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

Chapter 1 With the Imperial Seal in hand, I have the world at my command?
"I wish to ask you, sir, to lend me several thousand elite troops to cross the river and rescue my mother."

"I now possess the Imperial Seal of the State left by my deceased father, which I wish to present to Your Excellency."

"Please take a look, my lord!"

Memories are fleeting, like a dream. The scene of my past life, after graduating, struggling in the officialdom for many years, finally entering the central government but dying prematurely, is still vivid in my mind. In this life, the memories of four generations of high-ranking officials and a wealthy and noble family also come to mind.

After a long while, he finally snapped out of his disorientation between the two worlds, staring blankly at the Imperial Seal in his hand, lost in thought.

Am I Yuan Shu?
It is now the year 195 AD, the second year of Xingping.

That year, Emperor Xian of Han fled to Chang'an.

That year, Cao Cao defeated Lü Bu and was appointed Governor of Yan Province, while Lü Bu went to join Liu Bei, who was in charge of Xu Province.

In that year, Yuan Shao, under the pretext of avenging Liu Yu, defeated Gongsun Zan in Youzhou and forced him into Yijing.

This was a year of chaos and upheaval at the end of the Han Dynasty!
Also in that year, Sun Ce offered his imperial seal to borrow troops, thus breaking free from Yuan Shu's control and embarking on his path to dominating Jiangdong.

Wait, Sun Ce presented the imperial seal, and his power shook Jiangdong?

Recalling the history of the Three Kingdoms he studied in his previous life, combined with his memories of Yuan Shu, it seems that this event has just happened?

At that moment, he couldn't care less about anything else.

Hurry! Where is Sun Ce? Chase after him!

Outside Shouchun City.

Upon seeing Sun Ce lead out with three thousand infantrymen and five hundred horses, Cheng Pu, Huang Gai, and the others were overjoyed and hurriedly went to greet him.

"The great mission is accomplished!"

Sun Ce also showed a happy expression, "When Yuan Shu saw the imperial seal, he was so distracted that he didn't care about anything else."

Now that we have borrowed these troops and escaped our predicament, it is time for heroes to display their prowess. Gentlemen, follow me to accomplish great things!

Cheng Pu and Huang Gai were originally veterans under Sun Jian. Now that they saw the young general finally free from his cage, how could they not be willing?

"It's my wish, but I dare not invite you!"

However, just as they were celebrating, the sound of horses' hooves broke through the air, and dust billowed in the distance as thousands of light cavalry charged forward like thunder.

Upon closer inspection, the leader was none other than Yuan Shu.
At this moment, Sun Ce's smile froze on his face, and his face turned deathly pale!

"Bo Fu, what are you so nervous about?"

Yuan Shu stopped his horse and looked down at him from his high position, his expression meaningful.

"Where is Ming Gong coming from?"

Seeing Yuan Shu's menacing approach, Sun Ce felt uneasy but pretended to be calm.

"Could it be that you're unwilling to part with even a few troops and are about to go back on your word?"

"How could Bo Fu think of me with such a petty mind?"

Yuan Shu looked disappointed and feigned deep sorrow.

"I have thought about your suggestion of borrowing troops to save my mother many times, but I still feel it is inappropriate."

Sun Ce was startled!
Could it be that he saw through my scheme to use the pretense of saving my mother as a cover for a grander cause?
"With only three thousand men, how can you possibly rescue your mother and family from Liu Yao, the governor of Yangzhou?"
What if we fail to rescue him and instead lose Bo Fu? Wouldn't that mean I'd lose one of my most trusted generals?

what!
Sun Ce could never have imagined that Yuan Shu, who had rushed to chase him with several thousand cavalry, was not suspicious of him, but rather worried about him.

Despite feeling rather strange, he remained resolute in his tone.

"Thank you for your kindness, Lord Xie."

However, my mother is in trouble, and as her son, I have no choice but to help her. Although my soldiers are few and my generals are few, I have no fear.

"My lord, there's no need to persuade me further. Even though the enemy outnumbers us, I will go."

"Bo Fu, you've misunderstood."

Yuan Shu squinted at Sun Ce, who had thick eyebrows and large eyes, and thought, "Acting? Keep acting! Saving your mother? I don't believe you for a second!"

He sneered inwardly, but outwardly feigned concern.

“It is only right and proper for Bo Fu to save his mother, so why would I stop you?”
However, a mere three thousand people are like a drop in the ocean; they can hardly accomplish anything significant.

Though the words were spoken softly, they struck Sun Ce like a thunderclap, sending chills down his spine.

