Chapter 19

"Are you Guo Jia, also known as Guo Fengxiao?" Yuan Fang asked loudly.

The "drunkard" on the donkey seemed startled by this sudden question, his thin body trembling, and he fell off the donkey with a thud.

Seeing the drunkard's狼狈样, the passersby, and even Yuan Fang's personal guards, could hardly suppress their laughter.

"Ouch, that hurts..." The drunkard rubbed his buttocks and got up from the ground, grimacing.

Yuan Fang couldn't help but laugh at his appearance, pointing with his horsewhip and reminding him, "Your wine has spilled."

The drunkard looked down and saw large streams of wine flowing out of the fallen gourd.

"Oh no, my fine wine, my fine wine!"

The drunkard shouted, quickly picking up the wine gourd. Seeing the wine spilled on the ground, his mouth pouted, and he looked heartbroken.

"Judging by his love for wine, he must be the legendary Guo Jia," Yuan Fang thought to himself with a smile.

Yuan Fang had carefully studied and analyzed the talents in Yuan Shao's camp, pondering which of them could be most likely to serve him.

Yuan Fang remembered that historically, Guo Jia was originally under Yuan Shao but left because he saw that Yuan Shao could not achieve great things, and then joined Cao Cao.

A genius like Guo Jia, who had no good feelings towards Yuan Shao, was exactly the kind of person Yuan Fang wanted to win over.

From Hao Zhao, who had a photographic memory, Yuan Fang learned that Guo Jia was a free-spirited and wine-loving person, unconcerned with trivial matters, and was always seen as an unconventional figure by serious elders like Tian Feng and Ju Shou in Yuan Shao's court.

From the demeanor of this "drunkard," Yuan Fang was certain that he must be Guo Jia.

"Mr. Guo, instead of strategizing for your father on the front lines, why are you here alone? Are you planning to desert?" Yuan Fang asked.

Guo Jia raised his head, his gaze shifting from the wine gourd to Yuan Fang.

With a tipsy look, he squinted for a while before recognizing Yuan Fang and said with a smile, "It's the second young master, what a coincidence."

Yuan Fang said calmly, "Mr. Guo, you haven't answered my question."

"Question?" Guo Jia was puzzled for a moment, then recalled and sighed, "Second young master, you don't need to call me Mr. Guo anymore. I've resigned from my post and am now preparing to retire to my hometown, so I'm heading south."

As expected.

"Father has just defeated Gongsun Zan, and his momentum is at its peak. It's quite puzzling that you would resign at this time," Yuan Fang said with a probing smile.

Guo Jia shrugged and shook his wine gourd, saying, "Even the best wine in the gourd, if it doesn't suit one's taste, is tasteless. It's better to pour it out."

As he spoke, Guo Jia squinted at the gourd a few times and suddenly exclaimed, "Oh no, how did dust get into the gourd? What a pity, a good gourd of wine has been ruined. I guess I'll have to pour it out."

With that, Guo Jia, who had been heartbroken a moment ago, changed his demeanor and poured out the wine without hesitation.

Seeing this, Yuan Gui couldn't help but lean close to Yuan Fang and whispered, "Young master, this man talks nonsense and acts strangely. I think he's a weirdo. Let's not waste time with him and go into the city quickly."

"You don't understand. Extraordinary people do extraordinary things. His words may seem nonsensical, but they are full of deep meaning," Yuan Fang said calmly.

"Deep meaning? I can't see any deep meaning. He's just so drunk that his tongue is tied..."

Although Yuan Gui was loyal, his wisdom was limited. To him, Guo Jia was just a rambling drunkard.

But Yuan Fang, with his keen insight, understood Guo Jia's words. In summary, they meant one thing:

Yuan Shao doesn't suit his taste.

"It's getting late. Even if you're resigning and heading south, there's no need to rush. Why don't you come into Gaocheng and have a few drinks first? You can leave tomorrow," Yuan Fang said with a smile.

Guo Jia hesitated and asked, "Do you have good wine? If you have good wine, I might consider it."

"I said we'll have a few drinks, so of course, I have good wine. Come on, take Mr. Guo back to the city," Yuan Fang ordered, and he spurred his horse into the city.

