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

Chapter 280 Cao Cao is not righteous, the discussion between Yuan Shao and his son Yuan Xi (2nd update)
People like Xun Chen are able to see the big picture and naturally know how to seek advantages and avoid disadvantages. Therefore, after Yuan Shang sent Su You and Guo Yuan to launch a surprise attack on Huguan City, Xun Chen basically gave up the idea of ​​continuing to serve the Yuan family.

A person may lack ability, but they cannot be foolish.

Yuan Shang's stupidity lay in his failure to bide his time and endure adversity; instead, he made enemies.

If Yuan Shang were any smarter, he should have instigated a conflict between Cao Cao and Liu Bei, instead of willingly being used as a pawn by Cao Cao to provoke Liu Bei. Now that his attempt to capture Huguan has failed, Yuan Shang has offended both Liu Bei and Cao Cao.

Xun Chen saw things very clearly: Cao Cao was not a kind person, much less one who valued benevolence and righteousness; in Cao Cao's eyes, only self-interest mattered. For the sake of profit, he would form an alliance with the enemy who killed his son through marriage; for the sake of profit, he would slaughter his former benefactor like a pig. After Yuan Shang's failed attempt to capture Huguan City, Yuan Shang was no longer qualified to ally with Cao Cao.

For forces that were not qualified to form an alliance, Cao Cao usually only used one method: annexation!

However, Xun Chen, like Tian Feng and other scholars with moral aspirations, although he had given up the idea of ​​continuing to serve the Yuan family, would not directly betray Yuan Shao and tarnish his resume.

Liu Bei understood Xun Chen's insistence, saying that as long as Xun Chen didn't go south to join Cao Cao, they could all be good friends.

Before officially antagonizing the Yuan family, Liu Bei was still using Yuan Shao's name to allow Xun Chen to continue assisting Zhao Yun in guarding Shangdang against Cao Cao as a provincial official. For Xun Chen, this had nothing to do with betraying Yuan Shao.

Liu Bei also instructed Zhao Yun to consult with Xun Chen on matters, as this might yield twice the results with half the effort.

While Liu Bei was actively deploying his civil and military officials in Shangdang and seeking out talented individuals, Yuan Xi, Yan Liang, and Wen Chou also arrived in Lunu.

Upon hearing that Liu had been confined to a separate residence, Yuan Xi and the other two were secretly surprised. In the past, no matter what had happened, Liu had never been severely punished, let alone confined to a separate residence.

Upon entering the mansion, Yuan Xi and his two companions encountered Yuan Shao, who was fishing with Tian Feng.

Yuan Xi and the other two were even more surprised: How did the relationship between the General and Tian Feng become so harmonious?

"It's Xianyi who's back."

Yuan Shao's tone was gentle, and to Yuan Xi it felt like the comfort of a prodigal son returning home, which gave Yuan Xi a sudden sense of realization.

Tian Feng stood up and gave Yan Liang and Wen Chou a look, signaling them not to disturb Yuan Shao and his son Yuan Xi's reunion for the time being.

Yan Liang and Wen Chou exchanged a glance, bowed to Yuan Shao, and then followed Tian Feng to retreat outside the courtyard.

"Why is Mr. Tian here in Lu Nu?" Yan Liang couldn't help but ask.

Without hesitation, Tian Feng said, "Yuan Shang has committed treason and joined forces with the Liu family to place the Grand General and the Chancellor of Zhongshan under house arrest. Qian Zhao and I have come to Lu Nu to rescue them."

"It's really true!" Wen Chou exclaimed in surprise. "I originally thought it was just a rumor and not to be believed! I didn't expect Yuan Shang to be even more shameless than I imagined. The General dotes on Yuan Shang so much, yet he was still imprisoned by Yuan Shang."

Yan Liang snorted coldly: "Yuan Shang is neither good at literature nor martial arts, and now he is disobedient and unfilial. If I meet him in the future, I will definitely capture him alive and bring him to the General to avenge the General."

Tian Feng scrutinized Yan Liang and Wen Chou, and tentatively asked, "Why have you two generals also suddenly returned to Lu Nu?"

