Chapter 21: Brother-in-Law's Mastermind, Unrivaled in the World!

“This… you could say that.”
“But I can’t be certain that Lü Bu and Yuan Shu would pursue us this far; better to be prepared than caught off guard.”

Xiao Fang’s response was casual, yet everyone listening suddenly widened their eyes in shock.

Liu Bei and Guan Yu exchanged glances, a wave of terror surfacing in their eyes simultaneously.

From Haixi to Chengfu City, it had taken nearly half a month.

In other words, Xiao Jingluo had anticipated a battle with the pursuing forces of Yuan and Lü at least two weeks ago.

Hence, he had chosen Chengfu City in advance as the site to ambush and defeat the enemy?

Such foresight was almost frightening…

Beside them, Zhuge Liang, who had been etching notes, held his brush knife suspended midair, his eyes round as saucers fixed on his brother-in-law.

At this moment, the turmoil in his heart surpassed even that of Liu Bei.

Because when he accompanied Xiao Fang to Xuzhou and passed through Chengfu City, Xiao Fang deliberately stayed for two days to personally inspect the surrounding terrain.

He had even led Zhuge Liang back and forth through the valley where the ambush was planned, climbing all the nearby heights.

At the time, Zhuge Liang wondered why his brother-in-law was so captivated by this unremarkable landscape.

Only now did he realize that Xiao Fang was not admiring the scenery but surveying the terrain to select the battlefield for today’s ambush.

That was at least two months ago!

“Such far-reaching strategy, none in the world can match it.”

“I wonder when my own wisdom will ever rival that of my brother-in-law…”

Zhuge Liang felt a surge of admiration, his eyes brightening with respect.

“Gurgle, gurgle, gurgle…”

Amid the admiring gazes, Xiao Fang’s stomach audibly protested at the worst moment.

He had no choice but to clutch his belly and smile awkwardly:

“After a full day’s march, I’m starving through and through.”

“My lord, shall we eat first before continuing on?”

The words barely left his mouth before he felt something was amiss.

Eating first before marching on—it somehow sounded ominous…

Liu Bei quickly shook off the thought and laughed heartily:

“Send someone at once to bring wine and meat! How can I let my strategist advise on an empty stomach?”

“Order the cooks to prepare meals immediately! Once our soldiers are well-fed and refreshed, we’ll have the strength to deal with the pursuers!”

Laughter echoed throughout the hall.

…

At dawn the next day, six thousand troops marched in full force, arriving beneath Chengfu City.

Among their ranks fluttered the banners bearing the names Lü and Yuan.

By now, Chengfu City was deserted and empty, and the allied forces of Yuan and Lü easily occupied the small town by the shores of the Luo River.

“Reporting to the generals: after interrogating the townsfolk, Liu Bei fled Chengfu last night, heading west along the official road.”

“Liu Bei’s force numbers about three thousand, but he is accompanied by many women and children, as well as nearly a hundred supply wagons laden with money and provisions.”

Upon hearing the scout’s report, Cao Bao and Li Feng exchanged looks, both eyes gleaming with excitement.

“The ‘Big-Eared Bandit’ is hauling so much baggage and family; his march must be slow—he won’t get far.”

“Brother Li, let’s pursue lightly equipped. Within half a day, we’ll catch up for sure!”

Cao Bao’s voice brimmed with confidence.

“The Big-Eared Bandit killed my eldest son. My lord ordered me to slay Liu Bei or bring back my own head.”

“Don’t say he can’t escape far—even if he flees to the ends of the earth, I will pursue him relentlessly!”

“Let’s go!”

Li Feng was decisive, vaulting onto his horse without hesitation.

The two generals gave no orders for the soldiers to rest, charging out the west gate of Chengfu City and galloping along the official road.

By now, the sun was fully risen.

Within seven or eight miles, they soon came upon abandoned supply wagons, with grain and money scattered across the road.

Further on for more than ten miles, the discarded supplies were everywhere, even weapons and banners littered the path.

They were scattered in fragments along the road.

Cao Bao pointed his horsewhip at the debris with a sneer:

“Li Feng, see here? This means the Big-Eared Bandit knew we were chasing and was forced to abandon his supplies to flee light!”

“I reckon his army’s morale is broken; they won’t withstand a single blow!”

Li Feng’s face also bore a smug expression, disdainful:

“Even if their morale isn’t broken, with our combined forces twice their size, how could we fail to crush them?”

The two exchanged knowing smiles, their expressions filled with scorn and contempt.

As they spoke, the faint sight of banners and soldiers appeared ahead.

“The banner with the character ‘Zhang’! That must be Zhang Fei!”

“Looks like just over a thousand men—probably the rear guard of the Big-Eared Bandit’s army!”

Cao Bao recognized Zhang Fei’s banner instantly, his face twisting with rage.

The humiliation suffered at Xiapi at Zhang Fei’s whip was still vivid in his memory.

Even the scars on his back hadn’t fully healed, a permanent reminder.

Enemies meeting only intensified his fury.

Eyes blazing, Cao Bao raised his sword and shouted:

“Army, heed my orders! Follow me to slaughter the enemy!”

“I will kill Zhang Fei, that butcher, to avenge my humiliation!”

Cao Bao spurred his horse forward, leading his three thousand Danyang troops to charge at Zhang Fei’s forces.

Cao Bao sought to wash away his shame, while Li Feng aimed to seize glory.

His own eldest son, Yuan Yao, had been slain by Zhang Fei—a mortal enemy of their lord Yuan Shu.

If they could also take Zhang Fei’s head, upon returning to Shouchun, Yuan Shu would surely lavish even greater rewards.

“Soldiers of the Yuan family! The time has come to avenge our eldest son!”

“Whoever brings Zhang Fei’s head will be richly rewarded by our lord!”

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