[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-overthrowing-han":3,"chapter-overthrowing-han-overthrowing-han-chapter-299":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},1223058,1620,"Chapter 299","overthrowing-han-chapter-299",299,"\u003Cp>The Son of Heaven is frail with illness and near death, and Luoyang is without question a colossal political whirlpool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under such circumstances, anyone with a modicum of common sense understands that a figure of blazing prominence today may find his gates deserted and desolate tomorrow... In truth, deserted gates are still among the best outcomes, for to the aged bureaucrats and clerks in Luoyang, experience and the prevailing atmosphere tell them plainly that bloodshed and the extermination of entire households can erupt at any moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet even so, faced with such a tangled and intricate situation, while the majority choose to retreat and preserve themselves, there remain no few whose hearts burn with fervor, choosing to plunge in and gamble for wealth and rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the saying can be turned around — today a marginal nobody warming a cold bench may tomorrow strike it right and soar to the branches as a phoenix.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The House of Han has endured for centuries; the victor becomes king, the loser an outlaw — examples of both sides here are piled mountain-high.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, unlike the Southern and Northern Palaces, the Secretariat, the Censorate, the Yellow Gate Supervisory Office, the Grand General’s Mansion, the General of Agile Cavalry’s Mansion, the General of Chariots and Cavalry’s Mansion, the Western Garden Imperial Guard encampment, and other such bustling, extraordinary places — directly opposite the Southern Palace, across Bronze Camel Avenue, inside the Grand Commandant’s mansion, once the foremost of the Three Excellencies, it was now so deserted as to be laughable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To elaborate, this Grand Commandant’s mansion does not refer to the current Grand Commandant’s household, but to his office — whoever serves as Grand Commandant takes charge here, and it is staffed with a Chief Clerk, a Registrar, subordinate officials, and so on... a standard government office. This place, because of the Later Han Three Excellencies’ power to recruit and appoint, has always concealed hidden dragons and crouching tigers!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, that was before the Grand General emerged, and even more so before the current Grand Commandant, Ma Midi, assumed office.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Grand General’s rise stripped the Grand Commandant’s mansion of many powers and responsibilities, but that is an institutional matter, beyond remedy. And after Ma Midi took up the post of Grand Commandant, he simply let this government office freeze over entirely!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Midi is a clan-grandson of the great Confucian scholar Ma Rong, a renowned Erudite of the Classics, a bookish scholar through and through, utterly devoid of administrative experience or political influence. He assumed office this year after the Son of Heaven fell gravely ill, and he is not alone — Minister over the Masses Ding Gong, and Minister of Works Liu Hong are all of the same ilk... This is the outcome of the bargaining between the Grand General and the Son of Heaven. The Son of Heaven’s health is poor, and at this critical juncture the nominal authority of the Three Excellencies is far too crucial; to prevent conflict from erupting here, they simply sent up three useless men as ornamental archways, to be reassigned once the dust settles afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a sense, this is a good thing — it shows the Son of Heaven and the Grand General still possess reason — but under these conditions, it would be strange if the Grand Commandant’s mansion were not deserted!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gentlemen, judging from today’s events, do you think the Grand General can hold out?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Be that as it may, the Grand Commandant’s mansion is still the Grand Commandant’s mansion — even reduced to a sheltered harbor, it remains well-informed; at the very least, every edict and every matter must be filed here. The man speaking now was a clerk from the Military Section of the Grand Commandant’s mansion, sitting indoors beside a heated floor-dragon, sipping hot broth while idly discussing with colleagues the morning’s edict ordering the Grand General to march west.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At their level, they had no idea that He Jin had already taken countermeasures the night before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hmm, here we must once again commend Lady Gongsun, for if something is truly convenient and effective, it is certainly not ritual or custom that can obstruct it — rather, ritual and custom will adapt and embrace it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For instance, back when Liu Kuan served as Grand Commandant on and off for many years, the entire Grand Commandant’s mansion had floor-dragons, Grand Commandant chairs, boiled drinking water, and then issued four-cornered undergarments in summer and gloves in winter... And while the Grand Commandant’s mansion could not compare to the Western Garden, where the moment the Son of Heaven drove a donkey cart, every donkey in Luoyang became priceless and unobtainable, it was still enough to influence every government office throughout Luoyang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, in Luoyang today, even the most ritual-observant high officials and nobles merely put on a show when receiving guests, and behind closed doors they recline just the same in a rocking chair... because kneeling to sit is truly unbearable, while sitting in a chair is truly comfortable — to say nothing of those with chronic cold legs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Returning to the matter at hand, as the clerk swallowed a mouthful of hot broth, the group more or less began to discuss animatedly. In any case, Ma Midi had been in office for over two months, and those still lingering in the Grand Commandant’s mansion by now were mostly people seeking shelter, so they were quite uninhibited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I think the Grand General is in trouble this time.” Someone could not help but sneer. “This edict — no matter what, he can hardly refuse to accept it, can he?