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

Chapter 31 Yuan Gonglu, a loyal and virtuous man, is just right to quell evil.

"Young Master Bofu, perhaps you are rebellious at a young age, but you will understand your good intentions in the future."

These words threatened to sow discord between father and son, and Taishi Ci found it difficult to respond. Instead, he bowed and said:
"Your Excellency governs the world and rules the nine provinces, not for the sake of the state, but for the sake of all the people."

"I am but a humble soldier, my life insignificant. Though I may die ten thousand times, I cannot repay your extraordinary kindness. To fulfill your will, how could I not devote myself wholeheartedly and even die for you!"

Yuan Shu didn't say much, but helped Taishi Ci up and gestured for him to go inside quickly.

He tentatively knocked on the door, and upon suddenly seeing his mother whom he had not seen for many years, Taishi Ci, a fierce general who was not afraid of death, dared not step into the house.

After gazing at the scene of the mother and son reunited from afar, their eyes filled with tears and their voices choked with emotion, Yuan Shu quietly departed.

Under the moonlight, one could hear him singing in the distance:
"The moon is bright and the stars are few; crows and magpies fly south."

I circled the tree three times, but which branch could I lean on?
The mountains never tire of being high, and the sea never tires of being deep.

"The Duke of Zhou spat out his food to welcome guests, and the hearts of the people turned to him!"

Meanwhile, Yuan Shu was preparing his troops, making connections with other warlords, and observing Cao Cao's movements. This was a hardship for Liu Yao, who was far away in Sili. He longed for Yuan Shu and was eagerly waiting for him.

After fleeing Chang'an and Zhang Ji's departure, Liu Yao and his ministers were caught up in the chaos of war, suffering immensely.

Guo Si attacked twice, but was only able to be repelled thanks to the help of Yang Feng and Dong Cheng.

Just as the emperor was about to rush to Luoyang under the protection of Yang and Dong, Guo Si, seeing that he could not stop him, joined forces with Li Jue.

The two, who had been locked in a life-or-death struggle not long ago, were now as close as brothers, gathering all their troops and chasing after them across the mountains and plains.

Upon hearing this terrible news, all the officials knew that things were bad and they were going to die!
Liu Yao was pondering whether the previous letter was not weighty enough and that Yuan Shu had doubts, which was why he had not arrived yet.
He then seized the opportunity to speak: "Your Majesty, the situation is urgent!"

Having long been stationed in the south, I know that General Yuan Shu, a loyal and virtuous man of the Han Dynasty, was a key figure in the coalition against Dong Zhuo during the period of national treason and political chaos.

"Please issue an imperial edict immediately, ordering him to lead troops to our aid and repel Li and Guo!"

Not only Liu Yao, but all the ministers at this time had their own allies and offered their advice and requests for help. Some recommended Cao Cao, while others recommended Yuan Shao, Liu Bei, and so on.

At this critical moment, they were all lifelines, and the emperor had no doubts about their safety, so he issued edicts to each of them seeking help.

Dong Cheng said, "Distant water cannot quench immediate thirst. I have heard that the Right Wise King of the Xiongnu is named Qu Bei, and he is located in Hedong. We should send an imperial edict to provide assistance."

Even the emperor, who was in a desperate situation and kept sending edicts to send reinforcements, was taken aback when he heard this. Dong Cheng quickly tried to persuade him.

"Your Majesty, we are now at our wits' end, with no one to turn to for help. The Xiongnu may well become loyal subjects of the Han Dynasty."

Although the emperor found it strange, he still nodded in agreement, saying, "What Minister Dong said makes sense!"

Just as the imperial edict was issued to the Xiongnu, Yang Feng recommended, "There are Han Xian, Hu Cai, Li Le and others, leaders of the White Waves, who have gathered forces in the area. Your Majesty, please send an envoy to summon them."

If it were the Xiongnu, the emperor would only have had doubts, but now he truly felt bewildered and at a loss. He frowned and said to Yang Feng:

"Minister Yang, I have heard that the White Wave rebels are merely remnants of the Yellow Turbans. Are they also loyal subjects of the Han Dynasty? This is not appropriate, is it?"

"Oh dear, Your Majesty!"

Yang Feng lamented, "This is truly a critical moment of life and death. Even drinking poison can quench thirst, let alone the Yellow Turbans?"

Emperor: "."

The emperor sighed in silence and reluctantly agreed.

Soon after, Li and Guo led a large army to launch a surprise attack. Yang Feng and Dong Cheng were unable to resist. Fortunately, the Right Wise King of the Xiongnu, Qu Bei, and the leaders of the White Waves, Han Xian, Hu Cai, and Li Le, arrived to rescue them.

Although the combined forces of the group were no match for Li Jue and Guo Si, they still had the ability to fight. So they rescued each other along the way and fled to Luoyang for their lives.

On that day, Li and Guo temporarily withdrew, and the emperor rewarded the Xiongnu who came to their aid. He also appointed Han Xian, who had participated in the Yellow Turban Rebellion, as General Who Conquers the East, Hu Cai as General Who Conquers the West, and Li Le as General Who Conquers the North, entrusting them with important responsibilities.

