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

Chapter 297: The art has already become king; how can the lord, Gong'an, be subordinate to it?

Faced with Yuan Shao's questioning, Xu You could only lower his head deeply.

According to his original plan, having obtained such a 20-year grand plan to build heavy armor, he had many ways to enrich himself and embezzle public funds during the process.

Even if it's a few years later and Benjamin realizes what's happening, he'll still be making a fortune.

But he never expected that the big event had only just begun when Benchu ​​was already asking him for results.

At that moment, he had no choice but to return the gesture.

"As the saying goes, haste makes waste. My lord, please allow me to explain to you slowly the matter of building heavy armored cavalry."

In that present-day Ye City, I have ordered men to recruit blacksmiths.”

"Stop talking nonsense to me!"

Upon hearing Xu You, who was usually arrogant and disdainful of others, speak with such a lack of confidence, Yuan Shao knew that something was amiss.

She glanced at him coldly and said in a chilling tone.

"Ziyuan, just tell me."

"With the combined strength of four provinces, how many of my tens of thousands of armored cavalry do I have now?"

Xu You kept his head down, not daring to raise it, and spoke in a voice barely audible.

"A total of forty-eight armorys of men and horses."

“Bold!!!”

Yuan Shao's expression hardened, and he questioned him.

"You dare to line your own pockets and outwardly comply while inwardly defying orders!!!"

Xu You smiled bitterly.

He repeatedly bowed and apologized, saying, "My lord, you are wise!"
The development of heavy armor is not something that can be accomplished in a year or a month; it is only just getting on track, and production is limited.

In a few more years, once the craftsmen are familiar with the process, apprentices are trained, and the workforce is expanded, mass production will definitely be possible.

"Oh?"

Yuan Shao felt that Xu You's words made some sense, so he relaxed and asked him about it.

"How much will we get after a few years?"

"After production increases..."

Xu You made a rough estimate in his mind and answered cautiously.

"Maybe one or two thousand?"

"Ziyuan, how dare you deceive me?"

Upon hearing this number, Yuan Shao's expression turned completely indifferent.

How many years later will it only reach a scale of one or two thousand?
I need it now!
Otherwise, given the current pace of conquest in the south, the entire Kyushu will be pacified in a few years. How then can we contend for supremacy over the world?

He then sneered at it.

"You previously made a mistake at Bohai and were defeated by the Yellow Turbans."

I originally intended to punish you, but upon hearing your suggestion to forge heavy armor, I allowed you to atone for your crime through meritorious service. In the four states, whatever you desire—whether it be artisans, iron mines, money, grain, or supplies—I will grant it to you.

However, twenty years of effort have been wasted over a long period of time, and I need it now, but you only have forty-eight riders.

This is a deceitful accusation, and you still dare to say you haven't embezzled funds or acted hypocritically?

"It's not that we didn't try our best, but the fully-covered, high-quality iron armor is far more difficult to manufacture than the armor already in the army. It's also the first time the craftsmen have made it, so the slow production is understandable."

"enough!
I've heard enough of this kind of talk.

Two days ago, I ordered Guo Tu to assist Zhang He in leading troops to block Gongsun Zan's retreat. After his defeat, he said it was not his fault, but that Zhao Yun's armor was too strong. He asked me to find you some heavy armor to increase our fighting strength.

Now, you're saying the same thing as him.

If we were defeated, it's either because the enemy's armor was superior, or because we couldn't manufacture heavy armor, or because the manufacturing process was too difficult.

At this point, Yuan Shao's smile grew colder, and he looked at Xu You with a meaningful gaze.

"Ziyuan, let me ask you a question: if the enemy can be easily wiped out, what use would I have for Guo Tu?"

If forging heavy armor were that simple, what use would I have for you, Xu Ziyuan?
"If we can't win, it's because the enemy is too strong; if we can't accomplish something, it's because the task is too difficult. Everyone understands this. I'll find a minor official in the countryside and an old farmer in the fields, and they can easily replace you all."

As Yuan Shao spoke, he personally stood up and slowly walked to Xu You's side. His tall figure looked down at him, patted his shoulder heavily, and spoke in a warm and affectionate tone.

