[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-overthrowing-han":3,"chapter-overthrowing-han-overthrowing-han-chapter-139":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Overthrowing Han",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1222898,1620,"Chapter 139: Not Taking","overthrowing-han-chapter-139",139,"\u003Cp>\"Wang Shuzhi, is it? Come up and speak!\" Gongsun Xun relaxed his expression and urged the other party; he truly had no impression whatsoever of this name. \"With that frame of yours, if you keep soaking in the rain, something bad is bound to happen!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Xiu hesitated for a moment, but still refused to step forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why is that?\" Gongsun Xun looked at the raindrops splashing off the other's head, feeling helpless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Forgive me, I have circumstances I cannot avoid.\" Wang Xiu was in a wretched state, but still unwilling to speak plainly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun sighed, then waved his hand and let the other go on his way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Wang Xiu also seemed to rather appreciate Gongsun Xun, but with the thunderstorm pouring down, he truly could not bear being drenched any longer, so he hastily bowed in salute and then fled in disarray into the horse stable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Gongsun Xun, seeing the other turn and flee, merely waved a hand back at him before striding boldly straight into the rain, following behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Dang and Lou Gui exchanged speechless glances, but since they had already been signaled not to follow, they could hardly act on their own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shuzhi, where have you come from?\" Though it was raining heavily outside, the stifling, rank odor within the horse shed remained unbearable; Gongsun Xun stood at one end of the shed, exerting great effort to keep himself from covering his nose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, Gongsun Physician!\" Wang Xiu, at the other end, had originally been crouching on the ground inspecting his water-soaked bundle, and upon hearing this he hurriedly rose and saluted again. \"This student has seen...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why all these formalities?\" Gongsun Xun said dismissively. \"You're already drenched like that... I asked where you've come from?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nanyang.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And where are you heading?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My hometown in Beihai.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why are you unwilling to get close to others?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Could it be that you think you've contracted a miasma from Zhang Feng's household, and so you fear implicating others?\" Gongsun Xun suddenly asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Xiu immediately fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Zhang Feng is a powerful eunuch in the court. Why would you have any dealings with him?\" Gongsun Xun stood with his hands clasped behind his back, then suddenly took a step forward and asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Xiu, neither alarmed nor flustered, and without asking how the other knew of his connection to Zhang Feng, answered frankly: \"This student traveled from Beihai all the way to Nanyang for study, and my purse was growing thin. It happened that the charity lodges there were flourishing, and one of them not only provided free board and lodging but also supplied paper and ink to scholars. Being new to the place, I could not resist going in and staying there. Only later did I learn that it was actually established by the household of the Regular Palace Attendant Zhang Feng, and I then wished to leave. But unexpectedly...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Unexpectedly what?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Unexpectedly, less than ten days after I left, I heard that Zhang Feng had been driven out by the Physician and others, and had returned to Wancheng to live in seclusion, shutting his door to reflect on his errors, daring to see no one, and naturally the charity lodge and the like were also closed.\" Wang Xiu was dripping wet all over, yet his tone remained unhurried and measured. \"If that were all, it might even have been a good thing. But just a few days later, I also heard that his entire household had fallen ill, clearly an epidemic at work. Coupled with his recent fall from power, no one came to look after them. This student, having received kindness from others, dared not fail to repay it...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Therefore, once Zhang Feng's family had somewhat recovered, and with Cao Jie's resurgence in court, his household's connections were restored, you then took the initiative to take your leave?\" Gongsun Xun asked with keen interest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No.\" Wang Xiu lowered his head and replied. \"This student left without taking leave that very day...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In the end, you were still afraid of being linked to eunuchs?\" Gongsun Xun said with a faint, ambiguous smile. \"So when you saw some improvement in his situation, you left in a hurry?