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

Three days later, Liu Bei summoned all his civil and military officials to gather in the hall.

Liu Bei sat upright in the hall, with his strategist Shan Fu sitting alone beside him. The remaining military generals, led by Guan Yu and Zhang Fei, and the civil officials, led by Sun Qian and Jian Yong, were arranged below the hall.

"Strategist, please begin!" Liu Bei said respectfully to Shan Fu.

"Yes, sir!" Shan Fuli stood up abruptly, bowed to Liu Bei and the people below, and then walked to the map.

"Gentlemen, I believe that the opportune time to receive the imperial edict to suppress the rebels is now." As soon as Shan Fu said this, everyone nodded in agreement.

Everyone understood that now was the best time to march north and attack Xuchang, putting Cao Cao in a difficult position and leaving him unable to defend himself.

"However, in terms of military strength, Cao Cao has many soldiers, generals, and strategists. In terms of military power, Cao Cao, with the remaining power from destroying Lü Bu, pacifying Zhang Xiu, and defeating Yuan Shu, has recruited and accepted rebels. The five provinces of Si, Yan, Qing, Xu, and Yu all follow his lead." Shan Fu paused to see the reaction of the people below, and there was silence.

"Furthermore, the traitor Cao Cao has seized the emperor and forged an imperial edict for the whole country, causing all the feudal lords to be wary of him." Shan Fu raised his voice.

"Even so, we must still press on despite the difficulties, because if Lord Yuan loses this battle, we may never have another chance to restore the Han Dynasty."

After Shan Fu finished speaking, some people in the hall started to murmur.

"Indeed, with Lord Yuan's military might, he might be able to defeat Cao Cao's forces. Why should we risk our lives again?"

Dan Fu paused again.

"But how can you all know that if Cao Cao's army is defeated this time, Yuan Shao won't become the next Cao Mengde?"

These words struck a chord with everyone present, including Liu Bei.

"Ah...this..." Liu Bei was completely taken aback when Shan Fu explained the necessity of sending troops at this time from this perspective, and couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

Shan Fuming clearly intended to use these words to sever all thoughts of sitting idly by and waiting to see the outcome, or acting on impulse for personal gain. Given their current strength, they had no chance of winning unless they mobilized all the forces that could be united.

Since we have been ordered to punish the traitors, we must uphold this righteous cause to the highest degree, which applies to both the traitor Cao Cao and any other powerful ministers who may emerge in the future.

If we don't take decisive action now, and Cao Cao wins and unifies the north, there will be no better opportunity in the future. If Yuan Shao wins, given the self-interested and power-hungry nature of the people in Hebei, the country might become even more chaotic.

Liu Bei gradually came to understand Shan Fu's thoughts. Although he now had many more men under his command than before, the loyalty of the newly recruited soldiers in the city to the Han Dynasty must be vastly different from his own.

Although there is a principle of trust between ruler and subject, I am not confident that everyone is as selfless as I am.

"Gentlemen!" Shan Fu quickly drew everyone's attention back when he saw the discussion starting to rise.

"Our lord is a benevolent ruler who emulates the emperor above and cares for the common people below. Unlike the feudal lords who fight each other, lacking any sense of righteousness, occupying the land of prefectures and counties, and only seeking their own selfish interests."

"That is precisely the case. Only by raising our arms and calling upon the emperor can we stand against the treacherous ministers and revive the Han dynasty in this critical time for the nation."

Liu Bei began to have doubts again.

That sounds true, but my strength is far from enough to make the feudal lords follow me with concrete actions.

Even Yuan Shao couldn't do that, so how could I, who only occupies the small city of Runan, possibly shake the warlords of the world?

"I have no objection to the strategist's words, but what should we do? Please enlighten me, strategist."

Dan Fu nodded and walked towards the map.

"I have three excellent plans that I wish to offer to my lord!"

The next morning, Liu Bei once again summoned his civil and military officials, as well as his cavalry and infantry, and assembled them at the drill ground.

"Gentlemen, I rose from humble beginnings. Since the oath I made in the Peach Garden, I have fought against the Yellow Turbans, attacked Dong Zhuo, battled Lü Bu, and defeated Xuzhou. For the past twenty years, I have wandered and drifted, never daring to slacken my efforts."

On the command platform, Liu Bei stood in military attire, delivering a passionate speech, with Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, Shan Fu, and other military and civil officials lined up behind him.

