Precocious

189 AD, Luoyang, Vermilion Bird Avenue, Drunken Immortal Pavilion.

Looking at the bustling ancient capital of Luoyang, Yuan Xi could not help but feel a sense of intoxication. It had already been thirteen years since he arrived at the end of the Han Dynasty. Time truly flew like lightning, though these years had not been easy for him. His father, Yuan Shao, held high expectations for him and was, consequently, a stern disciplinarian.

181 AD, Luoyang, the Yuan Residence. Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu were at odds with each other. On this day, Yuan Shao was assessing Yuan Xi’s progress in his studies and other matters. Looking at the young boy, Yuan Shao said with affection, "Xi’er, come here quickly and recite the Art of War by Sun Tzu that you learned yesterday for your father once more."

Ever since a mysterious Taoist priest surnamed Feng had spoken a series of strange words when Yuan Xi was just one year old, Yuan Shao had pinned great hopes on him. It also signaled that Yuan Shao’s ambitions were beginning to sprout—ambitions that had awakened even earlier than those of Cao Cao.

In the *Romance of the Three Kingdoms*, Yuan Shao is often depicted as having great ambitions but little talent, being harsh on the outside but weak on the inside, short-sighted in politics, and foolish in military affairs—a mere handsome shell, a useless glutton. However, the young Yuan Xi had discovered over the past few years that his father could not be so easily dismissed as a fool; Yuan Shao was indeed a man of considerable talent. One must not forget that Yuan Shao was the one who acted as the "big brother" to Cao Cao in their early days. As a true scion of the capital’s elite, how incompetent could he really be?

Yuan Shao was a handsome man with good genes, an idol-like figure among the aristocratic youth. In the Eastern Han Dynasty, where one moved between serving as a general or a minister, he was the picture of a refined and elegant commander. Anyone who saw him would praise him from the bottom of their hearts, noting the noble air of Young Master Yuan. Only figures like the Tang Dynasty’s Emperor Gaozu, Li Yuan, or Ye Hetu, the father of Ye Wudao, could compare to such poise.

"The Nine Situations," the young Yuan Xi recited in his childish voice. "Sun Tzu says: The art of war involves various types of terrain: dispersive, easy, contentious, open, intersecting, heavy, hemmed, and desperate. Territory where feudal lords fight is called dispersive ground. Therefore, at the start, be as quiet as a maiden, and when the enemy opens their gate, be as swift as a fleeing rabbit, so the enemy cannot resist."

Listening to him, Yuan Shao nodded and laughed heartily, "Haha, truly the unicorn child of our Yuan family! Our family has a bright future."

He then glanced at his uncle, Yuan Wei, and Cao Cao, who were sitting in a nearby pavilion, and said with satisfaction, "Xi’er, listen well. Do you see the white geese in the pond? Can you compose a poem about them?"

Yuan Shao spoke loudly on purpose. He was well aware of his son’s monstrous talent and wanted to show off the boy’s brilliance to his uncle and Cao Cao today.

The young Yuan Xi maintained his lazy demeanor. Feeling bored, he spoke like a little adult, "Writing poetry again? Father, can you not be so tedious?"

Yuan Shao sheepishly pinched the boy’s chubby cheek and whispered, "Hurry up, and next time I will sneak you out to play, how about that?"

Yuan Xi said languidly, "Father, listen well: 'Ode to the Goose: Goose, goose, goose, you curve your neck and sing to the sky. White feathers float on the green water, red webs paddle the clear ripples.'"

When Yuan Shao heard these lines, his eyes lit up. Although the poem still seemed very childish to him, his son was only six years old and hadn't even begun formal schooling yet. To compose such a poem was truly the mark of a natural prodigy.

The young Yuan Xi’s crisp, childish voice was heard clearly by Yuan Wei and Cao Cao. Yuan Wei, who had been lying there leisurely, could no longer remain calm; he rose from his mat with a look of astonishment on his face.

Cao Cao’s face also showed great surprise, and he clicked his tongue in wonder at the six- or seven-year-old Yuan Xi.

Yuan Wei walked over and patted the boy’s head. "Our Xi’er is truly remarkable," he said with a laugh.

"You are too kind, Grandfather. I was just playing," Yuan Xi said, quickly offering a formal salute.

"Well, good. Xi’er, have you begun studying the classics and histories?" Yuan Wei asked with a smile, stroking his beard.

