[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-overthrowing-han":3,"chapter-overthrowing-han-overthrowing-han-chapter-190":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},1222949,1620,"Chapter 190: Only the Old Weep (Part 2)","overthrowing-han-chapter-190",190,"\u003Cp>\"How do you know this man is called Shen Hu?!\" Gongsun Xun suddenly gave a cold laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhen Du was instantly thrown into panic and stammered speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that moment of panic was enough to change the whole situation... In the end, when one is the fish on another's chopping block, this County Magistrate Zhen was not really defending his innocence, but fighting for momentum — it all depended on whether he could maintain the image of a wronged man, using that indignant momentum to dominate the scene and win Gongsun Xun's trust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But with that one moment of panic, everything seemed to be lost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to mention Gongsun Xun, every other person present was sharp-witted — who among them could not now guess that this man was at the very least deeply implicated in that assassination attempt?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No, it was in Xiangguo that I vaguely heard someone mention that a son of the Shen clan had gone missing that day, called Shen Hu...\" Zhen Du knew he had fallen into a trap, and with sweat pouring down his forehead, he hurriedly explained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you certain?\" Gongsun Xun's expression did not change; he merely looked down at the blade in his hand, and surprisingly did not seize the chance to finish him off in one blow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am certain!\" With his hands bound, Zhen Du had by now recovered some of his momentum and bit down on his claim. \"Shen Hu was a well-known youxia in Zhao, always roaming about. That day when my lord dealt with the Shen clan members, I vaguely heard he was not among the clan and must have happened to escape. Only later he suddenly vanished again, and I assumed my lord's men had found him and carried out the lawful execution. Now that I think of it, the Handan clan must have hidden him, which is why I concluded it was Shen Hu...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You spout nonsense!\" The Handan clan head was beside himself with fury.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My lord, Shen Hu sought revenge against you, and the Handan clan has always been lawless, so they resented you and me, the two court officials who enforce the law strictly, and together they devised this vicious scheme!\" Zhen Du did not even glance at the Handan clan head, but only explained to Gongsun Xun. \"That Shen Hu had long resolved to die, and before death he was grateful to the Handan clan, so he wanted to use my lord's hand to eliminate me on their behalf... What a venomous heart!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My lord!\" The Handan clan head knelt and knocked his head on the ground. \"The truth is exactly the opposite! Looking at it now, it must be that Zhen Du took in Shen Hu and then framed my Handan clan. I beg you to see clearly!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My lord, the court appoints you and me as local officials precisely to deal with such cunning and powerful magnates. Do not let our loved ones grieve while our enemies rejoice!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhen Du clung desperately to the terms 'court official' and 'powerful magnate' as he argued repeatedly, and for a moment, he managed to regain considerable momentum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is truly strange.\" Gongsun Xun's expression remained unchanged. \"To be frank with you, County Magistrate Zhen, the reason I questioned you just now was not out of curiosity that you knew of Shen Hu, but because you got the name wrong... I have already had people in the state who knew the Shen clan identify the corpse of that Shen remnant. He was a distant offshoot of the Shen clan outside Handan city, called Shen Hui, courtesy name Changzhun... Why does County Magistrate Zhen insist it was Shen Hu?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhen Du froze once again, and then his face turned deathly pale... In truth, all this talk of Shen Hui and Shen Changzhun sounded so convincing, but if others didn't know, did he not? But whether it was Shen Hu or Shen Hui, wasn't it all decided by the man before him? The answer lay in another's hand; no matter how he argued, he would only reveal more holes!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in other words, how could he not understand by now that the other party had long since concluded it was his doing, and there was simply no way to win this man's trust!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You probably understand now.\" Gongsun Xun looked at him coldly. \"In truth... what use is there in arguing so desperately? You did such a huge thing in Xiangguo — where did the gold, silver, and grain to supply the bandits come from? Who made contact with the bandits? Could it really be without any flaw? If I go to Xiangguo and have your subordinates seized and thoroughly interrogated, can I truly not establish your guilt? The reason I only arrested you alone is not because I had doubts, but because I did not want to drag things out and waste time!