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

Chapter 43 Yuan Benchu, Oh Yuan Benchu

Xu Feng's carriage rolled down the long street.

Liu Fang lifted the curtain and saw the midday sun shining brightly on the newly sprouted grass shoots.

I'm about to see the young man who once rode alongside me across the land...

They once swore an oath of brotherhood, but also broke ties in Luoyang, and there was even more regret at Guandu.

The Primordial Beginning...

That prisoner trapped by the shackles of the times.

Strictly speaking, it wasn't him who defeated Yuan Shao; Yuan Shao died of illness and was defeated by himself.

Yuan Shao's tragedy began with his humiliating birth.

In the mansion of the Yuan family of Runan...

Even though it was Yuan Shu who harmed him, he cried and begged for forgiveness in front of his father, Yuan Feng.

When the eldest brother, Yuan Ji, explained the classics, he would specifically emphasize the ritual that "the sons of the lower branches do not perform sacrifices..."

Bastard!

These two words became an indelible mark on his soul, driving Yuan Shao to embark on a grueling journey of self-proof throughout his life.

Yuan Shao was a court official from a young age. He was handsome and had a dignified demeanor.

He took office as the magistrate of Puyang at a young age, already knowing how to use his reputation as leverage, but resigned from his post due to the death of his adoptive mother.

He also held a funeral for his deceased father, Yuan Cheng, and spent six years building a memorial archway in the literati to commemorate filial piety and brotherly love.

When he moved to Luoyang dressed in plain white, with the sword given to him by a famous scholar hanging at his waist, he studied the classics every night until the candle wax frosted over.

Regardless of their social status, Yuan Shao treated all visitors with the same courtesy and sincerity, and sincerely befriended them.

Especially after the political turmoil, Yuan Shao's reputation for righteousness spread throughout the world.

Those carriages and horses crowded the streets, those down-on-their-luck people who were treated with great hospitality...

Do you know that Yuan Shi was the "Little Mengchang"?
Although some people say:

"Yuan Shao raised his own status, refused the court's summons, and instead kept fugitives around. I don't know what he was doing."

Ah.

So what if it was Yuan Wei's rebuke after hearing the news?
Yuan Shao understood that only by cultivating prestige could he break the shackles of bloodline.

This journey has truly been like walking on thin ice.

……

But what kind of person was Yuan Benchu?

……

When Yan Liang's head was presented to the tent, Yuan Shao was suddenly stunned.

Scenes of drinking together flooded back, and gazing at the familiar contours of her brow bone, she finally couldn't hold back the burning tears in her eyes.

When news of Wen Chou's defeat arrived, the tent erupted in clamor demanding accountability for the lost army, but Yuan Shao waved his hand dismissively:
"When I sent Wen Chou to pursue them, I was only concerned about Yan Liang's pain and eager for victory, so I pressed them too hard..."

"This defeat is due to a certain factor, not a fault of the battle."

This tenderness stands out starkly against the backdrop of ruthless power struggles...

The scout reported that "the one who killed Yan Liang was Liu Shijun's sworn brother."

Everyone in the tent wanted to punish Liu Bei, but Yuan Shao clapped his hands and sighed:

"A true tiger general..."

"They are each serving their own masters; how can we execute Xuande for this?"

Some might say that Yuan Shao was indecisive and only let Liu Bei go because of his advisors' advice.

In fact, Yuan Shao's decision stemmed from a clear assessment of the situation.

In his previous life, Yuan Shao's banner for attacking him was "removing the emperor's corrupt advisors" and "restoring the Han dynasty."

Firstly, it is necessary to preserve Liu Bei as a symbol of "loyal minister of the Han Dynasty".

Secondly, Yuan Shao knew that killing Liu Bei for this reason would play right into the hands of a scheme to sow discord.

Yuan Shao valued relationships and highly regarded the concept of "righteousness".

That boy, scarred in his childhood, always yearned for a sense of purity.

On their deathbeds, they all lamented:
"If Xuande assists us, Ji Province can be at peace."

However, it cannot be denied that Yuan Shao was burdened by "emotions" throughout his life.

As the saying goes, "A strategist is like a friend, and a scholar will die for one who understands him."

Yuan Benchu ​​accomplished this.

This is why this "deep affection" is often intertwined with "indecisiveness".

Just like Yuan Shao lingering by Ju Shou's sickbed in the middle of the night, holding a cold cup of ginseng tea but not daring to knock on the door.

Ju Shou strongly advised against a "delayed attack on Xuchang," which clashed with Guo Tu and Shen Pei's advocacy for a swift victory.

Yuan Shao's ultimate choice to launch a swift attack was not due to his rejection of Ju Shou, but rather because he could not suppress the voices of the pro-war faction within his own ranks.