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Accept it he certainly will,” an older, clear-headed man remarked in turn. “The key is, what does he do after accepting it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What can he do — truly go to Guanzhong and fight?” Another immediately grasped his companion’s meaning. “It’s nothing more than finding ways to delay and not go, sitting tight and waiting for things to change.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But if he does not go, who will take charge of the overall situation in Guanzhong? Will the hundred thousand Liangzhou rebels then not ravage Guanzhong?” The one who spoke this time was a man from Chang’an.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And with those words, the atmosphere grew considerably heavier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Gu, don’t fret too much.” The older colleague from before could not help but offer comfort. “I have looked over the document assignments within the Military Section — General Huangfu is currently in Fufeng, and General Dong is there as well. In this campaign, no matter what, these two will be called into service.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Guanzhong suffers the ravages of the Liangzhou men, and yet in the end we must still rely on Liangzhou men to resist them?” This subordinate clerk surnamed Gu, who hailed from Chang’an, grew indignant for a moment. “You do not know — back when Zhang Wen campaigned west, several hundred thousand troops fought at Meiyang, and the entire northern bank of the Wei River was virtually laid to waste...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Gu, I know that at that time you lost kin and friends at the hands of the Liangzhou men.” The older man suddenly straightened his expression and cut him off. “All the world knows the Liangzhou men are savage — back then, Lord Zhang, one of the Three Illustrious of Liangzhou, even sought to transfer his household registration to Guanzhong on the merit of his military achievements. But in such matters, one must still distinguish between individuals... The Liangzhou men may be savage, and they may be looked down upon, but they are not without loyal ministers and fine generals. Not to mention Lord Huangfu and Lord Dong, even the Military Section Chief of our Grand Commandant’s mansion — is he not also a Liangzhou man? How does he conduct himself daily, and how does he treat you and me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young clerk surnamed Gu ultimately heaved a long sigh and said no more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Actually, Young Gu, just think of it this way.” The man who had been drinking broth earlier came over with his pottery bowl and said with a smile. “Even if the Grand General were to march west as commander, would you feel at ease entrusting the safety of your homeland to him? Lord Huangfu and Lord Dong, however much they are Liangzhou men, are still veteran generals; whereas our Grand General and General of Chariots and Cavalry, however much they are Nanyang men, only know how to slaughter pigs...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Silence!” The older clerk immediately turned stern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bowl-carrying clerk, realizing his slip of the tongue, promptly shut his mouth in sudden awareness. Inside the office, a silence fell for a time... Everyone was somewhat embarrassed, and anxious besides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, however lightly they had jested about the affairs of great figures earlier, it was merely making merry amidst misery. Under the Han system, officials and clerks were one body — at a time like this, those still muddling along at this rank and in this place had no prospects whatsoever to speak of. Firewood and charcoal in Luoyang were growing dearer by the day, letters kept coming from their old homes and clans reporting local chaos and seeking news, and hearts were restless everywhere... Yet a group of them could not even huddle in the office and share a joke without fear and trepidation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Truly helpless to the extreme.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Speaking of which, when will our Military Section Chief return?” After a long pause, someone else asked. “Since the Grand General presumably will not defy the edict, he, as part of the ceremonial escort, should have been back long ago, no?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And what if he does return here?” Another beside him laughed. “Coming here to drink ginger broth — how could that be as comfortable as drinking hot wine at the Grand General’s mansion? Perhaps there are even beautiful courtesans attending and gold coins bestowed as rewards!