[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-overthrowing-han":3,"chapter-overthrowing-han-overthrowing-han-chapter-341":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},1223100,1620,"Chapter 341: Striving for Glory in the Northwest, A Winter of Vigor","overthrowing-han-chapter-341",341,"\u003Cp>The sky darkened. The vanguard of the Han army’s pursuit — those three or four thousand Wuhuan light cavalry — had arrived, but they were utterly exhausted and showed no intention of pressing closer. Meanwhile, Gao Shun remained as steady as Mount Tai, holding the pass with grim determination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Faced with this situation, Xubu Guduhou briefly reorganized the troops under his command, then led them a short distance back, choosing to rest closer to those several thousand Wuhuan shock cavalry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It must be said, this false Xiongnu Chanyu was no incompetent man — otherwise the Xiongnu would never have raised him to the Chanyu’s seat. His current action was mainly because, after recovering his wits from the panic, he realized that his group still had one lifeline: Xubu Juci’s several thousand men!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Xubu Juci could truly withdraw intact, they could not hope for some pincer attack to devour these three or four thousand Wuhuan before the main Han army arrived. But if they could stir up some chaos and lure Gao Shun into striking, then perhaps they could still force their way out through the pass and save a good number of men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stop dreaming.” Beside the campfire, Zhang Ze listened to the discussion between the Xiongnu Chanyu and the gathered nobles, then scoffed. “By your own account, this Xubu Juci is either already dead or has surrendered.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What does Chief Zhang mean by that?” Xubu Guduhou, though warming himself by the fire, felt a chill run through his body. “What do you know?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s time you understood your own situation.” Zhang Ze sighed. “Though I came as a death agent and did not ask much about military matters, our Zhang clan is after all the leading household of Mayi. I know the geography and the people around here well. Not to mention that when General Wei laid this ambush at Mayi, he entrusted many matters to my clansman Zhang Fan… This clansman of mine, from the day he resigned his post and followed General Wei as a volunteer retainer, has been over ten years now — he is one of the General’s most trusted confidants… So some things could not escape my eyes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xubu Guduhou and the surrounding Xiongnu nobles were all taken aback; someone even snapped the firewood in his hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Never mind that,” Xubu Guduhou waved his hand helplessly and pressed on. “Just tell us what happened with Xubu Juci’s several thousand men!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If my guess is not wrong,” Zhang Ze sighed again, “General Wei should have arranged a General of the Household named Tian, a Major named Taishi, and our own Commandery Administrator Han to lead eight hundred cavalry and several thousand Yanmen commandery troops, waiting for you at Wuzhou… But when we fled this time, we never saw them. Tell me yourselves — what else could it be, except that Xubu Juci’s several thousand men took the blow for you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the firelight, Xubu Guduhou was stunned for a moment, but quickly came to his senses and pressed further: “This time, just how many troops did that General Wei — the White Horse General — actually bring?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Twenty thousand combat troops, over ten thousand auxiliaries.” Zhang Ze had long anticipated his meaning. “You want to ask — if the commandery troops were blocked by Xubu Juci, and there are several thousand Han troops right in front of you, then what exactly was that force in the mountains south of Mayi? The truth is, those were just the auxiliaries… The able-bodied men in the city dared not leave the city walls for fear of trouble, so they could only have a General of the Household named Wang lead the auxiliaries there to put on a show. How do I know this? Because in Mayi and the surrounding cities, there wasn’t enough black dye, so in the end they had to make do with charcoal ash and ink. Even the ink my family used for writing and keeping accounts was confiscated.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, Xubu Guduhou was speechless for a long while. When he finally did open his mouth, he was still dazed: “Are you trying to say that beneath the walls of Mayi, fifty thousand of us were surrounded by just over ten thousand Han troops?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Ze picked up a strip of dried meat and roasted it carefully over the fire, too lazy to even answer him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Our Grand Chanyu asked you a question!” Before Xubu Guduhou could lose his temper, a Xiongnu warrior from the Xiutu tribe beside him could not contain his fury and actually stood up to shout.