Mythical Three Kingdoms

Compared to Cao Cao, who was only shocked upon hearing the news of Yuan Shao’s death and immediately started thinking about how to deal with Liu Bei, Yuan Shu was utterly dazed when he received the same news.

Yuan Shu had always strongly disliked Yuan Shao, primarily because Yuan Shao always seemed to be just a bit better than him. As children, Yuan Shu couldn’t beat Yuan Shao in fights. He disdained resorting to insults, but every time he tried to confront Yuan Shao, he ended up with a bruised and swollen face. Although their father always stood behind Yuan Shu, he felt that such grudges ought to be settled by himself.

Unfortunately, Yuan Shu had never once succeeded in avenging himself directly. No matter how much Yuan Shao was scolded by others, as long as Yuan Shu dared to provoke him, Yuan Shao would never hold back. Even if their father would punish him later, Yuan Shao didn’t care at all and would first give Yuan Shu a good beating.

As they grew older, Yuan Shu finally began to understand that the honor of an aristocratic family member wasn’t about bullying one’s own people but rather about supporting the weak and defeating the strong. So Yuan Shu turned to become a swordsman, leading a group of rowdy friends and basking in his own radiance.

However, just as Yuan Shu was preparing to flaunt his achievements and challenge Yuan Shao again, he discovered that the infuriating fellow had already gone off to become a government official and, to his astonishment, had risen to be the staff of Great General He Jin.

Driven by the belief that if Yuan Shao could achieve such heights, he could too, Yuan Shu easily became one of Great General He Jin’s staff as well. He was clear that this privilege stemmed from the status of the Yuan Family, yet Yuan Shu reasoned that Yuan Shao relied on the same foundation—both benefiting from the deeply rooted power of the Yuan Family.

But as time passed, Yuan Shu began to notice differences. Though they were both staff members, Yuan Shao, alongside Cao Cao and Xun You, was deeply trusted by the Great General. In stark contrast, Yuan Shu found himself relegated to merely being a stereotypical ”student of the Crown Prince.”

The disparity filled Yuan Shu with immense anger and frustration. Unable to bear it, he resigned from his position under the Great General and sought another role, opting to become an official in Yuzhou. This, too, was a privilege afforded by the Yuan Family’s influence—no further explanation needed.

Upon returning to his hometown, his once-resentful mood was completely lifted. Meeting Jii Ling, a like-minded individual whose geniality and combat prowess greatly impressed him, only further brightened Yuan Shu’s spirits!

With his mood soaring, Yuan Shu adopted an extraordinarily lenient approach to governance under his jurisdiction. Taxes were waived whenever possible. After all, what did a bit of money mean to the Yuan Family? The loss only affected the Great Han State’s coffers—not his concern.

Seeing the awe and respect in the eyes of the common folk, Yuan Shu couldn’t help but feel immense satisfaction. Naturally, he began to entertain more ambitious ideas—like letting Yuan Shao witness his success firsthand.

But before that moment could arrive, Dong Zhuo came. Yuan Shu had always believed himself—and the Yuan Family—to be incredibly powerful, never needing to regard anyone as an equal. However, upon meeting Dong Zhuo, Yuan Shu finally understood what true arrogance and disregard for others looked like.

Later during the coalition assembly, Yuan Shu had originally thought he would become the Alliance Hierarch, but the title ultimately went to Yuan Shao instead. Yuan Shu was dissatisfied but said nothing. Of all those present, the only one Yuan Shu could even remotely respect was Yuan Shao—the others were mere mediocrities. Yuan Shao, despite stirring Yuan Shu’s frustration, still commanded a degree of his grudging admiration.

Thus, the coalition forces united and defeated Dong Zhuo. The various feudal lords departed for their respective domains afterward. Yuan Shu invited Yuan Shao to return to Yuzhou with him. Although Yuan Shu resented the fact that Yuan Shao always overshadowed him, he wasn’t petty enough to deny his brother a trip back to their ancestral home.

Yet Yuan Shao refused. Seeing the mistrust in Yuan Shao’s eyes, Yuan Shu instantly flew into a rage. With a flick of his sleeve, he stormed off, deciding to march his troops back to Yuzhou and prepare to crush Yuan Shao, beat him half to death, and drag him back home!

