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

Chapter 258 You, Cao Mengde, are loyal and virtuous members of the Yuan family!

"Then let me ask you a question!"
"Grand Tutor Liu, who sent you to court?"

Upon hearing Cao Cao's words, the gazes of everyone present toward Liu Yao became somewhat strange.

After all, everyone knew that Liu Yao was personally sent to the court by Yuan Shu.

Although this alone doesn't prove anything, it might be that Yuan Shu wanted to protect his so-called reputation as a loyal subject of the Han Dynasty and didn't want to bear the stigma of killing a member of the Han imperial family and the governor of a province, so he sent him to the court to avoid trouble.

Moreover, since Liu Yao entered the court, he has always been diligent and conscientious, leading the last righteous men of the Han Dynasty to support the emperor. As the leader of the imperial party, how could he possibly be an inside agent of Yuan Shao's camp?
But when you think of the image of Yuan Shu described by Cao Cao, who endured for decades, hid behind the scenes, and with a wave of his hand caused the Han Dynasty to fall apart, ending the four-hundred-year reign of the Han Dynasty in the blink of an eye.

Everyone felt a chill run down their spines.

Consider Zhang Jiao's disciple Tang Zhou, Jian Shuo's close friend Pan Yin, and others. Before their betrayal, weren't they all considered his confidants and trusted advisors?

Even Xiahou Dun, Yue Jin, and others under Cao Cao were all loyal and meritorious before they surrendered to Yuan Shao and became traitors.

Looking back further, the newly arrived Grand Tutor Liu Biao was just betrayed by Sun Quan, who was sent by Yuan Shu.

But before he decimated 100,000 troops, wasn't he always charging into battle and making great contributions?

Looking back over the turbulent years of the Han Dynasty, Yuan Shu's every move was unpredictable and mysterious. Every time an inside agent was involved, there was no trace of him before the incident occurred.

Therefore, although there is a strong suspicion that Cao Cao is trying to smear Liu Yao, the fact that he was personally sent by Yuan Shu makes it necessary to be wary.

Given Yuan Gonglu's strategic thinking and cunning in planning and maneuvering, how could he possibly have done something futile?

Surely he couldn't really be the kind of loyal Han official who sent Liu Taifu here to unite the imperial faction and support the emperor?

Seeing that the once united imperial party was shaken by Cao Cao's conspiracy theory about Yuan Shu, how could Liu Yao not be both angry and anxious?

Seeing that the gazes of the crowd were beginning to show suspicion, how could Liu Yao sit idly by and wait for his doom?
He couldn't help but let out a cold laugh!
"Cao Cao! You dare to make baseless accusations here!"
I was sent here by Yuan the Rebel; am I Yuan the Rebel's inside man?
"So, if that's the case, then Grand Tutor Liu was also sent back by Yuan Shikai, making him an inside agent as well?"

When Liu Biao heard that the blame had been shifted to him, he was secretly annoyed that Liu Yao was so quick to protect him at the slightest sign of trouble.

However, after being pointed out like this, Liu Biao had no choice but to step forward, since his political stains were no different from Liu Yao's.

If Cao Cao can accuse Liu Yao of being an inside agent in Yuan Shao's camp today, he can also accuse Cao Cao of being an inside agent and have him executed tomorrow.

He immediately stepped forward, stood in front of Liu Yao, and nodded in agreement.

"What Grand Tutor Liu said makes sense!"

I know myself that I could never be an inside agent of Yuan Shao's camp. What Prime Minister Cao said about the existence of an inside agent of Yuan Shao's camp present may be true.

But how can you make a judgment based on empty words and a single statement?

If we follow your analysis, then General Xu Huang's former superior, Yang Feng, has already surrendered to Yuan.

He was also the commander-in-chief who led an army of 130,000 in Liang and almost wiped it out. Doesn't that mean he, like Sun Quan under my command, was suspected of deliberately sacrificing his army?

Grand Commandant Yang has been on good terms with the Yuan family for generations. Even the traitor Yuan would address him as "Uncle." Doesn't that make him a suspect of colluding with Yuan?

Xu Huang was once again brought up this crushing defeat that he was ashamed of for the rest of his life. His face darkened slightly, and he remained silent, but he stood behind Liu Yao and Liu Biao.

Upon hearing Liu Biao's words, Yang Biao repeatedly said that he dared not.

