(Thank you brothers for the reward, here comes the second update)
Gaotang.
Tian Kai¡¯s 20,000-strong army was stationed south of Gaotang, and was continuously transporting grain and grass from the rear. It was obvious that they were preparing to fight a protracted and difficult battle.
Yuan Fang was not in a hurry to defeat the enemy. While strengthening the city and camp, he paid close attention to the situation in Jizhou.
Yuan Tan mobilized the Ruying scholars to launch a large-scale crusade against Yan Liang, but Yuan Shang remained silent and ignored Yan Liang. Yuan Fang had a clear grasp of all the trends.
"It seems that my fourth brother really plans to treat Yan Liang as an abandoned son. Hmm, it suits my purpose"
Yuan Fang looked at the information in his hand, sneered secretly, and ordered Yan Liang to come and meet him.
Not long after, Yan Liang walked into the tent with a serious look on his face. This always proud warrior's face was shrouded in a trace of gloom.
Yuan Fang knew at a glance that Yan Liang had more or less heard about the trends in Jizhou.
¡°In fact, Yan Liang already knew that Yuan Shang was planning to abandon him.
"Zizheng, I really didn't expect that my eldest brother would actually mobilize your Yingshi people to target you in order to protect Guo Tu, a spy." Yuan Fang sighed.
Yan Liang secretly clenched his fists, his joints crackling, and his gloomy Chinese character face was filled with flaming hatred.
¡°Obviously, Yan Liangzheng deeply hated Yuan Tan¡¯s attack on him.
Yuan Fang¡¯s sharp eagle eyes could tell that in addition to anger, Yan Liang also hid a bit of disappointment.
He was disappointed with Yuan Shang, disappointed that Yuan Shang sat idly by and did not mobilize Hebei scholars to defend him.
Using some means, Yuan Fang is waiting for this opportunity
At that moment, he took a deep breath and said seriously: "Zizheng, don't worry, you are helping me fight now. You did the right thing to kill the traitor Guo Tu. I will never sit idly by and let those villains do harm to you." "
Yan Liang's body trembled violently, and he looked at Yuan Fang with an unbelievable look, as if he couldn't believe what Yuan Fang said.
You must know that Yan Liang is a member of Yuan Shang's faction. Now that Yuan Shang does not protect him, it is Yuan Fang, an outsider, who wants to protect him. ,
How could Yan Liang not be surprised by Yuan Fang's move.
While Yan Liang was still surprised, Yuan Fang had already written and edited a letter.
"Zizheng, this is my letter to my father. What do you think of it?" Yuan Fang handed the letter to Yan Liang.
Yan Liang recovered from the shock and subconsciously took the letter. When he lowered his head and looked at it, the look of shock on his face became more serious.
In the letter, Yuan Fang generously claimed that Yan Liang was currently under his command, and he, Yuan Fang, was also responsible for killing Guo Tu without orders and was willing to take the blame on Yan Liang's behalf.
"Second Young Master, you actually want to take the punishment for me?" Yan Liang's voice was hoarse, and the hands holding the letter were actually trembling.
Yuan Fang smiled calmly and said calmly: "As a commander, if you don't protect your own generals, how can you have the dignity to ask the soldiers to fight for me? If my father wants to punish me, let him punish me."
Yan Liang was deeply shocked by Yuan Fang, and there was a look of gratitude in his usually proud eyes.
In addition to gratitude, I also feel sincere admiration.
Yuan Fang couldn't see through Yan Liang's psychological changes. He knew that what he had done had impressed the Hebei general in front of him, and he began to be inclined to believe in him.
It is simply impossible for a rough and proud general like Yan Liang to use benefits and threats to force him to surrender.
If you want to conquer Yan Liang, you must convince him with the word of righteousness.
What Yuan Fang did was an act of justice.
Of course, there are some means involved, but it is an indisputable fact that Guo Tu collaborated with the enemy and Yuan Shang abandoned Yan Liang. Yuan Fang just designed it to make them show their true colors.
"Yuan Gui, quickly send this letter to Changshan to give to your father." Yuan Fang sent Yuan Gui away from Gaotang with the letter.
At this time, Yan Liang came back to his senses from his emotion, raised his hands and said seriously: "Thank you very much, Second Young Master, for protecting me. Young Master, I will bear in mind your kindness today."
When the pro-army troops on the left and right saw this, they were all surprised.
Who is Yan Liang? He is a Hebei general. He is extremely proud. Even in front of Yuan Shao, he rarely expresses gratitude.
Now, he respectfully and sincerely thanked Yuan Fang, the low-status illegitimate son of the Yuan family. How could these soldiers not be shocked by this unprecedented move.
