Chapter 72

Amidst the undulating peaks and labored breathing, it took a while before Mi Huan managed to suppress her shock and embarrassment.

She covered herself with her arms, cautiously stepping out of the wooden basin, hurriedly dressing and grooming herself, fearing that Yuan Fang might barge in again.

Despite her extensive experience and remarkable intelligence, she was still a woman. Being seen by a man while bathing naked, how could she not be flustered?

Once dressed, Mi Huan's breathing gradually steadied, but her cheeks were still burning hot, no doubt flushed red.

In such a state, how could she dare to go out and face Yuan Fang? It would be awkward indeed.

She used cold water to cool her face, soaking for a while until her cheeks were no longer so hot. Only then did she take a deep breath and step into the outer tent.

In the outer tent, Yuan Fang stood with his hands behind his back, looking composed.

A faint smile appeared on Mi Huan's face as she said coyly, "Why didn't you announce yourself, Master? You just barged in so casually."

Yuan Fang turned around and saw that Mi Huan's snow-white face still bore traces of steam, with droplets of water clinging to her hair. This appearance, so different from her usual dignified self, had a unique charm.

Yuan Fang smiled and said, "I have an urgent matter to discuss with you, Miss. I came rather abruptly, please forgive me. But rest assured, I didn't see anything."

If Yuan Fang hadn't mentioned it, it would have been fine, but his statement, "I didn't see anything," made it sound like he was trying to cover something up.

Not seeing anything, he must have seen something.

Mi Huan felt embarrassed again, and her face, which had just returned to normal, quickly turned red again.

"Let's not talk about this. What brings you here, Master?" Mi Huan quickly changed the subject to avoid the awkwardness.

"Ah, it's like this..."

Yuan Fang no longer mentioned the awkward moment and began to discuss his plan to promote large-scale land reclamation in Qingzhou with Mi Huan.

"I can gather the displaced people, but I don't have enough oxen and farming tools. So I want to ask your family to provide the funds to purchase them."

"Promoting land reclamation is indeed a creative way to solve the food supply problem," Mi Huan praised, then changed the subject, "But the cost of purchasing so many oxen and farming tools is not a small amount. As you know, our family is in business..."

Mi Huan didn't finish her sentence, but the implication was clear: they were merchants, not philanthropists, and they wouldn't do a deal without returns.

Yuan Fang had anticipated this and said, "I won't let your family down for helping me. When the land reclamation is successful, the farmers will get 40%, I will get 50%, and the remaining 10% will go to your family as a return on your investment. What do you think?"

Hearing Yuan Fang's proposal, Mi Huan became interested, her wise eyes sparkling as she calculated the potential profits in her mind.

In times of chaos, nothing was more valuable than food. If Yuan Fang could successfully promote large-scale land reclamation in Qingzhou, giving 10% to her family would mean a substantial amount of grain, measured in hundreds of thousands of dou.

After some deliberation, Mi Huan agreed happily, "Since Master is so sincere, how can our family not help? We will provide the funds."

A smile appeared on Yuan Fang's lips. He knew that a woman as shrewd as Mi Huan would not refuse his offer.

"Great, it's settled then. We shouldn't delay. Please arrange it quickly, Miss Mi. I need to implement the land reclamation before the spring plowing begins," Yuan Fang said decisively.

Mi Huan nodded in agreement but added, "However, Master is currently at war with Xu Province. We can't openly provide the funds. You can purchase the oxen and farming tools from our family in your name, but the actual funds will be provided by us."

Mi Huan's move was to avoid drawing attention.

"Fine, I understand your family's difficulties. Let's do it this way," Yuan Fang agreed and then took his leave.

Mi Huan personally saw Yuan Fang off. Watching the young man's strong figure as he walked away, she thought to herself, "Yuan Fang is not only wise and brave, excelling in military strategy, but he is also a capable administrator. To think he came up with the idea of land reclamation to solve the food supply problem, truly remarkable."

As she marveled, the scene from earlier, when Yuan Fang mistakenly entered and saw her bathing, flashed through her mind.

Her beautiful face instantly turned red again.

"Clearly, you saw something and still say you didn't. I don't think you're a good person at all, hmpf~"

She wrinkled her nose and pouted, feeling secretly aggrieved.

...

While Yuan Fang was busy promoting large-scale land reclamation, the news of his victory in Duchang, where he defeated Kong Rong and took control of Qingzhou, had spread throughout the region north and south of the Yellow River.

When the news reached Ji Province, the entire province was in a state of excitement.

No one had expected that the once-weak and disabled illegitimate son of the Yuan family would rise to fame and become renowned across the land in less than a year.

Killing Dan Jing, beheading Tian Kai, capturing Gong Sunxu, defeating Kong Rong, and taking Qingzhou...

