📜 Story 41: Cao Cao's Victory Without a Fight

1. Cao Cao Remains Inactive

 

At the time, Cao Cao was stationed in Yizhou and took no military action.

 

Generals Xiahou Dun and Zhang Liao reported, "If you don't intend to attack Liaodong (Gongsun Kang), you should return to Xuchang now! We fear Liu Biao in the south might take the opportunity to attack."

 

Cao Cao replied, "Once the heads of the Yuan brothers arrive, I will immediately lead my troops back." Hearing this, all the officials secretly laughed, thinking Cao Cao was boasting.

 

2. The Heads of the Yuan Brothers Arrive

 

Just then, someone reported: Gongsun Kang of Liaodong had sent someone with the heads of Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang! All the officials were astonished.

 

The messenger presented Gongsun Kang's letter. Cao Cao laughed and said, "Just as Fengxiao (Guo Jia's courtesy name) predicted!" He richly rewarded the messenger and appointed Gongsun Kang as Marquis of Xiangping and General of the Left.

 

3. Guo Jia's Brilliant Plan Revealed

The officials all asked curiously, "Why do you say it was within Guo Jia's expectations?" Cao Cao then showed everyone Guo Jia's letter. The letter essentially stated:

 

"Now I hear that the brothers Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang have fled to Liaodong. My lord, you absolutely must not send troops to attack them. Gongsun Kang has always been afraid of being annexed by Yuan Shao, so he will certainly be suspicious of the Yuan family's defection."

 

"If you lead your troops to attack Liaodong now, Gongsun Kang and the Yuan brothers will surely unite to resist, making it very difficult to conquer. But if you slow down your offensive, Gongsun Kang and the Yuan brothers will inevitably turn on each other."

041 

Guo Jia predicted that the Gongsun family would kill Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang.

Reason: Guo Jia knew that the Gongsun family was still observing; at this time, Cao Cao absolutely could not attack the Gongsun family, otherwise they would think Cao Cao was a trustworthy distant power / force.