Chapter 10

"Starting today, you will train three times a day, and the schedule for meat will change from once every seven days to once every three days. Eat well and train hard for me!"

As Yuan Fang finished speaking, the two thousand soldiers present cheered with excitement.

It was well known that in Yuan's army, only the elite core units like the Xian Deng Camp could have meat every three days, while secondary units like the Pingyang Camp could only have meat once every seven days.

Yuan Fang knew that if the soldiers did not get enough meat and trained too much, their bodies would suffer. They would be too weak to fight the enemy, let alone train.

Yuan Fang pointed his hand, and the cheering soldiers quickly quieted down, listening to his instructions.

"Those three military officers and two司马 (military commanders) not only gambled in the army but also took bribes, deliberately making things difficult for me. I punished them with caning and expelled them from the army to teach them a harsh lesson! From now on, anyone who makes things difficult for me, Yuan Fang, and dares not to follow my orders, will pay with their life!"

Yuan Fang's words, full of menace, made the two thousand soldiers' hearts leap with fear.

Although Yuan Fang had never led an army, he was well-versed in military strategy and knew that leading an army required a balance of kindness and authority.

First, he used money to win the hearts of the soldiers, which was an act of kindness. Now, by speaking harshly, he was using authority.

Hao Zhao, standing behind him, nodded slightly, impressed by Yuan Fang's actions.

"Give this money to the soldiers as a reward. Each person gets two hundred coins to fill their purses!" Yuan Fang waved his hand and glanced at Hao Zhao.

"Agreed!" Hao Zhao swung his sword and shouted.

The coins were distributed, and the soldiers, holding them in their hands, were delighted and grateful, their morale reaching its peak.

Taking advantage of this momentum, Yuan Fang raised his voice and said, "This money is just a small gesture! Train well, fight bravely, and help me capture Qingzhou, and no amount of rewards will be too much. I, Yuan Fang, don't mind spending this money, but do you mind risking your lives?"

"For the young master, we don't mind risking our lives!" Hao Zhao raised his fist and led the shout.

The two thousand soldiers followed, standing straight with bloodshot eyes, eager to fight.

After his speech, Yuan Fang won the loyalty of the soldiers. He returned to the camp and arranged some personnel, placing his trusted subordinates like Yuan Gui in charge of accounts and provisions, controlling the key points of the army.

Next, he had Hao Zhao recommend a few people to fill the vacancies of the military officers.

Since Hao Zhao was straightforward, Yuan Fang trusted that the people he recommended would be capable and did not need to investigate them, appointing them directly.

By the time all this was done, it was already evening.

Yuan Fang was about to rest, but seeing that Hao Zhao seemed to have something to say, he asked, "Bodao, I like to hear frank words. If you have something to say, just speak up."

Hao Zhao's eyes flickered with surprise, impressed by Yuan Fang's perceptiveness in realizing he had something to say.

"Your insight is sharp, young master. I am in awe."

Hao Zhao bowed, "I wanted to say that your method of boosting morale is truly remarkable. However, the cost of providing meat every three days seems quite high, and it might become unsustainable in the long run."

Hao Zhao was thoughtful, not just flattering Yuan Fang but also pointing out the potential issues with his approach.

"Money is not something you need to worry about. I have my ways." Since Hao Zhao was not yet a trusted confidant, Yuan Fang did not tell him about the million coins he had taken from Yuan Xi.

Seeing Yuan Fang's confidence, Hao Zhao was no longer worried and bowed to leave.

As Hao Zhao left, his words lingered in Yuan Fang's mind.

Yuan Fang was well aware that war was about money. Even without going to battle, the annual expenses for two thousand troops would be several million coins, and the costs would increase exponentially during war.

A million coins seemed like a lot, but it would not last long.

However, as long as he could win battles, continuously capture territories, and gain population, these issues would not be a problem.

"At this point, I have no choice but to go all out. I must capture Qingzhou!"

Yuan Fang clenched his fist, his resolve growing stronger.

Two days later, Yuan Fang led his two thousand troops and set off, heading towards Qinghe, which bordered Qingzhou.

As soon as Yuan Fang left, the news was quickly relayed to the Fanyang brothers.

In Ye City, at the Yuan residence.

"That bastard dared to beat my men and even expelled them from the army! What a big dog he has!" Yuan Tan roared in anger.

The news of Yuan Fang caning the five officers and using his swift and decisive methods to win the hearts of the Pingyang Camp had reached the Fanyang brothers.

