🎯 Story 17 : Cao Cao's Ambush

🎯 Story 17 : Cao Cao's Ambush

Dian Wei turned back to rescue Cao Cao, just as Xiahou Yuan arrived. Together, they rescued Cao Cao from the inferno and broke through the flames. Cao Cao switched horses with Xiahou Yuan, while Dian Wei fought his way through, and the battle raged until dawn. Cao Cao finally made it back to his camp. His generals knelt to inquire about his safety, and Cao Cao looked up and laughed, saying, "I actually fell for the trick of a petty man! I must take revenge!" Guo Jia said, "Then quickly devise a plan." Cao Cao said, "Use their tricks against them. Now spread the word that I was burned and poisoned, and died at dawn. Lü Bu will definitely take the opportunity to attack. When their army is halfway there, we will launch an ambush from Maling Mountain and capture Lü Bu." Guo Jia said, "That's a brilliant plan!" So Cao Cao ordered his soldiers to wear mourning clothes and hold a fake funeral, pretending that he was really dead. Soon, someone ran from Puyang to tell Lü Bu, "Cao Cao was burned and died after returning to camp."

Upon hearing this, Lü Bu immediately assembled his army and marched towards Maling Mountain. However, just as he approached Cao Cao's camp, a drum sounded, and troops lying in ambush suddenly charged out from all sides! Lü Bu fought his way out, escaping but suffering heavy losses. After retreating back to Puyang, he dared not engage in battle again, and could only hold out in the city.

1. Why did Lü Bu fall for the trap?

2. Why was Cao Cao's ambush strategy effective?

1. Why did Lü Bu fall for the trap?

Because he was too eager to defeat Cao Cao, impatient and lacking in stability.

He could certainly launch a large-scale attack, but the army must have scouts to probe the situation, a second wave of scouts to observe the roadsides, and reconnoiter the surrounding terrain. While aggressive action can bring success, stability is essential for safety.

2. Why was Cao Cao's ambush strategy effective?

Because Lü Bu's army had completely fallen into a perfectly designed trap devised by Cao Cao and Guo Jia. The attackers were in a position easily defended and difficult to attack; all they needed to do was continuously throw their projectiles.

Lü Bu was too eager to win; instead of seeking a steady victory, he rushed for it.

This also teaches us a lesson: we should strive for a steady victory, not rush in recklessly. During the charge, we must be attentive to dangerous signals, or the opposite signals. When a signal appears, we should wisely judge: is it a real signal or a false one? Is the opponent truly defeated, or feigning defeat? If it is a genuine danger signal, we should change formation and retreat slowly.

How exactly do we judge: is the opponent truly defeated, or feigning defeat? Here, we need to add a supplementary text: Cao Gui's Discussion on Warfare

Book: Zuo Zhuan, Chapter: Duke Zhuang of Lu, Date: Tenth year of Duke Zhuang of Lu; Author: Zuo Qiuming of the Zhou Dynasty.

Cao Gui's Discussion on War

In spring, the Qi army invaded our state (Lu), and Duke Zhuang of Lu prepared for battle. Cao Gui requested an audience with Duke Zhuang. His fellow villagers advised him, "Those in high positions (in ancient times, meat was scarce, and there was no large-scale animal husbandry; only high-ranking officials had access to more meat) will naturally have their own plans. You are not a high-ranking official, so why should you get involved?" Cao Gui replied, "Those in power now are shallow-minded and lack foresight." Therefore, he went to see Duke Zhuang.

(Note: The highlighted characters are for general knowledge purposes only.)

Cao Gui asked Duke Zhuang, "What will you rely on to fight your enemy?" Duke Zhuang of Lu responded, "If I possess fine clothes and delicious food, I dare not keep them all to myself; I will certainly share them with others." Cao Gui replied, "Small favors cannot be universally bestowed; the people will not follow you." Duke Zhuang then said, "The cattle, sheep, pigs, jade, and cloth used in sacrifices will not be altered in quantity; I will always be honest with the gods." Cao Gui replied, "Small honesty cannot gain the gods' trust; the gods will not bestow blessings." Duke Zhuang said, "Although I cannot investigate every case, large or small, I will certainly handle them according to the facts." Cao Gui replied, "This is how you can gain the people's trust and loyalty, thus enabling you to fight your opponents. When we go to war, please allow me to accompany you."

Duke Zhuang and Cao Gui rode together in a chariot and engaged the Qi army in battle at Changshao. Duke Zhuang prepared to beat the drums to advance, but Cao Gui said, "Not yet." After the Qi army beat the drums three times, Cao Gui said, "Now." The Qi army was defeated. Duke Zhuang of Lu prepared to pursue, but Cao Gui said, "Not yet." Cao Gui dismounted and observed the wheel tracks left by the retreating Qi army's chariots. He then climbed onto the crossbar of his own chariot, surveyed the Qi army, and concluded, "Now is the time." So they pursued the Qi army.

After the victory, Duke Zhuang asked Cao Gui why he had succeeded. Cao Gui replied, "In battle, courage is paramount. The Qi army's morale was boosted by their first drumbeat, weakened by their second, and utterly exhausted by their third. Their morale was depleted while ours was high, which is why we were able to defeat them. In pursuit, with large states, it's difficult to predict their true strength or weakness, and there was a fear of an ambush. Therefore, I first observed: I saw the Qi army's wheel tracks and flags were disordered, and judged that their defeat was genuine, not feigned. That's why I dared to pursue them."