Ji Han Liu Zhang

Chang'an, government office.

"Yuan Shu proclaimed himself emperor?" Liu Zhang had a half-smile on his face. He asked Zheng Du, who came to report the news. Although it was an inquiry, there was no excessive doubt in his tone. After all, Yuan Shu's declaration of emperorship was something that happened in history, and now it was just being repeated in front of him.

Zheng Du straightened his face and nodded solemnly, "That's right. According to the information sent back by the spies, Yuan Shu's surname is Yuan and he is from Chen. Chen is the descendant of Shun. With the virtue of earth, he inherited the virtue of fire of the Han Dynasty. He was in the right place. When the Han Dynasty fell, it was the right time for the Yuan family to rise... So Yuan Shu usurped the throne of emperor in Shouchun and called himself Zhongshi. He also appointed officials and ministers, and established shrines in the southern and northern suburbs. He also appointed the governor of Jiujiang as the governor of Huainan. His behavior was extremely rebellious and was hated by God."

"The Yuan family has been blessed by the country for generations, with four generations each producing three highest officials. Now Yuan Benchu ​​is the general, so it can be said that they have received great favors from the country. I didn't expect Yuan Shu to be so arrogant and rebellious, and actually act presumptuously." Xun You sighed lightly. As a Han minister, he was loyal to the Han Dynasty and naturally could not stand Yuan Shu's behavior.

"However, Yuan Shu was very unwise. Although the Han Dynasty is in decline, it is not like the tyrannical Qin Dynasty. At the end of the Qin Dynasty, the Qin ruler was wantonly cruel and tyrannical, and his tyranny was spread all over the world. People from all directions resented him. Therefore, if one man made trouble, the tyrannical Qin Dynasty would collapse... The slight decline of the Han Dynasty today is probably due to the mischief of powerful ministers. People from all directions still have their hearts towards the Han Dynasty and have not forgotten the grace of the country that has nurtured them for 400 years."

Xun You's eyes were like lightning, as if piercing through the chaotic situation before him. He said with certainty: "Mingsir, Yuan Shu's behavior is rebellious, and it will anger heaven and people. He will be defeated sooner or later. You can just sit back and watch his success or failure."

Liu Zhang nodded in agreement. Just as Xun You said, although the Han Dynasty was in decline, it was not as tyrannical as the Qin Dynasty. The scholars and common people from all over the country still remembered the merits of the Han Dynasty and would show some superficial respect to Emperor Liu Xie who was in Xudu, so as not to treat the emperor as nothing.

Yuan Shu declared himself emperor, and established a system of titles, which was actually a result of his own greed. Liu Zhang, who knew the history, roughly knew how the situation would develop in the future. Yuan Shu's claim to the throne led to the severance of relations between his former ally Lu Bu and his subordinate Sun Ce. Yuan Shu was left with only the land of Huainan, and then he was defeated by Cao Cao and withdrew from the competition for world hegemony. Before his death, he was in such a state that he could not even get a bowl of honey water.

"Yuan Shu is extremely rebellious, so I would like to trouble you to write a memorial to the emperor, listing Yuan Shu's crimes. In addition, I would like to issue a proclamation to call on loyal people in the country to join forces to attack Yuan Shu." Although Liu Zhang, who was in Guanzhong, was out of reach of Huainan, he would not miss such a good opportunity.

Publishing a manifesto to curse Yuan Shu could, on the one hand, satisfy his desire to scold the Yuan family, which had been three officials for four generations, for being ungrateful, not remembering the country's kindness, and instead committing treason. This could also be used to play a trick on Yuan Shao of Hebei who was planning to usurp the throne. On the other hand, it could show Liu Zhang's identity as a loyal minister of the Han Dynasty and a virtuous member of the royal family, make him famous at home and abroad, and attract a wave of capable ministers and generals who were willing to support the Han Dynasty to come to Guanzhong.

"Yes." Xun You nodded and accepted the task of writing memorials and manifestos. He felt excited to be able to write such memorials and manifestos. After all, as the memorials and manifestos spread, his name would also spread.

