[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-overthrowing-han":3,"chapter-overthrowing-han-overthrowing-han-chapter-366":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},1223125,1620,"Chapter 366: Driven Away, No Different from Dogs and Chickens (Two-in-One)","overthrowing-han-chapter-366",366,"\u003Cp>From west to east, Chang’an, Tongguan, Hongnong, Hangu Pass, Luoyang, Hulao Pass… this is a straight line, and the most important straight line in the history of Chinese civilization and military affairs. In fact, because of the absolute sensitivity of the three passes and two cities along this line, any stir of wind or grass will trigger a chain reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, when Gongsun Xun led his troops across the Yellow River from Hedong into Hongnong, although he had yet to fight a single battle, he immediately stirred absolute turmoil along this line. And when he turned eastward and, with a small display of his skill, captured the commandery seat of Hongnong Commandery, Hongnong City, it immediately set off a full-scale chain reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dong Zhuo in Chang’an ordered his younger brother Dong Min to leave Chang’an and garrison Huayin behind Tongguan, a place from which he could easily support the front at Tongguan and Pujin to the north. Meanwhile, Jia Xu, Lu Bu, as well as Niu Fu and Li Ru, all facing the pressure from Gongsun Xun, adopted the most conservative military strategies — one shut his pass and refused to come out, another entrenched his troops for self-preservation. At the same time, the forces around Luoyang east of Hangu Pass also immediately contracted their defenses, clustering protectively around Luoyang… There were even rumors that Dong Zhuo did not hesitate to send orders via a detour through Wuguan and Nanyang, instructing part of the Luoyang forces to return and reinforce Hangu Pass, to ensure that Gongsun Xun would be locked within the borders of Hongnong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, this is precisely why Dong Zhuo is so difficult to fight. Although his forces number less than a hundred thousand and are garrisoned separately — which at first sounds similar to the Bobo Bandits or the Xiongnu rebels — the latter two are merely “bandits,” whereas Dong Zhuo and his subordinates form a complete military group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From a military perspective, as long as the command structure of Dong Zhuo — Niu Fu exists, they are a single entity, a military system attached to the political core that is Dong Zhuo, a formal army that is dynamic, capable of replenishment and continuity, and willing to follow orders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To hope to disintegrate such a force through one or two military victories, as one might with the Bobo Bandits or the Xiongnu, is far too difficult… As the old saying goes, to shake Dong Zhuo’s grand position, one must attack Guanzhong itself!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the same logic, the same holds true for Gongsun Xun’s forces. If the Hebei side does not fight its way to Changping, his political power there cannot truly collapse, and killing Gongsun Xun himself is meaningless if this expeditionary force here is not destroyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The same even applies to Yuan Shao — if you do not kill Yuan Shao, then with his political prestige, he can rise again anywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this is the terrifying nature of so-called political authority. These three men, and perhaps half of Yuan Shu, are on a different level from everyone else in the realm. What Ju Shou said to Yuan Shao that day was truly incisive to the extreme — one must use this first-mover advantage to rapidly establish a complete military-political system and a military-political bloc. Once a tightly-knit, thriving military-political bloc is formed, one can stand tall and strike back against anyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And to establish such a bloc, Ju Shou also gave a clear answer — Yuan Shao himself, the talents united around Yuan Shao, an army that obeys orders, a sufficiently large territory, and enough prestige to win the hearts of the people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The principles of the world are all interconnected; the phrasing may differ, but the essence is the same. Just as those people eighteen hundred years later would say: leader, cadres, army, finances, diplomacy… aren’t they all the same thing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What is called territory is nothing more than population and economy, which means military reserve strength and finances. As for diplomacy, in these late Han years there is naturally no need for diplomacy to ensure stability, but they do need prestige and righteous cause to steady people’s hearts. And on this point, Gongsun Xun is striving hard to obtain it, while Yuan Benchu was born with it, and after his uncle and brother’s entire families died, it has already reached its peak!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The General of the Guard has gone to Hongnong, as if walking into a trap of his own accord. This is a heaven-sent opportunity, so why does My Lord still hesitate?” Guo Tu stood in a large residence in Chenggao City, earnestly advising his lord, Yuan Shao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Yuan Shao, dressed entirely in plain white mourning clothes with a mourning band on his head, he stood atop a pavilion in the courtyard with open windows on all sides, gazing absently at the sunset glow in the west. Hearing Guo Tu’s further urging, he slowly shook his head: “It is not hesitation, but a thousand threads and ten thousand strands — I do not know where to begin…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guo Tu had intended to speak further, but seeing Yuan Shao slightly press his forehead and turn his head away, he understood that the other was unwilling to discuss it further. And he himself dared not defy this “My Lord,” so he helplessly took his leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he walked out of the courtyard, he ran straight into Xu You, Xu Ziyuan, who was striding in proudly with something like a letter in hand. The two exchanged a glance, but could not be bothered to put on pretenses with each other… One did not mention at all that Yuan Shao was currently unwilling to listen to advice, and the other did not say what he had come for.