Jizhou, Yecheng.
Yuan Shao was in the backyard, admiring his youngest son Yuan Shang's sword practice. He has the eldest son Yuan Tan, the second son Yuan Xi, and the youngest son Yuan Shang.
As the eldest son of Yuan Shao, after Yuan Shao captured Qingzhou, he adopted Yuan Tan to his deceased cousin Yuan Ji, who was the eldest son of Yuan Shao's biological father Yuan Feng.
In normal adoption, the first choice is not to adopt the eldest son. The eldest son is used to inherit the family business.
Yuan Shao was born to a concubine and was a concubine. He was adopted into the lineage of Yuan Feng's second brother Yuan Cheng. He became Yuan Cheng's eldest son and enjoyed the political resources of Yuan Cheng's lineage.
If Yuan Shao really cares about Yuan Ji and wants to continue Yuan Ji's legacy, he should choose from his second son, youngest son, or concubine.
However, Yuan Shao adopted his eldest son. The most important thing is that Yuan Ji died very early, and all of Yuan Ji's connections and political resources were completely wiped out by Dong Zhuo.
In other words, Yuan Shao deprived Yuan Tan of his heir status and threw Yuan Tan to Qingzhou.
This is Yuan Shao's plan.
Yuan Shao's second son, Yuan Xi, was not taken seriously and was not the eldest son. After the capture of Bingzhou, Yuan Shao threw Yuan Xi to Bingzhou and appointed Yuan Xi as the governor of Bingzhou, and asked high officials to assist Yuan Xi.
Yuan Shao's second wife, Liu Shi, gave birth to a son, Yuan Shang. On the premise that Yuan Shao did not have an eldest son, Yuan Shang was his eldest son.
Moreover, Yuan Shang has always been by Yuan Shao's side.
Yuan Shao's intention was to appoint Yuan Shang as his heir, but Yuan Shao didn't do everything right.
The eldest son Yuan Tan was in Qingzhou and had his own team and supporters. Yuan Shao let it go and did not stop him. The existence of this group of people, suppressed by etiquette and law, made it possible that although Yuan Shao doted on Yuan Shang, he could not break the etiquette and law for a while, and directly named Yuan Shang as his heir.
Yuan Shao looked at the extraordinary hero, looking more and more like Yuan Shang when he was young, with approval in his eyes.
The younger son is like him in every way.
Extraordinary heroism!
Resolute and decisive!
Never be afraid of trouble!
Yuan Shao's mind was spinning, thinking about the matter of establishing Yuan Shang, and his brows furrowed slightly. There are people who support this matter, but there are also many people who resist it. Unfortunately, Yuan Shao didn't have many people in his hands, and he knew that in troubled times, he could only trust his own family, so he had to discard Yuan Tan's heir while also using Yuan Tan.
The situation is very complicated.
While Yuan Shao was thinking, Yuan Shang finished his sword practice and came to Yuan Shao and said: "Father."
Yuan Shao came back to his senses and praised: "Okay."
Yuan Shang took the handkerchief handed over by the attendant, with a touch of expectation on his angular face, and said: "Father, regarding the situation in Youzhou in the north, there is no way to remain in a stalemate. My son asks for a fight and leads people to solve Gongsun Zan's Yi. Capital City.”
Yuan Shao shook his head and said: "Your idea is good, but it is difficult to implement."
Yuan Shang frowned and said, "Father, don't you believe in your son?"
Yuan Shao said: "Gongsun Zan's Yijing city is easy to defend but difficult to attack. The people sent by his father have arranged various strategies such as storming, recruiting surrender, digging tunnels, instigating rebellion, etc., and they have all failed without exception. Today, Gongsun Zan is still With Lu Xuan’s support, it will be even more difficult to deal with.”
Yuan Shang said: "If Youzhou is not easy to fight, then change the direction and attack Xuzhou in the south."
Yuan Shao said: "The situation in Xuzhou is also complicated."
Yuan Shang said seriously: "Xuzhou is not as dangerous as Yijing City, and the area of Langya Kingdom to the north of Xuzhou has always been occupied by the Taishan thief Zang Ba. Both the eldest brother and Xuzhou have maintained restraint and allowed Zang Ba to serve as a buffer area. .”
