Chapter 538: Appendix 5: The New Book of Yan, Scroll 26, Hereditary Houses, Part One — Nastasia

Appendix 5: The New Book of Yan, Scroll 26, Hereditary Houses, Part One — Nastasia

Appendix 5: The New Book of Yan, Scroll 26, Hereditary Houses, Part One — Nastasia

Yuan Shao, styled Benchu, was a man of Ruyang in Runan. His great-great-grandfather An served as Minister over the Masses of the Han. For four generations from An onward, his family occupied the Three Ducal positions, and thus their power overshadowed the realm. Shao was a son of Feng by a concubine, and an elder half-brother of Shu; he was made the heir of his uncle Cheng. As a youth he served as a Gentleman; at the age of twenty he was appointed Chief of Puyang, where he gained a reputation for integrity and ability. When his mother died, after completing the mourning period, he further observed mourning rites for his father, spending a total of six years in the mourning hut. Once the rites were complete, he moved his residence to Luoyang.

Shao possessed a handsome appearance and dignified bearing; he cherished men of talent and cultivated his reputation. Since his family had held the highest offices for generations, guests and retainers flocked to him, and he humbled himself and bent propriety to receive them, so that none failed to rush to his courtyard. He treated men of all ranks, noble or base, as equals in courtesy. Carts and carriages, both grand and humble, filled the streets and lanes before his gate, and the people of the time called him "the Model of the Realm." Zhang Mengzhuo, He Boqiu, Wu Ziqing, Xu Ziyuan, Wu Deyu, and others all became his friends in action, refusing to answer official summons. The inner officials all detested Shao. The Regular Palace Attendant Zhao Zhong remarked within the palace administration: "Yuan Benchu sits back and inflates his own fame and price, fond of keeping death-sworn retainers. I wonder what this whelp ultimately intends to do." His uncle, the Grand Tutor Wei, heard of this and summoned Shao, reproaching him with Zhao Zhong's words, but Shao never changed his ways.

In the second year of Zhongping, [The Grand Ancestor, on account of the Sima Zhi affair, swore not to bribe the Western Garden with a single coin, firmly declined office, and returned to his home village. All present sighed with emotion and comforted him. Yuan Shao was at his side and also thought him heroic, but on the way back, he laughed scornfully at him. When his trusted confidants pressed him for a reason, Shao said: "This is a matter of avoiding disaster while cultivating one's reputation. I have long done the same, and therefore I know this man also harbors great ambitions. When the realm descends into chaos, will it not be men like this who contend with me for supremacy?"]

In the fifth year of Zhongping, the Eight Captains of the Western Garden were first established, and Shao was appointed as Colonel Who Assists the Army. In the sixth year of Zhongping, Emperor Ling passed away. The Empress Dowager's elder brother, Grand General He Jin, plotted with Shao to execute all the eunuchs, but the Empress Dowager would not consent. Shao urged He Jin to summon Dong Zhuo and other armies to coerce the Empress Dowager; his words are recorded in the Biography of He Jin. Jin adopted his suggestion.

On the twenty-fifth day of the fifth month of that year, the Regular Palace Attendants Zhang Rang, Zhao Zhong, and others forged an edict in the Empress Dowager's name, summoning Jin to enter for deliberation, and assassinated him in the Hall of Excellent Virtue. They then led the Rapid as Tigers Guard to secure the Southern Palace, throwing the palace into chaos. Shao, hearing this, immediately drew his sword and rose, saying: "This is precisely the moment to exterminate the eunuchs!" He then gathered the forces of Yuan Shu, Wu Kuang, and Wang Kuang, raised their halberds and brandished their swords, and fiercely struck down the vile wretches. The next day they captured the Southern Palace; Dong Min and Tian Chou both led troops to join him. Luoyang fell into great disorder, and the Ten Regular Attendants could not resist; in panic they seized the Emperor and the Prince of Chenliu and fled into the Northern Palace. The day after, Shao's forces captured the Northern Palace, and he ordered his troops to arrest all the eunuchs, killing them regardless of age. Some beardless men were mistakenly killed, and only escaped by exposing their naked bodies to prove they were not eunuchs. The Ten Regular Attendants fled further north, but on the road they encountered Dong Zhuo's forces. Zhuo then executed all the Ten Regular Attendants and escorted the Emperor back to Luoyang.

