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

"Report—!"

Early in the morning, Shan Fu had just set up his swordsmanship in the courtyard and had only practiced a few moves when a very penetrating announcement came in.

Dan Fu remained calm and continued to brandish his sword until the messenger approached before sheathing it.

"The strategist's swordsmanship is excellent; I will certainly have the opportunity to spar with him someday."

Just as Shan Fu was about to receive military intelligence, a voice came from behind him, which startled him.

"Uh... I'm just showing off my limited skills in front of an expert, please forgive me, my lord!" Shan Fu forced himself to remain calm before turning around and bowing to Liu Bei.

How did our lord manage to arrive so early in the morning without us noticing?

Liu Bei walked towards Shan Fu with a smile, holding a brocade robe: "Strategist, please don't be offended. I didn't mean to spy on you; I just happened to bump into you."

"Furthermore, the strategist possesses both exceptional wisdom and exceptional swordsmanship, I am overjoyed!" With that, he draped the brocade robe over Shan Fu.

Shan Fu felt a surge of warmth in his heart and quickly thanked Liu Bei for his kindness.

"Getting up early to strengthen one's body is a good thing, but if the strategist catches a cold because of it, I'll be at a loss!"

Liu Bei smiled and took the urgent message from the messenger, then muttered to himself after reading it.

"Just as the strategist predicted, Cao Ren, Li Dian, and Yue Jin led 30,000 troops and set off from Guandu three days ago."

"Oh?" Shan Fu took the urgent message and looked at it. He repeatedly calculated the time in his mind. Guan Yu had been on his way for two days, and he would only pass through Yan County one day earlier than Cao Cao's army. It was extremely dangerous.

"Does General Zilong know about this?" Shan Fu asked the messenger.

"I have already informed General Zhao Yun and General Zhang Fei along the way!" the messenger replied quickly.

"Alright, you must be tired from your journey. Go and rest."

"Strategist, how is it? Is there any oversight?" Liu Bei asked, slightly uneasy, after Shan Fu dismissed the messenger.

"My lord, please rest assured, there was no oversight. I thought it was news from Jingzhou," Shan Fu replied with a hint of disappointment.

"I believe that since the strategist has promised him the benefits, Jing Sheng is certainly not so weak and incompetent." Hearing Shan Fu's concerns, Liu Bei comforted him instead.

Dan Fu wasn't worried about Liu Biao himself, but rather about whether Liu Biao's local bullies, such as Cai Mao, would cause trouble.

"Report—!" Just as the two were talking, another report came.

The messenger hurried along, while Liu Bei and Shan Fu were filled with anticipation, for this time it was indeed not an urgent military dispatch.

"Strategist! A handwritten note by Mr. Sun Qian!"

Dan Fu eagerly took the wooden box, took out the bamboo slips and read: "Jing Sheng has dispatched General Wen Ping with 3,000 troops and provisions. They will depart from Xinye in two days, taking a side road, and should arrive in Runan in about 20 days. I will accompany them."

Before Liu Bei could react, he saw Shan Fu running wildly toward the map in the hall, and Liu Bei quickly followed.

Dan Fu gestured back and forth between Xinye, Runan, and Yanxian, then closed his eyes and mentally rehearsed the scene.

"Quickly summon General Chen Dao, General Gong Du, and General Liu Pi!" Shan Fu shouted to his servants.

After completing the deduction, Shan Fu discovered a major hidden danger.

After Zhao Yun and Zhang Fei used feints and ambushes against Cao Ren, even though all the battles proceeded smoothly according to the plan and simulation.

If Cao Cao's army regroups and continues its rapid southward advance, Runan City will need to hold out for at least ten days or even longer before reinforcements arrive.

It's been too long, far too long. Moreover, Cao Cao's army has created a new trebuchet, but we don't know how powerful it is or whether it will be used in Runan immediately.

"My lord, I request a scorched-earth policy," Shan Fu said helplessly to Liu Bei, opening his eyes.

Liu Bei froze on the spot, but quickly recovered and replied resolutely, "Absolutely not!"

When Shan Fu made this suggestion, he had already anticipated the lord's reaction, but now the Jingzhou troops had set off later than expected, and the chosen route was a very slow one, which could not be changed.

To achieve the original strategic goals, some sacrifices are unavoidable.

"My lord! If we do not take this desperate measure, this city will be in grave danger!" Shan Fu even tried to force his lord to make a decision.

