Deception, the Scheme of Xiang County

"To put it simply, creating a diversion means using Chen Gong's own mouth to mislead the other warlords!"

Facing Liu Bei's inquiry, Qin Tian paced out once more and said leisurely:

"My Lord must understand, although I have ventured out under an alias, I may deceive others, but I cannot deceive old acquaintances!"

"Take Chen Gong for example; even without meeting me, he could guess my identity."

"In this light, the fact that This Humble One is using an alias will surely be known to the world sooner or later."

"Therefore, we can take advantage of this situation to spread the name Wang He!"

He walked to the edge of the tent, then turned and strolled back:

"Just as My Lord thought today, Chen Gong knows me, and the likes of Wang Kai and Xu Si also know me. The moment they see my face, they will recognize who I am."

"Thus, we might as well do the opposite and use someone else's appearance to stand in for the name Wang He!"

"My Lord can search the camp for someone who resembles me in stature and have them disguised."

"Tomorrow, go to request grain again. If Wang Kai asks, bring him back to the camp for a look!"

"In this way, when Wang Kai sees this man's face, he will believe that Wang He is not Qin Tian. Once he conveys this to Chen Gong, we can use Chen Gong's mouth to mislead the world!"

"From then on, as long as I do not reveal myself, the world will only know of the strategist Wang He, and not the person Qin Tian!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Bei sighed in admiration:

"Strategist, this plan is excellent! In this way, others will be unable to fathom the details of our army!"

But halfway through, he sighed again:

"It is just that this will wrong you, Strategist, forcing you to hide your name. I feel deeply ashamed!"

He truly felt a bitter taste in his heart; if only he were stronger.

If he possessed the power of other warlords, why would he need to be so secretive and fearful?

When all was said and done, it was because his strength was insufficient.

His current strength was not worthy of Qin Tian's reputation!

Hearing this, Qin Tian did not seem to mind, saying:

"The name Wang He is only for temporary use to facilitate our affairs; there is no need to dwell on it."

"When the day comes that we take Huainan, it will not be too late to revert to my true name!"

As for reputation, he did not care; after all, he had already built up enough of it previously.

What he needed was simply to realize his own ambitions.

Compared to what he wanted to achieve, the scale of his reputation was unimportant.

Listening to Qin Tian's words, Liu Bei was moved once again. Since Qin Tian had emerged from seclusion, he had exhausted his heart and energy for him.

But while Qin Tian did not care about these things, Liu Bei could not help but care. He stepped forward, grasped Qin Tian's hand, and said with emotion:

"For the Strategist to treat me thus, how can I ever repay you?"

"Know this, Strategist: no matter what happens in the future, I will never fail you."

Qin Tian felt his body tremble as Liu Bei suddenly grabbed his hand.

Old Liu, you aren't serious, are you? I'm not into that! he thought.

However, Liu Bei held on tightly, and unable to pull away, he could only smile:

"My Lord need not be like this; This Humble One understands!"

Hearing this, Old Liu nodded secretly, resolving in his heart that he must work hard and not let his strategist down.

With that thought, he released his hand and said:

"I shall follow the Strategist's words entirely. I will go and make the arrangements now!"

Having spoken, he strode out of the tent with long, purposeful steps.

At the same time, inside the prison of Xiapi.

Wang Kai had failed to gather any information for two consecutive days. Having run out of options, he simply went to the prison to inform Chen Gong of the situation.

Listening to Wang Kai's account, Chen Gong frowned:

"So, you went to inquire today and still did not get to see this Wang He?"

Wang Kai nodded and sighed:

"Exactly. I intended to follow Liu Bei into the camp to investigate, but unexpectedly, he would not budge!"

"Now that he refuses to show himself, how are we to find out?"

Seeing this, Chen Gong became even more certain:

"The more he acts this way, the more it proves that this person's identity is suspicious!"

"If he were not Qin Tian, why would he be so secretive?"

"You must scout again, and be quick about it!"

"Now that Liu Bei has secured troops, if he gains money and grain, he will be able to leverage that momentum and depart!"

"If you have not seen him by tomorrow, you are to go directly to Liu Bei's camp to investigate!"

Wang Kai listened and felt this made sense; if not for that brat Qin Tian, he would not have been forced to live in such seclusion, so he nodded in agreement.

Seeing him agree, Chen Gong spoke in a deep voice:

"Determining his identity is one thing, but have you managed to persuade Marquis Wen to release me?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Kai offered reassurance:

"I have already sent Zishan to persuade Marquis Wen, and you should know that Marquis Wen has already relented; Gongtai will be released before long!"

