Chapter 2: The Richest Man in Hebei Province

  "Hmm—"

  Yuan Fang slowly let out a breath, his eyes suddenly opening wide, a thread of excitement flashing through the dark pupils.

  His spirit was more excited than ever before, but his body was as if he had suffered a great illness, his face pale, his breathing weak, and a layer of cold sweat on his forehead.

  "This virus is indeed formidable. If it weren't for this year of bitter cultivation of my will, I'm afraid I wouldn't have been able to hold on, and who knows if it would have taken effect or not."

  Yuan Fang slowly stood up, his eyes fell on that lame leg, took a deep breath, and tried to take a step forward.

  A steady step.

  No more stumbling, no more limping. Yuan Fang's leg, which had been crippled for many years, took a steady step forward.

  In an instant, endless ecstasy surged up in his heart, and Yuan Fang was so excited that he almost shouted out loud.

  This crippled leg that has brought me so much disdain and hindered my ability to regain my dignity is finally healed!

  Yuan Fang's ecstatic gaze fell on the empty syringe lying on the case.

  This time, Yuan's side used the name of seeking a divine doctor, went out for more than two months, in fact, it was just to go to Taihang Mountain to find that crashed military plane.

  The aircraft was carrying a biochemical virus developed by the military in later generations. Although this virus has lethal contagiousness, it can be used to treat many terminal illnesses that cannot be cured by conventional medicine.

  Yuan Fang knew that in this medically backward era, only that one dose of antiviral was the only chance to cure his leg disease.

  After more than a year of searching and two months of arduous efforts, the heavens did not disappoint those with determination. Yuan Fang finally found the crashed plane and the intact freezer box.

  "My leg has recovered, the next step is to find a way to leave the Yuan family, it's best to pull out a team of soldiers and horses, and establish my own door with my identity as a private son. Staying in the Yuan family will not have any results no matter how hard I try..."

  Yuan Fang excitedly paced back and forth in the room, his thoughts racing as he made plans for the future.

  At this time, Xiao Cha's voice came from outside the door: "Young master, the master has sent someone again, asking you to go to the main hall to welcome the noble guest."

  Yuan...

  The words "Yuan Shao" were on the tip of his tongue, but Yuan Fang swallowed them back and asked suspiciously: "Didn't Father only summon those three people? Why is he now summoning me to go there?"

  "It was Mr. Tian's persuasion that led Master to send Gongzi over," Xiao Cha explained.

  Xiao Chakou's Mr. Tian was actually Tian Feng, an important staff officer under Yuan Shao.

  "I don't know who this noble guest is, Yuan Shao wants to summon everyone, Tian Feng actually spoke for me, it seems that he's not a self-interested person..."

  Yuan Fang restrained his wild joy, calmed down and walked out of the door.

  Xiao Cha hastily asked Yuan Fang: "Young Master, does that divine medicine really work?"

  "It's just taken effect so quickly, let's go and see Father." Yuan Fang continued to limp out.

  Before making further plans, Yuan Fang did not intend to reveal too quickly that his leg had already recovered.

  Xiao Cha's eyes flashed with a hint of disappointment, and she let out a soft sigh before hurrying to follow, supporting Yuan Fang.

  Through the secluded backyard, it finally stopped outside the reception hall, where lively voices and laughter came from inside, creating a warm atmosphere.

  Just as Yuan Fang stepped up the stairs, a sarcastic voice came from behind: "Father didn't invite someone, but someone came uninvited, with a thick enough face."

  A familiar voice, turned around, it was Yuan Xi.

  He changed into a magnificent new outfit, which made him look even more spirited. It was unclear who this noble guest was, but he actually had Yuan Xi hurry back to change into a set of formal attire.

  Yuan Fang was too lazy to bother with him and treated him as if he didn't exist, continuing on his way.

  "Not long after the third young master left, the master sent someone to invite the second young master over again." Xiao Cha hurriedly explained on behalf of Yuan Fang.

  Yuan Xi furrowed his brow, revealing a hint of discontent, and coldly snorted: "If that's the case, then you'd better watch your step, be careful not to trip and fall on your face in front of our esteemed guests, and lose face for the Yuan family."

  With a sarcastic smile, Yuan Xi strode past Yuan Fang's side in big strides, roughly pushing aside a servant who was blocking his way and didn't have time to dodge.

  That servant let out a cry of surprise and his legs went soft, sliding down from the steps.

  At a distance of just a few feet, Yuan Fang hastily stretched out his hand and supported the family servant.

  As soon as his hand touched the waist, Yuan Fang felt a softness that didn't seem like a man's waist. He raised his head to take another look and saw a face with clear eyebrows and bright eyes, white and clean.

