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

Cao Jun's formation completely collapsed.

In ancient times, regardless of the scale or intensity of war, maintaining troop formation and density was often the key to victory. In a scenario where cavalry faced infantry, infantry that lost their formation were like lambs to the slaughter!

Zhao Heng clearly understood this principle as well. He removed the conspicuous black helmet from his head, turned his horse around, and prepared to flee alone.

Liu Feng wielded a long spear with the agility of a wheel, and the body he inherited from the original owner clearly contained formidable strength. His superb martial arts and heavy armor made him invincible among Cao Cao's infantry.

No wonder even Prime Minister Zhuge Liang called him "fierce and difficult to control"! But Liu Feng in his previous life also died because of this fierceness, while he... the new Liu Feng will use it to make a name for himself.

"Don't run, you thief! Liu Feng is here!"

Seeing Zhao Heng's actions from afar, Liu Feng shouted and charged at Zhao Heng with his spear. Two of Cao Cao's personal guards desperately thrust their spears at Liu Feng on horseback, but Liu Feng deftly extended his arm and, using the momentum of the horse's charge, easily deflected the guard to his right and sent the spear crashing down heavily towards Zhao Heng.

The warhorse neighed mournfully. Zhao Heng was thrown from his horse by his attendants, but his strong will to survive still made him desperately grab the reins. The warhorse was pulled back and fell heavily onto the muddy ground. His mouth and nose were filled with the stench of blood mixed with the bitter taste of the soil. Just as he raised his head, a three-inch-long, gleaming, sharp blade pierced his throat.

The outcome is decided.

"Twenty-two chests of gold and silver; this fellow certainly amassed quite a fortune in Duyang City!"

Liu Feng, stationed on the hilltop, listened to Shen Dan's excited report after he had just finished counting the spoils of war. He couldn't help but sigh to himself: "Truly, when the cannons roar, gold flows like water! The quickest and most lucrative gains are made in war."

"General, we have just tallied the casualties. Our army has three dead and more than ten lightly wounded. We have captured over three hundred of Cao Cao's soldiers, more than twenty warhorses, and several dozen pieces of armor, spears, shields, bows, and crossbows!"

After listening to the battle reports from Kou Wei and Shen Yi, Liu Feng nodded and said, "Take the captured soldiers and twenty boxes of goods back to Duyang City. Distribute the remaining two boxes of goods among the soldiers who participated in this battle. Take the lightly wounded brothers back to the camp and hand them over to the medical officers for treatment."

After pondering for a while, Liu Feng said again, "Take the remains of our fallen brothers back and give them a proper burial. Try to find their relatives, women and children. If you can find them, give them some money and food as compensation."

"Yes, Deputy General!" Kou Wei and Shen Yi responded in unison.

"From today onwards, each battalion will be assigned a Warehouse Advisor, whose primary responsibility is to register the origins, families, and children of all soldiers. After the battle, he will accompany the army to tally the casualties and be responsible for all matters related to compensation, payment, and provisions. No deductions or delays are permitted; any violation will result in immediate execution!"

Seeing Liu Feng's solemn expression, Kou Wei felt a chill run down his spine and solemnly agreed again. Shen Yi, however, was somewhat puzzled. "Deputy General, what is the meaning behind your actions?"

"Nothing more. Our brothers in the army have fought for us, shedding blood and sweat, even losing their lives. I must treat their wives, children, and elderly parents well, so that they may die without regret!"

Shen Yi curled his lip, inwardly disagreeing, but out of respect for Liu Feng's military might, he praised, "General, you are truly righteous."

Meanwhile, Kou Zun and Shen Dan led the main force of Shu Han and stationed themselves in Duyang City. Strictly adhering to Liu Feng's military orders, they did not harm the people in the city and quickly dispatched men to take over the city gates.

Suddenly, a scout reported that dozens of Cao soldiers were attacking from the northwest of Duyang. Kou Zun dared not be negligent and immediately ordered his troops to prepare to form a battle formation to meet the enemy. At the same time, he personally climbed the west gate of Duyang to observe the enemy's situation.

Sure enough, a cloud of smoke appeared from the northwest, and within moments it had approached within a hundred paces of the city gate. Kou Zun raised his right hand, ordering dozens of archers on the city tower to draw their bows and aim at the approaching enemy.

Suddenly, they heard a shout from among dozens of enemy cavalrymen. The sound was clear even amidst the clamor of horses' hooves.

"Soldiers on the city wall, cease firing arrows! I am Tian Yin, a subordinate official under Prefect Fu Fang of the South. I have been ordered by my prefect to present a letter to the deputy general."

Upon hearing the enemy's shouts, Kou Zun had an idea. He quickly ordered the archers to stop firing, allowing the dozens of cavalrymen to reach the city gate.

As the dust settled, Kou Zun saw that the approaching army numbered only about twenty riders. He felt somewhat relieved, realizing that they were not the vanguard of the attacking cavalry.

"General, please state your name and purpose. Otherwise, I will order my soldiers to fire arrows!"

