“Zhou Yu is very clever and perfectly high-minded,” said Jiang Gan. “Nothing that I could say moved him in the least.”
“Your failure makes me look ridiculous,” said Cao Cao.
“Well, if I did not win over Zhou Yu, I found out something for you. Send away these people and I will tell you,” said Jiang Gan.
The servants were dismissed, and then Jiang Gan produced the letter he had stolen from Zhou Yu's tent. He gave it to Cao Cao. Cao Cao was very angry and sent for Cai Mao and Zhang Yun at once. As soon as they appeared, he said, “I want you two to attack.”
Cai Mao replied, “But the soldiers are not yet sufficiently trained.”
“The soldiers will be well enough trained when you have sent my head to Zhou Yu, eh?”
Both commanders were dumb-founded, having not the least idea what this meant. They remained silent for they had nothing to say. Cao Cao bade the executioners lead them away to instant death. In a short time their heads were produced.
By this time Cao Cao had thought over the matter, and it dawned upon him that he had been tricked. A poem says:
The death of these two naval commanders caused much consternation in the camp, and all their colleagues asked the reason for their sudden execution. Though Cao Cao knew they had been victimized, he would not acknowledge it.
So he said, “These two had been remiss, and so had been put to death.”
The others were aghast, but nothing could be done. Two other officers, Mao Jie and Yu Jin, were put in command of the naval camp.
Spies took the news to Zhou Yu, who was delighted at the success of his ruse.
“Those two Cai Mao and Zhang Yun were my only source of anxiety,” said he. “Now they are gone; I am quite happy.”
Lu Su said, “General, if you can continue like this, you need not fear Cao Cao.”
“I do not think any of them saw my game,” said Zhou Yu, except Zhuge Liang. He beats me, and I do not think this ruse was hidden from him. You go and sound him. See if he knew.”
What passed between Lu Su and Zhuge Liang will next be related.
Lu Su departed on his mission and found Zhuge Liang seated in his little craft.
“There has been so much to do that I have not been able to come to listen to your instructions,” said Lu Su.
“That is truly so,” said Zhuge Liang, “and I have not yet congratulated the Commander-in-Chief.”
“What have you wished to congratulate him upon?”
“Why Sir, the matter upon which he sent you to find out whether I knew about it or not. Indeed I can congratulate him on that.”
Lu Su turned pale and gasped, saying, “But how did you know, Master?”
“The ruse succeeded well thus played off on Jiang Gan. Cao Cao has been taken in this once, but he will soon rise to it. Only he will not confess his mistake. However, the two men are gone, and your country is freed from a grave anxiety. Do you not think that is a matter for congratulation? I hear Mao Jie and Yu Jin are the new admirals, and in their hands lie both good and evil for the fate of the northern fleet.”
Lu Su was quite dumbfounded; he stayed a little time longer passing the time in making empty remarks, and then took his leave.
As he was going away, Zhuge Liang cautioned him, saying, “Do not let Zhou Yu know that I know his ruse. If you let him know, he will seek some chance to do me harm.”
Lu Su promised; nevertheless he went straight to his chief and related the whole thing just as it happened.
“Really he must be got rid of;” said Zhou Yu, “I have quite decided to put the man out of the way.”
“If you slay him, will not Cao Cao laugh at you?”
“Oh, no; I will find a legitimate way of getting rid of him so that he shall go to his death without resentment.”
“But how can you find a legitimate way of assassinating him?”
“Do not ask too much; you will see presently.”
Soon after all the officers were summoned to the main tent, and Zhuge Liang's presence was desired. He went contentedly enough.
When all were seated, Zhou Yu suddenly addressed Zhuge Liang, saying, “I am going to fight a battle with the enemy soon on the water: what weapons are the best?”
