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

South of Yunxian County.

Liu Feng's army, having marched for a full day and night from Duyang, finally arrived at Yuncheng before dawn. The reason for this hasty advance was twofold: first, they feared that delay might lead to unforeseen circumstances and cause Fu Fang to waver and change his mind; second, according to the latest intelligence provided by Tian Yin, another of Cao Cao's generals, Xu Huang, had led over ten thousand troops from Guanzhong through Wuguan, taking the Shangluo Ancient Road past Wancheng to reinforce Xiangfan, and was currently stationed at Yanglingpo. Further reinforcements from Cao Cao's army were also gradually assembling.

The heavy wheels of history slowly rolled closer in their predetermined direction, the only variable being Liu Feng and his army of less than ten thousand men. Liu Feng felt a profound, invisible pressure, as if fate was gradually tightening its grip on his throat.

"General, the scouts ahead report that Prefect Fu Fang of Nanxiang has arrayed his troops outside the city, but what is his intention?" Shen Yi galloped back to report.

"Order the entire army to rest and set up camp in place. Maintain vigilance and do not move around unnecessarily. Fengzi Battalion, come with me to take a look."

With a wave of his hand, Liu Feng led over a thousand soldiers away from the central army, and Kou Wei, the commander of the Fengzi Battalion, headed forward.

After traveling for a short while, they saw the outline of Yun County appear in the morning light ahead. Outside the city, a troop of soldiers stood in bright armor, their banners fluttering. In the distance, they could see a large banner held aloft, inscribed with: Prefect of Nanxiang, Fu.

Liu Feng reined in his horse and stopped to look around. Suddenly, he asked Shen Yi, who was accompanying him, "General Jianxin (Shen Yi's military rank), you are also a man who has long been in charge of military affairs. What do you think of the fighting strength of Fu Fang's troops?"

"Reporting to the Deputy General, I observe that this army is disciplined and its armor is gleaming. The formations are well-organized and disciplined. This army's fighting strength must be considerable. With such a powerful army assisting you, General, what worries do you have about achieving your great cause?"

Liu Feng chuckled, then looked at Kou Wei beside him and asked, "What does Ziwu think of this army's fighting strength?"

"If the deputy general grants permission, I will personally lead 800 men of the Fengzi Battalion. Within half an hour, I will surely break through this army's formation and capture Fu Fang alive to bring him to the general."

Upon hearing this, Shen Yi couldn't help but sneer, "Commander Kou, you're underestimating the heroes of the world."

Liu Feng nodded, pointed his long spear at Fu Fang's banner, and laughed loudly, "Ziwu is right. Although the troops seem well-organized, they have no killing intent. Their banners and armor are indeed excellent, but the soldiers' eyes show fear. Most of them are young farmers who have never seen blood."

Just then, Commander Kou suddenly roared like a tiger and shouted in a deep voice, "Beacon Battalion, follow me and charge!"

The more than 1,000 veteran soldiers of the Fengzi Battalion immediately formed a battle formation, with swordsmen and shieldmen in front and spearmen behind, their gleaming spear tips like a pool of autumn water. Archers drew their bows and prepared to fire, while more than 100 heavily armored cavalrymen, with Kou Wei as their lead soldier, formed a wedge-shaped charge.

"Kill! Kill! Kill!"

Three sharp shouts from the Fengzi Battalion, like bugle calls, instantly filled the air with a chilling killing intent, making it impossible to look directly at them. Looking at the nearby army formation, the sudden change caused a commotion in their previously orderly ranks. The front row of swordsmen and shieldmen involuntarily took two steps back, and some, even more frightened, collapsed to the ground.

"A perfect opportunity!" Shen Yi's eyes lit up. He thought to himself that the enemy's formation was scattered, making it the perfect time to attack. Suddenly, under the slightly swaying central banner, a general rode out on horseback, shouting, "General Liu, please don't misunderstand! My prefect has arrayed his troops here specifically to welcome the deputy general. Please do not attack!"

"Haha, what does General Jianxin think?"

"The deputy general has an unparalleled insight and a keen understanding of military affairs. Shen Yi is far inferior to him; I admire him greatly!"

Liu Feng laughed heartily, holding his long spear horizontally in front of him, and said, "General Shen, let's go. Let's go and see what tricks Fu Fang is up to."

However, he did not order Kou Wei to withdraw his troops, but instead followed Shen Yi and his companion on horseback towards the direction of the central army banner.

Under the central banner, Fu Fangyao, dressed in magnificent armor and wearing a helmet, riding a chestnut horse, felt a chill run down his spine as two riders galloped toward him.

Upon seeing Liu Feng, clad in crimson robes and black armor, exuding extraordinary martial prowess, Fu Fang suddenly had a thought and exclaimed, "Could the approaching general be none other than Deputy General Liu Feng?"

