Can I get to the other side?.

Chapter 305: Beheading Yuan Shao

The more Liu Xie listened, the deeper his frown grew.

Emperor Xian of Han, what are you trying to do?
Liu Biao and his son died at a banquet hosted by Emperor Xian of Han. Liu Xie would never believe it if someone said it had nothing to do with Emperor Xian of Han.

"Could it be that Emperor Xian of Han was in collusion with Cai Mao and others, deliberately killing Liu Biao and his son, and then taking advantage of the opportunity to control Jingzhou?"

"No, Liu Biao had already welcomed Emperor Xian of Han into Xiangyang City and acknowledged his status as the Son of Heaven. What good would it do him to kill Liu Biao?"

"Could it be that Liu Biao also used Emperor Xian of Han as a puppet like Cao Cao, so he did this? But why would Cai Mao, Kuai Liang and others help him?"

"Cai Mao is Liu Biao's brother-in-law."

The more Liu Xie thought about it, the more puzzled he found it. He found that he could no longer see through Emperor Xian of Han's methods, and the situation in Jingzhou was a complete mess.

After thinking hard for a while, he really had no clue, so he gave up thinking about it and said to Jia Xu: "Just have someone keep a close eye on Jingzhou for the time being. The most important thing right now is to go south to fight the bandits."

"Also, send someone to tell Xuande that if he really can't stay in Yizhou any longer, he should bring his troops back as soon as possible."

It would be best if we could take root or even seize Yizhou.

But now facing the encirclement and suppression of both Liu Zhang and Liu Cong, it would not be easy to stop them even if he sent some weapons and equipment.

So if there is no other choice, we can only choose to retreat.

It was unacceptable that in the end, Liu Bei and his men would not take Yizhou and lose their lives. He did not want to see this happen.

"I accept your order."

Jia Xu nodded, then turned and left.

……

As Liu Xie's order was issued, preparations for the campaign to march south to fight the bandits began to be intensively carried out. The first step was to withdraw the army stationed in Bingzhou.

There are currently 50,000 troops in Bingzhou.

After Zhang He handed over the Yulin Guard to Gao Lan, he went to Bingzhou with Liu Xie's order and asked Zhang Liao to lead 30,000 troops back to Yecheng for reorganization.

In addition, logistics and food mobilization have also begun to be mobilized. After all, this is a two-front war, and logistics must be fully prepared. The workload is enormous.

Considering the difficulty of this task, Liu Xie intended to let Sima Yi and Zhuge Liang jointly take charge of it, but unexpectedly Sima Yi directly refused.

"One minister is enough!"

These are Sima Yi's exact words. He took on all the logistical work by himself and did not give Zhuge Liang any chance to share the burden.

In order to complete the logistics arrangements before sending out troops, he almost neglected sleep and food, sleeping only two hours a day, and never left his desk except to go to the toilet.

He ate at the table, and when he felt sleepy, he just picked up the quilt prepared beside him and slept on the floor. This madness made Liu Xie feel a little scared.

This is really too much.

996 is not enough to describe it.

After a period of adaptation, Zhuge Liang gradually found his own rhythm and way. While handling the pioneering affairs in an orderly manner, he was also able to handle the numerous affairs of various states with ease.

Of course, compared to Sima Yi's level of madness, Zhuge Liang seems much more Buddhist, and the two people form a sharp contrast.

But it must be said that with their help, Liu Xie felt that the pressure on him was reduced by 70%, and even his sleep was much more peaceful.

Everything is progressing steadily.

The day for sending troops is getting closer.

……

Yuan Mansion.

Yuan Xi has been very busy recently. After all, he has been promoted to Sikong, and this position is definitely not for nothing. There are many things that he needs to be responsible for.

So even though it is already late at night, he is still working at his desk in the study, burning the midnight oil.

Just as he was concentrating on handling his affairs, Mrs. Liu came in with a tray carrying a bowl of hot porridge. When she saw Yuan Xi who was busy, she did not say anything to disturb him.

She just gently put the tray aside and helped Yuan Xi tidy up the somewhat messy study.

After a long time, Yuan Xi felt his eyes a little sore, so he raised his hand to rub his eyes. Then he noticed Mrs. Liu in the room and was a little surprised.

"Mom, when did you come here?"

Madam Liu pointed to the porridge on the table and said, "You were too busy today and didn't have dinner, so I went to make you a bowl of porridge."

"But I saw you were busy just now, so I didn't disturb you... The porridge is cold, I'll go heat it up for you."

Yuan Xi couldn't help but feel moved when he heard this.

He stepped forward and took the porridge from Madam Liu, waving his hand and saying, "Mother, don't bother. Hot porridge burns your mouth. Now this porridge is still warm, just right to drink directly."

