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

Chapter 285 You've really put me in a terrible situation! [6000]

When Yuan Yin brought up this idea, Liu Ye actually had no other choice, because if he didn't do it, there were plenty of other people who would. If he didn't cooperate with Yuan Yin, Yuan Yin had plenty of powerful families he could find to cooperate with.

It can be said that he was the first one to come to me, and I have to thank Yuan Yin for his kindness to my nephew Yuan Yao.

A petty person always finds a way to drag everyone down with them and compete with them in being as bad as they are.

After all, if you have a bottom line and he doesn't, then you're more likely to lose.

Therefore, everyone is forced to abandon their bottom line, and as a result, the bottom line is lowered and lower, and morality gradually declines. This is the viciousness and power of a villain.

Liu Ye silently nodded, agreeing to Yuan Yin's plan. Everyone went to contact the powerful families and advocated for the selection of virtuous women from good families to fill the palace for the King of Han.

This matter was in the interest of the vast majority of powerful families at the time, and as a result, the situation deteriorated.

While the outside world was celebrating the land rentals, a number of prominent families were also engaged in a heated competition to select suitable women from their families to participate in the election.

On that day, the moonlight was as clear as water, and the King of Han summoned Yuan Yin to an audience.

With a joyful expression, Yuan Yin walked happily into the hall and immediately bowed down to greet the guests.

"Your subject Yin pays respects to Your Majesty!"

"Your Majesty, I have great news to tell you."

"happy event?"

A cold laugh came from behind him. When Yuan Yin finished bowing and looked up, the supreme figure sitting high in the clouds was nowhere to be seen on the nine-tiered imperial steps in front of him.

Suddenly, a vague sense of familiarity welled up in my heart, and a long-lost memory rippled through me.

Yuan Yin didn't dare to dodge. He was so frightened that he curled his body into a ball to reduce the damage, and rolled away with the force of the sudden kick to dissipate the energy.

Yuan Shu: "."

"Your Majesty, this is truly a joyous occasion!"
Your humble brother is doing this all for your own good.

After watching Yuan Yin roll away and lie face down on the ground, seemingly prostrating himself, Yuan Shu didn't know what to say to him and could only sneer.

"For my own good?"
In that case, I should thank you.

Cut first and then play.

"Brother Yin, do you really think that out of some brotherly affection, I truly cannot kill you?"

"Brother Wang, don't be in such a hurry~"

"Brother Rongchen, please present that Lady Feng to me."

"Ok?"

The single word, cold and sharp, seemed like the emperor's wrath, with murderous intent spreading across the land, just like a dragon's low murmur and thunderous roars in one's ears.

Yuan Yin immediately stopped talking, not daring to say another word. He knew he only had one chance, and if he misspoke even one more word, the King of Han would truly want to kill him.

At this moment, Yuan Yin felt quite helpless. Based on his decades-long friendship with his cousin, whenever he introduced a certain beauty to his cousin, his cousin would always agree happily and praise her highly.

But ever since he obtained the Imperial Seal, his cousin has been busy with national affairs and wars for years, and hasn't asked him to recommend any beauties for almost three years.

This is not normal!

This also made Yuan Yin, who felt he had lost his greatest opportunity to play a significant role and make meritorious contributions, feel deeply uneasy.

Could it be true, as the conspiracy theory circulating in Luoyang suggests, that my cousin had been acting all along for decades, cooperating with me?

I have never really known this cousin who has been with me since childhood and has helped me all this time.

It turns out that the brother I knew and was familiar with was just a phantom in my heart.
Lonely.

The moment he picked up the imperial seal, his elder brother was already all alone. It was laughable that he had foolishly advised his brother to ascend the throne and become emperor.

He already harbored the ambition of being emperor in his heart, so why would he need to declare himself emperor?

At that moment, Yuan Yin lay prostrate on the ground, his eyes filled with fear as he saw the shadow cast by Yuan Shu standing behind him.

