My Three Kingdoms is not right

Liu Xun sighed. He knew, of course, that if the opposing forces were completely eliminated, he would become Cao Cao's adversary.

At that time, his current ease and ability to get along with everyone will become a threat in Cao Cao's eyes.

If sharp criticism disappears completely, mild criticism will become harsh.

If even mild criticism is not allowed, silence will be seen as having ulterior motives.

If silence is no longer permitted, then not praising someone enough will be a crime.

The Grand Commandant before her was neither confused nor had her temper changed. She was deliberately putting herself in the spotlight.

As long as Yang Biao, Kong Rong, Bian Rang, and Mi Heng were still alive, and as long as the criticisms of these famous scholars still echoed in the court, Cao Cao would not target Liu Xun.

Because no matter what, Liu Xun was much more pleasing to the eye than those stubborn old men who kept barking.

"I am deeply grateful for your kindness, elder." Liu Xun stood up and bowed solemnly.

"But Cao Cao's woman is cunning... well, I mean she's shrewd and ruthless. I'm worried she might be a threat to you."

Liu Xun didn't remember anything about Yang Biao, but he clearly remembered that Kong Rong was killed by Cao Cao.

"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness." Yang Biao felt a warmth in his heart.

The boy in front of me was by no means stupid; he clearly understood the gravity of the situation.

If he were a cunning person who only considered political gains and losses, he would never have come to persuade me and Kong Rong with earnest advice. On the contrary, he would have been happy to see him succeed.

The world believed that his charm came from his stunning good looks and his noble birth.

But who is Yang Biao? And who are Cao Cao and Xun Yu?

No matter how handsome a man is, to people of their level, he is nothing more than a pretty face.

A woman as lustful and foolish as Lü Bu is a rare exception.

But Liu Xun's sincerity behind his intelligence and his compassion behind his courage are the rarest gems in this chaotic world.

Yang Biao looked into her eyes and comforted her, "A blade can kill, but it can't kill a person's heart."

"We do not engage in specific political affairs and maintain our integrity. If we are punished for our words, it will surely arouse the dissatisfaction of the people."

"At that time, all the noble families and lords under heaven who still regard the Han Dynasty as the legitimate dynasty will no longer trust Cao Cao."

"Her efforts to curry favor with the emperor will be greatly diminished."

"Given Cao Cao's intelligence, she wouldn't do that."

Liu Xun's expression was complicated.

He felt that Yang Biao was right.

But I was still worried about the girl in red—she wasn't an ordinary person!

Looking at the worried young man in front of him, Yang Biao felt more and more fond of him.

Such a handsome, intelligent, ambitious, and considerate man would be the perfect son-in-law for my family!

Thinking of this, she changed the subject and asked, "Speaking of which, is my daughter Yang Xiu doing a good job serving Your Highness? Has she caused you any trouble?"

Liu Xun was slightly taken aback, then quickly praised, "Grand Commandant, you flatter me! The Yang family of Hongnong has a long and distinguished family tradition of learning, and you, Grand Commandant, are particularly adept at educating your daughter. I am so grateful for the help I have received from Sister Dezu."

"Empress Dezu was exceptionally talented and capable. She managed the affairs of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices with great efficiency. Without her leadership, the agricultural settlements would not have achieved their current success."

He wasn't just being polite.

Although Yang Xiu was a bit arrogant at times, he was indeed a super-capable administrative genius.

Liu Xun didn't have to worry too much about anything, big or small, if he left it to her.

Unpaid overtime and taking full responsibility—they're practically the legendary top-tier workhorses...

Yang Biao listened with a broad smile.

"Your Highness flatters me. While Dezhu is somewhat clever, he is also impetuous and lacks composure." She deliberately sighed. "This old minister has recently been thinking of finding him a marriage partner to help him settle down..."

"Something terrible has happened!!"

A gasp came from outside the pavilion, interrupting Yang Biao's words.

The three turned their heads and saw a figure hurrying towards them; it was none other than Yang Xiu, whom they were talking about.

What about Yang Xiu?

This usually elegant and proud young woman was now disheveled, panting, and her fair face was filled with panic: "Something terrible has happened!"

Yang Biao's smile froze on his face.

She had just spent so much time building up the conversation, and was about to steer the topic to her daughter's marriage to the princess—but this brat had to barge in at that very moment, and in such a disheveled state!

"Dezu!" Yang Biao's voice turned serious. "Such a flustered manner is utterly unbecoming! You have absolutely no composure whatsoever!"

Startled by her shout, Yang Xiu hastily bowed, his eyes still betraying his barely concealed alarm.

"Yuan Shu... Yuan Shu has declared himself emperor in Shouchun!"

Yang Biao's face turned pale instantly.

-----------------

The most powerful of all the warlords in the land was not Cao Cao, who had welcomed the emperor, nor Yuan Shao, who had not yet defeated Gongsun Zan, but Yuan Shu.

At this time, her territory spanned the three provinces of Yang, Yu, and Xu, reaching Chen and Pei in Yu Province to the north; Xiapi and Guangling in Xu Province to the east; Kuaiji Dongye in Yang Province to the south; and Jiangxia in Jing Province to the west. With eleven prefectures under her control, she was undoubtedly the number one in the world.

As the direct descendant of the Yuan clan of Runan, Yuan Shu inherited the prestige of four generations of high-ranking officials. He had Yan Xiang and Yang Hong as his civil officials and Ji Ling and Sun Ce as his military leaders, commanding more than 100,000 armored soldiers.

With a sharp blade in hand, the desire to kill arises spontaneously.

The emperor's return to the east completely exposed the decline of the court.

Yuan Shu didn't even respect the imperial court, so why would he want to be controlled by Cao Cao?

Therefore, she proclaimed herself emperor in Shouchun, established the Zhong clan name, appointed the governor of Jiujiang as the governor of Huainan, set up a number of officials, and held suburban sacrifices to Heaven and Earth.

The news caused an uproar!

Given Yuan Shu's influence, it was not impossible for him to usurp the Han throne.

After all, in the eyes of the world, if the Liu family could no longer hold onto the throne, the Yuan family should have been the successors.

The brothers Yuan Shu and Yuan Shao together already controlled half of the country.

Of course, Liu Xun is an exception.

Unlike the various reactions of those around him, he remained remarkably calm.

They didn't take that destined loser seriously at all.

Yuan Shu's attempt to declare himself emperor was doomed to failure!

However, his indifference to the matter did not last long.

……

"Your Highness, please save my mother!!"

Yang Xiu was running too fast, and if Zhao Yun hadn't caught him in time, he would have almost fallen in front of Liu Xun.

"Don't rush." ​​Liu Xun was slightly startled, but his tone became even more composed: "Tell me in detail what happened?"

Yang Xiu, panting, said, "Just now, Man Chong led troops to surround the Yang residence, claiming that my mother was colluding with Yuan Shu and plotting a rebellion, and imprisoned her!"

"Has Grand Commandant Yang been in contact with Yuan Shu these days?" Although Liu Xun thought it unlikely that Yang Biao would do such a thing, he still decided to find out.

"Absolutely impossible! I swear to God!"

Yang Xiu pointed to the sky: "My mother has been cursing Yuan Shu for days. She is irreconcilably opposed to that traitor."

Her tears finally welled up, but she forced herself not to cry out. She just stared at Liu Xun like a drowning person staring at the last piece of driftwood.

"Please, Your Highness, lend me a hand. I'm willing to do anything..."

As she spoke, she was about to kneel down.

A hand steadily supported her arm.

"There's no need for such words between us," Liu Xun said gently. "Rest assured, I'll go find Cao Cao to release the prisoners right now."