Chapter 281: One Must Believe the Human Heart Has Truth and Falsehood

The realm was in turmoil, hearts and minds unsettled. As General of the Guard Gongsun Xun journeyed northward home, he inevitably stirred up quite a few ripples along the way.

First, his departure caused some unease among his former subordinates. Fortunately, Gongsun Xun had sent many letters from below Mount Wangwu, reassuring everyone while urging them to remain at their posts.

Second, the high-level personnel arrangements in Luoyang grew somewhat unsettled.

One must understand, Gongsun Xun leaving his post while retaining his rank — neither in mourning nor demoted — but simply walking away during the gap between appointments... no matter how one looked at it, his continued holding of a general's rank was somewhat unjustifiable. Yet to strip a man of a general's seal and cord earned through battle merit without cause also seemed somewhat unjustifiable, because relative to official posts and noble titles, the irregular institution of generalship was itself rather ill-defined.

It was, as they say, neither a post, nor a rank, nor a title... and the later concept of military rank had yet to form, making it a complete muddle.

Of course, no matter how ill-defined the muddle, if the Son of Heaven accepted it, it could stand — after all, things like Grand General were invented by Emperor Wu of Han in the first place.

However, just days after Gongsun Xun set out, an unexpected event suddenly occurred, causing this matter that had been muddled through to take a sharp turn — General of the Right Chariots and Cavalry Zhu Jun suddenly lost his mother and then requested to return home.

He was in proper mourning and could not retain any official post whatsoever. After the court reclaimed Zhu Jun's seal and cord of General of the Right Chariots and Cavalry, it could no longer avoid the topic of Gongsun Xun. Thus, after deliberation in the central government, the Son of Heaven once more dispatched an envoy, who finally caught up with Gongsun Xun in Zhao Principality and gave him an empty duty to pacify the bandit chaos in Youzhou, allowing him to continue holding the seal and cord of General of the Guard under the authority to conduct punitive campaigns.

To be honest, at this point, Gongsun Xun truly had no choice but to instead hand over his seal and cord of General of the Guard... there was no helping it; this was a political gesture. If he accepted this duty, even without paying the money, it would be a false retirement — the realm would not acknowledge it, and all the earlier theatrics would have been for nothing.

Yet, this could hardly be blamed on anyone; at the very least, Zhu Jun's mother dying was certainly not intentional.

He could only resign himself to bad luck.

And the chain reaction of this matter was not yet over. Seeing his two former comrades-in-arms both surrender their general's seals and cords for various reasons, Huangfu Song was exceptionally helpless. Added to the fact that he truly had no face to remain in Jizhou, he intensified his lobbying in Luoyang.

Soon after, as the situation in Liangzhou further deteriorated, with rebel forces even attacking the Fufeng region directly under the Metropolitan Commandant, the central government finally seized the opportunity to relieve Huangfu Song of his duties as Governor of Jizhou and ordered this General of the Left Chariots and Cavalry — half disgraced, half helpless — to lead twenty thousand troops out to garrison Guanxi and defend the imperial tombs at Chang'an.

As for the post of Inspector of Jizhou, it was filled by Wang Fen, a former partisan and renowned scholar, one of the Eight Chefs. At the same time, Court Consultant Dong Zhuo was appointed General of the Household and also accompanied Huangfu Song to garrison Guanxi.

However, these actions produced no immediate effect on the situation. By the fifth month, the realm's condition instead completely collapsed.

On one hand, as Huangfu Song led his twenty thousand elite troops away from Jizhou, the entire province descended into chaos. Bandits everywhere grew more active — the Purple Mountain Bandits, the Black Mountain Bandits, remnants of the Yellow Turbans, the so-called Yellow Dragon, White Sparrow, Thunder Lord, and Bitter Grub immediately boiled over and expanded massively!

Most of Hebei instantly lost all order. It was said that those turned bandit alone numbered a million, and the situation even showed signs of spreading toward the Central Plains... there was no helping it; this was the inevitable result when destruction outweighed construction. Everything snowballed, growing worse and worse.

