Three Kingdoms: Daily settlement helps Liu Bei revive the Shu Han dynasty.

Cao Cao massacred Xu Province.

The biggest reason was to plunder grain and fodder to fund the army.

If Lu Yong's plan succeeds and Cao Cao returns empty-handed, his future days will likely be much more difficult.

Lu Yong turned to Xu Sheng and continued to give instructions: "Wenxiang, you will lead five thousand new soldiers. When Cao's army retreats, you will pursue Cao's army to the north in a grand manner."

Remember, don't chase too hard.

"Just let Cao Cao's army and the soldiers of Xuzhou know that there is such a force as yours."

Xu Sheng instantly understood Lu Yong's intention and asked, "Strategist, are you putting on a show for Cao Bao?"

"That's right!" Lu Yong replied with a smile, "Only when Cao Bao sees us sending troops to pursue will he feel more at ease and bolder in his pursuit."

Moreover, fearing we would steal the credit, he would definitely chase after us even more diligently.

Xu Sheng clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Your subordinate obeys!"

They made arrangements for everyone, but Zhang Fei was the only one they didn't mention.

Zhang Fei stared at Lu Yong for a long time, his gaze even carrying a hint of resentment.

Finally, Lu Yong looked at Zhang Fei and said:

"General Zhang, lead your 1,000 troops and hide in the Black Pine Forest, five li outside the north gate of Tancheng."

Zhang Fei looked bewildered and asked, "Why would I hide there?"

Lu Yong's lips curled up slightly, revealing a cold smile as he said:

"Wait! Wait until Cao Bao returns defeated—then we'll completely eliminate this threat!"

Everyone fell silent instantly.

Zhang Fei paused for a moment, then grinned: "The strategist means... to get rid of him?"

Lu Yong neither nodded nor shook his head, but calmly analyzed:

"Cao Bao holds military power in Xuzhou and has always regarded us as a major threat."

If we don't eliminate them soon, they will definitely cause us a lot of trouble if they seize the opportunity in the future!

Lu Yong is a time traveler.

It was naturally known that it was Cao Bao and Xu Dan who, while Liu Bei was confronting Yuan Shu, secretly colluded with Lü Bu and surrendered Xiapi.

That battle not only caused Liu Bei to lose Xuzhou,

Even his wife, children, and family members fell into enemy hands.

Thus began his long life of wandering.

Although Lu Yong had already planned Liu Bei's route to "go south to Jiangdong", he originally did not intend to stay in Xuzhou for long.

But what if these two pull some crazy stunts at a crucial moment?

Instead of living in fear and anxiety, let's take this opportunity to eliminate these two unstable sources of trouble!

Lu Yong originally thought Liu Bei would hesitate.

After all, Liu Bei has always prided himself on benevolence and righteousness, and he would not easily agree to such a scheme to betray an ally.

Lu Yong had prepared a lot of words, but Liu Bei's reaction was completely unexpected.

"Huai'an," Liu Bei pondered for a moment before slowly speaking, "How could I not know Cao Bao's wolfish ambitions? If we don't eliminate him today, he will surely become a great threat in the future."

He paused, looked directly at Lu Yong, and continued, "However... this matter must be handled cleanly and efficiently, without leaving any evidence."

Afterwards, simply say that Cao Bao was greedy for merit and acted rashly, pursuing Cao Cao's army on his own, and thus suffered the consequences!

Lu Yong was slightly taken aback.

His impression of Liu Bei

They are still stuck in the image of him from "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," who is always shedding tears and claiming to be benevolent and righteous.

Hearing Liu Bei's decisive words, I suddenly realized that...

The man before us is none other than Emperor Zhaolie, who rose from humble beginnings to build a vast empire!

His fortitude and decisiveness were in no way inferior to Cao Cao's.

Seeing Lu Yong in a daze, Liu Bei assumed he was worried about what would happen if he were discovered.

So he said gently, "Huai'an, you don't need to feel guilty. I'll take responsibility if anything goes wrong."

Lu Yong snapped out of his daze, cupped his hands, and said, "Thank you, my lord."

Liu Bei set the tone,

A bloodthirsty glint flashed in Zhang Fei's eyes, and he grinned, saying:

"Brother, strategist, rest assured, I, Old Zhang, always handle things cleanly and efficiently, without anyone noticing!"

Liu Bei nodded slightly: "Then let's do as the strategist says."

Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, and Xu Sheng clasped their hands in unison and said, "Yes, sir!"

The crowd dispersed, and soon only Liu Bei and Lu Yong remained on the city wall.

Lu Yong hesitated for a moment, but still couldn't help asking:

"My lord, do you think... I've been too ruthless in my methods?"

Liu Bei turned around and stared into Lu Yong's eyes.

After a moment, he revealed a warm smile and slowly said, "I, Liu Bei, don't have any great abilities, but I believe I'm quite good at judging people."

Huai'an, you treat your soldiers well and abhor Zuo Rong, who exploits the people. This shows that you are not inherently bad.

not to mention,

In this chaotic world where cannibalism reigns supreme,

"Without a certain degree of ruthlessness, how could one protect the soldiers under one's command and the people under one's rule?"

Lu Yong was stunned.

He hadn't expected that Liu Bei was so insightful.

At this moment, Lu Yong was completely convinced and bowed to pay his respects.

Liu Bei reached out and supported his arms, his voice still warm and comforting:

Huai'an, you came to me when I, Liu Bei, was at my lowest point.

They offered me advice and pointed out the path for the future.

Without you, I'm probably still living in a daze.

Therefore, I have always regarded you as someone I can confide in.

With me by your side, Huai'an, you don't need to worry.

Unless you truly commit some heinous crime, you will always be my most trusted strategist, Liu Bei!

Is this the true power of the "Great Han Succubus"?

A few words from him actually made Lu Yong, a modern man, feel his eyes well up with tears, and he even wanted to "sleep side by side" with him.

Absolutely terrifying!

[System Log: The host had a frank conversation with Liu Bei and received a promise of "heart-to-heart" communication. Today's achievement +1.]

[Current Achievements Pending Settlement: 1 item.]

Fortunately, Lu Yong's thoughts were interrupted by the system's notification sound, and he quickly calmed down.

at this time,

Cao Cao led his large army and arrived at a point two hundred paces outside the north gate of Tancheng.

Banners blotted out the sky, and swords and spears filled the air.

Ladders, battering rams, and siege towers lined up in a dark, dense formation that stretched as far as the eye could see.

The Xuzhou garrison on the walls of Tancheng were all so frightened that their legs trembled.

Cao Bao didn't even show himself; he just lay on the parapet of the city wall, peeking out furtively.

Although Cao Cao's army was powerful.

But Liu Bei and Lu Yong both knew that Cao Cao was just putting on a brave front.

He did this to prevent the news of the fall of Yanzhou from damaging the morale of the army.

Also, in order to prevent Xuzhou from discovering his abnormality, he came out to pester him relentlessly.

Therefore, he could only first adopt a siege posture to stabilize his position, and then find an opportunity to retreat.

Seeing Cao Cao standing on horseback in front of the army, Lu Yong suddenly said, "My lord, the perfect opportunity to boost our reputation has arrived!"

Liu Bei immediately understood Lu Yong's meaning, and then asked with a smile, "Huai'an, would you dare to come with me out of the city?"

Lu Yong's breath hitched.

He was actually a million times unwilling.

After all, the opponent was Cao Cao, and Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun were not present.

If anything goes wrong, I could lose my life.

But if you back down at this time, it might affect your image in Boss Liu's eyes.

So Lu Yong took a deep breath and forced a smile, saying, "Why wouldn't I dare?"

The north gate of Tancheng slowly opened a crack.

Liu Bei and Lu Yong, two men on two horses, emerged from the city gate.

Cao's army in front of the battle line,

Cao Cao was reining in his horse to observe when he suddenly saw the gates of Tancheng open and two people on horseback leaving the city. He couldn't help but squint and peer into the distance.

Liu Bei walked to within about fifty meters of the city gate, reined in his horse, and called out loudly, "Cao Mengde, would you dare to speak with me alone!"

Upon hearing this, Cao Cao laughed heartily and said, "Xuande, it's been a long time!"

As he spoke, he prepared to ride forward alone.

Seeing that Liu Bei was accompanied by a scholar, Xi Zhicai worried that Cao Cao might be plotted against, so he said, "My lord, I will go with you."

"Zhicai, your health..." Cao Cao asked worriedly.

"It's alright, there's no war, it's just a few words," Xi Zhicai replied with a smile.

Cao Cao knew he couldn't dissuade him, so he nodded and said, "Very well, you may come with me."