[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-overthrowing-han":3,"chapter-overthrowing-han-overthrowing-han-chapter-370":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},1223129,1620,"Chapter 370: A Saying Goes: A Treasured Blade Is Bestowed Upon a Hero","overthrowing-han-chapter-370",370,"\u003Cp>On a summer night thick with the smell of cookfire smoke, beneath a scattering of bright stars, the sorcerers and sorceresses walked trembling out of Niu Fu’s residence and returned to their own quarters, only then letting their hearts settle… yet they could not help but grumble one after another about that tortoise-shell-burning sorcerer who had broken the rules.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How can you speak like that?” an older diviner said indignantly. “Though the Grand General trusts us, a military camp is hardly a place for the likes of us to leap about!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s exactly what I mean.” A young and pretty sorceress also pressed forward to complain. “Before, we all agreed he faced danger in this battle — he was afraid himself, and we merely spoke it aloud for him, and anyway, words like that can always be smoothed over later. This time, killing some two-thousand-bushel official to make an example — that was also something he first said with his own mouth, and we simply went along with his intent. But even so, you still can’t specifically point to killing a particular two-thousand-bushel official, can you?” At this point, the sorceress could not help lowering her voice to grumble further. “Tell me yourself, is a two-thousand-bushel official someone you can kill so easily? Are you trying to get me killed?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly!” Another spirit medium stepped forward, gnashing his teeth. “Never mind whether we can actually kill him — just think, when that Li fellow comes to investigate, the Grand General will turn around and point at us, and every last one of us will have to pay with our lives!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you lot know!” The tortoise-shell-burning sorcerer could hold back no longer. “Did none of you stop to think — if we really summon the other generals here, who will be the first to arrive? I often drink and socialize with the army officers and have asked around clearly. Among all the nearby commanders, that bastard Dong Yue is the closest… If we could kill him, wouldn’t that be a good thing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the sudden mention of Dong Yue’s name, every spirit medium and sorceress froze… because they themselves knew perfectly well that if Dong Yue really did arrive, lowly wretches like themselves, unless they found a way to kill him first, would sooner or later be killed by him once he learned of what had happened before. The enmity between the two sides had festered for so long that there was no room for reconciliation — or rather, people of such base status as these diviners had no standing at all to “reconcile” with a General of the Household.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a sense, could this be considered self-preservation?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even so, you were still a bit too hasty.” The older diviner was silent for a long while before muttering something else. “But since things have already reached this point, let’s stop complaining. Dong Yue will come as soon as he’s summoned. Let no one begrudge their wealth or personal connections — go everywhere, work every channel, and make sure we eliminate this man!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each harboring their own thoughts, they shook their heads and dispersed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some were utterly exhausted and went off to rest; some forced themselves alert and set out through the night to find familiar officers and exert their influence; even the sorceresses each went to seek out their own lovers for protection… Amid this situation, the tortoise-shell-burning sorcerer, quite composed, shouldered a bundle of valuables and, taking advantage of the chaos caused earlier when the Youzhou army came to intimidate them, openly and boldly went out into the city to a certain location.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It must be said, Shanxian city had long since turned into a great military camp. Garrisoned south of the city was, strikingly, a thousand-bushel Major of a Separate Command, whose entire unit consisted of soldiers registered in Bingzhou, and whose commander was called Zhang Liao — a force that Dong Zhuo had conveniently absorbed while in Luoyang. And this sorcerer, carrying a bundle and winding through many twists and turns, came precisely to this place, seeking a meeting with Zhang Liao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Major Zhang,” the sorcerer said bluntly as soon as he entered, “I have done what you asked of me. Now let me out of the city…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In these chaotic times, carrying such a bundle on your back — aren’t you afraid of being robbed?” Zhang Liao, who had just come down from the city wall, was bare-chested in the courtyard rinsing off, his pale, sinewy muscles exposed. Seeing his personal guard leading the man in, he remained as relaxed as ever. “Why not hide among my troops, wait until this spell passes, and then I’ll send you back to your home village?