Chapter 52

(Listen, in the final week of the ranking push, I need your support, votes, and everything. Yuan Fang's rise needs the help of all my brothers!)

As the news of seeking help from Tao Qian reached his ears, Kong Rong's face immediately darkened, as if he had heard something extremely embarrassing.

Following the voice, Kong Rong recognized the person.

The man with a square face and splendid attire was none other than Mi Zhu, the head of the Mi family from Donghai.

The Mi family was one of the three richest merchants in the world. Since Qingzhou bordered Xu Province, it was naturally a key area for the Mi family's business operations.

Previously, when the Yellow Turbans ravaged Qingzhou, Mi Zhu was forced to put most of his business in Qingzhou on hold. Now that the Yellow Turbans had been defeated, Mi Zhu personally came to Beihai to use his connections and reputation to reorganize the Mi family's business in the area.

The title of one of the three richest men in the world and the reputation as a notable scholar of Xu Province were enough to make Kong Rong treat Mi Zhu as a distinguished guest.

However, Mi Zhu was also unfortunate. He had just arrived in Douchang not long ago when the situation in Beihai suddenly changed. Yuan Fang then led his army to attack, surrounding him in Douchang.

As a native of Xu Province, it was reasonable for Mi Zhu to propose seeking help from Tao Qian, the governor of Xu Province.

Kong Rong, however, snorted coldly and said unhappily, "This is a matter of Qingzhou itself. Inviting foreign troops to participate is probably not appropriate."

Kong Rong's expression seemed to suggest that asking Tao Qian for help was a very embarrassing thing.

Mi Zhu said solemnly, "Qingzhou and Xu Province have always been one. If Qingzhou falls, Xu Province will also be threatened by the Yuan family. I propose asking Governor Tao to come to our aid, not only to save Beihai and Qingzhou but also to protect Xu Province. I humbly request that you, Governor Kong, consider this carefully."

Mi Zhu's righteous words made Kong Rong feel much more comfortable, and his expression immediately softened.

"Hmm, Mi Zizhong's words are indeed reasonable. Qingzhou and Xu Province are indeed one," Kong Rong nodded slightly, seemingly changing his mind.

At this moment, Liu Bei, who had been silent for a long time, immediately said generously, "I am willing to lead Generals Guan and Zhang, along with a corps of brave soldiers, to break through the encirclement and seek help in Xu Province."

Kong Rong pondered for a moment and nodded, "Xuande is willing to take the risk to break through and seek help. This kind of courage and righteousness is truly admirable. But how many troops do you need, Xuande?"

"Two thousand elite soldiers," Liu Bei said without hesitation.

"Two thousand!" Kong Rong was somewhat surprised.

Currently, there were only four thousand troops left in Douchang. If two thousand were given to Liu Bei, there would be fewer than two thousand troops left in the city.

Even if Liu Bei could bring reinforcements, it would take at least ten days. During this period, Kong Rong would have to defend against Yuan Fang's army with only two thousand troops.

The difficulty of this task made Kong Rong hesitate.

A hint of depth flashed in Liu Bei's eyes, as if he had read Kong Rong's thoughts. He quickly said, "I also know the difficulties you face, Governor. However, if the troops are too few, it will be hard to break through. In that case, not only will the troops be wasted, but the hope of seeking help will also be lost. I have no choice."

Before Kong Rong could say anything, Taishi Ci, on the other side, said resolutely, "Xuande's words are reasonable. Please rest assured, Governor. Even with only two thousand troops, I will ensure that the city is not lost and that we hold out until the reinforcements arrive."

With Taishi Ci's assurance, Kong Rong felt much more at ease. After hesitating for a moment, he finally agreed to Liu Bei's request.

Liu Bei and Mi Zhu exchanged glances and both secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

"To ensure absolute success, I think we can employ a small stratagem to make Yuan Fang relax his guard, so that Xuande can better escort me out of the encirclement," Mi Zhu added.

"What stratagem do you have, Zizhong?" Kong Rong's spirits were lifted.

Mi Zhu then slowly explained his plan.

After listening, Kong Rong pondered for a long time and sighed, "This plan may damage my reputation, but to deal with a deceitful person like Yuan Fang, there is no need to be overly concerned. We will act according to your plan."

After the military council dispersed and everyone left, the spacious hall was left with only Kong Rong.

Kong Rong stood with his hands behind his back, his fair face exuding a natural arrogance. His eyes were filled with disdain and contempt.

"Yuan Fang, if you were Yuan Benchu's legitimate son, I would respect you. Unfortunately, you are just a bastard, even worse than a legitimate son. I, Kong Rong, a descendant of the great Confucius, cannot be defeated by someone like you. Hmph..."

Outside the hall, turning the corner of the corridor, Mi Zhu and Liu Bei walked together without prior agreement.

Seeing no one around, Liu Bei clasped his hands and said, "Thanks to your words, Brother Mi. If not for you, with Governor Kong's personality, we would all be trapped and die in Douchang."

