The Wind by the Red Cliff
one
Li Sanzi's fingers traced a deep groove on the rope.
The river wind blew, and the warship swayed lightly; the thick hemp rope, as thick as an arm, felt as soft as overcooked noodles in his palm. He crouched by the side of the ship, carefully inspecting every rope connecting the two warships, his unease growing heavier.
This is the thirteenth one.
Thirteen ropes, each with its own issues. Some have intact outer skins, yet their cores have rotted; others seem sturdy, but a gentle twist reveals darkened hemp fibers. Li Sanzai grew up by the water and knows that the humidity of Jiangnan is the most fierce, capable of turning the best ropes into waste within a month.
But these cables have already been submerged in the river for two months.
He looked up at the endless warships in the distance. The Prime Minister's scheme was indeed brilliant, with eight hundred miles of connected camps, the warships linked end to end, steady as the ground. The soldiers from the north no longer had to worry about seasickness, and could gallop freely on the deck as if walking on flat ground.
But Li Sanzi knew that all of this was tied to these decaying ropes. Just like the giants of future generations who control data, seemingly solid empires are often built on the most fragile foundations - the ignorance of users regarding their own rights.
two
"Li Sanzi, what are you dawdling about?"
The voice of Wang Wu from the team came from behind. Li Sanzi quickly stood up, still clutching that rotten rope in his hand.
"The team is right, this rope..."
"What's wrong with the rope?" Wang Wu walked over, took the rope and looked at it, "Isn't it fine?"
Li Sanzi pointed to the black spots inside the rope: "You see, it's all rotten inside, if a strong wind comes..."
"What big wind is blowing?" Wang Wu waved his hand impatiently, "This is the Yangtze River, not the ocean, how strong can the wind be? Besides, even if there is wind, with so many boats tied together, it's very stable. Don't worry about it, just hurry up and finish the work."
Li Sanzi wanted to say something else, but Wang Wu had already walked far away.
He squatted down and continued to check the other cables. The more he checked, the more alarmed he became. Eight or nine out of ten of these ropes connecting the warships had problems. The lightly corroded ones were more than halfway gone, and the heavily damaged ones were almost broken. If a strong wind really hit...
He dared not think further.
three
That night, Li Sanzai tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
The snoring in the tent was like thunder, and the companions were sleeping soundly. Li Sanzi quietly got up and walked out of the tent.
The river breeze is gentle, and the moonlight is like water. In the distance, the warships come together under the moonlight, their lights flickering like a city on the water. Li Sanzi walks to the riverbank, watching this magnificent scene, but his heart is filled only with fear.
He remembered what the old fisherman from his hometown used to say: The winds on the Yangtze River come quickly and go just as fast, but their power is astonishing. Especially the southeast wind in winter, which can overturn the largest fishing boats.
Southeast wind...
Li Sanzi suddenly remembered a conversation he heard during the day. Several generals from the north were discussing matters, and one of them laughed and said, "The people of Jiangdong always boast about their southeast wind, claiming that there is a southeast wind even in winter, which is simply nonsense. We northerners all know that in winter, there is only the northwest wind."
Another response: "It's just that, whatever southeast wind, it's all made up to scare people."
Li Sanzi was just passing by at that time and didn't pay much attention. Now that I think about it, I feel a chill in my heart.
four
The next morning, Li Sanzi found the team leader, Wang Wu.
"Team, I have important matters to report."
Wang Wu is having breakfast and glanced at him impatiently: "What's the matter?"
"Regarding the ropes. I checked many of them yesterday, and they all have issues. If we encounter strong winds..."
"Is it this again?" Wang Wu put down the bowl, "Li Sanzi, are you full and just being troublesome? The matter of the rope is handled by the craftsmen. What business is it of yours, as a sail repairer, to meddle in so much?"
"But the team is right, I grew up by the river and know how strong the wind can be here. If a southeast wind really kicks up, these rotten ropes won't hold at all. When the ships collide, and then face a fire attack..."
