Chapter 795: Yuan Shao in Action

The situation in Taishan was highly favorable. The army only needed to assemble before heading into Jizhou to engage Yuan Shao. Meanwhile, Yuan Shao's situation was also quite positive. The moment the Xuanyuan Cauldron appeared, Yuan Shao immediately abandoned the idea of negotiating with Gongsun Zan.

Hesitation leads to disaster, and Yuan Shao was no stranger to such confusion. However, he possessed a critical strength: once his choices were gone, even if the path ahead was filled with thorns, he would carve out a way forward with unmatched resolve. This was the essence of Yuan Shao’s leadership!

Upon realizing the emergence of the Xuanyuan Cauldron, Yuan Shao's eyes blazed with fervor. He immediately regarded the two Xuanyuan Cauldrons as treasures that must be his, and when the Imperial Seal later emerged, he became even more ecstatic.

At that moment, Yuan Shao could almost shout to his ancestors, "Look upon me, Yuan Benchu! I will achieve the dream you could not. This empire of the Han, who but I shall take it?"

Following this, Yuan Shao gave Shen Pei full authority to handle the matter of Gongsun Zan, including the use of any means necessary—whether conventional or not. Even if these methods led to negative repercussions, Yuan Shao declared he would take full responsibility.

At this point, Yuan Shao was decisive and confident. After delegating all responsibilities clearly, he set off directly for Ye City, with Zhang He dispatched to meet Yan Liang, who was bringing the Xuanyuan Cauldron to the city. Yuan Shao intended to leave the cauldron in Ye City.

As Jia Xu predicted, Yuan Shao, like Yuan Shu before him, chose to shift his capital. After securing Beiping and Youzhou, Yuan Shao moved his seat of power to Ye City to demonstrate his commitment to conquering the empire from the south, standing in direct opposition to Liu Bei. Fenggao, after all, was never far from the front lines!

Yuan Shao's decision was certainly correct, and his resolve was without fault. But there were fundamental misunderstandings in his perceptions.

Yuan Shao wasted no time. After sending out orders to mobilize his troops from Xindu, he swiftly headed to Ye City.

"Greetings, my lord!" When Yuan Shao arrived at Ye City on the third day, his elite vanguard had already made the journey thanks to the supply of warhorses in Jizhou. Yan Liang and Wen Chou stood before him, each holding one of the cauldron’s legs, presenting the Xuanyuan Cauldron.

"Well done," Yuan Shao said, his eyes burning with excitement as he looked at the cauldron. He praised Yan Liang and Wen Chou with great enthusiasm.

Though he had already learned en route that the other Xuanyuan Cauldron had slipped from their grasp, he felt no great anger. Obtaining one was enough, and he was confident he could win the other through strength. Yuan Shao had prepared himself for this challenge.

"Please punish me, my lord!" Yan Liang lowered his head in shame. "We failed to secure the Xuanyuan Human Cauldron. I ask for your punishment!"

"Enough of that," Yuan Shao said, patting Yan Liang on the shoulder. "To seize one cauldron from under the noses of Guan Yu and Guo Jia is no small feat. I shall retrieve the other with my own hands!"

"My lord, if we are to campaign against Liu Bei, please allow me to lead the vanguard!" Yan Liang kneeled on one knee, his expression firm with determination.

"Very well!" Yuan Shao thought for a moment before agreeing. He had been reluctant to let Yan Liang command alone, but seeing his unwavering resolve, Yuan Shao didn’t wish to dampen his spirit.

"Come, into the city! We shall place this Xuanyuan Cauldron here in Ye City. My campaign south shall begin from this city!" Yuan Shao said, patting Yan Liang on the shoulder as he laughed heartily and marched forward. Yan Liang and Wen Chou followed closely behind with the Xuanyuan Cauldron, receiving bows of reverence from all who saw them.

"Congratulations, my lord!" Ju Shou, bowing respectfully, offered his congratulations, his expression beaming with genuine pride, much to Yuan Shao’s satisfaction.

"Gongyu, from today onward, Ye City shall be our new seat of power!" Yuan Shao announced solemnly to Ju Shou. "Our campaign to conquer the empire begins here!"

Ju Shou was momentarily stunned but quickly bowed, saying, "I shall follow you to the ends of the earth, my lord, and help secure your dominion!"

"Hahaha!" Yuan Shao laughed heartily. "Gongyu, I feared you wouldn’t understand my intentions, but I see now that you do."

"The Han Dynasty is crumbling, and chaos reigns throughout the land. Of those who can end this turmoil and restore peace, only you and Liu Xuande have the capability. How could I not understand?" Ju Shou said with calm composure.

Ju Shou’s thoughts were simple. He didn’t care whose name the empire bore; he only wanted someone capable of ending the chaos and bringing peace.

As long as the empire was reunified, it didn’t matter whether the banner read “Restore the Han” or “Usurper of the Throne.” Ju Shou had had enough of being underappreciated, enough of seeing the common people suffer, enough of corrupt officials, and enough of the buying and selling of government positions!

"Liu Xuande... I had a feeling he was destined for greatness when I saw him at Hulao Pass. I just didn’t expect him to come this far," Yuan Shao said, reflecting with a sigh. "Had I not underestimated that Chen Zichuan back then, things might have turned out differently."

"Who could have foreseen that an impoverished noble and a destitute scholar would achieve such remarkable feats?" Ju Shou replied with a sigh of his own.

Had Yuan Shao known back then what he knew now, he would have made every effort to recruit Chen Xi when the young man was practically living off him. But regret couldn’t change the past. Now, Liu Bei stood as Yuan Shao’s equal, and Chen Xi had risen to heights comparable to the sages of old.

"This world needs rivals. My family’s rise won’t come from eloquent words like the Yang family. It will come from the strength of our swords and shields. In a time of peace, political maneuvering may suffice, but in a time of chaos, force is what conquers the empire. Since we’ve come this far..." Yuan Shao’s eyes closed for a moment, and when they reopened, they were filled with unshakable resolve.

"Then let us claim the ultimate prize through the strength of our swords, not as rebels or loyalists to the Han, but through our own power!" Any hesitation or doubt in Yuan Shao’s demeanor vanished, replaced with pure determination and confidence.

"Gongyu, start mobilizing the troops. Recall the forces from Bingzhou and Youzhou, and inform Tian Yu and Lü Bu that they no longer have the backing of Yuan Shao’s army. The frontier defense of the Han Dynasty is now in their hands. Whether to fight, negotiate, or hold, it’s up to them!" Yuan Shao said with calm authority, having gained a deeper understanding since acquiring the Heavenly Cauldron.

"Understood!" Ju Shou bowed deeply in acknowledgment.

Yuan Shao's decisive move to start the war, though not made at the most ideal time, put Liu Bei in an equally difficult position. Moreover, Yuan Shao’s strategic advantage was still more evident—after all, it was two Yuans against Liu Bei. While Xu You had underestimated Chen Xi, their overall strategy had still succeeded!

"Recall all cavalry to Jizhou. The battle with Taishan will not be a quick one, so we must ensure Jizhou’s grain supply remains secure this year," Yuan Shao instructed Ju Shou.

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