[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-overthrowing-han":3,"chapter-overthrowing-han-overthrowing-han-chapter-177":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},1222936,1620,"Chapter 177: Seeking the Flowing Years Beneath the Tree","overthrowing-han-chapter-177",177,"\u003Cp>After settling on the character \"Li\" (departure), Gongsun Xun truly was about to depart... The court's appointment of officials was never something to be delayed indefinitely, especially since the envoy this time had not even mentioned the \"official fee\" required before taking office, which was already a great show of face. What more could one want?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, after waiting a few more days, Gongsun Xun led his volunteer followers, along with Lu, Shen, Lou, Han, Wang, Wei, and others, readied the carts and horses, and set off ahead of schedule. As for Zhao Yun and Feng Zhi, it was not that they, like the pregnant Bian Yu, were to remain in Liaodong to serve his mother; rather, they said they would set out later and slowly catch up, so as not to delay the journey to his new post.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no helping it; this was the so-called life of an itinerant official. With the constant shifting of official posts, a court official could very well spend months traveling to a new post, and then, should any unforeseen event occur, would soon be dismissed or transferred again. And this was also a key reason why the court generally only appointed the chief officials of commanderies and counties, and why those chief officials generally only recruited functional officers from the local area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While maintaining the authority of the central government, one still had to ensure the continuous operation of the administration, right?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then again, over the past half year, ever since the reigning Son of Heaven began the large-scale, systematic \"sale of offices,\" the court had started unconsciously and frequently shuffling the posts of court-appointed officials in pursuit of \"revenue generation.\" Teacher Lu, as the Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, had openly submitted memorials several times targeting this phenomenon, but they all sank like stones in the ocean, with no news in reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under such circumstances, the balance between the central government and the localities became even more delicate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, at this moment, Gongsun Xun was not pondering this issue too much; he was striding along the land route toward Handan in the midst of the spring season.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crossing the Liao River, passing the famous northern garrison Mount Wulu, paying a visit to his father-in-law and former superior, the Marquis of Shuxian, Zhao Bao, then hurriedly passing through Liucheng and Guanzicheng to enter Lulongsai, and then stopping at Lingzhi for two or three days to assemble the clan elders and perform ancestral sacrifices... By the time he set off again with Gongsun Fan, who was ultimately preparing to go to Luoyang to serve Liu Kuan, they had long since reached the heartland of Hebei, and the seemingly long journey was already more than half over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was worth mentioning was that the number of volunteer followers around Gongsun Xun at this time was far greater than when he had previously gone to Liaodong to take up his post.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Actually, when they came out of Liaodong, a few volunteer followers who had lost their ambition or were wounded in the battle against Goguryeo had taken a liking to the wealth and comfort of Liaodong and chose to stay and settle down there, and Gongsun Xun, after properly settling them, did not replenish his ranks from the local Liaodong area. However, Lady Gongsun, when her son was departing, had temporarily added a cavalry unit of several dozen men, orphans raised and nurtured by the Anli Trading Company over the years, most of whom were originally intended to serve as the backbone of the company's guard force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regarding this, Gongsun Xun certainly understood that these people were probably more his mother's trusted confidants than his own; besides guarding him, they likely also served as her eyes and ears, transmitting information. Such arrangements had existed before, but this time the number was too large and too obvious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what could he say? Mother and son were ultimately naturally aligned on the grand strategy, and Gongsun Xun also wanted to set his mother's mind at ease, so he simply accepted it outright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then, as they traveled from beyond the frontier, some sons and younger kin of minor mixed Hu tribal chiefs, who had somehow stolen a white horse to follow along, also appeared, including a cousin of Mohu Kuan and a nephew of Duanri Yuming. Having just made use of these people, Gongsun Xun could hardly drive them away, so he grudgingly accepted a dozen or so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, upon arriving at the main clan home of the Lingzhi Gongsun clan on the Hebei Plain, followers came like gathering clouds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be honest, among those who rode up on white horses at this time, the well-equipped sons of good families from the border commanderies, who came out of admiration and were skilled in both archery and horsemanship, were one thing. But some local gentry sons, sons of the Gongsun clan's main line, and even various other miscellaneous figures, were really not up to Gongsun Xun's standards, and even Han Dang was somewhat dissatisfied... Yet, Gongsun Xun simply could not refuse them, and indeed could not reject a single one!