Chapter 45

Chapter 45

Here is the translation of the passage from Chapter 45 of *Romance of the Three Kingdoms*:

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When Zhou Yu heard Zhuge Jin's words, his hatred for Kongming deepened, and he resolved to have him killed. The next day he mustered his officers and went to take leave of Sun Quan. Sun Quan said, "You go ahead, and I will follow with troops." Zhou Yu took his leave and, together with Cheng Pu and Lu Su, led the troops forward, inviting Kongming to accompany them. Kongming gladly agreed. They boarded the ships together, raised their sails, and advanced toward Xiakou. About fifty or sixty *li* from the Sanjiangkou, the ships came to anchor in proper order. Zhou Yu established his main camp in the center, with land encampments along the western hills all around. Kongming took up residence in a single small boat.

Once Zhou Yu had completed his dispositions, he sent for Kongming to discuss matters. Kongming arrived at the central command tent and the formal courtesies were completed. Zhou Yu said, "In former days, when Cao Cao had fewer troops and Yuan Shao had more, Cao Cao prevailed over Yuan Shao because he followed Xu You's strategy and first cut off the grain supply at Wuchao. Now Cao Cao has eight hundred and thirty thousand troops, while we have only fifty or sixty thousand. How can we resist him? We too must first sever Cao Cao's grain supply, and then we can defeat him. I have learned that Cao Cao's army provisions are all stored at Jie tie Shan. You, sir, have long resided in the Han River region and are thoroughly familiar with the geography. I would trouble you to go with Guan, Zhang, and Zilong, and I will also supply a thousand men, to rush by night to Jie tie Shan and cut off Cao Cao's grain route. Each of us will be serving his own master's cause, and I hope you will not decline."

Kongming thought to himself, "This is because he cannot persuade me, so he is scheming to harm me. If I decline, he will certainly mock me. Better to accept and devise my own plan." He therefore gladly agreed. Zhou Yu was delighted. Kongming took his leave. Lu Su privately said to Zhou Yu, "Why did you send Kongming to raid the grain supply?" Zhou Yu replied, "I wish to kill Kongming, but I fear people would talk. So I am borrowing Cao Cao's hand to kill him, to eliminate future trouble."

Hearing this, Lu Su went to see Kongming, to observe whether he knew or not. He saw Kongming show no sign of difficulty whatsoever, and busily preparing his troops to march. Lu Su, unable to bear it, tested him with a question, saying, "Sir, do you think you will succeed on this mission?" Kongming smiled and said, "Whether it be water combat, infantry combat, cavalry combat, or chariot combat, I excel in each. Why should I worry about failing to achieve merit? I am not like the men of Jiangdong—you and Lord Zhou each have only one skill." Lu Su said, "What do you mean that Lord Zhou and I have only one skill each?" Kongming said, "I have heard a children's rhyme in the south of the Yangtze: 'For guarding passes and lying in ambush, Zijing is your man; for water battles on the river, rely on Zhou Lang.' You, sir, are capable only of guarding passes and lying in ambush on land; Zhou Yu is fit only for water battles and cannot fight on land."

Lu Su then reported these words to Zhou Yu. Zhou Yu was furious and said, "How dare he mock me as unable to fight on land! I will not use him! I will lead ten thousand cavalry myself to Jie tie Shan and cut off Cao Cao's grain route." Lu Su reported this to Kongming. Kongming smiled and said, "Zhou Yu sent me to cut the grain supply because he truly wants Cao Cao to kill me. I deliberately provoked him with a few words, and Zhou Yu could not contain his anger. At a time when we need men most, I only hope that the Marquis of Wu and the Envoy Liu will work together with one heart—then success can be achieved. If they scheme against each other, the great cause is finished. The rebel Cao Cao is full of stratagems; all his life he has made a habit of cutting off others' grain routes. How could he now fail to guard against this with heavy forces? If Zhou Yu goes, he will certainly be captured. For now we should first decide the matter by water battle, to blunt the northern army's morale, and then seek some clever plan to defeat them. I hope you, Zijing, will kindly convey this to Zhou Yu."

Lu Su then returned that very night to see Zhou Yu and relayed Kongming's words in full. Zhou Yu shook his head and stamped his feet, saying, "This man's understanding surpasses mine tenfold. If I do not eliminate him now, he will certainly become a scourge to our state!" Lu Su said, "At a time when we need men most, I hope you will put the state first. We can deal with this after Cao Cao is defeated—it will not be too late." Zhou Yu accepted his advice.

