The Three Kingdoms: Hindsight is 20/20, and the Three Revivals of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 156 Yuan Xi Gets His Wish, Tian Feng Offers Liu Bei a Strategy to Win Hearts and Minds (1st Update)
Yuan Shang was confident in controlling Yuan Xi: How could a son born to a maidservant have the right to compete for the throne?

With a wave of his hand, Yuan Shang dismissed Yuan Xi.

Watching that humble departing figure, Yuan Shang smirked: "The son of a maid is inherently base."

Having made up his mind, Yuan Shang set off for the General's Mansion to find Lady Liu and inform her of Yuan Xi's intention to take his wife back to Zhongshan to pay respects to their ancestors.

Madam Liu frowned upon hearing this: "If we let the couple leave Ye City at the same time, I'm afraid they will be difficult to control in the future."

"Hmph!" Yuan Shang said disdainfully, "An incompetent man who barely pacified the six counties of Youzhou with Liu Bei's help is not worth worrying about, even if he has ulterior motives. Mother, in my eyes, the only real enemy is Yuan Tan! What Yuan Tan can promise Yuan Xi, I can give; what Yuan Tan cannot promise Yuan Xi, I can also give. Although Yuan Xi is dull-witted, he knows how to assess the situation. Given the current situation in Hebei, he has no choice but to submit to me!"

Seeing that Madam Liu was still worried, Yuan Shang said again, "Mother, this matter is as I see fit. Besides, Yuan Xi and Zhen Shi have no children yet. If we want to control Yuan Xi, it would be best to use his son as a hostage."

Although Madam Liu was still worried, looking at Yuan Shang's resolute face, she finally compromised: "Alright, let's do as Shang'er says."

Immediately, Madam Liu stood up again, glanced outside the hall, and said in a low voice, "Since the defeat at Guandu, the General's health has been deteriorating day by day. Shang'er should make plans as soon as possible."

Yuan Shang was taken aback: "Is what Mother said true?"

"Hmph!" Madam Liu said hatefully, "A bunch of lowly maids, under the guise of serving, pester the General every day. The General doesn't want to leave the mansion and see anyone, spending all his time with those vixens. His energy has long been drained, how can his body be healthy?"

Yuan Shang hesitated: "Why didn't Mother persuade her?"

"Persuade?" Madam Liu's eyes turned cold. "Why should I persuade him? The General is old, and the foundation of Hebei should rightfully belong to my son! But last time we tested him, the General refused to make you his heir, clearly still thinking about that dead vixen!"

Yuan Shang frowned: "Mai Di is young. He is neither the legitimate son nor the eldest son. He is not in the right in terms of seniority. Mother is overthinking it."

"We must be on guard!" Lady Liu said through gritted teeth, "Shang'er, have you forgotten? When Liu Bei defeated Liu Dai and Wang Zhong, Tian Feng clearly stated that Cao Cao would definitely launch a full-scale eastern expedition to intimidate the disloyal, and strongly advised the General to mobilize 100,000 elite troops to forcefully suppress Guandu! If he had listened then, the anti-Cao Cao forces in Yan, Yu, and Xu would have risen up in response! But because that vixen's bastard child contracted a disease, the General ignored it! The root cause of the disastrous defeat at Guandu lies here! That bastard's ghost will haunt us even in death! When the opportunity arises, I will send that little bastard down to 'reunite' with his wretched mother!"

(Note: Yuan Mai's deeds are not found in the *Records of the Three Kingdoms*. The *Book of Wu* states: "Shang had a younger brother named Mai, who fled to Liaodong with Shang." The *Biography of Cao Man* states: "Mai was Shang's nephew. Details are unknown." The *Book of the Later Han* states: "Shao declined to go due to his son's illness." This book adopts a "historical setting": Yuan Mai was born to Yuan Shao's favorite concubine. Because Lady Liu was jealous, she killed the concubine, similar to the story of Consort Wang and Empress He. Yuan Shao pitied Yuan Mai but longed for his favorite concubine, and was often hated by Lady Liu.)
Yuan Shang was horrified and hurriedly advised, "Mother, you must not! The situation is turbulent right now, so do not act rashly. If Mai Di were to die suddenly, it would give Yuan Tan a pretext to slander him, and Yuan Xi would also be frightened by it. Shen Pei and Feng Ji have already pledged their allegiance to me, so we must not cause any trouble at this critical juncture!"

Madam Liu softened her tone slightly: "Shang'er, don't worry, I know what I'm doing. You can have someone tell Yuan Xi that Zhen will be released tomorrow, but Yuan Xi must come to see me before Zhen leaves the mansion, I have some instructions for him."

