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

"Strategist, when should I go into battle?" Liu Bei asked, feeling restless as he saw that everyone else had already received their orders and were ready to depart, while he had not yet made any arrangements.

From the time of the Oath of the Peach Garden, he had become accustomed to a military life, always taking the lead in every major battle.

I recently heard that Sun Ce of Jiangdong has died, and his younger brother Sun Quan has taken over the reins of power. So now, among all the warlords, big and small, Liu Bei is the most capable ruler.

"My lord, there is no need to rush. I will go into battle with you, but the time is not yet right." Shan Fu said with a smile as he stepped down from the command platform.

Including Jian Yong, Mi Zhu, and Mi Fang, who had already set off yesterday, all the capable men under Liu Bei's command have been dispatched.

"But strategist, there is still one thing I don't understand," Liu Bei said, pulling Shan Fu's hand as he walked down the steps.

"Please speak, my lord!"

"In this attack on Cao Cao, since you intend to capture Wancheng, why did you send Zilong and Yide north to Guandu with a feint? What will you do if Cao Cao divides his forces to attack them?"

Liu Bei voiced his doubts. He even felt that since the goal was to take Xialu and head north, speed was of the essence. They should concentrate their forces to attack Wancheng. If they divided their forces, the resources that Yide and others had worked so hard to build up might be wiped out again.

Dan Fu smiled slightly and did not answer. Instead, he led Liu Bei to the council hall in the mansion. Guan Yu would not go into battle for three days, so he followed along.

Before the map, Shan Fu explained to Liu Bei the reasons for dividing the troops.

"My lord, please look." Shan Fu pointed to the location of Yan County.

"This place is a crucial point for the northward journey from Ruzhou to Guandu. Although Cao Cao has not heavily guarded it, he can advance southward from Guandu by both land and water and arrive in no time. Guandu must have passed through here on his last journey from Xuchang."

As Shan Fu spoke, he looked at Guan Yu, who was standing silently behind Liu Bei.

Guan Yu looked at Shan Fu and said to Liu Bei, "Indeed, Yan County is easy to defend and difficult to attack. If it weren't for the carriages and travel documents given to us by Lady Bian, it would have been no easy task for us to cross the pass."

Shan Fu continued, "Because of Lord Yuan, if Cao Cao were in Xuchang and knew that we had invaded our territory, he would surely raise a large army to march south in order to achieve a swift victory."

"This place is certainly not where we should wage war, so we are using a feint to mislead them."

Before Liu Bei could react, Shan Fu immediately pointed to another location, Wancheng.

"The Wanluo Road is the ancient Xia Road. This road leads north to Xudu and Luoyang, and south to Xinye and Fancheng. It is the only smooth road between the Central Plains and Jingxiang. In addition, it has the convenience of the Yushui River for transport. If Cao Cao's army marches south, this is the only way."

Liu Bei and Guan Yu both agreed and nodded in agreement.

"However, the southern route is narrow and overgrown with vegetation, while the northern route connects to the three passes of Wancheng, Fangcheng Pass, and Yexian. If we wish to defeat the many with the few and the strong with the weak, this is the place where we can put our skills to use." After Shan Fu finished speaking, he looked at Liu Bei and Guan Yu.

"We are all in awe of the strategist's brilliant plan. So the strategist used a feint to send troops north to aid the Battle of Guandu, but then launched a surprise attack on Wancheng. This was a feint to the east while attacking the west." Liu Bei breathed a sigh of relief. So that's how it is. That makes a lot more sense.

"That's not all." Shan Fu smiled as he stepped down from behind the screen and walked toward Liu Bei.

"What other brilliant plans does the strategist have?" Guan Yu couldn't help but ask. Although he didn't know who Shan Fu was, he did show some of the demeanor of Cao Cao's top strategist, which aroused his curiosity.

"I have sent Gongyou as an envoy to Jingzhou on another important mission." The three walked into the courtyard, and Shan Fu said as he walked.

"Although Liu Jingsheng is preoccupied with internal troubles and has always protected himself by the Jianghan region while observing the changes in the world, if Gongyou could explain to him the kinship between the lord and the Han imperial family and appeal to his interests, he might be able to help me." Shan Fu looked at the clouds in the sky and muttered to himself.

