Three Kingdoms: I, Yuan Shu, Loyal Officials of the Han Dynasty

Chapter 225 My lord, you have misunderstood us. We are all loyal and virtuous!

"My lord! It is not that I am disloyal, but in this day and age, it is better to surrender now and I will be treated with courtesy and respect by Lord Yuan."

If Xiangyang falls, and we then try to surrender, my life will likely be in our own hands.

Cai Mao kowtowed, weeping, and said:
"Mao's loyalty is as clear as the sun and moon. His surrender is genuine and is for the sake of his lord's life and safety."

"If I harbor even the slightest disloyal intention, may I, right now, smash my head against this very hall and die to prove my innocence!"

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone saw Cai Mao actually crash his head into a stone pillar in the main hall, but no one was surprised by this.

After all, the person who actually crashes into the main hall wouldn't shout out beforehand, "I'm going to crash into it and die."

Therefore, having been reminded by Cai Mao in advance, and seeing that Yuan's army was too powerful to defeat, everyone was inclined to persuade them to surrender.

Naturally, they cooperated with Cai Mao, and the crowd rushed forward to stop him, while simultaneously weeping and pleading with Liu Biao:

"My lord! Now that things have come to this, do you still doubt General Cai's loyalty?"

Back then, you rode alone into Jingzhou, but you were no match for him. Fortunately, General Cai promised you his sister in marriage.

For many years, I have single-handedly supported you, fighting on the great river to ensure your peace and tranquility. Even if I haven't achieved great merit, I have certainly endured hardship. Have you forgotten all of this?

"My lord! If you doubt even the loyalty of a trusted minister like General Cai, then what are we?"
Does our advice to surrender to Yuan Shikai today automatically make us all Yuan Shikai's allies?

If that is indeed the case, then why not join General Cai today in committing suicide in this very hall, so that our loyalty may shine as brightly as the sun and moon, and our innocence may be recorded in history? This would surely be a celebrated tale of a renowned minister for all time.

"My lord!"

If Jingzhou and Xiangyang still had the strength to fight, let alone you, even we, who would be willing to surrender to Yuan and entrust our family's thousand-year heritage to such an ambitious and rebellious person?

It's not that we're loyal to the Yuan family, but that 100,000 heavenly soldiers will arrive outside the city in an instant.

The city is now flooded, with no way to go up to heaven or down to earth. How can a mere five thousand people possibly win?
If you insist on going your own way, you will only cause the blood of Jingzhou and Xiangyang to be shed in vain, and when will the tears of the people dry?
If we do not surrender now, it will be too late to regret. I urge my lord to make a decision soon!

"Let alone the fact that Xiangyang today cannot muster 100,000 troops to defend the city, even if it did have 100,000 troops to defend the city, what use would they be to Lord Yuan?"

Changsha, with 20,000 men, fell in one night; Lingling, with 70,000 men, was annihilated in a single day; and even the 100,000-strong army outside Xiangyang not long ago was wiped out in an instant.

Even with another 100,000 men, can we really hold this city? Do not act rashly; I urge my lord to make a decision soon.”

"I hope my lord will make a decision soon."

"We hope that my lord will make a decision soon!"

"We urge our lord to make a decision soon!!!"

Looking at the loyal ministers and martyrs on the main hall who were about to commit suicide by banging their heads against each other, seeing the chaotic scene of people trying to dissuade and stop them, and hearing the shouts of "He should make a decision soon."

The ministers bowed their heads and wiped away their tears, bowing deeply and unable to rise. How could Liu Biao not be moved?

Lost?

Have I really lost?
They were defeated so quickly.

Liu Biao smiled bitterly. His ministers were going to commit suicide in the main hall to prove their loyalty? This wasn't persuading him; it was clearly forcing him!

If things really come to this, you will become legendary ministers, but what will I, the lord who forced a group of loyal ministers and righteous men to their deaths, be remembered in history?

Looking out the window, the moonlight stretches long and bright, illuminating Xiangyang. The early spring evening breeze is cold and biting.

Liu Biao let out a long sigh and looked at Kuai Liang with his last hope.

"The victor is king, the loser is villain. Now all of you want to abandon me. Will you, Zirou, go with them?"

