I did it all for the Han Dynasty!

Chapter 521 Brothers and Brothers Respect
"Yuan Tan altered the imperial edict and falsely installed an emperor! He has disgraced the ancestral temple! He deserves to die!"

It's hard to imagine that this is a sacrificial text used by an emperor to worship Heaven.

Compared to Yuan Shao's "replacing the Han dynasty with his own" and Liu Miao's "divine mandate from the people," Yuan Shang's eulogy was practically child's play; he actually chose to complain to the heavens...

When Liu Miao heard about this eulogy, he couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy: "Didn't Yuan Shang have someone as talented as Chen Lin under his command? Why didn't he think to have someone else write it for him?"

But compared to Yuan Shang's mild criticism, Yuan Tan's revelations were so shocking that Liu Miao was completely stunned!

"What the hell?! Gongwei! Explain yourself properly! This is no joke!"

Chen Yu struggled to suppress the distorted expression on his face: "Your Majesty, I am not wrong. Yuan Tan did indeed say that Yuan Shang seized his wife, Princess Qinghe, which violated ethics and deserved to be punished by Heaven and Earth."

"Furthermore, Empress Liu, Yuan Shao's wife, also acted decisively."

Princess Qinghe and Empress Liu—this time, Chen Yu truly had his eyes opened!
"I heard that when Empress Liu heard of Yuan Shao's death, she immediately killed all five of Yuan Shao's favorite concubines. Fearing that the dead might know and meet Yuan Shao again in the afterlife, she shaved their hair and used ink to cover their faces to desecrate their bodies... Before Yuan Shang even ascended the throne, he had already helped Empress Liu kill all the relatives of those favorite concubines." (Note 1)

Liu Miao suspected that he had too much earwax and had misheard what was said.

But when Liu Miao stuck his finger into his ear and it was almost smoking, he finally believed that he hadn't misheard!

I thought Princess Qinghe was brave enough! But I never expected that Empress Liu would be such a formidable general!
What kind of deep-seated hatred is this? Yuan Shao's body probably hadn't even been fully digested in Wuchao Marsh yet, and they still wiped out his favorite concubine's entire clan?
"Yuan Shao, Yuan Shao, what do you think of yourself? You should have brought those five beauties with you! That way, I could have helped take care of them for you. Isn't it a pity now?"

At the same time, this was the first time Liu Miao had reflected on his actions, wondering if he should spend more time with his family after returning to Jinling...

Hmm! That's a good reason! We'll just present Zhang Zhao with this tragedy of the Yuan family and see if he dares to let me focus on politics!

"Gongwei, go to Wuchao Marsh and put some pears or fruit for Yuan Shao. I feel sorry for him seeing this tragedy that has befallen the Yuan family."

"Is Your Majesty serious?"

"It's fake! Wouldn't it be a waste to throw it away to him? I'll eat it later."

Chen Yu's tolerance for Liu Miao was clearly exceptionally high, and he was completely unfazed by it. Instead, he brought up another matter with Liu Miao.

"Two groups of guests have arrived at the camp today. Your Majesty, why don't you guess who they are?"

Liu Miao chuckled: "Who else could it be at this point? Gongsun Du and Shi Xie probably haven't received the news yet! Who else could send someone besides the brothers Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang?"

"Your Majesty is indeed wise! The one who came was Qian Zhao, a subordinate of Guo Jia and Yuan Shang, who is said to have a past relationship with Liu Bei."

"Hehe! Gongwei! I know you're just flattering me, but this really has to be done by you. I'd be annoyed if anyone else did it."

Chen Yu rolled her eyes at Liu Miao without any hesitation.

"Whom does Your Majesty wish to see first?"

"No one will see him first."

Chen Yu was taken aback.

So what should we do?
"Gongwei, first go and bring Qianzhao to the tent next to me in a grand manner. Make sure Guo Jia sees you. Then, when I send Guo Jia away, I will personally escort him. You must also make sure Qianzhao sees you."

Chen Yu instantly realized what was going on, and at the same time, he grinned mischievously: "So that's how it is!"

"His Majesty certainly doesn't get tired when he's doing bad things."

"Hahaha! Same here! Same here!"

-----

Guo Jia, who had just returned from Yuan Tan's place, was thinking about how to deal with Liu Miao's torment when he suddenly heard the sound of gongs and drums outside.

Guo Jia went out out of curiosity and happened to see Chen Yu, an old acquaintance, strolling around nearby. He went up to ask, "Who is that? Why has His Majesty made such a fuss to receive him?"

"Oh, it's nothing, just an envoy from Ye City."

Ye City?!
Guo Jia instantly became alert!

You bastard Liu Miao!
You keep saying you don't recognize the envoy from Great Zhao, but then you're all so enthusiastic when they arrive, right?
What tormented Guo Jia even more was that it was only after waiting for a long time that Liu Miao finally asked him to go see him.

Upon seeing Liu Miao again, Guo Jia dared not inquire about the envoy from Ye City, but instead presented Yuan Tan's terms—

"Your Majesty, could we perhaps discuss the matter of gifting Hanoi?"

"Easy to say! Easy to say!"

To Guo Jia's surprise, Liu Miao was not at all as aggressive as he had been a few days ago!

"And there's also the matter of trade..."

"Sure! Anything is fine!"

"That Wuguan Pass..."

"Whatever Fengxiao says goes!"

"..."

Guo Jia's heart tightened!
Why is Liu Miao, who was like Taotie just a few days ago, so easy to talk to now?
Could it be that you've already promised Yuan Shang something?

Guo Jia's Adam's apple trembled.

Liu Miao's previous conditions were far too harsh, so Guo Jia came here to try to persuade Liu Miao to lower his demands.

