[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-overthrowing-han":3,"chapter-overthrowing-han-overthrowing-han-chapter-333":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},1223092,1620,"Chapter 333: The Guandong Lords Rise (Part 2)","overthrowing-han-chapter-333",333,"\u003Cp>In the seventh month, as the continuous rain finally ended, the proclamation of the Changshan Covenant and Cao Cao’s forged document, the so-called “Three Excellencies’ Condemnation of Dong Zhuo,” began to spread through the Central Plains, Luoyang, and even into Xu and Yang provinces. What followed was large-scale coordination and debate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Luoyang, the two proclamations arrived almost simultaneously. The hundred officials and ministers of the court, while secretly delighted, grew increasingly fearful and cautious. Their delight, of course, came from the fact that someone had finally openly challenged Dong Zhuo. Their fear and caution, however, stemmed from the dread that Dong Zhuo’s violent reaction might implicate them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For example, just a few days earlier, an incident had directly prompted Yuan Shu to flee. It happened when Dong Zhuo promoted himself yet again—he became Chancellor of State!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The day after his promotion, Palace Attendant Raolong Zong went to see him in the court hall to discuss some matter without first removing his sword. Dong Zhuo immediately ordered him beaten to death on the spot. The reason given was that the man had failed to show proper respect for his, Chancellor Dong Zhongying’s, status as one of “unsurpassed nobility.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many people cannot understand why Dong Zhuo became so brutal the moment he gained power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The answer is actually quite simple, and quite reasonable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, Dong Zhuo was not brutal for brutality’s sake. No one is born a monster. He was, in fact, using these transgressions of normal conduct to test the limits of his power, to see just how far its edges extended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, any ordinary person who suddenly gains power will experience a similar psychology. The difference is that most people quickly encounter the boundaries of their new authority, learn a lesson, and promptly pull back. Moreover, the new power most people acquire rarely carries the authority to decide life and death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Dong Zhuo was different. The power Chancellor Dong had seized in those three days was the highest authority in this empire—arguably the highest on the entire planet at that very moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tested it once and found he could. He tested it again and found he still could. He kept testing, and still there were no restraints. So he could only plunge headlong into the abyss of that power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Second, and more terrifyingly, Dong Zhuo had previously been a frontier military man. While it is true that the central court discriminated against frontier soldiers, it is also a fact that military men do not treat human life as particularly precious. Their professional nature is what it is. Not just Dong Zhuo—when Gongsun Xun was in the army preparing to establish his authority, did he not kill people? Later, when Cao Cao spent half his life at war, did he not massacre cities and execute prisoners?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Years of warfare and military life truly do destroy one’s humanity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These two factors combined to create Dong Zhuo’s current style of conduct. Annoyed? Kill someone. Suspect someone of disloyalty? Kill someone. Someone does something wrong? Kill someone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And as he killed and killed, all boundaries vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet at the same time, this place happened to be the empire’s nerve center, the core of political power. And for the scholar-officials and noble ministers, killing was a desperate last resort. Worse, indiscriminate slaughter cannot overawe people’s hearts—it only breeds resentment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fengxian, go personally. Drag Zhou Bi and Wu Qiong, those two treacherous, double-dealing wretches, out to Bronze Camel Street and have them beaten to death!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That day, in the Grand Commandant’s residence, now renamed the Chancellor’s Manor, Chancellor Dong was once again ordering executions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, this time the victims were entirely expected. Zhou Bi and Wu Qiong had been among the first to defect to Dong Zhuo. They were also the ones who had advised him to take the initiative in reconciling with the various factions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it was precisely that conciliatory stance that had given the men in Hebei and Guandong the breathing room they needed today. And the official titles used for that reconciliation had become the very basis for those men to rally troops. So, regardless of whether Zhou and Wu were truly double-dealing or simply naive, they deserved to die now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, that was not all. After Lu Bu dragged Zhou and Wu away, everyone in the Chancellor’s Manor still held their breath, waiting for Chancellor Dong to issue further instructions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The situation was this:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Cao had fabricated a document in the name of the Three Excellencies, claiming they were circulating a call to condemn Dong Zhuo. So what should be done about the Three Excellencies?