Chapter 79

Gongsun Fan was dragged in, and without any need for a reprimand, he immediately knelt before the tent.

Yuan Fang’s blow, with ninety-two catties of force, combined with the speed of the warhorse and the explosive power of his muscles, was incredibly powerful.

Gongsun Fan’s martial arts had not even reached the Condensing Membrane stage. Faced with such a heavy blow, if Yuan Fang had not held back, he would have been smashed into a pulp, without even the chance to kneel.

Gongsun Fan, heavily injured internally, supported himself on the ground with both hands, his pale face glaring at Yuan Fang with hatred, and said, "Boy, you’re crafty, but if you have the guts, kill me."

Gongsun Fan’s self-respect had plummeted from the clouds to the depths of the valley, from underestimating Yuan Fang to being severely injured and captured by him. It was no wonder he was furious and ashamed.

Yuan Fang, however, looked at him coldly and said, "For me, Yuan Fang, to kill you would be as easy as crushing an ant. The reason I spared your life is to have you deliver a message to Gongsun Zan."

Gongsun Fan’s expression trembled. He had thought he was surely going to die, but he never expected Yuan Fang to spare him.

The determination to die vanished in an instant. Gongsun Fan suppressed his anger and said in a deep voice, "What message do you want me to deliver?"

Yuan Fang said calmly, "I want you to tell Gongsun Zan that I, Yuan Fang, always keep my word. Since I promised Zhao Yun not to kill Gongsun Xu, I will not break my promise. The murderer of Gongsun Xu is someone else. Tell Gongsun Zan to open his eyes and not to come looking for trouble, or I will make him regret it."

Yuan Fang’s words showed no fear of Gongsun Zan, only a statement of the truth, and a warning.

If Yuan Fang had sent someone to Gongsun Zan with these words before his victory, Gongsun Zan would have thought that Yuan Fang was lying to seek peace out of fear of his power.

This would only have made Gongsun Zan more arrogant and disrespectful.

Now, with a great victory, Yuan Fang used Gongsun Fan, the captive, to deliver the message, showing no fear, but rather a warning to Gongsun Zan.

Gongsun Fan was surprised and stared at Yuan Fang in disbelief, "You say you didn’t kill my nephew, then how did he die on your territory?"

Yuan Fang, unwilling to explain, gave a glance to Yan Liang.

Yan Liang understood and said sternly, "Even a fool knows that Yuan Tan deliberately sent someone to assassinate Gongsun Xu to lure you into attacking our lord. Any clear-eyed person can see this; only you and your brother fell for the trick."

Yan Liang spoke the truth for Yuan Fang and also mocked the Gongsun family.

Gongsun Fan was furious but dared not show it. Suppressing his anger, he pondered and a look of doubt flashed in his eyes.

Liu Bei and Tian Kai had both secretly received intelligence from Yuan Tan. Although these matters were not confirmed, Gongsun Fan had heard some of it.

"Could it be that Xu was really assassinated by Yuan Tan?"

Gongsun Fan was wavering but then snorted, "Words are cheap. Who can prove that Yuan Tan killed him? Xu is dead, so you can say whatever you want."

Seeing that Gongsun Fan did not believe him, Yan Liang became furious and was about to beat him.

Yuan Fang, however, waved him off and said coldly, "I am just stating the facts. Believe it or not, it’s up to you. But I can assure you that if Gongsun Zan persists in his delusion and continues to attack me, I will make him regret it."

With this stern warning, Yuan Fang did not bother to say more and ordered Gongsun Fan to be taken away, allowing him to take Gongsun Xu’s body and return to Gongsun Zan.

After Gongsun Fan was sent away, Yan Liang asked, "My lord, do you think Gongsun Zan will retreat?"

"It’s hard to say. Gongsun Zan is extremely proud. Even if he knows his son was not killed by me, he may not retreat after this great victory."