Now, Liu Bei had instructed Liu Qi to defend Jiangxia while he himself led the other generals and marched toward Xiakou. Gazying at the southern bank of the river, he saw banners faintly visible and spears and halberds massed thickly, and concluded that the eastern Wu army had already set forth. He therefore moved all the Jiangxia troops to encamp at Fankou. Liu Bei gathered his men and said, "Kongming has been in Jiangdong for some time without any word. I do not know how matters stand. Who will go to find out the true situation and report back?" Mi Zhu said, "I volunteer to go."

Liu Bei then prepared gifts of sheep and wine and sent Mi Zhu to Jiangdong, ostensibly to present provisions to the army but in reality to gather intelligence. Mi Zhu received his orders, took a small boat, and sailed downstream directly to Zhou Yu's main camp. The soldiers reported his arrival to Zhou Yu, who summoned him inside. Mi Zhu bowed twice and conveyed Liu Bei's respectful regards, then presented the wine and gifts. Zhou Yu accepted them and held a banquet to entertain Mi Zhu. Mi Zhu said, "Kongming has been here for some time now. I hope he may return with me." Zhou Yu said, "Kongming is just now joining me in planning how to defeat Cao Cao. How can he leave at once? I also wish to see the Envoy Liu to discuss strategy together, but I command the great army and cannot leave even briefly. If the Envoy Liu would graciously come here, it would be deeply appreciated."

Mi Zhu assented and took his leave. Lu Su asked Zhou Yu, "Why do you wish to see Liu Bei? What is your plan?" Zhou Yu said, "Liu Bei is a hero of his age and must not be spared. I will use this opportunity to lure him here and kill him, thereby removing a future threat to the state." Lu Su repeatedly urged him not to, but Zhou Yu would not listen. He then issued secret orders: "When Liu Bei arrives, conceal fifty swordsmen and axemen behind the wall hangings. When I throw my cup as the signal, they are to come out and strike."

Mi Zhu returned to Liu Bei and reported that Zhou Yu wished to invite his lord to meet with him personally to discuss other matters. Liu Bei ordered a fast boat to be prepared and said he would depart immediately. Yun Chang admonished him, "Zhou Yu is a man full of schemes, and we have no letter from Kongming. I fear there may be treachery—you must not go lightly." Liu Bei said, "I have now allied with Jiangdong to defeat Cao Cao together. If Zhou Yu wishes to see me and I do not go, that is not the spirit of an alliance. Mutual suspicion will make cooperation impossible." Yun Chang said, "If my lord insists on going, I will accompany you." Zhang Fei said, "I will go too." Liu Bei said, "Only Yun Chang will come with me. Yide and Zilong will guard the camp, and Jian Yong will hold E County. I will return as soon as I have finished."

Having given his orders, he and Yun Chang boarded a small boat with more than twenty attendants and sailed swiftly toward Jiangdong. Xuande observed the massive warships, banners, armor, and weapons of Jiangdong, arrayed in perfect order on both sides, and was greatly pleased. A soldier came hurrying to report to Zhou Yu: "Governor Liu of Yuzhou has arrived." Zhou Yu asked, "How many ships did he bring?" The soldier replied, "Only one boat and some twenty-odd attendants." Zhou Yu laughed and said, "This man's fate is sealed!" He ordered his executioners to lie in wait beforehand, then came out of his camp to greet the visitor.

Xuande led Yun Chang and the others, some twenty men in all, straight to the central command tent. After the formal courtesies were exchanged, Zhou Yu invited Xuande to take the seat of honor. Xuande said, "Your fame resounds throughout the world. I am a man of no ability — why should you trouble yourself with such ceremony?" They then took their seats according to the proper order of host and guest, and Zhou Yu set out a banquet in his honor.

Now it happened that Kongming had come by chance to the riverbank and learned that Xuande had arrived to meet with the Commander-in-Chief. Alarmed, he hurried into the central command tent to observe the situation in secret. He saw that Zhou Yu's face bore a murderous look, and that executioners were massed in concealment behind the wall-hangings on both sides. Kongming was greatly troubled. "What can be done in such a case?" He looked back at Xuande, who was talking and laughing as calmly as ever. Then he noticed a man standing behind Xuande with his hand on his sword — it was Yun Chang. Kongming rejoiced. "My lord is in no danger." And so he did not enter but returned to the riverbank to wait.