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is there to say?” Zhang Ze looked up at the man helplessly. “Saying too much of this only makes you look foolish, doesn’t it? Think about it — why was the cavalry army closest to you red? Because our Han military uniforms are red to begin with! Why could there also be white? Because after cloth is woven, a single bleaching with plant ash turns it directly white! These two colors are the most common, the easiest to produce. Why were the ones in the distance black? Because black is the hardest to make out from afar… You were simply frightened by our Han army, and then fifty thousand of you were routed by ten thousand men in a single charge. What is there to say? And what use is talking about it now? In your current state, do you have any path other than surrender? If you have the energy to lose your temper, you’d do better to think about how to curry favor with General Wei tomorrow and try to save a few more lives!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Ze rambled on with one rhetorical question after another. And whether it was him or Xubu Guduhou, both grew increasingly speechless. In truth, around this campfire, every single one of the Xiongnu nobles who had gathered nearby fell silent, their faces drained of color.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As things stood, it seemed — perhaps, indeed — they had no path left to take!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even if we make it back alive, we shouldn’t count on crossing the river easily ever again.” After a long silence, roughly by the time Zhang Ze had eaten his fourth strip of roasted dried meat, someone finally spoke, his voice somewhat hoarse. “Not to mention the twenty or thirty thousand dead — the fifty or sixty thousand horses are also a colossal loss. I reckon that between the dead, the wounded, and everything else, twenty or thirty thousand horses will be ruined outright. Of the remaining twenty or thirty thousand, more than half can only serve as draft horses. We’d be lucky to have ten thousand left as warhorses. And once we return west of the river for winter, who knows how many of those ten thousand will survive?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are you thinking?” Someone beside him sneered. “Aren’t those ten thousand warhorses the White Horse General’s now? And aren’t the ten thousand-plus draft horses also the White Horse General’s? Even those twenty or thirty thousand ruined horses — even if they’re only good for meat, I fear they still belong to the White Horse General! Even the lives of the ten thousand-plus men here — I fear those too belong to the White Horse General!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere around the campfire grew even more oppressive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Actually, there’s no need for you to worry too much.” Zhang Ze, who had been gauging their expressions while eating, suddenly spoke again. “I heard General Wei speak of you before… He said that you people merely have a horse and bear the name of Xiongnu. Otherwise, you probably couldn’t even compare to the Bobo bandits. The Bobo bandits, after all, looted quite a few Hedong armories and coerced many Han magnates and good families from Xihe and Hedong. You lot are about on the level of the Qingxu Yellow Turbans, maybe even below the Taihang Mountain bandits.” At this point, Zhang Ze gazed into the fire, and his tone suddenly became earnest. “General Wei also knows that you were all driven by poverty and had no other choice. It’s just that, with officials and bandits opposed, you are Hu people in open rebellion, and you killed the imperially appointed Chanyu and the Inspector of Bingzhou. He had no choice but to strike you hard and kill many of you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eyes of many Xiongnu nobles around him brightened faintly, but Xubu Guduhou looked at Zhang Ze with some wariness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grand Chanyu, if you ask me, you should not have taken this Chanyu’s seat.” Zhang Ze continued to gaze into the fire, not even glancing at Xubu Guduhou’s expression. “Because as long as you, a Chanyu never recognized by the imperial court, remain alive for even a day, you Xiongnu will be rebels for that day. General Wei will have no way to give a proper account to the court.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xubu Guduhou wanted to speak but hesitated, for the eyes of the surrounding Xiongnu nobles had already turned strange. Correspondingly, however, many warriors of the Xiutu tribe also grew tense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Isn’t it just one life?” Seeing that the reactions of the surrounding Xiongnu nobles were remarkably uniform, Zhang Ze boldly took the initiative and faced the Xiongnu Chanyu directly. “Grand Chanyu, if you die, everyone else lives. In the future, everyone will be grateful to you. Look at me — didn’t I risk my life to come as a death agent for my clan this time? I’m not afraid to die…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You… why aren’t you afraid to die?” Chanyu Xubu Guduhou suddenly shot back. “I’ve wanted to ask this for a while — why aren’t you afraid to die this time? Tell me the truth! If I hadn’t known you were a man who feared death before, I might not have fallen for the trap this time!