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

Chapter 200 Yuan Shen returns online and devises another plan, sending Liu Bei to harass Guanzhong (1st update)
Although he had guessed that Liu Bei would not support Yuan Shang, when Liu Bei clearly uttered the words "Since ancient times, deposing the eldest son and establishing the youngest has been a path to disaster," Yuan Shao couldn't help but frown. The fingers stroking his beard paused almost imperceptibly, and the unease in his heart suddenly deepened.

At present, apart from Yuan Shao's fondness for Yuan Shang and his desire to establish Yuan Shang as his heir, only a few people such as Shen Pei and Feng Ji support Yuan Shang. Most people believe that Yuan Tan should be established as the heir.

He hoped to gain Liu Bei's support, but Liu Bei also didn't think highly of Yuan Shang.

Thinking of Yuan Xi's recent unusual actions, Yuan Shao's eyes narrowed slightly. He suddenly changed the subject, leaned forward slightly, and tentatively asked, "Does Xuande think my second son, Xi, is suitable as my heir?"

Liu Bei remained unmoved, as if he had expected this, and calmly replied with his hands clasped: "I once personally inquired about Prince Xi's aspirations. He said, 'The General has devoted himself to the affairs of the world and spent half his life on the battlefield. How can he be without a son to serve him? I am willing to stay by his side.' Prince Xi is so devoted and filial, and I deeply respect him. I have never heard of Prince Xi having any intention of vying for the throne, so I do not know whether Prince Xi is capable of being the heir."

Liu Bei's answer was watertight. When mentioning Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang, he cited the saying "Abolishing the eldest son and establishing the youngest is a way to bring disaster" to explain the rules of propriety. When discussing Yuan Xi, he invoked the popular saying "Of all virtues, filial piety is the most important."

In short: Liu Bei only supported his legitimate eldest son Yuan Tan, and avoided any move that might shake the foundation of the dynasty to depose or install the emperor.

Yuan Shao's facial muscles stiffened, then he burst into a dry laugh, "Heh...heh..." He quickly grabbed the sandalwood cup on the table: "Xuande's words hit the nail on the head! Come, let me offer Xuande a cup!"

He covered his face with alcohol to hide his embarrassment.

After the wine in the cup was finished, Yuan Shao pretended to sigh: "I know that deposing the eldest son in favor of the younger one goes against etiquette and law, and I also know that my second son Xi is extremely filial and pure. However, if I establish my eldest son Tan as heir, firstly, I fear that it will arouse resentment in his mother, Lady Liu, and secondly, Shen Pei, Feng Ji, and others will all hold military power. How can we not cause great chaos in the future? Therefore, I am hesitant to make a decision and am worried day and night!"

Liu Bei frowned slightly, staring at the contents of the wine cup. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "General, you are in the prime of your life and hold great power. Rather than spoiling your young son and forcing him to violate etiquette, thus sowing the seeds of future disaster, it would be better to proceed slowly and gradually resolve the hidden dangers."

He then raised his head, his gaze sincere and admonishing: "If we hastily decide on an heir now, chaos will surely follow, and it will be too late to regret it!"

Having probed this far, Yuan Shao had basically figured out Liu Bei's position and attitude. He leaned back, a cryptic smile playing on his lips, and spoke in a drawn-out tone: "Ziyuan also advised me in the same way. Therefore, before heading north to Zhongshan this time, I have already sent letters to my eldest son Tan and my third son Shang."

Yuan Shao's eyes suddenly sharpened: "I will give them a year! I will order them to launch a full-scale southern expedition to fight against Cao Cao. Whoever achieves the most merits will be the heir! At the same time..."

Yuan Shao paused, then tapped his index finger heavily on the table, making a "thud" sound: "I have already ordered Gao Gan of Shangdang to contact Ma Teng and other tribes in Xiliang to jointly harass Guanzhong and contain Cao Cao. What does Xuande think of my plan?"

A look of surprise flashed across Liu Bei's eyes. His mind raced. Yuan Shao's arrangement was truly beyond Liu Bei's expectations.

