Xu Sheng followed what others said and believed Liu Bei's rumors. Yuan Fang wanted him to open his eyes and see the facts clearly.
Xu Sheng, who was full of suspicion, was taken down and taken to various places in Ju County to see if Yuan Fang was really "cruel and unkind" and whether he burned, killed and looted the people of Ju County.
??Unconsciously, the east is whitening and the sky is already bright.
After all the thieves were captured, Yuan Fang ordered the lifting of martial law in Ju County, opened the four gates, and allowed the people to come and go freely.
Men, women, old and young were all calm, doing whatever they had to do, as if they had not been affected by the war at all, and their lives continued as usual.
Xu Sheng walked on the street and looked at the calm and composed manners of the villagers he was familiar with. He couldn't help but become more and more surprised as he looked at them.
?Looking at the buildings everywhere, they are all intact, with no trace of even one being burned or damaged.
On the street, from time to time, you may see groups of Yuan Jun patrolling and guarding the army passing by. Pedestrians and merchants on the left and right do not appear to be afraid of the soldiers. Some people even greet Yuan Jun and his soldiers with a smile.
What I saw was that wherever there was burning, killing or looting, it was clearly a scene of harmony between the military and civilians, like a fish in water.
The more Xu Sheng watched, the more shocked he became. His hostility toward Yuan Fang faded, and he gradually fell into shock and suspicion.
"Then Liu Xuande clearly said that Yuan Fang was cruel, but why was the village peaceful? Could it be that the rumors were all wrong?"
Facing the facts he saw with his own eyes, Xu Sheng finally began to doubt the rumors against Yuan Fang.
Yuan Gui saw his surprised look and sneered sarcastically: "Liu Bei, that big-eared thief, has been repeatedly defeated by my young master, and he hates and resents him so much that wherever he escapes, he will spread rumors about my young master. My young master often "Facts speak louder than words, Xu Sheng, after seeing the facts in front of you, do you still hate my young master?"
Facts speak louder than words!
These six words, like six thunderbolts, struck Xu Sheng's head, making him suddenly realize.
The hostility on Xu Sheng's face had disappeared, and he actually showed a trace of shame. He shook his head and sighed, remaining silent.
With this expression on his face, it was obvious that he had admitted in his heart that he was wrong, that he should not have listened to the rumors, that he should not have fallen into a trap and deliberately went against Yuan Fang.
Seeing that he realized his mistake, Yuan Gui took him to the county government to see Yuan Fang.
Stepping into the lobby of the county government office, Yuan Fang was already sitting high up, enjoying a leisurely drink.
Yuan Gui nodded slightly and hinted to Yuan Fang.
Yuan Fang understood, raised his hands and said: "Here comes someone, please loosen his bonds."
The restraints were released, and Xu Sheng froze there with a look of shame on his face. He didn't know what to say for a moment and was quite embarrassed.
Yuan Fang asked calmly: "Xu Sheng, you have seen with your own eyes whether I, Yuan Fang, am a cruel person. Now, do you still believe Liu Bei's rumors?"
These questions made Xu Sheng feel even more ashamed.
He lowered his head, sighed deeply, and said with shame: "Liu Bei prides himself on benevolence and righteousness, but he didn't expect to be a rumor monger. Xu mistakenly believed in the rumors and misunderstood the young master. I am really ashamed."
These words of self-blame should be an expression of apology and surrender to Yuan Fang.
Although Xu Sheng was a brave man, he had the courage to admit when he made mistakes, and he was also an aboveboard man.
When Guo Huai heard this, he said: "Benevolence and righteousness are not blown out, but made out. Every time my son takes a piece of land, he punishes corrupt officials, reduces taxes and taxes, strictly restrains the soldiers, and has no resentment towards the people. This is That¡¯s benevolence and justice.¡±
After a pause, Guo Huai said disdainfully: "As for Liu Bei, that big-eared thief, he spreads rumors about the young master and boasts of benevolence and righteousness. I would like to hear what he has done for you Langxie people since he became Langxie Prime Minister. A matter of benevolence and righteousness?¡±
Guo Huai's words were like a wake-up call, completely awakening Xu Sheng, and he was completely shocked.
"He is right. Liu Bei always said that he was benevolent and righteous, but after he became the Prime Minister of Langxie, he only knew how to recruit troops and increase taxes for military use. However, he did not implement any benevolent policies. Instead, he made the people of Langxie Kingdom bear a heavier burden. How could I trust him"
Xu Sheng suddenly woke up and realized how stupid what he had thought and done before was.
