Ji Province, Ye City — Jian’an Era
The air was thick with the scent of medicine. In the wake of the humiliating defeat at Guandu, the once formidable Yuan Shao now lay frail and exhausted. Strategists Shen Pei and Feng Ji, along with Yuan Tan, Yuan Xi, Yuan Shang, and Lady Liu, gathered around his bedside.
Yuan Shao’s breath was shallow, his eyes unfocused:
“I… after I die… you all… must…”
He struggled to speak, perhaps about his heir, but before he could finish, a violent cough shook him violently. His head fell to one side, and he passed away.
Lady Liu collapsed in grief, crying out:
“My lord! My lord! How shall we, mother and orphaned children, survive without you?”
Chaos and sorrow filled the room.
After Yuan Shao’s death, disputes over succession erupted immediately.
Shen Pei, who had long supported Yuan Shang, spoke gravely:
“The late lord favored young Master Yuan Shang and expressed his wish to see him succeed. Though the formal appointment was not yet made, we should honor the late lord’s intent and install Yuan Shang as head!”
Feng Ji agreed:
“Exactly! Master Yuan Shang is wise and capable, fit to inherit the great enterprise and lead us against Cao Cao!”
Yuan Tan, the eldest son, rose in anger, glaring at Shen Pei and Feng Ji:
“Father left no such order! Succession rightfully belongs to the eldest son!”
With Shen Pei and Feng Ji supporting him, Yuan Shang spoke with confidence:
“Elder brother! Father’s remains are yet cold, and you would seize the throne? Shen Gong and Feng Gong were entrusted by Father—what they intend reflects his will!”
Yuan Tan’s fury erupted as he drew his sword halfway:
“You treacherous scoundrels, twisting Father’s final words! I am the eldest son of the Yuan family—how can I bow to a younger brother?”
The two sides nearly clashed at the ancestral hall, but Yuan Tan’s forces in Ye City were insufficient. His generals restrained him, preventing bloodshed for the moment, though the rift was irreparable. Yuan Shang, young and inexperienced, dared not kill his elder brother; once Yuan Tan acknowledged Yuan Shang’s succession, he was allowed to leave Ye City.
Yet after returning to Qingzhou, Yuan Tan betrayed the agreement. He gathered troops to march on Ye City, openly refusing to recognize Yuan Shang’s legitimacy.
The Yuan Sons:Yuan Tan, Yuan Xi, and Yuan Shang.
* Yuan Tan was Governor of Qingzhou.
* Yuan Xi was Governor of Youzhou.
* Both were stationed away from Ye City.
* Yuan Shang, the youngest, remained in the capital stronghold, Ye City.
Although Yuan Shang and Yuan Xi shared the same mother, Yuan Xi would not publicly oppose Yuan Shang’s ascension.
With Qingzhou troops assembled, Yuan Tan addressed his generals:
“Yuan Shang is a scheming child, colluding with traitors to usurp the legacy! Can I, Yuan Tan, stand idly by? Soldiers, prepare for battle! We march on Ye City and purge the usurpers!”
Meanwhile, Yuan Shang, with Shen Pei and Feng Ji’s guidance, formally took the throne in Ye City, though his legitimacy faced serious challenges.
Yuan Shang worriedly asked Shen Pei:
“Shen Gong, I regret letting my elder brother leave. Now he holds troops outside, and Cao Cao eyes us like a tiger. What shall we do?”
Shen Pei, shrewd and composed, replied:
“Do not worry, my lord. The immediate task is to secure Ye City and stabilize the people. If the eldest son attacks, he is a rebel, and our army can strike justly. As for Cao Cao, internal chaos must be quelled first before we can unite against him.”
Soon, Yuan Tan launched his assault, claiming he aimed to punish traitorous ministers. Yuan Shang led his army to meet him.
Yuan Tan’s generals yelled across the battlefield:
“Shen Pei! Feng Ji! You treacherous schemers, corrupting the young master and causing chaos in Hebei! Come out and die!”
