Yuan Xi's study.
After a while, in Yuan Xi's spacious and elegant study, there were waves of angry roars.
"This is a false accusation. How could I harm you, second brother?" I saw Yuan Shang, who was extremely handsome, wearing a golden crown, white and blue brocade clothes, and an unusually noble temperament, standing in the study, his face filled with emotion. It's anger.
"Third brother, don't get excited. I still have absolute trust in this younger brother of yours. That man has been killed by my men. He tried to instigate feelings between our brothers and cannot be spared." Yuan Xi comforted softly.
Hearing this, Yuan Shang breathed a sigh of relief and gradually calmed down. Looking at Yuan Xi with a concerned face, he couldn't help but feel a touch of emotion in his heart.
"Second brother, thank you. Brotherhood is only true when it comes to you."
"We are from the same mother, so there is no need to say more. Just pretend that this matter has never happened. We are all brothers. If there is a little conflict, don't take it to heart. My father will be back in two days. Let's welcome him happily together. "Yuan Xi smiled.
However, after hearing this, Yuan Shang indeed became very dissatisfied and said, "Second brother, why are you so generous? You have obviously guessed who it is, why don't you fight back!"
"No matter how powerful the Youzhou Army is, he is no match for the Qingzhou Army and the Huwei Camp. My father and mother also favor me. What are you afraid of him doing?" Yuan Shang said angrily.
Yuan Xi suddenly frowned and said, "Third brother, you are so presumptuous. Do you still see me as a brother in your eyes?"
Yuan Shang's pupils shrank, knowing that what he just said was too serious, he apologized quickly: "I'm sorry, second brother, I'm too excited."
Yuan Xi sighed deliberately, sat aside silently, and said with a sad face: "Third brother, second brother, I'm not stupid, but I just don't want to destroy the friendship between brothers just because of this matter, sir. I never thought that I would be separated after a while, you all take care of yourself, my second brother doesn’t want to get involved, nor does he want to persuade me.”
"Second brother." Yuan Shang couldn't help but was shocked. He suddenly recalled in his mind the scene when Yuan Xi gave in to them step by step when he was a child. The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. That bastard not only intercepted and killed his brother, but also wanted to frame him. Absolutely He couldn't let it go so easily, he was really being bullied by Yuan Shanghao.
"Second brother, don't worry! My brother won't let you be wronged. Since you don't want to take action on this matter, my brother will take action on your behalf. Don't worry, I won't let you get hurt." Yuan Shang clenched his fist and said.
Looking at Yuan Xi who was expressionless and silent, Yuan Shang sighed helplessly and said softly: "Second brother, I'm leaving, please take care of yourself."
When Yuan Shang left, Yuan Xi breathed a sigh of relief, saying that acting was really tiring.
Looking at the wide-open door and the disappearing Yuan Shang, Yuan Xi's face became a little uncertain. In the past, he hated those insidious people in TV dramas who had one thing on the surface but another behind the scenes.
But I didn't expect that I have become this kind of person now. Although Yuan Shang is arrogant and cruel, he may actually have some feelings for this brother! Maybe.
Yuan Xi walked slowly to the side of the case, looked at the blank bamboo slips placed on the table, and gently picked up the brush next to him. After lightly applying some ink, his mood gradually calmed down. After a moment of confusion, his eyes suddenly flashed with cold light. He swung his pen and wrote quickly on it, with a hint of coldness on his face. After he finished the last stroke, he gently threw the pen aside.
"A hero has no regrets, a hero has no tears."
At dusk, Qiu County in Jizhou is a large county northeast of Yecheng. It is densely populated and has convenient transportation. It is about a hundred miles away from Yecheng. At this time, people have set up outside Qiu County. White tents stretched for miles, like a long crawling dragon, exuding this amazing prestige.
After Yuan Shao defeated Gongsun Zan and stabilized Wuhuan, he immediately led his troops back to Yecheng. When he arrived at Qiu County, he decided to rest for the night.
I saw that there were many soldiers in the county at this time, and the streets seemed a bit chaotic. Soldiers often acted arbitrarily and plundered. Military discipline was a bit lax, businesses were not interested in business, and the people were hiding at home in fear. In this chaotic era , they are just fish on the chopping board, left to be slaughtered by the superiors.
In the center of the city, the majestic and majestic county government appeared in front of you. Hundreds of soldiers wearing strong armor firmly guarded the inside and outside of the county government office.
