Chapter 112: It’s All a Ruse! [Please Subscribe]

"General, you are drunk!"

"Drunk? How could I be drunk?"

"With your talent, Ziyi, let alone commanding three thousand men, you are fully capable of leading thirty thousand. It is a pity that although Sun Ce possesses a chivalrous heart, his hands are often tied by others."

Chu Feng spoke with a solemn, earnest air. "Oh, by the way, how is Zhou Yu progressing in the camp? Is he vulnerable to an attack?"

"To answer you, General," Taishi Ci replied with a grave expression, "ever since General Sun Jing spoke out during the day, the entire army has been clamoring for justice. It is not just me; the other subordinate commanders are also deeply dissatisfied."

"However, Zhou Yu has a large retinue of personal guards and has consolidated the units of various veteran generals. Although the hearts of those in the camp have turned against him, he still holds absolute power."

"So you mean the morale in the camp is in disarray?" Chu Feng probed. "Then when do you think would be the best time to strike?"

"Indeed. As for when to strike, I cannot say for certain, but given the current situation, the sooner the better," Taishi Ci replied, laying the groundwork with tact.

Chu Feng nodded in deep agreement. "Come, drink!"

In the blink of an eye, three rounds of wine had passed, and the banquet was in full swing. Throughout the evening, Chu Feng showered Taishi Ci with endless praise, and the two drank several pounds of wine together.

Presently, Chu Feng slumped over the table, dead drunk.

Seeing the completely unguarded Chu Feng, Taishi Ci’s eyes narrowed slightly, and a thought of assassination flickered in his heart.

But when he thought of how candid Chu Feng had been—not only getting drunk with him but doing so without a single guard nearby—he found he could not bring himself to harm him. This Chu Feng was truly different from the cunning, treacherous man the world imagined him to be.

"Ziyi, don't leave, don't leave!"

"Lead my troops, be my Great General!"

Taishi Ci was startled. Realizing Chu Feng was merely talking in his drunken sleep, he let out a sigh of relief, feeling a touch of amusement.

Yet, he felt flattered and overwhelmed by the fact that Chu Feng, upon their very first meeting, had treated him like an intimate friend and expressed a desire to entrust him with heavy responsibilities. It was so far removed from the wicked, scheming villain he had envisioned. It was no wonder Chu Feng had risen so rapidly in just a year, recruiting so many fierce warriors to serve him; there was logic to his success.

"Alas, I suppose we are all simply bound to serve our respective masters!"

Taishi Ci sighed, though this did not shake his resolve for being here. He stood up, bowed, and took his leave.

The moment he stepped out, Chu Feng, who had supposedly been dead drunk, stood up slowly. Watching the direction in which Taishi Ci had departed, Chu Feng let out a cold, sneering laugh.

Had Taishi Ci made a move to kill him just now, he would have made sure to paint the floor with his blood!

Still, Sun Ce and Zhou Yu had gone to such great lengths to lure him into their trap, even sending Taishi Ci himself. Very well, he would play along.

They wanted to feign surrender? Then he would put on a performance so real they would never be able to tell the difference!

***

The next day, at Sun Jing’s camp.

Seeing Taishi Ci return, Sun Jing immediately pressed him: "Ziyi, you spoke with Chu Feng all night. Did you uncover any useful information?"

Taishi Ci recalled the night: "No, we just chatted casually."

Sun Jing frowned: "Are you certain?"

Before the words had faded, men from Chu Feng’s camp arrived. A kindly, middle-aged man stepped forward and announced loudly: "General Taishi Ci, my master says he truly enjoyed your conversation last night and has specifically conferred upon you the title of General of Tiger Might."

"Furthermore, these are one hundred bolts of fine silk and one thousand gold coins."

Taishi Ci was taken aback and quickly replied: "I have performed no service to merit such a reward. Please convey to your General that while I appreciate his kindness, I cannot accept these gifts."

"Oh, General," the old man said, leaning in to whisper so others could not hear. He spoke briefly, the gist being that Chu Feng hoped Taishi Ci would help him command the three armies in the future, and that he should use these silks and funds to stabilize the morale of his own troops.