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Xiu lowered his head and said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And after leaving Zhang Feng's household, whether due to the sweltering weather and physical exhaustion, or because you really did contract an illness in Zhang Feng's house, in any case you felt somewhat unwell, and so you thought of returning home... Surely you weren't thinking of going home to die?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Xiu grew even more despondent: \"One must always prepare for the worst.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And avoiding passersby on the road was also for this reason?\" Gongsun Xun could not help but sneer. \"But from Nanyang to here, riding that nag of yours, it must have been over ten days. What epidemic takes so long without breaking out? The way I see it, it's more likely the summer heat is too intense, and you've been guzzling cold water all day, so it's mostly just an upset stomach.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"One must always prepare for the worst.\" Wang Shuzhi still gave the same reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun smiled faintly, and without replying, merely nodded lightly, then turned and left. And Wang Xiu, watching the other's back as he strode into the curtain of rain, seemed to want to speak but held back, and ultimately fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day, although the torrential rain that had lasted half the night had to some extent halted the drought and freshened the air considerably, the old conditions of the blazing sun overhead quickly returned. From that day on, however, the well-prepared Gongsun Xun and his party chose to set out at the first glimmer of dawn, traveling in the early morning and evening and resting at noon. This proved far more comfortable than the previous days of trudging along with heads down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Traveling in this manner for just three days, Gongsun Xun and his group had already covered most of the route and arrived at Jiwu City in Chenliu Commandery... This place was actually already bordering Liang State, and was only about one hundred fifty li from Qiaoxian in Pei State, Cao Cao's hometown — a mere two days' journey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Gongsun Xun suddenly halted his journey and turned off the road to a place outside Jiwu City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Young Lord.\" As they rode along the main road outside the city, Han Dang finally could not contain himself. \"I have one matter I do not understand.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Speak, then,\" Gongsun Xun, riding at the front, said while looking around without the slightest concern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That Wang Xiu earlier, if he is truly as he said, is likely a rare gentleman of moral integrity,\" Han Dang immediately said. \"In this age, men of learning are already exceedingly few, and one with such virtue — given that the Young Lord is destined for great achievements, how could you cast aside such a talent and pay him no heed? Moreover, judging by his appearance, he is not only young but also seems quite impoverished. The Young Lord is about to assume the post of a thousand-dan County Magistrate and will not lack for subordinate positions; taking him in would truly be easy...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is the world really lacking a single scholar?\" Before Gongsun Xun could reply, Lou Gui said dismissively. \"And Yigong, you say he is a gentleman of moral integrity, but that is merely based on conjecture and his one-sided account. Even if it were true, it might just be a deliberate bid for fame... In this age, for the sake of reputation, what won't these scholars do?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, Han Dang was momentarily speechless. After all, when it came to these scholars, how could he be as clear about them as Lou Gui, who came from a distinguished clan of Wan and Luo?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And if I may say so,\" Han Dang had shut his mouth, but Lou Gui continued to chatter on incessantly, \"rather than putting your mind on these so-called 'gentlemen of moral integrity,' it would be far better to quickly gain control of a sturdy private army beyond the frontier! Once we've met with Cao Mengde on this trip, and then settled matters with Cao Jie over there, we shall head for Liaodong immediately. That place is vast and sparsely populated, located beyond the frontier, far from the Emperor's reach, and with the Anli Trading House as cover. Then, using the authority of the Xiangping Magistrate, under the banner of a trade caravan guard, we can forge a force of a thousand elite soldiers...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, Gongsun Xun had originally been greedily drinking in the scenery of the Central Plains and could hardly be bothered with Lou Zibo's 'brilliant insights,' but some words sounded increasingly off the mark... Not to mention that just ahead was a market and flag pavilion outside the city, thick with people; even just considering the several attendants behind him, though they had shared life and death together, he could not be so unrestrained, could he?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, Gongsun Xun immediately turned his head and shot the other a glare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lou Zibo also promptly shut his mouth and fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Young Lord.