On the twenty-eighth day of that month, Zhuo absorbed the forces of He Miao and Ding Yuan, gathering eight thousand men, and proposed deposing the Emperor. He said to Shao: "The ruler of the realm ought to be worthy and enlightened. Whenever I think of Emperor Ling, it fills me with rage and disgust. The Marquis of Dong seems acceptable; we should now enthrone him." Shao replied: "His present Majesty is in the prime of his youth and has done no wrong that is known to the realm. If you, my lord, violate propriety and indulge your whims, deposing the legitimate heir to set up a concubine's son, I fear the public discussion will not be settled." Zhuo hurled his cup to the ground and rebuked Shao: "How dare you, you brat! Do the affairs of the realm not rest with me? If I wish to do this, who dares disobey!" Shao was about to argue further when he suddenly saw Lu Bu and Hua Xiong stepping forward with blades drawn, and so he fell silent. A few days later, Shao hung his seal of office on the Upper East Gate and fled alone on horseback to Henei. At that time, Palace Attendant Zhou Bi and Captain of the City Gates Wu Qiong were trusted by Zhuo. Qiong and others secretly spoke to Zhuo on Shao's behalf, saying: "The deposition and enthronement is a grave matter beyond the reach of ordinary men. Yuan Shao failed to grasp the greater scheme and fled in fear; he harbors no other ambition. The Yuan clan has planted its grace for four generations; its disciples and former officials are spread across the realm. If he were to gather heroes and assemble a host, and heroes rose up because of him, then the lands east of the mountains would no longer be yours. It would be better to pardon him and appoint him as a commandery governor. Shao will be glad to escape punishment and will surely cause no trouble." Zhuo agreed, and thus sent an envoy to appoint Shao as Grand Administrator of Bohai.

In the seventh month, the Grand Ancestor raised troops in Youzhou to punish Dong Zhuo, circulated a call to arms across the realm, and summoned righteous men to swear an oath at Mount Chang. Shao, hearing this, was enraged. He then adopted Xu You's strategy, ignored the Grand Ancestor's call entirely, and styled himself General of Chariots and Cavalry. He joined forces with Cao Cao, Qiao Mao, and Zhang Miao, forged letters from the Three Ducal Ministers, and commanded the lords east of the passes to attack Zhuo. Those who joined the oath included General of the Rear Shu, Governor of Jizhou Han Fu, Inspector of Yuzhou Kong Zhou, Inspector of Yanzhou Liu Dai, Grand Administrator of Henei Wang Kuang, Grand Administrator of Chenliu Zhang Miao, Grand Administrator of Dongjun Qiao Mao, Grand Administrator of Shanyang Yuan Yi, Chancellor of Jibei Bao Xin, Grand Administrator of Guangling Zhang Chao, Grand Administrator of Changsha Sun Jian, General of Ferocious Valor Cao Cao, and Grand Administrator of Shangdang Zhang Yang, each with tens of thousands of men. That winter, the Guandong coalition army assembled at Suanzao. Zang Hong smeared his lips with blood and administered the oath, remotely honoring Shao as the leader of the covenant. They resolved to divide their forces into three routes: Shao would personally lead the Hebei army to raid the Three Fords; Shu would lead the Nanyang army north to attack Luoyang; and the lords of the Central Plains would combine their forces to cross Xingyang and Chenggao, knocking at Hulao Pass. Zhuo, hearing this, gave Lu Bu and Hu Zhen twenty thousand troops and ordered them to defend the Three Fords, to resist Shao's army.