"Grand Tutor Liu, you flatter me. That traitor Yuan has always been arrogant and tyrannical. What virtue or ability do I have to dare to be called Uncle by this traitor?"

He first distanced himself from the matter, and then understood Liu Biao's meaning. He then named Yuan's protégés and former officials in the court one by one.

This has really stirred things up. The Yuan family has held high office for four generations, with their students and former officials all over the country, and half of the country's talents are their protégés. It's like they've lit a powder keg.

Every single person in the imperial court was either a protégé of the Yuan family, a former official of the Yuan family, or related to the Yuan family by marriage, or had been on good terms with the Yuan family for generations.

Thus, the group that had just been instigated by Cao Cao, who were wary and suspicious of each other and suspected internal collaborators, once again stood on a unified side, forming a large and powerful force that was even greater than the original imperial party.

Many originally neutral court officials were also forced to stand on the opposite side of Cao Cao's camp because of their past ties with the Yuan family, and opposed Cao Cao's claim that the Yuan family was an inside agent.

When Liu Yao saw this scene, he was surprised by the unexpected turn of events and thought to himself that protecting Liu Biao was truly a useful tool when in doubt.

Seeing that the tide was turning in his favor, he quickly stepped forward as the leader of the Imperial Party and took over the discourse from the crowd.

"You traitor Cao! You have incited people's hearts, spread rumors and slandered us, the important officials of the court. Now what do you have to say?"

Am I an inside agent for Yuan Shikai? Or should I say you are an inside agent for Yuan Shikai?

According to your words, you have earned the Emperor's trust in leading the troops into battle and have been entrusted with the affairs of the state.

But what have you actually done?

How absurd and laughable it was for him to patronize prostitutes in Wancheng, forcibly seize Zhang Xiu's aunt, and even lose troops and generals, burning the elite of the court to ashes.

This is an insult to our culture and a disgrace to the Prime Minister of the Han Dynasty. I am ashamed to associate with you.

Moreover, if we really talk about it, your actions are no different from Sun Quan's. You gave away the imperial army to Zhang Xiu to make him a hero in Yuan Shao's camp, and you even handed over the important county of Nanyang that you had already conquered.

Isn't this exactly the kind of people you're talking about, like Tang Zhou and Pan Yin?
Looking at your subordinates, such as Jiang Gan, Xiahou Dun, Mao Jie, Xiahou Ba, and Yue Jin, are they truly court officials or loyal subjects of the Yuan family?

By the way, you might not have received the message yet?

The latest military intelligence just arrived from Yanzhou: your trusted general Li Dian has also surrendered to Yuan, the State of Lu has fallen, and the fate of the King of Lu is unknown.

Recounting several battles, it is clear that Cao Cao's subordinates surrendered to Yuan Shao whenever they encountered him. With one family surrendering to Yuan Shao, they were comparable to the warlords of the land, making them the largest Yuan Shao faction stronghold hidden within the court.

"You, the leader of Yuan's camp's collaborators, how dare you cry 'stop thief' and slander us loyal subjects of the Han Dynasty?"

After speaking, Liu Yao flicked his sleeves and asked Liu Xie for permission to speak.

"Your Majesty, there is no need to hesitate. Such loyal and virtuous members of the Yuan family deserve to die."

Your Majesty, I request that Cao Mengde be executed!

Cao Cao: “???”

I.%#@&!

This is outrageous!

How could I possibly be considered a loyal subject of the Yuan family? How dare you accuse me of fabricating charges against me?
Cao Cao never expected that the situation, which had initially been one-sided and caused the members of the imperial faction to become suspicious of each other and no longer united, could be reversed.
His gaze involuntarily fell upon one of the figures in the arena—Liu Biao.

He never expected that Liu Jingsheng was completely inept at fighting, but his ability to unite scholars and protect himself was unparalleled.

What surprised him even more was another matter mentioned by Liu Yao.

Li Dian!

Did Li Dian also surrender to Yuan Shao? And that led to the fall of the State of Lu?
Seriously? I've issued orders time and again that anyone who surrenders to Yuan will have their entire family wiped out. How dare Li Dian do that?

You must know that the Li family is a powerful and influential clan. They have nurtured Li Dian for so many years, but now he is abandoning his own family for the sake of becoming Yuan Chen.
What is so good about Yuan Gonglu that makes you, Li Dian, so devoted to him, willing to risk the lives of your entire clan?

