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

Because of concerns that Liao Hua was too young to control the thousand soldiers under Zhang Xiu, the soldiers who remained in Wancheng to cultivate land were eventually assigned to Zhang Fei's command. Zhao Yun led three thousand soldiers to cultivate land in Bowang City, while Liao Hua led one thousand soldiers to support Yan County.

At this point, Bowang and Wancheng together had 4,000 men, along with reinforcements from Jingzhou, and Yancheng had 3,000 men. The two places formed a pincer movement, heading straight for Xuchang.

Following the Xia Road, from Bowang forward lies Fangcheng Pass and Ye County, and further ahead lies the city of Xudu. However, Liu Bei's troops were already too exhausted, having fought repeatedly and were no longer able to fight.

Cao Cao learned of Liu Bei's withdrawal immediately. However, the two defeats at Guandu had depleted his troops and supplies, leaving him with no strength to retake the easily defensible Bowang and Yanxian.

Taking advantage of the upcoming autumn harvest, Cao Cao, Liu Bei, Yuan Shao, and other warlords all had a chance to catch their breath.

Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Xu Shu, Zhou Cang, and Zhang Xiu and his son led the remaining troops back to Runan.

Upon returning to Runan, Liu Bei, without even changing his clothes, couldn't help but ask Xu Shu about Huainan.

"Strategist, according to Zizhong's letter, although Li Shu is dead, he still has tens of thousands of troops in Wancheng, Lujiang. I wonder what your plans are? Do you intend to send Yun Chang to guard it?"

"I believe that Wancheng is easy to acquire but difficult to defend, and should be abandoned."

"What? Is the strategist joking?" Liu Bei stopped in his tracks upon hearing this.

"No, last year Yuan Shu died suddenly, and Huainan is without a ruler. Although this is a golden opportunity, it is also a dangerous place."

"Now, thanks to good fortune and Chen Deng's plan, we have been able to obtain Wancheng. However, the city is blocked by mountains to the north and borders the Yangtze River to the south, making it shaped like a bag."

"If we advance, we cannot shake Jiangdong; if we retreat, we are insufficient to defend Huainan."

"Although there is a waterway connecting Runan to Wancheng, we have neither navy nor warships. If there is another battle in Wancheng, I fear we will not be able to send reinforcements in time."

After Xu Shu finished speaking, he gestured for his lord Liu Bei to enter the hall to continue the discussion.

Liu Bei understood Xu Shu's meaning, but he was still somewhat unwilling and asked, "The strategist's words make sense, but Lujiang is already in our hands, how can we easily give it up?"

Xu Shu laughed and said, "It's not that I'm discarding it lightly, but rather that I'm shedding my shell like a cicada, replacing the false with the real."

Liu Bei asked in surprise, "What do you mean by that, strategist?"

Xu Shu said, "My lord, please follow me." He then strode into the hall and walked to the map.

"My lord, look, south of the Huai River, there is an empty city called Hefei, a place with convenient transportation in all directions."

"It connects to Shouchun in the northwest, controls the Ying and Huai rivers, and enters Chaohu Lake in the southeast, reaching the Yangtze River; it is a wonderful port between the Yangtze and Huai rivers."

"If we can get Hefei, it will be like holding the hilt of a knife; the entire Huainan region will be under our control."

"To the north, we can attack Cao Cao; to the east, we can confront Sun Quan; and even the lands of Qing and Xu can be reached from afar!"

"With this city in existence, if we have another opportunity to leverage the strength of Jingzhou and Xiangyang, then the Central Plains are within our grasp!"

Liu Bei nodded in agreement, but after pondering for a long time, he asked, "Strategist, you have great foresight, but I've heard that Hefei is now an empty city. What should we do?"

Xu Shu's answer was extremely simple: "Relocate the soldiers and civilians of Wancheng to fill the area."

Liu Bei frowned and said, "The army and civilians are heading north, and the journey will be fraught with danger. How can I bear to see this happen?!"

Xu Shu said, "This empty city and fertile land is perfect for implementing Your Majesty's benevolent policies, pacifying the displaced people, appeasing the powerful and wealthy, and starting anew to cultivate the land and establish it as a foundation."

"The people of Wancheng have long suffered from war. If our lord is willing to take them to fertile land, promise them peace, and exempt them from taxes for three years, the army and the people will surely follow us happily. This move will firstly gain us real land, secondly win the hearts of the people, and thirdly secure our strategic advantage."

Liu Bei reluctantly accepted this explanation, then pressed further, "What if you are unwilling to comply?"

