The Three Kingdoms: The entire Cao Cao camp thought I was weak and frail.

Sun Ce frowned: "But how easy is it to break into the Xiliang army's supply camp? This is tantamount to suicide!"

"So, we're not going." Guo Jia shrugged, a matter-of-fact expression on his face. "Our goal is to use the pretext of 'burning grain outside the city' to break through the weakest point in the defense line, and from there, the world is our oyster."

That's the real purpose.

The golden cicada escapes its shell.

"Your newly recruited troops are, in Lü Bu's eyes, cannon fodder that can be used at will. He's happy to send you on a mission with a slim chance of survival. As for Wang Yun, although he'll be heartbroken about the capital he just invested, he doesn't understand military affairs, so as long as Lü Bu's attitude is firm, he can only agree." Xun Hao and Guo Jia had obviously already discussed this beforehand.

Zhou Yu reviewed the entire plan in his mind and had to admit that the strategy was indeed feasible.

He looked at Sun Ce beside him, but a sense of worry rose in his heart.

"This matter still requires a show," Zhou Yu said. "But I'm really worried about Bo Fu's acting skills."

Are there any lords these days who can't act?

Xun Hao and Guo Jia had calculated everything, but they hadn't anticipated such a flaw. They had long been accustomed to Cao Cao's natural acting skills and hadn't considered this at all.

Half an hour later, in the courtyard.

Zhou Yu rubbed his forehead, looked at Sun Ce with an upright expression, and showed a look of utter despair.

"Bo Fu, I'll say it again. When you're in front of Lü Bu, you need to show 'anger,' 'resentment,' and 'the humiliation of being used as a pawn.' Not 'I'm so excited to go fight!'"

Guo Jia and Xun Hao exchanged a glance, both seeing a hint of helplessness in each other's eyes.

Is this the brain of a general, completely natural and unadulterated? Xun Hao suppressed the urge to complain, looking at Guo Jia who was laughing so hard he couldn't stand up straight, and was really worried that Sun Ce would get angry and beat him up.

Zhou Yu took a deep breath, almost gritting his teeth as he instructed: "Just remember one thing. When the time comes, listen to my command, rush forward, slam your hand on the table, shout 'This is outrageous!', then turn around and leave! You don't need to say or do anything else!"

"That's it?" Sun Ce thought it was very simple.

"That's it!" Zhou Yu felt even more exhausted.

The next day, in Lü Bu's military tent.

Upon hearing Guo Jia's plan, Lü Bu was indeed overjoyed.

A feint attack from the front would draw enemy fire, allowing Sun Ce to lead his troops to storm the granary. If they won, it would be a testament to Lü Bu's skillful command; if they lost, it would be a good opportunity to eliminate a potential rival.

"Very well! We'll do as you suggest, sir!" Lü Bu slammed his hand on the table.

As Xun Hao had predicted, Wang Yun's expression immediately changed.

"Absolutely not!" He stood up and objected sternly. "General Sun bears the heavy responsibility of defending the city. How can he rashly launch an attack and take such a risky military action!"

"Why not!" Lü Bu sneered. "Lord Situ doesn't understand military affairs; it's best if he stays out of it!"

Just as the two were about to start arguing, Zhou Yu stepped in.

He bowed deeply to Lü Bu, his face filled with grief and indignation: "Lord Wen! How is this plan any different from sending Bo Fu to his death! The Xiliang army's granary must be heavily guarded; our army has only a thousand men. How can we possibly break through?"

Zhou Yu's performance was so sincere that he secretly gave Sun Ce a wink.

Sun Ce received the signal. He recalled the rehearsal last night, gathered his emotions, and suddenly rushed forward!

"Bang!"

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Sun Ce, his face flushed, roared with all his might, "This is outrageous!"

His acting was so exaggerated that if the audience hadn't been intimidated by his imposing presence, they would have realized something was wrong long ago.

Zhou Yu's eye twitched. Guo Jia had already turned his head away, his shoulders shaking uncontrollably.

Sun Ce's mind went blank. In desperation, he remembered another key point Zhou Yu had taught him—to turn his back and leave!

So he snorted heavily, flicked his sleeves, turned around, and strode out of the command tent.

"Heh." Guo Jia finally couldn't help but chuckle. "Military orders cannot be disobeyed!"

With Guo Jia stirring things up, Lü Bu immediately flew into a rage, shouting, "Guards! Seize Sun Ce!"

The guards outside the tent responded and entered, their armor clanging, their hands already on the hilts of their swords.

"Lord Wen, please calm your anger." Zhou Yu bowed deeply to Lü Bu, his once handsome face now filled with resentment, and even his voice trembled slightly.

"Bo Fu... he was just angry for a moment. He respected Marquis Wen's bravery and originally wanted to follow him to achieve great things, but unexpectedly..."

He raised his head, his eyes slightly reddening. "But since Lord Wen has given the order, we will face death without hesitation. However, to ensure the success of this plan, I only request two things! First, the armor and weapons needed for this battle must be the best from the treasury! Second, every soldier going into battle must receive a reward of ten taels of silver, to be distributed before leaving the city!"

This time, Zhou Gongjin not only demanded Lu Bu's equipment, but also Wang Yun's money!

Guo Jia leaned against a pillar in the corner, nudged Xun Hao beside him with his elbow, and gestured with his eyes: Look, this is professional acting.

Lu Bu's brows relaxed.

"Granted!" Lü Bu waved his hand readily, appearing exceptionally cheerful. "Tell Sun Bofu to prepare! He'll be on my orders in two days!"

The inn, in the courtyard.

"Two days later, on the night of the full moon, Lü Bu will personally lead a large army to launch a fierce attack on the northern camp of the Xiliang army, creating chaos for us. Our mission is to launch a surprise attack on the granary in the south."

Xun Hao drew a line on the map with his finger.

"This is the route Lü Bu planned for us. But our real goal is here."

His finger pointed to a narrow valley in the Zhongnan Mountains. "The mountain path here is rugged, and the dense forests on both sides make it an excellent place to hide. After we shake off the Xiliang army and enter the valley, we will go our separate ways and each go our own way."

"Alright. So, which direction should we break out from?" Sun Ce raised a crucial question. The Xiliang army numbered 100,000, and if their weak points couldn't be identified, they risked suffering significant losses.

Xun Hao met Sun Ce's burning gaze, his lips curving slightly, but he did not answer.

He simply picked up the teacup beside him and slowly and deliberately stirred the floating leaves.

"Mr. Xun?" he pressed, his tone already showing a hint of impatience.

"General Sun will know when the time comes," Xun Hao finally spoke, his voice still steady.

What kind of answer is that?

Sun Ce's brows furrowed into a knot.

He disliked the feeling of being kept in the dark, as if he were merely a pawn on someone else's chessboard that could be manipulated at will—except, of course, for Gongjin.

"We're allies!" he emphasized. "Shouldn't the plan be made completely transparent? That way, we can be prepared to adapt if things change!"

Xun Hao raised his eyelids, a hint of amusement in his clear gaze.

"Didn't General Sun say that someone like me, who pries into the secrets of heaven, is prone to shortening his lifespan?"

He put down his teacup and looked at Sun Ce with a serious expression.

"I just...want to live a few more years."

Zhou Yu's arm-holding posture froze for a moment.

Sun Ce was taken aback at first, then realized that this person was holding a grudge!