The shadow appeared and disappeared under the palace lanterns and candlelight, changing with the times, like a dragon revealing only its scales and claws in the mist.

Upon closer inspection, however, it blends seamlessly with the surrounding darkness, revealing itself to be a monster embodying imperial power.

There are only rulers and subjects here; there have never been brothers.

Yuan Yin suppressed his trembling. Fortunately, he had the experience of that kick from back then, and he had made two preparations for this trip.

The story was told to my cousin to make him happy.

Another explanation:
I will present this to the King of Han to fulfill my duty as a subject.

"Your Majesty, please allow me to report."

The selection of women from respectable families to enter the palace was not for personal gain or short-term selfishness, but for a major undertaking to stabilize the country and ensure its stability!
Your Majesty said that I acted first and reported later. I dare not insist that I be exonerated. However, this is not Your Majesty's private matter, but a public matter for all the people under heaven.

My heart is set on serving the public good, acting as a vanguard for the king; my conscience is clear, as clear as the sun and moon!

Yuan Shu: "."

He stood behind Yuan Yin, whose gloomy expression, now appearing extremely strange, could not be seen by Yuan Yin.

People say that the King of Chu had a fondness for slender waists, which led to many starving to death in Chu. Is it possible that I am too upright and honest, which is why even Yuan Yin has become a minister like Yan Xiang, who speaks frankly and offers loyal advice?

Wait a minute! What was he saying again, offering his honest and straightforward advice?

[Women from respectable families were selected to fill the palace.]

That's alright then, that's very Yuan Yin.

Yuan Yin, who was prostrate on the ground, continued to speak eloquently, reciting his prepared remarks one by one.

"Now the king has only two beauties in the palace, and only his young son Yao and his stepson Ce."

This is neither a blessing for the country nor a way to ensure its stability!
The youngest son, Yao, is known for his many illnesses. If something were to happen to him, his successor, Ce, would surely find it difficult to gain the support of the people.

Moreover, the king favored adopted sons, many of whom held military power and authority.

When the princes seize the throne, the foundation of the empire will be destroyed, and this will be the beginning of the chaos!
Even if Yao has not met with any misfortune, based on my recent observations of his words and actions, he appears frivolous and unfit to be a ruler.

The king, having built upon the legacy of four generations of high-ranking officials and conquered the south and north to establish his empire, how could he allow it to be ruined by a mere upstart, causing his achievements, which would last for thousands of generations, to perish in just two generations?
While one is still young, one should take women from good families to fill the palace, have many children, and then select virtuous and talented women to raise a young ruler.

This is a public opinion, a clear and shining admonition!
Your subject, Yin, risks his life to offer this loyal advice!

"Ah."

Yuan Yin kowtowed, not daring to look up, and the only response he received was a soft laugh that was hard to decipher.

"My Yuan family has truly prospered. Even my younger brother, Yin, possesses the talent of a musician and the ability to govern the world!"

"Your Majesty, I am unworthy of such praise. My heart is truly devoted, and I cannot help but express my feelings. My loyalty and courage are always burning with passion for you."

However, before he could finish speaking, he was kicked again, causing him to bend over on the ground and become unable to speak.

"fart!
Could it be that my younger brother has also endured half his life, and that his flattery over the past decade was all an act, only to reveal his true loyalty today?

Yuan Shu looked down at him coldly, his gaze indifferent as water, colder than the moonlight outside the palace.

"You have really caused me a lot of trouble."

Go back and tell the Yuan family, and the prominent families of Yuzhou, Yangzhou, and Jingzhou.

They can rest assured now.

I will select daughters from noble families to enter the palace for marriage alliances, in order to bring prosperity to all clans.

He was smiling, a friendly smile just like last time, as he helped Yuan Yin up. But facing that gentle, breezy smile, Yuan Yin felt a chill run down his spine.

This kind and warm smile is just like the joy an old farmer feels when he sees the wheat turn golden in autumn, or the earnest anticipation when planting rice seedlings in spring.