Because he values ​​equality for everyone, he often chooses the side with more people.

Hearing the violent coughing coming from inside the house, the imposing ruler of Hebei finally stepped inside.

"My lord, why must you do this..."

Ju Shou leaned on his cane and rose, looking at Yuan Shao's hesitant, childlike appearance. On the other side of the table, there was a small mountain of medical books, and on the top scroll, which was open, were the three words "Avoid raw and cold foods" that Yuan Shao had personally marked.

This appreciation for strategists is even more complex in Tian Feng's case.

When Yuan Shao was being slandered, Tian Feng publicly denounced Yuan Shu, saying, "How can a mere boy like you know the ambitions of a hero?"

This person is strong-willed and once he has made up his mind, he will never look back.

Just like the case of Yuan Shao's earnest advice to "hold the strategic position and defend it," he had no choice but to temporarily imprison Tian Feng.

Before leading his troops into battle, he personally laid out a Western Regions carpet for his old friend and poured him some millet wine from Handan.

In the dimly lit prison, Yuan Shao grasped Tian Feng's hand:
"Wait until I return victorious after defeating Cao Cao..."

When someone in Xu You's family broke the law, Shen Pei, who was stationed in Ye City, arrested Xu You's wife and children.

Enraged, Xu You defected from Yuan Shao.

Xu You was angry not only because of this matter.

He was angry that Yuan Shao wouldn't listen to his advice, and he resented that all the people under his command were favored by Yuan Shao, making him waver and repeatedly hindering his grand plan.

This was Xu You's self-destructive behavior after feeling hopeless about his great cause, so after burning down Wuchao, he only wanted to die.

And this matching process...

Years ago, when Shen Pei's relative served in another army, everyone suspected Shen Pei of treason. Yuan Shao, however, slammed his fist on the table and stood up:

"How could Zheng Nan Zhonglie betray his principles for the sake of one son?"

This unwavering belief in Shen Zhengnan, however, became a death knell for his heroic sacrifice after the defeat at Guandu.

Before Shen Pei was executed, he tried several times to persuade him to surrender.

But Shen Pei looked northwards, and only uttered one sentence:

"My lord is in the north; he cannot die facing south."

Finally, Shen Pei knelt facing north and shouted:
"My lord knows me, and that is enough!"

With a desolate laugh, Shen Zhengnan offered his neck to the blade.

How many righteous people there are in Hebei!

……

There was also Yuan Shao's love for his sons.

This path of fatherhood, which was always accompanied by self-redemption, ultimately became a failure.

……

In the camp, Yuan Shao picked up his wounded eldest son, Yuan Tan, and stepped into the tent.

Yuan Shao gently blew on the ointment, his fingertips avoiding the scabbed wound, just as his foster mother had secretly bandaged it for him years ago.

"Does it hurt?"

Yuan Tan shook his head, staring at the white hair at his father's temples.

Seeing this, Yuan Shao smiled with satisfaction:

"My son will surely achieve great things."

This kind of paternal love is also hidden in Yuan Shao's handwritten letter to his second son, Yuan Xi.

When Yuan Xi was ordered to garrison Youzhou, he received a letter and unfolded it. On it, he saw a crooked little tiger drawn in cinnabar.

That was Yuan Xi's favorite toy when he was a child.

"Youzhou is bitterly cold, don't forget to add clothes."

A few words, yet repeatedly scribbled at the end.

When news arrived that his third son, Yuan Shang, was seriously ill, Yuan Shao even abandoned his ongoing pursuit.

The saying goes, "Being worried and fearful, one has no time for military affairs."

This behavior of neglecting important military and national affairs because of his beloved son's illness was satirized by Kong Rong as "a family member's son is not worth discussing matters with."

However, Yuan Shao turned a deaf ear.

Ju Shou once advised:
"When brothers occupy the same prefecture or county, internal strife is inevitable."

Yuan Shao refused, saying, "I want to let each of my sons govern a province so that I can see their abilities."

This compensation, stemming from childhood pain, not only provoked the eldest son's discontent but also caused many ministers to fight for it.

While Yuan Shao was alive, he was able to suppress the conflicts, but after his death, Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang immediately went to war.

……

The strategist joined because of "righteousness," but lost his loyalty because of his lack of "decisiveness."

The various schools of thought gained power through "emotion," but perished because they abandoned public duty for "private interests."

This boy, who was called a "bastard," was trapped in the name "Yuan Benchu" for his entire life.

……

O Primordial One, do you remember?
In my youth, I ran through the streets of Luoyang, with a sky full of sunset clouds in front of me.

At that time, we all thought...

As long as you run fast, you can catch up with the world in your heart...

(End of this chapter)