"Yuan Shao holds the Son of Heaven to command those who will not submit, while Cao Cao in the south also has a puppet Pretender Emperor. The two are bound to clash. Your Majesty can watch the tigers fight from the mountain and reap the fisherman's reward. This is the seventh defeat."
"When going against the tide, Yuan Shao can still make decisive plans, with everyone above and below pulling together. When the tide favors him, he becomes indecisive and refuses others' counsel. This is the eighth defeat."
"Yuan Shao has many generals but little talent, many soldiers but little grain. He listens only to petty men and estranges loyal retainers. This is the ninth defeat."
"Yuan Shao's sons contend with one another, brothers fighting within their own walls, as incompatible as fire and water. This is the tenth defeat."
Chapter 113: Illustrious Lord, you treat this commoner far too well
The Imperial Palace.
Yuan Shao came to put Liu Xie through his routine inspection and training.
He mainly checked Liu Xie's memorization of the Daily Conduct Records and whether his words and conduct matched the Son of Heaven's, while also carefully explaining the identities, lives, and other details of the Son of Heaven's close retainers.
He went into especially meticulous detail about Empress Fu and some of the consorts in the harem.
Yuan Shao personally conducted these routine inspections and training sessions every time. He would not feel reassured even leaving them to Ju Shou.
"Just concentrate on playing the Son of Heaven. You certainly won't lack wealth and honor. Perhaps I might even make you Duke of Anle someday." Before rising to leave the Imperial Palace, Yuan Shao dangled another promise before Liu Xie.
Tears filled Liu Xie's eyes as he looked at Yuan Shao with an expression