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How could I dare go back to my village?” The sorcerer stamped his foot and gave a bitter laugh. “Major Zhang, don’t forget, I am originally from Henan. Back then, when Niu Fu was ordered to campaign in Hedong, he simply took me off the street and dragged me along — it was because of that that I came to know you, Major…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Indeed.” Zhang Liao tossed aside the wooden basin in his hands and sighed repeatedly. “Back in Hedong, Niu Fu looked at me with displeasure at every turn. It was only because I had met you in Luoyang that I’ve managed to scrape by until now… I know you’re not telling me everything, and that you refuse to hide here only because you fear I’ll swallow up your savings. But I truly do wish to protect you, out of regard for our acquaintance and the many times you’ve helped me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sorcerer gave an embarrassed laugh but said nothing more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So be it!” Zhang Liao, seeing this, could not be bothered to say more. “I won’t see you off, but it’s not convenient to open the city gates right now either. I’ll have someone find a basket and lower you down from the city wall… You’re heading to Nanyang, I take it? Travel safely.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Many thanks for your great kindness, Major.” The sorcerer, hearing these words, was overjoyed. Carrying his bundle, he retreated while bowing. “Not Nanyang — Xiangyang. I’ve heard that Liu Biao, once famed as one of the Eight Steeds, has gone there to govern. There is no chaos in that place; perhaps I can settle down and live in peace there.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With these words, the man had already hastily backed out of the courtyard, leaving Zhang Liao alone, bare-chested, gazing thoughtfully at the starlight overhead… until a figure emerged from the room behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wenyuan, aren’t you afraid of catching cold?” Though this person was dressed in ordinary clothes, as soon as he spoke after stepping out, his tone carried a hint of condescension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Elder brother.” Zhang Liao quickly turned around at the words. “Although my troops are all men of Yanmen I personally recruited, to guard against any mishap, you had best not show your face lightly — lest someone see through the disguise…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why must we be so cautious?” Zhang Liao’s elder brother Zhang Fan remarked with a sigh. “Having followed your army for three months, I’ve more or less seen the picture. Niu Fu is a Western Liang blockhead — just steer clear of him. And this Li Ru may seem formidable, but in truth, first, his reactions are slow, and second, he’s far too bookish… How could these two possibly be a match for our lord?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Liao, still bare-chested, promptly laughed. “To be honest, the moment you came straight from Taiyuan to find me three months ago, I knew Niu Fu was doomed — for espionage to reach such a stage is truly beyond reproach. Only, given the current situation, even if the General of the Guard can stir up some trouble in Shanxian, what of it? The stability of Guanzhong is firmly in place, and so are the heavy troops in Hongnong. Any victory won here would likely end in nothing more than a stalemate.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Fan frowned slightly. “That is not something you, Wenyuan, need to worry about.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing his own elder brother displeased, Zhang Liao dared not say more. He merely shook his head, then promptly dried himself off, put on his clothes, and went into the room to rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The night stretched deep and distant. After the Youzhou army rode to the foot of Shanxian city under cover of darkness to make a show of intimidation, they withdrew back to Shanmo and made camp using the former Guanxi army’s encampment. Soon, worn out by fatigue and the warm summer weather, they quickly fell asleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, as the army’s Regional Commander, Gongsun Xun was still discussing some matter with the only two senior officers in the army. Before long, the habitually taciturn Gao Shun was the first to take his leave, leaving only Xi Zhong sitting face to face with Gongsun Xun, unwilling to depart for a long while.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My lord, I should not lightly interfere in military affairs again, but given the current situation, there is something I must say or I will not rest easy.” Xi Zhong watched Gao Shun exit the tent, and only after a long while did he speak under the flickering candlelight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you worried that something will go wrong with Xu Rong and Zhang Liao? Or worried that twenty thousand troops will suddenly pour out of Tongguan behind us to strike our force? Or are you worried about the overall situation in Hebei?” Gongsun Xun, who had been reading some book, looked up, seemingly having anticipated this, showing little surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I…” Xi Zhong hesitated, but then answered with a serious expression. “To be honest with my lord, I am worried about all of them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There is nothing to worry about. At this stage, we can only do our best and leave the rest to fate.” Gongsun Xun was unconcerned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That may be so, but doing our best comes at a cost.” Xi Zhong disagreed. “Today, just that one Pingyuan camp cost us several hundred casualties…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yet we must always be true to others.” Gongsun Xun set down the book in his hands, abruptly rose, and began pacing in the tent with his hands clasped behind his back. “Take what is before us — if Xu Rong and Zhang Liao remain unmoved, I will bear no resentment whatsoever, because I understood this principle many years ago: in matters of the human heart, never assume you are the most special one. Therefore, if the plan fails, I will simply withdraw the army, leave Gao Shun in Hedong, and turn the entire force back to Hebei! But Zhicai, if they do not betray me, what then should I do?