The Three Kingdoms: The entire Cao Cao camp thought I was weak and frail.

The Yellow Turban Army's forces occupied several counties within the state.

"My lord, Zilian and Miaocai have already set off with Mr. Chen Gong and Mr. Bao Xin. The counties along the way have all sent back reports, and they are willing to obey your orders." Xun You was in charge of the intelligence work of Cao Cao's camp. He was introverted and taciturn, but that was also appropriate for him.

Cao Cao nodded, tapping his finger heavily on a county town called "Shouzhang" on the map. "This is the stronghold of the Yellow Turban rebels in Dongping County. Their leader, Guan Hai, is said to be quite fierce. I intend to use this place as our first battleground to annihilate them and deter the rest of the rebels."

His gaze swept over the generals under his command: Xiahou Dun, Cao Hong, Li Dian, and Yue Jin, all of whom were seasoned warriors who were now eager to fight.

"In this battle, we need a brave general to lead the vanguard and strike directly at the enemy's heart. Who is willing to claim this first victory for me?"

No sooner had he finished speaking than Xiahou Dun stepped forward abruptly. "My lord! This humble general is willing to go! I will take Guan Hai's head and present it to you!"

"Yuan Rang, what's the rush!" Cao Hong pulled him behind him and stepped forward. "Why use a sledgehammer to crack a nut? Dealing with these petty thieves requires speed! My lord, I can lead a cavalry unit; we will surely capture Shou Zhang within three days!"

"Zilian, you are mistaken." Li Dian stepped forward calmly, clasped his hands in a fist salute to Cao Cao, and said, "The Yellow Turban army is powerful, and besieging the city and attacking its reinforcements is the best strategy. As the vanguard, you must proceed steadily and cautiously, step by step. This humble general is willing to share the burden for my lord."

"Stop arguing!" Yue Jin shouted at the top of his lungs. "My lord, let me go! I guarantee I'll rout those Yellow Turban rebels!"

They followed Cao Cao, starting their rebellion in Chenliu, then the alliance at Suanzao, and finally the lone army's pursuit of Dong Zhuo, fighting tough and fierce battles.

Now that Cao Cao is the governor of Yan Province, it is the time for him to make his mark and establish his career. No one wants to fall behind him.

Looking at his brothers and relatives who had grown up with him, Cao Cao felt both gratified and troubled. Each of them was loyal and brave in battle, but…

The image of that white-robed man with the silver spear involuntarily surfaced in his mind again.

If Zilong were still alive, he could take the head of a general amidst a vast army, making him the perfect choice for vanguard.

Fengxiao's words were still echoing in my ears.

It was the night before he was to see Zhao Yun off that Guo Jia sneaked into Cao Cao's study.

"Does my lord feel that letting Zhao Zilong go is like losing an arm?"

Cao Cao grunted in response, his regret barely concealed in his voice.

"My lord, do you know why I didn't advise you to keep him here?" Guo Jia's voice was exceptionally clear in the quiet night. "The White Horse Cavalry is strong, but its soul lies with Zhao Yun. Without Zhao Yun, the White Horse Cavalry is like a tiger with a missing claw. Although still fierce, it is not enough to pose a fatal threat to Yuan Shao."

Cao Cao paused, raised his head, and looked at Guo Jia.

"If Yuan Shao wants to annex Youzhou, he will inevitably be embroiled in a protracted tug-of-war with Gongsun Zan. A Yuan Shao whose hands are tied down by Gongsun Zan is truly your friend, my lord." Guo Jia walked to the map, pointing to the border between Ji and You provinces. "If we keep Zhao Yun, Gongsun Zan will be no match for Yuan Shao, and Youzhou will fall in no time. At that time, Yuan Shao will have consolidated the strength of both provinces, his army will be strong and well-equipped, and he will demand that you hand over the newly acquired Yanzhou. My lord, will you hand it over, or not?"

These words were like a bucket of cold water poured over his face, instantly cooling down Cao Cao's burning desire for talented people.

Yes, what he needs most right now is not a fierce general who can charge into battle, but time.

Returning to his tent, Cao Cao looked at the group arguing heatedly before him, cleared his throat, and the tent instantly fell silent.

Looking at his beloved generals before him, Cao Cao suddenly felt a throbbing pain in his temples. Xiahou Dun was indeed brave, but his fiery temper made him easily susceptible to traps. Cao Hong was decisive, but lacked composure in battle. Li Dian and Yue Jin, one steady and the other swift, were good choices, but deciding who should subdue whom would be another troublesome matter.

His gaze slowly swept across the tent, finally settling on the strategists' seats.

"Wenruo, you see, to whom should this vanguard responsibility be entrusted?"

Xun Yu sat upright and bowed slightly upon hearing this: "My lord, I am not particularly skilled in military formations. However, Gongda has many unique insights into military intelligence and strategy. My lord may wish to ask for his opinion."

The ball was kicked steadily to Xun You's feet.

Xun You was holding a cup of tea, slowly blowing on it to cool it down, when he was suddenly thrust into the spotlight by his uncle. Without even lifting his eyelids, he simply said, "In the heat of battle, one must combine the orthodox and the unorthodox. Fengxiao and Zhicai are even more adept at this."

As soon as he finished speaking, Xi Zhicai let out a suppressed cough. He waved his hand weakly, his already pale face turning even paler: "No, don't look at me. My brain hasn't been working well lately; it hurts whenever I think about things. Leave this kind of mentally taxing task to Fengxiao; he's young and full of energy."

All eyes finally turned to Guo Jia, who had been leaning against a low table with his eyes closed, seemingly unaffected from beginning to end.

Guo Jia's gaze had barely landed on Xun Hao when Xun Hao, sensing his thoughts, preemptively spoke, "My lord, in matters of such importance to the state, I am the youngest and lack the seniority to offend the generals." He started with a small joke, then continued, "However, Lord Cheng is a renowned scholar from Yanzhou, well-versed in the situation within the province, and of advanced age and high moral character, with thorough consideration. I am but a junior, and dare not presume to teach Lord Cheng. I humbly request Lord Cheng's guidance on this matter."

What a wonderful concept of "respecting the elderly and honoring the virtuous".

This made even Cao Cao burst out laughing.

His top strategists are all incredibly cunning.

Cheng Yu, whose name was called, was a middle-aged man with a resolute face. His eyes were neither as lively as Guo Jia's nor as upright as Xun Yu's, but they carried a kind of calmness that understood the ways of the world.

He did not refuse again, stepped forward, and his loud voice broke the strange atmosphere inside the tent.

"Under my lord's command, General Li Dian is steady and composed, while General Yue Jin is swift and fierce. These two can be ordered to each lead their own troops, forming the left and right flanks, mutually supporting each other, creating a pincer movement, and directly attacking Shouzhang. Together with the troops General Cao Ren has gathered at Rencheng, they will form a three-sided encirclement." "Shouzhang City is located west of Daye Marsh, crisscrossed by waterways; this is an opportunity our army can seize."

Cao Cao's eyes lit up. "What does Zhongde mean?"

"Among General Zilian's newly recruited troops, there must be locals familiar with the geography of Dongping and skilled in water. We can select several hundred elite soldiers, led by locals, to sneak into the city by small boat at night and contact old acquaintances in the city. With the help of both inside and outside, the three armies can launch a fierce attack, and Shouzhang City can be captured in no time."