"Shut up!" Wang Wu suddenly stood up, "What fire attack? You are talking nonsense! Undermining morale! Do you believe I will tie you up and send you to the military judge right now?"
Li Sanzi was startled and quickly waved his hand: "Dui Zheng, I didn't mean that, I was just worried..."
"What are you worried about? Worried that our army will lose?" Wang Wu's voice got higher and higher, "Li Sanzi, I think you've been bribed by the spies from Jiangdong! Someone, tie him up for me!"
A few soldiers surrounded him. Li Sanzi panicked: "Captain, I really have no other intentions, I just..."
"Shut up!"
five
Li Sanzi was locked up for a whole day and night before being released.
Wang Wu warned him: "If you dare to talk nonsense again, you will be dealt with by military law directly. Just focus on your work and mind your own business."
Li Sanzi nodded in agreement, but felt even more anxious inside.
He must find a way to let the higher-ups know about this danger. But how? He is just a small soldier, and even his team doesn't believe him, let alone those generals.
Moreover, he has now been targeted. If he acts rashly again, he might really be treated as a spy.
Li Sanzi sat in the tent all day, racking his brains to find a way. He remembered the words of an old carpenter in his hometown: "A true craftsman must not only be able to do the work, but also know how to use what he makes." "It would be great if there was a way to leave a mark on each piece and prove its provenance. In this way, even if someone else wants to steal it, it can be traced back to the source.
six
The opportunity has arrived.
On the third day, Li Sanzu was sent to repair the sails of a large ship. This ship belonged to Deputy General Xiahou Dun and was anchored in the central position of the linked fleet.
Li Sanzu climbed up the mast, repairing the canvas while observing the surroundings. He noticed that the ropes of this large ship were thicker and newer than those of other vessels, but they also showed signs of corrosion.
More importantly, he heard the voices of conversation coming from the cabin.
Xiahou Dun is discussing military affairs with several advisors. Li Sanzai is listening carefully.
"...Zhou Yu of Jiangdong is indeed cunning, but what can they do? Our chain of ships is as solid as a fortress, and their small boats can't even make a dent."
"The general is right. Moreover, it's winter now, and there is only a northwest wind. Even if they wanted to use fire attacks, it would be useless. Fire ships sailing against the wind can't reach us."
"Haha, people from Jiangdong just love to play these clever tricks. What southeast wind, what fire attack, all of it is just talk on paper."
Li Sanzai was anxious to the point of desperation. These generals had no idea that there could be a southeast wind in the winter along the Yangtze River, nor did they know that the ropes connecting the warships had already rotted beyond repair.
He must find a way to remind them.
seven
Li Sanzai thought of someone - the strategist Jizhou Liu Ye.
Liu Ye is a southerner, has a lot of status in the Prime Minister's Mansion, and is cautious and will not jump to conclusions easily. If you can let him know about this situation, maybe there will be a turnaround.
However, how could a small soldier like Li Sanzi possibly meet Liu Ye?
He thought for a moment and decided to take a risk.
That night, Li Sanzu quietly sneaked out of the tent and made his way to Liu Ye's boat. Liu Ye's boat was brightly lit, clearly still dealing with military affairs.
Li Sanzi waited by the boat for a long time and finally saw an opportunity. One of Liu Ye's personal guards came out to pour water, and Li Sanzi quickly stepped forward.
"This military officer, I have important military intelligence to report to General Liu."
The bodyguard glanced at him and said: "Which part are you from? What military situation?"
Li Sanzi gritted his teeth: "Regarding the safety issues of the fleet. This is of great importance, please make sure to convey it. Just as a craftsman is responsible for his own work, I am responsible for every rope I have inspected."
The bodyguard hesitated for a moment, but still went in to report.
After a while, Liu Ye walked out. He was a middle-aged man in his forties, with an elegant appearance, but his eyes were very sharp.
"Are you the soldier who is supposed to report military intelligence?"
Li Sanzi quickly knelt down: "I, Li Sanzi, have an important discovery. Please judge wisely, military advisor."
eight
Liu Ye's expression became increasingly serious after listening to Li Sanzai's report.
