[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-overthrowing-han":3,"chapter-overthrowing-han-overthrowing-han-chapter-309":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},1223068,1620,"Chapter 309: Strolling by the Riverside (Part 2)","overthrowing-han-chapter-309",309,"\u003Cp>The visitor was Left General Huangfu Song. Having endured the day's battle and the evening's executions, his heart was already like still water, and he had little desire to meddle further in military affairs... but since Gongsun Xun had invited him late at night, he could hardly refuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I will not hide it from Lord Huangfu — the battle is settled, and I shall leave tomorrow.\" In the private tent deep at night, the two sat casually, and Gongsun Xun came straight to the point. \"A memorial reporting merit was already sent before the battle, and I just had Wang Xiu write a new one, which has been dispatched overnight to Luoyang... Before I depart, there are some matters I wish to entrust to Lord Huangfu.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huangfu Song's expression did not change; he grasped the meaning almost instantly. \"You wish to hand the prisoners over to me for handling? Be at ease, General of the Guard — since punishment has already been carried out, the prisoners will certainly be properly settled under my care.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun nodded. This was precisely why he had chosen Huangfu Song. Since punishment had already been meted out, there was no need for further slaughter, and the attitude Huangfu Song had previously shown was, at this moment, the most suitable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Correspondingly, Huangfu Song understood this reasoning as well, and so he did not take it amiss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, after nodding, Gongsun Xun added one more remark: \"In a few days, an edict will surely arrive from Luoyang. Before that, not just the prisoners, but my entire Northern Army — the Three He and Five Colonels — as well as the main camp, logistics, the staff of authority... in short, everything here, I shall also hand over to the Left General for temporary command.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time Huangfu Song was truly somewhat bewildered. He did not agree outright, but pondered for a long while before asking with a solemn expression: \"The rest is one thing, but Wenqi, on this return to Luoyang, do you truly not intend to bring back the Northern Army and the staff of authority to report? The Northern Army is the Imperial Guard to begin with; at worst, you could disband the Three He cavalry on the spot at Hangu Pass and return to Luo with only the Five Colonels of the Northern Army. Or is it that there is trouble in Luoyang, and the Grand General, to prevent public unrest, specifically instructed you beforehand not to bring troops back?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun was silent for a moment, but still spoke the truth: \"I leave tomorrow, and there is nothing left to conceal... The truth is, when I said I am leaving, I did not mean returning to Luo under the Grand General's orders, but returning to Youzhou.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Huangfu Song, who had weathered many upheavals, could not help but feel startled and doubtful. \"What has happened in Youzhou?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There is trouble in Youzhou. The Wuhuan and Xianbei have both rebelled, to the point of cutting off the frontier beyond the passes!\" Gongsun Xun spoke earnestly. \"Lord Huangfu, my homeland of Youzhou is ravaged by rebel incursions, and the precedent of Liangzhou stands before us — I cannot but intervene. Besides, having defeated the enemy today, I, Gongsun Xun, can be said not to have failed the trust of the central government and the Grand General, nor failed the people of Guanzhong... So tomorrow, I naturally shall travel light and return home, to defend my homeland.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huangfu Song sighed, but for a long time said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And after Gongsun Xun finished speaking, he did not press further, merely waiting quietly for the other to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After who knows how long, Huangfu Yizhen finally asked with some difficulty: \"When did this happen?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They rebelled before the new year. After the new year, Gai Yuangu received the messenger in Chang'an and hurried over — it was only on the third day of the first month that I got the news.\" Gongsun Xun spoke slowly. \"I then asked him to seal Tongguan, and immediately led the army to battle.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huangfu Song suddenly recalled the scene that day when Gongsun Xun, after receiving the letter, had stuffed it directly into his boot. On one hand, he admired the other's composure and decisive swiftness; on the other, he was now fully convinced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have only one question... Why not let the Front General take temporary command?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Because the Front General cannot restrain his ambition for merit and fame. Even when he was merely stationed here before, he was already in contact with the General of Agile Cavalry and the Yuan clan — how much more so now that the battle is settled? I fear the chaos in Luoyang will not lack his participation.\" By the candlelight, Gongsun Xun could not help but sneer. \"In truth, I bear no particular prejudice against the Front General. Whatever he wishes to do... I do not much care. And whatever happens in Luoyang, I also do not much care. But before I leave, I absolutely cannot personally hand such authority to these men. Otherwise, if they stir up trouble later, would I not be branded as their accomplice?