After saying that, Yuan Xi picked up the bowl and started drinking from it in big gulps, and soon finished the whole bowl of porridge.

Then he wiped his mouth with his hand and said with a smile: "I haven't had porridge made by my mother for many years. I remember the last time I had it was when I was eleven years old."

"At that time, I was naughty and fell ill after being caught in the rain while playing outside. My mother stayed by my bedside all night and even made porridge for me. Xianfu was so envious..."

When Yuan Shang was mentioned, Yuan Xi's expression froze slightly.

Then he smiled and said nothing more, handed the empty bowl to Madam Liu, and said, "I still have some things to deal with here, mother, please go back and rest early."

Mrs. Liu took the bowl but did not leave.

He stood there as if he wanted to say something.

Seeing this, Yuan Xi lowered his eyes and said after a moment of silence, "Mother, are you here for Yuan Shao tonight?"

The imperial army will march south in two days, and Yuan Shao will be executed as a sacrifice. This matter has already spread like wildfire in the city.

Of course, it is impossible that Mrs. Liu had not heard of it.

The reason why Yuan Xi locked himself in the study to handle government affairs these days was not only because he was really busy, but also because he was deliberately avoiding meeting Mrs. Liu.

But I didn't expect that she would come tonight.

Madam Liu looked gloomy, and said in an almost begging tone: "I am not asking for mercy for him. I also know that this is impossible. He deserves it."

"I just...want to see him one last time and give him a ride."

Upon hearing Madam Liu's request, Yuan Xi broke the brush in his hand and gnashed his teeth, "He caused the extermination of our entire Yuan family! What can a mother do to such a sinner?"

"He should be left alone to die!"

Whenever he thought of the scene where the entire Yuan family was exterminated and all men, women, and children were executed, Yuan Xi wished he could eat Yuan Shao alive!

In his opinion, no matter how cruel the punishment or how miserable the end, it was not too much for Yuan Shao! This old man deserved it!
"Xian Yi..."

Hearing Yuan Xi's roar, Mrs. Liu reached out and grabbed his arm, her eyes filled with tears and her look almost pleading.

Yuan Xi's expression kept changing, his fists loosened and tightened, tightened and loosened, his anger turned into a sigh, and he sat down tiredly.

"Tomorrow morning, mother, please come with me."

"I'll take you to see him."

In the end, he still couldn't bear to do it. He didn't want to let his mother suffer lifelong regrets because of that damn Yuan Shao.

"Thank you, Xianyi."

Mrs. Liu raised her hand to wipe away the tears from the corners of her eyes. After saying this, she picked up the tray and empty bowl and turned to leave the study.

……

Imperial Palace, Beiya Dungeon.

Yuan Shao lay on the straw-covered ground, staring blankly at the sunlight shining in through the iron window.

A bird stopped by the window, standing there, looking at him curiously, its non-human figure reflected in its black bean-sized eyes.

After a moment, it flapped its wings and flew away.

Fly to the blue sky.

Yuan Shao followed the bird with his eyes until its silhouette completely disappeared, and then he reluctantly withdrew his gaze. The beauty just now was only a moment, and the reality was still this dark and damp dungeon, still his broken body and seemingly decayed soul.

"Soon……"

Yuan Shao forced himself to stand up, his eyes extremely dark.

Through conversations with the jailers during this period, he had learned that Liu Xie would soon lead his troops south, and that would naturally be the day of his death.

But he was not afraid, instead he was looking forward to it.

Because his persistence is finally coming to an end.

Over such a long time, he had countless opportunities to commit suicide if he wanted to, but he was ashamed to do so.

Because once he chose to commit suicide, it would be tantamount to admitting that he could not bear the torture inflicted by Liu Xie, and it would be tantamount to compromise and surrender, then all his previous persistence would be meaningless.

Therefore, he would rather drag his broken body in this dark dungeon, waiting for his death to approach day by day, waiting to be killed by Liu Xie in the end, than commit suicide.

Even if he dies, he will die standing!
His mind was filled with a mess of thoughts, and Yuan Shao's physical condition was no longer strong enough to keep him awake for long, so he soon fell asleep leaning against the wall.

However, in a trance, he felt someone gently wiping his face and calling his name, and he couldn't help but open his eyes slightly.

What came into view was a familiar figure.

A figure he had been thinking about day and night.

"Another hallucination."

Yuan Shao laughed at himself and closed his eyes again.

He couldn't remember how many times this had happened.

But even if it is an illusion, please... try to keep it going for a while longer and let him indulge in this beautiful dream for a while longer.

"Husband..."

The call was extremely clear.

This made Yuan Shao’s eyes widen suddenly.

He looked in front of him and saw Madam Liu in plain clothes, looking at him with tears in her eyes, her face full of heartache and grief.