At that moment, he heard the "old farmer" pat his shoulder heavily, speaking in a tone that sounded like the Emperor's will:
"Tell them for me!"
Now that I hold the reins of power over the aristocratic families, I should govern this land of China and all its people together with the scholar-officials!

This golden promise will certainly not be broken!

Yuan Yin, supported by his hand, trembled all over and only managed to utter one sentence:

"I am frightened!"

Squinting at Yuan Yin as he staggered away, Yuan Shu placed the honey water he had just sipped on the table, his eyes holding a half-smile.

The backlash still came.

Although he used the rules of aristocratic families to govern them, and the Yuan family annexed the world, he forced them to hand over their population and land.

However, the rewards from Lingyan Pavilion and the Hall of Merit alone are clearly not enough to satisfy the greed of these people.

Human desires are truly insatiable!
If one can use the rules of aristocratic families to deal with other aristocratic families, then naturally the aristocratic families can use the same rules to deal with one.

That is a marriage alliance between powerful families!
Therefore, they came up with a reason that no ruler could openly refute: the foundation of the state is the root of all under heaven!
Yuan Yin was merely a pawn they pushed forward. Behind him stood the Yuan family's deep-seated resentment towards them for adopting Yuan Ce as their stepson and for taking in many adopted sons instead of cultivating the direct descendants of the Yuan family.

Furthermore, the three powerful families of the three states harbored resentment because he had forced them to release people and land, and although they had no choice but to compromise, they had been holding onto their grievances.

At this moment, the Yuan family's desire to have more offspring to consolidate their foundation and the aristocratic families' desire to form a marriage alliance with them were surprisingly aligned.

The so-called "selection of virtuous women to fill the palace" was actually a way of forcing oneself to compromise and to see clearly that the dragon throne one sits on was being supported by their powerful families.

It's nothing to temporarily sacrifice some interests to win popular support; it's just an investment to help them seize power, and their aristocratic families can afford to do so.

But if you sit on the wrong side and actually try to sit at the people's table, they'll pull the chair away.

That's why they want to use marriage to bind themselves together. But what kind of person needs marriage?

People like Liu Bei, who started from scratch and had nothing, could only acquire resources through marriage alliances.

Those like Liu Biao, who entered the country alone and were isolated and helpless, had no choice but to rely on marriage alliances to stabilize the surrounding areas.

But what about yourself?

Three generations of officials have been appointed as high officials, and their students and former officials are spread all over the world.

At the height of his power, all people and the masses are bathed in the emperor's grace.

With a prosperous and peaceful nation and a well-equipped military, I have no need for any marriage alliances at this time. On the contrary, it is those aristocratic families who need to form marriage alliances with me.

Only through marriage can they guarantee that their current investments will yield tangible returns.

Only through marriage could they become one of the biggest beneficiaries of the new dynasty, becoming imperial relatives and sharing in the spoils of the world.

The calamities caused by the maternal relatives during the four hundred years of the Han Dynasty are just a glimpse into this phenomenon.

So, should Yuan Shu compromise with them?
of course!

Even an emperor as accomplished in both civil and military affairs as Emperor Guangwu had to compromise with powerful families, let alone himself.

After all, in this day and age, the world cannot be governed by the common people alone.

Pressuring when necessary and compromising when appropriate can at least give these powerful families, who have just suffered heavy losses, some peace of mind.

"However, you guys really don't understand."

Capital will only be harvested by larger capital.

Yuan Shu smiled as he gazed out the window at the shimmering moonlight and the full moon in the sky.

"Appropriate fertilization is simply to make the chives grow more vigorously."

"My sun's radiance shines only upon the best-growing wheat seedlings."

The following day, the imperial edict issued by the King of Han to select women from good families was promulgated throughout the land.

"I have received the mandate of Heaven and will ascend the throne to restore the Han dynasty."

I remember that I rose to power from the Yuan family, and that the world was in chaos until today, all thanks to the strong support of various powerful families and the united efforts of scholars and officials.

