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

"I give another order!" Cao Cao's gaze swept across the camp. "The rest of the troops shall keep a close watch on Ye City! If they see that I have divided my forces to pursue them, Shen Pei may come out of the city to seek a decisive battle with me in the coming days. If he dares to make any rash moves, all generals shall not hesitate for a moment and attack with all our might! This is the time to gain merit and serve the court!"

"Understood!" The generals responded in unison, their voices echoing throughout the camp.

Guo Jia looked at the swift and decisive deployment, nodded almost imperceptibly, and a smile appeared on his lips.

A wise man's plans require a decisive leader to succeed, and Cao Cao's boldness was Guo Jia's greatest asset in his planning.

as predicted.

As soon as the news of Cao Cao's division of troops to march north reached Ye City, Shen Pei's pent-up humiliation and resentment erupted instantly: "Cao Cao's main force has been divided! This is a godsend opportunity for our army to launch a desperate counterattack!"

Yuan Tan, seated at the head of the table, stroked the newly acquired General's Sword Seal, his eyes darting around as he hesitated, saying, "The enemy's strength and weakness are still unclear... Moreover, Cao Cao is cunning and skilled in battle; how can we be sure this isn't a ploy to lure us out of the city?"

"The opportunity is fleeting! If we don't act now, when will we? Are we going to be trapped in this isolated city and wait to die?" Shen Pei frowned, and suspicions began to creep into his mind: I've already helped you obtain the General's Sword and Seal, and now you're telling me that Cao Cao is luring the snake out of its hole? Are you planning to run away too?

Just as Ju Shou guessed, Yuan Tan really did have the idea of ​​fleeing.

Yuan Tan was cunning by nature, and his cooperation with Shen Pei was also for the General's Sword Seal in Yuan Shang's possession. Now that he had the sword seal, Yuan Tan had no intention of fighting Cao Cao to the death with Shen Pei in Ye City.

While he kept this thought to himself, Yuan Tan couldn't reveal it directly. So he found an excuse and said, "Supervisor Shen, please calm down. Leaving the city requires the right opportunity. Right now it's bright, and all our actions will be discovered by Cao Cao's scouts. Our soldiers are not as brave as Cao Cao, and we have little chance of winning in a direct confrontation. Let the soldiers have a good meal to rest and recuperate, and then launch a surprise attack on Cao Cao's camp after dark. That will give us a chance to strike."

After Shen Pei left, Yuan Tan secretly summoned Yin Kui, Chen Lin, Han Meng, Lü Kuang, and Lü Xiang.

When Ju Shou left, he only took Ju Hu and Cui Yan with him, while Yin Kui, Chen Lin, Han Meng, Lü Kuang, and Lü Xiang remained in the city. These men, unlike Yin Kai, Liang Qi, Li Fu, Ma Yan, Zhang Yi, Guo Zhao, and Shen Rong, all harbored resentment towards Shen Pei for wanting to fight Cao Cao to the death.

However, these men were unwilling to surrender to Cao Cao, so they wanted to go north with Ju Shou, but ultimately they were unable to travel with Ju Shou due to the restrictions imposed by their status as officers.

For Yuan Tan, these people were those who could be won over.

"Gentlemen, I won't waste any more time on small talk." Yuan Tan continued toying with the Great General's Sword Seal, and said to the five men, "Tonight I will leave Ye City and return to Pingyuan. If you are willing to follow me, I will certainly not treat you unfairly."

Yin Kui, Chen Lin, Han Meng, Lü Kuang, and Lü Xiang were all taken aback.

Chen Lin asked cautiously, "Why are you leaving tonight?"

Yuan Tan's gaze swept over the five men, and he spoke calmly: "I have made an agreement with Shen Pei to launch a surprise attack on Cao Cao's camp tonight. This is a golden opportunity to leave Ye City. Of course, if you are unwilling, I will not force you."

Chen Lin was overjoyed.

Not willing?
How could I possibly refuse!
Chen Lin had wanted to leave Ye City for a long time.

Chen Lin dared not say what would happen to others if Ye City fell, but he himself had written "A Proclamation to Yu Province on Behalf of Yuan Shao" to denounce Cao Cao. If Cao Cao were to capture him, his life would surely be in danger! "Your subordinate is willing to go to Pingyuan with Young Master Tan."