On the twentieth day of the twelfth month of that year, Hu Zhen led five thousand troops to raid Wushe Ford. Jia Xu, then serving as Commandant of Xiaoping Ford, said to Lu Bu: "If the General wishes to establish merit and a career, now is precisely the time. Let Xu lead three thousand men out of Meng Ford. Wang Kuang is fierce in appearance but timid at heart; he will surely lead his main army to the rescue, leaving Xiaoping Ford empty. Now the ice on the Great River is solid; by wrapping the horses' hooves in hemp cloth, we can cross. If the General personally leads five thousand cavalry across the river, breaking Xiaoping Ford will not be difficult. Shao and Kuang appear to be allies, but in truth they harbor ill intentions; their relief will surely be half-hearted. The General can then swallow up their small relief detachments. If you have strength to spare, you should press forward with valor and raid Shao's main camp; an extraordinary feat can be achieved." Lu Bu was delighted and bowed. The following night, they indeed captured Xiaoping Ford. Shao sent Yan Liang to reinforce Kuang, but Liang was slain by Bu. Bu then led five thousand cavalry to approach Shao's great stockade. At that time, Shao had sent his main army to raid Wushe Ford, leaving his main camp empty, and it was burned by Bu. Guo Tu urgently advised Shao to enter the camp and take temporary shelter. Shao said indignantly: "A true man should fight and die in the open; how can he enter a camp and hope to live?" He stood his ground and refused to hide. Bu was overjoyed; he first beheaded Chunyu Qiong, then drew his bow to shoot Shao. However, because Bu's strength was great and the bow was weak, the bowstring actually snapped, and Shao thus survived. When Shao's main army saw the flames from the camp and returned, Bu then withdrew his troops. Shao wept uncontrollably and said: "This is my fault! Had I not valued men's hearts over the business of war, how could I have suffered today's defeat?"

The following year, Zhuo moved the capital to Chang'an and abandoned the defense of the Three Fords. Shao then led his troops to join the lords of the Central Plains at Suanzao, overseeing the battle at Hulao Pass. [Zhuo sent his great general Hua Xiong to Hulao, where he flaunted his might, winning battle after battle, and none could withstand him. Only Liu Bei, undeterred by his weak forces, volunteered to serve as the vanguard and attack him. His subordinate Zhang Fei, catching sight of Xiong's feathered canopy, spurred his horse and stabbed Xiong amidst his ten thousand troops, cut off his head, and returned. None of Zhuo's generals could stop him, and the three armies were shaken with terror. That night, Bei reasoned that Hulao, having lost its commander, would be unprepared, and personally led a thousand men by boat to leap behind the pass, first breaking Chenggao, then taking Hulao.] When Zhuo heard of the defeat at Hulao, he executed Shao's uncle Wei, and all of Shao's clansmen in the capital, exterminating them completely. Shao was overcome with grief, weeping for days on end, until he fell gravely ill.

Ju Shou, then supervising the grain and fodder of Jizhou, visited Shao in his illness and said to him: "Lord Yuan's sickness lies first with Dong Zhuo, second with the General of the Guard, and third with the lords east of the passes. The traitor Dong has thrown the natural order into chaos and harmed the loyal and virtuous. Yet his troops are skilled in battle and have repeatedly defeated our armies; Chang'an is truly difficult to take quickly. As for the General of the Guard, who fights in Hedong and leads the realm, you, my lord, are ashamed to be placed behind him. You wish to unite the lords east of the passes to strengthen yourself, yet you also think that righteousness may forbid such an act. Thus you are beset by doubt and indecision." Shao rose barefoot, dragging his robes, and grasped Shou's hand, saying: "The traitorous minister has wrought chaos, and the court has been moved. My family has received the Han's grace for generations; dare I not exhaust my strength and life to restore the House of Han? Yet as you say, there are indeed places where my strength falls short. If I wish to secure the altars of state, how shall I deliver them?" Shou advanced and said: "General, you entered the court at twenty and spread your fame across the land. At the moment of deposition and enthronement, your loyalty and righteousness surged forth; you fled on a single horse, and Dong Zhuo was filled with dread. With one wave of your arm, the lords followed like shadows. From this we know that the affairs of the realm rest on virtue and prestige, not on troops and horses. Though Zhuo and Xun possess the valor of Xiang Yu, they cannot last. If you, my lord, can secure the lands east of the passes, establish laws and institutions, calm the hearts of the people, and treat worthy men with courtesy, then with these you may contend for supremacy and command the realm — who could withstand you! In a few years' time, this achievement will not be difficult." Shao was overcome with joy and bowed repeatedly.

