Li Ru appeared relaxed, exuding an air of confidence. Dong Zhuo, however, was completely baffled, unable to comprehend why Li Ru spoke in such a manner. Could it be that Yuan Shao's departure was actually a good thing?
Li Ru explained, "This is not because Yuan Shao is unwilling, but rather due to discord within the Yuan family. My lord, you can send someone to question Yuan Wei again, and the matter will be settled. Yuan Shao has hung up his ceremonial staff but kept his official seal, showing his attachment to his official position. Offering him some benefits will naturally make him less of a concern."
In ancient times, the ceremonial staff and the official seal were symbols of an official's identity and authority. The staff represented the official's status and privileges during travels, while the seal was used for issuing commands and documents. Yuan Shao had only hung his staff on the city gate but kept his seal, indicating his reluctance to part with his official position. Thus, his act of resigning and leaving the city was merely a gesture to express his stance.
What stance was Yuan Shao trying to convey?
Considering his earlier words, it was clear that he opposed Dong Zhuo's plan to depose the emperor. Li Ru, analyzing the situation, deduced that Yuan Wei, the head of the Yuan family, had no major objections to the emperor's deposition. If Yuan Wei had opposed it, Yuan Shao and Yuan Wei would have united in their opposition to Dong Zhuo, and there would have been no need for Yuan Shao to flee, losing control of the central army of the Eight Commanders of the Western Garden.
Yuan Shao's contradictory behavior—hanging his staff but keeping his seal, resigning yet not fully relinquishing his position—indicated that Yuan Wei either agreed with or tacitly accepted the emperor's deposition. Yuan Shao, whose views differed from Yuan Wei's, found himself at odds with both his family and Dong Zhuo, leaving him no choice but to flee.
Seeing that Dong Zhuo was still confused, Li Ru further explained, "I have heard that although Yuan Shao is the eldest, he is a child of a concubine and not favored by Yuan Wei."
Dong Zhuo exclaimed, "Oh! I thought Yuan Shao was the eldest son and had a say in matters. Had I known, I would have summoned Yuan Shu instead, saving us all this trouble."
Li Ru smiled and said, "The discord within the Yuan family is a good thing. My lord, you can exploit this division to your advantage."
Dong Zhuo nodded and said, "Let it be as you suggest."
***************
The news of Yuan Shao's resignation and departure spread like wildfire through Luoyang.
The Yuan family, being a leading figure among the scholarly elite, attracted attention with every move. Such a dramatic event occurring within the Yuan family naturally sparked gossip among both the nobility and the common folk in Luoyang.
The news also reached Cao Cao's ears.
Cao Cao was initially stunned, then immediately sprang to his feet, rushed to his stable, mounted his horse, and galloped out of the eastern gate.
Outside Luoyang, the streets were bustling with people, but Cao Cao saw only the desolate autumn scenery—falling leaves, scattered petals, and swirling yellow sand. As far as the eye could see, there was no sign of the familiar figure he sought.
Cao Cao knew deep down that Yuan Shao had long since gone, but he still held onto a sliver of hope. After galloping for several miles, he reluctantly slowed his horse and continued along the road, his mind filled with complex emotions.
Yuan Shao, Yuan Benchu, how could you just leave like this?
Why did you do this?
Is Luoyang no longer able to contain you?
The conflict between legitimate and illegitimate sons has always been a common issue among noble families. Cao Cao, fortunately, had been spared such strife. He was well aware of the discord between the two Yuan brothers, but he had never expected it to escalate to the point of Yuan Shao leaving home.
After the incident at General He Jin's palace, Cao Cao had assumed that Yuan Shao had compromised with his family, clinging to his official position out of desperation. He had deliberately distanced himself from Yuan Shao, avoiding him on several occasions. Now, it seemed that this was not the case, as Yuan Shao would not have resigned and fled if it were. This realization left Cao Cao with mixed feelings.
Cao Cao let his horse wander aimlessly along the road until he found himself in front of a small grove east of the city. Suddenly, the grove seemed familiar, so he dismounted and led his horse slowly into the woods.
The grove was not large. After walking about twenty or thirty paces, Cao Cao reached a small clearing about ten feet in diameter. In the center of the clearing, half-buried in weeds, was a large black stone. Cao Cao's expression became distant and wistful.
The dappled sunlight filtered through the trees, and the wind rustled the leaves, creating a mournful sound.
The clearing was covered with a layer of dead leaves and dry grass, clearly a place seldom visited.
So this is the place. It has been so long since we last came here—
Cao Cao tied his horse to a nearby tree and slowly walked over to the black stone. He climbed onto it with ease, a feat that would have required more effort in his childhood.
This was a place he, Yuan Shao, and Yuan Shu had often visited as children. They had played here, practiced martial arts, discussed military strategies, and dreamed of conquering the world...
Cao Cao could almost see the figures of three boys running and playing, laughing and teasing each other—
Back then, the three of them had crossed swords here, vowing to be lifelong brothers and to become great heroes who would restore the Han dynasty...
They had studied military texts here, using stones as soldiers and sand as cities, arguing passionately and fervently...
They had stolen money from their families, bought wine and meat, and gotten drunk behind the adults' backs, only to be beaten so severely that they couldn't sit for days...
They had plotted to steal someone's newly harvested grain, succeeding in their masked raid only to abandon the stolen grain halfway...
As Cao Cao reminisced, a faint smile appeared on his lips but quickly faded.
This place held some of their happiest and most innocent memories, but now their hearts had drifted apart, and they had gone their separate ways...
As children, they didn't need to understand much, and indeed, they didn't. But as they grew up, they were forced to understand—family, wealth, position, human relationships—all these things buried the innocence they once had.
If not for coming here, Cao Cao might have almost forgotten that the three of them had once shared this place, their so-called secret stronghold.
"Brother Benchu, with this parting, we are now worlds apart. I hope we may meet again someday and share a drink together..." Cao Cao sighed. He regretted not knowing about Yuan Shao's departure earlier; at least he could have prepared a farewell drink. He would have to make up for it if they ever met again.
Cao Cao sat in silence for a long time. Just as he was about to climb down from the stone, he felt something unusual on its surface. Looking down, he saw fresh carvings forming four characters: "We Shall Meet Again."
Tears welled up in Cao Cao's eyes. "Brother Benchu, we shall meet again..."
*****
A/N: The Three Kingdoms era was filled with both beauty and cruelty. Countless brothers turned against each other for various reasons... Perhaps it is this very cruelty that gives the Three Kingdoms its beauty.
T/N: Tell me what you think and if you enjoy it please give the story your power stones