On the other hand, the Liangzhou rebels continued to grow stronger, with five or six commanderies responding. The Han army could only barely hold a few fortified cities in Liangzhou in response, and even Huangfu Song and Dong Zhuo could only barely maintain a defensive posture in the Fufeng area.

At this very moment, some idiots in the central government began discussing the issue of abandoning Liangzhou... particularly led by Hebei gentry such as Cui Lie, who generally supported abandoning Liangzhou and recognizing the rebels' independence, with the aim of promptly redeploying elite troops to stabilize Hebei, which was already in shambles.

But Cui Lie, that foremost leader of Hebei's great clans and renowned scholar of You and Ji provinces, was destined to be used as a stepping stone. After being berated once by Gongsun Xun at the ford, this time at the grand court assembly he was directly called upon to be executed to pacify the realm by Gongsun Xun's junior fellow disciple, Fu Xie, Fu Nanrong!

Fu Nanrong spoke with impassioned fervor, thoroughly refuting the absurdity of abandoning Liangzhou. And the Son of Heaven was no fool after all; on such a major matter concerning his very survival, how could he possibly err? In the end, the Son of Heaven made his resolve on the spot — while ordering Huangfu Song and Dong Zhuo to continue defending the Fufeng Commandery directly under the Metropolitan Commandant at the front, he would spare no effort in Luoyang to organize a grand western campaign, seeking to completely recover Liangzhou.

A small interlude occurred within this — someone proposed that Gongsun Xun could take the opportunity to recruit Wuhuan troops in Youzhou and then turn around to join this western campaign plan, but it was immediately rejected on the grounds that the distance was too great and the gains would not justify the losses.

Correspondingly, someone proposed recruiting Xianbei troops, reasoning that since the death of Tanshihuai, the Xianbei had split into multiple tribes and had long since lost the concept of a vast political entity spanning ten thousand li, and thus could be exploited. However, after some discussion, the central authorities instead concluded that the Xianbei also needed guarding against and that barbarians could not be casually brought into Han territory.

Then, at this point, someone else proposed that Gongsun Xun's title of General of the Guard should still be retained; at the very least, with him in Youzhou, he could overawe the Xianbei and Wuhuan.

The Son of Heaven followed good advice readily and thus dispatched an envoy a second time on fast horses to pursue Gongsun Xun, and once again caught up with him in Zhao Principality, intending to return the seal and cord of General of the Guard to the fellow.

Yet Gongsun Xun still would not accept, his reason being that even if he were idle at home, he would certainly do his utmost to protect the safety of his homeland and had no need for this general's seal and cord.

The envoy returned resentfully.

However, as soon as he returned, the Son of Heaven again dispatched a new envoy bearing the seal and cord of General of the Guard to pursue Gongsun Xun a third time... the reason was simple: there were far too many bandits in Hebei, and at this very moment, the Purple Mountain Bandit Zhang Yan voluntarily offered surrender, saying he was willing to guard the mountains of Hebei for the House of Han. The central government, after much deliberation, was truly helpless and could only accept his surrender, preparing to pardon and appoint him as General of the Household Who Pacifies Difficulties, allowing him to nominate Filial and Incorrupt candidates and send annual reports to the court via accounting clerks.

At this time, since Zhang Yan had once been a subordinate of Gongsun Xun, someone again proposed that Gongsun Xun should be given the seal and cord of General of the Guard to go and recruit and pacify him... of course, there was certainly an unspoken layer to this person's words: if even someone like Zhang Yan could magically transform from a county magistrate to a bandit and then to a General of the Household within a few months, why must Gongsun Xun, a General of the Guard already preparing to return home, still insist on following the rules? What time was this?!

In truth, by this stage, everyone could see that the authority of the House of Han had already plummeted drastically. Apart from the central government still maintaining a superficial structure, when it came to local and military matters, all systems and rules had vanished.

In other words, the realm had truly begun to descend into great chaos!

And just as the state's heavy ministers were sighing in despair, Zhong Yao, a Gentleman of the Masters of Writing bearing the imperial staff, once again caught up with Gongsun Xun in Zhao Principality.