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xi Zhicai smiled bitterly and shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If they do not betray me, how can I betray them?” Gongsun Xun continued, hands behind his back, as if talking to himself. “If Xu and Zhang do not betray me, then we must fight this battle before us. When the time comes, regardless of victory or defeat, we must somehow take Shanxian and pull them and their troops out, mustn’t we? You say today’s casualties are lamentable, but if Xu and Zhang turn against us and I do not go to rescue them, how many more will die?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xi Zhong pressed his lips together and said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As for the twenty thousand troops massed behind Tongguan,” Gongsun Xun continued, “between the two of us, nothing cannot be said. In my heart, I still hold some expectation for Jia Wenhe. He is a truly clever man, and I keep feeling he has ways to help me keep an eye on Lu Bu and the forces behind Tongguan…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But what if?” Xi Zhong still could not help shaking his head again. “What if Jia Wenhe cannot be trusted after all? What if he cannot hold back those twenty thousand troops behind us?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then there’s nothing to be done.” Gongsun Xun stopped in his tracks. “It will be the same outcome as before… flee back, return to Hebei to deal with Yuan Shao. I never said I’d hang myself on one tree.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I also know that my lord has made arrangements in Hebei and is not worried that Yuan Benchu can suddenly crush us.” Xi Zhong continued to sigh. “In fact, if I am not mistaken, as long as my lord does not suffer defeat for a single day, or as long as my lord does not enter Guanzhong for a single day, he probably won’t dare to start an open war with swords drawn, and will only nibble at territory around us… But I will say it again: the Hongnong matter can still be worked with, yet the greater situation in Guanzhong may not hinge on Hongnong, nor on Jia Wenhe.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Have you grown muddled?” Gongsun Xun suddenly laughed. “You speak as if I’ve placed all my thoughts solely on Jia Wenhe. If that were the case, judging by what I know of the man, he would instead be disappointed in me, wouldn’t he?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xi Zhicai also suddenly caught on and promptly fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At Tongguan, amid the sound of the Yellow River’s waters and the chirping of insects in the mountain valleys, Jia Wenhe — whom Gongsun Xun valued yet did not truly rely upon — was also gazing at the dim night and sighing, for he had just learned a piece of momentous news: Dong Min, the commander of the fifteen thousand troops massed at Huayin behind them, had suddenly taken only a few thousand cavalry and hurried back to Chang’an overnight. This saved him a great deal of worry, yet also left him somewhat dazed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It must be said, Dong Min’s return to Chang’an was not due to anyone’s scheme, nor was it because he disregarded the larger picture. On the contrary, he went back because trouble had arisen behind him and he had no choice — someone in Chang’an had attempted to assassinate Dong Zhuo, and now someone needed to lead troops back to stabilize the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Truly a pot of bubbling chaos.” Just as Jia Xu stood atop the Tongguan gate tower gazing distantly into the night sky, at some unknown moment, the commander of Tongguan, Lu Bu, fully armored, suddenly appeared there and strode boldly toward Jia Wenhe. “Jia Jun, why do you suppose those people suddenly tried to assassinate the Chancellor?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not Chancellor — Grand Preceptor now.” Jia Xu’s expression did not change. “The decree appointing him Grand Preceptor has already been issued, and the Chancellor has accepted it. It is said that these people planned to strike precisely when the Chancellor was receiving the Grand Preceptor appointment, only someone among those they recruited left and went straight to inform on them, which is how it was discovered… As for why — is it not because the General of the Guard is hovering just beyond the pass?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s set that aside for now,” Lu Bu said, drawing near with a slightly cautious air. “Jia Jun, you are a man of Liangzhou and well-connected in Chang’an. Do you know exactly what the story is this time? I’ve heard it involves Excellency Xun the Minister of Works?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes.” Jia Xu offered no concealment whatsoever. “It was done by those people of the Xun clan… Their plan was to take advantage of the army being away to suddenly kill the Grand Preceptor, throwing the front lines into chaos. Then, using court decrees, they would order us, along with Zhang Ji’s forces, to turn our coats and welcome the General of the Guard. Without the Grand Preceptor behind us, we would have no path but to turn to the General of the Guard and the court.