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

Chapter 241 Your virtue is such that you shall rule the world!
"Sir, what are you doing?"

Xu was drenched in sweat and could barely speak.

He sighed deeply, calmed his emotions, and turned to look back.

Sure enough, a man dressed in brocade robes embroidered with dragons, his clothes fluttering, appeared like a spoiled brat riding through the streets. He raised his whip and pointed it lightly at himself, his eyes smiling, looking down on everyone else.

What a fine young nobleman from Luoyang, conversing with learned scholars with ease.

If it weren't for the heavily armored cavalry following behind him like a steel torrent, their cavalry brandishing weapons and exuding a chilling killing intent...

Who would connect this arrogant and disloyal pampered son of a noble family with the powerful and influential Lord Yuan of Huainan who now dominates the southeast and overlooks the entire country?
At this moment, Jia Xu directly experienced the bizarre and terrifying nature of the so-called conspiracy theory about Yuan Shu that he had heard in Cao Cao's camp.

so bad!
Was Yuan Gong heartless?
He always acts like a spoiled brat, arrogant and disdainful of everyone, fooling the world. In reality, anyone who believes his lies is doomed.

With a raised hand and a bow, he beckoned the great man to his death; with the imperial seal in hand, he would support the emperor for the sake of the empire.

As the biggest behind-the-scenes mastermind who manipulated the rise and fall of the Han Dynasty for thirty years, you always act like a fool and a fat sheep when you go out. Who wouldn't get scammed if they met you?

Jia Xu thought he was already quite cunning by pretending to be an honest person, but well, there was someone even more cunning who had been pretending to be a fool for decades.

When Wang Mang was humble and had not yet usurped the throne, Yuan Gong was frivolous and held the imperial seal before him.

"Sir, what's wrong?"
Since you've seen the technique, why don't you say something? Are you unhappy?

Jia Xu: "."

Happy?
I'm so happy!

They live a life of petty scheming and groveling, merely seeking a corner of peace in a chaotic world.

However, life is unpredictable and beyond human control. After hiding for half my life, avoiding for half my life, and escaping for half my life, I, Jia Xu, have finally boarded the pirate ship today.

He sighed silently in his heart, and a smile gradually appeared on his face, which then grew wider and wider.

Jia Xu bowed deeply to Yuan Shu, showing great respect, and replied:
"Last night, the traitor Cao caused chaos, and Xu helped General Zhang quell it."

Having heard of Cao Cao's cunning and his escape to this place, I, Xu, have come here personally to capture and kill him for you, my lord, in order to advance my career."

"Oh? So some traitor Cao has actually fled here?"

Yuan Shu laughed upon hearing this, clearly not believing it. "If that's the case, why don't you tell Xiu'er and lead your troops to capture him?"

To venture into danger alone is unwise.

"I dare not conceal this from you, my lord. Zhang Xiu has long admired you. He is greedy for merit and has no desire to climb the social ladder. He wants to use Cao Cao's head as a gift to pay homage to his father."

The reason Xu ventured alone into danger was because he feared others would steal his credit!

Zhang Xiu: "???"

Even Yuan Shu couldn't help but chuckle when he heard the reason Jia Xu had fabricated.

Wenhe, how high is your survival instinct? You're afraid Zhang Xiu will steal your credit, I can't believe you even thought of that.

However, before Yuan Shu could reprimand him again, Jia Xu bowed deeply, prostrated himself on the ground, and said loudly:

"In the present Han Dynasty, from the north to the south, there is not a single Han official!"

In this day and age, the feudal lords of the nine provinces have usurped the throne.

He was as powerful as the late emperor, yet he was confined among eunuchs.

Even a young emperor, of noble birth, could be deposed and enthroned on the throne.

The current emperor, a descendant of the illustrious Emperor Guangwu, has been reduced to a concubine of the traitor Cao Cao.

The fading of the Purple Star signifies the impending demise of the Han Dynasty; the loss of the Emperor's Star indicates that Si Tu Gao will usurp the Han throne.

Your Excellency personally faced perilous situations, harbored extraordinary ambitions, and, stationed in the southeast, possessed the ability to restore order and stability.

With its domineering presence, none of the feudal lords dared to offend it; its military might turned northward, and all the people longed for peace and prosperity.

I, Xu, though unworthy, humbly request Your Excellency to ascend the throne, uphold righteousness, appease the people, pacify the four seas, divide the southeast of the Yangtze River, bring all under Your Majesty's rule, and seize control of three parts of the world to dominate the feudal lords.

