Chapter 768: There's Always a Fool Who Helps You Realize...

"I want to purge the trash! Their existence sullies the concept of the noble families. I want to destroy them!" Yuan Shu was in a fit of rage, his eyes blazing with fury as if ready to explode.

As Yuan Shu continued to speak, Zhou Yu gradually understood the situation. To put it mildly, Yuan Shu had a "supreme ego," but to put it bluntly, he wanted the world to revolve around him. Indeed, some within the noble families were degenerate, but Yuan Shu's justification for wiping them out because of a few bad apples seemed rather extreme.

Zhou Yu raised his eyes to the beams overhead, contemplating what benefit agreeing to Yuan Shu's proposal might bring to Sun Ce, and what kind of trouble might arise if he didn’t agree. The primary condition for his decision was whether it would be advantageous for Sun Ce.

Zhou Yu didn’t take long to deliberate. He lacked Zhong Yao’s ability for swift decision-making, an undeniable advantage in leadership when it comes to responding to crises. Unfortunately, this particular mental gift was something rare, possessed only by someone like Zhong Yao, whose ability, though impressive, wasn’t widely applicable.

"Lord Yuan, I can understand your reasoning. The noble families have indeed strayed from their original path," Zhou Yu weighed his words carefully.

"Good, good, good! Gongjin, help me wipe them out!" Yuan Shu’s eyes blazed with excitement, though his anger still seethed beneath the surface.

It was clear that Yuan Shu’s anger had twisted him. He wasn’t furious out of concern for the common people, but because the noble families under his command had tarnished his ideal of what noble families represented. "We are the noble families, exalted and superior! Yet, they’ve resorted to exploiting the people to survive—how disgraceful!"

"Lord Yuan, allow me to ask: If we eliminate these families, can we ensure that other noble families won’t fall into the same corruption?" Zhou Yu asked calmly, having already reached a decision despite the limited time.

"At the very least, we’ll have struck fear into them for the moment. I, Yuan Shu, have never aspired to eternity. Why concern myself with what happens after I'm gone? As long as I maintain control during my lifetime, that’s enough!" Yuan Shu’s words were cold and unfeeling, yet oddly reasonable. That was his nature—other than the continuation of the Yuan family line, he cared little for what happened after his death. To him, anything beyond his sight was meaningless.

"Do you not consider the future of those who come after you?" Zhou Yu asked, attempting to guide Yuan Shu’s thoughts to a more stable perspective, though he found Yuan Shu’s response disheartening.

"First, I have no direct heirs; second, I believe that what I can accomplish, Bofu can achieve as well. I chose Bofu as my successor not only because we share similarities but because he is stronger than I am!" Yuan Shu boasted proudly. For the first time, Zhou Yu found Yuan Shu to be a difficult character to deal with.

"It’s too troublesome. I suggest allowing the people to contend with the noble families themselves. Instead of merely giving them fish, why not teach them how to fish? We don’t have the resources or energy to conduct a full-scale purge of the noble families," Zhou Yu said calmly. He was confident he could convince Yuan Shu, as he had come to understand him well by now.

"Speak—what’s your plan?" Yuan Shu asked immediately.

"Strengthen the capabilities of the common people. Give them the power to unite and resist, or even fight against the noble families. Elevate commoners to positions of power as officials and generals, so that they will battle the noble families for their own interests. This way, you can stand above and observe the balance of power," Zhou Yu explained, weighing his words. Directly confronting the noble families was something Zhou Yu would never do, but he admired the model established by Taishan.

"Is there a quicker way? Like bringing in the army to wipe out the noble families?" Yuan Shu was quick to jump to extremes, favoring an aggressive approach.

"Such extreme measures could lead to the fragmentation of your territory," Zhou Yu sighed. Yuan Shu’s idea was reckless—openly turning the noble families against each other would only push them to form an opposition.

"Even if it leads to division, I won’t tolerate such despicable behavior. They’ve sullied the honor of the noble families—they are a disgrace!" Yuan Shu's calm words were laced with seething anger. It was evident that he truly believed in the ideals of the noble families as recorded in ancient texts and saw them as the highest standard of conduct.

"The opportunity has passed; we’ll have to proceed slowly. Our forces in Shouchun are too limited to carry out a purge of the noble families," Zhou Yu said without hesitation, choosing to tell a white lie to placate Yuan Shu for the time being.

"The opportunity has passed?" Yuan Shu asked in confusion.

"If you had told me earlier, I would have taken certain actions, like allowing Gan Ning to attack Shouchun, causing chaos within the city. In the ensuing disorder, we could have purged the noble families, thus restoring order afterward and uniting the populace against a common enemy," Zhou Yu continued his fabrication. He knew that those present who could see through his lies would also back him up.

"Is there no faster way?" Yuan Shu asked, unwilling to accept the slow approach.

"This is the only way. If you want faster results, then I fear you’ll have to endure some hardships here," Zhou Yu's eyes glinted as he realized that, although Yuan Shu was peculiar, he adhered to a personal code of conduct.

"Hardships?" Yuan Shu scoffed. "As long as the goal is achieved, any hardship is insignificant. It's a trivial matter!"

【Yuan Gonglu, sigh... those who accomplish great things are never simple. Though Yuan Gonglu has many flaws, they stem from being born with a silver spoon. Yet, he possesses his own convictions. Born, raised, and destined to die here, the honor of the noble families is everything to him!】

Zhuge Jin silently reflected on Yuan Shu’s demeanor. In that moment, he found himself questioning whether his own family, the Zhuge family, could be considered a noble family.

They didn’t possess the same steadfast belief as Yuan Shu, nor did they have the courage to sacrifice everything for the honor of their family. While they had inherited knowledge and land, they lacked the pride that would drive them to such extremes.

Do I have a goal worth dedicating my entire life to, something I would never regret, even in death?

Zhuge Jin silently asked himself as he watched Yuan Shu. For the first time, he recognized a shining quality in Yuan Shu, someone he had previously dismissed. Although Yuan Shu’s obsession with upholding the honor of the noble families might seem foolish, his unwavering determination was undeniable.

"Please, Lord Yuan, issue a proclamation for the recruitment of talent. Do not ask for noble birth, only for ability and virtue," Zhou Yu suggested, bowing deeply.

"Not ask for noble birth, only for ability and virtue…" Yuan Shu murmured in a daze. He was the direct descendant of the Yuan family, one of the most prestigious families in the land. He commanded vast resources, expansive territories, and an abundance of talented officials and generals. Never had he imagined being forced to issue such a proclamation for talent.

"I agree…" Yuan Shu’s voice came out hoarse, "Issue the proclamation. In the name of Yuan Shu, direct descendant of the Yuan family of four generations of Three Excellencies, Rear General of the Han, I call upon the talented and virtuous from all corners of the land. Even those with the skills of thieves, I, Yuan Shu, am willing to emulate the ancient Lord Mengchang!"

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