Chapter 16

Zhu Ling was furious, and it was no wonder!

He had led a group of brothers, risking their lives for the Yuan family, always on the brink of death on the battlefield.

But Yuan Tan was quite the opposite; to deal with his own brother, he resorted to any means necessary, even secretly colluding with external enemies.

Yuan Tan’s despicable actions not only enraged Zhu Ling but also chilled his heart.

"They will stop at nothing to suppress me. When I am fully prepared, I will make them regret it."

Yuan Fang’s tone was stern, his bright eyes gleaming with a cold light. In front of Zhu Ling, he no longer concealed his determination for revenge.

Zhu Ling, seemingly intimidated by Yuan Fang’s aura, could not help but tremble slightly.

Looking at the steady and decisive Yuan Fang, Zhu Ling pondered for a moment, then stood up, clasped his hands, and said solemnly, "Second Young Master, from now on, Zhu Ling will follow your orders, ready to serve you in any capacity."

A month of interaction had made Zhu Ling see Yuan Fang’s exceptional qualities. Last night’s battle had deeply impressed him with Yuan Fang’s strategy and courage.

Zhu Ling’s words clearly expressed his loyalty and willingness to serve under Yuan Fang.

Yuan Fang was greatly comforted. He patted Zhu Ling’s shoulder and smiled, "With Wenbo’s help, it’s like adding wings to a tiger. I have more confidence in carving out my own territory."

Though Yuan Fang did not say it outright, his words subtly revealed his ambition to stand on his own.

Yuan Fang’s ambition, in turn, delighted Zhu Ling, who felt that his choice was right. The young man before him was truly a wise ruler.

With a sense of relief, Zhu Ling said, "Why not report this matter to Lord Yuan and give the eldest son a hard blow?"

"Defeating Liu Bei has already given Yuan Tan a hard slap."

Yuan Fang sneered, "Yuan Tan is very smart and did not leave any concrete evidence. If this matter is reported to Father, Yuan Tan might even turn it around and accuse me of deliberately framing him. My father would naturally favor him, which would be to my disadvantage."

"Indeed, Young Master is right," Zhu Ling nodded repeatedly, secretly admiring Yuan Fang’s meticulous thinking and thorough consideration.

Zhu Ling did not say more and immediately took his leave to handle post-battle affairs.

As soon as he left, Yuan Gui entered, clasping his hands, "Young Master’s foresight is remarkable. Our men indeed intercepted Guo Huai at the checkpoint west of Ganling."

Yuan Fang smiled and waved, "Bring him in."

Based on Yuan Fang’s calculations, after Guo Huai delivered Yuan Tan’s letter to Liu Bei, he would secretly return to Ye Cheng, trying to avoid the checkpoints around Ganling.

Yuan Fang, who would not easily let such a talent go, had also set up checkpoints on the eastern side of Ganling, at the border of Qinghe, on the route to Wei Commandery.

Thus, Guo Huai, who thought he had escaped, was caught red-handed.

After a short while, the tent flap was lifted, and Guo Huai, with a complex expression, entered.

"Your subordinate greets Second Young Master. I wonder why Second Young Master has summoned me?" Guo Huai asked with a smile.

Clearly, Guo Huai was still in the dark, unaware that Yuan Fang had long seen through his intentions, and was still pretending to be calm in front of Yuan Fang.

However, his guilty expression did not escape Yuan Fang’s sharp eyes.

"Your efforts, Guo Boji, were indispensable in my great victory. I have called you here to thank you properly," Yuan Fang said with a smile, not revealing the truth immediately.

Guo Huai’s body trembled, and he was utterly confused.

Yuan Fang stared at him with a mocking gaze and sneered, "Guo Boji, if it weren’t for your letter to the enemy, which prompted Liu Bei to launch a night attack on our camp, how could I have turned the tables and won a great victory? Can you say this victory was not due to your efforts?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Guo Huai’s face turned pale, and cold sweat poured down his forehead.

Earlier, on his way to the camp, Guo Huai had learned of Liu Bei’s failed night attack, and was puzzled about how Yuan Fang had managed to counter it.

Yuan Fang’s words now suddenly enlightened him.

Guo Huai, feeling guilty, could not understand how Yuan Fang had discovered his letter to Liu Bei, and was both shocked and confused, losing his composure.

"You don’t need to guess. After I got you drunk, I searched you and found the letter to the enemy. I then turned the tables. Otherwise, do you think I would have let you leave Ganling so easily?"