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun had directly pounded the table and called for Dong Zhuo’s destruction, openly and unambiguously baring his blade. How should that be handled?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But curiously, after executing Zhou and Wu, Dong Zhuo simply sat in his specially made Grand Commandant’s chair in the Chancellor’s Manor, silent for a long while, and said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Father-in-law?” Li Ru, the son-in-law who had now, as he wished, become an Erudite of the Classics, stepped forward helplessly. “What should our strategy be now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you think it should be?” Dong Zhuo countered, his eyelids drooping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Should we dispatch troops to suppress the rebellion?” Li Ru asked a pointless question, knowing full well that sending troops was impossible at this moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How would we suppress it?” Dong Zhuo sneered. “Cao Mengde, that brat, forged a few letters and found a few rich men to scrape together a few thousand strong men. Sending troops to crush him would be easy, but what use would it be? The Guandong lords who truly oppose me haven’t even shown themselves yet! As for Gongsun Xun, he is at least forthright, but the man is far away in Changshan. Do you expect me to ignore this crowd of Guandong men right in front of me, turn my back on them, and exhaust my army on a distant campaign to Hebei?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Father-in-law is absolutely right,” Li Ru hastily nodded. “So the primary measure for now lies within—here in Luoyang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Correct,” Dong Zhuo grew serious. “Do you think I don’t know that many in the realm resent my sudden seizure of the court? But the key right now is not external but internal. If the court is stable, and we hold Yong and Liang provinces as well as the Son of Heaven, the greater momentum remains with us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How can we ensure stability in the court?” Li Ru finally asked the crucial question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dong Zhongying braced his hands on his belt and forced himself to stand. He paced a few steps in the hall before stopping to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know what you’re implying. But Cao Mengde’s letter from the Three Excellencies is clearly a forgery. Setting others aside, the Grand Tutor has never opposed me in anything here in Luoyang. And in terms of lineage, Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu are not even of the same branch as him. We cannot arbitrarily blame the Grand Tutor just because Yuan Shao is stirring trouble in Henei and Yuan Shu has fled to Nanyang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then… we let this matter drop?” Li Ru stepped forward and asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How is that possible?” Chancellor Dong turned, his hand on his belly, and cast a sidelong glare. “Since those brats dared to use the Three Excellencies as a pretext, how can I not respond? Previously, when Minister over the Masses Ding Gong presided over the abdication and enthronement, he relied on his scholarly reputation to mock me in veiled terms within the edict. If you hadn’t warned me, I still wouldn’t know. Isn’t a petty man like that perfect for making an example? Send Li Jue. Arrest his entire clan, young and old, and execute them publicly on Bronze Camel Street!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ru hesitated, wanting to say something, but ultimately dropped the matter. “Then may I ask, my lord, how should we respond to Gongsun Xun?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I am troubled by that as well!” Dong Zhuo suddenly rose, dismissed the many subordinate officials in the hall, and then began pacing as he spoke. “Militarily, Changshan is a thousand li from Luoyang, so ordinarily there would be no need for much reaction. But Gongsun Wenqi has always been fierce and exceptionally skilled in warfare, so we must prepare defenses early. And politically, my sole supremacy in Luoyang rests on military power. The armed forces are largely stable, but now that Gongsun Xun has raised his banner, I must be wary of unrest among his former subordinates. Wenyou, what do you suggest?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ru shook his head repeatedly. “On military matters, I ask you, my lord, to decide. On personnel matters, I have even less to say. I can only urge you, my lord, to be as magnanimous as possible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dong Zhuo could not help but sneer. “Do you think I am incapable of magnanimity? But I listened to the words of Zhou and Wu, treated the scholars generously, and all I got in return was them taking up arms against me. Of course, scholars are scholars, and soldiers are soldiers. I did not expect such fickleness from the scholars, but I do understand the minds of military men, and I believe I have some ability to command them. However, the army is the foundation of my power and must not be compromised. So I must be especially cautious.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Actually, Father-in-law,” Li Ru lowered his head helplessly and said, “I do have one strategy. Given the situation, why not divide the influence of Lu, Xu, and Zhang so they cannot cause trouble, while simultaneously granting them promotions, titles, and rewards to settle their hearts?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dong Zhuo froze abruptly, then without hesitation immediately asked, “That is an excellent strategy. But how exactly do we divide the influence of those three?