Chapter 127 Unexpected

When Yuan Xi was dispatched to Dongwuyang to negotiate with the Cao family, Yuan Shao, due to the persistent rumors in Ye City, gathered everyone to discuss whether to have one of his sons adopted into the lineage of the deceased Yuan Ji.

Yuan Shang had been pushing for this beforehand, his intentions clear: Yuan Xi's threat to him was growing, and Yuan Shang feared Yuan Xi had discovered his previous underhanded schemes.

To preemptively strike, he decided to first expel Yuan Xi from the Yuan clan, then deal with Yuan Tan.

Once Yuan Xi was adopted out, everything he had gained in Youzhou—territory, official position, soldiers, and provisions—would be subject to Yuan Shao's control. When Yuan Shang took over the household, he could simply open his mouth, and Yuan Xi would have to hand everything back.

Wouldn't Yuan Xi then be at his mercy?

As for Yuan Tan, after conquering Qingzhou, he was granted the title of Governor of Qingzhou, effectively removing him from the competition to inherit Yuan Shao's position.

Yuan Shang's calculations were shrewd, but Yuan Tan had his own plans.

He might have been granted the title of Governor of Qingzhou, but his official position might not remain unchanged in the future.

As long as he remained in the Yuan family, he had a chance to turn things around!

Therefore, while Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang appeared harmonious on the surface, they harbored their own agendas in secret. After reaching a delicate understanding, they tacitly proposed to Yuan Shao that Yuan Xi was the most suitable candidate to be adopted into Yuan Ji's lineage.

After all, Yuan Xi had the lowest status among the three.

To their surprise, not only did the neutral strategists, but even some strategists who were aligned with them, raised objections.

Two neutral strategists even spoke out directly.

"Lord, Yuan Xi should not be adopted out. Rather, Yuan Tan should be adopted!"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang were stunned.

It was Ju Shou and Tian Feng who had expressed their opinions!

These two held extremely high positions, and their words were echoed by several other strategists.

Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang suddenly realized that the situation was spiraling out of control!

Why?

Ju Shou, as the army supervisor, began to advise Yuan Shao. Although his words were unusually veiled, everyone understood the general meaning.

Yuan Xi possessed great talent for assisting. To drive him out of the Yuan family would be a great pity.

Yuan Tan possessed the ability to stand alone. If he could establish a separate branch, he could echo Yuan Shao's branch, strengthening the Yuan clan's reputation.

The implicit meaning was clear: keeping Yuan Xi was better than keeping Yuan Tan.

Ju Shou was firmly opposed to each son leading a province, believing it would lead to disunity and severely weaken the Yuan clan's strength.

Now, Ju Shou's intention was clear: first eliminate Yuan Tan, then have Yuan Xi assist Yuan Shang.

As for Tian Feng's reason, it was even more direct.

Yuan Xi's name secretly aligned with a prophecy, suggesting he might be the one in the Yuan family to fulfill it in the future. Therefore, he should be kept in the Yuan family at all costs.

Upon hearing this, everyone's expression turned strange. Among the strategists supporting Yuan Shang, Pang Ji finally found an opportunity to jump out.

He sneered, "Master Yuan Hao, are you aware of the oath the Second Young Master made in Beixin City, using his entire family?"

"He has repeatedly sworn by the entire Yuan clan that he is disloyal and unfilial. If the prophecy truly comes to pass, it might implicate the entire Yuan clan!"

"If it truly involves a prophecy, as Master Yuan Hao says, then he should be adopted into the lineage of the already extinct Yuan Ji!"

Upon hearing this, even Tian Feng was speechless. The logic was indeed sound.

But if the prophecy were to come true, what would happen to Yuan Shao's branch?

Back then, Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu's escape from Luoyang implicated Yuan Kui and Yuan Ji, who were killed. This had always been a source of grief for the Yuan family. Now, Yuan Xi's situation was similar to Yuan Shao's back then. Would his adoption bring misfortune to Yuan Shao's branch?