Yuan Fang, having enjoyed Guo Huai’s surprise, revealed the truth in a mocking tone.

The truth revealed, Guo Huai’s face turned ashen, and he was almost frozen in place, gasping for breath in shock.

He had never expected that Yuan Fang had long suspected him and had subtly uncovered his secret during the drinking session.

Such deep strategic thinking was far from the image of a weak and incapable person who had been confined to the mansion for twenty years.

After a while, Guo Huai regained his composure, fell to his knees, and said with a bitter smile, "I never thought Second Young Master would be so deeply hidden. I didn’t want to do this, but since you have seen through me, I have nothing to say. I will accept whatever punishment you decide."

Guo Huai admitted his actions and was willing to face the consequences, showing a hint of remorse in his expression and tone.

If it were a common person, Yuan Fang would have killed him long ago to vent his anger. Fortunately, Guo Huai was a talent, and Yuan Fang had the intention of using him.

Moreover, Yuan Fang could see that Guo Huai, under Yuan Tan’s orders, had acted out of fear of Yuan Tan’s power and might not have been willing at heart.

Thinking of this, Yuan Fang’s expression softened.

He helped Guo Huai up and sighed, "Guo Boji, you are a talent. Yuan Tan, to deal with me, his younger brother, would resort to such treacherous means. Can you really be content to serve such a person?"

Guo Huai’s body trembled, clearly touched by Yuan Fang’s question.

He sighed bitterly, his expression helpless, not knowing what to say.

"I won’t beat around the bush. I see you as a talent and want to keep you. If you are willing to serve me, I will forgive your past actions and consider them as if they never happened."

Yuan Fang spoke straightforwardly, expressing his intention to recruit Guo Huai.

Guo Huai’s expression changed, and he suddenly looked up, seeing a face that was calm, dignified, and extraordinary.

That aura subtly hinted at a regal presence.

After a moment’s thought, Guo Huai smiled bitterly and asked, "Second Young Master’s appreciation is truly touching, but even if I join your ranks, can you be sure that I won’t have ulterior motives?"

Guo Huai did not believe that Yuan Fang would have such confidence in using people.

Yuan Fang was not foolish; he would not trust someone without reason. Guo Huai had once been Yuan Tan’s man, and Yuan Fang would not recruit him without any precautions.

Yuan Fang smiled faintly and said confidently, "Rest assured, in a few days, you, Guo Boji, will be wholeheartedly loyal to me, because you will have no choice."

Looking at the confident Yuan Fang, Guo Huai was skeptical. If he joined Yuan Fang out of necessity, that was one thing, but how could Yuan Fang be so confident that he would be wholeheartedly loyal?

Seeing the doubtful Guo Huai, Yuan Fang waved his hand and said, "That’s enough. You can go for now. You’ll see soon enough."

Guo Huai left with a puzzled heart, while Yuan Fang sat down and wrote a letter.

After finishing the letter, Yuan Fang threw the pen and called out, "Where is Bo Dao?"

"I am here," Hao Zhao responded and entered.

"Send this report to Ye Cheng and deliver it to my father."

A messenger set out that night, carrying the news of Yuan Fang’s great victory at Ganling to Ye Cheng.

A few days later, the news of the great victory at Ganling spread throughout the city.

The entire city of Ye Cheng was in an uproar, and for a time, Yuan Fang became the focal point of discussion among officials and commoners alike.

"Who would have thought that Second Young Master Yuan would win a battle?"

"Isn’t Yuan Fang a cripple? I heard he’s a weakling. How did he suddenly become so capable?"

"To win a battle with just a few thousand weak soldiers, it seems Second Young Master Yuan is deeply hidden. As for Third Young Master Yuan, I heard his troops were all elite, yet he was defeated by the Black Mountain bandits."

...

Yuan Fang’s victory had become the talk of the town, and everyone looked at him with new respect.

In the residence of the Chariot and Cavalry General, Yuan Tan’s frown deepened as he read the copied report, and his face grew increasingly dark.

"How is this possible? My plan was flawless. How could that bastard win?"

Yuan Tan was both angry and surprised, unable to understand how Yuan Fang had managed to counter Liu Bei’s night attack.

Reading the last part of the report, Yuan Tan’s face turned red with anger, and he slammed his hand on the table, cursing, "No wonder that bastard won. It turns out Guo Huai, that traitor, dared to betray me!"

The report clearly stated that Guo Huai, the Prefect of Wei Commandery, had offered a false surrender plan, luring Liu Bei into a night attack, which led to his falling into Yuan Fang’s trap.