"This time, we will break the deadlock in Xuzhou. When we capture Xuzhou, we can threaten Lu Xuan's south. The key is that Cao Cao will not stop us now, which is beneficial to us."
Yuan Shao shook his head and said: "Your idea is good, but Lu Xuan's strength is too strong. It's just not appropriate for us to start a war with Lu Xuan. We need Cao Cao's support. It's a shame that Cao Cao has been timid in these years and allowed Lu Xuan to become powerful. It's simply... Short-sighted.”
"Report!"
At this moment, an attendant came in and reported: "Prince Jin, I am looking for an audience with you."
"Please come to the study."
Yuan Shao gave an order.
The attendant turned around and left, and Yuan Shao ordered: "Xianfu, follow me to discuss matters."
"Here!"
Yuan Shang nodded in reply.
Yuan Shao took Yuan Shang to the study. After seeing Shen Pei, he asked, "Zhengnan, what's the matter?"
The judge said solemnly: "Replying to the King of Jin, Cao Cao sent someone to deliver a message saying that Lu Xuan quietly entered Yizhou and seized Liu Zhang's territory in Yizhou. Cao Cao couldn't stand it anymore and was actively preparing for a decisive battle with Lu Xuan. "
"The war is expected to start in July or August. Cao Cao hopes that the King of Jin will start wars in Xuzhou and Youzhou respectively and start a full-scale war with Lu Xuan."
After Yuan Shang heard this, he immediately became excited and said first, "Father, the opportunity has come."
The look in his eyes was even more expectant.
Yuan Shang knew that Yuan Shao loved him, and also knew that Yuan Shao wanted to appoint him as the heir apparent of Jin. Because he had no merit and could not convince the crowd, Yuan Shang actively sought a battle.
Yuan Shang did not wait for Yuan Shao to express his position, and continued: "Father, it is not good for us to keep delaying. We are preparing for war in Jizhou. When Cao Cao and Lu Xuan start a war, we will also directly attack Lu Xuan and catch him off guard."
Yuan Shao did not express his position immediately. He looked at Shen Pei and asked, "Zhengnan, what do you think?"
Shen Pei replied: "I agree with Mr. Shang's suggestion. Youzhou and Yizhou have also fallen into Lu Xuan's hands. If the delay continues, Lu Xuan's power will become stronger and stronger. But if we go to war with Lu Xuan next, we should How to fight? Should Xuzhou and Youzhou go to war at the same time, or should we focus exclusively on Youzhou?"
Yuan Shao thought for a while and said: "We will start the war at the same time, but the southern frontline will be left to Yuan Tan. You can send a message to Cao Cao and inform Cao Cao to coordinate with Yuan Tan in Yanzhou."
"I will lead the army to attack Youzhou again and destroy Lu Xuan's power in the north."
Having said this, a look of confidence appeared on Yuan Shao's face.
Yuan Shao said loudly: "If we are the Jin side, we will face huge pressure on Lu Xuan. This time Cao Cao is also participating in the war. Let Cao Cao intervene, it will be an all-out war. Don't worry."
Yuan Shang said excitedly: "Father, my son wants to fight. When the time comes to attack Youzhou, my son is willing to lead the army as a vanguard and attack Youzhou first."
"Okay, I'm sure."
Yuan Shao looked expectantly and ordered: "Prepare well for the battle and prepare for the subsequent fight."
"Here!"
Yuan Shang agreed excitedly.
Yuan Shao looked at Shen Pei again and ordered: "Zhengnan, prepare for the war with all your strength, prepare food, grass, supplies, armor and equipment. However, the information must be kept confidential and our intentions cannot be exposed. Only if Lu Xuan is not prepared can we catch him off guard."
"I understand."
The judge replied solemnly.
Yuan Shao waved his hand, and both Shen Pei and Yuan Shang retreated. Yuan Shao sat alone in the study, his eyes getting sharper.
He and Lu Xuan never really fought against each other, but Lu Xuan captured Youzhou, which meant that he suffered indirectly in Lu Xuan's hands.
This time, Yuan Shao wants revenge.
