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

When Liu Biao announced his alliance with Liu Bei and his support for the construction of Hefei, Liu Biao's residence was in an uproar.

Cai Mao, Cai Zhong, Cai He, Zhang Yun, Wang Can, Song Zhong, and many others came to offer their advice, but Liu Biao simply refused to see them all and left it all to Kuai Yue to guide him.

Rumors even circulated in the city that "Kuai Yue secretly colluded with Liu Bei to betray Jingzhou." Kuai Yue himself didn't care much about these rumors, after all, the Kuai family was the largest clan in Jingzhou, and they had made great contributions in supporting Liu Biao when he entered Jingzhou alone.

It's no exaggeration to say that if he and his brother Kuai Liang approved of something, even if Liu Biao was unwilling to do it, he couldn't easily refuse.

Everyone only saw the risks Liu Bei would face after taking control of Hefei, but Kuai Yue, who had personally witnessed Liu Bei's army marching and fighting in Wancheng, knew that this was the only opportunity to "possess" this force.

After consulting with Kuai Liang, Kuai Yue even directly advised Liu Biao to immediately hold an oath-taking ceremony with Liu Bei, despite the rumors circulating among other gentry.

Liu Biao was decisive and acted swiftly. Taking advantage of the fact that all the officials of the prefecture were still in Xiangyang during the harvest ceremony, he slaughtered cattle and sheep early the next morning and joined hands with Liu Bei to ascend the sacrificial altar.

Xu Shu understood Kuai Yue's intentions. His lord's reputation for fighting was known throughout the world. In the chaotic world, his lord abandoned the way of kingship and hegemony and used benevolence and righteousness. Now, he had to accept the oath with Liu Biao even though he knew he was being used. This was also the reason why Pang Tong hesitated at first when he accepted the invitation to come out of seclusion.

Just as "an honest official needs to have more ruthless methods than a corrupt official," Pang Tong also knew that practicing benevolence and righteousness in chaotic times required more ruthless weapons than practicing the way of kings and tyrants. Therefore, he only accepted the task of rebuilding Hefei for Liu Bei first, intending to do it while observing the true strength of Liu Bei's army.

After swearing their oath, Liu Bei and the other three rested for another night at Liu Biao's residence before hastily taking their leave and heading to the dock to meet Pang Tong and travel together to Wancheng.

Upon arriving at the dock, they found Pang Tong waiting for them. After meeting, they boarded the ship together and headed to Huang Zu's place in Xiakou.

The cabin was cramped, with a square table in the middle. Liu Bei, Xu Shu, Pang Tong, and Zhou Cang each sat on one side, while Zhang Quan sat behind Liu Bei.

After exchanging pleasantries, Pang Tong looked at Liu Bei with a smile and said, "My lord, now that we have gained Liu Biao's trust, how do you plan to deal with this first battle?"

Liu Bei looked bewildered. First battle? What first battle? Whose first battle?

Xu Shu asked, "Does Shi Yuan refer to Sun Quan of Jiangdong?"

Pang Tong nodded and said, "That's right. How could the Sun family sit idly by and watch Hefei rise up? Since our lord has already made an alliance with Liu Biao, the first battle with Jiangdong is not far off. We must make plans first."

Xu Shu said thoughtfully, "Indeed, Liu Jingsheng entrusted you with a letter during our visit to Huang Zu, which was probably about this matter."

Pang Tong said with even greater certainty, "This is inevitable. When our lord first made the alliance with Liu Biao, Liu Biao was so generous as to offer money, grain, and ships. How could he face the gentry of Xiangyang if he had no profit to gain?"

"Currently, Cao Cao is powerless to advance south. Only Jiangdong and Liu Biao are sworn enemies. Liu Biao will surely use you as his vanguard to advance and conquer Jiangdong."

Upon hearing that his two strategists, Xu Shu and Pang Tong, shared this view, Liu Bei stood up and went to the deck alone to ponder his next move.

Zhou Cang, who had been standing silently to the side, was also comparing the current situation with the situation in the original book.

Aside from a minor skirmish after the Battle of Red Cliffs over Cao Cao's inheritance of Jingzhou, the relationship between the lord and Jiangdong in the book remained almost harmonious until Prime Minister Zhuge Liang supported the attack on Shu and Guan Yu took control of Jingzhou. Now, starting a war with Jiangdong so early, it's hard to say whether it's a good thing or a bad thing, but it seems there's not much room for change...

Not long after, Liu Bei returned from the deck, wiped the moisture from his hair, and asked Pang Tong, "Shiyuan, if Jiangdong were to raise an army, where would they advance to?"

