Chapter 88

"Old man Liu Yu, how dare he betray me at this time, how hateful, how hateful!" Gongsun Zan, in a fit of shock and anger, slammed the table and roared, cursing Liu Yu.

The surrounding civil and military officials were all terrified and panicked, their morale instantly suffering a heavy blow.

"Lord, Youzhou is our foundation, the families of our soldiers are all in Youzhou. If it falls to Liu Yu, the consequences will be unimaginable. Lord, please withdraw the troops immediately to save it," Zou Dan urged anxiously.

"No withdrawal, I will never withdraw!" Gongsun Zan, in a fit of rage and shame, shouted fiercely.

Today, he led an army of 40,000, coming with great momentum to personally campaign against Yuan Fang. He lost his brother Gongsun Fan, the general Wang Men, and countless supplies were destroyed. If he could not capture Qingzhou and eliminate Yuan Fang, but instead retreated to Youzhou in disgrace, what would be left of Gongsun Zan's reputation?

Not only would his reputation be greatly damaged, but Gongsun Zan would also be mocked by the lords of the realm.

The White Horse Gongsun Zan, defeated by a bastard of the Yuan family, would be a great laughingstock.

Considering his dignity, Gongsun Zan decided not to withdraw, but to send part of his troops back to Youzhou to deal with Liu Yu, while he himself led the main army to continue the attack on Pingyuan.

Unfortunately, Gongsun Zan's heavy taxation and oppression in Youzhou were extremely unpopular, and Liu Yu's uprising received the support of the people of the state.

Although Liu Yu had weak military skills, he still commanded an army of 100,000. The troops Gongsun Zan sent back were unable to stop Liu Yu's advance.

The territory of Youzhou was quickly being eroded by Liu Yu, and the supply lines were cut off by him. The news soon spread to the camps in Pingyuan, and Gongsun Zan's soldiers were all in a state of panic, worrying about the safety of their families in Youzhou, and their fighting spirit was rapidly disintegrating.

In the military tent, Gongsun Zan looked at the pile of urgent letters on the table, his face full of frustration, grinding his teeth in anger but helpless.

His fighting spirit and anger had been shattered by the chaotic situation at the rear, leaving him with only a sense of helplessness.

Guang Jing, skilled at reading people's expressions, saw that Gongsun Zan had already decided to retreat, and cautiously advised, "Lord, actually, Liu Yu's initiative is not a bad thing. Now Lord has a sufficient reason to take advantage of the situation and lead the army back to eliminate Liu Yu, annex his troops, and take control of the entire Youzhou. At that time, Lord's strength will greatly increase, and then leading a large army to the south, what is there to fear about not conquering Qingzhou and eliminating the little bandit Yuan Fang?"

Guang Jing's words turned a bad situation into a good one, painting a beautiful picture for Gongsun Zan and giving him a way out.

After a long silence, Gongsun Zan clenched his teeth and said, "If it weren't for Liu Yu's interference, I would have sworn to eliminate the little bandit Yuan Fang. I will let him live a few more days, and once I deal with the old bandit Liu Yu and take control of Youzhou, I will come back to eliminate him."

With no choice, Gongsun Zan secretly ordered the troops to prepare to withdraw to Youzhou without making a sound.

...

In the hall of the county government in Pingyuan City.

Yuan Fang was reviewing intelligence reports, and a thread of killing intent was rising in his eyes like a wildfire.

Liu Yu's military campaign, the continuous defeats of Gongsun Zan's remaining troops in Youzhou, and various favorable news had been reported in detail by the Mi family's intelligence network and Yuan Fang's own spies.

Scouts also reported that the northern camp of Gongsun Zan had already seen soldiers deserting, and the enemy seemed to be secretly preparing to withdraw.

All the intelligence and signs indicated that the morale of the Youzhou army was in chaos, and Gongsun Zan, the mad dog, was planning to withdraw to save his base.

Yuan Fang coldly snorted, threw the intelligence on the table, and looked at Guo Jia, "Fengxiao, it seems your poisonous plan has succeeded. Gongsun Zan, with his base on fire, can no longer hold on and is planning to retreat."

Swallowing a mouthful of fine wine, Guo Jia smiled, "Young master's ability to judge people is truly remarkable. The Sun Qian you chose is indeed a good persuader. Well, it seems it's time for us to counterattack."

Yuan Fang nodded slightly, his sharp gaze suddenly sweeping over the generals in the hall.

Yan Liang, Taishi Ci, Guo Huai, Hao Zhao, and the other generals were all on edge, immediately sensing Yuan Fang's intense killing intent.

Surveying the generals, Yuan Fang said angrily, "Gongsun Zan, the mad dog, has unjustly led his troops to attack us, besiege our cities, and kill our people. He thinks that I, Yuan Fang, and you, these tiger generals, can be bullied at will. Today, we will rise up in resistance and deal him a fatal blow. Are you all willing to fight alongside me, Yuan Fang?"

The call to "fight alongside" echoed like a bell, and everyone in the hall was moved.

