Chapter 62: Yuan Shao's Plan for Ji Province

  Bohai County, Nanpi County.

  The name of Nanpi originated in the Spring and Autumn period. According to historical records, at that time, the northern ethnic groups attacked the State of Yan, and the State of Yan asked for help from the State of Qi. At that time, Duke Huan of Qi sent troops to rescue the State of Yan, repelled the invading enemy, took advantage of the victory to pursue the attack, and reached the territory of Nanpi County, where they built a city. Because there was a "North Skin Pavilion" in Zhangwu to the north of Nanpi County, the name "Nanpi County" originated from this.

  This city has a long history and has developed into a grand scale. Moreover, Nanyi County has always been the seat of Bohai Prefecture, making it larger than ordinary counties. After Yuan Shao arrived in Nanyi County, he took advantage of his reputation as one of the "Four Generals" and Dong Zhuo's appointment of him as Governor of Bohai Prefecture, as well as his own efforts, to gain a great reputation and some prestige in Ji Province.

  Everyone knows about Dong Zhuo's atrocities, and yet Yuan Shao dares to defy him - isn't this courage?

  As soon as this matter was mentioned, Yuan Shao had endless pride.

  This matter has been spread out by Yuan Shao and everyone knows about it.

  County government office building, directly above.

  Yuan Shao wore elegant clothes, with a high crown on his head, sitting upright and exuding an extraordinary air. He was handsome, with sword-like eyebrows, eyes like bright stars, and a slender yet robust figure, making him a dashing person.

  On both sides of the hall, there were numerous talented people.

  On the left side sat the civil officials under Yuan Shao's command, each and every one of them refined and elegant in demeanor, with an air of cultured refinement that was anything but ordinary. On the right side sat the military generals under his command, each and every one of them robust and spirited, with a fierce and formidable aura about them, exuding an atmosphere of unbridled energy - all of them were valiant warriors.

  Yuan Shao's eyes swept over the civil and military officials, looking very pleased with himself.

  With these people assisting him, he will surely be able to sweep across the world, pacify all under heaven and become a legendary figure in history.

  Yuan Shao took a deep breath and said slowly, "After Dong Zhuo entered Luoyang, he showed no respect for the Emperor, ignoring the imperial court. With officials like this in power, it's not a blessing for the world, but a disaster. Therefore, I plan to raise an army to rescue the Emperor and kill Dong Zhuo." At this point, Yuan Shao's expression was one of sorrowful helplessness, and he said, "Although I have the heart to do so, I don't have enough power. The strength of my province, Bohai, is far inferior to that of Dong Zhuo; raising an army would be like hitting a stone with an egg!"

  "The Son of Heaven is suffering in the palace, but I have accomplished nothing and it's hard to save him. My heart is filled with sorrow!"

  "Gentlemen are pillars of the state, can you just sit and watch the emperor being humiliated?"

  Yuan Shao spoke to the point of heartache, wiping his dry eyes with his sleeve to express the sorrow in his heart. He wanted to save the Son of Heaven was secondary, and his main goal was to develop his own strength and expand his territory.

  But without a reasonable reason, Yuan Shao pushed the Son of Heaven out as a shield.

  Sure, here is the translation:

  As expected, the officials below changed their colors.

  The civil officials looked sorrowful and mournful, as if they had lost their parents. The military generals were full of morale, eager to immediately draw their swords and rush towards Luoyang, get rid of Dong Zhuo at once, and help Yuan Shao achieve his goal of saving the emperor.

  "My lord!"

  A loud voice rang out and a middle-aged man with a refined face walked out.

  His name was Xu You, from Nanyang.

  After Yuan Shao fled Luoyang, Xu You found him and followed him all the way to assist him. The two had been friends since they were young, with this relationship, Xu You became Yuan Shao's right-hand man.

  Yuan Shao smiled and asked: "Zi Yuan (Xu You's courtesy name), what teachings can you bestow upon me?"

