110 A Narrow Escape

The matter of the stolen grain—immediately after the incident, Chunyu Qiong sent someone to deliver a letter to Xu You. However, for some unknown reason, the letter never reached Xu You’s hands. Had Xu You received the letter in time, he might have devised a countermeasure in advance. But the matter arose so suddenly that Xu You was truly caught off guard.

Fortunately, with Tian Feng and Ju Shou pleading on his behalf, Xu You’s life was spared today. Yuan Shao glared fiercely at Xu You and said, “Since Tian Feng and Ju Shou have petitioned for you, I will hear your explanation. Don’t say you knew nothing about this—your handwriting, I recognize it well.” Yuan Shao and Xu You had been childhood friends, so Yuan Shao was certainly familiar with Xu You’s script. The first name on the grain transport document was written in Xu You’s handwriting.

Though Xu You was skilled at flattering, he also possessed genuine talent. His mind raced swiftly, and in an instant, he came up with an excuse. “My lord, I was foolish! Truly, I was foolish!” Xu You knelt and repeatedly exclaimed. After a moment, he began to fabricate a story on the spot: “A few days ago, my nephew wished to engage in some trade. But with the war intensifying, checkpoints made travel difficult. He presented me with a blank document and asked me to sign it to create a pass.”

“I thought my signature alone might not suffice, so I gathered some colleagues to sign it as well. At that time, the document was blank.” “My lord, I never imagined my nephew would be so brazen as to forge documents and smuggle military grain. I am to blame for not properly guiding the younger generation and deserve the severest punishment.”

Xu You thus shifted all blame onto his already deceased nephew, who, being dead, could offer no defense. Ju Yi almost twisted his nose in anger upon hearing this. Goodness, Xu You had washed his hands of the matter completely. But to Ju Yi, this was nothing but nonsense. Without the instigation of men like them, would a reckless youth dare to smuggle military grain? Besides, if they hadn’t been involved, would Chunyu Qiong have entrusted him with the grain?

“Utter nonsense!” Ju Yi shouted angrily, bowing to Yuan Shao. “I beseech you, my lord, to execute Xu You as a warning to others.” As soon as Ju Yi finished, Gao Lan and Zhang He also stepped forward, bowing in agreement, “Please execute Xu You to set an example.”

Tian Feng glanced at these hot-headed warriors and hurriedly advised, “My lord, with the battle imminent, all matters must be considered carefully. Let us set this aside for now and discuss it after the war.” Tian Feng’s meaning was clear: if these men were all executed now, defeat was inevitable. Even if they wished to hold them accountable, it must wait until after the battle.

Yuan Shao calmed somewhat. Could he execute Xu You? No, he could not. If Xu You was executed, what about Shen Pei, Feng Ji, and the dozens of others involved? Executing all of them—would the empire still stand? Yuan Shao inwardly swore, “Xu Ziyuan, I will remember this. When I defeat Cao Cao, I will deal with you.”

He decided to settle accounts after the autumn harvest. Once this was clear, Yuan Shao decreed, “General Ju Yi, your discovery of the grain thieves is a great merit—reward yourself with a hundred taels of gold and ten bolts of brocade.” “As for Xu You, for failing to properly guide the younger generation, strip him of all official positions and salaries, but retain him on the rolls for future use.” “Feng Ji, Shen Pei, and the others shall all have their salaries cut for three years.”

At these words, Xu You and the others sighed with relief. Demotions and salary cuts were minor matters. As long as they were not imprisoned or executed, there was still room to maneuver. Yet Ju Yi was furious. With a loud thud, he knelt and pleaded, “My lord, I seek no gold or silk—only that Xu You be executed.” Following his lead, Gao Lan knelt down, and even Zhang He, nursing an arrow wound in his leg, dragged himself down to kneel.

Ju Yi, Gao Lan, and Zhang He, these three great generals, thought to themselves: we have fought and bled alongside our brothers, risking life and limb, while these petty men greedily embezzle and tamper with military grain behind our backs. If we do not execute them, how can we boost the army’s morale? If we do not execute them, how can the people’s anger be quelled?

With the three generals kneeling in unison, Yuan Shao found himself in a difficult position. “This matter shall be dropped. No further discussion is permitted!” Yuan Shao waved his sleeve and strode away.

After Yuan Shao left, Tian Feng approached to support Ju Yi and console him, “General Ju Yi, one must always prioritize the greater good.” But Ju Yi, now angry even at Tian Feng, thought: if not for him and Ju Shou pleading on Xu You’s behalf, the corrupt officials might have been executed in Yuan Shao’s rage. “Greater good, my foot!” Ju Yi shoved Tian Feng, causing him to stagger, and said harshly, “Tian Yuanhao, I once thought you a gentleman. I never imagined you would plead for such vermin.”

With Yuan Shao gone, there was no point in Ju Yi and the others remaining kneeling. The three generals rose and departed.

Xu You watched Ju Yi’s retreating figure, his eyes filled with malice. Xu You thought, “You, Ju Yi, intend to bring me to my death. Just wait—you’ll see how I repay you.”

Meanwhile, within the Cao camp, strategist Guo Jia was preparing the plan to burn Wuchao. After Ju Yi discovered the grain theft, didn’t Chunyu Qiong send a letter to Xu You? Ju Yi was escorting a large batch of military supplies slowly, but the messenger rode swiftly. In fact, the messenger arrived three days before Ju Yi did.

Qu E was ordered to lurk in the forest, spying on Yuan’s camp. By chance, he intercepted the messenger, which is why Xu You never received the letter.

Inside the Cao camp, strategists Guo Jia and Su Ming were discussing their next plan when a spy reported in. Intelligence work was crucial in warfare, not just a modern invention—spying was common even in the Three Kingdoms era. Yuan’s camp had spies planted by Cao’s forces, and perhaps Cao’s camp had Yuan’s agents as well.

Everything that happened in Yuan’s camp was reported to strategist Guo Jia. Upon receiving this news, Guo Jia’s eyes gleamed with confidence. He looked to Su Ming and said, “The time has come. Didn’t we intercept a letter meant for Xu You? Now, let us send him another.”

Having said this, Guo Jia took out brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, and imitated Cao Cao’s handwriting to compose a letter to Xu You. Being by Cao Cao’s side every day, Guo Jia was intimately familiar with his script, and his imitation was indistinguishable from the original.

(End of chapter)