Yuan Fang’s eyes turned resolute, and he said boldly, "Our fate is in our own hands. Even if Gongsun Zan does not retreat and continues to attack with his army, we will fight him to the death."

The fierce determination and burning will deeply moved Yan Liang, igniting his own passion.

This brave general from Hebei laughed heartily, "My lord speaks well. Even if the enemy numbers in the thousands, I, Yan Liang, will fight alongside you and kill them to our heart’s content."

The lord and his minister, filled with passion, laughed loudly together, completely disregarding the imminent threat.

That day, Yuan Fang reorganized the camp, led the victorious army, and escorted thousands of captives back to Pingyuan City.

Longcou was not a strategic location, and with Yuan Fang’s limited troops, he could only handle Gongsun Fan. If Gongsun Zan’s forty-thousand-strong army attacked, he would not be able to resist.

Retreating to Pingyuan City, setting up camp with the city at their back, and waiting for the enemy to tire themselves out was the best strategy.

...

In Nanpi City, the capital of Bohai Commandery.

Gongsun Zan, hand on his sword, stood proudly on the city wall, his cold and proud gaze looking down at the outside.

On the road outside the city, countless Youzhou infantry and cavalry poured in from the north, entering Nanpi City in an endless stream, stretching as far as the eye could see.

Forty thousand elite troops from Youzhou marched south in grand procession, reaching Nanpi in a few days.

This was already the core of Gongsun Zan’s territory in Ji Province. From here, it would take only a few days to reach Pingyuan to the south.

Gongsun Zan had intended to meet up with Gongsun Fan and advance south together, but his brother had disobeyed orders and rushed to attack Pingyuan on his own.

Gongsun Fan’s disobedience greatly displeased Gongsun Zan.

"Recently, there have been rumors that General Zhonggui sent someone to assassinate the young lord. Perhaps General Zhonggui acted hastily to show his loyalty, attacking Yuan Fang before the main army arrived."

Guang Jing, sensing Gongsun Zan’s displeasure, explained on Gongsun Fan’s behalf.

Gongsun Zan glanced at Guang Jing and asked in a deep voice, "Do you think these rumors are true or false?"

"Well..." Guang Jing’s eyes rolled, and he said firmly, "I believe these rumors are absolutely false."

Gongsun Zan frowned and said coldly, "Why are you so sure?"

"If these rumors were true, wouldn’t the whole world laugh at our lord? Now that our lord has launched a major southern campaign to avenge Yuan Fang, wouldn’t that also become a joke? Therefore, these rumors must be false," Guang Jing said meaningfully.

Gongsun Zan’s body trembled, and he suddenly understood the deeper meaning of Guang Jing’s words.

No matter how his beloved son died, Gongsun Zan was already in a difficult position and could only regard Yuan Fang as the murderer of his son. Otherwise, he would be laughed at by the world.

After a moment of thought, Gongsun Zan nodded slightly and said coldly, "Zhonggui is my brother. How could he do such an inhumane thing? I, Gongsun Zan, would never believe such ridiculous rumors."

Seeing that Gongsun Zan was convinced, Guang Jing breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, "Although General Zhonggui acted on his own, he has five thousand elite troops under his command. Yuan Fang’s forces in Pingyuan are only about three thousand. Perhaps by now, General Zhonggui has already avenged the death of the young lord and is bringing back Yuan Fang’s head."

Gongsun Zan’s mood improved. He stroked his beard and smiled coldly, his eyes filled with pride.

Just then, a scout galloped up from the south, reached the city wall, and saluted, "My lord, urgent news from the south. General Zhonggui was defeated by Yuan Fang, and his five thousand troops were almost completely annihilated. General Zhonggui was also captured alive by Yuan Fang."

Like a bolt of lightning, the news struck everyone, including Guang Jing, causing their expressions to change in shock.

Gongsun Zan’s face turned pale, and he exclaimed in surprise, "How is that possible? How could Zhonggui be defeated by that boy, Yuan Fang, and even captured alive?"