However, Yuan Fang did not pretend to be flattered, and accepted Yan Liang's bow calmly. Fang said calmly: "Zizheng's words are serious, so there is no need to thank him, but I would like to ask Zizheng a question, and I hope Zizheng can answer truthfully. "
"Sir, please tell me."?" Yan Liang said hurriedly.
Yuan Fang sat down and said with a smile: "Zizheng, tell me the truth. My fourth brother arranged for you to come to Gaotang. Did he want to divide my military power, compete with me for credit, and secretly control me?"
Yan Liang's face changed slightly, and his eyes were shocked. It was obvious that the secret in his heart had been exposed by Yuan Fang.
After a pause, Yan Liang said calmly: "No wonder the second young master can win consecutive battles. The second young master's magnanimity and resourcefulness really impressed Yan. Yes, I did receive private advice from the fourth young master. Although he intended to take advantage of The second young master suppressed the two young masters, but he was afraid that you, the second young master, would take advantage of the situation, so he asked me to come and divide the military power between you."
Yan Liang was impressed by Yuan Fang's magnanimity and kindness, and he did not dare to hide it anymore, and accepted it frankly.
"It's exactly what I expected."
Yuan Fang sneered and looked directly at Yan Liang: "What are your plans now, Zizheng?"
Yan Liang took a deep breath, cupped his hands and said, "The Fourth Young Master disappoints me so much. He won't protect me, Yan Liang. Why should I, Yan Liang, listen to him? I'm willing to obey the Young Master's orders."
Yan Liang's words naturally indicate that he will turn to Yuan Fang's side in the future.
Yuan Fang secretly let out a breath and thought to himself: "This Yan Liang is no better than Zhu Ling. Zhu Ling obeyed me out of justice, but this Yan Liang will listen to whoever treats him well, and he will do what he wants. This is a refreshing way." man."
With a look of relief on his face, Yuan Fang patted Yan Liang's shoulder and laughed: "If Zizheng can help us with all our strength, we will definitely win this battle. Come on, bring me some wine. I want to have a good drink with Zizheng." "
Yan Liang was a rough warrior, and Yuan Fang's boldness suited his temperament, so he laughed boldly and drank happily with Yuan Fang.
On one side, Yuan Fang accepted Yan Liang's heart. On the other side, Yuan Fang's letter on Yan Liang's behalf was quickly sent to the Changshan front line.
At this time, Yuan Shao was having a headache due to the fierce battle with the Black Mountain Army. Xu You and other counselors were clamoring for Yuan Shao to punish Yan Liang every day.
Yuan Shao couldn't stand everyone's invitation and was ready to order Yan Liang to be severely punished. However, Yuan Fang's letter forced Yuan Shao to change his mind.
In the letter, Yuan Fang has taken the responsibility for killing Guo Tu. If Yuan Shao wants to punish Yan Liang, it means that he must punish Yuan Fang as well.
A few months ago, Yuan Shao would have punished Yuan Fang without hesitation, but now, he does not have the courage.
At this time, he was leading his main force to fight the Montenegrin Army in a close battle, while Yuan Fang was in the plain, holding back a large number of Gongsun Zan's troops and protecting his flanks.
Yuan Shao looked down upon his illegitimate son, but at this critical moment, he had to rely on Yuan Fang to guard his flanks.
In desperation, Yuan Shao had no choice but to suppress the request of Xu You and others, and only fined Yan Liangzhi a light penalty of salary.
As for Yuan Fang, Yuan Shao only scolded him a few words in writing and ordered him to strictly restrain his subordinates, and did not dare to impose any substantive punishment at all.
Yuan Shao has made up his mind. Even if Yuan Tan's faction is dissatisfied, they can only swallow this bad breath bitterly.
A few days later, Yuan Shao's reply was delivered to Yuan Fang.
In the central military tent, Yuan Fang looked through the letter disapprovingly and sneered: "As expected, Yuan Shao, Yuan Shao, there will be a day when you don't dare to touch me."
What Yuan Shao did was already within Yuan Fang's expectation. Otherwise, even if he wanted to win Yan Liang's heart, he would not risk being severely punished by Yuan Shao.
Guo Tu has been killed, Yan Liang has expressed his intention to serve, Yuan Fang has forgotten the matter, and has begun to think about defeating Tian Kai and Liu Bei's army in front of him.
At this moment, Zhu Ling hurried in and said with a solemn expression: "Young master, there is an urgent report from Hao Bo Road on the north bank. Gongsun Zan has ordered his son Gongsun Xu, and his general Zhao Yun led 10,000 cavalry south from Bohai County and went straight to Pingyuan City to kill him. coming."