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

Chapter 292 We beseech the King of Han to take up arms and restore the Han Dynasty!

Inside the gloomy hall, two people who had once fought side by side and were close friends now stood facing each other, their eyes locked in a fierce confrontation, neither willing to back down an inch.

"Wenruo".

Cao Cao took a slight breath and broke the silence.

“Come help me, just like we did together before.”

To restore the Han Dynasty and bring peace and prosperity to the people.

“I once thought that you were the hero who assassinated Dong Zhuo, a ray of light illuminating the long night of the Han Dynasty.”

Xun Yu sneered and shook his head.

"But now it seems that you are no different from Dong Zhuo."

Bloodshed, brutality, murder, oppression!
The streets of Luoyang were stained with the blood of loyal ministers, just as they had been during Dong Zhuo's reign.

The people in the city were terrified and had nowhere to hide in their homes, fearing that armored soldiers with swords and weapons would storm into their houses at any moment.

The court officials were all groveling and fawning, like stray dogs wagging their tails for mercy, while the emperor was abandoned on the palace walls!
Power? Centralized government?
No, you are just repeating the mistakes of Dong Zhuo!

Turn back!
You still have time.

Otherwise, one day someone will, like the esteemed Lord Ming of old, wield the Seven-Star Sword and stab you in your midnight dreams!

"presumptuous!"

A fierce look flashed across Cao Cao's face, and a murderous intent appeared in his eyes.

"Xun Wenruo, have I been too kind to you?"

"To take advantage of your favor and become so arrogant, do you really think the sword at my waist isn't sharp enough?"

Xun Yu looked at him with sorrow and pity in his eyes, and smiled bitterly.

"That's what Dong Zhuo said back then."

Cao Cao gritted his teeth in anger, but considering Xun Yu's talent and the friendship they had built up over the years, he couldn't afford to lose him now.

Finally, he suppressed his anger, calmed his mind, and suddenly burst into laughter.

"Is he the wise ruler of yesterday, and the traitor Dong Zhuo of today?"
Then take a good look!

Watch as I prepare my troops and horses to resist Yuan Shao in the north and defend against Yuan Shu in the south!

Watch as I slaughter all the corrupt officials in the court, and use their flesh and blood to nourish the Han Dynasty!
Watch as I mend the disputes, sweep away the feudal lords, restore the Han Dynasty, and bring order to the world!

Looking at those so-called atrocities, what will they ultimately bring to this world?
Open your eyes and look, it's me!

The traitor Dong Zhuo in your eyes, the atrocities you speak of, are actually saving the emperor and upholding the last authority of the Han Dynasty!
"If I were gone, how many people do you think would still respect this nominal Han dynasty that exists in name only?"

Meeting his murderous gaze, Xun Yu's eyes dimmed; he knew he could no longer change Cao Cao's mind.

He bowed respectfully, just as he had when they first met.

"Then let's wait and see!"

After Xun Yu left, Cao Cao took advantage of this coup to eliminate dissidents on a large scale. He used the pretext of colluding with Yuan Shao to fabricate charges and frequently confiscated and exterminated the families of those who refused to submit, using the proceeds to fund his army.

Even more shockingly, he secretly formed a group of tomb raiders, dedicated to plundering the tombs of past emperors and kings for a pittance.

Stricter measures were taken to prevent merchants from smuggling goods to Huainan, and anyone caught doing so would be punished as an accomplice to Yuan Shikai.

He only allowed Cao Anmin to act as an official trade channel recognized by both parties, smuggling luxury goods such as Yuan Shu's newly introduced stationery, glass, porcelain, and refined salt into Huainan.

After buying it from Cao Anmin in Luoyang, he then sold it to prominent families at ten times the price.

Through this series of decrees, which were condemned as tyrannical, his infamy in Luoyang surpassed even that of Dong Zhuo in the past.

However, he also raised an unimaginable amount of military funds, which enabled him to expand his army on a massive scale.

No one knew Yuan Shu's power better than him; he was an unprecedented and terrifying enemy.

And such an enemy could attack Luoyang at any moment!
He has no time!

He must gather money and supplies in the shortest possible time. Only by forcibly gathering all the strength of the Han Dynasty can he possibly fight Yuan Shu when he marches north!
He heard that Yuan Shu had an invincible heavy cavalry, so he planned to spare no expense to build eight hundred Tiger and Leopard Cavalry, with Cao Hong as the main general.

