I will be the master of Xuande

Chapter 774 Yuan Brothers
Yuan Tan finally decided to follow the methods Yuan Shu taught him and prepare to seize power in Jingzhou.

Is it to seize power when Yuan Shao is alive or to seize power when Yuan Shao is dead? Regarding this matter, Yuan Shu was quite embarrassed at first.

But compared to Yuan Tan, Yuan Shu has been an overlord after all and has richer experience. Especially since he has lived for decades, his vision is far broader than Yuan Tan, and he thinks about things more deeply than most people. .

Yuan Shu knew in his heart that if he waited for Yuan Shao to die and seize power after Yuan Shang became the lord of Jingzhou, it might be easier than when Yuan Shao was alive...

However, in this era of loving fathers and filial piety, Yuan Tan's behavior will definitely be despised by the noble families in Jingzhou and other parts of the north.

From a certain perspective, his behavior is unfilial.

Although Yuan Tan is the eldest son and has the legal right to inherit, Yuan Shao is his father after all. Yuan Shao will pass his position to his third son. If Yuan Tan rebels, he will be rebelling against his father's will and is extremely unfilial.

The nobles in Jingzhou are currently in a state of unrest, and some of them may use this excuse to rebel against Yuan Tan.

Once Yuan Tan seized his brother's foundation, Liu Jian in the north would use this incident to start sowing discord between the local gentry and powerful families in Jingzhou and Yuan Tan.

Others didn't know Liu Jian's ability, but Yuan Shu knew it clearly.

At least the determined nobles and powerful men in Jingzhou had no excuse to attack Yuan Tan. At the same time, Liu Jian in the north could not make a fuss about this matter.

Although Zhou Tai was instrumental in saving Yuan Shao in the past, he was a Jiang thief after all, so Yuan Shu felt that this person should be relatively easy to control.

Nowadays, one of Yuan Shao's most trusted generals is General Zhou Tai, and the defense of the four gates of Xiangyang City is in Zhou Tai's hands.

So Yuan Shu means that Yuan Tan should find a way to win over Zhou Tai now.

As long as he controls the four gates and arsenal of Xiangyang City, it is not difficult for Yuan Tan to control Yuan Shao's official residence.

No matter how you say it, Yuan Tan is still the eldest son. This is Yuan Tan's advantage.

Among Yuan Shao's sons, only Yuan Tan had the greatest military exploits.

That person is Huang Zu.

Therefore, Yuan Shu began to discuss the next matter with Yuan Tan.

After all, the current military power of Xiangyang City is still entirely in the hands of Yuan Shao.

As long as he gives benefits, he is just a mediocre person, and he is not from a prominent family.

What Yuan Shu means is that as long as Yuan Tan can win over Zhou Tai, and then use his elite troops to exchange defenses with Zhou Tai's elite troops at the four gates, he can successfully seize the arsenal in Xiangyang City, control the comings and goings in the city, and cut off the internal and external barriers. Contact puts the whole Xiangyang in the palm of your hand.

It is not that easy to seize power from Yuan Shao.

For Yuan Tan, if he wants to hold Yuan Shao hostage, the most important thing is to find a way to control the four gates and arsenal of Xiangyang City.

And Yuan Tan also has an elite army in his hands. Over the years, Yuan Tan has fought in the north and south, and has made great contributions.

When he was in Luoyang, Yuan Shu didn't think highly of Liu Jian, but as time went by, he realized how scary Liu Jian was.

That's why Yuan Shu felt that the best way was to let Yuan Shao smoothly transfer his position and foundation to Yuan Tan's hands while he was still alive.

If Zhou Tai could be brought to Yuan Tan's side, things would be much easier to handle.

Of course, besides Zhou Tai, there is another person.

Liu Jian is forward-looking about everything in the world, and his thoughts are very far-reaching. Don't let this person seize the slightest opportunity. Once he seizes the opportunity, he will deal with it and you will never be able to stand up.

Moreover, people like Zhou Tai should respect people with military merit.

It is impossible for Jingzhou's army to be stationed in Xiangyang City. The troops directly under the command of Yuan Shao now have military power in the hands of Huang Zu.

Therefore, the first step is to win over Zhou Tai, and the second step is to control Huang Zu, that is the real victory.

In addition, as for Jiangling, the person in charge of guarding it now is Cai Mao.

For the entire Jingzhou, Jiangling is also a top priority.

We still have to find a way to succeed Cai Mao in Jiangling and take over Jiangling's military power!
In this way, if something goes wrong, their assets can be transferred from Xiangyang to Jiangling.

Yuan Tan admired Yuan Shu's arrangements very much.

He cupped his hands towards Yuan Shu and said, "Fortunately, I have my uncle by my side to assist me. Otherwise, with my ability, I would not have been able to formulate such a thorough plan."

"It's just that Cai Mao over Jiangling is also a Jingzhou tycoon. He has been under his father's command for many years and has been in charge of the army for his father. It won't be easy to seize Jiangling from him, right?"