We now build palaces to strengthen the foundation of the nation, and conduct selection to unite kinship ties.

The unified plan will last for one month, and will be extended to all families who have previously sacrificed their homes, released people, or offered land to assist me in building my great cause.

Ten individuals with outstanding achievements were selected and ranked first.

I will select ten virtuous and talented women from ten different families to serve in the harem, thus forming a happy marriage alliance and bestowing favor upon these meritorious officials.

Those who have made great contributions deserve generous rewards, while those who are not selected should be encouraged even more.

I hope that all of you will not forget your original aspirations, strive to be the best, and compete for the honor of being listed in the Hall of Literary Glory through military merit, political affairs, and provisions. Those who rank high will not only receive benefits in black and white, but will also have priority in such matters.

I will remain steadfast in my commitment to reward merit and ensure that the loyal and diligent are not overlooked. I will strive to ensure that the families of those who have made contributions enjoy lasting prosperity and that they share in the nation's glory.

This empire does not belong to me alone, but is jointly governed by meritorious officials and scholars. This proclamation is hereby issued so that all may know.

When this edict was issued, the powerful families of the three prefectures were in an uproar.

Great!
The King of Han compromised!
The King of Han has agreed to a marriage alliance with us. As long as we join forces, even someone as powerful as the King of Han is not invincible.

good good!
The King of Han truly shares our sentiments by governing the country together with the scholar-officials!

And so on, meritorious officials? Why does something feel off?

Those of us who haven't made any contributions, or have made few contributions, don't deserve to sit at the table for a meal, right?

It feels like that familiar feeling is starting again?

While some were still bewildered and overjoyed, the clever ones had already begun their raid, and the tacit understanding among the various powerful families collapsed in an instant.

"Coordinate for one month? Our Bu family is only 40,000 mu of land and 20,000 Tibetan slaves away from tenth place!"

Go immediately to the Imperial Observatory and find Zishan. Process the merit-making paperwork as quickly as possible, making sure it's completed before the deadline.

"But Master..."

"My mind is made up, say no more!"

"Our Bu family has the opportunity to rise up and seize control of the Jiangdong Four Great Families—this is our chance to gamble!"

"That's right! The patriarch is right!"
"We in Jiangdong have suffered under the rule of the four great families for too long; it's time to change that ranking."

"With the help of the King of Han, the Sun family, once a poor and destitute household, rose to prominence in Shouchun."

"If the Sun family can do it, my Bu family might not be unable to."

"What you gentlemen say is very true!"

The Qia ethnic group has a female named Lian Shi. She received family education from a young age, is knowledgeable and reasonable, gentle and kind, and possesses both beauty and wisdom.

The fortune teller once said that her destiny was beyond measure, and that she would become the empress.

She is now twenty-one years old and still unmarried, having waited until this day.

"That's exactly right. This time, even if it means leaving my family and career behind, I will help the trainer get selected."

If fate had been on his side, Yuan Gong would have become Tu Gao, replacing the Han dynasty and declaring himself emperor.

The master should be like a phoenix, a model of virtue for the world, and become its queen.

These two horoscopes are perfectly matched; it's a match made in heaven!

"What you all say is very true!"

Patriarch Bu nodded, glancing back at the burning ambition in the eyes of the elders, and chuckled softly:
"Jiangdong has not produced any of the five great families for many years. If possible, my Bu family may be able to fill this gap."

The future is still uncertain!

With the Bu family patriarch making absolute decisions, all the elders obeyed without question. The land and people newly offered by the Bu family were soon brought to Bu Zhi by an elder.

Upon hearing that the clan had come looking for them, Bu Zhi hurriedly came out to greet them.

However, after understanding the reason, he looked at the things the Bu family had brought and looked troubled.

"What? Zishan, can't you make an exception?"

"Has the ranking of the noble families selecting respectable women already been decided?"

"Third Uncle, what should we say about this?"

