Disclaimer: I don't own Dynasty Warriors and Koei don't own the novel and history; they just make games based on it.
A/N: Yuan Shu already declared himself Emperor in this story. Due to the lack of the current Han Emperor's influence under Cao Cao in history, there's little to no way of labeling Yuan Shu an enemy of the state. However, Sun Ce's supporters are still a problem.
Warlords of Later Han
Chapter 2 Emperor Yuan Shu
It was said that 'To be the Emperor, you must unite the entire realm'. Shi Huangdi, Han Emperor Gaozu, and Emperor Guangwu all were the first three historical unifiers. The great conquest of the Warring States made Shi Huangdi a demi god legend, but he was also the very first tyrannical Emperor of China. Then, shortly after Huangdi's ascension, his empire already started to struggle with the people forcing to live in fear under a highly strict and cruel governor body.
"This day happens to be the greatest day in my life!" Yuan Shu stood with his men outside among the crowd of people ready to bow to their new ruler and usher a new government under his empire.
After Qin's demise, Liu Bang and Xiang Yu contend with the lords of the former states that were conquered by Shi Huangdi. At first, Xiang Yu was winning with the might of his army and the people of the south, but Han Xin, a wildcard, switch sides and Liu Bang's famous strategist Zhang Liang taking advantage of the discontent Xiang Yu soured on the cities he conquered. Liu Bang became the second man to have unified the realm and declare himself emperor. For the first time, land saw a stable central government. However, Liu Bang's true accomplishments financially lie with the family of his noble wife, Empress Lu. As the emperor fade, the empress takes the power from within the regency of her son. Though the unification was satisfying, but the people couldn't know the truth behind Liu Bang's political influence.
"I don't like this, Yang Hong…" Yan Xiang whispered at Yang Hong.
"If it's the Will of Heaven, I don't know what to say…" Yang Hong and Yan Xiang continue to gaze at the crowd of people with mixed reactions.
"The Han emperor is still alive," Yan Xiang's voice slowly raise with the sound of frustration revealing to Yang Hong.
"I know and none of the lords are willing to save him, yet. Take Liu Biao for example," Yang Hong said.
"People of Zhong, bow to his majesty, Emperor Shu!" Ji Ling shouted.
"I should just call my dynasty Cheng. Zhong sounds too boring," Yuan Shu thought and he chuckled after gazing at his people.
"Hail to his majesty, Yuan Shu!" Liu Xun hollered.
"Hail Yuan Shu!"
"Long Live The Emperor!"
When Han lead to its separation by Wang Meng's usurpation, Liu Xiu, who was more of a politician and reluctant, had Han loyalist aiding him into quelling the rebellions that started with the red turbans and then the incompetency of Wang Meng's architecture rule. Liu Yan did as much credit to Guangwu's unification until the incident between the previous Western Han emperor Gengshi and when Guangwu declare his independence from Gengshi, he took advantage of the remaining rivals to the throne and restored the Han for the first time. Guangwu may be a hero, but his life was plagued by those jealous of his brother and abandoning Gengshi. But, Guangwu remain strong in the heart showing his merciful personality and even show mercy to Zhen family who supported Wang Meng.
"Ben?" Wu Jing whispered to Sun Bin.
"Yes?" Sun Ben didn't turn to see what the uncle of Sun Ce about to say.
"How will your cousin Ce response to this?" Wu Jing questioned.
"I…I don't know…" Sun Ben slowly shuddered.
Wu Jing took a deep breath as Sun Ce's relatives watched their new 'emperor' walk down the red carpet with two female attendants behind him. A random official started a ruckus.
"Pretender! You sold the people of Shou Chun out!"
Yuan Shu slowly turns directly to where the voice leads and to the left of the row of crowded officials and attendants, there's a man in his thirties.
"Who dares speak ill to their emperor?!" Yuan Shu scowled at the protester hasty.
"I dare! You are just another rebel after all!" the protester stammered towards Yuan Shu until guards hurried to shield their emperor.
"Everyone fighting for control of the land and I'm here to establish my empire! What's your point?!" Yuan Shu said bewildered.
