It was nothing more than an attempt to kill with a borrowed blade and test Yuan Shu's strength.
As for the other factions, they were all watching how the two of them would respond.
After all, both of them claimed to have the Son of Heaven in their hands. Since they supported the Son of Heaven, Yuan Shu, who had proclaimed himself emperor, was their greatest enemy!
Cao Cao had reacted extremely quickly, whereas he had received the news so late that he could not respond in time. Coupled with the fact that he was Yuan Shu's elder brother, his reputation would probably suffer from now on.
At that thought, Yuan Shao felt a dull ache in his heart again. He hurriedly diverted his attention and asked about other matters.
"How are things going with Liu Bei? Has Pei County fallen?"
A month and a half had already passed. By rights, Liu Bei should have led his army to the vicinity of Xiaopei by now, but there was no telling how the battle was going.
Feng Ji answered, "My lord, the fighting began three days ago. Pei County has yet to fall, while Liu Bei's soldiers have suffered heavy losses. There are still seven days left before the agreed ten-day deadline."
"Hmph. Useless fool."
Yuan Shao spoke with disdain. He did not believe Liu Bei could really take Pei County with five thousand troops. Now he would simply wait for Liu Bei to fail, then have Yan Liang and Wen Chou lead the army out to capture the city.
Only at that thought did Yuan Shao's mood improve somewhat.
At least it was not all bad news.
After giving Ju Shou and the others instructions on the various arrangements, Yuan Shao felt weariness wash over him and prepared to rest again. Just then, hurried footsteps sounded outside, and before long, two young men in splendid robes burst into the room.
They were none other than Yuan Shao's sons-Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang!
The two had been stationed in other cities. Upon receiving word that their father had fallen unconscious, they had ridden through the night without stopping and were now covered in the dust of the road.
"Father! What happened to you?"
Seeing Yuan Shao's weakened state, Yuan Shang paled in alarm. He hurriedly shoved aside his elder brother and rushed to the bedside.
A flicker of displeasure crossed Yuan Xi's face, but he quickly suppressed it. Then he, too, put on a worried expression and approached.
"Do not worry, Xianfu. Your father is fine."
Yuan Shao reached out and stroked Yuan Shang's head, his face full of indulgence and affection.
He had always doted on this youngest son.
Seeing Yuan Shang return in such haste, travel-worn and dusty, to visit him, he felt both deeply moved and gratified.
His affection for this youngest son had not been wasted after all.
Chapter 49: Sharpening the Blades for Lü Bu
Seeing their father so weak, the brothers Yuan Shang and Yuan Xi felt both anxious and deeply puzzled.
"Father, you have always been healthy. Why did you suddenly fall ill?"
Yuan Shang's face was full of urgency, his voice laden with concern.
He had only heard that Yuan Shao had suddenly fallen unconscious, then hurried back with Yuan Xi. He did not know the specific reason.
Yuan Shao sighed. "When I suddenly heard that Yuan Shu had proclaimed himself emperor, anger overwhelmed my heart. I am fine now. You need not worry, my son."
"What?"
Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang were both shocked.
Yuan Shu... had proclaimed himself emperor?!
Neither was a fool. Upon hearing this astonishing news, they immediately realized the enormous repercussions it would bring.
Yuan Shang's face filled with anger. "Our Yuan family has enjoyed the Great Han's imperial favor for generations. Isn't this treasonous act of his destroying our Yuan Clan's century-old reputation?"
"Besides, the Son of Heaven is still here in Ye City! Now that he has proclaimed himself emperor, how are you supposed to face the Son of Heaven, Father?"
He finally understood why his father had fainted from anger.
What Yuan Shu had done was utterly hateful!
Beside him, Yuan Xi was much calmer. He asked, "Father, what do you intend to do? Have you devised a response?"
Yuan Shao nodded slightly. "I intend to request an edict to punish the traitor and draw a clear line between Yuan Shu and myself. Only then will the world know that his proclamation has nothing to do with me."
He gave his two sons a rough outline of his plans.
After hearing it, Yuan Shang sighed in relief. "That is an excellent approach."
Yuan Xi, however, frowned in thought. After a moment, he raised his head and said to Yuan Shao, "Father, I believe merely requesting an edict to punish the traitor is not enough to prove your unswerving loyalty to the Han Dynasty. Why not have the other lords send troops against him as well?"
"As long as you take the lead and recreate the momentum of the Eighteen Route Lords' campaign against Dong Zhuo, who would dare suspect you of harboring selfish motives?"
Yuan Xi's suggestion drew everyone's attention.
Leading the Eighteen Route Lords against Dong Zhuo had been the most triumphant, glorious moment of Yuan Shao's life. From that point onward, he had become a "model for all under heaven."
If they could recreate that joint campaign against Dong Zhuo now, everyone would surely recall Yuan Shao's past glories. Not only would it greatly reduce the damage caused by Yuan Shu's proclamation, it would raise his reputation to even greater heights!
"An excellent suggestion, Second Young Master!"
Ju Shou's eyes lit up. Full of praise for Yuan Xi's proposal, he said excitedly to Yuan Shao, "My lord! Issuing an edict ordering the lords to punish the traitor is indeed a superb strategy!"