Zishan was the courtesy name of Xu Si.

Chen Gong nodded upon hearing this:

"It must be soon. If Qin Tian is truly under Liu Bei's command, his schemes will certainly not end here!"

Wang Kai knew that the current situation relied entirely on Chen Gong, so he hurriedly nodded in agreement and walked out of the prison.

Thus, the night passed, and early the next morning, Wang Kai, knowing Liu Bei would surely come to demand grain, simply waited on the road.

By mid-morning, he finally saw Liu Bei approaching and hurried forward to ask:

"Why has the Envoy come?"

Seeing that Wang Kai had indeed come, Liu Bei smiled and said:

"Because of the agreement made with Marquis Wen yesterday, I have come today to discuss matters."

Hearing this, Wang Kai stroked his beard and smiled:

"Since you have come to discuss matters, why is your strategist not here?"

Liu Bei was well-prepared and did not panic:

"Has the gentleman forgotten? I said yesterday that my strategist had caught a cold and has not yet recovered today; how could he come?"

Seeing him trot out this excuse again, Wang Kai hurriedly smiled:

"Since the strategist is seriously ill, it is only right that I go to visit him. I wonder if it would be convenient for the Envoy?"

"I did not expect the gentleman to hold my strategist in such high regard!"

Seeing his persistence, Liu Bei said:

"Very well, since the gentleman is willing to go, wait for me to finish inside, and we shall go together, how about that?"

Seeing Liu Bei agree so readily, Wang Kai was actually a bit bewildered.

Wasn't it supposed to be all evasive and secretive? Why was he so straightforward?

Could it be that they had misunderstood? Was Wang He not Qin Tian?

But thinking that Liu Bei might be trying to trick him, he smiled:

"That is exactly what I desire!"

Seeing him take the bait, Liu Bei said no more and walked straight into the commandery office.

Upon entering, he saw Lu Bu sitting in the main seat, with Han Xian and Yang Feng sitting on either side.

Seeing this, Liu Bei bowed and took his seat, asking as soon as he sat down:

"I wonder when Marquis Wen intends to take Xiang County with my army?"

"Now that our forces have won, we should press the advantage; we must not waste any more time!"

Seeing this, Lu Bu shook his head and smiled:

"I know Xuande is eager for victory, but after I returned and pondered it yesterday, I realized that since we have already shattered the great army of Yuan Shu, the righteous path is for us to march south to Huainan and plunder it."

"Although I promised Xuande to help take Xiang County, national affairs must come first."

"As for the money and grain, they have indeed been tallied and should be handed over to Xuande, but I have been thinking that our army will need supplies and equipment for the march south."

"Why not leave them with our army for now, and after we defeat Yuan Shu, we can divide them then, how about that?"

"If Xuande is willing to march south, we can set out this very day."

"If Xuande is unwilling to march south, you may go to take Xiang County yourself. I am willing to provide you with one month's worth of supplies and equipment. If you do not succeed, you may return and join us in the campaign; I will surely sweep the bed and welcome you!"

He spoke these words with a high-sounding air, and Han Xian and his companion nodded repeatedly.

Taking the opportunity to march south and plunder was exactly what they wanted!

Compared to that, whether or not they split the spoils now was of little importance!

Hearing this, Liu Bei frowned and remained silent.

He knew Lu Bu would renege on his debt, but he had not expected him to be so shameless.

Naturally, it was impossible for him to march south and plunder.

By saying this, Lu Bu was forcing him to make a decision: either take one month's worth of grain and leave, or betray his conscience and join them in their villainy.

As for how the money and grain would be handled after the capture of Xiang County, it was clearly none of his concern.

Even though he had been mentally prepared, he could not help but secretly curse Lu Bu for his shamelessness.

After pondering for a moment, Liu Bei shook his head and said:

"Plundering the common people is something I, Xuande, am unwilling to do. I would rather take Xiang County myself!"

This response did not exceed Lu Bu's expectations; he naturally stroked his beard and laughed:

"Since that is the case, Xuande may return. I shall allocate ten thousand shi of grain and fodder to you now!"

He knew that Liu Bei's troops numbered no more than ten thousand. With each man consuming two jin a day, that would be about five thousand shi a month, so he simply doubled the amount to silence Liu Bei.

Liu Bei was dissatisfied, yet he did not argue, walking straight out of the manor.

Seeing this, Wang Kai stepped forward again and asked:

"I wonder how the discussion with the Governor went?"

Liu Bei, seeing his face, pretended not to want to be involved with him, shook his head slightly, and strode away.