When the Grand Ancestor entered Hongnong, Shao once again hesitated. Xu You came forward and persuaded him, saying: "The General of the Guard's great momentum is about to form. If you, my lord, wish to take the lands east of the passes, you must act swiftly, not slowly. Slowness may cause men's hearts to change, and later it will be difficult to plan." Shao then adopted You's strategy, immediately abandoning Luoyang, and withdrew to take Qingzhou and Yanzhou as his foundation, while eyeing Jizhou covetously. He also said to You: "For war, one may act swiftly; for governance, one must act with leniency. [Today, the heroes of the realm are only Gongsun and myself. As for the rest, though Dong Zhuo is temporarily fierce and violent, he is advanced in years and has lost his virtue; none are worth worrying about. Therefore, Xun rules with severity, I with leniency; Xun rules by force, I by culture; Xun advances, I retreat. In every matter, I do the opposite of Xun, and thus the task can be accomplished.]" You also agreed. Shao then imprisoned Zhang Miao and Zhang Chao on charges of military defeat and annexed their forces; he appointed Gongsun Zan as Grand Administrator of Bohai and made a pact with him to jointly seize Qingzhou; he appointed Cao Cao as Inspector of Yuzhou and sent him to control Sun Jian; he also dispatched Bao Xin, Qiao Mao, and Liu Dai to suppress the Yellow Turbans of Mount Tai. The bandits fled eastward, bringing disaster and chaos to Qingzhou. Shao, citing the unfavorable course of the war, executed Mao and dismissed Dai, sweeping through Qingzhou and Yanzhou. His power surged greatly, his might shook the lands north of the Yellow River, and every province and commandery rose up in response. Famous scholars and heroes also largely flocked to Shao. That winter, Shao's subordinate generals Liu Xun and Zang Hong plotted rebellion; the plot was discovered before it could be carried out, and they were executed.

[In the spring of the first year of Jian'an, General of the Rear Yuan Shu attacked the Inspector of Jingzhou, Liu Biao; General of Chariots and Cavalry Yuan Shao attacked the Grand Administrator of Bohai, Gongsun Zan, and also appointed Zhou Ang as Grand Administrator of Jiujiang, blocking the path of the Inspector of Yuzhou, Liu Bei. Zan was the Grand Ancestor's elder brother; Bei was the Grand Ancestor's younger brother. Biao, Zan, and Bei all submitted memorials stating the crimes of the two Yuans. The Grand Ancestor, acting as regent, then denounced the two Yuans as traitors, abolished their official posts, and made a clear proclamation to the realm. Thus beacon fires rose on all sides, and the realm was once again thrown into turmoil.]

That year, Shao personally led fifty thousand troops from Yanzhou, crossed Cangting, and marched through Qinghe to hunt with Zan on the plains. Han Fu, seeing that men's hearts had turned to Shao, feared that Shao, having won the masses, would plot against him. He therefore adopted the plan of Liu Hui, Geng Wu, and Min Chun, secretly plotting with Zan to jointly attack Shao at Boundary Bridge. Shao set out later but arrived first, utterly routing Fu's army, and Fu then relinquished his position. At the turn of spring and summer, Zan led five thousand cavalry in a night raid on Shao's camp, breaking Cui Zhong's division; the matter is recorded in the Biographies of the Various Gongsuns. Shao's expression did not change in the slightest; he personally advanced with a long sword. The three armies, moved by his courage, all fought to the death, and Zan thus retreated. When he returned, the banners over Pingyuan had already been changed. Gongsun Fang and Gongsun Du rebuked Zan from atop the city walls, saying: "Pingyuan has long suffered under you! Now that General Yuan of Chariots and Cavalry has arrived, we are like men who, after a long drought, meet sweet rain. We must welcome him with baskets of food and pots of drink. You, sir, should depart at once!" Zan was filled with fury and resentment, and fled north to rely on Gongsun Fan. Shao thus completely seized Pingyuan and Bohai.

