Chapter 84

As the east began to turn white, dawn was about to break.

Nanpi City was still immersed in its familiar surroundings.

Gazing far into the enemy city, Taishi Ci did not see any signs of soldiers gathering on the city walls, proving that the Youzhou army in the city had not yet realized that their enemies were right under their noses.

"The intelligence says that Gongsun Zan sent his defeated brother, Gongsun Fan, to Nanpi to guard the provisions. This Gongsun Fan harbors resentment and is negligent in his duties. It seems the intelligence is indeed correct..."

A sinister look of killing intent gradually appeared on Taishi Ci's lips.

The enemy had not yet noticed, and Taishi Ci did not launch an immediate attack. Instead, he ordered his three hundred cavalry to hide and wait for the opportunity when the city gates opened.

The rooster crowed several times, the sun rose in the east, and the morning glow painted the just-awakened Nanpi City with a golden hue.

On the main road, merchants and travelers from the south and north began to gather at the four gates of Nanpi, waiting for the city gates to open.

Bohai Commandery, with its advantages of fishing and salt production near the sea, was the second wealthiest commandery in Ji Province. As the seat of Bohai Commandery, Nanpi was naturally a commercial hub where merchants gathered.

Before long, the drawbridge was lowered, and the city gates were wide open. The soldiers guarding the city gates began to lazily inspect the merchants and travelers entering the city.

This was the moment Taishi Ci had been waiting for.

He mounted his horse, and his killing intent flared up. Wielding his spear, he roared, "Brothers, the enemy city is completely unprepared. Follow me and charge in, burn the Youzhou army's provisions!"

With a long cry, Taishi Ci spurred his horse and charged forward with his spear.

The three hundred iron cavalry burst out like a storm, rushing towards the wide-open city gates of Nanpi.

The Fanyang army's cavalry was only a mile away from the south gate of Nanpi. With such a full-speed charge, it took only a moment to reach the city.

The merchants and travelers waiting to enter the city were the first to notice something was amiss. When they saw a large cavalry force charging from behind, they were terrified and began to rush towards the city gates in panic.

The city gate guards were shocked by the enemy's attack and tried to close the gates to prevent the enemy from entering.

Unfortunately, the gates were blocked by the fleeing civilians, and the guards could not close them.

In the brief delay, Taishi Ci had already led his troops to the scene.

Taishi Ci led the charge across the drawbridge, his spear striking down those who blocked his path. The flood of iron cavalry carved a bloody path straight into the city gates.

The terrified Youzhou soldiers could not resist the sudden cavalry charge and were quickly scattered and fled in all directions.

Taishi Ci led his three hundred iron cavalry, almost without any resistance, into Nanpi City like a flood breaking through a dam.

In the governor's residence, Gongsun Fan, who was still recovering from his injuries, had just gotten out of bed and was beginning his boring day with a gloomy mood.

After being defeated at Longcui, Gongsun Fan was not punished by Gongsun Zan, nor was he suspected of assassinating Gongsun Xu. However, he was not allowed to participate in the front-line offensive and was instead ordered to guard the provisions.

This was clearly Gongsun Zan's way of snubbing him, not wanting him to share in the glory of the war against Yuan Fang.

As Gongsun Fan yawned and lazily walked into the hall, hurried footsteps approached. His personal guards, in a panic, shouted, "General, something terrible has happened! Yuan Fang's cavalry has entered the city!"

"Are you talking nonsense? This place is hundreds of miles from the plain. How could Yuan Fang's army grow wings and fly here? Don't talk nonsense!" Gongsun Fan did not believe it and scolded his guards.

The guards, trembling, cried out, "How dare I lie? Yuan Fang's army has really entered the city and is heading towards the commandery office."

Gongsun Fan finally came to his senses, realizing that something truly unexpected might have happened. Without even putting on his armor, he rushed out of the door.

The streets were already in chaos, with defeated soldiers fleeing from the south gate, all in a state of panic.

Looking down the main road to the south, the surging Yuan Fang's cavalry was charging forward.

The leading enemy general, with his spear moving like the wind, was unstoppable, and was about to reach the commandery office.

"How is this possible? With my brother's four thousand troops blocking the way, how could Yuan Fang cross hundreds of miles and reach Nanpi? How is this possible?"

Gongsun Fan was extremely terrified and could not fathom that Yuan Fang's army had come from the sea.

Seeing the defeat was inevitable and the Yuan Fang's army surging forward, Gongsun Fan, still injured, did not dare to fight and hurriedly mounted his horse to escape.

In the midst of the slaughter, Taishi Ci, with a quick glance, spotted Gongsun Fan being escorted by his personal guards.

With a roar, he intensified his spear strikes, sending a rain of spear shadows that pierced through the enemy soldiers blocking his path. He charged forward like the wind, pursuing Gongsun Fan.

