My father-in-law Guan Yu, I persuaded Liu Bei to launch a surprise attack on Xiangyang at the beginn

"To discuss Cao Chong's third objective, we must first address the issue of food supplies in the city."

Xiao He changed the subject abruptly, starting to calculate on his fingers:

"In the previous fire attack, we burned nearly 80% of Cao Chong's grain and fodder. Now, two months have passed, and he should only have enough grain and fodder left for one month."

"The army's daily rations are far higher than those of the common people, so even if Cao Chong obtained all the food and fodder from tens of thousands of people, it would only be enough to support his 40,000 soldiers for two more months at most."

"If you calculate it this way, the Wei army's food supply problem is still an unsolvable dead end."

"So, did Cao Chong release these tens of thousands of civilians just to prolong his own life for another two months?"

Listening to Xiao He's analysis, Liu Bei seemed to be deep in thought and nodded, saying:
"As Bowen said, Cao Chong's strategy still failed to solve the food shortage problem, and he would inevitably have to find another way out."

"But he has already plundered all the people's grain, and there is no other way to obtain food. How will he solve this predicament?"

The generals nodded in agreement, their eyes filled with confusion.

Xiao smiled and pointed north:
"There is no food in Ye City, but Cao Cao, who is dozens of miles away, has plenty of food."

"He can get Cao Cao to transport a batch of grain into Ye City. In this way, the previous losses can be made up for, and the intractable situation of running out of food will naturally be resolved!"

Liu Bei's heart skipped a beat, and his gaze involuntarily turned to the north.

Before he could speak, Gan Ning said:
"With my 300,000 troops besieging the city, even if Cao Cao wanted to transport grain into Ye City, what ability would he have to break through our encirclement and deliver the grain into Ye City?"

"For Cao Cao, this is an impossible task!"

Xiao He turned his gaze back to what was in front of him and sneered:

"Therefore, Cao Chong wanted to use the excuse of sending the people of Ye City out of the city to infiltrate his own spies into the crowd and successfully infiltrate our army camp. He also wanted to take the messenger out of Ye City with him and head north to exchange information with the traitor Cao."

“I anticipate that Cao Chong will use the signal of setting fire to allow this group of spies who have infiltrated my camp to take the opportunity to set fire and cause chaos, while he will send troops out of the city to launch a surprise attack on my besieged camp.”

"With such a coordinated attack from within and without, he would have the opportunity to tear a gap in our encirclement, and Cao Cao could then send a troop loaded with provisions through the gap in our encirclement and into Ye City."

"With the grain and fodder sent by Cao Cao, plus the grain and fodder plundered from the people, the Wei army's grain and fodder have a chance to last for another five months or so, until our soldiers are exhausted and have no choice but to retreat!"

Xiao He stopped with the preamble and simply laid out his calculations.

Liu Bei suddenly realized what was happening and slammed his hand on the table:
"Yes, that must be it. Bowen's calculations were correct. Cao Chong's third objective must be this!"

Everyone realized what was happening and gasped in shock.

"I never expected that Cao Chong would be so cunning. He just released the people for one thing, but he had so many schemes hidden behind it."

Gan Ning clicked his tongue in admiration, then looked at Liu Bei:
"Your Majesty, if that's the case, then even knowing that Cao Chong has such a scheme, should we still accept those people?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao He said:
“Your Majesty has made a promise, how can you go back on your word? The people will naturally accept it.”

"Furthermore, if Your Majesty does not accept these people, how can you turn the tables and severely damage Cao Chong before flooding Ye City?"

Gan Ning's wisdom was indeed evident. After hearing Xiao He's words, he was stunned for a moment before suddenly realizing what was going on.

Liu Bei also understood the hidden meaning in Xiao He's words, and laughed heartily:
"Just as Bowen said, I will continue to take care of the people, and we'll use that trick on Cao Chong!"

Everyone understood the deeper meaning in Xiao He's words and burst into laughter.

...

Three days later.

The east gate of Ye City, which had been closed for months, slowly opened, and the drawbridge gently lowered.