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How vicious!” Lu Bu shook his head repeatedly. “In ordinary times, how open and cheerful a man Excellency Xun was! And the Grand Preceptor promoted him time and again, raising him from a commoner to Minister of Works in a matter of months — how could he not know gratitude? Truly a petty man who betrays his master!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Marquis Wen, do not curse him.” Jia Xu sighed once more. “From what I know, when Excellency Xun learned the plot had failed, he immediately took his own life… He was an old acquaintance the Grand Preceptor knew as a youth in Yingchuan. This time, having paid with his life, the Grand Preceptor may, out of regard for old ties, conceal this matter. Even the other participants might well keep their lives.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Bu nodded in sudden understanding, then rested his hand on his saber and joined Jia Xu in staring blankly at the night sky to the east.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If Marquis Wen has something to say, please speak frankly.” Jia Wenhe merely glanced at him and could more or less see what was on his mind. “There is no need to waste time keeping an old man like me company.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I was thinking,” Lu Bu said with a derisive laugh upon hearing this, “it is still a pity this time. If such a thing had not happened behind us, and the General of the Left led his forces out of the pass to strike straight at Huxian, then the General of the Guard would have no choice but to cross the river in haste, would he?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“In this world, where is there any ‘if’?” Jia Xu said expressionlessly, with a sigh. “All things arise from the unexpected, and all things have their causes and effects. What has happened has happened… Again, if Marquis Wen has something to say, please speak plainly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What I mean is,” Lu Bu finally revealed his true intent, “since Huayin behind us has heavy troops guarding it, we need not consider the matter of defending the pass. You and I might as well act first and report later — tomorrow, we empty the pass, lead just five thousand troops east, and claim this great achievement for ourselves!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jia Xu finally turned his head and gave Lu Bu a serious look, but for a moment did not speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Did I say something wrong?” Lu Bu grew uneasy under the stare and became even more anxious. “Jia Jun, you are an elder and a wise man. Ever since that battle at Xiaopingjin, I have always held you in the highest respect. If there is anything amiss, you must instruct me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“First,” Jia Xu turned back and continued gazing at the eastern night sky with a sigh, “the General of the Guard’s troops are no ordinary force. With only five thousand men, you may not be able to break Huxian in haste and claim great merit. Second, the matter of Excellency Xun will not end so simply… You are, after all, a man of Bingzhou, not one of the Chancellor’s old Guanzhong followers. To move troops without authorization would inevitably make the Chancellor and the General of the Left suspect you are hard to control. And if you were to fail, they would suspect your motives all the more.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Bu was jolted with alarm and quickly cupped his hands. “Many thanks for Jia Jun’s warning — otherwise I would nearly have committed a grave error.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Marquis Wen, no need for such courtesy. You and I are grasshoppers tied to the same rope.” Jia Wenhe was unconcerned. “Take off your armor and go back to rest. I wish to watch the stars a while longer…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Bu, relieved, took his leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet after walking no more than a few paces, Lu Fengxian suddenly turned his head back and asked curiously, \"Is Sir Jia observing the star signs?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Naturally.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have heard that great figures all correspond to the stars above. Can one then discern from the star signs the great trends of the realm, and the fortunes of men like the Grand Preceptor and the General of the Guards?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I too have long heard such words, but I myself do not possess this skill. It is merely the summer heat, and the city wall is cool — I was just looking around casually.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So that is how it is.\" Lu Bu shook his head in disappointment. \"In truth, I meant nothing by it, I was merely curious. As for fortunes — this time when Minister of Works Xun attempted to assassinate the Grand Preceptor and failed, in the end, does it benefit the Grand Preceptor, or does it benefit the General of the Guards?