Chapter 39 of 100
Chapter 39
15 min read3,698 words
Thank you, brothers, for your generous support. Here is the second update.
Gaotang.
Tian Kai's 20,000 troops set up camp south of Gaotang, continuously transporting supplies from the rear, clearly preparing for a prolonged siege.
Yuan Fang was not in a hurry to defeat the enemy. He reinforced the city and camps while closely monitoring the situation in Ji Province.
Yuan Tan mobilized the scholars of Runan and Yingchuan to launch a major attack on Yan Liang. Yuan Shang remained silent, ignoring Yan Liang. Yuan Fang was well aware of all these developments.
"It seems my fourth brother really intends to abandon Yan Liang. Hmph, just as I expected..."
Yuan Fang looked at the intelligence in his hand, sneering to himself, and ordered Yan Liang to be brought to see him.
Soon, Yan Liang, with a serious expression, entered the tent. The usually proud and fierce general's face was now clouded with gloom.
Yuan Fang immediately knew that Yan Liang had heard, to some extent, about the developments in Ji Province.
Even more, Yan Liang had learned that Yuan Shang planned to abandon him.
"Zizheng, I never thought my eldest brother would protect the traitor Guo Tu by mobilizing the scholars of Runan and Yingchuan against you," Yuan Fang sighed.
Yan Liang clenched his fists, the joints cracking, and a burning hatred surged on his square face.
Clearly, Yan Liang deeply resented Yuan Tan's attack on him.
Yuan Fang's sharp eagle eyes could see that, besides anger, Yan Liang also harbored a hint of disappointment.
He was disappointed with Yuan Shang for standing by and doing nothing, not mobilizing the scholars of Hebei to defend him.
Yuan Fang had been waiting for this opportunity.
He took a deep breath and said solemnly, "Zizheng, rest assured. You are fighting for me now. Killing the traitor Guo Tu was the right thing to do, and I will not stand idly by while those petty people harm you."
Yan Liang's body trembled, and he looked at Yuan Fang with disbelief, as if he couldn't believe what he was hearing.
After all, Yan Liang was part of Yuan Shang's faction. Now, Yuan Shang was not protecting him, but instead, this outsider, Yuan Fang, was stepping in to defend him.
How could Yan Liang not be surprised by Yuan Fang's actions?
While Yan Liang was still in shock, Yuan Fang quickly wrote a letter.
"Zizheng, this is my letter to Father. What do you think of it?" Yuan Fang handed the letter to Yan Liang.
Yan Liang, still in a daze, subconsciously took the letter and read it, his face growing even more shocked.
In the letter, Yuan Fang generously stated that Yan Liang was under his command, and he shared responsibility for the unauthorized killing of Guo Tu. He was willing to take the blame on Yan Liang's behalf.
"Second Master, you are willing to take the blame for me?" Yan Liang's voice was hoarse, and his hands trembled as he held the letter.
Yuan Fang smiled calmly and said, "As a commander, if I don't protect my subordinates, how can I ask them to fight for me? If Father punishes me, let him do so."
Yuan Liang was deeply moved by Yuan Fang. His usually proud eyes now showed gratitude.
Besides gratitude, there was genuine admiration.
Yuan Fang, of course, saw through Yan Liang's psychological changes. He knew that his actions had touched this Hebei general, making him start to genuinely respect him.
For a rough and proud warrior like Yan Liang, trying to force him to submit through benefits or threats was impossible.
To win over Yan Liang, one had to earn his respect through righteousness.
Yuan Fang's actions were indeed righteous.
Of course, there were also strategic considerations, but the fact that Guo Tu had betrayed them and Yuan Shang had abandoned Yan Liang was undeniable. Yuan Fang had merely designed a plan to expose their true colors.
"Yuan Gui, quickly send this letter to Father in Changshan." Yuan Fang dispatched the letter to Changshan.
Only then did Yan Liang snap out of his reverie and bow respectfully, saying, "I thank Second Master for your protection. I will always remember your kindness today."
The surrounding guards were all shocked.
Who was Yan Liang? He was a top general in Hebei, proud and unyielding, rarely showing gratitude even to Yuan Shao.