He used Che Zhou to sideline Liu Bei's military power and recruited the full strength of the 50,000-strong Western Garden Army, which was already in the initial stages of formation.

He issued a conscription order, recruiting 100,000 men aged fourteen and above from the Sili region, who were forbidden from training and were to be sent to the Northern Army.

Knights who forcibly conscripted soldiers roamed the Sili region daily, seizing any men they encountered to serve as their own.

Every household wept, parents who had lost their sons and wives who had lost their husbands, their voices cursing Cao Cao echoing from the south bank of the Yellow River to the north bank, forming a continuous chorus across the river.

But Cao Cao did not stop. He had completely seized control of the court and was ruthless and autocratic, implementing military and political policies across his territory.

All ironware and rice from the civilian population were requisitioned to supply the military.

The elderly, women, and children who were not on the battlefield had to collect farm tools from the village head every day, and only after completing their daily farming could they receive their fixed rations.

Cao Cao was not unaware that this move was like drinking poison to quench thirst, and would only cause the already ailing Han dynasty to lose even more popular support.

But he knew even more that if he did not drink the poison today, the Han Dynasty would perish the day Yuan Shu marched north!

He sat high on the empty dragon throne, looking down at the courtiers who were prostrate on the ground.

His gaze drifted beyond the palace walls, as if he could see the entire Sili land being transformed as he issued his decrees.

The people suffered from famine and fled, and countless people starved to death.

He simply closed his eyes and smiled softly:

"Ning to teach me to bear the people of the world, and to quit teaching the people of the world to bear me!"

Meanwhile, a legend of peace and tranquility from Huainan, a place seemingly unattainable, quietly began to circulate among people.

It turns out that on this same land of the Han Dynasty, some people are renting out land and only need to pay a small amount of tax.
It turns out that on this same land of the Han Dynasty, even those who were displaced and homeless had charitable families who would give them porridge and food and provide them with shelter.

It turns out that on this same land of the Han Dynasty, those who toiled in the fields did not receive meager rations, but could accumulate merit and be ennobled. As long as one farmed well, one could also become a nobleman.

They didn't know whether these dreamlike legends were true or false, but even if things were worse, they couldn't be worse than the current situation.

This is why the people of the Central Plains, admiring the peaceful rule of the Yellow Emperor, came south to the Han Kingdom, supporting the old and bringing the young.

This is why people who were previously thousands of miles away could look on with longing as the Han army pacified the Central Plains.

Huainan and Luoyang are on two completely opposite paths.

Without exception, both Yuan Shu and Cao Cao were using their respective methods to plunder the accumulated wealth of the powerful families under their rule, preparing for the inevitable final battle!
Huainan, Shouchun Palace.

"Urgent report from Luoyang!"

Urgent dispatch! (800 li express)

A single announcement of the morning court resounds throughout the heavens, and the vermilion gates and palaces open one after another!

"Lord Yuan's order is here. Open the city gates immediately!"

As a lone rider galloped in, the city gates, palace gates, and hall gates opened one after another for him.

All that could be seen was that one rider galloping straight into the nine-layered palace.

At this moment, in the main hall of Shouchun, Yuan Shu, having finished reviewing the latest battle report delivered by Gan Ning, said to Kongming:

"A hundred cavalrymen broke through the enemy camp, their achievements shaking the world."

Xingba's victory in this battle was enough to terrify the other feudal lords.

My son is so brave and valiant, how can I not make him famous throughout the world?

"Now I shall issue an edict to vindicate Xingba, so that the people of the three prefectures may all admire my son's divine bravery!"

Kongming: "."

After a brief silence, Kongming still offered his advice:
"The reason why General Xingba called himself Ghost Lord was because of the reputation of his teacher."

If the truth is revealed now, Lü Bu, knowing that the plundering was done by his teacher, will surely harbor resentment.

"So what if he resents us?"

Yuan Shu chuckled softly, “Now that I have established the Lingyan Pavilion and the Hall of Merit, all my subordinates are eager for military achievements, and everyone is looking forward to war.”