Because they had troops at their disposal, the three Yellow Turban rebels, along with Yang Feng and Dong Cheng, jointly controlled the government.

As a result, Han Xian, Hu Cai, and Li Le seized power, and any official who slightly offended them was beaten and cursed in front of the emperor.

They deliberately sent the emperor coarse wine and food, and jointly recommended more than two hundred of their confidants, including retainers, shamans, and henchmen, to be appointed as officers and censors. They even drew on the seals with awls to sign their names, completely disregarding propriety. Liu Yao, caught up in this, never imagined that as a member of the Han imperial family, he would one day be beaten and insulted by Yellow Turban rebels in front of the emperor.

How could such a humiliation go unavenged? Therefore, he felt even more urgent, thinking that in comparison, loyal and virtuous men like Yuan Shu were truly worthy of his wrath.

"Why is Lord Yuan so late?"

Meanwhile, Cao Cao, who was closest to the imperial envoy in Yanzhou, was suddenly informed that the envoy was about to arrive, and hurriedly led his troops out to welcome him.

But then he saw a palace eunuch, pale and thin, walking in rags. Seeing someone coming to greet him, he hurriedly asked:
"Is the visitor Cao, the Governor of Yanzhou?"

Cao Cao agreed, and the palace attendant, as if seeing a close relative, wept uncontrollably. He told him about the chaos caused by Li and Guo, the emperor's flight to Chang'an, and other matters. He also conveyed the emperor's edict, and then, with tears streaming down his face, said:

"I have lived in a chaotic world. The treacherous ministers Li Jue and Guo Si have wreaked havoc on the court, deceived the emperor, and caused the ancestral temples to be tarnished and the state to collapse."

We have just escaped the tiger's den, only to enter the wolf's lair; and now, having just left the wolf's lair, we are in the devil's den, surrounded by wolves and traitors. Beset by internal and external troubles, we are in imminent danger.

Looking across the land, only Cao Cao, the governor of Yanzhou, is a pillar of the Han dynasty. I urge you to quickly muster your armored soldiers, travel day and night, to rescue me from this perilous situation and save the nation from its dire straits.

"My lord, do not disappoint me!"

Upon hearing this edict and learning of the emperor's recent condition, all the ministers felt unbearable sorrow and were filled with grief.

Cao Cao was also moved by this, and obeyed the imperial edict:
"Your subject Cao is filled with trepidation and humility, and bows his head twice in reverence."

Your Majesty has been afflicted with this great calamity; it is my fault.

Now, by imperial decree, I will protect the emperor, serve the king, revive the Han dynasty, and restore the state.

Even if it means sacrificing my life, it is my duty, and I will do my utmost to fulfill the trust placed in me!

When the angels were sent to rest, Cao Cao laughed loudly and addressed his ministers.

"This is not the time to weep. Such a golden opportunity is rare indeed, and Heaven is helping me to accomplish great things!"

The ministers were puzzled, so Xun Yu explained the situation to them.

"Today, the emperor's chariot is in motion, righteous men cherish the ambition to serve their country, and the people, amidst chaos, yearn for the Han dynasty."

At this crucial juncture, by serving the Emperor and fulfilling the people's wishes, we shall seize control of the realm and hold the reins of power!

Cao Cao then sent Cao Hong with an army to Luoyang to contact the emperor and his ministers about his intention to welcome the emperor there.

Meanwhile, Liu Bei also welcomed the imperial envoy in Xuzhou and received the emperor's edict.

The imperial edict, similar to Cao Cao's, was issued by the emperor during his escape, at the request of his ministers. It claimed that even the Yellow Turban rebels were loyal and upright officials of the Han Dynasty and pillars of the nation, so how much more so Liu Bei?

However, Liu Bei was loyal to the country and always regarded himself as a member of the Han imperial family. Now that he heard the bad news, how could he not weep bitterly and grieve with the angels?

Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Jian Yong, and Mi Zhu finally managed to persuade him to calm down, but Liu Bei broke free from the crowd and smashed the table with his sword.

"A true man who cannot save the world and protect the nation in life, nor die before the late emperor and be remembered in history, is no hero!"
I swear to kill this traitor and go to rescue the Emperor. Gentlemen, do not hesitate.

Mi Zhu hurriedly advised, "Your Excellency, you will implement your long-term strategies throughout the land, uphold righteousness for the world, and support the Han Dynasty to repay the country. Even though we are lowly men, we are willing to follow you. What is there to doubt?"

However, Xuzhou is a strategic location surrounded by enemies. To the north lies Yuan Shao, to the west Cao Cao, and to the south Yuan Shu. All around, there are warlords vying for power. Even if you, my lord, have the ambition to conquer the world, what will you do if you send your troops out of Xuzhou?
It's not that we don't want to help, but that we simply can't!

"While this argument has merit, how can we bear to stand idly by while the Emperor suffers?"

Liu Bei looked around at his ministers and asked, "Gentlemen, does anyone have a good strategy to offer me?"

Everyone was speechless.

Liu Bei: "."

At this time, another envoy announced that a letter from Huainan had just arrived.

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(End of this chapter)