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I won’t hide it from the Grand Chanyu…” Zhang Ze said, looking a little sheepish yet somehow strangely exhilarated. “General Wei told me that as long as this mission succeeded, regardless of whether I lived or died, the sons of the Mayi Zhang clan would never have to worry about their future prospects. That boy Zhang Liao is indeed with Chancellor Dong — though General Wei said he doesn’t mind, as clan head, I cannot afford not to consider it… What’s more, if I can return alive, General Wei will directly appoint me as the Grand Administrator of Dingxiang…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dingxiang Commandery is empty!” Xubu Guduhou was utterly speechless. “Before, there were only a few Battalion Commander left. Later, when we Xiongnu came, they all moved to Pingcheng… Even if you take Dingxiang back this time, how many people could you, as Grand Administrator, govern? Even fewer than the population of Mayi!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A Xiongnu like you has no idea what ‘Two Thousand Bushels’ truly means!” Zhang Ze raised his head and retorted. “Do you know what it means to ‘dwell in a city of your own’? Whether Dingxiang is empty or not, as long as I — as long as I, Zhang Ze, can serve one term as a Grand Administrator of Two Thousand Bushels, our Mayi Zhang clan will never be the same again!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the feverish excitement in the other man’s eyes, Xubu Guduhou immediately abandoned the argument.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Grand Chanyu!” To his surprise, Zhang Ze pressed on relentlessly. “We are both leaders of our clans, both advanced in years. We must set aside personal gain or loss and consider only our clans’ welfare. Even my coming here this time was not for personal office, but for my clan’s future… Let me make you a vow. Doesn’t General Wei like it when Hu people adopt Han surnames? Tomorrow, if you take your own life, let your Xiutu tribe’s Xubu clan all follow me and adopt the surname Zhang. What do you say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chanyu Xubu Guduhou was dumbfounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Anyway, our Zhang family also changed our surname in the past; we don’t mind such things.” Zhang Ze continued to earnestly persuade him. “Let the centuries of grudges between our two families be wiped clean. From now on, the Zhang of Hexi and the Zhang of Shanxi shall be regarded as brothers. I, this Two Thousand Bushels Grand Administrator, will certainly look after your clan in the future!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xubu Guduhou’s mouth was filled with bitterness, but under the countless expectant gazes around him, he dared not refute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, although not a single word from this great swindler Zhang Ze could be trusted, he had just hit the nail on the head… At his age, his own life no longer mattered; the key was his clansmen’s future!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After this defeat, the Xiutu tribes would inevitably never recover. As the leader, the Xubu clan would have to pay a catastrophic price. His earlier reluctance to readily accept death was, of course, human nature — clinging to life and shunning death — but was it not also because he feared what would happen after his death?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Yufuluo returned north and reclaimed the Chanyu’s seat, how would he take revenge on the Xiutu tribes? How would he take revenge on the Xubu clan? He himself had led the rebellion and killed Yufuluo’s father, the Qiangqu Chanyu, and then seized the Chanyu’s throne that had belonged to the Luanti clan for generations!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With this thought, Xubu Guduhou sighed and once more raised his head to the sky, speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun arrived sooner than Xubu Guduhou had imagined. The next morning, his White Horse Banner appeared in the sight of the Xiongnu remnant force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And what was unexpected yet also within reason was that the person who came as Gongsun Xun’s envoy to negotiate and demand Zhang Ze’s return was none other than Xubu Juci.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Zhang Ze had guessed, this unlucky fellow Xubu Juci had taken the blade for the main Xiongnu force. His troops had taken a small road north of Wuzhou toward Pingcheng to provide flank cover, but halfway there they ran straight into the forces of Tian Feng, Taishi Ci, and the Yanmen Grand Administrator Han Zhuo!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although Xubu Juci voluntarily surrendered shortly after the engagement began, the two sides had met on a narrow road north of Wuzhou. The path was cramped, and there were several thousand Xiongnu prisoners to manage, so in the end, Tian Feng, Taishi Ci, and Han Zhuo were left in a sorry state, helplessly missing their deadline and unable to reach Wuzhou in time to block the Xiongnu on a large scale. Instead, Gao Shun and the several thousand Wuhuan light cavalry reaped the great merit!