\" Seeing this, Han Dang quickly came to smooth things over. \"It is still early; why are we lingering outside Jiwu City?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have heard that there is a man here, fierce as bear and tiger,\" Gongsun Xun did not hide it and directly stated his purpose. \"A person of the highest order of martial prowess. If we were not passing this way, it would be one thing, but if we pass by and do not go to meet him, it would truly be a regret.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, while Han Dang took it in stride, Lou Gui and the several guards all changed expression... Lou Gui was immediately intrigued, while the guards could not help but feel somewhat indignant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The phrase 'highest order of martial prowess' was simply too grating to the ears of warriors! Not to mention that Gongsun Xun, for the sake of hurrying on their journey, had endured extreme hardship these past days, yet now made a special stop for such a warrior, which further highlighted the regard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Young Lord, may I ask this man's name, and what deeds he has to his credit?\" Lou Gui was, as expected, the first to press the question, unable to resist; he loved such warriors the most. The several guards also pricked up their ears to listen, while Han Dang alone remained silent and noncommittal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Dian Wei of Chenliu — have you heard of him?\" Gongsun Xun immediately asked in return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So it is him!\" Lou Zibo's eyes instantly lit up... And no wonder; this fellow loved befriending desperate outlaws the most, and he had also been staying at the charity lodge in Goushi for the better part of the year, which was a major thoroughfare. Knowing of Dian Wei did not seem particularly hard to understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, Gongsun Xun had only learned the specific details about Dian Wei this year at the Imperial Secretariat... and then immediately connected the man in the case files with the 'E-Lai of old' that his own mother had spoken of.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It must be understood that the reason both Lou Gui and Gongsun Xun knew of Dian Wei was by no means merely due to whatever information they could access wherever they were; the main reason was that a deed this 'E-Lai of old' had done in the first half of the year was simply too famous. One could say his name shook the Central Plains, so much so that whether in the marketplace or in the Imperial Secretariat that managed the realm's affairs, everyone knew of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Specifically, Dian Wei had killed a man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this age, with order collapsing day by day, killing was naturally normal, but the way Dian Wei killed was exceptionally domineering — so domineering that everyone was left with a sense of helpless awe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The story goes that although Dian Wei was known to be of imposing stature and surpassing bravery, and everyone knew he had ability, no one knew the true extent of it until the first half of this year, when a family surnamed Liu from Xiangyi in Chenliu sought him out, hoping Dian Wei could avenge them. Their enemy was a man named Li Yong, from Suiyang in Liang State.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, Xiangyi lies just northwest of Jiwu, and Gongsun Xun and his party had passed through it just the day before, so the Liu family were naturally Dian Wei's fellow townsmen. And when fellow townsmen sought him out to do a deed, to kill a man from another commandery in the name of revenge — by the values of this age, this was unquestionably a matter of 'high prestige and class.' Not to mention that they also came with 'humble rites and generous gifts,' making their approach exceedingly proper, so Dian Wei naturally agreed at once!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, since the trouble was such that they needed to seek outside help, it indicated the matter itself was quite difficult. In fact, this Li Yong of Suiyang in Liang State had himself once served as a County Magistrate... Indeed, the very same post as Gongsun Xun's. Although it was only a minor county, the man had, after all, served a term as a genuine County Magistrate. Thus, his household's influence was considerable, his retainers many, and his defenses very tight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But — and this is the crucial 'but' — if it were not so, how could Dian Wei's prowess be highlighted?