Intelligence

189 AD, Luoyang, the Yuan household.

After the meal, Yuan Xi reported the recent events at the imperial palace to Yuan Wei and Yuan Shao. This was, after all, the very purpose of his role as a companion to the imperial princes.

Yuan Wei’s expression tightened. He glanced around, then led Yuan Shao and Yuan Xi to the study, ordering his trusted aides to stand guard outside. He was a man of extreme caution.

Yuan Xi knew his grandfather was about to discuss confidential matters with his father. Normally, he would not be qualified to participate, but because of his status as an imperial companion—effectively acting as the Yuan family’s eyes and ears within the palace—and having reported internal palace affairs on numerous occasions, combined with his growing reputation for scholarly talent, his elders had come to value him more and more. Thus, they made an exception to allow him to listen in.

Yuan Wei got straight to the point: "Xi'er, has there been any change in the palace recently?"

Yuan Xi collected his thoughts before replying, "Grandson last entered the palace three days ago. The Emperor has not visited the princes for their lessons for quite some time. It is said that His Majesty is slightly unwell, but..."

"Well? What exactly is going on!" Yuan Shao pressed.

Yuan Xi glanced at Yuan Wei, organized his words, and hesitated. "I have heard whispers in private that His Majesty’s condition fluctuates, but when the illness strikes, it grows increasingly severe. Furthermore, there are many rumors saying that..."

"The Emperor intends to name Prince Xie as his successor."

Yuan Wei and Yuan Shao exchanged a look, both sensing the gravity of the situation.

"Benchu, tell the General-in-Chief to intensify preparations," Yuan Wei commanded. "Should any untoward incident occur, that will be our moment to strike against the eunuch faction."

"Understood. I will see to it," Yuan Shao nodded.

After discussing a few more inconsequential matters, they saw Yuan Wei out.

After parting ways with Yuan Shao, Yuan Xi made his way to the residence of his mother, Lady Liu. Although history books painted Lady Liu as a ruthless and venomous woman, in Yuan Xi’s eyes, this mother of noble birth possessed a certain aristocratic grace. Aside from being somewhat prone to jealousy, she carried herself with the poise expected of a lady from a prominent clan; after all, one could only expect so much from a daughter of such a lineage.

Lady Liu, born Yu, was Yuan Shao’s second wife and was only thirty years old. She possessed a refined and majestic beauty. Yuan Shao held a degree of wariness—or perhaps affection—for this wife, and he certainly never dared to stray at home.

Liu Yu thought highly of Yuan Xi, her second son. Though perhaps not as favored as Yuan Shang, she did not show excessive bias. It was precisely because of Liu Yu’s overt and covert support that Yuan Xi had been able to carry out his plans over the years, such as the gambling den he operated.

"Xianyi, you’ve come. Sit down," Lady Liu instructed her maid to add charcoal to the brazier before taking Yuan Xi’s hand, engaging in the usual small talk and inquiries about his well-being.

"Just idle time, so I thought I’d come to see you, Mother," Yuan Xi smiled.

When Yuan Xi brought up matters concerning their ancestral home in Runan, Liu Yu furrowed her elegant brows. "That eldest brother of yours has harbored ill intentions toward you both since childhood. Xianyi, you must be on your guard; do not let him deceive you."

"Rest assured, Mother. I understand."

Yuan Xi reflected that in the future struggle for power, he still held a significant advantage; it was not as if he had no chance at all. However, if they were to follow the course of history, with the three brothers exhausting each other through infighting only to let Cao Cao seize the opportunity, he must establish his own foundation of civil and military talent ahead of time to survive and secure a foothold in this chaotic era.

Yet, he was still young, possessing neither power, troops, nor influence. Recruiting talent was easier said than done. He could only rely on his knowledge of history to do what he could, laying a foundation for the future.

Liu Yu stroked his head and asked, "Xianyi, are your expenses still sufficient? If not, I will have someone fetch five pieces of gold for you later."

