[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-overthrowing-han":3,"chapter-overthrowing-han-overthrowing-han-chapter-224":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},1222983,1620,"Chapter 224: Advance and Retreat, Thus Determined","overthrowing-han-chapter-224",224,"\u003Cp>\"So he was actually impeached?\" By candlelight, a tall, lean figure whose shadow fell upon the wall seemed briefly taken aback upon hearing this, then could not help but shake his head in dismay. \"I never imagined that after years away from home, he would so lack proper guidance. I hardly know, when I eventually resign my post and return, how I shall face the incense fires of the ancestral shrine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Teacher, you need not be so harsh. Elder martial brother was merely like any other great clan or powerful house, using his family background to shelter and shield lawbreakers.\" Opposite him, a tall, broad-shouldered figure seemed rather unconcerned. \"In this world today, such conduct is practically taken for granted. Even the Governor only acted because the Lu clan is the foremost local lineage; had he not dealt with them, it would have been difficult to move against others. That is the only reason he imposed a slight punishment... Even so, it was merely a fine and confiscation, nothing that cost him face.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When Inspector Guo sent men to break down my family gate and arrest that martial brother of yours, where were you?\" The gaunt man — who was of course Lu Zhi — sat cross-legged on a rush cushion and, upon hearing this, looked at the person before him with neither pleasure nor anger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I... I was elsewhere, apprehending lawbreakers.\" The robust man — who was Gongsun Xun — could not help but look aside as he spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why were you not the one to apprehend that martial brother of yours?\" Lu Zhi pressed relentlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ha!\" Gongsun Xun let out an awkward, embarrassed laugh. \"Where in the world is there a student who would break down his own teacher's front gate?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why could there not be?\" Lu Zhi continued to press.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Because in this world, a teacher can never be in the wrong!\" Gongsun Xun answered with a solemn expression. \"At the very least, that is what everyone under Heaven believes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You came tonight precisely to say this, did you not?\" Lu Zigan asked calmly, as unruffled as a deep, unfathomable lake. \"You know that in previous years, I obstructed your appointments — at the very least, from Liaodong to Zhao, it was I who arranged things behind the scenes. So now you have come seeking an explanation from me, showing a bit of grievance, hoping that in the matter of selecting a commander, I will step aside and yield, helping you achieve your goal... Is that not so?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun was speechless for a long moment. This was precisely why he hated talking to clever people like this — even if they didn't suffocate you, they could always choke you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wenqi.\" Lu Zhi continued to ask. \"Do you think I will grant your wish?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun pondered this, and only after a long while did he sigh under the lamplight and reply: \"Teacher, your mind is full of learning, your heart full of loyalty, devoted solely to securing the state and serving the country. You have even set aside your family for over ten years. How could you possibly abandon the task of quelling rebellion for the realm because of my private plea?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Zhi sat unmoving: \"Since you know this, why did you still come to me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"One always wants to try.\" Gongsun Xun shook his head with a bitter smile. \"This afternoon I already went to see my father-in-law, hoping he might step aside, so that I would not have made this trip in vain. After much earnest persuasion, my father-in-law did indeed agree. It was only then that I thought to come and try with you, Teacher — perhaps there was a one-in-ten-thousand chance...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wenqi.\" Lu Zhi spoke with a serious expression. \"Your father-in-law, though his loyalty is commendable, has only a single daughter, so naturally he would agree to your request. But if you infer from this that I would let private sentiment compromise public duty...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Teacher.\" Gongsun Xun suddenly rose and interrupted him. \"If I come to serve as a general, how is that compromising public duty? When judging a man, should one not judge his deeds rather than his heart? Now that the state has reached such a juncture, must you still suppress someone simply because, in ordinary times, that person lacks proper awe for someone else in his heart? However that man may be, is he not still better than those pure Confucian gentlemen who have accomplished nothing? Who, exactly, brought the state to such a pass?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am not saying you are incapable.\" Only after a long pause did Lu Zhi reply. \"I am saying that since I can go myself, why would I need to use you in any capacity? In this contest for command, I merely happened to come up against you; I truly had no particular intention of suppressing you. My conscience is entirely clear...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Teacher, your conduct may be clear in your own conscience, but my conduct is also clear in mine!\" Without waiting for the other to finish, Gongsun Xun angrily flung his sleeves and departed. \"Let us wait and see!