My father-in-law Guan Yu, I persuaded Liu Bei to launch a surprise attack on Xiangyang at the beginn

North of the Wei River, the main camp of the Han army stands majestically.

Inside the large tent, however, the atmosphere was somewhat subtle.

Liu Shan was pacing back and forth in the tent with his hands behind his back.

His steps were slightly hurried, seemingly carrying a hint of unease. His slightly furrowed brows and tightly pursed lips revealed his inner anxiety.

Meanwhile, Xiao He, Zhao Yun, and other ministers appeared calm and composed.

They sat at their desks, sipping warm tea, or resting with their eyes closed. This composure contrasted sharply with Liu Shan's anxiety.

Outside the tent, guards would occasionally rush in.

The guards kept reporting military intelligence to them.

Each time someone entered, Liu Shan would stop immediately, like a startled bird, his body stiffening slightly, his expression instantly becoming tense.

His eyes were fixed on his bodyguard, his ears perked up, afraid of missing any detail.

His tense expression was completely different from the calm and composed demeanor he usually cultivated.

In fact, Xiao and these "old guys" knew exactly what was going on.

They all knew that although the Crown Prince appeared calm on the surface, he was far from being able to remain unfazed by any sudden events or even a collapsing mountain.

In most people's eyes, Liu Shan is like a gem that has not been fully polished. Although he has a dazzling brilliance, he lacks the composure that comes with the passage of time.

"The Crown Prince is the heir apparent of the country and the master of the three armies. He will have to shoulder the heavy responsibility of the Han Dynasty in the future. Who knows how many storms he will encounter in the future?"

Seeing Liu Shan's anxious expression, Zhao Yun couldn't help but offer words of comfort:

"Your Highness, I think you should remain calm."

Liu Shan was slightly taken aback, a barely perceptible hint of displeasure flashing in his eyes.

Clearly, he felt that although Zhao Yun's words were intended to comfort and advise him, they sounded like he was publicly blaming himself for lacking self-control.

This was undoubtedly an invisible sting to his sensitive pride.

However, Liu Shan was still quite shrewd.

A flash of anger crossed his eyes, but he turned back and gave a self-deprecating smile, feigning humility.
"General Chariot and Cavalry is absolutely right. My composure does indeed need further training. I have much to learn from you all."

Zhao Yun was pleased to see Liu Shan's performance.

However, that fleeting change in his eyes did not escape Xiao He's notice.

Xiao He was incredibly astute; he saw through Liu Shan's true thoughts at a glance.

Zhao Yun's kind words of advice probably hurt Liu Shan's pride again, and Liu Shan made another mental note of it.

"This Crown Prince appears to be humble and receptive to advice, much like Old Liu, but in reality, he is rather narrow-minded. This is not a good sign..."

Xiao He frowned slightly, a bad feeling rising in his heart.

A monarch's magnanimity and breadth of vision often determine the rise and fall of a nation.

If Liu Shan was truly so narrow-minded, then the future of the Han Dynasty might not be a good thing.

At this moment, Xiao He had unknowingly begun to have a question:
Was Liu Shan truly suitable to be the crown prince?

He and Zhao Yun, along with their group, assisted Liu Bei in conquering this land.
It was only after overcoming countless hardships and obstacles that we have achieved the situation we have today.

But is Crown Prince Liu Shan truly qualified to inherit this legacy?

An idea had quietly taken root in Xiao He's mind.

Just as Xiao He was lost in thought, a series of hurried footsteps broke the silence inside the tent.

"Good news! Good news from the General of the Flying Cavalry!"

Ma Su rushed into the tent with a beaming smile on his face.

Liu Shan suddenly turned around, and before Ma Su could report, he darted forward, snatched the battle report from his hand, and hurriedly unfolded it.

After glancing at it eagerly, Liu Shan felt a great weight lifted off his shoulders and burst into laughter.

"Grand Marshal, your pontoon bridge plan has succeeded! General of Chariots and Cavalry has crossed the river and successfully established a camp on the south bank!" Liu Shan was so excited that he was incoherent, waving the battle report in his hand, his eyes filled with ecstasy.

"We've crossed the Wei River! We've crossed the Wei River!"

The tent erupted in cheers instantly.

The generals all stood up, each one overjoyed and excited.

"The Grand Marshal's plans are indeed flawless; Cao Cao is powerless to do anything..."

Zhao Yun looked at Xiao He with admiration and a smile.

The generals present, including Gan Ning, Guan Xing, and Zhang Yan, were all full of admiration.

They all gathered around, casting admiring glances at Xiao He.

For a time, Xiao He became the focus of attention in the main tent.

However, Liu Shan, who was originally overjoyed, gradually lost his smile when he saw that everyone was praising Xiao He but ignoring him, the crown prince.

A hint of displeasure and disappointment flickered in his eyes.

Those once bright eyes now seemed shrouded in a gloom.

Such a change in expression naturally did not escape Xiao He's notice.

Xiao He immediately realized that Liu Shan was unhappy that he had stolen his thunder.

He inwardly cried out in alarm, knowing that his brilliance was too dazzling and had already aroused Liu Shan's displeasure.

Xiao He immediately stood up, smiling, and bowed to Liu Shan.

"I only used a small trick, and only His Highness the Crown Prince has the courage to use my floating bridge plan."

"Without Your Highness's decisiveness, how could this pontoon bridge plan have succeeded?"

"Your Highness, I would like to congratulate you on leading us to victory at the Wei River and achieving new merits. Your Highness's victory in this battle will surely be remembered in military history."

"Your Highness, commanding hundreds of thousands of mighty soldiers of our Great Han, is approaching Chang'an. The recapture of the old capital is already within reach!"

Xiao He showered Liu Shan with praise, attributing the credit to him.

The displeasure in Liu Shan's eyes gradually disappeared, and a smile returned to his face.

He coughed a few times, feigning humility, and said:

"Grand Marshal, you are exaggerating. Although I was the commander-in-chief in this battle, it was largely due to your brilliant strategies and the bravery of all the soldiers. This credit belongs to both of us."

Seeing that Liu Shan had been appeased, Xiao He changed the subject, cupped his hands and smiled:

"Your Highness, I predict that Cao Cao will send a large force to destroy the pontoon bridge and launch a strong attack on our camp on the south bank."

"Cao Cao is always cunning and treacherous. He won't just stand by and watch us cross the river smoothly and gain a foothold on the south bank."

"I believe that Your Highness should immediately send troops to reinforce General of the Cavalry and ensure that the camp on the south bank is not lost. Only by protecting the camp on the south bank can we be considered to have truly crossed the Wei River."

Liu Shan put away his smile, his heroic spirit blazing forth.

He straightened his back and declared boldly:

"Grand Marshal, listen to my command. I order you and the General of Chariots and Cavalry to lead 100,000 troops to guard the main camp and ensure its safety."

"I will personally lead 100,000 troops to reinforce General Huo Qubing and completely crush Cao Cao!"

Zhao Yun was taken aback, not expecting Liu Shan to personally lead the army to fight Cao Cao.

Xiao He, however, secretly smiled.

Liu Shan saw that the overall situation was settled, so he decided to personally lead the army to seize the easy advantage.

This Crown Prince still wants to compete for credit with these "old fogies".

"Perhaps, the position of Crown Prince really should be given to someone else..."

Xiao He frowned slightly, seemingly lost in thought. (End of Chapter)