Chapter 55: I am a Man of Yi Province

Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong immediately informed Liu Bei that Cao Cao's army had chained their ships together with iron locks.

Liu Bei, who had long since learned of this history from Zhao Shaojie, happily offered a few words of encouragement and told the two of them to closely observe the celestial phenomena and await the arrival of the eastern wind.

Meanwhile, within Cao Cao's camp, after the ships were linked with iron locks, the number of sick soldiers indeed decreased significantly, and the symptoms of many others alleviated. However, there were still many who were beyond saving and succumbed to the illness.

Nevertheless, everyone's morale was soaring at this moment, and no one paid it any mind—nor did they dare to. After all, Cao Cao himself had explicitly stated that spreading talk of an epidemic would be dealt with by military law.

On this day, Cao Cao's preparations were nearly complete, and bamboo rafts had been constructed at several outlets along the river.

Cao Cao hosted a banquet for everyone once again. In high spirits, he suddenly sighed with emotion: "Liu Xuande and I knew each other in our youth and raised troops together. Now at war, if Liu Xuande should die in the chaos of battle, we would never have a chance to meet again."

With that, he looked at one of the men: "Changwen has a past friendship with Liu Xuande. Go and tell him that if he surrenders, he shall still be the Left General of the imperial court, and I will not hold his past actions against him."

Everyone was startled by Cao Cao's whimsical idea, but they also knew that Cao Cao's moods were fickle and he could sometimes treat people exceptionally well.

Chen Qun, whose courtesy name was Changwen, had previously served as Liu Bei's Chief Registrar (Biejia). Although he was unhappy in his heart, he still agreed.

That very day, Chen Qun took a servant, boarded a small boat, and crossed the river.

In Liu Bei's camp, a council was also underway.

"According to the celestial phenomena, there will be an eastern wind for the next few days!" Zhuge Liang said with certainty. "We can have Xingba send the letter now."

Liu Bei looked at Gan Ning: "Has the fake surrender letter been prepared?"

Gan Ning spoke loudly: "It has been ready for a long time."

Among Liu Bei's army right now, the person most eager for the war to begin was none other than Gan Ning; he was about to make his name in history!

As the few of them were talking, someone suddenly came in to report.

"My lord, someone claiming to be Chen Changwen has arrived, saying an old friend has come to visit!"

Liu Bei was taken aback. Chen Qun had come? What trick was Cao Cao playing this time?

Zhao Shaojie was also baffled; there was no record in history of Chen Qun crossing the river to visit Liu Bei. Just as he was wondering, Zhuge Liang looked at Gan Ning: "Xingba, the man who will help you deliver your letter has arrived!"

Gan Ning was startled, and immediately rejoiced: "That's right!"

Liu Bei nodded: "That works too." He agreed to find a way to have Chen Qun carry Gan Ning's fake surrender letter, and instructed: "You all withdraw. Xingba, go prepare the letter, and after Chen Qun leaves, stealthily slip the letter to him. I will see Chen Qun first."

Zhuge Liang and the others left the tent to make their respective preparations.

A short while later, Chen Qun was led in by soldiers. Although he did not want to come, since he was already here, he smiled and bowed to Liu Bei: "Greetings, Left General."

"Changwen, no need for such formalities!" Liu Bei pulled Chen Qun up and asked with a smile: "How have things been under Cao Cao's rule?"

"Thanks to the Left General's concern, under the court's rule, all my abilities have been put to use," Chen Qun replied.

"That means under my command, your abilities were not put to use?" Liu Bei shook his head, chuckled lightly, and changed the subject: "What brings you across the river on Cao Cao's orders?"

Chen Qun stated bluntly: "The Prime Minister believes that you and he knew each other in your youth, raised troops together, and share a deep bond. He does not wish to see the current situation unfold. Therefore, if the Left General is willing to return to the imperial court, the Left General shall still be the Left General!"

Liu Bei froze for a moment, looked at Chen Qun, gradually broke into a smile, and shook his head, saying: "Ever since I left Xuchang, Mengde and I have been irreconcilable. I am deeply touched that he harbors this sentiment. However, those who walk different paths cannot make plans together!"

