Chapter 59: The Tiger's Body Shocks

Hearing this, Yuan Shang sat up straight, not answering Pang Ji's question, but instead asking, "I want to know, when my second brother left Ye City three years ago, how did you two gentlemen view him?"

Pang Ji replied without hesitation, "The Second Young Master is weak in character and has problems with his background. At that time, he also fell out with the Lord and was known for being unfilial. In my opinion, he will not achieve great things."

Shen Pei had not spoken since entering the room. Seeing Yuan Shang turn to him, he reluctantly said, "At that time, the Second Young Master was far inferior to the Third Young Master, and even to the Eldest Young Master."

"Although the Third Young Master was only fifteen years old at the time, he had already shown the talent to dominate the world. This is why we are willing to assist the Third Young Master."

Yuan Shang nodded with satisfaction. "Thank you, Mr. Zheng Nan, for your appreciation. I will certainly live up to your expectations."

"At the time, I guessed that You Province was not such an easy place to stay. It would not be half a year before the Second Brother would return home in disgrace."

"However, not long after the Second Brother left, I learned of some extremely secret rumors."

"When the Second Brother left, he advised Father, saying that there would be a major change in Ye City in the fourth year of Chuping. Although it would turn bad luck into good, he still hoped that Father would prepare early."

This was the first time Yuan Shang had revealed such a secret, and Pang Ji couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, even Shen Pei showing a look of astonishment.

The fourth year of Chuping was the second year after Yuan Xi left, and a major event occurred.

The Rebellion of Ye City.

Ye City was clearly betrayed, and the Black Mountain Army took the opportunity to invade and control Ye City.

Although the Black Mountain Army also had traitors who escorted Yuan Shao's family out of the city, many of the counselors and generals' families were not so lucky.

Shen Pei frowned slightly. "Did the Lord know about this in advance?"

Yuan Shang shook his head. "Father probably didn't believe the Second Brother's words either, but he may have made the minimum preparations."

"The reason why I am so wary of the Second Brother is that if this is true, it means that the Second Brother is carrying some secrets!"

"I believe that you two gentlemen have also discussed some prophecies about the Second Brother in private!"

Shen Pei and Pang Ji's expressions changed upon hearing this.

Yuan Shang said coldly, "I will never underestimate any enemy. Once I am ready to act, I will definitely go all out."

"If the Second Brother really has the ability to foresee the future and avoid harm, then his choice to go to Beixin City will definitely be fine."

"So, from the first year, I began to control the transportation of grain and grass to Beixin City."

"Each shipment of grain and rations was controlled to only a few hundred soldiers, so that the Second Brother could not recruit more soldiers on the spot."

"With transportation losses and accidental factors, the grain that was transported could only barely be enough."

"Naturally, grain could not be transported in during the siege. With this back and forth, the Second Brother could not open up the situation in Beixin City at all."

"However, what surprised me was that the Second Brother actually survived for three years and even won a few battles!"

"This shows that the rumors about the Second Brother predicting danger are likely to be true, and this has already posed a threat to me!"

Yuan Shang spoke so carelessly about these inside stories, firstly because he believed that Pang Ji and Shen Pei would not betray him at all, and secondly because he was confident that even if it spread, his position would not be threatened!

Shen Pei said in a low voice, "I remind the Third Young Master that the Second Young Master is not an enemy."

"The competition between the young masters still needs to have a limit. If it endangers each other's lives, or even threatens the Lord's great cause, I am afraid the Lord will not sit idly by."

Yuan Shang quickly got up and bowed respectfully to Shen Pei. "What the gentleman said is true, I will keep it in mind."

"If it were not for the fact that our Yuan family has already controlled the situation in the north, and Gongsun Zan and Tao Qian are eking out their last breaths, and Cao Cao and Zhang Miao are all lackeys of our Yuan family, I would not have planned this so early."

"The sooner I take power, the stronger the Yuan family will be. It's ridiculous that the Eldest Brother and Second Brother can't see the situation clearly. They are the ones who are dragging the Yuan family down!"

