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Tao Qian hosted a banquet for Liu Bei at his residence. Observing Liu Bei's extraordinary demeanor and impressive appearance, along with the openness and determination in his words, he couldn't help but admire him silently. After taking a sip of wine, he suddenly became serious and instructed Mi Zhu beside him, "Bring me the seal of Xuzhou."
Mi Zhu was taken aback, but seeing Tao Qian's resolute expression, he quietly complied and turned to fetch the seal of the Xu Province Governor, presenting it with both hands.
Liu Bei was momentarily stunned by this scene. He quickly stood up, his expression one of astonishment. " Governor Tao, what does this mean?"
Tao Qian rose to his feet and extended the seal forward, speaking earnestly, "Mr. Xuan De, the world is in chaos today, with warlords vying for power and the law failing to uphold justice. The common people are suffering. As a relative of the Han Dynasty, you bear the heavy responsibility of restoring the state. I am an old man with limited abilities; guarding Xuzhou has become beyond my strength. I wish to hand over this province to you, for you can surely bring stability and benefit to the people."
Hearing these words, Liu Bei's expression changed slightly. He stepped back two paces and humbly declined, " Governor Tao, you are mistaken! Although I am a descendant of the Han Dynasty, I consider myself lacking in merit and virtue. My abilities are limited; I am merely a Chancellor of Pingyuan and feel overwhelmed by that responsibility. How could I dare accept such a great task as Xuzhou? I have come only to offer assistance. If you hand over the seal, do you suspect that I have ambitions to annex it? If so, may heaven strike me down!"
Tao Qian shook his head repeatedly and stepped closer, speaking sincerely, "Mr. Xuan De, why doubt so? The heavens can witness my intentions. It is not suspicion of you; rather, it is my deep understanding of your loyalty and righteousness that leads me to believe only you can protect Xuzhou and save its people from disaster."
The two continued to refuse each other’s offers until the atmosphere became tense. Mi Zhu saw this situation and stepped forward to advise, "Mr. Xuan De, with the Cao Army at our gates, the city is in imminent danger of falling. Discussing the transfer of the seal at this moment seems premature; it would be better to negotiate a retreat with the Cao Army first. Once the situation stabilizes, we can discuss how to proceed."
Liu Bei pondered for a moment upon hearing this and then nodded in agreement. "Mi Zhu's words are reasonable. The immediate priority is to stabilize the current situation; repelling the enemy must come first."
He turned back to Tao Qian and spoke firmly, " Governor Tao, please rest assured that I will send someone to meet Cao Cao and deliver a letter urging him to cease hostilities and negotiate peace. If Cao Cao insists on continuing his aggression, we can always fight later!"
Tao Qian sighed deeply, a hint of fatigue mixed with gratitude in his eyes. "With Mr. Xuan De here, my heart is at ease. The people of Xuzhou can be considered saved."
Liu Bei immediately ordered messengers to inform the three army camps to hold their positions temporarily and selected an eloquent envoy to deliver the letter to Cao Cao's camp. The flickering lights in the tent cast shadows on everyone's faces filled with worry and determination.
Meanwhile, Cao Cao was in his main tent discussing military affairs with his generals when suddenly a messenger rushed in and knelt on one knee to report, "My Lord, an envoy from Xuzhou City has presented a letter."
Cao Cao frowned slightly, his gaze cold as he waved his hand. "Present it." The messenger stepped forward with the letter in hand; Cao Cao took it and opened it carefully to read.
The handwriting was neat and the tone sincere; however, hidden within were subtle challenges. The letter conveyed roughly:
*"I have had the fortune of meeting you outside Guanzhong and have been treated generously by you; however, we have since parted ways without being able to serve you closely for long. Previously, your father Lord Cao was wronged by Zhang Kai’s treachery rather than by Tao Gong’s fault. Now that remnants of the Yellow Turbans are causing chaos everywhere and Dong Zhuo’s loyalists occupy various regions, it is indeed time for you to take up your responsibility for the world; first quell national disasters before addressing personal grievances. If you withdraw your troops from Xuzhou to protect its borders and its people, then saving Xuzhou will also be a blessing for all under heaven.*"
Cao Cao's expression changed suddenly as he read the letter, his brows furrowing tightly. He tossed the letter onto the table with a sneer and slammed his palm down, causing the teacup to tremble. His eyes glinted with menace as he shouted, "Who does Liu Bei think he is, daring to lecture me, Cao Mengde? How bold of him to advise me to cease hostilities! The letter is clearly laced with mockery; it is truly infuriating!"
The generals exchanged glances, unsure of how to respond. At that moment, Guo Jia, seated at the lower end of the table, smiled slightly and calmly stood up. He stepped forward and bowed to Cao Cao, saying, "My Lord, please do not be angry. Liu Bei has come from afar to aid Xuzhou and sent this letter as a gesture of courtesy before conflict. On the surface, he appears to be persuading you, but in reality, he is testing your reaction. His intention is merely to disrupt your plans and give Xuzhou a chance to breathe."
Cao Cao's gaze shifted slightly towards Guo Jia as he coldly replied, "Jia, what do you mean? Do you want me to swallow this humiliation?"
Unfazed, Guo Jia continued, "My Lord, although Liu Bei's actions are full of cunning, they present us with an opportunity. If you were to kill this envoy in a fit of rage, it would only make us appear petty and allow Liu Bei to gain the upper hand in reputation while inciting the people of Xuzhou to fight even harder. Instead of that, it would be better to turn the situation around."