"If Xiangyang had not been besieged by the flood, I would have seen that my lord was indomitable and fortunate to have met such an enlightened ruler."

A temporary victory or defeat is nothing. Most of the nine counties of Jingzhou and Xiangyang are still in the hands of our lord. I will take our lord to retreat to Nanjun.

At that time, relying on the long-standing reputation of our lord in governing Jingzhou and Xiangyang, we will rally the people of the six prefectures to fight the rebels and quell the rebellion. We are willing to follow our lord and brave arrows and stones to restore our land.

However, this sudden flood has already cut everything off.

Surrounding the city with water, using the sky and earth as their weapons, with Yuan's army ships patrolling the four gates, even if they were to escort their lord out of the city in a small boat, they would be easy targets. How could they possibly escape?
If our lord falls into the city of Xiangyang, surrounded by water on all sides, cut off from the outside world and unable to communicate, even if we have the six counties of Jing and Xiang, what can we do?
With our lord lost, what use would it be if Jingzhou and Xiangyang were to risk the lives of millions of people and raise another million troops?

As for what you said earlier, like Cao Cao, Liu Bei, and Lü Bu, haven't you heard that distant water can't quench immediate thirst? When a person is about to die, can he expect to draw water from a well a thousand miles away?
Moreover, if Liang's prediction is correct, Yuan's flooding of 100,000 troops and besieging Xiangyang is enough to shake the entire nation.

Upon hearing this news, Cao Cao was probably so frightened that he could hardly sit still and wished he could fly away. How could he possibly have any intention of attacking Shouchun again?
If we don't flee now, and Yuan Gong gathers the counties of Xiangyang and advances his troops into Nanyang to cut off his retreat, then this Han Dynasty prime minister will be like us, trapped in a jar, with nothing left but a cornered beast struggling to survive.

With Cao Cao gone, what could Liu Bei, Lü Bu, and the like possibly have to rely on?

Therefore, my lord, it is not that we surrendered to Yuan, but that we were truly defeated.

After speaking sincerely, Kuai Liang slowly walked to the head of the assembled officials and bowed deeply with them.

"It is not that we are abandoning our lord, but that we are joining hands with him and walking together!"

"Okay, okay, you're both right, you're both correct."

Liu Biao was now in tears, recalling how he had been ordered to govern Jingzhou and Xiangyang, and how he had entered Jingzhou alone, where he had gained power through his connections and influence. Seven years had passed since then.

He was focused on governing the region, living in a secluded corner, and was extremely cautious. Except for the matter of Sun Jian secretly keeping the imperial seal, which he, as a member of the Han imperial family, had to take action against.

From Dong Zhuo to Li Guo, and even when the emperor fled, he never dared to truly get involved in the struggle for supremacy in the Central Plains, only seeking to protect himself and enjoy his later years.

If Yuan Shu hadn't been so powerful, so nearby, and so obviously aggressive, he wouldn't have made a move.

But who would have thought that with just this one move, he, the lord of Jingxiang who had always walked on thin ice and lived a life of self-preservation, would lose Jingxiang.

"From Wen Pin and Huang Zhong to Xing Daorong, and even Sun Quan!"

I have been in Jingzhou for seven years now. Although I am of meager virtue and lack the ability to support the country and the virtue to protect the people, I have not done so.

The traitor Yuan Shu has advanced directly to Xiangyang; this is all due to the mistakes of you ministers!

Now that I have surrendered, I have no face to see Your Majesty in Luoyang, nor any face to see the late Emperor in the netherworld.

Now all of you may surrender, except for Liu Biao, a member of the Han imperial family!
I swear I will never follow the thieves!

"My lord, you mustn't!"

"How can my lord act impulsively?"

"My lord, you must prioritize the greater good!"

Upon hearing these startling words, the courtiers were as if they had lost their parents, weeping and wailing as they tried to console themselves.

Liu Biao remained silent, taking one last look at the moonlight outside the palace, which shone like water upon the world.

When I first arrived in Xiangyang, it was a city of blooming flowers and vibrant colors. Now, all that remains is a city flooded, ruined and dilapidated, with only the cries and complaints of the people filling the air with turmoil.