This is the story of Duke Huan of Qi, and the legacy of Hegemon-King of Western Chu!

The cardinals governed the people, strengthened the military, and awaited the opportune moment.

The time for divine intervention is fast approaching. Troops will march out of Nanyang to aid the emperor and return to the old capital.

Leading a million troops, he swept across the northern borders, traversed vast empires, and ruled over countless nations.

Reverence to Heaven and Earth, to receive the abdication; Earth replaces Fire, may peace reign for ten thousand generations!

After the ceremony, Jia Xu remained seated for a long time.

"Lord Yuan is virtuous; he should rule the world!!!"

Those around, quick to seize the opportunity, like Zhang Xiu, immediately clapped their hands in agreement!

"Godfather, Mr. Wenhe is right!"

The world is in chaos, and all people yearn for peace and tranquility. The common people long for the Yellow Emperor.

At this time, my adoptive father possesses the land of three states and enjoys the support of the people of nine states. If he does not ascend to the throne and become king, wouldn't he be letting down the common people?
"I, Xiu'er, am unworthy, but I humbly request that my father ascend the throne and be called the King of Wu!"

With Zhang Xiu leading the way, the rest of Yuan Shu's camp who wanted to become emperor had long harbored the ambition and wished they could persuade Yuan Shu to ascend the throne immediately. Now that they had this opportunity, how could they not urge him to do so?

"What Mr. Wenhe said is very true. Now that our lord has defeated all the feudal lords and is invincible in the world, he should be promoted to the throne long ago to appease the public."

Your Majesty, I request that the King of Wu ascend the throne and assume regency.

"Mr. Wenhe has truly spoken our minds. The Yuan family has cultivated the prestige of three dukes, and our lord has built upon the legacy of four generations."

By imperial decree, we have been ordered to quell the rebellion and bring peace to all nations. In this world, if it were not for you, my lord, who knows how many people would claim to be emperors or kings!
With such outstanding achievements, he is a pillar of the nation. If he cannot become king, who in the world can?
"Your humble servant dares to request that the King of Wu ascend the throne, in order to reassure the people."

"What you gentlemen say is very true. We request that the King of Wu ascend the throne!"

"We also believe this to be reasonable, and we request that the King of Wu ascend the throne!"

"May the King of Wu ascend the throne!"

"May the King of Wu ascend the throne!"

"We beseech the King of Wu to ascend the throne!!!"

At that time, all the officials urged him to ascend the throne. If you did not, you would be considered disloyal and politically incorrect.

The crowd surged forward like a tidal wave, bowing down in unison, their calls for him to ascend the throne as loud as a roaring sea.

He called out:
"Lord Yuan is virtuous; he should rule the world!"

Long live the King of Wu! Long live the King of Wu! Long live the King of Wu!

However, amidst this surging sea of ​​people bowing down, Yuan Shu stood alone.

Amidst the cheers of "Long live the Emperor!", Yuan Shu remained silent.

He squinted at Jia Xu in front of him, his eyes half-lit and half-dark, like a true dragon rising from the clouds, its form hidden and concealed, and no one could fathom his thoughts.

After a long while, when the shouts of the crowd had subsided and the people were prostrate on the ground, he sneered and said:
"Mr. Wenhe, you have done a great thing."

On our first meeting, you presented me with such a grand gift, leveraging the hopes of many to secure my position, enjoy the benefits of following the emperor, and fulfill my duty as a subject.

If I were to accept this title of King of Wu today, I fear it would be impossible to settle old scores with you again.

"I am frightened!"

Jia Xu knelt prostrate, his voice ringing out:

"Long live the King of Wu! Long live the King of Wu! Long live the King of Wu!!!"

Yuan Shu looked at him coldly, finding it strange that Jia Xu acted like a mouse before a cat when he saw him.
He was wholeheartedly committed to urging the King of Wu to ascend the throne, thus directly joining the faction advocating for the ascension and immediately becoming one of the members of Yuan Shao's camp upon their first meeting. Secondly, he used his merit in supporting the emperor to protect his own life and family.

Finally, he used this as a pledge of loyalty, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to joining Yuan Shikai's rebel camp and becoming his trusted confidant, with no other intentions whatsoever.

But this is not right!
What do you take me for?
Am I, Yuan Gonglu, really that scary?

