Chapter 76

"Who is it?" Yuan Fang asked casually.

"That person claims his name is Guo Jia," Yuan Gui replied.

Guo Jia!

This name, like a thunderclap, instantly made Yuan Fang's body tremble, and his heavy mood vanished.

After their parting in Ye City, Yuan Fang had been secretly monitoring Guo Jia, knowing that he had been wandering around Ji Province, neither going to Yan Province to join Cao Cao nor to Qing Province to join him, Yuan Fang.

Yuan Fang knew that Guo Jia had very high standards and would only choose to join a lord who shared his ideals. His delay in coming must have been due to hesitation and further observation of Yuan Fang.

Now, with Yuan Fang in a "surrounded on all sides" predicament, Guo Jia's proactive visit undoubtedly meant that he was coming to join him.

"Guo Fengxiao, the Ghost Strategist, you have finally come. Truly, you are a snow in a time of need, hahaha~"

Yuan Fang laughed heartily, his spirits soaring. He immediately ordered the meeting to be dismissed and a banquet to be set up, bringing out all the fine wine stored in his mansion.

"Isn't Guo Jia that wine lover? I heard he had already resigned and returned home. Why would he suddenly come to Pingyuan, and why is the young master treating him so warmly?"

Yan Liang and Hao Zhao were both suspicious but did not dare to ask more, and they dispersed.

The fine wine had just been brought in when, outside the hall, a man in a green robe strode in confidently.

With a flushed face and a wine gourd hanging from his waist, looking carefree and unrestrained, it could be none other than Guo Jia.

"Hmm, such a strong aroma, there must be good wine~"

As soon as Guo Jia smelled the wine, he became like a wild cat enticed by meat, swallowing saliva and his eyes gleaming with greed.

After not seeing him for many days, Guo Jia still had that insatiable love for wine.

Yuan Fang laughed heartily, descending the steps to greet him, and said magnanimously, "When we parted in Ye City, I said that if you, Guo Fengxiao, came to my door, I, Yuan Fang, would treat you with good wine. I will not go back on my word now."

"I knew that the second young master would have good wine. I won't be polite then," Guo Jia said with a grin, smacking his lips.

Yuan Fang waved his hand and smiled, "All the good wine here is prepared for you, Fengxiao. Don't be polite, drink to your heart's content."

Guo Jia did not hesitate, kneeling down and drinking cup after cup.

"Good wine, truly good wine, so refreshing."

As Guo Jia savored the wine, he did not forget to quickly fill his wine gourd, as if afraid that someone would take it from him.

The attendants, seeing Guo Jia being so casual and "reckless" in front of their young master, who did not show any anger, were secretly amazed.

Yuan Fang returned to his seat, watching Guo Jia drink freely, not finding it impolite but rather feeling a sense of familiarity with his carefree nature.

Yuan Fang sipped his wine, smiling as he watched Guo Jia "indulge."

After drinking over a dozen cups, Guo Jia burped several times, his face flushed with alcohol, looking thoroughly drunk.

"Good wine, let me rest a bit, and I'll drink more later," Guo Jia patted his bulging stomach, panting.

Yuan Fang put down his wine cup and smiled, "Fengxiao, you've come all this way to my troubled place. Surely it's not just for a drink, right?"

Guo Jia was taken aback for a moment, then a hint of a meaningful smile appeared on his lips as he wiped the wine from the corner of his mouth, "Actually, I came for two reasons: one, to get a drink, and two, to ask a question that has been on my mind for a long time."

"Then ask away," Yuan Fang said straightforwardly.

Guo Jia resumed his kneeling posture, putting away his lazy and indifferent expression, and for a rare moment, he became serious.

He looked straight at Yuan Fang and asked, "Given your background, trying to carve out a territory in this chaotic world is like seeking survival in a narrow gap, fraught with difficulties. Yet, you still take such great risks, insisting on this path. I want to ask, why is that?"

Guo Jia's question struck at the core of Yuan Fang's heart, making him tremble.

After a moment of contemplation, Yuan Fang looked straight at Guo Jia and said calmly, "The world looks down on me, Yuan Fang, and underestimates me, thinking I am just a weak and incapable bastard, not worthy of competing with the warlords, only fit to hide under the shade of the Yuan family, living a life of eating and drinking until death. I, Yuan Fang, will defy the world, making all those who underestimate me realize they have misjudged me."

The arrogant words and the intense confidence in Yuan Fang's voice, though spoken lightly, seemed to hide a surging power, making those around him feel a strong sense of pressure.

Even Guo Jia's expression changed slightly.

The next moment, a smile appeared on Guo Jia's lips, as if Yuan Fang's words were exactly what he wanted to hear.

"And you, Guo Fengxiao?"

Yuan Fang changed the subject and asked, "You come from a humble background. Logically, climbing onto the great tree of my father's family is already very fortunate. Why did you resign and return home? Don't you think it's a waste?"

"Hehe~"

Guo Jia laughed coldly and said, "I've always said that if the wine doesn't suit my taste, even if it's the finest nectar, it's not worth cherishing. You, young master, have your own persistence, and I, Guo Jia, have mine."

Yuan Fang smiled slightly, "It seems we are both stubborn oddballs, quite a match for each other."

"More or less, if not, why would I come to you, the second young master, for a drink? It seems that the wine here is the most flavorful."

As Guo Jia spoke, he resumed his carefree manner and raised his cup to drink again.

Yuan Fang laughed.

Guo Jia's words were clear: Yuan Fang's "wine" suited his taste, and he, Guo Jia, had chosen his lord.

Between intelligent people, understanding each other's intentions, there was no need for dramatic scenes of kneeling and pledging loyalty.

Yuan Fang was deeply gratified and laughed heartily, "If so, let's drink to this well-matched wine."

Guo Jia raised his cup joyfully, and the two young men laughed heartily, finishing their drinks in one go.

After three rounds of drinking, they were thoroughly enjoying themselves.

Yuan Fang put down his cup and said, "We've had our drink. The predicament I face now, I believe you, Fengxiao, are well aware of. Share your thoughts."

Since Guo Jia had come to join him, Yuan Fang naturally wanted to make good use of his strategic mind.

Guo Jia also sobered up and said slowly, "Although the army in Xu Province numbers thirty thousand, Cao Bao's military prowess is negligible. With Zang Ba and Zhu Ling in the south, even if they cannot repel the Xu Province army, holding the line is not a problem. What you need to do is defeat the primary enemy, Gongsun Zan, first, and then deal with Tao Qian."

Guo Jia's words aligned with Yuan Fang's preconceived strategy, showing that wise men think alike.

Yuan Fang nodded slightly but said, "Gongsun Zan is not like Dan Jing and Tian Kai. This time, he has mobilized his entire army. Defeating him is not an easy task. What I am worried about is that I have only recently gained control of Qing Province, and the people's hearts are not yet settled. If I cannot quickly defeat Gongsun Zan, it might lead to internal unrest in Qing Province."

"To defeat Gongsun Zan, we can only wait for his army to arrive and then make plans. However, I have a strategy that can help you take the initiative, boost our morale, and dampen the spirits of Gongsun Zan's army," a sly smile appeared on Guo Jia's lips.

"Guo Jia truly lives up to his name. His timely arrival is indeed a snow in a time of need. I knew he would have a brilliant plan to help me..."

Yuan Fang was secretly delighted and asked Guo Jia what his brilliant plan was.

Guo Jia played with the wine gourd in his hand and said with a sly smile, "Regarding Gongsun Xu, this dead man, I think you can make good use of him."