Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 1282 Yuan Shao's Critical Illness and the Reconciliation Between Father and Son

The peace talks between the two sides progressed faster than expected. After all, there was no direct war between Xiliang and Jingzhou at the moment, and the previous frictions were mostly caused by misunderstandings on the border. Once the issues were resolved, the tense atmosphere disappeared.

Liu Bei took the lead in proposing to establish trade routes with Xiliang, not only to purchase large quantities of Chang'an paper but also to respond to Xiliang's policy of opening up the libraries of aristocratic families, allowing more scholars from humble backgrounds to borrow classics. Zhang Song understood this proposal perfectly: Liu Bei had clearly seen the deeper meaning behind Ma Chao's promotion of paper and opening up of library libraries—a gradual dismantling of the aristocratic families' monopoly on knowledge, fundamentally weakening their dominant position.

In fact, Liu Bei deeply agreed with this point. Although he was born into the imperial clan, he always remained on the fringes of powerful families. In his early years, he relied entirely on local militias and righteous men to start his uprising. Later, after establishing himself in Jingzhou, although he had to rely on local powerful families, he was well aware that these families were deeply entrenched and could easily turn against their masters if they were not careful. However, his foundation was there, and any move he made would have far-reaching consequences. Trying to break down the barriers of powerful families like Ma Chao was a hundred times more difficult than in Xiliang. Ma Chao rose from Xiliang and did not rely on the powerful families of the Central Plains, so he could boldly implement new policies. Liu Bei, on the other hand, was walking a tightrope, needing to both rely on the power of powerful families and guard against their interference.

However, his initiative to open his book collection and purchase paper demonstrates his approval of Ma Chao's governing philosophy. This is not a compromise, but rather a case of great minds thinking alike. The root of the turmoil lies in the imbalance between aristocratic families and those from humble backgrounds, and in the monopoly of knowledge by a few. Only by breaking this shackle can we truly win the hearts and minds of the people and solidify the foundation of the state.

Zhang Song noted down Liu Bei's suggestion, thinking to himself: "Lord Xuande is indeed farsighted, but he is simply powerless to do as he pleases."

The peace talks were quickly finalized: Xiliang and Jingzhou renewed their alliance, agreeing not to invade each other's borders, to open trade routes, to supply Jingzhou with paper at preferential prices, and to promise to open some of their aristocratic family libraries and allow Xiliang scholars to study in Jingzhou.

When the news reached Chang'an, Ma Chao was checking the students' studies at the military academy. Upon hearing the results, he simply smiled and said to Xun Yu beside him, "It's already quite an achievement that Liu Bei was willing to take this step. If he can gain a foothold in Jingzhou, he might truly be able to forge a different path."

Xun Yu nodded and said, "Opening up the library and circulating paper may seem like a small matter, but it is actually a lever to shake the foundation. The seeds that our lord has sown have finally sprouted elsewhere."

The autumn wind blew through the windows of the military academy, carrying the sound of the young students reciting their lessons. Meanwhile, in distant Xiangyang, Liu Bei gazed at the newly arrived paper from Chang'an on his desk, his fingertips tracing the smooth surface, pondering: Ma Chao's path may be difficult, but in this world, someone must always try to walk it.

A tacit understanding without the smoke of gunpowder was quietly reached between Xiliang and Jingzhou. Behind this was the shared expectation of the two powerful rulers for the future of the world. However, their paths would ultimately have to trek through different quagmires.

The cold winter wind, swirling with snowflakes, howled like countless needles against the walls of the Ye City palace. Deep within the Jizhou governor's mansion, the heavy smell of medicine had long since overpowered the incense, permeating every inch of the air, even dimming the candlelight.

Yuan Shao lay slumped in his large sickbed, his once robust body now reduced to nothing but bones. The brocade quilt covering him seemed to hang empty. His withered hands rested on the quilt, his knuckles protruding abruptly. Each breath was sluggish and heart-wrenching, so weak it seemed as if he would break off at any moment—the trembling of a candle flickering in the wind. Even the most skilled physician could only shake his head and retreat to the outer room to stand by with his hands at his sides. The so-called "doing one's best" was nothing more than watching helplessly as the lamp burned out.

