Late Han Zhao Tang

Chapter 434 Better to side with Yuan Shu than with the Zhang family

"Does Father intend to make Yuan Tan the heir apparent?"

Yuan Shang jumped up from his stool, shocked, and said, "Yuan Tan is mediocre. If he were to succeed to the throne, how could he be a match for Zhang Yu? My Yuan clan will surely perish because of him!"

“Young Master’s foundation is shallow, and Qingzhou has been occupied by Yuan Tan. Your Highness is worried that if Young Master is made heir, neither Gao Gan nor Yuan Tan will be able to accept him. If Yuan Tan is made heir, he can command the two young masters and Gao Gan as the elder brother,” Feng Ji said.

Upon hearing this, Yuan Shang was not angry but calmed down and looked at Feng Ji, asking, "Sir, are you perhaps advising me to honor my elder brother as king?"

Feng Ji smiled and said, "If I wanted to betray you, why would I come to visit you so late at night?"

Yuan Shang narrowed his eyes and asked, "What do you mean, sir? What can I do for you?"

Feng Ji leaned closer to Yuan Shang and whispered, "My lord, His Highness wishes to win everyone's hearts by establishing seniority, but do not forget that above His Highness is Yuan Shu. His Highness has submitted to Yuan Shu as a vassal, and now these people are not only from Qi, but also from Chen. If His Highness were to pass away, and Yuan Shu were to bestow titles upon you, my lord, would Qi and Lu not be entirely obedient?"

It must be said that Feng Ji was resourceful and shrewd. Yuan Shao fled to Qingzhou and rose again, but having lost Jizhou, he relied most heavily on Yuan Tan. However, Yuan Shang had no base in Qingzhou and could not compete with Yuan Tan in terms of popular support. But with Yuan Shu's support, the situation would be very different.

Yuan Shu was the emperor of the Great Chen Dynasty, and Yuan Shao was a subject of Chen. Therefore, Yuan Shu was the ruler of Qi. Even if Yuan Shao did not acknowledge this, the people of Qi and Lu considered themselves to be in the same camp as Yuan Shu. Thus, with Yuan Shu's endorsement, if Yuan Shang could inherit the throne, he would be able to rule Qi according to law and etiquette, and command the obedience of Gao Gan and Yuan Xi.

Yuan Shang was overjoyed, but quickly his expression darkened. He said, “Yuan Shu would not bestow the title of King of Qi upon me without reason. Only if my father establishes me as the crown prince will Yuan Shu issue an edict. Now Zhang Yu’s forces are strong. The reason Yuan Shu is helping me is simply to use me as a vanguard to curb Zhang Yu’s growing power.”

Yuan Shang lived up to his reputation for intelligence; he clearly understood the foundation of the alliance between Yuan Shu and Yuan Shao. Yuan Shu needed Yuan Shao to weaken Zhang Yu, while Yuan Shao needed Yuan Shu's support. Therefore, Yuan Shu didn't want internal strife within Yuan Shao's court, and a smooth succession to the throne was his goal. Thus, whoever Yuan Shao chose to appoint as heir, Yuan Shu would accept that person!
Feng Ji nodded to himself, quite admiring of Yuan Shang. He lowered his voice and said, "Since you, sir, can alter military orders and trap Ju Shou in Handan, why can't you alter memorials and change Yuan Tan's name to yours?"

"What about the edict written by Father?" Yuan Shang asked.

Feng Ji said, "I am the Protector of the Army, and Chunyu Qiong is the Commander-in-Chief. If His Highness leaves any will, it will have to go through Chunyu Qiong and me. Therefore, if we can persuade Chunyu Qiong, then the young master will surely succeed His Highness to the throne."

"Can Chunyu Qiong agree?"

"Why not?"

Feng Ji said, "Chunyu Qiong is fond of wine and women, and has a grudge against Meng Dai. Now that Meng Dai is on good terms with Yuan Tan, if Yuan Tan succeeds to the throne, Meng Dai will surely harm you. How can Chunyu Qiong not suspect this?"

Yuan Shang bowed to Feng Ji and said, "I will never forget your support, Feng. After I establish my career, I will treat you as a national hero."

Feng Ji helped Yuan Shang up and said, "Young master, your courtesy is too kind. I am unworthy of it."

The next day, things unfolded as Feng had predicted. Yuan Shao, who was ill in bed, summoned Chunyu Qiong and Feng Ji into his tent.

Only four days have passed since Yuan Shao began coughing up blood. He has become increasingly thin and haggard, and can hardly get out of bed.

"Your Highness, I pay my respects!"

Yuan Shao beckoned and said, "You two have followed me for many years, so there's no need for formalities. Come forward and speak with me."

"promise!"

Feng Ji leaned closer to the couch and asked, "Does Your Highness have any instructions?"