He then smiled and said, "However, the Second Brother has also revealed his flaws this time."

"Gao Lan is missing, and it is very likely that he has been murdered."

"The Eldest Brother does not have the courage to attack the Four Pillars, the only possibility is the Second Brother."

"General Gao must have discovered the Second Brother's weakness!"

"Moreover, the Second Brother does not know the times and has already joined forces with the Eldest Brother. This is our enemy."

"The two gentlemen and the Yingchuan Aristocrats under the Eldest Brother are at odds, and sooner or later they will have to compete."

Shen Pei and Pang Ji nodded at the same time after hearing this.

Shen Pei hesitated for a moment and said, "If the Second Young Master really has extraordinary abilities, why doesn't the Third Young Master join forces with him?"

Yuan Shang heard this and said solemnly, "If I have to join forces with the Second Brother to defeat the Eldest Brother, then what kind of incompetence will I be in Father's eyes?"

"I want to prove to Father that I can defeat the Eldest Brother and Second Brother on my own and make them completely available to me!"

"Only I am the true next generation head of the Yuan family!"

When he said these words, his tiger body shook, and the aura of a king arose.

Pang Ji exclaimed, "Good! With such ambition, the Third Young Master will surely become a great ruler in the future!"

Yuan Shang smiled slightly, Second Brother, although you are a few years older than me, I am far superior to you in all aspects.

Especially since my birth mother is Madam Liu, this alone puts me in an invincible position.

Let me use one strategy after another to completely defeat you, Second Brother!

At this time, Shen Pei suddenly interjected, "What did Yuan Hao (Tian Feng) say in front of the Lord today?"

Yuan Shang thought for a while and exclaimed, "He didn't say anything."

"According to his nature, he shouldn't have pretended to be deaf and mute. This matter is indeed strange."

"Thank you, sir, for the reminder. I will send someone to inquire."

Yuan Shang then stood up and said to the two, "I will go and arrange it now. You two gentlemen, please make yourselves at home."

Watching Yuan Shang's departing figure, Shen Pei and Pang Ji looked at each other and nodded slightly.

They really couldn't find any fault with Yuan Shang. He was willing to listen to advice, decisive in his actions, and never gave his opponents a chance. In their hearts, his future achievements would surely surpass the Lord.

Yuan Xi's carriage was only half a day away from Ye City.

Yuan Xi had people rest for a while, got out of the carriage, and found Qu Yi and said, "Brother, don't enter the city this time."

Qu Yi raised his eyebrows. "Are you afraid that I will be recognized?"

Yuan Xi nodded. "Even if Brother is exposed, I have a way to clear my relationship. Even if I am really seen through, Father can't kill me."

"But there are many people who have seen Brother's appearance, and many habits are easily noticed, didn't Gao Lan see it at a glance."

"If that's the case, Brother's situation will be dangerous."

"After thinking about it, I still won't let Brother enter the city."

Qu Yi also knew that what Yuan Xi said was right, so he had to nod and said, "In that case, I will find a place to settle down outside the city and be ready to respond to you at any time."

"But Young Master, be careful, Ye City is a den of dragons and tigers."

Yuan Xi nodded. "I know, but if there is a conspiracy, it should all be to ruin my reputation, but not to harm my life."

"But I will be careful."

The two agreed on how to make contact, and Qu Yi rode away.

Yuan Xi got into the carriage and had the convoy move again. Yuan Xi looked out the window and fell into deep thought again.

This time back to Ye City, he was under great pressure.

Dong Zhao was gone, Qu Yi was hiding, and Zhao Yun was in charge of Beixin City. He only had Wu Zhao by his side.

When he entered Ye City, he would have to face his father and third brother, who were surrounded by counselors. Neither side was so easy to fool.

Yuan Xi leaned against the wall, closed his eyes and rested, looking like a dozing tiger.

Wu Zhao secretly looked over, thinking that Yuan Xi seemed to have endless things to think about all the time, and even now she didn't fully understand him.

She was a little curious, what exactly was Ye City like?