Chapter 72 The Storm is Coming

Yuan Xi, seeing Tian Feng's question, opened his mouth and said, "I heard that Cao Cao is quite filial. This attack on Xu Province is because his father was detained by Tao Qian's subordinate general."

"Cao Cao is now assisting his father, and we also have a reason to lend a hand."

"I heard that Cao Song's family is being held somewhere in Mount Tai Commandery. Traveling light, it would only take seven or eight days from Ye City. If we're lucky, we might be able to rescue his family."

"When the time comes, we'll send them back to the Cao family, and Cao Cao will no longer have an excuse to attack Xu Province."

"Even if he doesn't stop attacking Xu Province, at least he won't use this excuse to massacre the city."

"This way, my Yuan family's reputation for benevolence will be less affected."

"If he can't massacre the city, the soldiers' morale for attacking the city won't be high. Xu Province will fall into a stalemate. In another two months, winter will arrive, and Cao Cao will only be able to take half of Xu Province at most, and then the two sides will confront each other."

"Our army can take this opportunity to attack Qing Province and open up a road to Xu Province. This way, next year, we will be in the north, and Cao Cao will be in the west, and he won't be able to monopolize Xu Province."

"This kind of situation should be the most ideal for my Yuan family at the moment."

Tian Feng listened, first nodding slightly, then shaking his head again.

"Second Young Master Yuan has made things too simple. This time is different from previous years. Cao Cao has come out with all his forces, vowing to take Xu Province. I'm afraid that even when winter comes, he won't retreat until he takes Xu Province."

Yuan Xi smiled and said, "Sir is right, but Yuan Shu in Yu Province will definitely make some moves in Yan Province."

"I'll make a bet with you, sir. There will definitely be changes in Yan Province within two months."

Tian Feng's eyes flashed when he heard this: "Good!"

"This bet, I accept it!"

"Even if the Second Young Master is the lord's son, I would still like to hear the Second Young Master admit defeat in person!"

When everyone heard this, they couldn't help but look at Yuan Shao.

Tian Feng's personality was rigid, and his words were very blunt. What he said just now was a bit disrespectful to Yuan Shao, so Yuan Shao didn't like Tian Feng very much.

Yuan Shang's expression changed slightly.

Logically speaking, Tian Feng should be biased towards his side. Why would he support Yuan Xi this time?

Did Tian Feng believe that Yuan Xi would not succeed, or was there some reason he didn't know about?

If Yuan Xi succeeded, wouldn't his limelight overshadow his?

He lowered his head and clenched his fists in his sleeves.

Yuan Xi breathed a sigh of relief in his heart. According to his knowledge from later generations, Tian Feng, for some reason, had always firmly supported suppressing Cao Cao.

Although Tian Feng seemed closer to Yuan Shang on the surface, he would never miss the opportunity to trip Cao Cao up.

Yuan Shao listened, and seeing that most of the strategists supported Yuan Xi, he said, "Alright, in that case, Xianyi, go and gather five hundred soldiers. You can choose any general you want."

Yuan Xi thought for a while and said, "I want Zhang He."

Everyone was quite surprised to hear this. Although Zhang He was good at leading troops, his bravery on the battlefield was obviously not as good as Yan Liang and Wen Chou. Why did Yuan Xi choose him?

After Yuan Shang came out of the room, his expression was as usual, but a storm had already been stirred up in his heart.

The actions of the Second Brother have gradually escaped his control!

A few days ago, the Second Brother in his eyes was a person with a cowardly personality and mediocre aptitude. He dared not tell his father even if he tripped him up with food and supplies, probably because he was afraid of his own soft words.

But Yuan Shang had a big worry.

Regarding the prophecy about Yuan Xi, and the rumors of the fortune teller when Zhen Mi was a child.

If Zhen Mi has the appearance of great wealth and honor in the future, then doesn't it mean that the Second Brother who is about to marry Zhen Mi may overwhelm him in the future?

Originally, Yuan Shang dismissed this, but after gradually understanding what Yuan Xi had done, he became more and more uneasy in his heart.

