novelAbuy Chapter 9 The sky's the limit
Chapter 9 The sky's the limit
Yuan Shao lay on his bed for three or four days, drinking countless bitter medicinal soups, before the suffocating blood in his chest finally dissipated, and his sallow face finally regained some color.
On this fine day, Lady Liu and her concubines escorted him to the back garden for a stroll and some fresh air, while his trusted advisors, Shen Pei and Guo Tu, also carefully accompanied him.
The garden was ablaze with flowers, buzzing with bees and fluttering with butterflies, but Yuan Shao's brow was furrowed, and he had no interest in appreciating it.
His steps were unsteady, and he would sigh from time to time.
The rebellion of Lü Bu in Qingzhou, Zhang Yang's unrest in Hanoi, the Black Mountain bandits, the remnants of the Yellow Turban Rebellion... each and every one of these events weighed heavily on his heart like a giant boulder.
What bothered him even more was looking around.
Although Yan Liang and Wen Chou are brave, they need to guard key locations and extinguish the flames of war in all directions;
Zhang He, Gao Lan, and others always felt there was a layer of distance between them;
Shen Pei and Guo Tu excelled at internal strife, but were not good at making on-the-spot decisions.
It seems there's no one capable of being sent to stabilize that mess in Qingzhou!
"My lord, please rest assured, taking care of your health is the most important thing."
Madam Liu gently comforted her:
"The matter of Qingzhou can perhaps be quelled by sending a top general with a large army."
Immediately connect to the matching interface:
"What you say is absolutely right, Madam. Although Qingzhou is in chaos, our army's foundation remains intact. We only need to send capable generals..."
Before he could finish speaking, his eyes flickered, clearly indicating that he was also considering who to send to solve the problem.
Just then, a figure that had been silently following at the end of the group...
Suddenly quickening his pace, he overtook the crowd.
Approaching Yuan Shao, he lifted the hem of his robe and knelt down with a thud.
"Father! Your son, Yuan Tan, wishes to go to Qingzhou!"
As soon as he uttered those words, the entire garden fell silent.
All eyes instantly focused on Yuan Tan, who was kneeling on the ground.
Shen Pei was the first to react, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes:
"Young Master? Rebellions are raging in Qingzhou now, and Lü Bu is valiant. The situation is extremely precarious. This is no child's play. You are of noble birth, so it would be best for you to stay in Ye City and recuperate."
In any case, Shen Pei, as a member of Yuan Shang's faction, would first think of opposing what Yuan Tan wanted.
Madam Liu also looked at Yuan Tan with suspicion, sizing him up from head to toe.
She naturally knew that Yuan Tan's move was definitely aimed at regaining military and political power in Qingzhou.
But then I thought, given how precarious the situation in Qingzhou was...
Yuan Tan's journey here is likely to end in misfortune.
Yuan Shang was also taken aback when he heard this. His elder brother was brave and resolute, but he was also a master of judging people by their appearance.
In the past, if he encountered some minor soldiers or generals, Yuan Tan would naturally be the first to respond.
But now we're facing Lü Bu!
That Lü Bu, who once commanded respect among the warlords at Hulao Pass!
Where did my brother get the courage to confront this master head-on?
Is it possible that for the sake of power, one is willing to risk even their life?
Yuan Shao looked at his son kneeling before him, filled with surprise and uncertainty:
"Xiansi...you...you've just recovered from your injuries, and Qingzhou is dangerous. How can you go? How can your father let you put yourself in such danger?"
Although Yuan Tan was not popular, he had long been adopted by his elder brother.
But he is still his own son.
With the situation in Qingzhou so precarious, Yuan Shao was naturally worried.
Yuan Tan raised his head, his gaze intense, a stark contrast to his usual dejected demeanor.
"Father! It is precisely because Qingzhou is so dangerous that we need our own flesh and blood to go there! How can we rally the scattered morale of the army and deter the fickle powerful clans if outsiders go?"
"I once served as the governor of Qingzhou, and I am familiar with its geography and people, knowing its strengths and weaknesses! In this time of crisis, if I do not share my father's burdens, who will?"
He paused, and before anyone could object, he continued:
"As for safety, Father need not worry too much! Although Qingzhou is in chaos, its foundation has not been lost. The most urgent task is to stabilize the situation! Father can order General Yan Liang to intensify the suppression of Zhang Yan and cut off Lü Bu's external support;
Order General Wen Chou to quickly quell the internal strife in Ji Province and consolidate the foundation;
Mr. Guo Tu was sent to Hanoi with the Father's Token to suppress the soldiers and intimidate Zhang Yang, so that he would not dare to act rashly!
