[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-overthrowing-han":3,"chapter-overthrowing-han-overthrowing-han-chapter-250":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},1223009,1620,"Chapter 250: Where Can a Fair Maiden Be Found","overthrowing-han-chapter-250",250,"\u003Cp>The army marched in haste.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the imperial edict was issued, whether the weather was scorching or troops needed to be divided, no compromise whatsoever was allowed. Thus, Gongsun Xun received the edict in late June, and by early July he had already led those ten thousand cavalrymen from You, Bing, and Henei across the Yellow River, returning to the familiar yet somewhat strange territory of Hebei.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And as soon as he arrived in Hebei, Gongsun Xun temporarily cast aside Huangfu Song, Zhu Jun, Sun Jian, Fu Xie, Wang Yun, Kong Rong, and the many people and affairs of Yingchuan — all thrown to the back of his mind. Never mind the partisans and eunuchs; he no longer even spared a thought for Cao Cao and his party, from whom he had just parted at the ford.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no helping it — this was the limitation of the era. The conditions of transport and communication meant comprehensive exchange of information was impossible. Throughout the Han dynasty, the concept of taking the commandery as one's state was deeply ingrained; on one hand it was the influence of pre-Qin customs, and on the other, to put it plainly, it was simply the inconvenience of travel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The army of ten thousand, having left Henei and turned northward, felt that familiar yet strange sensation growing ever stronger. The territory was still that territory, the customs still those customs, yet Gongsun Xun could clearly sense the entire situation slipping out of control — population loss, bandits running rampant, the common folk's first reaction upon seeing troops being to flee, and even refugees in rags already beginning to appear by the roadside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, although the autumn harvest had not yet arrived, the situation that Cheng Yu had earlier hesitated to speak of was already looming large.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And when they entered Wei Commandery and arrived outside the city of Ye, the impact of this loss of control was transmitted directly to Gongsun Xun and his ten thousand troops... According to the edict, once past this point, the supply line for Gongsun Xun's force would no longer be drawn solely from Luoyang, but would have to be provided by the local provinces and commanderies along the route.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thereupon, almost with immediate effect, the speed of these ten thousand cavalry, having shed a great number of civilian laborers and baggage, actually slowed down instead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But slowness had its advantages — after all, arriving at Xiaquyang a day later would give Gongsun Xun a couple more excuses to fob off the central authorities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It must be understood that this General of the Household of All Purposes had a clear sense of the war situation in Hebei... The three Zhang brothers had made a strategic withdrawal, relying on the two fortified cities of Guangzong and Xiaquyang, each gathering a hundred thousand troops with countless supplies of grain, fodder, and wealth — how was one supposed to fight such a battle?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From ancient times to the present, have there been few examples of strong cities proving difficult to take?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, as early as before the campaign, when Gongsun Xun was still serving as Grand Administrator of Zhongshan Commandery, he had written letters to his mother discussing this issue in detail. And according to Lady Gongsun, the three Zhang brothers were truly difficult to defeat, and they would probably have to wait until Zhang Jiao died of illness before the enemy's position would collapse of its own accord.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Gongsun Xun actually had a fair idea of this himself. Before the Yellow Turban Rebellion, that Daoist Wang with the pig-kidney-shaped face had secretly sent word that Zhang Jiao's health was indeed somewhat amiss at the time; even the decision to set the entire Yellow Turban uprising in the third month of the Jiazi year had itself partly been out of concern for Zhang Jiao's age and physical condition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That being the case, Gongsun Xun himself was perfectly happy to travel at a leisurely pace, using it to shirk responsibility... Of course, he certainly did not forget to keep sending memorials to the central authorities, to make a show of his innocence and helplessness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And just as Gongsun Xun was slowly crossing Wei Commandery and about to enter the borders of Zhao Principality, an unexpected person suddenly appeared before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The visitor was Jia Chao, a local of Julu. He had once been a garrison soldier at Lulong Fortress, and when returning home had happened to travel together with the studying Gongsun Xun. Yet no sooner had he arrived home than he killed a man, and in the end relied on Gongsun Xun's protection to escape with his life, thereafter following him as a guard... In truth, he was more like a retainer or household bondsman, and had always been one of Gongsun Xun's trusted confidants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On this campaign against the Yellow Turbans, it was out of concern for his family's situation that he had volunteered for service, and Gongsun Xun had conveniently arranged for him to be placed under Lu Zhi — whom Jia Chao himself actually also knew — as a regimental commander.