Traveling back in time to Liu Feng, starting with rescuing soldier Guan Yu.

As dawn broke.

Liu Feng stood at the highest point of the watchtower of the governor's mansion.

The city of Xiangyang gradually revealed its outline in the morning mist. The fire had burned all night and was gradually extinguished by dawn, leaving only a few ruins still emitting wisps of smoke, like wounds on the earth that had not yet healed.

From the watchtower, the layout of the entire city's streets and alleys is laid out in one view. Ma Liang was right; standing here, every gate, every street, and every ferry crossing in Xiangyang can be seen.

Footsteps came from the stairs. Ma Liang climbed the steps, his robes covered in soot and his eyes bloodshot, clearly having not slept all night. He walked to Liu Feng's side and handed him a scroll of bamboo slips.

"The initial count is complete." Ma Liang's voice was a little hoarse. "The Cao army that surrendered in the city totaled more than 3,100 men. Among them, about 400 were wounded and have been treated by military doctors. The rest have had their weapons confiscated and are being held in guard at the drill ground south of the city."

Liu Feng took the bamboo slips, unfolded them, glanced at them, and then closed them again. "What happened to the brothers captured by Cao Ren when Lord Guan retreated?"

"Found it."

Ma Liang smiled slightly. "There are over 1,200 people in total, imprisoned in the main prison and the water fortress dungeon. Last night, Commander Kou led his men to break down the prison doors and release them all. These people have been imprisoned for several days and have suffered some physical pain, but most of them are veteran soldiers who can be ready to don their armor and go back into battle after a little rest."

Liu Feng handed the bamboo slip back to Ma Liang and turned to look at the city below the watchtower. In the morning light, the banners bearing the character "Liu" fluttered in the wind on various city walls, and the armor plates of the patrolling soldiers reflected dappled light.

The surrendered soldiers were escorted to the drill ground in droves, while the released prisoners sat in groups of three or five in the sun. Some wept bitterly, some laughed loudly, and many more silently ate the dry biscuits they had just been given, their eyes still filled with the bewilderment of surviving a catastrophe.

"Three thousand surrendered soldiers, one thousand two hundred former subordinates, plus the three thousand men we brought," Liu Feng paused, "...more than seven thousand men."

"Seven thousand two hundred," Ma Liang added. "If we can digest them all, the military strength of Fancheng and Xiangyang will be no weaker than when Cao Ren was in power."

Liu Feng did not respond.

He heard it clearly: Ma Liang said, "If we can digest it all." The three thousand surrendered soldiers had just laid down their weapons, and their morale was still unsettled; the twelve hundred former troops had been imprisoned for several days, and their physical condition and morale needed time to recover. These seven thousand two hundred men were just a number for now; they still had a long way to go before they could be considered truly combat-ready soldiers.

"Deputy General," Ma Liang suddenly spoke, "there is something more urgent than reorganizing the army."

Liu Feng turned to look at him.

Ma Liang pointed down from the watchtower to the city of Xiangyang, which was gradually awakening in the morning mist.

In the streets and alleys, some bolder residents had already opened their doors and peeked out cautiously. In the marketplace, some began to clean up their houses destroyed by the fire the previous night, some carried loads and tentatively headed towards the market, while many more stood blankly on the streets, wondering what kind of fate this city, which had changed its flag overnight, would bring them.

"The people's hearts," Ma Liang said. "Xiangyang and Fancheng have fallen, and the people don't know whether it's a blessing or a curse. If we don't quickly stabilize the people's hearts, the city will be a furnace that could reignite at any moment."

After a moment of silence, Liu Feng suddenly bowed to Ma Liang.

"Mr. Ji Chang, I need to trouble you with this matter."

Ma Liang was from Xiangyang. The Ma family had been operating in Xiangyang for generations and was one of the most prominent families in the area. Ma Liang himself was renowned for his talent and learning among the scholars of Jingxiang from a young age and enjoyed great prestige among the people of Xiangyang.

Liu Feng's decision was not out of politeness, but because he knew that no one was more suitable than Ma Liang for this matter. Ma Liang did not refuse; he returned the greeting and turned to go downstairs.

