Chapter 8: Going through fire and water

The reason why Cao Lao Da accepted Guo Jia's proposal is that Cao Lao Da, who values talent as life itself, genuinely appreciates the 'talent' of Deputy Director Tao. Therefore, he decided to give Deputy Director Tao an opportunity, a chance for advancement. However, what Cao Lao Da needs is a Tao Er Gong Zi who can barely restrain the formidable Liu Bei, not a Tao Er Gong Zi who is merely skilled in poetry and literature but lacks courage and determination

"Young Master, come back! Come back!" Calling for Deputy Director Tao to return to the city were Guan Yu and Zhao Yun. Unlike Cao and Liu, who were more cunning, they simply admired Deputy Director Tao's courage to venture alone into the enemy camp and could not bear to see him meet his demise.

He is a great warrior! Cao Cao, Guo Jia, and countless civil and military officials of the Cao army praised him in their hearts

At the moment when Deputy Director Tao leaped into the cauldron of oil, Liu Bei was utterly despaired, for he knew that the people of Xuzhou could no longer abandon the Tao family. His dream of annexing Xuzhou had completely shattered. In his despair, Liu Bei nearly ground his teeth to dust, his eyes blazing with fury, fixated on the cauldron of oil in front of the Cao army, wishing he could fish Deputy Director Tao out of the oil and personally chop him into a thousand pieces. Yet suddenly, Liu Bei's narrow eyes widened to a size greater than that of an ox's eyes, nearly splitting at the corners.

Guo Jia also turned around on his horse to glance at Deputy Director Tao, smiling as he murmured, "Young Master Tao, you have struck gold. You have encountered a lord who cherishes talent as if it were his own life, kindly setting up such a situation for you. However, I am also quite curious, Young Master Tao, with my lord holding you in such high regard, bestowing upon you the hearts of the entire Xuzhou, to what heights do you think you can rise in Xuzhou in the future"

"My lord, is this true?" Deputy Director Tao asked in surprise

How could there be a smell of vinegar in the oil pot? Could it be that a fool has mistakenly lifted the wrong jar

With a shout, Deputy Director Tao closed his eyes, clenched his teeth, and jumped into the boiling oil pot!

"Dear brother, come back! Come back!" The one who was calling out in tears was also Tao Shang, the elder brother of Deputy Director Tao, and Tao Ji, the younger cousin. They truly could not bear to lose Deputy Director Tao, this relative whom they respected.

"Should I take another gamble?" Deputy Director Tao hesitated in his heart, "If I win the bet, the benefits will be unimaginable! But if I lose, a brand new fried person will be freshly made. To gamble? Or not to gamble?"

"Kid, what are you doing at m.hetushu.com?" After a brief hesitation, the cold and menacing voice of Chief Cao echoed in Deputy Director Tao's ear, "Do you want to save your own life, or the lives of the people of Xuzhou?"

With a sigh, Master Cao turned his horse around, spurred it northward, and said without looking back: "Young Tao, study well. I will definitely meet you again. I hope that by then, you can surprise me once more"

Deputy Director Tao nodded vigorously, indicating that he had already memorized it. Then Deputy Director Tao asked in surprise, "Mr. Guo Jia, are you not going to kill me?"

"Young Master Tao, if you truly fear death, it is of no consequence," Guo Jia said with a smile. "As long as you speak up and admit that your words were insincere, that you are unwilling to sacrifice for the people of Xuzhou, you may leave at once."

"Number Two!" Finally, Cao Lao Da shouted the second time. The calls from the Xu Zhou military and civilians, as well as the generals of Liu Bei's army, grew louder, desperately urging Deputy Director Tao to return to Xu Zhou. Tao Qian was crying to the point of nearly fainting, while Deputy Director Tao trembled all over, drenched in sweat.

After walking a distance, Chief Cao turned back to glance at Deputy Director Tao. He saw Deputy Director Tao standing motionless beside the oil pot, seemingly lost in a daze, as if still immersed in the ecstasy of having escaped death. Chief Cao couldn't help but smile faintly and murmured, "Kid, don't let me down. Keep Liu Bei in check and don't let this fierce tiger grow."

Young master, this is not permissible! Countless soldiers from Xuzhou and Liu's army on the distant city wall are weeping aloud

Deputy Director Tao's lips trembled violently. After a long while, he finally spoke in a hoarse voice: "Minister Ming, Mr. Fengxiao, you are right; even the ants are greedy for life..."

