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

Chapter 286 Sister, you didn't want this either. [6000]

what!
Are the powerful families of Yuzhou starting to exchange people for credit?

shock!
The Jiangdong aristocratic families are exchanging land for credit!

Shock! ! !

The King of Han issued an edict to recruit the ten most prominent families who founded the dynasty, ranking them according to their merits. Those listed could marry into the King of Han's family and become the first imperial relatives of the new dynasty!
As news kept coming from Shouchun, Xing Daorong and Cai Mao, the two brothers who were still organizing relief efforts for disaster victims and clearing waterways at the flood control construction site, felt that they were falling behind the times.

At this moment, they truly realized that only Shouchun was the current economic, political, and cultural center!

What does "rapidly changing" mean?

They had just returned to Xiangyang with lofty ambitions, eager to make a name for themselves, when the battle for merit launched by the powerful families of Yuzhou and Yangzhou in Shouchun showed them what it meant for times to change.

No, although the star positions in Lingyan Pavilion are very tempting and the benefits in the Hall of Merit are very thoughtful, what has caused your major families to start losing money to gain publicity?
The answer is obvious: it's the desires and ambitions deep in one's heart.

Perhaps in the competition for the top ten families, all the families that fall outside the top ten will be unable to make ends meet and will have to comfort themselves with the guaranteed income from Lingyan Pavilion and the Hall of Merit.

But those who earn the title of one of the Ten Great Families of the Founding of the Nation win all!

There are marriage alliances to choose from, and there are positions available for empresses. People no longer need to rack their brains trying to figure out whether to support Yuan Ce or Yuan Yao.

We will raise a heir for the King of Han, so that he can share the world with the dynasty in the future!
You should know that although the King of Han is now vigorous and powerful, and has fought in the south and the north, he is virtually invincible.

But he was no longer young, and he would eventually encounter an invincible opponent in his life, whose name was: time.

We can use the same tactic as outlasting an old man to outlive him!
What does it mean to present a young woman from the Han family to the King of Han, win his favor, and have her give birth to an heir?
The Empress Dowager was young and vigorous, while the young emperor ascended the throne!
This was the founding of the dynasty by Emperor Taizu Gao, and the achievement of the Lü family!

Let's recall the glorious years of those powerful generals and relatives of the emperor during the reigns of the previous emperors of the Han Dynasty, starting from the current emperor.

If we win this bet, it will mean that King Han was wise all his life, but he has only made wedding clothes for us and helped our family conquer the world!
Whatever you invest today, you can recoup your investment a million times over tomorrow.

With such temptations before them, who wouldn't fight tooth and nail to win the title of one of the Ten Great Families?
However, in Shouchun, the powerful families of Yuzhou and Yangzhou fought fiercely for credit, a scene where they swallowed their pride and bloodshed.

However, Xing Daorong and Cai Mao were now in a state of great distress. They had originally planned to quell the flood disaster around Xiangyang, which would have earned them a tremendous achievement.

Based on this achievement, coupled with their previous accumulation, the two of them would likely rank among the top in the Heavenly Stars.

But little did they expect that someone back home was promoting their achievements, and after only a few days, their credit had already inflated.

It is said that the total amount of land donated by aristocratic families, as recorded by the Shouchun Astronomical Bureau, has now exceeded three million taels of silver, and the population has exceeded one million taels of silver, and this number continues to grow every day.

Just hearing that number made the two of them feel exhausted and sweat beaded on their foreheads.

After hesitating for a long time, Xing Daorong finally looked at Cai Mao with a strange gaze and tentatively spoke.

"Brother Cai, I've heard that your family is a prominent clan in Jingzhou. I imagine your clan must own tens of thousands of acres of fertile land."

Just by looking into Xing Daorong's eyes, Cai Mao knew what this guy was up to.

"Stop talking nonsense!"

"Tens of millions of acres of fertile land? You think the entire Jingzhou region belongs to my family?"

