Chapter 17

Yuantan was so angry that he felt his lungs were about to explode.

He never would have thought that his trusted aide, Guo Huai, would be miraculously turned by Yuan Fang, helping him to devise a plan to lure the enemy.

This was like he had painstakingly laid out a plan, only to end up picking up a stone and dropping it on his own foot.

"There's also that scoundrel Zhu Ling. He actually dared to disobey my orders and follow Yuan Fang's command. How hateful!"

Yuantan was not just angry at one person; there was also Zhu Ling, who dared to defy him and not give him face.

"Someone, quickly summon Guo Gongze to see me." Yuantan roared, wanting to summon Guo Tu to discuss a response.

Before long, Guo Tu hurriedly arrived, dust-covered.

Yuantan slammed the report on the table in front of Guo Tu and said angrily, "Guo Gongze, this is the strategy you gave me. Take a look yourself."

Guo Tu picked up the report and his expression turned both surprised and amazed, his face full of disbelief.

After a while, Guo Tu finally came to his senses and said in amazement, "What methods did this Yuan Fang use to make Guo Huai defect and even make Zhu Ling dare to disobey your orders? This is truly incredible."

"Hmph, I don't care what tricks this bastard has. Guo Gongze, tell me, what should I do now?" Yuantan demanded.

"Well..."

Guo Tu fell silent, stroking his mustache, shaking his head and closing his eyes in deep thought.

After a moment, Guo Tu opened his eyes and said with a cold laugh, "My lord, don't worry. Yuan Fang won't be得意 for long. Gongsun Zan is not someone to be trifled with. This time, he won by luck, but when Gongsun Zan is enraged, he will certainly reinforce Beiping. When that happens, we'll give him a hard time from behind, and he'll have no choice but to retreat."

Yuantan thought it made sense, and his anger subsided somewhat. He tore the report into pieces and said coldly, "Bastard, do you think you can win this competition just because you won a battle by luck? Dream on, hehe~"

...

In Qu Liang City, at the Zhen residence.

"I never thought that Yuan Fang would win a battle, while the Third Young Master of the Yuan family would suffer a great defeat. This is too unreasonable."

In the hall, Zhen Yi held the message from Ye City, shaking his head and sighing, his face full of confusion.

Beside him, his eldest son, Zhen Yao, also looked incredulous. Both father and son were baffled by the news.

After a while, Zhen Yao finally calmed down and said with a cold laugh, "Father, don't worry too much. That bastard probably just got lucky. In the end, he will still lose to the Third Young Master. After all, the Third Young Master's strength is well-known."

Zhen Yi nodded slightly, "You're right. We don't need to rush. Let's just wait patiently for the Third Young Master's good news."

The mood of the father and son quickly improved, and they remained confident in Yuan Xi.

In the eastern wing of the residence, in a beautifully decorated boudoir, a girl as beautiful as a lotus listened to the news about Yuan Fang's victory from her maid, and smiled faintly, her clear eyes showing a hint of joy.

"Miss, you said that the Second Young Master was a young hero, and I didn't believe you. Now it seems that your judgment was right," the maid named Cuier said with a sigh.

Hearing the maid's praise for Yuan Fang, the girl's expression showed even more satisfaction.

She stood up, her graceful figure moving to the window, and gazed at the clouds in the distance, murmuring, "I really want to see him in action on the battlefield..."

...

In Hejian County, at Yuecheng.

Yuan Shao personally commanded several tens of thousands of troops, stationed here, preparing to take advantage of the victory at Jie Bridge to advance north and capture Youzhou.

The news of the victory at Geling was delivered to the front lines by a fast horse from Ye City.

"I never thought that the Second Young Master would win such a brilliant victory. It seems I need to reassess the Second Young Master's strength," Tian Feng said, holding the report and nodding in approval, hurrying to the main tent.

Excitedly entering the tent, Tian Feng presented the report with both hands and said, "My lord, good news! The Second Young Master defeated the enemy's night attack at Geling and captured or killed over two thousand of the enemy."

Yuan Shao's expression changed slightly, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, as if he couldn't believe what Tian Feng said.

He took the report, glanced at it, but instead of showing joy, his brows furrowed.

"Oh, I see." Yuan Shao responded indifferently, casually tossing the report on the table.

Yuan Shao's cold attitude was like a bucket of cold water poured over Tian Feng, extinguishing most of his excitement.

Tian Feng hesitated for a moment and couldn't help but say, "My lord, the Second Young Master's victory is rare. I believe you should reward him to recognize his achievements."

"It's just a small victory. There's no need to reward him; it might make him arrogant."

Yuan Shao rejected Tian Feng's suggestion and pointed to the map, saying, "Let's not talk about this anymore. Yuanhao, let's discuss the plan to capture Youzhou."

Seeing that Yuan Shao completely disregarded Yuan Fang's victory, Tian Feng's brows furrowed, feeling unfair for Yuan Fang.

"My lord, because you dislike the Second Young Master, you are being unfair in rewards and punishments, which is not befitting of a leader..." Tian Feng sighed inwardly.

...

Outside Geling City, at the camp.

Yuan Fang was reading through the secret reports, his gaze calm and still, giving no hint of his thoughts.

He had many informants in the Ye City area, always keeping an eye on the situation there. In recent days, the informants had continuously brought him news of the reactions of the nobles and people of Ye City to his great victory.

In summary, most people's reactions could be described in eight words:

Greatly surprised,刮目相看.

Yuan Fang knew that his former image as a weak and incapable person was gradually being dismantled, and the image of a young and extraordinary person, wise and strategic, was slowly forming in people's minds.

These changes were exactly what Yuan Fang wanted to see.

"I wonder what my eldest brother will be like when he hears this news. I bet he's probably thinking of ways to trip me up right now..."

As he was lost in thought, Guo Huai entered the tent.

Yuan Fang put down the secret report and smiled faintly, "Boji, you and I are now both the talk of the town in Ye City."

Guo Huai was taken aback, not understanding what Yuan Fang meant.

Yuan Fang then handed him an identical report.

Guo Huai, filled with doubt, took it and read it carefully. When he reached the end, his expression changed dramatically.

"Second Young Master... this..."

Guo Huai looked at Yuan Fang in shock, not understanding why the report said he had voluntarily offered a false defection plan to lure Liu Bei into a surprise attack, which led to Yuan Fang's victory.

A glint of cunning flashed in Yuan Fang's eyes, and he smiled, "Guo Boji, this time, you should finally be completely convinced to serve me, Yuan Fang."

Guo Huai's body trembled, and he suddenly understood.

Only then did he realize Yuan Fang's intention in writing this report.

This report was less a report of victory and more a scheme to sow discord.

Yuan Fang wanted Yuantan to mistakenly believe that Guo Huai had betrayed him, which led to Yuan Fang's great victory. As a "traitor," Guo Huai would be deeply hated by Yuantan, leaving him no choice but to join Yuan Fang.

"This Second Young Master is truly a capable hero, with the skills of a great leader..."

Guo Huai felt both admiration and helplessness.

After sighing for a long time, Guo Huai took a deep breath and bowed to Yuan Fang, "The Second Young Master's magnanimity and wisdom are truly awe-inspiring. I, Huai, am willing to serve under the Second Young Master and will do anything for you, no matter the cost."