Zhou Yu and Xuande drank together. After several rounds of wine, Zhou Yu rose to refill the cups when he suddenly noticed Yun Chang standing behind Xuande with his hand on his sword. He asked who the man was. Xuande said, "My sworn brother, Guan Yun Chang." Zhou Yu was startled. "Is he not the one who slew Yan Liang and Wen Chou in times past?" Xuande said, "Indeed." Zhou Yu was greatly alarmed and broke into a cold sweat. He poured wine himself and offered a toast to Yun Chang.

Shortly afterward, Lu Su entered. Xuande said, "Where is Kongming? I would trouble you, Zijing, to invite him here for a meeting." Zhou Yu said, "We can meet with Kongming after we have defeated Cao Cao — there is no rush." Xuande dared say no more. Yun Chang caught Xuande's eye, and Xuande understood. He rose and took his leave of Zhou Yu, saying, "I will bid you farewell for now. On the very day our enemy is vanquished and victory achieved, I will come specially to offer my congratulations." Zhou Yu did not detain him and escorted him to the camp gate.

Xuande parted from Zhou Yu and went with Yun Chang and the others to the riverbank, where he found Kongming already waiting in the boat. Xuande was overjoyed. Kongming said, "Does my lord know how perilous today's meeting was?" Xuande, astonished, said, "I do not." Kongming said, "But for Yun Chang, my lord would have fallen victim to Zhou Yu." Only then did Xuande realize the danger. He asked Kongming to return with him to Kou. Kongming said, "Though I dwell in the tiger's mouth, I am as secure as Mount Tai. For now, my lord need only gather boats and troops in readiness. Take the twenty-first day of the eleventh month, the jiazi day, as our appointed time. You may have Zilong come in a small boat to wait on the southern bank. Do not be late." Xuande asked what he meant. Kongming said, "When you see the southeast wind rise, I will return." As Xuande was about to ask further questions, Kongming urged him to make haste and set sail. With that, he departed on his own. Xuande, Yun Chang, and the attendants set off in their boat. They had not gone far upstream when they saw some fifty or sixty boats coming down toward them. At the prow of the leading vessel stood a great general with his spear laid across his arm — it was Zhang Fei. Fearing that Xuande might come to harm and that Yun Chang alone could not protect him, he had come to meet them. The three then returned together to camp — but no more of that.

Now Zhou Yu, having seen Xuande off, returned to his camp. Lu Su came in and asked, "You lured Xuande here — why did you not act?" Zhou Yu said, "Yun Chang is a tiger general of this age. He follows Xuande wherever he goes. If I had made a move, he would have struck me down." Lu Su was taken aback.

Then a messenger arrived from Cao Cao bearing a letter. Zhou Yu summoned the messenger and received the letter. On the seal was written: "From the Grand Chancellor of Han, for Commander Zhou's eyes only." Zhou Yu flew into a rage. He would not even open it but tore the letter to pieces, flung it to the ground, and ordered the messenger beheaded. Lu Su said, "When two states are at war, one does not kill the envoy." Zhou Yu said, "I kill the envoy to show our might." And so the messenger was executed, and his head was given to his attendants to carry back.

Zhou Yu then ordered Gan Ning to lead the vanguard, Han Dong to command the left wing, and Jiang Qin the right wing, while he himself marshaled the following columns. They would cook their provisions on the morrow at the fourth watch and set sail at the fifth, advancing with drums beating and war cries raised.

When Cao Cao learned that Zhou Yu had destroyed his letter and slain his envoy, he was furious. He summoned Cai Mao, Zhang Yun, and the other surrendered generals from Jing Province to form the vanguard, while he himself led the rear and hastened the warships to the Three Rivers. There he saw the Wu fleet already covering the river as it approached. At the prow of the leading vessel sat a great general who shouted from his seat, "I am Gan Ning! Who dares come and fight me?" Cai Mao ordered his younger brother Cai Xun to advance. As the two boats drew near, Gan Ning bent his bow and loosed an arrow at Cai Xun, who toppled at the twang of the string. Gan Ning drove his boat forward, and ten thousand crossbows fired as one. The Cao forces could not withstand them. On the right, Jiang Qin and on the left, Han Dong plunged straight into the Cao ranks. Most of Cao Cao's troops were soldiers from Qing and Xu who had never trained for river combat. On the broad face of the great river, the moment the warships rocked, they could scarcely keep their footing. The three columns of Gan Ning's fleet swept freely across the water, and Zhou Yu pressed his boats into the fray. Cao's soldiers, struck by arrows and hit by stones, were beyond counting. They fought from the hour of si straight through to the hour of wei. Though Zhou Yu had gained the advantage, he feared that his outnumbered force could not hold and ordered the signal gongs to recall the fleet.

