Brother, stop curling up! You're curling up like the founder of the Han Dynasty!

Chapter 253: Liu Bei's Inside Maneuver in Persuading Yuan Shao to Declare Himself Emperor (Seeking Subscriptions and Monthly Tickets)
For five years, as long as there was no war involved, Liu Bei would urge his soldiers to study literature and practice martial arts.

Although no formal military academy was established, Liu Bei continued to teach, impart knowledge, and resolve doubts.

Although some powerful and influential families were willing to support the new policies, Liu Bei could not fully utilize them.

If high-ranking officials, ministers, prefectures, counties, and townships are all scholars cultivated by powerful and influential families, then after more than ten years, a new group of powerful and influential families will take control of the local areas and abandon the new policies.

Liu Bei needed a group of personally trained talents to control the local areas before he could fully implement his new policies.

Because Yuan Shu's civil and military officials were unwilling to take action, and Yuan Shao was dissuaded by Guo Tu, Tian Feng, and Feng Ji, Liu Bei was able to weather the year's calamities peacefully.

For the common people who had been allocated land and houses and enjoyed the benefits of the new policies, as long as officials did not take advantage of the disaster to make a living, it was not difficult to overcome the disaster by working together.

With food at home, one has nothing to fear.

Although some officials wanted to take the opportunity to embezzle, and some powerful families wanted to engage in mergers and acquisitions, these attempts were basically nipped in the bud.

Liu Bei would not allow anyone to profit from disasters at this critical moment. The prefects, deputy clerks, or deputy clerks of the prime minister, county magistrates, and deputy county magistrates that Liu Bei assigned to various prefectures and counties were not soft-hearted people.

They dared to be the first to charge into battle on the battlefield, and were not afraid of local officials or weakened powerful families.

This group of people were also extremely devoted to Liu Bei and looked down on local bribery.

The underlying principles all stem from Liu Bei: If we reason with each other, we can cooperate and weather this year's disasters smoothly; if we don't reason with each other, we'll cut off your heads, and we'll be innocent and meritorious.

November.

Yuan Shu's chief steward, Yuan Si, disguised himself as a Shu brocade merchant and traveled from Echeng through Xuzhou, then from Xuzhou into Qingzhou, arriving in Nanpi without any major incidents.

Although Yang Hong claimed that "the envoy must be a member of Yuan Shu's clan," Yuan Si was very uneasy. He worried that Yuan Shao would resent him for helping Yuan Shu but refusing to help him.

Upon discovering that Guo Tu now held a high position under Yuan Shao and even had the prestige to surpass Feng Ji and become the most powerful person under Yuan Shao, Yuan Si became suspicious.

"Wasn't Guo Tu captured alive by Lü Bu? When did he escape back?"

With this question in mind, Yuan Si went to the outside of Guo Tu's residence and submitted a petition.

"Yuan Si is still alive?"

Upon learning that Yuan Si was paying his respects outside the mansion, Guo Tu was so frightened that he broke out in a cold sweat even in the dead of winter.

Although Feng Ji has become more low-key, it does not mean that Feng Ji acknowledges Guo Tu as the number one person under Yuan Shao.

However, Yuan Shao suffered a crushing defeat in the Battle of Chaoge, which made Feng Ji dare not be high-profile and instead lie low.

If Feng Ji were to learn that Guo Tu had been captured alive by Lü Bu, then all the fabricated experiences Guo Tu had made would fall apart.

To avoid any accidents, Guo Tu quickly invited Yuan Si into his residence.

"I didn't expect that after three years, Brother Yuan would have become the Junior Steward of the Zhong family. Congratulations!" Guo Tu greeted him warmly, then tentatively inquired, "When did you arrive in Nanpi, Brother Yuan?"

Yuan Si was also a shrewd man. He understood the hidden meaning in Guo Tu's words and said, "I came directly here when I first arrived in Nanpi. I heard that Brother Guo is now the Chief Clerk of the Grand General. What a pity."

Seeing the hidden meaning in Yuan Si's words, Guo Tu composed himself and said directly, "Brother Yuan, we are old acquaintances. Let's not beat around the bush. Trying to provoke me won't work. Just tell me your purpose."