The sun has gradually set, casting a beautiful afterglow. In the backyard of the county government, in a small and quiet garden, Yuan Shao, still wearing golden armor and a red cloak, is holding a bamboo slip. , Yingwu Feifan's face was ugly and scary, and his hands even trembled slightly.
Feng Ji and Shen Pei stayed aside in confusion, not knowing what happened.
"You bastard, you bastard." Yuan Shao slammed the bamboo slips to the ground and cursed loudly, his eyes flashing with anger.
Xu You looked startled, and quickly picked up the bamboo slips that Jushou had just sent from the ground. After taking a look, his pupils suddenly shrank, and then a ray of light flashed, and he gently handed the bamboo slips to Shen Pei aside.
"My lord, don't be angry. This matter has not been investigated yet. Maybe it is really a group of thieves from outside who don't know the identity of the second young master, so they attacked rashly, and the second young master was not hurt at all." Xu You quickly consoled him.
"Ziyuan, you don't need to say more. I understand very well that the person who ambushed Xi'er this time must be one of Shang'er and Tan'er. In order to fight for the heir, they really did everything they could to attack each other. The current situation in Yecheng , even the father and mother can't control it, you can imagine how arrogant they are, I know Xian Yi's character very well, but they are too cruel." Yuan Shao said with a heavy wave of his hand in disappointment.
The emperor's family has no loyalty. He knew this better than anyone, but he didn't expect it to happen so quickly, nor did he expect them to be so ruthless. They even wanted to murder his own brothers, and even later spread rumors and attacked everywhere. , causing fluctuations in Yecheng.
Hearing this, Xu You's eyes narrowed, knowing that the time had come, and said loudly: "My lord, this matter cannot be left to chance, a decision must be made immediately. Rumors are already spreading in Yecheng. This will not only be a blow to the three young masters, but will also be humiliating. In order to protect the reputation of our lord, we must prevent the situation from escalating further."
The judge's wife on the side looked shocked and glanced at Xu You in disbelief. What a big deal this was. It's understandable that the lord was angry for a moment. Couldn't your noble advisor see that it only needs a notice to solve it? !
"Ziyuan, what suggestions do you have?" Yuan Shao asked with a tired look.
"Zi Yuan has two suggestions. One is to immediately send a letter to the General's Mansion and ask them to issue a notice to calm the storm, appease the people, and let everything return to normal." After Xu You said this, the topic suddenly changed and he continued, "But even though this is the case, It can be temporarily stabilized, but it cannot solve the root cause. When the lord is here, it can still shock the three young masters. However, once the lord sends out troops, the three young masters will each have huge power, and they will definitely fight to the death for the big position. If it is right It’s unimaginable to think of any losses.”
Yuan Shao's pupils shrank and he became serious: "Where's the second one? Go on."
A trace of excitement flashed across Xu You's face, he clasped his hands together and said with a straight face: "The second is that the lord personally issues an ironclad order to immediately deprive the three young masters of their military power, cancel the foreign feudal policy, and prohibit foreign ministers from interacting with the three young masters. , In this way, even if the three young masters want to fight, there will be no one available. After the world is settled, the lord can regain their rights, and then no matter how big the trouble is, it will not matter."
Isn't Xu You's strategy the same as the later Qing royal family's move? He was imprisoned in the Sixteenth Mansion and the Zongren Mansion.
Hearing this, Shen Pei smiled bitterly. He could tell that Xu You and Cushu wanted to take this opportunity to work together to completely suppress the dispute between the princes, but he did not say much, although he supported Yuan Xiji. position, but for now, this is indeed a good thing for the unification of the world. As for the unification of the world, the three princes fighting like this will not affect the overall situation.
Moreover, it was indeed beyond his expectation that Xu You could come up with such a fair and overall-situation strategy.
Yuan Shao looked a little embarrassed. He really couldn't bear to ask him to deprive his three sons of military rights for such a thing. Later, the same was true for Gao Huan, Emperor Wu of the Northern Qi Dynasty, because his indulgence of his sons led to strife between the brothers.
"My lord, it's time to break it off. You don't want to harm them. On the contrary, you want them to be safe." Xu You quickly added. He couldn't explain why he was able to be with Jushou Tian Feng in that moment. The same is true.
Yuan Shao's face was shocked. After hesitating in his eyes for a long time, he still couldn't make a decision. He waved his hand gently and said: "You guys go down first and let me think about it alone."
"Lord." Xu You immediately tried to persuade him, but he was already forcibly taken away by the judge.