At noon that day, notices to reassure the people were posted at various street corners throughout Xiangyang.

The notice was written by Ma Liang himself, with carefully chosen words. It begins by stating that this battle is only to punish Cao Ren and will not involve the common people; then it promises that the Shu Han army will not commit any offenses after entering the city, the markets will remain open as usual, and the price of grain will not change; finally, it announces that surrendered soldiers will be spared death, former troops will be pardoned, and the residents of the city will be allowed to continue their work and no past offenses will be punished.

When the notice was posted, Ma Liang was standing at the busiest crossroads in the south of the city. He wasn't wearing armor, only a plain dark robe, a long sword at his waist, and he spoke warmly to the onlookers. Soon, someone recognized him.

"It's Ma Jia Silang!"

"Ma Liang and Ma Jichang! He's back!"

"The Ma family has returned, so Xiangyang City will not be in chaos."

Whispers quickly spread through the crowd. An elderly man with white hair pushed his way to the front, trembling as he bowed to Ma Liang: "Lord Ma, half of my house was burned down last night. Will the government troops do anything about it?"

Ma Liang supported the old man's arm and said gently, "Don't worry, old man. Those who suffered from the fire in the city can register in front of the governor's mansion today. The army will allocate grain, rice, and cloth to help each family rebuild. I will personally oversee the process."

The old man's eyes reddened, and he bowed repeatedly. The expressions of the onlookers gradually softened from wary to relaxed. The reputation that the Ma family had built up over generations in Xiangyang played a role that official notices could not replace at this moment.

But Ma Liang knew that relying solely on the common people in the streets and alleys was not enough. Xiangyang was a city dominated by powerful clans, with the Kuai, Xiang, Pang, and Xi families deeply entrenched in the area, controlling land, trade routes, and public opinion. Without the support of these powerful families, the stability of Xiangyang would be like building a tower on sand.

He started with the Ma family.

Ma Bing, an elder of the Ma clan and Ma Liang's uncle, was over sixty years old and held a very high position among the scholars of Xiangyang. On the day Ma Liang entered the city, he paid Ma Bing a visit, and the two uncle and nephew spoke privately for an hour. Ma Liang did not hide anything, recounting in detail the events surrounding Liu Bei's capture of Hanzhong, Guan Yu's attack on Fancheng, and Liu Feng's surprise attack on Xiangyang and Fancheng. Ma Bing listened in silence for a long time, finally sighing.

"The Cao family has occupied the northern border of Jingzhou for nearly ten years. Although my Ma family has not suffered great harm, we have never been truly trusted by the Cao family." Ma Bing stroked his beard and said, "When Duke Jingsheng was alive, how glorious the gentry of Jingxiang were. After the Cao family came, Kuai Yue died in depression, Cai Mao died a violent death, and the rest of the families could only live a life of mere survival."

He looked up at Ma Liang: "Now that you have followed Liu Bei, the Ma family will follow you. But Ji Chang, you must ask General Liu Feng for a favor—can the land and mansions of the prominent families of Xiangyang be preserved?"

Ma Liang said solemnly, "When the deputy general came, he had already said that as long as the noble families do not rebel and sincerely submit to us, none of their fields and houses will be violated."

Ma Bing nodded. That very night, in his capacity as a clan elder, he sent invitations to several families, including the Kuai, Pang, and Xi families.

The banquet was held in the main hall of the Ma family's old residence.

Ma Liang did not deliberately set out on a lavish affair. On the table were steamed fish, roasted meat, and seasonal vegetables from Xiangyang, and the wine was aged in the Ma family's cellar for many years.

The hall was brightly lit, but only five seats were set up—Ma Liang himself sat in the main seat, and the four seats opposite him were occupied by Kuai Jun of the Kuai family, Pang Lin of the Pang family, Xi Lang of the Xi family, and Xiang Chong, the head of the Xiang family.

These four families are the only forces in Xiangyang City that can truly influence the situation.

