I, Zhou Cang, am the number one tank in the Three Kingdoms.

Lady Bian remained dressed in plain clothes with light makeup, appearing overly simple in the Prime Minister's residence and even in Xuchang, which was completely inconsistent with Cao Cao's bold and unrestrained style of doing things.

Cheng Yu bowed respectfully, turned his face to the side, and then began to answer Lady Bian's question: "Your Excellency, it was thanks to your efforts that Liu Bei's two wives had no reservations, which allowed Yun Chang to be stationed at Guandu."

"Now that Guan Yu knows Liu Bei's whereabouts, he seems to want to leave the Prime Minister and return to his former lord. Liu Xuande has the demeanor of a hero. If he is allowed to gain power again, the consequences will be endless, and the harm will be no less than that of Yuan Shao."

"The Prime Minister admires Guan Yu's talent and entrusts him with important responsibilities, but his favor and trust are still shallow and not enough to sway Guan Yu's heart."

"At present, the presence of Lady Gan and Lady Mi in Xudu is truly a divinely ordained arrangement."

"In my humble opinion, rather than letting the tiger return to the mountain, it would be better to keep the two ladies in place for the time being and not let them go with Guan Yu. Even if Guan Yu has the courage of ten thousand men, he will be constrained in his actions and will be afraid to act against the law. This will also cause Liu Bei and Guan Yu to have a rift between them."

"This is what is meant by seizing the vital points and controlling the opponent's hands and feet."

Cheng Yu spoke at length without expression, quietly awaiting Madam Bian's response.

After hearing this, Madam Bian remained silent, but slowly walked to the corridor, looking at the flowers and plants in the courtyard. Suddenly, she turned to Cheng Yu and asked, "So, Mr. Zhongde wants me to go to General Guan's residence again, to use my position as a woman to prevent the Second Madam from leaving?"

Cheng Yu nodded slightly and said, "Madam, you are wise. Liu Bei is wandering the world. As for the two ladies, I believe it is not impossible to sway their will. If you explain the advantages and disadvantages to them and persuade them to change their minds, how can there be a shortage of heroes in Xuchang?"

Madam Bian first sneered, then said, "Mr. Zhongde, what a shameless way to manipulate someone's vitals and control their hands and feet!"

"If even a single word of your words spoken today is leaked, then which hero in the land would dare to serve under the Prime Minister?"

Cheng Yu was not surprised by Madam Bian's reaction, but continued respectfully, "Madam, those who achieve great things do not concern themselves with trifles. Even Emperor Gaozu, when defeated by Xiang Yu, pushed his children off the chariot to save his own life. Compared to the great cause that will last for ten thousand generations, which is more important, a little loss or gain in reputation?"

Lady Bian retorted, "What a fine example of being unconventional! In your opinion, detaining other men's wives and children as a form of coercion is the way of a king and a tyrant? The Prime Minister is acting on behalf of the Emperor to punish the disloyal, which is a righteous and honorable campaign. How can he resort to such underhanded tricks?"

"How is your behavior any different from that of Dong Zhuo and Li Jue!" Lady Bian said, angrily flicking her sleeves to show her dissatisfaction.

Guo Jia, seeing Cheng Yu's stubbornness and Lady Bian's anger, walked over to Cheng Yu and whispered, "Zhongde!" Then he waved his hand, signaling Cheng Yu to stop talking.

Cheng Yu ignored her and bowed slightly, saying, "Madam, please calm down. I do everything for Your Excellency's cause. There is already the precedent of Liu Bei, who regrets it to this day."

"Extraordinary people require extraordinary measures. In this extraordinary time, if we do not use this measure, we may ruin everything."

Madam Bian turned around, glared angrily, and said sternly, "Mr. Zhongde, although I am a woman, I still have some understanding of righteousness!"

"The greater good means knowing what to do and what not to do! When Liu Bei came to join us, you treated him with sincerity, sharing his carriage and seat with him. The whole world knows this. If you were to let him go today and punish his wife and daughters, how would the world view you, Prime Minister? Would they think you are petty? Or despicable?"