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But I am a county magistrate appointed by the Imperial Secretariat, you cannot kill me...\" Zhen Du murmured in a daze, his head lowered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did everyone around confirm beyond doubt... It really was this man's doing!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not reaching six hundred dan, you are ultimately not an imperially mandated official. Appointed by the Imperial Secretariat, but without a decree transmitted by the Eunuch Overseers — who says I cannot kill you?\" Gongsun Xun retorted coldly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even so, that requires a province's Regional Commissioner or a commandery's chief official!\" Zhen Du suddenly raised his head and shouted furiously. \"Though you are a Ting Marquis, that is only a supernumerary rank in the nobility; in terms of official post, you are merely a county magistrate! How can you kill me?! Yes, as you said, the matter of the Mount Taixing bandits involves many people, and I cannot hide it, but that is a matter from my tenure and should be handed over to the State Chancellor or the Regional Commissioner for investigation... As for your claim that I sent someone to assassinate you, that is mere empty words without proof. If you are not satisfied, you should also seek out the State Chancellor! Gongsun Xun, have you not considered — a county magistrate who arbitrarily kills the magistrate of a neighboring county, how will the world look upon you?! Is it worth it?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Whether it is worth it, I have my own calculations,\" Gongsun Xun remained as calm as ever. \"Why do you think I chose to interrogate you here? Do you truly believe you could survive by relying on the State Chancellor?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhen Du looked around blankly at the surrounding weeds, then at the layout of the official temple hall, and only then realized that this weed-choked place was actually the official temple where the State Chancellor resided!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, with nothing left in his control, Zhen Du could only shut his mouth and say no more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This man has already confessed to colluding with the mountain bandits.\" Gongsun Xun turned and instructed Ju Zong. \"Use this charge to execute him! Gongtiao, quickly bring out the prepared document...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ju Zong dared not delay. He hastily set down the wooden box in his arms and took out a document carved on bamboo and wooden slips... It had been prepared long ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Follow me. We go to request the State Chancellor's seal!\" Gongsun Xun handed his blade to Qian Zhao beside him, then took the document and headed toward the rear courtyard of the official temple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ju Zong and Qian Zhao did not know who he was addressing, so they simply followed together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three stepped into the rear courtyard and barged directly into Xiang Xu's room, where they found the State Chancellor of Zhao sitting cross-legged on a couch with a Daoist priest who had a kidney-shaped face, the two of them arguing heatedly about something, with several books laid out beside them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without any courtesy, Gongsun Xun stepped forward directly, holding the document and bowing slightly: \"State Chancellor, the County Magistrate of Xiangguo, Zhen Du, colluded with mountain bandits and slaughtered the innocent. He has now confessed. I request the State Chancellor to apply his seal and carry out the lawful execution!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both Xiang Xu and the Daoist priest were stunned. However, before the former could react, Gongsun Xun stepped forward directly, preparing to untie the seal cord at the other's waist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Xu immediately panicked. While shielding the seal cord at his waist, he shouted: \"Gongsun Xun, what do you intend to do?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun did not answer, nor did his expression change. He simply backhanded the man with one palm, just as he had at the Mengjin ferry crossing several years ago, sending him into a daze... Then, instead of untying the seal cord, he directly told the already stupefied Ju Zong to take out some yellow clay, soften it, and stamp the State Chancellor's official seal onto it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately after, he abandoned both the Daoist priest and the State Chancellor and strode away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A moment later, when Zhen Du saw the other man return with a clay-sealed document in hand, he completely broke down: \"I refuse to accept this!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you have to refuse?\" Gongsun Xun handed the still-soft clay seal along with the document to Wei Song and others for inspection and testimony, then directly signaled Qian Zhao with his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The latter, seeing this, no longer hesitated and walked toward Zhen Du, blade in hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhen Du grew even more terrified and panicked. He fell to his knees and begged for mercy: \"My lord, you should know that I never truly intended to assassinate you. Please show me some understanding and spare my life!