"In reply to Grandfather, I do not like them," the young Yuan Xi replied. He did not want to study so early.

Yuan Wei pondered for a moment. Since Xi’er was unwilling to learn the classics, the sagely canons, and the books in the academy, it was perhaps better not to force him. It was better to let him study what he enjoyed. Although Yuan Wei was strict with himself, he was remarkably open-minded regarding the education of his descendants.

Of course, Yuan Shao would not let the boy off so easily. By the following year, 182 AD, Yuan Xi would still have to attend primary school. There, he would meet many other children from the capital, such as Cao Ang, Wang Ling, Yang Xiu, Huangfu Li, and Cai Yan.

Yuan Wei said to the young Yuan Xi, "Xi’er, Grandfather will not force you. Now that you are quite sensible, tell me, what plans do you have for the future?"

In an era of increasing turmoil, children matured early. If Yuan Xi had been a girl, he might have already been betrothed at this age. Though Yuan Xi appeared incredibly restless, he was actually quite decisive. Despite his usual mischievousness, he was a child with strong ideas—a result of Yuan Shao’s upbringing.

The young Yuan Xi’s expression turned solemn. He bowed deeply to his grandfather, his beautiful face set with a pair of lively eyes. He said concisely, "I wish to learn the way of governance to protect the glory of our Yuan family for three generations!"

Cao Cao, standing to the side, looked at the little boy—who was a year younger than his own son, Cao Ang—with slight astonishment. He could not help but exclaim, "Sigh, other people’s children are always better."

A strange glimmer flashed in Yuan Wei’s perpetually calm eyes, for he sensed the deep ambition within his grandson. While it made him secretly happy, it also brought a worry: would there be a conflict over the position of head of the Yuan family in the future? Probably not. Yuan Wei shook his head, feeling his intuition was ridiculous; after all, Xi’er was still just a child.

Yuan Shao, seeing the moment was ripe, said lightly, "In that case, Xi’er, today your father grants you the courtesy name 'Xianyi.' I hope that in the future, you will bring order to chaos, pacify the people, gain great renown, and bring glory to the Yuan family gate."

A hint of appreciation flashed in the young Yuan Xi’s dark, shining eyes. He seemed quite satisfied with this name. In truth, Yuan Shao’s act of putting his son forward today was an embodiment of the power struggles within the aristocratic clans. In the long run, the "Good Holy Grandson" Zhu Zhanji was a similar case.

Hearing this, Yuan Wei laughed heartily and looked at the young Yuan Xi with gratification. "Truly, he is my good holy grandson. This is the second 'Benchu' of our Yuan family!"

Yuan Wei had always admired Yuan Shao, whom he had adopted from his elder brother. Seeing his grandson possess the same schemings as Yuan Shao, he was very pleased. Yet, deep down, there was a hidden anxiety. As a top-tier, long-established aristocratic clan, the internal power struggles within the Yuan family were just as intense as those in the imperial household. Yuan Wei did not wish to see a scene of brothers turning against each other within his own home.

***

Princess Wannian, Liu Yan, was the second daughter of Emperor Ling of Han. Her elder brother was the Prince of Hongnong, and her younger brother was Emperor Xian of Han. Her husband was Yuan Xi, and they had one son, Yuan Mu.

She and Yuan Xi had met in the palace during childhood and developed feelings for one another. Emperor Ling, wishing to win over the Yuan family, intended to betroth Princess Wannian to Yuan Xi, but circumstances changed and the plan was terminated in 188 AD. Later, when Yuan Xi was ordered to lead troops to support the throne, the two met again. Emperor Xian then bestowed the Princess upon Yuan Xi, and they were finally united.

This political marriage brought Yuan Xi immense political prestige, but it also planted the seeds of disaster for his succession. Of course, that is another story—the story of the struggle for the throne.

Later, during the Baima Temple Incident, Gao Yue was assassinated. Not long after, Princess Wannian died suddenly at home at the age of only twenty-nine. For a time, historians held various views; unofficial records claim she was poisoned by Emperor Xuanwu. However, the secrets of the palace remain unclear to ordinary people.

A month later, the Princess’s son, Yuan Mu, also committed suicide at home. Whether it was a true suicide or a forced one, history books remain vague. Once one enters the gates of a noble house, the depth is like the sea, and one is no longer the master of one's own fate.