103 Tian Feng’s Strategy

Liu Bei was now absent-minded, his thoughts far from strategizing for Yuan Shao. At this moment, all he could do was pray silently that his second brother would remain safe.

There is an old saying: better to learn the brotherhood of the Peach Garden than the fleeting flame of Wagang. The bond among Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei was truly unparalleled.

Historically, after Guan Yu’s defeat at Maicheng, Liu Bei, ignoring Zhuge Liang’s counsel, forcibly waged war against Eastern Wu, which ultimately led to his demise at Baidi City. Zhang Fei, mourning his second brother, drunkenly whipped soldiers and was beheaded, his head presented to Eastern Wu. When it came to brotherly loyalty, Liu Bei had no faults.

Now that Guan Yu lay severely wounded, Liu Bei’s mind was completely unsettled. Distracted, he barely heard Yuan Shao’s questions. Yet, since he was subordinate to Yuan Shao, he could not refuse to answer. So Liu Bei gave an evasive reply.

“There are brilliant advisers like clouds and fierce generals like rain under Lord Benchu’s command. I, Liu Xuande, am neither as accomplished in strategy as your advisers, nor as formidable as your generals. Why then ask me?” he said, bowing slightly to Yuan Shao.

Liu Bei’s words were reasonable. As the saying goes, an army is nurtured for a moment of use. Yuan Shao kept so many strategists and warriors; if not now, when would he make use of them?

Yuan Shao thought this made sense. With such talented minds and generals under his command, could he not devise a plan against Cao Mengde? Since Tian Feng had just opposed Ju Yi’s suggestion of a surprise attack on the camp, Yuan Shao turned to Tian Feng for a better plan.

“Yuan Hao, since you say General Ju Yi’s strategy is flawed, you must have a better one,” Yuan Shao said without hesitation. “Don’t keep us in suspense—speak plainly!”

As the saying goes, “If you don’t have the diamond, don’t take on the porcelain work.” Since Tian Feng dared to reject Ju Yi’s proposal, he must have a superior strategy.

Tian Feng did not hesitate. “My lord, to defeat Cao now, it comes down to one word: endure.”

At these words, Yuan Shao’s face darkened, his brows furrowed deeply.

Yuan Shao and Cao Cao had grown up together. Since childhood, Yuan Shao had always been slightly superior to Cao Cao. Now, Tian Feng’s suggestion to avoid direct battle seemed to imply that Yuan Shao feared Cao Cao.

Tian Feng was a straightforward man who spoke and acted without regard to others’ feelings. Though competent, he was not highly favored by Yuan Shao.

Ignoring Yuan Shao’s displeasure, Tian Feng continued, “My lord and Cao Cao each control four provinces with armies numbering in the hundreds of thousands. However, my lord’s four provinces are ancestral lands, while Cao Cao’s are newly acquired. Cao Cao has been at war for many years, whereas my lord has spent years recovering and strengthening.”

“After so many years of warfare, Cao Cao’s supply lines are stretched thin. I am certain his provisions are insufficient.”

“My lord’s granaries at Wuchao are so well stocked that even if we endure for three years, the supplies will not run out.”

“Cao Cao now must seek a swift victory. If we drag the battle on, Cao Cao will be forced to retreat due to lack of supplies.”

“When Cao Cao’s provisions are exhausted and he withdraws, our army can then launch a victorious counterattack!”

The more Tian Feng spoke, the grimmer Yuan Shao’s expression became. Yuan Shao desired a direct battle to decisively defeat Cao Cao. A war of attrition, though practical, did not suit his pride.

Though Yuan Shao was displeased, Tian Feng’s words resonated deeply with the assembled civil and military officials. At this moment, none of the generals or strategists truly wished to fight.

After witnessing Su Ming single-handedly battle the three heroes, who among the generals wanted to confront him? It would be suicide.

As for the civil officials, they traditionally favored peace and stability, preferring to consolidate their power rather than engage in warfare.

Usually, after Tian Feng spoke, strategists like Feng Ji and Shen Pei, who often opposed Tian Feng, would rise to argue. But today, neither Feng Ji nor Shen Pei voiced opposition.

Their silence was simple—they too did not want to fight.

Xu You, another childhood friend of Yuan Shao who had grown up alongside Cao Cao and Yuan Shao, knew Yuan Shao’s temperament well. As Tian Feng spoke, Yuan Shao’s face darkened further.

Xu You thought to himself, “Tian Feng truly lacks tact! The plan is sound, but the way he presents it is so blunt!”

As soon as Tian Feng finished, Xu You stepped forward, bowing to Yuan Shao. “My lord, Yuan Hao’s plan is excellent!”

“You have governed the four provinces of Ji, Qing, You, and Bing with great skill, which is why our supplies are abundant. By enduring, we use our strengths against the enemy’s weaknesses.”

“There is no shame in such a strategy. If anything is dishonorable, it was Cao Mengde who recently was forced to hoist a white flag and cease fighting.”

“As long as we defeat Cao Mengde and seize his territory and troops, who will care how we win?”

Though Yuan Shao claimed control over the four provinces of Ji, Qing, You, and Bing, in truth, only Ji province was firmly under his grasp. The others were nominally controlled.

Similarly, Cao Cao claimed dominion over the four provinces of Yu, Xu, Si, and Yan, but he too did not have full control.

Likewise, both Yuan Shao and Cao Cao boasted armies of one million, but these numbers were inflated. Yuan Shao’s forces likely numbered around seven to eight hundred thousand, while Cao Cao’s force of half a million was already formidable.

Xu You, knowing Yuan Shao well, first praised his governance of the four provinces, then complimented him further.

At once, Yuan Shao’s mood brightened.

He thought, “As long as I defeat Cao Mengde and make him my prisoner, that is enough.”

Compared to the manner of victory, Yuan Shao simply wanted to triumph over Cao Cao.

After weighing the pros and cons, Yuan Shao agreed to adopt Tian Feng’s plan.

There was no alternative; the loss in the general’s duel had shattered morale, and the troops were scattered. A direct confrontation held no hope.

Endurance was Yuan Shao’s only path to victory.

The granaries at Wuchao could sustain Yuan Shao’s army for three years. Cao Cao, coming from afar, could only hold out for a month or two.

Couldn’t Cao Cao transport supplies from the rear?

Not only would much be consumed by men and horses en route, but after years of warfare, Cao Cao’s rear was also depleted of provisions.

Chief steward Xun Yu was nearly tearing his hair out over the supply situation.

Tian Feng’s strategy struck precisely at Cao Cao’s weakness.

Yuan Shao’s one mistake was appointing Chunyu Qiong, a useless man, to oversee the supplies at Wuchao.

(End of chapter)