Chapter 24

Ganling Great Camp.

Upon hearing that Yuan Fang had returned safely, all the generals heaved a sigh of relief and hurried to the main tent to pay their respects.

Before long, Zhu Ling, Hao Zhao, and Guo Huai were all lined up before the tent.

"Did you manage to persuade the lord to send reinforcements?" Hao Zhao asked first, while Zhu Ling and Guo Huai looked at Yuan Fang with anticipation.

"Reinforcements should not be a problem, but it will take some time," Yuan Fang said, only stating the result without elaborating on the process.

All the generals felt a great weight lifted from their shoulders, their faces showing signs of joy.

However, Hao Zhao added, "Recently, Gongsun Zan appointed Dan Jing as the Inspector of Yanzhou, leading 5,000 troops to Pingyuan. The enemy's numbers have now increased to nearly 10,000, and they could launch a major offensive at any time. I fear we may not be able to wait for the lord's reinforcements."

10,000 enemies!

The expressions of the generals present changed slightly, all of them somewhat intimidated by this number.

Yuan Fang currently had at most 5,000 troops under his command. Although they had been trained through previous victories, they still fell short compared to Gongsun Zan's elite soldiers.

If Dan Jing and Liu Bei were to launch a major attack with 10,000 troops, the situation would be very unfavorable for Yuan Fang.

However, Yuan Fang remained calm, walking to the map hanging on the screen, staring at the enemy and friendly positions, deep in thought.

After a long while, Yuan Fang pointed to a spot on the map and asked, "What is the situation in Shu County?"

Everyone's gaze followed Yuan Fang's finger to a small city on the easternmost edge of Qinghe, less than twenty miles from Pingyuan.

"Initially, Shu County rebelled, and I was the one who recaptured it. Because the county is too close to Pingyuan and too far from Ganling, Lord Yuan ordered all the civilians to be relocated, leaving an empty city. After Gongsun Zan occupied the city, due to the small population, he only stationed a symbolic force of over a hundred soldiers to defend it," Zhu Ling explained in detail, as he was the most knowledgeable about Shu County.

Yuan Fang nodded slightly, "How is the city wall? Is it easy to attack?"

"The city wall of Shu County is not very high, but during Ji Yong's rebellion, it was thickened. I would say the city defenses are average," Zhu Ling replied.

Yuan Fang pondered, pacing in the tent, his brows furrowed.

After a moment, Yuan Fang's brows relaxed, and he called out, "Where is Hao Bo Dao?"

"I am here!" Hao Zhao stepped forward in response.

Yuan Fang pointed at the map and said sternly, "I will give you 500 troops. Set out at night and take Shu County by surprise. Hold the city until I arrive with the main force."

Upon hearing this, all the generals were shocked, and even Hao Zhao was taken aback, momentarily forgetting to accept the order.

"Lord, Shu County is too close to Pingyuan. Even if we capture it, Dan Jing and Liu Bei's 10,000 troops will soon attack. 500 troops may not be enough to hold the city, and it will be a waste of our soldiers' lives," Zhu Ling advised with concern.

Yuan Fang's gaze was resolute as he said loudly, "I want to pin the enemy's main force at Shu County to buy enough time for my father's reinforcements to arrive. When the main force arrives, we will attack from both inside and outside, and there will be no fear of not defeating the enemy."

Zhu Ling suddenly understood Yuan Fang's plan.

Guo Huai then said, "Lord's strategy is indeed brilliant, but sending only 500 troops to hold Shu County seems a bit risky."

"If we send too many troops, the enemy will be cautious and will not besiege the city recklessly, thus getting stuck at Shu County," Yuan Fang explained why he was only sending 500 troops.

Everyone finally understood Yuan Fang's intentions and fell silent, looking at Hao Zhao.

"Bo Dao, I know sending you with only 500 troops to Shu County is a risky move. Do you have the courage to do this?" Yuan Fang looked at Hao Zhao with expectation.

Hao Zhao took a deep breath and said resolutely, "Lord, with your trust, I am not afraid of 10,000 enemies, let alone 100,000."

Hao Zhao's bravery and fearlessness greatly pleased Yuan Fang, who called out, "Bring wine!"

