Cao Cao sent 2 spies to pretend to surrender to Zhou Yu. Zhou Yu pretended to fall for the trap and allowed the spies to stay. One day, Zhou Yu gathered his generals.
Huang Gai, a veteran, proposed that Zhou Yu surrendered to Cao Cao. Zhou Yu swiftly ordered Huang Gai to be taken away for execution. Since all the officers pleaded for leniency, Zhou Yu 'spared' Huang Gai's life, but insisted he received 100 strokes.
Huang Gai was beaten till he passed out.
That night, Huang Gai revealed (to his advisor, Kan Ze) that the beating was just a ruse to fool Cao Cao. Huang Gai then instructed Kan Ze to to send a letter to Cao Cao and inform Cao Cao that he wished to defect to his side.
Upon receiving Huang Gai's letter, Cao Cao was doubtful. However, when his spies reported to him about the terrible beating Huang Gai had received, Cao Cao was convinced that Huang Gai was sincere, and promptly settled a date with Kan Ze for Huang Gai's defection.
- Compiled from The Three Kingdoms
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