That's right — Zhao Principality again. Gongsun Xun was still in Zhao Principality!

It was not that he did not wish to leave, but that he could not... He had entered Zhao Principality in late April, and it was then that he was first overtaken by the court envoy and stripped of the seal and cord of General of the Guard. At that time, Huangfu Song was still serving as Governor of Jizhou, and the situation in Jizhou had not yet spiraled out of control. But by the time he reached Xiangguo County in Zhao Principality, Huangfu Song had been hastily transferred. Then, by the time he reached Bairen County at the northernmost edge of Zhao Principality, the entire Jizhou had completely fallen into chaos!

Some went to the northern section of Mount Taihang to join the Purple Mountain Bandit Zhang Yan, some went to the southern section to join the Black Mountain Bandit Yu Du, and others raised their own banners to take up arms... The roads and fields were everywhere filled with refugees and small bands of bandits. In groups and families, in an endless stream, they robbed others on one hand, attacked cities and seized territory on the other, while simultaneously annexing each other — and all the while, they themselves remained under the constant threat of hunger and epidemic disease.

Gongsun Xun was traveling with his family, including several children only a few years old, and could only advance slowly, so he truly dared not leave the city and set out lightly.

After all, once they set out, combat would inevitably occur, and Gongsun Xun truly did not wish to set his fully armed cavalry volunteers upon these people who were half bandits, half refugees... It was not merely pity for them, but rather, given the situation before his eyes, if he truly fought his way through, when would the killing end? And what meaning would there be in killing?

It happened to be the start of the fifth month, the weather scorching hot, so Gongsun Xun used concern over epidemic disease as a pretext to halt at Bairen and wait for a time.

And this wait brought the third wave of court envoys — none other than Zhong Yao, Zhong Yuanchang, bearing the imperial staff.

"Was your journey here peaceful, Yuanchang?" In the blazing summer heat, Gongsun Xun, still a County Marquis with purple cord and gold seal, received the decree standing atop the scorching city walls of Bairen County. After understanding the decree's intent, Gongsun Xun did not directly state his position but instead exchanged pleasantries with Zhong Yao, whom he had not seen for a long time.

"In reply, my lord, from the northernmost part of Henei onward, conditions were not good." Under the harsh afternoon sunlight, Zhong Yao respectfully bowed on the city wall and answered. "The Black Mountain Bandit Yu Du in the northernmost part of Henei has been especially rampant lately; countless refugees have gone to join him. Had Captain of Zhaoge Guan Yu, Guan Yunchang, not led troops across the border to escort us, we would scarcely have dared to set out..."

"Where is it not like this?" Gongsun Xun raised his head and sighed. "The road before me is also blocked by bandits rushing to join Chu... that fellow Zhang Yan. I hear the bandits here in Hebei have already gathered a million strong. It is for this reason that I have been forced to halt and wait for the situation to improve before continuing my journey."

"That is precisely why pacification is the right course." Zhong Yao quickly responded. "The realm is in peril, bandits rise everywhere, but matters have their order of urgency. Here in Hebei, the bandits are mostly refugees who, in their desperation, naturally formed into brigands; their original intent was not rebellion. In Liangzhou, however, the threat already directly endangers the Metropolitan Commandant's security... Therefore, choices must be made."

"Had we known this, why did we act so in the first place?" Gongsun Xun gazed at the encampment of his five hundred volunteers outside the city and could not help but sneer, for that land had originally been fine fields of green shoots, now long since trampled bare by the refugee bandits.

Zhong Yao promptly shut his mouth.

"Very well." Gongsun Xun clasped his hands behind his back and sighed. "You are right. Hebei is now empty, and there is simply no way to deal with so many bandits and refugees. So even if it only pacifies them for a time, it should be done... Zhang Yan offered surrender voluntarily?"

"Indeed." Zhong Yao breathed a sigh of relief.