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lu Fengxian’s martial prowess is unmatched. You, my lord, can keep him in Luoyang for deployment. Xu Rong has the talent of a great general. Among the eight passes defending Luoyang, the southeast is the most exposed. Why not send him there to serve as a warning and defense? Zhang Liao is still young. It would be perfect to send him with General Niu Fu to Hedong to deal with the Bobo bandits. In this way, not only are the three divided so they cannot cause trouble, but each is used to his full potential. More importantly, all three will be kept away from the direct north of Luoyang, preventing any future contact with the General of the Guards.” Li Ru spoke fluently, clearly having prepared this in advance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“An excellent plan! That is exactly what should be done!” Dong Zhuo’s brow smoothed out. “I will immediately issue orders for their rewards and assignments. But Wenyou, if you had such a good plan, why didn’t you present it from the start?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ru gave a bitter smile. “To be honest with you, my lord, this plan did not come from me. It was offered by Jia Wenhe, the Military Officer of our Chancellor’s Manor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh?” Dong Zhuo suddenly realized. “Jia Wenhe is actually in my Chancellor’s Manor?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Naturally,” Li Ru’s smile grew even more bitter. “He was originally the Military Officer of the Grand Commandant’s office. After the Guanzhong rebellion was suppressed, he only received an increase in rank to one thousand dan but remained in his post as Military Officer. When you, my lord, first became Grand Commandant and then appointed yourself Chancellor, he has always been your subordinate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aiya, this is my fault.” Since there was no one else around, Dong Zhuo admitted his mistake frankly. “Jia Wenhe is a fellow countryman from our Western provinces. I was so busy promoting those scholars and rewarding the rank-and-file soldiers that I completely forgot about him, a man versed in both civil and military affairs. Here is what we will do: go tell him that this matter is now his to handle. Once it is done, I will use it as a merit to arrange a concurrent post for him at two thousand dan. And in the future, if he has any good strategies, tell him to speak up directly!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Ru immediately acknowledged the order and withdrew from the hall. It was only then that he remembered why he had not presented this plan immediately: he had been suspicious of Jia Wenhe, who had said nothing for months and then suddenly offered a strategy, which inevitably raised doubts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then he reconsidered. In this Luoyang now, the scholars could not be trusted, and the military men were all without wisdom. If even Jia Xu, a fellow man of Liangzhou, could not be trusted, then who could be?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And besides, this plan was indeed an excellent way to handle the situation, wasn’t it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that thought, Li Ru decided not to dwell on it further and went directly to find Jia Xu to discuss the rewards and assignments for Lu Bu, Xu Rong, and Zhang Liao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time passed swiftly. By mid-seventh month, the situation had become increasingly clear. Aside from Gongsun Xun openly convening his covenant, the lords of the Central Plains who could not make it to the Changshan Covenant were also pledging their allegiance to Yuan Shao, expressing their approval of forming another anti-Dong Zhuo alliance south of the Yellow River.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Considering the one-month deadline Gongsun Xun had set and the location of Changshan, it was almost predictable that he was genuinely convening a covenant for Hebei. In this way, two massive anti-Dong Zhuo forces would likely form two temporary “allied” yet “opposing” camps based on geography.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, when the proclamations and invitations reached Xuzhou, someone else stirred up trouble.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, Tao Qian, Tao Gongzu, the Inspector of Xuzhou, had never been content to follow others. This old man, who could only truly stabilize two commanderies within his province, wanted to respond neither to Gongsun Xun, who had first raised the call to arms, nor to Yuan Shao, who was closer to him. Yet seeing that all the scholars of the realm were responding to the condemnation of Dong Zhuo, he could not stand firm without participating. So, with great creativity, the old man organized his own covenant!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, Tao Qian knew his own prestige was insufficient, so he remotely honored Zhu Jun, Zhu Gongwei, who was far away in Luoyang, as General of Chariots and Cavalry, and roped in a few commanderies in Yangzhou. In his words: Hebei has Gongsun Xun, Guandong has Yuan Benchu, and Xu and Yang must also have their own alliance!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even more amusingly, before this alliance had received any response—just after sending out the documents to the lords of Xu and Yang—Tao Qian was the first to dispatch troops toward Luoyang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One must remember that after months of continuous rain, there was widespread flooding in Hebei and the Central Plains, making the roads extremely difficult. Yet Tao Gongzu was fully prepared and immediately sent out his troops.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From this perspective, Gongsun Xun and Yuan Shao really ought to find a rope and hang themselves!