Chen Lin solemnly pledged his loyalty, and Yin Kui, Han Meng, Lü Kuang, and Lü Xiang all echoed his sentiments.

No one was stupid. First Yuan Shang ran away, and now Yuan Tan was about to run away too. Staying in Ye City meant there was no way out but to wait for death.

"it is good!"

Seeing everyone submit, Yuan Tan was in high spirits and made another promise to them:
"Rest assured, I am not like that fool Yuan Shang. I will not abandon you to flee for my life, nor will I befriend General Zuo. Once we reach Pingyuan, I will form an alliance with General Zuo for both offense and defense. What do I have to fear from Cao Cao?"

After reassuring everyone, Yuan Tan summoned his trusted generals to prepare for his departure that night.

And on the other side.

Shen Pei then gathered Feng Ji, Yin Kai, Liang Qi, Li Fu, Ma Yan, Zhang Yi, Guo Zhao, Shen Rong, and others to explain the plan to launch a surprise attack on Cao Cao's camp that night. However, this decision made the civil and military officials, except for Feng Ji, suspicious.

Yin Kai couldn't help but ask first, "Supervisor, aren't we being a little too hasty? Cao Cao is a cunning and skilled warrior. Although he has divided his troops to intercept Ju Shou and the others, he will certainly be wary of us as well. If we encounter an ambush, none of us will be able to escape unscathed."

As soon as Yin Kai finished speaking, Shen Pei's facial muscles twitched violently, and he shouted sternly, "Impatient?! Yin Kai, are you going to be a coward too?!"

Scanning the various expressions on the faces of his generals, Shen Pei shouted sternly, "Opportunities are fleeting! Cao Cao's division of forces to intercept Ju Shou is a golden opportunity for us. Are you all hesitant and afraid to fight? Are you already considering surrendering? Do you want to follow in the footsteps of those two treacherous cowards, Meng Dai and Jiang Qi?!"

Yin Kai was questioned sternly by Shen Pei, and his face turned pale, but he still stubbornly argued: "This humble general is by no means afraid of battle! It's just that Cao Cao is cunning, how can we know that he is not deliberately showing weakness?"

Feng Ji pretended to step forward and advised, "Supervisor, please calm down! Chief Clerk Yin is just being cautious. Chief Clerk Yin, what Supervisor Shen said is absolutely right. Cao Cao's camp is currently weakened by the division of its forces. Our army has been conserving its strength for a long time. We will use our strength to attack the weak and catch them off guard. We will defeat Cao Cao tonight. Why should we doubt it any longer?"

Feng Ji jumped between the two sides, seemingly trying to dissuade the argument, but in reality supporting Shen Pei's strategy of a surprise night attack. His gaze then swept over the silent Liang Qi, Li Fu, and the others: "Gentlemen, are you just going to sit and wait for Ye City to run out of food and surrender?!"

Liang Qi's face twitched as he hesitated before speaking: "While Commander Feng's words are reasonable, the defection of Meng Dai, Jiang Qi, and others to Cao Cao, and the subsequent departure of Ju Shou with his family, have stirred up unrest. All the camps are filled with doubts and find it difficult to unite. If we leave the city now, we fear that Cao Cao will defeat us one by one."

"You are all speaking nonsense!" Shen Pei's voice was hoarse with suppressed rage: "Do you want to wait until Cao Cao kidnaps the families of the officers and soldiers of Ye City and then use them to coerce you into surrendering? If you want to surrender to Cao Cao, there is no need to wait. You can bring it up now, and I guarantee that you will leave safely."

Shen Pei's gaze was like a knife, scraping across everyone's faces. Everyone lowered their heads in fear and remained silent. He said he would guarantee their safe departure, but who knew if he would secretly stab them in the back?

After calming the crowd, Shen Pei softened his tone: "Since you know that the various camps have doubts, you should also know that the only thing that can unite people's hearts and boost morale is to take advantage of Cao Cao's division of troops and raid the camp to boost morale! Gentlemen, do not have any doubts. As long as I, Shen Pei, am here, Ye City will be here! Do not boost the morale of the enemy and diminish our own prestige!"

Then, Shen Pei summoned his nephew Shen Rong and ordered, "You will stay and guard Ye City tonight. Do not make any mistakes!"

Upon hearing this, everyone felt a chill and dared not meet Shen Pei's gaze. (End of Chapter)