Chapter 111: Outwitting Taishi Ci【Please Subscribe】

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At dusk, inside the command tent of the military camp.

Taishi Ci strode in. Seeing that Sun Ce had nearly recovered, he clasped his fists and said, “My lord, why have you summoned me?”

“Ziyi, I believe you know as well as I do that Chu Feng is cunning and deceitful. He has had many suspicions about General Sun pretending to surrender, and today he even took Sun Jing to inspect our camp.”

“Rumors are now spreading throughout the camp, and they are detrimental to our army. I intend for you to pretend to surrender as well and join General Sun. That will convince Chu Feng beyond doubt.”

“Secondly, the two of you can look after each other.”

Sun Ce patted Taishi Ci on the shoulder and spoke solemnly.

“I understand, my lord.” Taishi Ci nodded.

“Ziyi, after you go over there, be sure to emphasize the turmoil within the camp and how the various commanders refuse to submit. With such an opportunity before him, Chu Feng certainly will not let it pass.”

“I shall set an ambush inside the camp. So long as we defeat Chu Feng, you will have earned the greatest merit. When the time comes, I will personally submit a memorial recommending that you be made a marquis.” Sun Ce drew a deep breath and spoke with force.

“Yes, my lord! I shall not fail you!” Taishi Ci clasped his fists and answered resolutely.

“Very well. This great matter is in your hands, Ziyi. Set out with your men after nightfall. Remember, you must act swiftly, or our army’s morale will collapse.”

Sun Ce gave him one final admonition. At present, they could only sacrifice a pawn to trap the wolf.

Of course, the most dangerous part of a feigned surrender was always the surrendering general. In the later Battle of Red Cliffs, Huang Gai had pretended to surrender to Cao Cao, fallen into the river, and been rescued by Wu forces. He had narrowly escaped death.

…………

Night fell, and the early-summer breeze gradually turned cool.

After returning from his inspection of the camp, Chu Feng was filled with emotion. He had set out in early spring, and now it was already the beginning of summer. Several months of warfare had passed in the blink of an eye. Though morale remained high, the soldiers were growing weary of battle.

Yet there was no other choice. Such was life in a chaotic age. He could only hope that the turmoil would end soon, that the realm would be unified, the sword turned into the plowshare, and the people allowed to live and work in peace.

At that moment, outside the headquarters—

A personal guard crept out of the shadows and approached him. “My lord, General Sun Jing requests an audience. He has been waiting outside the residence for half an hour.”

Chu Feng glanced over and felt utterly speechless. Sun Jing had been pestering him ever since they returned from the march, asking when they would destroy Zhou Yu. He had kept insisting that Zhou Yu’s army was unstable and that they should attack tonight.

“Xu Chu, go tell him that I have already prepared the army and that we will launch our attack on an appointed day. Tell him not to be impatient. No, forget it—I’ll go speak with him myself.”

With that, Chu Feng emerged from the shadows and walked toward him.

“General Sun, it is already late at night. Is something urgent the matter?”

“General, this opportunity must not be missed! That scoundrel Zhou Yu’s army is in disarray. If you send one of your senior commanders to attack, his camp will certainly fall. I beg you to make your decision quickly!” Sun Jing said anxiously.

“General Sun, it is not that I do not wish to attack. We truly have no choice. After fighting month after month, every soldier is sick of war, and our provisions are nearly exhausted. We cannot launch an attack recklessly.”

Chu Feng wore an expression of deep difficulty.

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“We have run out of provisions?” Sun Jing asked in surprise.

“Yes. The army’s provisions will not arrive for another five days. Without food, the troops will be uneasy. Once the supplies arrive and all three armies have eaten their fill, we will certainly crush Zhou Yu in a single assault.” Chu Feng spoke with solemn conviction.

“Then please act as quickly as possible, General. This opportunity must not be missed!”

Sun Jing’s eyes shifted. He had no way of knowing whether Chu Feng was telling the truth. If it was true, however, then it meant Chu Feng had begun to trust him.

After all, provisions were the soul of an army.

Keeping his suspicions to himself, Sun Jing took his leave.

“Tomorrow, when the troops are being fed, have the grain officer use undersized measures to distribute the rations. Also, arrange for someone to casually mention the shortage of provisions near Sun Jing so that he hears it.”

“Then, in a few days, have some laborers pretend to transport provisions into the camp.” Chu Feng stroked his chin as he gave his instructions.

