About Cao Cao's reincarnation as the emperor's uncle

Chapter 38 What is the Yuan Family of Runan?
To win over Yuan Shao, one must first understand the Yuan family of Runan.

If we are talking about the Yuan family of Runan, we must start with Yuan Liang.

……

The second year of Jianping (5 BC during the Western Han Dynasty).

Inside the Yuan family ancestral home, young Yuan Liang listened to his father's explanation.

"Liang'er, this 'Meng's Yi' was created by Meng Xi. It uses the concepts of Yin and Yang and natural disasters to explain the 'Yi', allowing us to observe the ways of heaven and earth and predict changes in human affairs."

“Our Yuan family has studied this knowledge for generations. You should remember it well, for knowledge is the foundation of one’s life.”

Time flies, and Yuan Liang grew up immersed in the "Mengshi Yi".

After reaching adulthood, Yuan Liang was selected as a retainer of the Crown Prince based on his profound knowledge.

One day, a banquet was held in the palace.

During the gathering, someone brought up the topic of natural disasters and asked Yuan Liang:
"Lord Yuan, it has been raining a lot in Chang'an for the past month. What does this signify?"

Yuan Liang said solemnly:
"The Book of Changes says, 'When the superiors and inferiors do not communicate, the world is in chaos; continuous rain is an omen of the separation of heaven and earth...'"

"Your Majesty should broaden the channels for advice and be close to virtuous ministers so as to connect with the spirit of heaven and earth."

From then on, he rose to fame.

……

Wang Mang usurped the Han throne, plunging the empire into chaos.

Yuan Liang refused to associate with Wang Mang, so he resigned from his official post and returned to his hometown, where he gathered students to teach and pass on the "Mengshi Yi".

The twelfth year of Jianwu (Eastern Han Dynasty, 36 AD).

After Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu pacified the country, the court widely recruited talented people, and Yuan Liang was summoned to the capital.

Although his official rank was low, Yuan Liang achieved remarkable political achievements after taking office, and the people lived in peace and contentment.

There was a boy beside him who, from that moment on, set his sights on something great.

……

This young man was named Yuan An.

He was influenced by his grandfather Yuan Liang from a young age and was well-versed in poetry and literature.

The eighth year of Yongping (Eastern Han Dynasty, 65 AD).

In the depths of winter, Luoyang City was covered by more than ten feet of snow.

Due to the snow disaster, the magistrate of Luoyang was ordered to inspect the area and found that every household was clearing snow to open roads and go out to find food.

However, there was no way to reach Yuan An.

The magistrate of Luoyang thought Yuan An had frozen to death, so he ordered his men to break through the ice and snow and break down the door to enter.

But Yuan An was found curled up on the bed, his body stiff and on the verge of death.

The magistrate of Luoyang lifted the straw curtain, and his breath condensed into ice crystals.

Why doesn't Yuan Sheng sweep snow to beg for food?

Yuan An struggled to sit up, his voice weak but firm:

"Heavy snow has blocked our doors, and the people are suffering. How can we bear to disturb them?"

The magistrate of Luoyang was moved and recommended Yuan An as a candidate for the civil service examination.

This scholar, who came from a poor family, embarked on his official career.

After Emperor Zhang ascended the throne, Yuan An was appointed as the governor of Chu Commandery.

The case of the King of Chu's rebellion had far-reaching implications, with thousands of people imprisoned.

After taking office, Yuan An disregarded his own safety and sought justice for the innocent.

In his memorial to the throne, he wrote:
“Punishment is used to prohibit violence and evil, and to guide the people toward good.”

“Nowadays, wrongful convictions are rampant in counties and prefectures. The dead die with grievances in the underworld, and the living live with resentment in the world. This is not the intention of the former kings in establishing the laws.”

Emperor Zhang was deeply moved after reading the memorial and ordered Yuan An to reinvestigate the case. In the end, more than 400 households and over a thousand elderly and children were released.

This move made him famous in the imperial court, and he was appointed governor of Henan Province. After several years in office, his reputation spread far and wide, and he eventually rose to the position of Minister of Works.

From then on, the Yuan family of Runan began its path of producing "three dukes across four generations".

……

Yuan An's sons, with Yuan Jing and Yuan Chang as the leaders.

The fourth year of the Yuan Dynasty (117 AD).

Yuan Chang gripped the memorial in his hand tightly and looked out at the snow-covered landscape.

Across from him at the desk, Yuan Jing put down his pen, his gaze sweeping over Yuan Chang's tense face:

“Brother, if this memorial is submitted, it may bring great disaster.”

Yuan Chang slammed his fist on the table and stood up:

"The Deng family has brought chaos to the country. As the Minister of Works, if I sit idly by and do nothing, how am I any different from a rotten rat?"

Yuan Jing stood up and sighed deeply:

"The political arena is like a game of chess; one must plan for the whole situation..."

Yuan Chang sneered:

"I only know that this great man has no right to serve two masters!"

Before he could finish speaking, the sound of rapid hoofbeats came from outside the door.