Taishi Ci: "This..."

The old man finished and led his men away.

Sun Jing’s eyes narrowed, casting a hostile look at Taishi Ci. Chu Feng must have discussed something with him last night; otherwise, why would he send such generous gifts?

"Ziyi, do not forget the purpose of our mission here!" Sun Jing said, his voice cold and sharp.

Taishi Ci felt a twinge of annoyance. Was he being doubted? He wanted to defend himself, but then thought: I have done nothing wrong. A clear conscience needs no explanation.

***

Over the following days, Chu Feng held small banquets for Taishi Ci every day and grand ones every three days. During these gatherings, Chu Feng never spoke of anything significant, only bringing up the prospect of discussing how to crush the enemy at the end of each banquet.

Given the promise of discussing such matters, how could Taishi Ci refuse to come?

In Taishi Ci’s view, if he refused, it would only arouse suspicion. Moreover, by agreeing, he could delve deeper and perhaps goad Chu Feng into launching an attack.

That was what he told Sun Jing at the start, and the latter reluctantly believed him. However, as the number of banquets increased and the rewards Taishi Ci received grew, yet no intelligence—not even the slightest bit—was gained, it became hard to believe they were only drinking. It seemed obvious that something was being hidden.

Another day arrived, and Chu Feng sent for him as usual.

Once the messenger left, Sun Jing arrived. Looking at Taishi Ci, he warned coldly: "General Ziyi, do not forget who your superior is."

Taishi Ci paused for a moment.

"General Sun, you speak too severely. I am well aware. As the saying goes, know yourself and know your enemy, and you will be victorious in every battle. Chu Feng trusts me, and today he will finally reveal his strategy to break the enemy."

Taishi Ci cupped his hands and spoke in a deep voice.

"Hmph, then I shall await the General’s good news!" Sun Jing said with a touch of malice. Since arriving, Taishi Ci had become increasingly arrogant the more he interacted with Chu Feng.

Taishi Ci frowned but said nothing more. Clearly, he knew Sun Jing was questioning him, but he had a clear conscience and had done nothing to betray the Sun family.

***

Taishi Ci went off to drink. Meanwhile, under the deliberate guidance of others, Sun Jing watched as cart after cart of grain entered the city. With such an abundance of provisions, the Chu army would surely have enough to last for another month.

As time passed, by midday, Taishi Ci returned, tipsy. When Sun Jing questioned him, he only relayed the information Chu Feng had shared—all of it trivial.

Just as Sun Jing was about to reprimand him, a messenger arrived from Chu Feng, summoning him.

***

A long while later, inside the General’s manor.

Chu Feng, his cheeks flushed with wine, looked at Sun Jing with excitement: "General Sun, the opportunity has arrived! My armies have been resupplied with grain. Shall we attack tonight?"

"Of course! The only reason Zhou Yu has delayed breaking camp is because his troops are deeply dissatisfied. If you launch an assault from several directions, General, you can crush him in one stroke!" Sun Jing replied eagerly.

"Very well. I shall issue the order to the three armies. We will split into several wings and launch a full-scale assault at the third watch tonight. We will take down Zhou Yu in one blow, and once captured, I shall leave him to you to deal with," Chu Feng said with a solemn expression.

"That is excellent, truly excellent!"

Sun Jing was overjoyed. After waiting so long, Chu Feng had finally taken the bait. It seemed his hesitation earlier was indeed due to a lack of grain. He had learned as much—the soldiers were being rationed, and their lack of fighting spirit was only natural.

Following this, Chu Feng took Sun Jing directly to the military camp. After issuing a series of orders, Chu Feng prepared three prongs for the main assault and one to intercept the enemy.

He and Sun Jing would lead one of the main assault forces!

As for Taishi Ci, Chu Feng assigned him to lead the interception force!

Naturally, Chu Feng made these elaborate arrangements primarily to orchestrate a case of "dogs biting dogs." He had no intention of truly charging into the enemy camp; he would simply put on a show when the time came.

He only wondered if Sun Jing was clever enough to outplay him!