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

Outside Shangcai City, in Zhang Ziqian's central command tent.

When Cao Ren arrived, covered in dust, Zhang Ziqian and Xun You were sitting around a simple map, discussing something.

"Zhang Ziqian!" Cao Ren strode into the tent without even taking off his armor, his voice booming, "You little rascal, you're fast! I've been following you around like a dog, getting nothing in return!"

Zhang Ziqian raised his head, looked at Cao Ren who was filled with indignation, and chuckled: "General Zixiao, you can't say that. Didn't I leave you eighty-four cities to garrison? That's a tremendous achievement. I wouldn't have given it to anyone else."

"You!" Cao Ren was speechless with anger at his words.

Is that what you call merit? It's a complete mess! He led 10,000 infantrymen, and even with a hundred or so men assigned to each city, there weren't enough to keep watch. All along the way, he was busy pacifying the local areas and recruiting soldiers, so he was overwhelmed with work and didn't get any thrill from fighting.

"Alright, alright, stop being so stubborn." Zhang Ziqian waved his hand, gesturing for him to sit down. "I know you've had a hard time, so here's a big meal saved for you."

Just then, a scout strode in from outside the tent and knelt on one knee.

"Reporting to General! Strategist! Yuan Shu's reinforcements, numbering approximately 50,000, have left Shouchun and are under the command of his general Ji Ling. They are advancing towards our army! Their vanguard general is Sun Jian's son, Sun Ce!"

Upon hearing this news, Cao Ren's eyes lit up instantly.

"Fifty thousand troops? Ji Ling? Sun Ce?" He rubbed his hands excitedly. "Great! Excellent! Finally, someone capable of fighting has arrived! Ziqian, you can't leave me behind again this time. How do we fight? Tell me!"

Zhang Ziqian did not answer immediately, but instead turned his gaze to Xun You.

Xun You remained unhurried. He pointed to a narrow valley on the map and slowly said, "I have heard of Ji Ling. He is brave but lacks strategy and is arrogant. He will certainly not take our army seriously. He came from Shouchun and will definitely take this route. This valley, which is between two mountains, is the perfect place for our army to ambush."

He paused, then continued, "Ziqian's Flying Bear cavalry are swift as the wind and skilled in open field battles. We only need to set up an ambush here, and when Ji Ling's army enters the valley and is unable to defend itself, our elite cavalry will charge down from both sides of the hillside, and we will surely win in one battle!"

"Encircle the enemy's stronghold and ambush their reinforcements!" Cao Ren slapped his thigh and exclaimed excitedly, "Great plan! I've been wanting to do this for a long time!"

Zhang Ziqian's lips also curled into a smile.

This was exactly what he had in mind.

Xun You, that old fox, truly had a plan that never failed him.

He silently calculated in his mind. Ji Ling, historically killed by Zhang Fei, should be quite skilled in combat, but certainly no match for him. Killing him would earn him a considerable amount of points.

As for Sun Ce... Little Conqueror Sun Bofu, he's a heavyweight figure.

Zhang Ziqian was itching to test his skills against this little tyrant of Jiangdong and see just how capable he really was.

"The plan is good," Zhang Ziqian said, tapping his finger on the map. "But there's a crucial problem. If we set up an ambush here, what about Zhang Xun in the city? If he sees reinforcements coming and acts rashly, rushing out of the city to fight us to the death, we'll be in big trouble from both sides."

Xun You smiled slightly and looked at Cao Ren, who had been unable to contain himself for a long time.

"That depends on General Zixiao."

Cao Ren was taken aback, then realized what he meant and pointed to himself: "Me?"

Zhang Ziqian laughed and patted Cao Ren on the shoulder: "That's right, it's you. General Zixiao, your mission is the most important in the next few days."

"I need you to lead your ten thousand infantrymen and make a huge commotion outside Shangcai City! During the day, beat drums and shout insults; at night, light torches and create a false impression. In short, do whatever it takes to make Zhang Xun inside the city think we are attacking the city with all our might, so that he won't dare to be distracted or leave the city!"

"I want him to stand on the city wall and watch helplessly as we devour his reinforcements, piece by piece!"

Cao Ren became excited after hearing this.

Although it wasn't a direct assault, he liked this mission!

To swagger around the walls of Shangcai, watching our allies fight a fierce and exhilarating battle in front of the enemy, is even more satisfying than to fight in the battle ourselves!

"No problem!" Cao Ren thumped his chest loudly. "Leave this to me! I guarantee I'll keep that coward Zhang Xun pinned down in the city, so he won't dare utter a single word!"

"However..." Cao Ren changed the subject, rubbing his hands a little awkwardly, "Ziqian, during battle, could I... go up to a higher place for a better view?"

He rushed over with great difficulty, but didn't even get a sip of hot soup. If he couldn't even see the battle, that would be too frustrating.

Zhang Ziqian laughed heartily: "Don't worry, I'll save you the best spot, I guarantee you'll have a clear view!"

With their plan settled, the three exchanged a knowing smile.

A massive net was thus cast to target Yuan Shu's reinforcements.

Cao Ren received the order and excitedly returned to make arrangements. That afternoon, deafening drumbeats and shouts of cursing resounded outside Shangcai City.

Squads of Cao's soldiers lined up below the city walls, waving flags and shouting, preparing to attack. At night, torches were lit in succession, illuminating the area outside the city as if it were daytime.

Zhang Xun, standing on the city wall, was indeed quite frightened by this spectacle.

He was already feeling guilty, and seeing Cao Cao's army's overwhelming strength only strengthened his resolve to defend the city to the death. He strictly ordered his troops that no one was allowed to leave the city, under penalty of execution. At the same time, he sent men to the city walls every day to anxiously watch for Ji Ling's reinforcements to arrive as soon as possible.

Little did he know that the savior he had been so desperately hoping for was walking step by step toward the abyss of death.

Meanwhile, Zhang Ziqian had already led eight thousand Flying Bear elite cavalry and quietly left the camp.

He entrusted five thousand of his main force to Xun You, who ambushed them in the forests on both sides of the valley. He himself led three thousand cavalry, including Hua Xiong, Cao Ang, and Yang Xiu, and made a large detour to ambush them at the other end of the valley.

His task was to block Ji Ling's escape route.

What he wants to do is not to defeat them, but to annihilate them completely!

All is ready except for the opportunity.

The night was deep, and the forest was so quiet that only the sound of the wind and insects could be heard.

Zhang Ziqian leaned against a large tree, wiping the Overlord Spear in his hand. The cold gun barrel reflected the moonlight, exuding a bloodthirsty chill.

He could feel the blood in his body slowly boiling.

A fierce and exhilarating battle is about to begin.