Cunning Three Kingdoms

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Yuan Shu in Nanyang received the intelligence about the anti-Dong Zhuo uprising around the same time as Liu Biao—perhaps even earlier—and with greater detail. This left him simultaneously excited, hesitant, and furious. 

Qiao Mao had finally followed his instructions, preempting Liu Dai by forging letters in the names of the Three Excellencies to rally support. Overnight, not only did Qiao Mao gain immense prestige, but the Yuan family's name also spread across the gentry clans like wildfire. Yuan Shu couldn't help but feel intoxicated by this sudden elevation. 

The Yuan family might appear prosperous now, but their position was as precarious as flames licking at oil or flowers woven into brocade. Of the elder generation who once held the highest offices, only Yuan Wei remained... 

Had this happened a few years earlier when his uncle Yuan Cheng and father Yuan Feng were still alive—that was when the Yuan family truly stood at its zenith of cultural brilliance and influence! 

This uprising presented the perfect opportunity for the Yuan clan to cement their position as the foremost gentry family. If successful, Yuan Shu could ascend further—his current title of General of the Rear ranked equivalent to the Nine Ministers. What lay beyond that? The thought alone excited him. 

Yet Yuan Shu also hesitated. 

Because—Liu Biao to his south hadn't declared his stance! 

He knew his own limitations. Though bearing the prestigious title, his actual command abilities paled compared to generals like Ji Ling or Sun Jian. Should they march north against Luoyang, Sun Jian would naturally spearhead the vanguard, absorbing any ambushes or traps—after all, it would be Sun's troops dying, not Yuan's. Ji Ling would remain by his side as insurance. But that left the sinister presence of Liu Biao at his rear... 

Though Liu Biao arrived in Jingxiang with few followers, he'd since eliminated the sectarian bandits and gained support from local powers like the Kuai and Cai families, quickly consolidating his position. Moreover, the military camp west of Xiangyang housed over ten thousand soldiers training day and night. To claim Liu Biao posed no threat—that those troops drilled just for amusement—who would believe that? 

If Yuan Shu led his forces north, leaving his base vulnerable, and Liu Biao chose to strike during a stalled offensive... Yuan Shu shuddered at the thought. 

What exactly was Liu Biao considering? Did he support the Yuan family or not? 

Liu Biao's ambiguous stance unsettled Yuan Shu, but what infuriated him more was that his despised elder brother seemed to be garnering even broader support! 

"I am the Yuan family's legitimate heir! That bastard is just a lesser-born son! The future family head can only be me!" Yuan Shu slammed the table in fury. 

By official rank, he held the exalted position of General of the Rear. By territory, he controlled the wealthy Nanyang region. By military might, he commanded the formidable Ji Ling and controlled the fierce Sun Jian with nearly ten thousand troops. What did that bastard have? A petty governorship over the tiny, impoverished Bohai region. Were these supporters kicked in the head by horses or donkeys? 

Indeed, only three in the Yuan family currently qualified for succession: Yuan Ji, Yuan Shao, and Yuan Shu. 

Though Yuan Ji, as Yuan Feng's firstborn, should rightfully inherit, Yuan Shu dismissed him entirely—the man was too refined (or in blunter terms, weak-willed and indecisive) to pose any threat. 

As for Yuan Yida, though of the next generation and still young without displaying notable talent, any threat from that quarter would take years to materialize. 

The even younger Yuan Zhongda? Yuan Shu could only scoff... 

Thus the real competition lay between Yuan Shao and himself. Yet according to Qiao Mao's reports, those supporting Yuan Shao included not just Liu Dai, but also that scoundrel Yuan Yi—even Henei's governor Wang Kuang! 

Yuan Yi could be set aside for now, but when had Yuan Shao ensnared Wang Kuang? Could their collusion have begun back in the General-in-Chief's office? 

Wang Kuang had initially served under He Jin, rising to a ministerial position before being appointed governor of Henei after He Jin's death. 

This development suddenly diminished Yuan Shu's comparative standing. 

Originally, Yuan Shao only controlled the small, barren Bohai region. Now he'd added Henei Commandery! 

Directly under the capital's jurisdiction, Henei boasted lush pastures and prosperity, serving as a crucial livestock production hub since Han's founding. And livestock meant one thing Yuan Shu understood perfectly—cavalry. 

If Yuan Shao secured Henei's full support, his infantry could transform into rapid cavalry forces—a qualitative leap in combat effectiveness. By contrast, no matter how wealthy Nanyang was, purchasing such strategic resources at great expense couldn't compare to direct access at the source. 

Should Yuan Shao continue developing unchecked, amassing vast cavalry forces, the choice between supporting him or Yuan Shu would become self-evident to any observer... 

Thus Yuan Shu's immediate priorities were resolving the Liu Biao situation at his rear and countering the Yuan Shao-Wang Kuang alliance. As for Dong Zhuo? Let Sun Jian lead the charge. If successful, Yuan Shu could follow; if not, the casualties wouldn't be his own troops anyway... 

Regarding Yan Province, Yuan Yi had only recently become governor of Shanyang and likely lacked substantial forces under firm control, so he could be temporarily ignored. Having Qiao Mao coordinate with Liu Dai while keeping Liu Dai in check should suffice for now. 

As for Ji Province's timid governor Han Fu—why had he joined Yuan Shao's faction? Puzzling... With no agents planted there yet, exploiting weaknesses would have to wait... 

Henei's Wang Kuang remained frustratingly out of reach. Though willing, Yuan Shu simply lacked the means to intervene directly. 

Perhaps he should write to uncle Yuan Wei for advice? Even if unable to sever their alliance, sowing discord between them might help! 

Seizing brush and paper, Yuan Shu composed a detailed letter beyond the usual greetings, confident his uncle would grasp the underlying message... 

Then there was Jing Province's Liu Biao—should they fight or negotiate? Better seek peace if possible. Fighting both Dong Zhuo to the north and Liu Biao simultaneously, while not impossible, should be avoided... 

But how to negotiate effectively? 

This required careful deliberation. Yuan Shu called loudly for attendants to summon Yang Hong for counsel... 

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A/N:Yuan Yida and Yuan Zhongda are likely style names—their actual names remain elusive... so we'll make do.