Chapter 20

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"Since Fengxiao has already resigned from his post, why don't you come to Qinghe and help me?" Yuan Fang didn't beat around the bush and directly tried to recruit Guo Jia.

A top-tier strategist like Guo Jia is a rare gem in the entire world. Although the powerful Yuan Shao might not see Guo Jia's importance, Yuan Fang deeply understood how formidable Guo Jia was.

This was a strategist with the ability to change the course of the world with a single word.

Yuan Fang wanted to carve out a territory and achieve great things; how could he do without the assistance of such an outstanding advisor!

Upon hearing Yuan Fang's recruitment, Guo Jia's body trembled slightly. Suddenly, he muttered, "Oh, oh, the alcohol is getting to my head, I'm getting drunk, I'm getting drunk..."

Clang, closing his eyes, Guo Jia fell onto the table, appearing to be drunk.

"He's even pretending to be asleep."

Yuan Fang shook his head and smiled, thinking to himself, "Avoidance is useless, Guo Jia. With your great talent, how could I let you go so easily? Since I've encountered you, you might as well accept your fate."

Yuan Fang didn't ask any more questions and had Yuan Gui help Guo Jia to the inn to rest.

When the door was closed and no one else was around, Guo Jia, who had been lying on his back, slowly opened his eyes.

He sat up abruptly, a hint of a curious smile on his lips, and muttered, "This Second Master Yuan is exceptionally cunning and has an extraordinary demeanor. Not only does he surpass the other Yuan family sons, but even Yuan Shao seems to fall short. It seems that for the past twenty years, he has been biding his time. Hmm, to endure for twenty years, his depth of character is truly terrifying..."

After sighing for a while, he added, "Unfortunately, Xun Wenruo has already recommended Cao Mengde to me. No matter how extraordinary this Second Master Yuan is, he probably can't match Cao Mengde. I still have to go to Yanzhou."

After muttering to himself for a long time, Guo Jia felt drowsy and fell into a deep sleep.

Nothing happened that night. The next morning, before dawn, Yuan Fang had already gotten up and was sitting in the inn's hall, leisurely drinking tea.

Yuan Gui, who had been forced to wake up early, could only stand beside him, yawning and saying, "Master, we traveled all day yesterday and were very tired. It wouldn't hurt to sleep in a bit more. Why get up so early? The city gates are probably just opening now."

"Without getting up so early, how could I wait for someone?" Yuan Fang took a sip of tea, his words carrying deeper meaning.

Wait for someone?

Yuan Gui was momentarily confused. In the early morning, even the inn staff hadn't woken up. Who could his master be waiting for?

Just as he was puzzled, the door of the room opposite creaked open.

Guo Jia, crouching, tiptoed out, looking like a thief.

Turning his head suddenly, he collided with Yuan Fang.

Guo Jia was startled, retreating several steps and almost bumping into the door.

Yuan Fang nodded at him and smiled, asking, "Fengxiao, getting up so early, where are you going?"

Only then did Yuan Gui understand that his master was waiting for this drunkard named Guo Jia. He was amazed that Yuan Fang had predicted that Guo Jia would leave without saying goodbye.

After a moment of shock, Guo Jia laughed and said, "I'm in a hurry to leave the city and head south, and I didn't want to disturb Second Master, so I planned to leave without saying goodbye. Why is Second Master up so early?"

Yuan Fang smiled inwardly. Guo Jia's actions were all within his expectations.

He knew that Guo Jia didn't want to submit to him but also didn't want to refuse him face-to-face, so he would definitely leave early when the city gates opened.

"I'm also heading south. Even if you resign, you'll likely go to Ye City to tidy up first. We're going the same way, so let's travel together."

Faced with Yuan Fang's invitation, Guo Jia had no reason to refuse and could only force a smile, squeezing out a "good" from his teeth.

Thus, Guo Jia rode his donkey and followed Yuan Fang's group, leaving Gonggao City and heading toward Ye City.

Passing through Anping and Julu, they entered the Wei region in a few days.

On the journey, Yuan Fang often drank and discussed the world with Guo Jia.

The more they talked, the more Guo Jia looked at Yuan Fang with new respect.