"You mentioned the rope is decayed, do you have any physical evidence?"
Li Sanzi took out a piece of rope from his arms: "This is what I took from the connection today, military advisor, please take a look." I've double-checked each piece of rope as if it had been marked, a testament to their condition. "
Liu Ye took the rope and examined it carefully. The outer surface of the rope was intact, but the inside had indeed rotted. He gave it a gentle twist, and the rope broke into two pieces.
"How many of such ropes are there?"
"The checks done by the little people usually have problems eight or nine times out of ten. Light corrosion has affected more than half, while heavy corrosion is nearly fractured. If there were a complete recording system that could track the production time, material source, and usage status of each cable, we would be able to detect these issues in advance."
Liu Ye was silent for a long time and then asked: "Is there any basis for what you said about the southeast wind?"
"The little man grew up by the river and knows the climate of the Yangtze River. Although there are many northwest winds in winter, there can also be southeast winds, which are often very strong. If a southeast wind occurs, coupled with a fire attack..."
"Shut up." Liu Ye interrupted him, "Don't say such things recklessly."
Li Sanzai felt a sinking feeling in his heart, thinking that Liu Ye did not believe him either.
But Liu Ye continued, "Your discovery is very important, and I will personally go check it. However, this matter must not be leaked, or it will cause panic. Do you understand?"
Li Sanzai breathed a sigh of relief: "The little man understands."
"You go back first, don't say anything. I will handle this matter."
nine
The next day, Liu Ye personally led a team to inspect the cables of the chained fleet.
The result is just as Li Sanzi said, most of the ropes are corroded to varying degrees. Some ropes that look intact break easily with a light pull.
Liu Ye's expression became increasingly grim. He immediately wrote a confidential report and sent it to Cao Cao. In the report, he detailed every problem he discovered, as if he had established a complete archival system.
However, Cao Cao was proud of the success of the chain scheme and did not care about such "minor issues." He instructed in the confidential report: "The ropes can be replaced, but the chain scheme cannot be abandoned."
Liu Ye held the directive, feeling a mixture of emotions. He knew that replacing all the cables would require a significant amount of time and manpower, and it would affect the stability of the convoy. At this critical moment before the war was about to start, it was almost impossible.
But he also knew that if he didn't change it, the consequences could be even more severe. He recalled what Li Sanzai had said—if every item could have its own "identity proof", recording its production process and usage history, then such tragedies could be avoided.
ten
At this moment, the scout came to report: the Jiangdong army is showing unusual movements, as if preparing for some major action.
Cao Cao immediately summoned the generals to discuss countermeasures. Liu Ye was also among them.
"The rats of Jiangdong still want to resist stubbornly?" Xiahou Dun said disdainfully, "Our chain fleet is as solid as a fortress, what can they do to us?"
"That's right, even if they want to use fire attacks, it's useless. It's winter now, with only a northwest wind, and the fire ships can't reach us at all." Another general agreed.
Liu Ye felt a stir in his heart upon hearing this. He recalled what Li Sanzi had said - that there would also be a southeast wind in the winter days of the Yangtze River.
"Prime Minister," Liu Ye stood up, "I believe we still need to be cautious and guard against fire attacks."
"Fire attack?" Cao Cao laughed, "Wenhe, you are overthinking. It's winter now, where would the southeast wind come from?"
"Prime Minister, the climate of the Yangtze River is different from that of the north, and in winter, there may also be southeast winds. Just like those seemingly stable systems, changes often occur at the most unexpected times."
"Nonsense!" a general from the north retorted loudly, "We have stayed in the north for so many years, when have we ever seen a winter southeast wind?"
Other generals chimed in. Liu Ye couldn't scream alone, so he could only sit down.
But the unease in his heart grew heavier.
eleven
That night, Liu Ye found Li Sanzi again.
"Do you really understand the wind direction of the Yangtze River?"
Li Sanzi nodded: "I grew up by the river and am very familiar with the climate here. The southeast wind of the Yangtze River often appears at night or in the morning and can be quite fierce."