"Therefore, I will go with you. I will raise an army of 50,000 to quell Liu Yao in one battle and help Bo Fu rescue his mother and family. Is that alright?"

it is good?
You're so kind!
Sun Ce gritted his teeth for a moment, but didn't know how to refuse.

You said you wanted to borrow troops to save your mother?

Now that's settled, let's not talk about lending troops anymore. I'll just send 50,000 troops to help you rescue your mother.

I, Yuan Gonglu, am a kind-hearted person and cannot bear to see such a tragic scene of mothers and children being separated.

But as soon as he said this, Sun Ce was in a bind.

He didn't really want to save his mother; he was just using this as an excuse to escape Yuan Shu's control.

Now that Yuan Shu has brought 50,000 troops with him, how can he possibly achieve his grand ambitions?
"Bo Fu, why aren't you saying anything?"
"With me personally leading the troops to help you rescue your mother, wouldn't you be overjoyed, Bo Fu?"

When Yuan Shu asked the question, and looking at the thousands of cavalrymen shining brightly beside him, and then at his own side, where only three thousand men had just been borrowed from Yuan Shu, how many of them would obey orders if a real battle broke out?

His fists were clenched so tightly that his fingernails bled from his palms. At this moment, Sun Ce seemed to have used up all his strength, which finally turned into a long sigh from the bottom of his heart.

"Your Excellency's kindness is immense!"

He bowed and kowtowed, speaking slowly and deliberately.

"I am deeply grateful and will never forget this!"

"Bo Fu, please rise quickly. There is no need for such formalities between us."

"When your father, Sun Jian, followed me, he repeatedly distinguished himself in battle. Now that he is gone, you and your son are left to rely on me. Naturally, I must take good care of you."

With that, Yuan Shu ordered Ji Ling, who had accompanied him, to gather his troops and head back to the city.

Sun Ce's three thousand infantrymen were just borrowed from Ji Ling. Now that his old superior had given the order and Yuan Shu, his lord, was present, how could he refuse?
Seeing Sun Ce's increasingly grim expression upon witnessing this scene, Yuan Shu patted him on the shoulder with a smile and spoke earnestly.

“I know that Bo Fu is worried about his mother, and his deep love for his son moves me.”

But rest assured, our 50,000-strong army will prepare for five days and set off immediately, our swords aimed at Qu'a, we will not return until we have conquered it.

For a moment, Sun Ce couldn't tell whether Yuan Shu was being sincere or not, so he could only force a look of gratitude on his face.

"Thank you very much, Your Excellency."

However, I am truly worried about my mother and have no time to attend to anything else, so I will return to rest first. I hope you will understand, sir.

"Very well then. Please come to my residence tonight, Bofu, for a chat. There are important matters to discuss with you regarding the items you have offered."

Imperial jade seal?

Sun Ce was unaware of Yuan Shu's intentions, but as he was under Yuan Shu's roof, he had no choice but to comply. He clasped his hands in a salute, accepted the order, and left.

In just half a day, he went from great joy to great sorrow; Sun Ce had just escaped one cage only to fall back into another.

My father's last wishes, the expectations of my clan, the ambitions in my heart, and the path to the future—where do they lie?

Looking at Sun Ce's somewhat forlorn figure, Yuan Shu remained expressionless, his eyes deep and thoughtful.

Thankfully, this little tyrant wasn't let go of. Otherwise, if he had truly occupied Jiangdong and become too powerful, let alone compete with the warlords of the Central Plains for supremacy, his own rear would probably never have peace.

However, simply helping to save his mother is far from enough. Bo Fu, since you have offered up the Imperial Seal of the State, how can I not treat you "well"?

Having temporarily resolved the most pressing issue of Sun Ce's self-determination, Yuan Shu felt a little relieved. Gazing at the towering city in the distance and the two characters "Shouchun" written in bold, flowing calligraphy, his thoughts began to wander.

Shouchun City!
The false emperor of Huainan: Yuan Shu.

Well, since we're here, we might as well make the best of it.

It is still the first month of the second year of Xingping. In his memory, everything that was going to happen in 195 AD had not yet begun, and he still had time.

Now that I've become Yuan Shu, I should try my luck in the turbulent times of the late Han Dynasty, where heroes vie for supremacy. Even if success or failure is all in vain, it won't be in vain that the waves of history have washed away the heroes!

"All troops, listen to my command! Return to the city!"

He spurred his horse on, and his horse trampled across mountains and rivers!

Who in the world can rival him?
Cao Liu!

　Happy Lantern Festival!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)