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, he descended the tower, and by the final words, his voice was already coming from below... Left alone, Jia Xu was momentarily dazed, and for once, amid the chirping of insects and the sound of the Yellow River, a look of bewilderment showed on his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The situation was deadlocked, the whole of Hongnong was in chaos, and those caught within it naturally harbored all manner of differing thoughts. But only two things — time and the Yellow River — flowed ever eastward, never pausing for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day, the weather in late April suddenly turned swelteringly hot. Under these circumstances, Niu Fu formally issued a summons, in the name of the eastern commander bearing the tally and staff, to Dong Yue at Mianchi, Li Meng at Xin'an, and Hu Zhen at Hangu Pass, ordering the three generals to leave behind only a small garrison force and bring their entire armies to converge on Shan County — that is, to draw close to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The military order was without issue. Upon receiving the express message, the three generals all replied with compliance, then mustered their troops and marched for Shan County. The first to arrive was, conspicuously, Dong Yue's division from Mianchi... After all, first, Mianchi was closest to Shan County; second, although Dong Yue had a violent temper, he had only recently been promoted and still took military orders very seriously, unlike the other generals who had long commanded troops independently and had become virtual warlords, daring to snap back at anyone except Dong Zhuo alone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, after receiving the military order that very day, he did not hesitate at all, immediately struck camp, and by nightfall had already reached the city walls.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, although this General of the Household Dong was without fault in matters of principle, he was, after all, long accustomed to throwing his weight around — otherwise he would not have so readily flogged those shamans and sorceresses whom Niu Fu held in high regard. So once he arrived at the city walls, he immediately began shouting curses, demanding that the gates be opened for him to enter!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The soldiers on the city wall dared not delay and immediately went to report to Niu Fu, who held the reins of power in the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And when General of the Household Niu was roused, he was, surprisingly, not angry. Instead, he shooed away his concubine and, sitting right there on the couch, once again summoned his brain trust of shamans and diviners to assess the omens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shamans and sorceresses, their expressions panicked, ultimately arrived at a very unanimous conclusion — the one who had come was of great ill omen!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why merely 'great ill omen'?\" Niu Fu frowned slightly. \"Didn't that tortoise-shell burner yesterday say outright that he would kill the first two-thousand-bushel official to enter the city? Where is he?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In reply to the Grand General,\" an elderly diviner knelt, trembling as he spoke, \"perhaps the secrets of Heaven cannot be lightly divulged. That Wang Zhong of Luoyang, after calculating that matter for the Grand General last night, has been burning with fever for an entire day without respite — clearly he has suffered divine punishment.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Niu Fu suddenly understood, yet waved them away. After these people fled the place in panic, this General of the Household bearing the tally donned his armor, summoned his personal guard commander Hu Chi'er and gave him a few instructions, then directly mustered the officers of the army, large and small, and headed for the east gate bearing the tally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Half a shichen later, the east gate of Shan County swung wide open. Dong Yue, weary from waiting, dismounted at the sight of the opening, then strode forward cursing into the gate tunnel. By the torchlight, he did not forget to lash out with his whip at the soldiers who had opened the gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the moment this General of the Household lashed out with his whip, at a single command from Niu Fu, his personal guard commander Hu Chi'er led several dozen armored soldiers who surged forward and pinned the man down right there in the gate tunnel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dong Yue was greatly alarmed and was about to speak, but he never expected that Hu Chi'er had not only received Niu Fu's military order, but had also been plied with all manner of bribes from those sorceresses and shamans. So the latter drew his blade almost instantly and, with one stroke, beheaded this two-thousand-bushel General of the Household who was pinned to the ground!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this man dead, Niu Fu almost instantly felt his body lighten considerably, as if calamity had truly been dispelled. As for Dong Yue, who had been cut down, he remained utterly baffled even in death, not knowing why he had been killed... The soldiers nearby, somewhat stupefied, were chilled with fear and left speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, the reaction of these soldiers, as it fell into the eyes of General of the Household Niu, only satisfied him further. So, immensely pleased with himself, he gave orders for his subordinate officers to round up Dong Yue's troops outside the city, then leisurely returned to the city to rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was only a full quarter-hour later that Li Ru finally received word. He hurried to the city gate in panic, only to see a single corpse and a scene of chaos outside the city — and in that instant, his heart turned cold as water. He had the mind to go rebuke Niu Fu, to tell him that this kind of power display would only backfire, yet he dared not go.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hesitating for half the day, Li Wenyou could only turn back to his quarters and begin writing a letter of accusation to his own father-in-law!