Thus, Lü Bu's army will be isolated and deep in enemy territory, while I, your son, will defend Qingzhou, unite with loyal and righteous forces, and wait for our main force to be free to attack from both inside and outside. We will surely defeat him!
This analysis was clear and logical, and the countermeasures were appropriate. It even coincided with the strategy that Ju Shou and others had discussed in private!
Even Shen Pei and Guo Tu showed surprise, as if they were seeing this eldest son, known for his bravery and recklessness, for the first time.
Yuan Shang listened with trepidation, but he also had a vague feeling that this was an opportunity to show off.
After much hesitation, he finally couldn't resist taking a step forward:
"Father! Father! My elder brother may not be able to manage alone. I... I wish to go to Qingzhou with my brother, so that we brothers can unite to defend against the enemy!"
At this time, Yuan Shang was only sixteen years old, and having been raised by a woman, he still appeared somewhat immature.
He had a vague feeling that Yuan Tan's trip was inappropriate, but he couldn't think of a better way to deal with it. So, in his haste, he even had the idea of going along with him.
But as soon as these words were spoken, Liu and Shen Pei's expressions changed drastically!
Lady Liu grabbed Yuan Shang's arm, saying, "My son, you mustn't! Qingzhou is a place teeming with tigers and wolves; how can you go there!"
Shen Pei hurriedly said, "The Third Young Master is still young and needs more experience by the Lord's side. How can he rashly go to a dangerous place!"
The scene became awkward for a moment.
Yuan Tan sneered inwardly, knowing that this was Yuan Shang's subconscious attempt to win favor.
However, if she directly refused, her suspicious stepmother would be even more suspicious of her purpose in going there, and if she made things difficult for her later, it would certainly not be a good thing for her.
They might even take the opportunity to label themselves as someone who rejects their brothers or is jealous of their talents.
Therefore, this statement must be said in reverse.
He turned to Yuan Shang, a sincere smile on his face:
"I am deeply grateful for your kind intentions, Third Brother! When brothers are of one mind, their strength can break metal! With your help, Third Brother, how can we not defeat Lü Bu?"
Upon hearing this, Liu immediately assumed that Yuan Tan was trying to use Yuan Shang to hold her hostage.
Yuan Shang then went to Qingzhou.
I will definitely try my best to support Qingzhou, but wouldn't that just strengthen Yuan Tan's power even more?
Thinking of this, she disregarded all decorum, grabbed Yuan Shang's arm tightly, and cried out to Yuan Shao:
"My lord! If Xiansi wants to go, let him go! Shang'er is too young, how can he go to such a dangerous place! If anything happens to him, I... I won't live either!"
Yuan Shao was filled with mixed emotions as he watched this scene.
The eldest son's performance today—his courage, sense of responsibility, and strategic thinking—far exceeded his expectations.
Thinking back to his youth, he realized how similar his circumstances were to Yuan Tan's. He was also born out of wedlock and adopted by his uncle.
He also lamented the unfairness of fate.
However, when it came to being parents themselves, they made the same mistakes their parents had made.
He ignored his eldest son, who was born out of wedlock, but doted on his legitimate son, Yuan Shang.
So, sometimes, did I really underestimate my son's abilities?
If given free rein, is it possible for him to create a successful career?
He took a deep breath, stepped forward, and personally helped Yuan Tan up:
"Xiansi, my son... Qingzhou, I entrust it to you!"
He turned and solemnly addressed those around him:
"Issue my order! Effective immediately, I hereby appoint my eldest son, Yuan Tan, as the Governor of Qingzhou, overseeing all military affairs of Qingzhou and giving him full control over all troops in all counties and prefectures of Qingzhou!"
Furthermore, three thousand elite troops will be transferred from the Ye City camp to accompany you immediately to Qingzhou to quell the rebellion and resist Lü Bu!
"Father!"
Yuan Tan knelt down again and kowtowed deeply:
"Your son will not fail your father's trust!"
Although Shen Pei, Guo Tu, and others were unwilling, they had no reason to stop it for the time being.
Liu felt the same way, and was secretly cursing as well:
"Go ahead, let's see how many days you can survive under Lu Bu!"
The dust has settled.
When Yuan Tan stepped out of the garden, the sunlight was dazzling, yet he felt an unprecedented brightness.
Ye City is not a suitable place for me right now.
Liu, Shen Pei, and others are digging their own graves at every turn; if they are not careful, they could face utter ruin.
But the thought of leaving this place soon filled me with a sense of boundless joy, like a bird soaring freely in the sky.