Even members of the Han imperial clan are graded by tiers. Are you worthy? Accomplish everything in a single decisive campaign!

Nang County as bait—a single stroke to wipe Liu Bei from the board!

Those few words were enough to lift Liu Biao’s spirits. He hurriedly asked Kuai Yue what stratagem he had in mind.

Kuai Yue had a map spread out and pointed to it.

“My lord, look. The Yu River runs north from the south through Nanyang. Marching north from Xinye, an army can follow the river through Yuyang and reach Wan City. Turn west onto the Rang River, and it will lead to Nang County.”

“Why not divide our forces into a vanguard and a rear army? Let a senior general lead more than ten thousand men ahead, flying your banners as they surround Nang County.”

“Nang County is a strategic stronghold, and Liu Bei has three thousand troops within its walls. He will surely not stand by and let it fall. He will certainly lead his main force there.”

“At that moment, my lord can lead the rear army and seize the opportunity to…”

With his finger moving across the map, Kuai Yue laid out his stratagem in full.

When he had finished, Liu Biao stroked his fine beard and praised him.

“Yidu, this plan is truly ingenious. You are every bit the foremost strategist of Jingzhou and Xiangyang!”

“Excellent, excellent. We shall do exactly as Yidu proposes!”

The plan was settled.

Liu Biao turned his gaze to the assembled generals.

“Which of you is willing to lead the vanguard, surround Nang County, and serve as bait?”

Cai Mao opened his mouth to volunteer, then swallowed the words.

The commander defending Nang County was Wei Yan, the man who had killed his third brother, Cai He. By rights, Cai Mao would have relished the chance to storm the city himself and take Wei Yan’s head in revenge.

But the expedition to Nang County would be nothing more than a feint. The real glory lay with the rear army.

After weighing the matter, Cai Mao abandoned the idea of volunteering.

“I once garrisoned Nang County for many years, and know the city better than anyone. I am willing to lead the troops and lay siege to it!”

A square-faced general stepped forward and offered himself for the task.

The man was Wen Pin, formerly the commander of Nang County.

Liu Biao gave a slight nod and was about to appoint him when another young general stepped forward and spoke first.

“Uncle, I am willing to lead the army against Nang County.”

The young man was Liu Biao’s nephew, Zhang Yun.

Liu Biao looked at the two volunteers and furrowed his brow, uncertain for a moment.

In experience and command, Wen Pin was naturally far superior to Zhang Yun. He was plainly the best choice to lead the army.

But in terms of family ties, his nephew Zhang Yun was the one he trusted most.

After a brief consideration, Liu Biao made his decision. Zhang Yun would be commander, with Wen Pin as his deputy, leading fifteen thousand men to surround Nang County.

“Thank you for trusting me, Uncle. I will not let you down!”

Believing he had secured a share of the glory, Zhang Yun was overjoyed and bowed his thanks with solemn enthusiasm.

Wen Pin’s brows drew together slightly. Clearly, he had not expected Liu Biao to make him Zhang Yun’s deputy.

“Never mind. Zhang Yun is the lord’s nephew. Family ties are what they are—what is there for me to contest?”

Suppressing a sigh, Wen Pin gave no sign of his thoughts and quietly accepted the command.

Seeing that Wen Pin had no objection, Liu Biao nodded with satisfaction.

The matter was settled, and the generals dispersed to carry out their orders.

Liu Biao, however, kept Zhang Yun behind.

“Ziying, do you know why your uncle has entrusted you with this important task, and even made Wen Pin your deputy?”

After dismissing the others, Liu Biao asked him pointedly.

Zhang Yun looked bewildered. He had clearly failed to grasp Liu Biao’s intentions.

At the sight of his not especially bright nephew, a trace of disappointment flickered in Liu Biao’s eyes.

He sighed, then said helplessly, “You know that the Cai family controls much of the military power in Jingzhou.”

“I owe no small part of my rule over Jingzhou’s seven commanderies to the support of your Uncle Degui. But he is still an outsider.”

“Compared with the Cai brothers, you and Pan’er are my own blood. You are the people I trust most.”

“Pan’er is now in Changsha, commanding troops. Here at my side, you are the closest to me. You must learn to shoulder responsibility soon and help ease your uncle’s burden.”

The Pan’er he meant was his nephew, Liu Pan.

Liu Biao had spoken from the heart so plainly that even Zhang Yun, dull as he was, could hardly miss the point.

His uncle was using this opportunity to give him experience commanding troops and a chance to earn merit. In time, he could then be entrusted with greater responsibilities and take military power away from the Cai family.

“I understand, Uncle. You can rest assured—I won’t disappoint you!”

Zhang Yun bowed and declared his resolve with utmost seriousness.

Only then did Liu Biao look somewhat reassured. He added a few words of encouragement and advice before sending Zhang Yun off to take command.