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I pay my respects to the Young Lord!\" Jia Chao had ridden here alone, and upon seeing Gongsun Xun he immediately dismounted and knelt by the roadside in greeting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Get up!\" Gongsun Xun, seeing this, brought only Han Dang and a few others with him as he reined his horse away from the main column and came to the roadside, then at once could not help but lecture him a little, though his words could not conceal a tone of closeness. \"You are now a regimental commander yourself, considered an appointed official of the court — why adopt such a posture? And with the hardships of war, how can an officer like you ride here alone? Are you not afraid of Teacher Lu enforcing military law?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Young Lord misunderstands.\" Jia Chao immediately rose and took hold of Gongsun Xun's horse's bit, then looked up and replied with a smile. \"When I came, I specifically requested leave from the General of the Household of the North. Besides, the fighting at Guangzong is not very intense... Zhang Jiao stays within the city, while Zhang Liang leads troops to camp outside, with deep moats and high ramparts. In the army these days, most are busy constructing siege engines and piling up earthen mounds — they can spare one man like me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So that is how it is.\" Gongsun Xun nodded slowly, but still did not dismount. \"Then is there some matter that brings you here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nothing in particular. I simply heard that the Young Lord would be passing this way, and I had to come see you no matter what... Only, the Young Lord came too slowly. I had originally thought we would meet at Handan in Zhao Principality, but then I turned back and rode several dozen li before I caught sight of the Young Lord's banners.\" Jia Chao still answered with a beaming face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Was this really necessary?\" Gongsun Xun said dismissively. \"Still, since the fighting is not urgent, there is nothing more to say — only, let this not become a precedent.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, it shall not become a precedent!\" Jia Chao hastily replied. \"But seeing the Young Lord's spirit undiminished, and also seeing Young Master Yue and Master Ziheng in the vanguard earlier, and Brother Yigong and Master Zibo here before my eyes all safe and sound — nothing could be better.\" At this point, Jia Chao grew uncharacteristically emotional. \"War is perilous, stray arrows know no favorites. Having been back in the army for several months and witnessed the cruelty of the battlefield and the people scattered and lost, even though I knew the Young Lord and all the others were largely unharmed, I still could not help but want to see you with my own eyes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Well said!\" Gongsun Xun was also moved by these words, and from horseback he used the butt of his riding crop to poke the other man's shoulder. \"That you have such sentiments makes it worthwhile that Yigong and I fished you out that day... So, any news of your elder brother?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There is!\" Jia Chao answered at once. \"I have already seen him. It is fortunate I came here; otherwise, with the chaos as it is now, I fear we truly might never have met.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun nodded slowly, then raised his eyes to look at the dense marching column.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Chao understood and released the horse's bit in his hand, then bowed once more right there by the roadside: \"I dare not delay the Young Lord's time. Young Lord, please proceed. Since we have come to Hebei, communication will always be much more convenient. Having now seen the Young Lord, Young Master Yue, and all the old acquaintances, I must hurry back to Guangzong as well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun gave another slight nod, then reined his horse back onto the road. Han Dang and Lou Gui also each greeted Jia Chao from horseback — the latter with a slight nod of acknowledgment, while the former, imitating Gongsun Xun, extended the handle of his riding crop and gave the other man a light poke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It must be understood that Han Yigong and Jia Chao had known each other even longer — longer than either had known Gongsun Xun. Otherwise, the two would not have arranged to travel together and leave Lulong Fortress together that day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Chao's business was merely an interlude on the road, and Gongsun Xun did not dwell on it. However, when they arrived outside Handan City that afternoon, he suddenly recalled that Elder Ma, the leader of the Taiping Dao in Zhao Principality, and only then did the pieces connect. He had half a mind to speak with Jia Chao about this matter, but the man should have already turned back toward Guangzong long ago, so he could only let it go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to mention that before his eyes, the entire city of Handan had turned out — from the Chancellor of the Principality to the subordinate officials of the Prince of Zhao, from famous scholars to powerful local clans — all waiting outside the city to welcome him, the Marquis of Liangxiang. And Gongsun Xun now also needed Zhao Principality to supply his army with grain and fodder, so he truly had no time to think further about Jia Chao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Elder Wei, Elder Cai, Elder Yue... and this gentleman, I presume, must be the Chancellor, Lord Liu?