"Ziyuan, you are all talented people in the world, and your wisdom and strategies are rare."

I know that creating heavy armor is difficult.

But things cannot be left undone just because they are difficult. Right now, the goal is to wipe out Gongsun Zan in one fell swoop, establish our rule in the north, and then march south into the Central Plains.

This is the time for you to fight for supremacy.

Why not devise another good plan to relieve my worries?

I often hear you being arrogant and looking down on the world because of your talent. Now, with your talent, Ziyuan, would you really be stumped by something as trivial as armor?
"You only answered me with forty-eight Jia; why didn't you exert yourself fully, Ziyuan?"

Xu You: "."

Although Yuan Shao's tone became more friendly later on, Xu You's bitterness deepened.

Try your best?

Forging armor is not like going to war, where you can come up with a plan just by racking your brains.

The artisans can only produce a limited number of units each day. What good ideas can this thing give you?
Having heard Yuan Shao's words, he knew perfectly well that this was clearly another case of Guo Tu's defeat last time, and he didn't want to incur Yuan Shao's wrath.

Therefore, he shifted the blame eastward, pretending to make the lord demand heavy armor, but in reality, he was taking the opportunity to transfer the anger to himself.

Unfortunately, since Yuan Shao, as his lord, had already put it this way, he really couldn't refuse any longer.

Xu You had no choice but to bow and accept the order. "I have known Yuan Shao since childhood. We have shared a deep friendship for decades. Today, for your cause of hegemony, how could I not devote myself wholeheartedly and even die for you?"

"it is good!"

Yuan Shao seemed quite satisfied with his attitude, and thus ordered him to:
"The land of the four states, its money, grain, iron mines, and artisans are all at your disposal."

Within three months, I will see three thousand heavy cavalry and once again annihilate Gongsun Zan's White Horse Cavalry!

"what?

Three thousand? ? ?

Upon hearing this number, Xu You broke out in a cold sweat.

He really didn't know what to say. It seemed that in front of this man from a family that had held high office for four generations, as long as you had money, there was nothing that couldn't be accomplished.

The problem is that crafting heavy armor isn't something that can be guaranteed to produce thousands of pieces of heavy armor in three months just by having thousands of blacksmiths, tens of thousands of kilograms of iron ore, and providing sufficient manpower and resources.

Forging heavy armor to make it a seamless whole is an extremely difficult process, and often only a few dozen out of thousands of blacksmiths can master it.

No matter how many ordinary blacksmiths come, or how much iron ore is given, unless the apprentices are trained, there will still only be a few dozen master blacksmiths producing it.

However, Xu You knew that no matter how much he said, Yuan Shao would only take it as an excuse to shirk responsibility, as this man from a family that had been able to solve all problems as long as he was given enough money, food and supplies.

He couldn't possibly let Yuan Shao personally experience blacksmithing, could he?
To be honest, if he hadn't taken on this job and diligently made several trips to the blacksmith's shop, Xu You wouldn't have known that forging armor, which was just a simple task, could be so difficult.

Otherwise, they wouldn't have made the boastful claim of building tens of thousands of iron cavalry over twenty years.

Looking back now, he realized he had overestimated things. He thought that being able to build thousands of iron cavalry in twenty years would be enough to sweep across the world.

Unfortunately, Yuan Shao had already said everything. It was clear that Yuan Shao didn't want to hear his explanation of the difficulty of building the cavalry. He only wanted three thousand iron cavalry to destroy Gongsun Zan in three months.

If he only knows how to make excuses, Xu Ziyuan will end up being regarded as just another petty official in the countryside or an old farmer in the fields.

He sighed deeply. Fortunately, Xu Ziyuan was talented and proud, and was no ordinary person. In a flash, he actually came up with a good plan.

joke!

He couldn't figure out how to forge heavy armor and conjure up three thousand suits of armor.

With Xu You's scheme, he could easily devise a plan to fool Yuan Shao.

Xu You raised his chin high, his face once again displaying his signature arrogant expression, and accepted the order:

"Rest assured, Benchu, with my brilliant plan, we will obtain these three thousand heavily armored soldiers in less than three months. At that time, destroying Gongsun will be as easy as turning one's hand." "Good! Very good!"
With Ziyuan's words, Shao was relieved.