"Not at all, Xuande, you flatter me."

Mi Zhu humbly replied, then clasped his hands and said, "For this breakout, I will rely on your protection, Brother Xuande."

Liu Bei patted his chest and said solemnly, "Brother Mi, rest assured. I will protect you with my life and break through the encirclement."

"Yes, with your words, Xuande, I am reassured," Mi Zhu nodded repeatedly, his eyes filled with a sense of relief.

...

In the south of Douchang, the Yuan army's camp.

Outside the tent, snow was falling heavily, but inside it was warm as spring. The charcoal in the brazier crackled, and the flames made the tent very warm.

Yuan Fang was gnawing on a lamb leg and drinking fine wine, discussing military affairs with his generals while eating and drinking.

Half a lamb leg, enough for three or four people, was devoured by Yuan Fang alone.

After burping a few times, Yuan Fang called for another half lamb leg.

The generals in front of the tent watched this scene with their mouths wide open, stunned.

Their young master's stomach seemed like a bottomless pit, no amount of meat could fill it. Even a fierce warrior like Yan Liang could not match Yuan Fang's astonishing appetite.

"Master can eat so much and still not gain weight, truly remarkable, truly remarkable..." This exclamation echoed in everyone's mind.

The tent curtain was lifted, and Yuan Gui, covered in snow, presented a silk letter, "Master, Kong Rong has sent someone out of the city to deliver a personal letter, claiming that he can no longer hold out and plans to surrender."

Kong Rong, surrendering?

All the generals were shocked, and everyone's attention shifted from the feasting Yuan Fang to the letter in Yuan Gui's hand.

Yuan Fang was also surprised, stopping his eating and drinking. He took the letter and scanned it. The content indeed confirmed that Kong Rong had decided to surrender.

However, Kong Rong hoped that his surrender would be more dignified, requesting that Yuan Fang personally accept his surrender at the western gate of Douchang and treat him as a distinguished guest.

"If Kong Rong surrenders, Beihai can be pacified, and the entire Qingzhou will be yours," Yan Liang said excitedly.

Yuan Fang was also very excited, but his mind was much calmer than Yan Liang's.

Throwing the letter on the table, Yuan Fang turned to Guo Huai, "Boji, tell me, what kind of person is Kong Rong?"

Yuan Fang's knowledge of Kong Rong was limited to the story of "Kong Rong giving pears" from his school days, the Three Kingdoms history, the story of Liu Bei saving Kong Rong in Beihai, and the fact that Kong Rong was a descendant of Confucius. He did not know much else.

Knowing one's enemy and oneself is the key to victory. Since Douchang was under Kong Rong's control, Yuan Fang naturally needed to understand his enemy deeply.

"Kong Rong, a descendant of Confucius and a renowned scholar of the present, is well-known to all," Guo Huai smiled.

Yuan Fang shook his head, "I don't want to hear these surface-level things. Tell me something I don't know."

Guo Huai's smile faded, and after a moment's thought, he said, "In fact, Kong Rong, despite being a descendant of the sage and known for his long-standing integrity and benevolence, is actually a ruthless official who kills without hesitation."

A ruthless official who kills without hesitation?

Guo Huai's evaluation of Kong Rong was in stark contrast to what Yuan Fang had previously known, which only made Yuan Fang more interested.

"Go on," Yuan Fang gestured.

"Here's what happened. When Kong Rong first became the governor of Beihai, he once saw a man crying at his father's grave. Kong Rong stopped to observe and noticed that although the man was crying, his face was not at all haggard. In a fit of anger, Kong Rong had the man arrested on the charge of 'filial impiety' and sentenced him to death."

To determine that someone was unfilial just because they did not look haggard while crying, and to sentence them to death for it!

Hearing Guo Huai's words, Yuan Fang's brows furrowed, and he immediately felt a deep dislike for Kong Rong.

Guo Huai continued, "Later, Kong Rong sent five inspectors to collect taxes from various regions. However, due to the long-term ravages of the Yellow Turbans, most of the people in Beihai had fled, making it impossible to collect all the taxes. In a fit of anger, Kong Rong had all five inspectors sentenced to death."

"Many people privately believe that Kong Rong's actions were extremely extreme and cruel, but because he is a descendant of Confucius, they fear being labeled as defaming the sage's descendant, so they pretend not to see it."

Guo Huai's words completely changed Yuan Fang's impression of Kong Rong.

From this, it seemed that Kong Rong's reputation for benevolence was just a facade, and he was actually a ruthless official.

"No wonder even someone as tolerant as Cao Cao executed Kong Rong; it seems he deserved it..." At this point, Yuan Fang deeply disliked Kong Rong.

After a long silence, a cold smile appeared on Yuan Fang's lips. He looked around at the generals and asked slowly, "Do you think a so-called great Confucian scholar, who claims to be a descendant of the sage, would really be willing to surrender to me, a bastard of the Yuan family?"