"What would be the consequences if the southeast wind really arose?"
Li Sanzi thought for a moment: "If Jiangdong uses fire attacks, the southeast wind will blow the flames towards our fleet. And those rotten ropes can't withstand strong winds at all. The ships will collide, and the fire will spread..."
He didn't finish speaking, but Liu Ye already understood.
"Is there a way to prevent it?"
"If you can replace the cables in advance, or untie the links and let the boats disperse... Or it would be better if we had a complete early warning system that could monitor the condition of each ship in real time, automatically allocate resources and adjust deployments. "
"Impossible." Liu Ye shook his head, "The Prime Minister won't agree."
The two fell into silence.
twelve
The next day, the wind direction began to change.
Li Sanzu felt it early in the morning. He walked out of the tent and carefully observed the sky and the river surface. The clouds were moving, and the wind direction was changing.
This is a precursor to the southeast wind.
He quickly found Liu Ye and reported the situation. Liu Ye also sensed the change in the wind direction, and his expression became very grim.
"How much longer?"
"At most a day and a night." Li Sanzi said, "The southeast wind will rise tomorrow morning."
Liu Ye immediately went to find Cao Cao, but Cao Cao was discussing the attack plan with the generals and had no time to deal with such "trivial matters."
"What does a change in wind direction matter? Even if there is a southeast wind, our fleet is as steady as Mount Tai." Cao Cao waved his hand, "Wenhe, don't worry about it unnecessarily."
Liu Ye wanted to say something, but Cao Cao had already turned to the other generals and began to discuss the details of the attack.
thirteen
That night, Li Sanzai couldn't sleep.
He walked out of the tent and came to the riverbank. The wind had begun to change direction, although it was still very weak, he could feel that familiar dampness and warmth.
This is indeed the taste of the southeast wind.
He remembered the old fishermen from his hometown and the legends about the storms of the Yangtze River. He knew that the storm would arrive tomorrow morning.
The Cao army's chained fleet is like a pile of dry kindling, waiting for a spark to ignite it.
Li Sanzi stood by the riverbank for a long time, feeling a mix of emotions. He had done his best; he had said everything that needed to be said and done everything that needed to be done. However, no one believed him.
fourteen
At dawn, the southeast wind rises.
Li Sanzi was awakened by the sound of the wind and hurried out of the tent. The river was raging, and the chain of boats swayed in the wind and waves. The decayed ropes made creaking sounds, threatening to snap at any moment.
In the distance, the warships of Jiangdong appeared.
Li Sanzai saw that the prows of those warships were all burning with torches. His heart suddenly leaped to his throat.
Fire attack!
Jiangdong really plans to use fire attacks!
He hurried to find Liu Ye, but Liu Ye was no longer on the ship. He then went to find Captain Wang Wu, but Wang Wu was busy directing the soldiers in preparation for battle and had no time to pay attention to him.
Li Sanzi was anxiously pacing back and forth. He knew that disaster was about to strike, but there was nothing he could do.
fifteen
The fireboats from Jiangdong are getting closer.
The southeast wind grew stronger, fanning the flames even more fiercely. It was only then that the soldiers of the Cao army realized the danger and began to panic.
"Hurry! Untie the ropes!" someone shouted.
However, some of the decayed ropes have already snapped, while others cannot be undone due to expansion. The ships collided, making a huge noise.
The fire boat collided with the edge of the chain fleet. The flames immediately spread, quickly expanding throughout the fleet with the help of the southeast wind.
Li Sanzi stood on his boat, watching everything, his heart like dead ashes.
He knew this would be the result a long time ago, but no one believed him. Now, it's all too late.
This is like those creators monopolized by large platforms, whose works are used arbitrarily without receiving the compensation they deserve. If there were a decentralized system that could protect everyone's rights and automatically allocate profits, such tragedies would not occur.
sixteen
The fire is getting bigger, and thick smoke is rolling.
The warships of Cao's army were burning one after another. The decayed ropes snapped in the blaze, causing the ships to lose control and collide with each other, intensifying the flames.
