Chapter 13

The night was deep, and in the hall, it was still lively.

Hao Zhao stood outside, watching Yuan Fang enthusiastically drinking with Guo Huai, a hint of confusion crossing his face.

"This Guo Huai is clearly the eldest son's man, yet the second son is treating him so warmly. It's really quite strange..."

While Hao Zhao was pondering, there was a "clank" in the hall. Guo Huai, unable to handle the alcohol, finally collapsed to the ground.

"The liquor of the future has a much higher alcohol content than the current one. Knocking you out is simply too easy."

Yuan Fang sneered, finishing the remaining wine in his cup. When he raised his head, the warm smile was gone, and a cold expression appeared on his handsome face.

After finishing the wine, Yuan Fang slowly stood up and waved his hand. "Boda, search him thoroughly and see if there's anything suspicious."

Hao Zhao was initially stunned, but then he suddenly understood.

Only then did he realize that Yuan Fang's warm hospitality towards Guo Huai was to get him drunk and search him without alarming him.

Understanding Yuan Fang's intentions, Hao Zhao couldn't help but show admiration.

He sincerely admired Yuan Fang's cunning and was even more amazed by his alcohol tolerance. So many jars of wine had left Guo Huai unconscious, but Yuan Fang remained as calm as ever, showing no signs of intoxication.

Guo Huai, completely drunk, had no awareness and could only be searched by Hao Zhao.

After searching for a while, Hao Zhao found a letter from his inner pocket and quickly presented it to Yuan Fang.

Yuan Fang opened it and read it carefully. A mocking smile gradually appeared on his lips. "Just as I expected, my elder brother is indeed trying to sabotage me again."

Yuan Fang handed the letter to Hao Zhao to read, now considering him a trusted confidant.

After reading it, Hao Zhao couldn't help but exclaim, "The eldest son is using such means to deal with the second son. Does he have any sense of right and wrong!"

It turned out that the letter was a secret message from Yuan Tan to Liu Bei.

In the letter, Yuan Tan revealed to Liu Bei that Yuan Fang had only two thousand troops and that he had ordered Zhu Ling not to follow Yuan Fang's orders. He suggested that Liu Bei take advantage of Yuan Fang's unstable position and launch an attack, which would surely result in Yuan Fang's defeat.

Yuan Fang's conquest of Qingzhou, though a competition with Yuan Xi, was ultimately for the expansion of the Yuan family's territory.

However, Yuan Tan, to help his brother Yuan Xi, was willing to collude with the enemy at the cost of the Yuan family's interests, which shocked Hao Zhao, a man of integrity.

"There's nothing to be surprised about. If my elder brother didn't do this, I would find it strange."

Yuan Fang spoke with disdain, seemingly prepared for Yuan Tan's despicable tactics.

He clearly remembered that in history, after Yuan Shao's death, Yuan Tan, to compete with Yuan Shang for control of Hebei, chose to surrender to Cao Cao, inviting the wolf into his home, which ultimately led to the disintegration of the Yuan family and benefited Cao Cao.

So now, it's not surprising that Yuan Tan would collude with Liu Bei to suppress him.

"Second son, what should we do now? Should we take Guo Huai to the lord for punishment?" Hao Zhao asked, somewhat indignant.

Yuan Fang shook his head. "Yuan Tan is very smart. This letter is not in his handwriting, and there is no signature. Based solely on Guo Huai's testimony, we cannot prove that Yuan Tan colluded with Liu Bei. If I report this to my father, he might turn it around and accuse me of framing him. Then, would my father believe me or him?"

Hao Zhao was taken aback, quickly understanding Yuan Fang's meaning and remaining silent.

Yuan Fang paced in the hall, stroking his chin, his brows slightly furrowed, deep in thought.

After a moment of contemplation, a cunning look flashed in Yuan Fang's eyes, and he waved his hand. "Put the letter back on him as it is. Tomorrow, when he wakes up, send him out of the city politely."

Hao Zhao was startled and urgently said, "If we let Guo Huai go, he will surely reveal our weaknesses to the enemy, which could be detrimental to our army. Please reconsider, my lord."

"I want Guo Huai to reveal our weaknesses to Liu Bei."

Yuan Fang was calm and composed, his young face showing a hint of cunning.

Hao Zhao was momentarily confused, stunned for a moment, and then suddenly his body trembled, his eyes flashing with surprise.

Hao Zhao was a smart man and quickly guessed Yuan Fang's intentions.

"Does my lord intend to..."

"Understand it in your heart, no need to say it out loud."

Yuan Fang interrupted Hao Zhao, as he had only recently taken command of the army, and there might still be Yuan Tan's spies in the ranks.

"Didn't my lord plan to train the troops for three months, till the fallow land, and then engage Liu Bei in battle? Isn't it a bit early to act now?" Hao Zhao asked, concerned.

Yuan Fang stood with his hands behind his back and said coldly, "Plans can never keep up with changes. Yuan Tan is treating me like this, so I must win a battle to show him that I am not to be trifled with."

The young man stood tall, exuding decisiveness and confidence.

Hao Zhao, seemingly inspired by Yuan Fang's confidence, felt a surge of passion in his heart.

Understanding Yuan Fang's intentions, Hao Zhao said no more, only following his orders to carefully place the letter back on Guo Huai.

The next day, the sun was high.

Guo Huai groggily opened his eyes, looked around in confusion, and suddenly remembered what had happened the night before.

"Oh no, how could I get so drunk and ruin such an important matter!"

Guo Huai was both shocked and self-reproachful, jumping up and frantically searching his body. After a while, he finally found the letter.

Seeing the letter was still there, Guo Huai let out a long sigh of relief and quickly went to bid farewell to Yuan Fang.

Yuan Fang did not try to retain him and personally saw Guo Huai off the camp.

As they parted, Yuan Fang sighed, "It was a pleasure to drink and discuss the world with you, Boji. I hope we can do this again. Take care on your journey."

Yuan Fang's words and actions showed great respect and courtesy towards Guo Huai, making him feel a twinge of guilt.

"People say the second son is a weak and useless person, but I never expected him to be so respectful and gracious. His demeanor seems to far surpass that of the eldest son. He treated me so well, yet I... sigh..."

Guo Huai felt self-reproachful but was helpless, only sighing inwardly as he bid farewell to Yuan Fang and left.

Watching Guo Huai depart, a stern look appeared in Yuan Fang's eyes.

"Boji, where are you?" Yuan Fang called out.

"Here, my lord," Hao Zhao rode up.

Yuan Fang raised his horsewhip and said solemnly, "Pass my orders: from today, the entire army must strengthen its vigilance. Double the number of scouts and closely monitor all roads leading to Pingyuan, especially the smaller paths."

"Understood!" Hao Zhao responded solemnly.

"Also, tell the soldiers to be on high alert and to intensify their training. Remind them that a major battle is coming soon," Yuan Fang added another order.

"Understood, my lord," Hao Zhao acknowledged and rode off.

Yuan Fang's gaze extended to the east, his eyes filled with fearless determination.

"Liu Bei, if you dare to collude with Yuan Tan, come if you dare. I, Yuan Fang, am waiting for you!"