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The story goes that on that day, after receiving the commission, Dian Wei drove a cart loaded with chicken and wine straight to the gate of Li Yong's house in Suiyang... The place was a market, so he parked his cart right beside the gate, pretending to be waiting for someone, and no one suspected a thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, the moment Li Yong and his wife stepped out the door, Dian Wei immediately seized a dagger and went forward, directly and decisively slaughtering the two of them at the gate. Afterward, he calmly returned to his cart, took out his customary twin halberds and mounted them on the cart, and only then did he swagger away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that time, there were several hundred people in the market outside Li Yong’s gate — how could they possibly let him go? In an instant, no fewer than several hundred able-bodied men surged forward in pursuit, yet not a single one dared to actually draw near the carriage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And after he had gone four or five li from the other party’s home, he met up with the companions who had come to receive him, then turned and charged back. The several hundred men immediately scattered, and Dian Wei returned home at his leisure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To tell the truth, in this whole process, the people this “E’lai of old” actually killed were only his vengeance targets, Li Yong and his wife. Never mind comparing him to the border commandery elites behind Gongsun Xun — even compared to an ordinary wandering swordsman, he didn’t seem all that formidable! But the thing is, this fellow killed people as easily as slaughtering chickens: he went straight into another commandery, killed a man in the public market, and then withdrew at his leisure… The whole process really seemed like he was just going to the fair!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And those several hundred pursuers served as a classic foil from beginning to end… Several hundred men dared not make a move against a single man — was that really necessary? But it truly happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In short, after this incident, Dian Wei immediately became famous throughout the Central Plains… It would have been impossible for him not to! This case could not be covered up — a retired county lord was slaughtered at his own doorstep, with several hundred people watching the whole thing and seeing him off. How could it possibly be suppressed?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, hindered by the social climate of the time and the commandery-kingdom system, they really could not properly convict him. The matter dragged on for a month or two with no result, and instead only spread Dian Wei’s fame further!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Leaving aside how avenging another’s grievance is something that catches the discerning eye of the Central Plains heroes,” Lou Gui continued to speak eloquently to Han Dang and the several guards, “the mere fact that the matter involved two commanderies made it extremely troublesome… Chenliu Commandery naturally wanted to protect Dian Wei, while the Liang Kingdom was frantic with rage. But the more frantic they became, the more they provoked Chenliu Commandery’s authorities in turn. So Chenliu Commandery dragged its feet and stalled, utterly unwilling to arrest him, and in the end the matter simply blew up all the way to the central government! I reckon our young lord saw Dian Wei’s case file precisely at the Imperial Secretariat, which is how he came to know the general address of his home.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So in the end, did they ever arrest him?” The several guards had long since been listening with rapt attention, and someone could not help but press the question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No.” Lou Gui could not help but smile bitterly. “You must not forget the general amnesty granted at the change of the reign title… In this age, even if the Son of Heaven wants someone dead, he must have them executed swiftly within the prison, or else when the amnesty comes he must add some ‘so-and-so shall not be pardoned’ clause, which only makes him a laughingstock! Dian Wei has already had his sentence reduced by three degrees, and the local officials are naturally even less inclined to come arrest him over mere punishments like wall-building or head-shaving. At this moment, this Dian Wei is probably idling at home…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Regardless,” Han Dang spoke softly from the side, “for several hundred men to pursue him yet dare not close in — this man is indeed one of the foremost warriors under heaven, a man of bear-like might… I wonder how he compares to that Lü Bu of that day?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“One fights on horseback, the other on foot?” Gongsun Xun’s brow furrowed slightly, and he spoke offhandedly. “Let us simply go and see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young lord,” Han Dang suddenly urged, “that day Lü Bu was a tiger, and is this Dian Wei not likewise a tiger today? You hold an official post, while he is a murderer only recently pardoned. What if something goes amiss?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun first nodded slightly, then shook his head slightly, as if he had long anticipated such a remark: “Yigong’s intentions are good, but this tiger is not the same… That day, Lü Bu once aimed an arrow at me in the night, so I naturally had some misgivings. But this Dian Wei killed a man in the market before the gate solely to avenge another, and he did not rely on his outstanding martial prowess to press the hundred-odd men too fiercely — clearly he harbored a loyal and generous heart, unwilling to harm the innocent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Dang immediately nodded in agreement, but Lou Gui could not help his curiosity being piqued once more, and he in turn pressed for who Lü Bu was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having convinced the men behind him in just a few words, Gongsun Xun had already arrived beneath the flag pavilion of that extremely bustling market. Without any attempt at concealment, he dismounted directly and inquired of the local flag pavilion chief:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Chief of this pavilion, do you know where the home of Dian Wei, the one who killed Li Yong at Suiyang that day, is located?