Now, he was sincerely thanking Yuan Fang, a low-ranking illegitimate son of the Yuan family. This unprecedented act could not fail to shock the soldiers.
Yuan Fang, however, did not pretend to be flattered. He calmly accepted Yan Liang's bow and said, "Zizheng, you are too kind. There's no need to thank me. But I do have a question for you, and I hope you will answer honestly."
"Second Master, please ask," Yan Liang hurriedly replied.
Yuan Fang sat down and smiled, "Zizheng, be honest. Did my fourth brother send you to Gaotang to divide my command, compete for credit, and secretly control me?"
Yan Liang's face changed slightly, his eyes showing surprise, clearly because his secret had been exposed.
After a moment's hesitation, Yan Liang said frankly, "No wonder Second Master has won battle after battle. Your magnanimity and wisdom truly make me look at you in a new light. Yes, I did receive private instructions from the fourth master. He wanted to use you to suppress the first master and the second master, but he also feared that you would rise to power, so he sent me to divide your command."
Moved by Yuan Fang's magnanimity and kindness, Yan Liang no longer hid the truth and admitted it openly.
"Indeed, as I expected."
Yuan Fang sneered and looked straight at Yan Liang, "So, what do you plan to do now, Zizheng?"
Yan Liang took a deep breath and bowed, "The fourth master has disappointed me. If he won't protect me, why should I listen to him? I am willing to follow your orders, Second Master."
Yan Liang's words clearly indicated that he would now support Yuan Fang.
Yuan Fang sighed inwardly, thinking, "Yan Liang is different from Zhu Ling. Zhu Ling follows me out of a sense of justice, but Yan Liang follows whoever treats him well. He is a straightforward and honest man."
With a look of satisfaction, Yuan Fang patted Yan Liang on the shoulder and laughed, "With Zizheng's full support, we will surely win this battle. Bring wine, I want to drink with Zizheng to our heart's content."
Yan Liang, a rough and straightforward warrior, appreciated Yuan Fang's boldness and laughed heartily, drinking with him.
While Yuan Fang was winning Yan Liang's loyalty, the letter he wrote to take the blame for Yan Liang was being rushed to the front lines in Changshan.
At this time, Yuan Shao was struggling against the Black Mountain Army, and his advisors, including Xu You, were constantly demanding that he punish Yan Liang.
Unable to resist their demands, Yuan Shao was preparing to severely punish Yan Liang, but Yuan Fang's letter forced him to change his mind.
In the letter, Yuan Fang had taken full responsibility for the killing of Guo Tu. Punishing Yan Liang would mean punishing Yuan Fang as well.
If this had happened a few months ago, Yuan Shao would have punished Yuan Fang without hesitation. But now, he didn't have the courage.
At this critical moment, he was leading the main force against the Black Mountain Army, while Yuan Fang was holding back a large number of Gongsun Zan's troops in Pingyuan, protecting his flank.
Yuan Shao might look down on his illegitimate son, but he had to rely on Yuan Fang to protect his flank.
Reluctantly, Yuan Shao had to suppress the demands of Xu You and others, and only imposed a light penalty of reduced salary on Yan Liang.
As for Yuan Fang, Yuan Shao only scolded him in writing, ordering him to strictly discipline his subordinates, but did not dare to impose any real punishment.
With Yuan Shao's decision, even if the Yuan Tan faction was dissatisfied, they could only swallow their anger.
A few days later, Yuan Shao's reply arrived in Yuan Fang's hands.
In the main tent, Yuan Fang casually read the letter and sneered, "Just as I expected. Yuan Shao, there will be a day when you dare not touch me."
Yuan Shao's actions were exactly what Yuan Fang had anticipated. Otherwise, he wouldn't have risked being severely punished by Yuan Shao to win over Yan Liang.
With Guo Tu dead and Yan Liang now loyal, Yuan Fang put the matter behind him and began to focus on how to defeat Tian Kai and Liu Bei's forces.
At this moment, Zhu Ling rushed in, his expression serious, and said, "Second Master, an urgent report from the north bank. Gongsun Zan has ordered his son Gongsun Xu and his general Zhao Yun to lead 10,000 infantry and cavalry south from Bohai, heading straight for Pingyuan City."
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