"The summer harvest is not yet complete, and you have already resorted to this drastic plan, ruining the autumn harvest as well. Who do you take me, Liu Bei, for?"

"Shan Fu, even if I, Liu Bei, am captured after the city falls, I must not do such a thing that harms the lives of the people."

Liu Bei directly uttered a harsh statement, even more resolute than Shan Fu.

Just moments ago, the two were in perfect harmony as ruler and subject, but suddenly a fierce conflict erupted because of a single sentence from Shan Fu.

Liu Bei's anger was comparable to that he felt when Shan Fu tested him in Jingzhou.

"Yes, sir." After saying that, Shan Fu fell silent, his mind racing.

When Chen Dao and the others rushed over, Liu Bei and Shan Fu were already sitting upright in the hall.

"General Chen, there are still five hundred cavalrymen in the city. You are ordered to quickly lead this force, prepare five days' worth of rations, and rush to the aid of Zilong in Yan County. Also, deliver this letter I wrote to Zilong!"

After Shan Fu finished speaking, he handed the command token and bamboo slips to Chen Dao, who then ran out to receive the order.

"General Liu, how are the preparations for the city's defenses, such as barricades, arrows, rolling logs, and boulders, progressing?" Shan Fu immediately asked Liu Pi.

"We have produced the required quantity as requested by the strategist, and it will be completed in three more days," Liu Pi said, handing over the register.

"Hmm, the quantity is probably still not enough," Shan Fu muttered to himself as he flipped through the ledger.

"Double the quantity of all equipment and complete it within ten days."

"This... strategist, this matter is probably not easy!" Liu Pi said in a panic.

"Immediately order all the garrison troops in the city to assist in the production. Leave only two gatekeepers at each city gate, and have the rest of the guards work on armor, rotating day and night. Is this feasible?"

Without hesitation, Shan Fu recited the plan he had already prepared.

"This humble general believes... it's worth a try," Liu Pi replied softly.

"In addition, repair the broken bows and crossbows, gather them in one place, and also record them and report them to me."

"Very well, General Liu, go and make preparations immediately. General Gong!"

Before Liu Pi could turn around and leave, Gong Du had already stepped forward to receive orders.

"General Gong, you shall lead five hundred infantrymen, prepare five days' worth of dry rations, and immediately march to Yide's location."

"When Zhang Fei retreats in the future, after the roads are cut off, dismantle the bridges and boats, and make sure to delay Cao Cao's army's advance."

"This subordinate obeys!"

Just as Gong Du was about to take the command token, Shan Fu handed him a bamboo slip: "I also have a letter in hand; take it and give it to the Third General."

Gong Du accepted the order and left.

Soon, only Liu Bei and Shan Fu remained in the hall. From the moment Chen Dao and the others arrived until everyone else left to carry out their orders, Liu Bei remained silent.

Suddenly, Shan Fu left his seat and walked to Liu Bei, kneeling down and saying, "My lord, I just spoke recklessly about fortifying the walls and clearing the fields. Please punish me."

With his eyes closed, Shan Fu recalled his initial strategy of testing Liu Bei and advising him to launch a surprise attack on Jingzhou. His current apology was not just a formality, but a genuine fear that he might lose Liu Bei's trust.

While he was lost in thought, Liu Bei used his large hands to help him up.

Dan Fu looked up and saw that Liu Bei's eyes were filled with tears. He opened his mouth to speak, but Liu Bei stopped him.

After calming himself down, Liu Bei said with trembling lips, "The strategist possesses extraordinary talent. When I was about to have nowhere to turn, he humbled himself to serve me. I fear I will never be able to repay him in this lifetime."

"I also know that being a military advisor is not easy. The previous advice I gave to secretly take Jingzhou was indeed a brilliant idea that could have helped me get out of this predicament. Today, my advice to fortify the city and clear the fields is also a good strategy to preserve this city."

"It's just that Liu Bei lacked Cao Cao's ruthlessness and Sun Ce's bravery, which is why he ended up like this."

"Even so, if in the future, because of my life, the common people are harmed, and the innocent are brought to ruin—"

This would be tantamount to cutting himself off from the people, and he would have no face to face his ancestors in the afterlife.

"This is my humble opinion, but it reflects my unwavering resolve. I earnestly hope the strategist will forgive me!"

After Liu Bei finished speaking, he knelt down on one knee before Shan Fu. Shan Fu could no longer hold back, knelt on the ground, hugged Liu Bei, and shouted loudly, "My lord—!"