"Then it is easily handled." Gongsun Xun said dismissively. "I will have Yigong accompany you, along with some officials and prominent local families he was on good terms with during his service in Zhao Principality, to make a trip into the Purple Mountains to the north and deliver the seal and cord of General of the Household Who Pacifies Difficulties to him. In truth, it is not only Zhang Yan — those bandit chieftains in the mountains, whether local strongmen or commoners, are not people with grand ambitions. If you present the bearing of an imperial envoy, they will instead be happy to accept."

Zhong Yao grew even more relaxed.

But...

"But my lord, what of this seal and cord of General of the Guard?" Zhong Yuanchang finally could not resist pressing further. "Would it not be better... for you to accept it?"

"Forget it, my lord." Just then, Xi Zhong, who had been avoiding the imperial envoy's regalia, suddenly interjected from the shade below the city wall. "This seal of General of the Guard — the central government gives it, then takes it, then gives it again, as if toying with a man... If you accept it today, what if tomorrow Brother Yuanchang comes bearing the staff again to take it away? Would that not make my lord a laughingstock before the realm?"

"Well said." Gongsun Xun smiled toward the source of the voice, though the speaker was completely out of sight. "Will Zhicai not come up and meet an old acquaintance from your commandery?"

"What is there to see?" Xi Zhong remained in the shade below the wall, his teasing unabated. "As soon as Yuanchang entered court, he became a Gentleman of the Masters of Writing — a brilliant future ahead. While I, a wastrel, have at most served as a Retainer in the General of the Guard's staff, and was even dismissed from that. If we met now, would it not be awkward? Better not to meet than to meet!"

Zhong Yao had known Xi Zhong for a long time and was well aware of his dissolute and mischievous nature, so he simply kept his mouth shut and let him ramble.

"I also feel my lord has no need to accept this seal." Lou Zibo, who was hiding in the shade together with Xi Zhong, spoke up in earnest. But his very first words made Zhong Yuanchang's back grow slightly clammy. "My lord returns home and can naturally pacify the countryside through virtue — why care about a single general's seal? Besides, with the realm now in upheaval, when men like Han Sui and Zhang Yan can rise with the wind, why should my lord, wishing to accomplish things, care about formal titles?"

A gust of wind suddenly blew past. Under the blazing sun, Zhong Yao felt only a chill on his back and could but hesitate, wanting to speak yet stopping.

"What of Ziheng and Shuzhi, then?" Under the scorching sun, Gongsun Xun turned his head and asked. "Do you two think I should accept this seal or not?"

"I believe you may." Lu Fan, standing right behind Gongsun Xun, was direct and to the point. "If names are not correct, words will not flow smoothly. With the realm in such chaos, even staying at home, one must still act."

"Shuzhi." Gongsun Xun pressed.

"I don't know." Wang Xiu shook his head helplessly. "As Brother Ziheng said, with the realm in such chaos, even if one is merely studying in the countryside, one should pacify the local villages. Yet as Brother Zibo said, since my lord is returning home, whatever you undertake can be done by your own authority and virtue, and the strength of your clan — there is no need to care about a general's seal... Therefore, General, do as you please."

"You should still accept it." Chang Bohuai, as ever, had no reservations whatsoever. Without waiting for Gongsun Xun to ask, he directly cupped his hands and urged, "The realm is in turmoil. It may soon improve, but it may also continue to worsen. My lord, in your home county, you must be prepared to undertake great matters. With the Guard General's seal in hand, at the very least, the officials of Youzhou will not dare to obstruct you too much."

Gongsun Xun slowly nodded, then turned to look at the sweat-drenched Zhong Yao: "Yuanchang, did you hear that? The words of my five wise counselors and strategists each differ from one another."

"I heard." Zhong Yao grew increasingly nervous.

"Two believe I need not accept it, two believe I should accept it, and one believes it makes no difference either way. As for the others, like Yigong and the rest, they are not versed in such matters, so I will not ask them." Gongsun Xun fixed his gaze on Zhong Yao and spoke slowly. "Yuanchang, we are old friends. My appreciation for you surely needs no elaboration... And now that matters have reached this point, I too am in a difficult position. Why don't you make the decision for me?"

Zhong Yao was instantly drenched in sweat: "I am an envoy, how can I..."