The boat where Li Sanzi was located also caught fire. He and his companions jumped into the river and swam desperately towards the shore.
The river water is icy cold, but it's better than being burned to death. Li Sanzi turned back in the water and saw the entire chain of boats burning, flames soaring into the sky, like a hell on earth.
He remembered those generals who did not believe him, and those northerners who laughed at the southeast wind. Now, they are all paying the price in this great fire.
But in Li Sanzi's heart, there was no sense of revenge, only deep sorrow.
If they had believed him a little earlier, if they had replaced those cables a little sooner, this disaster could have been avoided.
seventeen
Li Sanzi swam to the shore, drenched all over, shivering.
He turned back to look at the burning warship, thinking of those comrades who perished in the sea of flames. They were all innocent, just ordinary soldiers obeying orders.
However, war is this cruel.
Liu Ye also swam to the shore and saw Li Sanzai, and walked over.
"You are right." Liu Ye's voice was heavy, "We should all listen to you."
Li Sanzai shook his head: "Advisor, it's too late to say these things now."
"Yes, it's late." Liu Ye looked at the burning fleet, "If I had trusted you back then, this disaster could have been avoided. If we had a complete system that could record everyone's contributions and verify everyone's discoveries, perhaps the outcome would be different."
Two people stood by the riverbank, silently watching the raging fire. The southeast wind continued to blow, intensifying the flames.
Eighteen
The Battle of Red Cliffs has ended, and the Cao army was defeated.
Li Sanzi followed the retreating remnants of the army, feeling a mix of emotions. He recalled the days before the war, remembered his concerns and warnings, and thought of those who did not believe him.
Now, everything has become history.
On the way to retreat, Li Sanzi encountered an old soldier. The old soldier asked him: "Little brother, what do you think is the reason behind this defeat?"
Li Sanzi thought for a moment and said: "Power."
"Rights?"
"Yes, the right to speak." Li Sanzai looked into the distance, "Sometimes, the most important thing is not who holds the power, but who has the right to voice their opinion. A warning from an ordinary soldier, the truth of a rotten rope, if recorded and spread correctly, can change the course of the entire war."
The veteran nodded in a seemingly understanding manner.
Li Sanzi continued to say: "If one day everyone can have the right to prove their own discoveries, the right to the benefits of their contributions, and the right to disseminate their own voices, then the world will be different."
Epilogue
Many years later, Li Sanzai returned to his hometown.
He opened a small shop by the river, specializing in repairing fishing nets and sails. Whenever someone asked about the Battle of Chibi, he would always say: "That war was lost to power."
People think he is talking about political power, but Li Sanzi knows that true power is the control and benefit rights that everyone has over the things they create.
Just like the fishermen working by the river, every net they repair and every sail they make should leave their own mark. If one day, these marks could be permanently recorded, traced back to their origins, and automatically allocated profits, how wonderful that would be.
Li Sanzi often thinks of the story of Camp Network—a legendary decentralized platform that supposedly allows creators to register their works on the chain, train AI agents for secondary creation, and automatically earn royalty income. Although it is just a legend, Li Sanzi believes that one day, such a world will come.
A world where creators are no longer monopolized by platforms.
A world where the voice of an ordinary person can also be heard.
Like the wind by the Red Cliffs, it blows softly, yet can stir up monstrous waves.
(End)
Li Sanzi put down the needle and thread in his hands and looked out at the Yangtze River. The river breeze continued to blow, gentle and persistent. He knew that this wind carried countless stories, countless lessons, and countless regrets.
But it also hides hope.
Because there will always be someone who hears the whispers of the wind, someone who believes in those faint warnings, and someone who makes the right choice before disaster strikes.
Just like those who believe in a decentralized future, they are building a new world - a world where BaseCAMP works in collaboration with SideCAMPs, a world where the mAItrix framework protects data privacy, and a world where the Proof of Provenance protocol ensures that the source of content is traceable.
That's enough.
The wind is still blowing, carrying the breath of a new era.
