The Red Phoenix [Concluded]

[Jolt]

The Red Phoenix - Night 1

The night went for the most part quietly, as most of the army camped in the Northern shore of the Three Gorges slept soundly as well, except for the portions who were on duty at night, keeping a watchful eye on the river in case the navy of Wu decided to do a surprise raid on the army's positions. It wasn't very likely, but it was in accordance to the Art of War to prepare against the unexpected, and Cao Cao was known as a Master of warfare. However, on the second watch, one of the soldiers guarding the inner grounds where most of the close staff of Cao Cao was lodged spotted a strange figure roaming around in a suspicious manner. He gripped his spear, stepped up silently as close as he could to the figure, and when it appeared the figure noticed him and was beginning to make his escape, the soldier shouted "zhi!/Halt!" at the sound of this, the figure scattered, but the soldier began his persuit, and calling for his fellow colleagues to help him.
After only a few seconds, it appeared that the soldier would be able to detain the unknown figure but as he proceeded to grab the intruder, he tripped on a rock and banged his head on the ground, knocking him unconscious until other soldiers arrived to help him. But by then the intruder had already disapeared.

The incident was duly reported to Cao Cao, who then after deliberating for a some hours, summoned his close staff to the main tent at the fifth watch. Once all were present and sat according to rank and importance, Cao Cao began.

"As all of you are aware, there is some wicked person amongst our ranks who has put some callunious papers to spread across our camp, with the obvious intention of attempting to unsettle us and create a wedge between us all, wherefore we begin to suspect of each other's intentions, and destroys the elan and the edge of our entire army. Though I had dismissed such ideas as mere rumor and bad talk, it seems that we do have someone among us that is contrary to the command given to me by the Emperor to cleanse and pacify the land of rebels. Some amongst you prefer to side with brigands like Liu Bei and Sun Quan and wish to eliminate me. But do not forget that I have survived a myriad other assassination attempts, and it shall not be in a campaign that you shall assassinate me. I tell you this because someone was caught spying on a certain officer's tent by our men on watch at night. Unfortunately, the man wasn't caught and is now at large. Through the description the men have given me, it seems that those letters were indeed right and that one or several of you wish to have my head, though whoever that was, it did not attempt to kill anyone.
I have several suspects, and would gladly put them to death, but their skills and advice are greatly useful to our effort, and it would be a tremendous pity, as well as inauspicious to start killing my closest advisors on a mere suspicion. Therefore, and in the spirit of equity and fairness, I shall allow you all to present your arguments as to who is the real spy amongst us. Whoever is considered the main suspect by the council will be henceforth beheaded and his head exposed around the camp as a warning for all spies and deserters. You have until the sixth watch to deliberate and present your arguements."

Having finished saying his piece, Cao Cao motioned for the council to begin discussing the suspects. Beside him were scores of scribes ready to document the entire event and insert it into the annals of Han history as yet another conspiracy that Prime-Minister Cao Cao foils. Cao Cao called a servant to bring and present wine to everyone, as this would be a long debate, Cao Cao thought.

Day 1 votes are due in Mid-Night GMT / 7 PM EST, 8th of November.