"Go back and tell Mengde: there is only a Liu Bei who dies in battle, never a Liu Bei who surrenders to Cao Cao!"

Chen Qun did not expect Liu Bei to surrender anyway, so he said sternly: "I will certainly convey the Left General's words to the Prime Minister." With that, he bowed and said: "Farewell."

However, Liu Bei reached out and grabbed Chen Qun, laughing: "Changwen, we haven't seen each other in years, why the rush? Besides, since Mengde still wishes for me to surrender, I cannot be heartless. I have prepared some gifts that you can help take back."

...

In the afternoon, Chen Qun left Liu Bei's main camp carrying brown sugar and tea leaves. Reaching the riverbank, he was escorted by a boat from Liu Bei's forces and boarded it to depart.

After traveling for a distance, they suddenly saw a patrol of ships bearing down on them, which directly intercepted them.

The leading warrior had a rugged appearance and an accent that did not sound like a native of Jingzhou. He spoke up: "Have you been thoroughly inspected? Are you carrying any of our military secrets?"

The officer escorting the boat said: "These are gifts sent by our lord to the opposite bank. There is no need for inspection!"

The rugged warrior sneered: "No crossing without inspection; this is my duty!" With that, he rummaged through the items Chen Qun was carrying, putting on a show of faithfully executing his duties.

Chen Qun shook his head, but didn't take it to heart.

A short while later, the rugged warrior finished the inspection and nodded: "Hmph, you know what's good for you. Inspection complete, you may cross the river."

Chen Qun continued on his way. Once they reached the middle of the Yangtze River, Liu Bei's guards turned back, and Chen Qun proceeded alone. Upon reaching the shore and unloading the gifts Liu Bei sent to Cao Cao, someone discovered that a letter had unexpectedly been added among the gifts.

Upon seeing this, Chen Qun immediately realized something and hurried off to find Cao Cao.

Cao Cao was still banqueting on this day.

Chen Qun returned with the gifts and the letter, presenting them immediately.

"Liu Bei said that those who walk different paths cannot make plans together; there is only a Liu Bei who dies in battle, never a Liu Bei who surrenders..." Chen Qun reiterated Liu Bei's words.

Cao Cao opened the gifts and took a look—brown sugar and tea leaves.

"The sugar blocks can be eaten raw and taste extremely delicious, while the tea leaves need to be boiled in hot water, which also has a uniquely delightful flavor," Chen Qun explained the method of consumption Liu Bei had taught him.

Cao Cao took a bite of the brown sugar; it was indeed delicious. His eyes lit up instantly, and he immediately ordered someone to boil the tea leaves, absentmindedly picking up the letter as well.

"This letter was stealthily slipped in by a naval commander under Liu Bei's command," Chen Qun explained.

Eating his sugar, Cao Cao unfolded the letter and read: "Your humble servant Gan Ning, originally a man of Yizhou, suffered humiliation under Liu Zhang and fled to Jingzhou, wishing to serve Liu Biao to seek revenge. Yet Liu Biao failed to recognize a hero, and your servant wasted several years, eventually being incorporated under Huang Zu's command. Before the Prime Minister moved south, Liu Bei wrote to demand him from Huang Zu. Your servant was extremely unwilling, but had no choice but to submit to Liu Bei. Now that the Prime Minister has pacified Jingzhou and will soon move down to Yizhou, your servant begs to lead his troops to follow the Prime Minister and serve as the vanguard in conquering Shu!"

"Gan Ning actually wants to surrender to our army?!" Cao Cao was chewing brown sugar, his voice slurred, but the excitement in his tone was unmistakable. He passed the letter around for everyone to read.

After reading it, everyone was pleasantly surprised.

They also had some understanding of Liu Bei's army. Aside from Guan Xiu and the generals under Liu Qi, naval commanders were extremely scarce in Liu Bei's ranks.

This Gan Ning, who had formerly served under Huang Zu, could already be considered a pillar of strength for Liu Bei's navy.

For such a figure to actually come and defect to their side—who wouldn't be overjoyed?

After everyone finished reading the letter, Cao Cao looked at them and asked: "What do you all think? How much truth is there in Gan Ning's surrender?"