Actually, Yuan Shao, Yuan Shu, and Cao Cao were very close friends when they were children.
They played together and went wild together.
They fought crickets together and visited brothels together.
They teased virtuous young women together and peeked at widows bathing together.
They climbed high to gaze into the distance and speak of their life ambitions together, and they chased, hunted, and practiced martial arts in the mulberry orchards and forests together.
At that time, they were all still very young. The Imperial Academy had many books, and the city of Luoyang was very large.
At that time, they all thought the world was so big, with enough large spaces for them to display their talents.
At that time, they all believed they would become high officials in the court, establish great deeds, expand territory, and become heroes whose names would be recorded in history.
But at some point, that tag-along Yuan Shu, who always followed behind, began to act independently and clearly started to put on the airs of the Yuan family gentry.
Subsequently, Yuan Shao no longer lingered in brothels and among the powder of women, and began to call a group of chivalrous men brothers. Not long after, he was appointed as the Magistrate of Puyang County and left Luoyang.
Around the same time, under the conscious arrangement of the Cao family, Cao Cao began to get to know many people, such as Zhou Xin, Zhou Ang, Liu Xun, Xu You, Zhang Miao, and so on.
It was also at that time that Cao Cao received the most important evaluation of his life: "An able minister in a time of peace, a hero in a time of chaos."
At that time, Yuan Shao was nineteen, Cao Cao was eighteen, and Yuan Shu was seventeen.
× × × × × × × × × × × × × × × × ×
The moment Cao Cao saw the look in Yuan Shao's eyes, he reacted. Yuan Shu volunteering was not something he had discussed with Yuan Shao; Yuan Shao was completely unaware of this matter.
Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu were at odds and often undermined each other. Cao Cao knew this well. After all, he was also from a gentry family, and he had seen countless instances of this kind of struggle between the legitimate and illegitimate sons. It was just that seeing it happen between the Yuan brothers, who had grown up playing together since childhood, sometimes made him feel a bit emotional.
But it was only emotion. After all, it was an internal matter of the Yuan family, and as an outsider, he couldn't influence it in any way. Relatively speaking, he could still talk to Yuan Shao to some extent, but Yuan Shu always put on a condescending air, which was annoying.
So most of the time, Cao Cao would side with Yuan Shao and occasionally make things difficult for Yuan Shu.
However, Yuan Shu's performance this time was somewhat abnormal.
Normally, Yuan Shu would basically just show up but not say much. Generally, matters like offering advice and suggestions were expressed by Yuan Shao, and Yuan Shu would at most follow along. Jumping out to take charge like this was truly a first.
What did Yuan Shu want to do?
In ancient times, to consolidate the emperor's control over military power and prevent the army from causing political chaos, troops were generally mobilized using the Tiger Tally. The Tiger Tally was divided into two halves, one with the emperor and one with the commanding general. Only by seeing the Tiger Tally could troops be mobilized.
However, in the Han Dynasty, any general with a title, meaning those at or above the level of Four Tranquil or Four Pacifying Generals, could have their own private troops (buqu). These could be mobilized using only the half of the Tiger Tally held by the general. Therefore, as a Grand General, mobilizing a thousand men was not a problem. However, Cao Cao and Yuan Shao were currently only Commandants (Xiaowei), not generals, and did not have the right to mobilize troops.
Therefore, Yuan Shu's statement was not wrong and was justifiable.
He Jin listened to Yuan Shu's words, nodded, and also felt there was some truth to it. If you could avoid giving others a handle, you should. Dealing with those clean-stream critics was troublesome and unrewarding. Moreover, he felt that the Ten Eunuchs couldn't do anything to him. His sister was the Empress Dowager, his nephew was the Emperor, and those few eunuchs without balls wouldn't dare to pull the whiskers of this Grand General.
Seeing that He Jin was somewhat swayed, Cao Cao quickly spoke before He Jin could issue an order: "General has a matter, how can Ben Chu and I just sit and wait? What Gonglu said is very true. Why not let Gonglu command the troops on behalf of the General, and Ben Chu and I will serve as the General's left and right guards to ensure the General's safety." After speaking, he secretly winked at Yuan Shao.
Yuan Shao understood and immediately responded with generous and stirring words: "What Mengde said is very true! Mengde and I will definitely ensure the General's safety!" No matter what, I definitely can't do what Yuan Shu wants me to do!
He Jin was greatly pleased: "Good! In that case, Ben Chu and Mengde will follow me into the palace, and Gonglu will mobilize the troops and follow!" This Grand General's charm is still quite effective! Alright, Ben Chu goes without saying, he's still very thoughtful. As for Cao Ah Man, Cao Mengde, well, consider yourself clever. Being able to correct your mistake also makes you a good comrade. I'll give you a chance.
Yuan Shu sneered in his heart. Uncle was indeed prophetic. You, Cao Ah Man, indeed came out to disrupt things. But it doesn't matter. Your fate is already sealed. Going or not going is the same.
Yuan Shao, don't think that having the status of the eldest son will be useful. No matter how hard you try, you cannot change your origin. The Yuan family will ultimately be mine...
Cao Cao, when you were a child, you relied on your cleverness to bully and humiliate me because I was young. Haha, let's see what capital you have to be arrogant after the eunuch faction is completely overthrown this time...
Yuan Shu lowered his head, not allowing Yuan Shao and Cao Cao to see the expression in his eyes. He stood up and, along with Yuan Shao and Cao Cao, accepted the order in unison.
In the entire deliberation hall of the Grand General's mansion, the only one who had some premonition of what was about to happen in the future, or rather, was more informed, was Yuan Shu alone.
