Chapter 73

In Ye City, at the Yuan residence.

In the elaborately decorated room, shards of cups and plates were scattered on the ground, bookshelves and flower pots were toppled over, creating a scene of chaos.

Yuan Tan sat there, fuming, his fists tightly clenched, his face full of anger.

"I clearly cut off his military pay, why hasn't his army's morale been shaken? How could he even defeat Tao Qian and capture Douchang City? What despicable means did that bastard use!"

Yuan Tan gritted his teeth, his anger uncontrollable, racking his brain but unable to figure out the mystery.

Now that Yuan Fang had taken Qingzhou, his reputation shook the land north and south of the Yellow River. Not only Yuan Xi, but even Yuan Tan's own fame had been overshadowed.

Yuan Tan gradually felt that he was running out of options and was beginning to lose control over Yuan Fang.

Footsteps sounded, and a refined scholar entered the hall with a composed gait.

Looking around at the chaos, the scholar smiled helplessly, "What has upset the young master so much?"

When Yuan Tan looked up and saw the man, his spirits lifted slightly. He hurriedly said, "Mr. Youruo, you've finally come. I need to discuss something urgent with you."

The "Mr. Youruo" Yuan Tan referred to was the famous scholar Xun Chen, who was part of Yuan Tan's faction.

Now that Guo Tu was dead, Yuan Tan had lost his chief strategist. In Ye City, the only person he could turn to for advice was Xun Chen.

"Since the young master has summoned me, it must be related to Yuan Fang," Xun Chen said, stroking his beard with a smile.

Yuan Tan sighed, "Indeed. Yuan Fang has already taken Qingzhou, and Father is busy fighting the Black Mountain bandits. He hasn't even pursued Yuan Fang for killing Kong Rong. That boy is becoming more and more arrogant. Mr. Youruo, you must come up with a plan to suppress his arrogance."

Xun Chen pondered for a moment, a cold and ruthless expression appearing on his refined face. He whispered, "At this point, ordinary means won't be enough to suppress Yuan Fang. In my opinion, we need to resort to some underhanded and despicable tactics."

The words "underhanded tactics" seemed to strike a chord with Yuan Tan, who immediately showed great interest.

Seeing no one around, Xun Chen narrowed his eyes and began to explain his despicable plan.

After listening, a smirk of schadenfreude appeared on Yuan Tan's lips. He coldly laughed, "Mr. Youruo's plan is truly brilliant. If this plan succeeds, it will certainly bring a formidable enemy to that bastard. I don't think that boy will be able to handle it."

The two of them looked at each other and laughed, the chaotic room filled with a chilling atmosphere.

...

In Douchang City, at the residence of the State Minister.

In the hall, the air was filled with the scent of wine, and the atmosphere was relaxed.

Yuan Fang was having a friendly conversation with a scholar in a green robe.

The scholar in the green robe was Sun Qian, recommended to Yuan Fang by Mi Huan from Beihai.

Yuan Fang asked about various matters, from the geography of the counties in Beihai to local customs and culture, and Sun Qian answered fluently.

"This Sun Qian is indeed a capable administrator, and he can certainly be of use..." Yuan Fang secretly praised.

Outside the hall, Zhu Ling entered and bowed, "Young master, the Mi family has delivered one hundred oxen and three hundred plows. They have already been transported to the warehouse."

Merchants are indeed merchants; the efficiency of the Mi family was truly impressive. Yuan Fang had only reached an agreement with Mi Huan a few days ago, and the first batch of oxen and farming tools had already arrived.

Yuan Fang nodded and said to Sun Qian, "Gongyou, I plan to promote large-scale farming in Qingzhou, including in the State of Beihai. I want you to be in charge of this. What do you think?"

When Sun Qian heard about the large-scale farming, he was surprised and had difficulty understanding.