Yuan Shang’s generals shouted back:
“Yuan Tan is a traitor! The late lord has just passed—he should unite against enemies, not incite civil war! How are you any different from beasts?”
Civil war erupted, Hebei’s elite troops slaughtering each other. Though Yuan Shang, aided by Shen Pei’s strategy and the support of Ye City’s garrison, ultimately repelled Yuan Tan, his own forces suffered heavy losses, morale collapsed, and loyalty wavered. Yuan Tan retreated to Qingzhou, severing ties with Yuan Shang entirely.
**Xuchang**
Cao Cao in Xuchang closely monitored the situation in Hebei. Reports of the conflict between Yuan Shang and Yuan Tan reached him. Strategists Xun You and Guo Jia offered counsel:
Xun You:
“The Yuan brothers are now at each other’s throats. Their forces are exhausted, supplies depleted, morale shaken. Heaven abandons the Yuan clan. This is the time to strike and seize Hebei!”
Guo Jia:
“I concur. Yuan Tan has fled to Qingzhou, his momentum lost. Though Yuan Shang and Yuan Xi are united, their troops are disheartened. If we act now, crossing the Yellow River and striking Ye City, victory is certain!”
Cao Cao, from cautious observation, now resolved firmly. Slamming the table, his eyes sharp:
“Good! Two sons at war, bringing about their own ruin! Heaven offers this chance—how can we fail? Orders: prepare provisions and ready the army to march on Ye City!”
Xinye — Liu Bei’s Camp
Receiving the Hebei intelligence, Liu Bei’s expression darkened.
“Yuan Benchu had four sons, commanding vast armies and a hundred thousand men. How formidable! Though Guandu is lost, their foundation remains. Yet now, internal strife rages—how can this be? A brother united is stronger than steel. But now enemies remain outside, and they destroy each other first. How tragic!”
Guan Yu’s eyes narrowed:
“Brother, do not worry too much. Though Cao Cao is strong, we have loyalty among us—what is there to fear? As you command, I would die without hesitation!”
Zhang Fei boomed:
“Second brother speaks truly! Come armies, we will meet them! My spear thirsts for Cao Cao’s blood!”
Liu Bei, grateful for his sworn brothers’ courage, still harbored concern:
“Bravery alone is insufficient. To achieve great deeds, one must also wield strategy and foresight. Only then can we survive the chaos and restore the Han!”
Hearing tales of the ‘Hidden Dragon and Crouching Phoenix,’ Liu Bei resolved: the ‘Hidden Dragon’ refers to the reclusive Zhuge Liang in Longzhong, Nanyang. Determined, he would personally seek this great strategist’s counsel.
**Jiangdong — Sun Quan**
Sun Quan also received urgent military reports. Slamming the dispatch onto the desk, he paced in fury:
“Fools! Yuan Shang and Yuan Tan, and even strategists Shen Pei and Feng Ji—what idiots! Their father, Yuan Shao, was already crushed at Guandu. Now, brothers should unite to survive. Instead, they fight among themselves! They hand Cao Cao a golden opportunity!”
His anger mounting:
“This internal strife is sheer delight—but it allows Cao Cao to seize all four Hebei provinces effortlessly. His power will multiply several times over! When that happens, who can oppose him? Jiangdong will be the first target!”
Zhou Yu, serious:
“Your concern is justified. Cao Cao’s might grows if he controls Hebei. The Yuan brothers’ foolishness makes him unstoppable, and our lands will surely be next.”
Lu Su added:
“Master, public complaints are useless. We must act while Cao Cao is focused on northern campaigns: stabilize our provinces, train the navy, stockpile supplies. A decisive confrontation with Cao Cao may be inevitable.”
Sun Quan forced calm, his gaze sharp:
“Zijing, Gongjin speak wisely. Orders: every county and garrison prepare for battle. Let the Yuan fools march to their doom, while Jiangdong’s men carve out a path to survival. Even if Cao Cao unites the north, he will never cross the Yangtze easily!”