binnovel Chapter 1015: Deliberate Deception to Intimidate Lü Bu
Chapter 1015: Deliberate Deception to Intimidate Lü Bu
Torches burned fiercely atop the city walls, their light illuminating Lü Bu's ferocious features. Cao Ang looked up at Lü Bu and spoke loudly, "General Lü, I know you now occupy Xudu and believe victory is assured. But I have not come here to fight you. The fall of Xudu was the result of my family's miscalculation. I, Cao Ang, have come here with no other request but to bring my family back safely."
Upon hearing this, Lü Bu, perched on the city wall, raised his head and burst into laughter. His laughter was so unbridled and unrestrained that it echoed endlessly in the night sky. He pointed at Cao Ang and taunted him, "Cao Ang, Cao Ang, if your father, Cao Cao, had come to discuss this matter with me personally, we would have been able to discuss it. You are just a young boy, wet behind the ears. What right do you have to discuss this with me?"
Cao Ang took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. He said calmly, "General Lu, I wonder how my family is doing now?" Lu Bu glanced at Cao Ang, his tone full of disdain. "My family is fine, but if you want to take them back, then tell your father, Cao Cao, to come in person. I don't want to waste time with a young man like you."
Upon hearing his family was safe, Cao Ang breathed a sigh of relief. He gathered himself and said, "General Lu, why did you have to wait for my father to arrive? I, Cao Ang, have something that will tempt you, worthy of exchanging my family for yours." Lü Bu scoffed, his face filled with disdain, and said, "You've lost your home base, what else could possibly tempt me? Leave now. Today is New Year's Eve, and I have no desire to engage in a fight with you." With that, he turned around with a look of arrogance, ready to leave.
Upon seeing this, Cao Ang hurriedly shouted, "General Lu, please don't leave yet! Take a look at my bargaining chips first, and it's not too late to discuss it later!" After that, he turned around and winked at Ma Yunlu.
Ma Yunlu understood the message and immediately ordered the soldiers behind him to clear the path. A carriage slowly emerged from the ranks, its wheels rolling gently on the ground, making a gurgling sound that was particularly clear in the silent and tense atmosphere. Around the carriage, soldiers with serious expressions watched the surroundings vigilantly, their weapons flashing coldly in the light of the fire.
After the carriage stopped, Ma Yunlu walked steadily to its side, extended his hand, and gently lifted the curtain. Instantly, the scene inside the carriage was revealed to everyone. Diao Chan and Lü Lingqi were inside. Though they tried to remain calm, their faces were filled with panic. Diao Chan's stunning beauty, even in this tense atmosphere, remained breathtakingly beautiful. She subconsciously shielded Lü Lingqi tightly behind her, her eyes revealing a deep fear of the unknown, yet also a resolute determination to never give in for her daughter.
Lü Bu was struck by lightning when he saw this. His eyes froze, and the arrogant expression on his face vanished without a trace, replaced by unconcealable shock and deep worry. Unable to restrain himself, he took a huge step forward, staring intently at his wife and daughter in the carriage. His eyes seemed to be spitting fire, and he shouted angrily, "Cao Ang, how dare you hold my family hostage!"
Cao Ang responded fearlessly, "General Lu, I have no intention of harming my wife or daughter. I simply hope you understand that everyone has someone they care about. If you will release my family, I will return my wife and daughter unharmed."
Lü Bu's face paled, his fury surging like a raging tide, yet he was forced to suppress it out of fear of harm. He knew that if he acted impulsively at this critical moment, his wife and daughter would be plunged into irretrievable danger. After a long silence, Lü Bu gritted his teeth and uttered a few words: "Cao Ang, your despicable tactics are truly despicable. But since you've come this far, I'll give you one more chance. Tell me, what is your desired exchange?"
Seeing that Lü Bu's attitude had finally softened, Cao Ang secretly rejoiced, but outwardly he remained calm and said, "General Lü, all I ask is that the families of our two families be safely exchanged. I guarantee you on my honor that if you release the Cao family members trapped in Xudu, I will immediately return my wife and daughter to you unharmed. I will never break my promise."
Lu Bu snorted coldly, his eyes filled with suspicion. "How can I believe your words? You must provide more concrete and reliable guarantees."
Wang Yun, who had been standing beside Lü Bu, stepped forward and said, "General, you must not trust Cao Ang. This is probably a trick he has set up. If you give in easily, you will find yourself in a very difficult position."
Lü Bu frowned slightly, a look of indecision on his face. On the one hand, deep concern for the safety of his wife and daughter weighed heavily on his heart like a huge rock. On the other hand, he was genuinely worried that Cao Ang's words were a trap, hiding a hidden conspiracy. His eyes darted back and forth between Cao Ang, Ma Yunlu, and his wife and daughter in the carriage, trying to discern any flaws in their expressions and subtle movements.
Cao Ang keenly sensed Lü Bu's hesitation and quickly said, "General Lü, continuing this stalemate will do neither us any good. We are both concerned about our families. If we put them in danger simply because of a momentary impulse, the gains will be greater than the losses. Besides, you now control Xudu, are formidable, and have a great reputation. How could I dare to deceive you?"
