Chapter 22: Xiao Bowen, they call you the Bo Le of our time.

"Liu Cong, Sun Quan..." Cao Cao stroked his thin beard, deep in thought.

"If our army fails to take the city after a long siege and retreats north, Liu Bei will surely turn back and head south to Xiangyang to deal with Liu Cong."

"Furthermore, the Cai and Kuai clans are both prominent families of Xiangyang; they will never tolerate the city falling into Liu Bei's hands."

"With a single decree from the Chancellor, not to mention Liu Cong, Cai Mao and Kuai Yue will certainly muster the full strength of Jingzhou and march north to launch an all-out assault on Xiangyang."

"The military force that Liu Cong and his ministers can mobilize right now is at least thirty to forty thousand, which is enough to exert significant pressure on Liu Bei."

Listening to Cheng Yu's further explanation, Cao Cao nodded repeatedly.

After finishing with Liu Cong, Cheng Yu pointed to the east:

"That Sun Quan is ambitious. Since securing his hold on Jiangdong, he has been expanding steadily westward. Last year, he even captured Xiakou, executed Huang Zu, and occupied half of Jiangxia Commandery."

"I suspect his goal is to seize Jingzhou and control the entire Yangtze River."

"Now that Liu Biao has passed away and Jingzhou is fragmented, it is the perfect opportunity to take advantage of the situation."

"The Chancellor only needs to offer a little incentive, and I am certain Sun Quan will throw everything he has into a fierce attack on Jiangxia, severing Liu Qi, who is Liu Bei's only foreign support."

"With us attacking from three sides, we will trap Liu Bei in Xiangfan. Even if that Zhuge Liang truly possesses the heaven-defying talent Yuanzhi described, how could he possibly turn the tide?"

Cheng Yu stroked his beard, wearing the smile of a man who held the entire board in his hands, laying out his comprehensive strategy.

Cao Cao nodded slightly, his eyes filled with satisfaction. Ever since Guo Jia passed away last year, Cheng Yu had shouldered the responsibility as the pillar of his advisory staff, and he appeared quite capable.

"Good, Zhongde's plan is excellent."

"Send messengers to Jiangling immediately with the decree, ordering Liu Cong, Cai Mao, and their subordinates to muster the full force of Jingzhou and march north to attack Xiangyang."

"As for Jiangdong, I shall personally write a letter to invite that 'Green-Eyed Boy' to hunt in Chu and join in exterminating Liu Bei!"

Cao Cao waved his hand, readily adopting Cheng Yu's strategy.

At this moment, Liu Ye added:

"The naval forces of Jingzhou are mostly stationed in Jiangling and Xiakou. Although Liu Bei captured the naval forces at Fancheng, they possess no more than a hundred warships."

"Moreover, most of Liu Bei's soldiers are unaccustomed to naval warfare. Guan Yu is a northerner and certainly not skilled in commanding a navy; therefore, this naval force is the weakest link in Liu Bei's army."

"Thus, I suggest that the Chancellor immediately deploy the five thousand naval troops trained in Wancheng via the Yu River to the Han River to engage Guan Yu's fleet in battle."

"If we can defeat Guan Yu, our army will easily gain control of the Han River, sever the water connection between Fancheng and Xiangyang, and isolate the city."

"In this way, Fancheng will fall, and Xiangyang will be easily taken!"

Hearing Liu Ye's plan, a flash of brilliance appeared in Cao Cao's eyes.

When he first set out to conquer Jingzhou, he had indeed trained a naval force in the Wancheng area, intending to use them to cross the Han River. However, after Liu Cong surrendered, he assumed Jingzhou would be taken without a fight and had forgotten about them, failing to bring them along.

"Ziyang's reminder is most timely. While this naval force of mine may not have much chance against the Jingzhou navy, dealing with Liu Bei's fleet will be a simple matter."

Cao Cao’s lips curled into a cold sneer as he gestured and commanded:

"Follow Ziyang's suggestion. Order Wenze to bring those five thousand naval troops to me immediately."

...

Orders were issued one after another, and messengers set out.

Cao Cao's gaze drifted past Fancheng toward Xiangyang on the other side of the Han River, a hint of contempt flashing in his eyes.

"Liu Bei, you and I have fought for the better part of a lifetime; it is time for this to end."

"Do you think that with a village rustic like Zhuge to assist you and a city like Xiangyang in your grasp, you can stop my million-strong army?"

"I will show you that no one can stand in the way of my path to unifying the world!"