Cao Cao grew angrier the more he thought about it! These people were now abandoning their families and blood relatives to surrender to Yuan Shao, neglecting their wives, children, and elderly parents, and not even afraid of the crime of exterminating nine generations of their families.

Who else can he send to lead troops in battle? And who else can he trust?
What if another die-hard Yuan loyalist emerges who disregards his family and only wants to surrender to Yuan?

He really couldn't understand it!
Li Dian, what benefits did Yuan Shu promise you that made you so loyal to him?

Unfortunately, he didn't even have time to think it over. He was facing Liu Yao's aggressive questioning about the absurd defeat at Wancheng, the overwhelming public opinion of the court officials, and the repeated requests to "execute Cao Mengde".

Cao Cao laughed, but his laughter was suddenly bitter and mournful.

"Cao Cao fought bravely for his country while abroad, showing utmost loyalty to the royal family. He charged into battle several times, narrowly escaping death on the battlefield, and finally returned to Luoyang after surviving nine deaths."

I never imagined that Yuan Shu, who couldn't kill me, would be executed in the imperial court by you incompetent, mediocre people who were unknowingly misled by Yuan Shu's instigation.

As he spoke, tears welled in his eyes, and he bowed to the Emperor, saying:
"Your Majesty, the defeat at Wancheng was not due to my deliberate collusion with Yuan Shu, but rather because I fell for Zhang Xiu's feigned surrender and was tricked by Yuan Shu."

He spoke earnestly, recounting how he had repeatedly escaped death and faced countless near-death experiences after Zhang Xiu's night raid.

"If it weren't for Cao Cao's beloved general Dian Wei's loyalty to the death, if it weren't for Cao Cao's beloved nephew Cao Anmin's sacrifice to cover the rear, and if it weren't for Cao Cao's beloved son Cao Ang sacrificing himself to exchange for a horse, Cao Cao would have already died without a burial place."

My Cao family is full of loyal and righteous men. I have spent my life suppressing rebellions and protecting the land of my Han Dynasty. I never expected that I would be slandered by a villain today, who said that I am a loyal subject of the Yuan family. How unjust!

Your Majesty, please execute the villains, cherish the loyal and virtuous, distinguish right from wrong, and differentiate between the loyal and the treacherous. Otherwise, how can the tens of thousands of Han soldiers who died on this mission sleep soundly in the green hills?
The souls of my Cao family members, though deceased, weep day and night in the netherworld.

Seeing Cao Cao's emotional reaction, the ministers who had originally called him a loyal subject of the Yuan family couldn't help but look embarrassed.

In the Battle of Wancheng, Cao Cao lost his beloved generals, his nephews, and even the successors he was grooming. To insist that these people were loyal subjects of the Yuan clan, ostensibly suppressing a rebellion but actually acting as Sun Quan, and thus handing over Nanyang, is indeed a bit far-fetched.

Emperor Liu Xie, sitting on the dragon throne on the high platform, breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing this scene.

Excellent! You've finally remembered that you need me, the Emperor, to distinguish between loyalty and treachery.

To be honest, the scene where Cao Cao drew his sword against Liu Biao and the two sides almost came to blows almost scared him to death.

I'm really afraid they'll clash at any moment, and the two armies will fight a major battle. If that happens, Luoyang will be finished, and my reign as emperor will be over.

After hearing about Yuan Shu's conspiracy theories, Liu Xie never expected it.

Not to mention himself, even his own father, the emperor, the general He Jin, and even a terrifying figure like Dong Zhuo were all playthings in his schemes.

If such ruthless villains cannot unite the capable and righteous men of the Han Dynasty and mobilize the entire nation's strength, who can defeat them?

Fortunately, Prime Minister Cao was Prime Minister Cao after all. He repeatedly used a combination of persuasion and manipulation to shift the core conflict between the two sides from eliminating the traitor to Yuan Shu's terrifying nature and the need to be wary of internal collaborators. This then led to questions about who the actual internal collaborator in Yuan Shu's camp was, and whether Cao Cao himself was currently an internal collaborator in Yuan Shu's camp.

There's not much to discuss here. Whether Cao Mengde was a loyal subject of the Han Dynasty is truly questionable.

But to say that he was a loyal subject of Yuan's camp is absolutely impossible.