"Oh?" Cao Cao raised an eyebrow, sitting up straighter as he fixed his sharp gaze on Guo Jia. "What strategy do you propose?"
Guo Jia smiled faintly and spoke clearly, "My Lord should temporarily suppress your anger and respond to Liu Bei with a letter that feigns calmness and expresses a willingness to consider halting military action. This way, Liu Bei will surely lower his guard and may even believe that you are wavering. We can then take this opportunity to intensify our siege in secret. By the time they realize what is happening, Xuzhou City will have already fallen, leaving Liu Bei with no way out!"
Upon hearing this, a cold smile slowly crept across Cao Cao's lips as a glint of ruthlessness flashed in his eyes. He slapped the table and declared loudly, "Excellent! Guo Fengxiao truly possesses great wisdom; we shall proceed with your plan! Someone!"
"Yes!" A servant hurriedly stepped forward.
"Treat the envoy from Xuzhou with utmost hospitality; do not neglect him. Let him wait peacefully for our reply!"
The servant complied and left. Guo Jia returned to his seat as admiration appeared on the faces of the oth second brother nerals; they silently acknowledged that Cao Cao's strategists were indeed unmatched in their cunning.
Cao Cao leaned back in his tiger-skin chair, his gaze coldly sweeping across the tent as a chilling smile emerged on his lips. He muttered to himself, "Liu Xuande, since you wish to speak of righteousness, I shall let you bring about your own demise!"
Just then, Cao Cao paced anxiously within the main tent, his expression dark as water while the generals held their breath in silence. At that moment, a scout rode in swiftly on horseback, dismounting quickly and kneeling on one knee with an anxious expression as he reported urgently, "My Lord! Bad news! Lü Bu has taken advantage of your campaign against Xuzhou and has already attacked Yan Province. He now occupies Puyang City with great force!"
"What!" Cao Cao spun around abruptly, his eyes wide with fury as he shouted, "Repeat that! How did Lü Bu enter Yan Province?"
The scout was drenched in cold sweat as he hurriedly explained, "Lü Bu has been roaming about and learned that you left Yan Province for Xuzhou. Seizing this opportunity, he allied with Zhang Miao and launched a night attack. The defenders at Puyang were caught off guard and could not hold their ground; the city has fallen! General Cao Ren has fought against Lü Bu multiple times but suffered repeated defeats; he begs you to return quickly for reinforcements!"
Cao Cao slammed the table, causing the tea cup to topple to the ground, his eyes blazing with fury. "That scoundrel Lü Bu, wandering without a place to go, dares to seize my Yan Province while my guard is down! There must be someone colluding with him! Who urged him to rebel?"
The scout dared not raise his head and quickly replied, "My lord, Lü Bu originally sought refuge with Yuan Shu but was turned away. He then allied with Yuan Shao and together they broke through Changshan and Zhang Yan. However, Lü Bu's arrogance angered Yuan Shao's soldiers, nearly costing him his life. After fleeing from Zhang Yang, Li Jue and Guo Si sent men to hunt him down, forcing him to escape until he was taken in by Zhang Miao."
"Zhang Miao?!" Cao Cao's gaze sharpened, his fists clenched tightly as he coldly laughed. "Zhang Miao, you wretch! I treated you well, yet you bring a wolf into my home and assist Lü Bu in seizing my Yan Province! Very well!"
"My lord!" Xiahou Dun suddenly stood up, gripping the hilt of his sword with a fierce look in his eyes. "Lü Bu is nothing but a brute, and Zhang Miao is a coward! I request permission to lead the troops against them and ensure they return empty-handed!"
Cao Cao's gaze swept over the generals as he took a deep breath, suppressing his anger. He slowly returned to his seat at the head of the tent and said coldly, "This matter cannot be rushed. Though Lü Bu lacks strategy, he is brave and skilled in battle. With Zhang Miao secretly colluding with him, their forces have grown; our army must act cautiously."
Xiahou Dun urged anxiously, "My lord, Yan Province City has already suffered repeated losses and is in imminent danger. If we do not return soon, we may not be able to protect even three cities!"
At that moment, another scout rushed in and knelt down to report, "My lord! Xun Yu and Cheng Yu have devised a plan to hold Jucheng, Dong'a, and Fan County. Although Lü Bu's attacks are fierce, they have not been able to breach these defenses and are eager to press further."
Hearing this, Cao Cao's brow relaxed slightly as he snorted coldly. "Fortunately for us that Xun Yu and Cheng Yu are there; otherwise, Yan Province would have already fallen!"
He stood up, a fierce light flashing in his eyes as he spoke solemnly. "Send my orders! The entire army will immediately pack up and return to aid Yan Province! If Lü Bu dares to threaten my foundation, he will learn that Cao Mengde's realm is not something he can covet!"
Xiahou Dun responded loudly, "I am willing to be the vanguard and take Lü Bu's head as an offering to my lord!"
Cao Cao nodded, his gaze sharp as he calmly instructed, "Xiahou Dun, Yu Jin, Dian Wei will accompany me back swiftly to secure Yan Province! At the same time, order Xun Yu and Cheng Yu to hold their positions in the three cities; they must not act lightly! Once I return, I will make Lü Bu and Zhang Miao pay dearly!"
With a single command issued, the atmosphere in the tent turned tense with murderous intent. The generals rallied enthusiastically to prepare for the withdrawal. Cao Cao stood at the entrance of the tent, gazing into the distance with a face as grim as iron. In his heart, he vowed: "Lü Bu and Zhang Miao, you dare seize my city while I am unprepared? This time I will ensure your bodies are shattered into pieces as a warning to all who would dare!"
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