Yuan Shu said with a smile: "Of course it would not be easy if it were anyone else, but as Benchu's younger brother, if I go there in person, explain some important matters to Cai Mao, and then take advantage of his slackness to capture him in one fell swoop and seize Jiangling, With my reputation, it shouldn’t be a problem.”

Yuan Tan was very happy to hear that Yuan Shu was willing to personally help him seize the military power in Jiangling.

He bowed his hands to Yuan Shu and said, "In that case, it's my uncle's fault."

……

After discussing the matter, Yuan Shu went to Yuan Shao's mansion the next day to meet with Yuan Shao.

Firstly, he paid attention to Yuan Shao's condition, and secondly, he discussed the current situation with Yuan Shao.

The two of them roughly analyzed the current situation and both felt that the future was quite difficult, and Yuan Shu was deeply worried. "Hey, even Boye surrendered to Liu Deran...Brother, do you think there is anyone else in this world who can really be worthy of our trust?"

Yuan Shu sighed in pain and began to worry about Yuan Shao's selling.

After listening to Yuan Shu's words, Yuan Shao looked very sad.

"Yes, even my own brothers can't believe it, let alone an outsider."

Yuan Shu said to Yuan Shao: "Brother, actually there is another thing on my mind right now."

"This matter has a great impact on us in Jingzhou, and it can be said to be a matter of life and death."

When Yuan Shao heard what Yuan Shu said, he immediately became nervous.

Now Yuan Shao can't withstand any big storms.

"Highway, what do you think is wrong? Tell me quickly, you and I are brothers, don't worry too much."

Yuan Shu stroked his beard and said with emotion: "You said that even Boye couldn't believe it and surrendered to Liu Jian... It's even harder to guess what other people think about our Yuan family now."

"The key to Jingzhou's stability now is the generals of the counties and towns!"

"If it's some insignificant place, forget it. The key is that the current Jiangling garrison is Cai Mao."

"This man is now considered to be related by marriage to Liu Jian. He is guarding our rear in Jiangling... Do you think this man is a threat to us?"

When Yuan Shao heard this, he couldn't help but frown.

He thought for a long time and then said: "It was my idea to send Cai Mao's second sister to Yecheng to be Liu Jian's concubine. I guess Cai Mao would not collude with Liu Jian because of this."

Yuan Shu sighed softly and said, "Brother, that was then, and now is now."

"Back then, my brother's power was equal to that of Liu Jian, and the North and the South were at odds. It was our plan to send Cai's daughter away. It's normal that Cai Mao wouldn't object!"

"But today is different from the past. We have lost Nanyang and Yuzhou, Yizhou has also been captured by Liu Jian, and Cao Cao's Jianghuai side can no longer be defended."

"In this case, do you still think that Cai Mao has no qualms about us?"

"Don't he want to find a way out for his Cai family?"

"After all, the Cai family is a famous family in Jingzhou."

"Brother, if you were Cai Mao, would you recognize Liu Jian as your brother-in-law now?"

Yuan Shu's words touched the pain point in Yuan Shao's heart.

Yuan Shao began to think about this matter carefully.

Yes, even Yuan Yi couldn't believe it, let alone this Cai Mao.

Yuan Shu fanned the flames and said: "What's more, this Cai Mao is in Jiangling. If he is somewhere else, forget it... What is Jiangling? That is our rear area in Xiangyang, and it may be used to confront the north. "Forward Position."

"Jiangling must not make any mistakes."

Hearing this, Yuan Shao tried his best to support him and died. Then he saw him coughing heavily several times, and then he said: "Brother, in your opinion, how should this matter be handled?"

Yuan Shu said: "Cai Mao still has to be used. After all, this person has a high prestige in Jingzhou! But there must be someone who can restrain him. At least it must be one of our Yuan family members who goes to Jiangling to watch him! If something happens, , and can respond at any time.”

After listening to Yuan Shu's words, Yuan Shao nodded and said, "This is very reasonable."

"In my opinion, which nephew should we send to do this?"

Yuan Shu pondered for a moment and said: "Jiangling is an important town and cannot be left in easy hands. In this case, how about letting Lao San handle this matter?"

Yuan Shao shook his head: "No, the third child is my heir. If he wants to stay here to inherit my inheritance, how can he go to Jiangling? Although Jiangling may become our main town in the future, let the third child go to Jiangling now. It’s still inappropriate... In my opinion, dear brother, the only person I can trust now is you, so it’s best for you to go.”

Yuan Shu was very happy to see that Yuan Shao was going to arrange for him to go to Jiangling.

However, there was no proud expression on his face.

"Is it okay to let me go?"

Yuan Shao said: "What's inappropriate? The only person I can trust now is you."

"When you go this time, you should be above Cai Mao. You must help me restrain this person. You must be careful to guard against him, but you cannot force him to rebel!"

Yuan Shu said: "Brother, don't worry, just leave this matter to me."

……

Later, Yuan Shu returned and informed Yuan Tan of the good news, and the uncle and nephew immediately prepared to take action.

Yuan Tan began to make friends with Zhou Tai, while Yuan Shu packed up and left for Jiangling.

The uncle and nephew finally embarked on the path of rebellion.

(End of this chapter)