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the flickering candlelight, Lu Zhi remained as still and unmoving as ever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It should be said that Lu Zhi's residence was still on the eastern side of the Southern Palace. This area was the so-called \"official quarters\" that the court provided for the various junior and senior court gentlemen entering Luoyang. In practice, however, aside from those whose families were poor or who had come from afar and would not stay long in the capital, very few people lived there for extended periods. Lu Zigan, of course, was an exception. From the time he was summoned to the Eastern Pavilion to compile histories, to his later promotion to Minister of the Personnel Section, overseeing the selection and appointment of officials across the realm, he had always lived alone in this place. Only later, when he received the additional title of Palace Attendant, did the standard of his quarters improve somewhat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wendian.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Elder brother.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun stood before the entrance to Lu Zhi's residence and called out to Gongsun Fan, who was waiting there. The latter immediately responded and stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You have been in Luoyang a long time,\" Gongsun Xun said, hands clasped behind his back, his expression unreadable. \"There is a matter I wish to entrust to you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Elder brother, speak plainly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Go and buy a few serving maids and beautiful concubines for Teacher Lu — ones of clean background — and send them to attend to him.\" Gongsun Xun stared expressionlessly at the other as he spoke. \"The kind who can bear children...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Fan stood frozen for a moment, several times on the verge of speaking but holding back. In the end, under his elder brother's insistent gaze, he could only cup his hands and assent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having spoken of such an awkward matter, the two brothers neither took a carriage nor rode horses. They simply walked out of this area on the eastern side of the Southern Palace, escorted by a few attendants. Only when they reached the main thoroughfare, where the lamps were dimming yet carriages and horses still flowed endlessly, did they board their carriage. The attendants then mounted their horses one after another, escorting their master toward Liu Kuan's residence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luoyang at the end of the third month had not grown desolate because the great Yellow Turban uprising had swept across most of Guandong. On the contrary, due to a strange and tense atmosphere, the capital seemed unusually bustling. Everywhere one looked, servants of great houses cleared the way on all sides, and carriages with their full retinues darted to and fro.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anyone who did not know better might have thought the New Year was approaching!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The carriage moved very slowly. Gongsun Xun and Gongsun Fan chatted idly as they rode, speaking at first of various recent news from Luoyang. But perhaps because the current situation was too grave, too tense, and still too murky, they found as they talked that they could not continue in that vein. Instead, they could only turn to some anecdotes of the capital from before the Yellow Turban uprising.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Elder brother, you may not know,\" Gongsun Fan said with a mocking smile. \"Luoyang often has sharp-edged newcomers who make a name for themselves in the world. Before the Yellow Turban rebels rose up, just as in former days when elder brother, as the White Horse Court Gentleman, stirred the capital, so too did the Censorate produce a figure at that time. Because he liked to ride a dappled horse, he was called the Dappled Horse Censor. This man repeatedly impeached eunuchs and investigated the sons and younger kin of eunuchs, showing no quarter whatsoever — just as Cao Mengde did back when he first emerged and caned Jian Shuo's uncle to death...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have heard of this man.\" Gongsun Xun had indeed caught wind of him. \"Huan Dian. His grandfather was Grand Commandant, and his family has intermarried with the Yuan and Yang clans for generations. They are a classical studies lineage renowned throughout the realm. Were it not for Huan Dian's father being frail and sickly and never taking office, they would have produced successive generations of ministers... When the heir of such a family comes out to serve as an official, even the eunuchs must show him some face.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Elder brother is absolutely right,\" Gongsun Fan replied frankly. \"However, it is also true that in recent years the eunuchs' arrogance has been so excessive that almost no one could restrain them. So as soon as this Dappled Horse Censor targeted the sons and kin of eunuchs even slightly, he gained an enormous reputation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I understand.\" Gongsun Xun could not help but sigh upon hearing this. \"I have spent these years in Hebei; how could I not know that the realm has long ceased to see the Northern Palace as just?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This remark carried a faint, ambiguous edge, and being out on the main street, Gongsun Fan for a moment did not quite know how to respond. Gongsun Xun, realizing this himself, could only cover it with a dry laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two brothers were silent for a moment. Just as Gongsun Fan had recovered his composure and was about to change the subject, his body suddenly lurched... It turned out that a carriage had abruptly cut in front of their own, forcing them to a halt. Not only that, but the person in the oncoming carriage had directly leaned over its rail, stood up, and was calling out Gongsun Xun's courtesy name:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wenqi! Is it truly Wenqi come to Luoyang?