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because these people represented the formal allegiance of the local gentry and fellow countrymen, and the formal recognition of the Gongsun clan's main line. They came from all directions, and each person represented something behind them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These people choosing to follow by your side was a matter of course after you became the Marquis of Wulu Village, wore the purple ribbon and gold seal, and gained the full support of the Gongsun clan. As for them having to trade for a white horse and dress up as elite warriors, that was merely a result of your own personal style, Gongsun Xun, and had nothing to do with them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, Gongsun Xun could only accept this batch of volunteer followers, whose skill and moral character were clearly of varying quality, and planned to slowly identify and weed them out after arriving in Handan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like that, starting from Lingzhi, Gongsun Xun's White Horse Volunteers had swelled to a scale of two hundred men! And two hundred men, all riding white horses and swaggering through the streets... At this point, one could only say it was fortunate they had already reached Hebei, where there were many cities and people accustomed to grand scenes; and fortunate that in this era, the processions of nobles were all very grand, with entourages of thousands not uncommon, and Han officials placed great emphasis on dignity and ceremony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, who knows what kind of trouble might have arisen!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But regardless, it was ultimately too conspicuous, so Gongsun Xun did not emulate his past journey from Bingzhou to Luoyang, interacting with local knights-errant along the way, nor did he visit any relatives or friends. He simply focused on traveling, hurrying swiftly toward Handan... Two hundred riders, white horses and vermilion carriages, never stopping for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, when passing through Zhuo Commandery, Gongsun Xun made an exception, specifically halting his journey to visit a household and then see a particular sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The household naturally referred to Lu Zhi's residence in Fanyang City... Teacher Lu was in Luoyang year-round, and had also served two terms as Grand Administrator in between, but always alone, occasionally bringing one or two students to attend him. Thus, his family members were all still in their hometown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And since Gongsun Xun was passing by, there was absolutely no reason to pass the door without entering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the sight, it was a certain place north of Fanyang, under the jurisdiction of Zhuo County.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Elder brother declined the invitation of the Grand Administrator of Zhuo Commandery just to come and see this big tree?\" The traveling companion Gongsun Fan stared at the large mulberry tree before him, approaching with a face full of curiosity. \"It is indeed somewhat extraordinary. Even on the way here, I felt its canopy was like a carriage cover, and now up close, it's even more spectacular. This must be... must be over five zhang tall?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun, in brocade clothes, on a white horse, with a purple ribbon and gold seal, looked up, lost in thought, and said not a word, completely ignoring his clan cousin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Give the order: those who remain outside the hamlet gate are not to trample the young crops; those who enter the hamlet gate are not to disturb the commoners' doorways. Whoever violates these taboos can go straight home themselves!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the height of spring, and the mulberry-leaf picking was just getting into full swing. So, although a large number of riders remained outside the hamlet gate, even the few dozen who entered were enough to scatter the young girls and women, old and young, beneath the great mulberry tree in a flurry. Han Dang also hurriedly gave the routine orders, and only then wiped his forehead and rode forward to join the others behind Gongsun Xun and Gongsun Fan, all gazing at the tree together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, as soon as Han Yigong looked up, he couldn't help but blurt out: \"This great mulberry tree, shaped like a carriage cover, why does it seem like I've heard someone speak of it before?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I've heard someone speak of it too,\" Lu Fan beside him also frowned at first, but ultimately, having a sharper mind than Han Dang, he immediately understood and laughed. \"And the person who spoke of it is probably about to come out right now!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Dang was still somewhat bewildered, while the others, upon hearing this, asked curiously one after another. Gongsun Xun, at the very front, still paid no heed, merely tilting his head up and staring at the tree in a daze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But soon, to the northwest of the great tree, separated by a fence and an earthen wall, the courtyard of an ordinary household draped with a bundle of white cloth also became disturbed, just like the rest of the hamlet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is Xuande here?!