Chapter 45: Liu Xie: I Declare Yuan Shu as the Strongest

Yecheng, Jizhou.

Despite it being late at night, lights still illuminated Yuan Manor. Furious curses and sounds of smashing objects intermittently pierced the tranquil darkness from within the study.

“Fool! Utter imbecile!”

“Yuan Shu, you truly deserve death—ahhh!”

The voice brimmed with palpable malice, sending chills down one’s spine even from a distance.

Hearing these outbursts, the servants in Yuan Manor dared not peek, keeping their heads bowed as they hastily moved away from the study, fearing any involvement.

Inside the study, Yuan Shao stood amidst chaos, wielding a bloodstained blade, his eyes crimson as he panted heavily. At his feet lay a corpse, its blood pooling across the floor.

Where was the grace and nobility befitting the “Role Model of the Nation”? He appeared utterly deranged.

In truth, that wasn’t far from reality.

“My lord…” The Yuan Manor steward, trembling under the desk, cautiously called out.

Yuan Shao abruptly raised his head, glaring at Shen Pei with bloodshot eyes. The menacing expression nearly frightened the poor old steward out of his wits.

At that moment, rapid footsteps approached.

Tian Feng, Ju Shou, Shen Pei, and other ministers hurried to the scene. Upon witnessing the chaos within the study and seeing Yuan Shao covered in blood, they were all taken aback.

“My lord, what has happened?” Ju Shou couldn’t help but ask, visibly shaken by Yuan Shao’s terrifying appearance, which was starkly different from his usual demeanor.

What could have transpired?

Most anxious among them, Tian Feng stepped forward to check on Yuan Shao, but Yuan Shao fiercely swung his bloodied sword, roaring, “Get away!”

Had it not been for Shen Pei swiftly pulling Tian Feng back, the blade would have struck him across the chest.

“Yuanhao, my lord is not himself right now; do not approach hastily,” Shen Pei said gravely, then turned to address the Yuan Manor steward.

“What exactly occurred? Why has our lord become like this? Explain quickly!”

They had been sound asleep when suddenly awoken by servants from the Yuan Manor, who claimed Yuan Shao had gone mad. They rushed over without delay, yet remained unaware of the specifics.

However, they had no idea what exactly had transpired.

The old housekeeper, still shaken, stammered nervously, “T-tonight, a scout delivered a secret report. A-after my lord read it, he became like this. He even drew his sword and killed the scout, injuring several servants within the manor as well. None of us dared to approach…”

“Where is the secret report? Bring it forth immediately!”

“It’s here…” The old housekeeper respectfully handed over the bloodstained document, which he had secretly retrieved earlier, to Shen Pei.

Shen Pei quickly scanned its contents and gasped audibly.

“Zhengnan, what does it say?” Ju Shou couldn’t help but ask.

Guo Tu urged him, “Tell us quickly! Don’t keep us in suspense—what’s written there?”

With a mix of emotions, Shen Pei exhaled deeply and spoke somberly, “It says… Yuan Shu has declared himself Emperor at Shouchun.”

Upon hearing this, shock registered on everyone’s faces.

Declared himself Emperor?!

Instantly, all present understood why Yuan Shao was so enraged, to the point of losing his mind amidst fury.

Although the Han Dynasty was weak, its fortune had not yet run out, and the hearts of the people remained loyal to it. The Yuan family, with their lineage spanning four generations as ministers, had long been recipients of the Great Han’s grace. Yet, Yuan Shu, as the second legitimate son of the Yuan clan, dared to usurp power and declare himself Emperor!

This act effectively squandered centuries’ worth of accumulated prestige for the Yuan family!

How could Yuan Shao, who took immense pride in his noble birth, not be enraged by this betrayal?

Undoubtedly, he wasn’t alone; every Yuan descendant across the land likely wished to grind Yuan Shu’s bones to dust!

How fucking dare you!

Most crucially, Yuan Shao still held the Emperor under his control, claiming allegiance to the Han Dynasty. With his half-brother proclaiming himself Emperor, one can only imagine how the world would perceive Yuan Shao from now on.

People would undoubtedly view him as no different from Yuan Shu, akin to Dong Zhuo… or worse, even more treacherous than Dong Zhuo!

“Yuan Shu! Yuan Shu! You’ve ruined me!” Yuan Shao cried out, his eyes rolling back before he collapsed backward, the sword in his hand clattering to the ground.

Witnessing this, the ministers turned pale with shock, abandoning all protocol as they rushed forward.

“My lord! My lord!”

“Hurry, summon the physician quickly!”

The next day at the imperial palace.

In the rear garden, Liu Xie munched on court pastries and, with his mouth full, slurred, “Yew awe sayin’, Yuan Shao fainted from anger?”

Across from him sat Guo Jia, who attentively handed Liu Xie a cup of water before nodding. “Yes, Your Majesty. He has remained unconscious since last night, showing no signs of waking yet. The physician believes it’s due to overwhelming rage affecting his heart, requiring rest and recuperation.”

Liu Xie took a sip of tea, swallowed the pastry in his mouth, and then gave his assessment with a thumbs-up.

“Absolutely badass.”

”?”

Guo Jia didn’t quite understand the meaning behind this phrase, but he had grown accustomed to Liu Xie’s unconventional vocabulary and paid it little mind. Instead, he shifted the conversation to Yuan Shu proclaiming himself Emperor.

“It’s not surprising that Yuan Shao reacted so intensely. Yuan Shu’s actions were audacious and have dire consequences,” Guo Jia explained. “With Your Majesty still alive, for Yuan Shu, born into the Yuan clan, to defy hierarchy and declare himself Emperor is utterly treasonous. Such behavior will surely be intolerable to all under heaven.”

“He claimed the throne a month ago, and by now, it’s likely that news has spread throughout the realm, reaching every regional lord.”

Liu Xie clicked his tongue in admiration, saying, “We must admit, We greatly respect Yuan Shu. While others dared not act or claim the title, he boldly stepped forward - truly a man among men of the Yuan clan.”

Emperor Liu Xie was willing to acknowledge Yuan Shu as the strongest.

In truth, Liu Xie had long been speculating whether Yuan Shu would indeed declare himself Emperor at this point in history, as it had unfolded before. Initially, he thought his transmigration and subsequent interference with historical events might delay or even prevent Yuan Shu’s ascension to the throne. Yet unexpectedly, Yuan Shu stubbornly went through with it.

Impressive.

“Your Majesty seems unsurprised by this news?” Guo Jia astutely picked up on Liu Xie’s reaction, sensing that the Emperor had anticipated this event, showing no hint of surprise.

Liu Xie was about to pick up a pastry and take a bite but paused upon hearing Guo Jia’s observation. He replied, “Not surprised at all. Nothing Yuan Shu does shocks me; it aligns perfectly with his character. Moreover, Fengxiao, don’t you think Yuan Shu has merely done what many other warlords dare not, despite harboring similar ambitions?”

“In that regard, he surpasses them significantly.”

Guo Jia momentarily hesitated, then couldn’t help but smile. However, there was a complexity in his eyes.

Indeed, among the warlords across the land, how many secretly nurtured imperial ambitions? Were they exclusive to Yuan Shu alone? Certainly not. It was just that others either concealed their desires well or simply lacked the courage. Despite their insane longing for power, they maintained a facade of unwavering loyalty to the Han Dynasty—a truly laughable situation.

However…for Liu Xie, the Emperor, Yuan Shu’s sudden declaration of sovereignty presented an excellent opportunity!