"But you are also an old friend of mine." Gongsun Xun was utterly unconcerned. "Consider this carefully for me — should I accept this seal or not? If you say I should accept it, I will accept it. If you say I should not, then I will not. Once you have decided, come find me in the city pavilion. The weather is hot; I must go back and look after the children!"

With these words, the Marquis of Ji, whose fief fed six Battalion Commander, simply flicked his sleeves and walked away, leaving Zhong Yao, a group of attendants from Luoyang, and the imperial staff representing the Son of Heaven's authority abandoned atop the walls of Bairen City under the direct midday sun.

Zhong Yao, who had only been a Gentleman of the Secretariat for half a month, instinctively followed a few steps, only to discover that at a silent command from Han Dang, several swordsmen had suddenly appeared at the stairway descending the city wall. He could not help but sweat profusely. And when he turned back and saw the several hundred white-horsed cavalry encamped just outside the city, he was rendered utterly speechless.

By this point, how could Zhong Yao not understand? This was clearly Gongsun Xun, unable to discern the court's attitude toward him, growing suspicious and hesitant. And then it must have been that scoundrel Xi Zhicai, who knew him through and through, disregarding all friendship and directly offering such a vicious stratagem — using this method to force him to explain himself. Yet, though he understood, Zhong Yuanchang was helpless. With a sigh, his head drenched in sweat, he actually requested brush, ink, paper, and inkstone from the warriors below the city wall, along with a pot of cool boiled water.

One pot of cool boiled water — half he drank, and with the other half he ground the ink. Then Zhong Yuanchang flourished his brush and splashed ink, writing furiously atop the city wall. When he had finally finished, he actually took out a flint and burned what he had written. Only then did he request an audience with Gongsun Xun.

"In my view, regarding the previous incident of seizing the seal, there are indeed those in the court who intend to move against my lord." Inside the pavilion, Zhong Yuanchang, who had requested a private audience, bowed deeply beneath the corridor of the courtyard, then seated himself and spoke calmly, getting straight to the point... It was a wonder how he had such energy after enduring the blazing sun atop the city wall, drinking water, writing, and burning paper. "I truly do not know who this person is. But as for the matter of the general's seal, I still believe my lord should accept it."

"Why?" Sitting cross-legged beneath the corridor, Gongsun Xun turned his head to watch his children playing in the courtyard, his expression utterly indifferent.

"Under the great tide, reversals are hard to determine. A person within it is like a skiff upon the lakes and seas — today sailing with the current, tomorrow against it. At such a time, my lord should not concern himself with the petty opinions of outsiders or the machinations of certain villains in Luoyang, for their actions too will be shaken by the great tide, and may even backfire." At this point, Zhong Yuanchang bowed low once more. "The only thing my lord should do now is steady himself and add a few more ballast stones to his own ship... And though this general's seal may be an empty title, hung upon my lord's person, it still carries some weight after all."

"Well said!" Gongsun Xun should have personally helped him up, or at least bid him rise, but instead he simply stood up himself and turned to gaze into the courtyard. "During these days I have lingered in Bairen, I too have felt much. To be honest with you, Yuanchang, I did foresee that the realm would descend into chaos — otherwise I would not have abandoned my post and returned home. But that the turmoil would come so swiftly, I truly did not expect. Yet it is precisely witnessing such chaos that has made me understand something: the foundation of the realm lies in the localities. When the localities are all ruined, even if Luoyang can barely maintain the situation, it is nothing more than a tall tower built on sand, a high platform on mud — an empty name, nothing more. This is a question of name and substance. If one must choose between name and substance, one can only choose substance."

"My lord speaks truly." Zhong Yao looked up at his figure and said, "Compared to my lord, those who cling to Luoyang and play at power schemes have fallen to a lower plane."

"Well said." Gongsun Xun did not look at Zhong Yao, but continued to face the courtyard with his hands behind his back, sighing with emotion. "However, the relationship between name and substance is not so simple. With substance, one can certainly establish a name, but with a name, it is not necessarily impossible to gain substance. Luoyang still requires much attention, lest one be harmed without even knowing it... Yuanchang, am I right?"