Second Brother is hiding very deeply!

Especially since the Second Brother and his father Yuan Shao both came from concubines, and Yuan Shao was able to turn the tables and control the Yuan family, then the Second Brother may not be without hope!

Yuan Shang put his thumb in his mouth and bit it desperately. If the Second Brother can really bring back Cao Song's family this time and resolve the siege of Xu Province, his reputation will definitely increase a lot!

No, this budding trend must be completely nipped in the bud, otherwise it will be too late when the Second Brother becomes established!

He pondered hard and suddenly thought of someone. A smile suddenly appeared on his face.

He didn't expect to use this chess piece so soon.

But since the Second Brother has already played this chess move to death, he will checkmate him!

He always did what he said he would do. Immediately, he called his wife, Hong Shi, and said, "Send a maid to the Zhen family to invite the Fourth Miss Zhen Rong over."

Hong Shi was a beautiful and gentle woman. She asked when she heard this, "What does my husband want her to do?"

Yuan Shang waved his hand impatiently: "Just do as I say, don't talk nonsense!"

Hong Shi lowered her head slightly and said softly, "Don't be angry, my husband. I'll do it right away."

Seeing her leave, Yuan Shang felt a little annoyed. Hong Shi's appearance was also above average, and her family had also helped him a lot, but it was indeed inferior to the Zhen family.

Yuan Shang once thought that he could marry Zhen Mi!

But Yuan Xi ran to Beixin City that day, and Hong Shi was matched with Yuan Shang.

Now Zhen Mi is matched with Yuan Xi, which makes Yuan Shang extremely uncomfortable, as if his beloved toy was snatched away by Yuan Xi.

Second Brother, you are not worthy!

I, Yuan Shang, am the one who will be rich and prosperous!

So he must bring Yuan Xi down to the dust and let him guard the border in the north, never to return to Ye City!

Inside the Zhen mansion, Zhen Rong was talking to Zhen Mi. Seeing her sister looking absent-minded, she wondered, "What's wrong, sister?"

Zhen Mi thought of the strange things she had seen in the Yuan family, but after all, there was no evidence, so she couldn't tell Zhen Rong in detail. She could only say, "It's nothing, maybe the weather is changing and I'm not feeling well."

Before she finished speaking, a faint rumble of thunder came from the sky in the distance.

Zhen Rong looked at the sky and smiled, "Sister's feeling is quite accurate. It looks like the autumn rain is about to fall."

She then sighed: "I don't know how your brother-in-law is doing in You Province. I knew I should have brought him a few more clothes before he left."

Seeing this, Zhen Mi wanted to say something but stopped, and finally said softly, "Sister, don't worry, brother-in-law will definitely be fine."

Zhen Rong was about to speak when a maid came to report: "Madam, Madam Hong, the wife of the Third Young Master Yuan, has come to invite you to the mansion for a visit. The carriage is already outside the door."

Zhen Rong was puzzled when she heard this: "So urgent?"

She said to Zhen Mi, "I just went to see Yuan Xing yesterday, and today Madam Hong came to invite me. I'm afraid there's something urgent?"

Zhen Mi's heart skipped a beat, "If sister doesn't want to, it's better not to go,"

Zhen Rong touched Zhen Mi's hair and sighed; "How can I not go? Your brother-in-law is a cavalry general under the Third Young Master Yuan, so I can't neglect his wife anyway."

Seeing Zhen Rong get up and leave, Zhen Mi suddenly stood up and called out, "Sister!"

Zhen Rong turned her head and asked in confusion, "Little sister, what's wrong today?"

Zhen Mi gritted her teeth and said, "Even if sister goes, you must be careful and protect yourself."

Zhen Rong smiled dumbly: "Do you think the Yuan mansion is a den of tigers and wolves?"

"I'm leaving first."

Zhen Mi stood at the door, staring blankly as Zhen Rong got into the carriage, raised her head, and watched the dark clouds in the sky begin to gather.