The scholar smiled and didn't answer after hearing the words of the lieutenant.
This lieutenant, whose words seemed a bit rash, was Gao Lan, one of Yuan Shao's great generals and one of the Four Pillars.
This scholar's name was Xun Chen, courtesy name Youruo, from Yingchuan.
Three years ago, when he firmly held the position of Yuan Shao's chief strategist, not to mention Gao Lan, even Yan Liang, the head of the Four Pillars, was respectful to Xun Chen.
At that time, Yuan Shao had many strategists, including not only Xun Chen but also Xun Yu. However, since Xun Yu went to Cao Cao last year, Yuan Shao's attitude towards Xun Chen also underwent subtle changes.
At that time, it was common for aristocratic children from prominent families to serve different lords. However, although Cao Cao was nominally Yuan Shao's ally, he was actually a partial general and thug. Xun Yu's open allegiance to Cao Cao set a bad precedent among the scholars of Yingchuan, making Yuan Shao feel quite embarrassed.
In the past year or so, Xun Chen's position has gradually been caught up by Tian Feng, Ju Shou, and others, and his situation is quite awkward.
Gao Lan, as one of the Four Pillars, was also astute despite his rough appearance. His words just now were definitely not impulsive, simply to embarrass Xun Chen, but to show his attitude to the young man riding a horse among the three.
Yuan Tan, the eldest son of the Yuan family!
No one expected that Yuan Tan would personally bring Xun Chen and Gao Lan to Beixin City.
The reason for this was that Yuan Xi's killing of hundreds of Southern Xiongnu bandits had caused turmoil in You and Bing provinces. What was even more incredible to Yecheng was that Yuan Xi had also killed hundreds of White Horse Volunteers?
The White Horse Volunteers were not miscellaneous soldiers. With only the hundreds of new recruits that Yuan Xi brought with him when he left Yecheng, even if they had been trained for three years, it would have been good enough to defend the city against the White Horse Volunteers, who were all elite veterans. How could they have annihilated an equal number of enemies?
The strategists in Yuan Shao's mansion discussed and felt that it was very likely that Yuan Xi was falsely reporting military achievements. Thinking this way, the matter of killing the Xiongnu bandits might also have inside information.
If Yuan Xi colluded with forces from who knows where, or even worse, colluded with Gongsun Zan, that would be tantamount to betraying the Yuan family!
Therefore, on the advice of the strategists, Yuan Shao immediately sent Yuan Tan to Beixin City to investigate the matter. If he found anything wrong, he would immediately take control of Beixin City.
Yuan Shao attached great importance to this matter, not only sending Xun Chen, who held a very high position, but also Gao Lan, one of the Four Pillars, to assist Yuan Tan together.
With one scholar and one general, plus a thousand soldiers, it seemed more than enough to control the situation in Beixin City!
Suddenly, Xun Chen's eyes narrowed, and he pointed ahead and said, "There's something strange over there!"
The group rode forward and saw two large pits, each several dozen feet wide, on both sides of the road. The pits were filled with charred human bones.
Gao Lan dismounted and personally jumped into the pit to inspect it. After a long time, he climbed out of the pit with a solemn expression and said, "These people died less than a month ago, and their bodies were all burned."
"Among the things that were not completely burned, there are broken bronze spears, iron arrowheads on the bones, and shattered armor pieces. It can be seen that these people were all soldiers."
"Judging from the fractured wounds on the bones, their deaths were mostly caused by sharp weapons chopping and stabbing. They should have died on the battlefield."
After a while, a soldier came to report that there were at least three hundred corpses inside.
This location matched the battlefield described in Yuan Xi's letter. Yuan Tan and the other two looked at each other in dismay. Could it be that Yuan Xi really killed hundreds of Xiongnu bandits?
Xun Chen thought for a while and said to Gao Lan, "Can we determine whether these are all Xiongnu people?"
Gao Lan hesitated after hearing this, "It's difficult to tell from the bones alone."
