A thousand-year-old family begins with one fighting against ten thousand.

The first thing Dong Zhuo did after returning to Chang'an was to weep before Liu Xie's coffin.

He confessed his guilt in front of the highest officials and ministers. If it weren't for the need for him to lead troops to the front lines to suppress the coalition of feudal lords, such a riot would never have occurred in Chang'an.

This would not have led to Liu Xie's death.

No one else can agree with his words; if they do, it would be tantamount to offending Dong Zhuo and all the other warlords.

If someone offends all the powerful lords in the world, how can he expect to have a good life?

The three high officials and nine ministers quickly tried to persuade Dong Zhuo, claiming that it was not Dong Zhuo's fault, but the fault of the mutinous troops.

The most urgent task now is to quickly establish a new emperor; the country cannot be without a ruler for even a day.

Only then did Dong Zhuo take charge of the government, surrounded by his important ministers.

When it came time to select people, Dong Zhuo pulled another stunt.

"Nowadays, there are many kings in the world, and there are also many vassal states overseas. If Your Majesty cannot gain the recognition of the world, it will greatly damage the authority of the Han Dynasty."

"Therefore, with representatives from overseas vassal states, envoys from various feudal lords, members of the royal family, and the three dukes and nine ministers all present, a new emperor who is recognized by everyone needs to be jointly elected."

Some people felt that the time was too long and that the world could not be without an emperor, so Dong Zhuo immediately accused them of damaging the sanctity of the Han emperor.

Now no one dared to say anything, for Dong Zhuo had a knife.

This dragged on for two years, and then everyone discovered that without an emperor, the local lords had become the de facto emperors.

Each of them was responsible for military and political affairs in their respective regions, and the country continued to function normally. This emperor seemed to be dispensable.

Two years is enough time for even the most distant vassal states to send people over, and new problems arise.

Everyone had their own supporters. Some recommended themselves, such as the contemporary Prince of Zhongshan, Liu Zhang and Liu Biao, and others recommended Liu Bei, Liu He, other enfeoffed kings, and imperial relatives who were close to Emperor Ling of Han.

Each vassal state and feudal lord nominated a candidate, and none of them were willing to submit to the others.

The situation reached another stalemate; without the approval of the crowd, the emperor could not be established.

Everyone understood the intentions of Dong Zhuo and the other warlords: not to establish an emperor, so that they would be the greatest kings in the land, and whoever could ultimately unify the land would become the new master of this country.

This is a rule that both feudal lords and kings tacitly agree upon.

The world officially entered an era of warring states.

Without the constraints of the imperial court, a major war was imminent. After two years of recuperation, all the warlords had completely consolidated their rule, recovered from the losses of the war against Dong Zhuo, and greatly increased their strength.

The world descended into chaos; you hit me, I hit you, he hit him.

Yuan Shu won the war against Jingzhou and divided Jingzhou with Sun Jian.

In this state, he became a little arrogant.

To what extent did it drift?

He is now inferior to Dong Zhuo and Cao Cao in terms of both troops and territory, but he has a mysterious self-confidence similar to that of Liu Xie.

If he becomes emperor, the whole country will surely be prosperous and follow him.

Moreover, Emperor Wu of Han once said that the one who would replace the Han dynasty was Dangtu Gao.

He, Yuan Shu, Yuan Gonglu, perfectly embodies this proverb.

The Han Dynasty was associated with the element of fire, while the Yuan family, descended from the lineage of Emperor Shun, was associated with the element of earth. Replacing fire with earth perfectly aligns with the principle of the five elements' cycle.

Therefore, on the advice of some strategists, Yuan Shu ascended the throne in Shouchun, proclaiming himself Emperor Zhongshi. He appointed Yuan Shao as Grand General, Cao Cao as Grand Commandant, Sun Jian as General of Chariots and Cavalry, and Dong Zhuo as a traitor to the state.

The news sent shockwaves throughout the world.

Even though the Han Dynasty had been without an emperor for two years, it still had 400 years of legitimacy, and countless people in the world still had their hearts turned to the Han.

