Follow the Dragon
Emperor Xuanwu, Yuan Xi, had two great patrons on his path to usurpation.
The first was Xu You; the second, Chunyu Qiong—two key figures in military and political affairs.
It was the year 188, in Luoyang, at the Yuan residence, where Yuan Xi held a banquet.
Chunyu Qiong arrived first. Yuan Xi waved to dismiss the maidservants.
He glanced back at Xu Chu and said, “Zhongkang, when Qin lost its deer, the whole world chased after it. Do you know why this deer is used as a metaphor for the realm?”
Rather than posing a question to Xu Chu, it seemed more like a statement meant for Chunyu Qiong.
Xu Chu, somewhat bashful, replied simply, “Young master, I am no scholar. I think the deer is a gentle creature—whoever has the greater strength shall possess it. That must be the meaning, right?”
Xu Chu’s simple words were not without merit.
It was a matter of victors and vanquished—coarse words, but not without truth.
“Indeed, Zhongkang speaks well. Today’s Han dynasty is plagued by heavy taxation and chaos, with continuous wars stirring the land. After the Yellow Turban Rebellion, regional warlords have grown too strong to shake off. In a few years, the world will inevitably be engulfed in new conflicts,” Yuan Xi nodded thoughtfully.
Chunyu Qiong, the senior among them, spoke, “Second young master, who now possesses the extraordinary charisma of Benchu? To let someone else take the realm—that would be a joke.”
This Chunyu Qiong was a close confidant and trusted favorite of Yuan Shao.
Yuan Xi could not deny the truth in Chunyu Qiong’s words.
He continued, “I recall Confucius saying that only the virtuous can govern the world. Looking at today’s state of affairs, I pity the current emperor. Our ancestor, Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu, labored diligently, lightening the burdens on the people and fostering a prosperous realm. Yet, in recent generations, the emperors have squandered this magnificent empire. Alas, such a shame.”
Such sentiments he dared not voice beyond the walls of home.
Just then, laughter rang out at the door.
Suddenly, Yuan Xi laughed heartily. “Wrong, wrong! It is he who possesses the horse who rules. Our dynasty’s Guangwu Emperor secured the empire not through virtue, but by strength.”
The horse symbolized the military; in ancient times, the title Sima referred to the commander in charge of the army.
The three were startled—it was Xu You, Xu Ziyuan himself.
He was also a trusted adviser of Yuan Shao, deeply favored.
Xu You approached Yuan Xi with a deep bow, his face beaming as his eyes twinkled into narrow slits. Then, he adopted a serious tone.
“Gentlemen, would you like to hear my theory on horses?”
Seeing Xu You show off, Chunyu Qiong grew impatient and snapped, “You sneaky fellow, what are you plotting in secret? Speak plainly if you have something to say!”
Xu You’s smile only grew brighter as he continued.
“I would never shoot arrows from behind, for I only lead horses; no need to waste effort. Let’s get to the point—do you know why whoever controls the horses controls the realm?”
As he spoke, he pulled out an ornate silver wine flask from behind and took a swig—truly the manner of a refined gentleman.
Noticing the flash of anger on Chunyu Qiong’s face as he opened his mouth, Xu You quickly swallowed his wine and hurried on.
“In days of old, King Wuling of Zhao adopted the barbarian attire and cavalry, making Zhao the unrivaled power of its age. Duke Mu of Qin appointed horse trader Meng Ming and Bai Yiqi as generals, securing Qin’s dominance during the Spring and Autumn period. Emperor Wu of Han sought horses during his western campaigns, thereby expanding the empire’s vast frontiers.”
Yuan Xi and the others listened carefully; there was indeed some truth in these words.
“These enlightened rulers succeeded because they understood horses and how to employ them. With horses, one can ride thousands of miles, besiege cities, and achieve heroic feats. Virtue has little to do with it. Confucius was virtuous, yet he never came into contact with horses. During his travels, he rode a donkey cart, merely lecturing and pontificating. That is why his official career was short-lived.”
