Three Kingdoms: I, Yuan Shu, Loyal Officials of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 106 Gui heard of General's death and came to offer condolences.

After several rounds of drinks and several dishes, Liu Bei suddenly stopped eating, tears welling up in his eyes.

Lu Bu hurriedly asked the reason, and listened to what he had to say.

"General, you may not know this, but I have been appointed Governor of Yuzhou by imperial decree and have been addressed as Imperial Uncle by the Emperor. How can I not devote myself wholeheartedly to supporting the Han Dynasty and die for it?"
Recently, the Emperor issued an edict stating that Yuan Gonglu had secretly possessed the Imperial Seal of the State, revealing his disloyal intentions. Upon hearing of this unjust act, Bei was shocked and immediately raised an army to punish him.

Unfortunately, Yuan Gonglu's army was strong and powerful, and he relied on it to dominate the world. Bei suffered a crushing defeat at Changping and was far from being his match.

Seeing that the foundation of Yu Province is about to fall, I have come to see the general one last time, for soon I will be heading north to join Cao Cao.

“What are you saying, my dear brother? In the past, when I was defeated in Yanzhou and had nowhere to stand, it was you who took me in and took good care of me.”

If you, my virtuous brother, have no foundation, you can come and settle down with me. Why go to Cao Cao instead of seeking a place nearby?
Is it because you look down on the brotherhood between us? Or do you still harbor resentment over what happened in Xuzhou?
If that's the case, then I will return Xuzhou to you myself, so that you won't be without a place to stand, and so as to avoid damaging our relationship."

"Brother, you've misunderstood."

Seeing Lü Bu's sudden change in expression, Liu Bei wiped away his tears and hurriedly tried to explain.

"General, you are well aware of my deep feelings. However, Yuan Gonglu has already obtained Yuzhou. He is greedy and will not let go of Xuzhou. His army is strong and powerful. Who can defeat him?"

It's not that I'm unwilling to serve you, General, but rather that rather than joining you in serving Cao Cao later, it's better for me to scout out Cao Cao's camp today. That way, if you arrive in the future, we can have someone to help you."

"What do you mean? It's all because of this."

"Brother, do not underestimate me, Lü Bu."

Upon hearing this, Lü Bu burst into laughter.

"Back then, the coalition of the eighteen warlords outside the Great Wall was regarded by Lü as nothing more than weeds! Not to mention Yuan Gonglu, even if we included his elder brother Yuan Benchu, Lü would not take him seriously."

I know your purpose in coming.

Brother, do not go to Cao Cao. Return to Yuzhou to meet the enemy. I, Lü, will soon lead troops to your aid and help you defeat Yuan's army.

We brothers are of one mind; we will never let you lose your foundation and foothold.

"I am deeply grateful for the General's great kindness."

Lu Bu gave him a meaningful look.

“My dear brother, you are a hero of this world. When you achieve your goals in the future, do not forget me.”

"No, no, I came here in desperation, what kind of hero am I? General, you flatter me."

Liu Bei, having received Lü Bu's promise of assistance, left satisfied. However, Lü Bu had just seen Liu Bei off, instructing him to return to Xiaopei and wait patiently.

A few days later, just as Lü Bu was about to prepare his army for departure, he received a report that Yuan Shu had sent an envoy.

He hurried to greet them again, and was astonished to see wild geese, cattle and sheep, precious objects and treasures, all wrapped in red brocade and covered with red cloaks, with gongs and drums beating and music resounding, as a large group of people and horses came winding their way.

Lu Bu was shocked!

He originally thought that Yuan Shu was just trying to persuade him not to send troops, like Liu Bei, but the sight before him was magnificent, with gold and jade piled up everywhere.

Are they here on a diplomatic mission?
Is this the envoy of Yuan Gonglu, a man from a family that has held high office for four generations? Lü Bu was genuinely shocked by the pomp and circumstance of the Yuan family's envoy.

Upon seeing Han Yin, the leader, he hurriedly inquired about the reason.

"May I ask, sir, what is the meaning of Lord Yuan's words?"

Han Yin smiled and said, "General, you are unaware of this."

My lord has heard that the general has a beloved daughter. Having long admired the general's outstanding talent, he wishes to marry your daughter to his son, so that our two families may be united in marriage, work together for a great cause, and never betray each other.