"People are dying everyday as our land getting depopulate at a faster rate and you, calling yourself an emperor is a crime against Heaven!" the scholar's argument invoked the crowd into murmuring.
Yuan Shu pause briefly and chuckled, he wiggled his left finger pointing at the scholar, "What crime did I commit to do with my free will?"
"You are a traitor to the Han!" the Scholar boomed.
"Han is dead! And I'm born in a family that served for generations, it's time the Yuans prosper and you are speaking treasonous on my grounds!" then Yuan Shu commanded his guards, "Get this imbecile out of my sight!"
The guards wrestled to seize the scholar and drag him out of here. He struggles to gasp his last argument with a loud prophetic statement.
"Don't obey to this lecherous man! The Han emperor still lives! People are hoping the current emperor can restore hope and peace to this land!"
"Nobody cares about a concubine's son, you loyal dog of a dead man's dream!" Yuan Shu yawned and gave a rigid face.
"He was a lonely son…" Yan Xiang referred to Liu Xie's loneliness as the Han emperor. Yang Hong reluctantly nodded.
"The Han will be saved! May heaven doom your entire line, traaaitoorr!" as the scholar's presence fade, Yuan Shu laughed so hard.
He laughs louder which cause his officers to exchange troubling looks, "I gave him leverage and look what happens when he tries to set an argument with me on my coronation. I don't need people like him to serve Zhong. This man is persistent and annoying. Now I know how Yuan Shao feels about his advisors always giving him bothersome advices."
"Will your relative acknowledge your ascension to the throne, your majesty?" Ji Ling told his lord with worried looks.
"Oh, he will, besides, Shao loss to a nobody and now I'm the sole head of the Yuan clan with my power. Cao Cao, Yuan Shao, Liu Biao, Liu Yan, Dong Zhuo's dogs, nobody can stand a chance against me now!" Yuan Shu raises both of his hands looking satisfied to the heavens.
Zhang Xun came towards and bowed to his Emperor, "What must be done now, your majesty? Liu Bei of Xuzhou is weak and that portion of land is ripe for the taken."
"Ah….Liu Bei….Liu Bei," Yuan Shu smirked.
"He claims himself to be a descendant to the King of Zhongshan," Ji Ling added.
Yuan Shu started to break into loud laugher. The King of Zhongshan was Emperor Guangwu's son Prince Jian.
"That's ridiculous! HAHAHA, I know his father, Liu Hong who was an ordinary clerk. Liu Bei is nothing," Yuan Shu laughed even louder brings the audience into disturbance.
Being relate to the Imperial family is no laughing matter, but to Yuan Shu, Liu Bei is just a red herring to him putting his business into the late Tao Qian's mess. He will bring coercion on the Liu Bei army.
"Liu Bei still has the will of the people at Xu Zhou, attacking him now will bring the world against us," Yang Hong finally dared to warn his 'emperor'.
"Rubbish, what can Liu Bei do with those people? What can the people hope for a weakling with an empty linage? That's a guy you can't trust in the long term. Liu Bei doesn't know a thing about power! I will show him who has the greater power on this land!" then Yuan Shu stormed into his imperial court inside and took his weapon, "Men of Zhong, we're going to war against Liu Bei! Let's show that pretender to the Han imperial line what's it's like to be a man in power!"
Yuan Shu's men rallied while those who worry about his premature ascend to the imperial throne frowned. For Yuan Shu, it's good to be an Emperor.
At Ye….
Jizhou didn't get the news of Yuan Shu's self proclamation as Emperor. While Zhao Yun and Tian Feng prepare an important diplomatic mission to save Cai Wenji, Confucian scholars show up at the court to discuss the matter.
"Lord Zhao, we question your decision to that of a plausible motive. Are you aware that the men in your army are murmuring about going to war for a woman?" the Confucian scholar said.
Zhao Yun scan around the audience that feature Zhen Ji as she stood next to her servant Ziyan gazing back at him with a concerning frown. He got her involved in the political affairs with the nobles and will not take back his word on her support.