"Brother Cai, I'm just giving you an example."

Look, the powerful families of Yuzhou and Yangzhou are fighting like this. As a prominent family in Jingzhou, if you don't step in and show them what's what, they'll think Jingzhou has no one to rely on.

"My family's wealth is meager, but I have done my utmost to alleviate the flood disaster by leaving my family and property behind."

Before he could continue complaining about being poor, Xing Daorong interrupted him.

“Brother Cai, this is not the time to be concerned about family property. Based on my understanding of the King of Han, the reputation of these ten great families is not as simple as it seems on the surface.”

The King of Han has said that he will share the empire with meritorious officials. Aren't you tempted at all?

The Ten Great Families of the Han Dynasty—what was their status? Like the Yuan and Yang families of yesterday's Han Dynasty!
If you miss this opportunity to establish a new dynasty, when the King of Han conquers all of China and ascends the throne, will your Cai family still have a chance to be included?

Brother Cai, if you don't fight today, you'll regret it later!

"This"

Cai Mao hesitated for a moment before finally letting out a helpless sigh.

“How could I not know the reasoning that Brother Xing is talking about?”

The fighting in Shouchun was too intense, and the amount of land and people required was truly frightening.

"Confused!
Is this the time to feel sorry for the land and the population?

What has your Cai family accumulated for a thousand years? Isn't it all for the family to rise to prominence and achieve great success today?
A thousand years of land annexation, used in a single moment!
If we can truly form a marriage alliance with the King of Han, we will have a great chance to succeed in either the position of Empress or the position of Crown Prince!
It should be noted that Yuan Yao was known for his many illnesses and might not have survived to adulthood. Yuan Ce, as the adopted son, was at a natural disadvantage, so the chances of this happening were much greater.

The matter of having a crown prince should be done sooner rather than later; the older the father, the greater his advantage.

Brother Cai, you should think this over carefully and not hesitate.

Not wanting to mention the matter, Cai Mao couldn't help but sigh deeply!
"This opportunity is a once-in-a-lifetime chance, how could Mao not know it?"

The problem is that my Cai family currently has no suitable woman to compete for the position of empress.

If we forcibly send a woman of mediocre talent from our clan to marry him, and she fails to gain the favor of the Prince of Han, nor bear him a son, wouldn't all our schemes come to naught? What can we do then?

"Who said there isn't!"

Xing Daorong blushed and stared at Cai Mao.

"Xing considers you a brother, which is why he is so earnest in trying to help you out today."

Brother Cai, with the bigger picture in mind, are you still thinking of keeping your own interests to yourself?
I know one person who is exceptionally beautiful, intelligent and kind-hearted, with a face as beautiful as Chang'e, skilled in domestic affairs, and capable of assisting the ruler.

If we obtain a precious jade tablet, and with the support of both internal and external forces, and if you, brother, manage to secure a place among the ten great noble families and recommend them to the King of Han, then our great undertaking can be accomplished!

Cai Mao: "???"

Cai Mao became increasingly confused as he listened. "How could there be such a beauty in my clan? I had no idea!"

"Brother Cai, you've been wise all your life, how could you be so foolish for a moment?"
Have you forgotten that your younger sister, Lady Cai, once bewitched Liu Jingzhou, making him completely infatuated with her beauty and soul?

Thus, the elder brother was able to take control of Jingzhou, and even Liu Jingzhou was willing to depose the eldest son and establish the younger son in order to pass on the great cause of Jingzhou to Cong.

With this successful precedent, which of the other daughters offered by prominent families can compare with your sister?
In Xing's opinion, your younger sister truly possesses the qualities of Empress Lü.

Now that the opportunity is before us, why not send your younger sister to test her abilities? When else would we wait?

When the new emperor ascends the throne, Brother Cai, as the first among the Heavenly Spirits, will be in charge of the court. I, Xing, will need your help in that matter.”

Cai Mao was shocked!

"What? My sister... This... But she's a married woman, and she and Liu Jingzhou..."