Many civilians had already gathered beneath the city walls. As they overheard this exchange, the already silent atmosphere grew even more oppressive and heavy, as if the very air itself had frozen. Fear and worry were written across their faces. They feared that if the negotiations failed, another violent conflict would erupt, plunging the war-torn city of Xudu into dire straits. Some in the crowd even began to whisper prayers. Though their voices were quiet, they held an earnest hope for a peaceful resolution, hoping that both sides could put aside their past grievances and resolve this crisis peacefully.
Lu Bu pondered for a long time, his heart struggling with himself. After weighing the pros and cons, he finally said slowly: "Cao Ang, I will trust you this time. But you remember, if there is any mistake..." He did not finish his words, but the threatening look in his eyes had already made his attitude clear.
The next day, at dawn, the area ten miles outside Xudu City gradually became bustling with activity. Both sides were busy preparing for the family exchange. The cold wind blew the military flags, adding a touch of tension to this unpredictable exchange.
Cao Ang arrived early, draped in a black cape, sitting erect on a chestnut horse, his expression stern yet calm. He knew Lü Bu's volatile nature meant this family exchange must harbor hidden dangers, so he had already made careful arrangements. In the dense forest outside the city, he deliberately deployed soldiers to shuttle back and forth, creating the illusion of an ambush, hoping to intimidate Lü Bu and deter him from any rash action. The soldiers, clad in dark armor, loomed among the trees, and the occasional clash of weapons could be heard, as if ready to charge at any moment and deliver a fatal blow to the invading enemy.
Lü Bu's forces were equally prepared. Wearing a golden crown and a cloak of armor adorned with animal masks, Lü Bu rode majestically atop his Red Hare, gathered with his generals to discuss countermeasures. With a sly glint in his eye, Lü Bu declared, "After we exchange the families, we'll seize the moment their defenses are down and attack Cao Ang and his men, thus blunting Cao Cao's arrogance." The generals around him nodded in agreement, rubbing their hands in anticipation.
At noon, the exchange officially began. The families of both sides, escorted by soldiers, slowly moved toward the center of the arena. Cao Ang closely watched Lü Bu's movements, his eyes revealing both vigilance and determination. Lü Bu, on the other hand, feigned composure, occasionally observing Cao Ang's reactions with sidelong glances, mentally calculating the optimal moment to strike.
Cao Cao's family was vast and powerful, and the families of his generals alone were numerous. The exchange was a chaotic scene. As planned, the families of the generals would be exchanged first. Groups of family members, led by soldiers, hurried from both sides to the center of the field to exchange their belongings. The cacophony of voices—women weeping, children screaming, and soldiers shouting to maintain order—added to the already tense atmosphere.
As the exchange of the generals' families gradually completed, Lü Bu grew impatient and shouted at Cao Ang, "Cao Ang, my son, I've already released so many of your men, why haven't you released my family yet?" Cao Ang remained calm and said slowly, "General Lu, please be patient. Once my mother and others are released, I will return your wife safely."
Lu Bu was so angry that his eyes widened and he said viciously: "You little bastard Cao Ang, how dare you threaten me with my family? Aren't you afraid that I will kill you?" Cao Ang was not afraid at all. He met Lu Bu's gaze and said firmly: "General, you can give it a try." After that, Cao Ang raised his head and gestured.
Instantly, dust billowed in the air not far away, and a column of cavalry emerged like a black torrent. It was none other than the Western Liang Iron Cavalry, led by Ma Yunlu. Clad in black armor and armed with spears, they stood in awe-inspiring formation, their flags waving as they lined up in neat formations, emitting a chilling aura.
At the same time, smoke billowed from the nearby woods, and there were faint signs of soldiers gathering. For a moment, it seemed as if danger was lurking in every direction.
Seeing this, Wang Yun secretly thought it was not good. He quickly leaned over to Lü Bu's ear and whispered, "Fengxian, I think Cao Ang is well prepared. It might be difficult to capture him in a short time." Lü Bu gritted his teeth, looking at the situation in front of him, angry and annoyed, but he also had to be cautious. He knew that if he acted rashly at this time, he would likely fall into Cao Ang's trap, not only failing to save his family, but also losing his troops.
Cao Ang looked at Lü Bu's uncertain expression and said again, "General Lü, I, Cao Ang, always keep my word. As long as the Cao family members leave safely, my wife will naturally return to you. Why rush and make things so out of hand?"
Although Lü Bu was filled with resentment, he could only endure it for the time being under the circumstances. He stared at Cao Ang, his gaze penetrating him, trying to find a flaw in his expression. However, Cao Ang remained calm and unmoved.
As the last of Cao Cao's family members slowly passed through the exchange area, Cao Ang nodded slightly. Lü Bu's family, escorted by Cao Cao's soldiers, also headed towards Lü Bu. Seeing this, Lü Bu quickly rode forward to meet them, carefully checking on his wife and daughter. Only after confirming they were safe did his anxiety ease a little.