“My lord, are you trying to make Sun Jing misjudge the situation and believe that you truly trust him?” Lü Meng, following behind him, raised an eyebrow in surprise.

“Everyone is playing tricks on everyone else. Truth mixed with lies, lies mixed with truth. Who cares?” Chu Feng waved his hand dismissively. He had not intended to deceive Sun Jing deliberately; he merely needed an excuse and happened to be misleading him along the way.

“My lord, Sun Ce’s camp is in chaos again. Flames are soaring into the sky, and the sounds of fighting are endless.” Zhao Fan came hurrying over with one hand on his sword and reported in a low voice.

Looking at Zhao Fan’s frantic arrival, Chu Feng raised an eyebrow. Zhao Fan had been regularly conducting patrols and organizing camp affairs lately, gradually beginning to resemble a capable commander. That was a good thing. His own efforts had not been wasted.

“It is merely a plan to lure the enemy. There is no need to think too much about it.”

“Zhao Fan, it is late. Go and get some rest.” Chu Feng patted him on the shoulder with concern.

“Yes, my lord.” Zhao Fan nodded.

He was slightly disappointed. He had hoped to lead his men into battle, but alas, it was not to be.

Just after Zhao Fan left, Chu Feng entered the residence, intending to rest. A gate officer came personally to report, “My lord, the enemy commander Taishi Ci has arrived with his men to surrender!”

“Taishi Ci?” Chu Feng froze.

There really was no end to the day’s troubles.

Was Taishi Ci not responsible for coordinating the attack from within? Why had he now come to surrender with his troops as well? Could things truly be as Sun Jing had claimed? Or was this merely a ruse meant to lull him into complacency?

Though these questions raced through his mind, Chu Feng still rose to receive him.

After some time, at the city gate—

Chu Feng looked into the distance. Taishi Ci had sharp brows and bright eyes, his armor stained with blood, while the soldiers under his command looked exhausted. Clearly, they had fought their way here only moments before.

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“Ziyi, General Sun has long told me that you wished to aid me. I have been waiting for you with great anticipation, and at last you have come today! To gain Ziyi is worth more than a hundred thousand soldiers!” Chu Feng stepped forward, helped him up, and laughed aloud.

“How could a defeated commander dare speak of valor? I only hope that you will not cast me aside and will allow me to charge into battle and slay your enemies!” Taishi Ci dismounted, clasped his fists, and replied neither humbly nor arrogantly.

“That goes without saying! General Sun has already told me that although your body remains in Zhou’s camp, your heart belongs to Chu. Come, come with me into the city.”

Chu Feng seized Taishi Ci by the forearm, wearing an expression of deep regard.

“General, but my men—” Taishi Ci hesitated.

“Xu Chu, take General Ziyi’s men to General Sun Jing’s camp for the night. Remember, provide them with supplies according to the highest standard.”

Chu Feng issued the order in a ringing voice.

Xu Chu frowned slightly, but still accepted the command.

Before long, inside the headquarters—

Chu Feng led Taishi Ci by the arm to his seat and said with a smile, “Ziyi, I just had this wine warmed. Come, let us drink three hundred cups together.”

Taishi Ci was flattered and bewildered. Why was Chu Feng treating him with such warmth? He had fine wine, exquisite food, and an expression that suggested he valued him greatly.

Could Sun Jing have already laid the groundwork for him?

As they spoke, the two raised their cups and drained them in a single swallow.

“Ziyi, as the saying goes, a thousand cups are not enough when drinking with a kindred spirit, while half a sentence is too much when speaking with one who does not share your heart. You and I took to each other at first sight. And your bravery that day inspired both admiration and awe.”

Chu Feng raised his cup and spoke with heartfelt emotion.

“You flatter me, General. In your presence, how could I dare speak of courage or strategy?” Taishi Ci sighed and drank with him.

“Ziyi, I deeply regret that Bofu met his end at my hands. Had this not been a chaotic age, I believe you, Bofu, and I would have become close friends, even sharing the same bedroll.”

“What a pity. What a pity indeed!”

As he spoke, Chu Feng downed several cups in succession.

His cheeks flushed, and with a trace of drunkenness he said, “But Ziyi, do not worry. Whatever Sun Ce can give you, I can give you as well—and more.”

“He offered you the position of military instructor, commanding a thousand men. I will offer you the rank of general, commanding three thousand soldiers and campaigning for me in every direction. What do you say?”

Taishi Ci frowned, visibly tempted. Three thousand soldiers was no small number. Yet he quickly clasped his fists and said, “General, you are drunk!”