Chapter 33: Reorganization—An Iron-Fisted Approach

After seeing Qiao Rui off, Lu Su returned to his residence.

He found Chu Feng polishing his sword. Seeing Lu Su come in, Chu Feng asked immediately, “He agreed?”

“Yes, he figured it out.” Lu Su replied, then looked at Chu Feng. “My lord, is this your plan to seize control over the entire Jianghuai region? But there are quite a few who know you are Lord Yuan’s illegitimate son.”

Chu Feng sheathed his sword, chuckling softly, “Heh. Cao Mengde’s manipulation of the emperor is known to all the lords and the people of the land, but what can anyone do about it?”

“I killed Yuan Shu and his son, destroyed the Da Cheng regime, and my name has spread far and wide. By rights, Cao Cao should grant me a title and military command, strengthening his own position with the emperor as a puppet.”

“In this way, Da Cheng remains Da Cheng, the Yuan family remains the Yuan family, and the label of traitor is shed. From being outcasts, we become righteous heroes for destroying rebels—how marvelous is that?”

Chu Feng understood well that the Han dynasty, though decaying, was not yet dead. Loyalists to the Han persisted for nearly a hundred years. Yuan Shu’s claim to the throne was an act of treason. If Chu Feng were to succeed him as crown prince, he too would be doomed.

But there was no choice; such was the way of righteousness.

Cao Cao never dared call himself emperor, only paving the way to kingship. Even when Cao Pi became emperor, he did so only after three refusals, adhering strictly to ritual and custom—yet even so, loyalists to the Han remained.

“My lord’s plan is truly a stroke of genius—two birds with one stone. Everyone knows Cao Cao is a traitor in the guise of a minister, yet countless men of talent flock to him, all for the sake of that mask of legitimacy.”

“In the future, everyone will know you are still of the Yuan family, but no longer Da Cheng. Men of ambition will surely come to serve you,” Lu Su said, having sorted through the relations, deeply impressed.

Although he had guessed Chu Feng’s intent at once, he could not help but admire this move—it turned defense into offense, dispelled the negative, and revitalized the Yuan family’s reputation.

After all, the Yuan family, with four generations of high office and five grand ministers, was the greatest house of the Han. Even Yuan Shu, lacking in both talent and virtue, managed to get this far. One can only imagine how influential the Yuan family was.

“My lord, what should we do with Lord Yuan?” Zhao Fan asked.

“He shall remain emperor. But my father is old and no longer fit to wield power. Tomorrow, after we take over the imperial city, send men to keep an eye on him at all times.”

Chu Feng’s eyes narrowed, his voice cold.

To outsiders, Chu Feng’s words were chilling. He was sidelining Yuan Shu entirely, showing no regard for father and son—truly lamentable.

Little did they know, Chu Feng was not his son in truth.

Moreover, what harm could there be in letting him enjoy his pleasures, so long as he held no real power?

...

Night. The hour of the pig.

The generals, led by Qiao Rui and Ji Ling, came as expected. After all, with Yuan Shu’s seal as proof, refusal would mean certain destruction.

Outside the gates, Lei Bo looked at Chen Lan and whispered, “It seems tonight’s feast will not be a pleasant one.”

“A change is coming,” Chen Lan murmured.

The generals entered the residence, each one uneasy, for only the military officers had been summoned tonight—how was this any different from the Feast at Hongmen? Worse, they were not allowed to bring their own guards.

In the side hall, the commanders knelt at their tables, exchanging uneasy glances but saying little.

At that moment, Chu Feng strode in. The generals all rose and saluted, “Greetings, young lord.”

“No need for formality,” Chu Feng said, waving his hand. “You are all my father’s right hands, defenders of Shouchun’s peace. As his son, I thank you on his behalf.”

“But the Han has lasted nearly four centuries. The people recognize it, the scholars are loyal to it, and the realm follows it. My father’s open usurpation and self-proclamation was a path to ruin.”