Deputy Director Tao looked bewildered, and after a long pause, he asked in astonishment, "Mr. Feng, I... I... why am I not dead?"

How is this possible? The soldiers and citizens of Xuzhou, upon hearing the exclamation, could hardly believe their ears. When they looked up at the large oil vat again, a miracle occurred: our Deputy Director Tao, covered in oil, crawled out of the vat, rolling and scrambling, and stood once more before the soldiers of Cao's army and the soldiers of Xuzhou.

Deputy Director Tao was overwhelmed with joy and shed tears for the first time in a long while. Old Master Cao then smiled and said, "Young Master Tao, having died and come back to life, do you not wish to compose a few more verses? I never tire of your poetry."

"Tao Ying, come back!" A roar like that of a fierce tiger echoed from the distant city wall, clear and distinct even from over half a mile away. "You still owe me, Old Zhang, ten jars of fine wine. I, Zhang Fei, will not allow you to die! Come back! Bring Old Zhang back! Do not fall for the tricks of that traitor Cao!"

At this point, Deputy Director Tao suddenly raised his voice and shouted, "But I am not an ant!"

Deputy Director Tao remained motionless, neither approaching the oil pot nor fleeing towards the walls of Xuzhou. Chief Cao did not urge him excessively, instead idly twirling his whip while awaiting Deputy Director Tao's decision—Chief Cao was not afraid of Deputy Director Tao making a wrong choice. If Deputy Director Tao dared to run, the bladesmen under Chief Cao could immediately chop him into pieces, after which Chief Cao would return that mysterious arrow letter to Tao Qian, inciting Tao Qian to engage in a dog-eat-dog conflict with Liu Bei, thereby achieving the same effect of sowing discord within the Xuzhou army. If Deputy Director Tao dared to run, the bladesmen under Chief Cao could immediately chop him into pieces, after which Chief Cao would return that mysterious arrow letter to Tao Qian, inciting Tao Qian to engage in a dog-eat-dog conflict with Liu Bei, thereby achieving the same effect of sowing discord within the Xuzhou army

Look! A few sharp-eyed soldiers of the Tao army shouted excitedly, "Look! Everyone, look! The Second Young Master has come out, the Second Young Master has emerged from the oil pot!"

Cao Laoda's face showed anger, seemingly quite dissatisfied with Deputy Director Tao's questioning. Guo Jia then smiled and said: "Young Master Tao, rest assured, my lord's word is as good as gold; if he says you are spared, then you are spared. Moreover, thanks to you, both my lord and I have gained a significant fortune. In our army's main tent, only my lord and I believe that you can truly sacrifice yourself for the people of Xuzhou."

He strode over to the pot and stepped onto the mounting block set up by Cao's army beside the boiling oil pot. Deputy Director Tao glanced once more at the bubbling oil and then looked up to the sky, exclaiming, "I laugh with my sword held horizontally towards the heavens, whether I stay or leave, my courage is as vast as Kunlun! My lord, I hope you keep your word!"

Deputy Director Tao's forehead was drenched in cold sweat, his facial muscles twitching and relaxing intermittently, displaying an unpredictable pattern. He remained oblivious to the calls from the city wall and the sounds of the Cao army, not even noticing when Guo Jia approached him. It was only when Guo Jia raised his hand and patted Deputy Director Tao's shoulder that he finally came to his senses and turned to look at Guo Jia

I have said that as long as you dare to jump into the oil pot, I will spare the people and soldiers of Xuzhou. " At this, Old Cao beside him spoke lightly, saying, "You are also from Xuzhou, so you are naturally included in my forgiveness.

"When a person dies, the bird flies to the sky; if one does not die, it is for countless years! Rather than live a life of cowardice, it is better to die standing!" Deputy Director Tao silently gritted his teeth and shouted this line in his heart, then turned towards the city wall of Xuzhou and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Father, forgive your unfilial son!"

With oil splattering, a cacophony of screams akin to a landslide or tsunami erupted on the Xuzhou city wall. Within the ranks of Cao's army, a similar overwhelming chorus of cries resounded.

Young Master

Deputy Director Tao ignored the urgings of Old Cao and Guo Jia, temporarily suppressing his instinct to flee. He turned his gaze towards the iron pot filled with boiling oil, where the green oil was bubbling, emitting a pungent smell of raw oil and acetic acid. Upon closer inspection, Deputy Director Tao noticed another anomaly: rising above the iron pot was a thick plume of white steam, rather than the green smoke that typically rises when raw oil is boiling.

