Chapter 451 Secret Deal (2/2)
”Hahahaha!”
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Zhuge Liang observed the negotiation in silence, astonished by the frankness of these two warlords.
Usually, in negotiation, both sides would have worn some façade and mind their manner. However, both of them had none. It was as if two hoodlums were messing with each other.
'What a rowdy bunch. Well, they think outside the box, so I should at least expect this.'
He continued to watch Cao Cao and Tong finalizing the deal.
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For the sake of securing political power after the surrender, Cao Cao exposed the coalition's plan to attack Tong's cities.
”Henei and Beihai?” Tong, Xun Yu, and other officers were surprised. They had predicted that Cao Cao and others would have gathered their forces and attacked Ye instead of other cities since it was Tong's headquarters.
”Sun Ce and Zhou Yu will go for Beihai with 50,000 elites and their navy forces. 100,000 men of Liu Bei and Sun Fang will go for Henei, and 100,000 horsemen of Ma Chao are looking at the central plain.”
”And, what about your armies?”
”We are planning to stay at home and watch them die.”
”What about the mobilization date?”
”None. I allowed Sun Ce and Liu Bei to move whenever they're ready. But I only promised them that I will only supply provision for them after they attacked you.”
Tong rolled his eyes, ”Typical strategy. Say, what are you going to do with your forces now when I'm keeping you and your family as hostages here?”
Cao Cao shrugged, ”Pretend to fight you.”
”Oh?”
”For the detail, I think I'll have this brat explain.”
Cao Cao turned to Zhuge Liang, who was still 13 this year.
Tong's brows furrowed when he looked at the boy, ”Your secret son? I thought I had abducted all of your family.”
”Ha! I never want to have this cheeky brat as a son. Even if one of my daughters fell in love with him, I'll castrate this bastard and feed a duck with his junk!”
The onlookers looked at Zhuge Liang and murmured.
”Poor duck.”
Zhuge Liang widened his eyes and sweated, ”Wait, poor duck? Not me?”
Tong shook his head, getting tired of Cao Cao's sarcasm and his nasty attitude, ”Who is he?”
Zhuge Liang kowtowed to Tong, ”I'm Zhuge Liang, Zhuge Kongming, your majesty.”
”…”
Tong's face twitched as he never expected to see Zhuge Liang at Ye.
The meeting continued until the end of the day as Zhuge Liang explained his plans to Tong.
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June 15th, 194 AD.
Cao Cao returned to Xuchang, which surprised Xiahou Dun and everybody else.
Due to the danger of the missing Pu Jing, none of them used their clan chat anymore. As a result, they reverted back to the lifestyle before the communication system arrived.
Xiahou Dun, Cao Cao, and all his generals gathered for a private meeting, so Cao Cao could summarize his next moves.
”Where's the brat?” Xiahou Dun referred to Zhuge Liang, who did not return with Cao Cao.
”He's staying in Ye from now on.”
”Ah, good riddance. How's the meeting with the emperor?”
Cao Cao snickered, ”I have a good son-in-law.”
”So, we're not fighting against him anymore?”
”No, but we will work with him to create a competitive environment.”
”Competitive environment?”
”A cold war to be precious. He wants us to play along with his forces for a while and instigate Liu Bei and Sun Ce into making stupid moves.”
”…”
”Before I explain, let me introduce someone we knew from our other life.”
Cao Cao gestured that his secret follower could reveal his appearance.
Wearing black clothes and a mask, Xun Yu took off his hood and face cover. He looked at Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan with a complicated expression.
”Although I'm not a believer, let's just say, nice to meet you again, Yuanrang, Miaocai.”
Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan were shocked.
”Xun Wenruo!?”
”Yeah. Let's work together again once more. For now, my … former lord … I'll be the one to explain since I can ask his majesty for a further explanation whenever we need it.”
Xun Yu revealed the secret ploy, which Tong and Cao Cao had conspired.
As everyone continued to listen, they doubted their ears if these two warlords were sane.
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Meanwhile, at Ye City, Cao Ang and all Cao family members were celebrating as his clan had a high chance to thrive by serving Tong. As for Cao Xian and Cao Qinghe, they did not have to worry about them anymore as they could hear their voice, moaning in pleasure, from the inner palace miles away. Everyone was betting which one of them would have a child first.
The deal between Cao Cao and Tong had been reported to every clan member by Xun Yu, who infiltrated into the former's ranks as a coordinator between two forces.
All former subordinates of Cao Cao, such as Xu Huang, Zhang He, Zhang Liao, and Jia Xu, were relieved that they did not have to fight against Wei Army anymore. As long as the two powerhouses joined forces, they could contribute everything they had for Tong and Cao Cao.
Zhao Yun, Zhou Cang, and Taishi Ci could only watch these people in envy. If possible, they wanted their former lord to surrender as well.