Reborn Liu Bei: I'll lead this Three Kingdoms to victory!

February 25th, the seventh year of Jian'an, Hefei.

At the exact hour of Chen (7-9 AM), the city gates slowly opened.

Li Dian, dressed in plain clothes, rode out of the city alone without a single soldier. Behind him, the garrison of Hefei stood in formation on both sides of the city gate, their spears lowered, silent and still.

Zhao Yun had already formed ranks a hundred paces outside the city gate. Three thousand White Horse Cavalry, three thousand long spears, stood silently in the morning light.

There were no drums or horns, no banners, only dust swirling in the wind, sweeping across the open space between the two armies.

Li Dian reined in his horse and stopped thirty paces from Zhao Yun. He dismounted, walked forward, and knelt on one knee to the astonishment of everyone present.

"The defeated general Li Dian surrenders, presenting his seal of office."

He took out the bronze seal, which symbolized the power of the garrison commander of Hefei, from his bosom and held it above his head with both hands.

Zhao Yun dismounted and walked up to him.

He did not immediately take the seal, but instead reached out and supported Li Dian's arm.

"General Li, please rise."

Li Dian raised his head, a moment of blankness in his eyes.

"General, why don't you put away the seal first?"

Zhao Yun shook his head.

"The magistrate has decreed: If Hefei surrenders, the general will retain his original troops and his rank and title will remain unchanged. The seal will still be the general's seal."

Li Dian was stunned.

The guards lined up behind him were also stunned.

After a moment of silence, someone in the crowd suddenly shouted:

"Lord Liu is benevolent and righteous!"

The sound was like a pebble thrown into water, creating ripples. More sounds followed:

"Lord Liu is benevolent and righteous!"

"Long live Lord Liu!"

Li Dian stood up and looked at the soldiers who originally belonged to Cao Cao, but were now calling out the name of another person.

He suddenly understood.

Liu Bei didn't want a city.

What he wants is people's hearts.

---

At 9:00 AM, in Hefei city, at the former prefectural governor's residence.

Zhao Yun and Li Dian sat facing each other in the main hall, with defense maps and grain ledgers of Hefei spread out in front of them.

"How much grain and fodder do we have left?" Zhao Yun asked.

"It was originally enough for three months," Li Dian replied, "but Cao Ren took a batch with him when he withdrew, so now there are only two months left."

"That's enough." Zhao Yun nodded. "Within three months, provisions will surely be transported from Shouchun."

After a moment of silence, Li Dian finally asked the question that had been weighing on his mind:

"General Zhao, Your Majesty...how do you intend to deal with this humble general?"

Zhao Yun looked at him.

"General Li, do you know how those surrendered soldiers from Shouchun escaped?"

Li Dian shook his head.

"Those who wish to stay will be incorporated into the new army, and their salaries will remain the same. Those who wish to leave will be given travel expenses and provisions, and politely escorted out of the country." Zhao Yun said, emphasizing each word, "Eight hundred men left, and after they left, they even bowed to us."

Li Dian lowered his head.

He recalled the ten years he had followed Cao Cao. After each battle, the surrendered soldiers had only two fates: to be incorporated into the suicide squad, or—there was no other.

"This humble general..." His voice was a little hoarse, "This humble general wishes to stay."

Zhao Yun nodded.

"Very well. General, you shall continue to lead your original troops and garrison the eastern part of Hefei. The western part of the city shall be taken over by the White Horse Cavalry. You and I shall guard this city together until the envoy arrives."

Li Dian raised his head, a complex light in his eyes.

"Will the lord... come?"

"Yes." Zhao Yun stood up, walked to the window, and looked north. "The lord said that he would personally visit every city he had conquered."

---

Noon, in Shouchun.

Zhou Cang stood on the city wall, watching the boats shuttling back and forth on the Huai River.

Three days ago, this place was a key hub for Cao Cao's army's grain transport. Now, the ships are all flying flags bearing the character "Liu".

"General," the lieutenant came up from below the city walls, "the granaries have been inventoried, totaling 320,000 shi (a unit of dry measure). After setting aside what's needed for city defense, when will the remaining 200,000 shi be transported to Hefei?"

Zhou Cang thought for a moment.

"Don't rush," he said. "The situation in Hefei has just deteriorated, and people are still unsettled. If we transport grain there now and something goes wrong along the way, it might not be good."

"When will your luck come?"

"Once General Zhao is settled," Zhou Cang turned around, "send someone to Hefei to tell General Zhao that the grain supplies can be transported at any time, and ask him to set a date."

"promise."

The deputy general turned to leave, but Zhou Cang called him back.