Seeing this, Wang Kai hurriedly followed and asked for the reason, to which Liu Bei sighed:

"Marquis Wen intends to head south to plunder, and I am unwilling to follow him!"

"He gave me ten thousand shi of grain and fodder and wants me to take Xiang County myself; we shall depart in a few days!"

Hearing that Liu Bei was leaving, Wang Kai became even more suspicious.

Did Chen Gong not say that Liu Bei still had a scheme?

Why was he leaving already?

This was not the style of Qin Tian!

According to Qin Tian's temper and planning, would he dare to welsh on a debt?

He would peel a layer of skin off you!

Just as he was puzzled, Liu Bei saw his expression and added:

"Sir, did you not say you wanted to see my strategist? You should go quickly, for I fear our army will set out tomorrow!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Kai thought that he would know if it were Qin Tian once he saw him, so he nodded and followed Liu Bei back toward the military camp.

They entered the main camp, and following Liu Bei's lead, they arrived in front of a tent. Before they even entered, a series of coughs rang out.

Hearing this, Liu Bei hurried into the tent and said:

"Strategist, why have you risen from your bed? Did you not say you needed to recuperate properly?"

"If you continue like this, when will you ever recover?"

Wang Kai followed him into the tent and saw Liu Bei supporting a tall young man, a head taller than Liu Bei himself, with quite a handsome appearance.

However, his complexion was somewhat pale, as if he were truly suffering from an illness.

As soon as he entered the tent, the young man shook his head and said:

"Cough, cough, cough. Our army currently has no grain; it is difficult to sustain ourselves without the grain from Marquis Wen. I wonder if my lord has managed to secure it?"

Hearing this, Liu Bei shook his head and sighed:

"Marquis Wen gave us ten thousand shi of grain and fodder, which solves our most urgent need!"

"Alas, Marquis Wen is a dignified general; how could he act in such a way?"

The young man sighed slightly, then raised his eyes to look at Wang Kai and asked:

"I wonder who this gentleman is?"

Wang Kai scrutinized his appearance for a while, and in his heart, he sighed—Chen Gong had been wrong after all!

How could this strategist of Liu Bei's be Qin Tian!

Although he was good-looking, he lacked the demeanor of Qin Tian entirely!

Without waiting for Liu Bei to introduce him, he bowed and said:

"This Humble One is Wang Kai of Yanzhou, currently serving as an attendant under Marquis Wen!"

"Hearing that you are a man of Yanzhou, I came specifically to meet you, never expecting you to be so gravely ill!"

"Had I known, I would not have come to disturb you!"

Seeing this, the young man smiled faintly:

"I have long heard of your reputation, sir, and have been eager to meet you. Seeing you today, you are indeed as distinguished as rumored."

"However, I am suffering from an ailment and am not in a state to receive guests. I hope you will forgive me!"

"No matter, no matter!"

Seeing that the man was not who he had expected to see, Wang Kai lost all interest in conversation and laughed repeatedly:

"Had I known, I would not have come to disturb you!"

"Very well, since you are not in a state to receive guests, I shall take my leave!"

After speaking, he cupped his hands toward Liu Bei and retreated.

His footsteps felt much lighter; as long as this Wang He was not Qin Tian, it did not matter who he was.

Yet, little did he know that shortly after he walked out of the camp, the young man wiped the powder from his face and smiled at Liu Bei:

"My Lord, how did this humble general perform just now?"

This person was none other than Xiahou Bo, a young general under Liu Bei's command.

Having heard Qin Tian's plan yesterday, Liu Bei had searched the army for a long time until he happened upon Xiahou Bo patrolling the camp. Seeing that the lad was tall and handsome, bearing a resemblance to Qin Tian, he decided to entrust the heavy responsibility of impersonating Qin Tian to him.

He had not expected Xiahou Bo to capture the essence of Qin Tian so well!

Liu Bei smiled with satisfaction and said:

"Well done, I shall record this as a merit for you!"

As he spoke, he looked around and asked:

"But where is the strategist?"

Although one hidden threat had been resolved, he still had matters on his mind and only wished to find Qin Tian to discuss them.

Upon hearing that he would be credited with a merit, Xiahou Bo grinned, and hearing the inquiry, he hurriedly replied:

"The strategist is currently in the main tent, discussing matters with the Third General, General Qiao, and the others!"

"He instructed this humble one that if the Lord wished to see him, I should direct you to the main tent!"

Hearing that Qin Tian was deliberating with Zhang Fei and Qiao Rui, Liu Bei could not help but feel a surge of curiosity. Qin Tian had once said that Qiao Rui was useful; could they be discussing the capture of Xiang County?

With this thought in mind, he hurried toward the main tent.