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So who was the general dispatched to seek out their “alliance leader” Zhu Jun?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The answer was Liu Bei, Liu Xuande, who had just returned from recruiting troops and happened to be resting at Xiapi. He volunteered himself, shunning no danger or hardship, and took the initiative to request the mission. Tao Qian, overjoyed, immediately submitted a memorial to appoint him as Cavalry Commandant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, how many troops did Liu Bei lead?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The answer was three thousand Danyang recruits... precisely the three thousand troops Liu Bei had previously been ordered to raise. These three thousand men, supplied and supported by the upright and honorable Tao Gong, Inspector of Xuzhou, set out directly for Luoyang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before his departure, Chen Deng of Guangling, Mi Zhu of Donghai, and Zhang Zhao of Pengcheng, moved by his loyalty and valor, all came to see him off. Even Zhang Chao, the Grand Administrator of Guangling—who, being Zhang Miao's younger brother, had initially planned to answer Cao Cao's call—still sought to bolster Liu Xuande's resolve and dispatched the commandery clerk Lu Dai with fifty armored soldiers to accompany him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, the first to dispatch troops was not Liu Bei, for just the day before, Sun Jian, the Grand Administrator of Changsha and Marquis of Wucheng, far off in Jingnan, upon receiving a letter delivered with utmost urgency by relay of boat and horse, had resolutely marched forth. Ignoring the vast distance, he abandoned Changsha without a care, leading several thousand troops, emptying his base, and heading north without pause. Many heroes of Jingnan followed him, including even men like Huang Gai of Lingling, a local magnate who had been nominated as Filial and Incorrupt, who donated his family fortune to join the cause!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dong Zhuo arbitrarily deposed and enthroned, poisoned the Empress Dowager, and the state was shaken in an instant. Yet at this moment, how could it be that only great figures like Gongsun Xun and Yuan Shao intended to act? How could the stage of the realm belong only to the two of them and Dong Zhuo?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Mengde abandoned his post and fled, leaving his wife and children behind, escaping Luoyang alone. Along the way, he was once captured by a village chief, nearly killed as a bandit by county clerks, and mistakenly slaughtered the family of his old friend Lu Boshe. Yet the moment he reached Chenliu, he cast aside all such thoughts, immediately forged a call to arms, and raised an army with his entire family fortune!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xuande, stranded far from home, never let his ambition falter for a single day. The moment an opportunity arose, he shunned no risk and still sought to strike directly at Luoyang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Wentai, far off in Jingnan, upon suddenly hearing of the calamity in Luoyang, abandoned his foundation in Changsha and crossed the Great River, all in pursuit of merit and achievement!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In all honesty, faced with such a great upheaval, these three \"small figures\" who came after were more admirable than certain great figures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It is like this: I have summoned you all here because the twenty-second day is nearly upon us, and we can delay no longer! Gentlemen, tell me—this Dong Zhuo in Luoyang sends down edicts declaring the other two to be rebels; Yuan Shao in Henei holds the seal of the Grand Administrator of Bohai, yet orders Bohai's troops to seek him in Henei; Gongsun Xun in Changshan, within the borders of our Jizhou, calls upon the righteous men of Hebei to assemble with him there... Of these three, whom should I aid?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The speaker was a truly great figure—Han Fu, former Deputy to the Imperial Censor and current Governor of Jizhou. The place was the main hall of the government office in Yecheng, and those he was questioning were the many subordinate officials of Jizhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My lord, those words are a grave error!\" The moment he finished speaking, someone nearby who understood the situation could bear it no longer. \"My lord is a key minister of the state, guarding the entire province of Jizhou. How can you speak of aiding Yuan, aiding Dong, or aiding Gongsun?! You should raise troops to aid the state! And besides, a man like Dong Zhuo—yesterday he killed the Empress Dowager, today he kills ministers and nobles—can such a man be aided?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Fu, seated at the head, looked closely and saw it was his Internal Clerk, Liu Zihui. He could not help but show a look of shame. \"Yes, Zihui speaks truly. I was confused and should not have harbored cowardice... But even if we raise troops for the state to chastise Dong, whom should we align with? Gongsun Wenqi has won a hundred battles; Yuan Benchu comes from a line of four generations of Three Excellencies. If we aid one, will we not earn the lasting enmity of the other?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is there to debate?\" Liu Zihui could not help but sigh. \"My lord, the current situation is this: the General of the Guards holds great prestige and virtue in Hebei. If you go to join his alliance, I fear Jizhou will be lost. Yuan Benchu has empty fame but no troops. If we go to aid him, we can use the strength of Jizhou's troops and provisions to achieve the highest merit in chastising Dong! Moreover, only by borrowing Yuan Benchu's prestige can we prevent Gongsun Wenqi from swallowing up the commanderies and princedoms of Jizhou behind our backs.