Since Gongsun Zan's invasion, the generals had endured for a long time, accumulating much anger. Today, they finally heard Yuan Fang's words.

All the generals in the hall were filled with righteous indignation, each one excited and ready to fight.

"I am willing to fight to the death with the young master!" Yan Liang roared, raising his fist.

"Fight when the young master says to fight, and defeat that mad dog Gongsun Zan!"

"I am willing to be the vanguard for the young master, cut off Gongsun Zan's head, and present it to the young master."

All the generals were inspired by Yuan Fang's fighting spirit and called out for battle, the hall filled with a surging tide of righteous indignation and killing intent.

The generals' enthusiasm infected the usually relaxed Guo Jia.

His blood boiling, he stood up and bowed, "The morale of Gongsun Zan's army is in chaos, and one blow will break them. I will present a plan for a six-pronged attack to the young master, which will surely help the young master defeat the enemy and make Gongsun Zan tremble with fear."

Six-pronged attack!

Hearing Guo Jia's enthusiasm, Yuan Fang's fighting spirit soared, and he excitedly asked about the plan for the six-pronged attack.

Guo Jia then explained his plan to the assembly, and the generals listened, their blood boiling even more.

Slam!

Yuan Fang slammed the table and shouted, "We will follow Fengxiao's plan. Tonight, we will launch a six-pronged attack on Gongsun Zan and give that mad dog a good beating."

The order was given, and a wave of killing intent rolled out, the hall filled with a fierce and intense atmosphere.

The generals received their orders and dispersed, each one excited and preparing for the battle.

The sun set, and it was already night.

When the lanterns were hung high, over 10,000 soldiers of the Yuan army in Pingyuan City had already eaten their fill.

Tonight was a crucial battle, and to ensure the soldiers had enough strength to fight, Yuan Fang had taken all the wine and meat from the treasury, allowing all the soldiers to eat and drink to their heart's content to boost their morale.

With full bellies and high spirits, the soldiers waited in the camps, sharpening their weapons, ready to fight and vent their anger.

Yuan Fang stood on the city wall, his gaze always fixed on the northern enemy camp, a thread of killing intent on his handsome face, constantly observing and waiting for the right moment.

Inside and outside the city, it was as quiet as a sleeping baby, with only the sound of the night watch and the occasional barking of stray dogs.

Behind him, light footsteps sounded, and Yuan Fang turned to see Mi Huan walking up to the city wall.

"It's late, Miss Mi, why are you not resting in your room but coming to the city wall?" Yuan Fang asked.

Mi Huan smiled faintly, "Tonight, the young master will launch the decisive attack. I came specially to wish the young master success."

So that's it.

Yuan Fang smiled and asked curiously, "How did Miss Mi know that I would launch a counterattack tonight?"

"The situation at Gongsun Zan's base in Youzhou is critical, and his army must be in chaos. Tonight, the soldiers in the camps have secretly gathered, so I guessed that with Gongsun's decisiveness, he would seize the opportunity to launch a decisive attack on Gongsun Zan tonight," Mi Huan answered calmly.

This woman is indeed a clever and meticulous person.

Yuan Fang laughed heartily and said frankly, "Miss Mi is indeed very intelligent. Yes, tonight is the time for the counterattack. I will seek justice for the innocent civilians killed by Gongsun Zan!"

Yuan Fang's enthusiasm and strong confidence deeply infected everyone around him.

Even Mi Huan felt a slight stirring in her heart.

Just then, Guo Jia, holding a wine gourd, walked up to the city wall and bowed, "Young master, the time has come. It's time to launch the attack."

Yuan Fang looked up at the waning crescent moon, took a deep breath, and ordered, "Pass my orders, each army will act according to the plan."

After speaking, Yuan Fang turned to Mi Huan and said confidently, "Miss Mi, stay on the city wall and watch me, Yuan Fang, achieve great success tonight."

Mi Huan nodded lightly and smiled, "I will wait here for the young master's victorious return."

Yuan Fang laughed heartily, without hesitation, picked up his skull-crushing club, and strode down the city wall, leaping onto his horse.

The 2,000 soldiers waiting at the city gate immediately tensed up, their young faces filled with excitement.

The city gate slowly opened, and the drawbridge creaked down. Outside the city gate, it was a vast expanse of darkness.

Yuan Fang looked up at Mi Huan, who was silently watching from the city wall, and without another word, glanced back at his soldiers, turned his horse, and galloped out of the city gate.

The soldiers behind him followed closely, 2,000 people in total, without a single noise, quietly disappearing into the night.

Mi Huan returned to the parapet, watching the distant shadow of the Yuan army, her hands on her chest, muttering to herself as if in prayer.

At this moment, Guo Jia took a sip of wine and smiled faintly, "Don't worry, Miss Mi. The person you like has extraordinary courage and wisdom. He will surely win this battle."

Hearing Guo Jia's words, Mi Huan's graceful figure trembled, and a flush appeared on her face.