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

Chapter 251 Rumors Spread in Hebei, Liu Bei is Pushed into the Spotlight (3rd Update)
Under Yuan Shang's deliberate dissemination, the rumor that Yuan Shao intended to step down as Grand General and hand over the reins to Liu Bei spread rapidly from Ye City to the surrounding areas.

For a time, people in Hebei were filled with anxiety.

On the streets, at intersections, in teahouses, and in taverns, merchants, scholars, wandering knights, and farmers were all whispering among themselves.

"Have you heard? The Grand General intends to step down and hand over the position to the Left General!"

"This...how is this possible? Are the General and the Left General really that close?"

"The Grand General and the Left General have always had a harmonious relationship. When the Left General first arrived in Hebei, the Grand General personally led his troops two hundred li outside Ye City to welcome him. This was praised by the people of the time!"

"But General Zuo is an outsider! The Grand General isn't without sons!"

"Are you stupid? The title of Grand General is an official position in the imperial court, not a noble title. How can it be passed down from father to son?"

"I don't care who passes the throne to whom; I only care whether taxes will be increased after I hand over the throne to General Zuo."

"Who knows! But the Yuan brothers have been fighting amongst themselves for years, and taxes are getting heavier every year. If this continues, how will they survive?"

"Sigh, I just hope there won't be any more wars..."

Meanwhile, the powerful clans of Hebei had differing opinions. Some worried that they wouldn't know how to handle things if Liu Bei took control of Hebei; others were concerned that Liu Bei, being of humble origin and with many of his subordinates from Xuzhou and Yuzhou, would make it impossible for the Hebei gentry to maintain their high positions if he came to power; still others supported the idea that the Yuan brothers' frequent infighting meant that if Liu Bei couldn't take control of Hebei, Cao Cao would eventually garrison the province, leaving Hebei without a place to stand, let alone avenge the massacre at Guandu.

As the rumors spread, Yuan Shang saw that the time was ripe and sent a letter to Xiahou Yuan in Liyang, requesting peace and the position of Grand General.

"Has Yuan Shang lost his mind? He's the one who asked for peace, and now he wants the position of Grand General? Who does he think he is? A mere brat, daring to covet the position of Grand General?" Xiahou Yuan laughed loudly.

After fighting for so long, this was the first time he had encountered something so funny. This almost made Xiahou Yuan wonder: Was Yuan Shang trying to make him laugh to death because he couldn't beat him?
After careful consideration, Xu Huang, the deputy general standing nearby, said, "Recently, rumors have been circulating in Hebei that Yuan Shao intends to step down as Grand General and hand over the position to Liu Bei. Although we have already sent a letter back to Xuchang to consult the Minister of Works, the Minister of Works has not yet returned with a reply. Why don't we send this letter to Xuchang as well?"

Xiahou Yuan scoffed disdainfully, "Why bother the Minister of Works with such a trivial matter? I will reply to Yuan Shang immediately and put an end to his ambition of becoming the Grand General. I am merely a Military Supervisor; what merit does Yuan Shang possess to dare to usurp the title of Grand General?"

Just as Xiahou Yuan picked up his pen and wrote a scathing reply to Yuan Shang, Xiahou Dun in Puyang sent someone across the river to inform Xiahou Yuan that Cao Cao had arrived in Puyang and that he should go to see him immediately.

"The Grand Commandant has actually come to Puyang?" Xu Huang exclaimed in surprise, then whispered a guess: "Could it be that the Grand Commandant heard that Yuan Shao wanted to give the Grand General to Liu Bei, so he rushed to Puyang?"

Xiahou Yuan stared at the reply he had just written for a long time before throwing it down.

If Cao Cao hadn't arrived in Puyang, Xiahou Yuan would certainly have sent this reply to Ye City; but now that Cao Cao has come to Puyang, Xiahou Yuan can no longer act on his own.

As soon as he got up, Xiahou Yuan picked up the reply to Yuan Shang and put it in his pocket along with Yuan Shang's letter. Then he instructed Xu Huang: "Gongming, stay in Liyang and be wary of Yuan Shang's tricks. I'm going to Puyang to see Sikong first."

In winter, the Yellow River freezes over, with ice several feet thick, allowing carriages and horses to travel on it.

Furthermore, with frequent changes of horses at outposts along the way, Xiahou Yuan entered Puyang in less than half a day, just before nightfall when the city gates closed. Upon seeing Xiahou Yuan's arrival, Cao Cao couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, "How come you've arrived so soon, Master Xiahou?"