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huangfu Song hesitated, wanting to speak... In truth, at Huangfu Yizhen's level, how could he not see that Luoyang was about to descend into chaos? How could he not know that the realm was already in turmoil? How could he not be well aware that Dong Zhuo was a crude, violent, and overbearing man? So, the reason Gongsun Xun gave was truly beyond reproach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And it was not just Dong Zhuo. By the same logic, if these troops and prisoners were handed to Gai Xun, who was utterly loyal to that Son of Heaven, who knew whether Gai Xun, upon returning to Luoyang, might repeat what Zhang Huan did in the past? And if they were handed to Liu Biao or Bao Xin, who were core members of the Partisans, who knew if they would likewise spiral out of control?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, it was indeed Huangfu Song who was the most appropriate choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I shall only await the edict from Luoyang.\" After pausing for a long while, Huangfu Song finally agreed. \"If Luoyang issues a directive, I will certainly hand over the troops...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That will no longer be my concern.\" Gongsun Xun spread his hands and smiled. \"In any case, Lord Huangfu is probably just like me — simply unwilling to wade into this muddy water... I hand the entire army to you, just as you await the edict to act.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huangfu Song shook his head briefly, then took his leave directly, only waiting for Gongsun Xun to personally conduct the handover in public the next day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, when this Left General returned to his own station and hastily summoned his nephew Huangfu Li to give instructions, telling him to prepare for the next day's transfer of military authority, Huangfu Li remained silent for a very long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is the meaning of this?\" The aging Huangfu Song had a splitting headache and could only rub his forehead helplessly as he asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Uncle,\" Huangfu Li pondered repeatedly, then gritted his teeth and said, \"The Front General already refused to accept you before, and even toward the General of the Guard, before today's battle, he often showed resentment. Tomorrow at the handover, with the General of the Guard presiding here, the situation will surely be without worry. But once the General of the Guard leaves, the Front General will inevitably stir up trouble, and may even immediately seize back his old units! Those old units of his have followed him for years and are trusted confidants he has long nurtured with favor — how can they be controlled?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huangfu Song immediately shook his head. \"I am merely holding the troops in trust. Once the edict from Luoyang arrives, I will act according to its orders. If he seizes back his old units, so be it... In just a few days, could they possibly rebel?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But what if, after the edict from Luoyang arrives, he still persists in doing as he pleases?\" Huangfu Li pressed relentlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then there is even less need to bother with him.\" Huangfu Song shook his head again. \"Dong Zhongying is not as foolish as you think. If he defies the edict, then either the Grand General or Yuan Kui has an agreement with him — just as when Gongsun Xun executed Zhao Yan at Hangu Pass, he had his own backing... Why should we meddle in such matters?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huangfu Li still had more to say. \"Uncle, even if we do not emulate Dong Zhongying in seeking to act in Luoyang, should we not at least emulate the General of the Guard in protecting ourselves wisely?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You brat... what exactly are you getting at?\" Huangfu Song finally sighed in exasperation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Gongsun Wenqi returns to Youzhou today... is it truly only out of concern for his homeland?\" Huangfu Li gritted his teeth and countered. \"Youzhou did not rebel earlier, nor later — why rebel today?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Naturally because the General of the Guard left that place, which caused the Xianbei and Wuhuan there to grow disloyal.\" Huangfu Song immediately refuted. \"The court already knows of this matter; it was only that the General of the Guard, to prevent the army's morale from wavering, took the initiative to block the news... Do not speak recklessly!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let us assume it is so.\" Huangfu Li still had his own thoughts. \"But in my view, even if there is turmoil in Youzhou, it may not necessarily be as dire as Liangzhou. His rushing home in such haste likely carries the intent of withdrawing from the fray to watch the outcome from the sidelines! Once the situation in Luoyang collapses, he will surely lead the warriors of You and Yan south into Luoyang to settle the situation! He might even replace the Grand General and monopolize supreme power!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And what of it?\" Huangfu Song sneered. \"Do you think your elder here did not consider that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huangfu Li was instantly stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Boy,\" Huangfu Song, his eyes bloodshot from staying up late, stared at his nephew and spoke slowly, \"do you think I don't know what's on your mind? You simply want me to seize this fine opportunity to restrain Dong Zhuo, monopolize these fifty thousand troops here, and then advance to intervene in Luoyang's affairs, or retreat to secure Guanzhong and pacify Liangzhou, bringing stability for a time... isn't that right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes!\" Huangfu Li answered with effort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then do you know that several years ago, Yan Shude, who was then my advisor, even urged me to declare myself ruler in the south?