Zhong Yao bowed low, sweat streaming down once more.

But Gongsun Xun merely stood with his hands behind his back, watching his own children in the courtyard, showing not the slightest intention of bidding him rise.

"Yao... Yao... Yao is willing to keep watch over the changes between name and substance in Luoyang for my lord." Zhong Yao did not know how he managed to utter these words, but after a year, once he had spoken them, he actually felt a sense of relief, and his sweat seemed to gradually dissipate with the evening breeze.

"Yuanchang, please rise." Gongsun Xun immediately smiled and stepped forward to help him up. "In matters to come, I shall rely heavily upon you."

Zhong Yao was utterly drained and could only exhale a long breath.

"The one who moved against me last time was Yuan Benchu." After releasing his hands, Gongsun Xun continued calmly. "Someone has already informed me of this matter. You are not like those two clan brothers of mine — he does not value you. Just keep a careful watch on his movements for me..."

Hearing this, Zhong Yao felt there was far too much information contained within, and his legs nearly gave way beneath him — but he managed to stay on his feet.

"Go now." Gongsun Xun still spoke with a genial smile. "Fetch my Guard General's seal and ribbon for me!"

Zhong Yuanchang bowed and withdrew.

As Zhong Yao turned and left, a short, stout figure suddenly emerged from the opposite side of the pavilion corridor. He circled around Gongsun Li, Gongsun Ding, Gongsun Ping, and Gongsun Zhen — the four siblings playing in the courtyard — and came directly beneath the corridor, cupping his hands to Gongsun Xun: "My lord, what masterful skill!"

"Forcing a man onto a pirate ship... did I not learn this move from you, Dong Gongren?" Gongsun Xun's expression was a half-smile.

"I already regret it." Dong Zhao, Commandant of Zhao State, let out a sigh. "How could I have imagined that scoundrel Zhang Yan could gather a million followers in just a few months? Can we truly control him at our leisure now?"

"Perhaps not now, but if one holds the great tide in hand, one can still force him to submit." Gongsun Xun still stood with his hands behind his back. "Just like this Zhong Yuanchang — I do not expect to truly win his heart, but if one day Mount Tai bears down upon him, he will certainly make his decision."

"My lord speaks truly." Dong Gong bowed his head.

"That being said," Gongsun Xun suddenly stepped forward, using his height to look down from above, "but Gongren, you must understand — the reason I have not blamed you for acting on your own authority is not because your strategy can still be remedied in the future. It is because, by a twist of fate, with Zhang Yan, that Purple Mountain bandit who is willing to surrender, taking the lead, more of the common people of Jizhou may be able to survive... Such schemes of human treachery are not necessarily forbidden, but the next time you wish to employ one, you should at least test my intentions first before acting. Do you understand?"

"Zhao... is ashamed." Dong Zhao responded helplessly.

"Have Xu Ziyuan's family members left?" Gongsun Xun continued to ask.

"They have already been sent off." Dong Zhao quickly nodded, but could not help asking in return, "Must we really give him the hundred catties of gold he demanded? It is merely Yuan Benchu's attitude — we would learn of it sooner or later anyway. And besides, as Zhong Yao just said, the realm is in tumult, the great tide surges back and forth. Yuan Benchu cannot even steady himself, yet he still wishes to suppress my lord — that is likely just wishful thinking."

"Regardless, if there is merit, there must be reward." Gongsun Xun patted his shoulder, and there was actually a trace of sorrow in his expression. "I am but a lad from the border commanderies. If I cannot even manage this much, how can I contend with a man whose family has produced three Excellencies in four generations? The only tragedy is that the localities have already collapsed to this extent, yet the nobles in the court still dwell on such matters... Why must it be so?"

Dong Zhao bowed in response, but no one knew what he was truly thinking in his heart.

In the second year of Zhongping, the summer heat was at its peak. The realm suddenly descended into chaos, and the hearts of men grew restless and uncertain. Yet in the face of the times, Gongsun Xun was hardly the only one to sigh with emotion.