How could you, Jia Wenhe, be so frightened upon just meeting me?
Seeing that Jia Xu remained silent, he was determined to persuade the emperor to save his life, so he bowed his head and shouted "Long live the emperor!" But the people around him also joined in the commotion, making it seem as if they would kneel down and not get up until he agreed.

"Ugh"

Yuan Shu let out a long sigh!

"You have truly caused me great suffering!"
I am a loyal and virtuous man of the Han Dynasty, how could I presume to be king?
Furthermore, Emperor Gaozu established the White Horse Alliance, declaring that any non-Liu family member who became king would be attacked by the entire world.

"I was born a subject of the Han dynasty, and I will die a ghost of the Han dynasty. How could I possibly betray my oath for this?"

Jia Xu advised again:

"Your Excellency's claim to the throne is not for your own benefit, but for the sake of the world!"

Your Excellency's breach of the alliance was not out of disloyalty, but rather to uphold the state's interests!

With the Han dynasty in decline, if no wise sir were to ascend to the throne and support the dynasty, how could the Han dynasty continue its lineage?

With the land in chaos and no King Wu to save the country or protect the emperor, how can the people enjoy peace?
Even if Emperor Taizu Gaozu could know this in the afterlife, he would still be grateful to King Wu for being a pillar of the nation and for reviving the Han Dynasty three times. How could he be guilty of such a crime?

The courtiers also urged him to ascend the throne, but Yuan Shu repeatedly waved his hands in refusal, replying:
"I am well aware of what you all mean, but you have misunderstood me deeply."

Upon hearing this, not only others but even Jia Xu himself became suspicious, finding it quite strange.

He declined three times and refused three times already, why shouldn't we go with the flow? And now he's saying we misunderstood him?
No way, no way, don't tell Xu that you, the biggest mastermind behind the fall of the Han Dynasty, the number one traitor of our time, wearing dragon robes, an imperial crown, a jade seal, and riding in an imperial carriage, are actually a loyal subject of the Han Dynasty, right?
But then Yuan Shu's ethereal and flippant words, like a thunderclap, resounded through the hearts of everyone present. He said:

"Shu is a loyal and virtuous man of the Han Dynasty. How can he presume to become king on his own?"
Our great Han Dynasty still has a holy emperor in court. Today, we shall submit a memorial to Luoyang and request Your Majesty's wise decision.

My Yuan family has held high office for four generations, receiving the Han dynasty's stipend and serving as Han officials for generations. Yet we have received royal titles; is this the proper conduct of a subject?

After Yuan Shu finished speaking, he personally stepped forward, helped Jia Xu up, and affectionately called him:

"Since this matter was brought up by you, sir, it should be done by you."

Then I asked Mr. Wenhe to write a memorial to Luoyang for me, requesting that I be granted a royal title for my service in governing the country.

Furthermore, the title of King of Wu clearly indicates a person with ulterior motives, which I do not like!

I am a loyal subject of the Han Dynasty. I will serve the Han in life and die as a ghost of the Han. Now I shall be called the King of Han to rule the world, to demonstrate my ambition to revive the Han Dynasty and to show my heart to support the nation.

What do you think, sir?

Jia Xu: "."

It's so dark! It's incredibly dark!
Who would believe your lies and think you're a loyal and virtuous man of the Han Dynasty?
And you want me to personally write a letter to Luoyang for you, using the title of "King of Han" to humiliate the Emperor, Cao Cao, and all the court officials?
It’s over!

If one simply joins Yuan Shu and becomes his trusted confidant, and then surrenders quickly when the rebellion fails and is purged, one might have a slight chance to survive by gaining merit and fame.

but now?
Once a memorial is sent to Luoyang and made public, I, Jia Xu, will be Yuan Shu's most trusted confidant and the chief traitor to the Han Dynasty.

This thing is destined to go down in history, to be infamous for eternity!
History clearly shows that once Yuan Shu was defeated and killed, even if only the leader of the rebels was executed, Yuan Shu himself had to be beheaded and his entire clan exterminated to shock the world; he would not tolerate such treatment.

From now on, he will probably only be able to go down this path to the end, hoping that Yuan Shu will be undefeated in every battle and help him achieve great things, dominate the history books, and thus enjoy a good name and be remembered for thousands of years.

Why isn't the gentleman saying anything?

Didn't you just advise me to ascend to the throne as the King of Han to appease the public?
Now that I have granted your request, from this day forward, we, ruler and subject, will work together through thick and thin, supporting each other. Aren't you happy, sir?

Jia Xu forced a laugh and gripped Yuan Shu's hand tightly in return.