  Xu You said in a loud voice: "I humbly offer a plan to help the lord pacify Ji Province and fulfill his ambition of saving the emperor."

  Yuan Shao hastily said: "Ziyuan, what clever plan do you have, speak quickly."

  Xu You's eyes swept across the civil officials and military generals in the hall, his expression quite pleased. He spoke slowly: "The lord is appointed by the Emperor as the Governor of Bohai Commandery, wanting to take over Ji Province requires a certain strategy. Simply put, move them with emotions and enlighten them with reason, it must be possible to take down Ji Province, and it will be a reasonable takeover. In my opinion, it can be divided into three steps."

  "First, intimidate Han Fu. Bohai County is located in the east of Jizhou, adjacent to Hejian State, which is located in the northernmost part of Jizhou, and close to Hejian State are Zhongshan State and Changshan State. This region is the northernmost part of Jizhou, far from Ye County, Han Fu's military strength is weak, making it suitable for helping the lord establish prestige. The lord can dispatch a brave general, a persuasive envoy, and an elite army to rush to Hejian State, sweeping through along the way, taking down this region in the north. With the victory of this battle, Han Fu will surely be intimidated by the lord's military might and fear the lord."

  "Second, win over Han Fu. After gaining military power, the lord will send a eloquent and smooth-talking person to Ye County to persuade Han Fu to resign as the governor of Ji Province, and let Han Fu voluntarily hand over the official seal of Ji Province to the lord. The reason for sending a smooth-talking person is that not only do we need to entice Han Fu with benefits to agree, but also win over the officials under Han Fu's command, so that they will actively help the lord speak on his behalf, and attack from both inside and outside, in order to make Han Fu surrender and hand over the power of Ji Province into the lord's hands."

  "Thirdly, after Han Fu agrees, my lord will generously reward the officials under his command, letting them know that following you will lead to a bright future. In this way, Han Fu's power will collapse, and my lord can establish himself in Ji Province. When the time comes, with sufficient strength, my lord can personally lead the great army of Ji Province to sweep across the world, shaking heaven and earth - this is not just an idea, it can be achieved."

  Xu You finished speaking and returned to his seat, sitting down with a slightly raised head.

  Bang! Bang! Bang!!!

  Yuan Shao fell silent for a moment, then applauded repeatedly and praised: "Zi Yuan's suggestion is extremely ingenious, just what I wanted. Gentlemen, what do you think of Zi Yuan's opinion?"

  Ji stepped out and said loudly: "Xu You's suggestion is good, but there is one place that needs to be adjusted."

  Xu You raised an eyebrow, and a hint of displeasure flashed in his eyes.

  Yuan Shao smiled and said lightly: "What advice does Yuan Tu (Gong Ji's courtesy name) have, speak freely."

  Ji's expression was calm as he said, "Regarding the second step of the proposal, I think it can be adjusted. For example, contacting officials under Han Fu's command should not be delayed and should start immediately. The earlier we win over officials under Han Fu's command, the more beneficial it will be for us. This is not limited to time, so I suggest that this matter be launched together with the conquest of Hejian State and Zhongshan State."

  Xu You's gloominess dissipated from his eyebrows, and he smiled: "Gong Ji's suggestion is good, this was overlooked by me."

  Yuan Shao burst out laughing and said: "With your support, Han Fu is sure to be defeated."

  "My lord, I, the humble general, request to go to war and be the vanguard!" The first person standing up from the right side of the martial officials said loudly. This man was born with a strong and tall stature, his face stern and resolute, his eyes filled with a fierce battle intent, he looked like a seasoned veteran of a hundred battles.

  His name was Yan Liang, one of Yuan Shao's most trusted generals.

  Immediately, the second general stood up and said with a fist: "My lord, Wen Chou requests to go to battle and be the vanguard."

  Two people simultaneously asked for battle, a fierce and intense fighting spirit echoed in the great hall.