Chapter 63: The Rogue Swordsman

At this moment, facing Cao Cao, Xu You could only speak truthfully. After all, this was not a foolproof strategy; one misstep could result in the total annihilation of those five thousand troops.

“Yuan Shao refrains from sending reinforcements because the grain convoy has already reached Wuchao, which is not far from the main army. If we launch a surprise attack, a small force may not be enough to shake Chunyu Qiong’s ten thousand men; but if we send more, we cannot conceal our movements. The battle is indeed difficult, yet five thousand light cavalry, unburdened by supplies, still stand a chance!”

Cheng Yu, who had been silent, now took the opportunity to analyze Xu You’s words. His strategies were never as risky as Guo Jia’s or as inspired as Xun You’s, but anything planned by Cheng Yu could be summed up in one word: stable.

Cao Cao understood that his advisers were giving him reassurance, for this was a battle that must be fought, no matter the cost. He sensed that Sun Ce would not allow him much time; if he wanted to minimize the loss caused by Liu Xie’s departure, he had to strike unexpectedly and swiftly.

“Indeed. All of Yuan Shao’s provisions and supplies are gathered at Wuchao. If we succeed in burning them, Yuan Shao will panic and dispatch reinforcements, or perhaps launch a desperate assault on our main camp. Yet, over these months, our camp has been fortified; it cannot be taken in haste. If Cao Hong and Xun You can hold fast, and the Grand Minister returns victorious, Yuan Shao’s army will lose heart and pose no further threat!”

After Cheng Yu finished, Guo Jia added another dose of encouragement for Cao Cao.

“Then, we depart tomorrow night. For this day, no one leaves or enters the camp until our army marches out!”

When it came to crucial matters, Cao Cao was never one for dithering, nor would he falter. This, for him, was an opportunity—a chance not only to defeat Yuan Shao but also to offset the loss of Liu Xie.

Meanwhile, in Yuan Shao’s chambers, the sound of objects being smashed could be heard; clearly, this scion of nobility—now the foremost lord of the Han—was furious.

“How dare Xu You do this? Betraying his master on the eve of battle, defecting to Cao Cao—good! Very good!”

Though he repeated “good” in his mouth, his hand hurled a finely crafted bottle across the room.

Standing nervously beside Yuan Shao was his most favored strategist, Guo Tu.

He appeared timid, head bowed, but behind that was a face of easy contentment. In truth, he was not angered by Xu You’s sudden defection to Cao Cao—rather, he was secretly pleased.

“Master, Xu You has long been a double-dealer, often insolent in our ranks. Now, seeking special favors for his cousin through Shen Pei and being refused, your decision was just. Such a man is not worth keeping! In my view, it would be best to order Shen Pei immediately to execute Xu You’s entire family in Ye City, thus cutting off future troubles.”

Guo Tu’s proposal to strike while Xu You was down was logical—especially given Yuan Shao’s fury. Severing Xu You’s path of return would be a simple matter.

From the current state of the war, Yuan Shao still held a great advantage. If, by chance, Yuan Shao crushed Cao Cao and Xu You returned, it would be disastrous for both Guo Tu and Shen Pei. If Yuan Shao executed Xu You’s kin in Ye City now, it would sever all ties.

Furthermore, since Tian Feng and Ju Shou had fallen out of favor, once Yuan Shao ascended the throne, Guo Tu believed his position as one of the Three Excellencies was assured.

“The war with Cao Cao is not yet concluded. Other matters can wait. Once we capture Xu You, I will interrogate him myself!”

“Master, wise indeed!”

Guo Tu’s ability to win Yuan Shao’s favor lay in his deep understanding of his temperament. Even though he wished to persuade Yuan Shao to execute Xu You’s family, he knew better than to press the issue once refused.

Like Shen Pei, he believed in adapting to whichever way the wind blew.

After Guo Tu departed, Yuan Shao’s anger had not abated. Meanwhile, Ju Shou hurried in to request an audience.

Xu You’s departure had caused a great stir in Yuan Shao’s camp. Many civil officials grumbled about Yuan Shao’s stubbornness and partiality, and some now harbored similar thoughts to Xu You’s. Ju Shou, observing coldly, felt that had Yuan Shao not held the advantage over Cao Cao, he would have been deserted by all.

Ju Shou was a man of principle, loyal to his convictions. Unable to bear Yuan Shao’s conduct, he came forward once more.

“Gentlemen, Xu You’s defection is now a fact. He knows much about our army’s affairs. If he reveals these to Cao Cao, it will be disastrous for us. Master, you must immediately change our scouts, supply routes, and troop deployments. Should Cao Cao exploit a weakness, he will surely lead his army to strike!”

Ju Shou’s words were honest and direct, yet Yuan Shao could not stand such truth. In his mind, he wondered, am I the master here, or are you? Do I need your reminders?

Without even a glance at Ju Shou, Yuan Shao nodded and said, “You need not worry about these matters. I wish Cao Cao would come tonight! Over these months, he’s been like a slippery eel—I’ve lost many men just attacking him. I long for the chance to settle this in a single decisive battle!”

Yuan Shao’s words brimmed with confidence, but they were met only by Ju Shou’s sigh. He knew there was no point in continuing.

“Master, I… take my leave.”

Watching Ju Shou’s retreating figure, Yuan Shao felt as though he had overlooked something, but his anger over Xu You’s departure quickly overshadowed any such concerns.

“Cao Cao… come then!”

That night, Yuan Shao’s camp was quiet, the only news being that Chunyu Qiong had arrived at Wuchao with the grain convoy, intending to camp there for several days.

This news meant little to Yuan Shao, for Wuchao was only forty li from his main camp; should any trouble arise, he could easily lead his troops there. Cautiousness like Ju Shou’s was not the style of the foremost lord of the Han.

To Yuan Shao, Cao Cao was merely a piece of tough meat on the chopping block—the outcome inevitable, though the process might be uncomfortable.