\" Huangfu Song's sneer deepened. \"He said at the time that Liangzhou had already reached the point of inevitable rebellion, and if I could raise a great army and ally with the Liangzhou rebels, then the Huangfu clan could replace the Liu clan... Was that not an even better scheme than your idea today by threefold?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huangfu Li grew even more bewildered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But I ask you,\" Huangfu Song continued, his face full of mockery, pressing his nephew relentlessly, \"if I had truly believed his words back then, would you not also be lying dead in the Wei River today?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huangfu Li knelt in embarrassment to beg forgiveness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You!\" Huangfu Song sighed at the sight. \"I won't elaborate on why Yan Shude took his own life — you wouldn't understand even if I explained. Let us stick to the matter at hand and only discuss your idea... According to your reasoning, the Grand General wishes to act in Luoyang, the eunuchs wish to act in Luoyang, the Partisans wish to act in Luoyang, and then Dong Zhongying also wishes to act, and Gongsun Xun also wishes to act! And just now, Gongsun Xun even hinted to me that the Yuan clan harbors treacherous designs as well... That being the case, with so many players, yet in the end only one can win — why would that person be our Huangfu clan? What exactly does our Huangfu clan possess? Fifty thousand troops, you say? Do you not believe that Gai Xun would be the first to pull away five thousand men to defend Chang'an City? Then a single edict from the Northern Palace could scatter twenty thousand, and one command from the Grand General, a few letters from the Yuan clan, could send another twenty thousand fleeing? And when the General of the Guard finally leads the warriors of You and Yan south, you wouldn't even have troops to resist him!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huangfu Li bowed his head in shame and knocked his forehead to the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There is no need to speak further of this.\" Huangfu Song finally flicked his sleeve and declared. \"There is only one thing I regret today... It is that among figures like Dong Zhongying, Gongsun Wenqi, Yuan Benchu, and even the Grand General, in the end only one can meet a good end, while an old relic like me will go down in the histories merely as a renowned general... What a pity!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Huangfu Li murmured assent and withdrew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So it is settled.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next morning, inside the command tent, Gongsun Xun shifted his gaze away from the dumbstruck Xi Zhong and swept it once more over the assembled generals below, each with their own varied expressions, and then spoke bluntly and directly: \"These fifty thousand troops here, and all the myriad responsibilities, I intend to entrust entirely to the Left General. You must all obey orders diligently and quietly await the rewards from Luoyang...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he finished speaking, Gongsun Xun finally cast a glance at Dong Zhuo beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To his surprise, Dong Zhuo remained as immovable as a mountain, showing not the slightest reaction... Clearly, this Front General understood very well in his heart that after yesterday's great victory, Gongsun Xun possessed a certain prestige of his own; jumping out now would likely only result in hitting a wall. Conversely, once Gongsun Xun departed, everything would be possible, so there was no need to act so hastily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, it was not just Dong Zhuo — none of the army's generals spoke up. Even Liu Biao and Gai Xun had nothing to say... Gongsun Xun not giving them military authority was not only a precaution; more importantly, in terms of rank, they were not qualified to take over this force either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In that case,\" after scanning the room once, Gongsun Xun no longer hesitated. He immediately rose and gave his orders: \"Yigong, lead three hundred volunteers to accompany me. No superfluous preparations — we return home at once. And Zitai (Tian Chou's courtesy name), lead the remaining volunteers and take charge of the wounded. After settling matters here, tending to injuries, and gathering the bones of our fallen volunteers, you may return to Youzhou at your leisure.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Dang and Tian Chou had already received word the previous night and made preparations, so they immediately accepted the order.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And after Gongsun Xun finished speaking, he simply lifted his leg to leave, apparently intending to set out at once... The generals, officers, and clerks on both sides dared not be remiss and rose one after another to bow and see him off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Dong Zhuo and Huangfu Song, at this moment, rarely rose to offer a salute with clasped hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lord Marquis!\" Before Gongsun Xun could exit the camp, Xu Rong was the first who could not restrain himself. \"Since the Wuhuan have rebelled, I beg you to permit me to follow you back home...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside him, Lu Bu hesitated, wanting to speak but stopping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A trifling Wuhuan rebellion will surely be quelled as soon as we arrive — what need is there for Bojin to accompany me?\" Gongsun Xun halted his steps, unconcerned. \"Besides, in the past at Mengjin, I swore an oath that sooner or later I would return to the central government to accomplish great things. The oath of a true man in his lifetime — how can it be empty? Once I have pacified Liaoxi, I will return immediately.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Rong, Lu Bu, and the others all breathed a sigh of relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun nodded slowly and walked on, but when he reached the edge of the tent entrance, he could not help but stop voluntarily before one person: \"Having known each other for so long, with the long road ahead, does Wenhe have nothing to say to me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who can know the outcome of future events?