But when Guo Jia saw that Yuan Shang had actually sent an envoy to Liu Miao's camp, he realized that Yuan Shang could offer far more than Yuan Tan could!
As Liu Miao said.

To Yuan Shang, Yuan Tan was ten thousand times more despicable than Liu Miao, his father's killer!
If Yuan Tan could be killed, Yuan Shang might even be able to cede the entire Guanzhong region, and even the Hedong region, to Liu Miao!
In contrast, what Yuan Tan could offer Liu Miao was undoubtedly too little...

"Your Majesty!" Seeing Guo Jia growing impatient, Liu Miao deliberately said lazily, "Fengxiao, you said you wouldn't agree if I didn't. Now that I'm willing to agree, why are you refusing again?"

"Don't worry, go back and tell Yuan Tan that I'll grant him whatever he wants. He can do whatever he pleases! Haha!"

Liu Miao's laughter gave Guo Jia endless imagination, and at the same time made Guo Jia even more certain that there must be something fishy going on!
Simply!
Guo Jia got straight to the point!
"Did His Majesty agree to something with Yuan Shang?"

"This is a matter of state for the Han Dynasty, and it is not convenient for me to disclose it."

He said it was inconvenient to reveal, but Liu Miao practically had "protesting too much" written all over his face!
Guo Jia gritted his teeth and said, "Does Your Majesty trust them?"

"Of course I don't believe it! But Fengxiao, rest assured, I won't be easily fooled! I'll wait until the promised grain and warhorses arrive before I carefully consider it."

Yuan Shang also promised to provide Liu Miao with provisions and warhorses?
These words caused Guo Jia's expression to change drastically!
"The war is over, what does Your Majesty need provisions and warhorses for?"

But Liu Miao revealed a childlike smile—

Of course we should attack Yuan Tan and Cao Cao! Where else would we attack?

Guo Jia took a deep breath: "Your Majesty! Whatever Yuan Shang promised Your Majesty, Guanzhong is willing to pay double!"

"Fengxiao, look at you..."

"Three times! If only His Majesty would change his mind!"

"Fengxiao, let's keep things separate..."

"Five times! And we agree to everything Your Majesty mentioned before! We will also offer Your Majesty extra treasures and beauties!"

"Tsk!"

Liu Miao clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction!
Treasures are treasures, why talk about beauties?
Am I that kind of lecher? That kind of lustful person? Hmm?

"If that's what Fengxiao says, then I'll have to reconsider."

Liu Miao smiled as he looked at Guo Jia, whose face was ashen, and suddenly asked Guo Jia, "Does Fengxiao know about Mengde's eldest daughter, who is also Yuan Tan's wife and is now the Princess of Qinghe?"

Guo Jia, who had just been discussing state affairs, was surprised that Liu Miao had suddenly brought up such a distant topic, but considering that he needed Liu Miao's help, he nodded nonetheless.

"Did Mengde find out as well? Did he get angry in a fit of rage?"

"..."

Guo Jia looked at Liu Miao helplessly: "Why is Your Majesty so interested in such matters?"

"Not only am I interested, but the entire nation is watching this matter!"

Liu Miao laughed like a two-hundred-pound child: "Come! Tell me! What happened to Mengde after he found out about this? Did his headache flare up again? Did he finally expel the eldest daughter of the Cao family from the Cao family?"

"Speaking of which, aren't Xiahou Dun and his son Xiahou Mao especially happy right now? After all, that unfortunate woman almost ended up with them..."

Despite Liu Miao's enthusiasm, Guo Jia maintained a sour "no comment" expression.

The feeling of Liu Miao trying his best, but the other party not even giving him a sound, was both comfortable and unpleasant. Liu Miao could only return to state affairs: "I am very unhappy right now, and I am about to lose my temper!"

"..."

Guo Jia had no choice but to reply, "For the sake of the Cao family's reputation, everyone says that Yuan Shang committed beastly acts in private, defiling Princess Qinghe."

"Tsk! Isn't this a bit unfair to Yuan Shang? After all, it takes two to tango; maybe it was Princess Qinghe who took the initiative..."

Guo Jia, fearing that Liu Miao might utter some inappropriate words, quickly lowered Liu Miao's voice.

"Neither Yuan Shang nor Princess Qinghe will come out to 'clarify' this matter! Moreover, given Yuan Shang's temperament and the nature of those nobles in Ye City, Princess Qinghe might just die suddenly soon, leaving no one to testify!"

"..."

Liu Miao felt a pang of regret.

“That’s his eldest daughter, Cao Mengde is really willing to part with her.”

Guo Jia had had enough of Liu Miao's burning curiosity and got straight to the point: "What has Your Majesty decided?"

"Your Majesty, I believe that you ultimately have the world in your heart and will not be blinded by petty gains! I urge Your Majesty to reconsider!"

"what."

Liu Miao shook his head and said, "Fengxiao, aren't you contradicting yourself with those words?"

"Which is more insignificant, the tiny Hanoi Prefecture or the Guanzhong Plain, the Land of Abundance? Doesn't Fengxiao know the difference?"

Guo Jia was completely exasperated at this point: "What exactly does Your Majesty want?"

Liu Miao, however, was amused.

"Fengxiao and I are old acquaintances! Why ask me this? Of course I want it all!"

"But I know that this matter is not up to me."

"This depends on how much the two brothers, Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang, are willing to pay to kill each other."

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Note 1:

Liu was cruelly jealous. After Yuan Shao's death, before his body was even buried, Liu had all five of his favorite concubines killed. Believing the dead had some knowledge and would see Yuan Shao again in the afterlife, Liu shaved their heads and blackened their faces to disfigure them. She then retaliated by killing the families of those she had killed. —From *Records of the Three Kingdoms, Biography of Yuan Shao*

(End of this chapter)