Upon seeing Fu Fang's armored attire, Shen Yi couldn't help but sneer inwardly, "Trying to make such a spectacle of yourself on the battlefield, are you afraid the enemy won't know you're the commander-in-chief? You're practically courting death!"

"I am Liu Feng! May I ask if you are Prefect Fu Fang of Nanxiang?"

Fu Fang quickly spurred his horse forward, bowed, and said, "You flatter me. I am Fu Fang. I heard of your arrival, General, and have been waiting here for some time."

In fact, Fu Fang had indeed led his troops and arrayed them there early on. However, his move was not to welcome Liu Feng, but rather to establish his authority before Liu Feng. Although Nanxiang County was not as large as Xiangyang or Nanyang, Fu Fang still forcibly conscripted men into his army and engaged in rampant plundering and extravagance. While his surrender was certainly influenced by Guan Yu's military prowess, the more important reason was that some in the Cao Wei court wanted to settle accounts with him for his crimes.

Since they were going to pledge allegiance to a new power, they naturally needed to demonstrate their strength and worth. Therefore, Fu Fang arranged the more than three thousand strong men he had forcibly conscripted here to showcase his power. He also spared no expense, scavenging weapons and flags from the treasury to equip this army.

However, he was startled by the unknown army not far away and immediately showed his fear, allowing Liu Feng to see through his disguise. At this moment, Fu Fang dared not have any more crooked thoughts and continued, "This humble general has already prepared a banquet in Yunxian City to welcome the Deputy General. There is also fine wine to reward all the Han army brothers."

"Fine wine is unnecessary. There are strict orders in my camp that prohibit drinking during wartime, and violators will be punished with fifty strokes of the cane. However, I sincerely appreciate Prefect Fu's kind offer and will certainly petition the King of Hanzhong to ensure the Fu family's wealth and safety in the future," Liu Feng said loudly.

Upon hearing this, Fu Fang's face lit up with joy. He quickly cupped his hands and smiled, "In that case, I thank the Deputy General for his kindness. I have over three thousand able-bodied men from Nanxiang County here, all of whom are willing to obey the Deputy General's orders, even at the cost of fire and water!"

Since his attempt to establish authority failed, and Liu Feng easily tested his true intentions, Fu Fang, being a clever fellow, immediately changed his strategy and began to pledge his loyalty.

Meanwhile, Liu Feng, Kou Wei, and Shen Yi led their troops into Yunxian County under Fu Fang's guidance. Although Yunxian was not the capital of the southern region, its strategic location and river transport made its city walls and buildings well-ordered, still showing glimpses of its former prosperity. However, the streets were deserted, with only a few people hurrying about. Traces of horses' hooves and blood from battle were visible everywhere, indicating that the city had recently suffered from war.

"Prefect Fu, has there been any armed conflict in Yuncheng?"

Upon hearing Liu Feng's question, Fu Fang blushed slightly and smiled, "Not at all. It's just that some rebellious people in the city are disobeying orders and intend to rebel. I have personally led troops to suppress the bandits and quell the rebellion, and the city is currently safe."

In fact, it was Fu Fang who saw that the people of Yun County had a lot of surplus grain and allowed his troops to plunder it to use as military funds, which triggered the peasant uprising.

Based on the original owner's experience and the fact that the people in the city feared the government troops like tigers and kept their doors and windows tightly shut, Liu Feng had already made a guess. He felt even more contemptuous of Fu Fang's character and said indifferently, "Prefect Fu governs well, using both kindness and severity. I admire him from the bottom of my heart."

Fu Fang blushed again. Soon, the group arrived in front of the Duyang County Government Office. Fu Fang said, "General Liu, I have prepared a banquet in the county government office. You generals have had a long and arduous journey. Why don't you come to the county government office first and have some wine to soothe your travel dust?"

"Prefect Fu, there's no need for such formalities. I hold an important position and dare not be negligent. I've heard that Prefect Fu has also prepared boats and vessels; why don't you lead us there to take a look?"

Fu Fang was initially annoyed that Liu Feng had declined the banquet, but upon hearing that Liu Feng wanted to inspect the prepared warships, he couldn't help but feel a little smug. He quickly said, "General Liu acts decisively and efficiently, truly in the style of his father, which is admirable. Very well, there's a tavern called Wangbo Tower south of Yun County. From the tower, one can see the clear blue river and all the warships and boats in the distance. How about we drink tea and watch the boats from Wangbo Tower?"

Liu Feng laughed and said, "Prefect Fu is indeed a man of refined taste and elegance. In that case, I will follow Prefect Fu's arrangement. I dare not disobey."