Mythical Three Kingdoms-Chapter 1489 - 1434: The Honor That Must Not Be Lost

Yuan Tan looked at Shen Pei and sighed deeply, "Rest assured, Zheng Nan, what happened in the past was merely my misplaced anger. Now, with the Yuan Family in a state of turmoil, how could I be so unwise?"

Shen Pei looked at Yuan Tan, his expression startled, for he saw the resolve to die on Yuan Tan’s face.

"My lord, what is this?" Shen Pei exclaimed.

"The foundation my father established may have fallen to Liu Xuande’s hands by the mandate of heaven, but to let it fall into the hands of the Huns, how could I, Yuan Tan, still be a man?" Yuan Tan said with a faint smile, "Even Gongsun Bogui can defend Youzhou and guard the rivers and mountains, how can I, Yuan Tan, allow the Huns to ravage the magnificent landscape of Huaxia."

Shen Pei looked at Yuan Tan in silence for a long time. The resolve to die had already shown in Yuan Tan’s eyes—he truly intended to live and die with the land, cities, and people behind him.

"Zheng Nan, is it strange?" Yuan Tan said with a smile after dismissing all the maids.

Shen Pei remained silent, and Yuan Tan answered his own question, "Zheng Nan, if the foundation my father built were lost to Liu Xuande by my hand, I wouldn’t care as much. In warring for the world, my father had prepared for defeat, and I was prepared when I took over."

Shen Pei looked at Yuan Tan with a hint of surprise. If he didn’t know better, he would think someone had replaced him.

"But how to put it? Besides being a monarch, I am also an aristocratic family member. My father didn’t favor me much because, in his eyes, I was unlike him and more like my uncle. If my father left any words, he definitely wouldn’t let me succeed him." Yuan Tan recounted these matters indifferently.

"There’s a saying by my uncle that I really like: When we govern, we uphold the mandate of heaven. Our path is filled with thorns. We can be defeated, we can die, but there will always be future generations to inherit our will." Yuan Tan said with a faint smile.

"Losing to Liu Bei, Youzhou still belongs to Huaxia. But losing to the Northern Huns, the foundation left by our ancestors would belong to a foreign clan. This land beneath us, acquired through the hardships of Huaxia’s forefathers, how can it be handed over to foreigners?" Yuan Tan narrated calmly, "At least before I die, the Northern Huns will never cross Jicheng. I will be the last wall of Jicheng."

"An aristocratic family member, is it?" Shen Pei thought silently of those aristocrats in the Central Plains who were gradually decaying with the soil and debris.

"Indeed, no matter how we fight, we must remember our identity. The Northern Huns are different from Xianbei. I won’t allow them to step here while I’m alive unless I fall." Yuan Tan had calmed down the moment he confirmed his opponent. He was unlike Yuan Shao; he was more like Yuan Shu, aspiring to restore the glory of his ancestors.

"My lord..." From Yuan Tan, Shen Pei sensed a demeanor different from Yuan Shao, and then couldn’t help but smile bitterly. He never imagined Yuan Tan had such a side.

"Are you sure you won’t retreat?" Shen Pei sighed and asked. He already knew the answer in his heart but decided to let Yuan Tan say it himself.

"Retreat is impossible. Previously, the Northern Huns seized hundreds of miles because I was unaware, but now I know everything, so I won’t retreat. Since I’ve taken on my father’s authority, I will enforce it with my will." Yuan Tan was utterly calm.

[Perhaps our identity has changed many times, but our will has never changed; we still stand above the people, and among us, there are still those who will choose to inherit the beliefs of the past.] Yuan Tan silently recalled the message Yuan Shu had sent him months ago.

[Father, if your spirit is in heaven, please allow my defiance. The Yuan Family has my second and third brothers to inherit, and the aristocratic family should always have its pride. Even if blood spills the plains, losing the honor recognized by all the people, how are we different from the common folk?]

This is probably the biggest difference between Yuan Tan and Yuan Shao. Yuan Shao was a concubine’s child, while when Yuan Tan was born, Yuan Shao had already made a name for himself. As the legitimate eldest son, Yuan Tan learned the most orthodox ways of the aristocratic family.

Perhaps he was immersed in a dream he was unwilling to wake from, or perhaps he truly wished to restore that ancient glory. Yuan Tan’s mindset was similar to Yuan Shu’s, only without Yuan Shu’s madness.

Shen Pei looked at Yuan Tan. Following such a monarch, even if they were to meet a defeated end, it would be nothing short of worthwhile—the demeanor, this conviction, foolish yet so radiant.

[The Yuan Family, a branch of the Eight Ancient Surnames, the Gui Family, we inherit not just the bloodline, but also the spirit of our ancestors as tribal leaders venturing into the barbarian lands to open territories. How could we, descendants, let go of such honor?] Yuan Tan thought silently, seeing Shen Pei’s relieved and understanding gaze.

[Even if the Yuan Family falls, it will ignite the fighting spirit inherent in our blood with its blood. What the Yuan Family inherits isn’t wisdom from classic books; we inherit the spirit of the ancient Gui Family leading the masses into barbarian lands, pioneering the Central Plains, and establishing Zhuxia’s belief!]

Yuan Tan’s eyes were filled with resolute determination. Ultimately, he chose this path, casting aside concerns for life. For a family, someone ultimately has to step forward. When has a true aristocratic family member ever placed their life above others? The aristocratic family values heritage the most.

"My lord, I am willing to assist you in this final battle," Shen Pei said, sitting up straight against the wall and intently saluting Yuan Tan.

"Actually, Zheng Nan, you don’t have to do this. As long as you’re willing, feudal lords across the land would accept you." Yuan Tan shook his head and said.

"People are destined to die, and I cannot repay the elegance of the former lord. However, your conviction, my lord, moves me greatly. Please permit me to follow you." At that moment, Shen Pei was extremely earnest. Yuan Tan did indeed have many faults, but they couldn’t obscure his conviction.

"What a pity, if I had awakened earlier, maybe many things would be different." Yuan Tan surprisingly showed a somewhat feminine side, but then immediately regained his resolute demeanor, "But even so, I will not change my will!"

Shen Pei remained silent. Yuan Tan’s intellect was ultimately not as sharp as Yuan Shao’s. Although his ambitions were grand, and his conviction strong, in wisdom, there was a deficiency. But this no longer mattered; at this stage, will mattered more than wisdom.

"It’s a pity the Yuan Family’s strength is not enough, otherwise, I truly hope to leave a complete Youzhou for future generations." Yuan Tan then shook his head, even having the leisure to smile, "This really is like a snake trying to swallow an elephant."

"No, we’re not incapable of leaving a complete Youzhou for the Central Plains." Shen Pei, upon hearing this, had a slight change in expression. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"?" Yuan Tan looked at Shen Pei, astonished.

"To leave a complete Youzhou, it depends on how much you’re willing to give, my lord." Shen Pei suddenly smiled at Yuan Tan, since Yuan Tan had such a conviction and he didn’t want to defect, what harm is there in a final, frenzied stand?