Deputy Director Tao glanced at Guo Jia again, remaining silent, only anxiously calculating. Meanwhile, Old Cao, beside him, impatiently urged, "Are you going to jump or not? I will count to three, and if you do not make a decision, I will throw you into the oil pot! One!"

Is that so? What a pity. Old Cao expressed some regret and sighed, "I laugh with my sword pointed to the sky, whether I stay or leave, my courage is as vast as Kunlun! I fear that only in certain times and places can such magnificent verses be recited."

As in the legends, the brilliant strategist Guo Jia is indeed the beloved companion of Cao Cao, possessing delicate features, rosy lips, and white teeth, with an exceptionally handsome appearance. However, at this moment, Guo Jia's beautiful face is marred by a devilish smile as he pats Deputy Director Tao on the shoulder and says: "Young master, it is better to live on than to die well. Admit your mistakes to my lord, acknowledge that you are merely a smooth-talking coward who clings to life, and you may leave."

"Let’s go, I know you are afraid of death," Guo Jia said with even more delight, urging Deputy Director Tao once again: "Young Master Tao, let’s go, do not hesitate any longer; your beautiful wife and concubines, along with the wealth and glory, are still waiting for you."

"Tao Ying, I will count to three," said Old Cao, flicking the whip in his hand with a cold smile. "As long as you admit that you are afraid of death and unwilling to sacrifice for the people of Xuzhou, I will let you go."

"One should give birth like Tao Mingwu!" Old Cao praised, then turned to his own army, raised his whip, and shouted: "Disband the troops, pull up the camp, and withdraw from Xuzhou!"

"Young Master, have you heard of the method of fishing for money in an oil pot?" Guo Jia replied with a question instead of answering.

"What ... ... is the method of making money with an oil pot?" Deputy Director Tao's face was filled with surprise, his expression and gaze were filled with uncertainty, revealing no hint of a flaw, as if he were truly hearing about this trick for the first time

"Young Master Tao, Guo Jia bids farewell, until we meet again." Guo Jia also cupped his hands in farewell to Deputy Director Tao, mounted his horse, and followed Cao Cao. The soldiers of Cao's army followed one after another, leaving Deputy Director Tao standing alone by the oil pot in a daze

Tao Qian did not call out, for he understood that once he uttered the words urging his beloved son to return to the city, the hearts of the people in Xuzhou would forever drift away from the Tao family. Thus, apart from his tears streaming down his face, Tao Qian was utterly at a loss. The thoughts of the military and civilians in Xuzhou varied greatly; some were weeping uncontrollably, some sincerely called for Deputy Director Tao to return to the city, while others pretended to shout loudly in a show of loyalty to Tao Qian. More people, however, were hesitant, not wanting to see Deputy Director Tao killed on the spot, yet hoping that he would sacrifice himself for Xuzhou.

"It came from the city wall of Xuzhou, but Guo Jia did not know who the sender of the letter was." Guo Jia smiled as he replied, then stuffed the piece of silk into the hands of Deputy Director Tao, whose hands were bound behind him. With a smile, he said: "A good deed should be carried through to the end; the material evidence will be delivered to the young master. After the young master returns to the city, he can investigate the sender of the letter in detail"

Still immersed in the joy of climbing from hell to heaven, Deputy Director Tao was momentarily taken aback. After pondering for a long time, he could not come up with a suitable ancient poem for the occasion, and could only respectfully reply: "Your Excellency, please forgive me. I am currently overwhelmed with joy, my mind is in disarray, and I truly cannot compose anything."

The well-trained army of Cao Cao began an orderly retreat from the battlefield, yet there were no cheers from the walls of Xuzhou. The soldiers and civilians of Xuzhou were mostly in tears, repeatedly calling out for the young master. Tao Qian was awakened only to faint again immediately. Chen Gui and his son Chen Deng were left speechless, seeing the young master in a new light for the first time. The brothers Mi Zhu and Mi Fang displayed different expressions; Mi Fang pretended to weep dramatically while secretly laughing, whereas Mi Zhu sighed quietly, reflecting, "How did I misjudge the second young master before?" Chen Gui and his son Chen Deng were left speechless, seeing the young master in a new light for the first time. The brothers Mi Zhu and Mi Fang displayed different expressions; Mi Fang pretended to weep dramatically while secretly laughing, whereas Mi Zhu sighed quietly, reflecting, "How did I misjudge the second young master before?"

