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

Chapter 266 Yuan Shao's path widened, allowing Tian Feng and others to fulfill both loyalty and righteousness (3rd update)
Yuan Shao's mind was as clear as a mirror.

Although Qian Zhao, Tian Feng, and Tao Sheng appeared to be under his command, they were actually already closely connected with Liu Bei. They were only unable to directly switch allegiance to Liu Bei because of Yuan Shao's kindness in recognizing their talent.

Now that Yuan Shang has committed another act of rebellion, Qian Zhao, Tian Feng, and Tao Sheng will absolutely no longer support him.

It only takes one opportunity for everyone to switch their allegiance to Liu Bei. This opportunity is also a stepping stone for Yuan Shao, which can be given by Yuan Shao either actively or passively.

"You may all speak frankly today."

Yuan Shao slightly composed himself, straightened his clothes, and looked at Qian Zhao, Tian Feng, and Tao Sheng.

See this.

Tian Feng bowed and spoke frankly: "Hebei has been in turmoil for many years, the people are exhausted and impoverished, the granaries are short of stored grain, and taxes and corvée labor are heavy. It is not advisable to add to the turmoil of war. Now that General Zuo and Young Master Shang are about to go to war, Your Excellency should first issue a proclamation to all the counties, rebuking Young Master Shang for his disobedient behavior, and send an envoy to General Zuo's camp, asking General Zuo to consider the greater good of the country and turn hostility into friendship with Young Master Shang. In this way, perhaps disaster can be averted."

Yuan Shao remained silent, his gaze sweeping over Qian Zhao and Tao Sheng.

Qian Zhao pondered for a moment, then said tactfully, "Xuande has always valued loyalty and righteousness. If you, my lord, do not wish to contend with Xuande, I am willing to act as your messenger to meet with Xuande."

In contrast to Tian Feng's direct remonstrance and Qian Zhao's tactful approach, Tao Sheng recounted the past: "Back when Yu Du attacked Ye City, I risked my life to protect your family, my lord. I saved your life, my lord and your son, yet your son treats me harshly and considers me an enemy, simply because I am a bandit from the Black Mountain bandits, not from a noble family. I know my talents are too shallow to serve you, my lord, but over the years I have worked diligently and have never betrayed or neglected you."

Tao Sheng's heartfelt words silenced Yuan Shao even more.

Then Tao Sheng changed the subject, his tone slightly stern: "As the saying goes, a good bird chooses a good tree to perch on, and a wise minister chooses a good lord to serve. Although I dare not compare myself to a good bird or a wise minister, I know how to seek advantage and avoid harm to preserve my life. The situation in Hebei is no longer under your control, Your Excellency. Since Young Master Shang cannot tolerate me, I will not accompany him to the end. Saving Your Excellency today is to repay your kindness; after today, I will lead the officials and people of Zhongshan to surrender to General Zuo. I hope Your Excellency will grant my request!"

Seeing Tao Sheng's resolute expression and firm words, Yuan Shao's heart was once again filled with sorrow.

Yuan Shao felt he had failed in educating his son.

His favorite son was narrow-minded and intolerant. Although Yuan Shao himself was outwardly magnanimous but inwardly suspicious, this did not prevent Yuan Shao from commenting that Yuan Shang was intolerant of others.

If this had happened before Guandu, Tian Feng would have at least given Tao Sheng a good scolding, rebuking him for his treason.

However, today, Tian Feng remained silent in the face of Tao Sheng's heartfelt words. Tian Feng had once saved Yuan Shao's life and was almost persecuted by Yuan Shang, so he felt the same way about Tao Sheng at this moment.

Qian Zhao hesitated, then swallowed the words that were on the tip of her tongue.

Yuan Shao closed his eyes and sighed deeply, saying, "This matter is Xianfu's fault, I don't blame you. But if you abandon me and join Xuande, you may not be trusted even if you are under his command. Throughout history, those who have the ambition to conquer the world have never truly valued those who have abandoned their former masters. Even if they were to use them temporarily, they would find a way to eliminate them after pacifying the world. Such is human nature, regardless of right or wrong." Tao Sheng's tone was firm: "Even so, I have no regrets. Even if I cannot be valued by General Zuo, I can still protect the lives of my wife and children, which is better than being imprisoned without having made a mistake."

