Three Kingdoms: Let Yuan Shen be great again

Chapter 33 Words Are Essential

After returning to Wancheng, Yuan Yao continued to prepare for the war against Sun Ce, while also using Guan Yu to remove some bad apples with poor character and abilities from the army.

Considering that Sun Ce might arrive at any time, Yuan Yao did not intend to go too far and instead conducted a small-scale pilot test first.

Strangely enough, according to intelligence from Jiangdong, Sun Ce had basically resolved the unrest within his territory. Although he paid a considerable price for this, being forced to send his capable generals, such as Zhou Yu, Cheng Pu, and Taishi Ci, to garrison the region, he had indeed suppressed any worries about the rear and could now launch another attack on Lujiang.

Another half month passed, and still there was no sign of the Jiangdong navy.

Yuan Yao was immediately puzzled.

Given Sun Ce's personality, there's no way he wouldn't attack.

Even disregarding Yuan Yao's previous provocation, from a purely strategic perspective, Lujiang stands between Jiangdong and the Central Plains. If Sun Ce wants to dominate the world, he must take over Lujiang and open the passage to Luoyang.

Two or three days later, Yang Hong suddenly came over and told Yuan Yao some important information.

According to Yang Hong's connections in Xuchang, Cao Cao had sent an envoy to win over Sun Ce during this period in order to focus on the decisive battle with Yuan Shao and ensure the safety of his rear.

As a result, the Zhong family benefited.

Cao Cao knew that Sun Ce was powerful and could not be easily defeated, so he hoped that Sun Ce would behave himself and at least not attack Lujiang. Otherwise, since the two sides were directly adjacent, it would be very troublesome if he had any evil intentions.

In response, Cao Cao offered a very high price, intending to form a marriage alliance with Sun Ce by betrothing his niece to Sun Ce's younger brother, marrying his son Cao Zhang to Sun Ce's niece, and recommending Sun Quan as a talented scholar.

So during the negotiations, Sun Ce postponed his military campaign, allowing Zhong Shi to survive for another half month.

But Zhong's good fortune came to an end.

Yang Hong: "Just two days ago, Cao Mengde and Sun Bofu completely broke down in negotiations."

Sun Ce was certain that Cao Cao was busy fighting Yuan Shao at Guandu, so he made an outrageous demand, asking to be appointed as Grand Marshal.

Cao Cao was completely dumbfounded.

It is important to know that in the late Eastern Han Dynasty, the three highest officials were the Grand Commandant, the Minister of Works, and the Minister of Agriculture, with Cao Cao himself serving as the Minister of Agriculture.

The Grand Marshal was a separate position from the Three Dukes, holding a higher status than the Three Dukes.

So Sun Ce meant for Cao Cao to step back and become his subordinate in the future...

What's the point of talking about then? Let's flip the table and stop talking.

This brought Zhongshi two pieces of news, one good and one bad.

The bad news is that nothing can stop Sun Ce's advance at this point, and it is estimated that Yuan Yao will receive urgent reports of a large-scale invasion by the Jiangdong navy in three to five days at most.

The good news is that Cao Cao still has concerns about his rear. In order to resolve this matter, he thought about it and decided to give the traitor Zhong a chance and try to buy peace with money.

Yang Hong: "According to news from Xuchang, Cao Mengde's envoy is already on his way and may arrive tonight if things go smoothly."

Yuan Yao was overjoyed.

Clearly, Cao Cao preferred to have Zhong Shi as his neighbor rather than Sun Ce, even though the latter was an open rebel who violated his principle of serving the emperor to punish disobedience.

As for Yuan Yao, Cao Cao now needs his help. Since he wants Huainan to act as a buffer zone for him, he should at least bleed a little and show some sincerity.

Ironically, the reason why the Zhong family was targeted by Sun Ce was because they were too weak and became the easy target for his expansion.

Cao Cao decided to win over the Zhong family because they were too weak and could barely protect themselves, let alone take the initiative to attack. It would be more reassuring to keep them by his side.