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, earlier, Xin Ping and Guo Tu had deliberately chosen a moment when Feng Ji was present to corner Ju Shou, so that Xu You, one of Yuan Shao’s most trusted chief strategists, had no chance to participate. Xu Ziyuan had simply torn off all pretense with these figures from Yingchuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so, each sneering inwardly at the other, as one exited and the other entered, Guo Tu went off into the city to chat with his relatives and old friends, while Xu You, as if entering his own home, went straight into the rear courtyard pavilion and met Yuan Shao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing yet another person enter, Yuan Benchu felt his vague headache intensify a few more degrees. He was about to dismiss the man when, unexpectedly, the visitor ascended the pavilion, solemnly performed a grand ceremonial bow to Yuan Shao, then with utmost respect presented a document, verbally confessing his guilt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is the meaning of this, Ziyuan?” Yuan Shao took the letter, still bewildered. “Why such a grand ceremony?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In reply to the General of Chariots and Cavalry,” Xu You raised his head and answered with a serious expression. “I have the intention of going to seek refuge with my old acquaintance, the General of the Guard, Gongsun Wenqi. However, having been under your care, General Yuan, for many years, I could not leave without bidding farewell. Moreover, the journey is long and my family is large; I also hope to borrow some money to send my family to Changping…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though Yuan Shao had long been prepared for the other to pull some kind of stunt, he could not help but be dumbfounded at this moment. He stood stunned for a long while, then hurriedly tore open the letter — and it was indeed a sincerely worded farewell letter, along with a signed blank IOU!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given the situation, although Yuan Shao understood deep down that the other had come to discuss recent events, he still felt some unease in his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thereupon, he could only put down the letter, step forward, grasp Xu You’s arm, and respond earnestly: “Ziyuan, you and I have been friends for over ten years. Is there anything you cannot say directly, that you must resort to such methods?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Does General Yuan think I am joking?” Xu You shook off the other’s arm and answered seriously, causing Yuan Shao’s face to change in alarm. “Do you think I truly would not leave? Let me tell you plainly, General Yuan, if after today you still waver and hesitate, I will truly leave… It is not that I wish to betray you, but I have elders and children at home. If it were a matter of personal friendship, I myself could certainly sit and await death with you, but after I die, who will care for my family?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How am I sitting and awaiting death?” Yuan Shao was also utterly exasperated. “Ziyuan, if others do not know my difficulties, do you not know them?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What difficulties does the General of Chariots and Cavalry have?” Xu You asked curiously. “Are they greater than what Gongsun Wenqi faced before the Tanhan Mountain?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan Benchu was immediately speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Benchu, ah, Benchu,” Xu You grew increasingly emotional, then suddenly his expression changed and he sternly rebuked him. “Right now, you simply have not figured out what you need to do… That is why you look ahead and behind, hesitating left and right! Do you think your current situation is better than Gongsun Wenqi’s at Tanhan Mountain? Let me tell you, you are exactly the same as he was at his most difficult moment. If you cannot rise up bravely and push forward with all your might, then only a dead end awaits you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How could it come to that?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How could it come to that?” Xu You, panting heavily, turned to the west side of the pavilion, pointed at the banners and warhorses filling the city, and shouted his rebuke. “What do you think this is? Is this you cultivating your reputation in Luoyang or Runan, where you have vast amounts of time to squander, where you can put on airs and wallow in sentimentality, and still have a crowd of people coaxing and flattering you?! Look for yourself — this is war! This is contending for the realm! Victory means unimaginable nobility; defeat means dry bones in a grave… After the defeat at Wushe Ford, have you still not awakened? In the current situation, either you die or I perish! Yet here you are, indecisive and irresolute, squandering a golden opportunity! And you still ask me how it could come to this?! It is the most ludicrous thing under heaven!