The Huainan region is now like an arrow on a bowstring, about to be released, causing fear among all the warlords. Cao Cao is in a panic, and Lü Bu is terrified, all fearing that once I release this arrow, my army will be unstoppable!
Just as the Qin Emperor reigned supreme in the west, wielding power over the six states, and issuing beatings and whips to the world, the feudal lords trembled in fear.

Today's Cao and Lü are nothing more than yesterday's Han and Wei. They are nominally in an alliance, but in reality, they both hope that I will attack their ally first in order to protect themselves.

At this point, let alone vindicating Xingba, even if I were to directly issue an edict ordering Lü Bu to offer money and provisions, he wouldn't dare utter the slightest resentment!

As Yuan Shu spoke, he seemed to think the idea was good, and thus ordered:
"Kongming, draft a document now and send it to Lü Bu."

He said that I was about to become king, and asked him to offer 200,000 shi of grain as a congratulatory gift and to express our kinship.

If he disobeys, it means he will disown me as his in-law, and in that case, I will treat him like an enemy.

Kongming: "???"

No, teacher, does a person have to be so shameless?
Are you saying that Gan Ning's looting wasn't enough, and now you're resorting to outright robbery?

Yuan Shu raised his eyes and caught a glimpse of doubt in Kongming's eyes, and couldn't help but sneer.

"I have often thought: the destruction of the six states was not due to inferior military strength or poor strategy, but rather to their bribery of Qin."

Those who do not bribe are ruined by those who do, for they have lost powerful allies and therefore cannot survive alone.

To cede five cities today and ten more tomorrow is like adding fuel to the fire.

Now I, the sovereign, reign supreme in the south, my power as great as that of the King of Qin. I commanded Bu Na to offer provisions, and in return, I was granted a night's rest.
They are like the weak state of Han, like Han's neighbor, and even like Han's foolishness; they will surely obey and dare not disobey.

Kongming scratched his head. How should I put it? Why does this blatant robbery logic still seem so reasonable?

He remained silent for a moment.

“Students are taught.”

As the teacher and students were talking, a servant announced:
"Urgent dispatch!"
Latest news from Luoyang!

Yuan Shu then ordered, "Summon him!"

Before long, a man was seen riding into the palace gate. When he reached the steps of the main hall, he suddenly stopped his horse, dismounted, and went straight into the hall.

The man, covered in dust, knelt on the ground, holding a blood-stained edict in his hands.

"Master, Yuan Sanxing has not failed in his mission!"

"it is good!"

When Yuan Shu saw Yuan San return, he knew that the great cause had been accomplished and was overjoyed!

He ordered someone to take the blood-stained edict and hand it to him. He held it in his hand, rubbed it, and examined it closely, then laughed loudly.

"Excellent! With this imperial edict, I may now declare myself king!"

He took out a brush and ink, unfolded the imperial edict, turned it over, and at the end of those shocking lines of hundreds of names, he wrote:
[Respectfully presented by Yuan Shu, King of Han!]

After speaking, seeing that Kongming was staring intently at the imperial edict in his hand with great curiosity, he smiled and handed it to him to look at.

When Kongming saw this, he was also annoyed.

"He is called the Chancellor of Han, but in reality he is a traitor to Han. How dare Cao Cao insult the Emperor to this extent?"

As he spoke, he vaguely sensed that something was amiss. Even if the emperor intended to issue this edict to eliminate Cao Cao, the traitor to the country.

But no matter how much the imperial edict is passed around, it's impossible for it to reach Yuan Shu, an openly traitor!
Kongming: "."

isn't it?
He raised his eyes and looked at Yuan Shu in front of him with a strange gaze. A very outrageous, yet very possible, guess emerged in his mind.

Sure enough, he saw Yuan Shu nod slightly at him, "These are Your Majesty's heartfelt words, and I will write them down on your behalf."

Kongming: "."

Damn it!

Teacher, how did you manage to produce a fake imperial edict and have every single loyal official of the Han Dynasty sign it, turning the fake into the real one?
When Yuan Shu forcibly took me as his disciple, I wondered what I could learn from him. It would just be a nominal position.

The result is now
You can learn a little something new every day; you can never learn it all.

