Chapter 045: The Scheme of Discord

“The wine today fails to satisfy!”
“Oh? And why is that?”
“Surrounded by enemies, every day we can only curl up here like tortoises. What meaning is there in drinking under such circumstances?”
“Haha, the tide of fate is upon us; what else can we do?”
Hao Meng had invited Zang Ba, and the two drank together, finding a certain solace amidst the bitterness.
Of course, Zang Ba’s sorrow was genuine, while Hao Meng’s was feigned.
Earlier, when Hao Meng spoke with the spy who contacted him, he mentioned that Zang Ba was quite likely to be won over.
Thus, he seized the opportunity to visit Zang Ba’s residence and invite him for a drink.
Zang Ba, once a cavalry captain under Tao Qian, was tasked with recruiting soldiers to resist the Yellow Turban Army, but later formed his own independent force.
Before joining Lü Bu, he was a warlord in his own right, even clashing with Lü Bu over certain past grievances.
After several rounds of wine, observing Zang Ba’s slightly flushed cheeks, Hao Meng felt the time was ripe and said, “Brother Zang Ba, have you ever considered what we should do if the city falls?”
Zang Ba, upon hearing this, wore an expression of contemplation.
After a moment, he replied, “Well, that’s something… we’ll deal with it when the time comes!”
Hao Meng frowned, realizing Zang Ba was not drunk at all, but fully aware and shrewd.
He avoided a direct answer, but Hao Meng could almost certainly deduce that if anything happened in the city, Zang Ba would be among those surrendering.

No matter what, for now, he must relay the news to the man in black and see how those outside decide.
...
Cao Peng soon received a message from within Xiapi city. He immediately took the silk scroll containing the intelligence and went to Cao Cao’s tent.
Arriving, he found many people present, the entire circle of strategists gathered.
Guo Jia, Cheng Yu, and Xun You were foremost among them, each voicing their ideas, creating a cacophony that left Cao Peng somewhat bewildered.
After listening a while, he discerned the discussion’s core—Cao Cao believed that continuing the stalemate was unwise.
With Yuan Shao in the north and Liu Biao to the east, if Cao Cao’s army lingered here too long, his base in Yan Province would be left vulnerable; any mishap could spell disaster.
“Well, after all this debate, no one has devised a way to break the enemy. In my opinion, we should withdraw!” Cao Cao’s words were offhand, but he was indeed considering retreat.
“That cannot be. Lü Bu is at his last gasp; if we do not seize this chance to kill him, then once he regains strength, he’ll become an even greater menace.”
At these words, all eyes turned toward the tent’s entrance, where Cao Peng stepped forward.
This time, he did not hold back; when it was time to display his strategic acumen, he would do so.
Cao Cao smiled wryly and said, “An Min, do you think I don’t understand your reasoning?
But with my army encamped here, the rear is exposed, and supplies are stretched thin across long distances.”
“Uncle, don’t rush to give up yet. I’ve received something—take a look.”
As he spoke, Cao Peng handed over the silk scroll recording all the intelligence from Xiapi.

Cao Cao, after reading the intelligence, was overjoyed.
“An Min, you are truly remarkable!”
Though the army had not yet taken the city, the intelligence in Cao Peng’s hand, along with his arrangements within, were worth ten thousand elite troops.
Cao Peng continued, “I have devised a plan. If enacted, Xiapi will fall into chaos once more.”
Cao Cao, surprised at Cao Peng’s ingenuity, said, “An Min, devise your strategy!”
Cao Cao eagerly awaited to see just how far Cao Peng could carry this.
As the matter was highly secret, Cao Peng asked Cao Cao to clear the tent.
The large group of strategists was reduced to just the main advisors—Guo Jia, Xun You, and Cheng Yu.
Cao Peng began outlining his plot for sowing discord. He explained that although Cheng Yu was clever, his wit was always belated, reactive rather than proactive.
Lü Bu, on the other hand, was reckless and proud. If some signs were manufactured to make Lü Bu suspect his men of betrayal, then Lü Bu’s volatility would surely erupt into chaos.
Once morale was shattered, Xiapi’s fighting strength would plummet.
Everyone was astonished—such a scheme from someone so young!