"What's wrong with a married woman?"
Brother Cai, take a good look back at the past and think about the days you spent in Jingzhou.

Think about it, have you ever met a woman more capable than your sister in your entire life?
Putting aside the fact that she was married, just tell me if she had the qualities of Empress Lü.
The prosperity of the Cai family depends on your younger sister's abilities.

Cai Mao: "."

It must be said that, looking back, ever since his younger sister married Liu Jingzhou, he had become Liu Jingzhou's confidant, and the Cai family had become extremely powerful in Jingzhou.

Putting everything else aside, compared to those young, unmarried women, my younger sister really has an advantage.

It has already been proven that she is fertile, not only because she has experience in having sons, but also because of her skill and ability.

Since they were able to make Liu Jingzhou consider deposing the eldest son and establishing the younger one in his place, why can't they apply the same approach to the King of Han today, and have their Cai family follow the same path to success?

After Xing Daorong said that, Cai Mao's mind was opened, and he suddenly realized that he had to admit that his younger sister really did have the qualities of Empress Lü.

But Cai Mao still hesitated, saying to Xing Daorong:

"But isn't this a bad idea?"
Liu Jingzhou was sent to Luoyang by the King of Han, but he's not dead. The marriage agreement is still in effect.

"Who knows! He might already be dead."

Seeing that Cai Mao was tempted, Xing Daorong quickly pressed his advantage and gently coaxed him.

"Have you not heard that Luoyang is in chaos? It has been discovered that Liu Jingzhou was involved in a plot to assassinate the traitor Cao Cao!"

A massive fire has been raging in Luoyang for days and nights, and the city is under martial law, isolating it from the outside world. No news has been heard for several days.

It's possible that Liu Bei, the governor of Jingzhou, has already died at the hands of that traitor Cao Cao; it's still uncertain.

Moreover, even if he were still alive, given the current situation, could Brother Cai bear to let your younger sister spend the best years of her life as a widow?
I have heard it said: "The way of husband and wife is that they unite when there is righteousness, and separate when there is no righteousness. Righteousness brings harmony and affection brings good fortune. When both righteousness and affection are abandoned, the husband and wife will separate!"

Now your sister has abandoned all ties with Liu Jingzhou and is in a perfect match with the King of Han. You should quickly send a letter of divorce to Luoyang to plot against the Ten Great Clans.

Brother Cai, what's there to hesitate about?

Cai Mao fell silent.

After a moment's hesitation, he suddenly grasped Xing Daorong's hand tightly and said, moved:
"Cai was confused for a moment, but fortunately Brother Xing enlightened him, and his words were a wake-up call."

Brother Xing's words were truly like the sun breaking through the clouds!
Yes, my sister has the qualities of Empress Lü; how could she let a man jeopardize her bright future?

I'll go back now and persuade her.

Xing Daorong and he smiled at each other, their alliance of interests reaffirmed.

As for Liu Biao, who received the letter of divorce not long after?

He's just a skeleton in the tomb; the King of Han will capture him sooner or later. Even if he's not killed by Cao Cao now, he'll die eventually.

He's just a dead man, why bother talking about him!
Cai Mansion.

Cai Mao returned home late at night and arrived at the door of his younger sister Cai's room.

As the maid announced his arrival, he cautiously entered the room.

Upon entering, one sees moonlight streaming through the window, and a person lying on their side, their figure graceful and elegant.

She rested one hand lightly on the table in front of her, her knuckles tapping gently, and her sleeve slipped down with her movement.

Upon seeing Cai Mao arrive, she raised her willow-leaf-shaped eyebrows slightly, her eyes showing a mixture of anger and joy as she scrutinized him.

"My brother has not come for a long time."

"You wouldn't come to this temple without a reason, so what brings you here today?"

Cai Mao opened his mouth several times, but he was too embarrassed to say what he meant.

Mrs. Cai: "???"

"Brother, please speak frankly."