  Faintly discernible, that servant's body still emitted a faint, delicate fragrance of cosmetics, which wafted up to his nostrils.

  "It's actually a female servant dressed as a man, I don't know who she belongs to, daring to cause trouble in this kind of situation..."

  After a few breaths, Yuan Fang saw through the maid but didn't expose her. He helped her up and asked softly, "Are you okay?"

  "It's nothing, thank you, young master." The servant's face turned red as he replied in a low voice and quickly stepped into the great hall.

  Yuan Fang didn't think much of this strange servant, took a deep breath, and with Xiao Cha's support, walked into the grand hall.

  The hall is spacious and majestic everywhere.

  There were also many people in the hall, and except for Yuan Mai who had just been born, all of the Yuan family's sons were present.

  The sons of the Yuan family all knelt on the left side, while some dignified attendants sat on the right side.

  The middle-aged man in the main seat, dressed in brocade and finery, with a hint of white hair on his temples, his eyes seeming to be closed yet not quite, gave off an aura of possessing boundless power.

  Wherever this person sits, there is an aura of majesty that makes people unable to look straight at him, and can only lower their heads obediently.

  He is the true master of the cavalry general's mansion, the ruler of Jizhou, famous all over the world, Yuan Shao from a noble family.

  The middle-aged man who sat opposite Yuan Shao with his knees crossed, had a rich and plump appearance, with a smile all over his face, and had the air of a wealthy master.

  The female servant dressed as a man stood beside the noble guest.

  At this moment, this noble guest is vigorously praising Yuan Xi as a talented and outstanding individual, just like the saying "a tiger father has no inferior son".

  "Shi Shu's praise is undeserved, I am ashamed and dare not accept it." Yuan Xi's words were very humble, but the corners of his eyebrows could hardly conceal his self-satisfaction.

  Yuan Shao also nodded slightly, seeming to appreciate this son very much.

  After being praised, Yuan Xi walked away with a proud face and knelt down beside his eldest son, Yuan Tan.

  No one noticed Yuan Fang, as if he was air.

  Yuan Fang, however, did not think so. He limped forward and bowed his head in greeting to Yuan Shao.

  At this time, everyone in the hall saw Yuan Fang, and most people's faces flashed with disdain.

  Yuan Xi sneered and stared at Yuan Fang, as if staring at a joke.

  Yuan Shao didn't even glance at him, his voice cold as he commanded: "Still not paying respects to your uncle Yan?"

  "What's his surname Zhen, and he's also an old acquaintance of Yuan Shao, who could it be?"

  Yuan Fang's mind was racing with thoughts, but his face remained calm as he slightly bowed and said, "I've met Zhen Shibo."

  The smile on Zhen's face faded by more than half, and he only slightly nodded to him, his attitude towards Yuan Fang was like two different people from the one who had just praised Yuan Xi.

  Obviously, this guest with the surname Zhen had sharp eyes and also saw how Yuan Fang was in the Yuan family.

  Yuan Shao didn't say another word to Yuan Fang, and simply waved his hand coldly.

  Yuan Fang, however, remained calm and composed, quietly retreating to the side, only to turn around and scan the area, shocked to discover that there was no place for him.

  Looking at Yuan Fang standing still on the spot, several sons of the Yuan family couldn't help but burst out laughing, apparently very pleased to see him make a fool of himself.

  Especially Yuan Xi, who was laughing with great satisfaction, his narrowed eyes still gleaming with a hint of cunning.

  "It seems like Yuan Xi is playing tricks on me, deliberately embarrassing me in front of so many people!"

  Yuan Fang's eyebrows furrowed, his fists clenched slightly, and a spark of anger ignited in his heart.

  "Zhao Guan Jia, hurry up and arrange a seat for the second young master." A deep voice came from the right front, where a man with half-white hair and a serious face scolded.

  The speaker was Tian Feng himself.

  "Cough, it's a small oversight, forgot that the second young master is also coming, hehe, I'll get someone to prepare right away." The Zhao steward, who had been glared at by Tian Feng, smiled faintly and patted his forehead in self-reproach, but the hint of mockery in his eyes was hardly concealed.

  A moment later, someone added a rush cushion in the corner of the last seat among the various sons.

  Yuan Fang walked into the corner under the mocking gaze of everyone and knelt down calmly.

  At this time, Yuan Shao was chatting with the guest surnamed Zhen and had no time to care about the injustice suffered by his illegitimate son.

  "Ji Qiao's battle, Lord Yuan's military tactics were divine and unpredictable, causing Gong Sunzan to flee in disarray. It was truly an impressive display of power! I wonder when Lord Yuan will lead his troops northwards, conquer Youzhou, and unify the northern regions?" Guest Zhen Guizi flattered with a smile.