Yuan Shao covered his mouth with a handkerchief and coughed, saying, "Has there been any change in the military situation? Do the soldiers know about my illness?"

"Your Highness, military intelligence has arrived from Yanzhou. Man Chong has crossed the river, defeated Wei Lü, the governor of Jibei Commandery, and occupied Fangmen Pass and Pingyin City, cutting off the east-west route across the river," Chunyu Qiong replied.

Fangmen Pass was built on a plain between the Ji and Huang rivers and the Taishan mountain range. The plain on its south bank was only two li wide. By building the pass on the plain, it was possible to block the route of Qingzhou and Yanzhou along the Yellow River. Pingyin City was an important town behind Fangmen Pass, forming a double line of defense with it.

Historically, Qi and Jin clashed at Pingyin, vying for hegemony in the Central Plains. Jin rallied 110,000 troops from various smaller states in the Central Plains, while Qi countered with 30,000. Jin first breached Fangmen Pass, while Qi held firm at Pingyin. During the stalemate, Jin seized the opportunity when King Ling of Qi was observing his camp, launching a surprise attack to kill him. King Ling fled in fear, and the Jin army then captured Pingyin, advancing all the way to Linzi.

Therefore, Fangmen Pass is not only the gateway to Qingzhou, but it is also located to the west of Yuan Shao's army camp. If Yanzhou falls, Li Song and Man Chong could lead their troops eastward and join forces with Zhang Yu's army to attack Yuan Shao's army from both sides. Fortunately, Yuan Xi's troops are still intact, so Li and Man dare not use their troops in this way.

"What is the situation in Yanzhou?" Yuan Shao asked with concern.

"Your Highness, Cangting has fallen, and the Second Prince has led his troops to retreat to Dong'e. Li Song has led his army to besiege it. According to previous military reports, Li Song's troops number only 10,000, while Dong'e city has 200,000 shi of military provisions, enough to feed the 5,000 soldiers in the city for several months. Yuan Shu has already sent troops, which may temporarily protect the Heji region," Chunyu Qiong said.

Taking advantage of Chunyu Qiong's pause in speaking, Feng Ji added, "As for the morale of the army, apart from Ji, Zhongjian, the Second Young Master, and Gao Xuzhou, no one else has been affected by His Highness's illness. Therefore, the morale of the army has not been shaken and the soldiers are full of energy. They may be able to fight against Zhang Yu."

"If Yuan Shu sends troops, there is hope!"

Yuan Shao sighed and said, "It is a pity that I am ill and bedridden, and cannot lead the army to supervise the battle."

“Your Highness is protected by the heavens, and your health will surely recover!” Feng Ji said.

Having heard so many words of comfort, Yuan Shao remained unmoved and said, "I have summoned you two here today to discuss the matter of the crown prince. I wonder if you two have any insights?"

Chunyu Qiong had previously discussed the matter of establishing an heir with Yuan Shao. Upon hearing Yuan Shao's words about establishing an heir, he replied without hesitation, "Everything is up to Your Highness. I will obey Your Highness's orders."

Although Feng Ji intended to install Yuan Shang as heir apparent, how could he dare to say it in front of Yuan Shao? So, under Yuan Shao's gaze, he respectfully said, "Your Highness is virtuous, courteous, and benevolent. I believe you are a suitable heir!"

Seeing that Feng Ji wisely gave up on Yuan Shang, Yuan Shao nodded with satisfaction and said, "My intentions are the same as Gongtu's. Yuan Tan is respectful to scholars and has the demeanor of a sage. Now that I have passed away, I can let my eldest son succeed me to the throne."

"Your subject has no objection!"

"Your Highness is wise!" the two replied, bowing their heads.

"Then I would trouble you two to draft documents for me. One should be sent to my subordinates, stating that if I pass away, my eldest son will be made crown prince; the other should be sent to Yuan Shu, asking him to issue an edict to confer upon my eldest son the title of King of Qi," Yuan Shao said.

"As ordered!"

The person who usually drafted documents for Yuan Shao was Chen Lin from Guangling. However, the drafting of confidential documents was done by Feng Ji. Now, the drafting of the will was naturally done by Feng Ji.

Feng Ji sat at his desk, took up his pen and wrote down the imperial edict and memorial. Before the two documents were finished, they were presented to Yuan Shao.

Yuan Shao glanced at the edict a few times and, seeing that there were no flaws, said, "Send the order to the eldest son, instructing him to quickly come to the main camp to take charge of military affairs. The edict is to be kept by the two of you, and you should assist the eldest son well in the future."

"promise!"

Chunyu Qiong's expression darkened when he thought of Meng Dai, but he dared not say anything more and could only bow respectfully.

"Later, you two will summon Governor Gao to the main tent. I have important matters to instruct you on!" Yuan Shao instructed.