"Well... how should I put it?"

Sister, as you know, ever since Liu Jingzhou was defeated and captured, he has been escorted to Luoyang.

My Cai family's status in Jingzhou has declined significantly. Even my elder brother, due to his status as a surrendered official, has not been given important responsibilities by the King of Han.

Although, for the sake of stabilizing Jingzhou, the King of Han still appointed me and Xing Daorong to command the Fengtian and Jingnan armies to defend Jingzhou.

However, the newly appointed Governor of Jingzhou, Gu Yong, and General Zhu Huan, who were both diligent and conscientious, had already taken office and were trusted confidants of the King of Han.

If they were to establish themselves in Jingzhou and take charge of its affairs, I fear my position would be in jeopardy.

Cai Mao looked embarrassed and gave many reasons before finally speaking with a sheepish expression.

“Sister, you don’t want my Cai family’s business to decline and fall into ruin, leaving Cong’er with no one to rely on in the future, do you?”

"I have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help you, but I'm afraid you're unwilling?"

"Why be so formal, elder brother?"

Madam Cai narrowed her eyes slightly, a hint of suspicion in them.

“I share weal and woe with the Cai family; we prosper together and suffer together.”

If you have a request, please speak frankly.

Seeing that the conversation had been pushed to this point, and with no other choice but to proceed, Cai Mao closed his eyes, steeled his resolve, and gritted his teeth as he began to recount the events in detail.

"My sister is unaware of what has happened, but the King of Han has issued an edict stating:"
[We should govern the world together with meritorious officials and scholars!]
Therefore, ten women from ten prominent families who had made great contributions to the state were selected to fill the palace.

"As your brother, I know your abilities well. If you enter the palace, you will surely stand out and continue the Cai family's thousand-year-old wealth and glory. This is a sure path to marrying into wealth and achieving great success."

Madam Cai: "."

Seeing that Madam Cai was only staring at him without saying a word, Cai Mao became increasingly embarrassed and could only force a smile and say:
"Well... I know this is a very difficult situation for you, sister, but for the sake of the family and Cong'er, I hope you will..."

"Ah"

A soft laugh interrupted Cai Mao's hesitant persuasion. Madam Cai gently raised her jade finger, held it to her lips, and blew a breath.

"Shh~

Brother, why bother saying such things?

"Sister, why don't you reconsider? You shouldn't let yourself live a life of widowhood for Liu Biao and ruin your bright future."

"Brother, you've misunderstood."

"What I mean is, if there's such a good thing, why didn't you say so sooner!"

As she spoke, she rose from the couch, her purple skirt, embroidered with intricate patterns, cascading down to the ground in layers with her movements.

She stood under the moonlight, licked her red lips, squinted her eyes, and smiled like a fox.

"I have also heard about this matter at the Cai residence. Even if you do not come today, I will still seek you out tomorrow."

The Ten Great Families: Selecting Respectable Families?
Hahaha~
How can those ignorant children compare to me?

Although I am a woman, I know that a good bird chooses a good tree to perch on, and a virtuous woman chooses a good husband to serve.

Second only to the emperor, she is the empress of the world!

"Brother, I intend to make all the women in the world aware of my abilities!"

Cai Mao: "."

Brother Xing is absolutely right!

My sister truly possesses the qualities of Empress Lü!

“Brother, why don’t you quickly buy some land for my dowry?”

We must act first to seize the initiative and secure the position later.

If the other powerful families in Jingzhou were to react, it would only create more complications.

Cai Mao: "Good."

As the saying goes, some are happy, and some are sad.

While many aristocratic families were acquiring land and manpower, vying to become one of the top ten families in the founding of the nation, two families were already guaranteed a place among them.

It was Yuan Yao and Yuan Ce!
The rivalry between the two for the heir apparent stemmed from the previous claims by aristocratic families to release people and offer land.

