From the day before yesterday to today, hundreds of letters urging surrender have been sent into the city. Yuan Tan, Feng Ji Minchun, Li Li and others who were defending the city looked very heavy after reading them.
There is only one content in the letter, that is, Yuan Shao has gone north and abandoned Yecheng, hoping that they will surrender as soon as possible. If Yuan Tan can choose to abandon the dark side and surrender to the bright side, Liu Bei, as the king of Qi, will guarantee that he will write a letter to the court and let him go.
The conditions offered were very attractive. Not only would they protect Yuan Tan's rights and interests, but they would also not settle accounts with the soldiers and many officials in the city. Therefore, the morale of the military in the city fluctuated, and many middle- and lower-level officers were quite moved.
Fortunately, Yuan Tan Fengji and others reacted quickly and suppressed the matter immediately. They declared to the outside world that this was an enemy's plan to attack the enemy's heart, thus suppressing the restless hearts in the city.
But it is obvious that this suppression will not last long, because the food and grass in the city can only last for two or three months. If Yuan Shao has not come back to rescue them, the soldiers and officials in the city will have to wonder whether Yuan Shao has abandoned it as the letter of persuasion for surrender said.
Yecheng was ignored.
Therefore, faced with this situation of internal and external troubles, many counselors and generals in Ye City hope that Yuan Tan can come up with an idea. The current situation is that there is not much food and grass, and the persistence will not last long, so whether to send people out of the city to find Yuan Shao.
When they arrived at the Yuan family's residence, they wanted to discuss matters with Yuan Tan, who was now in charge of the city. As soon as they entered the Yuan family's front courtyard, they heard a violent quarrel erupting in the middle hall, accompanied by the sound of smashing porcelain furniture.
Everyone looked at each other in confusion, standing in the court and looking into the hall. Through the screen window, they vaguely saw two people arguing inside. Everyone knew the two people, one was the eldest son Yuan Tan, and the other was Yuan Shao's wife Mrs. Liu.
"Mother, there are more than 100,000 Qingzhou Army and Luoyang Army outside the city, and there are only about 40,000 people in the city. We are already very reluctant to defend the city. How can we send troops to repel them and rescue my brother?"
In the hall, Yuan Tan explained to Madam Liu carefully why he could not send troops. Madam Liu had already made noises with him countless times because of this matter.
Mrs. Liu was a powerful figure in her fifties. She put her hands on her hips, pointed at Yuan Tan's nose and cursed: "When I gave birth to you three brothers, I suffered so much to give birth to you. If the third one said no, I would be gone."
Now, are you still happy?"
"Why am I happy? He is my biological brother. Aren't I sad that he was captured? But in this situation, it is already very difficult to stabilize the situation in the city, let alone send troops outside the city."
"What about your father? Your father is still in Handan, and you don't plan to save him?"
"If my father is currently fighting a decisive battle with the Qingzhou Army and orders me to lead troops to rescue him, I will definitely go. But now there is no news coming from outside the city, and I don't know what is going on over there in Handan. How can I dare to go rashly?"
"I think you just don't want to save your father and younger brother. Do you think your position will be secure without the third child? Let me tell you, as long as I am here, you will never inherit the Yuan family in your life!"
"I am the son of the governor of Ji, and I am the heir of the Yuan family! Why can't I inherit?"
Yuan Tan was offended by Mrs. Liu's words and responded angrily.
"How dare you talk back?"
Mrs. Liu raised the vase on the table and threw it at Yuan Tan. Yuan Tan quickly dodged and the vase hit the ground with a "pop" sound. Porcelain shards were scattered everywhere, and one even splashed on Yuan Tan's feet, creating a trace.
A hole was made.
Yuan Tan took a few steps back. He was so shocked that he didn't notice that his feet were still bleeding. He looked at his mother with wide eyes and said, "Mom, what are you doing?"
Mrs. Liu continued to say resolutely: "What use is there for a fool like you? Your brother was taken away and you were indifferent. Your father was in danger outside, but you knew how to stay in the city all day long and did not dare to go out. You never
You have shared your father's worries and never done anything to make me happy. What do I want you to do?"
"I am a fool, so my third brother will be useful. If he is useful, will he be captured?"
Yuan Tan couldn't help but retort.
Mrs. Liu had a violent temper and became even more angry when she heard his words. She shouted: "Shang'er is ten times and a hundred times more talented than you. I wish it was you who was captured and not him! If you were still his brother, you should leave the city.
Get him back!"
Yuan Tan roared and said: "It is true that the third brother is your son, but I am not your son? I have always doted on the third brother. What does it have to do with me when the third brother was captured by Liu Bei? There are so many troops outside the city now, you are
Don’t you want me to die to make you happy?”
"Then go to hell!"
Mrs. Liu said viciously: "I am willing to risk your life to bring Shang'er back!"
"Mother, you..."
Yuan Tan looked at her in disbelief. This was his mother, and she actually said such chilling words.
"I am no longer your mother!"
