My Three Kingdoms is not right

Chen Gong was alarmed: "General, you must not underestimate the enemy. Cao Cao is far superior to Yuan Shu."

"What's the difference?" Lü Bu interrupted her, walked to the weapon rack, and reached out to stroke the gleaming silver halberd. "Yuan Shu boasted an army of 100,000, yet I still managed to break through his camp. Cao Cao only had 30,000 or 40,000 men; in my eyes, they're nothing but chickens and dogs!"

Chen Gong was speechless for a moment.

Although our lord may not be the brightest, when it comes to courage, he is truly unparalleled in the world.

Lu Bu turned around, a burning light flashing in his eyes: "Once we kill Cao Cao, I will take Xuchang and install the emperor."

"Then I'll have the Emperor appoint me Grand General, and marry that Princess Wannian. Who in the world would dare disobey me then..."

"General, be careful what you say!" Chen Gong was terrified by the greed in her eyes: "This is not the time to talk about these things. Cao Cao is no ordinary man. If you are too arrogant, it may not be a good thing."

Lu Bu waved his hand: "Gongtai, I know you mean well. But this time, I have made thorough arrangements."

Chen Gong was taken aback and looked at Lü Bu with some surprise.

My lord has always preferred to solve problems with his muscles. When did he learn to use his brain to devise strategies?

Seeing Chen Gong's expression, Lü Bu smiled smugly: "I've already contacted Zang Ba of Mount Tai in advance."

"Zang Ba?" Chen Gong's eyes lit up.

"Not bad." Lü Bu picked up his wine cup and drank it all in one gulp. "Zang Ba has been entrenched in Mount Tai for many years, and his troops are elite and fierce. I have already sent someone to deliver generous gifts, and we have agreed that after Cao Cao's army enters Xuzhou, he will advance from the north to the south, while I will advance from the east to the west, attacking from both sides."

"Cao Cao is attacked from both sides; defeat is inevitable!"

After hearing this, Chen Gong felt somewhat relieved.

Lü Bu continued, "Furthermore, Gongtai asked me to reconcile with Yuan Shu, and I received her reply last night, saying that she is willing to re-ally with me."

"Therefore, Gongtai, you can rest assured. Cao Cao's entry into Xuzhou this time will surely be a one-way trip!"

Chen Gong nodded.

If that's the case, the great undertaking can be accomplished.

However, looking at her lord's smug and self-satisfied appearance, the unease in her heart did not disappear.

She knew Cao Cao too well.

Is that person really that easy to deal with?

-----------------

half a month later.

As the sun sets, banners stand tall in the open fields on the western outskirts of Pengcheng.

Liu Xun led the Sun sisters on horseback, slowly making his way through the camp. Everywhere he looked, there was an orderly military formation.

In front of the camp gate, the supply wagons were lined up neatly, the grain and fodder were stacked in piles according to their categories, and the camp tents were built according to the terrain, surrounded by deer antler chevaux-de-frise.

The camp's roads were clearly crisscrossed, and the soldiers moved about in an orderly fashion. The sounds of clashing armor, shouts of commands, and the thud of horses' hooves mingled together, yet there was no sense of disorder.

"Gongming is indeed a talented general," Liu Xun exclaimed sincerely.

A smile appeared on Xu Huang's sharply defined face: "Your Highness flatters me."

Liu Xun dismounted and walked around the main road of the camp, becoming more and more satisfied with what he saw.

The Imperial Guard has grown from less than a hundred men to three thousand. New recruit training, veteran promotion, officer appointment, and food and fodder allocation... every single thing requires their attention.

Fortunately, with Yang Xiu, a top-notch general, in charge of the Imperial Household Department, managing logistics perfectly; and with capable generals like Xu Huang and Zhao Yun in charge of training and command... the Imperial Guards were able to undergo a complete transformation in just over a year.

After the Battle of Wancheng, Cao Cao's attitude towards the Imperial Guards softened considerably. He readily agreed to Liu Xun's proposal to expand the Imperial Guards.

When Cao Cao launched his campaign against Lü Bu, Liu Xun volunteered to lead 1,500 imperial guards into the battle.

Firstly, it was to temper this army in actual combat—an army that has not undergone the test of iron and blood will always be a paper tiger; secondly, it was also to take advantage of the opportunity of fighting together to further strengthen the relationship between the Imperial Guards and Cao Cao's army.

