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

Chapter 284 Cao Cao Appoints Yuan Shang as Grand General, and Begins to Plot Against the Two Yuans (1st Update)
A few days later, a fast horse delivered Feng Ji's letter and the "Delivery Order" bearing Feng Ji's personal seal as the "supervisor" to the General's Mansion in Ye City.

The attendant presented the document to Yuan Shang. Yuan Shang was initially indifferent, but when his eyes swept over Yuan Tan's demand for "50,000 shi of grain and fodder," and especially when he saw that the blank signature space for "deliverer" on the "Delivery Order" was waiting for him, while Feng Ji had signed and stamped the "supervisor" space, a surge of anger at being slighted and extorted rushed to his head.

"How dare you, you scoundrel Yuan Tan! How dare you bully me like this!"

Yuan Shang suddenly stood up, slammed the document onto the desk, and veins bulged on his forehead.

"Fifty thousand shi? Does he think Ye City is his granary?! And this document!"

Pointing at the "Transfer Order," Yuan Shang's fingers trembled with rage. "That idiot Feng Yuantu! How dare he sign as a 'supervisor'? Is he trying to be Yuan Tan's guarantor to force me to submit?! What kind of person is he!"

Enraged, Yuan Shang wished he could immediately lead his troops to punish Pingyuan.

Shen Pei had been standing by, and only when he saw Yuan Shang throw the document to the ground did he step forward, pick it up, and examine it closely.

His gaze swept over Yuan Tan's harsh conditions and the strange signature format on the "Delivery Order" (the recipient was Yuan Tan, the delivery person was Yuan Shang, and the supervisor of the delivery was Feng Ji). He also pondered the situation described in Feng Ji's letter, in which Guo Tu, Xin Ping, Hua Yan, and others in Pingyuan City all echoed and urged Yuan Tan to form an alliance. He already understood most of the situation.

Looking at the enraged Yuan Shang, Shen Pei calmly advised:

"General, please calm your anger. I know you have been humiliated, but this anger must not be vented for now. I believe that Yuan Tan's demand for grain is a test. By forcibly demanding 50,000 shi, he is actually trying to verify your sincerity in forming an alliance. If you refuse outright, Yuan Tan will surely accuse you of being untrustworthy and treacherous, which is exactly what he wants. At that time, Yuan Tan will have a perfect excuse to refuse to help, and may even secretly collude with Liu Bei and Cao Cao, leaving our Ye City isolated and helpless!"

Seeing that Yuan Shang's emotions were gradually stabilizing, Shen Pei continued:

"However, Yuan Tan's use of this document also revealed his cowardice. Forcing the General to sign and seal it also exposed his inner fears. He was afraid that the General would not provide food and supplies, and that the alliance would be as thin as paper. He was all bark and no bite, and not worth getting angry about."

After exposing Yuan Tan's intentions and belittling him, Shen Pei then formally offered his advice:

"Cao Cao's army is already stationed in Hanoi, and his wolfish intentions are obvious to everyone. Liu Bei has just acquired Youzhou and has also allied with Zhongshan, Changshan, and Shangdang. His power is growing daily, and he has become a major threat. If we were to completely break with Yuan Tan now because of refusing to supply him, we would be making enemies on three fronts at the same time, and we would be in grave danger! The most urgent task is to stabilize one side and divert the trouble eastward! Although Yuan Tan is wicked, he is just a greedy man. For now, we can use the grain as bait to drive him to become a lackey, so that he fights with either Cao Cao or Liu Bei. We can then sit back and watch the tigers fight. This is the best strategy! I hope that General will endure the humiliation for the sake of the country!"

Although he was furious, Shen Pei's analysis was like a bucket of ice water poured over his head, forcing Yuan Shang to calmly consider the pros and cons.

His gaze was fixed on the glaring blank space for "deliverer" on the "Delivery Order," and the intense sense of humiliation almost suffocated Yuan Shang, his knuckles turning white from his clenched fists.

Just as Yuan Shang hesitated, someone urgently reported: "Reporting to the General, an envoy from Cao Cao requests an audience."

"Cao Cao's envoy?" Yuan Shang was immediately startled. He temporarily suppressed his anger towards Yuan Tan and let Cao's envoy in.

Before long, Cao's envoy arrived.

Cao first bowed deeply to Yuan Shang, then presented a fine brocade box with utmost respect: "By order of Minister Cao, I have come to pay my respects to General Yuan and congratulate you on taking charge of Ji Province and your awe-inspiring presence in the northern frontier."

