Prologue
Year 189, Luoyang, Suzaku Avenue, Drunken Immortal Pavilion.
"The prologue of an era has finally begun," Yuan Xi stood with his hands behind his back.
The protagonist, Yuan Xi, was finally stepping onto the stage of history. Yet, he still lived cautiously, even though he was the second son of the Yuan family.
A single misstep could lead to being ruthlessly crushed under the wheels of history, without a shred of mercy. Moreover, his position was precarious.
He was neither the eldest son nor the favored one—just the second son trapped in a dilemma.
But since he had chosen this script, he had to see it through. Quitting or shirking responsibility was not in his nature. So, he resolved to learn from Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, who was also a second son; if he played the first day of the lunar month, Yuan Xi would play the fifteenth.
Yuan Xi’s aspiration was to emulate Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin. Yet he nearly fell into the fate of Emperor Yang of Sui, Yang Guang, almost losing everything. His abilities were set as follows:
Martial prowess: 71, Intelligence: 93, Politics: 95, Command: 89, Charisma: 77.
...
At the turn of 188 to 189, the Xiliang rebel forces were retreating.
Huangfu Song and Dong Zhuo clashed again, their opinions diverging sharply.
Huangfu Song wanted to press the advantage and pursue the enemy, but Dong Zhuo opposed this.
“Sir, one must not chase a cornered enemy,” Dong Zhuo reasoned.
“Previously we refrained from pursuit to avoid their initial vigor. Now, the enemy’s spirit is broken, morale is low. These are weary troops, neither cornered nor returning. If we do not pursue now, then when?” Huangfu Song refused.
Dong Zhuo remained stubborn, so Huangfu Song marched alone.
The Xiliang rebels did not anticipate Huangfu Song’s sudden assault. Exhausted, they suffered losses of over ten thousand men. Huangfu Song won consecutive battles; the rebels fled in disarray.
Within the rebel ranks, division arose. Han Sui and others deposed their leader Wang Guo and forced the Hanyang native Yan Zhong to lead.
However, Yan Zhong was elderly and soon passed away.
The rebels fractured again, embroiled in power struggles. Under Huangfu Song’s divide-and-conquer strategy, they began fighting each other, ultimately destroying themselves.
Seeing this, Huangfu Song ceased pursuit, wary of Dong Zhuo’s mischief.
After all, with the rebels collapsing, it was wiser to pull back. To him, the greater danger was Dong Zhuo nearby, so he began regrouping.
...
Due to various schemes and huge expenditures, our second son found his pockets empty this year. Consequently, Yuan Xi often mooched meals.
Cao Ang: “Yuan Xianyi, you are so unprincipled.”
Yuan Xi: “Brother Zixiu, please allow me to explain.”
Cao Ang: “To hell with that, I don’t buy it.”
Yuan Xi: “Zixiu, I have my reasons.”
Cao Ang: “No way, this meal is on you.”
Yuan Xi: “No trouble, this young lord will pay.”
Cao Ang: “I really wish I could unleash Sun Ce on you.”
Yuan Xi: “Uh, no need, my tooth hurts.”
Throughout his life, Yuan Xi had been chased by Sun Ce, Lü Bu, and Ma Chao. Whenever he thought of those three fools, his teeth ached.
By 189, time was growing tight. Luoyang was filled with an indescribable sense of urgency—at least, that’s how Yuan Xi felt.
Though old General Huangfu Song had defeated the Xiliang rebels, he once again fell out with Dong Zhuo, who outright rejected the central government’s appointment.
...
The Eastern Han dynasty, inheriting the Western Han military system, had made significant adjustments, particularly in the organization and recruitment of the central imperial guards, given the turmoil of the late Han and Three Kingdoms period.
Various forces altered their military systems differently. Here is a brief outline of the typical army structure:
The Eastern Han army was based on the “buqu” as a fundamental unit.
Each "qu" had 500 men; two "qu" formed a "bu" of 1,000 men, following a 2-5 system.
Above the “bu” was the “ying” with 5,000 men; two “ying” formed a “jun” (army).
Each “qu” contained five “tun,” each with 100 men; each “tun” had two “dui,” and each “dui” had ten “wu.”
