Chapter 41: Yuan Shu: No One Can Hinder My Ascension to Emperor

As Yuan Shao gathered his forces for an assault on Pei County, Yuan Shu, far away in Yangzhou, was frantically preparing for his own imperial ascension.

“It’s been nearly three months already! Why isn’t our heavenly altar completed? What have you all been doing?!”

“With only seven days left until the coronation, if the heavenly altar is not finished by then, how can we ascend and offer sacrifices to the heavens?!”

In the Great Hall, Yuan Shu, face filled with fury, pointed at his ministers and unleashed a torrent of verbal abuse.

Despite not yet officially ascending, he impatiently donned lavish imperial robes embroidered with dragons, mountains, rivers, clouds, birds, beasts, fish, and insects. He wore the celestial crown, fully adopting the attire of an emperor, even referring to himself as “We.”

This demonstrated just how eagerly he yearned to become emperor.

Facing Yuan Shu’s wrath, the ministers in the hall remained silent, unable to express their difficulties openly.

Constructing a heavenly altar was a massive undertaking, further hindered by the harsh winter conditions—extreme cold, freezing ground, and heavy snowfall—that slowed progress significantly.

Although the weather had slightly warmed up, the ice and snow had not yet melted completely. How could they possibly complete the heavenly altar so swiftly?

Yang Hong sighed, “My lo… Your Majesty, constructing the heavenly altar within seven days is indeed too challenging. We must allow more time.”

Yuan Shu had already decreed that everyone must address him as “Your Majesty.” Last time, when one of his ministers referred to him as “my lord,” Yuan Shu had ordered his execution for gross disrespect. Now, no one dared defy this command.

“Your Majesty, it must not be done!” At this moment, a Daoist standing beside Yuan Shu suddenly spoke with a look of urgency on his face. “In seven days, the Purple Tenuity Emperor Star will align centrally, overshadowing all other stars, resonating perfectly with your destiny. It is the most auspicious day for you to ascend and proclaim yourself Emperor!”

“If we miss this rare opportunity, which won’t recur for centuries, we may never find such a favorable day again!”

This elderly Daoist was none other than Zhang Ao.

Now officially appointed by Yuan Shu, he had transformed from an ordinary Daoist priest to the imperial guoshi, responsible for divination, sacrificial rites, and overseeing all matters related to the coronation ceremony.

“What?!” Upon hearing Zhang Ao’s words, Yuan Shu’s face drained of color, and he sternly commanded Yang Hong, “Convey our decree: mobilize ten thousand laborers immediately to expedite construction, overseen by soldiers. The heavenly altar must be completed within seven days!”

“If the deadline is not met, every last worker shall be beheaded and displayed publicly!” Yuan Shu’s expression turned menacing, his voice filled with murderous intent.

These words sent shivers through the assembled ministers.

Yan Xiang, who had remained silent until now, could no longer hold back his anger. He exclaimed, “My lord, this man spreads deceitful prophecies; how can you trust him so easily!”

“My lord, your ascension to the throne was already a grave transgression. Now, with excessive taxation and forced labor for palace renovations and the construction of the heavenly altar, public discontent is boiling over. If this continues, all the foundations you’ve laid will crumble overnight!”

“Blasphemy!” Yuan Shu pointed furiously at Yan Xiang, enraged. “Our guoshi is a true enlightened being; how dare you question his words? Destiny’s aura surrounds us, ensuring our dynasty’s eternal stability once we ascend the throne in seven days! Why should we concern ourselves with the opinions of those lowly peasants?”

“Yan Xiang! Considering your years of loyal service and meritorious deeds, we have repeatedly overlooked your overstepping. Do not abuse our favor by acting recklessly!

“I am the Son of Heaven! You must address me as ‘Your Majesty’!”

Undeterred by Yuan Shu’s fury, Yan Xiang responded sternly, “I speak only the truth, my lord! Please cease this folly!”

This further inflamed Yuan Shu, causing him to erupt, “Guards! Arrest this traitorous minister and throw him into the imperial prison!”

The ministers were stunned.

Yang Hong knelt first, pleading on behalf of Yan Xiang, “Your Majesty, please reconsider! With his advanced age and frail health, Yan Gong may not survive imprisonment.”

“Spare Yan Gong, Your Majesty, for his momentary disrespect!”

Following Yang Hong’s plea, other ministers joined in their entreaties.

Yan Xiang held the highest seniority among the ministers and was known for his integrity, garnering widespread respect. His words echoed the thoughts of many present, making it impossible for them to bear witnessing Yan Xiang’s punishment.

Yuan Shu’s face darkened; he already regretted his outburst but found himself trapped with no easy way out. Turning towards Yan Xiang, he spoke coldly, “In light of your fellow ministers pleading on your behalf, if you acknowledge your mistake, we shall forgive your transgressions!”

“No need, my lord.” Without hesitation, Yan Xiang declined Yuan Shu’s offer, extracting a letter from his sleeve and placing it on the ground. “My lord may punish me as deemed fit, but please take a moment to read this letter from Sun Ce of Jiangdong.”

“Very well! Very well! Very well!” Yuan Shu gritted his teeth, all traces of mercy vanishing from his heart. He issued a chilling command, “Guards, seize the traitorous minister Yan Xiang and throw him into prison!”

As his voice fell, two guards entered the Great Hall. They flanked Yan Xiang, escorting him away while leaving the letter untouched on the floor.

“Bring forth the letter!” Yuan Shu hesitated briefly, furrowing his brow, before deciding to examine the correspondence. After all, it was from Sun Ce himself.

A court eunuch swiftly retrieved the letter and presented it to Yuan Shu. As he opened and read it carefully, his expression grew increasingly grim. “How audacious of Sun Ce!”

Yuan Shu crumpled the letter and viciously tossed it to the ground, stomping on it with his foot.

Seeing this, Zhang Ao couldn’t help but ask, “Your Majesty, what did Sun Ce’s letter say?”

Sun Ce’s reputation as the Little Overlord was thunderous, known far and wide.

Yuan Shu’s face darkened, remaining silent.

The letter from Sun Ce urged him not to proclaim himself Emperor, even threatening to sever ties if he went ahead with the coronation!

Yuan Shu harbored both intense hatred and deep apprehension towards Sun Ce. As a fierce and formidable general, Sun Ce’s valor surpassed that of his father, Sun Jian.

After Sun Jian’s death, Sun Ce had joined Yuan Shu. However, their relationship was essentially independent in practice, with Sun Ce’s influence too significant to underestimate.

Severing ties with him would undoubtedly create a grave threat!

“If only I had helped Liu Biao crush Jiangdong when I had the chance.”

Under the watchful eyes of his ministers and Zhang Ao, Yuan Shu took a deep breath and declared expressionlessly:

“Pass the command: gather laborers to construct the heavenly altar, ensuring completion within seven days!”

“After these seven days, we shall formally worship the heavens and proclaim our ascension to the throne, announcing it to all under heaven!”

With those words, Yuan Shu left the Great Hall without looking back.

At this point, he could no longer afford to worry about whether Sun Ce might sever ties; he stood just one step away from claiming the imperial throne!

Taking that final stride would make him the true Son of Heaven!

As Yuan Shu exited the hall, sunlight bathed his body. He spread his arms wide, embracing the warmth.

Desiring to grasp the entire world within his embrace, Yuan Shu wore a mesmerized expression, murmuring softly, audible only to himself:

“No one can stop me from becoming Emperor!”