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

Chapter 240 Before Liu Bei even began to use his scheme, discord had already arisen between Zhong Yao and Ma Chao (2nd update)
Soldiers are valuable and quick.

On the very night that Ma Chao entered the city for a banquet, Liu Bei arrived outside Pishi City and set up camp five miles away from the city.

At such close range, it was almost a direct taunt to Zhong Yao: If you have the guts, then take advantage of my unstable camp and raid the city.

Upon receiving the news, Zhong Yao's expression changed drastically: "Liu Bei arrived so quickly!"

Ma Chao, however, remained unconcerned: "Commander of the Capital Region, do not worry. Since Liu Bei has challenged me to a battle, it doesn't matter whether he arrives quickly or slowly. Once his camp is firmly established, I will personally lead my troops to challenge him and avenge Commander of the Capital Region."

Zhong Yao's eyes darkened, and he tried his best not to let his emotions affect his tone as he asked, "Why doesn't Meng Qi take advantage of Liu Bei's unstable camp and launch a surprise attack? If he were to cooperate with Yan Xing and Pi Shicheng's troops, he would surely be able to defeat Liu Bei."

Ma Chao laughed and said, "Since I have made a duel with Liu Bei, if I send out troops ahead of time, wouldn't Liu Bei mistakenly think that I am a treacherous person who breaks his word?"

Zhong Yao was immediately suspicious: When did you, Ma Mengqi, become a man of your word?

Out of the corner of his eye, Zhong Yao caught a glimpse of the thin armor inadvertently peeking out from under Ma Chao's brocade robe, and his suspicions deepened: He came to my banquet wearing inner armor; this must be because he suspects me! Could it be that Mengqi really is colluding with Liu Bei?
Looking at Ma Chao's slightly drunken face, Zhong Yao tentatively asked, "If we defeat Liu Bei this time, I intend to recommend Meng Qi as the governor of Yu Province to govern the prosperous Qiao County. Many of the Sikong's relatives are gathered in Qiao County. If Meng Qi can make more connections with them, he may also be able to rise to the rank of one of the Nine Ministers in the future. I wonder what Meng Qi thinks?"

Ma Chao was startled.

Despite Zhong Yao's eloquent words, he claimed to be the governor of Yuzhou, from the prosperous Qiao County, and had connections with Cao Cao's relatives.

If Ma Chao really went to Qiao County, he would be like a bird in a cage or a fish in a net. Cao Cao's troops were stationed in all four directions of Qiao County. If Ma Chao made any move, he would be surrounded from all sides within three days.

Ma Chao initially wanted to politely decline, but then remembered Sun Zi's instructions, so he feigned delight and said, "If that's really the case, I will definitely bring generous gifts to express my gratitude."

Zhong Yao was even more surprised: He agreed so readily?

Zhong Yao had long heard of Ma Chao's character.

If Ma Chao were appointed as the governor of Liangzhou, he would certainly be delighted.

If Ma Chao, who was revered by the Qiang people, had become the governor of Liangzhou, Liangzhou would have been his own private domain within ten years.

But the governor of Yuzhou is different. Being the governor of Yuzhou means willingly becoming a bird in a cage or a fish in a net. Zhong Yao didn't believe that Ma Chao wouldn't have thought of this.

Given Ma Chao's character, the normal response would have been to politely decline, perhaps with reasons such as "I can't bear to leave my homeland" or "I'm not used to the local climate."

However, Ma Chao readily agreed to Zhong Yao's recommendation and even wanted to visit him with generous gifts to express his gratitude, as if he had gained a great advantage.

This made Zhong Yao secretly wonder: Is this Ma Chao?
Zhong Yao laughed to hide his surprise, raised his cup in a toast and said, "In that case, I congratulate Meng Qi in advance!"

Meanwhile, they were in the camp outside the city.

Fu Gan, carrying the wine and meat as a reward, chatted and exchanged pleasantries with Pang De, Yang Qiu, and other officers and soldiers in the camp.

When Yang Qiushi arrived, Fu Gan, feigning drunkenness, asked, "I have often heard the Commandant of the Capital Region say that the Minister of Works is very fond of Kong Gui from Tianshui. He always keeps Kong Gui by his side and has him accompany him when he goes out. Kong Gui is also often rewarded by the Minister of Works for his meritorious service in offering advice. He lives a life of luxury in Xudu. It is truly enviable!"

