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

Chapter 2: Rumors Spread Again, I'll Kill You
Yuan Shu had just returned from "pacifying" Sun Ce outside the city when he found his cousin Yuan Yin and General Yangwei Li Feng waiting for him for a long time.

The three entered the study to discuss matters, when Yuan Yin quietly gave them a wink, saying, "Please dismiss everyone else, cousin."

Yuan Shu assumed that the two had come together to discuss some important military matters, but after the surrounding people withdrew and the door closed, he was shocked.

He never expected that Yuan Yin and Li Feng would suddenly flick their sleeves and bow down.

"Your subject Yuan Yin/Li Feng pays respects to Your Majesty!"

what!
Yuan Shu was almost fooled by the two of them, thinking to himself, "I don't remember ever declaring myself emperor."

Has my ambition, Yuan Gonglu, become so obvious?

silence!

In the oppressive silence, Yuan Yin, who was bowing his head to the ground, slightly raised his eyes and secretly peeked at Yuan Shu behind the table.

Seeing that his cousin was not as overjoyed as the elders had imagined, but instead had an uncertain expression, it was unclear what he was thinking.

Hiss... Something's not right. This reaction is very unlike Yuan Gonglu!
He inwardly gasped, a vague unease creeping into his heart. But now that the words were already spoken, Yuan Yin knew there was no turning back. He could only prostrate himself and bow again, saying:
“Now that my cousin has obtained the imperial seal, he is destined to ascend the throne and receive the mandate of heaven, and may his reign be long and prosperous.”

By the mandate of Heaven, may your life be long and prosperous?
Is it an offer of permission to ascend the throne, or a test?

Now Yuan Shu understood. It turned out that they knew he had obtained the Imperial Seal from Sun Ce and were all itching to make a move.

The two people who came clearly showed that one represented the Yuan family and the other represented military officers.

Yuan Yin was a typical scion of a prominent family and a confidant of Yuan Shu, but within the Yuan clan of Runan, he could only be considered a junior.

Li Feng, a general with a miscellaneous title, wielded considerable power in Yuan Shu's army, but above him were figures like Ji Ling and Zhang Xun, making him only considered above average.

The fact that these two were sent to persuade the emperor to ascend the throne is quite interesting; their status is neither too high nor too low, but just enough.

But if no one were to guide them, given their status, would they dare to even dream of becoming emperors?
If Yuan Yin hadn't received prior permission from the Yuan family, would a scion of such a prestigious family have dared to come here and make such treasonous remarks?
If Ji Ling and Zhang Xun hadn't tacitly approved, would you, Li Feng, with your meager troops, have dared to advise me to ascend the throne?

Clearly, this was the force behind him, who, upon learning that he had obtained the Imperial Seal, was testing Yuan Shu's ambition to become emperor.

Yuan Shu knew that once he reached an agreement with them today and accepted the title "Your Majesty," he would likely be able to ascend the throne as the Zhong Emperor in 197 AD, the second year of Jian'an, just like in the history books.

That's practically courting death!
But he simply couldn't refuse.

Because what kind of good person would test their lord to see if he has any ambition to become emperor!

Even in the later period of Cao Wei, when Cao Cao was at the peak of his power, holding the emperor hostage to command the feudal lords, he still had to test whether his ministers could accept his claim to the throne step by step.

He was first granted the title of Duke of Wei, and then bestowed with the Nine Bestowments. However, this was all it took to drive Xun Yu to his death and cause turmoil within the power group. In his lifetime, he only ever became King of Wei, leaving the path of ascending the throne to his descendants.

But what about Yuan Shu? He declared himself emperor without hesitation!

Among the officials, there was opposition; however, unlike the voices within Cao Wei's group advocating for "restoring the Han dynasty," the majority of the opposition in Yuan Shu's court was:

"Your Majesty, the time is not ripe for you to declare yourself emperor."

Yuan Shu: "."

Since Yuan Shu ascended the throne in 197 AD, the entire Zhong clan, knowing that they were going against the will of the world, followed him without hesitation, resisting the attacks of the other warlords, and persisted for more than two years until they were destroyed in 199 AD.