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This torrent of fierce words left Yuan Shao’s face shifting between blue and red. He stood dumbly for a long while, then suddenly tore the mourning cloth from his head, threw it aside, and stepped forward again to grasp Xu You’s arm: “Ziyuan, of course I know a decision must be made, but the current situation is truly difficult…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What is so difficult?” Xu You sneered. “You claim difficulty yet speak so evasively — do you really think we do not understand your laughable thoughts? If my guess is not wrong, what worries you is, first, if you go to Hebei to take the four commanderies of Jizhou, you will inevitably be the first to clash with Gongsun Wenqi, and with his strong soldiers and sturdy horses, hailed as a famed general of the realm, your heart is filled with fear… Is that correct?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan Shao grew even more ashamed, but was speechless to refute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As for going to the Central Plains, it is simply that many of the lords there are your followers, all renowned Faction scholars and old friends from eminent families… It is not that you cannot act, nor that you are unwilling to act, but that Gongsun Xun has just willingly leaped into the perilous terrain of Hongnong, while Liu Bei, Cao Cao, and others are daily seeking battle, tirelessly striving to restore the state. So you fear that acting now would invite ridicule, and thus your heart is uneasy — is that correct?” Xu You sneered even more coldly. “The former can be called fierce in appearance but timid at heart; the latter can be called trading on reputation to fish for fame. Add them together, and you must also add ‘full of schemes but lacking decisiveness’! Benchu, I just want to ask you, given your hesitation these past days, would it not be justified if I left you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan Shao was so ashamed that even the roots of his ears turned red, yet he only gripped Xu You’s arm and refused to let go: “I know Ziyuan will not abandon me. Please, Ziyuan, teach me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Benchu, ah,” Xu You also lowered his head and sighed. “As you said, we are old friends of many years. Although there has never been a formal name of lord and retainer, there has always been the reality of it… Today, I will be completely open with you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please grant me your instruction, Ziyuan.” Yuan Shao released his hand and returned Xu You’s bow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let us first speak of the four commanderies of Jizhou,” Xu You did not move to help Yuan Shao up, but turned his back to the east atop the pavilion and spoke. “Benchu fears fighting Gongsun Wenqi — how could I not fear it too? What if we are utterly routed at the first encounter, trampled into meat paste by the White Horse Volunteers? But what use is fear? Benchu, let me ask you: if you wish to emulate the First Emperor of Qin or the Han Founder in sweeping clean the four seas and ruling all under heaven, who is your greatest enemy?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Naturally, Gongsun Xun,” Yuan Shao answered without hesitation. “Although Dong Zhuo is violent and cruel, his cruelty is excessive, his origins are too low, and he does not win the hearts of the people, not to mention his advanced age. As for my younger brother Yuan Shu, it is not that I look down on him, but I need not even be wary of him as I would be of Liu Yan or Liu Biao. He may flaunt his might before others for a time, but before me he is not worth mentioning. Only Gongsun Xun — today I will not hide it from Ziyuan: as early as the banquet at Mengjin several years ago, I had already determined that he was the sole enemy to my great undertaking, and not merely the master of the northern lands as I had previously thought!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then is that not settled?” Xu You turned back impatiently, spreading his hands in a rhetorical question. “Since Gongsun Xun is your greatest enemy, how can you cede the territory of Hebei to him? If Gongsun Xun strikes Guanzhong and then returns to swallow Hebei, will you still have any hope of victory? Such things — if you do not contend for them, you are simply handing resources to your enemy. By the same logic, why does Gongsun Xun contend for the Son of Heaven? Because if he does not contend, someone will use the Son of Heaven against him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan Shao felt as if he had been rudely awakened: “I understand now. Precisely because the four commanderies of Jizhou border Gongsun Xun, they must be taken! Precisely because Gongsun Xun is the strongest, I must oppose him from the very start… If I avoid him for a time today, then in the future there will be no further chance of victory!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That is exactly the meaning!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“However…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know what you are worried about,” Xu You continued solemnly. “Do you feel that Gongsun Wenqi now occupies a strategically advantageous position, looking down from on high, and that even if the other four commanderies are easily taken, he will use the advantage of the You and Bing province shock cavalry to simply charge us down?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I do have such a worry,” Yuan Shao also grew increasingly serious. “I even vaguely suspect this is a trap, that Gongsun Xun deliberately left the four commanderies as a weak point to lure me, so that he can finish me off in Hebei. But what you just said, Ziyuan, is also correct — the four commanderies of Hebei absolutely cannot be ceded… What is to be done?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then do not only take the four commanderies of Jizhou!” Xu You said earnestly. “Benchu, although Qingzhou has only six commanderies, they are all rich and populous lands. The State of Pingyuan has a million people, Beihai has eight hundred thousand, and the rest — Jinan, Le’an, the State of Qi, Donglai — each have four to five hundred thousand. Together that is nearly four million people. Moreover, Qingzhou’s iron offices and crossbow bolts have always been famous. Yet as it happens, Qingzhou is currently without a master — is this not a heaven-sent opportunity? Gongsun Wenqi could take Bingzhou as his support; can you not take Qingzhou as your rear base?