"Wise man, we're not going to war against the northern tribes, but we will go on a diplomatic mission to arrange a situation to save a loss Han citizen," Zhao Yun turns to where the recent Wuwan envoy stood upon his arrival earlier with Ta Dun.
"Lord Zhao Yun, may I speak with the audience," the Wuwan envoy Yan Rou asked.
"Yes, please. You have connections with them, so it's beneficial that your words may explain the audience here," Zhao Yun crossed his arms as the audience eyes set on Yan Rou.
"I was forced to live the tribal life when they took me as a child during one of their raids and later learned their violence culture, but deep down, the Wuwan and the Xianbei were people who sought territorial gain to raise their culture," Yan Rou then paused and took a harden glance at the Wuwan chieftain. What he's about to reveal is the crime of the barbarian tribes.
"The Xiongnu are growing powerful over there while our government in dire shreds," a young politician by the name of Xin Pi whispered to another official next to him who is called Li Fu.
Xin Pi is the younger brother of Xin Ping and more or less loyalty to the Yuan clan than his older brother. Profit and the will of heaven are among his interest. And his affluent behavior can be a nuisance.
"I can't see this Zhao Yun as a crafty lord. Without any talent on diplomacy and administration, the nobles are going to leave him," Li Fu didn't blink while he and Xin Pi listen to the rest of Yan Rou's speeches.
"That is so. He may have beaten Yuan Shao, but can he beat Heaven? Ha! There are other lords I may have known that are far more influential than this Zhao Yun, like Liu Biao. He has all the people of Jingzhou flawing to his authority. He may already have the will of the heavens with his strength in domestically affairs. Jingzhou has become a very prosperous province," Xin Pi whispered back.
"Ta Dun here is the territorial chief from Liaoxi. He's with me to discuss about the alliance," Yan Rou had Ta Dun next to him as he bowed sternly in front of Zhao Yun.
Ta Dun did a tribal statue to the audience as are the Wuwan guardsmen behind him. Tian Yu, who was an officer of Gongsun Zan and now Zhao Yun, looked at Yan Rou puzzled. There's something suspicious about the guy's mood on the Wuwan chieftain.
"We agree to be allies, but you must give us access to farming and shelter on Youzhou. Our tribe must develop there," Tadun gave Zhao Yun his proposal hoping the latter will accept.
The audience murmurs while Xin Pi blinked. Will Zhao Yun allow barbarians to wander Han's lands freely?
"I'll accept your proposal, however, you must end your hostilities with the Han people and put an end to kidnapping," Zhao Yun gave Tadun a look of warning.
Yan Rou stared at the Wuwan chieftain and think about why he brought him here. This Zhao Yun is the man who now controls Gongsun Zan's army and became liked by the people. But, judging his personality, he doesn't appear to be ruthless.
"…." As Tian Yu continued to stare at both Yan Rou and Ta Dun, his lord went to write a decree and make the alliance official.
"Chief Ta Dun, your tribe is free to harvest Youzhou's soil. We hope your people don't break our terms," Zhao Yun bowed to the chief and Ta Dun bowed him back.
"Wuwan's cavalry will be vital to our forces, Lord Zhao Yun," Tian Feng said.
Now to the more serious matter, "We will need your help to get the Xianbei to cooperate with us."
"Hmmm…" Ta Dun went into deep thought. Their tribe were rivals to the Xianbei, the Huns to the north and the Khitans wandering near Gogryueo.
"Xianbei took a Han woman who is the daughter of a famous Han scholar. Are you willing to help us communicate the Xianbei?" Zhao Yun turned to Tian Feng who nodded as their plan to control two tribes will help threaten the Xiongnu to release Cai Wenji.
"Ah, that is a difficult thing to handle. Yan Rou here will help you contact the Xianbei. I don't know if they will cooperate if it means both tribes working together," Ta Dun scratched his head and turns to Yan Rou.
"It will be my pleasure to help with that matter, Zhao Yun," Yan Rou said, but on his mind, "Perfect, I can take this opportunity without mistakes."
"You have my thanks, Yan Rou," Zhao Yun smiled.
