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

"The people whom Guan Yu most admired were Lady Gan and Lady Mi."

Upon hearing this, Cao Cao guessed what Cheng Yu meant and nodded meaningfully.

"Judging from Guan Yu's conduct, he has always treated the two ladies with the respect due to a subject to a ruler. Since the two ladies are in Xuchang, what difficulty would it be for them to keep Guan Yu in check from afar?"

Cheng Yu hesitated for a moment, then said, "However, we still need to borrow one person from the Prime Minister for this plan to be proper."

"Oh? You want to borrow men from me?" Cao Cao frowned. He hoped Cheng Yu really meant to borrow men, and not someone's head...

Cheng Yu nodded and said the name.

Guo Jia, Xun Yu, and the others were quite surprised to hear this name, their faces showing astonishment, but they quickly nodded slightly in agreement.

Cao Cao did not respond, but simply tapped his sword with his knuckles.

Shortly after, with the strategy finalized, Cao Cao led his entourage back to the banquet hall.

The servants informed him that Guan Yu had already left the banquet to visit his two sisters-in-law, as he was still worried about their safety after fighting at Yanjin for the past few days.

Cao Cao then dismissed all his officials and pondered alone in the palace until late at night.

The next morning, as dawn broke.

Guan Yu was practicing his sword in the front courtyard of his mansion when he suddenly heard the sound of horses' hooves outside the gate.

The old soldier came in and reported: "My lord, someone from the Prime Minister's residence has come to invite you, saying there is something important to discuss."

Guan Yu nodded, sheathed his sword, ordered someone to lead his horse and wait, and then went back to his room to change his clothes.

After changing his clothes, Guan Yu left the mansion and mounted his horse. Seeing that the visitor was a close attendant of Cao Cao, he recalled the glance Cao Cao had given him before leaving the banquet the previous night. As he rode, he asked, "Prime Minister, what important matter do you summon me for?"

The servant replied, "I truly do not know."

Guan Yu then asked, "Why did the Prime Minister leave during the banquet yesterday?"

The servant said, "It was General Cao Hong who failed to quell the rebellion in Runan. He fled back alone yesterday and has already been punished by the Prime Minister."

Guan Yu said "Oh". He knew that Cao Hong had gone to Runan to quell the rebellion, but the fact that he could wipe out several thousand Cao soldiers was something that happened back when Cao Cao fought against Lü Bu.

I can't help but be curious that Liu Pi and Gong Du have such abilities. Could it be that my elder brother is somewhere else?

I'll take this opportunity to request permission to go into battle and probe their strength, and also to repay Cao Cao's favor as soon as possible...

Thinking of this, Guan Yu raised his whip and galloped towards the Prime Minister's residence.

Before the Prime Minister's residence, willows swayed gently, and Cao Cao, accompanied by several advisors, had been waiting for some time.

"Whoa!" Guan Yu pulled on his Red Hare, dismounted, and bowed with clasped hands: "Prime Minister!"

Cao Cao grabbed Guan Yu's hand and led him into the mansion, saying, "Yun Chang has just achieved new merit and should not be disturbing you, but the war is critical, so please don't take offense!"

Guan Yu said, "Prime Minister, you flatter me. It is my duty to share the burdens of the court!"

For a long time, Cao Cao had been somewhat hesitant about sending himself into battle.

He'd been hiding his desire to make a name for himself for himself for a long time, so why was he being so unusually proactive this time? And with such a grand ceremony?

Guan Yu had some doubts in his mind.

"Yun Chang, please!"

"Please, Prime Minister."

Cao Cao led everyone into the hall, where a group of civil and military officials were already lined up in neat rows. Upon seeing Guan Yu enter, they all clasped their hands in salute.

Cao Cao looked around and said, "Generals, you are all aware that Cao Hong underestimated the enemy in the Battle of Runan, leading to the annihilation of his entire army?"

As soon as Cao Cao finished speaking, the hall fell silent. Cao Hong lowered his head and remained silent.

Cao Cao did not look at Cao Hong and continued, "I am about to have a major battle with Yuan Shao. Runan is a great threat and must be dealt with."

Upon hearing this, Guan Yu was about to step forward to request permission to fight when Cao Cao shouted—

"Cao Hong and Xu Huang, listen to my command!"

Cao Hong and Xu Huang stepped forward, clasped their hands in greeting, and said, "Your subordinates are here!"

"I hereby order you two to take my warrant and military tally to Xiahou Dun at the Guandu Pass. He will be the commander-in-chief, leading 30,000 elite troops, and you two will be his deputies. Go to Runan immediately to quell the rebellion. There is no time to lose; depart at once!"

Cao Hong and Xu Huang accepted the military tally, loudly agreed, and strode away.