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan Shao nodded slightly: “In other words, Gongsun Xun relies on You and Bing provinces, I rely on Qingzhou, and then the two sides contend for supremacy in Jizhou?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Still not enough,” Xu You stepped forward, pressing close to the white-clad Yuan Shao and continuing. “There is also Yanzhou. When I tell you to go to Jizhou and face Gongsun Xun directly, I am not telling you to abandon the Central Plains. Yanzhou is right behind you now, and all the various lords of Yanzhou are currently under your command — this is a heaven-sent opportunity, how can you not take it? Even when you came here from Henei earlier, do not say you had no designs on the lords of this place. In my view, it should be Gongsun Wenqi with the fierce warriors of You and Bing, and you, Benchu, with the wealth and population of Qing and Yan, then both of you personally come to Jizhou to decide the victor in a single battle!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But…” Hearing this, Yuan Shao instead grew more doubtful. “If our appetite is too large, might we end up accomplishing nothing? Will Gongsun Xun’s expedition to Guanzhong truly leave me that much time? What if his assault on the passes fails and he turns back? Moreover, Qingzhou, Yanzhou, and Jizhou all have major troubles — Jizhou lies between Gongsun Zan and Han Fu; Yanzhou among its various lords; Qingzhou with the million Yellow Turbans around Mount Tai… Of the four million people in Qingzhou you just mentioned, I fear one million have become Yellow Turbans.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When he returns, I do not know,” Xu You sneered. “Nor can I control it. But for the matters of Qing and Yan, I have an absolutely brilliant plan right now…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ziyuan, teach me!” Yuan Shao quickly cupped his hands again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How about a strategy of driving the tiger to swallow the wolf, combined with linked stratagems?” Xu You continued to stroke his beard and sneer. “Does Gongsun Zan not seek to be Grand Administrator of Bohai? Give him that seal and cord — Bohai has long been his anyway… Then invite him to join us in attacking Qingzhou! And as for the Qingzhou Yellow Turbans around Mount Tai, why not send Imperial Inspector Liu of Yan, Chancellor Bao, and Grand Administrator Qiao to suppress them? The territories of those three are right next to where the Yellow Turban bandits are. When the time comes, we will seize the opportunity to swallow up the three of them, then break the Yellow Turbans, and then tell the scholars and local officials of Qingzhou that we have come to defend them against Gongsun Zan… Benchu, you fear Gongsun Wenqi, but do you also fear the Yellow Turban bandits and Gongsun Bogui?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan Shao understood almost instantly and was overjoyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then Zhang Miao, Zhang Chao…” Yuan Shao was about to speak joyfully when he suddenly recalled those two men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When it is time to act, act…” Xu You’s expression suddenly changed, but he only spoke two half-finished sentences. “As for Liu Dai, Bao Xin, and Qiao Mao, if these three know what is good for them, that would naturally be even better…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan Shao slowly nodded, then asked another question: “But if so, Hebei and Henan are separated by the Great River… I will inevitably be locked in bitter battle with Gongsun Xun in Hebei — who will hold the rear for me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have thought carefully about this matter over the past few days as well,” Xu You sighed. “Gongsun Xun still has Gongsun Yue and Gongsun Fan he can rely on. But for you, Benchu, Yuan Gonglu is instead a rival, and you truly have no one who can command a front.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What about Meng De?” Yuan Shao suddenly spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Meng De is excellent,\" Xu You said with a slight frown. \"Only, too excellent... and these past few days I've seen clearly — he seems to truly want to attack Dong Zhuo and restore the state!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan Shao sighed. \"If we take the long view, we must slowly discover talents — or wait until my sons grow up.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But Cao Mengde can still be used,\" Xu You suddenly added. \"He can still be relied upon to stabilize the situation in Yanzhou.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you mean?\" Yuan Shao was momentarily bewildered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Isn't he from Yuzhou?\" Xu You stroked his beard and narrowed his eyes. \"And he is a talent whom you, Benchu, trust deeply. How about sending him to Yuzhou to serve as Inspector of Yuzhou?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan Shao felt the path before him suddenly open wide... this was an absolutely brilliant stratagem!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Cao Cao went to Yuzhou, with Cao Cao's ability and his family's local influence, he would swiftly gain a foothold in northern Yuzhou and then block Yuan Shu. And as long as Cao Cao and Yuan Shu were locked in a tug-of-war in Yuzhou, Yanzhou would naturally remain safe and sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan Shao let out a long breath, then, as he had done earlier with Ju Shou, he bowed deeply to this wise counselor who had long been at his side, performing a grand ceremonial salute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Xu You proudly accepted the gesture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ziyuan, ah, Ziyuan!