Chapter 61 Tian Feng (1/2)

Chapter 61 – Tian Feng

November 7th. Nan Pi City.

Feng Ji received the letter from Tong. It had simple messages.

”Return my father and give me one million gold. Or else, Wen Chou and Yan Liang will never return.”

Feng Ji ripped the letter scroll to pieces as he screamed in frustration. Everything he had planned was perfect. He did not understand how the entire ploy of his went south.

”Can someone tell me, how in the blue world has Zhang Tong won that battle!?”

The intelligent officers kept their head down in shame. They, too, were also baffled by the result. Even though Zhang Tong raised his force to 5,000 in numbers, it was impossible for them to handle the 20,000 men of the coalition forces.

As Feng Ji failed to comprehend the battle result, he tossed around the furniture and wine cups. His face was reddened and distorted that it resembled a mad beast instead of human.

Then, another messenger came in. A message from Yuan Shao himself arrived. In the scroll, Yuan Shao was discontent with Feng Ji's decisions. He had told Feng Ji to befriend with Zhang Tong, and he should have dispatched the family forces to repel Han Fu Army.

However, Feng Ji disobeyed Yuan Shao's order and caused him to lose a trade partner. Thus, the message were as followed;

”By the order of the head of the family, Feng Ji will no longer be entitled as the Nan Pi house butler. He will be grounded in Nan Pi house until I give further instruction. A new personal has already been assigned to the city, and he will takeover Feng Ji's duty as of today.”

Feng Ji plummeted down on his butt in despair. Because he failed his duty and fell into the temptation of his own greed, all of his achievements and hard works were destroyed by just one letter. His power and his prestige were all gone.

Two soldiers stepped toward Feng Ji. They carried him up by his underarm, and dragged him away to the designated residents for punished servants.

A young scholar in black robe watched over them as Feng Ji was carried away. His hair was tied and kempt. His cloths were without a slightest wrinkle as if they were just ironed. His way of walking and his eloquence were calm and smooth like flowing river. His eyes were sharp as if he could see through the world. Even a child could tell that his man had been through a strict education and cultured.

”A foolish bastard. He can't even see the grand picture. How could he oversee the entire family branch and the family's wealth?”

The man glanced at the intel agents in the hall, and he gave out his first command.

”Refuse Zhang Tong's demand. And call Gao Lan over. I want to talk to him about the army situation.”

The agents bowed and accepted the order. Before they left, one of them asked back.

”My Lord, what can we address you?”

The neat man glanced back and answered.

”My name is Tian Feng. Since I've just resigned from my post in Luo Yang, I have no noble status. You can call me butler Tian or whatever you want.”

”Yes, butler Tian.”

…

Tian Feng, courtesy name as Yuanhao, was one of the best advisors of Yuan Shao alongside with Ju Shou in the history. Initially in his life, he worked at Luo Yang as a minor official. But he was disillusion by the political in-fighting between the eunuchs and the royalty faction. Thus, he quit his job and returned to Nan Pi, his hometown, and ultimately joined Yuan Shao in 190.

He advised Yuan Shao to attack Cao Cao in 195 when Cao Cao was squiring with Lu Bu and Liu Bei. However, Yuan Shao refused the idea because his son was sick. Tian Feng lamented later that the golden opportunity was missed. There might not be any chance for Yuan Shao again.

Later in the year 200, he was the subject of envy by Feng Ji. As a consequence of the rivalry, Tian Feng was framed by Feng Ji, resulted in unjust death by execution.

In this world, he was hired in urgent by Yuan Shao because of the insubordination of Feng Ji. Yuan Shao wanted someone capable enough to oversee the situation in Nan Pi branch family, so he hired the young Tian Feng when he noticed his talent.

Being young and ambitious, Tian Feng was enticed by the background and the prosperity of the Yuan family, so he decided to quit his career as an official to join Yuan Shao as his butler.

…

All of the agents and servants had left Tian Feng alone in the main hall of Yuan Manor. Tian Feng studied the records of all activities that Feng Ji had been doing up until now. He closed his eyes and sighed after he was done reading through all of them.