Yuan Si laughed and said, "Brother Guo is a straightforward person, so I won't beat around the bush. I've come to Nanpi this time to persuade General Yuan to ascend the throne and become emperor. I ask for your help, Brother Guo."

Guo Tu chuckled, "Who came up with this wicked plan to frame the General?"

Without hesitation, Yuan Si said, "This plan was proposed by Minister Yang Hong, but it can hardly be called a vicious plan. Moreover, given the current state of the world, General Yuan will be hampered if he does not declare himself emperor. Only by declaring himself emperor can he contend for the world."

Guo Tu succinctly revealed the truth: "Yuan Shu has always despised the Grand General, to the point that the Grand General's repeated attempts to form an alliance have failed. In my opinion, his advice to the Grand General to declare himself emperor is a pretense; his true intention is to urge the Grand General to launch a southern expedition. Yuan Shu acquired Xichuan last year, and Liu Bei has encountered calamities this year. Even so, Yuan Shu dares not launch a northern expedition. Could it be that he fears Liu Bei like a tiger?"

Yuan Si remained unfazed: "Brother Guo's wisdom and strategy are unparalleled, truly admirable. With your talent, it would be a waste for you to only serve as the Chief Secretary to the Grand General. If Grand General Yuan were to become emperor, Brother Guo would become the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

What's the point of being a lowly Minister of the Imperial Secretariat in a small, hopeless court?

I want to join the Imperial Secretariat. Wouldn't it be better to return to Luoyang and become a Minister? Why must I stay here?
Although he felt contempt, Guo Tu went along with Yuan Si's words and said, "That may be true, but why should I obey Yuan Shu's wishes? What benefit would I gain?"

Yuan Si laughed and said, "Actually, it doesn't matter to you or me who becomes emperor. What matters is who we follow for a better future. If General Yuan becomes emperor, and he wins, I will have the merit of persuading him to ascend the throne; if Da Zhong loses, I can guarantee that Brother Guo will serve as an official in the Zhong family."

Guo Tu was slightly surprised.

Yuan Si's behavior is typical of someone who is opportunistic and fickle.

Yuan Shao won, and Yuan Si, who advised Yuan Shao to declare himself emperor, deserves credit for urging him to ascend the throne.

Yuan Shu won, and Guo Tu had the merit of helping Yuan Shu persuade Yuan Shao to declare himself emperor. With Yuan Si as his guarantor, it wouldn't be unreasonable for him to be given an official position.

"What if Liu Bei wins?" Guo Tu said calmly, "If Liu Bei wins, I will still be a subject of the Han Dynasty. Even if I cannot become an official, I can still save my life. But if I advise the General to declare himself emperor, I will be a traitor who betrays the Han Dynasty and will not be able to live."

Guo Tu also understands the principle of the "fence-sitter" theory.

Although both Liu Bei and Liu He referred to each other as "false emperors," both were members of the Han imperial family who claimed the title of emperor. In name, the fighting was a battle between members of the Han imperial family. Given Liu Bei's habit of only killing the ringleaders, it was highly likely that the civil and military officials under Liu He could survive, at most being sent to labor reform.

However, after Yuan Shao declared himself emperor, the situation changed completely.

The struggle was between Liu and Yuan for national succession, not an internal struggle within the Han dynasty.

Therefore, it is reasonable for Guo Tu to use this reason to question Yuan Si.

Yuan Si, clearly prepared, leaned closer and whispered, "Brother Guo, as you just said, our story is old, so let's not beat around the bush. I saw you captured alive by Lü Bu with my own eyes."

Seeing Guo Tu's eyes turn cold, Yuan Si continued, "Brother Guo, don't misunderstand. I have no intention of leaking secrets. It's just that in this chaotic world, people like us who travel far and wide need to have a backup plan. If Liu Bei wins in the future, I hope Brother Guo can also guarantee me an official position." "Brother Yuan, aren't you afraid I'll leak this to Yuan Shu?" Guo Tu couldn't help but twitch his lips. This Yuan Si actually wanted to take a three-way stance?
Yuan Si didn't take it seriously: "I am the Junior Minister of the Zhong family. Brother Guo, do you think His Majesty will trust me or Brother Guo?"

Guo Tu snorted: "If I disagree, will Brother Yuan expose me?"