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The several riders behind them all showed anger on their faces... At Gongsun Xun's rank, very few people could still address him directly by name, let alone block his carriage in the street and call out his courtesy name, as this person had just done. And judging by the man's appearance — he wore no official seal or ribbon, and his beam cap had only a single crosspiece — he was clearly a commoner with no official rank!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun, however, upon hearing this voice, was not the least bit offended. Instead, he chuckled: \"Brother Ziyuan, I trust you have been well since we last met!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Aiya, what does it matter if I am well or not? How could it compare to you, Wenqi, with your purple ribbon and gold seal, enfeoffed as a marquis and appointed general at such a young age?\" Xu You, in the carriage opposite, struck a pose, stroking his beard and sighing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun laughed even more heartily. He shot a meaningful glance at Gongsun Fan, then actually dismounted directly and climbed into the other man's carriage. Gongsun Fan, left with no choice, could only cup his hands slightly in farewell and depart first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun and Xu You watched together as Gongsun Fan's carriage disappeared down the road. Only then did they exchange a knowing smile and have their carriage steer straight toward the roadside... The truth was, these two shared such a rapport that they considered each other bosom friends, and had always understood one another perfectly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun knew that as long as he provided money, this Xu Ziyuan would wholeheartedly and diligently help him accomplish things; and Xu You knew that this Gongsun Wenqi was a man of his word — so long as you helped him achieve something or provided valuable information, you would never be shortchanged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, with absolutely no preliminary probing, the two of them, using the evening dusk as cover, began to deal openly and directly with one another at a street corner and alley entrance in the city of Luoyang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wenqi, you may not yet know,\" Xu You said with a low chuckle. \"After Huangfu Song's memorial arrived the day before yesterday, the Son of Heaven also realized that he must hear the eunuchs' opinions on the matter of the Proscriptions. So this afternoon, he summoned the various Regular Attendants to inquire about it. As soon as he opened his mouth, Lu Qiang, Regular Attendant Lu, spoke bluntly, saying that the current situation is perilous. If the Proscriptions cannot be lifted, the partisans may join forces with the Yellow Turban rebels, and then the Han realm will be difficult to preserve!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What was the reaction of the Son of Heaven and the other Regular Attendants?\" Gongsun Xun asked with a serious expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What reaction could there be?\" Xu You remained disdainful. \"The Son of Heaven immediately lost color... He has been utterly terrified these past days as it is! And as for the various Regular Attendants, though they were furious with Regular Attendant Lu, they found themselves with no way to refute him. I won't hide it from you, Wenqi — after all these decades, this matter of the Proscriptions is finally about to reach its conclusion. The situation at court will never be the same as before.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun nodded slowly... The partisans affected by the Proscriptions were concentrated precisely in Runan, Yingchuan, Wan, and Luoyang in Henan, and in Qinghe and Wei Commandery in Hebei — areas that were now the main strongholds of the Yellow Turban Army. From the Son of Heaven's perspective, it was no wonder he was worried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That said, if the house of Han had not utterly lost the hearts of the people in these places, how could the Yellow Turbans have swept through them so swiftly?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this thought, Gongsun Xun suddenly asked a rather absurd question: \"Brother Ziyuan, tell me honestly — when the Yellow Turban rebels suddenly seized Qinghe and swept through Yingchuan, Runan, and Nanyang, was there any involvement on your part?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu You was momentarily taken aback by this, but then immediately shook his head: \"I understand what you mean, Wenqi. In truth, if you say there may have been some intentional or unintentional indulgence here and there, perhaps that is so. But if you speak of secret collusion, using this to pressure the house of Han, I fear you think too highly of us! Consider this: the Yellow Turban rebels have now swept through over twenty commanderies in a single month since rising. If there truly were collusion, we would not be having people plead for the lifting of the Proscriptions... Would it not be simpler to just let them enter Luoyang directly?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun could not help but shake his head as well, clearly feeling he had indeed overthought things: \"Then, Brother Ziyuan... let me ask you one more thing. Was Huangfu Song secretly contacted by you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu You still shook his head: \"On this matter, I can vouch for it to you, Wenqi — it truly had nothing to do with us. It was Huangfu Yizhen himself who suddenly submitted that memorial... To be honest with you, Wenqi, Benchu did indeed have such a proposal before, and I, Xu You, was the one responsible for it. We had originally planned to wait until after the various generals entered Luoyang to contact them privately. Who would have thought that Huangfu Yizhen would carry on the legacy of his uncle and act with such foresight!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The \"legacy of his uncle\" that Xu You spoke of referred to the story of Huangfu Song's uncle, Huangfu Gui, formerly one of the \"Three Ming Generals of Liangzhou.