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

Within three to five days of Shan Fu's arrival in Runan, he got along very well with Liu Bei and his subordinates. He drilled the soldiers day and night and practiced military formations, which made the three brothers Liu, Guan, and Zhang realize, "Why didn't we think of asking for a strategist earlier?"

Zhou Cang knew Shan Fu's true identity, but he didn't reveal it. Whenever he had any doubts, he would consult Shan Fu, which made Shan Fu feel particularly fond of Zhou Cang.

One day, Zhou Cang, carrying a long-handled sword, found Shan Fu, who was inspecting the city's defenses.

"Yuanfu, what is it?" Shanfu asked Zhou Cang with a smile.

"Strategist, I have something I wish to report to our lord." Zhou Cang also looked at Shan Fu with a smile.

Dan Fu understood and laughed, "So you want me to vet your claims again?"

"That's right, that's right."

The two then walked into the city tower, and Shan Fu said, "Yuan Fu, please speak freely."

Zhou Cang placed the weapons he was holding on the table: "Please take a look, sir."

"This sword is quite similar to the horse-slaying sword, but wider and longer. It seems to have been designed with great care, which I have never seen before. Since Yuanfu wields this sword, how sharp is it?"

As Shan Fu spoke, he carefully examined Zhou Cang's Mo Dao. He had been very interested in the weapon since he first saw it, but he hadn't found a suitable opportunity to talk to Zhou Cang about it in detail. He didn't expect Zhou Cang to take the initiative to come to him.

"The strategist is indeed insightful. This sword is called the Mo Dao. I discovered the blueprints by chance in the mountains and ordered the craftsmen to make it. When I guarded Runan and received you, my lord, I relied on the power and sharpness of this sword."

"This sword is suitable for both foot and horse combat, especially foot combat. When I wield this sword, I am not afraid of Cao Cao's iron cavalry at all." Zhou Cang said, picking up the Mo Dao and brandishing it in front of Shan Fu.

After brandishing it, he put it down again and whispered to Shan Fu, "In my humble opinion, this sword is on par with the Second General's Green Dragon Crescent Blade and the Third General's Eighteen-Foot Serpent Spear!"

Shan Fu smiled and said, "Yuan Fu, do you intend to promote this sword within the army?"

Zhou Cang said, "This sword is not easy to forge, and its widespread adoption in the army will likely be difficult. However, if we select strong men to form a battalion to train exclusively in this sword, calling it the 'Mo Dao Battalion,' it will surely be of great use in the future!"

Zhou Cang became more and more excited as he spoke. He had had this idea for a long time: to form a Mo Dao team. Lu Bu had the Trapped Camp and Cao Cao had the Tiger and Leopard Cavalry. Why couldn't his lord have a special forces unit that transcended the times?

Dan Fu nodded and praised, "Yuan Fu's idea is excellent and shows great foresight. I will certainly report it to the lord in detail."

Zhou Cang's eyes lit up. If the Mo Dao Battalion were established, wouldn't he be the captain of this special forces unit?

"I'll have to trouble you with this matter, strategist!"

"Hahaha, what are you saying? Yuanfu is truly a good general, sharing the burdens of our lord." Shan Fu said, patting Zhou Cang on the shoulder.

As the two were chatting and laughing, a soldier hurried over and called out, "Strategist, the lord requests your presence!"

Dan Fu nodded in agreement, and before leaving, he turned back to instruct Zhou Cang: "Yuan Fu, the matter we just discussed should not be delayed. You can gather craftsmen in the city, calculate the materials and time required, and report back to me as soon as possible. As for the selection of strongmen, we are just waiting for my news."

Zhou Cang nodded vigorously: "Don't worry, strategist!" After saying that, he bowed and watched Shan Fu leave with the soldiers.

Inside the governor's mansion, Liu Bei was gazing intently at a map in the central hall, while Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were practicing martial arts in the courtyard.

Upon seeing Shan Fu arrive, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei quickly went to greet him: "Brother, we have been waiting for the strategist for a long time!"

As Shan Fu walked, he asked in surprise, "May I ask what business my lord has with me?"

Guan Yu and Zhang Fei exchanged a glance and shook their heads. Zhang Fei said, "Neither of us knows. Our elder brother has been sitting silently in front of the map since this morning."

Shan Fu smiled slightly but did not respond. He simply followed Guan Yu and Zhang Fei into the central hall.

"Brother, the strategist has arrived," Guan Yu reminded him.

