Three Kingdoms: Fusion of Entries, Change of Destiny

Chapter 184 Yuan Shu has declared himself emperor!

Guo Jia and Cao Yan sat facing each other.

Cao Yan raised an eyebrow and asked first, "Fengxiao, why are you here instead of working in Xuchang?"

Upon hearing this, Guo Jia did not answer immediately. Instead, he raised his hand and gently stroked the teacup in his hand, his expression showing a rare hesitation.

After a long while, he slowly spoke, his voice carrying a hint of seriousness that was barely perceptible: "I have come here today because I have a matter I wish to ask for your help with."

"You want my help?" Cao Yan was slightly taken aback upon hearing this.

In his memory, Guo Jia was always exceptionally intelligent and acted freely, rarely asking for favors from others.

Moreover, given their long-standing friendship, Guo Jia's use of the word "beg" suggests there must be a hidden reason behind it.

Cao Yan's curiosity was piqued, and he couldn't help but laugh, "Fengxiao, given our friendship, for you to speak up like this, it must be something extraordinary!"

Guo Jia rolled his eyes at him and said, "Stop fooling around, we're talking about serious matters."

Seeing Guo Jia's serious expression, Cao Yan put away his smile, sat up straight, and said, "Speak freely. As long as it is within my power, I will not refuse."

Guo Jia took a deep breath and then said, "My lord... intends to betroth his daughter Cao Ting to me."

Upon hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed in Cao Yan's eyes.

Then, Cao Yan couldn't help but raise the corners of his mouth slightly, revealing a meaningful smile.

Seeing Cao Yan's expression, Guo Jia feigned anger and said, "Zi'an, don't overthink it. I am currently homeless and my position is merely that of Military Advisor. I feel I am not worthy of the lord's daughter."

Cao Yan then realized that Guo Jia was afraid of losing face when he got married because he felt that his status was not high enough.

Well, now comes the problem.

Cao Yan was Cao Cao's younger brother. If Guo Jia married Cao Cao's daughter, how should Guo Jia address himself in the future?

Thinking of this, Cao Yan could no longer help but burst out laughing.

"Zian, what are you laughing at?" Guo Jia asked, looking completely bewildered as Cao Yan laughed so hard he was bent over.

However, before the words had even finished, Guo Jia reacted instantly.

His smile froze on his face, his finger trembled as he pointed at Cao Yan, but he couldn't speak for a long time.

The two were originally close friends who called each other brothers, but with this marriage, he would probably have to call Cao Yan "uncle" in the future.

This change was so sudden that it was hard to accept at first.

The slight embarrassment Guo Jia felt from wanting to borrow money was now dispelled by this sudden change in seniority.

He gritted his teeth and said, "Zian, I won't beat around the bush. I've come to ask you for some money to buy a house so that I can have a respectable wedding."

"It's just a small amount of money!" Cao Yan laughed heartily, waved his hand, and said generously, "It just so happens that my workshop has a new product that is about to be launched. I'll leave this business to you."

Upon hearing this, Guo Jia's eyes flashed with curiosity, and he asked, "A new object? What is it?"

Cao Yan explained to Guo Jia, "It is a silk weaving machine that has been improved by a master craftsman."

This machine is not only lighter, but also significantly improves the weaving effect and efficiency.

Once launched, it will undoubtedly cause a sensation in the market and generate enormous profits.

Guo Jia pondered for a moment and thought the plan was feasible. He nodded and said, "That's excellent. Consider it your early congratulatory gift to me."

The two exchanged a smile, as if they had returned to the time when they planned important matters of the world together.
This time, however, the topic shifted from matters of state to matters of the heart and daily life.

Several years have passed since we met, and we've both started our own families.

……

In the third month of the first year of Jian'an (200 AD).

Yuan Shu, who should have declared himself emperor in February of the second year of Jian'an,

However, due to the nursery rhymes and rumors secretly spread by the spies of the Eagle Guard, as well as the carefully fabricated false auspicious omens, he believed that he was destined by Heaven. Ignoring the earnest advice of his advisors Yang Hong and Yan Xiang, he brazenly declared himself emperor in Shouchun and established the Zhong dynasty.

The court and the public were shaken, and the whole country was in an uproar.

After Yuan Shu declared himself emperor, he appointed the governor of Jiujiang as the governor of Huainan, and lavishly appointed officials and ministers, and even held a grand ceremony to worship heaven and earth.

His behavior can only be described as insane.

At that time, although the feudal lords attacked each other and outwardly obeyed but inwardly defied the imperial edicts, they still outwardly maintained the dignity of respecting the Han emperor's court.

