Undercurrent

In the year 189, Luoyang, Zhuque Avenue, at the Drunken Immortal Tavern.

Yuan Xi vaguely remembered that in 186, the empire had fallen into crisis.

The hearts of the people across the land shifted, dark currents surged beneath the surface, and naturally, this included the Yuan family.

After all, the Yuans were not mere loyal subjects; otherwise, why would they raise three thousand loyal warriors? Was it just child's play? Impossible.

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The year 186 was a continuation of last year's turmoil. The rebellion among the frontier troops triggered a chain reaction, causing uprisings among the county militias in other regions of the empire.

Under the military pressure of Huangfu Song, the northwestern rebels descended into internal strife.

But the good times were short-lived. A figure named Han Sui emerged among the rebels, swiftly seizing leadership, while Ma Teng also joined the rebellion.

Together, they promoted the restoration of the kingdom and pillaged the Three Capitals.

Within the Han court, debates between war and peace caused divisions. Due to prolonged battles with no victory, Zhang Wen became the scapegoat for the Yuan family and was summoned back to the capital.

That year, Yuan Xi was ten years old and had made a new friend named Yang Xiu.

He was the son of Yang Biao; the Yang family was a leader of the reformist faction.

Previously, Yuan Xi could never win his arguments against Zhou Yu.

However, with Yang Xiu's involvement, Zhou Yu unexpectedly suffered defeat. From then on, Yuan Xi’s little circle regained its former vigor.

Later, Yang Biao remained loyal to the Han dynasty, while Yang Xiu pledged allegiance to the Jin dynasty.

The Yang family, truly cunning, hedged their bets on both sides.

That year, Yuan Xi also met Wang Yun and Grand General He Jin.

He Jin was promoted to Grand General, bearing a fierce demeanor. As he walked, he swaggered with an air of petty triumph, the manner of a man suddenly risen to power.

It suited him perfectly—his nouveau riche temperament was on full display.

Wang Yun was much more reserved: portly, humble and courteous, his face never losing its smile—a classic “smiling tiger” persona.

In the Tang dynasty, the treacherous Li Linfu was probably much the same.

Wang Yun had once been imprisoned for offending the Ten Eunuchs.

Yuan Wei stepped in to save him, for which Wang Yun was quite grateful to the Yuan family—at least on the surface. Who could say what came afterward?

After all, they were all politicians, each with their own vices.

Almost forgot—this time, the Grand General also played a part. Yuan Wei took the lead in collaborating with Grand General He Jin to safeguard Wang Yun’s release.

Later, Wang Yun adopted a young girl named Diao Chan.

Upon hearing this, Yuan Xi defied Yuan Shao’s opposition and went to claim her. Wang Yun refused firmly, arguing that Yuan Xi had discovered her first but was outmaneuvered.

Still, Yuan Xi shamelessly kept visiting, but to no avail, which indirectly angered Gao Yue and Princess Liu Yan.

Months later, Diao Chan was sent into the palace by Wang Yun, finally letting Yuan Xi return to his normal life.

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That year, with Zhang Wen recalled, Sun Jian returned to Luoyang as an advisor, granting Yuan Xi the chance to meet the fierce tiger of Jiangdong.

On one occasion, Sun Jian visited the Yuan family, presenting gifts to express gratitude for a recommendation, and was received by Yuan Shu. They conversed amicably, though the details remain unknown.

Afterward, Sun Jian was appointed Governor of Changsha, tasked with pacifying the southern regions of the empire, later ennobled as Marquis of Wucheng.

Facing the prestigious four-generation three-time ministerial Yuan family, Sun Jian dared not be arrogant. Despite his valor, he humbly bowed under their roof, knowing where he stood.

Young Yuan Xi once overheard at a banquet his father Yuan Shao and others discussing the state of the realm and the origins, course, and outcome of the Yellow Turban Rebellion.

They even predicted future events.

At that time, they also mentioned two other figures.

The first was Gongsun Zan; the second, Liu Bei.

Everyone recognized Gongsun Zan, but when it came to Liu Bei, most scoffed disdainfully—except one man.

That was Cao Cao, who believed Liu Bei was no ordinary man and should not be underestimated.

However, Yuan Shao interrupted him, asserting that the Yellow Turban Rebellion had made one man: Dong Zhuo of Xiliang, holding the title General Who Suppresses Rebels.

Dong Zhuo was indeed formidable early on, clever and resourceful.