"Let's wait and see what Xu Du does first, and then do other things." Liu Zhang made a decision. As for Yuan Shu's usurpation of power, he planned to let others test the waters first and launch a few expeditions, while he would stand on the dry shore and watch. He was too far away from Huainan and had no chance to get in the water.

Yecheng.

"My stupid brother." After reading the situation in Huainan from the spy, the leader of the alliance Yuan Shao had a disdainful thought in his mind, and the object of his disdain was his brother Yuan Shu who ruled Huainan.

As for why Yuan Shao thought Yuan Shu was stupid, it was because Yuan Shu actually proclaimed himself emperor in Huainan. Yuan Shao thought that Yuan Shu's behavior of claiming himself emperor by occupying Huainan was even more despicable and stupid than that of Gongsun Shu, the White Emperor who ruled Bashu in the past. After all, Gongsun Shu ruled Bashu and had mountains to defend, making it difficult for foreign enemies to invade. However, Huainan was a land connected in all directions. If the princes loyal to the Han Dynasty sent troops to attack, how would Yuan Shu defend it? How could he defend it?

"My lord, Yuan Gonglu's rebellion against Huainan is really outrageous and unreasonable. Although he is a descendant of Yuan family, you should not be biased. You should issue a document to rebuke his wrongdoings, and then, as the leader of the alliance, urge Sikong Cao Cao, Xuzhou Lu Bu and others to send troops to attack to show your loyalty." Jizhou Beijia, with an extremely resolute face, Tian Feng spoke first and told the leader of the alliance, Yuan Shao, how to respond to Yuan Shu's declaration of emperorship.

However, Tian Feng's tone was a bit tough, as if he was teaching Yuan Shao how to act, which made Yuan Shao feel a little rebellious. He frowned slightly, but did not agree to Tian Feng's request. Instead, he asked the civil and military officials below him: "Do you have any other suggestions?"

Yuan Shao's confidant Guo Tu saw the displeasure on Yuan Shao's face, and he said: "Yuan Gonglu is a descendant of the Yuan family after all. If you do not persuade him, but first send a letter to reprimand him, and then order Cao Cao and Lu Bu to fight him, it is somewhat unkind... I think you should first send someone to Shouchun with a letter to persuade Yuan Gonglu to give up the title of emperor and return to being a Han official. This will show your style as an honest elder."

"Yuan Gonglu usurped the throne of Huainan. Why should we warn him when he behaves like this? You, as the leader of an alliance, should first command all the heroes in the world to attack this villain. This will comply with the will of heaven and win the support of the people, and show your power and virtue to the world." Tian Feng leaned on his stick and spoke to Guo Tu in a stern voice.

Tian Feng felt that he had lost the opportunity because he was not allowed to welcome the emperor to Yecheng. Now, if Yuan Shao did not hold Yuan Shu accountable and order the heroes to fight against him when he usurped the throne, but instead showed favoritism due to their kinship, he would lose the hope of becoming the leader of the alliance. Therefore, Tian Feng strongly advised Yuan Shao to issue a document to reprimand Yuan Shu and order the heroes to fight against this Han traitor. This was a good opportunity to make a name for himself and should not be missed.

Guo Tu smiled calmly, and he cupped his hands to Tian Fengyan and said, "Do you want the people of the world to think that you are a heartless person who doesn't care about the relationship between brothers?"

"Gentlemen, please don't argue. Let me think about it." Yuan Shao's words resolved the dispute between Tian Feng and Guo Tu. He used his usual style of delaying and only said that he needed to think carefully.

Regarding Yuan Shu's declaration of emperorship, Yuan Shao, as the leader of the alliance, should have called on all the heroes in the world to fight against Yuan Shu. However, Yuan Shao did not want to interfere in this matter. For one thing, although Yuan Shu had a grudge against him, he was still a member of the Yuan family after all. If he ordered all the heroes to fight against Yuan Shu, it would seem somewhat heartless and ungrateful.

