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

Chapter 3 A real man should be like this

rumor?

This reminds me of the earlier question: "Who saw me obtain the Imperial Seal of the State?"

Li Feng, who witnessed this scene, couldn't help but start thinking.

“Yes, Brother Yin, there’s no need to bring up something as baseless as the Imperial Seal of the State, which would only provoke others to covet it.”

As they spoke, Li Feng kept giving Yuan Yin meaningful glances, as if he had already understood Yuan Shu's meaning. He then straightened his clothes, bowed again to Yuan Shu, and said:
"Recently, I've often heard a prophecy circulating among the people, saying: 'The one who will replace the Han dynasty is Tu Gao!'"

Those who paint are the way!

"Our lord's courtesy name is Gonglu, which perfectly matches Tu Gao's intention. He is destined to bear the weight of the imperial power and should rightfully be proclaimed emperor, thus winning the hearts of the people!"

Yuan Shu met his knowing look and felt a strange feeling. What did he know?

Am I suggesting you find another reason to persuade me to ascend the throne in order to conceal the Imperial Seal of the State?

Was it Tu Gao who replaced the Han dynasty?
The character "涂" can be explained somewhat reasonably, but what about "高"?
These people will fabricate anything and everything in order to sway themselves into declaring themselves emperors.

"My lies are deceiving the public!"

Yuan Shu scoffed, his words righteous and stern.

"My family has held high office for four generations, and has served as ministers for many generations. We are loyal and upright ministers of the Han Dynasty!"

How could one do such a thing, so disrespectful to one's sovereign and father?

Anyone who dares to declare themselves emperor again will have their entire family executed!

Slaughter his entire family!

Every word!
The blows sent shivers down Li Feng's spine, yet Yuan Shu's words struck him with an almost absurd contradiction.

Who calls himself "朕" (the imperial "I") and keeps calling himself a loyal minister, speaking like a virtuous and upright official of the Han Dynasty?

He couldn't help but exchange a glance with Yuan Yin, and the two looked at each other with wry smiles.

"There's no need to bring these things up again."

Yuan Shu waved for his guest to leave, but before he was about to depart, he suddenly called out to Li Feng.

"Minister Li, please wait. Tonight, bring five hundred axemen, all armed with bows and crossbows, to obey my orders."

The two men accepted the order and took their leave. As soon as they left the study, a cool breeze blew in, and they realized that their clothes were already soaked through.

"Brother Yin, I rarely see the lord in private, and he's always like this."

Li Feng hesitated, seemingly unable to think of a way to describe it.

"Pass the country's jade seal!"

Yuan Yin slapped his thigh, suddenly realizing what was going on.

"He has been ordained by Heaven, and his life will be long and prosperous! My cousin must have received the Mandate of Heaven, which is why he seems like a completely different person, as if he has been reborn."

Li Feng raised an eyebrow. Although he was a rough and uncultured man, he had heard that the Imperial Seal was rumored to be incredibly powerful. Considering the changes in his lord today, he wondered if there was any truth to the supernatural.

He believed it!

Yuan Yin was secretly pleased. He thought that his cousin's ambition had been ignited by the imperial seal, and he had once again become energized!
After all, this cousin of mine has had intermittent bursts of ambition followed by a continuous period of idleness and complacency, and this isn't the first or second time he's done this.

Although he was full of ambition this time, the changes were quite significant, and even he felt unfamiliar with the place.

All I can say is that the Imperial Seal of the State was incredibly exciting!
This was also a good thing. Seeing that even a general like Li Feng believed these words, Yuan Yin couldn't help but secretly pray:
Cousin, I hope your performance lasts a little longer this time, so the family can use this opportunity to build momentum for you.

"Brother Yin, what do you think the Lord's contradictory behavior today means?"

Should we continue?

Yuan Yin's brows furrowed as Li Feng interrupted his thoughts.

"This is truly strange. I don't know either, but if we don't know, someone else will."

I intend to visit Military Advisor Yang's residence. Would Brother Li be willing to accompany me?

Strategist Yang Hong!

Li Feng wholeheartedly agreed, believing that it was always wise to consult a strategist, no matter the problem.

Inside the study, Yuan Shu's fingertips caressed the Imperial Seal of the State, the dim candlelight casting flickering light on his face.

It's impossible for him to declare himself emperor. To do so would defy the world and force all the feudal lords to fight, whether they wanted to or not.

Even former allies, helping him makes them traitors, and seeing everyone else dividing the spoils, they also want a piece of the flesh.

It's acceptable to overstep one's bounds and declare one's will, but once he leaves this house, Yuan Gonglu will not acknowledge it. If his subordinates spread a few rumors about him "claiming the title of Emperor," it would be considered a rebellion and a coup. Tomorrow, rumors will spread like wildfire, and Cao Cao will be seen as using the emperor to command the feudal lords, while Yuan Shao has already secretly kept the dragon robe!

In any case, we live in a chaotic world, so one more act of usurpation won't make a difference.

Since Zhang Jiao tore off that fig leaf and shouted: "The Azure Heaven is dead, the Yellow Heaven shall rise!"

Dong Zhuo deposed the eldest son and installed a younger one in his place, and then burned Luoyang to the ground.

In the end, which of the feudal lords in the world still respects the emperor?

Since the advent of emperors and the advent of this beautiful jade in their hands, the ambition of every man in the world has been reduced to just one sentence:
[By the mandate of Heaven, may your life be long and prosperous!]

Since everyone in this world is fighting, then I will grant you the right to establish a nation.

I, Yuan Gonglu, want to see whether the weight of the four hundred years of Han dynasty's legacy and righteousness is more important, or whether the human desire for change in a chaotic world is stronger!
Are you, the virtuous and righteous people who are dedicated to restoring the Han Dynasty, or are you, the heroes and valiant men behind me, wielding three-foot swords and determined to build unparalleled achievements, forging ahead through thorns and brambles?
He chuckled softly, tossed the jade seal aside, and muttered to himself:

"Man, that's how it should be!"

(End of this chapter)