After accepting the imperial edict, Yuan Shu ordered someone to convey a message to Yan Xiang, saying:

"Three days later will be the first day of the third year of Jian'an, an extremely auspicious day. It is suitable for sacrificial rites, ceremonies, and the proclaim of kingship. A grand ceremony should be held to announce this to the world!"

Little Kongming, standing to the side, was speechless again. "Teacher, can you determine an auspicious day without consulting the almanac these days?"

Wait, is he Huangtian Yingyuan Xiansheng Daojun?
That's fine.

Ignoring Kongming's "eager to learn" gaze beside him, Yuan Shu turned his attention back to the hall. Looking at the bowing Yuan San, he addressed him affectionately:

"Yuan San".

"exist!"

"You served as my retainer, twice venturing deep into Luoyang to achieve great things, risking countless dangers. Your merit is immeasurable!"

Now, combining the two, you have surely accomplished one of the greatest feats imaginable!

I hereby order you to leave the ranks of the assassins and join my personal guard as a captain.

I, the Emperor, bestow upon you the name: Yuan Zhong, courtesy name Liangchen!

He was also awarded a mansion, fifty bolts of silk, one thousand bushels of grain, and thirty thousand strings of cash as a reward for his hard work.

Yuan Sanfu lay prostrate on the ground, tears streaming down his face.

"The Lord's kindness is as heavy as a mountain; how could I not devote myself wholeheartedly and serve him with my life?"

"Alright, get up now."

Tell me, you come from Luoyang, you must know the details.”

Yuan Zhong straightened his clothes before respectfully replying.

"Before the great chaos in Luoyang, I had already fled with the imperial edict hidden in my belt. I fear that some details of the chaos may be inaccurate."

But as I fled from Luoyang to Huainan, I hid and fled along the way, and I saw and heard a lot.

Before I fled, I personally witnessed Liu Yao, disguised as a court official, conspiring with Han officials in Luoyang, including Dong Cheng, to assassinate Cao Cao.

Even their assassination plan was something I cleverly coaxed him into doing, based on the instructions given to me by the head of the family.

Not long after I fled, I heard that Luoyang was in chaos and that Liu Yao and his men had indeed failed.

According to the account from Luoyang:
Liu Yao recruited Dong Cheng, Liu Biao, and others to plot the assassination of the emperor and usurp the throne.

Fortunately, Liu Bei, the Imperial Uncle, feigned to be an accomplice and cleverly obtained intelligence, which he then reported to Cao Cao.

Cao Cao was thus able to escape assassination and eliminate the traitor with Liu Bei's help.

Liu Bei even personally executed Dong Cheng, the emperor's brother-in-law, on charges of colluding with the traitor Yuan Shikai.

In Luoyang today, with Liu Bei and Wei Yan both leading their armies to defect, the imperial throne is now empty, and all important decisions are made by Cao Cao!

As Yuan Zhong spoke, he recounted the suffering he had witnessed along the way of the people of the Central Plains under Cao Cao's tyranny.

After he finished speaking, Yuan Shu hadn't reacted much, but Kongming, who was standing next to him, looked downcast and slightly disappointed.

what?
Liu Bei!
Why would you aid and abet the wicked, even tipping off Cao Cao and assisting him in abusing the people under his rule?
Although Kongming knew that what Yuan Zhong said was just news he had heard from the Luoyang court and might not be true.

But the rumors, which are growing stronger, are by no means unfounded.

The fact that Liu Yao, Liu Biao, Dong Cheng, and others who submitted the imperial edict in secret were either executed along with their entire families or imprisoned and questioned, while Liu Bei not only escaped unscathed but also gained Cao Cao's deep trust, speaks volumes.

Even if it wasn't as bad as Yuan Zhong had heard, he was still definitely aiding and abetting evil.

At this moment, Kongming felt that some kind of illusion deep in his heart had been shattered.

Where is that hero who stood up against Cao Cao's atrocities in slaughtering Xuzhou, even though he only had three thousand soldiers to borrow?

Is Xuande today still Xuande?
After a long silence, Kongming bowed to Yuan Shu and said:
"Cao Cao acted perversely and caused chaos in the world, bringing suffering to the people and plunging them into misery."

This is the time to rectify the Han Dynasty and save the people!

"Liang, please, King of Han, take up your spear and save the day!"

The king said, "Excellent."

(End of this chapter)