These glorious achievements were something even their renowned and strategically brilliant Yuan Chariot General could not accomplish.

Yuan Fang, the illegitimate son who was once looked down upon, had achieved all this.

And in just nine months.

At this moment, the image of the weak and incapable Yuan Fang in the hearts of the people of Ji Province had completely vanished, replaced by the image of a wise and brave leader.

In Changshan.

In the military tent, Yuan Shao was discussing the final battle against Zhang Yan with his advisors.

This war against the Black Mountain Bandits had been ongoing for more than three months, and despite his well-equipped and well-fed troops, Yuan Shao had not achieved a decisive victory.

Zhang Yan's cavalry from Bing Province was too formidable, and Yuan Shao had no way to counter them.

But now, Yuan Shao was full of confidence.

Because not long ago, Lu Bu, who had killed Dong Zhuo in Chang'an but was then driven out by the Western Liang troops, had fled to Ji Province and sought refuge with Yuan Shao.

Lu Bu, a native of Bing Province, was an expert in cavalry warfare and knew the terrain of the region well. With Lu Bu's support, how could Yuan Shao not be confident?

In the military tent, everyone was discussing what to do after defeating Zhang Yan.

A scout rushed in and bowed, saying, "Lord, good news from Qingzhou. The second son has defeated the reinforcements from Tao Qian, captured Duchang, and beheaded Kong Rong. Qingzhou is now under control."

This news caused a stir in the tent.

Even Yuan Shao couldn't help but widen his eyes, as if he couldn't believe it, and urgently asked for the report to be presented for a closer look.

Beside him, Tian Feng stroked his beard, nodded slightly, and thought to himself, "The second son is indeed wise and brave. To take Qingzhou in just nine months, remarkable, truly remarkable..."

After reading the report, Yuan Shao confirmed it was true and was at a loss for words.

For him, this news was a mix of joy and worry.

He was happy that Qingzhou was now under his control, but he was worried that such a great achievement was accomplished by an illegitimate son he had always overlooked and underestimated.

Across from him, Xu You and Xin Ping had serious expressions. They exchanged glances, and their eyes flashed with a hint of malice.

"Lord, the second son has indeed achieved a great feat by taking Qingzhou, but he killed Kong Rong, which was not right," Xu You said, filled with reproach.

Xin Ping added, "Zi Yuan's words are reasonable. Kong Rong is a descendant of a sage and a renowned scholar. Now the second son has killed him, which could make the people think that the Lord is narrow-minded and allows his son to kill virtuous people. I believe the second son's actions are more harmful than beneficial."

Xu You and Xin Ping, who supported Yuan Tan, used the incident with Kong Rong to attack Yuan Fang and try to undermine his achievements.

Juzhu and Feng Ji, who supported Yuan Shang, remained silent, pretending to know nothing.

Yuan Shao was quickly provoked by Xu You and Xin Ping, slamming his hand on the table and saying sternly, "Xian Zheng is too arrogant. Without my order, he dared to kill Kong Rong, which has damaged the reputation of our Yuan family."

Xu You and Xin Ping quickly fanned the flames from the side.

Tian Feng, however, grew increasingly angry. Yuan Fang had achieved a great feat by taking Qingzhou, and instead of praising him, Yuan Shao was angrily reprimanding him. This unfair treatment made Tian Feng furious, and he could no longer bear to watch.

Amidst the accusations, Tian Feng suddenly spoke loudly, "Kong Rong may be a renowned scholar, but he assisted Tian Kai and served Gong Sunzhan, making him the Lord's enemy. As an enemy, what is wrong with the second son killing him?"

This sharp counter-question silenced Xu You and the others, and also quelled Yuan Shao's anger.

Tian Feng continued, "Now the second son has captured Qingzhou for the Lord, restraining Tao Qian to the south and Gong Sunzhan to the north, blocking two powerful enemies. If the Lord still wants to reprimand the second son, I believe it would not be a wise move."

Tian Feng's words made Yuan Shao regain his composure and reassess the situation.

As Tian Feng said, if it weren't for Yuan Fang restraining the two major enemies, how could he have the time to deal with Zhang Yan's Black Mountain Bandits?

The final battle against the Black Mountain Bandits was approaching, and if he were to blame Yuan Fang over the Kong Rong incident, it could destabilize Qingzhou, with disastrous consequences.

After some thought, Yuan Shao's furrowed brows gradually relaxed, and he said sternly, "I will consider his achievement in capturing Qingzhou and temporarily forgive him for killing Kong Rong. Let's not mention this matter again. Focus on how to defeat Zhang Yan."

For the greater good, Yuan Shao ultimately did not blame Yuan Fang.

Xu You and Xin Ping, however, had deep frowns on their faces, their eyes flashing with anger and frustration.