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

Liu Feng looked at Ma Liang. "Brother Ji Chang, your younger brother Ma Su, also known as Master You Chang, did you have any dealings with the Wuxi barbarians when you were in Jingzhou?"

Ma Liang's eyes flickered slightly. He understood the meaning behind Liu Feng's question.

The five members of the Ma family, including the brothers Ma Liang and Ma Su, were all renowned for their talent and learning in Jingzhou and Xiangyang. Ma Su was particularly skilled in debate and enjoyed discussing military strategy. In his youth, he was known for his eloquence among the scholars of Jingzhou.

More importantly, before Liu Bei entered Sichuan, Ma Su had been sent by Zhuge Liang to Wuling County on official business, where he had a brief encounter with several chieftains of the Wuxi barbarians.

"Youchang did indeed have dealings with the Wuxi barbarians," Ma Liang said thoughtfully, "but that was several years ago. Besides, Youchang is currently in Chengdu with the King of Hanzhong, not in Xiangyang."

"Then we will have no choice but to ask Brother Ji Chang to go in person."

Liu Feng's voice wasn't loud, but it made everyone in the back room look up.

Ma Liang was from Xiangyang and served as a military advisor under Guan Yu, making him arguably the most important civil official in Xiangyang at that time. He was responsible for pacifying the prominent families of Xiangyang, overseeing the construction of a water fortress, and coordinating the supply of grain transported from Hanzhong.

Liu Feng's decision to send him to Wuling meant that Xiangyang would temporarily lose its most capable ally.

Ma Liang was silent for a moment, then smiled. The smile was very faint, but it carried a sense of magnanimity, as if a scholar would die for one who understands him.

"Since Deputy Commander Liu has asked Liang to go, Liang will go."

"But..." He turned to look at Guan Yu, "What does Your Excellency think?"

Guan Yu did not answer immediately. He looked at Ma Liang, his face flushed and expressionless, but his fingers tapped lightly on the table.

Once, twice, three times.

"If Ji Chang goes in person, Wuling can be obtained."

His voice was slow and deliberate, as if he were weighing the weights on a scale, "But after Ji Chang leaves, who can take over the affairs of Xiangyang?"

Ma Liang was about to speak.

Liu Feng, however, stepped forward with a determined look in his eyes, cupped his hands in a fist salute, and said, "My lord, I have a candidate in mind. What is your opinion?"

Guan Yu stroked his beard and asked, "Feng'er, tell me about it."

"Man Chong. Man Boning!"

When Liu Feng mentioned Man Chong's name, everyone in the hall was surprised. Man Chong had been imprisoned in Xiangyang City for some time, and Liu Feng had not been willing to kill him.

"I have long heard that when Man Boning governed Runan, he was extremely strict in enforcing the law and treated the people harshly. The officials in Cao Cao's camp privately called him 'Iron Hedgehog.' If Deputy Commander Liu were to govern Xiangyang with such a person, I fear it would cause a rebellion among the people!"

Ma Liang frowned, but instead of mocking Liu Feng for his delusions, he discussed with him the rationale for appointing Man Chong. Ma Liang's trust in Liu Feng's abilities led him to overlook the immense difficulty of persuading Man Chong to surrender.

"To appease the people and win over the powerful families. Mr. Ji Chang has done all of these things, and no one can do them better than Mr. Ji Chang."

"But if you want to govern the world, you cannot rely solely on leniency and benevolence. You must maintain a balance between leniency and leniency, treating the people with kindness and benevolence while dealing with unruly people with harsh laws, in order to ensure long-term stability and peace in the region."

Liu Feng paused slightly, then said, "Although Man Boning has a reputation for being a cruel official, I am confident that he will be able to govern Xiangyang well."

Guan Yu nodded. "Feng'er is right. Man Chong is exceptionally talented. Without him in Fancheng, Cao Ren would not have been able to hold Fancheng for so long. However, he is very stubborn. The other day I tried to persuade him to join my camp, but he refused sternly."

He turned his phoenix eyes to Liu Feng and smiled, "Feng'er, are you confident you can persuade this man to surrender?"

"My lord," Liu Feng clasped his hands in greeting, "though I am not entirely confident, I am willing to give it a try."

Guan Yu looked at Liu Feng for a long time, then nodded slightly. Guan Yu now acknowledged Liu Feng's abilities; not to mention, even a great general like Tian Guorang had been defeated by him and surrendered.

