Chapter Six: My Lord, Do You Not See the Second Emperor of Qin?

The journey was silent.

After some time, inside the palace.

Yuan Shu swung his sleeve and turned around. "Hmph, speak up, Chief Secretary Yang, General Lei."

"Your Majesty, we are wronged!"

The two instantly fell to their knees, crying out.

"Hmph!" Yuan Shu swung his sleeve again.

Yang Hong understood that today's matter must be handled with utmost tact, or he would not survive.

"Your Majesty, do you also believe in prophetic omens?"

Yuan Shu frowned.

"Your Majesty, as the Analects records, 'The Master does not speak of prodigies, feats of strength, disorder, or spiritual beings.' Even the sages refrained from discussing such absurdities; how can we, your ministers, so easily trust in omens?" Yang Hong explained.

"Are you saying my son deliberately deceived me?" Yuan Shu's expression darkened with anger.

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger. How could your humble servant dare discuss the prince behind his back? I merely feel there are too many oddities in this matter; it cannot be so simple." Yang Hong wiped the sweat from his brow.

"What oddities?" Yuan Shu was curious.

"I dare not say," Yang Hong replied, bowing his head to the floor.

"If I tell you to speak, then speak."

"Your humble servant begs forgiveness in advance!" After kowtowing, Yang Hong finally said, "Your Majesty knows well, the royal family has never been sentimental."

Yuan Shu pondered. "Explain."

"Your Majesty, do you recall what you asked me before, and what I replied?"

"Of course I remember," Yuan Shu answered, his eyes narrowing. "Are you saying he is not truly ill, but feigning it?"

"Yes, and no."

"I suspect the prince has already recovered, and is merely pretending to remain ill. Moreover, there is likely a strategist behind him aiding his plans," Yang Hong said, bowing.

"Feigning illness on purpose?" Yuan Shu squinted.

"It must be so, otherwise how could he so fearlessly accuse your humble servant of colluding with Sun Ce, or claim General Lei betrayed Your Majesty? He did these things to eliminate those he saw as obstacles!" Yang Hong said, his voice trembling.

Since Chu Feng sought to destroy him, he could not simply await his fate.

"Eliminate obstacles? So, you think this relates to Yao?" Yuan Shu asked suspiciously.

"Your Majesty, after the death of the First Emperor, Hu Hai seized the throne and crushed over thirty siblings. Young Master Yao is your legitimate heir, and those around him are your favored officials. I fear..." Yang Hong trailed off, leaving his point unsaid.

But the meaning was clear: they all sided with Yuan Yao. For Chu Feng to cast suspicion upon them to fight for the crown prince's position was only natural.

Yuan Shu's eyes widened, and he believed it.

After all, who could truly understand omens? Yang Hong's explanation seemed much more plausible: the struggle for power led to slander, using the emperor's hand to eliminate rivals.

"Hmph, what audacity!"

Yuan Shu was incensed. Royal families had always been ruthless, but he did not wish to see his sons become enemies.

"Yang Hong, go and thoroughly investigate the Chu residence once more. Any suspicious matter must be reported at once," Yuan Shu ordered, his voice thunderous. "And until this is resolved, neither of you are to speak a word of it to anyone, or else..."

"Understood, Your Majesty!" Yang Hong and Lei Bo answered, breathing a sigh of relief. A cold gleam flashed in Yang Hong's eyes.

Chu Feng sought to intimidate them, but perhaps he had chosen the wrong target. If he could not eliminate them, how could a mere concubine's son hope to compete with Yuan Yao?

Especially one hidden away for so long.

Prophecies and rebellion?

He scoffed inwardly at the absurdity.

Once he uncovered the truth, he would see to it that Chu Feng suffered a miserable end.

"Your Majesty, if there is nothing else, may we withdraw?" Yang Hong asked, bowing.

But just then, a eunuch came running in panic, shouting, "Your Majesty, calamity has struck—oh!" The eunuch tripped, clutching his headdress, and cried out, "Your Majesty, urgent news from Xuchang! Urgent news!"