Even Yuan Yao thought so, so he only wanted to earn some food from Cao Cao and did not consider replacing Sun Ce or launching a surprise attack on Xuchang.

After all, only half a year has passed since Yuan Yao's coup, which is not enough time for this deeply entrenched and rotten regime to be transformed.

Yuan Yao: "Lord Yang, I'm entrusting you with the task of negotiating with Cao Cao's envoy. Please make sure to secure the maximum amount of money and supplies for our army."

Yang Hong declined, saying, "This old minister is not good with words and is afraid that I might offend the envoy, which would be undesirable. Your Highness, perhaps you should find someone else?"

Yuan Yao: "I'll give you a percentage of the profits."

Yang Hong: "Even if it costs me my old bones, I will do everything in my power for the country!"

After making a decision on this matter, Yuan Yao casually handed over the other miscellaneous tasks to Yang Hong.

He has many things to do and needs to focus his energy on military matters, considering how to deal with Sun Ce's impending invasion.

The Zhong family had actually prepared contingency plans for this inevitable war long ago. Yuan Yao and Liu Ye had devised several versions of battle plans for different situations. The others only needed to follow the rules. Anyway, they didn't have much brains, so having a shared external brain was quite good.

Now, however, there's the added variable of Guan Yu. Someone as formidable as Guan Yu, if used properly, could potentially create miracles. Therefore, we need to modify the plan accordingly.

That afternoon, Yuan Yao pondered repeatedly how to design a tactic to give Sun Ce a big surprise.

Just as he was getting a general idea and was about to discuss it further with Liu Ye, a guard suddenly burst in.

"Grand Commander, an envoy has arrived from the north!"

Annoyed by the interruption, Yuan Yao said, "Didn't you tell Yang Hong to handle it? Why are you bothering me?"

The guard quickly explained, "Reporting to the Grand Commander, it's not an envoy from Xuchang, but from Hebei!"

Hebei?

Yuan Yao was stunned for a moment.

It was actually Yuan Shao who sent them?

This sudden news surprised Yuan Yao greatly, and he ultimately decided to go and see him.

The guards said that the envoy sent by Yuan Shao was a relative of Yuan Yao, a clan uncle of the Yuan family of Runan, named Yuan Xu.

Soon, Yuan Yao met Yuan Xu.

Unexpectedly, Yuan Xu did not directly discuss business with Yuan Yao, but instead started chatting about everyday matters.

"My dear nephew, you have suffered a lot in Huainan these years. The General (Yuan Shao) has always been concerned about you."

Yuan Yao thought to himself, "I can't believe you. I wrote a letter to Yuan Shao a while ago, but he didn't even reply. He didn't seem to care at all."

In fact, ever since Yuan Shu insisted on declaring himself emperor, the Yuan family of Runan had basically severed ties with him. Before that, neither Yuan Shao nor Yuan Xu had any dealings with Huainan.

Even today, as if these grudges never existed, Yuan Xu held Yuan Yao's hand and recounted the glorious history of the Yuan family for a long time, trying to awaken the family affection in the other's heart.

Just as Yuan Yao was about to lose his patience, Yuan Xu finally said something useful: "Before I left, the General specifically instructed me that there was something I needed to tell you."

Yuan Yao: "What is it?"

Yuan Xu: "My dear nephew, you're nineteen this year, which is about the age for coming-of-age ceremonies."

Yuan Yao: "Hmm?"

Yuan Xu: "This matter should have been handled by Brother Gonglu, but I heard that he has been unwell and recuperating. So the General thought he would take the liberty of doing it himself and at least help you choose a courtesy name."

Oh, so it's to bestow a title upon someone.

Yuan Yao bowed slightly: "I dare not refuse such a gift from an elder. May I ask what words you have chosen?"

Yuan Xu chuckled and said, "The General said he heard that you were going to fight the Sun family in Huainan, and he was also going to cross the river to attack Cao Cao. Both of them had fought hard battles. In that case, let's wish you a triumphant return—"

Yuan Yao suddenly had a bad feeling.

Yuan Xu: "How about we call it 'Shikai'?"