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It is said that back when Emperor Huan initiated the first Disaster of the Proscriptions, everyone else shunned the partisans, but Huangfu Gui actually took the initiative to submit a memorial to the court, stating that he had always admired the learning and moral integrity of those partisans, and requesting that the court treat him as a partisan as well... Emperor Huan, unlike the current Son of Heaven, understood things more clearly than anyone. He paid no attention whatsoever and simply tossed the memorial aside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From that time on, however, the scholars never again regarded the Huangfu clan as a mere frontier military family, but rather as one of their own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, whether it was a genuine desire to draw closer to the gentry clans, or simply a knack for opportunism, this was by no means the first time the Huangfu clan had done such a thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the Gongsun clan? If anyone among them had possessed such foresight, Gongsun Xun would not have had to stake his life back then, accompanying Yang Qiu in Luoyang to chop up Wang Fu like mincemeat for dumpling filling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now, Huangfu Song had once again suppressed Gongsun Xun with a single, effortless memorial... One could only say that when it came to opportunism alone, comparing oneself to others was enough to drive a man to death with envy. It was no wonder that Gongsun Xun, upon hearing this, could only sigh with repeated lament.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wenqi.\" Xu You stroked his beard and smiled at the sight. \"Since the lifting of the Prohibition is now a foregone conclusion, the court will inevitably mobilize on a massive scale, sending the grand army out through the passes to meet the enemy. Although you arrived first this time, others have overtaken you from behind... Under these circumstances, if you still wish to be a commander of your own route, I fear it will be rather difficult, won't it?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother Ziyuan remains as astute as ever.\" Gongsun Xun replied frankly. \"I have no intention of contending with Huangfu Song. But I cannot let all the worthy gentlemen in Luoyang forget about me, can I? I wonder, Brother Ziyuan, could you help stir up some public opinion for me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By \"stirring up public opinion,\" he meant ensuring that the Partisans and scholars would at the very least not hinder Gongsun Xun. How could Xu Ziyuan possibly fail to understand?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If it is merely stirring up public opinion, that is easy enough.\" Sure enough, Xu You pondered briefly upon hearing this, then could not help but smile again. \"Now that the Partisans are about to rise, and I am considered a capable man at Yuan Benchu's side... But given your current situation, with a teacher on one hand and a father-in-law on the other, it must be rather awkward, no?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You just focus on 'stirring up public opinion.' Don't concern yourself with anything else; I have my own strategy.\" Gongsun Xun suddenly cut him off, speaking with solemn authority. \"If the matter succeeds, and I, Xun, become a commander bearing the imperial tally for a route, why shouldn't I promise you five hundred in gold? But if the matter fails, though I have plenty of coin here, not a single wen will go to you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu You immediately straightened his expression, then clapped palms with the man before him to seal the oath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The third month hurried away, and the fourth month arrived in anxious haste.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the beginning of the fourth month, just as all the various rumors had speculated, the current Son of Heaven could truly no longer tolerate the Yellow Turbans' growing strength, nor permit their increasing threat to Luoyang. One must understand, the Yingchuan Yellow Turbans had already attempted to attack Yangzhai and knock at the gates of Huanzhuan Pass. Thus, the Son of Heaven and the court finally resolved to cast aside all restraints and mobilize every resource to meet the situation before them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the renzi day of the fourth month, the Son of Heaven, through the Eunuch Overseer and the Imperial Secretariat, formally issued a succession of edicts:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lift the Prohibition; grant a general amnesty to the realm, recalling all those exiled or banished — only the Yellow Turban rebels were excluded from pardon; release the hidden coin of the Western Garden and the stable horses to fund military use; order the noble houses and ministers to donate their household crossbows, horses, and supplies; reorganize the Five Regiments of the Northern Army, conscript the knights of Sanhe and elite troops from every circuit in the realm; and further decree that all ministers and high officials recommend men of military talent, put forward sons of hereditary military houses, and even permit any man with a heart to serve the state who believed himself to possess the talent of a general to present himself at the Public Carriage Office and volunteer for command!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun, unwilling to fall behind and with no time to pay calls on old acquaintances in Luoyang, hastily submitted a memorial on affairs. Beyond volunteering himself, he also directly memorialized through the Public Carriage Office, recommending in succession Cheng Pu, Gao Shun, and Cheng Lian, who were at Yanmen; Captain Xu Rong, currently with the Northern Army; and Dong Zhao, who was in Zhao!