Mrs. Liu continued to stimulate Yuan Tan and said viciously: "Your father has adopted you, and you are not worthy of being in charge of the army in the city. Hand over the seal, otherwise don't blame me for being ruthless!"
Yuan Tan stared at her blankly, with despair in his eyes.
How could there be such parents in this world? His father didn't like him, and his mother regarded him as a enemy. In that case, why did you give birth to me in the first place? Why did you let him suffer so much?
For a moment, Yuan Tan just felt lost and didn't want to argue with Mrs. Liu anymore, so he turned around and walked out of the hall.
However, when Mrs. Liu saw that he was about to leave, she immediately rushed up to catch him and shouted: "Where are you going, you traitor? Do you hear me asking you to hand over the seal?"
Yuan Tan wanted to slap this shrew to death, but after all, she was his biological mother and did not dare to do anything, so he had to push her away. While the two were pushing, Ji Minchun, Li Li and more than a dozen counselors and generals rushed outside.
He came over and separated the two of them.
"Why are you stopping me? Didn't you see that this traitor is about to rebel?"
Mrs. Liu still shouted angrily.
Yuan Tan didn't want to talk to her, and he didn't bother to discuss important matters with the generals and counselors. He quickly walked out of the mansion alone, got on his horse and went somewhere unknown, leaving many generals, counselors and Mrs. Liu in the mansion helpless and furious.
"Forget it, madam, there are internal and external troubles in the city right now. If there is further disharmony at home, I'm afraid Liu Bei's army will come in. Ming Gong is still fighting outside the city, how can the family be restless?"
Feng Ji finally managed to persuade Mrs. Liu to stop.
Mrs. Liu cursed and said: "This traitor is really pissing me off. You have all seen it. I asked him to hand over the seal, but he refused to hand it over. This is an attempt to commit rebellion. What do I want from such a rebellious and unfilial thing?"
use?"
Everyone looked at each other in confusion. After a while, Min Chun asked cautiously: "Madam, I wonder what the madam wants the big seal for?"
Mrs. Liu said without hesitation: "Of course I order you to send troops to attack Liu Bei and rescue my poor child."
"Well......."
"Madam, there are still some things to do in the army, so I have to take leave of my humble post."
"I also have something to do, so I'm leaving first."
"I still have to go on patrol, so I won't disturb Madam."
Many generals and counselors hurriedly ran away. This Madam Liu was really unreasonable. Now it was very difficult to hold on to the city. She actually wanted to rescue Yuan Shang. She was really a crazy woman.
Mrs. Liu originally wanted them to ignore Yuan Tan, but they all ignored her and left. She was so angry that she thought of her poor third son Yuan Shang, and couldn't help but feel sad and burst into tears. The surrounding Yuan family's mansion
None of my servants or maids dared to persuade him.
In the past few days, no fewer than ten slaves have been beaten to death because they accidentally offended the madam. Not only did no one dare to persuade the lady, but each one of them was either trembling for fear of anger, or looking on with cold eyes as if they were looking at an enemy.
Mrs. Liu is pitiful. The child she gave birth to was captured by the enemy on the battlefield. Now she has neither a living nor a dead body. But who will pity these servants who may be killed with a rod for no reason?
No one will pity her, even if she is crying so heartbreakingly now.
.......
.......
Yuan Tan left the mansion, feeling distraught, mounted his horse and wandered around the city.
The city of Ye was very large, and because it was surrounded by enemies, the business in the city almost came to a standstill. The streets were full of patrolling troops. He was riding alone and should have been stopped and questioned.
However, after seeing the badge hanging on his waist, the soldiers also knew that this was the eldest son of Yuan Tan, so they pretended not to see him and let him run around.
Yuan Tan was walking, and he didn't know when he came to Nancheng. There was a smaller mansion on the criss-crossing streets.
He recognized it at a glance. This was the home of Li Xuan, one of Yuan Shao's foreign relatives. Before Yuan Shao married Mrs. Liu, he had married Li Ying's daughter. However, that daughter died very early and did not give birth to a child for Yuan Shao.
She is half female, so she has no sense of existence.
But it is undeniable that Yuan Shao's achievements and fame today have a lot to do with marrying Li Ying's daughter. The party member is Shilin leader, and Li Ying is the party leader. Through this relationship, Yuan Shao can
Enter the party circle.
But after using the party members to help him promote his reputation, Yuan Shao stepped on the party members severely. Wang Fen gave him the position of Jizhou pastoralist and gained the power in Jizhou. Yuan Shao turned around and began to suppress the party.
people.
This caused Xun, Chen Yi and Li Du's group to die in depression. Li Du was Li Ying's nephew, and Li Xuan was Li Ying's grandson. When Wang Fen came to power, Li Xuan followed Li Du to Jizhou.
Once the result comes, you can't go back, and you can only stay here in the end.
Li Du had died in depression a few years ago, and Li Xuan only had residual interactions with other party members. Yuan Tan used to keep a distance from these people, and he had no relatives with them, so naturally he didn't want to move around.