\" A young man suddenly pushed the door open and entered at this moment, only to be greatly startled. \"Why are there so many people?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It must be said, there were a dozen or so young men with swords sitting casually in the courtyard, along with a few inferior horses scattered about. Seeing someone abruptly enter, the men below all looked around, ignoring this person. Of the four seated on mats in the courtyard as the leaders, one's expression remained unchanged, two frowned unceasingly, and one simply flipped over and lay down on his side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Xuande!\" The young man who entered urged immediately upon seeing this. \"Get up quickly! Many people have come outside under the great tree; it seems nobles are visiting, yet they haven't summoned the hamlet chief or clan elders. So my father sent me to call you, for us to go and welcome them together and also ask what's going on.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, one of the two who had been frowning, a young man with a thick, flourishing beard and a robust build, immediately stood up, hand on his sword: \"Your clan can go welcome the nobles on its own; why must you make Brother Xuande do such a groveling thing?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The newcomer was not afraid and immediately flew into a rage: \"You are truly rude! When our clan elders give an order, what does high or low status matter for us juniors?! Am I not also going to welcome them?!\" Speaking to this point, he turned his head again to look at the man whose expression remained unchanged. \"Abei, you too! It was one thing before, but now you are in mourning; how can you still not restrain your nature and associate with these people? You and I received instruction from Teacher Lu to have a future and a career; are we to spend our whole lives merely as leaders of knights-errant?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Calling him by name directly carried a tone of reproach, let alone speaking so bluntly of knights-errant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you mean by that?!\" At these words, the other frowning man also flew into a great rage, even drawing his blade. \"Do you look down on us knights-errant?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hold it!\" At this moment, the young man with the signs of a full beard, who had stood up first, reached out to stop the other. Though he too was indignant, his words were clear. \"This Liu Deran is Brother Xuande's clan brother. Even if he is rude, we have no reason to draw blades in the place where their clan resides!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Deran,\" at this point, the man with a fair, beardless face—Liu Bei—could naturally no longer sit by and ignore it. He stood up and responded calmly, \"Do not take offense. These are all good friends of mine who, upon hearing of my mother's passing, came specifically to pay their respects. They came according to propriety. Many among them have also studied under renowned scholars. As for the matter of welcoming the guests, wait a moment; I will straighten my attire and then go with you...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Deran, hearing this, glanced at the hemp rope tied around the other's waist and the white cloth strip bound on his forehead, couldn't help but sigh, then shook his head and leaned against the doorway with his hands folded, waiting quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other side, Liu Bei did not rush to straighten his clothes but first turned his head and gave a slight bow to the man who had drawn his blade: \"A'lu, the disturbance in the house has made you a laughingstock.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That young knight-errant called A'lu, seeing this situation, was also greatly embarrassed, so he hurriedly sheathed his blade and instead admitted that he had been too impulsive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Uncle sending Deran was not to slight me,\" Liu Bei now further explained earnestly to those around him. \"In the clan, only Deran and I have studied under a renowned teacher, and we even studied in Luoyang. Uncle's action was to rely on our knowledge and experience; it was actually a sign of regard.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, the tempers of the knights-errant on this side and Liu Deran at the doorway on the other all dissipated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Bei, seeing this, remained expressionless, neither happy nor angry. He simply entered the inner room, found a dust-covered ceremonial cap, carefully wiped it clean and put it on, and prepared to go with Liu Deran to \"welcome\" the nobles... In fact, when the sound of horse hooves had first arisen, the knights-errant had already sensed it, but they were in the middle of talking and hadn't had time to check, and then Liu Deran had already entered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Xuande, hold on!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Liu Bei reached the doorway, the young man who had been lying on the mat suddenly flipped over and sat up, calling out to stop him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What guidance does Xianhe have?\" Liu Bei asked softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This person who had been lying down earlier was surnamed Geng, named Yong, just come of age this year, the same age as Liu Bei, with the courtesy name Xianhe. He was the son of a fallen gentry family who had migrated from Jizhou to Zhuo County two years prior. Because the surname Geng sounded like \"Jian\" in the Youzhou dialect, he had simply changed his surname and called himself Jian Yong, a sign of his unrestrained nature.