Yuan Shu led Sun Ce and Zhou Yu to his inner courtyard. In the past, Sun Ce often played here, but ever since Yuan Yao was gravely injured, Yuan Shu couldn’t help but feel a surge of anger whenever he saw Sun Ce. Although he knew he shouldn’t bla Sun Ce, the sight of him only stirred up his rage, so he confined Sun Ce to his residence.
As for Zhou Yu’s house arrest, it was due to the task Chen Xi had entrusted to Zhuge Liang. A series of rumors had made Yuan Shu extrely wary of Zhou Yu, leading him to also sideline Sun Ce’s close confidants such as Zhou Tai, Jiang Qin, Ling Cao, Gu Yong, and Liao Li.
“Father...” Yuan Yao, in a daze, noticed Yuan Shu’s arrival and barely opened his eyes to see Sun Ce and Zhou Yu standing behind him.
“Brother Bofu, don’t be sad. Life and death are fated, and wealth is in the hands of the heavens. I, Yuan Yao, have had my father and elder brother in this life, so it has been a good one. My frail body could experience the thrill of riding a horse in battle—this was already my fortune,” Yuan Yao said with a faint smile as he comforted Sun Ce.
“Yao, don’t say that,” Sun Ce said, his eyes stinging. He had a feeling that Yuan Yao’s life was slipping away, and that it would soon be over.
“Brother Bofu, it’s alright. I know my own condition,” Yuan Yao said calmly. He had been in and out of consciousness for a year, and when he suddenly regained clarity, he knew his end was near—perhaps today was his final day.
Yuan Shu suddenly felt his heart tighten, and tears began to flow uncontrollably. He reached out, gently stroking Yuan Yao, his hands trembling.
“Father, don’t cry. I’ve been unfilial,” Yuan Yao, who had been calm, could no longer hold back his tears when he saw Yuan Shu’s tearful eyes. He tried to lift his hand to wipe away Yuan Shu’s tears, but it fell back down.
“Yao’er, you’ll get better. There must be soone in this world who can cure you. I’ll go plead with Liu Bei—Hua Yuanhua can surely save you,” Yuan Shu said hoarsely. He had thought this countless tis before, but he had never lowered himself to ask for help, thinking that the doctors in Yuzhou could handle it. But now, Yuan Shu suddenly realized that ti was running out—his pride ant nothing compared to his son’s life!
“Father, it’s not necessary. I know my own situation,” Yuan Yao said, closing his eyes. “You’ve never bowed to anyone in your life. There’s no need to do so for . You can fail, you can die, but don’t bow to anyone.”
Yuan Shu’s face was filled with sorrow. He had failed countless tis but had never bowed to anyone. Call it arrogance, call it foolhardiness—he had never bowed to anyone. He could lose, he could fail, but whether you called him a fool or praised his loyalty, he would stubbornly follow his chosen path to the end!
“Brother Bofu, I know your loyalty. Can you promise
one thing?” Yuan Yao said, his eyes closed. He was so tired, his eyes could no longer stay open.
“Yao, don’t speak,” Sun Ce said, holding Yuan Yao’s hand and channeling his hard-earned internal energy into him.
“It’s no use, Brother Bofu. I’m done for. Let
say one last unfilial thing: My father is very stubborn, very loyal. Once he decides on a path, he’ll follow it to the end. I used to think my father was lucky to control three provinces, but now that I think about it, he deserves it,” Yuan Yao said calmly.
Sun Ce didn’t understand what Yuan Yao ant, but Zhou Yu had a sudden realization.
“The power of the great families is imnse, Brother Bofu. You and my father are very alike. My father likes you very much. After I die, promise
you’ll listen to him,” Yuan Yao suddenly opened his eyes and looked at Sun Ce.
Sun Ce was stunned, and so was Yuan Shu. Yuan Shu then turned and hoarsely said, “Bofu, beco my adopted son.”
Yuan Shu’s words were a clear acknowledgnt of Yuan Yao’s suggestion. Yuan Shu knew his health was failing, which is why he only had Yuan Yao as a son. Now, with this request, he was not only feeling disheartened but also considering the continuation of the Yuan family line. He was too weak, his son was dying, and choosing an outstanding successor was the right path.
In truth, the proper course after Yuan Yao’s death would have been to adopt a successor from Yuan Shao’s branch of the family. But Yuan Shu’s peculiar personality ant he would never bow to Yuan Shao, not unless he had absolutely no other choice—even if it ant his own death.
Indeed, except for the sake of Yuan Yao, Yuan Shu would never bow to anyone. He was a stubborn warlord, with his own set of principles, and would never be swayed.
For this reason, when Yuan Yao asked Yuan Shu to adopt Sun Ce as his son after his death, Yuan Shu agreed without hesitation. After all, Yuan Shu had been working towards this, though without much progress.
For Yuan Shu, since he would need to adopt a son to inherit the Yuan family’s legacy, it made sense to choose soone he liked. And Sun Ce was soone he liked very much.
As for informing Yuan Shao’s branch, Yuan Shu would at most give them a heads-up. But if they wanted one of Yuan Tan, Yuan Xi, or Yuan Shang to inherit, Yuan Shu would rather squander the wealth of his family, which was the second or third most powerful in the land!
Sun Ce was suddenly at a loss. Why was he being adopted as Yuan Shu’s son? Although he didn’t dislike Yuan Shu, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he would be taking advantage of Yuan Shu by accepting.
anwhile, Zhou Yu’s eyes nearly popped out of his head. He suddenly realized that all his previous plans were nothing compared to what was happening now. Sun Ce, without even trying, had acquired everything he had planned for. Was this the luck of a fool?
Zhou Yu scread inwardly. He suddenly realized that this was the best possible opportunity. Once Yuan Yao died, Sun Ce, as Yuan Shu’s adopted son, would be the legitimate heir. He would inherit three provinces, hold power over five million people in Yuzhou, three million in Jingxiang, and two million in Yangzhou.
With ten million people under his command, along with civil and military officials like Zhou Yu, Pang Tong, Liao Li, Gu Yong, Jiang Qin, Ling Cao, Cheng Pu, Han Dang, and Huang Gai, Zhou Yu realized that with a little consolidation, they would be strong enough to contend with any warlord in the land!
“I…” Sun Ce hesitated for a long ti, unable to speak. He felt guilty because he believed Yuan Yao’s current condition was his fault. And as he held Yuan Yao’s hand, he could feel that Yuan Yao wouldn’t survive the day. “I’m sorry…”
“Brother Bofu, it seems we are not destined to be brothers in na. Father…” Yuan Yao suddenly opened his eyes and looked at Yuan Shu with deep longing. Yuan Shu understood a great deal from that one look.
“Bofu, beco my adopted son. You can keep your surna, but just inherit the Yuan family. Our family has produced three generations of high-ranking officials—how could we let that be stolen by a son of a concubine? You’re the only one I trust,” Yuan Shu said, his voice filled with sorrow.
Yuan Yao’s glance did not escape Zhou Yu’s notice, but he said nothing. He couldn’t help but feel a pang of admiration—this was the spirit of a noble family mber. Even though Yuan Yao had accepted Sun Ce, he still conducted one last test before his death.
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