But when I saw Li Xuan's mansion today, I couldn't help but go outside the courtyard and knock on the door.
After a while, an old slave opened the door and asked in surprise: "Who is your Majesty?"
"I am Yuan Tan."
Yuan Tan said.
The old slave said in astonishment: "It turns out that the eldest son is here. I will go and inform the master immediately."
After saying that, he didn't close the door and hurried in.
After a while, a man in his thirties came out. He was probably a few years older than Yuan Tan. He went out to greet him warmly and said, "My foreign relatives are here to visit. It's hard to welcome them from afar."
"Cousin."
Yuan Tan hurriedly returned the gift. In fact, he had nothing to do with the Li family, but Li Xuan's father, Li Zan, was the brother of Yuan Shao's original wife, Mrs. Li. Therefore, according to etiquette, he had to address Mrs. Li as his eldest mother and Li Zan.
He is his maternal uncle and calls Li Xuan his cousin.
"You're welcome, foreigner, please come in quickly."
Li Xuan welcomed him into the door. Yuan Tan looked around and saw that this was just an ordinary small courtyard. The trees in the courtyard had withered and fallen leaves had accumulated in the courtyard. The courtyard had not been cleaned. After walking about twelve or thirteen steps, he arrived under the corridor.
Enter the atrium.
The hall was not big, and apart from the host, there were only two people sitting on the left and right sides. After the host and guest sat in rows, Yuan Tancai said, "I have the temerity to interrupt, I hope I don't disturb my cousin."
Li Xuan greeted the old servant to serve wine and food, and said with a smile: "I am already very happy that my foreign relatives can come to see me, so how can it be considered an intrusion?"
"That's good."
Yuan Tan felt relieved.
After a while, the food and wine were served, and the two of them toasted and drank.
After putting down the cup, Li Xuan saw that Yuan Tan was unhappy and sighing, so he asked, "Why are you sighing, dear?"
"Well, to be honest, I don't know what to do."
Yuan Tan sighed and said: "There are internal and external troubles in the city, and I don't know whether my father is alive or dead. My mother wishes that I was dead to make her happy. She insists on forcing me to send troops to rescue my third brother. It is human nature for parents to favor their youngest children, but how can this be done?
You don’t care about the life or death of your eldest son."
Li Xuan's heart moved and he asked: "What happened? Why don't you tell me, my uncle? Maybe I can give you some ideas."
Yuan Tan was full of worries and didn't know who to talk to. Seeing that Li Xuan was a very elegant man, he felt good about him, so he poured beans out of a bamboo tube and told him everything. At the end, he said: "Cousin, look, this is
A parent?”
This chapter is not over, please click on the next page to continue reading! Li Xuan said thoughtfully: "My dear, there is something I don't know whether I should say."
"Cousin, it doesn't matter if you say it."
Yuan Tan replied.
Li Xuan said: "It is known to everyone in Jizhou that Duke Yuan and his wife prefer Young Master Shang. I am not afraid that my foreign relatives will know. Many people know that if Young Master Shang has not been captured, the position of Jizhou Mu...
..."
Yuan Tan's face suddenly darkened. Everyone in Jizhou knew about it, so didn't he know about it? But he knew that there were many of his supporters in the army, so he still had hope.
But after looking at my mother's attitude today, I'm afraid that even if there are supporters in the army, it will not be easy for me to get to the top. Fortunately, Yuan Shang was captured, so he lost the biggest resistance.
Li Xuan looked at his face and knew that he had touched his heart, so he said: "Fortunately, the young master has been captured, and my maternal status must be worry-free now. But Mrs. Liu misses her young son very deeply."
At this point, if the foreign relatives cannot make up their minds, it may cause trouble in the future."
Yuan Tan quickly said: "Cousin, tell me what to do? She is my mother after all, and she is a child, how can she be unfilial?"
Li Xuan then smiled and said: "I don't want you to be unfilial, but I just want to ask my cousin, what are your plans now? There are internal and external troubles in the city, and there is not much food and grass. It will be a matter of time for Liu Bei to attack the city, and I still have
I heard that Mr. Yuan has gone north and has abandoned the city of Ye. If we don't think of a way out, I'm afraid I'll have to die and the city will be destroyed."
"How did my cousin know that there was not much food and grass in the city?"
Yuan Tan was suddenly shocked.
The problem of food and fodder in the city has always been covered up, just because they don't want to cause panic among the soldiers. Why does it seem that everyone on the street knows about it?
Li Xuan smiled bitterly and said: "The price of food in the city has skyrocketed, and I, a humble citizen like me, have suffered terribly."
Yuan Tan was silent for a moment and asked Li Xuandao: "What should we do?"
Li Xuan raised two fingers and said: "There are three ways. One is to surrender to Liu Bei. The second is to break through and go north to find your father. The third is..."
"What is it?"
“Self-reliance is the main thing!”
Li Xuanyu refused to stop dying even if it was not surprising, which was shocking.