After hearing this, Yuan Shang sat up straight and did not answer Pang Ji's question. Instead, he asked: "I want to know, when the second brother left Yecheng three years ago, what did the two gentlemen think of him?"
Pang Ji said without hesitation: "The second young master has a cowardly character and a problematic background. He had a falling out with the master at that time and was known as unfilial. In my opinion, it is difficult for him to achieve anything serious."
Shen Pei had been silent since he entered the room. When he saw Yuan Shang turning to him, he said reluctantly: "The second young master was far inferior to the third young master at that time, and he was not as good as the eldest young master."
"Although the Third Young Master was only fifteen years old at the time, he had already shown his talent for world hegemony. This is why we are willing to assist the Third Young Master."
Yuan Shang nodded with satisfaction, "Thank you, Mr. Zhengnan, for your appreciation. I will live up to your expectations."
"I guessed at that time that Youzhou was not such an easy place to stay. The second brother would have to go back home in despair within half a year."
"But not long after my second brother left, I learned some extremely secret rumors."
"When the second brother left, he once advised his father that there would be great changes in Yecheng in the fourth year of Chuping. Although the disaster would turn into good fortune, he still hoped that his father would take precautions in advance."
This was the first time Yuan Shang told such secrets. Pang Ji couldn't help but exclaimed, and even the judge looked surprised.
In the fourth year of Chuping, the second year after Yuan Xi left, a big event happened.
Yecheng Rebellion.
There was obviously a traitor in Yecheng. The Montenegrin Army took advantage of the situation and invaded and took control of Yecheng.
Although the Montenegrin Army also turned out traitors in the end and escorted Yuan Shao's family members out of the city, the families of many advisers and soldiers were not so lucky.
Shen Pei frowned slightly: "Has the Lord already known about this in advance?"
Yuan Shang shook his head: "My father was afraid and didn't believe what my second brother said, but he probably took the minimum precautions."
"The reason why I am so afraid of my second brother is that if this matter is true, it means that my second brother is carrying some secrets!"
"I believe the two gentlemen have discussed some prophecies about the second brother in private!"
Shen Pei and Pang Ji heard this, and their expressions changed.
Yuan Shang said coldly: "I never underestimate any enemy. Once I am ready to take action, I will go all out."
"If the second brother really has the ability to foresee the future and seek advantages and avoid disadvantages, then he will definitely be fine if he chooses to go to Beixin City."
"So from the first year, I began to control the transportation of grain and grass in Beixin City."
"Each delivery of grain and grass rations is limited to a few hundred sergeants, which makes it impossible for the second brother to recruit more soldiers and horses on the spot."
"Due to transportation losses and unexpected factors, the food shipped was only adequate."
"During the siege of the city, food naturally couldn't be transported in. With all this coming and going, the second brother couldn't open up the situation in Beixin City."
"But what surprised me was that the second brother survived for three years and even won several battles!"
"This shows that the rumors that my second brother foresaw danger are probably true. This has already posed a threat to me!"
Yuan Shang told these inside stories so nonchalantly because, firstly, he believed that Pang Ji Shenpei would never betray him, and secondly, he was confident that even if the news got out, his own status would not be threatened!
Shen Pei whispered: "I remind the third young master that the second young master is not the enemy."
"When several young masters quarrel, they still have to be restrained. If they endanger each other's lives or even threaten the lord's great cause, I'm afraid the lord will not just sit idly by."
Yuan Shang stood up quickly and bowed respectfully to Shen Pei: "Sir, what you taught me is a lesson that I will bear in mind."
"If my Yuan family had not already controlled the situation in the north, Gongsun Zan and Tao Qian were still alive, and Cao Cao, Zhang Miao and others were our lackeys, I would not have planned it so early."
"The sooner I take over the power, the stronger the Yuan family will be. It's ridiculous that the eldest and second brothers can't see the situation. They are the ones holding the Yuan family back!"
He then smiled and said: "But the second brother also showed his flaws this time."
"Gao Lan's whereabouts are unknown and he is most likely killed."
"The eldest brother doesn't have the guts to attack the four pillars. The only possibility is the second brother."
"General Gao must have found out something about second brother!"
"Moreover, the second brother is ignorant of current affairs and has joined forces with the eldest brother. This is our enemy."
"The two gentlemen don't get along with the Yingchuan nobles under my eldest brother, and sooner or later they will have to compete with each other."
After hearing this, Pang Ji, the judge, nodded simultaneously for the first time.
Shen Pei hesitated for a moment and said, "If the second young master is really capable, why doesn't the third young master join forces with him?"
After hearing this, Yuan Shang said seriously: "If the second brother and I can defeat the eldest brother by joining forces, how incompetent will I be in the eyes of my father?"
"I want to prove to my father that I can defeat my eldest brother and my second brother on my own, and let them be completely used by me!"
"Only I am the real next generation head of the Yuan family!"
When he said these words, his tiger body trembled, and the king's anger suddenly arose.
Pang Ji shouted: "Okay! The third young master has such a spirit, he will definitely become a hero in the future!"
Yuan Shang smiled slightly, "Second brother, although you are a few years older than me, you are very different from me in all aspects."
Especially since his biological mother is Mrs. Liu, this alone makes him invincible.
Just let me use every strategy 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 said in silence: "I didn't say anything."
"According to his temperament, he shouldn't pretend to be deaf and dumb. There is indeed something fishy about this matter."
"Thank you sir for reminding me, I'll send someone to investigate."
Yuan Shang immediately stood up and said to the two of them: "I will make arrangements now. You two gentlemen can do it yourself."
Looking at Yuan Shang's leaving figure, Pang Ji, the judge's partner, looked at each other and nodded slightly.
They really couldn't find anything wrong with Yuan Shang. He always followed the good deeds, acted decisively, and never left any chance to his opponents. In their minds, his future achievements would definitely surpass that of their lord.
Yuan Xi's car was only half a day away from Yecheng.
Yuan Xi asked someone to rest for a while, got out of the car, found Qu Yi and said, "Brother, don't go into the city this time."
Qu Yi raised his eyebrows, "Are you afraid that I will be recognized?"
Yuan Xi nodded and said: "Even if my brother is exposed, I can still find a way to clear up the relationship. Even if someone really finds out, my father can't kill me."
"But there are many people who have seen my brother's face, and many of his habits are easy to spot, so Gao Lan can spot them at a glance."
"If this is really the case, my brother's situation will be in danger."
"After much thought, I still won't let my brother enter the city."
Qu Yi also knew that what Yuan Xi said was right, so he could only nod his head and said: "In that case, I will find a place to settle outside the city and be ready to assist you at any time."
"But please be careful, young master, Yecheng is a den between dragons and tigers."
Yuan Xi nodded: "I know, but if there is a conspiracy, it is probably because they want to ruin my reputation, and it will not cost my life."
"But I'll be careful."
The two agreed on how to meet, and Qu Yi rode away.
Yuan Xi got on the carriage and let the motorcade set off again. Yuan Xi looked out the window and fell into deep thought again.
He was under great pressure when he returned to Yecheng this time.
Dong Zhao left, Qu Yi hid, Zhao Yun sat in Beixin City, and there was only Wu Zhao beside him.
When he entered Yecheng, he had to face his father and third brother, who were full of counselors. Neither of them was easy to fool.
Yuan Xi leaned against the wall, closing his eyes and concentrating, just like a napping tiger.
Wu Zhao looked over secretly, thinking that Yuan Xi seemed to have endless things on his mind all the time, and even now he didn't fully understand him.
She was a little curious, what was Yecheng really like?