Pang Tong squinted and stroked his chin, not answering directly, but looking at Xu Shu and saying, "Yuanzhi, how about we each write down what the lord asked on the table?"

Xu Shu smiled and said, "Why not?"

The two of them dipped one finger in the tea, covered their mouths with the other hand, and wrote the answer on the table.

When Liu Bei, Zhou Cang, and Zhang Quan saw the two great strategists playing a riddle game, they all gathered around to watch.

Two large hands were raised almost simultaneously, and when everyone looked, they saw that both of them had written "Xiakou".

Pang Tong and Xu Shu exchanged a knowing smile.

Zhou Cang said, "Two esteemed scholars, please explain to me why it is Xiakou?"

Xu Shu replied, "When Sun Quan first took control of Jiangdong, he was troubled by Chen Deng of Guangling in the north, and the Yue tribes in Danyang were entrenched and might not be convinced by Sun Quan. However, Chaisang was under the jurisdiction of Zhou Yu, and it had already established a large naval camp. Zhou Yu was a confidant of Sun Quan, so he would definitely send troops from Chaisang."

Pang Tong continued, "Huang Zu of Jiangxia, whose troops killed Sun Jian in the past, has a blood feud with Sun Quan for killing his father. If Sun Quan wants to conquer Jingzhou, he will definitely choose Xiakou first, so as to avenge his father's death and also cut off our Hefei supply route, killing two birds with one stone."

"Moreover, it takes only five days to travel from Chaisang to Xiakou by light boat and fast boat. Therefore, we both believe that if Jiangdong raises an army, it will definitely head straight for Xiakou."

After this explanation, Liu Bei and Zhou Cang both suddenly understood.

Xu Shu pressed on, saying, "My lord, I believe that since war with Jiangdong is inevitable, the decision on the use of troops and generals should be made as soon as possible."

Liu Bei nodded and said, "As Yuanzhi said, I intend to have my second brother Yunchang and Shiyuan jointly take charge of the war in the southeast."

"After all, the campaign against Cao Cao still requires the strategist to personally lead the expedition..."

Xu Shu thought for a moment and added, "Yun Chang is indeed capable of being a regional general, but the Jiangdong navy is very strong, and naval battles are inevitable. I think we need someone to assist Yun Chang."

Liu Bei asked, "Who is it?"

Xu Shu said, "When we attacked Wancheng and Gualijin in the past, I heard that Yuanfu was quite skilled in naval warfare, and he can certainly lend Yunchang a helping hand."

Zhou Cang was taken aback. "Are you talking about me...?"

Before Zhou Cang could answer, Liu Bei agreed, saying, "Yuanzhi's words make sense; we will do as you say."

Zhou Cang quickly agreed, "I obey!"

Xu Shu smiled and said, "No rush, no rush."

The group chatted and laughed for ten days before arriving at Xiakou.

Huang Zu had already received the news and led his men to greet them at the dock.

"Lord Liu! I've heard so much about you!" Before Liu Bei even reached the shore, Huang Zu greeted him with a hearty laugh.

"We dare not trouble the general to greet us from such a distance!" Liu Bei and his men quickly bowed in return.

After entering the tent, Huang Zu and Liu Bei began to talk.

"General, what brings you here from afar?" Huang Zu asked with a smile.

"I have already made an oath with Lord Jingsheng, and I have come here to pay my respects to the General as I pass through this place!" Liu Bei said, taking out a letter from Liu Biao from his sleeve and handing it to his servant.

The servant handed the letter to Huang Zu.

After reading the letter, Huang Zu's attitude changed completely.

"Lord Liu, I still have military affairs to attend to and cannot stay long. Please stay at the post station for the night, and I will allocate the necessary supplies to you tomorrow." Huang Zu looked at Liu Bei and his companions with a forced smile, then bowed.

Liu Bei was completely taken aback by Huang Zu's reaction and could only helplessly say, "I thank you, General!"

Huang Zu didn't even glance at Liu Bei, brushing past him. Just as he was about to leave, a voice suddenly called out, "General Huang, Liu Bei has come from afar, and this is how you treat your guests?!"

Upon hearing this, Huang Zu turned around abruptly. Liu Bei and the others followed the sound and saw a tall, robust man in the tent, stroking the sword at his waist, looking at Huang Zu with a sidelong glance.

Huang Zu glared at him angrily and pointed at him, saying, "You traitor Jin Fan! How dare you be so insolent! It's not your place to lecture me!"

Zhou Cang was shocked to hear this; it was actually... Gan Ning?!