Three Kingdoms: Zhang Fei was sent flying by a single spear thrust, leaving Liu Bei stunned.

In the Battle of Xingyang, Cao Cao suffered a crushing defeat.

He set off with over ten thousand troops in high spirits, but in the end, he only led less than half of his defeated army back to the Suanzao camp in a sorry state.

If Zhang Ziqian hadn't single-handedly defeated Xu Rong's pursuing troops at the last moment, Cao Cao himself would probably have perished on the banks of the Bian River.

When Cao Cao returned to Suanzao, he was not greeted by the condolences and care of his allies, but by an empty camp and a mess of broken cups and plates.

Yuan Shao, Yuan Shu, Gongsun Zan... those so-called allies, after learning that he had ventured deep into enemy territory alone and suffered a defeat at Xingyang, didn't even say goodbye before each of them took their troops and left.

They divided up the last of the looted wealth in Luoyang, and then eagerly returned to their respective territories, ready to begin a new game of conquest among themselves.

The grand campaign of the eighteen warlords against Dong Zhuo ended abruptly in such a farcical manner.

Cao Cao stood before the empty tent of the alliance leader, looking at the large banner with the character "Commander" carelessly discarded on the ground. The banner was still stained with the dust that Zhang Ziqian had brought back from Hulao Pass and the bloodstains of Lü Bu.

He was filled with mixed emotions: anger at his allies' betrayal, helplessness at his own weakness, but more than anything, a clear-headedness and resolute determination after seeing the ways of the world.

"My lord, Yuan Shao and his ilk have gone too far!" Xiahou Dun said indignantly. "We are fighting to the death for the alliance on the front lines, while they are reaping the benefits from behind. Now they are abandoning us completely!"

"No need to say more." Cao Cao waved his hand, his face showing no anger, only a deep-seated weariness. "After this battle, I've come to understand. All the heroes of the world are mediocre people who only care about their immediate interests; they are not worth associating with. It's better this alliance dissolves."

He turned around and looked at the soldiers behind him, whose armor was tattered but whose eyes remained firm. A surge of heroic spirit rekindled in his heart.

So what if we lose?

As long as these people are still here, as long as his heart is not dead, Cao Mengde will have a day to make a comeback!

His greatest source of confidence, however, comes from the nearby area.

Zhang Ziqian was sitting on a grain cart, legs crossed, gnawing on a roast chicken while looking with relish at... a black stone slab in his hand?

Cao Cao had seen Zhang Ziqian take out this strange stone slab more than once. It glowed and made all sorts of strange sounds. Zhang Ziqian called it a "cell phone."

Cao Cao asked what this was, and Zhang Ziqian mysteriously told him that it was a treasure passed down from his master's school, containing a universe within, allowing one to see the wonders of the world and hear tales from all corners of the land.

Although Cao Cao didn't entirely believe it, he knew it must be some kind of strange object that he couldn't understand, so he didn't ask any more questions. All he needed to know was that the owner of this strange object was on his side, and that was enough.

He gathered his thoughts and walked over to Zhang Ziqian's grain cart.

"Ziqian, where should we go next?" Cao Cao asked, his tone carrying a hint of inquiry.

After the Battle of Xingyang, his attitude towards Zhang Ziqian had subtly changed. It was no longer a simple superior-subordinate relationship, but rather one that, while relying on him, carried a greater sense of equality and even a hint of seeking his advice.

Zhang Ziqian tore off a chicken leg and said without looking up, "Why are you asking me? You're the boss, you call the shots. Anyway, I'll follow you wherever you go, just don't forget my roast chicken."

He said that, but he was actually making plans in his mind.

"The anti-Dong Zhuo rally has failed, and the era of warlord conflicts is about to begin. Following Boss Cao is definitely the right thing to do. Right now, his territory seems to be in Chenliu, and his foundation is still very weak. After returning, he will probably start recruiting soldiers and building up his territory."

He played Dou Dizhu (a popular Chinese card game) all day and watched two movies, and now he has a very clear understanding of his current situation.

For him, fighting and killing were just a means to earn points, not his whole life.

The ideal situation would be to have a few years of peaceful life, farming, watching movies, and fishing.

Cao Cao couldn't help but smile wryly when he heard this expected answer.

He knew it was impossible to expect Zhang Ziqian to offer any strategic insights. This man's mind was probably only focused on eating and sleeping.

But he is such a pure person, and it is precisely because of this purity that he becomes incredibly reliable.

"Good!" Cao Cao took a deep breath, his eyes regaining their piercing gleam. "Then let's return to Yanzhou! Back to our territory! Although I suffered heavy losses at this alliance meeting at Suanzao, I have made the world aware of my name, Cao Mengde! And I have also made the world aware of the unparalleled general under my command, Zhang Ziqian!"

He mounted his horse, drew the Heaven-Slaying Sword from his waist, raised it high, and shouted loudly at all the remaining soldiers behind him:

"Gentlemen! Today's defeat is not a failure of our skills, but rather an unfavorable turn of events! The world is about to descend into chaos, and this is precisely the time for heroes to display their prowess! Follow me back to Yanzhou, recruit soldiers and horses, and stockpile provisions! One day, I will surely lead you all to sweep across the four seas, pacify the world, and rebuild a bright and peaceful universe!"

"Sweep across the four seas! Pacify the world!"

"Follow our lord! Fight to the death!"

The surviving soldiers of Cao Cao's army were inspired by their commander's heroic spirit, and they were filled with fervor, raising their arms and shouting.

The shadow of failure was swept away.

A brand new army, full of cohesion and unity, was quietly born on the ruins at this moment.

Zhang Ziqian finished the last bite of chicken and licked his fingers with a lingering sense of satisfaction.

He looked at the group of soldiers who were acting like they were on steroids, then at the triumphant Cao Cao, and curled his lip.

"He's starting to make empty promises again," he muttered to himself.

However, he wasn't actually averse to it.

When the boss has a dream, the employees will benefit. The greater Cao Cao's ambition, the more "points rewards" he will receive in the future.

This deal is a good one.

He patted his backside, jumped off the grain cart, and shouldered the Yu King Spear, which had earned him a lot of affinity points during the Battle of Xingyang.

"Boss, stop shouting, doesn't your throat hurt? Let's get going, we need to find a place to have dinner before dark."

He walked to the front of the line and said lazily.

Cao Cao watched his retreating figure and burst into laughter.

He sheathed the Heaven-Slaying Sword and flicked his riding whip.

"Set off!"

Under the setting sun, a small, even somewhat disheveled group, casting long shadows, left Suanzao and embarked on their journey back to Yanzhou.

Before them lay an unknown destiny, a chaotic world where heroes vied for supremacy.

But everyone in the team was filled with hope.

Because they knew that as long as the man carrying the enormous weapon and walking at the front was still there, they would be invincible.

A new era is about to begin.

Zhang Ziqian, at this moment, is pondering a very serious question.

"System, should I use my 115,000 points to buy a few more phones and play some local network multiplayer Dou Dizhu (a card game), or save them and see if there's anything even more awesome in the next phase?"

This is indeed a question worth pondering.