Some words were too sensitive to be spoken publicly. The strategists argued back and forth for a long time, unable to reach a decision. In the end, Yuan Shao had to declare that the matter would be postponed until after the attack on Gongsun Zan next year.

Yuan Xi met with Yuan Tan and, after hearing the whole story, his expression remained unchanged, but he was overjoyed inside.

Although Tian Feng and Ju Shou were unexpected, the matter was mostly settled!

The flaws he had deliberately left had all been used by the other side. The final key was still Yuan Shao.

As long as the situation in Xuzhou was stabilized, Gongsun Zan was defeated, and the north was pacified, the Yuan clan would have no more worries. Then he could be adopted out and negotiate terms with Yuan Shao!

Moreover, the prophecy regarding his name had played a role he hadn't anticipated and might be extremely useful in the future!

Thinking of this, he pretended to be worried and comforted Yuan Tan, "Brother, there's no need to worry too much. There's always a way."

Yuan Tan sighed, "If you were truly interested in the position of family head, Second Brother, I would be willing to compete fairly with you."

Yuan Xi quickly shook his head, "Please rest assured, Elder Brother. I have no interest in Father's heir position. If I'm lying, may I be struck by lightning."

He was genuinely not interested. Staying in Yuan Shao's branch was not as appealing as being the head of Yuan Ji's branch.

Only then did Yuan Tan feel slightly relieved, and he worried, "Now, Third Brother's power is growing, and I'm trapped in Qingzhou. What should I do?"

Yuan Xi said, "Brother, please rest assured. After Gongsun Zan is defeated next year, everything will become clear."

"As long as Qingzhou completes the construction of the harbor and docks, we can plan our next step."

Yuan Tan pondered, "The Gongsun family of Liaodong?"

"That is indeed a direction, but the north is bitterly cold, and we can only stay in the north."

Yuan Xi did not reveal his true intentions and smiled, "The Yellow Turbans of Qingzhou and the Mount Tai bandits are not problems that can be solved in a year or two. Before that, Brother, you should first manage Qingzhou well."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Tan nodded, "What Second Brother says is reasonable. You are the only one who can help me now, Second Brother. If we brothers work together, we will surely succeed!"

The two smiled at each other. Although they both knew that these words were somewhat false, they would indeed need to stick together for the next few years.

Emerging from Yuan Tan's residence, Yuan Xi felt quite pleased. His efforts over the past few years had not been in vain; many secret plans were gradually taking effect.

However, treading this path was also fraught with difficulties. It was hard to justify his actions in terms of legitimacy and righteousness, essentially amounting to a division of the Yuan family. Without a trump card, he would be overshadowed by the main family for a long time.

Moreover, this matter would have an adverse impact on the morale of the gentry. Scholars who had initially intended to rely on him would hesitate and observe, leading Yuan Xi into a temporary low period.

Especially the Zhen family.

His important trump cards were all placed on the Zhen family. Now that he was breaking away from Yuan Shao, if Zhang was short-sighted, he would lose everything.

After seeing Yuan Tan off, Yuan Xi summoned a carriage and headed towards the Zhen family.

As the carriage entered the Zhen family's gate, Zhang, leaning on her cane, greeted him early, smiling, "The young master is indeed patient."

Yuan Xi knew that Zhang was referring to his unwavering stance in the face of rumors, and he smiled, "The Zhen family gives me great peace of mind, so naturally I must first attend to matters that worry me."

Zhang's eyes flickered, "Now that the young master has heard some rumors, is he starting to distrust this old woman?"

Yuan Xi's expression remained unchanged, "Trust is not determined by what the other party thinks, but by what they do."

"Just like on the battlefield, even if a blade is upon me, even if I am injured or even die, I am confident that I can make the opponent pay a great price."

As he said this, the fluttering snowflakes in the courtyard seemed to freeze. The killing intent in Yuan Xi's words tinged the pure white snowflakes with a faint bloody hue.

Zhang's hand, gripping the cane in her sleeve, tightened slightly.

Yuan Xi's reputation was now different from before; he was known as the 'Fierce Tiger'!