"How improper, this panic."

The eunuch scrambled up, straightening his robes and said, "Your Majesty, General Han Yin had successfully escorted Lady Lu, but Lü Bu pursued them halfway, captured General Han, and sent him to Xuchang to be executed and displayed!"

In an instant, Yuan Shu’s blood boiled.

"Lü Bu, that treacherous dog, a mere servant who has changed masters thrice! I only offered him marriage out of magnanimity, and yet he dared kill my envoy. I will see him dead!"

"Summon Zhang Xun, Qiao Rui, and Ji Ling. Mobilize the army in three columns and annihilate Lü Bu, so he may know the might of the Great Cheng Empire!" Yuan Shu roared.

But Yang Hong's eyes narrowed.

The prince had prophesied this outcome.

Lü Bu had indeed broken the engagement. If events followed as the prince had predicted, would this not end in defeat?

For a time, Yang Hong kept his silence.

Lei Bo, brave but not wise, stepped forward and proclaimed, "Your Majesty, I request to lead the army. Though the young master’s prediction has come to pass, I do not believe a mere Lü Bu can withstand the might of our legions."

Yuan Shu’s eyes narrowed as he recalled Chu Feng’s words, that Lü Bu would break the engagement, and that the Chen family was behind it. Could he truly predict the future?

If so, did that mean he himself was destined for defeat?

At this thought, hesitation flickered across his face, and he turned to ask, "Yang Hong, about what Feng said earlier..."

Yang Hong’s eyes narrowed, and he quickly advised, "Your Majesty, you must remember the struggle between Fusu and Hu Hai. Your humble servant suspects that Lü Bu’s breaking of the engagement may even be connected to Prince Feng!"

"Presumptuous!" Yuan Shu snapped.

Yang Hong kowtowed, exclaiming, "Your Majesty, calm your anger! Your humble servant’s loyalty is unwavering. I merely believe that since all the officials support Prince Yao, and if he were to marry Lü Bu’s daughter, his position as crown prince would be unshakeable. Thus, Prince Feng might have..."

At this, Yang Hong wisely lowered his head, saying no more.

A glint of murderous intent flashed in Yuan Shu's eyes. Was Chu Feng intentionally sabotaging his alliance with Lü Bu? It seemed plausible; if Lü Bu’s daughter married Yuan Yao, it would indeed undermine Chu Feng.

"Hmph, I will discover the truth myself. But Lü Bu has defied me time and again, and now he has executed my envoy in Xuchang. This cannot go unpunished.

First, I will use this campaign to establish the power of Great Cheng.

Second, I will make Lü Bu bow his head and serve me obediently."

Yuan Shu’s anger blazed.

"Lei Bo, you are to march with Zhang Xun, Ji Ling, Qiao Rui, and the others. Crush Lü Bu’s arrogance. If he will not submit, kill him."

"Yes, Your Majesty! I will bring back his head!"

Yang Hong offered further advice: "Your Majesty, why not pit the wolves against the tigers?"

"What do you mean?" Yuan Shu was puzzled.

"Your Majesty, Yang Feng and Han Xian have taken refuge with you, but as former Yellow Turban bandits, they respect no one, often leading their men in raids across Xuyi and Yangzhou. Why not take this opportunity to direct their forces against Xu?

First, sending several armies against Xu will project the might of Great Cheng.

Second, if these two refuse to follow orders, let Lü Bu weaken or destroy them. Even if the attempt fails, their strength will be diminished, making it easier to swallow them up later."

Yang Hong stroked his chin, an evil smile on his lips.

Yuan Shu’s eyes shone with cunning. He clapped his hands and laughed, "Excellent! Issue the decree: promote Yang Feng to General of Chariots and Cavalry, Han Xian to General of the Left, and have them lead their troops to attack Lü Bu."

"Your Majesty is wise," Yang Hong flattered.

"This campaign must not fail. Go make the arrangements!" Yuan Shu waved his hand.

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