Kong Gui was originally under Yang Qiu's command and repeatedly went on missions to Xuchang to pay homage to Cao Cao on Yang Qiu's behalf.

Because Kong Gui was good at flattery and knew how to play games, was knowledgeable about Go, and was also a good football player, he was eventually kept by Cao Cao in Xuchang to serve him.

Compared to Ma Teng, Han Sui, and others, Yang Qiu appeared unassuming and shared the same temperament as the other generals of Guanzhong. In reality, however, Yang Qiu was a very adept manipulator. Sending Kong Gui, a man skilled in flattery and sycophancy, to pay homage to Cao Cao was also a way for Yang Qiu to secure his own future.

Fu Gan deliberately mentioned Kong Gui but not Kong Gui's relationship with Yang Qiu, which was also a subtle test.

really.

Upon hearing about Kong Gui's matter, Yang Qiu's previously somewhat drunken expression cleared up considerably, and he immediately understood Fu Gan's intention in rewarding the troops tonight.

Glancing at Pang De in the distance, Yang Qiu asked in a low voice, "What does Attendant Fu want to know?"

Fu Gan smiled slightly: "General Yang misunderstands. I don't want to know anything, but I think General Yang should have something for me to pass on to the Commandant of the Capital Region."

Yang Qiu cursed Fu Gan inwardly for being cunning, then thought carefully for a moment and said, "General Ma recently acquired a new strategist, Sun Zi from Taiyuan, who is quite intelligent and resourceful. During General Ma's battle against Yan Liang and Wen Chou, he faced a perilous situation of fighting two opponents alone. Sun Zi, who was not skilled in riding and archery, confidently asserted that Liu Bei only wanted to use the duel to dampen General Ma's spirit, not to take his life. And the result was exactly as Sun Zi predicted."

Fu Gan was slightly startled, but then asked calmly, "What is General Ma's assessment of Liu Bei?"

Yang Qiu shook his head slightly: "I don't know about that. But that night, Liu Bei sent an envoy with gifts to see General Ma. The envoy was escorted out of the camp by Sun Zi. Later, when I went to see General Ma under some pretext, I learned that Liu Bei had given General Ma a piece of Shu brocade. General Ma also told me that after this battle, he would share great wealth with me."

Fu Gan was even more surprised: "What great wealth and honor?"

Yang Qiu raised his cup and drank it down: "That's all I can convey."

"If he is the strategist, why haven't I seen him tonight?" Fu Gan asked again, having already toasted everyone but not seeing the strategist Sun Zi that Yang Qiu had mentioned.

Yang Qiu chuckled lightly: "Sun Zi is quite cautious and doesn't like to associate with other generals and officers. There are no more than five generals and officers in the army who know that Sun Zi is the military advisor. Most of them probably think that Sun Zi is just a close clerk to General Ma, so why would he come to see you here?"

There's something wrong with this Sun Zi!

Fu Gan secretly guessed, then raised his cup in return to Yang Qiu: "I will truthfully convey General Yang's words to the Commandant of the Capital Region."

What Fu Gan didn't know was...

Sun Zi, disguised as Pang De's personal guard, observed who Fu Gan talked to that night and for how long, especially his conversation with Yang Qiu, which Sun Zi overheard.

Kong Gui of Tianshui was a sycophantic and sycophantic man. Lacking both scholarly talent and worldly wisdom, he relied solely on gambling and polo to ingratiate himself with influential figures. It was highly unusual that he could serve Cao Cao so readily. Cao Cao likely intended to emulate the story of King Zhao of Yan who spent a thousand pieces of gold to buy a horse's bones, thus treating Kong Gui with the same lavish hospitality he showed to the generals of Guanzhong.

Sun Zi glanced at Yang Qiu again, a murderous intent rising within him.

To avenge his brother's death, he would rather give up his official post than not kill his enemy; to repay Liu Bei's kindness, he braved dangers to become an undercover agent by Ma Chao's side.

Sun Zi is not one to be merciful!

Therefore.

After Fu Gan left to reward the troops, Sun Zi told Pang De about Yang Qiu's leak to Fu Gan, and said, "General Ma is attending a banquet tonight. If he stays in the city overnight, there may be danger. Colonel Pang, you should quickly bring General Ma back to camp. Before General Ma returns to camp, do not mention Yang Qiu's matter again!"

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(End of this chapter)