Capture the Ringleader, Qin Tian's Scheme

Capture the Ringleader, Qin Tian's Scheme

The so-called main tent was the central command tent, used for discussing matters.

However, since Liu Bei's army had arrived, they had held few meetings, so this tent had remained vacant and was only used by Liu Bei for rest.

Hearing that Qin Tian was in the main tent, he headed there. Upon entering, he saw Qin Tian seated to one side, with Zhang Fei and Qiao Rui seated below him.

As they listened to Qin Tian explain, the two of them nodded in response from time to time.

When he entered, the three stopped talking and all turned to look at him.

Seeing this, Liu Bei smiled.

"I have just returned from discussing matters in the city. I did not expect the three of you to be discussing matters here as well."

As soon as he spoke, Zhang Fei rose and said,

"Big Brother, come quickly. The strategist is explaining to us how to advance on Xiang County!"

At the mention of a plan to take Xiang County, Old Liu immediately perked up. Xiang County had practically become a thorn in his heart.

Although Cao Cao and Lu Bu also had troops stationed around Pei County, they were ultimately locked in a balance.

Only Yuan Shu's army in Xiang County was like a thorn driven into the heart of Pei Commandery, forcing him to remain in Xiaopei and preventing him from moving south.

If he wanted to develop, he first had to pull out this thorn.

And once Xiang County was taken, Pei Commandery could naturally be brought under his control as well.

Thus, Liu Bei hurried forward, sat on his knees in the seat of honor, and asked,

"I wonder what brilliant plan the strategist has for taking Xiang County?"

Seeing Liu Bei so agitated, Qin Tian asked instead,

"Seeing you like this, my lord, could it be that Lu Bu has already provided the grain, and Wang Kai has departed?"

At this mention, much of Liu Bei's joy faded. He sighed.

"Following the strategist's plan, Wang Kai has departed. But that Lu Bu refuses to yield. He insists that our army head south into Huainan. I was unwilling, so I refused him!"

He recounted everything that had just happened in the city.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Fei immediately sprang to his feet in fury.

"That Lu Bu is truly hateful! In this battle, he captured so many prisoners, not to mention money and valuables, and seized more than a hundred thousand shi of grain."

"Even if we are to head south, how can he give our army only ten thousand shi of provisions?"

"Big Brother, do not sigh. Let me lead troops there and make him hand over the grain!"

Seeing Zhang Fei's impulsiveness, Liu Bei frowned.

"Third Brother, do not act so rashly. The strategist has yet to speak, and you are already causing trouble again!"

Though Zhang Fei's fiery temper had somewhat eased, he could not stand Lu Bu. Hearing this, he asked Qin Tian,

"Strategist, judge this fairly. Tell me, should that Lu Bu be beaten or not?"

"You said yourself that if Lu Bu refused, we should go demand it. Now that things are like this, how can I endure it?"

Qin Tian grinned when he heard this.

"Yide, there is no need to provoke me with words. If you want to go, then go. But there is one condition: you may take only a thousand or so men, you may demand only grain, and you may not insult anyone or engage in battle."

"If you provoke Lu Bu into leaving the city to attack, I will not forgive you!"

Seeing that he agreed, Zhang Fei immediately chuckled and looked toward Liu Bei.

"Big Brother, look! Even the strategist agrees!"

Liu Bei was rather helpless at this and said to Qin Tian,

"Strategist, were we not going to discuss Xiang County? Even if Yide is going, we should finish our discussion first!"

"No matter. Taking Xiang County will not require Yide."

Qin Tian shook his head.

"My lord, simply let Yide go!"

Hearing this, Liu Bei did not question him. After hesitating for a while, he glared at Zhang Fei.

"If you cause trouble, not only will the strategist refuse to forgive you, neither will I!"

Seeing that he had received permission, Zhang Fei immediately agreed and strode out.

He did not intend to cause any major trouble. He was simply angry and wanted to vent his frustration.

Watching him leave, Liu Bei thought for a while before sighing to Qin Tian.

"Strategist, my Third Brother has always been reckless. How can we allow him to act so wildly?"

Seeing that Liu Bei still did not understand, Qin Tian smiled.