\" Gongsun Xun said with a genial smile, leading his party in dismounting and taking the initiative to offer greetings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aside from the current Chancellor of Zhao, Liu Heng, who among those present did not know everyone else? Moreover, Gongsun Xun had now been promoted in office and elevated in nobility, bearing a warrant and raised in rank, and after the rebellion was quelled, a whole new configuration of power would clearly emerge. Thus, the entire upper echelon of Zhao Principality was naturally bustling about, offering greetings without cease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Chancellor Liu Heng, as an acknowledged pure Confucian, had no intention of stirring up trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so, for a time outside Handan City, host and guests alike were thoroughly enjoying themselves. Even Dong Zhao, who had previously had some sharp words regarding Liu Heng, now showed a hint of delight at meeting an old acquaintance. Chu Yan, who now held an official rank of six hundred dan, could not help but reveal his true colors — strutting with smug satisfaction, glancing left and right... drawing sidelong looks from men like Guan Yunchang, Zhang Yide, and Wei Zidu, whose emotions were plainly written on their faces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And since Handan was unlike other places, Gongsun Xun took the opportunity to make arrangements: Cheng Pu was to endure the hardship of garrisoning the main camp, while those in the army holding official rank of a thousand dan and above, along with former men of Zhao like Chu Yan and Wei Yue, all entered the city to accept a banquet hosted by the local powerful clans of Zhao Principality in Liu Heng's name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Warmed with wine and drunk, the company for once adopted postures of unrestrained abandon... And after the drinking, while Qian Zhao went to seek instruction from his teacher Yue Yin, Gongsun Xun also led most of those who had attended the banquet to lodge at the former old residence, now the Cai family mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the private hall, Gongsun Xun, together with Gongsun Yue, as well as Lu Fan, Shen Pei, Lou Gui, Wang Xiu, Dong Zhao, Xi Zhong, Han Dang, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Liu Bei, and others — whether close confidants or men presentable in high company — chatted a while longer with Cai Yong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now that the Proscription of Partisans has been lifted,\" Gongsun Xun asked as soon as they were seated, availing himself of his seven-tenths drunkenness, \"does Lord Cai have any intention of returning to Luoyang?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cai Bojie stroked his beard and shook his head repeatedly: \"Here there is such delight, I do not long for Luo!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun broke into helpless laughter, and even those like Lu Fan who knew the inside story mostly smiled without speaking... It was not that Cai Bojie did not wish to return to office, but that he had at one stroke offended the Son of Heaven and men like Zhang Rang and Zhao Zhong — so long as any one of those three remained, he would find no good outcome in returning to Luoyang. Better to stay here in Zhao Principality, where he was held in esteem by all!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wenqi.\" Cai Yong reddened slightly, then stroked his beard and asked in return. \"You are a famed general of the realm and have achieved much merit in the south — can you give me a reliable word on when this war might come to an end?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The enemy in Hebei is different from that in Henan; it is hard to say.\" Gongsun Xun answered frankly. \"Perhaps in two or three months there will be a result; perhaps it will drag on into winter...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cai Yong at once sighed: \"What a pity!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A pity for what?\" Gongsun Xun asked casually in return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"After Zhang Jiao rose in revolt, more than half the students in the public academy requested leave to return home, and then for a long time did not come back. Occasionally a letter arrives, but it is always news of this family ruined or that person dead. And if the war drags on without resolution, with even fewer enrolling in the autumn, I fear the academy will have still fewer people... Wenqi, our Handan Public Academy is already the best and largest school in Hebei, and even it is in such a state — tell me, can I not find it a pity?