Watching his nephew depart, Liu Biao lifted his gaze toward the north, a look of contempt curving his lips.

“Liu Bei, you have the troops of a single commandery and still imagine you can match the forces of an entire province. You truly overestimate yourself.”

“In this battle, I will show you who is the true scion of the Han imperial house!”

…

Outside Yuyang City, in the Liu army’s camp.

Outside one of the tents, Xiao Fang had just eaten his fill. Inside, he was stretching his limbs.

“Brother-in-law, what are you doing?”

Zhuge Liang watched him curiously, looking him up and down.

“This is Tai Chi. I came up with it myself as a way to keep healthy.”

“Come on, Liang. Join me—I’ll teach you.”

Xiao Fang stopped his movements and beckoned to Zhuge Liang.

“Tai Chi?”

“A way to keep healthy?”

Zhuge Liang stared blankly and hurriedly shook his head.

Xiao Fang put on a stern face and lectured him.

“We strategists spend all day thinking up schemes. Carry too many worries in your heart, and you’ll die young. You have to balance work with rest and find ways to relieve the pressure.”

“Listen to your brother-in-law. Stop dragging your feet and practice with me!”

Invoking his authority as a brother-in-law, Xiao Fang hauled Zhuge Liang to his feet.

Zhuge Liang only half understood, but unable to resist Xiao Fang’s command, he reluctantly followed along.

“White Crane Spreads Its Wings… Play the Pipa… right roundhouse kick, left front kick…”

“No, no, that’s wrong! I said right roundhouse kick, left front kick—not left roundhouse kick, right front kick…”

While Xiao Fang was earnestly teaching his lesson, Liu Bei arrived outside the tent with Zhang Fei, Zhang Xiu, and the other generals.

At the sight before them, Liu Bei and the others all stopped in surprise.

“Brother, what’s the military adviser doing, slowly raising his arms and kicking his legs like that?”

Zhang Fei stared wide-eyed at the scene, bewildered.

Liu Bei looked just as puzzled and shook his head.

“Jinglue has never been one to follow convention. I can’t make head or tail of what he’s doing either.”

Xu Chu, who had come in behind them, gave a quick cough to let Xiao Fang know Liu Bei had arrived.

Xiao Fang turned around and only then noticed that Liu Bei was there.

“My lord, what brings you to my tent?”

He quickly stopped his exercise and went forward with a smile.

“Military adviser, what were you just…”

Curiosity still in his eyes, Liu Bei imitated Xiao Fang’s pose, raising his arms in the White Crane Spreads Its Wings.

Xiao Fang smiled. As he filled a bowl with tea for Liu Bei, he explained, “It’s called Tai Chi. I devised it in my spare time. It’s just an exercise to keep the body healthy.”

Tai Chi?

Liu Bei looked back at Zhang Fei, Zhang Xiu, and the other generals, wondering if any of them, being masters of martial arts, might know what kind of fighting style it was.

They all shook their heads, just as baffled as he was.

“Since you’ve come in person, my lord, has urgent news arrived from the south?”

Xiao Fang handed Liu Bei the bowl of tea, neatly bringing his attention back to the matter at hand.

Only then did Liu Bei remember why he had come. He did not even have time to drink the tea before handing Xiao Fang the silk report in his other hand.

“Our scouts report that Liu Biao has divided his force of more than forty thousand into a vanguard and a rear army.”

“Liu Biao himself is leading the vanguard north, making straight for Rangyang. Cai Mao is bringing up the rear more than thirty miles behind him.”

“At most, Liu Biao’s vanguard will reach the walls of Nang County in two days.”

Xiao Fang took the report, read it over several times, then had Zhuge Liang bring out a map and carefully compared the two.

After a long moment in thought, he asked, “How do you intend to respond, my lord?”

Liu Bei pointed to the map.

“Yuyang is closer to Nang County. I had planned to force-march my troops day and night and reach the city before Liu Biao.”

“Once we join Wen Chang’s force, we’ll have more than eighteen thousand men. We can rest while our enemy tires and use Nang County’s defenses to blunt Liu Biao’s advance.”

“When Liu Biao has been attacking for some time and his men have lost their momentum, we can launch a counterattack.”

Liu Bei’s experience in command was undeniable. It was a sound plan.

But this time, his opponent was not Zhang Ji.

Zhang Ji had no capable strategist at his side. Liu Biao, by contrast, had Kuai Yue, renowned as the foremost strategist of Jingzhou and Xiangyang.

“Given Kuai Yue’s cunning, he will have anticipated your response, my lord.”

“If you really move your forces this way, you’ll fall into his feint—an attack in one direction to strike in another!”

Xiao Fang raised a hand and pointed to Wan City on the map.

“Liu Biao is pretending to reclaim Nang County. His true aim is to seize Wan City and settle the matter in a single stroke!”

Liu Bei stiffened, his face changing abruptly.