Gongsun Fan, still injured, could not ride fast. In a few breaths, he was caught by Taishi Ci.

Before Gongsun Fan could react to his shock, Taishi Ci extended his arm like a monkey, grabbing him from his horse and throwing him heavily to the ground.

With Gongsun Fan captured, the thousands of Youzhou soldiers guarding the city were completely routed and fled in panic.

By noon, Taishi Ci had captured Nanpi City with only three hundred cavalry and planted the "Yuan" banner high on the city walls.

On the day of the capture, Taishi Ci immediately ordered the burning of nearly fifty thousand hu of provisions stored in Nanpi.

By nightfall, Nanpi City was engulfed in flames, the raging fire illuminating the area for over ten miles, making it as bright as daylight.

The Youzhou soldiers who had escaped the city were terrified by the fire and fled southward in a panic to report the shocking news to their White Horse General.

...

North of Pingyuan, the Youzhou army's camp.

In the main tent, Gongsun Zan was drinking with his generals, the atmosphere unusually relaxed.

"Word has it that the Xu Province army is fiercely attacking Dongwu City. I predict it will fall within half a month. When the Xu Province army invades the heart of Qing Province, Yuan Fang's army will be in chaos, and his soldiers will be terrified. How can he resist our fierce attacks?" Guan Jing said with a smile, raising his cup.

Gongsun Zan laughed heartily and said proudly, "What is Yuan Fang but a petty thief? How dare he resist the armies of two provinces? After capturing Pingyuan City, I will personally execute him to avenge my son."

Gongsun Zan's bold and confident words inspired the other generals, who were all filled with enthusiasm and called out to kill Yuan Fang.

The banquet was in full swing, and the atmosphere grew even more intense.

In the midst of the confident atmosphere, a personal guard rushed in and bowed, saying, "Lord, we have received an urgent report from Nanpi to the north."

Nanpi, an urgent report?

Gongsun Zan was unconcerned and said casually, "What could be so urgent in Nanpi?"

The other Youzhou generals also did not take it seriously, as Nanpi was hundreds of miles away and considered their hinterland. What could possibly happen there?

"Lord, a few days ago, Yuan Fang's army launched a surprise attack on Nanpi, capturing General Zhonggui and burning hundreds of thousands of hu of our provisions," the guard reported.

The moment these words were spoken, the previously lively tent fell silent.

Everyone was stunned and looked at the guard with disbelief, as if they thought he was talking nonsense.

"You are talking nonsense! Nanpi is hundreds of miles away. How could Yuan Fang's army reach there? Did he grow wings?" Gongsun Zan did not believe it and shouted sternly.

"Lord, I dare not lie. According to the messenger, Yuan Fang's army came from the sea, first capturing Haixing City, and then launched a surprise attack on Nanpi with light cavalry," the guard said with a pained expression.

After these words, the skeptical expressions of the generals quickly turned to shock.

Gongsun Zan, who had been dismissive, suddenly stiffened, and his proud eyes filled with surprise.

Gongsun Zan was thoroughly shocked.

He never imagined that Yuan Fang could come up with such a brilliant plan to attack Nanpi from the sea and burn their provisions.

Realizing this, Gongsun Zan's heart burned with rage, not just anger but deep shock.

He was shocked that the petty thief he had underestimated could have such intelligence and courage!

Bang!

He threw his wine cup to the ground.

Gongsun Zan jumped up, fists clenched, his knuckles cracking, his face flushed with anger, and he gritted his teeth, saying, "Yuan Fang, Yuan Fang, I will kill you, I will kill you!"

A wild and furious roar echoed through the Youzhou army's camp.

...

Pingyuan City.

In the brightly lit hall, Yuan Fang was drinking with Guo Jia.

Taishi Ci had been gone for several days, and there was still no news. Even Guo Jia was somewhat worried, fearing something might have gone wrong.

However, Yuan Fang showed no signs of worry, as if everything was under control.

"You seem completely unconcerned, my lord," Guo Jia said with a smile.

After drinking a cup of wine, Yuan Fang said calmly, "The arrow has been shot; whether it hits the target or not is beyond our control. What's the point of worrying? It's better to enjoy the wine."

Guo Jia nodded slightly, his eyes showing admiration for Yuan Fang's composure.

"Remaining calm in the face of a collapsing mountain—this is the demeanor of a true hero..."

As Guo Jia thought this, Yuan Gui rushed into the hall and bowed, saying, "My lord, our scouts have just reported that about ten thousand Youzhou soldiers left the camp at night and are heading north towards Bohai."

Upon hearing this, both Yuan Fang and Guo Jia's bodies moved slightly.

They looked at each other, and both faces showed a hint of excitement. Almost in unison, they said, "Taishi Ci has succeeded!"

Then, the two young men burst into laughter.

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