Chapter 58

Good morning, brothers, I'm asking for votes early in the morning.

A force of twenty thousand is indeed a considerable number, especially with Zang Ba, a seasoned general of Qing and Xu provinces, leading them.

Yuan Fang remembered that historically, Zang Ba, under Cao Cao's orders, invaded Qingzhou and defeated Yuan Tan repeatedly, forcing him to eventually retreat from Qingzhou.

There was no doubt that he was a formidable general.

Apart from Zang Ba, the three brothers of Liu Bei would likely come with the army to seek revenge. This incoming Xu army was indeed a force not to be underestimated.

Mi Huan watched Yuan Fang calmly, deliberately spreading this news to see his reaction of fear and surprise.

Unfortunately, she did not get what she wished for.

Since Yuan Fang had tricked and killed that Zhao steward, he no longer knew what fear was. No matter how vast the sky and earth, there was nothing he dared not do.

With a cold snort, Yuan Fang said indifferently, "Tao Qian provoked me first. It seems I need to teach him a lesson and show him that I, Yuan Fang, am not to be trifled with."

Seeing that Yuan Fang was not only unafraid but also confident and composed, not taking the powerful twenty-thousand-strong Xu army seriously, Mi Huan was secretly astonished. She thought to herself, "This Second Master Yuan has such a bold mouth. Such confidence and arrogance must either come from extraordinary courage or sheer arrogance..."

Just as she was surprised, the tent curtain was lifted, and Mi Zhu entered.

Seeing his sister, Mi Zhu was both shocked and delighted, his voice trembling as he said, "Little sister, why are you here?"

"Of course, I came to reward General Yuan's army and to take you home, big brother," Mi Huan said softly, but without showing any excitement.

"The Mi family keeps its word. Since the money for the army has been delivered, I will not detain you. Please leave," Yuan Fang waved his hand.

Beside him, Yuan Gui quickly signaled to Yuan Fang, hinting that he should not let Mi Zhu go.

Yuan Fang, of course, understood Yuan Gui's meaning. Mi Zhu was a big fat sheep. If he were to detain him, he could continuously "extort" money from Mi Zhu, far more than just fifty million.

A man of honor must keep his word. Since Yuan Fang had made a promise, he would not stoop to breaking his word for a bit of money.

Seeing that Yuan Fang kept his word, the Mi siblings both secretly breathed a sigh of relief and developed a bit of respect for him.

At that moment, Mi Zhu wanted to pull his sister and quickly leave this place of trouble.

Just then, Yuan Fang suddenly said, "Before you leave, I have a warning for you. Do not oppose me, Yuan Fang, and do not collude with Liu Bei."

"Yes, yes, I will remember your warning, Master," Mi Zhu nodded repeatedly, agreeing.

Mi Huan, however, smiled faintly and countered, "General Yuan, you let us go so easily. What makes you so confident that we, the Mi family, will follow your warning?"

A hearty, fierce laugh.

With eyes sharp as blades, Yuan Fang said coldly, "You can ignore my warning. When I attack Xu, I will exterminate your entire Mi clan. This will be the price of ignoring my warning."

Each word was like a blade, filled with killing intent, making the warm tent suddenly feel bone-chillingly cold.

Mi Zhu shivered in fear, not daring to breathe, and even the usually calm Mi Huan was slightly shaken.

After a moment of silence, Mi Huan's eyes flickered, and she suddenly said, "If that's the case, I am willing to stay as a hostage to ensure that our family does not oppose you, Master."

Hearing this, Mi Zhu was greatly alarmed and urgently signaled his sister not to be foolish.

Yuan Fang was also surprised. He had not expected that while Mi Zhu was eager to escape his "tiger's claws," this woman, Mi Huan, would voluntarily stay as a hostage.

"An interesting woman..."

Though surprised, Yuan Fang said, "I, Yuan Fang, would not stoop to using a woman as a threat. You may go. As for the warning, it's up to you whether you listen or not."

"I am staying of my own will, not under General Yuan's coercion," Mi Huan insisted even more.

Yuan Fang was puzzled, thinking that Mi Huan must be crazy to insist on staying as a hostage when he had not forced her.

Suspicious, his thoughts turned, and Yuan Fang suddenly understood the situation.

"I see..."

A cold smile appeared on Yuan Fang's lips, and he said, "If that's what you want, then so be it."

With his permission, Mi Huan secretly breathed a sigh of relief and escorted Mi Zhu out of the camp.

As soon as the siblings left the tent, Yuan Gui could not help but say, "Master, Mi Zhu is the head of the Mi family. If we keep him, we can extort endless wealth to support our army. Why did you let him go so easily?"

"Do you think that in times of chaos, one can break their word?"

Yuan Fang stood with his hands behind his back and said calmly, "The Mi family's money is just a temporary solution. Once I conquer Qingzhou, the military pay and supplies will be no concern. If I, Yuan Fang, break my word, who would still be willing to join me? Without the support of the people, everything is in vain."

These words were like a thunderbolt, awakening Yuan Gui and making him deeply ashamed.

Realizing his mistake, Yuan Gui hurriedly bowed and said, "Master truly has far-sighted plans. I was shortsighted."

With this matter resolved, Yuan Gui still had a curiosity. Why did Mi Huan, who could have left, insist on staying as a hostage?

"The Mi family is in Xu. Tao Qian and I are about to go to war. Now that the Mi family has given me fifty million, if they return to Xu safely, they will be accused of aiding the enemy. Mi Huan staying as a hostage is just to show that they were coerced into giving me the money."

Yuan Fang's keen insight revealed Mi Huan's true intentions clearly.

Yuan Gui was suddenly enlightened, slapping his forehead in amazement at his master's perceptiveness.

Outside the tent, Mi Huan had already escorted Mi Zhu to the camp gate. On the way, she quietly explained her reasons for staying to her brother.

Mi Zhu was finally enlightened and sighed, "The Chen and Cao families are wary of our growing influence. If we return safely, we will indeed be vulnerable to accusations. It's hard for you, my sister, to stay in this tiger's den."

Mi Huan, however, smiled softly and said, "Brother, you are the head of our family. As long as you are safe, that's all that matters. Don't worry about me. I see that this Second Master Yuan, though decisive in battle, is a man of his word. I will be fine here. Besides..."

She lowered her voice, "Besides, I want to observe this Second Master Yuan to see if he is worth our family's investment."

Hearing this, Mi Zhu was enlightened and nodded, "You are right, little sister. Governor Tao is old, and his son is incompetent. Once he dies, Xu will be leaderless and in chaos. Yuan Fang has the makings of a hero. If he really conquers Xu, our family's early investment will be a great profit."

"Brother, don't be too optimistic. With twenty thousand troops attacking Xu, Yuan Fang is in a difficult position. Let's see if he can survive this first," Mi Huan said calmly.

Mi Zhu nodded repeatedly, reminding his sister to take care, and then rode away from the camp.

Watching her brother leave, Mi Huan turned her gaze to the central command tent. Her eyes sparkled with intelligence, and she smiled faintly, muttering to herself, "This young Yuan Fang has an extraordinary demeanor and courage. I want to see if he is worth our family's investment..."

In the winter snow, the beauty smiled, like a lotus blooming in the wind and snow, graceful and captivating.

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