The Cao forces had been defeated and returned. Cao Cao ascended the land camp and reorganized his troops. He summoned Cai Mao and Zhang Yun and rebuked them, saying, "The Eastern Wu army is small, yet we were defeated by them. This is because you two did not apply yourselves!" Cai Mao said, "The Jing Province navy has not trained for a long time; the Qing and Xu troops are also unaccustomed to fighting on water. That is why we were defeated. Now we should first establish a water camp, placing the Qing and Xu troops in the center and the Jing Province troops on the outside. We should train them daily until they are proficient, and only then can they be deployed." Cao Cao said, "Since you are the commander of the navy, you may act as you see fit. Why must you report to me?" Thereupon Cai Mao and Zhang Yun went on their own to train the navy. Along the river, twenty-four water gates were established. Large ships were placed on the outside to serve as walls, while small ships were placed on the inside, allowing passage back and forth. At nightfall, lanterns were lit, illuminating the sky and water with a red glow. The land camp stretched over three hundred *li*, with smoke and fires unceasing.

Meanwhile, Zhou Yu returned to his camp in victory, rewarded the three armies, and sent a messenger to report his success to the Marquis of Wu. That night, Zhou Yu climbed high to survey the surroundings and saw fires stretching to the sky in the west. His attendants told him, "These are all the lights of the northern army." Zhou Yu was also alarmed. The next day, Zhou Yu wished to personally inspect Cao Cao's water camp. He ordered a single tower ship to be prepared, along with drums and music, and several strong warriors to accompany him, each carrying powerful bows and crossbows. They boarded the ship together and advanced along the river. Upon reaching the edge of Cao's camp, Zhou Yu ordered the anchor stones lowered, and the tower ship's drums and music played in unison. Zhou Yu secretly observed their water camp and was greatly astonished, saying, "This man truly understands the secrets of naval warfare!" He asked, "Who is the commander of the navy?" His attendants replied, "Cai Mao and Zhang Yun." Zhou Yu thought to himself, "These two have long resided in the Jiangdong region and are well-versed in water combat. I must devise a plan to eliminate these two men first, and only then can I defeat Cao Cao."

While Zhou Yu was observing, a soldier from Cao's army quickly reported to Cao Cao, saying, "Zhou Yu is spying on our camp." Cao Cao ordered ships to be launched to capture him. Zhou Yu saw the banners moving within the water camp and quickly ordered the anchor stones raised. Oars and sculls on both sides turned at once, and the ship sped across the water like a bird in flight. By the time ships from Cao's camp emerged, Zhou Yu's tower ship was already more than ten *li* away. They could not catch up and returned to report to Cao Cao.

Cao Cao asked his generals, "Yesterday we lost a battle and our fighting spirit was shaken. Now he has deeply scouted our camp. What plan should I use to defeat him?" Before he had finished speaking, a man stepped forward from among those below the tent and said, "I have been a close classmate of Zhou Lang since childhood. I am willing to rely on my three-inch tongue and go to Jiangdong to persuade him to surrender." Cao Cao was greatly pleased. He looked at the man and saw he was from Jiujiang, named Jiang Gan, styled Ziyi, currently serving as an advisor in his headquarters. Cao Cao asked, "Is Ziyi on good terms with Zhou Gongjin?" Jiang Gan said, "Rest assured, my lord. When I reach Jiangzuo, I will surely succeed." Cao Cao asked, "What do you need to take with you?" Jiang Gan replied, "I need only one boy to accompany me, two servants to man the boat, and nothing else." Cao Cao was very pleased and held a farewell banquet for Jiang Gan. Jiang Gan, wearing a linen cap and cloth robe, sailed a small boat directly to Zhou Yu's camp and had a messenger announce, "Your old friend Jiang Gan has come to visit." Zhou Yu was in his tent discussing military matters when he heard of Jiang Gan's arrival. He smiled and said to his generals, "A persuader has arrived!" Then he whispered to the generals, "Do thus and so." The generals all received their orders and departed.

