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

Chapter 61 Liu Yao? You are a subject of the Yuan family; you will be eliminated sooner or later!

"The sandalwood is felled with a clatter, and placed on the riverbank, where the river water is clear and rippling."

"I cut the spokes with a clatter, and placed them by the riverbank, where the river water is clear and straight."

The people hummed songs and worked along the riverbank until the cavalry returned and forced them to rescue the emperor.

The emperor? That was such an unattainable position. How could the common people have imagined that such a high and mighty person would be associated with people as lowly as themselves?

So even the Son of Heaven can fall into the water and need to be rescued by these despicable people?
Facing the swords aimed at their necks, they dared not disobey, and plunged into the water in the freezing cold, struggling for their lives in the turbulent river.

Countless figures plunged into the water like white streaks, churning endlessly in the giant waves. Some were swept away by the river's torrents and sank never to rise again, while others struggled and swam again and again in the bone-chilling cold.

The common people often risk their lives, but what they pursue is not the so-called fame and glory of protecting the emperor or the achievement of pacifying the world.

It all boils down to just two simple words: "To survive!"
Some people are willing to gamble the entire world for the sake of their careers, while others risk their lives and give their all just to survive.

At this moment, the unfinished song still resonated in their hearts, growing ever more deafening.

"That gentleman does not eat without working!"

"That gentleman does not eat vegetarian food!"

"That gentleman does not eat without food!"

(Those high and mighty nobles, are you all just freeloaders?)
Cao Cao stood alone on the bank of the great river, looking down at the thousands of people struggling for their lives below, his grip on his long sword tightening.

In his eyes, wasn't he also struggling for his life?
Having read Xi Zhicai's letter, he knew in his heart how corrupt the situation in Yanzhou and Yuzhou had become.

The only way to break the deadlock is through the emperor; he must obtain the emperor, a living emperor, no matter what.

He was already pondering how to keep the emperor "alive" should something go wrong.

This was in imitation of Zhao Gao of the pre-Qin period, who kept the emperor's death a secret and temporarily acted in the emperor's name to delay the process for several months.

Or should we simply substitute one thing for another, like Zhao Gao pointing at a deer and calling it a horse, and kill any minister who dares to disobey?

At that moment, he heard Cao Hong's urgent report.

"Your Majesty! His Majesty has been saved."

"Heaven has not forsaken us, the Great Han!"

Cao Cao laughed loudly, dispelling those terrible thoughts in his mind. "I, Cao Mengde, have been fed by the Han dynasty for generations and have received imperial favor for generations. I am a loyal and virtuous man of the Han dynasty. How can I be like that eunuch Zhao Gao?"
His laughter subsided, and his face now wore an expression of loyalty and righteousness. He said to him:
"How is the Emperor? Take me there quickly."

Cao Hong sighed, “Fortunately, there was a fierce general named Xu Huang, courtesy name Gongming, who was from Yang County in Hedong. He lived by the river and was skilled in swimming. When he saw the emperor fall into the water, he rushed to save him.”

Although he was unable to rescue the emperor from the water due to the emperor's violent struggles, he often used his own strength to lift the emperor to the surface to breathe, which saved the emperor's life.

By the time our men brought them ashore, both the emperor and he were exhausted. It was truly fortunate that they were rescued.

but"

"Excellent! Such a loyal and valiant general! Xu Gongming, I shall recruit him."

Cao Cao was in a good mood and quickened his pace. Seeing that he seemed to want to say something but hesitated, he frowned.

"But what? Speak your mind."

"However, the river water was too cold. The emperor was frightened and then got chilled in the water. He probably caught a cold and fell into a coma with a persistent high fever."

"Wind chill?"

Cao Cao glanced at him strangely, a hint of confusion flashing in his eyes, as if wondering why he would ask such a foolish question.

"Then why don't you hurry and invite a physician? When will you wait to treat the Emperor?" "The Imperial Physician is among the Emperor's entourage and is currently on the other side of the river. I have already ordered someone to sail a boat to invite him."

Xu Huang was Yang Feng's subordinate. Yang Feng, Dong Cheng, and their accompanying soldiers, for some unknown reason, all regarded Liu Yao, a member of the Han imperial family, as their leader.