However, by the time Yuan Shu arrived back in Yuzhou, having inherited the Yuan Family’s ancestral lands and gearing up to confront Yuan Shao, word came that Yuan Shao had already climbed his way to power, seizing control of Jizhou—the most prosperous province of the Nine Provinces!

Upon hearing the news, Yuan Shu couldn’t entirely discern his feelings. Perhaps there was envy, jealousy, and even a touch of admiration. How many aristocrats dream of breaking free from their families to forge their own paths? But how many actually succeed?

In that moment, Yuan Shu, seated amidst the vast wealth of the Yuan Family, could only silently gaze upward at Yuan Shao, who, through sheer effort, had built his own kingdom. After all, Yuan Shao was his brother. Despite the countless grudges between them, their blood still linked them.

Unfortunately, Xuu You went to serve Yuan Shao, and so did Cao Cao. All the friends from his youth turned to Yuan Shao, an unbearable betrayal for Yuan Shu!

Yuan Shu had always considered himself the most loyal of all when it came to brotherhood, continually striving to live up to that ideal. Yet none of his childhood friends sought him out—was he truly so unreliable?

Amid this indignation, Yuan Shu encountered the first person who came to seek his assistance: Sun Ce. Perhaps it was for this reason that Yuan Shu treated Sun Ce with immense warmth. Yuan Shu wanted to let his youthful comrades know that Yuan Shao was nothing compared to him—Yuan Shu was the one worthy of their loyalty!

Somehow, whether by fortune or determination, Yuan Shu experienced a meteoric rise, while Yuan Shao stumbled into trouble, unable to lift his head against Gongsun Zan’s relentless assaults. During that period, Yuan Shu desperately hoped Yuan Shao would write to him, swallow his pride, and request his help. If only Yuan Shao reached out, Yuan Shu was ready to offer his full support—for they were both part of the Yuan Family.

Sadly, Yuan Shu never received Yuan Shao’s plea for aid, only to hear news of Yuan Shao’s decisive victory against Gongsun Zan at Jieqiao, followed by his conquest of Bingzhou.

Yuan Shu couldn’t comprehend his emotions at the time. Perhaps mixed in with his frustration, there was a sense of admiration for Yuan Shao—the resolute elder brother whose greatness had finally made the entire world acknowledge him. The family could no longer dismiss his place.

As Yuan Shao grew steadily stronger, Yuan Shu also held his ground. The world seemed to slowly enter the tempo of the Yuan Family. Even amidst resentment, Yuan Shu entertained thoughts of supporting Yuan Shao’s unification of the North. He had even prepared to dispatch troops when necessary to aid Yuan Shao.

Deep down, he also yearned to challenge Yuan Shao—to see how large the gap truly was between them. Perhaps the losses during childhood had left too many scars, and now as adults, Yuan Shu hadn’t yet had the chance to face him in battle. Even knowing he might lose, Yuan Shu felt a burning need to confront him.

But fate is an unpredictable thing. Even though Yuan Shu was ready to accept defeat before Yuan Shao, what he received instead was news of Yuan Shao’s death.

Yuan Shao was dead. Yuan Shao was actually dead. Yuan Shu raged, smashing everything within the hall into a chaotic mess. Yuan Shao—the hero who had always oppressed him—had fallen, perishing on the battlefield.

After wrecking the hall in a fit of fury, Yuan Shu slumped down onto a severed table and wailed uncontrollably. His heart felt unbearably heavy, and he couldn’t even explain why he wept. He only knew that his chest was constricted with sorrow.

”My brother, how could you leave like this? I cannot bear the burden of the Yuan Family alone! I cannot bear it! Without you, how can I hold the weight of the Yuan Family!” Yuan Shu looked to the heavens and cried loudly. It was only upon Yuan Shao’s passing that he realized the immense weight of the family legacy. In the past, whether he feared or faltered, there was always a pillar—Yuan Shao. But now, that pillar had collapsed.

(To be continued. If you enjoy this story, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)