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Indeed I do,\" Geng Yong, or rather Jian Yong, said, stretching lazily as he stood up. \"No matter who this noble is, we cannot let Xuande lose face. Why don't the few of us go out together, line up neatly, and serve as your entourage... What do you think?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The knights-errant in the courtyard roared their approval. Even the man with the full beard and the one called A'lu nodded slightly. Liu Deran frowned and thought for a moment, probably feeling this would also boost his and the Liu clan's prestige, and did not object either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then I must trouble you all, brothers.\" Liu Bei looked around, saw no one opposed, and calmly bowed in thanks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even so, when the dozen or so knights-errant dressed in plain cloth walked out the door, preparing to puff out their chests and put on a show of force, they were so intimidated by the dozens of white horses and the scores of elite warriors under the great mulberry tree that they could barely move their feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking closely, only Liu Deran, Liu Bei, Jian Yong, the full-bearded man, and that A'lu barely managed to hold their composure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Liu Deran and Liu Bei of Zhuo County... greet the noble(s)\u002Fguest(s)!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amidst the uniform white horses, after steeling themselves and approaching under the tree, the two clan brothers bowed and spoke loudly, but their words clashed in a clear coordination error.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In response, two laughs, seemingly from those who could not hold back, immediately came from the group of people in brocade and fine clothes ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Deran, head lowered, flushed crimson from stifled emotion, couldn't help but turn his head slightly and glare at Liu Bei. The latter, though expressionless, also used the lowered-head posture to press his lips — still bearing only faint down — together subtly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun, who had been gazing at the tree all along, finally turned his head at these words. Then, bypassing Lu Fan and Han Dang, who had just been unable to suppress their laughter, he came directly before this pair of Liu clan brothers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to mention the group of wandering swordsmen behind them, already stupefied and even panicked — Liu Bei and Liu Deran almost simultaneously could not resist raising their heads to look upward. For their lowered heads had not prevented them from immediately catching sight of the purple cord and gold seal hanging at the visitor's waist!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun had destroyed Goguryeo and then, as a matter of course, been enfeoffed as a marquis... but he had also set out for his post immediately at the first opportunity. Perhaps there had long been news and preparations in Lingzhi, and official documents would naturally have spread through bureaucratic channels, but how could the common folk here in Zhuoxian possibly have learned of it so quickly?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, even though Liu Bei had gradually developed a capacity to conceal his emotions, when he raised his head, his astonishment was not half a whit less than Liu Deran's beside him!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Elder martial brother!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother Wenqi!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Abei, Deran.\" Gongsun Xun raised each with one hand, taking the opportunity to study the two, in whom only faint traces of their youthful outlines remained. He also looked carefully at the white cloth on Liu Bei's forehead beneath his beam-shaped cap, and could not help but sigh with emotion. \"Parted for years, meeting old friends again — the fleeting years are beyond pursuit! Abei... has your esteemed mother passed away?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, both Liu Bei and Liu Deran were visibly moved, as if simultaneously chasing back through the fleeting years, their hearts shaken. However, the former, thinking of his deceased mother, grew increasingly sorrowful; while the latter, seeing the achievements of the elder martial brother before him, could not help but feel somewhat delighted and surprised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, the wandering swordsmen behind Liu Bei experienced the same twists of emotion. First they had been dismissive; then, upon seeing the visitor's imposing authority and the purple cord and gold seal, they were shaken and terrified beyond measure; and finally, seeing that this young grandee was actually Liu Bei and Liu Deran's elder martial brother, a secret delight arose in them all at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Abei, just now I failed to notice you were in mourning. Seeing you arrive, I was momentarily overjoyed and could not help laughing aloud — please do not take offense!\" Han Dang and Lu Fan exchanged a glance, then hurriedly approached with solemn expressions to pay their respects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Elder martial brother Ziheng! Elder brother Yigong!\" Liu Bei naturally hastened to return each salute with a solemn expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Last spring, when Brother Han went to Fanyang to visit Master Lu's family residence, I heard from him that you, elder martial brother, had become a Gentleman of the Masters of Writing — that already left me utterly in awe.