Seeing Xu You display that arrogant expression that Yuan Shao knew so well, he knew that the great thing was about to succeed!

Sure enough, when you push someone, they'll come up with a plan.

Just as the two men were getting along well, a soldier came to report.

"Report!

"Reporting to my lord, urgent intelligence has arrived from the imperial court."

Yuan Shao hurriedly took a look, and his expression immediately turned even more unpleasant.

"fart!
Yuan Gonglu endured for decades, but in reality he was feigning madness and foolishness. In fact, he was the culprit who ruined the fate of the Han Dynasty for four hundred years.

Has Cao Mengde lost his mind? How could he believe such nonsense?
What about his affair with Empress He? And his instigation of He Jin and the eunuchs, which led to Dong Zhuo's entry into the capital?
Isn't that ridiculous? I handled this whole thing myself. Do you think I don't know whether Yuan Gonglu contributed anything?

What about the "Disaster of the Party Prohibitions"? How big were the highways back then?

Was he actually the mastermind behind Zhang Jiao, the Old Immortal of Nanhua who taught the Taiping Essentials, in disguise?

The more Yuan Shao read it, the more outrageous it seemed. He threw the intelligence report on the ground in anger, his forehead veins bulging.

"Bullshit! Bullshit!!!"

What nonsense!

Legend has it that the Old Immortal of Nanhua is a sage with white hair and a youthful face. Could my brother possibly impersonate him?
"You have utterly tarnished the reputation of my Yuan family, Cao Mengde! You deserve to die!!!"

Yuan Shao's ministers were initially bewildered by his intense reaction.

Until they went up one by one and opened the intelligence report, well, they understood everything.

"This is outrageous!"

"How dare they portray you, my lord, as Yuan Gonglu's puppet, a scapegoat?"

Are all those people in the imperial court idiots?
Who could possibly remain stoic for decades, possessing unparalleled wisdom, yet never revealing a trace of it, only appearing as a playboy?

"Exactly! As his elder brother, how could our lord not know whether Yuan Gonglu has the ability or not?"

"Our lord is wise and mighty, and is the rightful heir to the Yuan family. What merit or ability does Yuan Gonglu have to hold a position above our lord?"

"This must be because Cao Cao was repeatedly defeated by Yuan Shu and had no face to face the world, so he had no choice but to demonize him."

Unlike the court officials who were terrified and deeply disturbed upon learning of the conspiracy theory, this was different.

The people in Yuan Shu's camp, upon hearing the conspiracy theory, suddenly realized its truth and wholeheartedly agreed with it, which was different from the situation in Yuan Shu's camp.

Yuan Shao's men, far to the north, were shocked to see this conspiracy theory about Yuan Shu and immediately denounced it with utter disdain.

What the hell!

Why portray our wise and mighty lord as a shield pushed out by the Yuan family to protect Yuan Shu and become his scapegoat?
Cao Cao, you deserve to die!
How dare you utter such outrageous remarks?
So Yuan Shu attacked you, huh?

Immediately, Feng Ji hurriedly expressed his loyalty, "My lord! We have been in the north for too long, and I think the people of the world have forgotten your great name."

It's time to teach the imperial court a lesson, and let Cao Mengde know who is truly behind the chaos and the culprit behind the downfall of the Han Dynasty!

Yuan Shao: "???"

Although what you said is very faithful, why do I feel that something is a little strange?

Upon hearing this, Ju Shou rolled his eyes in annoyance.

What are you robbing? Is this some kind of good reputation?
He hurriedly advised him, saying:

"My lord, do not listen to the words of this villain. The overall situation is of utmost importance. Right now, everything should be focused on destroying Gongsun Zan."

"Yuan Shu is stirring up trouble in the south, which is perfect for keeping the imperial court in check."

Yuan Shao nodded upon hearing this. Although his former subordinate Cao Cao had now become the number one fan of Yuan Shu and even belittled him as Yuan Shu's pawn, it made him very unhappy.

But he still understood the principle of prioritizing the overall situation, and inwardly sneered:
Mengde, you find the highway so terrifying because I haven't had time to beat you up.