Before Guo Jia could respond, Yuan Gui had already ordered his men to lift Guo Jia onto the donkey and lead it into the city.

Yuan Fang didn't want to alert the local officials, so he didn't stay at the inn. After entering the city, he took Guo Jia straight to a tavern.

Lanterns were hung, and good wine and meat were placed before Guo Jia.

The moment he smelled the wine, Guo Jia, like a cat smelling meat, was immediately tempted, his eyes gleaming.

"Since that's the case, I won't be polite."

Guo Jia, without waiting for Yuan Fang's invitation, started drinking heartily, completely disregarding any decorum, showing his love for wine.

Yuan Fang sipped his wine lightly, watching Guo Jia with interest.

"Is the second young master heading north to request more troops from the lord?" Guo Jia asked casually while drinking.

Yuan Fang was slightly startled and smiled, "Fengxiao, your judgment is sharp. Yes, that's my plan."

After a drink, Guo Jia put down his cup, savoring the wine and sighed, "With Xu You and Xin Ping obstructing, Lord Yuan is unlikely to give you more troops. In my opinion, this trip will be in vain."

These casual words made Yuan Fang's heart stir, recognizing the genius's insight.

"This Guo Jia, though he seems careless and crazy, has a clear mind and keen insight. Indeed, he is a genius..."

Yuan Fang knew the chances of success were slim, but he was willing to try. If he succeeded, it would be a good addition to his forces.

After hearing Guo Jia's words, Yuan Fang changed his mind and said calmly, "Fengxiao, your words make sense. Since that's the case, why don't you give me some advice on how to get Father to increase my troops?"

"Ah, I was just talking casually. What advice could I give? I apologize for my rudeness," Guo Jia said, clearly unwilling to give advice.

Yuan Fang, however, said seriously, "Fengxiao, you've had my wine and eaten my meat. It wouldn't be right not to give me some advice."

Guo Jia was taken aback, the meat in his mouth frozen in place.

After a moment, Guo Jia smiled bitterly, "It seems that when one eats another's food, one is bound to owe them. I see that this wine and meat from the second young master are not free."

Yuan Fang laughed and bowed, "I look forward to your wise counsel."

Guo Jia, shaking his head helplessly, put down his chopsticks and sat up straight.

After a few coughs, Guo Jia said slowly, "Xin Ping and Xu You are clearly acting on the first young master's orders, deliberately making things difficult for you to indirectly help the third young master win the so-called military strategy competition. I'm sure the second young master is aware of this."

"Of course, my elder brother has been causing me trouble lately," Yuan Fang said coldly.

Guo Jia smiled and continued, "If the third young master takes control of Bingzhou and marries into the wealthy Zhen family, the first young master's faction will become much stronger. There are probably others who don't want to see this."

Guo Jia's words were veiled, hinting at something.

Yuan Fang, being very intelligent, quickly understood: "Fengxiao, do you mean to suggest that I use Xianfu to counter those two brothers?"

"The second young master is indeed deep and unfathomable, grasping the idea so quickly. I didn't say anything, though," Guo Jia said, smiling and drinking again.

Yuan Fang's mind was suddenly enlightened. Thanks to Guo Jia's advice, he had a plan.

Yuan Tan and Yuan Xi were born to Yuan Shao's first wife, a woman from Yuzhou, and were considered legitimate sons.

After the first wife died, Yuan Shao married Liu Shi from Hebei, who gave birth to Yuan Shang and Yuan Mai, also legitimate sons.

Although Yuan Shao relied on the scholars from Runan and Yingchuan to rise to power, after taking control of Ji Province, he employed many scholars from Hebei.

Since Liu Shi was from Hebei, these scholars naturally tended to support her and Yuan Shang.

In recent years, as Yuan Shang grew older and gained more influence, he began to challenge Yuan Tan's position.

Historically, the struggle between the Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang factions ultimately led to the downfall of the Yuan family.

Therefore, the expansion of Yuan Tan's power would naturally be what Yuan Shang least wants to see.

"It seems I need to return to Ye City..."

Yuan Fang looked at the drunkard Guo Jia, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.

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