Previously, they had each helped organize the aristocratic families of Yuzhou and Jiangdong. Therefore, they should share some of the benefits that each family had made by contributing land and releasing people.

Even if one reaps the benefits without sowing, one must still be listed among the high-ranking officials.

As for Yuan Yao, the selection of concubines was originally Yuan Yin's idea, and he had long prepared Sili Feng Fangnu in order to vie for the position of empress.

But the Sun family was completely dumbfounded.

What the hell!

Weren't we just in the struggle for the crown prince position?
Shouchun is changing so fast, the times are developing too fast!

Just a few days ago, we were plotting how to use the powerful families of Jiangdong to help Yuan Ce vie for the position of heir apparent.

Why are all these aristocratic families vying for the empress's position today?
What do you mean?
The fickle nature of human relationships is too rapid.

Inside the Sun family's council hall, everyone looked at each other, bewildered, finding it difficult to adapt to this new era in Shouchun.

"Gongjin, what should we do now? Please make a decision quickly!"

Zhou Yu: "."

What idea should I come up with?

The plan that the King of Han had initially explained to him only went as far as the struggle for the crown prince position.

I also plan to devise a plan during this time, even though we don't want the position of heir apparent that the King of Han would definitely not grant to us.

However, they could take advantage of the momentum of this struggle for the heir apparent and leverage the power of the aristocratic families to solidify Bo Fu's title as the number one meritorious official in the Lingyan Pavilion's Heavenly Stars, in order to plan for the future.

Since all avenues for self-reliance have been blocked, I might as well become the first meritorious official in the founding of the Han Dynasty!

If that's the case, as long as Bo Fu is sensible and follows the King of Han well, it's hard to say whether he can inherit the great cause, but he has a good chance of obtaining a kingship and the wealth of the Sun family.

But now, with this sudden development, they've started vying for the empress's position again. What's going on?

Who exactly is disrupting my plans?
Zhou Yu's face was ashen, and he couldn't help but think of the conspiracy theories that had recently come from Luoyang. A chilling thought gradually surfaced in his mind.

Could it be that when the King of Han explained his plans for the struggle for the crown prince position to himself, he had already foreseen this day?

Is this a subtle warning from the King of Han to me for using his plans for personal gain?

"Gongjin, why aren't you saying anything?"

"Gongjin, what should we do about the struggle for the Empress's position?"

"Now that things have come to this, should the struggle for the crown prince position continue?"

Amidst the incessant buzzing of urging from the crowd, Zhou Yu frowned and spoke.

"I have heard that this matter originated from Yuan Yin's desire to offer Lady Feng to the King of Han."

This must be Yuan Yao's faction, who, knowing the situation was hopeless, had no choice but to overturn the chessboard, stir up trouble, and try to fish in troubled waters.

The current situation has changed dramatically, and a new trend has emerged. We have no choice but to follow the trend.

"Gongjin is absolutely right. Now is the time to act in accordance with the trend."

Before Zhou Yu could finish speaking, someone interrupted him.

Everyone turned to look, and the person was none other than Wu Jing.

But today, Wu Jing, for some reason, acted out of character and took the initiative to speak, saying to everyone:

"Today, the affairs of the world depend on the King of Han. The King of Han wants to take a daughter from a good family, so powerful families are vying to win her over."

Although this matter delayed the competition for the crown prince position, it was not entirely a bad thing.

Thanks to Ce'er's contributions, the Sun family will surely be among the top ten aristocratic families.

This is divine assistance; if one does not accept what Heaven has given, one will suffer chaos instead.

If we also offer our daughters to the palace and gain the position of Empress, firstly, it can help Ce'er secure his position as heir, and secondly, if we are fortunate enough to give birth to a son.

If the King of Han establishes meritorious service and appoints a virtuous and capable official, the throne will be passed to Ce'er; if he appoints a legitimate son or a relative, the throne will be passed to this son.

Secondly, what does Yuan Yao, that brat, have to compete with us?

The Sun family's legacy, lasting for millennia, begins here!