Yuan Tan had thought that these actions would give Yuan Fang a hard time, making it difficult for him to gain the support of the troops and prevent him from going to war.

But who would have thought that Yuan Fang's methods were so ruthless, easily breaking through the obstacles he had set.

"This bastard even dared to touch my brother's men, truly audacious. Brother, what should we do now?" Yuan Xi said with hatred.

Yuan Tan pondered for a moment and said, "We must act quickly. You should also set out with your troops. As for that bastard, I will send someone to inform the Qinghe commander, Zhu Ling, to deliberately disobey his orders. I want to see what that bastard can do with just two thousand troops."

Yuan Xi nodded repeatedly but had some concerns. "But Zhu Ling is not one of our direct subordinates. Will he listen to you, brother?"

"If he is smart, he will know my influence in the Yuan family. He dare not disobey!" Yuan Tan snorted, full of confidence.

Yuan Xi was reassured and hurriedly prepared to set out for Bingzhou.

...

A few days later, Yuan Fang's army arrived at Qinghe.

In the Han dynasty, commanderies and states coexisted below the state level. Qinghe State was essentially equivalent to Qinghe Commandery, with the commandery governor called the Grand Administrator and the state governor called the State Administrator.

Qinghe State was located in the easternmost part of Ji Province, bordering Pingyuan Commandery of Qingzhou. Yuan Fang intended to capture Qingzhou and launch his campaign from Qinghe.

"Qinghe State's capital is Geling City, which includes counties such as Geling, Dongwu, and Beiqiu. Commander Zhu Ling has three thousand troops stationed in Geling City..."

Hao Zhao spoke fluently about the situation in Qinghe State. His photographic memory made it easy for him to recall details, saving Yuan Fang the trouble of gathering intelligence.

"Is there anything notable about Zhu Ling?" Yuan Fang asked.

"Zhu Ling, whose courtesy name is Wenbo, is a native of Qinghe State. He was originally a powerful local figure in Shu County. When the county magistrate Ji Yong betrayed Yuan Gong and surrendered to Gong Sunzan, Yuan Gong sent Zhu Ling to suppress the rebellion. Ji Yong took Zhu Ling's family as hostages to threaten him, but Zhu Ling still attacked the city, resulting in the extermination of his family. Yuan Gong then promoted Zhu Ling to the rank of Commandant and assigned him to guard Qinghe State."

Hao Zhao clearly explained Zhu Ling's background in detail.

Yuan Fang was quite surprised after hearing this.

He only knew that Zhu Ling was originally a general under Yuan Shao and later joined Cao Cao, though not as prominent as Zhang Liao, he was still a capable general in Cao's camp.

But Yuan Fang did not know that Zhu Ling had such a tragic past.

"Hmm, it seems that Zhu Ling is a man who does not let personal matters interfere with his duties..."

Yuan Fang secretly admired him but then asked, "Do you know whose man Zhu Ling is?"

"According to my knowledge, Zhu Ling has not aligned himself with any of the young masters. Perhaps that is why, despite his abilities and achievements, his rank has remained at Commandant."

Hao Zhao's tone carried a hint of regret, as if lamenting that Zhu Ling, like himself, was not given the recognition he deserved.

"I have expelled Yuan Tan and Yuan Xi's men, so they will not let this go. They will likely hint to Zhu Ling not to follow my orders. However, from what Hao Zhao has said, Zhu Ling might not be easily swayed. I need to meet him..."

Yuan Fang nodded slightly, already forming a plan in his mind.

That afternoon, Yuan Fang's army arrived at Geling and set up camp to the south of the city.

Before the camp was fully established, Yuan Fang led a few riders directly into Geling City, heading for Zhu Ling's camp.

Yuan Fang, holding the tiger talisman, entered the camp and headed straight for Zhu Ling's main tent.

Zhu Ling was about to go and meet Yuan Fang but had not yet risen when he heard that Yuan Fang had already arrived. He hurriedly came out to greet him, and Yuan Fang was already a few steps away.

"Your subordinate Zhu Ling, pays respects to the third young master." Zhu Ling bowed slightly, his tone neither humble nor arrogant.

"General Zhu, I have heard much about you. Let's go inside and talk." Yuan Fang did not stand on ceremony and smiled as he entered the tent.

Zhu Ling followed, and as the commander, Yuan Fang naturally took the seat of honor.

After they were seated, before Zhu Ling could make small talk, Yuan Fang said, "General Zhu, be honest. Has my brother spoken to you, telling you not to follow my orders and to make things difficult for me?"

Zhu Ling's expression changed immediately upon hearing this.