\" Yuan Shao exclaimed with emotion after rising. \"A few days ago when I met Ju Gongyu, I felt that his coming to see me was Heaven aiding me; today I realize that you, too, are one sent by Heaven to aid me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu You gave a cold laugh and said while stroking his beard: \"Benchu, I'm about to douse you with a bucket of cold water... How can matters be resolved with just a few words from so-called wise counselors like us? Earlier, Ju Gongyu spoke so thoroughly — everyone thought you would seize the moment and act decisively. Who would have guessed that instead, a single river-crossing strike by Gongsun Xun would sow doubt in your mind, causing such long delay? Future affairs will be the same — who knows how much trouble awaits you!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan Shao smiled bitterly, yet forced himself to rally and face him with spirit. But this time, he pointed toward the Yellow River to the north, glowing in the sunset's afterglow, and sighed aloud: \"The road ahead is treacherous, noble ambitions hard to fulfill — everyone knows this truth. But Ziyuan, look at the waters of this great river, winding eastward for ten thousand li without cease. How many bends has it turned along the way? How many times has it changed its course? Yet it presses ever eastward, and in the end, does it not still merge into the great sea? If you men of talent and wisdom can aid me, if we unite our hearts and strength, then surely one day my noble ambitions will, like this great river, flow straight into the Eastern Sea.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu You laughed heartily, then suddenly shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you mean by that, Ziyuan?\" Yuan Shao looked slightly puzzled. \"Did I say something wrong?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Benchu said nothing wrong,\" Xu You stopped laughing and shook his head. \"In any case, those words were correct, and their force was extraordinary. But Benchu, what makes you think we should endure such hardship for your ambitions?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan Shao couldn't help but laugh too. \"True, I was taking things for granted again... If we can achieve great things, I will certainly share wealth and glory with you, Ziyuan, and with all the others. Only, right now we have no territory — I can't exactly write you a promissory note!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Setting aside IOUs and promissory notes, let's just talk about your 'sharing wealth and glory'... Benchu, forgive my bluntness, but even if we cannot achieve great things now, you must still share wealth and glory.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Indeed.\" Yuan Shao quickly composed his expression. \"I must share wealth and glory with all of you right now!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In that case, Benchu should understand why I haven't proposed any method for dealing with Han Fu,\" Xu You lowered his head and chuckled softly. \"The gentlemen from Yingchuan followed Han Fu's family to Yecheng to settle. They left their homes and moved in haste. Upon reaching Yecheng, they had virtually nothing — they couldn't even obtain any official posts there... Otherwise, Benchu, why do you think Xin Zhongzhi, Guo Gongze, and the others have been so desperate lately?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan Shao immediately laughed again. \"So, as long as I wish to take Jizhou, these fellow provincials of Han Fu will actually all become my allies? That said, a few official posts and some wealth and goods — just give those to them. Of course, Ziyuan's contributions are the greatest... for today's guidance, no matter what happens in the future, you and I shall share wealth and glory.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu You laughed even more. \"In truth, even Ju Shou and those local gentry clans and powerful families are your allies.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you mean by that?\" Yuan Shao was genuinely puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Because although they may not necessarily like you, Benchu, they dislike Gongsun Wenqi even more,\" Xu You raised his eyebrows. \"So after picking and choosing, they can only pick you. Otherwise, they would have long ago followed Tian Feng's example and gone over to him — why would they bother coming to diagnose your illness?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is it about Gongsun Xun that they dislike?\" Yuan Shao asked gravely. \"His background, or his martial style?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They dislike how harshly Gongsun Xun treated the gentry clans when governing in Hebei,\" Xu You said with a faint, ambiguous smile. \"Gongsun Xun governed Hebei for ten years. In every place under his rule, the gentry clans and powerful families were as docile as the chickens and dogs in one's yard. And once brought under his control, they often dared not entertain other thoughts and could only let themselves be driven by him... But when others nearby observed these things, they couldn't help but feel a chill in their hearts.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Since Gongsun Xun is strict with them, I shall be lenient,\" Yuan Shao suddenly declared. \"Where Gongsun Xun uses might, I shall use virtue; where Gongsun Xun uses martial force, I shall use civil governance... In this way, with my family status and reputation, why worry about not being able to gather the scholars of Qingzhou and Yanzhou, unite our strength in Jizhou, and press northward without hindrance!