In the seventh month, Shao sent Zhang He to defend Hejian, ordered Gao Gan to persuade Zhang Yang, and dispatched Xu You to sow chaos in Julu. He then personally led a hundred thousand troops toward Handan, shaking the entire realm. The Grand Ancestor sent Shen Pei and Guan Yu to defend Handan, and secretly dispatched the Heishan bandits to follow behind Shao. [Shao had just besieged Handan for several days when he was defeated by Guan Yu. He also encountered heavy rains. He was in council with his generals, discussing retreat, when suddenly word came that the Heishan bandit Yu Du, acting on orders from Chang'an, had taken advantage of the rain to overthrow Ye City, killing the Grand Administrator Li Cheng. The bandits, over ten divisions with tens of thousands of men, were gathered in Ye. Among the seated guests, those with families in Ye were all stricken with fear and turned pale; some rose and wept. Only Shao's countenance remained unchanged; he sat upright and composed, issuing orders verbally, arranging both the rearguard and the vanguard perfectly, and thus those around him were calmed.] Among the bandits were Ku You and Tao Sheng, who had long revered Shao's name. Hearing that Shao was about to return, they led their forces to close the government gates, prepared carts and heavy goods, loaded and protected Shao's family members and all the officials and gentry within the province, personally defended them, and fled back to Handan. On the road, they encountered the forces of Wen Chou and Qu Yi, and led them back into the city, thus stabilizing Ye City.

Chen Gong, then serving as Chief of Staff to the General of Chariots and Cavalry, advised Shao, saying: "The General of the Guard drives bandits to harm the people; no one is more lacking in virtue than this. However, the hearts of the bandits are not united; many have no intention of belonging to the General of the Guard. You, illustrious lord, should pacify their divisions and grant them official ranks and titles. As for those who stubbornly refuse to reform, you can drive them into the Taihang Mountains and let them wreak havoc on Zhao, Changshan, Shangdang, and Taiyuan." Shao said with delight: "This is exactly what I had in mind." Within a month, he pacified the southern Taihang range. The Heishan and Zishan bandits fled north, blocking the Grand Ancestor at Jingxing. Shao also reflected that he had always governed his army with leniency and laxity, failing to establish strict laws; though his soldiers were numerous, he often worried they were difficult to command. He therefore encamped at Liangqi, reorganized his troops, and husbanded his strength to await further battle.

In the eighth month, Zhang Fei, to repay the Grand Ancestor's grace, fled north alone on horseback. At that time, Xu You, bearing Shao's seal, was using official posts to purchase the allegiance of the various clans of Julu. The nine counties and eleven cities south of the commandery changed their banners and submitted to Yuan. The commandery governor, Dong Zhao, could not control the situation. In the ninth month, Fei arrived, led a thousand commandery troops, and recaptured ten cities. You then fled back in panic.