Man Chong, perhaps he is another Tian Yu?

"Alright." Guan Yu turned back to Ma Liang. "Ji Chang is going to Wuling, and Man Boning will take over the military affairs in Xiangyang. But there is one thing: the leaders of the Five Streams Barbarians are numerous and fierce. If Ji Chang goes there, he may not be able to handle things well with just words. He must have troops accompany him, both for protection and to demonstrate our military strength."

Liu Feng interjected, "This humble nephew was just about to volunteer."

"This humble general led the elite troops of the Fengzi Battalion and Wancheng Battalion, about three thousand men, to follow Military Advisor Ma westward. We first returned to Shangyong, then followed the mountain road that Meng Da used to travel south, traversing the mountains and entering Wuling."

Liu Feng drew the route on the map with his finger—from Xiangyang, going up the Han River, passing through Nanxiang and Shangyong, then turning south, crossing the sparsely marked mountainous area, and heading straight for Wuling.

"Military Advisor Ma will first contact the Wuxi barbarians, while I will lead my troops behind them. Seeing the might of our army, the barbarians will be easier to persuade. Once the Wuxi barbarians submit, the Wu garrison in Wuling City will be no threat. After taking Wuling, I will lead my troops north to join forces with you, Lord Jun, and the King of Hanzhong in a three-pronged attack on Yidu."

Every word he uttered seemed to have been rehearsed countless times in his mind.

Guan Yu gazed at Liu Feng, his phoenix eyes gleaming with a complex and profound light.

He suddenly remembered that in the commander's tent in Dangyang, this young man stood in front of him and said, "Is Your Excellency afraid?"

At that time, he thought Liu Feng was just bold, impetuous, and lacked discretion. Now he understood. Liu Feng wasn't bold; he was reckless.

He calculated every step he took.

From taking Nanxiang, to capturing Rangcheng, to launching a surprise attack on Fancheng, to acting as an inside agent in Xiangyang, and now pointing to the Wuling Mountains on the map—he wasn't just taking things one step at a time; he was always looking at the chessboard ten moves ahead.

"Feng'er," Guan Yu suddenly spoke.

"My nephew is here."

"Tanzhi will go with you."

Guan Ping suddenly raised his head. Guan Yu didn't look at him, still looking at Liu Feng.

"Tanzhi has followed me in battle since childhood, and while he is competent in swordsmanship, his vision and perspective are far inferior to yours. This time, on our westward journey to Wuling, I will have him accompany you. Not as a military supervisor, but for training." Guan Yu's voice was not loud, but carried an unyielding solemnity. "You must take good care of him for me."

Guan Ping knelt on one knee, clasped his hands above his head. "This subordinate obeys!" His voice held the excitement unique to young people, like the exhilaration of being recognized by his father in front of everyone.

Liu Feng glanced at Guan Ping, then clasped his hands in a fist salute to Guan Yu.

"Rest assured, my lord. Tanzhi will come with me to Wuling. I will take him there and bring him back."

Guan Yu nodded.

His gaze returned to the map, his finger moving from Xiangyang to Wuling, and then from Wuling to Yidu. The three arrows, like three knives, pointed to the same target from the west, south, and north.

"I am in Xiangyang."

Guan Yu's voice deepened, like the Han River flowing deep within its channel.

"Lu Meng thought I was going to attack Jiangling, so I let him think so. On the walls of Xiangyang, I drilled my troops every day, making a big show of it, and proclaiming that I was going to launch a southern campaign. I sent spies back to Jiangling, back to Jiangxia, back to Yidu. Let them guess—where exactly is Guan Yu going to attack?"

Ma Liang put away his brush and ink, rolled up the bamboo slips recording the strategy for Wuling, and put them into his sleeve. He stood up and clasped his hands in a fist salute to Guan Yu.

"My lord, I will depart tomorrow. Xiangyang will be entrusted to you."

Guan Yu did not rise. He sat at the head of the table, his crimson face resembling a mountain in the lamplight.

"Ji Chang," his voice suddenly softened slightly, "the chieftain of the Five Streams Barbarians is fond of wine. Bring a few jars of fine wine from Xiangyang."

Ma Liang paused for a moment, then clasped his hands in a fist and solemnly replied, "Yes."