"Also, send people to keep an eye on the upper and lower reaches of the Huai River. Although Cao Cao has retreated, he may not be satisfied. What if he sends his navy to launch a surprise attack..."

The deputy understood.

"This subordinate understands."

Zhou Cang looked back at the Huai River.

He recalled many years ago, when he was still a bandit. Back then, all he knew was to rob, to kill, and to survive.

Later he met Guan Yu and Liu Bei.

Later he learned that there is another way to live.

"Shouchun..." he murmured, "From now on, you will be our southern gateway."

---

At Shenshi (3-5 PM), in Xiapi, Xuzhou.

In the back hall of the governor's mansion, Pang Tong and Sima Yi sat facing each other, with a huge map of Yuzhou spread out in front of them.

Pang Tong's finger moved slowly across the map, finally stopping at a small dot south of Xuchang.

"Yingyin," he said, "the stronghold of the Xun clan."

Sima Yi stared at that spot.

"What are you planning to do, sir?"

Pang Tong did not answer directly, but instead asked a question:

"Zhongda, what do you think is Xun Yu's greatest weakness?"

Sima Yi thought for a moment.

"Too sentimental."

"Yes." Pang Tong nodded. "He had been kind to Cao Cao, so he couldn't bring himself to betray him. But—" He paused, "his clansmen didn't have that burden."

Sima Yi's eyes lit up.

"Does the master mean to start with the Xun clan?"

Pang Tong grinned.

"Good lad, you get it right away."

He pointed to the location of Yingyin on the map.

"The Xun family had been operating in Yingyin for over a century, with members spread throughout various counties. Among them was a man named Xun Chen, Xun Yu's younger brother, who was Yuan Shao's strategist. After Yuan Shao's defeat, he lived in seclusion at home, feeling frustrated and unfulfilled."

"Does the gentleman want to win him over?"

"It's not just him." Pang Tong tapped his finger on the map. "The Xun family has many young people serving as minor officials in Xuchang, Yecheng, and various counties. They are talented and ambitious, but they lack opportunities."

He raised his head and looked at Sima Yi.

"What if we give them a chance?"

Sima Yi remained silent for a moment.

"Does the master mean to secretly contact these people and make them work for us?"

"That's right." Pang Tong took a swig of wine. "We don't need them to openly betray us. We just need them to... occasionally pass on some information, occasionally lend a hand, and occasionally say a few words that are beneficial to us at crucial moments."

He put down his wine gourd, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

"That's called infiltration."

Sima Yi seemed to be deep in thought.

"So, who should we start with?"

Pang Tong thought for a moment.

"Start with Xun Chen," he said. "He lives in seclusion at home, making him the easiest to approach and the easiest to sway. As long as he nods in approval, those young men from the Xun family will follow."

"Who will make the contact?"

Pang Tong looked at him.

Sima Yi was taken aback.

"I?"

"You," Pang Tong nodded, "you're young, a new face, and not easily attract attention. Besides—" he smiled, "you already proved your ability in the Hefei game."

Sima Yi remained silent.

After a long while, he raised his head.

"it is good."

---

At the hour of You (5-7 PM), on the official road outside Xiapi City.

Ten riders dressed in black were galloping through the twilight.

Sima Yi rode at the very front, his face calm, his gaze fixed straight ahead.

Wang Wu spurred his horse and caught up.

"Military Commander! Where are we going?"

Yingchuan.

"Yingchuan?!" Wang Wu exclaimed in surprise. "Isn't that Cao Cao's territory?"

Sima Yi did not answer.

He simply stared at the increasingly dark sky ahead.

Yingchuan, south of Xudu, is the stronghold of the Xun clan.

His target this time was there—Xun Chen.

A former advisor to Yuan Shao who now lives a secluded life at home, feeling frustrated and unfulfilled.

A person who could be a breakthrough point.

"Wang Wu."

"exist."

"When we arrive in Yingchuan, you disguise yourselves as a merchant caravan and wait for me outside the city. I will go in alone."

Wang Wu's expression changed.

"Military Commander! This won't do! What if something goes wrong..."

"Nothing will happen," Sima Yi interrupted him, his voice calm. "I've calculated it."

Wang Wu opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but couldn't utter a single word.

He simply looked at the eighteen-year-old boy, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

He traveled a thousand miles to save Kong Shao, rescued Fu Shou while wounded, set a trap in Hefei to force Cao Cao to retreat, and now he must infiltrate enemy territory alone to meet someone he has never met before.

How exactly did he grow up?

"Military Commander..." Wang Wu finally managed to choke out, "Are you made of iron?"