Despite being scolded, Cheng Yu remained unperturbed, saying, "Madam, you flatter me. Warfare is based on deception..."

Madam Bian interrupted directly: "Enough! I am a woman and do not understand military matters. Madams Gan and Mi are unarmed women and children living here as guests."

"Mr. Cheng Yu, your heart is far too insidious. This is not a matter of governing the country, but a matter of moral depravity. If the Prime Minister listens to your advice, he will lose the hearts of the people."

"I am a woman like the Second Madam. When I visited her last time, I did so to reassure her and relieve Yun Chang of any worries. Do you really think I was unaware of the second part of the agreement at Tushan? Since Yun Chang did not take offense, I had no intention of getting involved in this matter again."

Madam Bian stopped halfway through her sentence and looked coldly at Cheng Yu.

Cheng Yu frowned and asked, "How is Madam's libido?"

Lady Bian said slowly, "Since Mr. Zhongde is so insistent on this matter, then I will take charge of it. I will immediately issue orders to all, both inside and outside the capital, that as long as Liu Bei's family stays in Xuchang, they will be treated with the courtesy due to guests of my Prime Minister's residence. You are not to disturb them. If Guan Yu returns to Xuchang to retrieve Liu Bei's family, I will personally escort the two ladies out of the city with the Prime Minister's carriages. How dare you obstruct me?"

"The Prime Minister entrusted me with internal affairs, so I will not tolerate you doing such a despicable thing!"

"Gentlemen, please return!" After saying this, Madam Bian walked into the inner room without turning her head.

Cheng Yu's face flushed red. He never expected that his earnest persuasion would push Madam Bian to the opposite side and turn what was originally a situation with some room for maneuver into a dead end. He was speechless.

For a moment, Cheng Yu was overwhelmed by the surprise at Madam Bian's resolute attitude, the helplessness at her "womanly compassion," and the regret at losing a good opportunity.

The only thing that was always missing was the unease about taking such a poor approach...

Guo Jia calmly watched Cheng Yu from the side and advised, "Zhongde, in my opinion, this matter is beyond redemption. It would be better to wait and see. Since the lord has not given a clear order, it will not be easy for Yunchang to return if he insists on doing so."

Cheng Yu came to his senses, understood Guo Jia's implied meaning, nodded, sighed, and left the Prime Minister's residence with Guo Jia.

Guan Yu had left Cao Cao's camp, but unfortunately the weather was not cooperating. The rain was sometimes heavy and sometimes light, and the roads were muddy. What should have been a half-day journey took almost a whole day. Just when the rain finally stopped and they were about to find a manor along the way to rest for a while, they suddenly saw a series of fires in the distance, as if an army was coming towards them.

Once they saw Cao Cao's army banners, there was no way to avoid them, so they had no choice but to go forward.

"Whose unit are you?" Guan Yu asked the two cavalrymen at the front.

"General Cai Yang's troops," one cavalryman replied, while another turned his horse around to report to the rear of the column.

"Where to?" Upon hearing that it was Cai Yang, Guan Yu frowned and asked again.

Having been in Cao Cao's camp for so long, I've gotten to know all the generals. Some I got along well with, like Zhang Liao and Xu Huang, while others I didn't, like Xiahou Dun and Cai Yang. Meeting them now feels a bit like fate has brought us together again.

"Reporting to General Guan, we are escorting the grain supplies to the Guandu camp," the flag bearer replied respectfully after recognizing Guan Yu's face.

Guan Yu nodded and said, "You may go." Then he urged Red Hare to move aside.

The flag bearer clasped his hands in a fist salute and then gave the order to continue the march.

Guan Yu looked at the endless torches, helpless, and could only hope that they would leave quickly.

Just as they were at their wits' end, two riders galloped from the middle of the group and hurriedly reined in their horses in front of Guan Yu.

"So it's General Guan." After recognizing Guan Gong's face, Cai Yang smiled and bowed respectfully on his horse.

Seeing Cai Yang's impressive display, Guan Yu had a premonition that bloodshed was imminent, but he still patiently returned the greeting.

