Jiang Gan returns to the north of the river to report to Cao cao the completion of his assignment. Jiang Gan informs Cao Cao that he has brought with him master Pang Tong who is still onboard. Cao Cao should, please, go down to welcome him. Cao Cao does not believe Jiang Gan. He feels pressed to receive Pang Tong in spite of his suspicion that is not the right person. So he finds out a flexible solution. He orders some officials to take with them a sedan chair with eight bearers to pick up Pang Tong. Cao Cao himself stays at the entrance of the main tent to receive him there. Then he holds a banquet for Pang Tong in the main tent, and invites him to watch his ground and naval troops exercise. Back in the tent Cao Cao asks Pang Tong to come up with a plan, and at this point Pan Tong explains his strategy.
蔣幹回到江北見曹操，繳令銷差，雲稱把龐士雲先生帶回江北，人在船上，請丞相去迎接。曹操不相信，但是又不能不接，去又怕接錯。想了個變通辦法，命中軍官帶一頂八人擡大轎去迎接。自己迎接到中軍帳口。中軍帳擺酒款待，邀請龐統觀看水陸兩營開操。回到中軍帳求計于龐統，龐統此刻才獻計於曹操。