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

When Zhou Cang thought that Pang Tong had already anticipated Liu Biao's immediate dispatch of troops as soon as he left Xiangyang, he suspected that Pang Tong might have known this in advance.

Huang Zu's urgent report was less of an urgent report and more of a death warrant. In the letter, he requested Liu Bei's troops to send 5,000 soldiers to Xiakou to assist in the battle, citing the fact that Jiangdong was stepping up its war preparations and that war was imminent.

Liu Bei was somewhat amused upon seeing this urgent report. The borrowed ships hadn't even arrived yet, and they were already demanding to take them back for battle...

"Shiyuan, Huang Zu has sent a letter requesting that I send 5,000 troops to garrison Xiakou. What do you think of this matter..."

Liu Bei was not very happy. He had originally thought that with more than 10,000 people in Wancheng, he would be better off bringing some of them back to Runan to relieve the pressure on Chen Dao and Zhao Yun. He did not expect that the people in Jingzhou would be so shrewd.

"This was expected, and I already had a plan. However, we are still missing a commander for this battle... When does my lord intend to return to Runan?" Pang Tong asked, looking up.

Liu Bei did not answer but stared at his second brother, who was always arrogant but was now in a difficult situation because of his own cleverness.

Seeing his elder brother looking at him, Guan Yu steeled himself, swallowed his pride, turned to Pang Tong, bowed, and said, "I have offended you, sir, please punish me! Please send me to fight this battle, and I will certainly atone for my sins with meritorious service!"

Pang Tong did not respond to Guan Yu, his gaze remaining fixed on his lord Liu Bei.

Upon seeing this, Liu Bei replied, "Shiyuan, Yunchang is capable of this task!"

Xu Shu, who was standing nearby, also stepped forward and advised Pang Tong, "Shiyuan, Yun Chang has the courage to fight ten thousand men. This general can only be Yun Chang."

As Xu Shu spoke, he even made a tiny, almost imperceptible movement, nudging Pang Tong with his toe, as if to say, "That's enough."

Pang Tong remained unmoved.

Liu Bei hurriedly went down to the hall and bowed to Pang Tong, saying, "Shiyuan, I am willing to vouch for Yunchang; Yunchang is capable of this task!"

Upon hearing this, Pang Tong feigned reluctance to accept the suggestion, slowly walked to the hall, and sat down, saying, "Since my lord is vouching for me, Guan Yu will obey!"

Despite his reluctance to save face, Guan Yu still forced a bow and said, "Guan Yu is here!"

"The remaining five thousand soldiers who wish to go to Hefei will all be under your command. Lead the remaining ships of Jingzhou and head to Xiakou tomorrow."

"Guan Yu obeys!"

"Where is Zhou Cang?!"

"Zhou Cang is here!"

"The naval training will be postponed for now. For this battle, you are appointed as Guan Yu's deputy general, to accompany the army and await orders!"

"Yes, sir!"

"Did this warrior personally go?" Liu Bei suddenly asked.

Pang Tong laughed and said, "This is my first battle, so I should go myself. My lord, please don't worry."

Liu Bei nodded. That's more like it. If you don't go yourself, my second brother won't be able to see your abilities, and it will be difficult for him to be truly convinced of your worth.

"Shiyuan, from today onwards, you will be our army's deputy military advisor, in charge of the major plans for the Jianghuai region. All generals must not disobey this order. Please, Shiyuan, do not refuse!" Liu Bei suddenly spoke and bowed to Pang Tong.

Pang Tong was surprised by Liu Bei's sudden action and quickly came down to accept Liu Bei's authorization.

Liu Bei had actually hesitated for a long time about this matter. It was only after today's farce between his second brother and Pang Tong, where they were both unwilling to submit to each other, that Liu Bei finally made up his mind to officially promote Pang Tong to a higher position, so as to avoid more misunderstandings when he was not around.

Xu Shu then stepped forward and said, "My lord, Shi Yuan's talent surpasses mine tenfold. I request that the position of General Advisor be given to Shi Yuan!"

Everyone was stunned. Why was Xu Shu interfering again...?

Pang Tong seemed to like this, and after being flattered by Xu Shu, he quickly smiled and said, "Yuanzhi, there's no need for that!"

In the end, Liu Bei rejected Xu Shu's request to step down, citing his meritorious service. Xu Shu remained the chief military advisor, and Pang Tong the deputy military advisor. Pang Tong then entrusted the defense of Wancheng during the campaign entirely to Mi Zhu and Mi Fang.