It's not that I'm inflexible, but rather...

Bu Zhi looked at the elders who had come in high spirits with an embarrassed expression, and said two words after hesitating for a moment.

"not enough."

"what?
How could it not be enough?

Isn't it only 40,000 mu of land and 20,000 Tibetan slaves away from tenth place?

I was ordered by my master to bring 50,000 mu of land and 30,000 Tibetan slaves with me, which is more than enough.”

"Third Uncle, look this way."

As Bu Zhi spoke, he pointed to the inner hall of the Imperial Observatory, where a large crowd had already formed a long queue.

"This"

The old man of the Bu family had a vague suspicion, and a sense of unease gradually rose in his heart.

Bu Zhi nodded to him, indicating that he was right.

"As you can see, they've all come here to make a contribution."

What tens of thousands of acres of land and tens of thousands of people? That's all in the past.

If the Bu family truly wants to compete for this position, they need at least this much.

As Bu Zhi spoke, he raised his hand and held up one finger, his eyes filled with deep helplessness.

If 50,000 won't do, then of course it can't be 10,000; it can only be 100,000.

"How is this possible? The patriarch made a decision with us immediately, and things have changed so much in such a short time?"

"If possible, I would like to ask Third Uncle to go back and persuade the head of the family to give up."

This is just the current price; it will likely be even higher in a few days.

As the Han King's edict spread throughout the land, representatives from the powerful families of Jingzhou, as well as Liang, Chen, and Lu in Yuzhou, who had not previously participated, also sent letters to the emperor.

This is no longer just a struggle between Jiangdong, but the entire Han Kingdom is vying for the title of one of the Ten Great Clans.

After all, the King of Han had written his words in black and white in the imperial edict: he would only share the empire with meritorious officials and scholars.

It's hard to say who made contributions and who didn't, but the ten founding families must have been among those who did.

Today, even though it's just a selection of respectable women, there's already a distinction between close and distant relatives. I'm afraid the difference in welfare and treatment in the future will only be greater.

"Given the size of my Bu family, I'm afraid..."

Bu Zhi didn't say anything more, but his meaning couldn't be clearer.

Unbeknownst to them, the situation had become so dire that even the elder of the Bu family remained silent with a solemn expression.

After hesitating for a long time, he finally gritted his teeth and spoke.

"Zishan, you have a cousin named Lian Shi, you've met her before."

Do you think that with her talent and beauty, she has a chance to compete for the empress's position?

Even Bu Zhi fell silent at this question.

If my cousin could enter the palace, even if she didn't compete for the empress's position, as long as she could gain the favor of the Prince of Han, it would be of great benefit not only to the Bu family but also to my own career.

If the King of Han had many beauties in his harem, that would be fine, but the key is that previously only the two Qiao sisters had official titles, and now only ten people are being selected.

With a one in twelve chance, one could rise to prominence and achieve great success. Who could resist taking the plunge?
The key is that if one doesn't compete for the empress's position but only for the emperor's favor, then the probability is even greater.

Even if she becomes pregnant and gives birth to a prince, the roles of offense and defense will change, and who will need to support Yuan Ce and Yuan Yao?

The Han state was newly established, and the King of Han had only just begun his career. The opportunities here were immense.

So, can his cousin Bu Lianshi stand out, win the favor of the King of Han, and secure unprecedented benefits for himself and his family?

Bu Zhi recalled the Bu Lianshi he had seen before and solemnly nodded to the Bu family elder.

"Third Uncle is absolutely right. With Master Lian's talent and looks, if we don't fight for him today, the Bu family will regret it too late."

"Okay, okay!"

Seeing that the most talented successor in the clan shared the same view, it was clear that as long as the Master could be sent to the palace, he would surely achieve great things in the future.

He hurriedly stuffed the list of contracts he had brought into Jinbu Zhi's hands, saying, "Zishan, take these things first to complete the formalities and register your merits."

"Wait a moment, I'll go back and ask the master for some more, then I'll be right back."