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun was silent for a moment, then could not help but shake his head and reply: \"Once great chaos breaks out, vast as the realm is, I fear it cannot hold even a single steady desk for study!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That is precisely why I long for the rebellion to be quelled soon!\" Cai Yong sighed repeatedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun grew ever more at a loss for words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a time, silence fell over the hall... After all, though there were many people here, all presentable in high company, the status of Gongsun Xun and Cai Yong was nonetheless extraordinary. Even men like Lu Fan and Wang Xiu found it awkward to speak freely, having to mind Gongsun Xun's demeanor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, of all the many people in the hall, the only one who could interject without the slightest concern was Gongsun Yue alone. And Gongsun Yue, that man with the thick brows and large eyes, ever since the three-year mourning period had clearly become, like Liu Bei, somewhat capable of concealing his emotions... In other words, he too had become something of a closed gourd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, it was actually a cat's meow that broke the silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun watched the large white cat slip past Gongsun Yue's side and pass through the hall, and his heart was stirred. He could not help but look toward Cai Bojie, who was still sighing endlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lord Cai!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is it?\" Cai Yong was clearly startled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why do I not see your daughter Zhaoji?\" Gongsun Xun asked with a faint, ambiguous smile, availing himself of the wine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Zhaoji has already come of age. In the deep of night, how could she still come out and meet people casually as she did when she was small?\" Cai Yong could not help but flare up in anger, yet then abruptly stopped short, momentarily alarmed and uncertain. \"You... you, what do you mean by this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Back in Luoyang, you entrusted her to my care.\" Gongsun Xun grew all the more smug. \"Since she has come of age, let me take charge and arrange a fine marriage for her — what do you say?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cai Yong's face flushed scarlet. Whether it was from recalling something or simply from being provoked by these words, as he looked at Gongsun Xun's smug and insolent face, and at the hall full of civil and military officers all under this man's command, and recalled the imposing might with which the other had arrived at the head of ten thousand troops that very day, he found himself unable to speak for a long while.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun could not help growing impatient, and was about to urge him on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then Cai Bojie suddenly gritted his teeth and made up his mind: \"Wenqi has come too late. Zhaoji is already promised to the only son of State Chancellor Lord Liu... However, since his son is still serving as a court gentleman in Luoyang, it is only a verbal agreement and the formal rites have not yet been performed!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun froze, and the smile on his face vanished almost instantly: \"Is the Gongsun clan unworthy of a daughter of the Cai clan?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, the others in the hall suddenly understood, and most of their expressions turned displeased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One among them, called Guan Yunchang, even slammed the table and rose:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A decrepit old fool like you, utterly devoid of any ability to govern the state or secure the realm, knows only how to fish for fame and compliments while living at idle ease! Little do you realize that the only reason you can hide away here and live in peace and stability is entirely because we followed our lord in bitter battle to win it. And now you dare humiliate our lord like this? Do you think our blades are not sharp?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cai Bojie was instantly terrified and his face went pale.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>——————I am the dividing line that says a tiger's daughter shall not marry a cur's son——————\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Grand Ancestor once marched his army through Handan and lodged at Cai Yong's residence. When the wine had warmed them, at night he asked whether Cai's daughter was yet betrothed. Yong resented this and falsely claimed she was promised to the State Chancellor's son. Yu was at his side, understood his intent, and rebuked him with insults.\" — New Book of Yan, Volume 69, Biography 19\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sorry, this chapter was a bit stuck, so it's a little weak... I'll try to make it up with more in the next chapter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",3238,"2026-06-04T19:42:26.060Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","c4e5acf2a7ba9466fb5d9e856d5bbbe43e98d959c25df79af75d5d2c5c9dae3d","overthrowing-han-chapter-251","overthrowing-han-chapter-249",548,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Foverthrowing-han-cover.jpg"]