Chapter 18

Guo Huai finally submitted, impressed by Yuan Fang's demeanor and wisdom, even more so by his methods.

For Yuan Fang, it didn't matter how one submitted; as long as they were willing to join him and serve him loyally, that was enough, even if it was through submission to his tactics.

"Boji's submission truly adds wings to a tiger. Come, someone, bring wine. I want to drink a thousand cups with Boji, hahaha—"

Once Guo Huai submitted, Yuan Fang showed his generosity, sparing no expense on fine wine, drinking heartily.

At first, Guo Huai still had some reservations, after all, he had been "outmaneuvered" by Yuan Fang and forced to submit.

But soon, Guo Huai was infected by Yuan Fang's generous demeanor, and those reservations quietly dissipated.

After a few cups of wine, Guo Huai raised his hands and said, "Second Young Master, you treat me so well, I must repay your kindness. I have a few words to offer, but I'm not sure if they are appropriate."

Yuan Fang waved his hand and laughed heartily, "Speak your mind. I like to hear you speak the truth."

"Today, you have defeated Liu Bei. Once Gongsun Zan receives the news, he will certainly reinforce Pingyuan to counterattack. With our current forces, if the enemy attacks with superior numbers, it will be very disadvantageous for us."

Guo Huai analyzed the situation and concluded, "Therefore, I believe you should quickly request reinforcements from the Lord to strengthen our forces and prepare for the enemy's counterattack."

Guo Huai's words made Yuan Fang calm down.

To be honest, Liu Bei's strength was indeed above his own. The previous defeat was largely due to Liu Bei falling for his strategy.

As Guo Huai said, if Gongsun Zan reinforces Liu Bei, and Liu Bei launches a frontal attack from Pingyuan, it would be difficult to resist with only five thousand troops.

"This Guo Huai indeed has some strategic insight. He has just submitted and already offered useful advice. It seems the effort I put into recruiting him was worth it..."

After deep thought, Yuan Fang nodded in approval, "Boji's words are very wise. I will write a letter to my father to request reinforcements."

Not only did Yuan Fang adopt Guo Huai's advice, but he also asked Guo Huai to draft the letter to Yuan Shao.

Yuan Fang did this partly because he was a穿越者 (穿越者 means someone who has traveled through time, but in this context, it can be translated as "a person from another time") and was not particularly skilled in calligraphy and writing, and partly to test Guo Huai's literary abilities.

Guo Huai was secretly surprised. He didn't expect Yuan Fang to trust him so completely, not only adopting his advice but also having him draft the letter to Yuan Shao.

This level of trust and confidence in his abilities truly made Guo Huai feel honored.

"Compared to Yuan Tan and Yuan Xi, Second Young Master's demeanor is far superior..."

Guo Huai praised him in his heart and quickly wrote the letter without hesitation.

Yuan Fang carefully reviewed it and found that Guo Huai's letter was well-crafted, with meticulous wording and a tight structure.

Yuan Fang knew from history that Guo Huai was exceptionally talented in both literature and military strategy. He could serve as a governor, nurturing the people and securing the region, and also engage in battles with Shuhan, winning repeatedly.

After hearing Guo Huai's advice and seeing his writing, Yuan Fang realized that the historical records were not exaggerated. Guo Huai was indeed a talented person in both literature and military affairs.

"Recruiting this Guo Huai was truly worth it."

Yuan Fang was satisfied and immediately sent the letter requesting merit and reinforcements to Yuan Shao's northern camp via a fast courier.

However, after sending the letter, it seemed to disappear without a trace, like a stone thrown into the sea.

Days passed, and intelligence from Qingzhou confirmed that, as Guo Huai had predicted, Gongsun Zan was reinforcing Liu Bei in Pingyuan.

With Gongsun Zan's reinforcements, Liu Bei gradually recovered from his defeat at Geling and began preparing for a major offensive against Qinghe.

Yuan Fang intensified his training of the troops and sent several letters to Yuan Shao requesting reinforcements.