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then who will show understanding for the innocent lives in the Zhang estate?\" Gongsun Xun was unmoved. \"No matter how you argue, your life cannot be spared...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I want to denounce the Handan clan!\" Zhen Du suddenly cried out sharply. \"My lord, you do not know — this matter was a conspiracy between the Handan clan and me. When Shen Hu came to see me, he said the Handan clan knew all about his movements. Had it not been for that, I would have killed him long ago. How could it have come to this?! That estate was also voluntarily given up by the Handan clan!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Handan clan head's face had just been wild with joy, but now he could not help panicking, yet he had no way to defend himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Enough!\" The bamboo and wood document with its clay seal had made a full round and returned to Gongsun Xun's hands, and he had grown impatient. \"You are also a court official — preserve some dignity. I will speak plainly with you. Before Shen Hu died, he did not reveal a single word about you. Instead, he said, 'Having learned from past lessons, I am unwilling to be one who betrays a friend'...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Does he have the face to say that?!\" Zhen Du was silent for a moment, then suddenly his veins bulged and his face flushed red. \"I was in Xiangguo, serving as my county magistrate, and Shen Hu used my clan's reputation to coerce me. What could I do?! If I refused, and then word of betraying a friend got out, our Yingchuan Zhen clan would be completely cut off from officialdom! This whole affair was started by him. How am I not innocent?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun was taken aback for a moment, but still gestured to Qian Zhao, who immediately raised his hand...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have only one request!\" Zhen Du's heart turned to ice, yet he could not help shouting loudly. \"Only one request!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Speak it!\" Gongsun Xun would not deny him this chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"After I die, please, my lord, report only the charge of colluding with bandits to the province and the central government. Do not mention the matter of Shen Hu...\" Zhen Du's tears and snot streamed down as he repeatedly knocked his head on the ground. \"Back then, my granduncle became known throughout the land for betraying a friend to seek advancement, and as a result, for twenty years my family produced not a single official of six hundred dan. I have studied hard since childhood, yet I too suffered endless scorn, and only after exhausting every effort did I finally fill a post as county magistrate! Now, I truly cannot bear to let the younger generations of my clan suffer this again! If the name of betraying a friend is spread once more, our Yingchuan...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My lord, you must not!\" Lou Gui, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke. \"If this matter is made public, the Zhen clan's reputation will be utterly destroyed, and my lord might well avoid much trouble...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No need to say more!\" Gongsun Xun suddenly raised his hand to stop him. \"I agree to this!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhen Du immediately wept uncontrollably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Qian Zhao no longer hesitated. With one stroke of his blade, he beheaded this pitiful man, burdened by his family's reputation, before the hall of the official temple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blood splattered everywhere, but was mostly blocked by the wild grass.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The onlookers were mostly speechless. They did not know what to say, nor did they dare to say anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But just at that moment, from a corner of the official temple came an ill-timed cry for help. The crowd turned numbly toward the sound and saw a hideous Daoist priest with a kidney-shaped face struggling to support a tall, thin man as he shouted. The latter's eyes were tightly shut, his teeth clenched, his face pale with a bluish-red tinge — no one knew what illness had seized him!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, upon seeing the seal cord at this man's waist, no one dared be negligent. Even Gongsun Xun could only wave helplessly for someone to go check on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two retainers supported the man, while that pig-kidney-faced Daoist priest — Wang Xian, Wang Minhong, the one Gongsun Xun had assigned specifically to keep him company in conversation — fiercely pressed on Xiang Xu's philtrum... This finally brought the State Chancellor of Zhao, who had been scared out of his wits the moment he stepped into the front courtyard and witnessed that scene, slowly back to consciousness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Everyone, step back a little. Let the State Chancellor have some air.