To be precise, Yuan Shu's downfall may not have been because he declared himself emperor, but because he failed to win any battles after becoming emperor.

Recalling this history and considering his current experiences, Yuan Shu realized a problem.

Ideology.

Each feudal lord represented the ideology of the interest group behind him.

If Liu Bei represented the restoration of the Han Dynasty, then Cao Cao, by holding the emperor hostage to command the feudal lords, caused half of his followers to support the emperor and hope that Prime Minister Cao would restore the Han Dynasty, while the other half supported Cao Cao and hoped that the King of Wei would go further.

Then Yuan Shu's place is a den of rebels!

They're all people who admire the Yuan family's reputation for four generations of high-ranking officials, think Yuan Shu has a great chance of winning, and want to follow him to establish a new dynasty, becoming rebels from a founding family and a top-tier aristocratic clan. Everyone knows what I, Yuan Shu, am thinking, right?

Once he realized this, he knew he couldn't refuse the temptation.

Just like the Chenqiao Mutiny, whether Zhao Kuangyin liked it or not, he had to put on that yellow robe.

It's impossible for Yuan Shu to openly declare that he has no intention of becoming emperor in a rebel stronghold where people are aiming to establish a new dynasty; otherwise, the people's hearts would be scattered the next day.

The study was dark, with the doors and windows closed after everyone else had left, and only a few candles lit.

Seeing that Yuan Shu remained silent for a long time, Yuan Yin's forehead was already covered in sweat.

He knelt on the ground, not daring to raise his head. He could only catch a glimpse of the face of the figure behind the table, which flickered in the firelight and was indistinct.

Quiet!

The silence was suffocating; he could even hear the crackling and popping of burning wax.

The sound of candlelight burning, my own heartbeat, and the sudden approaching footsteps.

"Who taught you to say that?"

The sound seemed to come from the clouds, then suddenly rang in his ears, startling Yuan Yin so much that his heart almost jumped out of his throat.

When he looked up in surprise, Yuan Shu had already walked up to his side at some point, most of his figure hidden in the shadows, only his eyes, devoid of emotion, were unfathomable in the darkness, looking down at him indifferently.

Wrong! All wrong!

Yuan Yin didn't understand. How could this be?
It shouldn't be like this!

How could his arrogant cousins ​​Yuan Shu and Yuan Gonglu have the attitude they have now after hearing the advice to ascend the throne?

This emotion, so subtle yet unpredictable, almost made him think he was facing the deceased head of the Yuan family, Grand Tutor Yuan Wei!
"nonsense!"

Seemingly already having the answer in her heart, or perhaps not caring at all about his reply, before Yuan Yin could react, she uttered a curse and kicked him to the ground.

Yuan Yin fell to the ground and could not get up for a long time. Yuan Shu's kick was not heavy; what was heavy was his attitude.

He wasn't in pain, but rather filled with despair, realizing that they had all misjudged Yuan Shu; he was actually a loyal and virtuous man of the Han Dynasty who didn't want to become emperor!
I placed the wrong bet! I should have chosen Yuan Shao. My family's business is ruined!
At this moment, Yuan Yin looked up at the sky, gazing up at his cousin whom he seemed to be meeting for the first time.

At this moment, Yuan Shu stood high above, looking down at Yuan Yin's deathly pale face.

He actually laughed.

The image reflected in Yuan Yin's pupils seemed to be his cousin, whom he had known since childhood.

He chuckled lightly, his eyes filled with disdain and arrogance towards the Han emperor!

"Who saw me obtain the Imperial Seal of the State?"

"This"

Looking up at Yuan Shu before him, Yuan Yin opened his mouth, but remained silent, overwhelmed by an extreme sense of contradiction.

Under his strange gaze, Yuan Shu kicked him again, signaling him to get up.

Like a helpless older brother taking care of a disobedient younger brother, Yuan Shu kindly straightened his clothes.

But his smiling words sent chills down Yuan Yin's spine, and he dared not utter another word.

"Cousin, be careful next time."

"Spread rumors again, and I will kill you!"

(End of this chapter)