Previously, Xu You had met with rejection at every turn from Yuan Shao and defected to Cao Cao in a fit of rage.
"I have an excellent strategy in mind. A-Man will surely need it."
On Xu You's advice, Cao Cao appointed Zhang Liao and Xu Chu to lead the vanguard and mustered five thousand elite troops, carrying dry grass and firewood, for an overnight raid on the Yuan Army's granary at Wuchao.
The view ahead gradually opened up.
Cao Cao removed the chopstick-like wooden stick from his mouth and asked, "Where are we?"
Zhang Liao pointed at the camp ahead. "My lord, Wuchao lies just ahead."
Cao Cao looked up at the star-filled sky. The fourth watch was nearly over, meaning it was almost three in the morning.
Thinking of how he had set out at dusk and breezed through three checkpoints, Cao Cao's lips curled upward, and he burst out laughing.
Puzzled, Zhang Liao asked, "Why do you laugh, my lord?"
Cao Cao explained, "People say godlike Yuan Shao is badass and Ju Shou is a peerless strategist. But as I see it, they're both incompetent!"
Zhang Liao asked curiously, "What makes you say that?"
Cao Cao surveyed their surroundings. "Look, Wenyuan. We've advanced deep into enemy territory alone and are utterly exhausted. If I were commanding their troops, I would station an ambush here, letting rested soldiers await a weary enemy before striking suddenly. Even if our army escaped annihilation, we would suffer terrible casualties! Ahahahahaha!"
But while Cao Cao was chuckling, a thunderous crash rang out overhead, and a meteor made its dazzling entrance!
Boom!
The blast wave swept through everything in its path, instantly vaporizing Cao Cao's five thousand troops!
``` [Chen Feng has killed Zhang Liao and Xu Chu]
[First kill: Crouching Dragon Emerges!]