The Kuai family had been in charge of military and political affairs in Jingzhou since the time of the brothers Kuai Yue and Kuai Liang. During Liu Biao's reign, Kuai Yue served as the Prefect of Jingzhou, wielding immense power. After Cao Cao took Jingzhou, although Kuai Yue was summoned to the capital, the Kuai family's landholdings and connections in Xiangyang remained intact.

The Pang family were relatives of Pang Degong and Pang Tong. Although Pang Tong had died in battle in Luocheng, the Pang family's reputation among the scholars of Xiangyang was still considerable.

The Xi family had been merchants for generations, controlling most of the shipping and grain trade along the Han River. Xiang Lang himself had served as the magistrate of Linju under Liu Biao, and later followed Liu Bei into Shu. His clansman Xiang Chong was even a military supervisor under Liu Bei. The Xiang family had a deep connection with Shu Han.

These four families sitting together form an impenetrable net.

Ma Liang raised his cup and first offered a toast to everyone. His opening remarks were frank and open, without any pretense.

"You are all old friends with Ji Chang, so I will speak frankly. Xiangfan has fallen, Cao Ren has been beheaded, Lü Chang has committed suicide, and the Cao army in the city has either surrendered or collapsed. This northern border of Jingzhou, from Nanxiang County to Rangcheng, and even Xiangfan, is now entirely under our control."

He set down his wine cup and glanced around the room: "I'm sure you all have questions in your minds. After Liu, the Deputy Commander, takes Xiangfan, will he hold it permanently or just temporarily? If Cao Cao sends troops to attack, can Liu, the Deputy Commander, hold it? If he can't, what will become of your land, property, and the lives of your families?"

These words were so direct that even Kuai Jun sat up slightly.

Ma Liang did not wait for their reply.

He stood up, walked into the hall, and ordered someone to bring out a map and hang it on the screen in the main hall. It was a topographical map of the mountains and rivers along the Han River, with every ferry crossing, every tributary, and every city clearly marked. It was hand-drawn by Ma Liang based on his memory and old books.

"Please take a look, everyone."

Ma Liang's finger landed on the westernmost point of the map.

"This is Hanzhong. Since Liu Bei proclaimed himself King of Hanzhong, Hanzhong has been the foundation of Shu Han. Military supplies, provisions, troops, and weapons all came from here."

His finger moved eastward along the Han River, passing through Shangyong and Fangling, and stopped at Nanxiang.

"This is Nanxiang. General Shen Danshen, who is in charge of the Northern Expedition, has been holding this place for half a month. Meanwhile, Kou Zun's troops under Deputy Commander Liu are leading their main force to join forces with the Yimin Allied Army and will soon be able to join forces with Shen Danshen. As for the Wuguan Pass, Cao Cao's army under Xiahou Shang will find it difficult to advance any further east."

The finger continued eastward, crossing the Dan River, and landing in Rangcheng.

"Rangcheng is garrisoned by veteran general Tian Yu."

Further east is Fancheng.

"Fancheng, the place where Deputy Commander Liu personally captured and where Cao Ren was beheaded."

Across the river from Fancheng lies Xiangyang.

"Xiangyang, where you are right now."

Ma Liang drew a line on the map, stretching from Hanzhong all the way to Xiangyang, tracing a path that meandered eastward along the Han River. Then he turned to face the representatives of the four families at the table, his gaze calm yet sharp.

"Have you all understood?"

Pang Lin, the youngest, spoke first: "The Han River, you've controlled the middle and upper reaches of the Han River!"

"Indeed." Ma Liang nodded. "From Hanzhong to Xiangyang, all the key locations along the Han River are now in my hands. You all understand what this means better than I do."

He turned and pointed to the map again: "Xiangyang is the largest commercial port in the middle reaches of the Han River. You have lived here for generations, and your fields, merchant ships, granaries, and warehouses all depend on the Han River. Upstream, you can reach Hanzhong and Shangyong; downstream, you can reach Jiangxia and Jiangling. This waterway is the lifeline of the northern border of Jingzhou."

Ma Liang's voice wasn't loud, but every word resonated with everyone present.

"This vital artery is now in the hands of Deputy Commander Liu."