Chapter 77

Using the dead?

"Interesting, go on." Yuan Fang showed great interest.

Guo Jia swallowed a mouthful of wine and said unhurriedly, "Young Master should know that Gongsun Zan has two younger brothers and a son. One of his brothers, Gongsun Yue, was killed by a stray arrow while aiding Yuan Shu. Now, his only beloved son is also dead. So, the current Gongsun Zan is left with only one brother, Gongsun Fan."

As he listened, Yuan Fang's thoughts raced. Suddenly, he seemed to grasp part of Guo Jia's meaning and nodded, "It seems that if Gongsun Zan does not have a son in his lifetime, Gongsun Fan will become the sole heir to the Gongsun family's legacy."

"You react so quickly, Young Master."

Guo Jia praised, his tone suddenly taking on a hint of mystery, "Everyone outside is saying that Gongsun Xu was killed by you, but who knows the truth? Why not spread the news that the captured assassin has confessed to being sent by Gongsun Fan to assassinate Gongsun Xu? What do you think Gongsun Fan's reaction will be?"

Yuan Fang understood; this was a strategy to sow discord.

If this rumor spreads, the outside world will think that Gongsun Fan, driven by ambition, sent assassins to kill Gongsun Xu to secure the Gongsun family's inheritance.

Although there is no evidence for this claim, given Gongsun Zan's stubborn and self-willed nature, how could he not be influenced and start to doubt his only brother?

"Gongsun Fan, to prove his innocence, will not wait for Gongsun Zan's army to arrive. He will mobilize the troops of Bohai and launch an attack on me first. Then, I can take advantage of his rash move, defeat Gongsun Fan, and severely dampen Gongsun Zan's morale. Is this the essence of your brilliant plan, Fengxiao?"

Yuan Fang's mind was incredibly quick. Without waiting for Guo Jia to reveal the plan, he had already understood its deeper meaning.

A hint of surprise flashed across Guo Jia's face, and he laughed, "Young Master, you react so quickly. Yes, this is exactly my intention."

Indeed, this plan was truly ingenious. It was clear that Guo Jia had a unique grasp on human nature. With Guo Jia's assistance, Yuan Fang not only gained confidence in overcoming the current crisis but also felt more prepared to face Yuan Shao in the future.

Relieved, Yuan Fang laughed heartily, "I will use Fengxiao's plan. Gongsun Zan, who cannot distinguish right from wrong, foolishly comes to attack me. I will give him a severe blow."

"Oh, we've been talking so much, the wine has gone cold. We must drink it quickly~"

After finishing his plan, Guo Jia immediately turned his attention to the fine wine, fearing it would be wasted. He drank heartily, letting his guard down.

"Truly a drunkard..."

Yuan Fang shook his head and laughed, then also drank freely with Guo Jia.

The hall was filled with the aroma of wine and the hearty laughter of the two men.

The guards outside the hall were all curious, wondering why their young master was getting along so well with a drunkard.

After treating Guo Jia to fine wine that day, Guo Jia happily stayed in his camp, serving as his strategist.

Yuan Fang then sent a message to Mi Huan, asking her to use the Mi family's intelligence network in Hebei to spread the news that Gongsun Fan had sent assassins to kill Gongsun Xu to secure the inheritance.

The Mi family's trade network, known to span the land, did not disappoint. In no time, the news spread far and wide.

Soon, the rumor that Gongsun Fan had assassinated his nephew was rampant in the two provinces of You and Ji, known to all.

That day, Yuan Fang was drinking and discussing the world with Guo Jia in the hall.

Yuan Gui hurried in and bowed, "Young Master, scouts from the north have brought urgent news. The Governor of Bohai, Gongsun Fan, has mobilized all five thousand of his troops and is heading south towards our Pingyuan commandery."

Hearing this news, Yuan Fang's expression changed slightly. He exchanged a glance with Guo Jia, and both young faces simultaneously broke into smiles.

Smiles of expectation.

"Fengxiao, it seems your plan is working," Yuan Fang smiled.

Guo Jia sneered, "With the other armies not yet arrived, we have less than three thousand infantry and cavalry in Pingyuan. Gongsun Fan sees our small numbers and wants to defeat us with his own strength to prove his innocence to his suspicious brother."

Yuan Fang nodded slightly, his eagle-like eyes revealing a killing intent. He drained his cup and said coldly, "Gongsun Fan underestimates our small numbers. I will make him pay a heavy price for his arrogance."

That day, Yuan Fang left Hao Zhao with a thousand troops to guard the city. He then led Yan Liang with two thousand infantry and cavalry north to intercept Gongsun Fan's invading army.