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group burst into laughter again, smoothing over the earlier awkwardness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Some gold and silk were indeed bestowed, but I exchanged my share for charcoal on the way back — divide it among yourselves when you leave...” Just at that moment, a middle-aged clerk of about forty, tall and lean with a rather long beard, strode in from outside, speaking with a Liangzhou accent, leaving the men in the office three parts startled, three parts delighted, and three parts embarrassed. “I had just returned when I heard you all gossiping about me behind my back. If you have the time for that, then sort out some Guanzhong armory records and the roster of the Sanhe cavalry for backup... No matter who goes on campaign, they will be needed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The men, already feeling guilty, and now having received charcoal besides, dared not slack off and busied themselves at once. The Military Section Chief of the Grand Commandant’s mansion, however, went straight to the small charcoal stove beneath the window, ladled himself a bowl of hot ginger broth, and stood there drinking it slowly, heedless even when his beard stuck to the rim of the bowl — showing not the slightest trace of high-born airs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet just after the morning passed, at noon, someone came again from the Secretariat of the Southern Palace, still summoning the Military Section Chief of the Grand Commandant’s mansion to accompany them — to bestow a command tally, they said!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did the men learn that in the morning, Grand General He had accepted the edict and gone straight into the palace, saying he needed to prepare troops and so forth and could not set out immediately, and that military matters were urgent and the imperial tombs in Guanzhong must not be lost. Just as everyone had imagined, he recommended Dong Zhuo and Huangfu Song to stabilize the situation in Guanzhong, and in the end even recommended General of the Guards Gongsun Xun as Regional Commander, to lead the Sanhe and the Five Colonels west out of Chang’an to “temporarily” take charge of the overall situation, with Dong and Huangfu as his deputies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a round of debate, the Son of Heaven more or less understood that the overall situation in Chang’an could not be compromised, and that sending Gongsun Xun was, after all, the Grand General parrying the move and making a show of concession. Pressing further, the Grand General could simply stubbornly refuse to go, so he reluctantly gave his consent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, it is now General of the Guards Gongsun Xun, bearing the tally, as Regional Commander, with Huangfu Song reinstated as General of the Left and Dong Zhuo promoted to General of the Vanguard as deputy commanders — the three generals setting out together to block the rebel army.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The situation shifted thrice in a single day. The men of the Military Section of the Grand Commandant’s mansion had no time to lament before they all bustled into action — especially the Section Chief himself, who still had to represent the Grand Commandant’s mansion and accompany personnel from the Secretariat, the Yellow Gate Supervisory Office, and even the Grand General’s mansion on another trip to Mengjin, to take part in the tally-bestowal ceremony.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The weather was bitterly cold, truly arduous. Who knew whether the General of the Guards had brought extra money with him on this journey, or whether the rewards would be as lavish as those from the Grand General’s mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter — this was official business, and the men dared not be negligent. The Liangzhou-born Military Section Chief of the Grand Commandant’s mansion promptly selected the young Chang’an man, Young Gu, to accompany him to Mengjin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so, at noon, the procession for proclaiming the edict and bestowing the tally hurriedly departed through Luoyang’s northern gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that very same moment, after emerging from the Northern Palace earlier, Grand General He Jin’s procession had not paused for a moment and had also hurriedly arrived at the Du Pavilion by Luoyang’s southern gate — and those who had discussed stratagems with him the night before had, today, all received word and, in bewilderment, obeyed the summons to come here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From Wang Qian to Kuai Yue, from Liu Biao to Yuan Shao, from Cao Cao to Liu Bei... a dense crowd of several hundred, all called over in a daze in the middle of the day by the Grand General’s envoys.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And there was no distinction between inner and outer halls — in the broad courtyard of Du Pavilion, spacious enough to serve as a military encampment, tables, mats, wine, and fine dishes had long been laid out in the winter wind... only they had all gone cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the crowd was more or less assembled, the Grand General closed the gates and came straight to the point: “I presume you all know that last night the General of the Guards pledged to me that he would march west, and the Son of Heaven has just now approved my proposal — the General of the Guards, leading the Sanhe and the Five Colonels and bearing the tally, will set out for Chang’an... What you do not know, however, is that today before the imperial presence, matters were not so smooth. Because I was not leaving, the eunuchs made many slanderous remarks, repeatedly telling the Son of Heaven that I was deliberately stalling. Left with no choice, I had to further volunteer one trusted, heroic man of mine to travel east and recruit troops — with the General of the Guards going west and this man going east, the Son of Heaven finally gave formal approval. And the banquet I have laid out here today is precisely to bid farewell to this hero whom I rely upon so deeply! Gentlemen, please, you must drain this cup in full, as a send-off!