Liu Bei, who had looked haggard, instantly perked up and turned to greet Shan Fu: "Strategist, please come in!"

"I wonder what business my lord has summoned me for?" Shan Fu asked knowingly, after settling down and seeing Liu Bei's preoccupied expression.

Liu Bei returned to the map and looked solemnly at Shan Fu, saying, "Back then, outside Jingzhou, you succinctly revealed what I was thinking."

"Now that I have returned to Runan for several days, why have you not offered me any good advice? Could it be that I have failed to prepare you adequately?"

Shan Fu smiled and said, "No, my lord, have you not heard that war is a great undertaking of the state, a matter of life and death, a path to survival or destruction, and cannot be ignored?"

"Furthermore, the reason why wise rulers and virtuous generals can act decisively and achieve success is because they have prior knowledge."

"I have just arrived in Runan and have completed two of the three investigations, but there is still one matter I have not investigated."

"Having conducted the three investigations, I have a sound plan to offer to my lord."

After listening to Shan Fu's words, Liu Bei realized that he had indeed been somewhat anxious, and asked, "What is the meaning of the three investigations mentioned by the strategist?"

Shan Fu stood up and slowly said in the hall, "Upon inspection of the city, we found high walls and deep moats, no hidden cracks in the battlements, and no silt in the river. This is what is meant by a city that is not to be attacked."

"Only by inspecting the army's supplies, ensuring that the armor and weapons are in good condition, that the arrows are not rusted, that the soldiers are well-trained, and that the weapons are of high quality, can we have a chance of victory."

"What about the three inspections?" Zhang Fei asked anxiously.

"Only by examining the three fundamental aspects—the inventory of provisions, the state of the granaries, the location of water sources, and the hearts and minds of people both inside and outside the court—can one avoid falling into the hands of others."

Liu Bei suddenly realized his mistake and quickly blamed himself, saying, "I misunderstood the strategist. I wonder how many more days the strategist needs to complete the three investigations?"

After thinking for a moment, Shan Fu replied, "It will take three days."

Liu Bei bowed and said, "In that case, I'll trouble you, strategist!"

Shan Fu smiled and said, "It's alright, I also have something to ask you, my lord."

Liu Bei asked in surprise, "What is it?"

"My lord, what do you think the outcome of the battle between Yuan Shao and Cao Cao will be?"

Liu Bei sighed and said, "I observe that although the forces in Hebei are numerous, they are all harboring their own ambitions, openly vying for power and secretly jealous of each other. I fear that Lord Yuan will find it difficult to defeat Cao Cao."

Liu Bei had a lot to say about this. From being treated as an honored guest when he surrendered to Yuan Shao after the defeat in Xuzhou, to almost losing his head after the battles of Baima and Yanjin, he saw clearly the true colors of Yuan Shao's advisors.

After Liu Bei finished speaking, Guan Yu nodded repeatedly, indicating his complete agreement.

"What you say is absolutely right, my lord. I have another question: do you wish for Cao Cao to win?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Fei immediately flew into a rage: "What are you saying, strategist?! My elder brother is acting on the Emperor's decree; how could he possibly obey the wishes of a traitor to the Han?"

"Does the lord wish for Yuan Shao to win?" Shan Fu pressed on relentlessly.

"Uh... this..." Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei fell silent at the same time.

Seeing that his elder brother was in a dilemma, Guan Yu said to Shan Fu, "I'm afraid we have no chance of winning this, and it's beyond our capabilities."

Liu Bei nodded to Guan Yu, thus expressing his opinion.

Dan Fu shook his head and said, "I think so." He then walked up to Liu Bei.

"At this time, Yuan Shao and Cao Cao have mobilized their entire cavalry and infantry forces, and the stalemate at Guandu presents a golden opportunity that we cannot afford to miss."

"As you say, my lord, Yuan Shao's men are divided in their hearts. However, if Cao Cao's forces are used to defeat them in one blow, then the northern lands will fall into Cao Cao's hands. At that time, my lord may never have the chance to summon the emperor again."

Liu Bei frowned deeply and asked, "I understand the strategist's intentions. This time, when we marched south to Jingzhou, I originally intended to request Jing Sheng's troops to launch a light attack on Xuchang, but alas... alas!"

Dan Fu walked to the entrance of the central hall with his hands behind his back, turned around and bowed to Liu Bei, saying, "My lord, do not worry. In three days, I will have a good plan to offer."

"Very well! We await your brilliant plan in three days!"