"He makes it too easy to trust that Yan Rou fellow," Xin Pi said to Li Fu and he nodded.
Moments later….
"That went nicely," Ziyan said to Zhen Ji who felt assured.
"Yes…" Zhen Ji smiled at her loyal servant.
Zhang He took a moment to think about what went on at the audience, the Confucian scholars, officers, and barbarians all in one place. It would have went the other way had an argument been made to incite the court.
"I never knew Zilong was that much of a politician, much less a diplomat," Zhang He wondered.
"You only saw him in battles and fighting the bandits, I saw him reading and communicate with my brother," Zhen Ji pouted.
"I don't mean to derail your childhood hero, my lady," Zhang He shrugged.
"Hahaha, no you didn't. Just the fact that I know him best," Zhen Ji moved to the palace garden where she's going with Ziyan.
"My lady, you were still a little girl and your mother scolds you for involving yourself with Zhen Yan's business," Ziyan reminded her of that moment her mother tried to keep her away from a lowly teenage boy with no great influent.
"Ugh, you need to bring that up?" she slapped her maid on the shoulder with a look of annoyed.
Zhang He turned the westward from their position and gazed at the sky, he wonder how Yuan Shao taking this political approach and Yuan Xi, he knows Zhen Ji is to be wed locked with him before the Battle of Changshan went to Gongsun Zan's victory.
At Jin Yang…
"Lord Yuan Shao, our spies from Jizhou found evidence on Wuwan envoys heading to Ye three days ago," Ju Shou informed him.
Yuan Shao's faction was gathered in a mediocre court not like Yecheng's. Yuan Shang hates Jin Yang, his wife Lady Liu had to deal with the mountainous terrain next to the border of the Great Wall to the west where the Xianbei were next door.
"Could it be that Zhao Yun forming an alliance with the Wuwan?" Shen Pei questioned Ju Shou's information. The remaining advisors of Yuan Shao were on deep thought.
Yuan Shao had been feeling terrible since the defeat at the Battle of Changshan. Zhao Yun wasted no time to strengthen his position on He Bei domain.
"He's just a lowly Lieutenant!" Yuan Shang gritted his teeth.
"Temper, Shang…" Yuan Xi bluntly told him.
"How did we lose Jizhou to that guy, Father? I was at Bei Hai and the next thing, that Taishi Ci attacked me and was forced to abandon Qingzhou from that nobody!" Yuan Tan shouted.
It was never a good day for the Yuan family of Yuan Shao's branch. They loss their position as the most powerful of He Bei to a lowly guy like Zhao Yun of Gongsun Zan's army.
"…." Yuan Shao stressed to relief his senses. Everything changed from Lu Bu aiding Gongsun Zan to Cao Cao losing Yanzhou.
"Father!?" Yuan Tan demanded his father to answer.
"Tian Feng must be smiling upon the heavens. He'll be getting the most glory if we don't do something right now, Guo Tu," Feng Ji hissed.
"….." Guo Tu remains quiet not speaking a word till his Lord calls him.
"My brother is now joining him," Xin Ping thought, he could have switched, but his honor remains a higher priority and helped Yuan Shao's family to flee.
"At least, you're with him now, Luo, but my father still persists to wed us together…" Yuan Xi mind filled with pity and worry.
Yuan Xi felt terrible over his father's greed when he tried to wed him off to Zhen Ji when she's not ready to be married to anyone yet. The honor of his family been scattered under a single defeat.
The audience continues to argue while Yuan Shao glared at them all and left the palace like a wandering ghost.
The day after….
Sun Ce went to visit the orphanage where his most important person aiding the troubled youth whom lost their families through war. Her appearance was said to be that of a goddess in the south. She was adored by the people among her father's neighbors.
"Not having much trouble playing mother when you're still young, my flower" Sun Ce embraced her with a hug on her back while she's still working.
"So, you're saying I'm too young to act as their mother?" Da Qiao asked with a look of being offended. He threw her off with his jokes a lot. Those are a lot to make her feel comfortable.
"Ooh, look kids! Mom is being offended by Dad," Sun Ce chuckled and the children laughed as they watch the adorable couple kiss.