Even someone as powerful as Dong Zhuo, with his vast army and numerous generals, dared not defy public opinion and declare himself emperor.

Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, Sun Jian, Liu Bei, Liu Zhang, and Dong Zhuo simultaneously declared that they regarded Yuan Shu as a traitor and each sent troops to attack him.

Yuan Shu was attacked from both sides, surrounded by enemies, which completely overwhelmed him.

"I am the true Son of Heaven, why should they refuse the rewards I bestow upon them?"

"I appointed them as Grand Generals and Grand Commandants, yet they still rebel against me!"

"Ji Ling, you are hereby appointed Grand General. Hold them off!"

"Yan Xiang, where is Yan Xiang? Has he abandoned me and fled?"

The eunuch beside him reminded him that Yan Xiang had been beheaded by Yuan Shu for advising him against declaring himself emperor.

"Zhang Jiong, where's Zhang Jiong!"

"It was you who kept urging me to ascend the throne, saying that with just one imperial edict, all the feudal lords in the land would surely submit!"

"The whole world is in rebellion now. Tell me, what should I do?"

"If you can't answer, I'll take your head!"

Zhang Jiong, who was huddled in the corner, trembled and stood up unsteadily.

"Your Majesty, why don't you abdicate? Just say it was all a joke?"

"Take him out and behead him."

Yuan Shu's eyes turned cold. He was now the supreme ruler. To ask him to remove the throne was no different from taking his life.

He is the eldest son of the Yuan family, which has produced four generations of high-ranking officials. He is capable of ruling the throne!

Even if it means death, he wants to die on the throne!

When later historians recorded his story, they also included an annals of the emperor.

"Write a letter to Yuan Shao's illegitimate son, saying that I support him becoming the Northern Emperor. With the two of us joining forces, what do we have to fear from the other warlords?"

"Who else has a solution? Anyone with a plan will be richly rewarded by me: a thousand pieces of gold, a marquisate with ten thousand households, or even a kingship."

A generous reward will surely attract brave warriors.

While Yuan Shu lacked truly talented individuals, he had quite a few who were adept at petty tricks.

"I have heard that Dong Zhuo has a daughter named Bai, who is sixteen years old and admires Your Majesty. If Your Majesty can arrange a marriage with Dong Zhuo, you will gain Dong Zhuo's full support."

"At that time, I can easily sweep away the other feudal lords, dominate the world, and become the only emperor of this land."

Good idea, good idea.

Yuan Shu's eyes lit up. Back then, even with so many of them joining forces, they couldn't defeat him. Now, as the leader of the coalition of warlords, if he were to unite with Dong Zhuo, wouldn't they be able to defeat all the other warlords?

"What's your name?"

"Liu San, the villain."

"I hereby appoint you as Grand Master of the Palace and Marquis of Guannei. The name Liu San is not pleasant to hear; from now on, you shall be called Liu Mou."

Yuan Shu said with delight.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. Thank you, Your Majesty."

Liu San, no, Liu Mou, was overjoyed. He had become one of the Nine Ministers and a Marquis.

The ancestral graves are emitting auspicious smoke.

After receiving this brilliant idea, Yuan Shu was particularly adept at spreading it.

He remembered that Sun Jian's son was not yet married, so he thought of marrying his daughter to him.

Yuan Shao and he are from the same family. At most, he'll just talk big, but he's unlikely to actually send troops to attack him.

Liu Zhang has no way to leave Shu. As long as troops are sent to block the passes, no matter how many troops he has, he won't be able to get out.

Liu Bei is a nobody, yet he dares to rebel against me. If I just send any general with 10 troops, they could easily take Liu Bei's head.

With only Cao Cao left, and with the help of Sun Jian, Yuan Shao and Dong Zhuo, what worries could Cao Cao possibly have?

If Cao Cao were sensible, then it wouldn't be a problem; the position of Grand Commandant could still be kept for him.

If you don't know any better, you'll be imprisoned.