Military ranks during the Han included:
Squad Leader – Platoon Leader – Commander – Centurion – Yamen Commander, Cavalry Commander, Buqu Commander – Special Unit Sima (Army Sima) – Duwei (Cavalry Duwei) – Colonel
Zhonglang General (similar to the Five Colonels of the Five Offices: Five Officials, Left, Right, Tiger Guards)
- Deputy General – Assistant General – Miscellaneous General
Four Expeditions, Four Garrisons, Front, Rear, Left, and Right Generals
- Protector General – Cavalry and Chariot Generals – Grand General
...
In the sixth year of Zhongping (189), first month, Luoyang, the Yuan family residence.
In the courtyard stood a young boy in elegant robes, about thirteen or fourteen years old.
He stood with hands behind his back, seemingly waiting for something.
Soon, a man in his thirties entered through the main gate.
Before seeing him, his voice was heard clearly: “Pardon my tardiness, nephew Xianyi. The General’s mansion had just finished its meeting, so I have come straight away. Haha, please forgive me.”
The speaker was Xu You, courtesy name Ziyuan, strategist to Yuan Shao.
The young man in fine clothes was Yuan Shao’s son, Yuan Xi.
Yuan Xi did not presume; he responded humbly with a bow: “Not late at all, Uncle, please do not mind. It is I who should apologize. Please, Uncle.”
While apologizing, Yuan Xi handed Xu You a piece of jade.
Xu You smiled slightly, accepting it without refusal.
“The General’s mansion discussed plans to eliminate the eunuchs, but consensus was not reached. Some intend to summon regional troops to purge the court; it seems great events are about to unfold.”
Xu You paused. As a strategist and observer, he believed that uprising was the only way forward. So, he decided to probe.
He sighed dramatically, “The realm faces imminent chaos, smoke and fire rising, the people suffering terribly. When will peace truly come?”
Seeing Xu You’s lament, Yuan Xi waved a hand to interrupt: “For peace to come, capable men must arise to save the people!”
Xu You remained noncommittal, then teased, “In such turbulent times, where will you find talents like Emperor Gaozu Liu Bang or Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu?”
Yuan Xi, undeterred and ambitious, replied, “How can you say there are none? Gaozu and Guangwu are gone, perhaps talent is ignored today! Uncle Xu, you must know, fine horses are common, but Bole, the horse-tamer, is rare.”
Seeing Yuan Xi take the bait, Xu You laughed: “I consider myself a Bole. You are a fine steed. Let me appraise you. Will you consent?”
“Haha, how dare I refuse,” Yuan Xi responded promptly.
The two kindred spirits began secret consultations. Through this heartfelt exchange in the courtyard, they became close friends, forming a bond that transcended generations.
As history knows, Li Shimin and Liu Wenjing shared a similar relationship. After Yuan Shao consolidated power in Hebei, Xu You served as a chief strategist, second only to Chunyu Qiong.
While Guo Tu and Xin Ping became strong pillars for eldest son Yuan Tan, Xu You and Chunyu Qiong discreetly supported Yuan Xi, securing him steadfast backing in the power struggle with his elder brother.
This path was never a solo venture. It required a team, a power base, mutual promotion, and mutual achievement.
...
Zhang Hong, courtesy name Zigang, imperial tutor and cousin of Zhang Zhao.
While residing in Nanyang, Emperor Xuanwu visited him. Yuan Xi stood in the rain at the gate; moved by his sincerity, Zhang Hong entered Yuan’s service, offering counsel to Yuan Xi.
He worked behind the scenes as one of the “Black Ice Three Guards,” serving as chief of the secret guards, overseeing intelligence gathering and analysis.
He established a comprehensive intelligence network for Yuan Xi, providing invaluable firsthand information.
Later, he served as Grand Herald, managing diplomatic affairs.
History later called him the “Black-Robed Chancellor.”
On his deathbed, Zhang Hong advised Emperor Xuanwu and Yuan Xi to move the capital to Chang’an to stabilize the realm. Emperor Ming of Jin honored him as the foremost meritorious figure of the Lingxiao Pavilion.
It is also said that Zhang Hong, under the directive of Emperor Xuanwu and Yuan Xi, orchestrated the assassination attempt on Cao Cao’s father, Cao Song.