Yuan Xu staggered in, his hat and sash askew:
"Father, the secret letter has been intercepted, and the Deng family wants to arrest people!"

Yuan Chang closed his eyes for a moment, and when he opened them again, he had regained his composure:

“Xu’er, if something happens to your father, then go with your uncle and leave Luoyang.”

Yuan Xu knelt down with a thud:
"Father, I'm willing to die with you!" Yuan Jing helped his nephew up and draped his own fox fur coat over his shoulders.

"Xu'er, the incense must not be extinguished..."

Yuan Xu stood up angrily:

"Uncle, is the Yuan family's lineage greater than the rise and fall of the Han Dynasty?"

Yuan Jing looked out the window and remained silent for a long time.

Not long after, Yuan Chang, Minister of Works, Yuan Xu, Grand Master of Ceremonies, and Yuan Jingquan, Attendant-in-Ordinary, were dismissed from their posts.

The leader, Sikong Yuan Chang, died a violent death.

Under the protection of his uncle Yuan Jing, Yuan Xu returned to his hometown and lived in seclusion.

From this point on, the initial signs of internal divisions within the Yuan family began to emerge.

……

The sons of Yuan Jing, with Yuan Peng and Yuan Tang as the leaders.

Yuan Peng was an upright official who lived a simple life, wearing coarse clothes and eating simple food. He shared the same ideals as his cousin Yuan Xu.

The fourth year of Yanguang (125 AD).

The palace eunuchs joined forces to kill the Yan family, relatives of the empress, and then welcomed Liu Bao to the throne, who became Emperor Shun.

Yuan was once again given important responsibilities, and Yuan Peng was promoted to Grand Master of Ceremonies, ranking among the Nine Ministers.

Yuan Tang, on the other hand, was of one mind with his father, Yuan Jing.

The first year of the Benchu ​​era (146 AD).

Emperor Zhi was poisoned by the Liang family, his maternal relatives, at the young age of nine.

In the same year, Yuan Tang was promoted to Minister of Works, ranking among the Three Dukes.

Later, he served successively as Minister of Works and Grand Commandant.

The reasons for this are not something that can be explained to outsiders.

In short, Yuan Xu and Yuan Peng disdained to associate with him, and the split within the Yuan clan gradually came to the fore.

……

Yuan Tang had twelve sons.

The eldest son born out of wedlock was named Yuan Ping, while he had three legitimate sons: Yuan Cheng, Yuan Feng, and Yuan Wei.

Yuan Ping and Yuan Cheng were older and had the privilege of following their great-uncle Yuan Chang, and were deeply influenced by him.

Later, he received instruction from his uncle Yuan Xu and his uncle Yuan Peng, always taking the rise and fall of the Han Dynasty as his own responsibility.

After entering officialdom, Yuan Ping repeatedly remonstrated with the Liang family because he could not stand their chaotic rule, and was persecuted and died young.

Liang used this opportunity to demonstrate his power against Yuan.

However, the tragic death of his elder brother only fueled Yuan Cheng's resolve.

Yuan Cheng was brave and resourceful, and did not choose to confront the Liang family head-on.

With the assistance of his uncle Yuan Xu and his father Yuan Peng.

He secretly contacted powerful and influential families in the court, from General Liang Ji downwards.

For a time, he seemed to be the leader of the literati.

It is widely believed that: "If things don't go well, ask Wen Kai."

This refers to Yuan Cheng, also known as Yuan Wenkai, the General of the Five Offices.

Can……

Ultimately, they could not overcome the authority of the Liang family.

Yuan Xu and Yuan Peng both died unnatural deaths, and Yuan Cheng also died young.

After that, Yuan Tang was the only one left in charge of the Yuan family.

After this battle, he no longer cared about the rise and fall of the Han Dynasty, but only about the rise and fall of the Yuan family.

Yuan Tang wanted the Yuan family to rise even higher, perhaps even to the very top…

Therefore, under his influence, the remaining two legitimate sons gradually led the Yuan family onto a new path.

These are Yuan Feng, the Grand Master of the Palace, who is now one of the Nine Ministers, and Yuan Wei, the Minister of Works, who is one of the Three Dukes.

Yuan Feng had two legitimate sons: Yuan Ji and Yuan Shu.

These two sons were exactly like their father, Yuan Feng.

Yuan Peng's son, Yuan He, disdained this path and thus sought refuge with the Yuan family of Chen Commandery.

The Yuan clan of Runan originated from the Yuan clan of Chenjun.

The Yuan family of Chenjun, though prominent, never engaged in power struggles and were known for their integrity and scholarship.

From this point on, the internal division within the Yuan clan of Runan seemed to have come to an end.

……

But, do you still remember Yuan Cheng?

That was the General of the Five Offices who was persecuted and died young.

He was the eldest son of Yuan Tang, who inherited the style of his ancestor Yuan An and carried on the ambition of his uncle Yuan Chang.

These years, I've lived deep within the Yuan family mansion.

Yuan Cheng's wife quietly raised an infant to adulthood.

His name was Yuan Shao...

(End of this chapter)