\" Gongsun Xun said nothing, and it was Lu Fan, in his capacity as Commandery Merit Officer, who could only helplessly speak up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd hastily stepped back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Xu looked around blankly, his gaze shifting from the distant thicket of grass concealing the corpse to the expressionless Gongsun Xun, then from the bearded warrior holding the bloodstained blade to Wang Xian the Daoist priest beside him. Finally, without a word, he nervously looked toward the rear courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Everyone, wait a moment,\" Gongsun Xun sneered inwardly at the sight. \"I will escort the State Chancellor back to his room... I will return shortly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The various noble houses and leading families of the state naturally dared not say more, and with a wave of his hand, Gongsun Xun had two attendants carry the State Chancellor toward the rear courtyard, while he himself followed once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ju Zong wanted to follow, but Lou Gui smoothly pulled him back; meanwhile, Lu Fan took the opportunity to retrieve Gongsun Xun's knife from Qian Zhao's hand, then produced a silk cloth and began wiping it clean.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Returning to the rear courtyard, the two attendants placed the State Chancellor of Zhao onto the couch and withdrew. Gongsun Xun then stepped back into the bedchamber with his hands clasped behind his back and fixed his gaze directly upon the State Chancellor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Xu dodged and evaded, but finally spoke:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wang Daoren, I entrusted you with confidences because you hail from the Wang clan of Taiyuan and also cultivate the Dao. Why then did you strike me with a palm just now in this place?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Xian heaved a long sigh, while Gongsun Xun let out a scoff: \"So the State Chancellor truly is, as many say, not foolish at heart!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lying there, Xiang Xu shed two streams of clear tears upon hearing this: \"Lord Gongsun, why must you mock me? In my youth, when I did those things, three parts were genuine wild abandon, three parts were to live up to my ancestors' name, and the remaining three parts I will not hide from you — it was to seek fame and office... But after half a lifetime of wild abandon, having truly become Chancellor of a state, I understand nothing and can do nothing. I cannot even speak properly with others, so that whenever I open my mouth, it is either scripture or curses. In such circumstances, if I do not lie high upon my couch and practice 'governing by non-action,' what else can I do?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun believed this... Xiang Xu had been wildly erratic for decades; every time he received a guest, he would stick up his rear and remain utterly silent. After decades of this, losing the ability to communicate normally with others was only to be expected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In that case, I have done the State Chancellor a kindness, have I not?\" Gongsun Xun continued to scoff with his hands behind his back. \"Had I not sent Brother Wang here to keep you company and talk with you every day, I fear you would not even be able to speak these words today.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do not... do not mock me!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lord Xiang,\" Gongsun Xun suddenly composed his expression and said, \"When have I ever mocked you? I have not been in this Zhao State long, but I have already seen — where are there not men driven mad and foolish by the two words 'hold office'? To put it plainly, they are all pitiable wretches... Enough, let us not speak of this. I only ask you: you wish to hold office, so go hold your office. But I wish both to hold office and to accomplish things — is there anything wrong with that?! Why must you make trouble for me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When have I made trouble for you? I merely believe that governing by non-action is the correct way. Ruling a great state is like cooking a small fish — you act too excessively, always killing people, exhausting the people...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But now,\" Gongsun Xun shook his head, \"Lord Xiang, you cannot even leave your room — how can you speak of cooking a small fish? Yet I have already killed the man, and am about to exhaust the people... One must choose one or the other, surely?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Xu's tears flowed ever more freely: \"It is not I who makes trouble for you — clearly it is you who makes trouble for me!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I will speak plainly,\" Gongsun Xun said bluntly. \"Lord Xiang is the State Chancellor... If you wish to govern by non-action, then send a document directly upward, stating that I have killed without authority, struck a superior, and seized seals. Inspector Wang and the various lords of the central government will certainly give you an answer. Then I shall enter Luoyang in a prisoner's cart, and you may naturally continue governing by non-action. But if you do not wish to send me to prison, then please shut your ears to the affairs beyond your window and simply delegate authority to me! How about it?