Chapter 36

(Second update, new week, Swallow needs everyone's full support)

In his gaze, the warrior stood tall and robust, with a stern expression, clad in intricate fish-scale armor, and wielding a massive iron saber. His eyes radiated a sharp and piercing light.

The man seemed to exude a natural pride, his overwhelming arrogance making those around him feel suffocated, unable to meet his gaze.

Even Yuan Fang felt a chill, subtly pressing down on him.

Yuan Fang took a light breath, instantly dispelling the oppressive force, and rode forward with a calm demeanor.

"My father really values me, even sending General Yan to assist me," Yuan Fang said with a smile.

The warrior before him was none other than Yan Liang, one of the four great generals under Yuan Shao.

The most prominent under Yuan Shao now was undoubtedly the famous Ju Yi, but Yuan Fang knew clearly that although Ju Yi had great achievements, he was not a direct subordinate like Yan Liang.

"Feng Yuan Tu advised the lord that the battle in Qingzhou is crucial and that the second prince should not bear the pressure alone, so the lord ordered Yan to lead the troops to assist," Yan Liang's voice was like a bell, making people's eardrums buzz.

Yuan Fang immediately understood what was happening.

Since Feng Ji had advised Yuan Shao, it meant that Yuan Shang was secretly helping him.

"Yan Liang claims to come to assist, not to take direct orders from me. It seems Yuan Shang is afraid of my great achievements and deliberately sent Yan Liang to share the credit. Yuan Shang, do you think your intentions can escape my eyes..."

Yuan Fang sneered inwardly but showed a look of relief, saying, "With General Yan's assistance, our chances of victory increase. Good, very good."

After a few polite exchanges, Yuan Fang ordered Yan Liang to lead his 4,000 troops to set up camp outside Gaotang City.

Yan Liang said nothing more, raised his saber, and rode off with a proud stride.

At this moment, Guo Huai approached and whispered, "Young Master, Guo Tu is here to stir things up for the first prince, and this Yan Liang is here to share the credit for the fourth prince. This battle will not be easy."

"What's not easy? One comes to die, the other to send people, just as I wish." Yuan Fang's words carried deeper meaning.

Guo Huai was momentarily confused.

"Bo Ji, I ask you, how strong is Yan Liang?" Yuan Fang suddenly asked.

Guo Huai hesitated for a moment and said, "Yan Liang's martial arts are unfathomable, at least reaching the level of internal organ cultivation. Moreover, Yan Liang excels in hard battles, charging into the enemy with no one able to stop him, truly a mighty general of this era."

Yuan Fang nodded slightly, and Guo Huai's evaluation matched his own judgment.

"Since Yan Liang is so strong, why did my father use Ju Yi for the Jie Bridge campaign instead of him?" Yuan Fang asked again.

"Well..." Guo Huai coughed a few times and whispered, "Although Yan Liang is fierce, our Ji Province army was weak at the time, and we were no match for the White Horse Riders of Gongsun Zan. Moreover, I privately speculate that the lord intended to weaken Ju Yi's forces, so he appointed Ju Yi to lead the Jie Bridge campaign."

Guo Huai's analysis made Yuan Fang see things in a new light.

He was very clever, and with a shift in his thoughts, he understood what Guo Huai meant.

Although Ju Yi was strong, he was not a direct subordinate of Yuan Shao. By using Ju Yi to lead the campaign, Yuan Shao not only dealt with Gongsun Zan but also indirectly weakened Ju Yi, a two-pronged strategy.

No wonder, in history, Yuan Shao eliminated Ju Yi shortly after defeating Gongsun Zan.

"Hmph, Yuan Shang, you want to send a direct subordinate to share the credit, but you don't know that you're just sending me a great general."

At this moment, Yuan Fang was already pondering a plan to win over Yan Liang.

To achieve great things, Yuan Fang needed more than just generals like Guo Huai and Zhu Ling. He needed a general who could match the likes of Zhang Fei and Guan Yu.

Otherwise, how could he face the numerous mighty generals under Yuan Shao in the future?

Yan Liang was the perfect candidate.

His fingers stroking his chin, his thoughts racing, after much deliberation, Yuan Fang had a plan.

Three days later, the 20,000 troops led by Tian Kai and Liu Bei advanced west along the Luo River to 15 li east of Gaotang City, setting up camp on the north bank of the Luo River, threatening Gaotang.

The next day, Yuan Fang gathered his generals to discuss in the main tent.

Guo Tu and Yan Liang were both present.