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, regardless of how bookish Li Wenyou might be, his intellect was undeniable, and his basic judgment was correct. Most of Dong Yue's division, seeing their commander slain, were smoothly absorbed. But a small portion, in their panic, immediately turned and fled back to Mianchi, spreading the news as they went.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, the next day, when Li Meng led his troops to Mianchi and heard the news, he simply halted there, showing no intention of proceeding to Shan County. And on the morning of the third day, when Hu Zhen reached Xin'an, he too stopped and advanced no further... This was, of course, the correct choice. At a time like this, who would dare go to Shan County? Better to hold tight to the troops in one's own hands and wait for Grand Preceptor Dong's disposition to come down!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet just as these two two-thousand-bushel officials were each hesitating, on the afternoon of the following day — specifically, the evening of the twenty-fourth day of the fourth month — one General of the Household, sparing no hardship, appeared with his five-thousand-strong division on the road fifteen li south of Shan County.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was none other than Xu Rong, Xu Bojin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It must be said, when Xu Rong had ordered his entire army to march south, they had in fact followed the Luo River southwestward. But after traveling no more than a few dozen li, at a place called Jinmen — near what would later be Luoning County — he suddenly made a great turn, laboriously taking small paths northward toward Shan County... Or rather, he had intended to go to Shan County from the very start. The reason for making such a wide detour was simply to avoid Dong Yue at Mianchi and the narrow pass of Mount Xiao that Dong Yue held.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Shan County ahead, Xu Bojin ordered the entire army to rest on the spot, to eat and drink, water the horses and reorganize the troops. But after a brief respite, perhaps because he once again recalled Dong Zhuo's generous treatment of him, this General of the Household began to hesitate once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But having come this far, how could he be allowed to waver? Just at that moment, in the mountains several li behind them, a fire suddenly broke out. It was summer, and the valley was thick with branches and leaves — in an instant, the blaze engulfed the mountain, unstoppable... As it turned out, Xu Rong's clansman Xu Xing, seeing that his elder brother had once again succumbed to his old political naivety, had taken the initiative to resort to this desperate measure, forcing his brother to advance swiftly!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the twilight, Xu Rong gazed at the fire behind him, growing ever larger and drawing ever closer, then looked at his clansman, hand on his sword, urging him to advance. He could only heave a sigh and order the entire army to march at full speed for Shan County!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once the great fire was lit, its glow in the twilight was visible for more than twenty li. Zhang Liao in Shan County immediately donned his full armor and led his men up onto the city wall, while Gongsun Xun in the great camp at Shanmo did not hesitate for a moment, immediately beating the drums to assemble his officers and ordering the entire army to move out!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—————I am the dividing line of ordering the entire army to move out—————\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When Xun entered Hongnong, a mighty pass lay before him and heavy troops behind — this was what is called being trapped amid massed forces, constrained between east and west. Some advised him that he should go to Hedong. Xun then raised his voice and declared: 'To travel a hundred li and stop at ninety is to accomplish nothing — this is precisely what the saying means. In times of hardship, men's hearts are truly revealed. Let us strive and hold fast; victory or defeat cannot yet be spoken of.' Soon after, word came that Yuan Shao was leading the Guandong coalition to pacify Yanzhou and would proceed to Hebei. His attendants again urged him to return to Hebei to steady men's hearts. Xun likewise sighed and replied: 'If others do not betray me, I shall not betray others. A million scholars and commoners within the Passes crane their necks in hope — how can I abandon them? As for Yuan Benchu, who speaks hollowly of great righteousness yet casts aside the state, I am ashamed of him!'\" — Records of the Late Han Heroes, by Wang Can\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Yesterday brought many more Alliance Masters and red banners — Piggy, the Wordless Banner, Words of Mortal Smoke, A-Yue, the Illusory Feather master, Lord Yixing, the Shepherd Boy on Niutou Mountain, That Streak of Nosebleed, Tube-Long Tube-Thick Tube-Bendable... Thank you all for your generous affection. Among these, however, I must especially extend my blessings to A-Yue... His wife is six months pregnant. May their baby be born healthy and grow up joyfully!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",5209,"2026-06-04T19:42:26.060Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","3eeea22b996e16267ef00ff12f3d8976bb6bbaa7231593c9be5b45ecf0d78917","overthrowing-han-chapter-371","overthrowing-han-chapter-369",548,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Foverthrowing-han-cover.jpg"]