"Cao Hong!" Cao Cao called out to Cao Hong.

"You must redeem yourself in this battle; if you lose again, you will face military law!"

"Yes!" Cao Hong said and quickly left.

Guan Yu was taken aback, and the generals below who were also confused were also taken aback.

Immediately, someone asked, "Prime Minister? At this time, General Xiahou is being transferred to the front lines at Guandu..."

Cao Cao laughed and said, "That's right. My spies have reported that Yuan Shao has transferred tens of thousands of troops from various provinces in Hebei, and they are currently gathering at Guandu."

Everyone was shocked and looked at each other in bewilderment.

"Therefore, the Guandu camp cannot be without a leader for even a day. Do you gentlemen have any ideas?" After Cao Cao finished speaking, he sat down directly, still smiling as he looked at the generals below.

Guan Yu originally wanted to go into battle, but the commander of this camp was no ordinary man, and it was probably not something an "outsider" like himself could presume to comment on.

"Prime Minister! This general can only be Guan Yu!"

These words sparked a lively discussion, and everyone looked in the direction of the voice to see Cheng Yu.

Cheng Yu then stepped forward and said, "At this time, Yuan Shao has assembled a large army, while our army has divided its forces in Runan. This is truly a case of the enemy outnumbering us to an extreme degree."

"General Guan killed two of Yuan Shao's generals, Yan Liang and Wen Chou, in succession, which shocked Hebei."

"Therefore, in my humble opinion, if we want to stabilize morale and deter the villains, General Guan is indispensable!"

After Cheng Yu finished speaking, he returned to his original position, and a commotion broke out in the hall.

It was Cai Yang who shouted something like, "Guan Yu is an outsider, how can he be in charge of leading the army?"

Cao Cao shouted, "Cai Yang, how dare you speak such nonsense! Throw me out if you dare!"

Upon seeing Cao Cao's statement, everyone immediately fell silent.

"What does Guan Yu think?" Cao Cao looked around at everyone, then his gaze fell on Guan Yu, and he looked at him solemnly.

Guan Yu pondered for a moment, then stepped forward, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and said, "I have been deeply indebted to the Prime Minister, and I once vowed to repay him with utmost service. Now that the Prime Minister has given his order, how could I dare disobey? However, this journey is no ordinary one, so please allow me to return to my residence first to inform my two sisters-in-law!"

Cao Cao was not surprised at all, assuming that Guan Yu had already agreed. He turned to a young general standing by the table and called out, "Xiahou En, bring me my precious sword!"

The man immediately presented the sword to Cao Cao with both hands, and Cao Cao immediately got up and left his seat.

Everyone below the hall was also staring intently at Cao Cao.

Cao Cao walked straight toward Guan Yu with his sword in hand, talking as he went.

"This sword is called the Qinggang Sword. It was made by a famous craftsman in the capital when I was in Luoyang. It can cut a hair in two and cut iron like mud. It has accompanied me in battle for many years and is still incredibly sharp."

Reaching Guan Yu, Cao Cao took Guan Yu's hand with one hand and solemnly placed the sword into Guan Yu's palm with the other, saying loudly, "Yun Chang is an unparalleled strategist. Today I bestow this sword upon you. You will be in command of the army. If anyone disobeys orders, you may use this sword to execute them on the spot!"

At this moment, whether it was surrendered generals like Zhang Liao, strategists like Guo Jia and Xun Yu who had devised the plan together the night before, or even relatives like Cao Ren and Xiahou Yuan, they were all impressed by Cao Cao's trust in Guan Yu and his gift of a sword. They were all moved by Cao Cao's magnanimity.

"I dare not accept such praise!" Guan Yu was clearly flattered and knelt on one knee, raising his Qinggang sword with both hands, not daring to respond.

"Yun Chang, please do not refuse. The lives of tens of thousands of men in my Cao camp are entrusted to you, General!" Cao Cao said, bowing deeply to Guan Yu.

In fact, Cao Cao was also filled with mixed feelings at this time.

He was feigning concern and plotting against the Liu brothers; that was the truth.

He was truly loyal and devoted, and his heartfelt words were genuine.

How could Guan Yu, a man of such high moral character, not be moved by such a scene!

Guan Yu sighed, then said loudly, "Thank you, Prime Minister! I will do my utmost to fulfill this great trust!"

Seeing this scene, Cao felt a pang of pain in his heart.

He wished there was no one like Liu Bei who was in his way.

He longed to truly create a legendary tale of a ruler and his subject with Guan Yu.

In a daze, he helped Guan Yu up and watched him leave in a hurry without saying a word.

"Prime Minister!" The calls of Zhang Liao and Liu Ye brought Cao Cao back to reality.

