Three Kingdoms: Let Yuan Shen be great again

Chapter 17 Liu Xun's Capturing Techniques, Sparrow Shining Behind

The rebellion launched by Liu Xun lasted for about two hours.

Ironically, because Yuan Yao had given Yang Hong and Zhang Xun a heads-up before the uprising, instructing them to feign death that very night, Liu Xun's rebel army was able to focus entirely on attacking the prefect's residence, with almost no one coming to their aid.

Just when it seemed the battle was about to be won, Yuan Yao, who had been watching the drama unfold all night, finally made his grand entrance as the unsung hero, and decisively defeated the exhausted Liu Xun rebels.

Yuan Yao waved his hand, instructing Yan Xiang to take control of the situation, while Cao Xing would clear out the remaining enemy troops and take over the prefectural government, thus completing Liu Xun's unfinished task.

As for himself, since he was idle anyway, he might as well stay and interrogate the rebels.

Speaking of which, Yuan Yao was very curious as to why Liu Xun wanted to rebel.

It's not that we can't rebel.

Liu Xun's Lujiang Commandery was forcibly seized—at least from his perspective. Yuan Shu was notoriously tyrannical and ungrateful, so it was understandable that he harbored rebellious intentions.

Moreover, Liu Xun had been operating in Lujiang for several years, and even if he had lost power, it was not impossible for him to secretly gather a hundred or two people to rebel with him.

But what Yuan Yao couldn't understand was that if Liu Xun wanted to rebel, he could have done so long ago. Why did he choose this particular time to clash with him?

Is it pure coincidence, or is there another reason?

However, the situation on the scene was too chaotic. Yuan Yao's addition had already turned the rebellion into a free-for-all, and there were other thugs taking advantage of the chaos, making it impossible for him to find anyone who understood the situation for the time being.

Unexpectedly, half an hour later, while Cao Xing was still dealing with his business, Zhang Kai, who had rushed over, brought good news instead.

"Your Highness, this humble general has captured a group of traitors here! You scoundrels, come here at once!"

Yuan Yao was stunned for a moment, then turned his head and saw several rows of people tied up in front of him, all covered in blood and in a disheveled state.

Upon closer inspection, they were all familiar faces.

Led by Liu Xun, including his cousin Liu Xie, along with his family members, staff, and subordinates, and surprisingly, Liu Ye was at the end of the procession.

Yuan Yao was greatly surprised and quickly asked, "General Zhang, how did you capture them?"

Zhang Kai explained with a smug look, "Your Highness, I heard that you raised an army ahead of schedule, so I thought I would quickly bring my men to respond. I ran into this bunch of traitors as soon as I arrived at the city gate. I saw that they were quite wealthy, no, they had ulterior motives, so I arrested them all. They were indeed traitors."

Yuan Yao understood. Zhang Kai must have seen the fires all over the city and was tempted to rob the city. He didn't expect to run into Liu Xun and his men, who were trying to escape when things got bad. It was truly a matter of timing and fate.

That being said, now that Liu Xun himself is here, the reason why he caused trouble becomes clear.

It turned out that after asking, I found out that Yuan Yao was also involved.

He should even bear the primary responsibility.

Liu Xun gritted his teeth and cursed at Yuan Yao, "I'd rather fight to the death than let you, you little thief, ruin my life!"

However, after Yuan Shu's army took control of Lujiang, Liu Xun was forced to retreat to the second line and stay at home in retirement. When Yuan Shu fled to Wancheng to avoid the threat of Cao Cao's army, Liu Xun was even left without a place to stay in the prefect's mansion, which was truly a miserable situation.

However, everyone knows Liu Xun's nature: he's like a worn-out horse clinging to its saddle; as long as he can survive, he'll choose to endure humiliation and continue to live a life of dishonor.

Even after Cao Cao's army withdrew, and Yuan Shu did not intend to move back to Shouchun but wanted to stay in Wancheng for a long time, Liu Xun only cursed Yuan Shu in his heart and ultimately did not dare to turn against him.

Until a few days ago.

Yuan Yao planned to launch a coup. On one hand, he contacted the civil and military officials of the Zhong clan, and on the other hand, he ordered his troops to be on high alert and ready to move out at any time. Although these things were carried out in secret, they would inevitably leave some clues.

For most people, this clue is too little to be enough to deduce the truth behind it.

But Liu Xun has a top-notch strategist under him, Liu Ye!

Liu Ye was horrified to discover that Yuan Yao seemed to be launching an internal military operation, possibly to secretly arrest certain people.

Given the internal strife, Liu Ye could no longer feign inaction and quickly told Liu Xun what he had discovered.

Then Liu Xun led him into the ditch.