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu You was struck speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the two men were devising strategies on the tower to contend with Gongsun Xun for supremacy, suddenly someone came from below to report, bringing a jointly signed letter from Cao Mengde and Liu Xuande, who were encamped ten li west of Chenggao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It must be a request for battle,\" Xu You recovered his wits and immediately sneered. \"How did I not see before that Cao Mengde was so loyal and devoted? Truly, times of turmoil reveal the loyal minister.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You are mistaken,\" Yuan Shao glanced at the letter by the fading sunset light and shook his head directly. \"Cao Mengde and Liu Xuande simply could not bear it any longer and have already advanced toward Luoyang again... According to the letter, Cao Mengde received a secret message from an old acquaintance of former days. It said that because Gongsun Xun had captured Hongnong County, the seat of Hongnong Commandery, directly threatening Shanxian, Niu Fu urgently ordered the various divisions to pull back and reinforce. And that old acquaintance is willing to act as an insider and turn coat, opening Luoyang's gates to receive them... Calculating the time, he and Liu Bei should have already reached Gongxian by now. So, Ziyuan, do you think Dong Zhuo's army has truly withdrawn? And can this campaign succeed?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I don't know,\" Xu You shook his head slightly. \"Whether they withdraw or not doesn't matter. Whether it succeeds or not doesn't matter either. Luoyang has nothing now... just an empty city. If Cao and Liu wish to play the loyal ministers, let them. With these two men's intelligence, they will come to their senses one day.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then we...\" Yuan Shao tossed aside the letter and retied the mourning band around his forehead. \"Let us summon all the gentlemen together to discuss turning toward the Qingzhou Huang Jin matter, how about it? Or shall we first discuss how to lure Gongsun Zan south to Pingyuan?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fine,\" Xu You said indifferently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As darkness fell, just as Yuan Shao had surmised, Cao and Liu had already garrisoned themselves at Gongxian, west of Chenggao. And to their immense delight, there were indeed no defending troops here. Upon careful inquiry, they learned that several days earlier, Dong Zhuo's forces here had all suddenly withdrawn westward... This perfectly confirmed the insider's account.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Early the next morning, the two commanders left Lu Dai and the lame Jian Yong with over a thousand men to hold Gongxian. Then, still not daring to be negligent, they cautiously continued westward. And indeed, the city of Yanshi ahead was also completely devoid of Dong Zhuo's troops. Moreover, here they encountered a messenger from that old acquaintance, hidden within the city... The messenger told them that Luoyang, thirty li further ahead, was not an empty city — there were still three to five thousand troops garrisoned there. After all, it was Luoyang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, the messenger also guaranteed that as long as Cao Cao could advance his army to the east side of Luoyang within three days, arriving at night, and then enter through the Haomen Gate directly facing Tongtuo Avenue, his master had a way to open the gates and receive them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Cao and Liu Bei, amid their surprise and delight, could not help but question him cautiously... After all, the earlier collapse of the two Zhangs had been far too disastrous. And this time, had it not been for Yuan Shao's all-too-obvious intention not to advance on Luoyang, along with Gongsun Xun's sudden thrust into Hongnong, they would not have dared to come either... However, the results of their questioning only brought a sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Military affairs are perilous; it is only natural for the two generals to have misgivings,\" the man said in the government office hall, his face pale and barely managing to answer. \"I am but a lowly servant, unqualified to debate with you two. But my master had one message, and I hope the two generals will weigh it carefully.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Speak,\" Cao Cao, seated in the place of honor, said gravely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of Luoyang's scholars and commoners, not one in a hundred remains. Those few who remain have long suffered bitterly under Dong Zhuo. When General Cao abandoned Luoyang and fled, was it not so that one day you could return to the court and restore the altars of the state? I beg the General not to hesitate.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How could I not understand such words?\" Cao Mengde replied, somewhat abashed. \"During my tenure as Commandant of the Northern District of Luoyang, your master and I were colleagues. I drank wine more than once in your family's Wen Estate... The past is as vivid as if it were before my eyes. It is only that military affairs are perilous, and I must take precautions.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But has General Cao considered this?\" The man's face remained utterly bloodless. \"If the General harbors doubts, then the more you question, the deeper those doubts will grow. And I, a lowly man who understands nothing, am merely delivering a message. The more words I speak, the more even what is not a flaw becomes a flaw. What then?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This reasoning is not lost on me either,\" Cao Cao glanced at Liu Bei, who sat beside him with an unchanged expression, and could only steel himself to continue. \"And it truly is not that I distrust your master or you. It is just that I have nearly ten thousand soldiers here, and all their lives rest in my hands — how can I not be cautious?