Yuan Feng sighed and earnestly said to Yuan Shu:
"Kunglu, you are still young and do not understand the affairs of the court, so I cannot blame you for this.
If you take up a position in a local government, your fate will be in the hands of the emperor's close ministers.
At that time, a single word from them could decide your destiny, and your bright future could be ruined in an instant."
Yuan Shu thought to himself: If I don't take a local position, my bright future will truly be ruined. You all are staying in Luoyang so obediently, occupying the positions of the Three Excellencies.
And what was the result? Weren't you all still exterminated by Dong Zhuo?
Even my predecessor, the former Yuan Shu, that useless old relic, managed to escape from the troubled land of Luoyang and enjoy a few more years of luxury.
Thinking of this, Yuan Shu's resolve grew even stronger. He said to Yuan Feng:
"Father, you know that since childhood, I have been nothing but a pampered young master. I can't handle those sly old foxes in the court at all.
You already have my elder brother and Benchu, two such outstanding sons. Please, just let me have a way out."
Seeing Yuan Shu speaking so pitifully, Yuan Feng felt a slight pang of sympathy in his heart.
Thinking about it, it was true. In the past, as long as Yuan Shu didn't cause trouble, he would count himself lucky. How could he ever expect this son to achieve anything?
Just as Yuan Feng was about to speak, Madam Wang walked into his study and said:
"Husband, in this matter, I support Shu'er.
You should understand this child well. If you send him to the court to compete with you cunning old foxes, that would be making things too difficult for him.
Think about it. Given his personality, how likely is he to cause trouble in the court?
It would be better to let him gain experience in the local government first. Once he becomes a governor of a province, bringing him back to Luoyang wouldn't be too late."
Hearing Madam Wang's unexpected assistance, Yuan Shu was overjoyed.
He thought to himself: As expected of my mother, she's amazing!
She always lends me a hand at the critical moment—I love you so much!
Yuan Feng's inner thoughts were already wavering, and after hearing Madam Wang's reasoning, his resolve completely shifted.
He sighed and said, "Fine, let Shu'er take a local position first.
Let him make preparations this year, and when spring arrives next year, he will assume office."
Madam Wang said in surprise:
"Next year? Isn't that a bit too soon?"
Yuan Feng waved his hand and said: "You women do not understand court affairs. The earlier one becomes an official, the better. A single step can mean the difference between heaven and earth in the end.
Let's not even talk about others—Kunglu's friend, that boy from the Cao family, what was his name again?"
Yuan Shu added: "Cao Cao, Cao Mengde."
Yuan Feng nodded and said: "Yes, Cao Mengde. He is the same age as Kunglu, yet he is already the Northern Commandant of Luoyang.
If you keep coddling Kunglu like this, when will he ever make progress?"
Although Madam Wang was reluctant in her heart, she felt that her husband's words made sense. She turned to Yuan Shu and asked:
"Shu'er, your father wants you to take office next year. Are you willing?"
Of course, Yuan Shu was willing—the sooner he went to his post, the sooner he could start building his power. He nodded and said:
"Your son is willing to obey Father's orders."
Hearing Yuan Shu's response, Yuan Feng was satisfied. He said to Yuan Shu:
"Then start preparing now. If you need anything, just tell me, and I will find a way to help you."
Madam Wang added: "Shu'er, if you ever lack money, just tell me. I will give you everything I have."
Seeing them treat him this way, Yuan Shu suddenly felt a lump in his throat, and tears nearly fell from his eyes.
He did not know how to repay such affection, so he could only make a silent vow in his heart:
I must grow stronger as soon as possible—I will never let the Yuan family suffer extermination again!
"Father, there is actually something I would like to ask of you." Since Yuan Feng had finally given him a chance to speak, Yuan Shu seized the moment to request something he urgently needed.
Yuan Feng replied, "You are my son. If you need something, just say it."
Yuan Shu said, "If I am to take a local position, I must ensure my own safety.
To prevent myself from falling victim to villains, I wish to train a personal guard unit to protect me."
Hearing this, Yuan Feng furrowed his brows and did not immediately respond.
Establishing a private army is no small matter. If someone exposes it, it would be a crime of treason.
However, what Yuan Shu said was not without reason. The Han dynasty is currently unstable, and bandits are rising everywhere.
If his son had no one to protect him, it wouldn't work either. For a moment, Yuan Feng found himself in a dilemma.
Hearing that Yuan Shu's safety was involved, Lady Wang hurriedly chimed in:
"Master, Shu'er is right. If he is sent away to govern a region without guards to protect him, how can I, as his mother, sleep peacefully at night?"
Seeing Yuan Shu and Lady Wang looking pitiful, Yuan Feng sighed.
It seemed that he had no choice but to agree to Yuan Shu's request. Otherwise, he would fail as both a father and a husband.
He said to Yuan Shu:
"I agree to this, but it must be kept absolutely confidential. Do not mention it to outsiders.
From the look on your face, you seem to have some ideas about training troops. Tell me, what do you need?"
Yuan Shu thought for a moment and listed a few conditions he needed most:
"Father, I need a training ground, elite soldiers, and all necessary supplies and equipment."
Hearing that Yuan Shu was only asking for material conditions and not a capable general to train the troops, Yuan Feng asked:
"Don't you need a good general to lead the soldiers?"
There was nothing to hide about Ju Yi's existence from Yuan Feng and Lady Wang, so Yuan Shu replied:
"I already have a great general, capable of training an elite personal guard."
Yuan Feng gazed deeply at Yuan Shu and said:
"Gonglu, it seems I have always underestimated you."
A general capable of training elite soldiers would not easily pledge loyalty to just anyone.
For Yuan Shu to secure such a general, it meant he was far from the wastrel Yuan Feng had thought him to be.
Lady Wang, on the other hand, was delighted.
"Master, Shu'er has grown up. He now has capable people assisting him. You should be happy."
Yuan Feng nodded, then suddenly turned serious and said to Yuan Shu:
"Gonglu, you are doing well. As your father, I am truly pleased.
However, training troops is no small matter. I cannot allow you to do it in Luoyang.
Here's what we'll do. Our Yuan family has several estates 200 li east of Luoyang.
There are ten to twenty thousand strong young men there, all of whom have served the Yuan family since childhood. You may select your soldiers from them.
Your personal guard will train there in secret.
I will provide you with all the supplies and provisions you need.
But I have only one condition for your military training, and it is the most important one.
You must keep it absolutely secret. You are not allowed to tell anyone, not even your two brothers. Can you do that?"
Yuan Shu thought to himself, "What's there to worry about? Of course, I'll keep it secret.
That Yuan Shao fool is always hoping for my misfortune. How could I possibly tell him about something as important as training an army?"
Yuan Shu bowed to Yuan Feng and said:
"Father, rest assured. I will always remember your teachings and will never reveal a single word."