  Yuan Shao, however, was not arrogant and boasted: "The victory at Jieting was actually a fluke. If we want to counterattack Youzhou, we need to recruit more troops and buy horses. But now that Ji Province has just been settled, the treasury is empty. Shao still needs the support of gentlemen like you from Hebei."

  "Yuan Gong's governance of Hebei is indeed a blessing for us scholars from Hebei. How could I, Yi, not offer my assistance with all my might? To be honest, this time I came to visit and brought 10 million yuan as a gift to Yuan Gong, let's just say it's for military expenses."

  One hundred million dollars, really generous.

  Yuan Fang had now guessed who this person was. Judging from his actions, he must be Zhen Yi, the richest man in Hebei Province, without a doubt.

  The three great wealthy families in the world are the Zhen family of Hebei, the Mi family of Xuzhou, and the Lu family of Yangzhou, all of whom are extremely rich and powerful clans that can rival a country.

  "Yuan Shao wanted to defeat Gongsun Zan, take down Hebei, and naturally urgently needed a wealthy man like Zhen Yi to provide him with financial support. No wonder this person could receive such high courtesy from Yuan Shao and even address him as brother..."

  Yuan Fang had figured out the underlying reason and secretly glanced at Zhen Yi, but suddenly discovered that the female servant dressed as a man behind Zhen Yi was also quietly sizing him up.

  The eyes of the two people met by chance.

  That servant's body trembled slightly, and he quickly averted his gaze, his face flushing red again.

  Yuan Fang didn't think much of it and his thoughts quickly turned back to the conversation between him and Zhen Yi.

  Yuan Shao saw that Zhen Yi was so generous, and couldn't help but smile with joy, laughing loudly: "Brother Zi Ran is truly a magnanimous man! This 100 million yuan is indeed a timely help in time of need. On behalf of the three armies under my command, I thank Brother Zi Ran!"

  "Hehe, Lord Yuan is being serious, just based on my friendship with Lord Yuan, this is what I should do."

  Zhen Yike smiled and said: "However, I have come this time not only to pay respects to General Yuan and reward the soldiers, but also to make an unreasonable request."

  "What's this nonsense you're spouting, brother? Speak your mind." Yuan Shao said with a smile.

  Zhen Yigang coughed a few times and smiled: "There is a daughter under my knee, who is now almost at the age of coming out of the boudoir. I want to ask for a son of Yuan Gong as a worthy son-in-law for my little daughter."

  It turned out that Zhen Yi wanted to form an alliance with Yuan Shao through marriage.

  "A businessman is indeed a businessman, and he wouldn't make a losing deal. I said that Zhen Yi was so generous, but it turns out she wanted to climb up the Yuan family's big tree." Yuan Fang thought to herself.

  Yuan Shao burst out laughing and said with a smile: "I have known you, Brother Zi Ran, for many years. If we can become relatives through marriage, that would be the best. In that case, I will let..."

  Yuan Shao's gaze swept towards the left side of his sons, and the eyes of the people in the hall also fell on them without exception.

  Yuan Shao had five sons, the youngest son Yuan Mai was still breastfeeding, the eldest son Yuan Tan already had a wife, Zhen's family treasure daughter, of course, could not be a concubine.

  Everyone's eyes fell on Yuan Fang, Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang.

  "Following the order of propriety, this marriage should have been offered to my second son, but I suppose Yuan Shao would not choose a crippled son as a son-in-law for Zhen Yi. He must be biased." Yuan Fang thought to himself.

  As expected, Yuan Shao's gaze lingered on his fourth son, Yuan Shang, for a moment, then swept past Yuan Fang and finally fell on Yuan Xi.

  "I'll let Sanzi show off his skills and become a son-in-law who brings honor to the family of Zhen Brother, I wonder if Brother Zhen will be satisfied."

  Zhen Yixi's eyebrows rose with joy, and she laughed happily: "Third Master is a talented and handsome young man, with the demeanor of Mr. Yuan. For my daughter to marry such an outstanding person, it must be the good fortune she accumulated in her past life."

  Yuan Xi was beaming with joy, laughing so hard his mouth couldn't close.

  Yuan Fang coldly smiled to himself, thinking: "It's just a marriage of convenience, Yuan Shao can also indulge in personal preferences, unable to make fair judgments, with this kind of temperament, how could he not fall into Cao Cao's hands?"

  Yuan Fang had expected the outcome, but was not disappointed. On the contrary, Yuan Shao's actions today only strengthened his desire to leave the Yuan family as soon as possible.

  Just as everyone was congratulating Yuan Shao, a man suddenly spoke out in a stern voice: "My lord, I think your choice is unfair!"