Secondly, Yuan Shao wanted to use Yuan Shu's enthronement to gauge the views and opinions of people in the world on Yuan's enthronement. After all, he would also become an emperor in the future, and Yuan Shu could be his guide and the stone for him to cross the river, allowing him to cross the river by feeling his way across.

Xudu.

A piece of news coming from Huainan was like a red-hot iron ball falling into a glass full of water, which made Xudu boil. In the streets and alleys of Xudu, the scholars and common people of Guizhou Province all began to discuss it tirelessly.

This incident was Yuan Shu's declaration of emperorship. Xudu was located in the middle of the country and was familiar with the affairs of the four directions. Therefore, the details of Yuan Shu's declaration of emperorship also spread in the streets and alleys of Xudu.

Some people say that Yuan Shu appointed many ministers and officials, imitating the appointment of officials of the three dukes and nine ministers in the imperial court, and acted like an emperor. Others say that Yuan Shu built altars in the north and south of Shouchun City for the emperor to worship the Emperor of Heaven, and worshipped the Emperor of Heaven without authorization. Still others say that Yuan Shu took in hundreds of women from the people to fill his harem, like an emperor, and was extravagant, licentious and wasteful.

These details were complete and very thorough, so the loyal and good officials of the Han Dynasty in Xudu gathered together to discuss the affairs of Huainan.

A shout of curse was heard from the residence of the uncle of the emperor, Dong Cheng. "How dare you, you thief?"

This shout and curse came from the mouth of Dong Cheng, the emperor's uncle. Having heard what Yuan Shu had done in Huainan, he was furious at the moment, and he shouted curses in the direction of Huainan.

"What a courage!" The father-in-law of the emperor, Fu Wan, sighed. He had never thought that someone would dare to rebel against the Han Dynasty and establish his own system with a title. Except during the Xinmang period, no one would have dared to be so bold.

Changshui school lieutenant Zhong Ji was furious. He said angrily, "The Yuan family has been blessed by the country for generations, and many of them have been appointed as the Three Dukes. However, Yuan Shu is so ungrateful and treacherous that he is hated by both humans and gods. He actually did such an act of usurpation. How will he face his ancestors after his death?"

After several people present cursed, they couldn't help but fall silent. They didn't expect that the Yuan family, which had been blessed by the country for generations, would produce such a usurper. There must be countless princes in various places who had disloyal intentions. Everyone couldn't help but feel sad.

"You have been cursing from night to morning and from morning to night, but it will not harm Yuan Shu. The best plan now is for each of you to write to the court and sternly request an expedition to Huainan." Liu Ai, the chief imperial clan leader, broke the silence and gave a suggestion.

"Of course I will go back and write the letter myself." The father-in-law Fu Wan nodded. The most important thing at the moment was to behead Yuan Shu as soon as possible to make it clear to the world that anyone who coveted the Nine Cauldrons would suffer the same fate as Yuan Shu.

Within a few days, numerous ministers submitted memorials requesting an expedition against Yuan Shu in Huainan. Some even submitted multiple memorials in harsh and stern terms, requesting that troops be sent to attack Yuan Shu as soon as possible to prevent the rebellious ministers from sitting still.

These memorials were not delivered to the emperor's desk, but were sent to the Sikong Mansion. Cao Cao, who originally served as the general, gave up the position of general to Yuan Shao because Yuan Shao was dissatisfied with the position of Taiwei, and he took over the position of Sikong.

However, Cao Cao, who served as Sikong, still had an overall view of the court. His authority was no different from when he was the general, but he did not have the title of general.

At this moment, Cao Cao was flipping through the memorials submitted by the ministers one by one. He was reading with great interest. Although the memorials were written by different people and the wording and style were different, the meaning was basically the same, all of which were requesting the court to conquer Yuan Shu in Huainan.

"The people are outraged, which shows that the Son of Heaven is virtuous." Cao Cao sighed when he put down the last memorial. However, whether he was truly expressing his admiration for the Son of Heaven's virtue or had other intentions is unknown.