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, by the time this group reached Wuzhou, Gongsun Xun had already followed Han Dang’s main force all the way there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So that’s how it is.” After hearing his distant clansman’s explanation, Xubu Guduhou, who had not slept all night, remained surprisingly calm. “So this false Chanyu truly cannot avoid death? And must even be executed?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes!” Xubu Juci turned his head aside in shame, not daring to look at his clan brother. “But the White Horse General said that if Eldest… if you, Eldest Brother, die, he will no longer pursue our previous rebellion. And the matter of the land west of the Huanggan River still stands, because there truly are hardly any Han people left there, and someone must go beneath the Yin Mountains to block the Xianbei. But we must adopt a Han surname, obey the court as before, and I must lead the Xiutu tribes in managing the royal court on his behalf.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I understand.” Xubu Guduhou nodded. “I am at ease with you taking over the tribe. I will release Chief Zhang — no — release Grand Administrator Zhang at once! But I must see the White Horse General with my own eyes and hear him make these promises again in person.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xubu Juci immediately nodded, then, under the complicated gazes of the surrounding Xiongnu nobles, turned and left with Zhang Ze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A moment later, he returned, and under the expectant gazes of those nobles and even the members of the Xiutu tribes, he led Xubu Guduhou away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So you are Xubu Guduhou?” In the morning sunlight, on a south-facing slope, Gongsun Xun met his opponent amidst a throng of military officers, clerks, and warriors. Though the other man was not bound, he had already been thoroughly searched by the personal guards and looked rather disheveled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The sinner is Xubu Guduhou.” The man who had been Chanyu for over a year knelt and kowtowed to plead guilty. As the former Right Division Guduhou of the Xiongnu, he was not ignorant of Han rituals, though he performed them somewhat awkwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard from Grand Administrator Zhang and your clansman that you are willing to atone with your life by suicide to conclude this rebellion, but you wish to hear the terms from my own lips once more. Is that correct?” Gongsun Xun, seated on a camp stool, asked the man before him solemnly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.” Prostrate on the ground, Xubu Guduhou replied crisply. “The future of Bingbei will be decided solely by General Wei. I simply wished to hear it myself before I could be at ease.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What harm is there in that?” Gongsun Xun said dismissively. “Listen well… After your death, I will no longer pursue the crimes of your Xiutu tribes and the other Xiongnu tribes for this rebellion. I will still permit you to migrate to the Hetao commanderies west of the Huanggan River next spring. But you should still have tens of thousands of able-bodied men, so you must hold the Yin Mountain passes against the Xianbei on behalf of the Han.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I will re-establish the post of Colonel Protector of the Xiongnu, to be concurrently held by Yanmen’s Grand Administrator Han Zhuo, Lord Han… The Xiongnu Chanyu’s seat will remain vacant. In major matters, you are to carefully heed Lord Han’s instructions and decisions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After your death, the Xubu clan and the entire Xiutu tribes will adopt the surname Zhang. Xubu Juci — that is, Zhang Juci — will serve as clan head. Your family will also be placed in his care…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes… Yes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Also, for the more than ten thousand who were surrounded this time, and the other surrendered men — apart from Zhang Juci, who was the first to surrender, I will decimate the remaining rebellious nobles... meaning one out of every ten will be chosen and executed. The common herders will not be killed at all; they will be permitted to return with the entire army to Hexi for the winter.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Our gratitude, General Wei!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That is all, then. Do you have anything else to say?\" Gongsun Xun gripped his horsewhip, leaned forward slightly, and asked with earnest sincerity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There is one more matter.\" Xubu Guduhou, who had been pondering all night, lifted his head with difficulty and spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Speak.\" Gongsun Xun naturally would not make things difficult for the other man at a time like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So many warhorses died on the road this time... horse meat is sour and tough, not good to eat, and I imagine you generals do not care for it either. Yet our tribe will struggle to survive the winter back in Hexi. Could the General show mercy and allow a portion to be taken away by Xubu... by Zhang Juci, Chief Zhang?