Therefore, I have been sent here to act as matchmaker. I have brought betrothal gifts; I wonder what the General's opinion is?

Seeing the endless stream of betrothal gifts from the Yuan family, stretching for almost ten miles, Lü Bu was flattered and overwhelmed.

Can I, Lü Bu, also climb the social ladder to the Yuan family?

But then he frowned again, “To be honest, sir, although I have a daughter, she is only seven years old. How can she…” “Isn’t that perfect! My lord’s beloved son is also seven years old, and he is a perfect match for your daughter. This is a match made in heaven.”

Lu Bu was clearly tempted, but he dared not rashly agree to such an important matter.

"Sir, you may rest at the inn first, and I will discuss this further with you."

Meanwhile, Lu Bu had just appeased Han Yin, and although he hadn't agreed on the spot, he had already stopped preparing for the expedition.

These days he was feeling very proud of being able to marry into the Yuan family, which had produced four generations of high-ranking officials. But one day, he suddenly saw an old official from Xuzhou coming with a cane.

It was Chen Deng who heard the news and hurriedly asked his father, Chen Gui, to take charge, relying on his seniority.

When Lü Bu saw him, unaware of Chen Gui and his son's intentions, he simply greeted them with a smile.

"Doctor, you've come at the right time. I have some great news to share, but I'm hesitant and unsure of what to do. I should consult you."

"happy event?"

Unexpectedly, Chen Gui sneered and said, "I heard that the general's death is imminent, so I have come to offer my condolences."

Lu Bu's expression also turned cold. "The doctor is highly respected and I have always treated him with utmost respect, without ever overstepping my bounds."

Why do you utter such words and curse me to death?

"General, you have fallen into the enemy's trap without even realizing it. How can it not be that your death is imminent?"

Chen Gui shook his head and sighed, then explained to him.

"When Liu Bei first arrived, he asked the general to send troops to help him, and the general agreed. Why has he not set out for so long now?"

There was no other reason than that Yuan Gonglu suddenly came to propose marriage, which made the general hesitate. This was a strategy to avoid interfering with the relationship between strangers and relatives.

However, if the general sits idly by and watches Yuan Gonglu defeat Liu Bei and swallow up Yuzhou, how can Xuzhou be protected after Yuzhou is lost?

Moreover, it is known to all the people on both sides of the Yangtze and Huai Rivers that Yuan Gonglu harbors the ambition to become emperor; this is nothing short of rebellion and defiance.

If they rebel, then you, General, will be a relative of a traitor. Who remembers your loyalty in killing Dong Zhuo and restoring the Han Dynasty?

People only think that the general and the rebels are birds of a feather, and that they should be killed by both heaven and man, and punished by gods and ghosts. So, no matter how big the world is, where can they find a place to hide?
Isn't it like someone whose death is imminent, yet they are completely unaware of it?

Lü Bu agreed wholeheartedly, saying, "Fortunately, the doctor advised me, and I was almost misled by Han Yin."

After seeing off the elderly Chen Gui, he then summoned Han Yin and expressed his intention to refuse the marriage proposal.

However, Han Yin had come here on Yuan Shu's orders, so whether or not the marriage took place was not important at the moment, but he had to keep Lü Bu occupied.

Following Yuan Shu's instructions, he asked with a light laugh:
"General, you had already agreed before, but now you've changed your mind. Is it because some villains have slandered you, accusing you of having the ambition to become emperor? General, you are unwilling to become a relative of a rebel."

Is what Yinzhi said correct?

Lu Bu was horrified and stared at Han Yin in disbelief.

"I discussed this in secret with my senior ministers. How did you know about it, sir?"

"What's so difficult about that? My lord Yuan Gonglu is a loyal and virtuous man of the Han Dynasty, but unfortunately, he is misunderstood by the world and there are always petty people who slander him."

This happens frequently and is not hard to guess.

After a brief explanation, Han Yin gave Lü Bu a meaningful look.

"Although Yin does not know who the important minister the general mentioned is, he must be harboring evil intentions and malicious intent. Yin requests that he be killed."

Lu Bu sneered, "Sir, you are merely a foreign envoy, yet you dare to sow discord among my important ministers?"

"A high-ranking official may be a high-ranking official, but whether he is a general's minister is another matter!"

(End of this chapter)