"My lord misunderstands. This is not indulging General Zhang. It must be done this way!"

"Otherwise, the enemy will surely grow suspicious!"

"Oh? What do you mean?"

Liu Bei wore a puzzled expression, and Qiao Rui was also confused.

Qin Tian explained,

"Because our army's anger is only natural!"

"My lord, do not think that enduring humiliation is necessary merely for the greater good!"

"On the contrary, it is precisely because our army has a plan that we must act this way."

"My lord knows Yide has a violent temper, and Lu Bu knows it too."

"If Yide does not go, Lu Bu will instead suspect that our army has some scheme!"

"That would ruin our great undertaking!"

"Now that Yide goes to demand grain, Lu Bu is in the wrong and cannot send troops against him. He can only dismiss him with money and grain. We can obtain more provisions and vent our anger as well. Why not do it?"

As Liu Bei listened, he seemed to understand. Qiao Rui stroked his beard and praised,

"The strategist's words strike directly at the heart of human nature. This is indeed how it should be!"

Though he had only recently joined Liu Bei's command, he greatly admired both Liu Bei and Qin Tian.

He admired Liu Bei for his benevolence and magnanimity, but he respected Qin Tian for his capability.

In his eyes, it was exceedingly rare for Qin Tian, at such a young age, to understand people's hearts so well and also be able to plan great matters. Of all the people he had known, only Zhou Gongjin seemed able to compare!

But Zhou Yu was still young. He might not necessarily be Qin Tian's match!

As he pondered this, Liu Bei asked,

"I understand the strategist's intentions!"

"But I still do not know the strategist's plan for taking Xiang County!"

Since Zhang Fei's going to make trouble would have no impact, they should now discuss Xiang County.

Knowing that Old Liu had coveted Xiang County for a long time, Qin Tian stopped keeping him in suspense. He rose from his seat and said,

"As for a plan to take Xiang County, it is actually not difficult!"

"The reason I previously said the time was not yet right was, first, that Yuan Shu had only just declared himself emperor. If our army took Xiang County then, Yuan Shu would surely attack."

"Second, our army was then in Pei County, while the southern commanderies and counties were all held by the enemy. The moment we moved, the enemy would surely learn of it. If they held firm, it would be very difficult for us to take the city!"

"Now, our army has used an excuse to arrive here in Xiapi and defeated Yuan Shu alongside Lu Bu. Yuan Shu and Lu Bu have fallen out, while Xiang County's defending general knows that our main force has left and will surely relax his guard!"

"Combining these two factors, the time has now come!"

Liu Bei nodded repeatedly as he listened.

In truth, he had also considered the question of timing Qin Tian had raised before. But as time passed, he had gradually come to understand why Qin Tian had kept stressing it.

Xiang County was now unprepared. This was indeed their best opportunity!

Thinking this, he smiled.

"Could the strategist mean to have our army make a forced march back to Xiang County and strike them unprepared?"

"No. If it were merely a surprise attack, there would be no need for such a grand display!"

Qin Tian was not surprised that Liu Bei had said this. In fact, anyone with eyes could see that he intended to turn around and strike back.

But if it were only a simple surprise attack, he would not have needed to create such a commotion!

What he wanted was to achieve the greatest possible victory at the smallest possible cost!

"Though a surprise attack is possible, it is not the best strategy for our army!"

"If we launch a surprise attack, even if we take the city, we will still lose soldiers and officers!"

"Our troops are not numerous to begin with. We cannot withstand such losses!"

"The best method is to take the city without bloodshed, seize its troops as well, and bring all of Pei Commandery under our command with lightning speed!"

Liu Bei's body jolted as he heard this, and he hurriedly asked,

"But how does the strategist intend to carry out this plan?"

Qin Tian clasped his hands behind his back and raised his head.

"For a plan to take the city without bloodshed, it is nothing more than capturing the ringleader first!"

"That is also why I insisted on capturing Zhang Xun!"

"Because Zhang Xun holds extraordinary status. If he is placed in danger, Xiang County's defending general will not dare refuse to rescue him!"