"Thank you, Mother." Yuan Xi did not stand on ceremony. At a time when he desperately needed startup capital, he accepted readily.

The next day, after breakfast, Xu Chu was already waiting outside Yuan Xi’s residence.

As Yuan Xi and Xu Chu led their horses out, they saw Zhu Ao squatting in a corner opposite, appearing to have been waiting for quite some time.

"Greetings, Young Master." Seeing Yuan Xi, he quickly stepped forward to bow.

"Follow behind," Yuan Xi nodded slightly. He let him trail them, and the three made their way to a "gambling den" next to the Gold Market in Luoyang.

In truth, this gambling den, along with several other small shops in Luoyang, were businesses under Yuan Xi’s name. Over the past two years, he had used various methods to pool capital and establish these shops.

The man helping him manage it was named Hua Xu, a man of short stature in his thirties. He had once been a merchant who lost everything after a conflict with a nephew of Zhang Rang. Through a stroke of fate, Yuan Xi had offered him some relief, and out of deep gratitude, Hua Xu recognized Yuan Xi as his master and managed his assets.

Yuan Xi did not expect these shops to generate significant profit; they served merely as intelligence outposts in places like Luoyang. As his reach expanded, he would be able to gather information.

A clerk led Yuan Xi to a room upstairs. Xu Chu remained in the courtyard, keeping an eye on Zhu Ao. Hua Xu was already waiting there. After offering his respects, he reported what he had learned about Zhu Ao.

"Zhu Ao is indeed a displaced person from Yuzhou. He has an elderly mother who washes clothes and performs chores for others to get by, and a teenage younger brother; the family lives in extreme hardship. Zhu Ao has taken on various odd jobs, but unable to sustain the family, he eventually turned to petty theft," Hua Xu reported.

"I find him quite sharp, and he has read some books. Let him go to Chang'an to manage a shop, and while he’s at it, recruit some drifters and unique talents," Yuan Xi decided after a moment of reflection.

"If the Young Master wishes to gather intelligence, someone like this street-smart scoundrel is well-suited for the task. I will make arrangements once he arrives there," Hua Xu nodded.

"Very well, that will do for now." Yuan Xi sent Hua Xu off to attend to his duties.

He then had Zhu Ao and Xu Chu brought inside.

Yuan Xi addressed Zhu Ao, "I have looked into your situation. I know about your mother and brother; you are truly in a difficult spot."

Zhu Ao let out a breath, feeling that Yuan Xi’s methods were quite formidable.

"This time, I am giving you an opportunity. Go to Chang'an and help me manage a shop. What do you think?" Yuan Xi looked at him calmly.

Zhu Ao was pleased, but hesitated. "But this lowly one has never managed a shop before. I am not sure if I am capable."

"If you don't know how, you can learn. There will be people to guide you. However, there is another urgent matter I need you to handle. In Chang'an, managing the shop will be your public front."

"But in secret, you are to provide relief to and recruit people like peddlers, drifters, thieves, and scoundrels." Yuan Xi paused at this.

"Ah! Why is that?" Zhu Ao asked, surprised.

Yuan Xi frowned, his gaze turning cold.

***

The phoenix crown and embroidered robes are attire worn by women on their wedding day. In ancient times, these were mostly ceremonial garments for royalty and noble women during weddings and grand ceremonies; commoners were forbidden from wearing them.

During the reign of Emperor Gao of Jin, Yuan Zhi wished to honor Xiahou Wei as the Empress Dowager of the Western Palace, but the ministers all opposed it. Consequently, Xiahou Wei suggested to Yuan Zhi that common women be permitted to wear phoenix crowns and embroidered robes for their weddings.

The people of the time were shocked, but a month later, the ministers all changed their tune. Thus, Xiahou Wei was successfully honored as the Empress Dowager of the Western Palace.

Xiahou Wei was the daughter of Xiahou Dun. When Yuan Xi sought to persuade her father to surrender, Xiahou Dun declared he would submit to the Han but not to Yuan, eventually agreeing to three conditions, which the Emperor Xuanwu granted.