\" Unexpectedly, Xubu Guduhou made a suggestion that struck the surrounding Han officers and officials, high and low, as utterly absurd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Granted.\" Gongsun Xun paused for a moment, then immediately nodded. \"Is there anything else? Any customs to observe — do you wish your corpse to remain whole?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If I could die without shedding blood, that would indeed be best.\" Xubu Guduhou's voice could not help but tremble slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I understand.\" Gongsun Xun looked down the slope at Zhang Juci, who stood with hands bound, head lowered in silence. \"In a moment, you will see your clan brother off. Use a bowstring.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Juci immediately knelt and kowtowed in gratitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is there anything more?\" Gongsun Xun turned back to the bedraggled false Chanyu before him, still showing no sign of impatience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xubu Guduhou prostrated himself on the ground once more, his voice gradually choking with sobs: \"The General is so magnanimous — how could I possibly ask for anything more... Yet I, yet before I die, I truly wish I could eat one more bowl of noodles! Ever since the great chaos in Liangzhou, I haven't eaten noodles for years! Haven't even seen flour for years.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence fell around them once more, as if everyone had been struck dumb — utterly baffled by the request of this Xiongnu Chanyu who commanded a hundred thousand followers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No matter.\" Gongsun Xun was the first to recover, and remained as tolerant as ever. \"It is only a bowl of noodles. If we have any, naturally you shall have them. The only concern is that we came in haste, and I fear the army brought neither flour nor iron pots... in that case, we cannot make you wait. Shall I inquire?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xubu Guduhou knocked his head repeatedly against the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, moments later, the volunteer riders sent to ask all reported back: the army had pursued in such haste that, although some men had carried iron pots, no one had brought flour... there was truly no way to make noodles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun felt rather apologetic, and once more asked the man before him with earnest sincerity: \"How about I have someone boil you a bowl of meat stew?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How could meat stew compare to noodles?\" Xubu Guduhou raised his head, his face full of disappointment, but quickly forced himself to speak loudly. \"I appreciate General Wei's kindness, I... I also trust that General Wei's word is as good as his deed! Since there are no noodles, there is no need to make a fool of myself here any longer. I shall take my leave at once!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun nodded slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At once, Xubu Guduhou climbed to his feet on his own, straightened his appearance a little, and under the watch of two saber-wielding volunteer riders, walked down to meet Zhang Juci, who was to personally carry out the execution before the defeated Xiongnu ranks... he bore himself with the air of one who faced death as if returning home.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And his composure in going to his death caused many in the army who had earlier looked down on him because of the talk of \"horse meat\" and \"noodles\" to straighten their expressions with a measure of renewed respect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet he had walked no more than a few steps, and had not yet reached Zhang Juci's side at the foot of the slope, when he suddenly halted, then turned his head back — his face already streaming with tears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that was not all. This false Chanyu actually prostrated himself on the ground once more, kowtowing and howling repeatedly, begging for his life:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Grand General, I truly never meant to rebel! I was truly forced into this! I was pushed into being Chanyu! I truly do not want to die! I truly want to eat one more bowl of noodles! The late Inspector Zhang died amid the chaos of the army — I did not kill him! Dingxiang Commandery was already empty by the time I arrived! I beg the General, spare me!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At such a disgraceful display, whatever shred of respect the men of the central army had held for him moments before vanished entirely. Many openly showed contempt, shaking their heads in mockery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet General Wei, Gongsun Xun, heaved a long sigh, and then actually rose and walked forward in person, supporting the utterly disgraced man at the foot of the slope, and comforted him repeatedly: \"I know, I know. These words of the Chanyu — others may not believe them, but I do... I believe you were innocent, believe you were forced.