"Wen Yuan, Zi Yang, you two should also set off quickly and go with Yun Chang. I have instructed you on matters that must not be forgotten. Also, report to me daily on Liu Bei's movements in Hebei."

The task that Cao Cao specifically assigned to Zhang Liao and Liu Ye was to isolate Guan Yu from all his troubles.

Rather than leaving Guan Yu in Xuchang, a place teeming with people, where he might be infiltrated and contacted by Yuan Shao's spies, it would be better to place him directly in the front-line camp.

With soldiers patrolling the military camp day and night, Guan Yu's sources of information could be cut off, allowing him to wholeheartedly serve Cao Cao. In addition, Cheng Yu's spreading of rumors among Yuan Shao's army made the effect even more outstanding.

Zhang Liao and Liu Ye also accepted the order and left.

The generals suddenly realized that today's military meeting was just a formality, and the Prime Minister had already arranged everything.

Cai Yang and others, who had some reservations, wanted to offer their opinions, but Cao Cao simply turned and left the central hall, leaving them with no choice but to retreat.

On his way back to his residence, Guan Yu's feelings became increasingly complicated.

He never expected Cao Cao to be so magnanimous, nor did he expect Cao Cao to gamble the battle at Guandu on himself.

But none of these are the most important things. The most important thing is still his longing and worry for his elder brother, Liu Xuande.

When Guan Yu returned to his residence, lost in thought, he was clearly surprised.

At the entrance of the mansion, which was usually kept quiet and undisturbed, dozens of carriages and servants were waiting outside. Upon seeing Guan Yu arrive, they all bowed.

Guan Yu quickly dismounted and asked the two old soldiers guarding the gate, "I have repeatedly instructed that no outsiders should be allowed to disturb the two ladies. Who is this person?"

The old soldier hurriedly explained, "My lord, the woman inside is the Prime Minister's wife, Lady Bian! We dared not stop her!"

Guan Yu stood there, stunned, his phoenix eyes lowered, gently stroking his long beard.

During his time in Xuchang, Guan Yu had heard of Lady Bian. After Cao Cao's eldest son, Cao Ang, died in Wancheng, Lady Ding left, and Lady Bian became his principal wife. She was said to be kind, benevolent, and virtuous.

What is the deeper meaning behind your sudden visit today?

With doubts, Guan Gong strode into the backyard, followed closely by the servants. Before they even reached the main hall, they could hear faint female voices coming from the side rooms, which made them somewhat worried.

"I, Guan, have come to pay my respects to my two sisters-in-law! And to Lady Bian!" Guan Gong clasped his hands in greeting and bowed in the courtyard.

Upon hearing this, the room fell silent for a moment before Madam Mi replied from inside, "Uncle, thank you for your concern. We are both well."

Just as Guan Yu was about to ask, Lady Gan's voice came from inside the house again: "We heard that the Prime Minister summoned Uncle early this morning, but we don't know why. We were worried about Uncle's safety, so we were saddened. Fortunately, Lady Bian came to comfort us. Since Uncle has an important mission, you can go with peace of mind."

Guan Yu hesitated and said, "I was just about to report..."

Just as he was pondering how to report, the door to the main hall creaked open, and Guan Yu quickly turned his head to the side to show the respect between ruler and subject.

When the old soldier looked up, he saw a woman dressed in plain clothes, wearing a wooden hairpin in her hair. She had a dignified appearance, beautiful but not gaudy, and was smiling slightly. She pushed open the door and came out. It was Lady Bian.

Lady Bian said softly, "General Guan, please do not doubt me, allow me to explain in detail."

"Today I heard that the Prime Minister is going to entrust a great responsibility to the General. I recall that I often heard the Prime Minister mention the promise made to the General at Tushan. I know the General's feelings for the Imperial Uncle, and I also know the feelings of the two ladies."

Lady Bian glanced back at the two ladies in the room, then turned back and continued, "I am but a woman and do not understand military matters, but I have studied since childhood and have some understanding of the principles of righteousness."

"I have come here without permission, precisely to alleviate the General's concerns."

Guan Yu understood upon hearing this. Cao Cao was afraid that he would not agree, so he sent his wife as an intermediary. Since Lady Bian had already persuaded his two sisters-in-law, he might as well listen to what she had to say.

Guan Yu respectfully replied, "Please instruct me, Madam."

Lady Bian stepped forward slowly and said, "Imperial Uncle is benevolent and loves the people. I have heard of this and am deeply moved. Now that the General is on a long journey, I wish to use my meager virtue to protect the two ladies. Furthermore—"

"If the general is fortunate enough to receive news of the Imperial Uncle in the future and intends to leave, I will keep my promise to the Prime Minister and ensure that the two ladies stay with me safely."

Upon hearing this, Guan Yu and his servants were all taken aback!