The strongest devouring system in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 156 Destiny

"Serving a ruler is truly like serving a tiger," Jin Shang thought to himself as he left the main hall. "No, I must hurry back and make preparations. Yuan Shu probably won't have a chance this time."

Jin Shang had a strong premonition that Yuan Shu's days were numbered. If Cao Cao's army was indeed coming for Yuan Shu, given Yuan Shu's magnanimity and the quality of his generals and troops, Jin Shang suddenly realized a terrifying fact: the seemingly powerful Yuan Shu was actually the weakest warlord in the entire land. Although his territory was vast, the quality of his army was far inferior to that of all the other warlords in the land.

Jin Shangde had to hurry back. He wasn't loyal to Yuan Shu; his allegiance to Yuan Shu was merely an investment. Now that this big boss was no longer a hope, he needed to find a new patron as soon as possible, and naturally, the best patron would be Chen Er of the Autonomous Region.

Jin Shang probably never imagined that after he left, Yuan Shu would come up with an idea that would shock everyone. This idea caused a sensation throughout the world!

"Sir, I have an idea that I'm not entirely sure about, and I'd like to hear your opinion." Yuan Shu held Yang Hong in high regard, and he respectfully asked, "I want to declare myself emperor now. What do you think?"

"Declare himself emperor?" Upon hearing Yuan Shu's words, Yang Hong fell into deep thought. He dared not answer the question lightly. Although Yang Hong was deeply trusted by Yuan Shu, this was, after all, a major event concerning Yuan Shu's future. Moreover, Yuan Shu's ascension to the throne was a significant event that could potentially cause a major upheaval in the entire empire.

"My lord, this matter could very well cause upheaval throughout the land. Are you prepared?" Yang Hong asked Yuan Shu. "We may attract even more enemy attacks."

"Isn't there any benefit?" Yuan Shu asked in a deep voice.

Yang Hong nodded and said to Yuan Shu, "My lord, this matter still has many benefits and may change our situation."

"What benefits?" Yuan Shu asked quickly.

"After you become emperor, you will become the master of the world. As a result, your appeal will greatly increase, and more people will come to you. Moreover, after you become the supreme ruler, you will also have legitimate control over the world and possess the great righteousness!"

"The greater good?" Yuan Shu was taken aback by Yang Hong's words. Was the so-called greater good really that important?

Yang Hong said to Yuan Shu, "My lord, you should issue an edict to confer the title of king upon Liu Bian in order to win over the people's hearts."

"Yang Hong's suggestion is excellent. As for the current empire, everyone knows that the Liu family can no longer maintain their position. The empire will eventually change its master, but who that master will be remains to be seen."

Of course, it's hard to say whether Yuan Shu's claim to the throne would gain the support of those loyal to the Liu family, even if he were to grant the Liu family members the title of king.

"With your words, sir, I am relieved," Yuan Shu said. He then said to Yang Hong, "Sir, when I become emperor, I will surely appoint you as my national advisor!"

"I thank Your Majesty in gratitude," Yang Hong said respectfully.

After Yang Hong left, Yuan Shu paced back and forth excitedly in the room. Becoming emperor was the ultimate goal for Yuan Shu. Now, facing the pressure from Chen Er, Yuan Shu finally made up his mind: he would become emperor!

Yuan Shu declared himself emperor, while Chen Er's army was still gathering. Yuan Shu's sudden declaration of emperorship shocked the world. Was Yuan Shu really that confident? Or did he think that he could defeat Chen Er after declaring himself emperor?

As Chen Er's main force continued to move around, the people of the world soon learned that Chen Er's target for revenge was Yuan Shu. Which of the warlords in the world did not understand that it was Yuan Shu who had broken the rules?

Now Yuan Shu has actually declared himself emperor, and he even used the Imperial Seal of the State to do so, instantly arousing the common hostility of the whole country.

"My Yuan family originated from Chen, and Chen is a descendant of Shun. We are born of earth and inherit fire, and thus have received the support of destiny," Yuan Shu said to his men.

"Now that the Liu family's rule has declined and the country is in turmoil, my Yuan family has been important officials in the court for four generations, and the people of the world are willing to submit to me. Now, I should follow the will of Heaven and ascend the throne as emperor. I wonder what your opinions are?" On this day, Yuan Shu began to test the opinions of his civil and military officials.

Upon hearing Yuan Shu's words, everyone fell silent. Only the chief clerk Yan Xiang stood up and said to Yuan Shu, "Back then, the Zhou people, from their ancestor Hou Ji to King Wen, accumulated virtue and merit, and it can be said that they had two-thirds of the world."

"Yet they still cautiously serve as subjects of the Shang Dynasty. Although Your Excellency has held high office and enjoyed great wealth for generations, you are probably not as prosperous as the Ji family; and although the Han Dynasty is currently in decline, it seems that it cannot be compared with the cruel and tyrannical King Zhou of Shang!"

Yuan Shu was furious when he heard Yan Xiang's words, but he didn't say anything. He just stood up, swung his sleeve heavily, and left.

A few days later, Yuan Shu summoned a diviner named Zhang Pi to tell his fortune. In front of Yuan Shu's many advisors, the diviner spoke at length, the main point of which was that Yuan Shu was destined to be emperor. Hearing the diviner's words, Yuan Shu was very happy and said to his men, "This is destiny!"

Upon hearing Yuan Shu's words, his subordinates immediately understood his meaning. Led by Jin Shang, a group of civil officials quickly knelt down and said to Yuan Shu, "Our lord is in accordance with the will of Heaven. We humbly request that our lord ascend the throne and become emperor!"

In early July 2190, Yuan Shu formally declared himself emperor in Shouchun, establishing the Zhong dynasty, appointing ministers and officials, and building shrines at the northern and southern suburbs. After declaring himself emperor, Yuan Shu appointed the governor of Jiujiang as the governor of Huainan, extensively appointed ministers and officials, and built altars at the southern and northern suburbs of the city for the emperor to worship the Heavenly Emperor.

Upon hearing this news, all the warlords in the land were shocked. Yuan Shu had declared himself emperor! Wasn't this a slap in the face to them, since all the warlords in the land claimed to be supporting the Han Dynasty?

Yuan Shu's declaration of himself as emperor immediately provoked the common hostility of all the warlords. Even Yuan Shao had to issue a statement saying that Yuan Shu had been expelled from the Yuan family and was no longer considered a member. Yuan Shu, not to be outdone, issued an imperial edict, declaring Liu Bian the King of Han, with his fiefdom encompassing the area around Luoyang and Guanzhong.

No matter how much territory Gongsun Zan granted, Yuan Shu didn't care.

At the same time, Yuan Shu also announced the expulsion of Yuan Shao's lineage from the Yuan clan. This Yuan clan, which had produced three dukes for four generations, was officially divided into two branches, both of which claimed to be the legitimate successors.

The most interesting thing is that Yuan Shu also issued a decree to all people in the world, demanding that they surrender as soon as possible, and declared that they were rebels, asking all the lords in the world to join forces to eliminate them.