In no time, Yuan Fang's army reached Longcou in northern Pingyuan.

The Hebei plain was vast and flat, but Longcou had a narrower terrain and was a crucial point for several waterways. Yuan Fang could only set up camp here to block the enemy's cavalry from advancing south.

Not long after the Yuan army set up camp, Gongsun Fan's five thousand Bohai troops arrived and set up camp ten miles away, forming a standoff.

As soon as Gongsun Fan established his camp, he received a personal letter from Yuan Fang.

In the tent, Gongsun Fan opened the letter and scanned it briefly, a look of disdainful amusement appearing on his face.

"Yuan Fang, this boy, with his small army and few generals, has shown his cowardice at the sight of our overwhelming force. Humph, he is indeed still a mere child."

Gongsun Fan did not hide his disdain and showed Yuan Fang's letter to his generals.

It turned out to be a letter of explanation from Yuan Fang.

In the letter, Yuan Fang claimed that Gongsun Xu's death was an accident, that he did not wish to offend the Gongsun family, and offered to return Gongsun Xu's remains in exchange for their retreat.

Undoubtedly, this was a letter of weakness.

After reading the letter, the generals were all roused to action, filled with contempt for Yuan Fang, and clamored to attack and crush the Yuan army immediately.

Of course, some generals reminded that this might be a deliberate show of weakness by Yuan Fang and warned against falling for his trick.

After all, Yuan Fang had killed Dan Jing and Tian Kai, achieving a complete victory in Qingzhou. They might speak of him with disdain, but they could not truly ignore him.

After this reminder, Gongsun Fan also reined in his contempt. He immediately led several dozen cavalry out of camp to secretly approach the Yuan camp and investigate.

Stopping on a hill, Gongsun Fan observed the Yuan camp for a long time, then sneered, "I see the enemy's flags are scattered, the defensive barriers are only set up in one layer, and the camp layout is chaotic. Yuan Fang, that boy, truly knows nothing about warfare. This is truly heaven's help for me."

The generals around him, all knowledgeable in military tactics, also saw the flaws in the Yuan camp.

The generals' spirits were even higher, and they eagerly asked Gongsun Fan how he planned to fight this battle.

Gongsun Fan arrogantly declared, "Pass my order. Tonight, the entire army will eat a full meal, and then we will launch a surprise attack on the enemy camp. I will personally kill Yuan Fang to prove my innocence to my brother and crush the rumors that slander me!"

Believing he had seen through the Yuan army's weaknesses, Gongsun Fan immediately decided on a plan to raid the camp.

Riding back to camp, Gongsun Fan ordered the five thousand troops to have a hearty meal.

In the dead of night, the gates of the Bohai camp opened, and Gongsun Fan led his five thousand troops out, moving stealthily towards the Yuan camp.

By the time the moon was high in the sky, Gongsun Fan's army had reached the vicinity of the Yuan camp.

Under the moonlight, the Yuan camp was brightly lit and eerily quiet. Gongsun Fan could even see the guards at the camp gate dozing off.

All signs indicated that the Yuan army was unprepared.

A look of satisfaction appeared on Gongsun Fan's grim face. He raised his spear and shouted, "Soldiers of the Gongsun family, follow me into the enemy camp and kill Yuan Fang, that boy, to avenge the young general—"

With a roar, Gongsun Fan charged forward on his horse.

The five thousand Gongsun family troops surged forward like a tidal wave towards the Yuan camp.

The Yuan camp remained calm.

The tents inside were pitch black, giving the impression that the Yuan soldiers were all asleep.

From outside, it was impossible to see that the tents were empty, and the two thousand Yuan soldiers were fully armed and silently lined up in the heart of the camp.

Yuan Fang, clad in silver armor and wielding a skull-crushing club, gazed calmly at the dark night.

Behind him, the soldiers stood like lifeless statues, their breathing synchronized, as quiet as a single person breathing.

These battle-hardened elite soldiers had been trained to maintain iron discipline.

Suddenly, a deafening cry of battle erupted at the camp gate, shattering the silence of the night.

A smirk appeared on Yuan Fang's lips. He knew his plan to show weakness had worked, and Gongsun Fan must have led his troops to raid the camp.

Behind him, the blood of the two thousand soldiers was ignited by the sudden cry of battle.

A moment later, Yuan Gui galloped in, shouting excitedly, "Young Master, the five thousand enemy troops have broken through the defensive barriers and are advancing towards the heart of the camp."

A cold, lethal light flashed in the young man's eyes.

Yuan Fang raised his skull-crushing club and pointed it towards the direction of the battle, shouting, "My brave warriors of the Yuan family, it is time to let the Gongsuns taste the edge of your blades. Kill—"