He needed the Imperial Guards to form an "alliance" with Cao Cao's army.

Only in this way could the Imperial Guards maintain their independence under Cao Cao's shadow and play a role in restraining Cao Cao's ambitions at crucial moments.

He even considered that in the future, the Imperial Guards might be able to send junior officers to Cao Cao's army.

Of course, that was a long time later.

"Report!"

A scout galloped up from the front, his horse kicking up a trail of dust. Upon reaching the scout, he dismounted and bowed, saying, "Your Highness, our army has captured Pengcheng! General Cao has suggested that Your Highness move the camp to the city walls for easier military discussions."

The true commander of the army was, of course, Cao Cao. However, the Imperial Guards were nominally independent and not under the control of Cao Cao, the General of Chariots and Cavalry. Therefore, Cao Cao always spoke in a consultative and advisory tone when issuing orders, and he was very polite.

Liu Xun was slightly taken aback: "Pengcheng has been captured?"

"Yes," the scout reported. "When Hou Xie, the Chancellor of Pengcheng, saw that our army was about to encircle him, he led his troops out of the city to break through the siege, but was captured alive by Colonel Xu Chu on the battlefield. His troops, leaderless, scattered and fled, and the Pengcheng garrison surrendered."

"It's only been one day..."

Liu Xun was genuinely surprised.

Pengcheng was the gateway to Xuzhou, a city with tall and sturdy walls, and had always been a strategic location fought over by military strategists. He originally thought it would take at least three to five days to conquer it, but Cao Cao broke through the city in just one day.

The efficiency with which they conquered cities and seized strongholds is truly astonishing.

"Cao Cao is indeed formidable," Liu Xun murmured, then mounted his horse and instructed Xu Huang, "Gongming, you lead the army to change camps. Zilong and I will go to the central camp to check the situation first."

"promise!"

Liu Xun and Zhao Yun rode their horses through the camp gate and arrived at the central command tent. The tent was brightly lit and bustling with activity. Generals such as Xiahou Dun, Cao Ren, and Xu Chu were all present, their faces bearing the joy of conquering the city and a hint of lingering killing intent.

Liu Xun's gaze swept across the area and spotted Liu Bei's three sisters in a corner.

"Xuande," Liu Xun greeted him, "You've all worked hard today to take down the city."

"Your Highness flatters me. We have accompanied the army but have not achieved any merit." Liu Bei forced a smile, but his calm eyes concealed an unconcealed heaviness.

Liu Xun then noticed that Guan Yu's phoenix eyes were slightly lowered and Zhang Fei's brows were furrowed, both of them looking unwell.

Liu Xun's heart stirred slightly, and he was about to ask when he heard Cao Cao's voice from inside the tent:

"Your Highness has arrived."

She was still in full military uniform, with some dust still clinging to her crimson armor, but her phoenix eyes were bright and she exuded spiritedness.

She smiled and gestured for Liu Xun to come closer: "You've come at the right time. Pengcheng has fallen, and we're just discussing the next step of the advance."

Liu Xun suppressed his doubts, cupped his hands and smiled, "Mengde's military strategy is divine; he broke through a fortified city in a single day, which is truly admirable."

A hint of smugness flashed in Cao Cao's eyes: "Your Highness flatters me. I had expected that Pengcheng could be taken in one fell swoop."

"Chen Yuanlong of Guangling is a man of great integrity and has already secretly submitted to me. At this moment, he must have already led his troops straight towards Xiapi."

Liu Xun suddenly realized: "Chen Deng? I see!"

"Exactly." Cao Cao's smile deepened. "Lü Bu is currently preoccupied with his own problems; how could he possibly spare any troops to reinforce Pengcheng? Hou Xie is trapped in an isolated city with no outside reinforcements, and the morale of his army is already low. What else can they do but make a desperate breakout?"

"As a result, he was easily captured by Zhongkang, truly courting death."

"Cao Cao's strategy was far-sighted, achieving victory before the battle even began, which is even more impressive than conquering cities and seizing strongholds," Liu Xun sincerely praised.

Cao Cao was clearly pleased with the praise and was about to say something more when some strange noises were faintly mixed in with the clamor of victory outside the tent.

Liu Xun frowned and listened intently: "What's that noise outside?"