Cao Xiaoxiang waved his hand: "Go to hell."
Chapter 196 Red Cliffs
In the Three Kingdoms period, my fame and scope of influence were significantly less than in other dynasties. This was partly because I visited less frequently, and partly because the only person I knew here was Guan Yu. So, I was quite anxious on the way here, unsure if I would be able to meet Cao Cao smoothly.
Because we were following a timeline, and based on the principle of proximity for the client, the car stopped roughly at Xiakou, where Liu Bei's army was stationed during the Battle of Red Cliffs. I got out of the car and saw that this was probably it. The gate was dilapidated, and the soldiers' clothes were disheveled; it was the most shabby military base I had ever seen. Although Liu Bei had begun his rise to power, he was still facing numerous setbacks. However, the soldiers were quite spirited; seeing a stranger approaching, they shouted, "Who goes there?"
Before I could answer, I suddenly saw a general riding a red horse on the parade ground, galloping back and forth like lightning, training his men and horses. I craned my neck and called out, "Second Brother!" The man turned around, saw it was me, stroked his beard, and smiled, "Xiao Qiang is here."
See? This is the advantage of the early stages of entrepreneurship. Even the largest corporations have to rent a run-down office space. If Liu Bei had already established himself in Shu, he probably wouldn't be able to meet their vice chairman under these circumstances.
Guan Yu spurred his horse forward, dismissed the guards, and said with a smile, "Xiao Qiang, what brings you here?"
"Well, it's a long story." I patted Red Hare's forehead. "Little Red Rabbit, you're doing pretty well, aren't you?" As I spoke, I raised my hand to shield my face, and Red Hare snorted, spraying the steed all over my sleeve. I said smugly, "I knew you'd have this trick up your sleeve." These fine steeds are all the same, aren't they?
Guan Yu dismounted and chuckled, "Come on, let's go see our elder brother and third brother."
Upon seeing Liu Bei and Zhang Fei, Liu Bei said politely, "It's Xiao Qiang! I haven't thanked you enough for helping me out last time."
Zhang Fei grabbed my arm and shouted, "Yeah, Second Brother keeps talking about you, like we're even closer than we are. Never mind, we have to get drunk tonight!"
Liu Bei scolded him, saying, "Third brother, a great battle is imminent, you must not be greedy for wine."
I looked around and asked, "Aren't Zhuge Liang and Zhao Yun here?" Although time was short, I really wanted to see these two. Zhuge Liang aside, Zhao Yun was, after all, my idol whom I had admired for many years.
Guan Yu said, "The strategist has gone to Sun Quan in Jiangdong to discuss the matter of resisting Cao Cao. As for Zilong..." His second brother said regretfully, "He just happened to be out."
I said dejectedly, "It's just not meant to be."
Guan Yu grasped my hand and said, "Xiao Qiang, you've come here because you need something?"
I asked, "Where is Cao Cao now?"
Guan Yu smiled slightly, pulled me outside, pointed to the river across the river, and said, "Look."
I looked closely and saw a vast expanse of water on the opposite bank, with what appeared to be countless towering buildings shrouded in mist. At first glance, it looked like the horizon where the sea met the sky. Upon closer inspection, I realized it must be Cao Cao's naval base. Although it was thousands of miles away, its imposing presence was overwhelming. Guan Yu said, "That's Cao Cao's naval camp." Liu Bei and Zhang Fei looked across the river, both showing worried expressions.
I whispered to Guan Yu, "Now you know why I came, right?"
Guan Yu led me to a secluded spot and muttered, "You've come for the Battle of Red Cliffs?"
I nodded.
Guan Yu suddenly stroked his beard and chuckled: "Xiao Qiang, we don't need your help this time. To be honest, I was a little worried about you last time, but this time it's different—everything is going smoothly. In three days, it will be the day we burn the Red Cliffs. On this point, I'm afraid even strategist Zhuge Liang doesn't know as well as I do."
Yes, he's even more confident than Zhuge Liang now—
I stammered, "Um... I'm here to help Cao Cao this time."
Guan Yu asked in surprise, "What did you say?"
I hesitated, saying, "Second Brother, you know that 150,000 people were burned to death at the Battle of Red Cliffs. I feel terrible about it..."
"So what do you plan to do? Are you thinking of setting up a weather station to tell Cao Cao that there will be an east wind in three days?"
I never expected my second brother to have a humorous side. I laughed and said, "No, the victory will still be yours. I just want Cao Cao to lose the battle without anyone dying. It's that simple."
Guan Yu gazed at the river and said, "It's not that I'm heartless, but if these 150,000 people don't die, Cao Cao's strength won't be damaged."
I chimed in, "The death of these 150,000 men won't harm Cao Cao's strength. Whether these men die or not doesn't really affect him. The significance of the Battle of Red Cliffs lies in making Cao Cao realize that he is no match for the allied forces on the water, and thus he dares not advance south for a short time."
When I said these words, I spoke with righteous indignation and eloquence, a true cockroach-like figure who could effortlessly obliterate enemy ships with a laugh. Guan Yu looked at me with newfound respect and said, "Oh? You've broadened your horizons, kid. You even know about warfare?"
I stood with my hands behind my back overlooking the river and said, "I know a little." Actually, I looked it all up on the computer...
Guan Yu pondered for a moment and said, "So you want Cao Cao to back down?"
I nodded and said, "Yes. But I will discuss the matter of the 150,000 people you mentioned with him. After this is over, we will treat those 150,000 people as if they were dead and cannot be used anymore. Let's consider this a rule of the game between you."
"So how do you get him to believe you?"
I smiled slightly: "I have hostages."
Guan Yu slapped his forehead and said, "Oh right, Cao Xiaoxiang is still with you." He thought for a moment and said, "Then let's do it this way. To be honest, I don't want 150,000 people to just disappear like that."
I laughed and said, "It's good for you that Chibi ends like this—you won't have to go to Huarong Road to act anymore, and you won't have to come back to be teased by Zhuge Liang, even though he arranged it this way on purpose."
Guan Yu said, "You understand these roundabout ways of things?"
I smiled and said, "I know a little." You haven't read the Records of the Three Kingdoms, but you've read Romance of the Three Kingdoms, right?
Guan Yu said, "Alright then, I'll arrange for someone to take you across the river." The second brother loudly ordered, "Someone, go and fetch Da Zhou."
I asked in surprise, "The Great Zhou?"
“It’s Da Zhou Cang. You forgot? I have two Zhou Cangs now. Da Zhou is the one who came from Yucai with you.”
I:"……"
As soon as "Da Zhou" saw me, he warmly took my hand and asked me all sorts of questions. I smiled and said, "Do you miss home? Should I take you with me when I go back this time?"
Da Zhou said, "No rush. If I go back, they'll think I'm crazy."
Zhou Cang and I boarded a small boat. Guan Yu saw us off to the shore and instructed us, "These are sensitive times. Before you see Cao Cao, don't even mention why you came. You could easily have your head chopped off as a sacrifice to the flag."
I clasped my hands in a fist and said, "Understood. Then please go and talk to the eldest and third masters as well, and tell them not to be too anxious or agitated."