Xu You, somewhat emboldened, began to boldly criticize the old sage.
Yuan Xi watched him twist logic but did not interrupt.
“Uncle, please be seated. How have you been lately?”
A smile crept to Yuan Xi’s lips as he invited Xu You to sit and filled two wine cups, smiling warmly.
Xu You drained his cup and said bitterly to Yuan Xi, “Second young master, you don’t know how dull it is being magistrate of Puyang. Luoyang is far better—more time to think and less noise. Now that you have prepared wine and food, isn’t this the life of a god?”
“Ha ha, uncle, you jest,” Yuan Xi laughed.
Xu You continued, “I have been pondering Lord Yuan.”
Yuan Xi’s father, Yuan Shao, had served as an official in Puyang.
Xu You’s past political career also included Puyang.
This indicated the Yuan family’s deep roots, with four generations producing three chancellors and a vast network of protégés—an impressive and indefinable foundation.
“Uncle, you were close to my father, seeing him daily. Is there anything about him you haven’t figured out?” Yuan Xi asked with curiosity.
Xu You looked at Yuan Xi slowly and said, “I have been contemplating the moves Lord Yuan made. Years ago, in the capital, Yuan Shao was distrusted by the Ten Attendants. To avoid disaster, he sought to leave, taking the post of Puyang’s military governor and working tirelessly to root out bandits.”
“Lord Yuan pacified the people and governed well, turning Puyang into a solid base. Yet this was far from the emperor’s original intention.”
“The emperor wanted the Ten Attendants to check the Yuan family’s power, perhaps with no good intentions. Unexpectedly, that backfired and benefited Lord Yuan. Then Lord Yuan began quietly building a force of loyal and fearless men. Second young master, you were part of that effort.”
“You have elder brothers and younger siblings, yet Lord Yuan personally brought you to Luoyang, surely seeing your ambition and unmatched talent.”
“Lord Yuan is known for kindness and straightforwardness, but from these events, can anyone say he lacks strategy and ambition?”
Indeed, Yuan Shao was no historical fool.
He was quite cunning, much like Tang Gaozu Li Yuan before him.
Yuan Xi fell silent, reflecting.
Xu You’s analysis seemed plausible.
When Emperor Ling appointed Yuan Shao as military governor of Puyang, Yuan Shao had once quietly told Yuan Xi, “Puyang is the perfect springboard for our family to infiltrate Hebei. Now that I am stationed here, is it not fate?” His joy was plain to see.
Xu You paused, drank more wine, and said, “Second young master, from my observations, your potential may even surpass Lord Yuan’s. To inspire wholehearted loyalty alone puts you beyond ordinary men, not to mention your unmatched wisdom and quick judgment.”
Yuan Xi said nothing in response to Xu You’s praise, quietly gazing at the courtyard bathed in the setting sun’s glow, lost in thought.
Meanwhile, Chunyu Qiong’s eyes darted nervously as he heard Xu You’s words.
As for Xu Chu, he simply followed the young lord loyally.
It was precisely because Xu You and Chunyu Qiong were present that Yuan Xi’s path to glory lay ever clearer.
...
The Bald Eagle, Yuan Xi’s hunting falcon.
After Yuan Xi’s northern campaign against the Wuhuan, the grasslands were pacified, creating a powerful strategic deterrent against Liaodong. To prevent Yuan Xi from spying into Liaodong, Gongsun Du sent his son Gongsun Kang to befriend Yuan Xi, gifting him a bald eagle from overseas.
Yuan Xi named the bird “Little Gray.”
Don’t ask why—it’s because white plus black equals gray. Emperor Xuanwu liked eagles.
Thus, in the Jin dynasty, an unwritten rule emerged: if the reigning emperor gifted a bald eagle to a prince, that prince was the heir apparent—the crown prince.
Over time, this became a royal custom.
After pacifying Liaodong, Yuan Xi received another bald eagle, which he passed on to Yuan Rui.
Yuan Rui would become the future Emperor Ming of Jin.