Chapter 80

Gongsun Fan, a seasoned general with five thousand elite Bohai soldiers under his command, was defeated by Yuan Fang's two thousand troops and even captured alive?

Gongsun Zan, shocked, felt as if he had heard the biggest joke in the world, unable to believe it.

He immediately ordered further investigation to ascertain the facts.

While Gongsun Zan was still in shock and disbelief, from the south, his captured brother Gongsun Fan had returned in a disheveled state, carrying the body of Gongsun Xu.

Gongsun Zan was greatly shaken, hurriedly rushing down from the city wall and galloping straight to the south gate.

Outside the south gate, he saw his unambitious brother and the cold, lifeless body of his son lying on the ground.

"Xu'er!"

Gongsun Zan rushed forward, holding his son's body and weeping bitterly.

"Yuan Fang, you scoundrel, you have killed Xu'er. I, Gongsun Zan, swear to kill you or I will not be a man!" Gongsun Zan wept and swore, his hatred for Yuan Fang burning in his heart.

Gongsun Fan, with a pale expression, listened to his brother's curses against Yuan Fang, pondering whether he should relay Yuan Fang's words to Gongsun Zan.

After a while, Gongsun Zan recovered from his grief, glaring at Gongsun Fan and sternly demanding, "What exactly happened? Why did you advance south without waiting for my main army?"

Gongsun Fan fell to his knees, blaming himself, "Your foolish brother, in a fit of anger to avenge Xu'er, rashly launched an attack and fell into Yuan Fang's trap, suffering a great defeat. Please forgive me, brother."

Gongsun Zan could say nothing more, only symbolically scolding him a few times before angrily telling him to get up.

"Why were you able to return alive after being captured by Yuan Fang?" Gongsun Zan then remembered his doubts.

Gongsun Fan's eyes darted around, and he quickly said, "Your foolish brother was prepared to die a heroic death, but Yuan Fang had something to say to you, so he let me return to deliver his message."

Gongsun Zan's brows furrowed, and he sternly asked, "What did that scoundrel have to say?"

Hesitating for a moment, Gongsun Fan clenched his teeth and angrily said, "That scoundrel said he personally killed Xu'er and that even if you came to attack, he would not fear you and would ensure you never returned."

Gongsun Fan altered Yuan Fang's words, believing that only by making Yuan Fang "admit" to killing Gongsun Xu could he clear himself of any suspicion of harming his nephew.

As expected, upon hearing this, Gongsun Zan flew into a rage, his anger almost making him explode.

"Yuan Fang, you scoundrel, you killed my beloved son and dare to be so arrogant, not fearing me, Gongsun Zan. I swear to kill you with my own hands or I will not be a man!"

Gongsun Zan roared in fury, immediately ordering his entire army to advance faster, determined to conquer Pingyuan and eliminate Yuan Fang.

The forty-thousand Youzhou army did not rest, leaving Nanpi City that day and marching southward in a grand procession.

Several days later, the forty-thousand Youzhou army crossed Longcou and set up camp north of Pingyuan.

By then, Guo Huai and Taishi Ci had already arrived with reinforcements, and the total number of Yuan Fang's troops in Pingyuan had reached over ten thousand.

Yuan Fang ordered Guo Huai and Taishi Ci to lead six thousand infantry to set up camp east of Pingyuan City, forming a pincer with the city. Yuan Fang himself led over four thousand troops to defend Pingyuan City and oversee the overall situation.

Gongsun Zan, arriving with a fierce momentum, set up camp and, without any rest, launched a major attack on Pingyuan City.

That morning.

The first rays of dawn cast a golden glow over Pingyuan City, and along the city walls, four thousand of Yuan Fang's troops were already in formation.

Yuan Fang, clad in silver armor, stood on the city wall, his red cloak fluttering in the wind.

Looking into the distance, he saw the vast and orderly ranks of the enemy army, with the "Gongsun" banner proudly flying in the center.

Nearly thirty thousand Youzhou troops were arrayed to the north of the city.

Gongsun Zan, holding his spear, glared fiercely at the "Yuan" banner on the city wall.

"Yuan Fang, you despicable scoundrel, I will raze Pingyuan and tear you to pieces to avenge my son!" Gongsun Zan gritted his teeth, cursing with hatred.

All the generals were enraged and demanded battle, shouting to flatten Pingyuan City and avenge the young general.

Amidst the rampant flames, Zhao Yun remained calm and said, "My lord, I observe that the enemy's defenses are well-organized. Attacking the city is not our army's strong point. I suggest we..."

"Zhao Yun, do not speak further and lower our army's morale!"

Gongsun Zan cut off Zhao Yun's advice, pointing his spear at Pingyuan City and shouting, "There is no city in the world that I, Gongsun Zan, cannot conquer. Pass my order, attack the city!"

Zhao Yun, reprimanded, felt helpless and could only step back silently.

The war drums sounded, and the fifteen thousand Youzhou troops, led by the general Wang Men, began to advance slowly towards Pingyuan City.

"Soldiers of Yuan Fang, show your might and prepare to strike the enemy!"

Yuan Fang shouted, his iron staff planted firmly on the ground, his tall figure facing the overwhelming Youzhou army, his handsome face cold and composed.

The Yuan Fang soldiers, influenced by his calm demeanor, showed no fear in the face of the enemy's overwhelming momentum.

The four thousand Yuan Fang soldiers gripped their weapons tightly, their young faces filled with determination and fearlessness, calmly watching the approaching enemy.

When the enemy was about two hundred paces from the city, Wang Men gave the order, and the Youzhou troops suddenly accelerated, charging forward with shouts.

Seeing the enemy approaching, Yuan Fang pointed his iron staff and shouted, "Archers, fire!"

The thunderous command was followed by a thousand arrows, whistling through the air and raining down on the advancing enemy.

The Youzhou troops were prepared, and the shield bearers at the front quickly raised their shields to protect the rear ranks from the arrow rain.

The dense arrows clattered against the shields, most of them bouncing off, but some still found their way through the gaps, striking the Youzhou soldiers hiding behind the shields.

The wounded cried out in pain, one after another.

Despite the casualties, the Youzhou troops were not a disorganized mob; their advance did not slow. Encouraged by Wang Men, they charged even more fiercely towards Pingyuan City.

Watching the charging enemy, Yuan Fang nodded slightly, still admiring their determination, even as an enemy. "Gongsun Zan is indeed not like the likes of Tian Kai. These are the elite of the Youzhou army."

As he spoke, thousands of Youzhou troops had crossed the moat, and the first wave of attackers reached the city walls, setting up over a dozen ladders.

The fierce battle was about to begin.

This was destined to be a brutal fight.

Yuan Fang, however, showed no fear, his confidence radiating strongly. He stood with his staff and shouted, "Brave warriors of Yuan Fang, the time has come for you to make a name for yourselves. Take up your weapons and drive back the enemy, showing them your might—"

"Kill—Kill—Kill—"

Along the city walls, thousands of Yuan Fang's soldiers, their blood boiling, roared in unison.

The deafening battle cries shook the earth, even making the fierce Youzhou attackers pale in fear.