the brink of destruction. Does the Inspector truly believe that in such a short time, Liu Bei’s wisdom and military strategy could undergo such a complete transformation?"

Cao Cao paused, looking at Guo Jia in confusion, unable to follow the logic at first. Xun Yu, however, grasped the implication behind Guo Jia’s words and said, "Inspector, Fengxiao is right. Liu Bei’s intellect and strategy could not have changed so drastically overnight. These successive brilliant moves must have been orchestrated by someone else."

Cao Cao finally realized, his face filling with even more curiosity. "Liu Bei’s advisors are nothing more than the likes of Sun Qian and Jian Yong, with Mi Zhu added to the mix. These men are all mediocre; could they have devised such a brilliant plan for him?"

***

This question left both Xun Yu and Guo Jia speechless.

"Or perhaps a new advisor has joined Liu Bei, one whose intellect far surpasses that of Sun Qian and the others?" Guo Jia’s eyes glinted as he made this sudden conjecture.

As the words left his lips, Xun Yu shook his head. "In the regions of Xuzhou and Huainan, there are very few who possess such intellect. The most likely candidate would be Chen Deng, Chen Yuanlong. But he is a member of the Chen clan and did not follow Liu Bei in his flight; clearly, he intends to remain in Xuzhou and submit to Lü Bu to preserve his family’s influence. Beyond him, forgive my ignorance, but I cannot think of any other famous scholar capable of guiding Liu Bei to make these two masterful moves."

Cao Cao’s suspicion deepened. Given Xun Yu’s immense knowledge and vast network among the literati, if even he could not guess who this mysterious figure was, there was little hope for others.

"Fengxiao, order the Siwen Cao to send more spies immediately to investigate whether Liu Bei has gained some master of strategy, or to find out if such a person even exists," Cao Cao commanded.

"Understood!" Guo Jia acknowledged, then changed the subject. "The question now is, Liu Bei has entered Runan—what is his intention? Could it be that he intends to occupy Runan in its leaderless state to plot a resurgence?"

Cao Cao furrowed his brows, filled with doubt. Having been ravaged like a locust swarm by Yuan Shu, Runan was currently in ruins, with little wealth to extract. Consequently, he only occupied the northern part of the region, while Yuan Shu controlled the eastern cities. Most of the southwest was a lawless "no-man's-land," infested and bled dry by various Yellow Turban remnants. Had Liu Bei really gone to such lengths to escape Xuzhou just to gnaw on such a chicken rib of a territory?

"Liu Bei likely has no other path left and, seeing that Runan is without a master, has led his remnants there," Xun Yu said, having regained his composure. "Given the ruinous state of Runan, even if he goes there, he will likely achieve little. For now, he is not a cause for concern. The Inspector’s strategy should remain unchanged: focus first on Nanyang, then move east to reclaim Xuzhou. When the time comes to march south and annihilate Yuan Shu, it will not be too late to deal with Liu Bei then."

Guo Jia nodded emphatically. "Wancheng is too close to Xudu; if Wancheng is not secured, the south of Xudu will never be secure. We should focus on monitoring Liu Bei, but the Inspector’s primary attention should indeed be on Zhang Ji and his nephew."

The two advisors were in agreement. Cao Cao did not hesitate. "Very well, let us follow the plans of Wenruo and Fengxiao. We shall gather grain and military supplies. Once I have settled the Emperor, I will immediately march south to crush Zhang Ji and his nephew and take Nanyang!"

Changing his tone, Cao Cao looked toward the south, the corners of his mouth curling upward. "As for Liu Bei, let him go and gnaw on that chicken rib of Runan for now..."

***

Runan Commandery, east of Xiang County.

Liu Bei was commanding his three thousand men, heavily laden with hundreds of carts of grain and supplies, advancing west along the main road.

"A few miles ahead is the Ying River. Once we cross it, we enter Xiang County," Xiao Fang, riding alongside, pointed with his whip, describing the situation in Xiang County as if it were the back of his hand. "The city is currently occupied by the Yellow Turban commander Liu Pi. My Lord, you could send someone across the river first to express an intent to recruit him and see how Liu Pi reacts before making a decision. If my guess is correct, Liu Pi will likely cross the river himself to welcome you into Xiang County."

Liu Bei nodded slightly, sighing, "Jinglüe, your grasp of the situation in Runan is truly exhaustive. We shall proceed as you suggest."

Liu Bei prepared to send a messenger ahead to Xiang County. Just then, Guan Yu’s phoenix eyes suddenly snapped open, shooting a sharp gaze toward the front. "Brother, hold the march! It seems there is a battle ahead!"

Liu Bei immediately grew vigilant, pulling on his reins to gaze into the distance. Sure enough, on the east bank of the Ying River, flags were fluttering, figures were moving in chaos, and arrows occasionally streaked across the sky. A fierce battle was clearly underway. Liu Bei ordered the troops to halt and form a defensive perimeter, simultaneously dispatching scouts to investigate.

A moment later, several scouts galloped back and dismounted. "Reporting to my Lord, by the riverbank ahead, several thousand Yellow Turban soldiers are besieging a merchant caravan of about eight hundred men. The Yellow Turbans are flying a flag with the character 'Liu,' while the caravan is flying a flag with the character 'Xu'! The Yellow Turbans have been attacking for a long time without success; the two sides are in a stalemate."

Liu Bei’s eyes flashed with intrigue. The Yellow Turbans were flying the 'Liu' flag and they were near Xiang County, so it must be Liu Pi’s men. Yet, the besieged caravan, numbering only eight hundred, was holding its own against several thousand Yellow Turbans—their combat prowess was truly formidable.

"The 'Xu' flag... I wonder what hero with the surname Xu possesses such skill!" Liu Bei muttered to himself, filled with curiosity.

Xiao Fang’s eyes darted slightly, and he offered a meaningful smile. "My Lord, were you not looking for a loyal and brave warrior to serve as my commander of the guard? It seems my luck is good; I don't need to look anymore. Look, that loyal warrior has delivered himself to our doorstep."

Liu Bei paused, looking at Xiao Fang in bewilderment.