Chapter 35: Yuan Tan Advances

  PS: Seeking recommendation votes and collection, also give a reward to that brother, okay?

  Xiang Xu was overjoyed and suddenly felt much more at ease. As long as he didn't have to face Yan Liang's army for the time being, dealing with Yuan Tan alone would be a piece of cake. Although Zhu Ling served as the general and Guo Tu as the military advisor, Yuan Tan's arrogant personality wouldn't change, and Guo Tu, despite his clever strategies and talents, was good at flattering people. This way, Xiang Xu could make use of him!

  "Gentlemen, now dispatch scouts to investigate the movements of Yuan Tan's army. This time we must resolve the battle beautifully. I will also activate my divine thoughts and provide various talismans and spells to support the entire army!"

  Zhang Xu nodded slightly and said.

  "Promise!"

  The three were overjoyed and immediately knelt down on one knee.

  So, the army constantly sent out scouts to investigate the news, and sometimes they would also encounter the vanguard of Yuan Tan's army. This army was indeed a strong one under Yuan Shao's command, and its overall strength was not as good as Zhang Xiu's army, but in terms of the ability of the scouts, it was not inferior to Zhang Xiu's elite scouts, mainly because they had more battlefield experience.

  However, in the competition between scouts, Zhang Xu's side still had the upper hand. After all, these scouts were elite warriors, and Zhang Xu naturally cherished them greatly. Every time they went on a mission, he would bestow upon them the Golden Strength Symbol and the Great Power Symbol, thus enhancing their strength to almost reach the level of refining essence and energy.

  As a result, scouts' messages came back one after another, clearly marking the movements of Yuan Tan's large army.

  After Zhang Xu had a thorough grasp of the enemy's movements, he would discuss with the three generals every day how to deal with Yuan Tan's army. Marching and fighting were unavoidable major events that required caution and carefulness. Moreover, these troops were Zhang Xu's foundation, so it was even more necessary to boost their morale. He didn't have a good father figure, if the soldiers were lost, they would be gone for good. These elite soldiers had been trained with great difficulty, not a single bit of carelessness could be allowed!

  At this time, Yuan Tan was in high spirits, listening to the report of his advisor Guo Tu. Guo Tu had been following Yuan Shao for a long time and was one of his supporters. He was diligent in his work and had considerable talent, which made Yuan Tan trust him greatly.

  "Your Highness, please take a look. This is only five days' journey from Chang County. The enemy has not come out to fight yet, they must be holding on with the intention of fighting to the death. In that case, Your Highness, we can do it this way!"

  Kuo T'u finished speaking and looked at Yuan Tan with full confidence, waiting for his decision.

  "The Fire Attack Plan?"

  Yuan Tan asked in a low voice, he knew that Guo Tu's ability to use flames had a catalytic effect, which could make the fire burn even bigger. He had also witnessed this skill before. However, the plan of using fire required specific conditions and needed to lure the enemy into a predetermined range. Therefore, Yuan Tan doubted whether this plan could succeed. If it did, it would be a good thing, and he could defeat the enemy army, which would greatly enhance his prestige.

  "Great General, if the enemy's bandits do not have a strategist, they will not be able to see through your plan. The fire attack plan can break the enemy. If the great general leads the army in, it is possible to defeat the enemy in one fell swoop. Scouts' reports are coming in, saying that Chang County is rich and abundant, if the great general obtains it, it will be a great achievement!"

  Kuo Tu smiled in an extremely flattering manner.

  He knew Yuan Tan's character well, and besides, he was confident in his own army. Even if the enemy discovered their plan to attack with fire, they would not be able to stop the invasion of the large army. In Guo Tu's view, this was a great opportunity to win over Yuan Tan!

  "Alright, since it's reasonable, we'll attack Chang County as soon as possible and defeat the enemy!"

  Yuan Tan was overjoyed and immediately shouted loudly: "Come on! Bring it here!"