"lady……"

Yuan Shao said subconsciously, his voice hoarse.

His face was full of disbelief.

Mrs. Liu said with tears in her eyes, "It's me, husband. I'm here to see you."

"Why are you here?"

Yuan Shao shook his head vigorously, but Madam Liu in front of him still did not disappear. He then realized that this was not an illusion, but real!

But at the same time, he also had a terrible guess, and said angrily: "Didn't the tyrant king pardon you? How could he go back on his word!!"

"Is he trying to torture me with this?"

Except for the jailers and prisoners, no one is allowed to enter the Beiya dungeon without the emperor's order. How could Madam Liu come here alone?

He immediately thought that this was a method Liu Xie used to torture him!

Mrs. Liu felt sad when she heard this, and patiently explained, "No, I was not imprisoned. Xianyi brought me here."

In order to prove it to Yuan Shao, she took the food box beside her and opened it, revealing the fragrant food inside.

"Look, my dear, these are all your favorite dishes, and I made them all myself. I got up early this morning and was busy."

"Husband, please eat it while it's hot."

Madam Liu took out all the food and placed it on the ground, then placed the bowl and chopsticks in Yuan Shao's hands and said with a forced smile, "My husband, please try it and see how it tastes."

"I haven't cooked for a long time, so my skills may be a little rusty."

Yuan Shao looked at the food in front of him and Madam Liu beside him, sitting there in a daze, and it took a long time for him to come back to his senses.

But he didn't reach out to pick up the food.

Instead, he threw the dishes and chopsticks in his hands to the ground, smashing them to pieces, and slapped Mrs. Liu hard in the face with his backhand!
"Who asked you to come here!"

Yuan Shao's face was extremely cold and he roared in a low voice.

Mrs. Liu was stunned by the slap.

She was half lying on the ground with a dazed look on her face. She looked at Yuan Shao with disbelief and didn't even care about the blood flowing from the corner of her mouth.

"I said who asked you to come here!"

Yuan Shao roared again, like a hungry wolf that was forced into a desperate situation but still refused to lower its head, staring at Madam Liu with fierce eyes.

"I need your sympathy? Who do you think you are? Who told you to beg that evil creature Yuan Xi?"

"Get out of here right now! Get out!"

While yelling, Yuan Shao grabbed the bowls and plates on the ground and spilled the food that Madam Liu had carefully prepared all over the floor, with juice spilling everywhere.

Madam Liu stared at Yuan Shao, tears welling up like a spring. She stood up without saying a word and staggered out of the cell.

The back view is so lonely.

Hearing the footsteps fading away, the fierce expression on Yuan Shao's face slowly faded away, and his rapid breathing due to anger slowly calmed down.

He looked at the food that he had knocked over on the floor. After a long time, he picked up the chopsticks, picked up a piece of meat, and put it directly into his mouth, regardless of the dust and dirt on it.

The food was delicious.

However, as he ate, a few tears fell, more and more, dripping onto the food on the ground.

"I'm sorry, ma'am."

Tears streamed down Yuan Shao's face and his heart ached as if a knife was cutting him.

He had to do that.

He was a dying man, and Madam Liu had finally been pardoned. If she were to become involved with him again, once Liu Xie found out, her life would probably be in danger.

Only in this way can her life be saved.

……

Imperial Palace, Xuanshi.

Sima Yi, Zhuge Liang, Guo Jia and Jia Xu were all present in the Xuan Room, but at this moment their eyes were fixed on the kneeling figure in the hall, with different expressions in their eyes.

"Your Majesty, I apologize!"

Yuan Xi kowtowed deeply, touching his forehead to the ground.

Upon hearing this, Liu Xie put down the memorial in his hand and said with a faint smile: "Get up, Xianyi is very filial, I can understand you."

Yuan Xi looked up in astonishment and asked in surprise, "Your Majesty knows everything?"

He hasn't said why he's asking for forgiveness.

Liu Xie laughed and said, "Do you think anyone can enter the Beiya dungeon? Even if you are the Sikong, you do not have the authority to enter the dungeon privately. It was I who allowed the jailer to let you in."

"I am not an unkind person. Yuan Shao is a dying man, so I will meet him. Just consider it as fulfilling your mother's wish."

"You can just tell me about this kind of thing directly in the future. Why do you have to be so sneaky?"

Yuan Xi was deeply saddened. He lowered his head and cried, "Your Majesty, I have no way to repay your kindness! Your Majesty, your ...

He didn't know how to express his excitement!
"Enough, stop crying. How can this be the demeanor of a dignified Sikong?" Liu Xie waved his hand, motioning Yuan Xi to stand up.

"Two days later, we will behead Yuan Shao and offer sacrifice to the flag. You will supervise the execution then."

(End of this chapter)