Under Yuan Fang's repeated urging, Yuan Shao finally responded, albeit reluctantly, citing the imminent major battle with Gongsun Zan's main force as a reason for not being able to spare troops. He instructed Yuan Fang to find a way to hold off the enemy's attack from Qingzhou.

Slam!

Yuan Fang threw Yuan Shao's reply on the table and coldly snorted, "My father is truly biased, afraid that I might win another victory, he refuses to send me even a single soldier."

The generals around him, including Hao Zhao and Zhu Ling, all showed signs of displeasure at Yuan Shao's refusal to send reinforcements.

"What is the reaction of the staff in the northern camp?" Yuan Fang turned his gaze to Yuan Gui.

Yuan Gui replied, "My Lord, according to our informants in the camp, Xin Ping and Xu You are the ones advocating against sending reinforcements. Only Tian Feng is advising the Lord to send reinforcements. The other officials and generals are remaining silent."

"No wonder, it's Yuan Tan's doing again," Yuan Fang said with a cold smile.

Xin Ping and Xu You, like Guo Tu, were from the Runing region and were closely associated with Yuan Tan, with many of them secretly serving as his confidants.

Yuan Shao's northern campaign against Youzhou had Guo Tu remaining in Ye City, but Xin Ping and Xu You were with the army as advisors. They had been close to Yuan Shao for years and had significant influence over him.

Yuan Fang guessed that Yuan Tan must have secretly instructed Xin Ping and Xu You to persuade Yuan Shao not to send reinforcements.

"If Qinghe falls, the Lord's flank will be threatened. The eldest son is completely disregarding the bigger picture, which is truly..."

Guo Huai shook his head and sighed, deeply disappointed in his former lord, Yuan Tan.

"Second Young Master, what should we do now?" Zhu Ling asked solemnly.

All the generals looked at Yuan Fang, waiting for his decision.

Yuan Fang stroked his chin, pondering for a long time, and then said calmly, "It seems I must personally visit the northern camp to persuade my father to send reinforcements."

In fact, Yuan Fang believed that with his current strength, even if Liu Bei received reinforcements and launched a major offensive, he could hold Qinghe and force Liu Bei to retreat.

However, such a strategy would result in significant losses of troops and resources, which Yuan Fang, unlike Yuan Xi, could not afford.

Moreover, while nominally fighting for Yuan Shao to take Qingzhou, Yuan Fang was actually expanding his own territory. It was in his best interest to "trick" as many troops as possible from Yuan Shao.

After much consideration, Yuan Fang decided to visit the northern camp to see if he could persuade Yuan Shao to send some troops.

Having made up his mind, Yuan Fang instructed Hao Zhao, Zhu Ling, and Guo Huai to defend the city and camp until his return.

Yuan Fang set out that day with Yuan Gui and dozens of his personal guards, traveling day and night toward Lecun.

Lecun was about three hundred miles from Geling. Yuan Fang and his party rode swiftly and soon entered the territory of Hejian.

As the sun began to set, Yuan Fang led his men to the nearest city, Gonggao, to rest for the night and continue their journey to Lecun the next morning.

Looking ahead, the southern gate of Gonggao was in sight. Yuan Fang slowed his pace and entered the city gate.

A few scattered travelers were hurrying north, trying to enter Gonggao before the city gates closed for the night.

However, two figures were moving against the flow, heading south.

These two stood out on the road, drawing Yuan Fang's attention.

He saw a young servant leading a black donkey, with two wine gourds hanging from its neck.

On the donkey's back, a young man was riding backward.

The young man was dressed in a scholar's robe, but he held a wine gourd high and drank deeply, his demeanor wild and unrefined, lacking the elegance of a scholar.

"Good wine, good wine! Drinking fine wine while watching the sunset, what a joy, hahaha~"

The young man laughed heartily, took another large gulp, and splashed wine all over his face and clothes, seemingly unconcerned.

"What a crazy drunkard..."

The passersby pointed and whispered, covering their noses and moving away, their eyes filled with disgust.

The young man's wild behavior, however, struck Yuan Fang as rather admirable. As he passed by, he couldn't help but take a second look.

When Yuan Fang saw the young man's face, he was surprised.

"Could it be him?"