"What did my advice count for?"
Sun Ce was not surprised in the slightest. He chuckled and said, "How many people could resist the temptation of becoming the Son of Heaven?"
In truth, he had already prepared himself for this.
Now, he merely felt it was a pity.
If Yuan Shu had not proclaimed himself emperor, Sun Ce could have continued developing under the shelter of his name and resources, slowly building his strength. But now that Yuan Shu had claimed the throne, he had to break with him.
Otherwise, he would face a joint punitive campaign by the various warlords!
Only Yuan Shu was too muddleheaded to understand that. Sun Ce would never be foolish enough to throw his life away alongside him.
"But the Imperial Seal should have belonged to you, General. Yuan Shu seized it instead. How hateful."
Qin Song sounded rather indignant.
The Imperial Seal had originally been in the possession of Sun Ce's mother, Lady Wu, but after Sun Jian died, Yuan Shu had taken it from her.
"Wen Biao, do not speak recklessly!"
The moment Qin Song finished, Sun Ce rebuked him, his expression utterly stern. "The Imperial Seal is a sacred treasure of the state. What virtue or ability do I possess that would entitle me to hold it?"
"When my father obtained the seal, he only intended to keep it safe and return it to the Son of Heaven in the future. He never dreamed of claiming it for himself. You must never say such things again."
The Imperial Seal could belong only to the Son of Heaven. Wanting to possess it was tantamount to wanting to become emperor! How could Sun Ce dare acknowledge such a claim?
Those words practically condemned his very intentions!
Realizing his mistake, Qin Song looked embarrassed and fell silent.
At that moment, Zhang Zhao asked, "General, now that Yuan Shu has proclaimed himself emperor, should we hold our position for the time being or march against him?"
Sun Ce was a duly appointed Bandit-Suppressing General, a subject of the Great Han. By proclaiming himself emperor, Yuan Shu had become a rebellious traitor!
As a Han subject, how could Sun Ce refuse to campaign against a rebel?
Sun Ce shook his head. "First, publicly announce that we are breaking with Yuan Shu and sever all ties. As for sending troops, let us see what Cao Cao and Yuan Shao do first."
"If neither of them makes a move, why should I be the first bird to stick its head out?"
Sun Ce was not afraid of Yuan Shu, but he did not want to be used as someone else's weapon either. Having witnessed all manner of deceit and treachery, he was no longer the reckless young fool he had been a few years ago.
At that thought, a figure could not help rising in his mind: his dear friend Zhou Yu.
If only Gongjin were here. With him devising strategies for me, I could simply lead the troops into battle without having to worry about any of this.
I wonder when he will return to Jiangdong.
Sun Ce dearly wanted to visit Juchao himself and bring his good friend back, but he was simply too busy with his duties. It would have to wait.
Xu County, Yingchuan.
Cao Cao had been in a terrible mood lately. Or rather, his mood had never improved since Yuan Shao announced that the Son of Heaven was in Ji Province.
According to his original plan, once he had the Son of Heaven in his hands, he could recruit worthy and talented men, draw the various powers to his side, and greatly strengthen himself.
Yet the results were nothing like what he had expected.
Many people preferred to believe the lies of Yuan Shao, whose illustrious birth and reputation were known throughout the land, rather than Cao Cao, who actually had the Son of Heaven in his hands.
No matter how he tried to prove his legitimacy, it had little effect.
Under these circumstances, only a scattered handful of capable men had answered the Son of Heaven's call and come to join him. None were outstanding talents, and far more people were still watching from the sidelines.
"Damn that Yuan Shao!"
Whenever he thought of this, hatred surged through Cao Cao's heart.
He looked at the table before him, laden with sumptuous dishes, but could not stomach even a single bite. With a dark expression, he walked out of the room.
Spring was approaching, and all things were stirring with new life.
Although it was still somewhat cold, the wind already carried a hint of spring, and a fine drizzle drifted down from the sky.
Cao Cao drew in a breath of fresh air. His frustration immediately eased considerably, and his expression softened.
"What has Yuan Shao been doing lately?"
Hearing the question, Xu Chu, who stood behind Cao Cao, answered, "My lord, Yuan Shao's army has reached Qing Province and is now heading straight for Xu Province."
Yuan Shao had dispatched his two great generals, Yan Liang and Wen Chou, along with a full fifty thousand troops. Such a mobilization could hardly be concealed, and Cao Cao had received the news at once.
At first, he had thought Yuan Shao intended to attack Yan Province. The alarm had nearly driven him to muster an army to meet the invasion, but he soon realized he had misunderstood.
The army was not advancing on Yan Province, but heading straight for Xu Province.
Most importantly, Liu, Guan, and Zhang were all with that army!
Chapter 44: Issue an Edict Ordering Zhang Xiu to March!
With Liu, Guan, and Zhang present, Cao Cao understood what the army intended to do.
Before the new year, Lü Bu had led a surprise attack on Liu Bei's Pei County, capturing not only the city but also Liu Bei's wife and children.
