Chapter 4: The Emperor's Arrives!
Yecheng, Yuan Mansion.
In the grand council hall, advisors and military generals had gathered together.
Seated at the head of the room, Yuan Shao studied the confidential report in his hands with a grim expression, his face darkening by the moment.
This news had just arrived that morning.
Luo Yang had fallen to Cao Cao’s forces, and the Emperor was escorted to Xu County. Moreover, Cao Cao announced plans to reestablish the imperial court!
“Cao Mengde, you cunning, deceitful man!” Yuan Shao slammed the report onto the table, gritting his teeth angrily.
With the Emperor under his control and the intent to rebuild the court, Cao Cao effectively claimed legitimacy. This would undoubtedly attract talented individuals from across the land and, more crucially, give him the power of discourse!
Initially dismissive, Yuan Shao now fully realized the significant opportunity he had missed, allowing Cao Cao to reap this immense advantage effortlessly!
Taking a deep breath to suppress his frustration, Yuan Shao turned his gaze towards the numerous ministers in the hall and said, “I assume everyone has seen the confidential report delivered this morning.”
“Please share your thoughts on the matter.”
Although it was now inevitable that Cao Cao had seized control of the Emperor, Yuan Shao remained unwilling to accept this outcome. He felt determined not to let Cao Cao gain such an advantage so easily.
Thus, his only hope now rested with the strategists under his command—to find a way to turn the tide of the situation.
As soon as Yuan Shao finished speaking, a sallow-faced scholar with a sharp mouth stepped forward and said, “My lord, I believe this may not be entirely disadvantageous.”
“Oh? Gong Ze, why do you say that?” Yuan Shao furrowed his brow, feeling somewhat puzzled.
This scholar was none other than Guo Tu. Sensing Yuan Shao’s gaze upon him, he calmly bowed and replied, “My lord, although Cao Cao has taken the Emperor, allowing him to act under His Majesty’s name and attract talent, Dong Zhuo’s precedent looms over him. If he missteps, he will become a target for all factions.”
“On the other hand, my lord, you possess three provinces, command millions of armored soldiers, and have countless virtuous advisors and skilled generals at your disposal. Holding the Emperor is truly inconsequential for you; rather, it frees you from potential constraints.”
“Therefore, I assert that Cao Cao obtaining the Emperor is not necessarily detrimental to our cause.”
Guo Tu spoke confidently, presenting a well-reasoned argument. However, just as he concluded, a cold snort suddenly echoed through the hall.
“A load of nonsense!” A stern-faced scholar stepped forward and rebuked Guo Tu coldly. “Wherever the Emperor resides, so too lies legitimacy! If His Majesty were here in Ji Province, my lord would rightfully claim justice on his side!
“When Ju Shou suggested bringing the Emperor to Ji Province, if not for your vehement opposition alongside Chunyu Qiong, which misled our lord, how could Cao Cao have succeeded?
“And yet you still seek to deceive him now?”
Being publicly berated put Guo Tu on the defensive, but he refused to back down, countering sharply, “Inviting the Emperor to Ji Province was never a wise move!
“If His Majesty came to Ji Province, whom should we listen to—our lord or the Emperor? Tian Feng, what ulterior motives do you harbor?
“It seems clear that you are truly foolish!”
As Yuan Shao watched Tian Feng and Guo Tu’s argument escalate from his seat at the head of the hall, he finally intervened.
“Enough, both of you!” Yuan Shao frowned, their bickering only adding to his agitation.
Scanning the gathering of ministers, he suddenly noticed the absence of a familiar figure.
“Where is Gongyu? What happened to him?”
The ministers had gathered in the hall, but Ju Shou was conspicuously absent.
In the past, he had fervently advised Yuan Shao to welcome the Emperor to Ji Province—an idea Yuan Shao had rejected. In hindsight, Ju Shou might have been right. Now, Yuan Shao wanted to hear his advisor’s thoughts on the current situation.
“My lord, early this morning, Gongyu left the city for fishing,” one scholarly official responded. This man, Shen Pei, also known as Zhengnan, was among Yuan Shao’s trusted advisors.
Upon hearing this, Yuan Shao instructed his guards, “Bring Gongyu here immediately; we must discuss matters.”
“Yes, my lord!” The guard acknowledged and departed.
Yuan Shao then turned to pacify Tian Feng and Guo Tu. “Given the circumstances, let’s cease this quarreling. Let us wait for Gongyu before making any decisions.”
Though still discontented, with Yuan Shao having spoken, they could only bow their heads and agree reluctantly.
Unexpectedly, just moments after the guard left, he hastily returned.
“My lord! My lord! It’s not good—!” The guard rushed back into the hall, visibly panicked.
Yuan Shao, somewhat displeased, rebuked him, “What disorderly conduct! Why such alarm?”
The guard’s face was filled with anxiety as he stammered, “It’s the military supervisor! He…”
“What happened to Gongyu?!” Yuan Shao instantly tensed.
Could something have befallen Ju Shou?
The guard gritted his teeth and said, “The military supervisor—he brought back the Emperor! They’re right outside the residence!”
As soon as these words were uttered, a profound silence fell over the hall.
Everyone appeared utterly bewildered, questioning if they had misheard.
Ju Shou…brought back the Emperor?
Were they still dreaming, or has this guard gone mad?
Yuan Shao recovered first, his eyes turning sharp as he rebuked sternly, “Nonsense! The Emperor is already with Cao Cao in Xu County; how could he possibly be here?!”
“My lord, it’s true!” The guard’s face flushed red, stuttering, “The military supervisor and the Emperor are currently just outside the residence. He instructed you and everyone present to accompany him in welcoming them inside!”
Even the guard found it absurd, but it was undeniably accurate.
Yuan Shao frowned deeply. If not for the fact that this guard had faithfully served him for many years, known for his steady demeanor and trustworthiness, Yuan Shao would have suspected him of losing his mind.
If this guard hadn’t gone mad, then there could only be one explanation: Ju Shou was behind it.
After pondering for a moment, Yuan Shao made his decision and stood up. “Come, let’s go outside!”
He had to see for himself how Ju Shou planned to produce the Emperor out of thin air!
Yuan Shao strode towards the mansion gates. Tian Feng, Shen Pei, and other civil officials and generals exchanged glances before following closely behind. They too were eager to discover what Ju Shou was up to.
The group swiftly arrived at the main entrance of the Yuan Mansion. There they saw Ju Shou standing respectfully beside a ragged-looking youth, engaged in conversation.
This young man wore tattered clothes, appeared malnourished, and seemed like a beggar at first glance. However, upon closer inspection, he possessed striking features with an aura of nobility emanating from his demeanor.
As Yuan Shao’s gaze fell on the face of this seemingly beggar-like youth, his eyes nearly bulged out in disbelief!
“Y-Your Majesty?!” Yuan Shao exclaimed involuntarily, momentarily thinking he might be hallucinating.
But who else could possibly stand before him now?
None other than the Emperor of Great Han!
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