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xubu Guduhou's face immediately lit up with hope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But now that matters have come to this, you did, after all, rebel. You did, after all, kill the Inspector of Bingzhou, Zhang Yi. You did, after all, seize the entire Dingxiang Commandery. Someone must come forward to bear this guilt... Chanyu, I say again: if you do not die, even more people will die in the future!\" Gongsun Xun sighed once more. \"I came to Bingzhou, and fought this battle — though it is killing, is it not also to ensure that in the future, no one else will be driven to such an innocent death as the Chanyu's?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bedraggled Xubu Guduhou stared at Gongsun Xun, speechless, and was then seized by the two volunteer riders and dragged away backwards from the spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Juci took a bow, lowered his head, and followed... Half a quarter-hour later, a clamor arose from the west, followed by the sounds of Yuwen Heita and Gao Shun advancing on two fronts to accept the surrender and take prisoners.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun listened for a long while, and only then let out a sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This man was doomed beyond doubt — why did the General need to manipulate hearts so?\" Hearing this sigh, Tian Yuanhao, who had always disliked Gongsun Xun's manner in such matters, could not restrain himself and was the first to speak out in criticism.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Does Yuanhao think I am a hypocrite?\" Standing at the foot of the slope, Gongsun Xun's expression remained as usual as he turned and asked in return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tian Feng glanced at the many military officers and civil officials around him, merely gave a scornful laugh, and did not reply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Whether you believe it or not, I genuinely felt that this man was, in many ways, innocent before, and I genuinely pitied him.\" Gongsun Xun fixed his gaze on Tian Feng on the slope, and this time showed no intention of letting the matter drop. \"Just as I am clear in my heart that this man first killed the Chanyu officially enfeoffed by the court, and then killed the Inspector of Bingzhou — his crimes are absolutely unpardonable! As innocent as he was before, that is how deserving of death he is now... And I name his crime, administer his punishment, pity his person, and lament the impermanence of it all. Brother Yuanhao, is there a problem with that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tian Feng remained silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is a chaotic age?\" Gongsun Xun turned and strode back up, his tone still sharp. \"Others may not know, but does a universally acknowledged wise man like you not understand? A so-called chaotic age is nothing more than this: those above lose their benevolence, those in the middle lose their law, and those below lose their virtue — causing the world to collapse, which in turn forces good men from their stations and kind men from their fundamental nature. This man, though a barbarian, was in the end nothing more than a Han-assimilated herder chief from Hexi. He showed his honest nature in many ways, was merely an ordinary man — it was only the circumstances that forced him to drift with the current, day by day, until he ended up in this plight... And in this world, most people are ordinary, honest folk!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tian Feng seemed about to speak, then stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know what you wish to say.\" Gongsun Xun came before him and spoke somberly. \"But Brother Yuanhao, what I do not understand is this: what contradiction is there between my desire to swallow the land of Jin to strengthen myself, and my lament for the hardships of the common people? Even in your coming to join me this time — it is true that after ten years in Jizhou, observing the situation under Heaven, you know I am the foremost choice to pacify the realm. But can you claim you have no thought of using me to achieve your own personal merit and renown?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tian Feng looked at him, still not uttering a word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother Yuanhao, it is not that I resent you for being blunt and offending your superior. But in some matters, you have truly misunderstood me.\" Gongsun Xun sighed, then once more grasped the other man's hands and spoke with sincerity. \"The world is in chaos, and we have come together because of the aspirations in our hearts. Yet do you truly wish me to be a man with only profit in his heart and no thought of benevolence? I know that in this position, there are matters where I cannot act as I please — I can only do this or do that, with little room to maneuver. But in the course of action, to hold forgiveness in my heart — is that not a good thing? This campaign, as you said before, requires painstaking effort for every single commandery and state. Now, just Yanmen alone has been so arduous, taking two months to reach some resolution. What then of Taiyuan, Shangdang, Hedong, Henei, Luoyang, Chang'an? I will still need to rely heavily on your wisdom and strategy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tian Feng's face showed embarrassment; he could only withdraw his hands and offer a slight salute in return.