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

Outside the city gate of Runan, soldiers stood in solemn formation, fully equipped and ready to go, while Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Shan Fu stood quietly to one side.

Liu Bei looked at Guan Yu, his eyes filled with reluctance: "Second brother, please be careful on your journey."

Guan Yu slowly raised his hand and clasped his hands in a fist salute to Liu Bei, saying, "Brother, there's no need to worry. I await your good news!"

Liu Bei nodded, and Guan Yu then looked at Shan Fu: "Strategist, the time has come, I shall depart."

Dan Fu frowned and quickly raised his hand: "Second General, there's no rush. We need to wait a little longer."

Both Liu Bei and Guan Yu were confused. Guan Yu asked, "Whom is the strategist waiting for?"

Shan Fu simply gazed at the distant road and muttered to himself, "I'm simply waiting for the wind to come."

"This..." Liu Bei was speechless. They were about to set off on an expedition, so why was the strategist still speaking in riddles?

Just as he was about to ask, Shan Fu spoke first: "My lord, is the person approaching from the front Xianhe?"

When Liu Bei looked up, he saw three riders galloping towards him on the main road ahead. The one in the lead was indeed Jian Yong. He quickly replied, "That's right!"

Jian Yong shouted "My lord!" and rushed down to the city walls. Liu Bei and the other two spurred their horses forward to greet him.

"My lord, look! Who's here!" Jian Yong exclaimed joyfully.

Liu Bei looked behind Jian Yong and saw Liu Yan and Chen Dao, his former subordinates from when he was the governor of Yu Province.

Chen Dao dismounted and knelt down when he was still ten paces away from Liu Bei, saying loudly, "My lord! Please forgive my lateness!" Liu Yan followed closely behind.

Liu Bei was overjoyed and dismounted, jogging to help Chen Dao up: "When I escaped from Hebei, I was in a hurry because I feared that Yuan Shao would change his mind. I never thought I would meet you again, Uncle!"

Chen Dao choked back tears and said, "I knew that my lord had escaped and wanted to go to him, but I couldn't find him. Two days ago, I happened to see Mr. Xianhe in the army camp. Fortunately, Mr. Chen Zhen helped me, and we were able to return together!"

Liu Bei nodded, then looked at Liu Yan and asked, "Where does Wei Shuo come from?"

Liu Yan bowed and said, "I was separated from my lord in Xuzhou and returned to Lu. Later, I heard that my lord was in Hebei. I searched for him but could not find him. Then I heard that my lord had arrived in Runan. On my way here, I met Mr. Xianhe and Uncle Zhi and traveled with them."

Upon hearing of Liu Yan's arduous journey, Liu Bei's eyes welled up with tears. He helped Liu Yan up and turned to Shan Fu, saying, "Strategist, you may not know this, but these two men were both under my command when I served as the Governor of Yu Province. Shuzhi is loyal and brave, while Weishuo is meticulous and cautious. I hope you will make good use of them!"

Dan Fu bowed and said, "I will obey your orders, my lord." Then he looked anxiously at Jian Yong and asked, "Xianhe, what is the situation of the two armies at Guandu?"

Liu Bei and Guan Yu then realized that Shan Fu had been waiting for Jian Yong all along.

Jian Yong quickly gave Shan Fu a detailed report of what he had seen and heard at Yuan's camp.

Dan Fu frowned and asked, "So, Yuan Gong's earthen mound has already been breached by Cao Cao's trebuchets?"

"Indeed, but before I set off, Shen Pei offered another suggestion: to have the soldiers secretly dig tunnels into Cao Cao's camp, directly penetrating it. The effectiveness of this plan is yet to be seen."

Shan Fu laughed and said, "This is a trivial trick. Does Lord Yuan intend to emulate the old story of how Yi Jing destroyed Gongsun Zan? I think this plan is not feasible."

When Liu Bei heard Shan Fu mention Gongsun Zan, he felt a pang of emotion.

Guan Yu asked, "Strategist, I heard that Cao Cao's army broke through Yuan Shao's earthen mound and that the plan to dig underground would not work. Why are you happy instead of worried?"

Shan Fu smiled and said, "I know that although Cao Cao's army is small, they have defeated many warlords and are all skilled warriors. If we fight a decisive battle now, I'm afraid the troops in Hebei will not be able to resist."

"Having heard what Xianhe has said, it is clear that both armies are preoccupied with cunning schemes and have no intention of engaging in a decisive battle. This is of great benefit to our lord, and I have nothing to worry about!"

Everyone was deeply impressed after hearing this, especially Chen Dao and Liu Yan, who were both old subordinates and newcomers. They felt that their lord's demeanor had changed since having this strategist.