Then they heard the sound of drums beating outside the city, and the firelight illuminated the sky. Suddenly, a soldier shouted that water was needed and rushed over to report.

"Report! Reporting to our lord!"

Yuan Shikai ordered his general Xing Daorong to lead the elite troops of Fengtian Army in fire ships downstream, heading straight for the south gate defenses of Xiangyang.

In an instant, flames shot into the sky from the water outside the city, and fires broke out in all parts of the city's defenses.

His son Yuan Ce and his general Zhou Tai took the lead, leading elite troops in heavy armor, taking advantage of the chaos to secretly cross the river, and circled around to the east and west gates of Xiangyang before suddenly launching an attack.

Our army lacks a general to command, thus becoming overwhelmed and disorganized. Yuan's 100,000-strong army seized the opportunity to launch a surprise attack, and the city gates could no longer be defended. Our soldiers, hearing of Yuan's arrival and seeing the enemy's ferocity, abandoned their armor and fled in disarray, trampling each other in countless numbers. We urge our lord to make a swift decision.”

The courtiers seized the opportunity to bow again!

"I urge my lord to make a decision soon, lest it be too late for regrets!"

"Gentlemen, please go forth and seek your own future wealth and honor."

Liu Biao closed his eyes sadly and sighed.

"The Han Dynasty has fallen into such a state of decline that the world is in disarray and there is no peace. There are many who overstep their bounds and act recklessly, and even some who usurp power, like Yuan Shu!"
Since Yuan Shikai's rebel army marched out of Shouchun, no member of the Han imperial family has been known to shed blood to fight against Yuan. This is why they can claim to be loyal and virtuous, and why the emperor cannot mobilize the entire nation's strength to fight against this barbarian.

Now we urge him to join the people in attacking him, to betray the name of a traitorous minister, and to begin with this act!

By the time he finished speaking, Liu Biao's face was contorted with rage, and he was gritting his teeth.

"All of you have followed the rebels, but my Liu family alone will rather die than surrender!"

Yes, he only wanted to protect himself; yes, he could turn a blind eye to the likes of Dong Zhuo and Cao Cao controlling the government.

But that's because no matter how these powerful ministers changed hands, for two hundred years since the restoration of the Han Dynasty, the emperor of this great Han Dynasty has always been surnamed Liu.

To be honest, if Yuan Shu had also held power in the central court as a Grand General, Liu Biao wouldn't have bothered with him at all.

Because that's how the Han Dynasty has been going on for two hundred years. Yuan Shu was also a human being, and humans die.

No matter how much power he held and how much control he had over the court, it would only last for a dozen or twenty years.

Even if the Liu family had one emperor after another, and only child emperors, decades later, when figures like Yuan Shu, Cao Cao, and Dong Zhuo died, the world would still belong to the Liu family.

Such things have happened many times over the past two hundred years, so it's not surprising.

But Yuan Shu is different now; he openly violates the unspoken rules that have governed the Han Dynasty for two hundred years since its revival!

Not in the central government, but in a local position, wielding the power of a large army, riding in a six-horse chariot, wearing a five-clawed robe, speaking with imperial authority, forging edicts and issuing chaotic commands!

Yuan Gonglu's intentions are clear to everyone!

Moreover, Liu Biao had personally experienced the strength of Yuan Shu's army and realized how powerful and invincible it was. He truly felt that the Liu family's great Han dynasty was in danger of collapse.

Just like back then, he knew the name of Sun Jian, the fierce tiger of Jiangdong, and knew that he was unmatched among the warlords.

However, upon learning that he had dared to steal the Imperial Seal of the State, Liu Biao was willing to personally initiate a war to bring him to justice and make his vow to be pierced by a thousand arrows come true.

Today!

Yuan Shu is a traitor who deceives the emperor, runs rampant throughout the land, and corrupts morality and order! A madman! A national traitor!

Even if Liu Jingsheng dies, he will never let him get away with it!
The main reason was that Liu Biao thought he had already surrendered.

All the officials present could seek wealth and honor under Yuan Shu's command, but he, a member of the Han imperial family, even if he didn't die, would be imprisoned for life and could not escape.

They might not even know when, through poison, white silk, or even suddenly "die of illness."

