Chapter 31: The Chen Father and Son

“Anmin, it’s only been a few days since we last met, and your skill at chess has improved dramatically!”
“Uncle, you flatter me…”
Within Cao Cao’s residence, Cao Peng was playing a game of chess with him.
Of course, the chess match was merely a pastime; the real reason Cao Peng had been invited was that Cao Cao wished to question him about certain matters.
“Anmin, today I’d like to test you with a question!”
“Please set the challenge, Uncle.”
Cao Peng’s demeanor was earnest beyond measure. Yet in his heart, he was secretly contemptuous of Cao Cao—clearly, the man had failed to find a way out of his predicament and had come to seek help from him.
Cao Cao wasted no time, asking directly,
“Now, the city of Xuzhou is occupied by the spirited Lü Bu, and Liu Bei guards the gates on his behalf. How should we respond?”
Cao Peng teased him, then took a sip of tea with affected gravity before giving his answer:
“Divide them!”
Cao Cao’s interest was piqued at once. He pressed further, “Oh? Tell me in detail—how should we divide them?”
Cao Peng toyed with the teacup in his hand.
“Lü Bu seized Xuzhou from Liu Bei; do you really think Liu Bei bears no grudge? I’ve heard that Liu Bei has been recruiting soldiers in large numbers lately, and his strength is beginning to recover.”
Cao Cao immediately understood and soon took action.
A whole day passed without any sign; Cao Peng thought Cao Cao would handle the matter himself. Unexpectedly, Cao Cao turned to him after all.
That day,
Cao Peng was joyfully spending time with his beloved concubine, Lady Zou, in their newly acquired estate.
Suddenly, the front gate was knocked upon!

The household servant opened the gate, and in strode the wild, burly Dian Wei. Bursting in, he bellowed, “Anmin, the Grand Minister commands you to come at once! You can leave your flirtations for later!”
The burly man strode up to Cao Peng, grabbed him by the hand without further ado, and dragged him away.
Lady Zou was left behind, her pretty face flushed with embarrassment, sitting quietly.

Upon arriving before Cao Cao, Cao Peng was told that two men had been found—perfect candidates to serve as pawns in the scheme of division.
Upon hearing their names, Cao Peng learned that one was Chen Gui, the other Chen Deng, a father and son pair.
These two had been serving under Lü Bu, and had come as emissaries to request that Lü Bu be officially appointed as Governor of Xuzhou.
Since Lü Bu’s seizure of Xuzhou had been a personal endeavor, in name, the court had yet to recognize him as its governor.
The Chen father and son were eloquent and persuasive, so Lü Bu sent them to petition Cao Cao for the official title.
Cao Cao, sly fox that he was, could see at a glance that these two were the sort to follow whoever fed them.
He rewarded them with some gold and silver, and painted grand visions of their future; they were quickly won over.
Having prepared his pawns, Cao Cao immediately thought of Cao Peng, the chess master. He hoped Cao Peng would once more play a brilliant game for him.
As the Chen father and son entered the stage, the tide of history began to surge forward.
Cao Peng knew the battle for Xuzhou was about to begin.
He was already eager and primed, having previously undermined old Cao and won Lady Zou for himself, savoring the rewards.
Now, his eyes were fixed on Xuzhou itself—a splendid city, surely ripe for the taking. If he could undermine Lü Bu, then Lü Bu’s wife and daughters would surely fall into his hands as well.
With this thought, a lecherous smile crept across Cao Peng’s lips.
Opposite him, Cao Cao had no inkling of the depraved schemes his nephew was concocting.
But seeing his nephew’s lascivious expression, he felt thoroughly displeased.
“Hey!”

Cao Cao waved a hand before Cao Peng’s eyes, bringing him back to himself; Cao Peng was somewhat embarrassed.
“Oh, where were we?
Now that Uncle has brought these two key figures, I’ll take care of the rest. I will not let you down.”
Cao Peng was serious when it came to real business.
Since he’d accepted the task from Cao Cao, he would certainly deliver results.
He immediately summoned the Chen father and son.
Then, in detail, he laid out the plan for dividing their enemies. The two nodded vigorously, like pecking chicks.
“Chen Gui, Chen Deng, all you need to do is follow this plan. When the Grand Minister’s army breaches the city, your rewards will be plentiful.”
“Rest assured, Young Master, we will not fail you!”
Cao Peng gave them three strategies:
First, drive a wedge between Lü Bu and Liu Bei, making Lü Bu believe Liu Bei was plotting rebellion and prompting him to attack.
Second, sow discord between Lü Bu and Chen Gong, so that the proud Lü Bu and aloof Chen Gong would grow apart.
Third, gain Lü Bu’s absolute trust. The Chen father and son were experts at flattery and felt confident in this task.
To ensure the mission’s success, Cao Cao helped Cao Peng assemble a team.
Dian Wei was at the head, joined by several dozen others, all specially skilled in intelligence, along with trained death-defying agents.
Their purpose was to thoroughly disrupt Xuzhou before the main army stormed the city.