Cao Cao looked at Xun Yu and asked, "Wen Ruo, Yuan Shu is overstepping his authority. What do you think we should do?"

"My lord, you have welcomed the emperor to Xu and respected the emperor. When you encounter these traitors, you must punish them. Otherwise, the emperor's prestige and authority will decline, and many people from all over the country will not obey his orders." Xun Yu said resolutely.

"It's just that Xudu has just been settled, and there are many troubles in all directions. In addition, it is spring now, and there is a shortage of food and supplies. You can use the name of the emperor to order Xuzhou Lu Bu, Jiangdong Sun Ce, Guangling Chen Yu and others to send troops to attack Yuan Shu."

Cao Hong was at the table, and he said in confusion: "Lü Bu is connected to Yuan Shu, Sun Ce is driven by Yuan Shu, and Chen Yu is not a big deal. Even if these three people have the emperor's order, they may not obey it."

Xun Yu smiled faintly and shook his head: "Lü Bu is a fickle person. If we lure him with titles and salaries, and have lobbyists explain the pros and cons, Lü Bu will definitely not be associated with Yuan Shu anymore. Sun Ce is brave and similar to his father. Since he crossed the Yangtze River, six counties have been surrendered. He has the intention of establishing his own regime and wants to establish his own territory. Now that Yuan Shu is usurping power, Sun Ce should join Yuan Shu in breaking off relations. As for Chen Yu of Guangling, he is a person who is greedy for fame and wealth. If we give him titles and salaries by the king's order, he will be driven away by us."

"First, let these two or three of them harass Huainan. Our army will wait until the summer harvest, when we have more soldiers and more food, and then we will attack them. We can attack the enemy with ease and in abundance. This is the emperor's way of punishing the disloyal."

Cao Cao clapped his hands and smiled, he praised: "It's just as Wenruo meant." He agreed with the plan given by Xun Yu, and believed that things would develop as Xun Yu described. However, Cao Hong on the side still had a confused look on his face.

What happened next was just as Xun Yu had expected. Under the advice of Chen Gui, Lu Bu of Xuzhou broke with Yuan Shu and sent Yuan Shu's envoy Han Yin to Xu Du. Sun Ce of Jiangdong also sent a letter to separate himself from Yuan Shu and no longer communicated with him.

Cao Cao made countermeasures for Xuzhou and Jiangdong respectively. First, he simply executed Han Yinming to show that he would not coexist with the rebels who rebelled against the Han Dynasty. At the same time, he wrote to Lu Bu to let Lu Bu attack Huainan. Secondly, he sent the counselor Wang Yu in the name of the emperor to Sun Ce with the emperor's edict, and appointed Sun Ce as the cavalry commander, inherited his father Sun Jian's title of Marquis of Wucheng, and served as the prefect of Kuaiji. At the same time, he asked Sun Ce to reorganize the troops and join Lu Bu and Chen Yu to attack Huainan together.

In an instant, Yuan Shu's situation became extremely dangerous.

"Lü Bu, Sun Ce, Liu Zhang, Liu Biao, Cao Cao..."

In the palace of Shouchun, Yuan Shu mentioned the names of his enemies one by one. Lu Bu broke off his marriage with him and sent his envoy Han Yin to Xudu, where he was killed by Cao Cao. Sun Ce wrote a letter to break up with him and betrayed him. Liu Zhang of Guanzhong and Liu Biao of Jingzhou issued a manifesto to scold him harshly and sent letters to all directions, calling on loyal and righteous people of the Han Dynasty to conquer Huainan and take his head.

As for Cao Cao, who was in charge of the court, he sent an envoy on the emperor's orders to list his sins and faults in person, completely ignoring the Zhong emperor as if he were nothing.

After calming down, Yuan Shu suddenly felt that people from all directions were criticizing him and calling for his life, and wanted to get rid of this "thief" for the Han Dynasty.

"Why is it so?" Yuan Shu's face was full of bitterness, and his mouth was tasteless. (End of this chapter)