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the generals before him, Gongsun Xun ultimately gave the man some face and let the matter drop. He then turned to Taishi Ci, who had likewise failed to achieve much merit this time due to missing the rendezvous: \"Ziyi!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your subordinate is here.\" Taishi Ci saluted and responded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A great man, born into this world, should wield a three-foot sword and achieve unparalleled merit... is that correct?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It is!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then a great man, born into this world, should take virtue as the foundation of his conduct — above, not failing in loyalty and filial piety; below, not failing in trust and righteousness... is that correct?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That is precisely how it should be!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If by failing in trust and righteousness, one could obtain a three-foot sword and stand in the Weiyang Palace, achieving merit for all under Heaven... would that be acceptable?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It would not!\" Taishi Ci answered with head held high.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And so it is said!\" Gongsun Xun sighed. \"This is why I am fond of people like you all — Ziyi, Yigong, Zilong, and Suqing across the way... people like you can achieve merit for the realm without losing your virtue. Whereas for me, it is far more arduous!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With these words, he continued up the slope, preparing to head to the camp pitched on the high tableland above. Beside him, Han Dang and Zhao Yun also hurriedly bowed their heads in thanks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The General praises me too highly.\" Yet at that moment, Taishi Ci still stood behind him, head held high. \"That I can pride myself on not failing in trust and righteousness while achieving merit is because I strengthen myself without cease. With a bow in hand, I fear nothing under Heaven. But this Chanyu who died today — it was because he lacked the ability and drifted with the current that he lost his fundamental nature, and so fell to become a criminal. Now, the General commands the heroes of the realm, the tiger-like warriors of You and Bing. If you can strengthen yourself and forge ahead for the sake of all under Heaven, who could force the General to lose his virtue? If the General is supremely strong, then naturally you need not lose your virtue!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun turned his head back, studied the young Taishi Ci with keen interest, then threw his head back and laughed heartily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And when his laughter ended, he continued turning and walking up the slope, yet as he walked, he pointed with his hand: \"Ziyi bears great ambition in his heart and strengthens himself — in the future, he will surely become a man of great accomplishment!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the eleventh month of the sixth year of Zhongping of Han, General Wei Gongsun Xun forced the surrender of ten thousand Xiongnu, executed their false Chanyu Xubu Guduhou, and pacified Yanmen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>——————I am the dividing line of surely becoming a man of great accomplishment——————\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ci, serving as a Major under the Right General Zhao Bao's command, led a thousand cavalry in accompanying the Grand Ancestor on the campaign against Dong. They marched to Yanmen in Bingzhou and fought the Xiongnu. On the road, they encountered Xiongnu border troops; though they forced their surrender, they missed the rendezvous and were judged to have achieved no merit. The troops all lamented, but Ci alone stood proud and composed. The Grand Ancestor found this remarkable and questioned him. Ci replied: 'A great man, born into this world, should wield a three-foot sword and achieve unparalleled merit. To miss the rendezvous in one battle — why should that cause one to lose composure? One should all the more strengthen oneself!' At that time, the Grand Ancestor, finding the campaign arduous — two months for a single commandery, Luoyang beyond hope, and Yuan Shao's alliance at Suanzao with a combined force of several hundred thousand, its power vast and difficult to overcome — was rather despondent. Upon hearing these words and understanding their meaning, he rose from his seat to express his thanks, and thereafter held the man in high regard.\" — New Book of Yan, Volume 60, Biographies, Chapter 10\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Continuing to wish everyone a happy new year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The new group is 931557287; those interested may join.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",5554,"2026-06-04T19:42:26.060Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","06736e5b6275662636af41755771de0410285345fd385df37368f0aee7575b30","overthrowing-han-chapter-342","overthrowing-han-chapter-340",548,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Foverthrowing-han-cover.jpg"]