Chapter 130 Xu You: How many days of provisions remain in your army?

At this moment, Guo Tu seized the opportunity and remarked, "Xu Ziyuan, I have heard that you and that Cao A-man were childhood companions who would steal chickens and dogs together. It seems you are simply looking to reminisce about old times."

"Guo Tu, how dare you spout such slander!" After a furious outburst, Xu You turned to Yuan Shao and pleaded, "My Lord, such a petty villain is hindering our great cause. I beg you to order his execution."

Yuan Shao, however, grew angry. "Xu You, do you know that I have also received a secret letter? Having read it just now, I am truly heartbroken."

"I trusted you so much, yet I have learned that you and your clansmen have been colluding in corruption, embezzling military funds, and forcibly seizing fertile lands!"

Xu You’s face turned deathly pale upon hearing this. He was about to offer a defense when he saw the gloating smile on Guo Tu’s face and instantly understood.

"Guo Tu, you shameless villain, you actually conspired to frame me!"

Guo Tu bowed and said, "My Lord, with a great enemy before us, perhaps now is not the time for punishment. However, he is so arrogant that if he is not disciplined, it will be hard to appease the others."

Yuan Shao nodded. "Very well. Xu You, today I shall have you given twenty strokes of the military staff, so that you may learn a proper lesson."

"My Lord, I am innocent!"

Xu You tried to protest, but the soldiers on either side had already seized his arms and dragged him away. Guo Tu bowed again and said, "My Lord is wise!"

As for the dragged-away Xu You, he truly endured twenty solid blows from the military staff, leaving him struggling to walk. "Damn it! A foolish master and sycophantic ministers—what use is it for me to stay?" Xu You cursed Guo Tu and Yuan Shao a thousand times over in his heart. Although his clansmen had indeed committed the acts mentioned, he believed his own contributions were so great that if he were not even entitled to such small privileges, then there was no point in staying.

Just as he was fuming, he noticed a soldier walking toward him. His expression changed; had this man heard him cursing Yuan Shao? Just as he was about to berate the soldier, the man spoke first: "Master Xu You, why bother serving such a dim-witted ruler?"

They were in the heart of Yuan Shao’s camp. For someone to dare insult Yuan Shao in his presence left Xu You shocked. "Who are you?" he demanded.

The man smiled. "I am one of Prime Minister Cao’s men. Having heard that you were childhood friends with our Prime Minister, and seeing that Yuan Shao is truly a fool, why not defect to the Prime Minister?"

Xu You frowned. He wanted to call for someone to seize the soldier, but reason told him otherwise. Now that Yuan Shao knew about his petty crimes, his prospects here were surely doomed.

Since that was the case, it was better to leave. "Hmph, you have misjudged me; I am not that kind of person."

The man smiled and produced a piece of jade. "The Prime Minister asked me to bring this as a token of his esteem for you."

"Ahem..." Xu You coughed deliberately before saying, "In that case, lead the way."

...

Inside Cao Cao’s camp, Cao Cao had been pacing back and forth for quite some time. He had been wondering if the strategy proposed by Cao Peng, which had already been set in motion, would actually work. This was of vital importance to him. In truth, he could not help but be anxious; provisions were dwindling day by day, and if this continued, even the potatoes Cao Peng had brought would not suffice. If the strategy failed, he would have no choice but to fight to the death.

Cao Cao was just about to go out and ask Cao Peng what to do if the plan failed when a messenger hurried to the entrance of the tent. "Prime Minister! A man named Xu You has come to visit you!"

At first, Cao Cao did not fully comprehend, but once it sank in, he was overjoyed. "Quick, invite him in—no, I shall go out to greet him myself!"

Cao Cao rushed out so quickly that he had not even put on his outer robes or shoes. He reached the entrance of the camp just in time to see Xu You, who had arrived in the dead of night.

Xu You hurried to Cao Cao’s side. Seeing that Cao Cao had come out to greet him without even wearing his shoes, he was moved to tears. "Brother Mengde, your hospitality is such that you would come to greet me barefoot... this is truly..." Xu You grabbed Cao Cao’s hand, overcome with emotion.

"Ziyuan, it has been too long. I have missed you dearly!"

As they walked, Cao Cao noticed the strange gait in Xu You’s walk and asked, "Ziyuan, what has happened to your leg?"

Upon hearing this, Xu You’s face paled. "Alas, Yuan Shao is a man who cannot distinguish right from wrong. After listening to the slander of a villain, he had me given twenty strokes of the military staff."

"Why? Were you not the favorite under Yuan Shao? He barely had enough praise for you; why would he be willing to strike you?" Cao Cao asked deliberately.

Xu You gave a bitter laugh. "Sigh, a fool is a fool. Let us not speak of such matters. In any case, I have made up my mind to defect to you this time."

"Haha, good! Let us not dwell on vexing matters. Come, join me for a drink."

Cao Cao led Xu You into the tent and ordered Xu Chu to fetch Cao Peng. Xu You felt a flicker of confusion upon hearing the name. Not long after, Cao Peng arrived, and to Xu You’s surprise, he was but a young man.

"Brother Ziyuan!" Cao Peng bowed.

"I have long admired General Cao’s name. Seeing you today, it is clear that you are truly a hero among the youth!" Xu You returned the bow.

After some wine, Cao Peng asked, "Brother Xu You, since you have come to defect, you must have brought a token of your sincerity, right?"

Bolstered by the wine, Xu You stood up as if showing off a treasure. "Haha, nothing escapes you! That is correct—this time, I have brought you a heavy gift!"

At this, Cao Cao’s attention became laser-focused. He smiled and said, "Brother Ziyuan, you have come yourself; why bother with gifts? You are too polite!"

Xu You laughed, "No, this gift is enough for you, Cao Mengde, to crush Yuan Shao!"

Cao Peng noticed that the old man Cao Cao’s breathing had quickened; he was clearly nervous. And rightly so. Like a magic trick, the stage had been set for a miracle, and the moment of revelation was at hand.

"Brother Ziyuan, stop playing games. Whatever it is, tell us quickly!" Cao Cao asked, feigning impatience.

Seeing Cao Cao’s anxiety, Xu You was in no rush to reveal it, continuing to tease his curiosity. "Mengde, if I had not come today, you would surely have been captured by Yuan Shao!"

"Why is that?" Cao Cao asked.

"Hehe, how many more days can your army’s provisions last?" Xu You asked leisurely.

Cao Cao chuckled, "Alas, at most, they can last for a few more months."