"Thank you for your great kindness, Prince Han!"

"We will rise early and retire late to dedicate ourselves to this great undertaking, sparing no effort to assist Your Majesty!"

"it is good!

"To have Mr. Wenhe is like Emperor Taizu (Liu Bei) having Chen Ping; I am greatly pleased."

Yuan Shu nodded in satisfaction and then addressed the crowd.

"Now that I am about to ascend the throne, unfortunately the imperial star has lost its brilliance. The false court in Luoyang has held Your Majesty hostage, fooling the people, causing the country to fall apart and the Han dynasty to lose its rule."

He immediately ordered someone to send a message to Yan Xiang, instructing him to invite the Princes of Chen, Liang, Pei, and Lu to Shouchun.

I have heard that to make a ruler like Yao and Shun, one must govern the world through non-interference.

When I return to the capital, I will invite all the princes to discuss and convene a Regency Court, where we, the princes, will vote on matters of state.

From this day forward, all edicts issued by the false dynasty in Luoyang are false edicts issued by the traitor Cao Cao who has seized control of the emperor.

The people of the nine provinces and all nations should rely on us, the kings of the Han dynasty, to govern and assist the country, and to revive the glorious Han dynasty three times.

"Once we welcome the Emperor back to Luoyang, we will return power to His Majesty."

Yuan Shu's words were like a thunderbolt from the blue; everyone knew that something big was about to happen.

Jia Xu, in particular, was already pale and ashen-faced.

It’s really deceiving!
What sins have I committed? All I did was persuade someone to ascend the throne, how did it turn into such a shocking event?

A puppet regime in Luoyang?
It's no longer a forged edict, but a denunciation of the Luoyang court as a false edict?

A council of princes of the Han dynasty acting as regent?

No, if you do this, and make them co-regent with you, aren't the Prince of Liang and the Prince of Chen afraid?

Besides, given how they were dragged here to attend the meeting, do they really have the right to vote?

Besides, what kind of king of the Han Dynasty are you, Yuan Shu? You can't just have the character "Han" in your self-proclaimed title of King of Han, can you?
It's all over! It's all over!

I promoted you to the rank of king, not ordered you to establish a new dynasty in Shouchun!
How to say?
Yuan Shu's intentions have been known to everyone for a long time, but he never declared himself king before or after meeting me, Jia Xu, and declared himself king on the very day!

Even the petition to declare himself king was written by me, Jia Xu; it's in black and white, the evidence is irrefutable.

Yuan Gong's usurpation and rebellion were obvious, yet he chose not to rebel earlier or later.

Upon meeting me, Jia Xu, he immediately denounced Luoyang as a false dynasty, convened a council of princes in Shouchun, established a new dynasty, and assumed regency.

Jia Xu: I'm...!

It's truly a case of someone who has spent their entire life trying to survive, only to find themselves powerless in the blink of an eye.

Now, even jumping into the Yellow River won't clear my name. If I don't help Yuan Shao achieve his eternal hegemony, I, Jia Xu, will surely be buried with him and share in eternal infamy.

Was Yuan Gong's heart completely black? That's so wicked!
The conspiracy theory of Yuan Shu: the biggest culprit in the decline and fall of the Han Dynasty; Cao Cao's camp was not lying to me.

Yuan Shu's ministers were also shocked by his earth-shaking feat.

After all, he used to refer to himself as "朕" (the imperial "I") every day, so he was probably wholeheartedly inclined to be a rebel with him, which made it somewhat acceptable.

As for the newly arrived adopted son Zhang Xiu, he was determined to become the stepson and wholeheartedly supported his adoptive father's cause. How could he not comply?

However, Zhuge Jin, amidst this group of fanatical rebels from Yuan Shao's camp, cautiously offered his advice:
"Reporting to the King of Han, it means that the State of Lu is still under the rule of the false dynasty in Luoyang and is loyal to the traitor Cao. I'm afraid the King of Lu will not obey Your Majesty's decree and will not go to Shouchun."

"This matter is easy!"

Yuan Shu drew his sword, flicked the blade in his hand, and chuckled as he said:
"Now that Jingzhou has been secured and Cao Cao's army has retreated, it is likely that the enemies from all sides who have come to invade should also withdraw their troops."

Order Lu Xun to mobilize the troops of Liang and Chen.

Conquer and destroy the state of Lu!

"When I return to Shouchun, I wish to see all the princes seated in their respective positions."

(End of this chapter)