"My lord…' she burst into laughter. It's so embarrassing to be next to him with those children.
"Children of Jiang Dong, when you grow up, you'll make fine subjects of your mother and father right here," Sun Ce told the children.
She can feel the tension going in her heart. Sun Ce was a fierce tiger on the battlefield, but a gentle heart at home. He played with the children as she watched, thinking of the days Ce and her were kids. He visited her father for studying and had his way with courting her. He's not even an actual noble until his services with Yuan Shu and now conquering Jiang Dong.
Sun Ce is playing with a wooden sword with an 11 year old boy who want to be a soldier under him, "Steady, lad!"
"Shall I get you something, my lord?" Da Qiao was always formal with him. Her sister, Xiao Qiao, may try to get her offguard with Xiao's antics in front of other people she's having company with.
"No thank you. I have to get back to the palace. The guys are bickering and I'm trying to find the best way to handle our lord's craziness," Sun Ce told her.
"So it comes to this…" Da Qiao's world turned dark as the serious subject started to come up.
"You heard from the gossipers out there, eh?" Sun Ce crossed his arms ready to tell her what he wanted.
"Yes, Yuan Shu declares himself emperor. I don't know if this is about the imperial seal you gave him or he's just completely instable with himself. Those refugees, these children, does he know what the state of this land been right now?" Da Qiao shot at her beau feeling angst on the topic of their once mentally stable lord.
"So, what shall I do, Lady Qiao? Your advice is most needed to aide me on this crisis," Sun Ce asked.
"Very funny, asking political advice from a woman…" Da Qiao glared at him humorously.
"You are wise beyond that innocence beauty. Please, I'm begging you Minister Qiao," Sun Ce did a begging pose in front of his fiancée.
"That's my father…" Da Qiao corrected him.
"He's not around, probably meeting Xu Shao. Come on, I'm allowing a woman like you involve yourself in political affairs," Sun Ce winced.
With that, she smiled compassionately, "Sun Bofu, when it's war, you had no trouble on that policy, but when it comes to politics, you get me involved on that initiative."
"See kids, that's your queen right here!" Sun Ce turned to the children who giggled.
"Knock it off, Bofu and get right into the point…" Da Qiao glared at him and sat down to listen to his situation with her legs crossed. She had her weapon next to her since training with her sister Xiao
"Hehe, ok, so starting from when the guys urge about leaving Yuan Shu, I couldn't just cut Emperor Retard and bail," Sun Ce snickered.
"If it were His Majesty, you should address him properly you know, but this is Yuan Shu," Da Qiao nodded.
"Yes, that's where we get to the worst case scenario. Now that Yuan Shu the 'emperor' the whole realm is staring at us. Our ties with the ill fated Imperial Han were cut off. Now with Jiangdong as an outlaw state under him, I must figure out a way to get those people from Lu Jiang and Shou Chun pacified without bloodshed," Sun Ce explained the situation to Da Qiao in detail.
"And where do I come into this debacle?" Da Qiao kept her gaze at him.
"As a matter of fact, you're one of his subjects now. These children will live in despotism if he continues acting impulsive with his responsibilities. Nobody told him to be the 'Son of Heaven'. He just went and did it against the people's will," Sun Ce shook his head and took a deep breath.
"I'm not his subject neither is my sister if she were here right now. So, I don't recognize Yuan Shu's current position. But, those people…they had their free will taken from him since the purge at Xu. I advise you to wait till the right time to act. You must get those people away from Yuan Shu before you leave his services. For now, the people of Jian An, Hui Ji and Moling don't recognize him, they recognize you, my lord," Da Qiao suggested him.
"Indeed, Lady Qiao. I'll reform the people on this province first and then my home. But first, do you know what I'm thinking right now?" Sun Ce shot a mischievous grin at Da Qiao.
"No…" Da Qiao looked at him confused. She's so serious and he's Jiang Dong's number one, unpredictable leader.
Sun Ce put both of his hands together smoothing them and reveals, "I'm going to give Emperor Yuan Shu the biggest farewell gift he'll never forget."