"Qingzhou is in ruins, and the people are suffering. They can no longer bear heavy taxes. Although I have reduced the taxes in many counties, my soldiers still need to eat and drink. The only way to solve the food and fodder problem is through large-scale farming," Yuan Fang explained patiently.

Sun Qian suddenly understood and bowed in admiration, "Young master's concern for the people is truly a blessing for the people of Qingzhou. I never thought that you would come up with the idea of large-scale farming to solve the food and fodder problem. Your method is truly brilliant."

Yuan Fang smiled without a word, accepting Sun Qian's praise.

After the praise, Sun Qian became serious, "Thank you for your trust, young master. I will do my best to take on this responsibility. However, I am not very familiar with agriculture and fear I might fail you. I have a suitable candidate to recommend for this task."

"Who is it?" Yuan Fang's eyes lit up when he heard Sun Qian was recommending someone.

There was no helping it; Yuan Fang was in dire need of talent.

Sun Qian smiled, "His name is Guo Yuan, styled Zini, from Le'an in Qingzhou. Although he is a famous scholar, he is also an expert in agriculture. I believe that if he is in charge of large-scale farming, he will certainly achieve something."

Guo Yuan?

Yuan Fang was not very familiar with this name, but he had a vague memory. If he remembered correctly, this person was responsible for large-scale farming for Cao Cao in history.

He never expected that Guo Yuan was from Beihai.

"Anyone recommended by Gongyou must be capable. Please write a letter on my behalf to invite him to take on this responsibility," Yuan Fang said happily.

Sun Qian was moved by Yuan Fang's trust, as he had accepted his recommendation without any examination.

Sun Qian readily accepted the task and took his leave.

After Sun Qian left, only Zhu Ling and Yuan Fang remained in the hall.

"Go ahead and speak your mind, Wenbo. There's no need to be reserved between us," Yuan Fang said, noticing that Zhu Ling had something to say.

"You can't fool me, young master," Zhu Ling smiled wryly, his expression becoming serious. "The news of your pacification of Qingzhou and the killing of Kong Rong has probably already reached Lord Yuan in Ji Province. I am worried that the eldest son's people might use the incident with Kong Rong to attack you, trying to get Lord Yuan to punish you for killing a famous scholar. This could be detrimental to you."

Faced with Zhu Ling's concern, Yuan Fang smiled confidently, "There's no need to worry about this. Even if Father is unhappy about my killing of Kong Rong, he won't dare to punish me at this time. Don't forget, I am holding back two major enemies in Qingzhou."

Zhu Ling was initially stunned but then suddenly understood.

Yuan Shao was about to engage in a decisive battle with Zhang Yan. If he were to take action against Yuan Fang now, any turmoil in Qingzhou would benefit Tao Qian and Gongsun Zan, threatening Yuan Shao's flank.

Although Yuan Shao was biased and looked down on Yuan Fang, he wouldn't fail to see the consequences.

"Of course, young master must have already calculated this. No wonder you dared to kill Kong Rong," Zhu Ling secretly admired.

At this point, Yuan Fang changed the subject, "There's no need to worry about Father, but I'm concerned about my eldest brother. I suspect he will be angry about my growing power and will try to use underhanded means against me."

Zhu Ling laughed dismissively, "Now that you have taken Qingzhou, with the Mi family's financial support and the promotion of large-scale farming, the food and fodder problem will be solved this year. Even if the eldest son wants to cause trouble, I don't think he has any way to do so."

Yuan Fang shook his head and coldly snorted, "Never underestimate my eldest brother's limits. To deal with me, he will use any despicable means."

Just as he spoke, a guard outside the hall reported that Hao Zhao had sent a messenger with urgent news.

Yuan Fang's heart sank, suddenly having a bad feeling. He quickly ordered the messenger to be brought in.

Soon, the messenger entered, bowed, and reported solemnly, "Young master, General Hao has sent me to report that a few days ago, Gongsun Xu was assassinated by a prison guard and has since died."