Chapter 133: Guo Tu—Meet Every Change with Constancy

When Cao Peng returned to the Cao camp, Cao Cao had already successfully repelled three offensives from Yuan Shao. At this moment, Xu Chu could be seen rallying the remaining troops.

Sitting at the entrance of the command tent, Xu You caught sight of Cao Peng and cast a malicious glare in his direction. He believed that his own credit had been snatched away by this young upstart, Cao Peng. Had it not been for Cao Peng’s interference, he would surely have been the greatest hero in the burning of Wuchao, and Cao Cao would undoubtedly have treated him as an honored guest.

"Master Xu, the air is getting cold; why are you sitting here?" Cao Peng asked.

Xu You replied coldly, "I am here to see Chancellor Cao, naturally." He had been waiting for a long time, but unexpectedly, Cao Cao had yet to return.

Just as they were speaking, the sound of hoofbeats echoed from afar. Cao Cao’s face was dark and grimy, his robes stained with blood, while Dian Wei, trailing behind him, looked like a man forged from gore. It was clear how brutal the battle had been.

Xu You immediately stepped forward to intercept Cao Cao. Just as he was about to speak, Cao Cao brushed past him, seemingly treating him like thin air.

"Anmin, how did it go?" It turned out that Cao Cao had eyes only for Cao Peng, asking him with urgent concern.

Cao Peng smiled faintly, "Uncle, rest assured. With me personally taking charge, it was a total victory. The grain and fodder at Wuchao have all been reduced to ash by my fire."

Upon hearing this, Cao Cao finally sighed with relief and patted his chest. "Good. With that, I can rest easy."

"Ahem..." Standing behind Cao Cao, Xu You had no choice but to offer a clumsy cough to announce his presence.

Hearing the sound, Cao Cao turned his head and finally noticed Xu You standing behind him. "Oh, it is Ziyuan. Is there something you need?"

Xu You was struck speechless, a chill creeping through his heart. Cao Cao’s words were not particularly malicious, yet they were profoundly insulting, wounding his pride deeply. He had been the one to propose the plan to burn Wuchao, and he had even betrayed Yuan Shao to do it. What did this attitude from Cao Cao mean? Was he crossing the river only to burn the bridge?

"Chancellor, I..."

Just as Xu You began to speak, the sound of horns drifted from the distance once more.

Cao Cao hurriedly said, "Brother Ziyuan, my apologies. The military situation is critical. I must take my leave for a moment; please, get some rest!"

With that, he took Cao Peng and led his troops out of the camp. Xu You stood frozen in place, watching Cao Cao’s departing figure, feeling a sense of desolation and coldness in his heart.

***

Yuan Shao’s main camp now felt empty. The hundreds of thousands of troops once stationed there had been split, with some sent to Wuchao and others launching an assault on the Cao camp. Not only had they suffered repeated defeats in direct confrontation with the Cao forces, but Zhang He and Gao Lan, who had been sent to rescue Wuchao, had actually led their troops to surrender to Cao Peng. As a result, the strength within Yuan Shao’s camp was severely depleted. Yuan Shao had already sent Yuan Tan back to mobilize more troops, but that would take time.

Sitting on the command platform, Yuan Shao was consumed by rage and anxiety, teetering on the edge of a total outburst. In the central tent, he wiped his sword, contemplating his next move. Two paths lay before him: fight Cao Cao to the bitter end, or retreat. His heart already leaned toward retreat. Although the grain at Wuchao had been burned, he still held the surrounding lands, and both provisions and soldiers could be replenished. If he retreated to reorganize, he could launch a campaign against Cao Cao again in a few years.

Yet, he was unwilling to bow his head. He refused to admit defeat to Cao Cao. That a mere descendant of a eunuch could defeat him, the scion of the Yuan family who had held high office for four generations—this was a reality he could not accept. The frustration in his chest had no outlet. Because Yuan Shao was displeased, none of his advisors dared to provoke him. Those who usually spoke with great eloquence now remained as silent as cicadas in winter, not daring to even glance at him.

Among the advisors present, the most terrified was Guo Tu. He had previously insisted that Yuan Shao attack Cao Cao’s center rather than rescue Wuchao, and now, reality had slapped him in the face. Were it not for the favor Yuan Shao had shown him in the past, he would likely no longer have the right to sit there. Even so, the disgust in Yuan Shao’s eyes was undisguised. Given the current circumstances, Guo Tu felt deeply vexed. He had to find a way to turn the tide.

The silence persisted for a while. It was Yuan Shao who finally broke it.

He sighed heavily and said, "The fault for this failure lies primarily with me; it has nothing to do with any of you."

This single sentence eased the tense atmosphere in the tent. At the very least, everyone knew that no one would be executed tonight. The generals began to regain their morale. Ju Shou, in particular, looked relieved. He mistakenly believed that Yuan Shao had realized his errors and would turn over a new leaf. Driven by his sense of loyalty, his determination was reignited.

Others thought more simply, believing that while the losses were significant, they were affordable for a man of Yuan Shao’s vast resources.

"However," Yuan Shao asked in a deep voice, "our grain at Wuchao has been burned, and our engagements with the Cao army have been consecutive failures. Tell me, what should be done?"

When it came to the serious matter at hand, no one dared to look Yuan Shao in the eye. Guo Tu looked left and right, sensing that his opportunity had arrived. His thoughts raced; if he could come up with a good plan, he could reclaim Yuan Shao's trust. In this situation, he actually had an idea.

Guo Tu stepped forward, cupped his hands, and a smile appeared at the corners of his mouth. "My Lord, this failure is entirely the fault of the traitors Zhang He and Gao Lan."

Seeing that he was shirking responsibility, Yuan Shao interrupted, "I am asking you for a solution! Why are you babbling about that?"

Guo Tu hurriedly continued, "Yes, yes, my Lord! We still have nearly three hundred thousand troops, while that Cao Cao has only one hundred thousand. We need only hold our camp firmly. Once our grain arrives, even if we do nothing, we will remain in an invincible position!"

By the end, Guo Tu was no longer as cautious as before, having reverted to his usual self.

Yuan Shao’s eyes darkened at these words, and he asked suspiciously, "Why would we be in an invincible position if we do nothing?"

Guo Tu smiled and analyzed, "After Zhang He and Gao Lan surrendered with their troops, Cao Cao’s strength increased on the surface, but the demand for grain has also grown significantly. With Cao Cao’s limited foundation, his provisions cannot last long. Therefore, we only need to remain unchanged to meet all changes, and the Cao army will collapse of its own accord!"

At this point, Guo Tu could not help but want to mock Xu You. To defect to Cao Cao was truly no different from courting death.