But Liu Bei quickly concealed his surprise and clapped his hands, saying loudly, "This plan is excellent! It can not only prevent the two princes from fighting each other internally, but also encourage them to lead their troops south with all their might and strive to make meritorious contributions! The succession will be determined by the merit of eliminating the traitor Cao, which will surely win the hearts and minds of everyone!"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Shao's smile deepened, but there was no warmth in his eyes. He simply stared intently into Liu Bei's eyes, as if trying to see through him.

Then, Yuan Shao's voice became low and slow: "That's true, but after my defeat at Guandu, my forces have been greatly reduced. Even if my two sons work together, I'm afraid we'll still be no match for Cao Cao's might. Although Gao Gan is good at governing the provinces and counties and recruiting talented people, he is not a military talent, and battlefield combat is not his forte." While observing Liu Bei's reaction, Yuan Shao suddenly changed the subject, his tone meaningful: "My second son, Xi, although he has no interest in vying for the throne, I intend to use this opportunity to train him. I plan to have my second son, Xi, lead the troops from Youzhou to Shangdang to assist Gao Gan in harassing Guanzhong! Now that the external threats to Youzhou have been quelled, the remnants of the Wuhuan are no longer a threat."

After a pause, Yuan Shao leaned forward slightly, his tone leaving no room for refusal: "Under Xuande's command are many elite troops and fierce generals. Would you be willing to personally lead an elite force to Shangdang? If Cao Cao hears of Xuande's raid on Guanzhong, he will certainly not dare to be careless and will send more troops. In this way, there will be an opportunity to take advantage of the situation in Yanzhou and Yuzhou. I wonder if Xuande is willing to go?"

Liu Bei's heart sank!
Yuan Shao's intentions also came to light: ostensibly to have Liu Bei assist Yuan Xi, but in reality to use this great battle as an opportunity to deplete Liu Bei's forces, and at the same time to win over the forces of the seven counties of Youzhou while Liu Bei was away!

This was Yuan Shao's open scheme: all three of his sons and one nephew had been sent to the front lines. If Liu Bei had kept his troops hidden deep in Youzhou, he would have been accused of watching from the sidelines and reaping the benefits without lifting a finger!
As his thoughts raced, a look of worry and difficulty appeared on Liu Bei's face. After a moment of silence, he finally closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and as if he had made up his mind, cupped his hands and said in a deep voice, "Expelling the traitor Cao Cao is my lifelong wish! Since the General has given the order, how dare I not serve the General with the utmost loyalty! I am willing to obey the General's command!"

Seeing that Liu Bei finally agreed, yet still seemed hesitant, Yuan Shao's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and his face immediately broke into a hearty laugh: "Hahaha! Good! Excellent! Xuande is indeed a man of great principle! How delightful!"

Yuan Shao suddenly stood up, raised his wine cup high, and his eyes burned brightly: "Rest assured, Xuande! Once we join forces and annihilate Cao Cao, I will never fail you!"

Promises may seem grand and inspiring, but it's hard to know how much of it is true and how much is false.

Liu Bei laughed heartily and raised his cup, saying, "I am willing to work together with the General with one heart and one mind!"

And on the side.

Xu You stared at Zhuge Liang meaningfully: "Strategist Zhuge, the General and the Left General seem to be having a very pleasant conversation."

The idea of ​​transferring Liu Bei to Shangdang was suggested by Xu You to Yuan Shao while Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang were away. Now, hearing Yuan Shao's hearty laughter, Xu You knew that the plan had succeeded, and a smug smile appeared on his lips.

It is impolite not to reciprocate. You schemed against me once before, and now I will scheme against you once more. We are even.

How could I, Xu You, be inferior to a young man who is not even twenty years old?
Zhuge Liang, as always, was gentle and refined, raising his cup in a toast: "I also hope that we can often share a drink and have a good time together in the future. Although Mr. Xu only wants to live a leisurely life to protect his wife and children, I believe that in chaotic times, having more friends means having more options. Life is unpredictable, and the world is ever-changing. No one can predict whether there will be any unexpected events tomorrow."

Xu You's heart skipped a beat: Is Zhuge Liang trying to curry favor with me?

　Update 1 is here! I got up early today.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)