The next day, Guan Yu, Zhou Cang, and Pang Tong led 5,000 troops to Xiakou, while Liu Bei, Xu Shu, and Zhang Quan led 1,000 light cavalry back to Runan. Chen Lan led his army to Hefei to reclaim wasteland, and Lei Xu led his navy to escort supplies to Hefei.

The small ferry crossing on the Wan River was crowded with warships and soldiers.

"Yun Chang, never lose your temper in any situation, and listen to Shi Yuan's arrangements." Before leaving, Liu Bei pulled Guan Yu aside and instructed him.

Guan Yu nodded and said, "Brother, don't worry. I know my own limitations. It's Cao Cao who has suffered repeated losses and will surely retaliate. I hope you take care, brother!"

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, the two reluctantly parted ways, and the others also went their separate ways.

Zhou Cang had a vague feeling that this time the challenge for the entire team seemed to be different again. Fighting in two locations meant that the task was arduous and the road ahead was long.

On the way to Jiangxia, Guan Yu and Pang Tong barely spoke to each other. Zhou Cang wasn't worried about this, as he knew that after this battle, the two would be able to put aside their past grievances and reconcile. What he was concerned about was Gan Ning under Huang Zu's command...

At this time, although Gan Ning disliked Huang Zu, he was far from being willing to abandon Huang Zu and defect to the enemy in Jiangdong. If he could be won over...

Although Huang Zu's hasty recruitment of Liu Bei's troops to garrison Xiakou was entirely at Liu Biao's behest without knowing the true state of Jiangdong, it inadvertently coincided with Jiangdong's plan to send troops.

Almost at the same time that Guan Yu's army arrived at Xiakou, Sun Quan's order to send troops reached Zhou Yu's naval camp at Chaisang.

Besides Sun Quan himself, Pan Zhang, Cheng Pu, and Zhou Tai who remained in Wu Commandery, Ling Cao, Jiang Qin, Taishi Ci, and others also led their troops to assist in the battle. Lu Su and Han Dang were responsible for escorting the grain and fodder. Zhou Yu had gathered 30,000 troops at once, intending to take Jiangxia in one fell swoop.

Before setting off, Lu Su went to see Sun Quan alone.

"When will Zijing depart?" Sun Quan asked as he greeted Lu Su at a distance and brought him to his residence.

Lu Su said, "Let's set off today."

"Oh? You're about to embark on a long journey, so why have you come here? Does Zijing have something to teach me?" Sun Quan asked, puzzled.

"My lord, why haven't we seen Mr. Ziyu these past few days?" Lu Su asked Sun Quan with a serious expression.

"Oh... I originally intended to invite Mr. Zhuge to Chaisang as well, but unfortunately I returned from Danyang. It seems that Mr. Zhuge has contracted a wind-related illness—" Sun Quan stopped abruptly when he saw Lu Su's expression, and suddenly realized what Lu Su meant.

"Does Zijing mean that Mr. Zhuge...?" Sun Quan asked in surprise.

Lu Su nodded: "Indeed! I visited Mr. Ziyu the other day and found that he was not ill. His illness was just an excuse. In my humble opinion, it is more likely a mental illness. I would appreciate your concern, my lord."

Lu Su's suggestion immediately reminded Sun Quan of the time he set fire to the mountain.

"Thank you for the reminder, Zijing. I will go visit Mr. Zhuge immediately!"

Having achieved his goal, Lu Su hurriedly bid farewell to Sun Quan and set off for Chaisang.

When Sun Quan brought Pan Zhang to Zhuge Jin's residence, they found the gates tightly closed. Pan Zhang quickly went up and knocked on the door.

Not long after, a servant peeked out from under the door and said, "My master has caught a cold and is not receiving guests."

As he was about to close the door, Sun Quan quickly stepped forward and said, "You can announce that Sun Quan has come to visit."

The servant added, "The master said that even if the lord himself came, he would not be able to see him."

When Sun Quan thought about how Lu Su had met with Zhuge Jin just two days ago, he felt that this could be interpreted in reverse: everyone else could be met, but he was the only one who wasn't...

Although angry, Sun Quan still suppressed his dissatisfaction and stopped the servant who was about to close the door, saying, "Whether you see him or not, please inform Master Zhuge on my behalf."

The servant said helplessly, "We've already said that the master doesn't receive guests. Please leave, sir!"

Before Sun Quan and the others could stop them again, the servant slammed the door shut.

Pan Zhang angrily said, "My lord, this scoundrel is so rude! Let us break down the door!"

Sun Quan, feeling humiliated by this instigation, shouted, "Guards!"

More than twenty armored soldiers immediately stepped forward and surrounded the entrance to Zhuge Jin's residence, holding sharp weapons and staring intently at Sun Quan's flushed face.