Zhou Yu adjusted his cap and robes and led several hundred attendants out, all dressed in brocade and flowered caps, surrounding him in front and behind. Jiang Gan led a young boy in blue robes and approached with an air of dignity. Zhou Yu bowed to welcome him. Jiang Gan said, "Gongjin, I trust you have been well since we parted?" Zhou Yu said, "Ziyi, you have endured great hardship crossing the rivers and lakes. Have you come to be a spokesman for the Cao family?" Jiang Gan was stunned and said, "I have long been parted from you and came especially to renew our old friendship. Why do you suspect me of being a persuader?" Zhou Yu smiled and said, "Though I am not as wise as Shi Kuang, I can discern lofty intentions from the sound of strings and song." Jiang Gan said, "Since you treat an old friend this way, I shall take my leave." Zhou Yu smiled and took him by the arm, saying, "I only feared that my elder brother had come to be a spokesman for the Cao family. Since you have no such intention, why leave in such haste?" Thereupon they entered the tent together.

After the formal greetings were completed and they were seated, Zhou Yu gave orders to summon all the heroes of Jiangzuo to meet Ziyi. In a short while, civil officials and military officers, all dressed in brocade, entered in two columns. Junior officers and commanders below the tent all wore silver armor. Zhou Yu had them all presented and then seated them in two rows on either side. A grand banquet was laid out, and the music of military victory was played. Wine was passed around in turn. Zhou Yu announced to the assembled officers, "This is my old classmate and dear friend. Although he has come from north of the river, he is not a spokesman for the Cao family. Let none of you harbor suspicion." He then removed his sword and handed it to Taishi Ci, saying, "You may wear my sword as the wine monitor. Today at this banquet, we shall discuss only the bonds of friendship. Anyone who mentions matters of Cao Cao or the Eastern Wu military shall be beheaded!"

Taishi Ci assented and sat at the banquet with his sword across his knees. Jiang Gan was alarmed and dared not speak much. Zhou Yu said, "Ever since I took command of the army, I have not drunk a drop of wine. But today I have met an old friend and have no suspicions or reservations. I shall drink myself drunk." So saying, he laughed heartily and drank freely, and the cups and counters passed back and forth among the guests. When they were halfway through the banquet, Zhou Yu took Jiang Gan's hand and walked with him outside the tent. The soldiers on all sides were fully armed, standing with spears and halberds in hand. Zhou Yu said, "Are my soldiers not mighty?" Jiang Gan said, "They are truly warriors fierce as bears and tigers."

Yu You then led Gan to the rear of the tent to take a look, where provisions and fodder were piled up like mountains. Yu said, "Are my provisions and fodder sufficiently stocked?" Gan replied, "With elite troops and ample supplies, your reputation is well deserved." Yu, feigning drunkenness, laughed loudly and said, "When Zhou Yu and Ziyi were classmates, I never dreamed of achieving what I have today." Gan said, "With your exceptional talents, this is no more than fitting." Yu took Gan's hand and said, "When a great man lives in the world and meets a lord who truly understands him, outwardly he upholds the bond of ruler and minister, inwardly he forges ties of kinship. His words are always kept, his plans always followed, and fortune and misfortune are shared together. Even if Su Qin, Zhang Yi, Lu Jia, and Li Ji were to rise from the dead—with mouths like rushing rivers and tongues like sharp blades—how could they move my heart!" When he had finished speaking, he laughed loudly. Jiang Gan's face turned the color of clay.

Yu then led Gan back into the tent and gathered the generals for more drinking. Pointing to the generals, he said, "These are all the heroes of Jiangdong. Today's gathering may well be called the 'Assembly of Heroes.'" They drank until late in the evening, when candles were lit. Yu himself rose and danced with a sword, singing a song:

"A man in this world strives to establish merit and fame,

To establish merit and fame is to comfort the life of a man.

To comfort the life of a man, I shall drink myself to drunkenness,

Drunk to oblivion, I shall break into wild song!"

When the song ended, the whole company laughed with delight.

Late into the night, Gan excused himself, saying, "I can hold no more wine." Yu ordered the feast cleared, and the generals took their leave. Yu said, "It has been long since I shared a couch with Ziyi. Tonight we shall sleep with our feet together." Thereupon he pretended to be thoroughly drunk and led Gan into the tent to sleep together. Yu lay down fully clothed, vomiting all about in wild disorder. How could Jiang Gan sleep? He lay on his pillow and listened. The army drums struck the second watch. He rose and saw the dying lamp still burning. Looking at Zhou Yu, his snoring was like thunder.

Gan saw that upon the table in the tent lay a bundle of documents. He got up and stole a look—they were all letters going back and forth. Among them was one letter sealed with the inscription: "Respectfully sealed by Cai Mao and Zhang Yun." Gan was greatly startled and read it in secret. The letter read roughly:

"We submitted to Cao not out of desire for official position and emolument, but because we were compelled by circumstances. We have now lured the northern troops into being trapped in their camp. As soon as the opportunity presents itself, we will take the rebel Cao's head and present it beneath your banner. When our men arrive from time to time, there will be further reports. Please do not suspect us. We respectfully reply in advance."