...

Seven days later, on the northern gate tower of Xiangyang.

Wreaths of savory meat aroma wafted through the courtyard, making the personal guards swallow hard.

Xiao He lay on a self-made lazy chair, sipping wine and chewing roasted peas. A few guards were busy, smoke and fire billowing as they turned the grilled fish on the rack.

Guan Yinping stood by the battlements, using a telescope to observe the scene in Fancheng across the river.

"Xiao Bowen, this Huo Jun you recommended is truly a genius at defending cities. The Cao army has been repelled by him again."

"Counting this time, that makes about the sixth time, right?"

"Sun Gongyou and Jian Xian are already calling you the 'Reincarnated Bo Le' behind your back..."

Guan Yinping kept her eyes glued to the telescope, her little mouth chattering incessantly with praise.

Looking at the young lady of the Guan family, who was obsessed with the telescope, Xiao He gave a wry smile. Ever since he let her use it once at Fancheng, she had been hooked. For the past few days, she had been dragging him to the Xiangyang gate tower every day under the pretext of observing the war in Fancheng.

Huo Jun had pinned Cao Cao down at Fancheng, and since there was no fighting in Xiangyang, he was idle anyway. Xiao He simply played along, accompanying her to the tower daily to soak up the sun, drink wine, and enjoy the leisure.

Two plump fish were grilled to perfection, and a guard brought them over.

"Of all the important things, eating is the most important. Miss Guan, eat your fill before you go back to watching."

Perhaps due to the psychological trauma of hunger from when he first arrived in this era, his hidden nature was that of a foodie. As soon as he saw the fish sizzling with oil, his eyes lit up. He sat straight up and called out to Guan Yinping with a gulp.

Guan Yinping reluctantly put down the telescope, turned around, and knelt to sit.

The aroma of the fish was intoxicating; she, too, was tempted, and she rolled up her sleeves with her fair hands, ready to dive in.

"Wait!"

Xiao He stopped her, mysteriously producing a small bottle from his pouch.

"Grilled fish without chili is a fish without a soul~~"

As he spoke, Xiao He unscrewed the cap and carefully sprinkled a dash of red powder over the fish.

"Chi... chili?"

"What is chili? I only know of Sichuan peppercorns, which have a pungent, spicy taste."

Guan Yinping fluttered her eyelashes, staring blankly at the bottle in Xiao He's hand.

"That... ahem... is a seasoning my master grows himself. Naturally, you wouldn't have seen it."

Xiao He stuck to his habit of attributing everything inexplicable to his fictional master.

Guan Yinping said "Oh," and then looked curious:

"I actually like spicy flavors; I add peppercorns to every meal. Is your chili as spicy as peppercorns?"

Xiao He glanced at Guan Yinping.

This young lady of the Guan family had quite a bold palate...

"The spiciness of peppercorns and the spiciness of this chili cannot be spoken of in the same breath. Try a small bite first to see if you can handle it."

As he spoke, Xiao He handed her a piece of grilled fish already sprinkled with chili powder.

"How spicy could it be? Could I possibly be unable to handle it?"

Guan Yinping tilted her head, unimpressed, and took a big bite.

The next moment, her bright eyes widened, and her pretty face flushed red...

"Quick, quick, give me water, water—"

Guan Yinping jumped up, gasping for air, stomping her feet in a rush, tears of spice streaming down her cheeks.

"I told you, this chili is far spicier than peppercorns, I told you to just try a small bite..."

Xiao He laughed while pouring her water.

"How was I supposed to know your chili would be this spicy? Is this some kind of celestial pepper from another world?"

"Quick, give me another cup!"

Guan Yinping complained indignantly while gulping down the water.

Xiao He could only smile bitterly, scrambling to serve her.

The guards to the left and right watched this scene, secretly stifling their laughter.

A few steps away, Liu Bei had just arrived on the gate tower.

Seeing the two of them like this, Liu Bei looked at Zhao Yun with curiosity:

"Zilong, what are they doing?"

Zhao Yun was also confused and could only say:

"It seems that Attendant Xiao gave Yinping something called a chili, and Yinping was made like this by the spice."

Chili?

Liu Bei’s eyes were blank; he had clearly never heard of such a thing.

However, watching the two young people "flirting," Liu Bei’s eyes brightened, and a knowing, meaningful smile appeared on his face.

"Zilong, the more I look at it, the more I feel that my niece Yinping and Bowen are a perfect match. What do you think?"