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dian Wei?” The middle-aged pavilion chief, who had come out specially from the flag tower to greet them, hurriedly bowed upon hearing these words. “I will not deceive you, my lord — Dian Wei’s home is indeed to the east. If my lord wishes to see him, shall I send someone to summon him here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why would you need to summon him? I should go pay him a visit in person!” Gongsun Xun said dismissively. “Why not simply send a local pavilion runner to guide my way?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah… that goes without saying.” The middle-aged pavilion chief sized up the party before him. Though he hesitated slightly, he still hurriedly lowered his head and agreed. “And what need is there for a pavilion runner? This humble officer shall personally accompany my lord there!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether someone was an official, and what rank of official — these grassroots clerks could naturally tell at a single glance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun naturally had nothing to say, and the pavilion chief, without even fetching a horse from the pavilion, simply walked ahead on foot, slowly leading the way. Moreover, the man was in his middle years, experienced and well-versed, yet his speech was humble and amiable, which inevitably put the party that had been galloping hard the whole journey somewhat at ease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“May I ask where my lord comes from?” the pavilion chief asked with a genial smile. “Why is your accent so unusual?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our young lord is originally a man of Liaoxi, but recently he has been serving as an official in Luoyang,” replied Lou Zibo, who was leading a horse, taking advantage of his similar accent with a smile. “Thus we have just come out of Xingyang — Hulao Pass lies within Xingyang’s borders — and are heading this way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This humble officer presumes to ask,” the pavilion chief continued, slightly curious, “what post does my lord hold in Luoyang?… It is truly that this humble officer has long dwelt in the countryside and has never seen a noble from Luoyang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our young lord serves as an Imperial Secretariat Gentleman in the Metropolitan Officials Section of the Imperial Secretariat, assisting His Excellency Liu, the Metropolitan Officials Minister, in managing the realm’s public security, disasters, and such affairs,” Lou Gui rattled off at once, just as he had often boasted to those desperate fugitives back in Goushi… Of course, this could not really be called boasting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, hearing Lou Gui’s unabashed talk and the pavilion chief’s repeated exclamations of awe, Gongsun Xun, who was walking slowly forward leading his horse, grew somewhat stern… For now that he thought about it, no matter what, the charity hostel in Goushi, left in the hands of that crude fellow Jia Chao, was probably going to fall to ruin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there was truly no help for it. His departure from Luoyang that day had been far too hasty, and in the final analysis, just as Lou Gui had said earlier, after this visit to Cao Mengde was concluded, his own thoughts, no matter what, should be — or rather, could only be — set upon the single region of Liaodong. Other matters could only be set aside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And just as Gongsun Xun’s expression was darkening and his thoughts were wandering wildly, the group had already ambled slowly to their destination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Reporting to my lord, this is Dian Wei’s home,” the pavilion chief said, pointing to a residence with its main gate tightly shut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The gate is actually closed in broad daylight?” Han Dang could not help but frown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I must ask…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Is this Dian Wei’s family rather well-off?” Gongsun Xun, having collected his thoughts, suddenly cut off Lou Gui’s words and directly asked the question. “This residence is quite grand. Was his family originally wealthy, or did the Liu clan give him a great deal of money?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My lord has guessed correctly,” the pavilion chief explained solemnly. “Dian Wei’s home here was just purchased, using the wealth and goods that the Liu clan of Xiangyi gave him in gratitude for his kindness. You must understand, although Dian Wei has a bold and generous nature, he must consider that both his parents are still alive. So once he had money, he bought this residence to care for the elders of his family!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So that is how it is.” Gongsun Xun was enlightened, but then sighed with some emotion. “Both parents still alive? Then why is the main gate tightly shut in broad daylight?