Yuan Shao sat alone on the stone chair, looking at the darkening sky, and was extremely entangled in his heart. It was easy for him to deprive them of their power.
But if he does this, his three sons will be much sad, and will it cause a huge psychological blow to him? But if they don't do this, they will definitely continue to kill each other, even if they are canonized as princes, especially It was Yuan Shang and Yuan Xi that he couldn't let go of.
As the saying goes, if the master is bright, the ministers will be upright; if the master is dim, the ministers will be sycophants. Emperor Taizong Li Shimin was upright, and his minister Feng Deyi also became a loyal minister. Yuan Shao was hesitant, and it was difficult for Xu You to become a minister of the country.
Jizhou, Yecheng.
Nearly 30,000 Qingzhou soldiers, including more than 2,000 newly recruited Wuhuan cavalry, were sent back to Qingzhou. But Yuan Xi could not withstand Yuan Shao's request and was left to accompany Mrs. Liu for two months.
This move is in line with Yuan Xi's wishes. He has to do some things within these two months. The most important thing is to encourage his father Yuan Shao to take action to seize Emperor Xian.
The second step is to discuss with the teacher Zhang Hong to once again expand the scale of the secret guards and increase the intensity of infiltrating Guanzhong and the grassland. The third step is to ask for money and food from the Zhen family.
After Mrs. Liu's advice on the previous matter, and the vigorous advice from Shen Pei, Feng Ji, Xu You, and Ju Suo, Yuan Shao's thoughts have been shaken.
The latter matter also went quite smoothly. On the way back to Jizhou from Youzhou. Yuan Xi went to Zhen's house in Zhongshan. After hard dealings with Madam Zhen, they finally borrowed a sum of money and food to settle the Wuhuan cavalry.
Only Xu Chu and five hundred tiger guards were left beside Yuan Xi. On this day, he was invited to Heshun Winery by Zhen Yao, who came to Yecheng to take care of his property.
Zhen Yao arranged for Yuan Xi's entourage. Then he took Yuan Xi to a single room.
"Second Young Master, the last sum of money and silk has been sent to Qingzhou. Do you think there is anything else you need me to do?" Zhen Yao asked carefully.
Yuan Xi smiled slightly and said, "Third brother, you're welcome. I should thank you for gathering the money and food so quickly."
"Then my family wants to arrange salt cooking in Qingzhou?" Zhen Yao then asked.
"The salt production in Beihai County will be given to you, third brother, for ten years, but the tax is indispensable." Yuan Xi said with a smile.
"Beihai?" Zhen Yao was unhappy. The coast of Beihai was not long, and its salt production accounted for only one-tenth of Qingzhou's salt production. But Yuan Xi was vague when negotiating the terms. At this time, the money and food had been lent, so it was left to him to decide.
Yuan Xi poured wine for Zhen Yao and said, "Third brother, the salt and iron in Qingzhou are all government-run. I have already endured many challenges for you to buy the rights to Beihai. Besides, I have already made huge profits from this place alone." shallow."
"Since the young master is so kind, how about we use one-third of the proceeds from the salt production every year to support the Qingzhou military?" came a pleasant and crisp female voice.
Yuan Xi's heart moved when he saw a beautiful girl walking in. It was his fiancée Zhen Mi.
Zhen Mi bowed to Yuan Xi and Zhen Yao and said, "This is what my mother told me. Now the Zhen and Yuan families are both prosperous and devastated. The Zhen family should fully support the young master's great cause."
This Zhen Mi is indeed majestic and graceful, no longer under the high moon. No wonder Zhen Mi can later be in charge of the harem as a noble concubine.
Yuan Xi smiled. This Mrs. Zhen is a calculating person. The more she gives, the greater the reward she can get.
"Next year is the wedding date for my younger sister and the second young master. You should make preparations early." Zhen Yao immediately smiled.
Zhen Mi's cheeks turned red and she looked away. Yuan Xi was not able to answer, so he said in a different way: "It's rare for Third Brother and Mi'er to come to Yecheng. How about I take you on a safari later?"
"I rarely have the opportunity to travel, so I just want to bother you." Zhen Yao looked at Zhen Mi with a smile.
Zhen Mi blushed and was about to walk out. At this time, Xu Chu walked in and said in a rough voice: "Sir, Mr. Yuan sent someone to call you back. He said that we have something urgent to discuss."