Mr. Guo Jia, where did this item come from?" Deputy Director Tao asked through clenched teeth

Deputy Director Tao stood by the pot, his body covered in grease, eyes tightly shut, desperately holding back tears that threatened to spill over. In his mind, only one thought remained: "I won the bet! I won the bet! It really is vinegar plus oil! It really is vinegar plus oil!"

Deputy Director Tao gritted his teeth and stomped his foot, striding towards the boiling oil pot. At the same time, a wave of gasps erupted among Cao Cao's army and the people of Xuzhou. The soldiers of Cao's army were loudly clamoring, both admiring Deputy Director Tao's courage and inciting him to jump into the oil pot immediately. Meanwhile, cries of despair rose from the city walls of Xuzhou, as Tao Qian and Tao Shang fainted on the spot, Tao Ji was nearly crying blood, and Liu Bei was so anxious that he was sweating profusely, shouting frantically, "Young Master, no! No! No!"

Cao Laoda and Guo Jia both had their eyes light up. After exchanging a glance, Guo Jia smiled and said, "Young Master Tao, have you thought this through? This is an oil pot, not a tub for bathing."

Guo Jia's voice once again echoed in Deputy Director Tao's ears, followed closely by someone using a handkerchief to wipe the oil from Deputy Director Tao's face. When Deputy Director Tao opened his eyes again, Guo Jia's sweet and kind smile, reminiscent of an angelic sister, was once more presented before him. Guo Jia first bowed deeply to Deputy Director Tao with cupped hands, then straightened up and, with both hands clasped in a gesture of sincerity, said: "Young Master Tao, in this life, I only serve two people: one is my lord, and the other is you. I, Guo Jia, am devoted to you, wholeheartedly and sincerely."

Immediately, the thunderous cheers echoed above the city walls of Xuzhou, as countless soldiers and civilians of Xuzhou shouted and jumped, embracing one another in tears and shouts, rejoicing that the good son of the Xuzhou people had returned to their side. Only Liu Bei, also known as Liu Xuande, had a pale expression, murmuring to himself, "How is this possible? How is this possible?"

Liu Bei, who appears to be quite refined, has a loud voice as he calls out, "Young Master, come back! Do not jump! I swear to protect you at all costs! Come back!" By the way, Liu Bei truly cannot bear to see Deputy Director Tao risk his life. If Deputy Director Tao were to jump into the boiling oil himself, and if Cao Cao were to keep his promise and withdraw his troops from Xuzhou, then the hearts of the people in Xuzhou would completely belong to the Tao family. Liu Bei would then have no idea how much more effort and cost he would need to invest to win the hearts of the people in Xuzhou.

The source of the vinegar flavor was discovered, and Deputy Director Tao was filled with astonishment. A thought flashed through his mind like a bolt of lightning: "Just now, I proposed in Cao Jun's tent to exchange a life for the lives of the people of Xuzhou, and Cao Lao Da categorically refused. Why is he now actively suggesting that I exchange a life for the safety of Xuzhou? Such a sudden change in orders, does Cao Lao Da not fear it will affect the morale of the troops? Furthermore, why do the sycophants and accomplices under Cao Lao Da not oppose this? Why do they not remind Cao Lao Da that he has already rejected a similar proposal from me? Could it be that they, like Cao Lao Da, have forgotten my words? How is that possible?"

After a slight nod, Guo Jia took out a piece of silk with writing from his bosom and unfolded it towards Deputy Director Tao. When Deputy Director Tao carefully examined the writing on the silk, the veins on his forehead suddenly throbbed, and he finally understood why his identity had been recognized by Cao Cao. It turned out that the silk prominently bore a line of text—"Sender of the letter to the esteemed army camp, Tao Qian's second son, Tao Ying!"

Guo Jia gazed at Deputy Director Tao for a long time. Seeing that Deputy Director Tao's expression showed nothing but surprise and confusion, without a trace of panic or guilt, he finally believed that the pampered Deputy Director Tao was indeed unaware of the deceitful tricks of the practitioners of the underworld. He also came to believe that Deputy Director Tao was a true man willing to sacrifice for the people.