"Generals, Tian Kai's 20,000 troops have set up camp 15 li east of the city. A major battle is imminent, and this will not be an easy fight," Yuan Fang said solemnly, looking around at the generals.

Before he finished speaking, Yan Liang stood up, saying proudly, "Tian Kai is just a rat. I am willing to lead the entire army to fight the enemy to the death. I will personally cut off Tian Kai's head and present it to you, young master."

Yan Liang's arrogance was overwhelming.

All the generals were stunned by his arrogance.

Yan Liang was indeed a fierce and violent general, but unfortunately, he lacked intelligence, which is why he was ambushed by Guan Yu in history.

"Yan Liang, thank me. If I hadn't appeared, you would have been doomed..."

Yuan Fang thought to himself but praised, "Yan Zizheng is truly a mighty general of Hebei. Your courage is truly remarkable, but the time is not right for a decisive battle."

Changing his tone, Yuan Fang continued, "However, according to our spies, the enemy will send a large convoy of grain carts from Luoyin City to this area tomorrow. I want you, Zizheng, to lead your troops around the enemy's rear and burn their supplies."

Yan Liang's thick brows furrowed, showing some displeasure.

He had hoped to defeat Tian Kai and earn great credit, but now Yuan Fang was holding him back and sending him to raid the supply lines. Yan Liang was naturally unwilling.

Yan Liang's rough and straightforward nature made his emotions clear, and Yuan Fang could easily read his thoughts.

Smiling inwardly, Yuan Fang said seriously, "I intended to send another general, but I heard that you, Zizheng, can move like the wind. Therefore, I am entrusting this task to you. If you can cut off the enemy's supply lines, their tens of thousands of troops will surely collapse without a fight. This is a great achievement. If you do not want to take it, I will have to send someone else."

Yuan Fang used the promise of "great credit" to entice Yan Liang and flattered him. As he looked around, he saw Yan Liang's previously sullen face turn to one of satisfaction.

"Since that is the case, I cannot disobey your orders, young master," Yan Liang accepted the order with a grand gesture.

Yuan Fang nodded slightly and turned his gaze to Guo Tu, asking, "Guo Gongze, do you have any objections to my plan?"

Guo Tu's eyes flickered, and he smiled, "Your military strategy is divine, how could I dare to object?"

Yuan Fang said no more and decided to proceed with the plan to raid the supplies, dismissing the meeting.

After the meeting, Guo Tu hurried back to his tent, called his confidant, and whispered, "Go to the enemy camp and secretly inform Tian Kai in my name that Yuan Fang will send troops to raid their supply lines tomorrow. Go quickly and return quickly."

The confidant received the order and left.

"Scoundrel, with me here, you will not win. Hehe~" Guo Tu stroked his mustache, a cold and cunning smile on his lips.

He did not know that at that moment, Yuan Gui was hiding outside, closely watching his every move.

Seeing Guo Tu's confidant leave the camp in a hurry, Yuan Gui rushed to the main tent to report the suspicious matter to Yuan Fang.

"Prince, Yuan Tan once sent his subordinates to secretly communicate with Liu Bei. Now, Guo Tu's confidant has left the camp in a hurry, surely to inform Tian Kai of our plan to raid the supplies. We should quickly send troops to intercept him," Guo Huai advised.

Yuan Fang raised his hand and sneered, "No need to stop him. Let Guo Tu secretly inform Tian Kai. Otherwise, how could I use this strategy of 'killing with a borrowed knife'?"

Killing with a borrowed knife?

Guo Huai was taken aback, his expression changing. "Could it be that you want to use the enemy to eliminate Yan Liang?"

"Yan Liang is a rare mighty general. How could I let him die? Don't worry, even if the enemy is prepared, Yan Liang's strength is enough to ensure his survival."

Yuan Fang spoke calmly, his confident demeanor suggesting that everything was under his control.

Guo Huai was now confused, not understanding whose knife Yuan Fang would use and who he would kill.

"Go, bring Guo Tu to me," Yuan Fang ordered, his tone revealing a hint of menace.

Guo Huai, though suspicious, did not dare to ask more and hurriedly passed on the order.

As the sky grew dark, Guo Tu entered the main tent with a proud stride.

Looking at Yuan Fang, who was leisurely drinking wine, Guo Tu held his head high and gave a slight bow, "I wonder why you have summoned me, young master?"

Although Guo Tu called him "young master," his tone and expression showed no respect.

Clearly, Guo Tu had not learned from Yuan Fang's previous reprimand and still showed disdain for him.

Yuan Fang did not get angry, but simply waved his hand, "Yuan Gui, go and break this man's legs for me."