"Have Cao Cao of Yan Province, Lü Bu of Xu Province, Sun Ce of Jiangdong, and Liu Biao of Jing Province join you. Five armies in all, encircling Yuan Shu!"
"This would make them share the risks while demonstrating your wholehearted loyalty in placing righteousness above family and punishing a disloyal subject!"
The lords could find excuses to ignore an ordinary imperial edict.
But none of them would dare ignore an edict to attack a rebel who had proclaimed himself emperor, because they were all subjects of the Han!
If you refused to punish even such a rebel, did that mean you wanted to revolt and proclaim yourself emperor too?
Stroking his beard, Xu You added, "Not only that, we can also seize this opportunity to wear down the other lords' strength, especially Lü Bu and Cao Cao."
"My lord, haven't you always wanted to capture Xu Province? In this campaign against Yuan Shu, make Lü Bu send his troops as the vanguard. Wear down his forces and prepare the way for taking Xu Province later!"
"And if we defeat Yuan Shu, we can seize the opportunity to divide Yang Province among ourselves!"
"This is a plan that brings down four eagles with one arrow!"
All the advisers heaped praise on Yuan Xi's suggestion.
At first, they had only considered how to prove their innocence and distance themselves from Yuan Shu. They had never thought of using this opportunity to secure greater gains!
As the saying went, those inside the game were lost in it, while those watching saw clearly. This was precisely such a case.
Without a doubt, this was the best solution to their current predicament. It could even turn passivity into initiative and transform misfortune into good fortune!
"Excellent!"
Yuan Shao was delighted, and even his face regained some color.
He had never imagined there was such a way out of this impasse!
At that thought, he looked at Yuan Xi with approval and praised him. "We have only been apart for a few months, Xianyi, but you have truly made your father see you in a new light!"
Yuan Xi replied humbly, "You flatter me, Father. I merely made a passing suggestion. It was nothing."
"No need for modesty. The credit is yours!"
Yuan Shao laughed heartily, then continued, "I am unwell and need to recuperate. From today onward, you and Xianfu will divide responsibility for all matters within the city, great and small."
"It will also give me a chance to see how much the two of you have grown."
At those words, the other retainers in the room inwardly stiffened.
He was letting the two young masters divide responsibility for the city's affairs?
Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang immediately perked up and answered in unison, "We are willing to share your burdens, Father!"
Yuan Shao patted Yuan Xi's shoulder and said, "Xianyi, you are the elder brother, and you are steadier in your conduct. Remember to shoulder more of the burden for Xianfu."
Yuan Xi replied solemnly, "Rest assured, Father. I will remember."
"Gongyu, Zhengnan, you must take extra care as well. The two young masters are still inexperienced. You must assist them diligently."
Ju Shou, Shen Pei, and the other retainers all replied, "We will do our utmost to assist the two young masters!"
Only then did Yuan Shao nod. He waved a hand and said, "See to requesting the edict as soon as possible... All right, you may all withdraw. I am feeling tired."
Having forced himself to stay alert long enough to arrange these matters, he was already exhausted.
Everyone bowed and left the room.
Once in the courtyard, Yuan Xi bowed to Ju Shou and the others. "I am sorry for the trouble I will be causing you in the days ahead. If I handle anything improperly, please do not hesitate to help me."
His manner was exceedingly modest, and he carried himself with great humility.
The advisers hurriedly returned his bow, saying they would not presume.
Guo Tu even stepped forward with a broad smile. "Second Young Master, if there is anything you do not understand, feel free to ask me. I will certainly do everything I can."
Everyone could see that, after what had just happened, Yuan Shao held Yuan Xi's abilities in high regard. Though he had said the two young masters would divide responsibility for the city's affairs, Yuan Xi would actually take the lead. Otherwise, he would not have specifically instructed Yuan Xi to look after Yuan Shang.
Xu You also smiled and said, "You are being far too courteous, Second Young Master. This is simply what we retainers ought to do."
Seeing Yuan Xi chatting and laughing so freely with the retainers, Yuan Shang's expression darkened. Without saying anything more, he strode straight out of the courtyard.
This left Guo Tu and Xu You feeling somewhat awkward.
Yuan Xi's expression did not change. He smiled warmly. "It is all right. My third brother is simply tired from the journey. If you two gentlemen have time, why not first show me the ropes of the city's affairs?"
"Of course, of course..."
Their smiles returned, and the two left with Yuan Xi.
Shen Pei and Feng Ji exchanged a glance, then followed in the direction Yuan Shang had taken. That left only Ju Shou and Tian Feng in the courtyard.
"Our lord has set us a difficult problem."
Watching the others depart, Ju Shou felt a headache coming on.
Yuan Shao had divided the city's affairs between Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang and ordered the retainers to assist them. He plainly wanted to test their attitudes toward the two young masters.
Tian Feng said flatly, "Simply fulfill your own duties. Do not dwell on anything else. It has nothing to do with us."
Ju Shou shook his head, the worry on his face refusing to fade.
If only it were truly that simple.
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