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These men were all officials appointed by the court, so he had to submit memorials in advance to prepare accordingly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And merely two or three days later, as Huangfu Song and other sons of the Guanxi military houses arrived in Luoyang, the court formally convened a grand council to openly discuss the strategy for advancing the troops and to select commanders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was not a formal grand court assembly, nor was there time for such ceremonial proceedings now, yet the council still encompassed virtually every serving official of the two-thousand-dan rank. Among them, Gongsun Xun, Huangfu Song, and Zhu Jun, because their own status was sufficiently high, were permitted to attend directly and sit in on the discussion at the Jiade Hall of the Southern Palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the council began, Huangfu Song nearly stole all the limelight, for virtually every minister and high official immediately recommended him. And Huangfu Yizhen himself, facing the Son of Heaven seated high upon the dais, presented his strategy in person, speaking with compelling clarity and logic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Correspondingly, the Son of Heaven did not hesitate in the slightest and immediately designated Huangfu Song as the commander for the southern front, bearing the imperial tally, to lead troops and meet the Yingchuan Yellow Turbans head-on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no helping it — whoever sat on the throne would likely have chosen Huangfu Song. It was not only because the man came from a hereditary military family and his martial talent was universally acknowledged; nor only because he was over fifty years of age and thus appeared more reliable. More importantly, Lu Qiang's earlier warning to guard against the Partisans and the Yellow Turban rebels joining forces still echoed in the Son of Heaven's ears. Therefore, when facing Yingchuan and Runan, which were teeming with Partisans, being trusted by the Partisans seemed to be the foremost prerequisite for the commander of this route.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On this point, no one could compete with Huangfu Song — even the Son of Heaven could not alter it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next came the matter of the second route's commander. This was equally of extreme importance, because no matter what, someone had to bear the tally and go to Hebei to take charge of the overall situation!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was where Zhang Jiao's main force lay, and Jizhou, the very heartland of Hebei that the Han dynasty had always relied upon, was already more than half overrun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, from this point on, matters seemed to grow rather interesting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your subject, Liu Yan, Minister of the Imperial Clan, recommends the Grand Administrator of Zhuojun, the Marquis of Wulu Precinct, Gongsun Xun.\" The first to step forward and recommend Gongsun Xun was Liu Yan, Minister of the Imperial Clan. Liu Junlang, whom Gongsun Xun had spoken with days earlier, spoke with firm conviction. \"Grand Administrator Gongsun has successively served as Prefect of Handan, Grand Administrator of Zhongshan, and Grand Administrator of Zhuojun, and is thoroughly familiar with the geography of Hebei. Moreover, this time he was the first to annihilate the Guangyang Yellow Turbans and restore Youzhou — a distinguished battle record. Furthermore, he was the first to request to go to war; his loyalty and valor are known to all under Heaven. And there is yet another matter: back when the Yellow Turban rebels had not yet risen, Grand Administrator Gongsun, then serving as Grand Administrator of Zhongshan, submitted a memorial bluntly stating the peril of the Taiping sorcerers and requesting that they be punished. This shows he is quite knowledgeable about the Way of Great Peace...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There was such a matter as this?!\" The Son of Heaven was rather astonished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your subject, Grand Administrator of Zhuojun, Gongsun Xun, replies to His Majesty.\" Gongsun Xun, wearing only socks upon his feet and holding his tablet, immediately stepped out from the ranks. \"The peril of the Way of Great Peace was known not only to your subject alone. Grand Commandant Liu, Excellency Yang the Minister over the Masses, the former Minister Liu Tao, Lord Liu, and also... Minister of the Imperial Clan Liu Yan, Lord Liu, all previously submitted memorials touching on this matter. What the Minister of the Imperial Clan refers to now should be the time when your subject, on his way to assume office in Zhongshan, came to Luoyang. First entrusted by Lord Liu, then serving as Inspector of Jizhou, I later sought an audience with Excellency Yang the Minister over the Masses, and together we submitted a joint memorial — that occasion.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So that is how it was.\" The Son of Heaven, his complexion sallow and his frame gaunt, glanced at Yang Ci, who was resting with his eyes closed, and Liu Yan, whose face was full of earnestness, but set the matter aside for the moment. He then took the opportunity to question Gongsun Xun on his strategy for defeating the enemy. \"If we were to appoint you as a general, how would you handle the situation in Hebei?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In reply to His Majesty, one need only cut off their heads!\" Gongsun Xun had indeed come prepared. \"Hebei has several commanderies in ruin and dozens of cities lost. If we proceed slowly and methodically, I fear the delay will be too great and further calamities will follow. Therefore, it would be better to concentrate our forces and strike simultaneously from north and south. One route would use the troops of Youzhou to take Zhang Bao in the north; the other would gather the court's elite troops, combined with crack soldiers from Liang and Bing provinces, to take Zhang Jiao and Zhang Liang in the south. If all three rebels are brought down, then the lost territory in Hebei can be recovered in a single morning.