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then I have only one way to prove my sincerity... My master gave me instructions before I came!\" The man suddenly cupped his hands in salute right there in the hall. \"Please permit me to step back a few paces and reveal an object.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Cao naturally had no objection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The servant stepped back several paces, then drew a dagger from his bosom. Closing both eyes, before the stunned gazes of Cao, Liu, and all the commanders in the hall, he plunged it into his own throat — blood instantly spurting three feet!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The corpse collapsed to the ground. Blood from the neck wound continued to gush for a long while before gradually subsiding... the hall was already covered in blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I never thought to see a righteous man slain today!\" Someone in the hall stamped his foot and sighed — it was Wei Zi, the wealthy magnate who had funded Cao Cao's raising of troops. He was from Xiangyi in Chenliu and had been nominated as Filial and Incorrupt. \"Mengde, you are far too suspicious!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In chaotic times, men's hearts are hard to guard against!\" Cao Cao, overcome with shame, forced out a defense, but in the end, he was left speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, moments later, once Cao Mengde had recovered his senses, he doubted no more. On one hand, he ordered the man buried with full honors; on the other, he conferred with Liu Bei. The two decided: Xiahou Dun would lead a thousand men to hold Yanshi as a rear guard. Then Cao and Liu would combine forces, along with Yu Jin's division borrowed earlier from Bao Xin, totaling nine thousand men. That very day, they would march light and commit the entire army to attack Luoyang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was early summer, the Milky Way brilliant overhead. The entire army set out at dusk and marched through the night, utterly unaware of what had transpired at Chenggao, unaware of what Gongsun Xun was preparing in Hongnong — unaware of anything and everything around them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet one thing was exceptionally clear to the two men: the closer they drew to Luoyang, the more despondent Cao and Liu became... Both had lived in Luoyang for many years. The splendor of those days, the deathly silence of today — how could it not fill them with despondent sorrow? Especially Cao Cao. The servant's dying words made him recall his own wretched flight from Luoyang, and then he thought again of how, having organized a coalition army of a hundred thousand, they had still failed to stop Dong Zhuo from relocating the capital. Shame and indignation mingled within him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The journey was smooth — practically an unopposed advance. In the latter half of the night, they arrived outside the Haomen Gate on Luoyang's eastern side. Following the agreement, they raised torches and waved them as a signal. Sure enough, someone opened the city gates and came forward to greet them. Half-startled, half-delighted, Cao Cao and Liu Bei hurriedly led their troops forward, yet still put caution first, sending Yue Jin in first to seize control of the gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only when Yue Jin sent word that the gate was secured did Cao and Liu finally relax. They ordered Yu Jin to remain outside the city as a reserve, then personally led the troops inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Xuande!\" Once inside the city, Cao Cao suppressed the excitement in his heart and turned to speak. \"Though it is but an empty city, it is Luoyang after all. I never imagined that you and I would achieve such a great deed today!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Bei's expression remained unchanged, but he too was suppressing his inner excitement. Though he had some attachment to Luoyang, what he thought of more at this moment was that after retaking Luoyang, he would inevitably become renowned throughout the realm, venting thirty years of stifled frustration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"According to the plan,\" Cao Cao, seeing this, quickly reined in his superfluous words and pointed to the road hugging the city wall to the north. \"You go north from here, seizing the Zhongdong Gate and Shangdong Gate along the way, and link up with Commander Yu outside the city there. Then combine forces to take the Northern Palace. I will go with Old Wen and his men straight down Tongtuo Avenue to suppress the Southern Palace and the various government offices... Finally, we'll join forces again at the western side of the city and make sure to drive whatever remnants of Dong Zhuo's troops remain out of Luoyang!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Bei cupped his hands slightly, then took Zhang Fei and his two thousand men straight north along the city wall. Outside the city, Yu Jin's division, which had come as auxiliary forces, also followed orders and immediately marched north along the outside of the city wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Cao maintained his patience and vigilance. Only after watching all two thousand of Liu Bei's men enter the city did he turn back and order his own troops to move out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And as his four thousand men and that old acquaintance surnamed Wen combined forces and advanced, with Xiahou Yuan, Cao Hong, and others already dispersing to occupy and suppress the government offices... for some reason, just as Cao Mengde was about to spur his horse forward, he suddenly recalled again the servant's face before death, recalled his own wretched flight from Luoyang, recalled what he had done at Lu Boshe's home, recalled the hardships of raising troops... and then his nose stung, and he nearly shed tears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Old Wen, I owe you much this time,\" Cao Mengde said to that old acquaintance whose face looked somewhat pale under the torchlight, his thanks quite sincere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, before this old Luoyang friend surnamed Wen could react, Cao Cao suddenly turned back and gave an utterly baffling order: \"Wenqian, burn the city gate!