Seeing that Cao's words were eloquent, Yuan Shang felt immediately relieved. He then had Shen Pei open the brocade box. Inside was not an ordinary letter, but an imperial edict appointing Yuan Shang as Grand General. The edict essentially appointed Yuan Shang as Grand General, bestowing upon him a bow and arrows, a ceremonial staff, and granting him control over the four provinces of Ji, Qing, You, and Bing. "I am officially appointed Grand General!"

Yuan Shang's pupils contracted, his tone became urgent, and an indescribable joy welled up in his heart.

Although Yuan Shang was able to take up official positions on his own, given his actual control over the various counties of Ji Province, taking up official positions on his own was ultimately not as good as being formally appointed by the Han Dynasty.

With the seal of a Grand General in hand, along with the imperial edict, bow and arrows, and the imperial axe, Yuan Shang could legally and righteously conquer the four provinces of Ji, Qing, You, and Bing. Even if he went south to contend with Cao Cao, he could use the pretext of "purging the emperor's inner circle."

If one were to take the throne, it would be like Yuan Shu declaring himself emperor, which would not gain the approval of the people. Without the approval of the people, one could only be considered a rebel in the end.

In addition to excitement.

Yuan Shang knew that Cao Cao wouldn't send an imperial edict of investiture without a reason, so he asked Cao's envoy, "Did Minister Cao send you here on any other business?"

Cao bowed, a respectful smile plastered on his face, and replied, "General, you are wise. I, Cao Sikong, know that you have just taken command of Ji Province, which is surrounded by wolves from the outside and has unscrupulous individuals within. Although the four provinces of Ji, Qing, You, and Bing are under your jurisdiction, Yuan Tan of Qing Province holds considerable military power and has secretly allied with Liu Bei of You Province, posing a threat to your cause. I, Cao Sikong, have been appointed by the Emperor as General-in-Chief and wish to form an alliance with you to jointly eliminate the traitor Yuan Tan!"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Shang's pupils contracted, and he glanced at the "Delivery Order" on the table. The blank space where the goods were handed over was still there, and the humiliation of Yuan Tan demanding 50,000 shi of grain surged into his heart.

However, Yuan Shang also knew that Cao Cao was not a kind person, and if he listened to Cao Cao's advice and attacked Yuan Tan, it would be tantamount to opening the door to invite thieves.

Yuan Shang suppressed his anger and sneered, "Oh? Minister Cao is indeed thoughtful. Yuan Tan is indeed arrogant and unruly. However, I am stationed in Ye City with well-trained troops and sufficient supplies. Why would I need outsiders to interfere? Furthermore, my Yuan family's internal affairs are none of Minister Cao's concern."

Upon hearing Yuan Shang's cold refusal, Cao Shi maintained his respectful demeanor but bowed even lower: "General, please calm your anger! The Minister of Works has absolutely no intention of interfering in the affairs of the Yuan family, nor would he dare to underestimate your might. However, rumors are rampant in Pingyuan, saying that Yuan Tan is abusing his power and repeatedly disobeying orders. Now, General, you have been appointed by the Emperor to wield the imperial axe and guard the northern frontier. If you allow such acts of dividing territory and disregarding the imperial axe to be tolerated, won't the heroes of Hebei gradually become complacent? If this trend continues, it will truly damage your prestige!"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Shang clenched his fists tightly under the table, his nails almost digging into his palms.

The blank "Delivery Order" on the desk subconsciously surfaced in Yuan Shang's mind, but he couldn't show any weakness in front of Cao Shi.

Suppressing his anger towards Yuan Tan, Yuan Shang coldly snorted, "I, the general, have my own plans for the Pingyuan matter! Go back and tell Cao Sikong that Yuan Tan and I are brothers. How can brothers fight amongst themselves? Do not cause any more trouble, or I will summon the heroes of Hebei in the name of the Grand General to march south and avenge the humiliation of Guandu!"

Seeing Yuan Shang suddenly turn hostile, Cao Shi narrowed his eyes slightly and stopped trying to persuade him. He simply pretended to be frightened and said, "General, please calm down. I misspoke. I will definitely convey your message."

Watching the hastily departing envoy, Yuan Shang sneered: "Supervisor Shen, quickly reply to Feng Ji, saying that the Emperor has officially appointed me as Grand General! We can provide 50,000 shi of grain, but Yuan Tan must immediately muster his army and march into Liyang!"

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(End of this chapter)