"What does the strategist mean by 'motivating with profit'?" Guan Yu was still somewhat puzzled. In terms of loyalty, righteousness, and virtue, his elder brother was unparalleled, but in terms of profit, he really didn't have anything to offer...

Liu Bei explained to Guan Yu on behalf of Shan Fu: "The advantage that the strategist mentioned is Wancheng."

Guan Yu was taken aback: "Wancheng?"

"Indeed, Wancheng is the seat of Nanyang Commandery and a shield for Liu Biao to defend against Cao Cao in the north. If Wancheng is not lost, Jingzhou and Xiangyang will be safe. Since Zhang Xiu surrendered to Cao Cao, Liu Biao has always regretted it. This time, I will use Wancheng as an opportunity to exchange for some troops and provisions from Liu Biao of Jingzhou. How can Liu Biao refuse?" Shan Fu said as he sat down on a stone bench in the courtyard.

"Uh... Today, the strategist has already deployed all our troops properly. By the time the Jingzhou troops arrive, it will be too late." Liu Bei asked again. Yesterday, Shan Fuguang explained the details of his mission to Liu Biao to him, but did not explain the purpose of these troops.

"My lord!" Shan Fu suddenly turned to look at Liu Bei.

"My lord, what do you think Cao Cao will do now that he knows we are marching north?"

"We must do as the strategist said and send a large army south to seek a swift victory," Liu Bei repeated what Shan Fu had said earlier.

"Given Cao Cao's military tactics, knowing our army's intention to march north, he will surely try to conquer this city once and for all to avoid future troubles."

"Although I sent Yide to ambush along the way, one defeat may not be enough to drive away their troops. If Cao Cao's army sees that our army is weak, they will surely gather their remaining forces and pursue us relentlessly until they reach this city. At that time, it will be time for the Jingzhou troops to make their move."

"What does the strategist want?" Liu Bei gradually understood Shan Fu's complete strategic plan. This strategist was indeed worth hiring. He thought three steps ahead for every step he took and had already arranged for reinforcements after the city was besieged by the enemy before he even set out.

"This time, I will make sure that Cao Cao never returns." Shan Fu's eyes were resolute.

From making that boast to his lord four days ago to today's general appointment, Shan Fu had considered almost every possibility.

The first step in the operation: to march north by imperial decree, thus having a legitimate reason for the expedition;

Step Two: With Jingzhou and Xiangyang as our backing, we will encircle and annihilate the enemy.

Step 3: Use a feint to the east while attacking the west, and seize Wancheng;

The three steps are interconnected, and the third step may even lead to a situation where the attack comes later but arrives first, thus accelerating the battle and expanding the results.

What Shan Fu hasn't mentioned yet is the three-step strategic plan, which is the goal he values ​​even more.

"In that case, elder brother can rest easy this time!" Guan Gong was relieved to hear Shan Fu's well-thought-out arrangements. He had been worried that his elder brother might be in danger again after he led the main force to Wancheng.

"The strategist's tactics are truly divine; I am deeply impressed!" Liu Bei rose and bowed deeply to Shan Fu.

"My lord, there's no need for such formalities. It is my great fortune to have met you. This battle is my gift to you." Shan Fu quickly returned the greeting and smiled.

"This battle was merely a trial run; it is insufficient to shake the hearts of those who are divided in the land."

"I would love to hear the details!"

"Liu Fu of Yangzhou, Zang Ba of Qingxu, Zhang Lu of Hanzhong, and the Sun family of Jiangdong—they were either surrendered to Cao Cao, forced by his tyranny, or received his favors, or were hindered by the emperor; none of them were not under the control of the traitor Cao Cao."

"The reason why Cao Cao disregarded past grudges and showed kindness and trust to Zhang Xiu was simply to demonstrate to the other lords of the world his ambition to seek out talented people."

"The purpose of this battle is to make Cao Cao unable to attend to both ends, abandon Wancheng and defend Guandu. The warlords who have fallen to Cao Cao are not a monolithic group. Fearing for their own safety, the day when they support the Han and rebel against Cao Cao will not be long."

Only then did Shan Fu reveal the complete plan. Since the lord is benevolent, using trickery and deception to seize someone's foundation is the worst possible strategy. The right way is to raise the banner of righteousness, fight the traitors to the death, and win the hearts and minds of the people!

A servant entered the courtyard and announced to Shan Fu, "Strategist, General Zhou Cang requests an audience!"

"Please come quickly!"