Yuan Xi had to get up and say goodbye to the Zhen brothers and sisters. He kept guessing what Yuan Shao's so-called urgent matter was, but he couldn't figure it out. He was worried about something happening in Qingzhou, so he asked Guo Jia to go back with the army to take charge of military affairs. Now that I don't have a counselor around me who can give me advice, I'm really at a loss.
At noon, the sound of horse hooves raised a puff of smoke, galloping from Yuan Xi's side. Three strong horses flew past him, and he immediately smelled a strong smell of sheep mutton in his nose. He looked up suddenly and saw three barbarians. They seemed to be Huns or Wuhuan people from Xianbei. It was hard to tell.
Just as Yuan Xi was thinking about it, a burst of fragrance suddenly hit him, and his body was hugged by a pair of soft arms from behind. A delicate voice said in a low voice: "Master, since you are here, come in and sit down, and let the slaves serve you, okay?" good?"
He looked back and saw that she was a 16-year-old beauty with a small cherry mouth and a plump figure. She had applied too much rouge and gouache and her skin color could not be seen. A thousand miles is not enough.
But she is still a beauty. I thought to myself, I want to go in and see those barbarians, so let’s go in. He agreed repeatedly; "Okay, I am about to go in."
As soon as he went out, Yuan Xi heard a burst of hearty laughter from the next room. The sound was rough, like splitting a big bamboo with a knife.
Yuan Xi was startled when he heard someone say in very impure Chinese: "Sir, please, please have a drink."
Yuan Xi thought to himself that this person could be the barbarian just now, so he immediately stopped to listen and heard the voice of a Han man saying: "The Shanyu Huchuquan is really generous. I have a limited capacity to drink, so I'm afraid I won't be able to fully entertain the king."
Another person who was not proficient in Chinese said, "Mr. Xin, this is so uninteresting. We Huns don't talk about this. Anyone who can drink is a friend."
The young master said, "Since Shanyu said so, I can only sacrifice my life to accompany him."
There was a bang in Yuan Xi's head, and he called Chu Chuquan Shanyu, but he knew that he was the monarch of the Huns. Are these two people...
In the front hall of the Prefectural Mufu Mansion, all the civil and military personnel in Yecheng gathered here. Shen Pei, Feng Ji, and Xu You kept making eye contact with Yuan Xi, making Yuan Xi even more confused.
Yuan Xi's sharp eyes saw two edicts placed on the table in front of Yuan Shao. He was startled, guessing that it was the canonization edict of Emperor Xian, and perhaps there was also a superstition to ask for help.
Yuan Shao motioned his second son to sit down, and then said: "Xianyi, here are two edicts, one of which is for the emperor to confer me as a chariot general and Yehou. The other one is about you..."
Yuan Xi's doubts became more serious, so he waited quietly for the next sentence.
"The emperor canonizes you as General Zhendong and Marquis of Linzi." Yuan Shao paused and then said: "He will also betroth Princess Wannian to you!"
Yuan Xi's mind was buzzing, and he was stunned for a long time as if he had been struck by lightning. It's not strange to confer an official title on him, but if he just betrothed the princess to him, it would be a big deal. The Yuan family is destined to replace the Han Dynasty in the future. How will he and Liu Yan get along with each other then, and they can't let him be the one to take the princess? Small bar.
"Xianyi, tell me what you think." Yuan Shao asked.
Yuan Xi's throat felt dry. If the Yuan family wanted to coerce the emperor to order the princes, they must obey the emperor's edict. But his marriage to the Gao family and the Zhen family was difficult. In the final analysis, it was a political marriage.
But one is his first wife Gao Yue, the other is the Zhen family who has actual interests, and the other is the royal family who has a great reputation but no real benefits. It would be a big loss to give up the Zhen family, and they still had their childhood sweetheart Gao Yue, but if they wanted to welcome the emperor to Yecheng, they must obey Emperor Xian's edict.
Seeing Yuan Xi in trouble, Shen Pei came to the rescue and said: "My lord, the second young master is already engaged. If he breaks off the engagement without any reason and then marries the princess, I'm afraid it will be said to the world that the young master is clinging to the powerful."
"Mr. Zhengnan, just now you said that you wanted to welcome the emperor. Why didn't you obey the emperor's first edict? What's the matter, are you selfish?!" Guo Tulao added.
The judge was speechless for a moment, it was indeed a dilemma. Feng Ji also had no countermeasures for the moment, so he could only think hard in silence.
Yuan Shao was obviously very hesitant, "Xianyi, I want to hear what you mean."
"I..." Yuan Xize frowned.