Tens of thousands of citizens of Ye City, including the people of Wei, were driven out of Ye City with their families and children.

As soon as you step out of the city gate, the aroma of porridge and meat wafts towards you.

The people looked into the distance and were pleasantly surprised to find that dozens of pots had been set up outside the Chu camp in the distance, emitting the aroma of steaming porridge.

The people were bewildered and confused, not knowing what the Chu army intended to do.

Several riders galloped over and arrived at the moat.

Deng Aile reined in his horse and addressed the anxious crowd in a loud voice:

“Listen up, people of Ye City! My King of Chu has said that from the moment you step out of Ye City, you have become my King of Chu’s subjects.”

"The King of Chu has already prepared meat porridge and is waiting for you to enter the camp. Help your wives and children and come with me."

Deng Ai turned his horse around and led the people toward the Chu camp.

The people of Ye City, who had been anxious, immediately felt relieved and were filled with joy and gratitude.

"The King of Chu is truly a benevolent and righteous ruler!"

"So the rumors were true! King Chu was truly a benevolent and wise ruler!"

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's hurry and pay our respects to the King of Chu!"

"Only those who are subjects of the King of Chu can be considered human; to be subjects of the Cao family father and son is worse than pigs and dogs..."

Various expressions of gratitude and admiration arose one after another.

Tens of thousands of Ye City residents, no longer saddened by being driven from their homes, joyfully flocked towards the Chu camp.

Behind us, atop the city wall.

The Wei soldiers watched the civilians leave, their eyes filled with envy.

Gazing at the sizzling pots in the Chu camp and smelling the enticing aroma of meat, the Wei soldiers secretly swallowed their saliva.

Cao Chong stood atop the city wall with his hands behind his back, watching the people of Ye City leave happily without any regrets, his heart filled with mixed feelings.

"Liu Bei's methods of winning people's hearts are truly remarkable!"

"Back when he was with Yuan Shao, I saw through him; his hypocrisy was unmatched in the world."

Xinpi pounded his fist on the battlements, a hint of disdain in his eyes.

"Even if he is truly a hypocrite, if he has been hypocritical his whole life, then the falsehood becomes the truth."

"If Father could learn his skill in winning people's hearts, even just three or four tenths of it, how could Cao Wei have fallen to this state?"

Cao Chong sighed with emotion, yet his words revealed a great deal of admiration for Liu Bei, his mortal enemy. Xin Pi remained silent.

Chen Tai, standing to the side, gave a sarcastic look and sneered:

"Whether Big-Eared Thief is a hypocrite or a true righteous man, he thinks he is winning people's hearts, but little does he know that we are outsmarting him!"

Xin Pi couldn't understand the hidden meaning in Chen Tai's words, and his expression turned blank.

Cao Chong suppressed his sigh and asked:
"Xuanbo, have you made proper arrangements for your assassins and spies?"

Chen Taiyi cupped his hands and confidently replied:
"Reporting to the young master, the eight hundred elite soldiers selected by Tai have all dispersed and mingled among the people to leave the city."

"The families of these eight hundred assassins have all remained in the city. Their loyalty is absolutely reliable, so please rest assured, young master."

Cao Chong nodded slightly, his approving gaze falling on Chen Tai:

“Xuanbo, if your plan succeeds, you will be the greatest contributor to my defense of Ye City.”

"Don't worry, I will definitely speak to my father on your behalf."

Chen Tai bowed and expressed his gratitude, but then said with a sigh:
"As a minister of the Great Wei, it is Tai's duty to be loyal to the country."

"Besides, that big-eared thief has a blood feud with Tai for killing his father; they are irreconcilable enemies!"

"With national and personal grievances weighing on my mind, I should fight Da Er to the death. How could I dare to hope for merit?"

The conversation between the two left Sinpi completely bewildered.

Unable to contain his curiosity, Sinpi couldn't help but ask:
"Young Master Cangshu, what exactly is the plan that Chen Xuanbo has offered you? Why can't you reveal it to me yet?"

Cao Chong glanced around and, finding no one else present, decided that Xin Pi was trustworthy and revealed Chen Tai's plan.