\" Jia Xu bowed even more deeply. \"This subordinate ventures to speculate…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Speak.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If my lord returns late, naturally you can go from Youzhou into Jizhou and then turn to Henei; but if you come early, you might as well take the route through Bingzhou.\" Jia Xu spoke without raising his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That is rather interesting.\" Gongsun Xun sighed, half disappointed, half indifferent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, the man ultimately left the tent and went away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd followed out of the tent and saw Han Dang leading three hundred Retainers, having requisitioned from the army a full thousand or more white warhorses — clearly more than four mounts per man — and everything had long been packed and tethered in readiness… Xi Zhong, dazed and groggy, was the last to mount his horse, and then this thousand-strong white cavalry, beneath the early spring sunlight, slowly advanced along the Wei River.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They could not pick up speed at this time, because along the banks of the Wei River the bloodstains were still fresh, the corpses not yet burned, the blades and arms not yet gathered. After traveling several li and leaving the battlefield area behind, the entire force then picked up speed, galloping without pause, and before dusk and nightfall, they turned north at Meiyang, thus veering away from the Wei River.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My lord!\" That evening when they made camp, the moment he dismounted, Xi Zhong ignored his trembling, unsteady legs and forced himself to ask, \"Where are we heading?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Yellow River is in the midst of ice floods,\" Gongsun Xun turned back to support him and answered calmly. \"To guard against any mishap, we must cross via the pontoon bridge at Pujin.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is there truly trouble in Youzhou?\" Xi Zhong was drenched in sweat. \"I thought my lord was speaking in jest — that the Son of Heaven in Luoyang had died, and you were using this to make your escape…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There truly is trouble in Youzhou,\" Gongsun Xun said with a light laugh. \"But you need not worry overmuch; the Wuhuan are not worth fretting about. It is only that the routes between Liaodong and Liaoxi are cut off, so I must go back and clear them… As for the Son of Heaven, at present I rather hope he can hold on a few more days before dying.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xi Zhicai immediately let out a long sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is Benchu so certain that Gongsun Wenqi will go back?\" At that same moment, outside Huanyuan Pass, within a roadside pavilion, Xu You could not hide his look of curiosity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Gongsun Wenqi will certainly leave!\" Yuan Shao, seated across the low table and holding a wine cup with a slight tipsiness, sighed at the question. \"Because he and I are different… My foundation is family reputation and personal fame — these are all rooted in Luoyang. His foundation is troops and wealth — and these are all in the provinces. Therefore, that man will surely return home at once to deal with the Wuhuan and Xianbei rebellions, just as I must certainly return to Luoyang to complete the matter I have painstakingly planned for years.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In Runan, we were originally doing rather well,\" Xu You shook his head helplessly. \"If we stayed a while longer, we might not be unable to win over the local powers for our own use.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Gongsun Xun was also doing rather well in Guanzhong,\" Yuan Shao answered easily. \"Had it not been for this sudden blaze at his rear, that man would surely have won a great victory, and his fame would be growing by the day… I can delay no longer!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But what I fear is precisely this — Gongsun Xun is skilled in warfare; this trip to Youzhou, he could easily return. And yet the Son of Heaven is still holding on…\" Xu You spread his hands. \"What then?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So I say, that solitary tyrant — how is he still not dead?\" Yuan Shao finally flushed with anger and flung his wine cup onto the table. \"Does he not know that all under Heaven have long wished him dead?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>————I am the dividing line of utter failure————\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When Youzhou fell into disorder, the Grand Ancestor wished to return and quell the chaos, and thus entrusted the entire army to General of the Left Huangfu Song. Before he departed, Zhuo heard of this within the army, and with humble words and timid manner, respectfully and deferentially came to see him off. The next day, when he had confirmed that the Grand Ancestor had passed Pujin, he was overjoyed and showed it openly, swiftly summoning his old subordinates Li Jue and others, dividing the camp and establishing himself independently, no longer submitting to Song's command.\" — Old Book of Yan, Volume 62, Biographies 12\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Thanks to the new Alliance Master, Lonely... Alright... the eighteenth Alliance Master... Ten thousand thanks for everyone's support.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",3570,"2026-06-04T19:42:26.060Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","f3da547de58120a07e50a81efc3505b2f213a43a35eb45d0149b6ef85be01675","overthrowing-han-chapter-310","overthrowing-han-chapter-308",548,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Foverthrowing-han-cover.jpg"]