When Shao heard that You had returned, he rushed out in the dead of night, putting his shoes on backward to greet him. You explained that although Fei had defeated his division, he had not pressed his advance but instead destroyed the pontoon bridge himself, which must mean he intended to return to relieve Handan. You therefore urged Shao to march swiftly on Handan. Shao accepted his advice. The next day, Li Jin set out first and indeed encountered Zhang Fei's division, routing it utterly. A few days later, Shao gathered three hundred thousand troops and once again approached Handan. The two armies fought fiercely for several days, but Handan ultimately could not be taken. At that time, the Grand Ancestor had already defeated the Taihang Mountain bandits and was rushing to arrive. Shao, knowing that the Handan affair could not be resolved quickly, withdrew his main army to Liangqi, ordering Wen Chou to lead eight thousand cavalry as the rearguard. [Wen Chou was Shao's great general. At that time, the Grand Ancestor's hundred thousand troops suddenly arrived. Chou fought with all his might but ultimately could not break free. He then charged in reverse, heading north, and fiercely attacked the Grand Ancestor's central army, inflicting heavy casualties, until only a hundred-odd horsemen remained, trapped before the central army. The Grand Ancestor admired his martial valor and strategic acumen, but knew his will could not be bent. He sighed and said: "You may seize the commander of three armies, but you cannot seize the will of a single man!" He then agreed to allow Chou to return to the Yuan clan, and only then did Chou lay down his arms and accept capture.]

The next day, the Grand Ancestor and Shao each led a hundred thousand troops and arrayed their lines to face one another. Wang Lang, then serving as an envoy of the Son of Heaven, was ordered to halt the fighting. He requested to perform the rite of inspecting the armies before the battle lines. Shao consented, and thus met with the Grand Ancestor before the lines, saying: "Since we parted at Meng Ford, several years have now passed. I never imagined that the old friend with whom I once cut a flask and drank would today be a traitor who steals the state. It is truly lamentable." The Grand Ancestor laughed and said: "Elder Brother Benchu, in Luoyang, you burned the Southern Palace, lost the Imperial Seal, and then allowed the traitor Dong to enter the court, bringing disaster and chaos to the realm. Who is the thief of the state — Xun, or Elder Brother Benchu? Moreover, since matters have come to this, only arms can stop them; what use are words?" Shao also laughed, and then cut a flask and presented wine to the Grand Ancestor, saying: "Truly, as you say. Now I have no other words, only one question. When we parted at Meng Ford, the Son of Heaven was still present, and the times were not yet chaotic, yet you were already brimming with the intent to overshadow the realm. How did it come to this?" The Grand Ancestor laughed heartily and drank, then ordered his attendants to release Wen Chou and return him, saying: "It is nothing — I have long disapproved of you gentlemen!" Shao's expression changed as he said: "The men of the realm have also long disapproved of you! In one year I gathered a million men; the will of the realm can be known from this." He then flicked his sleeves and withdrew.

[When Chou returned, he knew that as a surrendered man who had come back, he could not be employed. At that time, the two armies were divided between Handan and Liangqi, about to engage in a decisive battle. Chou therefore did not return to the ranks but volunteered to issue a challenge. The Grand Ancestor sent his Cavalry Major Zhao Yun to answer him. Yun's valor and strategy surpassed the three armies; after several dozen bouts, he knocked Chou from his horse and was about to behead him. Chou's legs were both crippled, so with a single arm he cut his own throat before the battle lines. The three armies were solemn. Yun, moved by his unyielding spirit, did not take his head but returned and apologized before the lines. Shao also moved Chou's body onto a cart; at that time, the blood gushed forth without ceasing, soaking into Shao's clothes. When the matter was settled, Shao, having suffered a great defeat, returned to the city. His attendants changed his clothes, and when they reached his undergarments, they still saw the bloodstains. Shao, as if waking from a daze, understood and said: "This is General Wen's blood. Do not remove it." When he finished speaking, his tears fell like rain.]

After the battle of Liangqi was concluded, Shao reviewed his three armies; they had been reduced by five or six tenths. Chen Gong drove his own chariot toward the Grand Ancestor's army and died. Ju Shou's son, Hu, also died in the battle. The rest, dead or surrendered, were beyond counting. Shao, seeing that his army could not match the Grand Ancestor in open battle, established numerous forts and stockades, advancing step by step with fortified camps, and held fast without venturing out. Later, Qu Yi, holding Ye City, rebelled. Shao sent Li Jin and Cheng Wu to attack Yi and defeated him. He then appointed Ju Shou as Grand Commander and ordered him to defend Ye.