"General Cai, how have you been?"

Cai Yang smiled, then feigned surprise and said, "General Guan, having entrusted us with such a heavy responsibility by the Prime Minister, shouldn't you be at the Guandu camp right now? Why are you here alone?"

Guan Yu said expressionlessly, "The Prime Minister has already transferred General Cao Ren to replace me." He gripped the Green Dragon Crescent Blade tightly in his hand.

Cai Yang suddenly realized and exclaimed, "Oh! That's true! That's true!"

"However, before I departed, I remembered that the Prime Minister issued no order to transfer you, General Guan. Where do you intend to go?"

As Cai Yang spoke, he stared intently at Guan Yu, gradually revealing a murderous aura.

"I had a prior agreement with the Prime Minister regarding the meeting at Tushan. Now that I know the whereabouts of the Imperial Uncle, I am on my way to Xuchang to bid farewell to the Prime Minister." Although Guan Yu was dissatisfied, he still made his point clear.

Cai Yang smiled and said, "So it turns out that the general left the camp without permission because he had an agreement with the prime minister. In that case, please let me see the prime minister's official document."

Guan Yu coldly replied, "There is no official document."

Cai Yang sneered, "Without official documents, your unauthorized departure from the camp is a violation of military orders."

Guan Yu said in a deep voice, "Cai Yang, what are your intentions?"

Cai Yang roared, "You traitor! If you want to go over there, first ask the greatsword in my hand if it will allow it!"

Before he finished speaking, Cai Yang spurred his horse and charged towards Guan Yu, swinging his broadsword and slashing at Guan Yu's face.

Guan Yu was prepared. As Cai Yang charged, Guan Yu raised his Green Dragon Crescent Blade with both hands and firmly blocked Cai Yang's broadsword. In the midst of the struggle, he said to Cai Yang, "Cai Yang, if you know what's good for you, I, Guan Yu, will spare your life!"

Cai Yang didn't reply. Seeing that he couldn't overpower Guan Gong with his strength, he raised his sword and immediately slashed horizontally again.

Guan Yu was truly enraged this time. He swung his arm, deflecting Cai Yang's broadsword with a single blow, then swung his Green Dragon Crescent Blade in a circle through the air before unleashing a powerful backhand strike—

They chopped off Cai Yang's head and neck.

The remaining soldiers were all stunned. Their commander had been killed on the way. After they came to their senses, they tremblingly surrounded Guan Yu, but they all kept a distance of more than five steps and no one dared to step forward.

The already narrow road was suddenly blocked.

Guan Yu's gaze swept over the soldiers, and he brandished his Green Dragon Crescent Blade, shouting, "Cai Yang harmed me without cause, and it has nothing to do with you. If you want to live, go to Guandu yourselves."

Upon hearing this, the soldiers looked at each other but dared not move, while the flag bearer and the messenger quickly exchanged a few words.

The messenger decisively turned his horse around, shouting as he rode backward, "Continue marching, make way for General Guan!"

With a "whoosh," the group suddenly parted to create a small path.

Guan Yu clasped his hands in a fist salute to the flag bearer, then steed Red Hare and charged swiftly out of the grain convoy.

Although he hadn't even reached Xuchang to bid farewell to Cao Cao in person, he had already killed one of Cao Cao's generals on the way, which made him somewhat guilty. However, Cai Yang himself insisted on committing suicide, and he had already given the opportunity, so this outcome was unavoidable.

In the current situation, figures like Cai Yang, Xiahou Dun, and even Cao Cao are no longer important.

The only important thing is to return to my uncle's side as soon as possible.

Before he knew it, Guan Yu had ridden his horse for twenty miles. It was past dusk, and just before it got completely dark, Guan Yu saw a manor with lights still on not far from the roadside.

Guan Yu stopped his horse, looked around, and having no other choice, worried that he might frighten the people in the manor, he deliberately slowed down.

Upon reaching the courtyard gate, he dismounted and knocked on the door knocker.

A moment later, the door slowly opened, and an old man poked half his head out, asking warily, "Who goes there?"