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though dazed and confused, the crowd more or less grasped the situation — it turned out that in order to successfully stall for time, or rather to reach a compromise with the Son of Heaven, the Grand General had to immediately hustle someone out of Luoyang to “recruit troops.” This was the farewell wine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this thought, though some could not help but harbor misgivings, in such a public setting, with armored soldiers outside and colleagues within, how could anyone dwell on it? One after another, in a muddled haze, they all raised their cups and drained them together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan Shao downed a cup of cold wine, and his head throbbed. Just then, someone behind him suddenly called out to him from a distance. He turned his head to find it was Xu You, who happened to be with him today, signaling him with his eyes from behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan Benchu felt his head throb again, and his eyes abruptly widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet there was no time to think further. The Grand General had already risen and, personally bearing a wine cup, approached Yuan Shao, who had been seated near the front on the left-hand side. Beside him, an attendant carried a tray with a wine flagon upon it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Benchu, please drain this cup.” The Grand General was actually offering the cup in person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a surge of anger that was hard to name — even outright grief and indignation — the broad-browed paragon of the age, Yuan Benchu, ultimately rose proudly to his feet and accepted the wine with a magnanimous air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another cup of cold wine went down; the wind blew, and his head ached even worse!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“One cup cannot fully express my regard. Benchu, you must drink yet another.” The Grand General personally filled another cup of cold wine, his words earnest and sincere. “In truth, I too am helpless — I promised the Son of Heaven to his face that you would depart today... The Yellow Gate Attendant who delivered the edict is just outside.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan Shao said not a word, still accepting the cup with a magnanimous air, but he had long since made up his mind. In the current situation, leaving today was unavoidable. However, leaving today was one thing — he could simply not go far, and “recruit troops” right at Luoyang’s doorstep in Yingchuan, could he not?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This journey to Runan, though not far, is not near either. The weather is cold — Benchu, drink one more cup.” The Grand General suddenly poured yet another cup of wine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan Shao felt his head swim; he could almost picture what Yuan Gonglu’s face must look like right now… Runan was his own home territory, where he had already spent over two years in mourning. If he went back now to raise troops and took the chance to bring all the Runan scholars under his command, wouldn’t Yuan Gonglu fight him to the death?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if it’s a fight to the death, so be it — Runan it is! At worst, he’d just go quickly and return quickly!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that thought, Yuan Shao took the cold wine again and drained it in one gulp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Benchu!” He Jin, under the dumbfounded and even amusedly curious stares of everyone in the courtyard, poured himself another cup of wine and spoke with earnest sincerity. “Remember this… you and Wenqi are both out in the field — you are the very foundation of stability in Luoyang… As long as the fighting in Guanzhong remains unsettled, you absolutely must not return lightly! The balance of the entire realm rests on you and Wenqi!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, Yuan Shao understood everything. What talk of the Son of Heaven and eunuchs — this was clearly the terms Gongsun Xun had negotiated with He Jin the night before! Yet, hearing this, his resentment suddenly vanished — the reason was simple: losing to Gongsun Xun was no disgrace!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the people in the courtyard who had been watching with keen interest now also looked deflated — they had thought He Suigao had suddenly gained some insight on his own!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan Shao drank down another cup of cold wine, knowing full well there was no room to maneuver this time. Enduring his headache, he bowed to He Jin, then went out to receive the Gentleman Attendant of the Yellow Gate who had come to deliver the edict.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The person delivering the decree turned out to be Gongsun Yue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taking the decree and receiving the carriage and documents He Jin had long since prepared, Yuan Benchu, along with a few hastily gathered attendants, simply strode off… In the end, Yuan Benchu still possessed something of the noble scion’s reckless gallantry — if one is willing to gamble, one must accept the loss. He had used He Jin’s power to force Gongsun Xun westward; how could he himself not be forced eastward by another’s power?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, after a few cups of cold wine, he had lost utterly and had nothing to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, drinking those few cups of cold wine in the dead of winter was truly miserable. After the carriage had traveled several li south, his head felt as if it no longer belonged to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Benchu.” Xu You, sitting inside the carriage, had kept his eyes closed for a long while. He suddenly cupped his hands and offered a suggestion. “Gongsun Wenqi’s counterstrike was swift and ruthless — it leaves one helpless… but you cannot be without a remedy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What remedy?” Yuan Shao clutched his forehead, exasperated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have a plan that can keep you from losing your influence even while you are absent from Luoyang,” Xu You said quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Speak, then. You will not be treated poorly!” Yuan Shao grew even more impatient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu You was first delighted, then immediately composed himself: “Benchu, consider this: He Jin rose from a butcher in Nanyang to become Grand General. He is ignorant and incompetent, and therefore greatly admires the noble clans. He treats the clans well and trusts famous scholars lightly. Yet the clans, though they accept his appointments for the sake of office, do not necessarily respect him. That being so, why not recommend many of your family’s disciples and former officials to him? In this way, though you are not in Luoyang, everything the Grand General does will follow your intentions. This is… this is borrowing a hen to lay eggs, borrowing a nest to hatch eggs… crude, but useful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan Shao was silent for a moment inside the carriage, then could not help but clutch his forehead and ask in return, “Who could act on my behalf within the Grand General’s residence?