Chapter 55

In the early morning, Kong Rong, standing at the city gate, involuntarily shuddered at Yuan Fang's threats. In his mind, the fates of Dan Jing and Tian Kai involuntarily surfaced. These two men, who had once looked down on and coerced Yuan Fang, had all been brutally killed by him, their heads smashed open in a most惨烈 manner. If the city of Douchang were to fall today, he, Kong Rong, would likely suffer the same fate as those two. A chill ran through his heart, and Kong Rong felt deep fear. However, he feigned calmness, snorted coldly, and put on an air of disdain, as if he did not take Yuan Fang's threats seriously at all.

The two thousand soldiers from Beihai were not as composed as he was. They were all shocked and drew in cold breaths, watching Yuan Fang ride away with a dazed look. Then, along the city wall, there was a chorus of sighs. All the Beihai soldiers were still trembling with fear, having just recovered from the great shock.

Taishi Ci, looking at the seemingly calm Kong Rong, sighed and said, "A hero does not ask about one's origin. The national governor could have refused to meet him outside the city, but there was no need to insult his dignity. To be frank, this is not in line with the national governor's demeanor."

Kong Rong's body trembled, and he turned around sharply, staring at Taishi Ci with a look of shock and anger. He had not expected that his subordinate, Taishi Ci, would dare to speak to him like this, disregarding the hierarchy and respect! In his anger, Kong Rong said in a deep voice, "Taishi Ziyi, you dare to overstep your bounds and lecture me, the national governor. What audacity!"

Kong Rong put on the air of a superior. However, Taishi Ci was not intimidated and said calmly, "I, Taishi Ci, am straightforward. I only speak about the facts. Also, the national governor should not forget that I am not your subordinate, but here to assist you on my mother's orders."

Kong Rong was left speechless, feeling extremely angry. He almost burst out with a torrent of complaints, but he swallowed them back. He suddenly remembered that he still needed Taishi Ci to defend Douchang for him. He could not afford to offend this man who dared to lecture him. With this in mind, Kong Rong could only suppress his anger.

"Ci still needs to inspect the city defenses, so I will not accompany the national governor. Farewell." Taishi Ci bowed and turned to leave.

Watching Taishi Ci's retreating back, Kong Rong frowned deeply and took a deep breath.

Outside the city, Yuan Fang had already returned to camp. As soon as he entered the main tent, Yan Liang angrily said, "Kong Rong, that pedantic scholar, is truly despicable. He hides in the city and dares not come out to fight, only using his tongue to insult the young master. It is truly hateful. I, Yan Liang, request that the young master order an attack on the city now. I will cut off that scoundrel's head to vent the young master's anger."

Not only Yan Liang, but also Zhu Ling and Guo Huai were indignant and called for battle.

Yuan Fang, however, was no less eager to eliminate Kong Rong. As the commander, he maintained a calm mind, different from his subordinates. He raised his hand to suppress the generals' anger and said calmly, "Kong Rong is a fish in a barrel, he cannot escape. However, he has a capable general like Taishi Ci under him. Now is not the time for a full-scale attack."

Although the generals' fighting spirit was suppressed, they were puzzled by why their young master placed such importance on a nobody named Taishi Ci.

Yuan Fang, however, knew Taishi Ci's capabilities. He was not yet famous, but only lacked the opportunity.

"This Taishi Ci is a great general. Following a mediocre lord like Kong Rong is a waste. If he could serve me, it would be ideal..." Yuan Fang's thoughts raced, pondering various memories about Taishi Ci. Suddenly, his eyes lit up, and he had an idea.

"Yuan Gui, quickly select a capable force and attack Donglai to bring someone here." Yuan Fang ordered.

Bring someone?

Yuan Gui was taken aback, leaning in closer. Yuan Fang whispered a few words in his ear, and Yuan Gui immediately understood, hurriedly following the order.

Putting aside the matter of Taishi Ci, Yuan Fang's attention shifted to the south, to Xu Province. Now that the Liu brothers had fled to Xu Province, Yuan Fang believed that Tao Qian, to prevent the loss of a neighboring state, would certainly send troops to save Kong Rong. However, Tao Qian was also very good at self-preservation. Even if he sent troops, he would not use a large force. What Yuan Fang needed to do now was to block the southern reinforcements from Xu Province and hold out until Douchang's supplies were exhausted, then break the city in one fell swoop.

The generals' attention was quickly drawn to Xu Province as well, and they began to plan how to resist the Xu Province army.

At this moment, Guo Huai expressed his concern, "Recently, Ye City has drastically reduced our military pay. This month's pay is reduced by seventy percent. Once the pay is cut, the soldiers' morale will surely plummet. When we face the enemy from Xu Province, the situation will be very unfavorable."

Yuan Fang's brows furrowed. No need to ask, this was certainly the work of Yuan Tan and Yuan Xi.

These two saw that he was becoming too powerful and almost uncontrollable, so they decided to disrupt his troops by cutting the military pay, hoping to cause his troops to waver and be defeated by the enemy.

Bang!

Fists hit the table, and Yuan Fang said angrily, "Yuan Tan and Yuan Xi, these scoundrels, I will settle accounts with them sooner or later!"

His close generals were also indignant, harshly condemning the two's despicable actions.

After cursing, Yuan Fang quickly calmed down and began to think about how to solve the problem of insufficient military pay.

Guo Huai suggested increasing taxes in the regions of Pingyuan and Qi in Qing Province to fund the military.

Yuan Fang, however, rejected Guo Huai's suggestion outright.

Qing Province had been ravaged by the Yellow Turbans, and the population had been halved, with the people already in dire straits. Besides the Yellow Turbans, there were also forces like Tian Kai, Dan Jing, and Kong Rong, who had all levied heavy taxes to expand their power. For example, since Kong Rong became the governor of Beihai, he had levied heavy taxes to fight the Yellow Turbans, almost draining the people of Beihai.

Under such heavy oppression, the people of Qing Province were already extremely poor. If Yuan Fang were to impose more taxes, it would be like pushing them to the brink of death. Moreover, heavy taxation was like draining a pond to catch all the fish. Yuan Fang intended to make Qing Province the base for his great cause and would not take such a short-sighted action.

Seeing Yuan Fang's firm opposition, Guo Huai sighed, "It is good that the young master considers the people, but if we do not increase taxes, we will not be able to gather enough funds. When the troops' morale wavers, it could jeopardize our plans."

Yuan Fang fell into deep thought, his mind racing, trying to come up with a solution.

Suddenly, he remembered something and asked, "By the way, have you interrogated the person I captured outside the city? Do you know who he is?"

Guo Huai was taken aback and quickly replied, "I have already interrogated him. He is not a subordinate of Kong Rong or Liu Bei, but Mi Zhu from Xu Province. He claims to be in Qing Province for business and was mistakenly captured by our troops."

Mi Zhu!

Hearing this familiar name, Yuan Fang's heart trembled, and a glint of insight flashed in his eyes.

Mi Zhu was one of the three wealthiest men in the world, with wealth that could rival a nation. Historically, Liu Bei relied on Mi Zhu's financial support to rise again and again.

The immense wealth of the Mi family, which could support a regional warlord, was evident.

"I was worried about the military pay, but now a big benefactor has come to me. This is truly a stroke of luck..."

A smile appeared on Yuan Fang's lips, and he said happily, "Bring that Mi Zhu to me."

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