After discussing with Madam Liu for a while, Yuan Shang left the General's Mansion.

Before leaving, Yuan Shang intended to pay his respects to Yuan Shao, but he happened to encounter an imperial guard outside the hall. Upon learning that Yuan Shao was drinking and making merry with his favorite concubine, Yuan Shang hesitated for a moment before giving up and leaving.

If you were to disturb Yuan Shao at this time, even Yuan Shang would be scolded.

Upon receiving the confirmation, Yuan Xi was overjoyed. Although he would have to act subservient to Madam Liu again, this humiliation was nothing compared to the boundless freedom he would enjoy in the future!
The following day, Yuan Xi groveled before Madam Liu for an hour, finally managing to take Zhen Mi away as he wished.

Immediately afterwards, Yuan Xi brought Zhen Mi and her maids into the military camp and strictly ordered Generals Jiao Chu and Zhang Nan to guard her closely and not allow anyone to break in and take Zhen Mi away.

Jiao Chu and Zhang Nan had long desired to follow Liu Bei to Zhongshan to achieve merit. Now that their interests aligned with Yuan Xi's, they naturally agreed without hesitation, vowing to ensure his safety. Meanwhile, after seeing Qian Zhao off, Liu Bei brought gifts to visit Tian Feng.

Tian Feng's strong advice was crucial in enabling Tian Feng to go to Changshan State to cultivate land.

Although Tian Feng had already made it clear that he would not join Yuan Shao while Yuan Shao was still alive, as long as Tian Feng did not refuse Liu Bei's courtesy, Liu Bei would abide by the etiquette and treat Tian Feng as an honored guest.

"General Zuo, have you figured out how to deal with the Black Mountain generals before you go to Changshan to cultivate land?" Tian Feng asked Liu Bei directly after inviting him into his residence.

Despite having Zhuge Liang's strategy before him, Liu Bei still politely asked for advice: "I am currently pondering a good plan. I wonder if Mr. Tian has any good strategies to teach me?"

Tian Feng looked slightly surprised and laughed, "With General Zuo's assistance from Master Zhuge, how could I dare to show off my limited skills before an expert?"

Liu Bei earnestly said, "Sir, you are too modest. Although the strategist has a plan, it still needs careful consideration. Mr. Tian has been stationed in Ji Province for a long time and is well aware of the situation of the Black Mountain bandits. If we can obtain Mr. Tian's good strategy and verify it with the strategy, we can be completely sure of success."

Subconsciously comparing Liu Bei's humble seeking of advice with Yuan Shao's stubborn refusal to accept it, Tian Feng couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion: the difference between people is as vast as clouds and mud.

Suppressing the turmoil in his heart, Tian Feng revealed his insightful observation: "The leaders of the Black Mountain bandits, relying on their remote and treacherous location, are fickle in their allegiance and have long been a thorn in the side of Ji Province. Even if General Zuo defeats them today, they will surely rebel again tomorrow. Now, General, you have suffered a defeat at Guandu, losing your elite troops, and Cao Cao is provoking you for battle at Dongwuyang. Knowing that Ji Province is vulnerable, their rebellion will only intensify. However, to eliminate future troubles by killing them all would be neither benevolent nor effective in the short term. In military strategy, winning hearts and minds is superior to conquering cities; psychological warfare is superior to physical warfare. I hope General Zuo will consider this carefully and prioritize winning their hearts and minds."

The concerns of wise men are generally similar.

Upon hearing Tian Feng's strategy, Liu Bei was deeply moved and said solemnly, "The strategist also advised me that if we could gain the loyalty of the Black Mountain leaders, how could we not defeat Cao Cao? Now, after hearing Mr. Tian's insightful remarks, I have a clear understanding of the plan to sweep away the Black Mountain in Changshan."

Upon hearing this, Tian Feng laughed heartily: "It is truly my honor to share the same vision as Mr. Zhuge! I hereby wish General Zuo a resounding victory!"

Liu Bei replied with a smile, "Thank you for your kind words, Mr. Tian! If this trip is successful, I will definitely return to Ye City to celebrate with you!"

a few days later.

Liu Bei bid farewell to Yuan Shang and led 10,000 new soldiers toward Changshan.

Yuan Xi bid farewell to Yuan Shao under the pretext of taking his wife to pay respects to their ancestors.

As the army marched forward, scouts from the Black Mountain region had already sent news back.

Both Zhang Yan and Gongsun Xu were greatly surprised.

"Yuan Shao actually sent Liu Bei to Changshan?"

　Chapter 1 is here! Early update today. Please vote with monthly tickets!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)