The Sun family members nodded repeatedly, deeply agreeing, feeling that Wu Jing's unexpected insight was extraordinary and that what he said made a lot of sense.

But why does something always feel off?

Yes!

What do you mean by the Sun family's legacy that will last for thousands of generations? Why are you, a person surnamed Wu, speaking so righteously and sternly?
Sure enough, when a retainer pointed out, "It's a pity that since the old general passed away, our Sun family has become sparsely populated and there are no suitable women to marry," the situation became clear.

Though I have this desire, what can I do?

Upon hearing this, Wu Jing seemed to have been prepared and laughed heartily.

"How can there not be?"
My sister can do it!
Since my brother Sun passed away, my sister has remained a widow for many years, which is more than enough!

"Now I shall risk my life to enter the palace and lend another helping hand to the Sun family's great cause!"

As he spoke, he said to Madam Wu:

"Little sister, think about it!"
Ce'er is now fighting for the King of Han and has made great contributions. How many hardships has he endured while fighting outside?

If you can enter the palace and become empress, then take Ce'er back under your name to establish a legitimate heir!
"Ce'er's position as heir apparent is firmly in his grasp; who can challenge it?"

Mrs. Wu: "."

Everyone: "."

At this moment, everyone looked at Wu Jing with utter contempt!

What grand scheme of the Sun family, lasting for thousands of generations?

What about Yuan Ce's position as heir apparent? He's got it all figured out.

I can clearly see that it's you, Wu Jing, who's too eager for advancement and wants to secure a higher position, right?

He even drags his widowed sister out to "use her remaining strength"—how shameless!

We are ashamed to be associated with you, Wu Jing!

Sun Ce's expression changed drastically!

"You scoundrel, how dare you insult my mother!"
Someone come!

Someone come here!!!

Get him out of here immediately and never let him enter the Sun family again!

I don't have an uncle like you!

Sun Ce's words ignited the passion of everyone present, and Sun Jian's generals such as Huang Gai, Cheng Pu, and Han Dang were immediately filled with fervor.

"The young general is right. This villain is blinded by greed. How dare he wag his tongue and spread falsehoods to mislead the public?"

"Wu Jing, the old general regards you as his confidant and has treated you well!"
"How dare you utter such outrageous words today? How will you face the old general in the afterlife?"

"We are ashamed to be associated with you. Why don't you leave now, or do you want us to take action?"

Sun Jian is dead!

"Right now, Lord Yuan is powerful. Instead of planning for the future, do you intend to cling to the past of a dead man and go to the underworld with him?"

Wu Jing refuted everyone, his brows furrowed in defiance of the thousands pointing fingers. For a time, quite a few newcomers who had recently joined the Sun family in hopes of wealth and status also spoke from his perspective, seeking a way to ascend to the top.

Seeing that the two sides were deadlocked, Wu Jing said to Sun Ce again:
"Ce'er, why bother?"
You have already acknowledged the King of Han as your father, and now you are Yuan Ce, so why bother talking about others?

"The situation is what it is, I'm only doing this for your own good!"

Not wanting to face Sun Ce's already flushed face and meet his murderous gaze, Wu Jing remained calm and continued to persuade Madam Wu.

“My dear sister! You’ve seen it yourself. With Ce’er’s impulsive nature, who knows when he might offend the Prince of Han.”

If no one in the palace protects him then, he may face great disaster, and it will be too late to regret it.

You wouldn't want Ce'er to miss out on the position of heir apparent because he doesn't have a mother who holds the position of empress, would you?

Mrs. Wu: "."

She finally sighed and said:
"For the sake of our sibling relationship, elder brother, you don't need to say such things anymore!"

Such absurd thing, I'd rather die than comply!

"Little sister, you're so foolish!"
The King of Han is a good man!
Why remain a widow for a dead person?

Can't we really reconsider?

For Ce'er's sake, and for the sake of the Sun and Wu families.

(End of this chapter)