Strong wine was brought, and Yuan Fang personally poured a bowl for Hao Zhao, raising his own and said, "Bo Dao, the success or failure of this campaign rests on your shoulders. I offer you this wine to boost your morale. Let's drink."

Hao Zhao felt a surge of passion, his eyes shining with excitement. Without a word, he raised the bowl and drank it in one go.

Yuan Fang also drank his bowl of wine, turned, and drew an order arrow from the table, shouting, "Hao Sima, receive the order arrow."

Hao Zhao took the order arrow with both hands, bowed formally, and said, "I swear, as long as the city stands, I will stand. If the city falls, I will die. I am off!"

Holding the order arrow, Hao Zhao turned and strode out.

That day, Hao Zhao selected 500 elite infantry, carrying enough provisions for over ten days, and set out at night, heading straight for Shu County, which was over seventy miles away.

After Hao Zhao left, Yuan Fang ordered the remaining 4,500 troops to intensify their training and repair their weapons, waiting for the reinforcements from Yuan Shao to arrive before advancing east.

Two days later, good news reached Ganling.

As Zhu Ling had said, Shu County was only guarded by less than a hundred enemy soldiers. Hao Zhao led 500 troops, sneaking into the city at night using ropes, and caught the enemy off guard, killing all 100 soldiers with only a dozen casualties, easily capturing Shu County.

With Shu County secured, everything was proceeding according to Yuan Fang's plan, and now they only needed to wait for Yuan Shao's reinforcements.

...

A hundred miles away, in Pingyuan City.

In the main hall of the county office, Dan Jing sat at the head of the table, with Liu Bei sitting beside him. Guan Yu, lacking the status to sit, stood by the side.

Liu Bei kept toasting Dan Jing, showing great respect.

There was no choice; although Pingyuan was under Liu Bei's jurisdiction, his rank was only that of a county magistrate, while Dan Jing was the Inspector of Yanzhou. Liu Bei had to show respect.

"Magistrate Liu, I heard that Yuan Fang is just a bastard son of Yuan Shao, and he is even a cripple. How could you be defeated by such a scoundrel, forcing the lord to send troops and have me come to your aid?"

Dan Jing showed no respect for Liu Bei, openly mocking him in front of everyone.

Behind Liu Bei, Guan Yu's phoenix eyes flashed with anger.

Liu Bei's eyes also showed a hint of embarrassment, but he forced a smile, "This Yuan Fang is not the cripple he is rumored to be. He is just a child. The reason for my previous defeat was that I fell for his trick."

"Trick? What trick can a mere child have?"

Dan Jing sneered, waving his hand, "Now that I have led the main force, you will follow my orders and help me attack Qinghe, sweep away that child, and demonstrate the might of our Yan troops."

Dan Jing was trying to bring Liu Bei under his command and absorb his troops.

Liu Bei's brows furrowed, and his smile faded slightly. He coughed and said, "If Lord Dan wants to attack Qinghe, I will assist, but as the Magistrate of Pingyuan, my troops are under the command of Lord Tian. It might not be appropriate..."

Liu Bei used the authority of the Inspector of Qingzhou, Tian Kai, to refuse Dan Jing's absorption.

Dan Jing's face darkened, and he snorted, "I have the lord's orders, giving me the authority to command all troops north of the Yellow River. Liu Xuande, do you dare to defy orders?"

Dan Jing invoked the authority of Gongsun Zan, leaving Liu Bei stunned and at a loss for words.

At that moment, a soldier rushed in and bowed, "Lord, urgent news from the west. Last night, 500 Yuan troops suddenly attacked Shu County, killing 100 of our soldiers and capturing the city."

The shocking news hit like a thunderbolt.

In the hall, from Dan Jing to Liu Bei and even Guan Yu, everyone's face showed surprise.

No one had expected that Yuan Fang would dare to strike first, openly capturing Shu County right under their noses.

A provocation, an open provocation!

Dan Jing flew into a rage, slamming the table and shouting, "That scoundrel Yuan Fang has the audacity to provoke us before we even attack. It is truly hateful. Pass my orders, gather all the troops immediately. I will crush the enemy at Shu County and then advance west to sweep away Yuan Fang and his ragtag army!"