The strongest devouring system in the Three Kingdoms

Yuan Shao wasn't stupid either. Looking at the Imperial Guards soldiers around him, he only said one sentence: "What face do you have to wear the Imperial Guard uniforms?" Then he turned and left.

On this trip, Yuan Shao did not return to his Yuan family mansion in Luoyang. Instead, he took Yuan Feng's body eastward. Yuan Shao wanted to take his father's body back to his hometown and bury him in his old home. In this respect, Yuan Shao was at least filial.

Ding Yuan did not stop him, because at this time he had no idea that Yuan Shao was leaving. Of course, even if he had known, he would not have dared to stop him. Filial piety was the most important cultural tradition in the empire, and Ding Yuan himself was just as filial to his parents. This was the bottom line that Ding Yuan could not cross.

However, this time, the conflict between the Yuan family and Ding Yuan intensified again because Ding Yuan thwarted Yuan Kui's ambition to become Grand Commandant. As allies, Ding Yuan's actions made the Yuan family feel uneasy, and they thought that Ding Yuan might be about to take action against them. As a result, Yuan Shu followed Yuan Shao and left.

Ding Yuan did not object to Yuan Shu, this spoiled brat. He knew about the conflict between Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu, and there was a reason why he had previously placed their territories together. Of course, this was not Ding Yuan's own idea, but rather Li Ru's suggestion to him.

On March 7th, a major incident occurred in Luoyang City, which completely escalated the conflict between the Yuan family and Ding Yuan. A small detachment of Xiliang soldiers, while out raiding, 'accidentally' robbed the Yuan family's caravan. A member of a collateral branch of the Yuan family died in the battle. This incident was like stirring up a hornet's nest, immediately causing an uproar in Luoyang City. In broad daylight, there were hardly any people to be seen on the streets of Luoyang City. After several major disturbances, the few remaining taverns also closed down, fearing that they would be caught in the crossfire.

"Patriarch, we must get an explanation from Ding Yuan this time. We, the Yuan family, even the collateral branches, cannot let this go!" In the Yuan residence, Yuan Wei summoned the members of the Yuan clan in Luoyang to discuss the matter of their caravan being robbed by the Xiliang army. Yuan Wei was also very troubled by this matter.

Yuan Wei was unsure whether this was an unconscious act by the Xiliang army or a secret instruction from the Xiliang army's high command. Although the Yuan family had a strong foundation, after the great defeat in Ji Province, their wealth was no longer substantial. If Ding Yuan, their ally, were to do something behind their backs, the Yuan family would be in real danger.

"However, Ding Yuan is currently the only powerful ally of the Yuan family. If this matter was truly unintentional, and it leads to a break between the Yuan family and the Xiliang army, do you realize the gravity of the situation?"

"Patriarch, we understand, but this matter does not seem to be a coincidence. Even if the soldiers are illiterate, the officers would surely have stopped us upon hearing the name of the Yuan family. Moreover, not a single high-ranking official from Xiliang has given us an explanation. I believe this must be a conspiracy by Ding Yuan," said an elder of the Yuan family.

Bang bang bang… Just as everyone was discussing, the voice of the Yuan family steward came from outside the door: “Master, news has come back.”

Yuan Wei gestured for everyone to be quiet. The steward was indeed a trusted confidant, but who knew if there were other people outside? Yuan Wei asked the steward, "What is it?"

"Today, another caravan was plundered by the Xiliang army."

"What!" Upon hearing this news, Yuan Wei was furious! But the steward's next words immediately made Yuan Wei fall into deep thought. The steward said, "Master, there is also news that someone in the city is attacking the Xiliang army in the name of my Yuan family."

"What!" Upon hearing this news, everyone in the room was even more shocked. It seems that this matter really is a conspiracy. It is unknown whether Ding Yuan orchestrated it himself or if someone deliberately sabotaged the two families.

While the Yuan family members were preoccupied with their discussions, Ding Yuan was not. He paid no attention when his soldiers plundered one or two of the Yuan family's caravans. In his view, the Yuan family was so wealthy, what did these things matter? As Ding Yuan's power grew, he could no longer listen to advice. After he became Grand Tutor, Li Ru was completely sent to Chang'an to manage the rear. Now, Ding Yuan was surrounded by a bunch of brutes.

When Ding Yuan heard that the Yuan family dared to attack his soldiers, he was furious. He immediately ordered the Yuan residence to be surrounded, demanding an explanation from Yuan Kui and immediate compensation from the Yuan family for the fallen soldiers, including pensions, funeral expenses, and other miscellaneous items, totaling at least several hundred taels of gold.

Yuan Wei was also suffering in his heart. He was clearly the victim, but now the criminal had come knocking on his door first and demanded an explanation. Was this the legendary case of the wicked accusing the guilty first?

Yuan Wei offered no explanation, demanding an explanation from Ding Yuan for why the Xiliang soldiers had repeatedly robbed his chariots. He denied the attacks in Luoyang, claiming they were fabricated and clearly a frame-up. Ding Yuan's demand for compensation was utterly absurd. However, Yuan Wei had severely overestimated the quality of the Xiliang army, especially their leader, Dian Wei, a reckless brute. Dian Wei harbored a deep dislike for powerful families, particularly the Yuan family. He disregarded Yuan Wei's explanations and, following Ding Yuan's orders, arrested all Yuan Wei and his men without a reasonable explanation or compensation, forcing Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu to pay up!

Upon hearing that Yuan Wei and other members of the Yuan clan who remained in Luoyang, along with their related family members, had been arrested and imprisoned by Ding Yuan, Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu were immediately furious. What was Ding Yuan trying to do? Did he really think that he could act with impunity just because he controlled the emperor?

This time, Yuan Shu and Yuan Shao put aside their personal conflicts, and Yuan Shao also disregarded his mourning period. As the saying goes, "When brothers are of one mind, their strength can break metal," so Yuan Shu and Yuan Shao temporarily put aside their internal disputes and united against a common enemy.

On April 27th, 2188 in the Yellow Emperor's reign, Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu mobilized the armies of Yanzhou and Yuzhou and marched toward Hulao Pass. At this time, the most talked-about thing happened: Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu actually used the name of "purging the court of corrupt officials" and even issued a forged imperial edict!

They claimed that they were acting on a secret imperial edict to purge corrupt officials from the court, listing dozens of charges against Ding Yuan, including the minor offense of spending the night in the palace. Furthermore, Yuan Shao ordered the forged edict to be circulated throughout the entire empire, reaching even Chen Er and Lu Zhi.

Upon receiving Yuan Shao's proclamation, Chen Er smiled bitterly and muttered, "What's going on here?"

Although history was once again proceeding in the direction Cao Cao knew well, Chen Er was filled with mixed feelings. Was this a historical correction between two worlds, or was there some unseen hand guiding everything?