Xu Shu said, "If you do not wish to follow, the common people may remain in the city, while the soldiers will be moved to Runan."

Seeing that Liu Bei was still hesitating, Xu Shu continued, "If you hold onto Wancheng, my lord will only gain a lonely city. If you build Hefei, you can become the ruler of Huainan."

"Those who contend for the world do not fight over the gains or losses of a single wall or pond, but for an unshakeable foundation for generations to come. I hope my lord will understand this!"

Liu Bei rose and paced back and forth, carefully studying the map before turning to Xu Shu: "Therefore, does the strategist intend to send Yun Chang to Wan City to oversee the relocation of the city?"

Xu Shu replied, "That's right."

Liu Bei walked up to Xu Shu and said, "Moving the city to Hefei is indeed a good strategy, but I intend to go to Wancheng with Yun Chang first to find out the people's opinion before we can proceed."

Seeing that Liu Bei had agreed, Xu Shu nodded repeatedly in praise: "My lord is a benevolent ruler, and it is only right that he would do such a thing. I dare not object."

Liu Bei breathed a sigh of relief and muttered to himself, "This campaign was made possible by the brilliant strategies of the strategist, which led to our current success. Now, the strategist has offered a brilliant plan to rebuild Hefei. I am truly gratified."

Xu Shu smiled and said, "These consecutive victories are truly due to the lord's good fortune and the unity of the soldiers. I dare not claim all the credit!"

"As for the strategy to rebuild Hefei, it was not my idea, and I dare not claim credit for it!"

Liu Bei looked up abruptly and hurriedly asked, "May I ask whose insightful opinion this is?"

Xu Shu said, "I have an old friend whom I met by chance when I was in Jingzhou. This man has extraordinary talent and strategic acumen, far surpassing mine!"

Liu Bei exclaimed in surprise, "There really is such a person? I wonder who he is?"

Xu Shu said, "A wise man once commented, 'The Crouching Dragon and the Young Phoenix, possessing either one is enough to bring peace to the world.' This man is the Young Phoenix."

"His surname was Pang, his given name was Tong, his courtesy name was Shiyuan, and he came from a prominent family in Xiangyang."

"After receiving Mr. Zizhong's letter that day, and discussing the matter of talent with the lord, I took it upon myself to send someone to consult Pang Shiyuan about the Huainan situation. Sure enough, within ten days, Shiyuan replied to me with only the two words 'Hefei' on the letter."

Liu Bei grew increasingly excited as he listened, his eyes gleaming, and asked, "In your opinion, sir, can this 'Young Phoenix' be put to my service?"

Xu Shu laughed loudly: "Hahahaha! My lord, do not worry. Since Pang Tong has offered such a good strategy, he must be harboring the ambition to seek a wise ruler to realize his aspirations."

"However, such a talented person requires the lord's personal attention to show sincerity. I dare not speak rashly as to whether he can come or not."

Liu Bei hurriedly replied, "Of course! Of course! Why don't I wait until I return from Wancheng, then go to Jingzhou to pay my respects to Liu Biao and seek an opportunity to visit him? What do you think, strategist?"

Xu Shu shook his head and said, "I think this matter should be handled as soon as possible. It would be better to send Yun Chang to Wancheng first to appease the soldiers, while you and I go to Jingzhou first. If we can find Shi Yuan, we can go to Wancheng together."

Liu Bei nodded repeatedly, but then seemed to remember something and frowned as he asked, "If Cao Cao takes this opportunity to attack Bowang or Yancheng, Zilong and Shuzhi may not be able to resist..."

Xu Shu said, "I already have a good plan!"

"Ma Teng of Xiliang once left his name on the imperial edict, which shows his loyalty to the emperor and his country. Moreover, he had many soldiers and brave generals, and was always feared by Cao Cao."

"Although Cao Cao has Zhong Yao stationed in Guanzhong to pacify the region, after the defeat at Guandu, the armies of Xiliang will certainly not submit to Zhong Yao."

"My lord could write a letter and send it to Ma Teng, explaining the advantages and disadvantages, and inviting him to raise an army and advance eastward. In that case, what need would there be to worry about Cao Cao's southward advance?"

Liu Bei clapped his hands and said, "Strategist, your plan is brilliant! I truly admire it and will follow your advice!"

Immediately afterwards, Liu Bei sent someone to fetch pen and ink to write a letter, and also prepared a quantity of gold, silver, and silk.

As for the choice of envoy, after much deliberation, he entrusted the task to Sun Qian.

At this point, Liu Bei's hope for defeating Cao Cao and restoring the Han Dynasty burned even more fiercely.