The officials and ministers were led by Grand Commandant Yang Biao, who had also supported Liu Yao during their escape and was extremely close to him.

"Right now, because of the assassination attempt, they are all paranoid and, under Liu Yao's leadership, are fiercely protecting the Emperor, refusing to let us receive him. They don't even trust our physicians."

"Liu Yao?"

Cao Cao was also surprised, wondering where this person came from.

He had only heard that Yang Feng and Dong Cheng were escorting the emperor, and that Li Le and Han Xian were appointed as the Four Generals of the Expedition, but he had never heard of Liu Yao being among the escorts.

“I remember Liu Yao was the governor of Yangzhou, wasn’t he? Last year he lost Yangzhou after being defeated by Yuan Gonglu. How come Yuan Gonglu didn’t kill him? He even allowed him to lead his troops to Chang’an to protect the emperor.”

"My lord, to be precise, Liu Yao surrendered suddenly on the very night that Yuan Gonglu led his troops to Qu'a, for reasons unknown."

It is said that Taishi Ci, under Yuan Gonglu, was originally a favorite general of Liu Yao, and it was Liu Yao who personally persuaded him to join Yuan Gonglu's forces.

Furthermore, when Yuan Gonglu descended upon Jiangdong last year, many counties under Liu Yao's jurisdiction surrendered without resistance.

I also learned from Dong Zhao, one of the officials accompanying the emperor, that Liu Yao was actually escorted to Chang'an by knights dispatched by Yuan Gonglu.

Throughout the emperor's escape, he repeatedly proclaimed Yuan Gonglu as a loyal and virtuous official of the Han Dynasty, and the greatest supporter of the emperor's request for an edict ordering Yuan Gonglu to come to the emperor's aid and protect him.

"I see!"

Thinking of the strategist behind Yuan Shu, whom Xi Zhicai mentioned in his letter, who was suspected to be "Fengxiao," he often anticipated people's moves and even planned and laid out plans a year in advance.

Connecting the dots, Cao Cao suddenly realized that Liu Yao must be Yuan Shu's man, who had surrendered to Yuan Shu in Jiangdong long ago and then made his move in Chang'an ahead of time.

No wonder.

“He is nominally a member of the Han imperial family, but in reality he is a traitor who has stolen the country. This person must not be allowed to live, and I will eliminate him sooner or later.”

The gates of the residence temporarily requisitioned by the emperor were tightly closed, and a large group of officials and ministers surrounded and protected it outside.

Forced to stand in front of everyone, Liu Yao looked left at Dong Cheng and Yang Feng, who seemed to obey orders, and right at Yang Biao, who had a friendly expression. He was speechless for a long time.

If you don't want to relinquish your power over the emperor, why don't you go and fight Cao Cao instead!

What kind of nonsense is it to push me out to take the blame?
To be honest, Liu Yao really didn't want to be in this position of leader at the center of the storm, but he was also feeling guilty.

That assassination attempt was a trap planted by Yuan Shu. Although he suppressed it temporarily due to the chaotic situation, if someone were to investigate later, there would inevitably be some oversights.

If I were to take over this nominal leadership at this time, and then, as a member of the Han imperial family, I would act in the name of loyalty and righteousness and personally investigate the assassination of the emperor, would they still have any reason to refuse?
When he investigates himself, Li Le's plot to rebel and assassinate will be confirmed.

With a sigh of helplessness, Liu Yao looked at Cao Cao who was walking briskly in the distance. Under the expectant gazes of Dong Cheng, Yang Feng, and the assembled officials, Liu Yao slowly stepped forward to meet him.

He spoke with righteous indignation and stern words, displaying a dignified and noble spirit, and stopped Cao Cao.

"Cao Mengde, have you come to rescue me? Or have you come to kidnap me?!"

"I am a subject of the Han dynasty, and I have come to save the emperor."

Could it be that in Liu Yangzhou's eyes, only Yuan Gonglu is allowed to rescue the emperor, while the rest of the people are forbidden to come to his aid?

Cao Cao believed he understood Liu Yao's stance and intentions, and considering that Yuan Shu had thrown his Yan and Yu provinces into chaos, he was even less friendly.

As soon as he finished speaking, the armored soldiers behind him clashed their swords, their killing intent palpable.

(End of this chapter)