Sima Yi did not answer.

He simply spurred his horse, accelerated, and disappeared into the night.

---

Xu hour (7-9 PM), Xudu.

In the main hall of the Prime Minister's residence, Cao Cao was staring blankly at the map.

Cheng Yu stood to the side, not daring to breathe.

It's been three days.

Since the news of Hefei's surrender arrived, the Prime Minister has become a different person. He no longer gets angry, no longer throws things, but simply stares at this map for an entire day.

"What's the news from Wenruo's side?" Cao Cao suddenly asked.

Cheng Yu was taken aback, then realized what was happening.

"Still the same old story, he stays indoors. Prince Cao Pi has tried to visit twice, but was turned away both times."

Cao Cao remained silent.

"What about his people?"

"Xun Chen lives a secluded life in Yingyin, spending his days reading and gardening, detached from worldly affairs. Xun Yan holds a minor official position in Yecheng, feeling frustrated and unfulfilled. Xun Yue writes books in Xudu, never participating in politics..." Cheng Yu reported one by one.

After listening, Cao Cao remained silent for a long time.

"Send someone to keep an eye on them," he finally said, "especially that Xun Chen."

Cheng Yu was taken aback.

"The Prime Minister suspects..."

"I have no doubt," Cao Cao interrupted him, "I just don't want to be stabbed in the back again."

Cheng Yu fell silent.

Cao Cao's gaze returned to the map.

It landed on the two places he circled in red.

Hefei. Shouchun.

Two nails were driven into his waist.

"Liu Bei..." he murmured, "What exactly do you want?"

The answer is not on the map.

Only those two red circles stood out starkly in the candlelight.

---

At 9:00 PM, in the western part of Xuchang City, at Xun Yu's residence.

In the backyard, Xun Yu sat alone under the eaves, holding a secret letter he had just received.

The letter was very short, only one line:

"Brother, I am well. Chen is in Yingyin, and everything is as usual. Do not worry."

He held the letter up to the candle flame and watched it burn out little by little.

Xun Yun stood behind him, seemingly wanting to say something but then stopping himself.

"Father..."

"Um?"

"There are a few more people outside the mansion today," Xun Yun said in a low voice. "The Prime Minister's men are keeping a closer eye on things."

Xun Yu remained silent.

He simply gazed at the plum tree that had lost all its leaves.

"Father, shall we wait?" Xun Yun finally asked the question that had been weighing on his heart.

Xun Yu remained silent for a long time.

Then he spoke, his voice very soft:

"wait."

"What are you waiting for?"

Xun Yu did not answer.

He simply gazed at the rising star in the north.

---

At midnight, at the Governor's Office of Xiapi.

I stood in front of the map, looking at the points that Pang Tong had just marked.

Yingyin, Yecheng, Xudu...

These are all targets he plans to infiltrate.

"Shiyuan," I said.

"exist."

Do you think Xun Chen will agree?

Pang Tong thought for a moment.

"Yes," he said, "but I won't agree immediately."

Why?

"Because he's Xun Yu's brother." Pang Tong took a swig of wine. "Xun Yu won't openly pledge allegiance; he won't do so. But—" he paused, "he can help secretly."

I looked at him.

"for example?"

"For example, passing on some information, saying a few words that are beneficial to us at a crucial moment, or..." Pang Tong smiled, "pretending to be confused when Cao Cao sends someone to question him."

I was lost in thought.

"Can Zhongda manage going alone?"

Pang Tong remained silent for a moment.

"Yes," he said. "That kid is even more capable than I imagined."

I didn't ask any more questions.

I just stared at those tiny dots on the map.

They are still very inconspicuous.

But one day, they will become a net.

A net that firmly trapped Cao Cao.

---

At dawn.

The sky was beginning to lighten with the first light of dawn.

I stood on the city wall, gazing into the distance.

The neighing of warhorses could be heard in the distance; it was the White Horse Cavalry on patrol.

Further away came the sound of bugle calls for training, as the Mo Dao team began a new day of training.

Further away, wisps of smoke rise from chimneys, where people are cooking breakfast.

I am reminded of Sima Yi.

That eighteen-year-old boy should have already arrived in Yingchuan by now.

He was going to meet someone he had never met before and to do something that no one had ever done before.

Is it dangerous? Of course it is.

But he did not hesitate.

"I've calculated it," he always said.

I believe him.

It wasn't because his calculations were flawless.

It's because I believe that a student taught by someone who is willing to lock himself in a room for four years to write a book cannot be wrong.

A boy who is willing to travel thousands of miles to save someone at the age of eighteen will not lose.