Liu Ye

Liu Ye; brought to Cao Cao by Guo Jia; counsel man in the inner circle.

Smells Chen Gong's guile in the Tian-family letter and persuades Cao Cao to enter Puyang with only a third of the army - the caution that leaves a reserve to save him. After the recovery he urges hunting the 'savage beast' Lü Bu down, and is left to hold Puyang.

Liu Ye; advises on the Xuchang relocation.

Sent as envoy to Xiangyang, he wins Jia Xu first and through him Zhang Xiu - the embassy that turns Wancheng's old enemy into Cao Cao's general.

Answers Yuan Shao's fifty archery mounds with catapults - the 'Rumblers' whose stone balls sweep the towers clear - and counters Shen Pei's tunneling Sappers with a trench around the camp. The engineering duel is his.

Counsels winning hearts before walls: summon Liu Bei to surrender first, and Jingzhou may come without fighting - and names Xu Shu as the messenger.

Seconds Sima Yi's push into Shu ('if you delay, Zhuge Liang will have become top minister') — then, asked again after Hefei's call for help, reverses honestly: 'Shu is too well prepared; we cannot.'

Tells Cao Cao he must lead in person — 'the loss of Hanzhong would shake the whole Middle Land' — earning a rare apology for past advice unheeded; later has the letter sent to temper Xiahou Yuan's inflexibility, the letter that instead spurs him out to die.

Among the named leaders of the abdication deputation.

Twice right, twice refused: strike Wu while Shu engages it and the state disappears; and crowning Sun Quan — a mere general of decadent Han — 'is only giving wings to a tiger.'

Warns twice that the victory-flushed Wu cannot be attacked — 'times have changed' — and watches all three armies prove him right.

Strategist to the expedition — counsels caution at the silent south bank: 'if the rules of war mean anything, they ought to be prepared.'

The chapter's one political set piece. Tells Cao Rui privately that Cao Zhen is right and Shu must be destroyed; tells the crowd of officers who come to his house afterwards 'No such thing. Shu is too difficult a country to invade. It would be a mere waste of humans and weapons.' Accused of insulting the throne by Yang Jin, summoned, and gives Cao Rui nothing but 'I have studied the details. Shu cannot be attacked' - then, once Yang Jin has gone, the actual point: 'That being a matter of state policy should be divulged to no person. The essential of a military move is secrecy.' Held in greater consideration from then on, and made Instructor of the Army for the expedition.