"A farewell gift?!" Da Qiao look bewildered at his thinking.
"He's going to love it," Sun Ce grinned and stares at the sky reminiscing the days of his father Sun Jian with Yuan Shu.
Back in Ye…
Zhao Yun had a long day after the council. The alliance formed with the Wuwan succeeds, but the Xianbei was another task to work on. For now, he must think of what to do. The streets of Ye had been safe after patrolling with Gongsun Xu, he visited Cui Yan later on to discuss the barbarian tribes' livehood and their social methods. Then there's the military deliberates, Zhang He went to find more volunteers, but he still loathed the idea of recruiting bandits for his reforming plan. Zhao Yun is using virtue with order the way he renders it right.
"Zilong," Zhen Ji appeared to wander the palace at night.
"So, you're here at this hour, my lady," Zhao Yun stopped moving and noticed her servant wasn't with her.
"The moon, it's so beautiful on this time of the night don't you agree, my lord?" Zhen Ji watched the moon from the bridge where they stopped. The water at the pond reflects the moonlight showing their appearance on visual light.
"Yes, it's a wonderful sight. You can see the stars covering heaven," Zhao Yun gazed at the stars joining the moonlight.
"Zhao Yun, it was said that you'll find love amongst the stars. My mother used to say that," Zhen Ji shyly stated.
"Finding love from the stars," Zhao Yun thought while he's still looking above.
"I'm still engaged to the Yuans. There's no sign of me finding true love from them," Zhen Ji said.
Zhao Yun returned his eyes on pearl beauty. Her sorrow matched the night perfectly. It's no secret that she's not happy with her mother since Yuan Shao found her.
Zhao Yun looked upset with himself, "I should have used the volunteers from the coalition and stopped Yuan Shao earlier. I've been hold back, denied from providing anything to my opposition on Benchu."
"And then, 'that incident' happened. Zhao Yun, I don't know who the good guy is and who is the bad one? No matter where I'm fated to be, a wife must remain loyal to a husband's cause. I feared my life was doomed the day I was born too beautiful. My image will fall if that husband becomes something I stress to continue loving with," Zhen Ji motion herself closer to Zhao Yun and slowly move her eyes towards his.
"Yuan Xi is honorable," Zhao Yun sighed.
"But, I don't believe his father is…" Zhen Ji shook her head in disbelief.
"….."
"But, you've beaten Yuan Shao. So, it doesn't matter if my engagement still being affected by my mother. Your influence will make the people see us meant to be," Zhen Ji said.
"I don't want to use you for power, Luo," Zhao Yun frowned.
"You are not. Your benevolent protects my honorable reputation from the ambition of these region lords. Know what it'd be like if I'm engaged to Cao Cao's family?" Zhen Ji mentioned the man who massacre Xuzhou for revenge on Tao Qian.
Zhao Yun hated to see Zhen Ji being embroiled by sorrow because of the state of war on this land. Men like Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, and Yuan Shu interest the nobles of China for greater benefits and use their daughters for their clan's influence.
"Your family struggled to reform for 200 years, Luo after Guangwu's restoration. I will not let those men take you," Zhao Yun slowly held Zhen Ji close to him.
"I'm only bringing you greater burden, Zilong. Because I'm a walking beauty of destruction to the scholars," Zhen Ji muttered.
"Those men were being paranoid, Luo," Zhao Yun grunted.
"Lord Kong Rong, doesn't take my existence well either. So will this Liu Bei you keep talking about," Zhen Ji frowned.
"Don't worry about them and continue being who you wanted to be, my lady. Your filial beauty comes second before your character," Zhao Yun comforted her.
"I'm dressed scantily because of mother," Zhen Ji winced.
"I don't have a problem with it as long as you're not evil, Lady Zhen" Zhao Yun grinned.
She burst into laughter. This young man is so darling. She doesn't get enough of his gentle, well dignified charm.
They didn't know an elderly man watching them afar. He never left his sights on the pair.
"Evil or not, she brings ruin upon her existence," the mysterious elder mystic name Zuo Ci said.
Next Chapter: Liu Bei, Hero of Xuzhou