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He Yong, He Boqiu; Feng Ji, Feng Yuantu,” said a middle-aged man who had been sitting by the carriage door all along without speaking a word, drawing a sudden flash of indignation from Xu You.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Yuan Shao’s headache was unbearable, and he did not notice Xu You’s expression at all. Instead, he nodded repeatedly toward the man who had been blocking the draft at the carriage door: “What Gongze says is excellent. He Boqiu and Feng Yuantu are both old friends of many years; they will never betray me. Both are also renowned scholars of their provinces and commanderies, famous throughout the realm — He Jin will certainly not refuse them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But we must not only recommend these people; we should also recommend some other men of wisdom and strategy, scattered among the various key positions,” Xu You put away his angry look and suddenly spoke again. “The Xun clan of Yingchuan has long submitted to the Yuan clan. In those days, Xun Shuang, Xun Ciming, even observed three years of mourning for your birth father, Benchu. Thus the Xun clan should not betray you. I have heard that among the younger generation of the Xun clan, Xun Yu, Xun Wenruo, and Xun You, Xun Gongda, are both outstanding figures of Yingchuan… And He Jin was once the Grand Administrator of Yingchuan — even if others do not know, how could he not know that these two possess true talent and learning?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guo Tu’s mouth twitched, then immediately returned to normal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good!” Yuan Shao, his head splitting with pain, slapped his knee and was instantly enlightened. “These four it is… I will stop the carriage now and write a letter. Ziyuan, you will immediately take my letter back to He Jin. Tell him that I am going east to raise troops and fear I may miss the opportunity to assist the Grand General in exterminating the eunuchs, and therefore I recommend these four men to him as advisors of wisdom and strategy!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu You stroked his beard and smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun had no idea that a single stratagem from Xi Zhicai the night before had forced out Xun Yu and Xun You, two of the most brilliant figures of the late Han. In fact, while waiting at Mengjin to receive his staff of authority, he encountered an unexpected incident that delayed him for quite some time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The incident was simple: someone fell into the river.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be precise, just as the procession that had come to deliver the decree and confer the staff was nearly finished crossing the river, someone fell into an ice hole… It was a hole that the people of the Mengjin ferry and the volunteer guards had chiseled open for drawing water, catching fish, and bathing. Over the course of the morning, a thin layer of ice had frozen over it again. With nearly everyone already across the river, they had relaxed their vigilance somewhat, and someone stepped directly into empty space and fell in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Commandant, save me!” The one who had fallen into the water was none other than that junior clerk, Xiao Gu, from the Grand Commandant’s office in Chang’an. He struggled ceaselessly, but the ice hole, shared by five or six hundred men and as many horses, was not only enormous but also connected in sheets. The more he struggled, the farther he drifted from the crowd. Moreover, the ice shards immediately cut his hands, staining them crimson, which only caused greater panic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the Commandant from Liangzhou, seeing this, merely stood with his hands behind his back among the ranks and showed no intention of going forward to rescue his subordinate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t panic!” However, with so many people in the procession, amidst the chaos someone was already stripping off his clothes and shouting loudly. “The ice conditions are unclear, so I’ll have to go in. Fortunately, I grew up by the river and am an excellent swimmer…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Gu could not hear any of this; he only continued to struggle, wail, and cry for help.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t go!” But just then, the middle-aged Head Clerk instead stopped the excellent swimmer who was preparing to go to the rescue. “Wait a little longer!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd, knowing this man was the fallen man’s superior, immediately began to hesitate. The excellent swimmer who had already taken off his clothes also looked bewildered and could only hurriedly put his clothes back on and wait.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Gu, seeing this scene from afar, could not help but wail and curse at the same time: “Liangzhou dog, Liangzhou dog! Just because I cursed the Liangzhou people today, you want me dead?