Previously, Que Xuan, the emperor of Xiapi, was seen by the world as nothing more than a child playing house, and was quickly forgotten.

However, Yuan Shu came from a prominent family that had produced four generations of high-ranking officials.

Given his own formidable strength, the impact of his actions is no laughing matter.

Although the Han Dynasty is now in turmoil, it has been a legitimate dynasty for four hundred years, and most people still support the Han Dynasty.

Yuan Shu's declaration of himself as emperor instantly made him the target of all the warlords in the land.

Originally, Yuan Shu had already established a firm foothold in Yangzhou and was eyeing Jiangdong and Jingzhou with covetous intent, showing a strong momentum to sweep across the world.

However, this act of declaring himself emperor was undoubtedly self-destructive, squandering a winning hand.

After declaring himself emperor, Yuan Shu not only attracted the attention and hostility of various warlords, but even Sun Ce, who was conquering Jiangdong, decisively broke with him on the pretext of Yuan Shu's usurpation of the throne, and completely broke away from Yuan Shu's control.

Sun Ce's move not only provided a legitimate reason for his independent development, but also conformed to the people's respect for the Han Dynasty, laying the foundation for the establishment of the Eastern Wu regime in the future.

When news of Yuan Shu's declaration of himself as emperor reached Xu County, Emperor Liu Xie was so angry that he almost fainted.

Back then, the emperor most hoped that the two brothers, Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu, would come to welcome him.

After all, they came from prestigious families and were very powerful. If they could assist the Han Dynasty, perhaps the court could quickly gather talent and the Han Dynasty could be revitalized by leveraging their reputation.

But now, Yuan Shu has openly declared himself emperor, attempting to replace the Han dynasty. How could the emperor not be furious?
Enraged, the emperor immediately issued an edict ordering Minister Cao Cao to lead troops to attack Yuan Shu.

Faced with this momentous issue concerning the survival of the Han dynasty, the court officials and those in Cao Cao's faction, unusually united as one, all expressing their support for the emperor's decision.

Cao Cao outwardly ordered Zhuge Xuan, the governor of Taishan Commandery, to prepare for war, but those within Cao Cao's inner circle knew that this was merely a show for Emperor Liu Xie.

After obtaining the emperor's consent, Cao Cao, in the emperor's name, issued edicts to Yuan Shao of Ji Province, Gongsun Zan of You Province, Lü Bu and Liu Bei of Xu Province, and Liu Biao of Jing Province, ordering them to immediately raise troops and jointly attack the rebel Yuan Shu.

However, apart from Liu Bei, the former governor of Xuzhou, who took some action, the other warlords only verbally agreed but actually remained inactive, as steady as an old dog.

They each had their own agendas and were weighing the pros and cons, unwilling to easily get involved in a war that could deplete their own strength.

The atmosphere inside the Xiaopei government office was somewhat somber.

Guan Yu frowned and said worriedly to Liu Bei, "Brother, we can't fight Yuan Shu!"

Zhang Fei chimed in, "Brother, Second Brother is absolutely right. This isn't some imperial edict; it's clearly Cao Cao's..."

Liu Bei's face darkened, and before Zhang Fei could finish speaking, he sternly stopped him: "Third brother, watch your words!"

Despite his resentment at being shouted at, Zhang Fei could only let out a long sigh: "Brother, you... sigh!"

Seeing his two brothers' deep distress, Liu Bei smiled bitterly and said, "My two virtuous brothers, how could I not know that this is Cao Cao's conspiracy?"
Cao Cao is using the emperor to command the other warlords, intending to instigate a conflict between us and Yuan Shu so he can reap the benefits.

Zhang Fei couldn't help but ask, "Brother, since you already knew, why did you still fall into this trap?"

Liu Bei sighed deeply and slowly said, "I have always considered myself a descendant of the Han dynasty. If I do not even respect the imperial decree, how can I stand in the world in the future?"

Seeing Guan Yu and Zhang Fei deep in thought, Liu Bei continued, "To win back the hearts of the people, we must set an example. This campaign against Yuan Shu is risky, but it also presents opportunities!"

After a pause, Liu Bei's gaze hardened, and he continued, "If we can successfully defeat Yuan Shu this time, we can not only demonstrate to the world my loyalty to the Han Dynasty, but also rebuild my prestige in Xuzhou and suppress Lü Bu's arrogance."

He could then present the truth to the court and request military assistance, making the recapture of Xuzhou not out of the question.

Guan Yu and Zhang Fei exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with admiration, and said in unison, "Brother, we brothers will follow your lead!"

(End of this chapter)