"This traitor Cao has lost all humanity, deceived Heaven and Earth, imprisoned the Emperor, slaughtered loyal officials, and wreaked havoc on the court. He is truly a great villain of the nation and a scourge to the country!"

"I am ashamed to bear the title of Imperial Uncle, yet I cannot relieve your worries or uphold the Han dynasty. I often weep and cannot sleep at night."

Liu Bei became more and more emotional as he spoke, and began to choke up.

"Now, His Majesty, in exile in Xuchang, has entrusted me with a secret edict written in blood, setting me on the great task of suppressing the rebels. Such humiliation is unprecedented throughout history!"

"Since I am a subject of the Han Dynasty, if I do not think of being loyal to the emperor and serving the country, but instead collude with traitors, then I will be condemned by both heaven and man, and pierced through the heart by a hail of arrows!"

After Liu Bei finished speaking, he stuck his sword into the ground, kowtowed three times in the direction of the Emperor of Xudu, and when he raised his head, tears were streaming down his face.

All the generals on the platform and the three armies below followed suit and kowtowed.

This was the first step in Shan Fu's plan for Liu Bei: to have a legitimate reason for attacking the enemy, to attract attention, and to emulate Yuan Shao's actions. While everyone was sacrificing cattle, sheep, and pigs to the heavens and swearing an oath in the training ground, the full text of the proclamation against the rebels and the emperor's edict in his belt had already been sent by fast horse to various prefectures and counties in Jing, Yang, Yan, Xu, and Qing. A copy was even sent separately to Xuchang and Cao Cao's Guandu camp.

The idea was simple: to openly tell the world that Liu Bei was going to launch a surprise attack on Xuchang, and to openly tell Cao Cao to leave some troops in Xuchang in case his rear caught fire.

Secondly, Shan Fu wanted to use this battle to remind all the warlords that Cao Cao's camp was not monolithic, and that Cao Cao himself would sometimes be unable to defend both ends and had to cut off his own tail to survive. He should know how to choose when he encountered the capable Liu Bei.

"Sun Qian, listen to my command!" After Liu Bei swore an oath, Shan Fu stood in the main position on the command platform, and all the civil and military officers lined up below the platform.

"Sun Qian is here!" Sun Qian strode out of the line with his head held high.

"You shall go to Jingzhou immediately and meet with Liu Biao. Tell him in detail what I entrusted to you yesterday!" Shan Fu made his first move, borrowing grain from Liu Biao. Of course, this came at a price.

Sun Qian accepted the order and left.

"Zilong, listen to my command!" Shan Fu took out a command arrow.

"Zhao Yun is here!" Zhao Yun strode to the front of the stage.

"You shall lead two thousand troops north to Yan County, displaying great fanfare along the way, and set up camp south of Yan County as a feint. When Cao Cao's army arrives, do not engage in battle, but retreat south along the Ru River."

"Understood!" Zhao Yun accepted the order and left.

"Yide, heed my command!"

"Zhang Fei is here!" Zhang Fei strode forward.

"You will lead a thousand troops and hide on the south bank of the Ru River to meet Zilong. When Cao Cao's army pursues Zilong, you will strike the enemy halfway across the river, which will be a great achievement!"

"I understand!" Zhang Fei replied, accepting the order.

"Yun Chang, heed my command!"

"Guan is here." Guan Gong slowly stepped forward.

"You will lead three thousand troops and depart three days from now, heading west out of Nanyang, taking the Xia Road directly to Wancheng. Set up camp east of the city and wait for the lord and my troops to arrive before making further arrangements!"

"I, Guan, accept the order!" Guan Yu took the command arrow and steadily departed.

"Gong Du and Liu Pi, listen to my command!"

Gong Du and Liu Pi hurriedly stepped forward.

"You two will remain in Runan City to repair and rebuild chevaux-de-frise, maintain weapons and armor, and send scouts to patrol the surrounding area daily. Report any unusual activity to me immediately!"

"Yes, sir!"

"Zhou Cang and Liao Hua, listen to my command!"

"Your subordinates are here!" Zhou Cang and Liao Hua stepped forward quickly.

"I hereby order you two to lead a thousand soldiers to escort the provisions of Yun Chang's troops. You shall depart for Wancheng tonight, without stopping along the way. After you reunite with Yun Chang, I will make further arrangements!"

"Your humble servant obeys!"

Zhou Cang received the command token, his heart filled with excitement.

Is this finally my first time fighting alongside Guan Yu?