With the lineup of civil and military officials in the Xiliang army—Li Que, Guo Si, Zhang Ji, Xu Rong, Li Ru, and the old fox Jia Xu—who in the world dared look down on them?

That year, Yuan Xi was ten, his heart already stirring. The great chaos was drawing near. He felt both anticipation and unease.

The upheaval was about to begin, but Yuan Xi was too young to stop anything; all he could do was watch helplessly as events unfolded.

Though he was the second son of the Yuan family, his status was low, and his voice light.

His small butterfly wings could only strive to change a little, bit by bit, until countless bits connected.

Only then could he unleash a mighty storm upon this era and rule the realm.

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In 186, Emperor Ling saw the empire descending into chaos and the Han dynasty weakening.

With the nation’s fortunes declining, and on the advice of a Taoist scholar, Emperor Ling ordered the E-Yeting official, Bi Lan, to cast four bronze figures and four bells to stabilize the nation's fate.

He also cast the Heavenly Toad and the frog spitting water at the east bridge outside the Ping Gate, diverting water into the palace.

Additionally, he made a waterwheel and a thirsty crow at the west bridge, scattering water along the roads of the southern and northern suburbs to alter the feng shui of the five elements, publicly claiming it would save the people the expense of watering the roads.

Yuan Xi and Princess Wannian saw one of these in the jade hall of the southern palace while playing.

It was a golden toad cast of bronze, but later, when Dong Zhuo set fire to Luoyang, all of these became ashes—what a pity.

When a great building is about to collapse, human effort alone cannot sustain it, let alone rely on such objects.

The fate of a nation, people, or lifeless things—what use are they? How absurd.

During the latter half of 186, Emperor Ling realized the situation was hopeless, powerless to turn the tide, and finally decided to abandon his responsibilities and give up.

Ordinary people might do such a thing with little consequence, but he was the emperor.

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His decision shaped the future fate of the empire.

Unfortunately, he did not possess Liu Bei’s indomitable spirit. Instead, he chose to drown himself in debauchery, numbing himself to make up for the first half of his life.

Until the moment of death, everything remains unknown. Would it not be a pity not to try? Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, and Liu Bei all died on the battlefield in their final moments.

At the end of 186, it was the day Sun Ce and Zhou Yu were about to leave the capital.

They were traveling to Shouchun to visit family. After many days together, parting was inevitable.

Though Yuan Xi and Sun Ce often quarreled, there was still some affection between them.

To bid farewell to Sun Ce and Zhou Yu, Yuan Xi, Cao Ang, and Yang Xiu decided to hold a horse race in the western suburbs, wagering their horses as stakes.

At first, things went smoothly—Yuan Xi and Sun Ce’s horses took the lead.

But then an unexpected twist: Huangfu Li, son of the veteran general Huangfu Song, demanded to join the race, so it restarted.

His horse, a Xiliang warhorse, quickly left Yuan Xi and Sun Ce’s horses behind.

After three rounds, Huangfu Li won two.

Yuan Xi and Sun Ce tied one to one.

Yet Yuan Xi breathed a sigh of relief; losing to Huangfu Li was acceptable, but losing to Sun Ce would have stung his pride.

Fortunately, the result was not too bad.

This parting, neither Yuan Xi nor Sun Ce foresaw that they would later become each other's greatest enemies, forming a north-south divide.

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Madam Liu, Yuan Shao’s second wife, mother to Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang.

The revered matriarch, honored as Empress Dowager Wumu.

During Emperor Xuanwu’s reign, she provided extensive financial, material, and human support for Yuan Xi’s early development, offering him many pieces of advice.

In the later struggle for succession, she positioned Yuan Xi advantageously.

Though she inevitably favored Yuan Shang, she still prioritized the greater good and chose Yuan Xi, having no other choice.

After all, by then Yuan Xi’s power was firmly established, his claim to the throne real.

As Yuan Shao’s principal wife, Madam Liu possessed political acumen.

However, she was jealous, causing Yuan Shao’s other concubines to live in constant fear.

She disliked Princess Wannian, feeling the princess carried herself with more authority than even herself, Liu, which bred resentment and coldness toward Liu Yan.

After Yuan Shao’s death, Madam Liu restrained herself somewhat.

After all, no one understands a child better than their mother; these two sons were not necessarily to be spoiled.

To advise a parent when they err is the highest filial duty.

To flatter and encourage their faults is mere shallow filial piety.