The Grand Ancestor, finding Ye a strong city difficult to take, dispatched forces on two wings: Guan Yu led thirty thousand troops to seize Zhaoge, and Shen Pei led ten thousand troops to attack Guangzong, outflanking Wei Commandery. Thus they remained locked in stalemate for a time. In the twelfth month of that year, Shao adopted Guo Tu's advice and attacked eastward toward Guangzong, assembling eighty thousand troops. However, because his army's morale was unsettled, they were stalled beneath the city walls for over ten days. The following year, the Grand Ancestor also arrived with his main army. The two armies fought at Qinghe. Shao's subordinate general Lu Xiang, defending the main stockade, could not withstand the attack, and his troops scattered and fled eastward in all directions. The Grand Ancestor's cavalry, eager for glory, all rushed in pursuit, leaving only five thousand infantry to guard the camp. At that time, Shao personally led fifty thousand troops, with banners furled and drums silent, lying in ambush nearby. Seeing that the cavalry had all departed for the moment and that the balance of power on the riverbank had shifted, he immediately rose and attacked the Grand Ancestor's remaining forces. The Grand Ancestor was trapped within heavy encirclement. Gao Shun led the infantry, using the Western Qiang shield-wall technique to resist. His troops, knowing the Grand Ancestor was in dire peril, all fought with desperate courage. Shao's army attacked three times but ultimately could not break through. Just then, Zhang Liao and Xu Rong led the cavalry back to the rescue, and Shao's division was routed.

After the victory at the Battle of Qinghe, the Grand Ancestor, seeing that the war no longer held any chance of reversal, ordered Lu Fan, Shen Pei, Lou Gui, and Han Dang to jointly manage military affairs in Hebei, while he personally led his volunteer retinue north to inspect the spring planting. Thereupon, Guan Yu led ten thousand cavalry north to the Great River, Gongsun Fan led the Youzhou army out of Bohai, and Gongsun Zan fought in Hejian, forming a three-sided encirclement. Shao fled in defeat all the way, reaching Liaocheng in the east. There he saw several hundred boats floating on the Eastern Sea, all belonging to the Grand Ancestor's forces, and realized he could not escape alive. He then sat atop the walls of Liaocheng, gazing at the sun setting over the Eastern Sea. At that time, among his staff and ministers, only Xu You remained at his side. Shao turned to him and said: "Ziyuan, look. This is where the Great River enters the sea. The river waters travel east; though the journey is fraught with hardship, they never change their purpose. A man's life and ambition should be viewed in the same way. Yet the river ultimately returns to the sea, while human life is brief, and many are those whose grand ambitions go unfulfilled. This is what I regret." You said: "Regret? Or resentment?" Shao said: "My ambition is like the old course of the Great River; though seized by another channel, it cannot become the stream that enters the sea. Yet when the spring embankments swell with water, perhaps there will still be a trickle that overflows. In life, to be unable to fulfill one's ambition is indeed cause for regret, but what resentment can there be?" You said: "Even if you do not resent the General of the Guard, can you not resent those who abandoned you, my lord?" Shao laughed and said: "Though I am at the end of my road, I still had He Boqiu, Chen Gongtai, and Feng Yuantu who gave their lives for my cause; I had General Wen, General Chunyu, and General Yan who were loyal to me unto death; and moreover, I have Ziyuan at my side, who has not abandoned me even at this desperate, hopeless moment. Though there is nothing to rejoice over, there is also nothing to resent." Before his words were finished, his breath failed him; his head drooped, and he passed away. You was overcome with grief. In the fourth month, when Ju Shou heard of Shao's death, he entrusted Shao's eldest son, Tan, to his younger brother Zong, and then took his own life in the General of Chariots and Cavalry's headquarters. Ye City then surrendered.