Watching the old man hurriedly leave, Bu Zhi held the contract in his hands, feeling as heavy as a thousand pounds.

What he held in his hands was the fate and future of the Bu family.

He understood that the Bu family was willing to sacrifice their wealth to alleviate the crisis and was going to fight the powerful families of the Han state to the death.

Even he himself didn't know whether this seemingly impulsive decision was right or wrong.

Logically speaking, a family with a thousand-year-old heritage like theirs shouldn't make such an impulsive decision.

It's just an opportunity, a once-in-a-lifetime chance!
Before the world fell into chaos, when could their small family in the remote Jiangdong region have ever dreamed of climbing the social ladder?

After thousands of years of accumulated clan fortune, how could they have the opportunity to send a clan girl into the palace to compete for the empress's position?

Not to mention the position of empress of the founding monarch!
Even with the current situation of the Han King's offspring, as long as Lian Shi can live up to expectations, the Bu family bloodline still has a chance to compete for the position of Crown Prince.

Besides, the timing is perfect!

Even if other families are selected as one of the top ten aristocratic families, they may not necessarily have a woman of exceptional beauty who is of marriageable age and can outshine all others.

Unfortunately, the Bu family happens to have one!
She was virtuous and gentle, and her beauty was captivating.

While it's said to be a one-in-twelfth chance, from Bu Zhi's perspective, it's actually more like a one-in-one.

He simply refused to believe that other families could find a woman who could rival Bu Lianshi in such a short period of time.

In my humble opinion, apart from the two Qiao sisters in the palace, as long as the Bu family can send Bu Lianshi in, they will have no rivals.

This is why he initially tried to stop them, but after thinking it through, he supported the decision made by the family head and elders.

One-third of the way back!
A possibility of vying for the crown prince position!
This temptation may be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the Bu family, even if they wait for thousands of years.

With it so close at hand, how can we not take the chance?
Bu family.

After the old general Bu Zhina sent back intelligence and information, everyone fell silent for a moment.

"Among those families, there are no women of marriageable age. Why are they joining in the fun now?"
What's the point of sending someone of average appearance in then?

Wasting resources is truly despicable!

"Getting angry is useless; just say what to do right now?"
"If this trend continues, even if I were to gamble away the remaining 100,000 mu of farmland and 50,000 Tibetan slaves of the Bu family, I'm afraid it would still be difficult to win."

"How can we give up so easily?"

You have all seen Master Lian. How can the daughters offered by other noble families compare to her?
Right now, all she lacks is an opportunity, a chance to enter Shouchun Palace.

My family has a female martial arts master, who possesses the qualities of an empress.

The family will spare no expense to help her rise to prominence, knowing that she will one day assist the family in achieving great success.

"That makes sense, but right now we don't have enough fertile land and enough people, so what can we do?"

"All right!"

The head of the Bu family raised his hand to interrupt the argument and sighed.

"Right now, we can only try with the full strength of the family. If it's still not enough, we'll have to buy it."

"Those small and medium-sized aristocratic families who are not qualified to compete for this opportunity might be willing to sell their land and people to us if we can afford the price."

"If all else fails, we will have no choice but to follow the patriarch's method."

Fortunately, the merits earned can be used to help Zishan compete for star positions and exchange for benefits for the family in the Hall of Merit.

Consider it money spent to buy merit; it's not a bad deal.

Meanwhile, in Jingzhou.

While Xing Daorong and Cai Mao ran back to the vicinity of Xiangyang to recruit people, and while the Jingzhou aristocratic families were still doing hard labor to relieve disaster victims and control floods to gain merit.

They heard the latest news about the major families of Yuzhou and Yangzhou in Shouchun.

Everyone looked at each other, speechless.

Xing Daorong and Cai Mao: "."

No, you.
Whose interests have we brothers threatened? We just want to compete for a star position in the Lingyan Pavilion, why is it so difficult?

(End of this chapter)