  His confidant attendants immediately came to pay their respects, and after bowing to Yuan Tan, they waited for his instructions. At this time, Yuan Tan was in high spirits, thinking that the great army would surely break through Chang County's army, so he said: "Inform General Zhu Ling, we can break camp and set off immediately, and attack Chang County!"

  "Promise!"

  The trusted guard took his leave, and at this time Yuan Tan was overjoyed. Changyi was indeed a prosperous place, and under Zhang Xiu's governance, the people were wealthy and sufficient, which could be the foundation of a great undertaking. If he could obtain Changyi, he would certainly be able to support an army of 10,000 men, and when the time came, he would use this as a base to plot against Qingzhou. He would surely establish a great merit, and at that time, he would surely gain Yuan Shao's respect and become the heir apparent!

  With a clear mind, Yuan Tan felt that taking down Changshan was a must-win situation. As for Zhang Xiu of Changshan, in Yuan Shao's eyes, he was nothing but a petty bandit who relied on the remnants of the Yellow Turbans. He looked down on him with disdain, thinking that with Guo Tu's plan, it would be an easy victory!

  It was then that Yuan Tan's large army marched urgently at night, arriving in Changshan within three days. They encountered Zhang Xiu's large army, and the two armies faced each other. General Zhu Ling carefully observed the situation of Zhang Xiu's military camp before coming to pay his respects to Yuan Tan.

  "What! Our great army will temporarily retreat and wait for General Yan Liang to arrive"

  Upon hearing Zhu Ling's words, Yuan Tan became enraged and said:

  "General Zhu Ling, our army's morale is soaring, and the enemy's strong cavalry is no match for us. How can they be our enemy? With a certain strategy of fire attack, the young master will be able to decide the fate of the world in one battle. Is there any reason to retreat?"

  Guo Tu said in a sharp voice, with a cunning glint in his eye. Yuan Tan was enraged and his eyes gleamed with ferocity as he said: "General Zhu Ling, can we let others boost their morale while destroying our own prestige? If we wait for Yan Liang's army to arrive, won't it make me, Yuan Tan, appear weak and incompetent?"

  "This, great prince, is indeed the view of a certain family that the enemy army does not seem like an ordinary enemy, the soldiers are strong and powerful, they are truly elite troops, it's not advisable to lightly take risks and launch an attack!"

  Zhu Ling was not good at speaking, but how could he let Yuan Tan bear the name of being weak and timid? He immediately spoke up.

  "Hmmph!"

  Yuan Tan's expression eased slightly, and he said: "You are just a minor bandit, the troops I command are the elite soldiers under my father's banner, how can you compare to us? There is no need to say more!"

  Yuan Tan immediately said.

  "Your Highness, why not let the soldiers rest for a day and then attack the enemy again?"

  Zhu Ling had no choice but to take a step back and say.

  "Alright, the soldiers have worked hard, let's take a rest for a day. The task of setting up camp is now your responsibility!"

  Yuan Tan's face was still gloomy as he spoke, but he had heard Zhu Ling's words.

  "Ah!"

  He let out a sigh, Zhu Ling knew there was no way out. The commander-in-chief of the army was Yuan Tan, so although reluctantly, he could only follow military orders. This Zhu Ling was also a general who led troops, although not as famous as Yan Liang and other Hebei generals, but he was also a talented general. His physical strength had reached the peak of refining his spirit, although slightly inferior to Guan Yu, but the gap was not much. Moreover, his family background was also from a good military lineage, and he was also a skilled warrior.

  At this time, the camp was set up in a very orderly manner, with soldiers firmly guarding against enemy forces from all sides, and scouts were sent out to detect enemy movements early.

  "How numerous is the enemy's talent indeed?"

  Upon hearing the scout's report on the enemy's camp situation, Zhang Xu let out a silent sigh, his heart filled with frustration. After all, Yuan Tan was just a useless young master who could be easily swayed, whereas Zhu Ling was such a renowned general. Yet, he had to go through immense hardships to become the commander of the Gan Ning army, and the gap between him and these powerful lords was simply too vast!