Chapter 320 Seeing Through Everything
In Shouchun City, Yuan Shu was stunned when he learned that the four princes were approaching the city.
what's the situation?
Wasn't his rule as solid as a rock? Wasn't the surrounding area peaceful? How come in the blink of an eye, only Shouchun City was left?
"How could this happen? Where is Qiao Rui? Where is Liu Xun? Where is Lei Bo? And Chen Lan." Yuan Shu asked in disbelief.
Ji Ling said with an unpleasant expression: "Your Majesty, Liu Xun stationed in Guangling surrendered to Sun Ce, Chen Lan stationed in Anfeng surrendered to Cao Cao, Lei Bo stationed in Wanxian surrendered to Liu Bei, and Qiao Rui stationed in Huailing was defeated and captured by Yuan Shao."
As Yuan Shu's confidant, Ji Ling was named the general, while Zhang Xun and four others, whose status was second only to Ji Ling, were named the Four Expedition Generals, responsible for garrisoning in all directions.
As a result, three out of the four people surrendered to the enemy.
boom!
The documents in front of him were overturned, and Yuan Shu looked at the court officials with a grim face.
Everyone, except Ji Ling and Yan Xiang, fell to their knees.
"What a bunch of ungrateful people! I was really blind to use these people." Yuan Shu said angrily.
Yuan Shu then turned to look at the ministers, and asked with a slightly panicked look: "My Lords, what should we do in the current situation? We only have one isolated city left, and I am afraid it will be difficult to repel the enemy. How do you think we should repel the enemy? If we cannot defeat them, where should we go?"
Seeing that Yuan Shu had changed his attitude, the ministers finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Then one of them asked tentatively: "Your Majesty, the princes in all directions are powerful, why don't we make peace with them?"
Upon hearing this, Yuan Shu nodded slightly and said, "My dear minister, what you said is very true. If you can persuade the princes from all directions to retreat, I am willing to give up most of the land of Huainan."
Upon hearing this, the ministers looked at each other and became bolder.
One of them gritted his teeth and said, "Your Majesty, we are doomed. Under the current circumstances, it is difficult for the four lords to retreat. The best way is to unite with the lords and break the four-party alliance. Or... surrender to them."
Yuan Shu hesitated for a moment, then asked worriedly, "What if the other three lords attack us again?"
The man who spoke looked a little relieved, and said quickly: "Your Majesty, don't worry. As long as Your Majesty is willing to join one side, the other three sides will not dare to move rashly. After all, Shouchun City is strong, and the various princes are also worried that fighting each other will benefit Tian Ze, so they will definitely restrain themselves."
Yuan Shu nodded thoughtfully, and then asked: "My dear, which side do you think is more suitable to join?"
"Your Majesty, I believe that Yuan Benchu and Your Majesty are of the same clan. If you take refuge with him, you will definitely be treated well!"
Yuan Shu's eyes suddenly showed a thoughtful look. After a moment, as if he had made up his mind, he gritted his teeth and said, "Okay! Then..."
"Your Majesty, I think what Censor Zhang said is inappropriate. Yuan Shao is powerful, and joining him will not end well. Liu Xuande is a descendant of the Han Dynasty and is known for his benevolence. Joining him..."
A minister interrupted quickly.
Upon hearing this, Yuan Shu seemed to hesitate again.
Then another minister stood up and said, "Your Majesty, I think we should go to Sun Bofu. After all, Your Majesty has been kind to him..."
The appearance of these three people was like a fuse. One minister after another stood up, divided into four camps, and started arguing constantly.
Yang Hong, who was the second-highest civil servant, looked at this scene with a slight movement in his mind. He wanted to say something, but looking at Yan Xiang and Ji Ling who had not spoken, he chose to wait and see after thinking about it.
The entire court soon became a mess, with ministers arguing endlessly.
After a long time, seeing that there was no conclusion to the argument, Yuan Shu slowly stood up.
"Fu Yi."
A cold voice came out of his mouth.
Ji Ling nodded, drew the sword from his waist, and stood beside Yuan Shu.
Then, almost at the same time, countless soldiers rushed in and surrounded all the ministers in the court.
The ministers in charge seemed to be poured with a bucket of cold water, and suddenly woke up from their dreams. They looked at the figure standing in the hall with horror.
One of them was shaking and struggling to death and asked: "Your Majesty, what do you mean?" Yuan Shu looked coldly at the group of ministers who had just persuaded him to surrender: "A wise bird chooses a tree to roost in. I don't blame you for wanting to find another master. However, I hate it most when someone fools me!"
Although Yuan Shu was arrogant, he was not stupid.
The situation had reached such an extent in such a short period of time, and he, the emperor, knew nothing about it. The entire court must have been completely corrupted.
The play I just performed was just to see how many parasites there are under my command.
result……
In the court, only one in ten people did not voice their surrender.
"Drag him away and kill him." Yuan Shu said calmly.
"Your Majesty, spare your life!"
"Your Majesty, I was confused for a moment, please spare my life!"
Those ministers who spoke up for the masters behind them panicked and cried for mercy.
The palace was in a mess, but Yuan Shu's expression remained unchanged as he continued to play with the imperial seal in his hand.
Soon, all the court officials were escorted out of the palace, and their heads fell to the ground one after another.
Only after the screams stopped did Yuan Shu slowly breathe a sigh of relief.
Turning his gaze to the remaining people, Yuan Shu said calmly: "I know that most of you have ulterior motives. I'm afraid there are some smart people who just noticed something wrong, and some of them are Tian Ze's people."
"But you made the right choice, and you don't owe me much. I don't blame you."
At this time, Yuan Shu seemed to see through everything.
Facing Yuan Shu's gaze, Yang Hong felt a cold sweat on his back.
How could a person who could build a career in such troubled times be a simple person?
At this moment, Yang Hong felt as if his little thoughts had already been seen through by Yuan Shu.
Sitting back on the dragon throne with a little fatigue, Yuan Shu said casually: "Except Fu Yi and the Prime Minister, everyone else can leave. If you want to leave the city, it's up to you."
"Fuyi, order the soldiers at the city gates not to stop them if they want to leave, and let them all go, including their families."
"Yes!" Ji Ling said in a deep voice.
Yang Hong and others looked at each other, but did not dare to move for a while, not knowing whether this was still a test from Yuan Shu.
"Get out! Get out now! If you don't get out, I will kill you all!"
Yuan Shu looked at them coldly and said angrily.
Upon hearing this, Yang Hong and others felt as if they had been pardoned and left in a hurry.
Before leaving, everyone bowed deeply to Yuan Shu.
Watching everyone leave the hall, Yuan Shu's cold eyes closed weakly, and a hint of bitterness hung on the corners of his mouth.
"Your Majesty, do you need me to kill them all?" When Ji Ling saw Yuan Shu like this, his eyes suddenly turned red and he said hatefully.
"Let them all go. This is not their fault, but my fault." Yuan Shu said with a slightly hoarse voice.
There were only three people left in the hall at this time, one was his trusted brother, and the other was his loyal teacher. Yuan Shu no longer concealed his emotions and showed his weak side.
(End of this chapter)