With a long sigh, Xu Sheng lowered his head and said with great guilt: "Sheng is so stupid that he mistakenly believed Liu Bei's rumors, went against the young master, and robbed the young master of military supplies for no reason. Sheng really cannot be forgiven for his crime and is willing to die!"
As he said that, Xu Sheng knelt on the ground, looking like he was being slaughtered.
Yuan Fang smiled and said calmly: "Liu Bei's ability to confuse people is extraordinary. You have been deceived by his rumors and are biased towards me."It's normal. Since you know your mistake, I will forgive you and get up. "
Xu Sheng suddenly raised his head and looked at Yuan Fang in surprise, as if he couldn't believe that Yuan Fang was so generous.
You must know that no matter which prince he belongs to, robbing the army's food is a serious crime, but Yuan Fang actually forgives his guilt. This magnanimity is really extraordinary.
Xu Sheng was surprised and happy. He admired Yuan Fang, kowtowed fiercely, and said with emotion: "Thank you for your kindness, I forgive Sheng's sin. Although Sheng is not talented, I am willing to work for you in front of the tent, and pay for your sins by making meritorious service." The grace of the young master not to kill."
Xu Sheng finally surrendered.
The reason why Yuan Fang did not kill him was because he was interested in his talent. As expected, Xu Sheng was also a sensible person, and he suddenly came to his senses and took the initiative to join him.
Yuan Fang was greatly relieved. He personally went down the steps to help Xu Sheng up, stroked his shoulders and laughed, "Wen Xiang, you are also a righteous and brave man. To tell you the truth, if I hadn't been pleased with you and wanted to recruit you, I wouldn't have wanted to recruit you." I will set up this plan to lure you to come. It seems that my plan was not in vain, and I have gained another good general."
Xu Sheng suddenly realized that Yuan Fang had already wanted to recruit him.
After understanding the truth, Xu Sheng was even more grateful to Yuan Fang and expressed his willingness to go through fire and water for Yuan Fang without hesitation.
Yuan Fang was very satisfied and appointed Xu Sheng to the official position on the spot, allowing him to continue to command his 700 troops and adding more troops to him.
Next, Yuan Fang ordered Zang Ba to command 5,000 troops and horses, and ordered Zhuge Jin to assist Zang Ba and garrison Yangdu City to guard the southern gate for him.
He also ordered Zhu Ling to command four thousand elite troops as usual and continue to sit in Beihai Kingdom to guard the counties east of Qingzhou.
Yuan Fang himself led the generals Yan Liang, Tai Shi Ci, Guo Huai, and Xu Sheng, as well as his apprentice Zhuge Liang, to lead the victorious army and marched to the plain.
Before Yuan Fang returned to the plains, news of his victory had already spread like snow flakes to the north and south of the river.
The Central Plains is shaken!
The two princes Gongsun Zan and Tao Qian joined forces and attacked from the north and south with hundreds of thousands of troops. In one month, Yuan Fang was defeated. He lost his troops, lost his territory, and lost his face.
Such an incredible achievement, how could it not shock the princes from all walks of life in the north and south of the river and the Central Plains.
The news spread back to Yecheng, causing the capital of Jizhou to boil in an instant.
"It's incredible that the Second Young Master defeated the combined efforts of Gongsun Zan and Tao Qian on his own."
"In my opinion, the second young master's talents are not even as good as those of Yuan Gong, let alone his legitimate brothers."
"That's right, Yuan Xi took Bingzhou with his powerful soldiers, but he hasn't captured them all yet. He is still the legitimate son. He is really inferior to the second son."
"If Duke Yuan hadn't defeated Zhang Yan at Changshan, Yuan Xi would have been unable to enter Bingzhou."
"I heard that the eldest son, Yuan Tan, secretly withheld the military pay of the second son and kept making mischief. This did not stop the second son from taking Qingzhou. It is really shameful."
¡¡
In the streets and alleys of Yecheng, everyone is talking about Yuan Fang's achievements. It seems that after this battle, Yuan Fang's prestige has surpassed that of Yuan Shao.
As for Yuan Tan and Yuan Xi, unless others didn't know about it, and unless they didn't do anything about it themselves, the methods they used secretly were more or less spread to the public, which actually made them a joke and made Yecheng The scholars and the people despised them even more.
The Chariot and Cavalry General¡¯s Mansion.
In that exquisite and gorgeous room, Yuan Tan's face was as gloomy as iron. He looked at the various discussions about Yuan Fang's achievements in his hands, and his face became increasingly ugly.
Suddenly, Yuan Tan overturned the case without warning and roared: "Yuan Fang, you despicable guy, what are you capable of? Why can't I kill you? Why~~"