Zhou Yu ordered Huang Gai to lead 20 boats to Cao Cao's camp to feign surrender. Cao Cao waited for Huang Gai's fleet at the naval camp. In his letter to Cao Cao, Huang Gai mentioned that he would be arriving at the third watch with grain boats bearing green dragon flags.
Cao Cao got excited when he spotted the boats. However, one of his advisor quickly pointed out that the boats were light and advised Cao Cao to stop the fleet from coming near the naval camp.
Cao Cao immediately ordered 10 cruisers to stop the approaching fleet. It was then that Huang Cai ordered his men to light their flames and charge towards the naval camp.
As the 20 burning boats charged towards the naval camp, Cao Cao's fleet could only watch helplessly as they were chained together...making it impossible for them to escape. All the ships were engulfed in a sea of roaring fire, effectively wiping out the entre army.
Cao Cao managed to board a small boat and escaped to safety with his remaining soldiers. In the battle of the Red Cliff, Cao Cao lost more than 1,000 ships and thousands of troops.
- Compiled from The Three Kingdoms
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