Xinpi suddenly realized the truth and exclaimed with delight:

"I never imagined that the young master had such a clever plan hidden behind sending all the people of the city to Liu Bei?"

"This plan is truly unpredictable and ingenious. If it succeeds, it will solve our food shortage problem in one fell swoop!"

"Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful!"

After his initial surprise, Xin Pi showered Chen Tai with praise.

Chen Tai's lips curled up slightly, and a hint of smugness shone through his eyes.

Cao Chong, however, dared not be complacent. His gaze fixed on the direction of the Chu camp, and he sighed meaningfully:
"Although Xuanbo's plan is ingenious, it is far from time to be optimistic, much less time to underestimate the enemy."

Whether this plan will succeed depends on whether it can fool Xiao He's eyes...

...

Chu Camp.

On the watchtower, Liu Bei and Xiao He stood side by side, looking down over the entire "internment camp".

In order to accommodate these tens of thousands of people, and also to take advantage of the situation, Liu Bei, at Xiao He's suggestion, built another camp in the eastern part of Ye City to specifically house these tens of thousands of people.

At this moment, smoke curled from the campsite, filling the air with a delicious aroma.

Tens of thousands of people were gathered around the pot, happily chatting and laughing as they enjoyed this rare and plentiful meal.

Throughout the camp, voices expressing gratitude to Liu Bei echoed everywhere.

"Bowen, how can we distinguish these Wei soldiers who are mixed in with the common people?"

Liu Bei pointed at the people in the camp, but his brows were slightly furrowed.

"Your Majesty, do not worry. I have ordered my soldiers to keep a close watch. I believe we will soon be able to find the Wei soldiers hiding among the people."

Xiao smiled mysteriously.

Filled with curiosity, Liu Bei continued to peer down into the camp.

Soon, the Chu soldiers patrolling the camp began taking away one "civilian" after another under various pretexts.

It didn't take long.

Deng Ai ascended the city tower, his face beaming with joy, and said:

"Reporting to the Grand Commandant, Ai used the Grand Commandant's plan and dragged out all those Wei soldiers."

"After interrogation, most of them confessed that they were indeed acting on Cao Chong's orders, hiding in our camp, waiting for Ye City to be set on fire as a signal, so that they could gather people to set fire and cause chaos, thus helping the Wei army in the city to break through our eastern encirclement camp!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Bei's expression instantly lit up with joy, and he hurriedly asked:
"Bowen, what magical methods did you use to so easily expose those spies?"

Xiao He pointed to the people who were eating and smiled faintly:
"Actually, it's not that magical. I just ordered that a few more handfuls of salt be added to the pot."

Did you add too much salt?

Liu Bei's surprise turned into bewilderment.

How can adding more salt to this pot help to expose the Wei soldiers' traitor?
These two things are completely unrelated!
Lu Xun, who was standing to the side, rolled his eyes a few times, then suddenly his eyes lit up, and he hurriedly said:

"Your Majesty, I understand Grand Commandant Xiao's intention."

“If they are truly ordinary people, they must not have eaten their fill for a long time. Even if this meat porridge is too salty, they will still force themselves to swallow it.”

“If it were Wei soldiers, it would be different. Cao Chong would definitely give them meat and wine to send them off before they left, and let them eat and drink their fill.”

“If these well-fed Wei soldiers find our meat porridge too salty, they will definitely refuse to swallow it and will secretly throw it away.”

"Grand Commandant Xiao must have already made arrangements. Anyone found secretly dumping meat porridge must be a Wei soldier, and they will be taken away and interrogated."

"In this way, we can easily eliminate Cao Chong's spies among the people without making a sound!"

Liu Bei suddenly realized what Xiao He meant by "adding an extra handful of salt".

Once Liu Bei understood, he couldn't help but exclaim in admiration:
"With just a handful of salt, we can easily identify the Wei soldiers' spies among these tens of thousands of civilians!"

"Bowen, oh Bowen, only you could have come up with such a simple yet profound method!" (End of Chapter)