The Three Kingdoms: Hindsight is 20/20, and the Three Revivals of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 239 Ma Chao has a strategist, but the strategist is actually Liu Bei's spy (1st update)
Pishi City.

As Zhong Yao listened to Pang De's report on Ma Chao's duel with Liu Bei over the past two days and Liu Bei's challenge, his brows gradually furrowed.

As Pang Tong had predicted, Zhong Yao became suspicious.

Two days ago, when Liu Bei issued a challenge to his generals, Zhong Yao disagreed. However, Ma Chao argued that refusing the challenge would be to demoralize himself and insisted on personally going to Jiangyi to demoralize Liu Bei.

Now, Ma Chao went to fight Liu Bei properly for two rounds and then returned to his camp, asking Pang De to convey his intention to outwit Liu Bei and to resolutely obey Zhong Yao's orders.

He doesn't listen to me when we're fighting a battle of wits, but he listens to me when we're fighting a battle of strategy?
Do you think I'm stupid?
Zhong Yao calmly dismissed Pang De and then urgently summoned Zhang Ji and Fu Gan to discuss the matter.

“Ma Teng and Han Sui have always been fickle and have been tempted by Gao Gan, so we must be wary of them; moreover, Ma is arrogant and domineering. He was arrogant and domineering when he insisted on fighting Liu Bei, but now he suddenly submits to orders, which is really suspicious.” Fu Gan frowned and cautiously suggested.

Although Fu Gan persuaded Ma Teng to support Cao Cao, Fu Gan also understood that Ma Teng was actually a fence-sitter; he would temporarily follow whoever offered the most benefits and the least risk.

As the saying goes, like father, like son.

As Ma Teng's son, Ma Chao was influenced by Ma Teng's opportunism, treachery, and fickleness, and could never be an honest, loyal, and trustworthy person.

They went to confront Liu Bei with great fanfare, but after fighting Liu Bei for only two days, they returned to their own camp. Fu Gan didn't believe that Ma Chao and Liu Bei didn't have some kind of secret collusion.

Zhang Ji also advised, "These past two days, I took the opportunity of patrolling to chat with Yan Xing. Observing his words and deeds, I found him to be quite righteous and kind. This man is no less brave than Ma Chao, and he even took the initiative to send his parents to Xuchang as hostages. Therefore, I think Yan Xing can be won over by the Commandant of the Capital Region. The Commandant of the Capital Region should hold a banquet in the city and invite Yan Xing to attend. If Ma Chao really is secretly colluding with Liu Bei, perhaps we can use Yan Xing to get rid of him."

A cold glint flashed in Zhong Yao's eyes.

It is common knowledge that the generals in Guanzhong are fickle and unreliable.

But Zhong Yao quickly suppressed his suspicions, trying his best to put aside his personal emotions, and calmly said, "Liu Bei has always been cunning. If he anticipates that we will suspect Ma Chao, or even try to sow discord, we must be cautious. Tonight, I will host a banquet in the city and invite Ma Chao to attend. De Rong will then use the pretext of patrolling to test Yan Xing's intentions, while Yan Cai will use the pretext of rewarding the troops to go to Ma Chao's camp to gather information."

People like Zhong Yao, who achieve great things later in life, become more cautious as they get older.

In addition, Zhong Yao had a great deal of control over his emotions because he enjoyed practicing calligraphy to cultivate his character.

Even if he harbors suspicions about Ma Chao, he will temporarily set aside his personal emotions when making decisions in order to analyze and solve problems in the most rational way.

The messenger quickly delivered the invitation to Ma Chao's camp.

Ma Chao also summoned Pang De and Sun Zi to discuss the matter: "The Commandant of Sili is hosting a banquet tonight, which I cannot refuse. I will order Minghe, the military advisor, to stay in the camp. If there is any trouble in the camp, we can discuss and decide what to do."

Pang De patted his chest and assured him, "General, rest assured, with me in the camp, no one will cause trouble."

Sun Zi lowered his head and pondered, trying to guess Zhong Yao's intentions.

Seeing this, Ma Chao asked doubtfully, "Does the strategist think this is inappropriate?"

Sun Zi looked up and said, "It is reasonable for the Commandant of the Capital Region to host a banquet in the city after General Pang's return from the battle; however, when Commandant Pang left, the Commandant of the Capital Region did not mention the banquet. From this, it can be seen that the Commandant of the Capital Region must have discussed it with someone or suddenly realized something before sending someone to invite General Pang to the banquet. This is because he suspects General Pang!"