In this tragic situation where life and death are beyond one's control, he, a member of the Han imperial family and a lord of a province, would rather give himself some dignity.

In the future, Liu Jingsheng's loyalty and righteousness will stand in stark contrast to the surrendered officials, becoming a legendary tale.

Liu Jingsheng, also known as one of the Eight Steeds, was a renowned scholar of his time. If he had not left his mark on history, how could he have endured the humiliation of being a traitor?

His attitude, however, greatly worried the officials in Jingzhou.

Liu Biao was a renowned scholar, and many of his advisors and ministers were also renowned scholars.

Just like how they had previously said they would die in the palace to prove their loyalty and achieve lasting fame.

They gained a good reputation, while Liu Biao gained a bad one.

Now the situation has reversed.

You want to surrender? Fine, then surrender!
You all should surrender, but I, your lord, would rather die than surrender, to prove my loyalty and achieve a good name.

This is bad.

Liu Biao gained a good reputation, while his group of surrendered people gained a bad one.

Everyone was extremely anxious at this moment, and they hurriedly hugged or protected Liu Biao and tried to persuade him, fearing that Liu Biao would die on the spot, which would ruin their reputation.

"My lord, please don't do this!"

"Yes, yes, don't act impulsively."

"My lord, you have misunderstood us too much."

We swear to live and die with our Lord, and will never abandon you for wealth and honor.

“That’s right! My lord, don’t worry, let’s think of another way. The situation may not have come to this.”

"Kuai Zirou, you always have the most ideas, hurry up and think of something! We can't let this continue, or Yuan's army outside will soon break in!"

Kuai Liang, who was singled out, could only smile wryly; he understood perfectly well what everyone meant.

Just now, the ministers risked their lives to remonstrate, trying to use their reputation to coerce Liu Biao into surrendering. Little did they know that Liu Biao had fought with them in Jingzhou for so many years and understood them all too well.

They used their own methods against them, using the name of loyalty and martyrdom to manipulate the officials with their reputation.

These tactics have no effect whatsoever on those who don't care about their reputation, but today, in this grand hall, from the lord to the ministers, every single one of them is a renowned scholar!
True scholars are naturally elegant and unconventional. If Liu Biao were to actually do this, every single one of the scholars present would likely have to die for their country here. What kind of mess would that be? Why would it have to come to this?
Liu Biao and his ministers were stuck in a stalemate.

Leading this group of people is exhausting for Kuai Liangxin!

Yuan's army is about to invade, yet they're still playing these games of chivalry. If the whole of Jingzhou is like this, it would be a miracle if they weren't defeated.

While helping the others persuade Liu Biao to calm down, he took advantage of the chaos to get close to the only person present who wasn't a famous scholar and didn't need to worry about his reputation.

It was Cai Mao.

They whispered to him:
"General, I will hold our lord back here. The lives of our lord and all our ministers are now in your hands."

Only you, without any reservations, can go out and welcome Lord Yuan into the city, and then tell him everything that happened in the palace.

It's not that the people of Jingzhou are unwilling to surrender, but rather that their reputation is at stake.

"We beg Lord Yuan to provide a solution that satisfies both sides, preserving the reputation of our lord and his ministers. In return, we will gladly offer up the nine prefectures of Jingzhou and Xiangyang."

After Kuai Liang finished speaking, he still reminded him, "These words are mine to say, but they are yours to hear. General, go and do your own thing. Afterwards, I will not acknowledge these words."

Cai Mao: "."

What do you mean by saying that only I, being present, could act without restraint and go out to welcome Lord Yuan into the city?
Alright, you're all famous scholars, you all care about your reputation, but I, Cai Mao, am someone who doesn't care about my reputation, right?

But then I thought, being the first to open the city gates and welcome Lord Yuan would be a great achievement.

Perhaps he could use this as a pledge of loyalty to Yuan Shikai's camp, thereby gaining a respectable official position and a good impression of Yuan Shikai.
Considering the practical benefits of this arrangement, Cai Mao readily agreed!
"Don't worry, Brother Zirou. You've come to the right person if you're asking me to help you surrender."

Yes, that's right!

Cai has no shame!

(End of this chapter)