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Xu struggled to hold back his tears, then pondered left and right, and for a moment seemed to hesitate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lord Xiang,\" Wang Daoren, with his pig-kidney-shaped face, suddenly sighed and urged, \"Better to yield to Lord Gongsun... If he truly enters Luoyang in a prisoner's cart, do you think his subordinates would let you live?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiang Xu was greatly alarmed upon hearing this, immediately recalling the scene from moments before. Only after a long while did he manage to say: \"Then, Lord Gongsun, I shall give you the seals and ribbons — only do not come to coerce me again... How about it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun slowly shook his head: \"Where is it proper for a county magistrate to hold the State Chancellor's seals and ribbons? Let us do this instead: place the item in the adjacent room, lock the door, and have two keys made — keep one yourself, and give the other to Wang Daoren... The latter shall hold the key in his capacity as your trusted confidant, while I shall come here to consult on all public matters. In this way, it can be justified!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I agree to everything!\" So saying, Xiang Xu directly untied the seals and ribbons, threw them to Wang Daoren, then prostrated himself and sobbed uncontrollably. The latter, having no choice, could only reluctantly accept them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun exchanged a glance with Wang Daoren, and the two immediately left Xiang Xu and walked out of the bedchamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Keep them safe,\" Gongsun Xun could not help but sigh. \"For all matters, I will naturally have the Commandery Merit Officer Lu Ziheng come to find you... When there is time, you and I should have a proper talk... As for this State Chancellor, I will assign some more men to look after him carefully on my behalf...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Rest assured, my lord.\" By now, Wang Daoren could only answer thus, though his ugly features could not conceal a mournful look...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, as Gongsun Xun had said before, where were there not men driven mad and foolish by the pursuit of office?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leaving aside the sorrow in the rear courtyard, when Gongsun Xun returned to the front courtyard, he put away his earlier sighing sentiment at the corner. By the time he appeared before the assembled crowd, he had already resumed that icy expression from before:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Gentlemen, the State Chancellor has approved my petition. The Jizhou notable Shen Pei, styled Zhengnan, shall serve as Northern District Investigator, overseeing the counties of Bairen and Zhongqiu. The Nanyang notable Lou Gui, styled Zibo, shall serve as Central District Investigator, overseeing the counties of Yiyang and Xiangguo... Together with Handan, all five counties shall act in unison — to summon and pacify the bandits in the mountains, to investigate and inventory the farmland, and to establish public schools. If these matters succeed, then the entire state's strength shall be mobilized to dredge the Gelu River! You gentlemen are the renowned clans of Zhao — does anyone have anything to say regarding this policy jointly advanced by the State Chancellor and myself?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, before anyone else could speak, the head of the Handan clan felt a chill run through him and hurriedly voiced his agreement, praising the plan profusely. At this, the other leading families of the state naturally had nothing to say either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, what could they say?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One must understand that the District Investigator was a commandery-level supervisory post, with a salary of only one hundred dan. But just as a provincial inspector of six hundred dan could represent the central government in overseeing commandery administrators of two thousand dan, this post could represent the commandery administrator in overseeing the county chiefs and magistrates below — its authority and responsibility had always been extremely weighty. However, given Xiang Xu's previous state, this post had naturally fallen into disuse. And now, Gongsun Xun had first publicly killed the chief of a neighboring county, then openly and with great fanfare installed his own trusted men into these two posts. It was clear that he intended to tear away all pretense and openly seize the authority over the entire Zhao State!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At a moment like this, what could this group of leading families who had signed their names do, other than express their approval?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Wei Song had the standing to shake his head publicly — but even that was merely a shake of the head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Handan was extremely close to Yecheng. Thus, two days later, when the document bearing the State Chancellor's clay seal arrived at the provincial office, the Inspector of Jizhou, Wang Fang, had long since learned the inside story from the Zhao side... Yet at this moment, he dared not even open the dispatch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A trusted provincial attendant at his side, a man Wang Fang had personally promoted, saw this and could not help but ask seriously: \"What concerns you, my lord — is it that once this document is opened, it will prove to have all the proper procedures in order, with no act of unauthorized killing at all?