"promise!"

Yuan Shao's voice grew softer and his expression weaker, so after exchanging a few words with the two men, he dismissed them.

When they left the main tent, Feng Ji smiled broadly and invited Chunyu Qiong to a side tent to discuss matters.

"Mr. Feng invited me here. I wonder what your purpose is?" Chunyu Qiong asked.

Feng Ji, with a serious expression, asked, "His Highness's condition is critical, and the imperial edict and will are now in our hands. The decision on the heir apparent rests with you and me. What are your thoughts, General?"

Having experienced the political upheaval of the Eastern Han Dynasty, Chunyu Qiong was well aware of Feng Ji's intentions. His face showed great alarm, and he said, "Your Highness wishes to establish the eldest son as the heir apparent. You and I have received Your Highness's favor and should obey the emperor's will. How can we make decisions on our own?"

Feng Ji spoke slowly and deliberately, saying, "General, you have a grudge against Meng Dai. If the eldest son succeeds to the throne, Meng Dai will surely be highly valued. At that time, you will be framed by Meng Dai and will not have a good end. Now, the third son is intelligent and brave, and His Highness loves him very much, so he can be the heir. I hope you will think it over carefully."

Chunyu Qiong frowned in deep thought. After learning that Yuan Tan had become the crown prince, he was very worried about Meng Dai's retaliation if he were to take the throne, since Meng Dai's previous efforts to enforce military discipline were quite intimidating.

Seeing that Chunyu Qiong remained silent, Feng Ji added, "If the Third Prince succeeds to the throne, he will treat the General well. There are no candidates for the positions of Chancellor and Grand General, so the General can choose one of the two!"

Although Yuan Shao declared himself king, he did not appoint a large number of officials, instead focusing on his war against Zhang Yu. The positions of Chancellor and Grand General were left vacant by Yuan Shao, and now that Yuan Tan or Yuan Shang had taken over, they would inevitably have to appoint a large number of people to win their support.

After considering for a long time, Chunyu Qiong moved his lips slightly and said, "Your Highness's intention to summon Gao Gan may involve the matter of establishing an heir."

Seeing this, Feng Ji knew that Chunyu Qiong was tempted, and said, "The matter of conveying the order is up to the general. He said that Zhang Yu had increased his troops in Xincheng, and Gao Gan dared not leave the city, so he could appease His Highness. Judging from His Highness's condition, he will die in a day or two. Now we propose to amend the memorial and order Yuan Shu to confer the title of King of Qi upon the Third Prince, and then the people will all submit to him."

After a long internal struggle, Chunyu Qiong finally agreed, saying, "I dare not accept the position of Chancellor; you may accept it, sir. If I can obtain the position of General of Chariots and Cavalry, I will be content!"

"good!"

Feng Ji said with a smile, "I met with the Third Young Master with the General to discuss further confidential matters."

"Mr. Lao, please lead the way!"

Under Feng Ji's enticement, Chunyu Qiong chose to support Yuan Shang as the crown prince.

With the combined efforts of Feng Ji and Chunyu Qiong, the edict appointing Yuan Tan as crown prince was altered to Yuan Shang, and the scouts summoning Yuan Tan and Gao Gan to the army were intercepted by Chunyu Qiong, thus unaware of Yuan Shao's impending death.

That night (July 26th), Yuan Shao, feeling that his life was coming to an end and having not seen Gao Gan for a long time, hurriedly sent someone to summon him.

Where are the high-ranking officials?

“Your Highness, Zhang Yu has increased his troops in Xincheng and has sent them to attack the camp. Now, Governor Gao dares not leave the city and has come to apologize to Your Highness. He will pay his respects once the matter is settled!” Chunyu Qiong said.

Yuan Shao endured the pain, clinging to life by sheer willpower. Yuan Shang served him at his side.

The next day, Yuan Shao, still resentful, muttered, "I regret not heeding Tian Yuanhao's plan and taking advantage of Zhang Yu's westward expedition to Longyou to destroy them!"

"Plains!"

"Gaotang!"

Upon hearing the names of the two places, Yuan Shao coughed up several mouthfuls of blood and cried out in grief, "Is Heaven's will on Zhang's side?"

"Father!" Yuan Shang supported Yuan Shao's swaying body.

Yuan Shao opened his eyes wide, grabbed Yuan Shang's arm tightly, and said with all his might, "You must work together with your brother to resist Zhang Yu and recover Ji Province. If we fail, we will surrender to Yuan Shu in the south and defeat Zhang Yu again. If Yuan Shu wins the world, it will be the world of the Yuan family; if the Zhang family wins the world, it will be the demise of the Yuan family!"

As he spoke, his voice abruptly stopped, and Yuan Shao died unwillingly!

(End of this chapter)