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Reporting to my lord,” the pavilion chief continued, “Dian Wei is by nature generous, bold, loyal, and kind. He possesses martial strength but does not abuse it, and thus he has won the support of the local villagers. Ordinarily, his gate here is always thrown wide open, and the flow of visitors is as constant as weaving…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lou Gui and Han Dang grew increasingly bewildered, but Gongsun Xun could not help but laugh: “So, is it only because today an unwelcome guest like me has come calling that the gate is tightly shut?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My lord!” The pavilion chief suddenly removed the wooden cap from his head, knelt calmly, and begged forgiveness. “This humble officer is guilty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What guilt do you bear?” Gongsun Xun’s smile suddenly vanished, and he sighed. “Isn’t it simply that you thought I was someone coming to arrest Dian Wei, so you personally delayed me while also sending someone secretly ahead to warn him, telling him to hide? What a clichéd trick.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Dang and Lou Gui looked at each other, speechless for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This humble officer is willing to accept punishment,” the pavilion chief said, his face flushing red. “However, this humble officer has a word that I cannot hold back. I beg the Imperial Secretariat Gentleman to permit me to state it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Speak, then!” For some reason, Gongsun Xun suddenly felt a severe toothache. “Once this matter comes out, I fear you too will become famous throughout the commandery. When that time comes, never mind a mere Imperial Secretariat Gentleman like me — even if His Excellency Liu, the Metropolitan Officials Minister who truly oversees the realm’s public security, came in person, how could he possibly control what you say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please, my lord, see clearly — though this humble officer is but a petty clerk of a mere pint and peck, I am absolutely not one who seeks fame!” The pavilion chief’s face flushed even redder at these words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Speak freely. I meant no mockery,” Gongsun Xun hastily urged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.” The pavilion chief raised his head, gritted his teeth, and said, “That Dian Wei is guilty of murder — I naturally know this. And though there was later a general amnesty at the change of the reign title, he still cannot escape punishment for his crime. This humble officer knows this better than anyone! The reason I have not arrested him, and even let him go free today, is because this humble officer is ashamed, not because I am wantonly indulgent!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ashamed?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Indeed.” The middle-aged pavilion chief’s face was indignant. “I have served as pavilion chief for over ten years, and I have watched as the world has decayed day by day, as bandits have increased day by day, and as the surrounding regions have grown more and more destitute, to the point where at every turn there are officials openly seizing and bandits covertly plundering… In such a situation, I am in charge of this place’s security, yet I am often helpless! But although Dian Wei is a criminal, because of him, for all these years no one has dared to violate this place. Officials dare not come here to collect excessive taxes, and bandits dare not come here to pillage! That this place can be peaceful for a time, prosperous for a time, is not my achievement, but entirely Dian Wei’s… And when it comes to the matter of public security, that I, a clerk, am inferior to a criminal — should I not be ashamed?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And so?” Lou Gui demanded, exasperated. “What exactly are you trying to say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have no other meaning!” The pavilion chief directly kowtowed and said, “I only ask that the noble from Luoyang arrest me, and do not pursue Dian Wei! This place can do without a pavilion chief, but it cannot do without Dian Wei!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun said not a single word, turned around, and left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>————————I am a dividing line added later————————\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When the Grand Ancestor passed through Chenliu, he met Wang Xiu of Beihai on the road. Xiu, on account of illness, did not associate with others. The Grand Ancestor sighed at his virtue but did not take him into service. Han Yigong and Lou Zibo were at his side. Yigong did not understand and asked Zibo, the wise one. Zibo smiled and said: ‘His Excellency measured others by himself, dared not trust his virtue, and therefore did not take him!’ Yigong asked again: ‘Why then does Zibo trust him?’ Zibo replied: ‘I also dare not trust him!’ Yigong thereupon laughed.” — New Book of Yan, Volume 70, Biographies, Chapter 20\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Also, there is a new book group 684558115, everyone please join.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",4807,"2026-06-04T19:42:03.441Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","0658c2f1a5964e05ef7995a2143beef839eb8120b2644be195d98010d17a7a41","overthrowing-han-chapter-140","overthrowing-han-chapter-138",548,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Foverthrowing-han-cover.jpg"]