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Son of Heaven slowly nodded, appearing to approve quite strongly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet at that very moment, a man stepped out from the ranks — it was none other than the Grand General He Jin, who had been stationed outside the city all along: \"Your Majesty, your subject, Grand General He Jin, has a word to submit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Grand General, please speak.\" The Son of Heaven naturally would give face to his own brother-in-law.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, if the Son of Heaven did not trust this brother-in-law of his, how could he have appointed him Grand General the moment the rebellion erupted? To employ men based on personal ties was, after all, simply human nature.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty.\" He Suigao, just past thirty years of age, was as graceful as a jade tree and strikingly handsome. Standing tall and proud in the hall, he indeed possessed a certain imposing presence. \"I believe the strategy Grand Administrator Gongsun has laid out is excellent. But now the rebel forces are mighty, and the court is rushing to meet them in battle — we must also exercise some caution.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And what, then, is the Grand General's meaning?\" The Son of Heaven could not help but frown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your subject believes the strategy is excellent, but Grand Administrator Gongsun is somewhat too young and is not suited to serve as commander.\" He Jin immediately replied. \"Your Majesty, I have long had dealings with Grand Administrator Gongsun, and I certainly know that although the man is skilled in the use of troops, he is only adept at field battles with cavalry, not at assaulting strongholds and besieging cities. Hebei has many fortified cities; this so-called 'cutting off heads' will likely still require besieging and attacking major cities. That being the case, why not adopt Grand Administrator Gongsun's strategy of 'cutting off heads,' but replace him with an older, seasoned general to oversee the troops in the north?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The various ministers and high officials in the hall nodded one after another. Ultimately, Gongsun Xun was too young. Although his reputation had been high before, to entrust a matter of national survival to him — what if he were defeated in Hebei and Zhang Jiao's great army pressed into Luoyang? What then?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then does the Grand General have a candidate in mind?\" The Son of Heaven pondered briefly, then immediately nodded in agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your subject believes that Zhao Bao, Superintendent of the Imperial Household, Lord Zhao, has always been versed in military matters and hails from Qinghe. He might be appointed as the commander bearing the tally for the northern front!\" He Jin promptly recommended a man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, Zhao Bao also immediately and fervently requested to go to war. Not a few ministers, and even the Regular Palace Attendants, praised this candidate. However, Lu Zhi, the Minister of the Board of Civil Office, did not have time to express his own stance. Instead, he could not help but glance sidelong at his student, who stood in the hall, his face still expressionless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It must be said, by this point, how could Lu Zigan not understand? He had clearly fallen for a scheme!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun had never persuaded his father-in-law at all. His father-in-law, Zhao Bao, was clearly just as full of loyalty and righteousness, every bit as unyielding! That day when the scoundrel came to see him, he had simply been intimidated by his father-in-law and had then deliberately provoked him, Lu Zhi, into actively contending for command — all to suppress his father-in-law, Zhao Bao!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, if he, Lu Zhi, became a general, Gongsun Xun could still serve as a general elsewhere. But if Zhao Bao held the tally, how could the court possibly employ both a father-in-law and his son-in-law at the same time?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He just had no idea where the lad's subsequent arrangements lay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet there was no time to ponder further. At that very moment, led by Grand Commandant Liu Kuan, Minister over the Masses Yang Ci, and Minister of Works Yuan Kui, the many ministers who had been entrusted by Lu Zhi had already stepped forth from the ranks one after another and were recommending him, Lu Zigan, to bear the tally for the north and confront Zhang Jiao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Zhi himself was eager to serve his country and could only suppress his thoughts for the time being, immediately stepping forward to volunteer for command.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure enough, Zhao Bao glanced at Lu Zhi, then looked at his own son-in-law, and simply and straightforwardly yielded. Although he would not actively decline because of his son-in-law's private request, since Lu Zhi had come to contend, there was no need for him to press further. He was, after all, convinced of Lu Zigan's ability. And with the Three Excellencies all stepping forward together, how could he possibly win the contest anyway?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to mention, this way, he ultimately need not worry about hindering his son-in-law's chance to establish merit and build a career.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately after, Gongsun Xun, observing the rites between teacher and student, also requested that Lu Zhi be made general.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this scene, Lu Zigan's heart grew even more enlightened. But with matters having reached this point, he could not dwell on it further. Instead, he could only hold his head ever higher and his chest ever prouder, fervently requesting to go forth to Hebei.