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Exactly!\" Wang Fang replied helplessly. \"Gongsun Xun arbitrarily seized a neighboring county chief and brought him to Handan, then killed him publicly. Everyone in Zhao State knows this — it has even spread to Yecheng... But what I fear is precisely that Xiang Xu is so utterly incompetent that he allowed Gongsun Xun to complete all the procedures after the fact and kill the man in his name. Tell me, if that is the case, should I accept it as it stands? Or should I go to Zhao State to investigate thoroughly and get to the bottom of this?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It is difficult!\" The capable confidant quickly replied. \"This matter has three points of extreme difficulty... First, the Chief of Xiangguo, Zhen Du, did indeed collude with bandits. He admitted it to their faces, with all the notable clans of Zhao present — his guilt is truly inescapable. Second, Gongsun Xun's arrogance and lawlessness are extreme — a county magistrate binding and arresting a county chief, then publicly executing him — this too is known to all. Third, the Zhao Chancellor Xiang Xu cannot be judged by ordinary reasoning... In such a situation, if you, my lord, do not investigate, you will likely be criticized, with people saying you fear Gongsun Xun and allow him to run rampant without restraint, bullying superiors and killing subordinates. Yet if you truly pursue this matter, there will be nothing to investigate!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Exactly!\" Wang Fang grew even more helpless. \"That is precisely the logic. If I do not investigate, I fear my reputation for integrity will be tarnished. But if I sincerely pursue it, I fear only bringing disaster upon myself without being able to clarify the matter... This being so, what is to be done?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My lord, why not simply resign from office?\" The confidant pondered for a moment, then suddenly offered an unexpected suggestion. \"You have been in this post for nearly two years. By all calculations, the court will not leave you in Jizhou much longer, and by convention, you should be appointed to a major commandery. Yet you have often told me that with the Son of Heaven openly selling offices at the Western Garden, you disdain such practices and have long harbored the intention of resigning and returning home after this term, to avoid being extorted by the eunuchs and having your good name ruined. Since that is the case, why not leave a few days early? As for this matter, let the central government have the headache — what of it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It turned out that this Inspector of Jizhou had long harbored the intention of resigning and returning to his hometown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, after careful consideration, Wang Fang actually nodded in agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>———————I am a supplementary dividing line———————\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When the Grand Ancestor served as Magistrate of Handan, the chief of neighboring Xiangguo County, Zhen Du, colluded with the bandit hordes of Mount Taixing. He first lured the bandits to slaughter the villages, then exterminated them to claim credit. Later, his deeds were exposed. The Grand Ancestor, upon hearing this, was enraged. As a county magistrate, he seized the county chief and brought him back to Handan, bound him, and petitioned the State Chancellor to authorize his execution. The Chancellor, deeming the matter too urgent, dared not respond. The Grand Ancestor repeatedly submitted petitions, even pursuing the Chancellor into his private chambers, until consent was given. He then put Zhen Du to the sword within the temple gate. After the killing, a dispatch was sent to the provincial office. Inspector Wang Fang also sighed: 'Zhen Du's death was more than deserved, yet for one magistrate to kill a chief and coerce a Chancellor — this is unheard of! Can it be permitted?' His attendants hinted: 'If you absolve the Handan Magistrate, you fail in virtue; if you sanction it, you fail in law. My lord, you should return home.' Fang thereupon abandoned his office and departed. After he left, the Grand Ancestor heard of it and remarked with a smile to his attendants: 'First I killed a chief, then coerced a Chancellor, and now driven away an Inspector — can this be permitted?'\" — New Book of Yan, Volume 1, Annals of the Martial Emperor, the Grand Ancestor\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Embarrassing, I was too flustered... A final tally: total effective word count updated this month is exactly 160k.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",4799,"2026-06-04T19:42:03.441Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","deb0a3b9ade675bdc4a876039c29c4869640b911069eedca335c50acbe575f40","overthrowing-han-chapter-191","overthrowing-han-chapter-189",548,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Foverthrowing-han-cover.jpg"]