Yuan Si shook his head: "Brother Guo has misunderstood. Even if Brother Guo disagrees, I will not expose Brother Guo. No one can predict how the situation will change in the future."

"It's better to be kind to others than to make enemies. Besides, persuading General Yuan to declare himself emperor would be beneficial to Liu Bei as well. It's a win-win situation for all three parties, and it would also benefit our future prospects. Why not do it?"

Guo Tu lowered his head and pondered.

Killing Yuan Si might temporarily prevent the news from leaking out, but it's hard to guarantee that Yuan Shu won't send someone else.

If the next time it is the Zhou brothers, the three brothers, who fabricated their experiences over the past three years, Yuan Shao will see through them again. In addition, given their secret plot to eliminate Yuan Si, they will find it difficult to survive under Yuan Shao in the future.

If Yuan Si is kept alive, he can be used as a cover.

[Your Majesty's order to stop Yuan Shao's southward advance likely stems from your foresight of this year's calamities. Now that the calamities have passed, it should be acceptable to persuade Yuan Shao to declare himself emperor. Moreover, after becoming emperor, Yuan Shao will need time to consolidate his power in Hebei and eliminate dissidents who refuse to submit to the new dynasty. This will also delay Yuan Shao's southward advance, giving Your Majesty more time to prepare.]

Thinking of this, Guo Tu looked up and replied, "I can help you. But you must cooperate with me, otherwise even if I die, you won't survive when you go back."

Subsequently.

Guo Tu recounted his fabricated three-year experience to Yuan Si, including his claim that "Lü Bu's surrender was a ruse" in order to gain Yuan Shao's trust.

"Lu Bu is feigning surrender? How is that possible?" Yuan Si felt a chill run down his spine: "Lu Bu married a princess of His Majesty's clan and is now the General of Chariots and Cavalry. How could he be feigning surrender?"

Guo Tu sneered: "Nothing is impossible. Not only Lü Bu, but also Zhang Jiong, Yuan Shu's most trusted sorcerer, was sent by His Majesty in Luoyang. His Majesty is cultivating Yuan Shu's power so that those who are not loyal to His Majesty will gather around Yuan Shu, and then we can wipe them all out in the future."

“If that’s not the case, do you think I was lying when I said earlier, ‘Even if I die, you won’t survive after you go back’? Since I dared to cooperate with you, I’m not afraid of you going back on your word. Although you are from the Yuan family, Yuan Shu would never kill Lü Bu and Zhang Jiong because of your words.”

Yuan Si felt a cold sweat break out on his back.

Guo Tu, the chief clerk of Yuan Shao's most trusted general, was appointed by Liu Bei.

The marriage between Yuan Shu's most trusted sorcerer Zhang Jiong and General Lü Bu, who was married to a woman from the imperial clan, was arranged by Liu Bei.

The only two remaining forces in the world capable of rivaling Liu Bei both had inside agents placed in high positions by Liu Bei.

How is this played?
"Surprised, aren't you?" Guo Tu said with a smug look on his face. "His Majesty's abilities are far beyond what Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu can compare to. I serve His Majesty, so why would I look down on the position of Minister of the Imperial Secretariat given to me by Yuan Shao? I also look down on you for vouching for me and serving under Yuan Shu. The world will eventually belong to His Majesty, and you, Yuan Si, I'm giving you a chance to rephrase your words and express your attitude."

Yuan Si was even more alarmed and asked, "Brother Guo, aren't you afraid that I will inform Yuan Shao after telling you so much? Although Yuan Shu will not kill Lü Bu and Zhang Jiong because of what I said, Yuan Shao may kill Brother Guo because of what I said."

Guo Tu chuckled: "I am the Chief Clerk of the Grand General, even Feng Ji cannot harm me. Brother Yuan, do you think His Majesty will trust me or Brother Yuan?"

The flying stones would come back and hit him again, leaving Yuan Si speechless.

If it were Zhou Xin who came, Yuan Shao might still question Guo Tu.

Yuan Si?

It would be a miracle if Yuan Shao believed it.

After determining their respective positions and choices, Guo Tu and Yuan Si happily reached a cooperative alliance.

Who becomes emperor is not important; what matters most is who you serve for your own benefit.

The next day.

Guo Tu took Yuan Si with him and went to the General's Mansion to find Yuan Shao.