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Son of Heaven already held Lu Zhi in considerable esteem and had always trusted him deeply. Now, with most of the ministers recommending this man, and the other two generals voluntarily stepping aside, he offered great encouragement and then directly decreed that Lu Zigan would bear the tally and go north, taking overall command of military affairs in Hebei.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next, the ministers recommended Zhu Jun as the secondary general for the south, and Gongsun Xun and Guo Xun as the secondary generals for the north, each to raise troops in Yangzhou and Youzhou respectively, and then assist Huangfu Song and Lu Zhi in a two-pronged pincer attack. This arrangement was perfectly reasonable and seemed about to be finalized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, there was a problem within this: the main force of the Yellow Turbans in the south was dispersed across three locations, so after Yingchuan, Zhu Jun would certainly have to split his forces from Huangfu Song, and thus he ought to be granted the tally. But the Youzhou army on the other side only had to face Zhang Bao, who was guarding the rear. Between Guo Xun and Gongsun Xun — one an elder Inspector of Youzhou, the other an enfeoffed Grand Administrator — who should bear the tally?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were actually quite a few ministers who supported Gongsun Xun, but after a round of debate, it was again Gongsun Xun who voluntarily yielded, arguing that since this was Guo Xun's inherent duty, the latter should bear the tally and take overall command of the Youzhou troops, while he himself would be content to handle logistics in Zhuojun. Once again, the matter seemed to end to everyone's satisfaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But just at that moment, Grand General He Jin once more stepped forth from the ranks to request a word: \"Your subject has yet another stratagem that might bring about the swift pacification of the Yellow Turban rebels.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Grand General, please speak.\" The Son of Heaven naturally had no objection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty,\" He Jin spoke with a solemn expression, \"Nanyang is your subject's homeland, and Yingchuan is where your subject once held office. Thus, I have always known that those regions are crisscrossed with waterways, which is disadvantageous for cavalry. That being the case, why not transfer their cavalry forces and concentrate them for use elsewhere?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Does the Grand General mean to concentrate the cavalry for use in Hebei?\" Yang Biao, General of the Gentlemen of the Household for All Purposes, who had remained silent until now, suddenly interjected. This caused his father, who had been resting with his eyes closed ever since recommending Lu Zhi, to abruptly open his eyes — only to close them again immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not so,\" He Jin replied solemnly. \"My meaning is this: Grand Administrator Gongsun is adept at using cavalry. To employ his talent as a general merely as an auxiliary secondary commander is a misuse of his abilities. Meanwhile, the Yellow Turban rebel Bu Si in Dongjun has taken twelve cities in succession and commands tens of thousands of troops. There is a trend of him overrunning Yanzhou, linking Henan and Hebei, and becoming a threat to the very heart of the empire. That being the case, why not appoint Grand Administrator Gongsun as a commander, give him overall command of the cavalry from Henei, Bingzhou, and Luoyang, and have him swiftly advance along the river, sweep through Dongjun, sever the link between north and south, and thus stabilize the situation?! If he succeeds, he can then use the speed of his cavalry to reinforce other fronts.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun immediately and smoothly requested to go to war once more — this time, of course, volunteering to march on Dongjun!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But if that is the case, how many cavalry would need to be transferred?\" Yang Biao seemed to have locked horns with the Grand General. \"If too many are transferred, would it not affect the campaign in Yingchuan?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It would not,\" He Jin immediately replied. \"Grand Administrator Gongsun has already brought three thousand cavalry from Youzhou. From Bingzhou, another two thousand can be transferred from Yanmen and Taiyuan. And as for Luoyang, it is not a matter of sending out elite cavalry, but rather requesting His Majesty to release several thousand stable horses from the Western Garden, and then recruiting knights of Sanhe on the spot. With Grand Administrator Gongsun's ability, three thousand cavalry were enough to destroy the Guangyang Yellow Turbans and sweep through Mount Taixing. If he is given seven thousand cavalry, one imagines it will be sufficient for him to range freely across the Great River!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Biao was momentarily speechless, merely wearing an expression of deep contemplation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, like the various ministers and high officials, the Son of Heaven was also momentarily caught off guard, because his original intention had been to first settle Yingchuan, then sweep through the other regions. But according to He Jin's proposal, only seven or eight thousand cavalry were needed — especially after removing the three thousand Youzhou raiders brought by Gongsun Xun and instead summoning two thousand Bingzhou troops, and now with merely three or four thousand corridor horses required — to be able to sweep through Dongjun and prevent the Yellow Turban rebels from linking up into a single mass. This did give one pause for thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And beyond that, the Son of Heaven also needed to consider the matter of helping to establish the Grand General's authority. Just earlier, the Zhao Bao recommended by He Jin had already been jointly vetoed by everyone — so what of this proposal now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Correspondingly, the various ministers at court also had many considerations at this moment. For instance, they had to consider Gongsun Xun's state of mind. The man had yielded repeatedly — must they make him yield again this time? At the very least, it would be better not to be the one to speak such offending words themselves, wouldn't it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so, amid all these various calculations, neither the Son of Heaven nor the many ministers in the hall voiced any opposition; instead, they all seemed somewhat moved... To lead cavalry along the Great River out of Dongjun, severing north from south and forming an independent front — perhaps this was indeed a fine idea!