He found that Yuan Fang not only had an extraordinary demeanor but also had exceptional insight. His evaluations and judgments of the world and the various warlords mostly aligned with his own thoughts.

"This Second Master Yuan's insight into the world and his evaluations of the warlords are truly unique. He is far more profound than I imagined..." Guo Jia marveled inwardly.

Although Yuan Fang remained calm and composed, he could sense that his score in Guo Jia's mind was rising.

To make someone like Guo Jia fully commit, you must show your unique charm and strength. Yuan Fang deliberately discussed the world with him to demonstrate his extraordinary abilities.

Of course, Guo Jia never imagined that Yuan Fang's evaluations and analyses were based not only on his own cunning but also on his familiarity with history.

As they talked, a city faintly came into view ahead, and they were approaching Quliang City.

Continuing south along the main road, they saw a large fortress in the villages a few miles from the city.

In the chaotic times, powerful families built their estates into fortress-like structures to protect themselves.

The fortress before them was enormous, with high walls, indicating the wealth of the family.

Yuan Fang asked a farmer working in the fields and learned that the owner of the fortress was Zhen Yi, the richest man in Hebei.

"Zhen Yi..."

Yuan Fang's brows furrowed, immediately recalling Zhen Yi's disdain and contempt for him at the Yuan residence.

"Let's go to the Zhen family and pay a visit to my Uncle Zhen." Yuan Fang's lips curled into a cold smile as he spurred his horse toward the Zhen family fortress.

The others, unaware of Yuan Fang's intentions, could only follow.

Inside the Zhen family fortress, Zhen Yi was sitting in the hall, reviewing accounts with his son, Zhen Yao, calculating the family's earnings for the month.

Suddenly, a servant rushed in, reporting that the Second Master of the Yuan family had come to visit.

"Yuan Fang? Isn't he in Qinghe? Why would he suddenly come to our Zhen family?" Zhen Yi was surprised.

After the initial shock, Zhen Yi quickly calmed down and considered whether to go out to greet him.

By custom, if Yuan Tan or Yuan Xi, the legitimate sons of the Yuan family, came to visit, Zhen Yi would personally go to the gate to welcome them with great ceremony.

However, Yuan Fang was just an illegitimate son with no status, and Zhen Yi was considering whether it was appropriate for him to go out to greet him.

"Our Zhen family is not a place for a lowborn to visit casually. Father, just say you're not here and send him away," Zhen Yao said disdainfully.

Zhen Yi nodded slightly, about to follow his son's advice, but another servant rushed in, exclaiming, "Master, that Second Master Yuan has entered uninvited and is already inside."

Zhen Yi and Zhen Yao's expressions changed, never expecting Yuan Fang to have such audacity.

Just as they were shocked, Yuan Fang strode into the hall with a confident and composed demeanor.

As he walked, the Zhen family's maids and servants either hurriedly avoided him or bowed their heads, not daring to look at him.

News of the victory at Gannan had already reached here, and Yuan Fang's reputation was established. The Zhen family's servants naturally felt a sense of fear toward him.

"Indeed, only the strong command respect..."

Seeing the people around him who were afraid and avoided him, Yuan Fang felt an indescribable sense of satisfaction.

In a moment, Yuan Fang strode to the front of the hall.

At this point, Zhen Yi could no longer avoid him and had to come out to meet him.

Suppressing his surprise, he forced a smile and stepped down from the dais, saying, "It's an honor to have Master Xianzheng visit. I didn't expect you, and I apologize for not greeting you properly."

"Uncle, you're too kind. I was just passing by and thought I'd drop by to see you. Let's go inside and talk."

Yuan Fang slightly bowed and then strode into the hall with a composed demeanor, as if he were the master of the place.

Yuan Fang's composed and confident presence subtly exuded a sense of authority, making Zhen Yi feel a chill and instinctively fear him.

Zhen Yi was startled and thought to himself, "Yuan Fang seems even more formidable than the last time I saw him. Is he really the weak and incompetent illegitimate son that rumors describe?"

At this moment, Zhen Yi's previous perception of the intimidating young man before him began to waver.