Ma Chao was taken aback: "Is this the work of a villain trying to sow discord? Or did Liu Bei send someone to drive a wedge between us?"

Sun Zi said solemnly, "Both are possible. General, you should bring your personal guards tonight, wearing light armor underneath and brocade robes on top, just in case. Colonel Pang and I will remain in the camp on guard. Whether it's slanderous words or someone sent by Liu Bei to sow discord, someone will definitely come to the camp tonight." Ma Chao frowned slightly: "If you wear armor, wouldn't that make the Commandant of the Capital Region even more suspicious?"

Sun Zi advised, “As the ancients said, one should always be wary of others. Sun Ce, the Little Conqueror who once roamed Jiangdong, boasted of his might as well as that of a hegemon, yet he died at the hands of a villain because of his arrogance. Although you, General, are brave, your mortal body cannot withstand arrows. The world is in chaos right now, and people's hearts are unpredictable. The Commandant of the Capital Region is using you to deal with Liu Bei, intending to weaken you through Liu Bei. You offended the Commandant of the Capital Region during your previous duel, and Yan Xing and you have always been at odds. If the Commandant of the Capital Region intends to have Yan Xing command the army and seize your military power during the banquet, not only will you be in danger, but your father and brothers left in Guanzhong will also be in danger.”

Listening to Sun Zi's convoluted explanation, Pang De, standing to the side, felt a headache coming on: "Strategist, you're exaggerating a bit. When I returned to the city, you hadn't even returned to your camp yet, so it's normal that the Commandant of the Capital Region didn't mention the banquet."

Sun Zi gently shook his head: "Holding a banquet is a basic courtesy for rewarding returning officers and soldiers. How could the Commandant of the Capital Region not know this? If I am wrong, General, you can take my words as a joke; if I am right, wouldn't it be like waiting for death if you don't make any preparations? As a military advisor, I should consider the worst-case scenario for you. If I cannot take everything into account, how can I have the face to serve you?"

"Lingming, listen to the strategist." Ma Chao made his decision quickly.

Sun Zi's way of advising people was also clever. He did not interfere with Ma Chao's decisions, but only took care of Ma Chao's concerns. This way of advising was also very suitable for someone like Ma Chao who had lived in a volatile environment since childhood.

Even sworn brothers can turn against each other, let alone someone who is not even a casual acquaintance with Zhong Yao.

That night.

Ma Chao, dressed in armor and robes, entered the city with several of his personal guards, also dressed in armor and robes.

Since Ma Chao liked to wear brocade robes, no one suspected that he was hiding thin armor under them.

Ma Chao had just left not long ago.

Fu Gan then led some laborers, carrying sheep and wine, to Ma Chao's camp to reward the soldiers.

Upon hearing of Fu Gan's arrival, Pang De was startled: Had the strategist really guessed correctly?
After a moment's thought, Sun Zi had someone bring him armor, sword, and shield, and then disguised himself as Pang De's personal guard.

Pound was even more surprised: "Strategist, what are you doing?"

Sun Zi explained, “Fu Gan is intelligent and eloquent. If he knew that I was the strategist appointed by the general, he would be more cautious in his words and actions. By pretending to be your personal guard, I can make Fu Gan act without restraint.”

Seeing Sun Zi's cautious actions, Pang De, though puzzled, did not ask further. He was just secretly wondering: scholars tend to overthink things. There's nothing to worry about with Fu Gan coming to reward the army.

at the same time.

Zhang Ji also used the pretext of patrolling to find Yan Xing, thereby expressing Zhong Yao's intention to recruit him.

And on the other side.

After ordering Yuan Xi, Yan Liang, and Wen Chou to return to their original camp, Liu Bei personally led Pang Tong, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Huang Zhong, and other civil and military officials to lead troops to Pishi City.

　The third update is here.

　　The sob story tactic: I update too fast, my OCD kicks in, and I don't want to conform to the rules, which makes it hard to get average daily sales. If average daily sales don't get up, I won't get recommendations. If I don't get recommendations, I won't get new users. If I don't get new users, I won't get average daily sales. It's a vicious cycle.

　　A rhetorical device that avoids playing the victim: "I'm up five hours a day, where are my monthly votes?"

　　
　
(End of this chapter)