Gan thought to himself, "So Cai Mao and Zhang Yun have been in league with Eastern Wu all along!" He then hid the letter in his robes. As he was about to examine the other documents, Zhou Yu on the bed turned over. Gan quickly extinguished the lamp and lay down.

Yu murmured vaguely, "Ziyi, within a few days I will show you the rebel Cao's head!" Gan barely managed to respond. Yu again said, "Ziyi, wait! Let me show you the rebel Cao's head!" When Gan asked him about it, Yu had already fallen back asleep.

Gan lay propped on the bed. Near the fourth watch, he heard someone enter the tent and call out, "Is the Commander awake?" Zhou Yu, as if suddenly waking from a dream, deliberately asked that person, "Who is sleeping on the bed?" The reply was, "You asked Ziyi to sleep with you, Commander. How could you have forgotten?" Yu said regretfully, "I have never been drunk in my ordinary days. Yesterday I lost control after drinking. I don't know if I said anything." That person said, "Someone from north of the river arrived here." Yu hissed, "Lower your voice!" Then he called, "Ziyi." Jiang Gan only pretended to be asleep. Yu slipped out of the tent.

Gan listened secretly. He heard someone outside say, "Commanders Zhang and Cai say: 'We cannot act hastily.'" The words that followed were spoken too low to be clearly heard.

Shortly afterward, Yu entered the tent and again called, "Ziyi." Jiang Gan simply did not respond, covering his head and feigning sleep. Yu also undressed and lay down.

Gan pondered: "Zhou Yu is a meticulous man. When he wakes tomorrow and finds the letter missing, he will certainly do me harm." He slept until the fifth watch, then rose and called out to Zhou Yu, who was fast asleep. Gan put on his cap and turban, stole out of the tent on quiet steps, summoned a page, and made straight for the camp gate. The soldiers asked, "Where are you going, sir?" Gan said, "I fear I may be hindering the Commander's affairs here. I shall take my leave for now." The soldiers did not stop him.

Gan boarded his boat and rowed with all haste back to see Cao Cao. Cao asked, "How did your mission fare, Ziyi?" Gan said, "Zhou Yu has such refined and lofty temperament that no words could sway him." Cao said angrily, "The matter has failed, and on top of that I have been mocked!" Gan said, "Though I could not persuade Zhou Yu, I did learn something for Your Excellency. Please dismiss your attendants." Gan produced the letter and related everything that had happened to Cao Cao. Cao was furious and cried, "Have these two traitors shown such brazen disrespect?" He immediately summoned Cai Mao and Zhang Yun to his tent.

Cao said, "I want you two to advance the troops." Mao said, "The army has not yet been sufficiently trained. We should not advance lightly." Cao said angrily, "If the army were sufficiently trained, my head would already have been presented to Zhou Lang!" Cai and Zhang did not understand his meaning and were too flustered to reply. Cao ordered the guards to drag them out and behead them. In moments, their heads were presented in the tent. Only then did Cao Cao realize: "I have fallen into their stratagem!" A later poet wrote:

Cao Cao, a villain of unmatched cunning,

Was in an instant trapped by Zhou Lang's design.

Cai and Zhang sold their master seeking to live,

Who would have known this day they'd perish beneath the sword!

The generals, seeing Cai and Zhang put to death, came in to ask the reason. Though Cao Cao knew in his heart that he had been tricked, he refused to admit his error. He told the generals, "These two were lax in military discipline, and that is why I had them executed." All sighed and murmured in discontent.

Cao Cao selected Mao Jie and Yu Jin from among the generals to serve as commanders of the naval forces, replacing Cai and Zhang.

Spies learned of this and reported back across the river to Jiangdong. Zhou Yu was overjoyed and said, "These were the two men I feared. Now that they have been eliminated, I have no more worries." Su said, "With the Commander employing troops in this fashion, what fear need we have that the rebel Cao will not be defeated!" Yu said, "I reckon none of the other generals understand this stratagem. Only Zhuge Liang has insight surpassing my own—I expect this scheme cannot be hidden from him either. Zijing, try probing him with some words. See whether he knows or not, and report back to me." Indeed:

Having accomplished the success of the counter-intelligence ploy,

They now go to test the one who watches from the sidelines with cold eyes.

What happened when Su went to question Kongming, we shall see in the next chapter.