Outside the old city of Wei Village in Dong Commandery, within a roadside pavilion, Cao Mengde, having just left his post as Chancellor of Jinan and preparing to go to Luoyang to receive a new appointment, could not bear the oppressive heat. Yet he still used the summer sunlight to read ceaselessly in the pavilion courtyard. However, the peace did not last. As another great commotion arose outside the pavilion, he, already vexed and restless, simply hurled to the ground the new Anli Press book he had just bought in Puyang:

"What is going on out there? During the day it was tolerable, but how can there be such disturbance as evening approaches?"

"Mengde, do not worry." Xiahou Dun, drenched in sweat, ran into the courtyard from outside the pavilion. "There are bandits fighting each other on the road. Yue Wenqian has already led our companions to deal with them."

Cao Cao immediately fell silent.

"Mengde." Seeing this, Xiahou Dun could not help but ask curiously, "The court has summoned you to be a Gentleman Consultant, and then to transfer to be Grand Administrator of another commandery... This counts as experience governing the localities — it is the necessary path to promotion to a prominent post. Why have you been so gloomy and unhappy the entire journey?"

"Yuanrang." Cao Cao shook his head for a moment, then bent down to pick the book up from the ground. "Before you, I have no need to hide anything... To speak frankly, on this journey my heart cannot find peace."

"Is it because you heard that Gongsun Xun voluntarily abandoned his post and returned home, and therefore you worry that the situation in Luoyang is dire?" Xiahou Dun asked seriously.

"That is part of it." Cao Cao answered frankly. "But I, Cao Mengde, would not be shaken merely by what others do. It is truly what I have witnessed along the road that weighs so unbearably upon me."

Xiahou Dun immediately understood and let out a long sigh as well: "This journey has indeed been outrageously chaotic... Especially Dong Commandery, which suffered the calamity of war last year. Ever since we crossed the border, there have been bandits everywhere, refugees everywhere. Sometimes it is impossible to tell bandits from refugees. But there is no helping it. Although the Son of Heaven has temporarily suspended the palace construction levy, he still demands that all regions intensify the collection of the poll tax and the conscription of corvée labor to pacify Liangzhou. So many people died here before, and so many have tasted the sharpness of blades — how could it not descend into chaos?"

"That is precisely the problem." Cao Cao clutched the book and sat down heavily on a camp stool in the courtyard. "This time the Son of Heaven wishes to pacify Liangzhou — it is, after all, a legitimate matter. From the broader perspective, the need for funds and grain is beyond reproach. But the localities are truly suffering too much... On this journey to Luoyang, if I can be sent to a peaceful place to serve as Grand Administrator, that would be fine. But if I am made to continue circling around the Central Plains, tell me, what should I do? In office, should I force the common people to serve the corvée for Liangzhou, or not? Should I collect the poll tax, or not? And besides, the palace construction levy has only been temporarily suspended. If during my term there is another demand for payment, what am I to do then?"

Xiahou Dun was also speechless and could only offer forced comfort: "Perhaps it will be a good post after all!"

Cao Cao continued to shake his head repeatedly: "In this realm today, where is there a good post to be found? I am merely deceiving myself. I only pray it is not a place like Dong Commandery."

Xiahou Dun promptly fell silent.

Presently, as the setting sun gradually descended, a burst of cheers suddenly arose from outside the pavilion. It was clearly Yue Jin, leading Cao Cao's personal guards and companions, returning victorious after easily dealing with the bandits fighting on the road.

"Lord Cao!" Yue Jin hurried back from outside, and the moment he entered the courtyard he could not help but exclaim, "Wouldn't you call this a coincidence? From those two bands of brigands, I actually rescued a member of your household from Luoyang. He says he was sent by your father from Luoyang specifically to find you, Lord Cao."

Cao Cao and Xiahou Dun were both baffled, but when they saw the person Yue Jin led in, they could not help but burst into laughter — for it truly was a trusted household servant of Cao Song. What an incredible coincidence.