After listening, Guan Yu's brows relaxed: "Strategist, your insight is brilliant. Now that this wind has arrived, may I set off?"

Shan Fu took out a brocade pouch from his sleeve and handed it to Guan Yu, saying, "Thank you for your trouble, Yun Chang! Yuan Fu and Yuan Jian should have already arrived in Nanyang. After you meet them, open this pouch and do as instructed."

Guan Yu accepted the brocade pouch and said, "I, Guan, obey your command!" After saying goodbye to Liu Bei and the others, he mounted Red Hare.

"Set off!"

As the bugle sounded, Shan Fu watched as three thousand elite troops set off in a grand procession. He calculated the time in his mind, and Sun Qian, who was on a mission to Jingzhou, should have given him a reply by now.

The group returned to the city. On the way, Liu Bei suddenly asked Shan Fu, "Strategist, you just discerned the true nature of Yuan Shao and Cao Cao's armies, which deeply impressed me. I wonder what brilliant plan is hidden in the secret bag?"

Shan Fu said, "There is a ferry crossing north of Wancheng City called Guali Ferry. I intend to leave a contingent of troops at Guali Ferry, which will be of great use when we attack the city."

Liu Bei then asked, "Then why was it made to have Yun Chang reunite with Yuan Fu and Yuan Jian before opening the gates?"

"Yuanfu and Yuanjian have both wandered the Jianghu and must be good at observing mountains and rivers. Therefore, I sent these two ahead. I will tell you now, but I'm afraid Yunchang will not know the details."

Liu Bei breathed a long sigh of relief: "I have suffered repeated defeats in the past, but it seems that my defeats were not unjust!"

This Shan Fu is too cautious. His use of people and troops is seamless and flawless. If there had been someone like him in Xuzhou, how could we have suffered such a great defeat!

Jian Yong, who was standing nearby, leaned in and asked, "But if what the strategist says is true, and the armies of Yuan and Cao are about to engage in a decisive battle, what are your plans, strategist?"

Dan Fu smiled at Jian Yong, then took out another brocade pouch from his other sleeve, waved it, and said, "If that's really the case, I also have a solution."

Liu Bei hurriedly took the brocade pouch, looking at Shan Fu with suspicion.

"My lord, you may wish to open the brocade pouch and examine it closely."

Liu Bei opened the brocade pouch and saw a line of small characters on the silk inside: "Send a feint attack on Wancheng, while the main force joins forces with Zilong to first capture Yanxian."

"Why is that?"

"If the two armies were to engage in a decisive battle, Cao Cao's army would have no chance of launching a large-scale southward attack on us. They would surely first take Hebei, and we could then take advantage of this to directly seize Xuchang."

"The former feigned an attack on Yan County, but actually seized Wan City. This was a tactic employed by those with fewer troops. If the two armies were to engage in a decisive battle, such a great advantage would be gained, and no city would be more suitable than Xuchang!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Bei happily grasped Shan Fu's hand and exclaimed, "The strategist is truly cunning and unpredictable! I only regret that I met the strategist so late!"

At this time, a discussion was also taking place in Wancheng, Nanyang County.

Zhang Xiu, who was then appointed General Yangwu, wore a soaring crown and stood facing the screen, while his servants dressed him in armor.

Standing below was a burly man, carefully examining a military dispatch. This man was none other than Hu Che'er, Zhang Xiu's top general.

"My lord, the Prime Minister's order to transfer officials may be inappropriate." Hu Che'er put down the proclamation and looked up at Zhang Xiu.

"Lord Cao does not hold grudges against me and has repeatedly shown me great kindness. He has also become related to me by marriage. Now that he is locked in a stalemate with Yuan Shao and Liu Bei is causing trouble, it is the perfect time for me to repay him wholeheartedly. How can I refuse?" Zhang Xiu said with a firm expression.

"Forgive my rudeness, but I am not trying to dissuade you from repaying the debt. However, if all the elite cavalry in the city are taken to Guandu, what will happen when Liu Biao of Jingzhou attacks?" Hu Che'er frowned.

"Liu Biao is still embroiled in Zhang Xian's affair, so why worry about him? Besides, I have already sent spies back and forth to Jingzhou day and night. If anything changes, just send a fast horse to Guandu to report to me." Zhang Xiu was somewhat dissatisfied.

"But..." Hu Che'er was still determined to persist.

"I specifically left you to guard this city as a countermeasure. Now that Wenhe is serving Cao Cao, remember, if the enemy attacks, you must not easily go out of the city to fight! Say no more!"

Zhang Xiu, having donned his armor and picked up his heavy iron spear, strode away.

Hu Che'er bowed deeply to Zhang Xiu's retreating figure and sighed silently.