At this moment, a rider from the cavalry stepped forward from the crowd, cupped his hands towards the city wall, and said loudly, "I am Tian Yin, the Prefect of Nanxiang County. I have been ordered by my father, Prefect Fu, to present this letter to the Deputy General. Lord Guan flooded the seven armies, his might shaking the land. Now the Deputy General is personally leading a fierce army to conquer Nanxiang. My father, the Prefect, knows he is no match for him and wishes to submit to the will of Heaven and surrender to the King of Hanzhong."

Kou Zun's eyes flickered. He was always involved in military affairs and knew Liu Feng and Shen Dan's assessment of the situation in Nanxiang. He already believed the visitor's words to some extent. However, being cautious by nature, he dared not open the city gates without authorization. He pondered for a moment and said, "In that case, Prefect Tian, ​​you may order your men to discard their weapons, release their horses outside the city gates, and dismount to enter the city on foot!"

Without saying another word, the other party immediately ordered more than twenty of his followers and guards to dismount and walk to the city gate.

The city gate slowly opened, and Kou Zun strode out to greet Tian Yin, saying loudly, "This humble general, Kou Zun, greets Prefect Tian. Military situations change rapidly, and I must proceed with caution. Please forgive any rudeness!"

"Not at all. General Kou is cautious and meticulous in his military tactics. With a talent like you under your command, how can we not achieve great things?"

Kou Zun said, "The deputy general is not in the city at the moment. I would be grateful if you, Prefect Tian, ​​could wait at the post station for a while."

...

Upon his triumphant return, Liu Feng entrusted all the captured prisoners and valuables to Kou Zun and Shen Dan for distribution. Soon after, Kou Zun reported that a messenger from Fu Fang, the Prefect of Nanxiang, had come to see him and was now staying at the post station. Fu Fang had also sent a letter to Liu Feng.

Liu Feng took the letter and unfolded it. The gist of Fu Fang's letter was: Guan Yu's might shook the Central Plains, and the morale of Cao Cao's army was wavering. He wished to submit to Liu Bei in accordance with Heaven's will, offering a map and household register of the seven counties of Nanxiang Commandery. Fu Fang even offered to lead over 3,800 armored soldiers from Nanxiang south to Xiangfan to join the battle!

Another figure terrified by Guan Yu's flooding of the seven armies and his awe-inspiring presence throughout China! However, this aligns with the perspective and logic of people at the time. Even the elite troops of Yan and Zhao, led by Yu Jin, were defeated by Guan Yu. Tens of thousands of refugees and bandits around Xuchang rose up in response to Guan Yu. Even Cao Cao himself wavered and considered moving the capital to avoid the brunt of the attack. No wonder the county officials on the front lines had thoughts of rebellion.

However, no one expected that Guan Yu's fall from grace would be so swift and unexpected. What Liu Feng was doing at this moment was relying on the perspective of a time traveler and riding on the aftershocks of Guan Yu's might to try and accumulate some capital to establish himself in this chaotic world.

Liu Feng immediately ordered someone to bring Tian Yin and other envoys sent by Fu Fang to this place.

"Tian Yin, the Assistant Prefect of Nanxiang County, met with the Deputy Army General."

"Prefect Tian, ​​you've come from afar, no need to stand on ceremony. Please have a seat!"

"I have read the letter brought by Prefect Tian. Prefect Fu is a true hero, acting in accordance with the will of Heaven and the people. However, I wonder where the maps and registers of the seven counties of Nanxiang Prefecture, which he mentioned in his letter, are now?"

Tian Yin hurriedly stood up, took out a scroll wrapped in thick cloth from his bosom, and presented it to Liu Feng.

Liu Feng pressed his hand on the sword at his waist, fearing that Tian Yin would repeat the old trick of "revealing the dagger when the map is unrolled," but he saw the scroll being unrolled, and it was indeed a map of the terrain and strategic locations of the seven counties and twelve cities in the southern region. The "Du River," which flows through the three counties of Shangyong, joins the Han River here, and from there it can pass through Yin County, Gucheng and other places and go straight to Xiangfan.

Having obtained this strategic map and with Fu Fang leading his troops to surrender, Liu Feng felt even more confident in his plans. He was secretly delighted, but his face remained calm. He then asked, "According to Prefect Tian, ​​where is Prefect Fu currently stationed with his troops?"

"Reporting back to the Deputy General. Prefect Fu knows that the General will pass through Yun County on this journey, and has already gathered ships and stockpiled grain and fodder in Duyang City, waiting for the General to lead his troops."

Liu Feng glanced at the map and saw that Yunxian County was located dozens of miles east of Dushui, guarding the junction of Dushui and Mianshui (Hanjiang), making its geographical location extremely important.

"Fu Fang, a mere minor character in the Records of the Three Kingdoms, possesses such keen insight. Not only did he recognize the importance of Yunxian County, but he also discerned my intentions and prepared ships and provisions in advance. Indeed, those who can become governors are not easy to deal with..."

Liu Feng reminded himself once again that he must not underestimate the heroes of ancient times just because he was a time traveler.