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Yuan Shu had intentions to recruit Fei Qian, but Yang Hong was privately reluctant.
Not long ago, Yuan Shu had informed him that a relative from the Yuan clan in Runan, Yuan Yin (Yuan Shu's nephew), would soon join them. This news alone had already unsettled Yang Hong. Now, with Fei Qian suddenly appearing on the scene, it was truly...
As for Yan Xiang, whether Fei Qian served under Yuan Shu or not made little difference to him. Coming from a humble background—nowhere near the prestige of the Hongnong Yang clan—Yan Xiang was content as Master of Records and harbored no grand ambitions. Even if Fei Qian did join Yuan Shu's ranks, Yan Xiang had no strong objections.
However...
Yan Xiang lowered his head, recalling Yang Hong's private words to him, and hesitated.
As the saying goes, "No faction exists without allies." Far from his homeland, Yang Hong urgently needed supporters. Through deliberate efforts, he had cultivated a friendly relationship with Yan Xiang.
Political factions were a tradition in China, and the Eastern Han's infamous "Partisan Prohibitions" had erupted precisely because of such alliances.
The court needed officials to govern, and in the process of administration, officials inevitably formed factions—based on shared teachers, hometowns, or clans—to suppress rivals and maximize personal or group interests. Thus, various "cliques" emerged.
When these entangled interests became a tangled mess, factional strife intensified, and court politics increasingly deviated from the proper path.
For long-lived dynasties like the Han, factionalism had become deeply rooted, a persistent political issue.
Yuan Shu's administration, though small, was no exception.
Originally, Yang Hong's plan had been to ally with Yan Xiang to counterbalance future arrivals from the Yuan clan. Given the Yuan family's size, it was inevitable that some relatives would come seeking positions.
Thus, before the Yuan clan members arrived, Yang Hong's optimal strategy was to win over officials like Yan Xiang.
But unexpectedly, Fei Qian had appeared.
Had Fei Qian remained under Liu Biao's employ, it would have been manageable. Yet as Liu Biao's envoy, he held no official post under Liu Biao! Yang Hong couldn't fathom what Liu Biao was thinking...
Fortunately, Fei Qian claimed he still needed to find his teacher, Cai Yong, in Luoyang. Otherwise, Yang Hong wouldn't have known how to handle the situation.
"My lord's willingness to recruit talent to achieve great ambitions is truly admirable. Fei Qian Fei Ziyuan, now connected to the Huang clan of Jing Province, could indeed be useful. However, as he mentioned earlier, his journey is to seek his teacher. It may be difficult for him to stay immediately." Yang Hong spoke unhurriedly, as if considering Yuan Shu's best interests.
Yan Xiang, head still lowered, frowned slightly. Though Yang Hong's words sounded reasonable, Yan Xiang detected subtle implications. Yet he couldn't openly point them out, so he remained silent.
Yuan Shu nodded. "This is also my concern. Blocking his duty to his teacher would be unseemly."
This was why Yuan Shu had hesitated.
In his youth in Luoyang, Yuan Shu, alongside Yuan Shao and Cao Cao, had been wild and unrestrained, forming factions, hunting with hawks and hounds, and living freely. Back then, Yuan Shu had earned the laudatory title "Champion of Justice" (急公好义). Thus, Fei Qian's resignation to fulfill his moral obligations resonated deeply with him.
On one hand, Yuan Shu felt Fei Qian should be allowed to complete his filial duty. On the other, Fei Qian's ties to Jing Province's gentry made letting him go feel like a missed opportunity...
Yang Hong relaxed slightly. His greatest fear was Yuan Shu offering Fei Qian a high-ranking position to force him to stay. And what position could be higher than Chief Clerk to the General of the Rear?
But this still wasn't foolproof. What if Yuan Shu changed his mind, swayed by the allure of Jing Province's gentry?
So Yang Hong's eyes flickered as an idea struck him. "My lord's desire for talent is clear to me. I have a strategy to win his loyalty..."
Yuan Shu said, "Do elaborate."
Yang Hong pointed at the letter on Yuan Shu's desk and smiled. "Liu Biao secretly sent Yi Ji to deliver this letter, likely deceiving Fei Qian. Thus, my lord should demonstrate sincerity by revealing it to him. Fei Qian will surely be moved by your righteousness."
Yuan Shu picked up the letter and skimmed it again, finding merit in Yang Hong's suggestion.
No one liked being kept in the dark. By showing Fei Qian that Liu Biao had made arrangements behind his back, Yang Hong's plan would,
Breed resentment in Fei Qian toward Liu Biao, making him hesitant to serve Liu Biao even if recalled later.
Showcase Yuan Shu's openness, treating Fei Qian as one of his own. This would position Yuan Shu favorably if Fei Qian sought employment in the future.
Yan Xiang, however, considered deeper implications. While the letter would achieve those two effects, it also carried unspoken risks Yang Hong hadn't addressed—and Yuan Shu seemed oblivious. Should Yan Xiang speak up?
He glanced at Yang Hong, who gave a slight shake of his head.
Forget it. Let it be.
If Fei Qian failed to grasp the underlying stakes and acted recklessly, the consequences would prove he wasn't as astute as claimed—hardly worth worrying about.
But if Fei Qian saw through the ploy, he might assume Yuan Shu's complicity, cooling his enthusiasm for joining. This, too, would serve Yang Hong's purpose. But for Yuan Shu's grand ambitions...
Ah, for Yang Hong's sake, just this once... After all, the priority now is opposing Dong Zhuo. Jing Province can wait. If needed, explanations can come later...
As Yan Xiang pondered, Yuan Shu approved Yang Hong's suggestion, handing him the letter to share with Fei Qian at dawn.
Just then, the candles in the hall flickered, dimming slightly. The three turned to see several nearly burnt out.
Frowning, Yuan Shu called for servants to replace them. Attendants hurried in with fresh candles and offered more tea and pastries, noting the hour—the day was nearly breaking.
Only then did the three realize they had debated all night. The eastern sky was already lightening, a red line of dawn emerging...
A new day had arrived.
Yuan Shu covered a yawn behind his sleeve, weary from the night's discussions. "You've both worked hard. Rest here awhile. Resume duties after the morning meal."
The two thanked him. Yuan Shu nodded, instructing servants to attend to them, then retired to his quarters to sleep.
That same day, Sun Jian recommended his fellow townsman, Wu native Su Dai, as Governor of Changsha.
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