I am not Yuan Shu

Chapter 253 Duan is here to accompany you to the end

On December 11th of the first year of the Zhengshi reign, Yuan Shu led his troops to annihilate the 20,000 rebel troops led by the pseudo-General of Chariots and Cavalry Li Shao in Baima County, and killed Li Shao in battle, achieving a resounding victory.

In one battle, the Han army captured more than 16,000 rebels, wiped out all the rebels west of Baima County, and opened up a direct route to Puyang to quell the rebellion.

This news reached Duan Xing, who was leading his troops to Baima County, on December 12.

Duan Xing was a little bit incredulous when he suddenly learned about this. He felt that no matter how incompetent the rebels were, they still had 20,000 people, while Yuan Shu had only 5,000 people. It was quite hard to believe that the words "annihilate" appeared in such a battle situation.

Even if there were 20,000 pigs, it would not be an easy task for Yuan Shu's 5,000 men to catch them.

But that's what happened. Yuan Shu successfully wiped out the 20,000 rebels. According to the battle report, Yuan Shu even led the army to charge and killed the rebel leader Li Shao with a single spear, laying the foundation for the victory of the entire army.

This can be called the first achievement in this battle!

My goodness, how could such a peerless macho man emerge from an aristocratic family with three generations of dukes?
How come you are so awesome?

After Duan Xing learned about this, he sent people to spread Yuan Shu's achievements to the entire army, letting everyone know about Yuan Shu's success and bravery and make him famous. At the same time, Duan Xing accelerated to Baima County, as he felt that he had some things to say.

Duan Xing arrived at Baima County on December 13 and met Yuan Shu.

With many people watching, he praised Yuan Shu's bravery and courage, saying that he had the "courage of Ben Yu" and would become a brave general in the future.

But after praising him, he pulled Yuan Shu to a deserted place and started lecturing him earnestly like an old woman.

"Zijia, I know you are young and brave, and you want to prove yourself. Haven't I given you many opportunities? Why do you want to lead the army in person? Don't you know that swords have no eyes on the battlefield? If something happens to you, how can I explain to your father?

If something happens to you, what will happen to the vanguard? What about the morale of the entire army? What about your own Yixin Society? The honor and disgrace of so many people depend on you. The most taboo thing for a general is to charge into the battle personally. I have told you many times, why don't you listen?"

Duan Xing was probably very anxious. He was a great general, but was forced by Yuan Shu to become like Tang Monk.

Looking at Duan Ying who was like an old lady, Yuan Shu couldn't help but smile.

“General Duan, I know you are worried about me, but I rushed out only because I was confident. You know the level of this rebel army, and there are so many people protecting me and surrounding me. Even if I want to die, it is not that easy.

Moreover, I think you shouldn't say that to me. I heard that you often wore heavy armor and charged into battle with the soldiers on the battlefield in Liangzhou, and you even won the first place in the battle several times. Aren't you still alive and well now?"

Duan Yan glared and blew his beard.

"I am alive today, but how many of those who went to the battlefield with me have come back alive? Moreover, I was just an insignificant general at the time, risking my life for my future. But what about you? Zijia, don't tell me that you don't know your significance to the Han Dynasty!"

After hearing what Duan Ying said, Yuan Shu immediately put away his smile and nodded seriously.

"Of course I know how important I am, but it is precisely because of this that I need more tangible military achievements and unquestionable military prestige. General Duan, I regard you as one of my own, so I can tell you very frankly.

I have very ambitious goals. I want to do many big things and make changes to this world. Therefore, I must have military merit, great military merit at that. The prestige gained from this will be the foundation for me to change this world!

This is why I insisted on joining the army and fighting. If it was just to prove myself, General Duan, do you think that everything I have done before is not enough to prove me? I don't need to prove myself! What I need is the prestige of people trusting me in dangerous situations, and following me and fighting for me. This kind of prestige can only be obtained on the battlefield!"

Yuan Shu's words were so powerful that Duan Ying was stunned and couldn't react for a while.

When Duan Ying finally reacted, he couldn't help but frown and looked at Yuan Shu in confusion.