Liu Xie had originally intended to balance the power between the two sides, and now the timing was perfect.

His eyes were half-lit, half-dark, and he addressed his ministers:

"I can still clearly distinguish between the loyal and the treacherous."

The Grand Tutor, Grand Preceptor, and Grand Commandant are all virtuous ministers, loyal to the Han Dynasty. Therefore, the late emperor selected them to serve me.

How can we allow Yuan Shao's scheming to lead us to distrust loyal ministers, to see enemies everywhere, and to be paranoid about everything? I fear that we might lose sight of the bigger picture and the hearts of the people of the Han Dynasty.

Chancellor Cao Cao, though of limited ability, is well-versed in military affairs. He was put to the test in the past, and the late Emperor appointed him as the Commandant of the Western Garden Army. This was a newly trained army that the late Emperor intended for me to rely on to support the nation.

Later, due to Dong Zhuo's chaotic rule, the Western Garden Army was thrown into disarray. Fortunately, Prime Minister Cao remained steadfast in his commitment to restoring the Han Dynasty. He rescued me from danger on the Yellow River and returned me to the old capital.

Victory and defeat are common occurrences in war. I ask you gentlemen, how many of you have not been defeated by the traitor Yuan? How can we conclude that you are in cahoots with Yuan just because of one defeat?

In my opinion, none of you are Yuan's subjects, but rather loyal and capable ministers of my great Han Dynasty.

"At this critical moment, with the nation's fate hanging in the balance, we should unite as one to resist foreign enemies. How can we allow internal strife to fester and give the traitor Yuan an opportunity to exploit?"

After Liu Xie finished speaking, he looked at Cao Cao.

"That may be true, but Minister Cao, your defeat this time is truly absurd and disgraceful to the name of the Prime Minister."

I hereby dismiss him from his post as prime minister!

Since Cao Qing said that there might be Yuan Shu's inside man in the court, and he said it with great certainty.

"I hereby appoint you as Grand Censor, in charge of supervising court officials and investigating matters of internal collusion."

To be honest, Liu Xie originally intended to have Liu Biao speak out, taking advantage of the defeat at Wancheng, to dismiss Cao Cao from his position as chancellor and then give him the position of Minister of Works, in charge of civil administration and household registration.

In any case, this power was already in the hands of Xun Yu, the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat. Even if it were given to Cao Cao, he would still let Xun Yu manage it.

But the scene of Liu Biao and his ministers trying to coerce him today truly frightened him.

He realized that if Cao Cao's sword wasn't sharp enough, he would still be a puppet, albeit one controlled by his ministers.

Therefore, it would be better to take advantage of the public opinion surrounding Yuan Shu's alleged inside involvement and make Cao Cao a sword hanging over the heads of the court officials.

This would both appease Cao Cao, who had been dismissed as prime minister, and force the courtiers to gravitate towards him as emperor and rely on him more.

Upon hearing the emperor's arrangement, Cao Cao breathed a sigh of relief; the most difficult hurdle was over.

As for dismissing the prime minister?
For him, it was just a title. Whether Cao Mengde was actually the prime minister or not was not something that the emperor could decide with a single word.

What's the point of the emperor dismissing Yuan Shu from his position as Grand General?

Yuan Shu continued doing what he was supposed to do, and continued to control the southern troops as before.

However, taking advantage of this opportunity, they could temporarily show weakness to the young emperor and feign submission in order to plan for the future.

Having made up his mind, Cao Cao bowed deeply and said:
"Your Majesty, Holy Ming!
Cao Cao's defeat at Wancheng is a matter for which no one is to blame.

However, my beloved general Dian Wei, my beloved nephew Cao Anmin, and my beloved son Cao Ang all died loyally for the country and in service to the king.

They are all my beloved relatives, my direct blood relatives.

Whenever I think of their nameless, anonymous nights spent sleeping by the green hills, and how their remains were never recovered.

Cao Cao burst into tears, overwhelmed with grief.

Before he could finish speaking, Liu Xie understood what he meant. He was admitting defeat, indicating that he could accept being dismissed as prime minister, but he still wanted some benefits.

Liu Xie didn't care that they were just a few dead people, and immediately ordered rewards and honors.

"What Minister Cao said is very true. The soldiers have sacrificed their lives for the country, and I cannot let them feel disheartened."

He should now be posthumously granted a noble title to commemorate his merits.

(End of this chapter)