\" By now, Liu Deran could not resist clutching the arm Gongsun Xun had used to raise him, growing increasingly voluble. \"But how is it that within a single year, elder martial brother has also donned the purple cord and gold seal?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I raised troops in Liaodong and destroyed Goguryeo,\" Gongsun Xun answered calmly. \"I have just been enfeoffed as Marquis of Wulu Village...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing these words, the several wandering swordsmen behind the two Lius grew even more dumbstruck, and even the three at the front widened their eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun studied these men briefly, pretending indifference, then simply grasped Liu Bei's arm again and turned to address those behind him in a raised voice: \"These two are Liu Bei and Liu Deran of Zhuo Commandery — both my junior martial brothers and Ziheng's, who studied together under Master Lu at Mount Goushi. They are also old acquaintances of Yigong... Wendian, Zhengnan, you might as well come and make their acquaintance.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Fan, Shen Pei, Lou Gui, Wang Xiu, and the others, upon hearing this, collected their various thoughts and came forward with proper solemnity to exchange greetings. It was only then that Gongsun Xun learned: Liu Bei's mother had fallen ill in winter and failed to endure it, passing away just over a month ago. Since he alone remained in the household, he had asked the clan elders to bestow upon him the courtesy name Xuande, which had long been anticipated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, the company first sighed with commiseration. Some lamented that Liu Bei had lost his father in childhood and now had lost his mother as well — no wonder he had become so mature, as if transformed into a different person. Others sighed that it was no wonder Gongsun Xun looked upon such a person with particular regard — their fates were similar: both had fathers who died early and were raised by widowed mothers. Still others lamented Liu Bei's ill fortune: since he was in mourning, even if Gongsun Xun wished to promote him, it would be difficult to manage!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, regardless of all this, now that they knew of the matter, as fellow students it was only natural to enter and pay their respects in a brief ceremony, to fulfill the proper rites.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the abbreviated rites were completed inside Liu Bei's home, since his courtyard was too cramped, the two Lius had no choice but to borrow mats from neighboring households and spread them beneath the great mulberry tree, where they sat properly and reminisced. Many of the surrounding villagers also watched from a distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was at this moment that Gongsun Xun suddenly smiled and beckoned to the several plain-clothed wandering swordsmen, saying: \"Might you gentlemen be friends of my younger brother? Please, come and sit with us!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Fan, Shen Pei, and Wang Xiu all furrowed their brows at these words, but in the end, out of respect for Gongsun Xun, they said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Liu Deran who immediately explained: \"My lord marquis, these are Xuande's friends!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, Lu Fan, Lou Gui, and Han Dang also knitted their brows. For a moment, only Liu Bei's expression remained as usual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Gongsun Xun paid no heed whatsoever, merely smiling as he carefully scrutinized the wandering swordsmen. And what stirred his spirits was that the young man with the full beard and tall, powerful build was indeed the first to step forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is my sworn friend unto death! He is...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let the brave man speak for himself.\" Liu Bei hurriedly straightened to make introductions, but was halted by a wave of Gongsun Xun's hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have seen you, my lord marquis.\" Though this man's appearance was bold and heroic, his courtesy was not lacking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This matches! Gongsun Xun thought to himself upon seeing this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This humble one's surname is Qian, given name Zhao. I have just come of age after the new year and taken the courtesy name Zijing. I am a man of Guanjin in Anping, Jizhou!\" The man cupped his hands and spoke deliberately. \"I am Brother Xuande's sworn friend unto death, pledged to cut our throats for one another. To meet you today, my lord marquis, is truly a fortune of three lifetimes!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun was momentarily bewildered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>——————I am the mulberry-picking dividing line 1——————\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Qian Zhao, courtesy name Zijing, a man of Guanjin in Anping. He grew up with Liu Bei north of the Yellow River; the two heroes were of one accord and were sworn friends unto death. In the second year of the Guanghe era of the Later Han, they met the Grand Ancestor beneath the mulberry tree before Liu Bei's gate.\" — New Book of Yan, Scroll 71, Biographies 21\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",4154,"2026-06-04T19:42:03.441Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","904717b084d84523775c15a9839199889563de0b59f29556f01bc26af94d4995","overthrowing-han-chapter-178","overthrowing-han-chapter-176",548,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Foverthrowing-han-cover.jpg"]