Chapter 74

Píngyuán City.

At dusk, Yuan Fang rode his horse swiftly into the city.

Upon learning of the assassination of Gong Sunxu, Yuan Fang realized the severity of the situation and left Douchang City that very day, riding non-stop to Píngyuán.

As soon as Yuan Fang entered the Prefectural Office, Hao Zhao, who had heard the news, hurried over.

"I failed to guard Gong Sunxu properly, allowing him to be assassinated, which disrupted your plans. Please punish me, my lord," Hao Zhao said, filled with self-reproach.

Yuan Fang didn't say much and went straight into the Prefectural Office.

Once in the main hall and seated, Yuan Fang asked, "Tell me, what exactly happened?"

Hao Zhao then recounted the events in a remorseful tone.

It turned out that Gong Sunxu had been imprisoned in the Píngyuán jail for several months without incident. A few days ago, a jailer took advantage of Gong Sunxu's unpreparedness, suddenly attacked him, and killed him on the spot.

"I should have kept Gong Sunxu in the military camp, not in the county jail. Otherwise, this wouldn't have happened," Hao Zhao reproached himself again.

Yuan Fang waved his hand and said, "There's no need for you to blame yourself. This was likely the work of someone with ulterior motives, and I didn't anticipate it either. Tell me about the jailer assassin. Did he confess to who ordered him?"

"I subjected him to severe torture, but he remained stubborn and refused to confess," Hao Zhao shook his head.

Yuan Fang's brows furrowed, and he ordered the jailer to be brought in.

A moment later, the jailer was dragged in by several soldiers and thrown to the ground in front of the hall.

Yuan Fang looked down and saw that the jailer was covered in blood and had numerous injuries, clearly having been subjected to severe torture.

"Speak. Who ordered you? If you tell me, I will spare your life," Yuan Fang demanded sternly.

The jailer lifted his head and, recognizing Yuan Fang, was deeply intimidated by his presence.

Though he showed fear, the jailer took a deep breath and said, "No one ordered me. I just couldn't stand Gong Sunxu, so I killed him. You can punish me as you see fit. I am willing to die."

The jailer displayed a tragic resolve to face death.

Seeing this, Hao Zhao became furious and was about to order the soldiers to beat the man.

However, Yuan Fang stopped them and, instead of being angry, asked calmly, "Where are you from?"

"I... I am from Wei Commandery," the jailer admitted.

Wei Commandery, Ye City?

Yuan Fang nodded slightly, his suspicions growing. He sighed, "You are a brave man, but have you thought about what will happen to your family if you die?"

Mentioning his family, the jailer seemed to be struck by a painful realization and trembled.

Then, he sighed bitterly and said, "I did this for my family. Otherwise, they would die. My lord, I have wronged you. Please give me a quick death."

By this point, Yuan Fang, with his keen insight, had deduced the truth.

Clearly, the jailer had been coerced by someone who threatened his family's lives, forcing him to sacrifice himself to assassinate Gong Sunxu.

Since the jailer was from Wei Commandery, the person behind this was most likely Yuan Tan.

Yuan Fang had been using Gong Sunxu as a hostage to coerce Gongsun Zan into not making any rash moves against Qingzhou.

Now that Gong Sunxu was dead on his territory, the news would enrage Gongsun Zan, who would likely assume that Yuan Fang had killed his beloved son and would mobilize his army to avenge him.

Yuan Tan, seeing that his subtle tactics were not working, had resorted to this vicious plan to use Gongsun Zan to deal with Yuan Fang.

Yuan Fang's gaze was like a blade as he stared at the jailer. "If I'm not mistaken, the person who threatened you is my elder brother, Yuan Tan, right?"

The jailer's body shook violently, and his bloodstained face showed shock. Despite his efforts to suppress it, it was clear that Yuan Fang had guessed correctly.

Thump, thump, thump!

The jailer bowed three times to Yuan Fang, almost pleading, "I really can't say. Please don't ask me anymore. Even if you kill me, I won't speak."

Yuan Fang understood.

He had been expecting Yuan Tan to cause trouble, but he hadn't anticipated such a despicable move.

Using the jailer's family as leverage to force him to assassinate Gong Sunxu was truly despicable.

Yuan Fang's veins bulged, and he clenched his fists, a wave of anger and murderous intent surging within him.

But he quickly suppressed his anger.

With a cold laugh, Yuan Fang sighed, "You are a brave man, willing to die to protect your family. Unfortunately, my elder brother, born into a noble family and well-versed in the teachings of the sages, is heartless and cruel, wishing to see me dead. He is not even as good as a lowly jailer like you."

Yuan Fang admired the jailer's courage and his love for his family, even though the jailer's actions had disrupted his plans.

Hao Zhao, understanding the situation, said angrily, "I never thought the eldest lord could be so despicable, to do such a shameless act. My lord, should we report this to the lord?"

"What's the point of reporting it?" Yuan Fang shook his head. "Even if the jailer confesses that Yuan Tan ordered him, Yuan Tan won't admit it. Instead, he will accuse me of false charges. Do you think our father will side with me?"

Hao Zhao was speechless.

He understood Yuan Fang's point. Just as when Yuan Tan had ordered Guo Huai to secretly communicate with Liu Bei, reporting Yuan Tan was useless and would only give him a chance to counter-accuse.

"Then... are we just going to let the eldest lord do as he pleases and treat you like this?" Hao Zhao gritted his teeth, unwillingly.

Yuan Fang snorted coldly, his words sharp. "Do you think I, Yuan Fang, will let anyone bully me? They will pay tenfold for what they have done to me."

The fierce vow was filled with murderous intent, making everyone around him feel a deep chill.

Yuan Fang's gaze swept over the jailer, and he said approvingly, "Though you are of humble origin, you are a man of honor and courage."

Hearing that Yuan Fang admired him, the jailer was shaken, a glimmer of hope in his eyes, thinking that Yuan Fang might spare him.

But then, Yuan Fang said sternly, "However, you have committed an unforgivable crime, and I, Yuan Fang, cannot spare you. Go in peace. The person who threatened you and forced you to come here to die, I will avenge you in the future."

The jailer's hope was immediately shattered. Despite Yuan Fang's admiration, he still had to die.

The jailer took a deep breath, bowed to Yuan Fang, and said gratefully, "I deserve to die. Thank you, my lord."

After bowing, Yuan Fang waved his hand and ordered the soldiers to drag him out and execute him.

Watching the jailer being dragged away, Hao Zhao sighed, "My lord, what should we do now?"

"Do you need to ask?" Yuan Fang stood up and said sternly, "Order the entire army to prepare for Gongsun Zan's attack. Once we defeat Gongsun Zan, we will settle the score with that despicable man."