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd grew even more bewildered and uncertain at these words. In the distance, the volunteer guards who had seen the situation were already rushing toward the river. But amidst all the chaos, this middle-aged Head Clerk showed neither pleasure nor anger, neither haste nor negligence; he merely watched his subordinate, who continued to curse and struggle over there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And after a short while, since struggling in an ice hole is extremely exhausting, in just a brief time Xiao Gu had gradually lost his strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go save him now!” Seeing this, the Head Clerk suddenly signaled, and then personally stripped off his own clothes and went into the water to rescue the man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did the crowd realize — a drowning person who cannot swim will often struggle wildly, dragging the rescuer down with them. This danger is especially severe in an ice hole, not to mention that this young subordinate was a typical able-bodied young man. Therefore, it was best to wait until he had exhausted his strength before going to save him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such conduct… could only leave one speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But regardless, judging by the result, what this Head Clerk had done was unquestionably correct. By the time Gongsun Xun’s volunteer guards arrived on the scene, the excellent swimmer and the Head Clerk had already carried the man out of the ice hole together — though the latter was still cursing and muttering something about “Liangzhou dogs.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such an incident was unavoidable. Next, the group split into two: a few men, led by the volunteer guard commander who had come to help, first guided the fallen Xiao Gu and the rescuer to the barracks to rest, while the others continued on to deliver the decree and confer the staff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The process of delivering the decree and conferring the staff was nothing new. Gongsun Xun, well-versed in the procedure, accepted the staff of authority, then had someone raise the White Horse Banner as a proclamation — and that was that. Afterward, he went straight into a side tent within the stockade to look for someone… What Tian Chou, who had gone to help with the rescue, had reported upon his return had piqued the interest of Gongsun Xun, who had been bored waiting for the Sanhe cavalry to assemble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is your name?” Gongsun Xun came up behind the man, who was wearing a leather robe and personally brewing soup, and asked curiously. “How could you keep your composure in such a situation? Aren’t you afraid that even if he was saved thanks to you, he might still hate you for the rest of his life?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This humble clerk is Jia Xu of Wuwei in Liangzhou.” The man, hearing the question, hastily turned around and bowed. “If he has a conscience, he naturally will not hate me. If he has no conscience, then even if he doesn’t hate me for this matter, he will hate me for something else.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun’s face remained expressionless for a moment, but Lou Gui behind him started slightly, then suddenly recalled who this man was and looked toward his lord.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What post do you currently hold?” Gongsun Xun calmly pursued. “How old are you this year?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Head Clerk of the Grand Commandant’s office. Forty-two.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When did you come to Luoyang?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I became a Filial and Incorrupt nominee and transferred to the Three Offices as a Gentleman over a decade ago,” Jia Xu said, eyeing the other man with some puzzlement but not concealing anything. “But I soon returned home. It was not until three years ago, when all of Liangzhou was in chaos and many in the province fled east to escape the turmoil, that I came to Luoyang to serve as an official, on the recommendation of an old friend.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Filial and Incorrupt, Gentleman of the Three Offices, over forty.” Gongsun Xun nodded slightly. “With such qualifications, but being a man of Liangzhou, I imagine you are not from a prominent family, and so even now you are merely a subordinate clerk to the Grand Commandant… am I right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That is more or less the case,” Jia Xu said, his heart already fully on guard. “Is that not the way of officialdom in Luoyang?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Perhaps,” Gongsun Xun finally raised his head and let out a long sigh. “It sounds quite reasonable at first. But regardless, Jia Wenhe has been an official for three years and is still only a clerk in the Three Excellencies’ offices… This can only show that those in power in Luoyang are blind to talent!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>————————————\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jia Xu, styled Wenhe, was a man of Guzang in Wuwei. In his youth, no one recognized him; only Yan Zhong of Hanyang thought him extraordinary, saying Xu possessed the remarkable talents of Zhang Liang and Chen Ping. At the end of the Han, when Liangzhou fell into chaos, he fled to Luoyang for refuge and served as an official for three years as a subordinate clerk to the Grand Commandant. At that time, the Grand Ancestor was General of the Guard and was about to set out for Chang’an to garrison it. When he went to receive the decree and be conferred the staff of authority, he saw him and was greatly astonished. He then turned to those around him and said: ‘That Jia Wenhe has not attained a prominent position in three years — this is the fault of those in power!’” — Old Book of Yan, Volume 70, Biography 20\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",5419,"2026-06-04T19:42:26.060Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","2dfcc528023e58902c0ef50614a28874deb7bf37398fdc2bb7da984d38eb95d1","overthrowing-han-chapter-300","overthrowing-han-chapter-298",548,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Foverthrowing-han-cover.jpg"]