Chapter 8: Chapter Eight: Mengde, You Cannot Defeat Me

The next morning, in Cao Cao's main camp, Yu Jin and Xiahou Dun knelt on the ground, not daring to look at the person seated in the place of honor.

The surrounding officers and strategists remained silent, standing on either side, waiting for the person in the seat of honor to speak.

That person in the seat of honor was Cao Cao; although he was short in stature and his face was covered with a full beard, his eyes were extraordinarily sharp, making one dare not meet his gaze.

After a moment of silence, Cao Cao left his seat, walked over, and helped Xiahou Dun and Yu Jin to their feet.

"So you're saying that Ela was captured by that Liu Bei scoundrel? With Ela's courage, it shouldn't have come to this."

Yu Jin's face was full of shame.

"My lord, under Liu Bei of Pingyuan there are two great generals, each of whose martial skill is not inferior to Ela's. Liu Bei first used part of his forces as bait, and I was schemed against in the panic."

Xiahou Dun also wiped sweat from his face on the side.

"My lord, I too was suddenly attacked by Liu Bei's subordinate Guan Yu; that red-faced bandit's martial skill is indeed superb, I am no match for him. Sigh."

Having said that, Xiahou Dun felt ashamed and unable to bear it, letting out a heavy sigh.

Cao Cao waved his hand, patted Xiahou Dun on the shoulder, then walked back to the desk.

Just then, a soldier came in from outside to report that Liu Bei had sent an envoy with a letter.

Cao Cao received the letter presented by his subordinate, unfolded it, and looked at it for a while.

"Bang!"

Cao Cao heavily slapped the letter onto the table.

"Liu Bei! What does he think he is, daring to point fingers at me and even utter sarcastic remarks? Fengxiao, come take a look."

Beside him, a pale-faced, frail scholar in a green robe stepped forward and unfolded the letter.

The content roughly means as follows:

"Mengde, since we parted outside Hulao Pass, we have not seen each other again. I heard about your father's affairs and, as a friend, I also feel grieved, but this was done by Zhang Zhao of the Yellow Turban remnants, a bad seed, not the intention of Elder Tao Qian. Now the realm is in great chaos, the remnants of Dong Zhuo's forces and the Yellow Turban rebels are scattering everywhere; as an aspiring youth, you should faithfully serve the court."

"Withdraw the troops from Xuzhou, Mengde; if you still fail to see the bigger picture, then we will have to meet on the battlefield. Moreover, you should pay more attention to your Yan Prefecture. This is what the common people hope for; I hope you do not act foolishly. If we really go to war, Mengde, who can surely predict the outcome? Furthermore, General Dian Wei also wishes to return early; your Yan Prefecture has many horses, so just give him four or five thousand warhorses as you please. I think General Dian Wei is worth that price."

Guo Jia advised,

"My lord, do not be angry; Liu Bei observes courtesy before force. We will pretend to agree to Liu Bei, and when they let down their guard, we will launch a surprise attack on Xuzhou; thus we can quickly take Xuzhou."

Cao Cao sat down to ponder, then nodded in agreement. At the same time he ordered that the envoy be entertained and prepared a reply letter to Liu Bei.

While Cao Cao and Guo Jia were discussing tactics together, a fast horse arrived with news that Lü Bu, taking advantage of Cao Mengde's absence, stabbed at Cao Cao's old nest.

Furthermore, Lü Bu's marching speed was extremely fast; after capturing Yan Prefecture, he immediately seized Puyang.

Cao Ren led troops to seize it several times, but each was repulsed by Lü Bu.

Xun Yu and Cheng Yu, using many schemes, managed to prevent Yan Prefecture from falling completely.

Cao Cao turned pale with shock and said to Guo Jia,

"Yan Prefecture is the foundation of our enterprise; if Yan Prefecture is lost, our situation is doomed. We must immediately return to rescue Yan Prefecture."

Guo Jia also sighed and then put forward his own suggestion.

"My lord, we must return to deal with Lü Bu. Before we leave, we might as well do Liu Bei a favor; as for General Dian Wei, we can exchange wealth and part of the horses Liu Bei demanded to get him back."

"That's all we can do."

Cao Cao sighed, then ordered the troops to break camp; recently he had not done little plundering of treasuries in Xuzhou, so his finances were actually quite ample.

Cao Cao had the envoy bring Liu Bei three hundred catties of gold and two thousand warhorses to exchange for his beloved general Dian Wei.

After the news of Cao Mengde's withdrawal reached Xuzhou, Tao Qian, upon hearing that Cao Cao had retreated, was instantly overjoyed and immediately sent people to invite Liu Bei, Tian Kai, Kong Rong, and Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, etc., to a feast.

At this moment, Liu Bei was in his own camp counting the warhorses and gold sent by Cao Cao, and he also felt disdain toward Cao Cao's petty miserliness.

Does this look like the future foremost lord of the late Han?

He actually cut my demands in half out of the blue; I thought you, Cao Cao, with your great family and business, wouldn't care about this.

"If Cao Cao knew Liu Bei's thoughts at this moment, he would surely fly into a rage and curse: 'This sneaky trick of getting something for nothing! You captured my men, burned my camp, and still demand all this! If it weren't for Lü Bu stabbing my rear, how could I possibly give you a compromise like selling straw sandals?'"

Liu Bei had the bound Dian Wei brought out and handed over to Cao Cao's envoy; after the envoy performed a courtesy, he hastily departed with Dian Wei. Only after leaving Xuzhou did Cao Cao's beloved general finally realize that he had been rescued.

It's a pity that just now I didn't give Liu Bei a harsh remark!

Afterward, Liu Bei stood on the walls of Xuzhou; sunlight fell upon his armor, as if he himself were merging into this golden expanse.

In this first clash with my future greatest rival, I consider it a minor victory.

"Mengde, even if you are cunning as a fox and full of schemes, I have come!"

"I am no longer the Liu Bei of the past; from now on, Xuzhou will surely not fall into your hands, and I will let you experience the abilities of the 'white-faced villain' that later generations have praised."

"Mengde, you cannot defeat me!"

Even as Cao Cao rested in his traveling carriage, he seemed to sense something, opening his narrow eyes to gaze toward the direction of Xuzhou.

"Liu Bei! He is an interesting opponent."

"After pacifying Lü Bu, that three-surname slave, I, Cao Cao, will still come to Xuzhou to settle the score with you."