"What are you doing here?" Xiahou Dun, knowing the poor relationship between Cao Cao and Cao Song, took the initiative to speak for Cao Cao. "With the localities in such chaos, how dare you travel alone?"

"I truly did not expect Dong Commandery to have so many bandits, and I also thought I would meet you two in Chenliu." The servant collapsed on the ground and explained helplessly. "But in any case, having seen the Young Master, I have at least not failed in this mission... The old master sent me to deliver a message to the Young Master: he says your posting has already been arranged by him. It is a first-rate, great commandery close to your home."

"Is it Chenliu? Surely not Dong Commandery?" Cao Cao felt a sense of foreboding as he listened.

"It is precisely Dong Commandery." The servant answered hastily, but also felt helpless. "However, the old master in Luoyang presumably did not know that Dong Commandery had so many bandits. Or perhaps he felt that with the Young Master's abilities, you could easily pacify Dong Commandery!"

"Easily my ass!" Cao Cao gave a cold shout, his narrowed eyes widening, and the courtyard instantly fell deathly silent.

And just at that moment, another commotion suddenly arose outside the pavilion.

"Lord Cao!" Yue Jin came to report excitedly. "The common folk from Wei Village, seeing that we have defeated the bandits, and hearing that it is you, the former Cavalry Commandant Lord Cao who once brought peace to this region, are coming in droves to pay their respects, led by the local village elders!"

"Hold them off for me for a quarter of an hour!" Hearing this, Cao Cao no longer hesitated. He sprang to his feet with a rustle and gave Yue Jin a baffling order.

And although Yue Jin did not understand why, he still hurried out at once.

"Meng De." Xiahou Dun asked helplessly. "What is to be done about this?"

"I'm done!" Cao Cao tightened his belt, and in the same motion cast aside the seal and cord of office from his bosom. Then, paying no heed to the family retainer on the ground, he strode toward the wall of the post-house courtyard that bordered the stable.

"What do you mean, 'I'm done'?" Xiahou Dun picked up the seal and cord, following behind and pressing the question in exasperation.

"I'm done means I'm going to follow Gongsun Xun's example, roll back home, and read books!" Cao Cao suddenly turned back, pointing at Xiahou Dun in great fury. "Yuan Rang, tell me — during the Yellow Turban rebellion last year, did Gongsun Xun and I not pacify Dongjun together? And yet, back then, Gongsun Xun petitioned the throne and secured a year's remission of taxes and grain for Dongjun. Today, I am to become the Grand Administrator of Dongjun and press them for corvée labor, levy taxes and grain, and perhaps even impose additional surcharges?" Speaking to this point, Cao Cao pointed directly at that family retainer and said sternly, "You will hand the seal and cord to him, and let him go back and tell my father: this is a disgrace that he, as a father, can afford to bear, but I, Cao Aman, cannot!"

Having spoken, Cao Cao first tossed his books over the wall, then clambered up after them. Judging by his posture, he clearly did not wish to face that crowd of Dongjun village elders outside, and so actually intended to scale the wall and flee.

However, being short of stature, he could not climb over no matter how he tried. It was Xiahou Dun who, seeing this and having no choice, threw down the seal and cord along with the dumbstruck trusted retainer of Cao Song, then went over and hoisted the other man up, thus allowing Cao Mengde to scramble into the adjacent stable.

Under the setting sun, the Court Consultant Cao Mengde, who had been internally designated as the Grand Administrator of Dongjun, rode side by side with Xiahou Dun. In the very midst of journeying to receive his official post, they were instead fleeing in disarray toward their home region of Qiao County in the Pei Kingdom!

———————I am the dividing line of hearts in chaos———————

"When the Grand Ancestor had already abandoned his post and fled, he left the seal and cord of the General of the Guard at Luoyang. Emperor Ling followed the counsel of his ministers and sent envoys to pursue him and bestow it upon him. Only after three times did he accept." — The Old Book of Yan, Volume One, Annals of the Grand Ancestor, Martial Emperor

PS: This is the evening chapter... had matters to attend to tonight... stayed up late to write it out. Posting it early, hope for your understanding.

(End of Chapter)