Chapter 039: Keeping Liu Bei Is Like Cultivating Chives

Cao Peng’s words, as they reached Chen Gong’s ears, sounded like the kind of empty rhetoric meant to hoodwink a simpleton. It all sounded pleasant enough now—speaking of grand titles like “Grand General Protector of the Realm”—but in truth, surrender would only mean walking straight into a trap. If one could merely keep one’s head upon surrender, it would already be a stroke of fortune.

At this critical juncture, the most urgent task was to prevent Lü Bu from making a reckless mistake. Without hesitation, Chen Gong drew his bow, nocked an arrow, and let it fly.

Below, as Cao Peng heard the whistle of the arrow slicing through the air, he instantly pulled at his reins and his warhorse retreated a few steps. The arrow landed right in front of the horse, its tip embedded in the earth.

“Quick, go protect Anmin!” Cao Cao, witnessing the scene, hurriedly ordered Dian Wei to see to Cao Peng’s safety.

But Dian Wei replied, “My Lord, there is no need for concern. Anmin’s skill is more than enough to withstand such a sneak attack.”

Indeed, that was the truth. Cao Peng was not someone who could be harmed by such a paltry ambush.

With the disruption just caused, the cordial conversation between Lü Bu and Cao Peng was at an end. Wearing a sullen expression, Cao Peng rode back.

“Damn it, I nearly had that fool convinced. Who would have thought Chen Gong would suddenly fire a cold arrow!”

In his heart, Cao Peng silently made a note to settle accounts with Chen Gong in the future.

“General, there’s no need for concern. Our great army has arrived—Lü Bu could not escape us now, even with wings,” Cheng Yu offered as reassurance.

“Quite right. Let us return and see what waves they can stir up,” Cao Peng replied.

Within the city of Xiapi, Lü Bu was at that moment reproaching Chen Gong for his sudden arrow.

“Chen Gong, what were you doing just now? Are you deliberately blocking my prospects?” Lü Bu demanded.

Chen Gong, thoroughly exasperated, thought to himself that this brawny, simple-minded man could not distinguish between good and ill. Unable to contain his anger, he raised his voice, “Fengxian, have you not thought it through? Cao Peng’s promise to make you Grand General Protector—do you truly believe it? Surrender your command, and you will be a fish on their chopping board, waiting for the knife!”

Lü Bu, fickle as always, was swayed by Chen Gong’s words. He realized they made sense.

“I’m sorry, Gongtai, I acted rashly. What should we do next?” He apologized and asked for a plan to defeat the enemy.

Chen Gong had already devised a strategy. “I have a plan: you should immediately lead the cavalry to encamp outside the city, forming a pincer with the infantry inside. With attacks from both front and rear, we can repel Cao’s army.”

Lü Bu, convinced by the logic, clasped his hands and said, “With sir’s counsel, we are sure to turn defeat into victory!”

Back in the Cao camp, Cao Cao summoned his advisors for counsel. Alongside old faces like Guo Jia and Cheng Yu, Cao Peng was now also present.

“Fengxiao, what is your opinion on this matter?” Cao Cao inquired.

Guo Jia smiled faintly. “Xiapi is surrounded on all sides by water. If we launch a direct assault, our losses will be too great. We should simply besiege the city and wait them out—they will perish on their own.”

“Will the prolonged siege not give rise to unexpected troubles?” Cao Cao still harbored some doubts.

Guo Jia scoffed, “We already control all of Xuzhou. Lü Bu’s fate is sealed. With only Xiapi left, what threat could he possibly pose?”

This time, Cao Peng kept a very low profile. He could have easily echoed Guo Jia’s analysis, but he knew that the tallest tree in the forest is the first to be felled. It was necessary to give the strategist corps their moment to speak.

Yet, even as he tried to remain in the background, Cao Cao specifically called on him.

“Anmin, do you have any differing opinion?” Cao Cao asked deliberately.

Cao Peng had no choice but to reply, “I agree with Guo Jia’s assessment. We must not act in haste, but proceed with patience.”

After he spoke, Cao Cao smiled knowingly, as if he had already seen through the modesty in Cao Peng’s heart.

At that moment, a soldier arrived to report that Liu Bei and his party had arrived.

This posed another thorny problem for Cao Cao. Taking advantage of the assembled strategists, he immediately sought their advice. “Gentlemen, what should be done with Liu Bei? Should he be killed or spared?”

Unlike the previous, silent discussion of Xiapi, this question drew varied opinions.

Guo Jia was the first to respond, direct and unflinching, “He must die!”

“Liu Bei is a man of great ambition. If we do not kill him, we are raising a tiger to our own peril.”

Cheng Yu disagreed. “That would not do. Liu Bei is now a surrendered general, and a member of the imperial clan. Killing him would cost us the people’s support.”

“Yes, Liu Bei must not be killed.”

“Guo Jia exaggerates. Liu Bei is but one man. Should he show any disloyalty, we could crush him without effort.”

Except for Guo Jia, the majority favored sparing Liu Bei, so Cao Cao turned to Cao Peng.

Cao Peng answered, “This is a matter for you, Uncle, to decide.”

In truth, he felt that it would be simplest to kill Liu Bei and be done with it. But then, he recalled that although the imperial uncle was currently a pathetic, struggling figure, when it came time to reap the rewards, he always yielded a fine harvest. There were still many opportunities left to undermine Liu Bei.