Who is the most dangerous person to cross in the Three Kingdoms? Not Cao Cao, who holds the emperor hostage, nor Zhuge Liang of Wolong Ridge, but Xiahou Yan from Cao Cao’s camp, who always carries a pouch of “good stuff.”
He can make Cheng Yu spend three sleepless days tormented by itching powder, cripple Yuan Shao’s army on the battlefield with laxative-laced rations, and leave Liu Bei unable to defend himself against a forged “letter of treason.”
Others wage war with swords and spears. He takes people down with powder, forged letters, and rumors
“Master Guo, care to try this ‘anti-drinking medicine’?” Then he switches Guo Jia’s liquor for bitter yellow-berberine water.
“Zhou Gongjin, here’s a map of Cao’s defenses.” In fact, it marks a dead end full of traps.
“Zhao Zilong, Lord Liu has wanted to abandon you for ages.” One remark is enough to sow distrust between the ruler and ministers of Shu Han.
Cao Cao jokes that “he never uses the same trick twice,” while his enemies curse him as “rotten to the core.” Xiahou Yan, however, raises an eyebrow as he rolls a fresh batch of laxative powder between his fingers.
“Want to unify the realm? First learn how to trick your opponents until they’re crying for their mothers.”
Will you be his next victim?