“My actions at dusk were to save both the people of Da Cheng and you, the generals. If Da Cheng remained, Cao Cao would surely raise an army, putting you in peril and bringing suffering to the people.”

“This is a strategy of retreating to advance.”

The generals nodded frequently. Yuan Shu's rise to emperor had been due to the persuasion of certain civil officials—a foolish act. Even Runan, the Yuan ancestral land, was alienated by his ambition. In the end, Yuan Shu fell first to Lü Bu, then to Cao Cao, never recovering and abandoned by all.

“Of course, everything I have done is with my father’s permission. He is simply unable to appear in person for now, so I will govern and command in his stead—the imperial seal is proof.”

Chu Feng’s gaze swept across the assembly.

The generals looked at one another, hearts clear as mirrors. Chu Feng was openly seizing power.

“Oh, and I have heard rumors in the city,” Chu Feng continued, with a gentle smile that sent chills down their spines, “that some of my father’s generals are secretly in league with Sun and Cao, disregarding his words entirely. Have you heard such things?”

What did this mean? Was he not saying that anyone who refused to recognize him as lord was a traitor? This was an open threat, swift and relentless, leaving them no time to breathe.

Qiao Rui raised his brows, then stepped forward and saluted, “Since His Majesty has entrusted the young lord with governance, we will be loyal unto death, supporting the young lord in all things!”

“We are willing to fight and die for the Yuan family!” the generals echoed without hesitation.

To hold back now would mean death before dawn. Yuan Shu still had some authority; no one dared defy him yet.

“Good. Since you have all sworn loyalty, the rumors on the streets must be the lies of Sun and Cao, meant to sow discord. Pay them no heed,” Chu Feng said with a hearty laugh.

The generals breathed a little easier, though their worries remained.

This young lord was no simple man. Shouchun was truly facing upheaval. If they stood on the wrong side, their very existence would be at stake.

“Qiao Rui, listen well. There have been Sun and Cao traitors causing chaos in the city. Take command of the imperial guards, search the city thoroughly, and protect Shouchun’s peace!” Chu Feng commanded in a ringing voice.

“I accept the order!” Qiao Rui saluted.

“Chen Ji, take your troops and defend the imperial city. No one enters or leaves without my permission.”

“I accept the order!” Chen Ji saluted.

“The rest of you, return to your camps and settle your men. Prevent any mutiny.”

“Yes!” the generals answered in unison.

“Ji Ling, Chen Lan, Lei Bo—you three remain. I have something to say. The rest may go.”

“Yes, my lord!”

Chen Lan and Lei Bo saluted, heads bowed, fear in their hearts. The two had plotted to set up their own fiefdom. Now, with Chu Feng keeping them behind, could it be their plot was discovered?

But they had told no one!

Soon, only a few remained in the hall.

Chu Feng stepped forward and personally adjusted Ji Ling’s armor, patting him on the shoulder with gravity. “Ji Ling, you have been my father’s stalwart general, loyal to the death. My father told me all of this.”

“He also said that with the seal in hand, Ji Ling’s loyalty is beyond question. Now, the realm is in turmoil, the people suffer, and enemies gather all around. Only by standing firm with your sword can you awe the treacherous and safeguard Shouchun.”

These words broke through Ji Ling’s defenses. His last doubts vanished. Yuan Shu had trusted him, and now entrusted the eldest son as well. How could he not give his all?

“Rest assured, young lord. With Ji Ling here, no villain will dare act rashly!” Ji Ling straightened, pride swelling at being so valued.

Chu Feng patted his shoulder again, then looked to Chen Lan and Lei Bo. Their betrayal, though understandable, meant their hearts were not loyal—what use was there in keeping them?

Besides, they were only second- or third-rate generals.

More importantly, having just seized power, he needed to make an example, to stabilize military rule. Yuan Shu’s weakness was partly due to his inability to do so.

“General Chen, what of Qianshan?”