In the eighth year of Jian'an, the Grand Ancestor accepted the abdication at Luoyang, replacing the Han with the Yan. He also made offerings to the many wandering souls at Northern Mang, saying: "That I have reached this day, I must thank my adversary Yuan Benchu, thank my old friend Cao Mengde, thank my sworn brother Liu Xuande," and so on. He then called out three times, "O souls, please partake," and thus the ceremony was complete. Thereupon, a summer wind suddenly rose; the green hills floated with emerald hues; the northern mausoleums and the southern capital fell silent together for a moment. Only the Great River surged like a ribbon, vast and mighty, gurgling and flowing, passing Northern Mang and rushing eastward, where ten thousand streams return to one, chasing the waves into the sea. Some say, is not the rise and fall of ancient and modern, the division and unity of the realm, just like this?

The Appraisal says: The Grand Ancestor esteemed Yuan Benchu as his adversary — why? Shao won the masses through gallantry and chivalry, and thus harbored ambitions of hegemony. Among the realm's victorious soldiers who raised their banners, none failed to borrow his name. When he approached the field to decide a battle, fierce men contended for their lives; in deep planning and lofty counsel, wise men poured out their hearts. He was truly a hero of his time. To decide the outcome of a single battle and fix the fate of the realm, who among the Grand Ancestor's great enemies in his lifetime could it be but Shao? This is the first reason. In governing Qingzhou and Yanzhou, this man was lenient, refined, and measured. He governed the great clans with generous virtue and treated the powerful magnates with tolerance, and thus won their utmost devotion. The Grand Ancestor, however, regarded the great clans and powerful magnates as the chief source of calamity for the realm, and thus was deeply at odds with them. Cao and Liu, in their governance, both followed the Grand Ancestor's old wisdom; therefore, Cao and Liu were friends and brothers, while Shao was an enemy. This is the second reason.

Easter Egg: A New Account of the Tales of the World — The Chapter of Enmity and Rancor

Xu You, Guo Tu, and Xin Ping once served Yuan Shao together. When Shao was faring poorly in battle against the Grand Ancestor, Guo and Xin, in fear, each led their troops to surrender. You, believing they had betrayed Shao's grace, deeply resented them in his heart. When the Grand Ancestor entered Jinan, he held a banquet for the surrendered men and famous scholars at Lishui Pond, to discuss the laws and institutions of the realm. You also attended, and raised his voice, saying: "Reforming the law should not rely on words, but on swords and blades. Now, General, if you wish to establish new laws, you must first execute petty men, lest there be cause to worry that the great bell is destroyed and discarded." The Grand Ancestor asked: "Then whom does Ziyuan consider to be petty men?" You replied: "The petty men are: Guo Tu, the treacherous sycophant who sold his master; Xu You, who sold his army for greed; and Xin Ping, who feigned great loyalty. These three men!" The Grand Ancestor sighed, and then executed Xu You, and banished Guo and Xin to the Yin Mountains. Withdrawing, he said to Lu Fan: "Ziyuan's actions today were intended to use his own life as bait, for the sake of avenging Yuan Benchu. Can the bond between lord and subject be as deep as this?"

*Text within 【】 is the original work of Dan Lingdi

*Partial text copyright belongs to the Book of the Later Han, Biographies of Yuan Shao and Liu Biao, and the Records of the Three Kingdoms, Biographies of Dong, the Two Yuans, and Liu

*The first chapter of the Hereditary Houses in the Old Book of Yan contained much content on Yuan Feng and Yuan Shu, seemingly intended to encompass the entire Yuan family. However, the existing fragments of the first chapter of the Hereditary Houses in the New Book of Yan all describe Yuan Shao. It is unclear whether Dan Lingdi originally intended to include Yuan Shu. Judging by the full plot, I privately believe that placing the entire Yuan family in a single biography seems somewhat inappropriate; moreover, the Yuan brothers are also split into two biographies in the Book of the Later Han. Therefore, I have only completed the story of Elder Brother Benchu, leaving Gonglu for the Chapter of Indignation and Pettiness.

(End of Chapter)