Clearly, Liu Bei had borrowed this army from Yuan Shao to exact revenge on Lü Bu and reclaim his lost territory.
"Fifty thousand troops... What a lavish gesture."
Cao Cao narrowed his eyes at the news. "When did Liu Xuande become so close to Yuan Shao? He actually persuaded him to lend so many troops."
Fifty thousand troops were no small number. When had Yuan Shao become so generous that he would lend out such a force without hesitation?
Besides, taking a mere Pei County did not require so many men.
Could he be planning to push on and attack Xu Province?
But if Xu Province was the target, fifty thousand troops would be too few.
Cao Cao could not fathom what Yuan Shao was planning.
Just then, a guard suddenly came to report, "My lord, the military adviser and the Director of the Secretariat request an audience."
The military adviser and Director of the Secretariat he referred to were Xun You and Xun Yu.
"Gongda? Wenruo?"
Hearing that the two had come together, Cao Cao's expression shifted slightly. Without hesitation, he headed straight for the main hall.
Xun Yu and Xun You were already waiting inside.
Upon seeing them, Cao Cao asked, "Gongda, Wenruo, why have you suddenly requested an audience? What happened?"
It was already late. For the two to seek an audience so suddenly, something important must have happened. Otherwise, they would not have come together.
"My lord, something momentous has happened!"
Xun Yu's expression was grave as he said solemnly, "Our scouts have sent an urgent report. Half a month ago, Yuan Shu offered sacrifices to Heaven in Shou County and proclaimed himself emperor. He founded a state called Cheng and announced it to the world!"
Yang Province bordered Yu Province, so the news had reached Xu County in just half a month!
"What?"
Cao Cao was instantly dumbfounded, his face filled with disbelief. His voice rose sharply. "Yuan Gonglu proclaimed himself emperor? How dare he?"
Had the news not come from Xun Yu's own mouth...
He would truly have suspected it was false!
The Son of Heaven was still alive. How could Yuan Shu dare proclaim himself emperor?!
Xun You nodded. "I have verified it repeatedly. It is indeed true. Yuan Shu founded the state of Cheng, styled his dynasty the House of Zhong, received the Imperial Seal, and established his capital in Shou County."
With Xun You's confirmation, Cao Cao fell silent for a time.
Partly, the news was too shocking. But he was also so utterly speechless that he did not know what to say.
"Idiot!"
Only after a moment did Cao Cao snort coldly and shake his head, delivering his verdict in one blunt word.
First Yuan Shao, then Yuan Shu. One found someone to impersonate the Son of Heaven, while the other simply ascended the throne himself. Each was more absurd than the last.
All one could say was that they truly deserved to be half brothers born of the same father.
"My lord, Yuan Shu's usurpation will never be tolerated by the world. With the Son of Heaven now in Xu County, and with us acting in his name, we must respond as quickly as possible and campaign against the false emperor. Only then can we demonstrate your loyalty to the Great Han."
Xun Yu made his proposal with a solemn expression. This matter could not wait.
With the Son of Heaven in their hands, they were the true legitimate representatives of the Han Dynasty and its court, while Yuan Shu was a usurping false emperor!
Against a false emperor, marching to war was their only choice!
Cao Cao, however, knitted his brows tightly. "Although Yuan Shu has usurped the throne, he commands powerful troops and strong horses. His strength far surpasses mine. Would marching against him not be like smashing an egg against a rock?"
"Remember, he has the fierce general Sun Ce under his command. That man's valor rivals Lü Bu's, and his skill at leading troops surpasses even that of his father, Sun Jian."
Although Yuan Shu's decision to proclaim himself emperor was exceedingly foolish, there was no denying that his power ranked first in the land. Even Yuan Shao fell slightly short.
After all, Yang Province's wealth surpassed every other region. It had a large population, vast territory, and ample provisions, making it stronger than Yu Province and Yan Province combined.
Of course, all that was secondary. The one Cao Cao truly feared was Sun Ce.
"My lord, you may not know this, but shortly after Yuan Shu proclaimed himself emperor, Sun Ce publicly announced that he was breaking with him."
Xun You smiled. Sun Ce was a clever man, not a fool.
Breaking with Yuan Shu was the wisest choice.
"Oh?"
Cao Cao's interest stirred, and his estimation of Sun Ce rose further.
It seemed the man was no mere brute with courage but no strategy. Either that, or he had someone beside him devising plans. Whichever it was, he could not be underestimated.
Setting those thoughts aside, Cao Cao said to Xun You, "Even so, being the first to send troops against Yuan Shu would still be unwise."
"Does Yuan Shao not claim to have the Son of Heaven in his hands? Now that Yuan Shu has proclaimed himself emperor, I would like to see how he responds."
Cao Cao felt rather pleased at Yuan Shao's predicament.
Would he place righteousness above family, or choose to shield Yuan Shu?
Before you continue