Yuan Si expressed Yuan Shu's desire to form an alliance and suggested that Yuan Shao declare himself emperor to establish his authority.

Yuan Shao couldn't help but sneer: "Yuan Shu actually wants me to declare myself emperor. He wants me to fight Liu Bei so he can reap the benefits."

Yuan Si did not deny it, saying, "Although I have this intention, after Your Majesty proclaimed yourself emperor, you first destroyed Liu Dai, then captured Liu Biao, and then destroyed Liu Yan. Many powerful families and nobles under Liu Bei's rule have come south to submit to Your Majesty, which is in accordance with the will of Heaven. On the other hand, although you supported Liu Yu and his son as emperor, you have suffered defeat after defeat since you destroyed Gongsun Zan. You first lost Yanzhou, then were ambushed by Liu Bei in Ye City, and were also defeated by Liu Bei in the Battle of Chaoge, so that you had to cede territory and sue for peace. This is against the will of Heaven."

"In my opinion, it's not that the General is inferior to Liu Bei, but rather that the General did not follow the Mandate of Heaven. Originally, the Han Dynasty was in decline, and the General could have taken advantage of the situation to rise up and replace Liu with Yuan. Unexpectedly, the General supported Liu Yu and his son, thus extending the Mandate of Heaven for the Han Dynasty. Coincidentally, Liu Bei also extended the Mandate of Heaven for the Han Dynasty, causing the Mandate of Heaven for the Han Dynasty to change from weak to strong. Liu Bei's surname is Liu, while the General's surname is not Liu. If the General goes to fight against Liu Bei, it is within the Mandate of Heaven for the Han Dynasty. As a subject betraying his ruler, how can he not be defeated?"

"Therefore, I believe that the only way for the General to contend with Liu Bei is to follow the example of our Emperor, ascend the throne and become emperor, sever the Han dynasty's destiny in Hebei and establish the Zhong clan's destiny in Hebei."

Thinking of how Yuan Shu seemed to have divine assistance after declaring himself emperor, Yuan Shao felt a surge of resentment and discontent.

Yuan Shao, after supporting Liu Yu to become emperor, used You and Ji as his base to control the Qing and Yan regions. How powerful he was!
As a result, they suffered a series of defeats and were forced to cede territory and retreat to Nanpi. Even when disasters struck Liu Bei's territory, he dared not send troops south due to opposition from the people.

How incredibly frustrating!
Yuan Si's words plunged Yuan Shao into deep reflection: Was it really because I didn't declare myself emperor that I defied the Mandate of Heaven? Was it really because I supported Liu Yu and his son to continue the Mandate of Heaven for the Han Dynasty? Originally, I could have competed for the world and stood above all others, but I ruined this great opportunity myself?
Although Yuan Si was being sophistical, considering the respective development paths of Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu, as well as Liu Bei's sweeping reforms, it would have been more advantageous for Yuan Shao to have directly declared himself emperor than to have supported Liu Yu and his son to the throne!
Imagine if Yuan Shao were to declare himself emperor. Although he would initially face difficulties due to the lack of support from powerful clans, as Liu Bei's new policies were implemented, these clans would realize that following Liu Bei would only result in scraps, while Yuan Shao would bring them riches. Consequently, they would inevitably switch sides and support Yuan Shao.

Just like Yuan Shu today, who is supported by powerful clans.

And Yuan Shao will no longer be targeted by Liu Bei twice using the matter of Liu Yu and his son as a pretext for attack.

When a person suffers repeated defeats, they are extremely easy to persuade with sophistry.

"Gongze, do you think I should declare myself emperor?" Yuan Shao asked Guo Tu.

In fact, when Yuan Shao asked this question, he already had the answer in his heart, but he needed others to verify it.

Yuan Shao was grasping at straws in his desperation, hoping to reverse his fate by declaring himself emperor and achieve a divinely inspired turn of fortune like Yuan Shu.

"My lord, by the mandate of Heaven, should replace fire with earth and inherit the mandate of the Han dynasty!" Guo Tu said resolutely. "My lord can also be called Emperor Zhong to establish the legitimacy of the Zhong clan! In the future, we will destroy Liu Bei and defeat the false emperor Yuan Shu, and the world will belong to my lord!"

(End of this chapter)