His consciousness tugged between drowsiness and clarity. Most of the time, he saw scenes of hunting on horseback as a boy, or the magnificent sight of his many fierce generals under his command during the anti-Dong Zhuo alliance. But once he fell into a lucid moment, the faces of his three sons would appear clearly.

"Perhaps... passing it on to the third son wouldn't be so bad," he murmured to himself. Yuan Shang's restrained respect when he was healthy, contrasted with his decisive ruthlessness when facing his worsening illness, truly displayed the qualities of a powerful ruler. In contrast, his eldest son, Yuan Tan, was too frightened to return to Ye City because of a single suspicion he had received years ago, revealing his cowardice; his second son, Yuan Xi, was even more mediocre, spending his days in a daze guarding Youzhou. In this comparison, Yuan Shang's brilliance seemed all the more precious.

But... he couldn't swallow his anger. Why wasn't the succession proceed in the proper order? Why did the third prince's methods always seem to have the air of forcing abdication? The confidants surrounding Yuan Shang, their act of besieging the palace... were like thorns piercing his dying heart.

Just then, the afternoon sun shone through the window lattice, casting a small patch of warm yellow light on the couch. Yuan Shao suddenly felt much brighter, his drowsy mind cleared, and his eyes even revealed a hint of the sharpness he used to have when making decisions. He turned his eyes to Shen Pei, who stood beside him with a worried expression, and with all his might, raised his hand.

Shen Pei quickly leaned closer, and heard his lord's voice, hoarse like a broken gong, yet carrying an undeniable force: "Go...go outside the palace and ask the Third Young Master to come see me."

"Yes." Shen Pei was startled and bowed in response. He looked at the fleeting clarity in his lord's eyes, then at the flickering candlelight before the bed, and sighed inwardly. This father and son had been entangled for half a year, and finally, at this last moment, they had to settle things.

When Yuan Shang heard from Shen Pei that his father wanted to see him, he was first taken aback, then a look of disbelief flashed in his eyes. In recent days, his decrees had been circulating throughout Ye City and even Ji Province and Hebei Province. His father's orders were no longer taken seriously, let alone when they reached the palace walls, even within the palace itself.

For months, he had been dealing with his father, whom he had effectively placed under house arrest, while also keeping an eye on his elder brother Yuan Tan in Qingzhou and his second elder brother Yuan Xi in Youzhou. He also had to be constantly vigilant against potential attacks from warlords like Cao Cao and Ma Chao. He had been working day and night, his nerves never relaxed for a moment. Now, suddenly hearing that his father had summoned him, he was at a loss for words and instinctively tried to decline: "Father... Father wants to see me now? Did he say what it is about?"

Shen Pei looked at his shifty eyes and felt a pang of heartache. He said in a deep voice, "Third Young Master, I'm afraid... I'm afraid our lord only has one or two days left. I'm calling you here now because there are things that need to be said between father and son. The Yuan family's legacy, this vast land of Hebei, needs a dignified succession. If you don't go now, even if you seize power in the future, how can you say it's rightful?"

The words "legitimate and justified" struck Yuan Shang's heart like a heavy hammer. A barely perceptible hint of joy flashed across his face. Had his father finally come to his senses? Or had he given up? Had he finally waited for this moment after enduring so long? But this joy was quickly replaced by vigilance, his face softened with a perfectly measured sorrow, and his gaze toward Shen Pei became more scrutinizing.

Shen Pei entered the palace with Yan Liang and Wen Chou after the army besieged the palace, and is now considered one of his father's most trusted confidants. Is this man genuinely advising him, or is it a trap set by his father? If he is captured as soon as he enters, wouldn't all his efforts over the past few days be in vain?

He composed himself and said to Shen Pei, "Since Father has summoned me, I shall go. I will go and change into some plain clothes and be there shortly."

Shen Pei was astute as he was; he immediately knew that Shen Pei was going to discuss matters with his advisors. A hint of indifference flashed in his eyes, but he didn't point it out. He simply nodded and said, "Then I will wait for the Third Young Master at the palace gate." With that, he turned and drifted away, his departing figure exuding an indescribable desolation.

