Chapter 48: Master Liu's True Art of Influence (Please Follow for More!)
Li Yi praised Cao Bao, feeling quite embarrassed.
Why had Cao Bao stayed in the army all these days?
It was because he feared that one day Liu Bei might suddenly eliminate him without giving him a chance to resist.
So he only dared to remain in the camp, armored day and night.
“...Sir, you said you came specially to congratulate me, but I wonder what there is to rejoice about?”
Cao Bao carefully held his tea cup with both hands and asked cautiously.
Li Yi took a calm sip of hot tea and said, “Does the General know that misfortune is looming over him?”
What!
Cao Bao stood up abruptly, his eyes wide with surprise.
He thought to himself, this guy isn’t playing by the usual rules. One moment he says he’s here to congratulate me, and the next moment he’s telling me I’m doomed?
“...I-I do not know,” Cao Bao stammered.
Li Yi’s expression remained serene and composed as he spoke methodically, “Long ago, Han Xin did not heed Kuai Tong’s advice and suffered the catastrophe at Weiyang Palace; Minister Zhong refused to follow Fan Li’s counsel at the Five Lakes and eventually died by his own sword.”
“These two men both achieved great fame and merit.”
“Now, General, your great achievements have shaken your lord, and you command the formidable forces of Danyang. Is this not courting death?”
This!
Cao Bao was indeed frightened by Li Yi’s alarming words. After a moment’s hesitation, he knelt down.
“This is exactly my concern. Sir, coming here alone late at night must mean you have wise counsel to offer me.”
“Bao will listen attentively!”
Cao Bao’s mind was still clear enough to know that Li Yi’s visit was certainly about this matter.
“You, General, have served for many years and are my senior. I still have many questions to ask you, yet you ask me for advice?”
Saying this, Li Yi reached out to help Cao Bao to his feet, smiling as he said, “General, you are a pillar of strength and the favored commander of your lord; I am unworthy of such great courtesy.”
Cao Bao felt ashamed and bowed, saying, “Sir, please do not jest with me.”
“You are a wise man, and I shall certainly heed the words of the wise!”
Hmm…
Li Yi’s lips curved into a faint smile.
One must admit, this tactic of cold treatment was quite effective.
When Liu Bei assumed office, he made a grand distribution of appointments.
Out of consideration for Cao Bao’s influence in Xuzhou and his years of contributions, he intended to appoint him as Governor of Xiapi, a high-ranking position.
But Li Yi stopped him.
Li Yi not only prevented Liu Bei from granting Cao Bao an official post but also barred him from participating in any key affairs of Xuzhou, politically sidelining him.
Liu Bei feared this might provoke Cao Bao to rebel.
Li Yi reassured him, “Cao Bao’s power is waning; he dare not rebel.”
Liu Bei trusted Li Yi and followed his advice.
In recent days, the lord and his minister had settled matters with the Mi and Chen families, deliberated on agricultural colonization and salt distribution, and handled many other issues—except Cao Bao.
Unaware of Liu Bei’s intentions, Cao Bao lived each day in trembling fear.
He was now mute with terror, gently controlled by Li Yi.
“Sir, you come alone late at night, bearing wine and cattle, and say you have come to congratulate me.”
“I suppose you have a good plan in your heart. Please do not disdain my lowly status; I shall humbly listen and learn.”
Li Yi knew the time was right and spoke in an orderly manner, “You, General, also come from an official background; surely you need no instruction from me on the ways of governance.”
“In the past, Xiao He humiliated himself to preserve his integrity; Wang Jian sought a fief to protect his life.”
“Now, General, holding great military power, how will you emulate Xiao He and Wang Jian to safeguard yourself?”
Xiao He’s self-humiliation and Wang Jian’s seeking of a title both emphasized the principle that ambition must not surpass imperial authority. Both showed weakness to their sovereign to demonstrate they harbored no designs.
At this point, even the dull-witted Cao Bao should understand.
“Sir, do you mean I should relinquish command of the Danyang troops?”
Cao Bao’s face darkened. The Danyang forces were his sole leverage; to give them up meant losing all bargaining chips.
Would he really stake his life on one word from Li Yi?
“No!”
Li Yi rejected Cao Bao’s thought.
Cao Bao raised an eyebrow, wondering if there was still hope.
“In the past, Tao Gong granted you four thousand Danyang troops. Now, General, you need only relinquish those four thousand troops to preserve yourself.”
This was Li Yi’s brilliance.
He did not demand all of Cao Bao’s forces, aiming instead to gain his trust.
This showed that the request for Danyang troops was only for reassurance; leaving some troops with Cao Bao was also to give him peace of mind.
This is the true method of mutual trust.
Liu Bei’s approach of keeping all the troops was naïve and innocent, hoping to win over Cao Bao with sincerity.
The world’s bustle is all for gain; people’s comings and goings are all for benefit.
At this time, Liu Bei still retained a strong sense of chivalrous spirit but lacked political refinement.
Thus, his handling of Xuzhou affairs was immature.
“...Four thousand Danyang troops?”
Cao Bao clasped his hands behind his back, turned away, and fell into deep thought.
Although Li Yi did not strip him of all his command, taking away the four thousand main troops was enough to prevent him from stirring up any trouble.
It was equivalent to crippling him.
But if he refused to hand them over, the consequences might be worse than mere crippling...
Li Yi did not press him; he knew that the more he urged, the more likely it would backfire.
After a while, Li Yi slowly spoke, “General, do you still remember when I said upon first coming that I wished to congratulate you?”
Cao Bao looked back and smiled bitterly with resignation.
“Now I am the fish to be carved, the meat on the chopping block—what is there to rejoice about?”
Ha ha ha.
Li Yi laughed heartily.
“General, you need not despair!”
“You are an old general of Tao Gong, and also the favored commander of your lord.”
“In the recent battle repelling Cao’s forces, you and your Danyang soldiers made great contributions.”
“Your lord would never treat a meritorious subject unfairly.”
Saying this, he took out a brocade box and handed it to Cao Bao.
“Please, General, have a look.”
Cao Bao took the box listlessly and opened it to find a large seal inside.
“This is...?”
“Your lord has decided to appoint you Governor of Xiapi.”
“Oh? Is this truly so?”
Cao Bao was both surprised and delighted, his face full of disbelief.
The Governor of Xiapi was a high-level official, equivalent to the prefect of the capital city, and Liu Bei’s seat of power was now in Xiapi.
This appointment was a significant honor!
“Heh heh, how could it be otherwise?”
This is the art of managing people.
Though the appointment was the same, the emotional value Cao Bao received was different.
Historically, Liu Bei retained all of Cao Bao’s military power, immediately appointed him Governor of Xiapi, and allowed him to participate in all major affairs of Xuzhou.
He treated him with such care, as if holding something precious in his mouth, afraid it would melt; holding it in his hands, afraid it would break.
Pampering him so, believing his sincerity would win Cao Bao’s loyalty.
But little did he know, some people take kindness for granted.
Not only do they not feel gratitude, they only continue to demand more.
Liu Bei made this mistake, but it was understandable.
In truth, the three brothers had been growing steadily all along.
Liu Bei especially changed; the Liu Bei who entered Shu was a completely different man from the one in Xuzhou.
He slowly realized that many political matters could not be resolved by his old code of chivalry.
Now, after being increasingly sidelined, Cao Bao once feared he would be purged.
Suddenly being told he could not only retain part of his command but also hold the high office of Governor of Xiapi—how could he not feel surprised and pleased?
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