"Zijia, I know there are indeed many problems in this world that have to be changed, but is it really as bad as you said? What do you want to do? Do you even need to risk your life?
Your Yuan family has been three dukes for four generations. By now, you have accumulated a great prestige in the world. You must be your father's successor. Even if you do nothing, you will ascend to the position of one of the three dukes in the future. With such great prestige given to you, what else do you need? Could it be that you... you..."

Duan Ying suddenly thought of something, his eyes widened, and he immediately looked at Yuan Shu with a very horrified expression.

Then he opened his mouth to say something, but when the words reached his lips, it seemed as if something was blocking his throat, making him unable to speak.

The way he looked at Yuan Shu gradually changed.

Could it be that... Yuan Shu's idea is to change the dynasty and become the emperor himself?
Duan Xing suddenly realized that only this possibility could make Yuan Shu willing to risk his life.

Only to become an emperor would a descendant of a family of three dukes for four generations like Yuan Shu have to risk his life! Otherwise, with his family's accumulation, wouldn't it be easy for him to do anything? Why risk his life?
Thinking in this direction, Duan Yu immediately understood why Yuan Shu worked so hard and why he was so obsessed with gaining credit.

He already has such great prestige and power, and he wants to go further. What else can he do for this if not to become emperor?

After figuring out this problem, Duan Ying felt that everything made sense.

However, this raises another question.

Yuan Shu wants to be emperor, is it possible?
The four hundred years of the Han Dynasty have been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, and people all over the world have become accustomed to being ruled by the Liu family. If someone from the Liu family is not the emperor, would people all over the world recognize it?

Although the Han Dynasty had some problems, and those were not small, your Yuan family had already raised an army to solve these problems, and also controlled the emperor and seized power. Logically speaking, you are already the uncrowned kings, and it seems that there is not much significance in becoming an emperor or not.

But speaking of it, the title of emperor is indeed very tempting.

Duan Xing had to admit that the word "emperor" did have its own unique charm.

Many things can only be justified if done in the name of the emperor. If done by others, it would be illegitimate.

Because all power in this world is restricted in the process of operation, and imperial power is of course no exception. Imperial power is also restricted in name, but the problem is that the one who can legitimately restrict imperial power is God.

Everyone believes that this God exists, but no one has ever really seen him, so whether this God can really limit the imperial power seems to be an ambiguous question.

If what Yuan Shu was pursuing was this unrestricted power, Duan Yu felt that he also needed to consider it carefully.

After all, Duan Xing's current status and power were all due to the Yuan family. He had no roots of his own, and apart from the Yuan family, he would be nothing.

Moreover, in a series of previous events, he betrayed the eunuch group, and as the executor of the interests of the Yuan family group, he confronted the emperor and his ministers head-on, drove the emperor away, and took the ministers away, embodying the image of a loyal dog of the Yuan family.

Because of this, he was able to become the Grand Marshal and General of Chariots and Cavalry.

So he and the Yuan family have long been one. To go further, he and Yuan Shu are one. He chose to join Yuan Shu, not other members of the Yuan family.

In this situation, Yuan Shu confessed to him and made demands on him. If he accepted, he would naturally gain Yuan Shu's further trust and resource allocation, helping him to gain greater power.

But if he does not support it, and if he wants to be a loyal subject of the Han Dynasty, it is hard to say what his end will be.

Duan Xing himself was very clear about this.

From this perspective, he felt that he had no choice but to support. Otherwise, he would be making himself unhappy and there was no need for that.

He felt that he had done his best for the Han Empire.

He risked his life to quell the Qiang Rebellion for the Han Empire, but ended up being ruined by a group of insects and almost fell into ruin. If Yuan Shu hadn't reached out to help him, he would probably have been buried with the eunuchs.

If Yuan Shu really succeeded in seizing the throne and becoming emperor, changing the dynasty would certainly be a boon to him, and he might even be able to go further.

If Yuan Shu fails...

Then he could enjoy his high position and generous salary for a while longer, and would not be taken down immediately.

After careful consideration, Duan Ying came to his own conclusion.

He decided to follow his heart and his own interests and become Yuan Shu's most staunch supporter.

If Yuan Shu wanted to be emperor...

He follows!

"Zijia, if you insist on doing something big, I don't have much to say. Of course, doing big things is difficult and very dangerous, but as long as you insist and as long as you dare, I will accompany you to the end!"

(End of this chapter)