James Carter saw everyone's reaction and continued, "After receiving this news, I discussed it at length with Advisor. Advisor already has a plan to defeat the enemy, and everyone must act according to orders!" With that, he turned his gaze to Benjamin Reed, signaling him to direct the others. Benjamin Reed gently waved his feather fan, remaining seated as he issued commands. First, he sent people to post notices at the four city gates, informing the residents: regardless of age or gender, anyone willing to follow James Carter should, starting today, go to Fancheng to take shelter! Next, he called over Matthew Scott and ordered him to go to the riverbank to allocate boats to aid the people. After Matthew Scott left, he summoned Stephen Collins and instructed him to escort the families of the officers to Fancheng. Once Stephen Collins had also departed with his orders, he began to dispatch the generals and arrange matters for confronting the enemy.

"Where is Yun Chang?" Benjamin Reed took a command arrow from in front of him and called out loudly. Robert Evans, hearing this, immediately stepped forward, stood before Benjamin, cupped his fists, and said, "Present!" Benjamin Reed smiled and instructed, "Yun Chang, take one thousand soldiers and set an ambush upstream of the Bai River. Each man is to carry a cloth bag filled with sand and earth. Once you reach the upper stream, use these to block the river's flow. After the third watch tomorrow night, as soon as you hear shouts and horse neighs downstream, immediately remove the bags and release the water to flood them. Then lead your troops downstream to attack and provide support." With that, he handed the command arrow to Robert Evans. Robert Evans received it and replied, "Understood!" then turned and left.

Seeing Robert Evans depart, Benjamin Reed called out again, "Where is Yide?" Michael Bolton, hearing his name, immediately jumped out and shouted, "Here I am!" This earned him a glare from James Carter. But Michael Bolton pretended not to notice, eagerly looking at Benjamin Reed, waiting for his assignment. Benjamin Reed, seeing this, immediately said, "Yide, lead one thousand troops to ambush at the Boling ferry crossing. The water there is the slowest; after the Cao army is flooded, they will surely try to escape from there, and you can seize the opportunity to attack!" Michael Bolton, hearing this, grinned widely and said, "Understood!" He took the command arrow and left, beaming with satisfaction.

At this moment, Benjamin Reed called again, "Zilong, Zihan!" Ethan Brooks, hearing his name, immediately stepped out from the ranks and replied, "At your command!" Benjamin Reed looked at the two and said, "You two will lead three thousand troops, divided into five teams. Each of you will lead one team to ambush outside the east gate, and the remaining three teams will ambush at the west, south, and north gates respectively. Before the ambush, hide plenty of sulfur and other flammable materials on the rooftops inside the city. When the Cao army enters, they will surely rest in the residences. After dusk tomorrow, there will be a strong wind. As soon as the wind rises, order the ambush troops at the west, south, and north gates to shoot fire arrows into the city. Once the city is ablaze, the soldiers outside will shout to boost morale, leaving only the east gate open for the enemy to escape. When the Cao army flees, you two will attack from behind. After daybreak, join up with Generals Guan and Zhang, then withdraw the troops back to Fancheng." David Clark and Ethan Brooks, hearing this, replied, "Understood!" David Clark took the command arrow, turned, and left the city command post. Then Benjamin Reed instructed Arthur Carter and Daniel Collins to take two thousand troops, half carrying red flags and half blue flags, and station themselves at Quewei Slope, thirty li outside Xinye. Once the Cao army arrives, the red-flag troops will be on the left, the blue-flag troops on the right, causing the Cao army to be suspicious and not dare to pursue. Afterwards, the two of them will ambush separately, and when they see the city on fire, they can pursue and attack the fleeing enemy. The two accepted their orders and left, while the rest followed James Carter and Benjamin Reed to a high vantage point to observe the situation and quietly await good news.

Ethan Brooks, together with David Clark, first went to the barracks to assemble three thousand troops. Then David Clark ordered his men to gather plenty of fire-starting materials, while he and Ethan Brooks waited quietly in the camp. This busy work lasted until nightfall, and by the time all the fire-starting materials were properly placed, it was already late at night. David Clark and Ethan Brooks each led five hundred soldiers to ambush outside the east gate, while the rest were stationed at the other three gates. At that time, David Clark said to Ethan Brooks, "Last time you captured Yu Jin and achieved great merit; this time, watch me earn the credit!" Ethan Brooks laughed and replied, "Last time, I got separated from you, General, in the chaos and lost my way, only to run into Yu Jin by chance. That achievement was thanks to heaven's help." David Clark laughed and said, "Zihan, you're too modest. How about we make a bet between the two of us?" Ethan Brooks was taken aback and asked, "What shall we bet on?" David Clark thought for a moment and said, "Let's bet on tomorrow's battle—whoever among us can capture a Cao general! Do you dare?" Ethan Brooks considered it. "Tomorrow, the ones coming will be Cao Ren, with Xu Chu as the vanguard. Neither of them is easy to deal with, and neither will be easily captured." Thinking this, he realized the bet would most likely end in a draw, so he replied, "Alright! I'll take the bet with you, General!" With that, he and David Clark clapped hands to seal the wager, then each led their troops to rest.

The next day, Ethan Brooks hid outside the east gate from early morning, his eyes fixed on the city, eagerly awaiting the famous fire that would engulf Xinye. He knew very well that the fire wouldn't start until after dusk at the earliest, but he couldn't suppress his excitement. Ethan Brooks spent the whole day in this agonizing anticipation. By afternoon, sounds of people began to rise from within Xinye, mixed with the occasional neighing of horses. Ethan Brooks thought to himself, "It seems the Cao army has entered the city. Now I just have to wait for the wind at dusk, and then we can set the city ablaze!"