🔥 Story 14 : The Burning of Puyang City

🔥 Story 14 : The Burning of Puyang City

After Lü Bu returned to camp, he consulted with Chen Gong. Chen Gong said, "There's a wealthy and powerful family named Tian in Puyang City. We can have him send a message to Cao Cao saying that you are cruel and tyrannical, and the people hate you. Then, pretend that you've transferred all your troops to Liyang, leaving only Gao Shun to defend the city. Cao Cao will definitely attack the city at night. We'll prepare fire attacks and ambushes within the city. Once he enters, he'll fall into the trap and won't be able to escape." Lü Bu followed this plan and sent someone to have Tian deliver the false letter to Cao Cao.

Cao Cao had just suffered a defeat and was hesitant when Tian's messenger arrived, presenting the secret letter. The letter said, "Lü Bu has gone to Liyang, and the city is sparsely defended. Please come quickly; we will meet you in the city. A white flag with the character '义' (righteousness) on it is the code." Cao Cao was overjoyed and said, "Heaven is giving me Puyang!"

1. How could Lü Bu possibly find out Cao Cao's whereabouts?

2. Hunting down a specific target in a chaotic city is inherently difficult. How could the initial fire trap be designed to more easily capture Cao Cao?

1. How could Lü Bu possibly find out Cao Cao's whereabouts?

"I was sent by Guo Jia; please escape with me!"

In other words, first pretend to be a member of the enemy camp to gain their trust. The goal isn't to hunt him down, but to gain their trust through deception.

Alternatively, arrange for a resident or a wealthy person in the city to act as a double agent; feigning help for Cao Cao while actually leading him into the trap again.

2. Hunting down a specific target in a chaotic city is inherently difficult. How should the initial fire trap be designed to make it easier to capture Cao Cao?

It needs to be very elaborate. For example, inside the administrative buildings and around the city, there should be actors acting as if they are genuinely welcoming Cao Cao, encouraging him to venture deeper and reach specific locations.