The rumors about him in Ye City originated from Xu Province and intensified after the Battle of Qing Province. Everyone knew that he was a ruthless man on the battlefield who dared to fight to the death!

Zhang's expression changed slightly, but then she revealed a hint of relief.

She rasped, "Very good, very good."

"With the young master having such a mind, I can rest assured. This old woman believes that the young master will definitely protect Mi'er."

Yuan Xi smiled slightly, "The old madam understands that the future of the Zhen family and mine are already tied together."

In fact, Zhang had been feeling conflicted these days.

Investing in Yuan Xi meant an uncertain future with potentially great risks. A slight misstep could lead to the destruction of the Zhen family.

Moreover, Yuan Xi's attitude and performance would determine the future of the Zhen family.

If he was tolerant and weak, he would be easily bullied. If he was indecisive, he might cause his family to suffer.

If he was cruel and ruthless, he would easily despise his family and might abandon them in times of crisis.

Zhang now saw that Yuan Xi possessed both decisiveness and compassion. Although his words carried a hint of intimidation, they also revealed a sense of confidence, dispelling the slightest hesitation in her heart.

Zhang had no doubt that if the Zhen family dared to betray Yuan Xi, he would never let them off easily.

Thinking of this, she sighed, "In that case, this old woman will entrust the Zhen family to the young master."

"I wonder when the young master will marry Mi'er?"

Yuan Xi pondered for a moment, "After my adoption, perhaps."

Zhang was startled, "Is the rumor true?"

"If that is the case, I'm afraid the young master's support among the gentry will be greatly reduced."

Yuan Xi smiled freely, "Throughout the ages, those who achieve great things may not have started from a high position, but once they gain momentum, they are unstoppable."

"The Qin Emperor unified the country in ten years, Gaozu gained the world in eight years, and Guangwu only needed twelve years."

Zhang's expression changed slightly. Just as she was about to speak, she heard Zhen Mi's voice, "Mother and the young master are standing in the snow talking. Aren't you cold?"

Yuan Xi turned his head and saw Zhen Mi wearing a snow-white fur coat. The fur was extremely long and fine, and when worn, it set off Zhen Mi's exquisite beauty, giving her an ethereal feeling.

Seeing Zhen Mi, he didn't know why, but his mood suddenly improved a lot. He cupped his hands and said, "Greetings, young lady."

Zhen Mi's pretty face flushed red, and she bowed in return, "Greetings, young master."

Zhang took the opportunity to say, "There is still a batch of goods in the house that has not been counted. Now that Mi'er is here, accompany the young master for me."

Yuan Xi thought that Zhang was trying to put him at ease and was very generous, so he thanked her, "The old madam is very thoughtful."

Zhang nodded and went back into the house.

Zhen Mi quietly pointed to her small building, "Young master, the scenery there is particularly good. Would you like to go up and take a look?"

Hearing this, Yuan Xi nodded, "Then I will have to trouble the young lady."

A maid led the way, and the two walked one after the other, their clogs making a slight creaking sound on the snow.

Zhen Mi slowed down slightly and moved closer to Yuan Xi, gently chiding, "The young master just now scared my mother."

Yuan Xi saw Zhen Mi's jade-like white hand peeking out from her sleeve, turning slightly, making a mocking gesture.

Seeing that Zhen Mi wanted to withdraw her hand, he reached out like lightning and grabbed Zhen Mi's wrist.

Zhen Mi's body trembled, but she did not struggle. Both of their palms were faintly sweating.

Yuan Xi whispered, "Then, is the young lady scared?"

Hearing this, Zhen Mi turned her face slightly, her blushing face showing some anger and some playfulness, "Far less than the young master's audacity."

Yuan Xi's hand tightened slightly. Zhen Mi's face turned even redder, and she quickly lowered her hand, letting her robe sleeves cover their hands.

The maid in front was still walking along without realizing anything. The two of them seemed to have been united in body and mind, leaving the Zhen residence, flying above Ye City, soaring straight towards the vast sky.