Chapter Two: Yuan Shu Nearly Dies of Rage

"Feng'er, is Yuan Shu truly without merit? Has he accomplished nothing of value?"

Yuan Shu, for once, fell silent. A sense of world-weariness crept over him; to have sunk so low that even his own son wished to rebel—how pitiful.

"Well, that's not entirely true," Chu Feng mused.

"Quick, tell me—what achievements does he have?" Yuan Shu's eyes lit up, eager for some recognition. He thought to himself, surely he can't be utterly worthless?

"First, Yuan Shu was blind enough to let Sun Ce go," Chu Feng said, stroking his chin.

Blind? Are you sure that's an achievement? Li Bo became increasingly uneasy as he listened. What was this young master up to today? After this, he suspected the family head would certainly investigate this place thoroughly.

Yuan Shu's mouth twitched. Was this just an insult?

"Feng'er, does that count... as merit?"

"Of course it does! Think about it—if he hadn't been blind, wouldn't the people of Jiangdong have suffered under him again? This is more than merit; it's a blessing beyond measure."

"I reckon all the people of Jiangdong owe Yuan Shu a debt of gratitude for his blindness," Chu Feng said with a smirk.

Yuan Shu's face darkened.

Was his son insulting him in a roundabout way?

"Second, because Yuan Shu was foolish, the people of the Central Plains managed to eke out a living, sparing the deaths of millions."

Chu Feng continued.

"How do you mean?" Yuan Shu asked, his face grim.

"Father, look—if Yuan Shu hadn't been foolish, hadn't declared himself emperor, he'd have joined forces with Lü Bu, forming a solid alliance. Xu and Yang would be unified, and Cao Cao would launch even more campaigns east and south."

"If he weren't so foolish, how many more people north of the Yangtze would have been slaughtered by Cao Cao?"

"It was precisely his foolishness that prevented Xuzhou from being ravaged four or five times. Isn't that heroic in its own way?"

Chu Feng paused, deciding not to embellish further.

[Note: According to historical records, Cao Cao sacked Xuzhou three times; the first time his father hadn't died, and he did it purely to seize grain, vent his anger, and assert his dominance.]

Li Bo: "......"

Yuan Shu: "......"

"Master, the young lord is surely not cured of his madness. I'll fetch the physician to prescribe more herbal remedies," Li Bo muttered, unsure what else to say.

If anyone else had spoken so today, there would already be a banquet underway.

"Nonsense, I'm not ill!"

"No, young lord, you're not fully recovered!"

Chu Feng: "…………"

Do I really look like an imbecile?

Yet, to be fair, Yuan Shu's restraint was impressive; he must have sensed something had changed in Chu Feng. Was it a dream of Zhuang Zhou turning into a butterfly?

Thinking along these lines, he tested the waters:

"Feng'er, Yuan Shu has just founded his nation. Though foolish, his soldiers are strong and his stores full. Why do you wish to rebel?"

Chu Feng glanced outside, then whispered, "Because disaster is coming—both natural and manmade. Coupled with defeats in battle, that old fool Yuan Shu won't live past the year after next; he'll die from a fit of rage."

"What did you say?" Yuan Shu was startled.

"Father, why are you so excited? You're in your prime—now's the time for great deeds. You should be steady, learn from your son, be calm and composed."

"We're destined for greatness, you and I," Chu Feng said, rolling his eyes at his unreliable father.

Yuan Shu took a deep breath, settling himself. "Why will Yuan Shu die?"

"Because he's isolated, abandoned by all, and at the end of his rope. He won't live beyond two years. Father, we should prepare early," Chu Feng explained, then urged again.

"Yes, we should prepare," Yuan Shu said, looking at Chu Feng with a meaningful gaze.

"I'll send you a thousand piculs of grain and twenty million coins soon. Do your work well—there are matters I can't handle directly."

"Twenty million?"

Chu Feng gasped. That was a generous start-up fund. He nodded repeatedly, understanding the implication. "Father, I understand."

"But father, are we high-ranking officials or something? Where does all this money come from?"

Finally able to show off, Yuan Shu laughed lightly, hands behind his back. "Such a small sum scares you?"

"Tsk, father, with your disregard for money, we're bound to achieve great things. Once we get rid of Yuan Shu, you become emperor, and I become crown prince."

"Oh, and you mustn't follow Yuan Shu's example—his harem numbers in the hundreds, yet he struggles to find a wife for his own son."

"When the time comes, find me a few more wives. I have a taste for this—Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao aren't far, and there are the wives and concubines of Liu Bei, Lü Bu, Cao Cao..."

Chu Feng reminded him pointedly, calculating the allure of married women.

In these times, married women were highly prized. The Han Dynasty's taxes required unmarried women over fifteen to pay a five-fold tax.

(One fold: 120 coins.)

Married women were usually in their early twenties, with all the right curves, and most importantly—they were "experienced," a single glance revealing their intentions.

With their charm, who wouldn't love them?

Yuan Shu stumbled, nearly falling over.

Had it not been for Chu Feng's earnest demeanor, Yuan Shu would have suspected him of knowing his true identity and deliberately making things difficult—especially his fondness for married women.

Were married women really so alluring?

"Fine, but this must not be divulged to outsiders," Yuan Shu said, his expression strange as he nodded.

"Come now, father, do you think your son lacks cunning?" Chu Feng paid no mind to whether his father could handle his cleverness. The timing was too urgent.

If I keep pretending to be foolish for a few more years, everything will be lost.

"Good, then. I have matters to attend to—I won't keep you." Yuan Shu, preoccupied, hurried out.

"Master, let this old servant escort you!"

Watching Yuan Shu depart, Chu Feng clicked his tongue. "My old man must have taken the hint. Look at his brisk steps—so cheerful, off to make preparations."

It made Chu Feng all the more confident in his plan to eliminate Yuan Shu.

Just then, the system prompt sounded in his mind.

"Ding! Congratulations, host, task complete. Reward: Heroic Might of the Overlord. Would you like to claim it now?"

"Claim it!"

As soon as he spoke, Chu Feng felt his bones crackling, muscles swelling, and even his height increased—he must be at least six feet tall now.

His mind was flooded with killing techniques.

"This body and martial skill are truly extraordinary," Chu Feng marveled.

He now possessed at least the strength of a first-rate general. With more practice in weaponry, his prowess would surely advance further—how satisfying.

Meanwhile, Li Bo escorted Yuan Shu.

He could tell Yuan Shu was angry.

Though instructed to follow Chu Feng's orders, it wouldn't be long before the estate was thoroughly investigated.

At that moment, Li Bo wished the young master could remain foolish, so he wouldn't be drawn into these conflicts.

After all, secrets can't stay hidden forever, and the family head had a legitimate son, Yuan Yao. If Yuan Yao learned of Chu Feng's existence, how could Chu Feng survive?

With a sigh, he turned to Chu Feng, who had suddenly become more striking.

"Young master, you..."

"Li Bo, what's wrong?"

"You seem much more handsome," Li Bo said uncertainly.

"Li Bo, you can't flatter me just because my father gave you money. Besides, with your flattery skills, you'd never even get soup in the workplace," Chu Feng replied, rolling his eyes.

Li Bo: "……"

"Take me around the estate. After so many years, I need to manage things."

"Yes, I'll call the household servants to accompany us."

"No need, just the two of us," Chu Feng waved off. Not arrogance, but confidence—nothing short of an army could stop him now.