Wen Chou sighed and said, "The Left General is worried about the General's safety and also fears that Yuan Shang might take this opportunity to cause trouble, so he sent the two of us to protect him. However..." He gestured with his lips, then stopped himself from speaking.

Yan Liang then took over the conversation, lowering his voice and saying directly, "But we don't know what exactly happened regarding the General's intention to step down and relinquish his position. Would Mr. Tian be willing to tell us the truth?"

Tian Feng's gaze sharpened, and he suddenly asked, "Have the two generals already decided to follow General Zuo?"

Yan Liang and Wen Chou were startled and waved their hands, saying in unison, "Absolutely not!"

Amidst their shock, Yan Liang and Wen Chou cursed inwardly: "Why does Tian Feng still sound so ashamed of not dying soon enough? If the General hears this, how are we supposed to explain ourselves?"
Feeling guilty, Yan Liang forced a calm expression: "Mr. Tian, ​​we have received great kindness from the General and should be loyal to him. How could we do something that would betray our lord?" Changing the subject, Yan Liang added: "But Yuan Shang has committed rebellious acts. If the General forces us to serve him, we will be deeply ashamed!"

Wen Chou's reply was even more subtle: "We only listen to the Great General!"

Tian Feng was an extremely shrewd person. Although he was upright and often spoke frankly and offended his superiors, this was just a flaw in his character. In terms of intelligence and vision, Tian Feng was far superior to ordinary people.

With just a few words of probing, Tian Feng guessed Yan Liang and Wen Chou's thoughts and couldn't help but sigh inwardly: How unfortunate it is for the General to have Yuan Shang as his son!
Then, Tian Feng, with a solemn expression, said to Yan Liang and Wen Chou: "The situation in Hebei is no longer under the control of the Grand General. It is true that the Grand General intends to step down and hand over the reins to the Left General. You two do not need to worry about another conflict between the Grand General and the Left General. If you only want to follow the Left General and do not want to assist Yuan Shang, you can answer truthfully when the Grand General asks you later."

"Really?" Yan Liang and Wen Chou were both surprised and delighted, their hearts pounding in their throats.

If what Tian Feng said is true, then it would be a win-win situation for Yan Liang and Wen Chou. They would not have to go against Yuan Shao's kindness and would not betray Liu Bei's loyalty. They could achieve both loyalty and righteousness!

Tian Feng nodded solemnly: "When have I ever lied to anyone? Rest assured, our real enemy is Cao Cao, not Liu Bei! The defeat at Guandu and the massacre of 70,000 soldiers must be avenged by Cao Cao."

Yan Liang and Wen An were immediately awed by the scandal, realizing that competing with Liu Bei would be difficult, while competing with Cao Cao was the obvious choice.

Inside the courtyard, Yuan Shao and Yuan Xi chatted for a long time, but Yuan Shao only talked about old times with Yuan Xi, making Yuan Xi restless.

"Does Xianyi have something to ask?" Seeing that Yuan Xi was becoming increasingly uneasy, Yuan Shao changed the subject and asked instead.

Yuan Xi gritted his teeth, took a deep breath, and asked, "Why would Father rather step down and give the position to the Left General than step down and give the position to me?"

Seeing Yuan Xi's defiant expression, Yuan Shao chuckled and said, "If I were to give it to you, could you hold onto it?"

Yuan Xi raised his voice: "Whether I can hold on is my business, whether I'm willing to abdicate is another matter. Father, I don't understand, what is it about me that I'm inferior to others? You've never trusted me since I was little. When my stepmother was alive, you trusted Yuan Tan; after she died, you trusted Yuan Shang. Is it just because I was born to a maid? But you, Father, weren't born of the principal wife either. I am the one most like you!"

A hint of annoyance flashed across Yuan Shao's face, but he quickly suppressed it, took a deep breath, and spoke in his usual tone: "The struggle for succession is not a personal one. Whether it is Xiansi or Xianfu, they both have the support of powerful clans behind them. It's not that I don't trust you, but that you have no one to support you."

Yuan Xi retorted, "I didn't have that before, but later I had the support of the Left General. Isn't that enough?"

Hearing Yuan Xi's defiant reply, Yuan Shao sighed and rubbed his forehead: "Xuande will support you? Hah, do you even believe that yourself?"

　Update 2 is here!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)