As Yuan Shang watched his figure disappear under the corridor, he immediately summoned his trusted advisors Guo Tu and Feng Ji: "What do you think is the purpose of Father's sudden request to see me?"

Guo Tu stroked his beard and said, "Our lord is critically ill. The reason for this summons must be the matter of succession. The Third Prince only needs to appear sorrowful and respectful and accept the seal of office."

Feng Ji frowned and said, "Shen Pei is an old minister. It's hard to say whether he was secretly ordered by the lord to lure and kill the young master. We should take three hundred armored soldiers with us. If there is any unusual activity, we can act immediately!"

Yuan Shang pondered for a moment, a ruthless glint in his eyes: "No need for armored soldiers, lest we give others something to gossip about. But we must set up men outside the palace gates. If I haven't come out within half an hour, then..." He made a throat-slitting gesture, "...prepare clothes!"

A moment later, Yuan Shang, dressed in mourning clothes and with a sorrowful expression, followed Shen Pei towards the palace. The cold wind whipped snowflakes against his face, but he felt nothing; he only felt that every step on the road to his father's sickbed was like walking on a knife's edge. As he walked, he thought about the state of power he had held for the past few months, a state that Yuan Shang found increasingly alluring. If it weren't for this power, how could Guo Tu have been so devoted to scheming for him?

Guo Tu was originally an advisor to Yuan Tan, the eldest son of Yuan Shao, and had been stationed with him in Qingzhou. Previously, Yuan Shang had falsely conveyed Yuan Shao's military orders and sent an envoy to Qingzhou to reclaim Yuan Tan's military tally. Yuan Tan was naturally suspicious, and seeing the envoy's earnest words and the fact that he carried a so-called "father's letter," he still felt there was something fishy about it. So he claimed to be ill and refused to go out, saying that he would discuss it again after he recovered.

At that time, the envoy brought news that Zhang He, who was guarding Yanzhou, had been ordered by the lord to return to Yecheng. The implication was that if Yuan Tan disobeyed the order again, Qingzhou might not be able to hold out once Zhang He returned. Although Yuan Tan had his doubts, he was afraid of truly angering his father, and even more afraid that Zhang He would join forces with Yuan Shang. So he had no choice but to send Guo Tu as his representative back to Yecheng with the envoy, thinking that he could appease them for now and then make a plan later.

As soon as Guo Tu entered Ye City, he sensed something was amiss. The guards lining the streets and alleys were all Yuan Shang's confidants, and the city's defenses were impeccable, showing no trace of his former lord Yuan Shao's orders. When he was led to Yuan Shang's residence, he saw that although the man was dressed in ordinary clothes, he sat upright in the main seat, surrounded by trusted officials and military officers. The air of someone in complete control was a far cry from the former Third Prince who had to defer to his elder brother.

After several attempts to probe, Guo Tu finally realized that his old lord was probably under house arrest, and Ye City, and even the entire Hebei province, had long been Yuan Shang's domain.

Yuan Shang didn't mince words. First, he showed off his outstanding military achievements, talking about how he stabilized Hebei and intimidated the other warlords. Then, he offered him a tempting offer: the position of Chief Clerk, in charge of Ji Province's documents, with power far exceeding what he had in Qing Province. Finally, he casually mentioned that Qing Province was now isolated and helpless, and if Yuan Tan insisted on resisting, he would likely be doomed.

Guo Tu sought nothing more than fame and fortune. Seeing that Yuan Tan's power was waning and Yuan Shang's momentum was unstoppable, his loyalty to his former master ultimately could not withstand the temptations of reality. After a moment's hesitation, he finally bowed down and submitted.

Thus, this strategist who had once advised Yuan Tan became a capable general under Yuan Shang in an instant. When Yuan Shang summoned him to discuss meeting Yuan Shao, he naturally did his best to facilitate it. Only when Yuan Shang rightfully took over the throne could his position as a "submissive minister" be truly secured.