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, even Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun did not speak out to refute the proposal despite the fact that their own horses would be requisitioned, because they too needed to show respect for the newly appointed Grand General, and respect for Gongsun Xun, a fellow Two-Thousand-Bushel official renowned far and wide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, the reason these potential opponents did not voice their objections had another, most direct explanation — the General of the Household of All Purposes, Yang Biao, the legitimate son of the Yang clan, had inexplicably stepped forward as the opposition at this moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This opponent carried sufficient weight; it seemed there was no need for them to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If it is merely seven or eight thousand cavalry,\" at this moment, as the seemingly sole opponent, Yang Biao, General of the Household of All Purposes, suddenly bowed in salute to the Son of Heaven. \"This minister believes it can be done! Moreover, Dongjun is distant and has already lost twelve cities. I request that Grand Administrator Gongsun be relieved of his post in Zhuojun and sent forth bearing a tally in the name of General of the Household of All Purposes, for according to ritual protocol, the General of the Household of All Purposes is precisely the office that commands chariots and cavalry... The state is in crisis; this minister is willing to resign and yield to a worthier man.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, the assembled officials in the hall, almost by instinct at seeing the matter smoothly 'resolved,' burst into unanimous praise for Yang Biao, and the Son of Heaven was also greatly pleased for the moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Minister over the Masses Yang Ci could not help but open his eyes once more and look expressionlessly at his son. How could he not understand? His son had always sought the renown of a scholar-official. This time, the matter of lifting the Proscription had been claimed by Huangfu Song, leaving his heart inevitably unbalanced — and now Gongsun Xun had seized the opportunity to make use of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, this was ultimately a trivial matter. As Yang Ci thought this, he closed his eyes again, and like Liu Kuan and Yuan Kui beside him, who had not spoken a word for a long while, he once more resembled a wooden statue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so, amid the approval of the majority, the Son of Heaven sanctioned the matter and additionally appointed Yang Biao as General of the Household of Rapid as Tigers, still serving as a guard in the palace, to show honor and favor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That very day, the Son of Heaven issued an edict: appoint Grand Administrator of Beidi Huangfu Song as General of the Household of the Left, bearing a tally, stationed in Hedong, to march out upon Yingchuan once his troops were fully assembled;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Remonstrance Grand Master Zhu Jun as General of the Household of the Right, bearing a tally, to first lead troops out of Changshe, seeking to rendezvous with the recruited troops from Xu and Yang;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Palace Attendant and Minister of the Bureau of Personnel Lu Zhi as General of the Household of the North, bearing a tally, stationed in Luoyang, to march out upon Wei Commandery once his troops were fully assembled;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inspector of Youzhou Guo Xun, bearing a tally, stationed in Zhuojun, to lead the various divisions of Youzhou out of Gaoyang once his troops and horses were fully assembled;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grand Administrator of Zhuojun Gongsun Xun as General of the Household of All Purposes, bearing a tally, stationed in Henei, to march out upon Dongjun once his troops were fully assembled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three days later, the Son of Heaven issued another edict: appoint Zong Yuan as Colonel Protector of the Wuhuan, subordinate to Guo Xun; appoint Court Gentleman Cao Cao as Commandant of Cavalry, subordinate to Gongsun Xun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>——————I am the dividing line of yielding to advance——————\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Some say: Dong Zhongying is violent and unrestrained; Liu Boan fishes for fame and reputation; Wang Zishi is rigid and incompetent; Yang Wenxian advances and retreats without principle.\" — Old Book of Yan, Volume 62, Biographies, Chapter 12\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Sorry for the lateness, it's mainly this chapter... it couldn't really be forcibly split, could it? So I gritted my teeth and finished writing before posting... hope everyone understands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One more remark: \"Yang Biao advances and retreats without principle\" was Qianlong's appraisal of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",7228,"2026-06-04T19:42:26.060Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","0a91b79bfa649595b6f1d6e3053c3016d4337daf03213db6f6298223534e2174","overthrowing-han-chapter-225","overthrowing-han-chapter-223",548,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Foverthrowing-han-cover.jpg"]