"I originally intended to lay an ambush, let him send reinforcements, wipe them out along the way, seize their troops, and persuade Xiang County to surrender!"

He turned and smiled at Qiao Rui.

"But now that General Qiao has abandoned darkness for the light, our army need not use that plan!"

"I intend to forge a military order to lure Mei Gan out, then have General Qiao head directly into Xiang County!"

Qiao Rui nodded upon hearing this and raised no objection. Clearly, he had already discussed this matter with Qin Tian.

But Liu Bei frowned.

"Though this plan may work, what if Mei Gan learns of the situation here and suddenly withdraws his troops?"

"I have heard that Mei Gan is frivolous and cunning. He will surely be difficult to deceive!"

"General Qiao has only just joined our command. How can we let him undertake such a dangerous plan?"

Seeing this, Qiao Rui quickly stated,

"Rest assured, my lord. I have now awakened to the truth and wish to earn merit. I have no fear whatsoever!"

But Liu Bei shook his head and refused.

Qin Tian, however, smiled leisurely.

"My lord does not know that though this plan appears dangerous, it is not truly dangerous!"

"We had only just reached this point in our discussion when my lord arrived. General Qiao does not yet know what follows, so I shall explain it directly to you both!"

"It is precisely because Mei Gan is cunning that I want General Qiao to enter the city. The purpose is not to seize the city, but to gain Mei Gan's trust!"

"Enter the city to gain Mei Gan's trust?"

Qiao Rui's expression changed.

"Could it be that after I enter the city, I need not take control of its defenses?"

"Precisely! General, there is no need for you to take control of the city's defenses!"

Qin Tian looked toward Liu Bei.

"Just as my lord said, after Mei Gan leaves the city, he will surely send scouts to investigate everywhere. Nothing that happens here can be concealed from his scouts."

"Even if he does not send them, he is suspicious by nature and will surely not believe us."

"And when General Qiao goes, he must take only a small force."

"Too few men cannot control the situation, while too many will not resemble routed troops. Three thousand would be ideal."

"These three thousand men naturally cannot take Xiang County."

"Therefore, the first thing the general must do after entering the city is fabricate intelligence, saying that our army and Lu Bu are about to advance on Xiang County, and have Mei Gan withdraw into the city!"

"Mei Gan has long been wary of our army, and he knows Lu Bu has won. Upon hearing this, he will not suspect the general!"

"And seeing the general bring him this warning, he will be even less suspicious."

"Mei Gan knows he has few troops, so he will naturally keep the general behind to defend the city with him. Before our army reaches the city, the general need take no action."

"Once our main force arrives beneath the walls, he may kill that man."

"In that way, the general can stabilize the situation inside the city while our army supports him from outside. With the enemy leaderless, surrender will be their only path!"

"If we use this plan, we need only kill Mei Gan, and our army can seize all of Xiang County's money, grain, and troops!"

"Of course, this plan is not without risk. If the general cannot kill Mei Gan at once, he will surely be controlled by that man, while our army outside the city will find it difficult to assist."

"Furthermore, if the soldiers under his command leak the news, the general will also be in danger."

"Therefore, I propose that the general take his own three thousand troops, with Chen Dao commanding them. They will change into Yuan Shu's army uniforms and accompany the general there!"

Having said this, Qin Tian stopped pacing and cupped his hands toward Liu Bei.

"This is our army's complete plan for taking Xiang County! Whether it is carried out or not rests entirely with my lord!"

As Liu Bei listened, a sharp gleam appeared in his eyes. He had not expected Qin Tian's plan to be not only far from simple, but so intricate.

Yet its effects would be immediate!

Once it succeeded, he could take over Xiang County without weakening his forces!

If he could absorb all of Xiang County's troops, together with his own forces, he would command an army of thirty thousand!

These thirty thousand men were not comparable to new recruits. More than half were Yuan Shu's elite troops!

Once Xiang County was taken, Pei Commandery would be within easy reach, and his military strength would soar!

No wonder Qin Tian had made so many plans. Everything had been for the sake of allowing him to take over Pei Commandery intact—not only its cities, but all of Yuan Shu's accumulated resources in Pei Commandery!

How could anyone else possibly match such skill in planning!