According to Cao Cao's calculations, Xiahou Yuan would not arrive until at least noon the next day.

"Sikong summoned me urgently, and I will come on horseback." Xiahou Yuan was secretly pleased. Even when leading troops on an expedition, Xiahou Yuan could travel five hundred li in three days and a thousand li in six days. Moreover, from Liyang to Puyang, he only needed a few personal guards to accompany him.

Cao Cao stroked his beard and laughed: "You are truly shrewd, understanding the importance of speed in warfare. I am very pleased!"

Enjoying Cao Cao's praise, Xiahou Yuan hurriedly presented Yuan Shang's letter of seeking peace, along with a draft reply, saying, "Yuan Shang is extremely rude. I have drafted a reply to scold him. Please make a decision, Minister."

Cao Cao was slightly surprised. He first glanced at Xiahou Yuan's document and found it full of insults and contempt. He then picked up Yuan Shang's letter of pleas for peace and read it carefully.

When Cao Cao saw Yuan Shang demanding the position of Grand General, he couldn't help but slam his fist on the table and exclaim, "Benchu ​​has given birth to a fine son! If he wants to be Grand General, I will grant him the title!"

Xiahou Yuan was taken aback and asked in surprise, "How can Yuan Shang, that brat, be worthy of being a general? Minister, this humble general does not understand!"

Cao Cao laughed heartily: "My only concerns are Yuan Shao and Xuande. Now that Yuan Shao's spirits have been broken, he even wants to emulate Tao Qian's relinquishment of Xuzhou and resign as Grand General to give Hebei to Xuande. How could I possibly disobey him? I originally planned to use this opportunity to sow discord between Liu Bei and Yuan Shao's three sons and nephew in Puyang, but I didn't expect Yuan Shang to take the initiative to seek peace. If I can drive Yuan Shang to fight against Liu Bei, why should I care about a mere empty title of Grand General? If he wants it, I will give it to him."

Seeing Xiahou Yuan's still unconvinced expression, Cao Cao reassured him, "Miao Cai has rendered meritorious service in defeating the enemy this time. I have already petitioned the Emperor to appoint Miao Cai as Commandant of the Army."

Xiahou Yuan's breathing became rapid instantly.

The Commandant of the Army was one of the Eight Commandants of the Western Garden established by Emperor Ling of Han, Liu Hong. After Liu Xie succeeded to the throne, he continued to use the position. The Commandant could both command the emperor's personal guards and direct the imperial guards to participate in the defense of the capital region.

Although Liu Xie's imperial power had fallen into the wrong hands, the position of Commandant of the Army was still a powerful military post. Moreover, the first Commandant of the Army was Cao Cao, and the fact that Cao Cao appointed Xiahou Yuan as Commandant of the Army shows Cao Cao's preference for Xiahou Yuan.

Xiahou Yuan naturally understood Cao Cao's intention in appointing him as Commandant of the Army, and was immediately moved. He bowed and thanked Cao Cao, saying, "This humble general humbly thanks the Minister of Works for his kindness!"

Cao Cao laughed and helped Xiahou Yuan up, saying, "As the saying goes, one should not avoid recommending the virtuous even if they are relatives. This talented man has repeatedly made military achievements, and he deserves this reward!"

Subsequently, Cao Cao had Xiahou Yuan draft a reply, in which he promised Yuan Shang the position of Grand General and that Xiahou Yuan was willing to withdraw from Liyang as a sign of sincerity.

After Xiahou Yuan left with the reply letter, Cao Cao turned to Guo Jia, who was standing to the side, stroked his beard and laughed: "If I had known that Yuan Shang had such ambitions, I wouldn't have made this trip in vain."

Guo Jia's lips curled into a contemptuous smile: "Yuan Shao's three sons and one nephew are all incompetent. Yuan Tan fell into a trap to lure the enemy deep into his territory without realizing it; Yuan Shang suffered repeated defeats and retreated to Ye City; Gao Gan was also seized power by Liu Bei; and Yuan Xi even believed that Liu Bei could help him contend for the throne. No wonder Yuan Shao wants to emulate Tao Qian. If he were to step down now, he could gain a good reputation like Tao Qian. However…"

Changing the subject, Guo Jia's expression turned slightly solemn: "Yuan Shang is no match for Liu Bei and will surely be destroyed by him in the future. If Liu Bei gains control of Hebei, our lord will be in danger."

　Update 3 is here!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)