Once I have completely subdued Gongsun Zan, I will lead an army of 400,000, claiming to have a million, southward!
I'll make sure you know who the true heir to the Yuan family is, and show you a despair far more chilling than any conspiracy theories!

Just as everyone was filled with righteous indignation over the conspiracy theory about Yuan Shu, someone else came to report!
Report!

New intelligence has arrived from the south.

Yuan Shao took a look, and to his surprise, his face turned even darker than before.

"To become king?"
How dare he?

He actually became king of the highway before I did!
Do you expect me to pay tribute and become your subject?
Does he really think he's like those conspiracy theorists claim, holding power over all the feudal lords and controlling the world?
You think you're so great just because Cao Mengde praised you?

This is utterly outrageous!

"what?"

The advisors were startled upon hearing this, and after taking a look at the intelligence report, their expressions immediately varied.

Since Tian Feng remained in Jizhou to guard the area, and Guo Tu was fighting on the front lines, neither of them were here.

Therefore, Xun Chen spoke first, "Congratulations, my lord! I never imagined that Yuan Shu would be so muddleheaded!"
He betrayed the alliance made on the white horse, and the whole world joined forces to attack him.

Yuan Gonglu has presumptuously claimed the title of King of Han, and it is likely that he will soon be attacked by the various warlords in the south.

Our lord can seize this opportunity to destroy Gongsun Zan, stabilize the north, and then plan to advance south.

"Xun Chen, are you confused?"

Having just received a difficult task and still feeling resentful, Xu You immediately laughed and scoffed.

"All the feudal lords in the world rose up to attack him."
Do you not see how many feudal lords still exist in the south today?
Now Liu Biao has been destroyed, Liu Bei has fled in defeat, and all the warlords are helpless, with only Lü Bu remaining.

And what about Cao Cao, who controlled the court? You've seen that conspiracy theory too.

How scared was he after being beaten by Yuan Shu?

The so-called uprising of all the warlords in the land against him was already a mere formality; at worst, it was just Cao Cao and Lü Bu jointly attacking Yuan Shu.

In the past, even when the four warlords allied to attack Yuan Shu, they were no match for him. In the end, they were defeated at Xiangyang and lost their lives at Lujiang, which made Yuan Shu's power awe-inspiring throughout China.

Now that only Cao Cao and Lü Bu remain, how could they possibly be a match for Yuan Shu?

His declaration of himself as king at this time was precisely to seize Cao Cao's lifeline. If the people of the world saw him openly proclaim himself King of Han, the court would still be powerless to do anything about it.

This will surely lead to the demise of the Han dynasty and a change of heart among the people!

As Xu You spoke, he bowed deeply to Yuan Shao.

"Honorable Lord Youhe, now is the perfect time to declare yourself king!"

Upon hearing this, all the ministers' eyes lit up.

Feng Ji: "Ziyuan is right. If our lord does not advance in rank and position, how can he govern the four provinces?"

Xin Ping: "Since Shu has already declared himself king, if the lord does not also declare himself king, wouldn't he be subordinate to him?"

Upon hearing the words of his ministers, Yuan Shao was slightly taken aback, but then suddenly realized and was delighted.

Yes!

His situation was similar to Yuan Shu's; among the warlords of the time, only Cao Cao and Gongsun Zan could fight him.

Gongsun Zan is already fighting on his own. As for Cao Cao, Yuan Shu alone is enough to give him a headache. How dare he invade my border?
Seeing Yuan Shao's pleased expression, seemingly swayed by Xu You's treacherous words, Ju Shou, who was standing nearby, quickly advised him:
"My lord, it is not advisable to cause trouble at the moment. The priority should be to eliminate Gongsun Zan."

Yuan Shao, with a righteous and awe-inspiring expression, smiled and nodded, saying to him:

"Don't worry, Lord Ju, I am not a short-sighted person."

Ju Shou was relieved, stroking his beard. His heart, which had been hanging in suspense, had just settled down when Yuan Shao asked him again.

"I don't know what Ju Gong thought, after Gongsun Zan was destroyed."

What title should Shao use to proclaim himself king?

Ju Shou: "."

(End of this chapter)