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you saying the General of the Guards intends to swallow up Jizhou?\" Han Fu could not help but panic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is that not obvious?\" Liu Zihui continued his argument. \"The General of the Guards is in the north, far from Luoyang, but a stone's throw from Jizhou. He calls the lords to assemble, yet sets a deadline of one month, clearly focusing only on Youzhou and Jizhou. If the commanderies and princedoms of Jizhou all answer his call and allow his great army into their territories, under what name can my lord resist? The only plan now is to join hands with Yuan Shao, so that Jizhou may maintain its weight in the realm.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I understand Clerk Liu's meaning,\" Han Fu nodded slowly. \"That is the point. Only by joining Yuan Benchu's alliance can we obtain the righteous cause, making it difficult for the General of the Guards to swallow us up. And we must also draw in the subordinate commanderies and princedoms of Jizhou as much as possible, having them join the southern alliance together, so as to prevent them from joining the northern alliance... Is that the meaning?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Precisely that,\" Liu Zihui finally showed a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then I should immediately issue a proclamation. First, to inform the realm that I formally answer the alliance of Cao Cao and Yuan Shao. Second, to immediately notify the nine commanderies and princedoms of the province to follow me...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It is six commanderies and princedoms,\" Liu Zihui said, growing exasperated once more. \"The seal and cord of the Grand Administrator of Bohai are already on Yuan Benchu's person. And in Changshan and Zhongshan, Gongsun Xun is the Commissioner Bearing the Staff with authority to command. He is even about to hold his assembly in Changshan... Sending a proclamation to these two commanderies will only enrage the General of the Guards!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, six commanderies and princedoms,\" Han Fu could not help but laugh wryly, then looked around. \"Uh, where is Attendant Clerk Ju? I trouble him to draft the text... He has not come?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In reply to my lord,\" Liu Zihui said, now thoroughly exasperated. \"Attendant Clerk Ju has gone to see someone off. The realm is in turmoil, and a close friend of his has decided to emerge from retirement to aid a hero in chastising Dong... He requested leave just yesterday.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh,\" Han Fu nodded slowly. \"I recall now. Then, Zihui, you shall take up the brush. The nearest Wei Commandery will not receive a proclamation; I will go personally to see Grand Administrator Su and speak with him face to face. That makes five commanderies and princedoms, then!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Zihui nodded in agreement, bent over the desk in the lower part of the hall, and began to write the official document. However, halfway through, a messenger suddenly arrived from outside seeking Han Fu. Liu Zihui did not raise his head, merely continuing to write as usual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the messenger came before the hall, bowed respectfully, and spoke directly: \"Lord Han! My master, Shen, has sent a letter here. He says he must travel to Changshan and requests ten days' leave. The matter is of great importance, and he begs Lord Han not to hold it against him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Fu and the subordinate officials in the hall were all somewhat taken aback.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That makes four commanderies and princedoms, then,\" Liu Zihui said, casting aside his brush.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Indeed,\" Han Fu, seated at the head, answered meekly. \"Zihui speaks truly. Thus, it is four commanderies and princedoms.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—————I am the dividing line of warlords rising together—————\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When Dong Zhuo usurped the government, the Grand Ancestor issued a call to arms and assembled at Changshan. Yuan Shao, together with Cao Cao, Qiao Mao, and Zhang Miao, forged letters from the Three Excellencies, proclaiming Zhuo's evil and seeking to raise troops for an alliance. When Han Fu received the missive, he asked his attending clerks, 'Now, should I aid the Yuan clan, aid the Gongsun clan, or aid the Dong clan?' The Internal Clerk Liu Zihui said, 'Now we raise troops for the state—what talk is this of Yuan, Dong, or Gongsun?' Fu showed a look of shame. He asked again, 'The matter of raising troops is settled, but how to choose between the Yuan clan and the Gongsun clan?' Someone said, 'The General of the Guards is overbearing in the north; Shao is isolated in Henei. If we follow the north, I fear the master of Jizhou will soon change! But if we follow Shao, we can resist the north!' Fu approved of this. Zihui sighed again, 'If Jizhou strengthens itself and follows Yuan, it is because Luoyang lies to the south—why speak of resisting the north?' Fu grew even more ashamed.\" —New Book of Yan, Volume 65, Biographies 15\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",4211,"2026-06-04T19:42:26.060Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","2f51cf620b056e2171ad4ecd544a4a492e135ade0c3522c48ea7cda7c4d2430f","overthrowing-han-chapter-334","overthrowing-han-chapter-332",548,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Foverthrowing-han-cover.jpg"]