Liu Xie smiled and shook his head. "We both know you could never surrender, nor could I spare a rebel whose ambitions are so plain."
"And if you lived, Yuan Xi, Ju Yi, Cui Yan, Xu You, and all those who once served you but later entered my service would feel uneasy."
Admittedly, keeping Yuan Shao alive had its advantages.
The Yuan Clan wielded immense power and influence, and Yuan Xi lacked the prestige to inherit it. Only Yuan Shao could keep it in hand.
But the disadvantages of keeping him alive were far greater.
Leaving aside what those who had betrayed Yuan Shao to join him might think, recruiting such a great rebel and allowing him to live, even continuing to enjoy wealth and honor, would make a joke of imperial authority.
From then on, everyone would dare rebel.
After all, the price of rebellion would be so small.
Besides, Yuan Shao's ambitions had already swollen. Human desire was like a boulder rolling down a mountain: once it began, it would not stop until it plunged into the abyss.
If spared, he would very likely rebel again someday.
"I tell you this because I want you to know that I am no Pretender Emperor. I am the true Son of Heaven of Great Han, capable of leading Great Han to resurgence."
"So, for the sake of all the people under heaven, and out of regard for me, I hope you will come forward and persuade your remaining troops in You Province and Bing Province to surrender."
Liu Xie slowly revealed his purpose.
Yuan Shao still had considerable remnants of his forces in the various commanderies of You Province. There were also Gao Gan's troops in Yi Province and Guo Yuan's army in Bing Province.
Retaking those lands by force