Xun Chen stroked his beard and said, "That's simple. Once we enter Beixin City, we can gather all of the Second Young Master Yuan's soldiers and ask them, and we'll know."
"I heard that he also rescued hundreds of women. It will be easier to ask them."
"It's impossible for everyone to hide the truth."
Yuan Tan and the others mounted their horses, still filled with doubts. Yuan Xi said in his letter that a general under Gongsun Zan named Zhao Yun had defected and helped kill the Xiongnu soldiers, but they couldn't believe it.
Could it be that the Second Young Master Yuan secretly made some concessions to Gongsun Zan?
This was what Yuan Tan and the others were most worried about. If Gongsun Zan dragged Yuan Xi into the muddy waters, Yuan Shao's plan to attack Gongsun Zan next year might be greatly affected.
The three of them were all preoccupied, leading their troops and traveling for most of the day before leaving the valley.
The scenery in front of them suddenly opened up, revealing a vast plain with a large river running through it.
On this plain, only charred stalks remained. Xun Chen rode over to take a look and said, "It's a wheat field."
Yuan Tan looked at the large wheat field and smiled, "Second Brother does have some ability, he was actually able to grow such a large field."
Xun Chen stroked his beard and said, "Judging from this, I'm afraid there are several thousand shi of grain. If that's really the case, it's reasonable for Second Young Master Yuan to be anxious to kill the Xiongnu people."
"After all, if those Xiongnu people see the wheat field, they will definitely destroy and plunder it, then all the work of the year will be wasted."
Gao Lan sighed, "Even if that's really the case, after this battle, I don't know how many soldiers are left in Beixin City. I estimate that at least two hundred people must have died."
"Calculating this way, there are only about a hundred people left in Beixin City. It was really timely for the lord to send us here."
Yuan Tan shook his head and said, "Not necessarily. With a hundred people left, can they defeat hundreds of White Horse Volunteers?"
Gao Lan was speechless for a moment, thinking, how could he kill those hundreds of Xiongnu without any losses?
Even if he won, how many would be left to face the White Horse Volunteers?
Gao Lan couldn't figure it out no matter how he thought about it. He was determined that Yuan Xi's military report must contain falsehoods!
While Yuan Tan and the others were rushing to Beixin City from the south, Yuan Xi and Qu Yi were seeing Dong Zhao off at the west gate of Beixin City.
Ten soldiers were escorting several large carts, which were loaded with goods and money to bribe Dong Zhao's connections.
Dong Zhao stood beside the carriage, holding Yuan Xi's hand and saying, "Young Master's great kindness, this old man will definitely remember it in my heart."
Yuan Xi smiled and said, "I hope that this trip of yours, sir, will allow you to establish merit and become a pillar of the great Han."
Dong Zhao was moved in his heart. He knew that he should leave. Once Yuan Tan arrived, someone under him would definitely recognize him.
Just as he was about to get on the carriage, he hesitated for a moment and whispered to Yuan Xi, "Although that Wu concubine's appearance is ruined, she has great talent in her chest, far surpassing all the other hundreds of women. I hope that the young master will treat her well."
Yuan Xi didn't understand, but nodded and said, "I will remember your words, sir."
Only then did Dong Zhao feel relieved and got on the carriage. The group headed towards Henei.
Seeing Dong Zhao and his group disappear, Yuan Xi turned to Qu Yi and said, "Brother, this time you didn't go with Gongren, but chose to stay. It really exceeded my expectations."
Qu Yi didn't care and said, "Who can recognize me in this ghostly state of mine?"
"What's so fun about following that old man Dong Zhao? I want to see how far you can go."
"Besides, Zhao Yun has just surrendered. If he has any ulterior motives, who else can help you?"
"Moreover, I haven't settled the score with him yet!"
Hearing this, Yuan Xi smiled casually, "That's great. Without Brother Qu by my side, I would be quite lonely."
Qu Yi laughed loudly after hearing this.