Ever since the oath at Feishui, Liu Xun had never hesitated to assume the worst about Yuan Yao. He immediately concluded that Yuan Yao most likely wanted to kill him and completely control Lujiang County.

After all, there are only two forces within Wancheng: the Zhong family and Liu Xun. If it's not against him, then who else could it be against Yuan Shu? That would be too much to ask.

After reaching this conclusion, Liu Xun was furious.

Isn't this just blatant bullying of honest people?

What else is there to say? Let's just expose Yuan Yao.

The problem is that Yuan Yao lives in the military camp most of the time, and his only servant at home is the useless Miss Lü, making it very difficult for him to seek revenge.

After much deliberation, Liu Xun finally decided to take a big step: attack Yuan Shu, who was staying at the governor's mansion. If successful, he would return to be the lord of Lujiang; if unsuccessful, he would go to Xuchang to join Cao Cao.

Unfortunately, it was too rushed, and both plans ultimately failed.

Zhang Kai asked Yuan Yao, "Your Highness, what should we do with these inferior goods?"

Cao Xing, who had just returned, said, "They've all rebelled; are we supposed to keep them alive for the New Year?"

Huang Yi, standing nearby, quickly tugged at Yuan Yao's sleeve: "Your Highness, don't forget the oath made at Feishui!"

Yuan Yao had promised not to betray Liu Xun, and although he has betrayed him quite a bit, it is completely different from killing him outright. This would likely ruin Yuan Yao's reputation.

Yuan Yao thought for a moment, then saw Liu Ye huddled in a corner in front of him, trying to make himself inconspicuous, and suddenly a thought struck him.

Yuan Yao ordered his men to bring Liu Ye to his side. He bent down and seemed to whisper something to Liu Ye for a moment before they both nodded.

Then he shouted:

"Liu Xun! Your plot to rebel is a heinous crime deserving of death! Although I swore not to kill you, the greater good dictates that I must break my oath!"

Seeing Liu Xun collapse to the ground, Yuan Yao changed the subject: "However, Liu Ziyang pleaded for him, willing to exchange his life for Liu's, to repay your kindness in promoting him."

"Liu Ziyang and I are sworn brothers, and I cannot disobey his words. In that case, Liu Xun, you may leave now; I will spare your life today!"

"Remember this: it was Liu Ye, Liu Ziyang, a direct descendant of Emperor Guangwu from Chengde, Huainan, who saved you. You must make a name for him throughout the land!"

After saying this, he ordered Zhang Kai to release the people, drove Liu Xun and others out of Lujiang, and sent them to Xuchang to be handed over to Cao Cao.

Liu Xun, who had survived the ordeal, was naturally overjoyed, but Liu Ye on the other side was dumbfounded. In all honesty, when Yuan Yao whispered to him earlier, he only said that it was dark and he couldn't see clearly, and asked if he was Liu Ye. If he was, he should nod!

Unfortunately, no one cared what Liu Ye thought at this moment. His former master, Liu Xun, and others were even more afraid that Yuan Yao would change his mind, so they hurriedly ran away at lightning speed.

Even Yuan Yao ignored Liu Ye and simply ordered someone to take him away and keep him under close guard.

After all, there are more important things to do.

Cao Xing's return signifies that they have completely taken control of the Prefect's residence.

In other words, they successfully controlled Yuan Shu and won the coup.

So now it's time to go see Yuan Shu.

Upon entering the prefect's residence, one finds chaos and corpses everywhere.

Yuan Yao couldn't help but sigh. These dead people should have been vital to the Zhong family's strength. If he could, he wouldn't want any of them to die.

This sense of sadness reached its peak upon seeing a peculiar corpse.

That was Yuan Yao's cousin, Yuan Yin, who was in charge of protecting Yuan Shu.

Yuan Yao stopped and stared at Yuan Yin's unseeing eyes for a long time without saying a word.

Not daring to disturb him, Cao Xing suggested, "Young lord, why don't I go in first and see how he (Yuan Shu) is doing?"

"No, wait a minute." But Yuan Yao stopped him.

Cao Xing turned around and found that Yuan Yao, who had always been decisive and ruthless, now had a gentle expression and seemed to have some tears in the corners of his eyes.

This scene immediately filled Cao Xing with fear. He was afraid that Yuan Yao might have a change of heart at the last moment, and seeing his uncle die a violent death, he would no longer be willing to harm his own father.

If that were the case, their meticulously planned coup would be in vain, and Cao Xing, who contributed the most to the coup, would also fall into an abyss of no return.

Cao Xing, forcing a smile, asked, "Young Master?"

"Don't waste Uncle Yin's blood. Apply more to his face like this; it will have a better intimidating effect," Yuan Yao said calmly.