"Calm down." Yuan Shao slowly opened his eyes, his gaze softening. "It's not that I don't want you to serve Xuande, but that you can't abandon me for him. The rumors circulating in the counties aren't false; I did intend to step down as Grand General and hand over the reins to Xuande. It's just that I didn't expect my plans to be overheard by that wicked woman, which led to the current situation. When Xuande returns, I will recommend you to him. In this way, you won't be abandoning me, but serving Xuande according to my wishes. Xuande has always valued loyalty and righteousness. If I step down, he will certainly not mistreat my former subordinates. Only then can you truly gain Xuande's trust."

Tao Sheng's surprise gradually surfaced as he stared at Yuan Shao in astonishment, clearly not expecting Yuan Shao to say such a thing.

Tian Feng and Qian Zhao were also astonished.

Before the three could speak, Yuan Shao turned to Tian Feng and sighed again: "When I first gained control of Ji Province, the people were unconvinced. It was Yuan Hao who came out of seclusion to help, which won their hearts. In the Battle of Jieqiao, when Gongsun Zan's remnants broke into my main force, it was Yuan Hao who helped me hide behind a low wall, allowing me to hold out until reinforcements arrived. However, I was wary of Yuan Hao because of his great reputation and tacitly allowed Feng Ji and others to frame him. I betrayed Yuan Hao, not the other way around. Yuan Hao has great talent and ambition and should not be buried because of me. When Xuande returns, I will recommend Yuan Hao to him to fulfill his ambitions."

Tian Feng was even more surprised.

Looking back, Tian Feng was selected as a censor, but because he was indignant at the eunuchs' power and the persecution of virtuous officials, he resigned and returned home. At that time, Han Fu, the governor of Ji Province, also refused to recruit Tian Feng because he was too upright.

After Yuan Shao expelled Han Fu, he humbly invited Tian Feng to come out of seclusion and help him with generous gifts. Tian Feng believed that he had met a wise ruler and vowed to repay Yuan Shao's kindness with his life. However, he did not expect that Yuan Shao would be wary of Tian Feng's reputation and allow Feng Ji and others to slander and frame him.

At first, Tian Feng thought that Yuan Shao was being misled by treacherous people around him, so he would always speak frankly and give advice. Later, he realized that Yuan Shao was just being deliberately covetous of his reputation, and gradually he became disheartened with Yuan Shao.

However, Tian Feng was a man who always repaid kindness and righteousness. Therefore, even though Yuan Shao discarded him like a worn-out broom, Tian Feng insisted on serving Yuan Shao. This may sound like blind loyalty, but in reality, it was Tian Feng adhering to his long-held moral principles.

Today, upon hearing Yuan Shao admit that he deliberately allowed the villains to frame him because he feared Tian Feng's reputation, Tian Feng's emotions became extremely complicated: If you had done so earlier, my lord, how could things have turned out this way!

With a long sigh, Tian Feng bowed to Yuan Shao and said, "I understand your intentions, my lord."

Although it was only eight words, Yuan Shao understood that Tian Feng meant no blame. A faint smile appeared on his lips, and his tone towards Qian Zhao became more relaxed: "Zijing, you and Xuande are sworn brothers, and you have worked diligently in all matters because of my kindness. If I were to compete with Xuande, it would put you in a difficult position. But now, you no longer need to struggle with whether to serve me or work with Xuande for the greater good. When Xuande returns, I will also recommend Zijing to him to fulfill Zijing's loyalty."

Qian Zhao was startled. Suppressing his many thoughts, he cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for your kindness, sir."

Having spoken his mind, Yuan Shao felt an unprecedented sense of relief, but then his expression hardened slightly: "Summon that wicked woman in."

　Update 3 is here!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)