Before Yuan Shu came to the Grand General's mansion, his uncle Yuan Wei had secretly instructed him to do three things: The first thing was to instigate Grand General He Jin to enter the palace—as it turned out, He Jin didn't need Yuan Shu to do any instigation for this to happen;
The second thing was that the Grand General would mostly likely bring armed troops into the palace, and he must obtain the authority to command the troops—originally, he thought this would be difficult, as besides Yuan Shao and Cao Cao, the two legitimate Commandants of the Eight Western Garden Regiments, there were also generals like Wu Kuang and Zhang Zhang who could command troops. Fortunately, when Grand General He Jin summoned them for deliberation, he unexpectedly didn't call Wu Kuang and others, allowing Yuan Shu to easily obtain the right to command the troops on the grounds that troops could not be mobilized without an imperial order;
The third thing was what Yuan Shu was about to do now—delay the departure of the troops summoned by He Jin by one hour...
Although Yuan Shu couldn't fully grasp the entire plan specifically arranged by his uncle Yuan Wei, as the legitimate son of the main branch of the Yuan family, he had more access to information than Yuan Shao. Just like now, Yuan Shu only knew that his uncle Yuan Wei was calculating He Jin, so He Jin was definitely going to suffer. But he never expected that He Jin would be so miserable this time, that he would be beheaded upon entering the palace!
Yuan Shu didn't expect it, and neither did the Ten Eunuch Zhang Rang. He truly didn't want to behead He Jin. What was the use of He Jin's head?
What benefit would he get from beheading He Jin?
Killing the Grand General without an imperial order, did he, Zhang Rang, really have water in his brain?
That's right, Zhang Rang was plotting against He Jin because He Jin was unreasonable—originally, Jian Shuo was against you, He Jin. You gained power and dealt with Jian Shuo, and we had no opinion. The grievance had a source, and the debt had a master. But you, He Jin, are actually going to deal with us too? Isn't this too much?
He Jin, you ungrateful wretch! When Jian Shuo wanted to deal with you, it was we who informed you. We also put in a lot of effort for your sister to become the Empress Dowager. Now that you have gained power, you want to burn the bridge after crossing? Can't you be reasonable?
What's more, we even went to your General's mansion to apologize. This attitude is humble enough, right? Yet you are still relentless and keep making trouble?
We went to the General's mansion several times, but you, He Jin, put on airs and refused to see us. You didn't communicate at all. Can problems be solved like this?
Zhang Rang finally managed to obtain an imperial decree from Empress Dowager He, ordering He Jin to enter the palace. In fact, it was still because He Jin refused to see them. So, he had no choice but to prepare to reason with He Jin in his own territory and have a good discussion.
Of course, in his perfect plan, he only wanted to display a show of force to intimidate He Jin. How much courage could a butcher like He Jin, who sold wine and meat and had never seen a big scene, have? As long as he put swords and axes to He Jin's neck, if he told He Jin to go east, he definitely wouldn't dare to go west. First, he would confiscate the Grand General's Tiger Tally, then confine him for a few days. After he sent some trusted aides to take over the troops controlled by He Jin, he would release him.
At that time, as long as He Jin's troops were in his hands, just like Jian Shuo did back then, he would control the power of the Eight Western Garden Regiments, and the entire imperial guard in the capital would obey his orders. The matter would be settled. Then, the He family would have no choice but to accept it, even if reluctantly. As for whether He Jin was imprisoned or killed, it would be irrelevant.
Once he seized He Jin's Tiger Tally and military power and controlled enough military power, he could then mold He Jin into whatever shape he wanted. What could a tiger without claws and teeth do? Wouldn't it be even better?
But—but—which scoundrel struck so fast?
Zhang Rang truly felt like crying without tears.
He only signaled the palace guards to apprehend He Jin, not to behead him without a word!
Now everything was messed up. He Jin's head was gone. How could they communicate?
Just as Zhang Rang was about to find the person who first beheaded He Jin, a young eunuch ran in from the palace gate in a panic, reporting that Yuan Shao and Cao Cao were making a commotion outside the gate with over a dozen of the Grand General's ceremonial guards, shouting so loudly that even people inside the palace were starting to be alarmed. He came to ask Zhang Rang how to handle it.
"You can't let them in!" was Zhang Rang's first reaction.
His second reaction was to quickly find the Emperor. The only one who could save his life now was the Emperor. Several times over the years, he had been pushed to the brink, just like when the Attendant Zhang Jun wanted to kill him last time. As long as the Emperor didn't give the order, he still had a chance!
Killing He Jin was definitely not me. I didn't give that order. I must completely distance myself from it!
If worst comes to worst, just say Gao Wang did it. I heard he's been quite close to Zhao Zhong recently, and he's in charge of the North Palace guards. It's most suitable to let him take the blame!
Zhang Rang rushed towards the inner palace, determined to reach the Emperor as soon as possible!
The young eunuch who was left behind was anxious. You're just running away. What about this mess now—
The young eunuch called out repeatedly, but Zhang Rang turned a deaf ear and ran away in a flash.
"This... this... Let's wait until Lord Zhang arrives!" The young eunuch also threw his hands up and ran away after leaving a casual remark.
The soldiers looked at each other, realizing that things were serious. Without anyone taking the lead, they dispersed in a panic.
Immediately, everyone on the square ran away, leaving only He Jin's body lying quietly on the ground.
After an unknown amount of time, a person wearing the armor of a palace guard emerged from the corner of the wall. After cautiously confirming that there was no one around, he stealthily ran up, wrapped He Jin's head in a cloth, and took it away.