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why burn the city gate?\" the short-statured Yue Jin asked in blank confusion. \"General Liu and Commander Yu have yet to seize those two gates. If anything goes wrong, this is our only way out! And burning the gate now is no different from openly telling the defenders inside the city that we have arrived.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Precisely to cut off our retreat!\" Cao Cao said harshly under the torchlight. \"Precisely to tell those Xiliang curs that this time, I will flee no more!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yue Wenqian was helpless, but since they had already entered the city and this battle was nine-tenths certain to be a great victory, he had nothing to say... In truth, Wei Zi and the others following behind Cao Cao were also silent... so they simply withdrew from the gate and set fire to the gate tower of Luoyang's Haomen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Immediately, Cao Cao personally drove the entire army forward, with the various units dispersing to seize the Three Excellencies' mansions and the Nine Ministers' offices, while Cao Cao himself, with over two thousand men, headed straight for the Southern Palace. When he reached the Southern Palace and saw that the walls which had collapsed and burned during the eunuch purge were still there, the ever-emotional General Fenwu nearly shed tears again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, before he could dwell on it, shouts of battle suddenly rose from all sides, disturbing Cao Mengde's melancholy... From the Northern Palace to the north, and among the Three Excellencies' mansions and the various government offices behind them, the sounds of combat suddenly intensified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, Cao Cao still paid it no mind, for he had, after all, set the fire earlier, and the sounds of battle now were probably the few thousand remaining Xiliang troops in the city rushing over after seeing the flames.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And according to what the inside contact Old Wen had said earlier, there should be only a mere three or four thousand men in all of Luoyang at this time, so with the combined strength of Cao and Liu, there should be no problem whatsoever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But just as he was about to call for his attendants and give the order to enter the Northern Palace, his heart suddenly jolted in alarm. It turned out that Old Wen, that old Luoyang acquaintance who had a servant willing to die to prove his resolve, had already vanished without a trace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"General! Mengde!\" Wei Zi beside him could not help but grow anxious at the sight. \"Enter the Northern Palace swiftly and sweep it clean!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Mengde opened his mouth to speak, but not a single word came out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And just as Wei Zi was about to speak again, in the deep night, amid the ever-louder shouts of battle in Luoyang, a volley of crossbow bolts shot out from behind the ruined walls of the Northern Palace, arcing over the wall and into Cao Cao's formation. Wei Zi, who had been bent over speaking on horseback, took a bolt directly in the back of the neck and died on the spot!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within the Southern Palace, torchlight flickered and battle cries rang out in waves. Cao Mengde finally understood that he was no cleverer than the two Zhangs! And when this General Fenwu heard the dense sound of hoofbeats coming from the other end of Bronze Camel Street and hastily reined his horse around, only to see the Luoyang Haomen that he himself had ordered set ablaze, he had no choice but to admit... he was not merely no cleverer than others — at times he was simply far too foolish!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>———————I am the innocent and artless dividing line—————\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In the first year of Chuping, Xun came from Hedong with light troops into Hongnong, and all under Heaven trembled. At the time, Shao was at Chenggao, and hearing this wished to implement a strategy of withdrawal. His attendants, with Luoyang before them, had many misgivings. Shao then said: 'Of all the heroes under Heaven today, there is only Gongsun and myself. The rest, though Dong Zhuo is for a time fierce and tyrannical, are either old and lacking in virtue, all unworthy of concern. Thus Xun with severity, I with lenience; Xun with martial force, I with civil governance; Xun with advance, I with retreat; in every way opposite to Xun, then affairs may be accomplished.' Thereupon he abandoned Cao and Liu before him, and withdrew to take Guandong and Hebei.\" — Records of Late Han Heroes, by Wang Can\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Thanks to book friend z Huan Ze, the forty-third Alliance Master... endless gratitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Incidentally, burning the city gate to show resolve is Cao Cao's own outrageous move, his own meme... I have great respect for Emperor Wu of Wei.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",7217,"2026-06-04T19:42:26.060Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","7c18058c719cd2e18cf2be7d8eb6042f6a6f7b18ba39e6adbaf696e4c00a1570","overthrowing-han-chapter-367","overthrowing-han-chapter-365",548,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Foverthrowing-han-cover.jpg"]