Chapter 119: Liu Bei Seeks Refuge with Yuan Shao

Liu Bei and Zhang Fei fled to Qingzhou, covering over three hundred miles in a single day, before arriving at the city gates to call for entry. After relaying the visitor's name, the guard immediately went to report. The official stationed in Qingzhou at the time was Yuan Tan, the eldest son of Yuan Shao. He was quite perplexed to hear that Liu Bei had arrived, as rumors had it that Liu Bei had already defected to Cao Cao. Why, then, had he come with only Zhang Fei in tow? Despite his misgivings, he led three thousand troops out of the city to meet them.

"I heard you had defected to Cao Cao," Yuan Tan asked. "Why have you come here?"

Liu Bei laughed heartily and replied, "My previous surrender to Cao Cao was merely a ruse to bide my time. Cao Cao is a traitor to the state; I have come now to assist Yuan Benchu in eradicating this villain."

Though Yuan Tan remained suspicious, he reasoned that since Liu Bei had brought only Zhang Fei—a mere two men—there was little to fear. He led them into the city. It must be said that Liu Bei possessed remarkable psychological fortitude; he showed no signs of a man defeated, appearing truly as if he had come to consult with Yuan Shao on a grand enterprise. Yuan Tan sent word posthaste to Yuan Shao, who subsequently dispatched a messenger inviting Liu Bei to Ye City in Jizhou.

Liu Bei accepted gladly. Upon his arrival in Jizhou, he discovered that Yuan Shao had personally led his generals thirty miles outside the city walls to welcome him. Liu Bei quickly dismounted and bowed, saying, "How can I deserve such a personal welcome from you, sir? It is truly too much."

Yuan Shao returned the gesture, replying, "Your decision to submit to the traitor only to better oppose him proves your true righteousness. You are worthy of my respect."

The two conversed pleasantly, exchanging flattery as they entered the city. This time, Yuan Shao gave Liu Bei his full due, hosting a grand banquet in his honor. During the feast, Yuan Shao asked, "According to my son's letter, you have come to assist me in punishing a traitor. May I ask who this traitor is?"

"It is, of course, the state traitor Cao Cao!" Liu Bei declared.

Yuan Shao feigned surprise. "Cao Cao is the Chancellor of the Han; how has he become a traitor to the state?"

Liu Bei was so incensed that he slammed his wine cup onto the floor. "Cao Cao holds the title of Han Chancellor in name, but he is a Han traitor in practice! He holds the Emperor hostage to command the vassals, disrupts the imperial court, and executes high-ranking ministers at will. Such a villain, steeped in sin, deserves to be put to death by all under heaven!"

Yuan Shao nodded, seemingly in agreement, but countered, "Yet, this traitor Cao Cao is powerful. To destroy him will surely not be easy!"

Liu Bei replied, "General, you hold four provinces and your army is many times larger than that of the villain Cao. As long as you are willing to march on the capital to serve the Emperor, eradicating this traitor would be as easy as turning over one's hand. How can you say it is difficult?"

Yuan Shao shook his head. "But the Emperor has not summoned me to the capital. To march on Cao Cao without a mandate would be neither righteous nor justified."

This was the very concern held by everyone present: since Cao Cao held the Emperor, attacking him seemed equivalent to attacking the Emperor himself, a move that would fail the test of morality.

Liu Bei waved his hand and stood up. "While I was lurking at Cao Cao’s side, I secretly established contact with the Emperor. His Majesty gave me a blood-written edict in secret, which I have brought with me. As long as you hold this edict, your campaign will be by imperial command. How, then, could it be considered unjustified?"

Liu Bei’s words stunned not only Yuan Shao but everyone in the room. "Xuande, have you truly brought the Emperor's blood-edict?" Yuan Shao asked.

Liu Bei immediately drew the scroll from his belt and announced in a resonant voice, "The imperial edict is here! Generals, attend!"

The situation took everyone by surprise. They rose from their seats and knelt before Liu Bei.

"The traitor Cao Cao has usurped power, disrupted the court, and slaughtered officials... I hereby command the heroes of the world to march on the capital and eliminate the traitor!"

"We obey the decree!"

Yuan Shao respectfully accepted the blood-edict from Liu Bei’s hands. He examined the contents carefully and could find no flaws. Even if he harbored doubts, Liu Bei had just come from Xuchang; who would dare disbelieve that he had obtained the edict from the Emperor himself? Moreover, he was the Imperial Uncle.

Yuan Shao raised his cup to Liu Bei and toasted him. "Your arrival, Imperial Uncle, is like the long-awaited rain during a drought; it has solved a great dilemma for me!"

"Why do you say that, General?" Liu Bei asked with feigned confusion.

Yuan Shao replied, "I have long desired to march on the capital to serve the throne, but I lacked the imperial mandate. The edict you have brought has relieved my most pressing need."

Liu Bei bowed. "Your ambition spans the four corners of the earth; I admire you greatly, General!"

At this, the others began to flatter Yuan Shao, singing his praises and lauding his vision for the world. Some even looked toward the future, as if they could defeat Cao Cao the very next day. Only one man sat sullenly, wanting to speak but holding his tongue. That man was Tian Feng. He had remained silent only because Ju Shou, sitting beside him, kept pulling at his sleeve. Finally, seeing everyone urging Yuan Shao to attack, Tian Feng could no longer endure it and stood up.

"My Lord, Cao Cao's army is at its peak. Do not provoke them lightly. It would be better to remain still and wait for an opportunity to strike when they show weakness."

Yuan Shao frowned. On such a joyous day, no one could spoil the mood like this old fool. He recalled what Xu You had said to him earlier. Could it be that Tian Feng was truly working against him, taking pleasure in seeing him fail?

In the current setting, Yuan Shao did not reprimand Tian Feng directly, but instead asked Liu Bei, "Xuande, do you believe now is the time to attack Cao Cao?"

Liu Bei cleverly sidestepped the question. "In military matters, I am not as wise as these gentlemen. However, Cao Cao is a traitor who deceives the Emperor. Now that the imperial edict has arrived, if we still dare not attack, I fear the world will mock us."

Yuan Shao nodded. "It seems Xuande understands the greater cause, unlike some who are merely cowardly and afraid of death."

Ignoring the mockery, Tian Feng continued to urge him, "My Lord, please reconsider! If you act on impulse, you will squander our current advantages and plunge us into an abyss of no return!"

Yuan Shao flew into a rage. "Tian Feng, I have had enough of your defeatist talk! Xuande has brought the Emperor's blood-edict, yet you want me to break faith with righteousness. What is your intention? Are you secretly in league with that Cao traitor?"

Seeing that Yuan Shao was truly enraged, Ju Shou stood up to pull Tian Feng back, interceding, "My Lord, please calm your anger. Although Yuanhao has offended you, his heart is loyal..."