Chapter 378

What crime has Dong Zhuo committed?

This was probably the most ludicrous and laughable question under heaven, especially when it came from the mouth of the Guard General Gongsun Xun.

If Dong Zhuo had committed no crime, then why did you, Gongsun Xun, first advocate for righteous troops and swear an oath to punish Dong? If Dong Zhuo had committed no crime, then why did you spend nearly a year fighting through several thousand li of territory, only to trap him in his home and put him to death? If Dong Zhuo had committed no crime, then what exactly are these hundred thousand troops who crossed the Wei River with you today?

Rebels?!

But, absurd as it was, conversely speaking, this was probably also the question under heaven that demanded the most serious treatment, because it implicated far too many things — one misstep could shake the political foundations of many people and many factions. Not to mention, at this very moment, with the entire assembly of ministers and the meritorious officials of the Dong Zhuo campaign all present, and the place where everyone stood being right before the Eastern Watchtower of Weiyang Palace — this was an extremely solemn political occasion, and every person had to bear political responsibility for their words and stance.

Under such circumstances, one wrong answer might end certain people's political lives, or even further — with two thousand fully armed White Horse Cavalry right behind them — it was not out of the question that they might simply suffer death and the extermination of their clans on the spot.

To be fair, none of the people standing beneath the watchtower were fools. In truth, most of them could more or less sense a certain malice hidden behind Gongsun Xun's ridiculous question, but they were utterly helpless. Because this Guard General was the greatest meritorious contributor to the campaign against Dong Zhuo, the man whose stance had been the most resolute throughout the entire affair... He was probably the person most qualified here to condescendingly discuss this question.

With this thought in mind, nearly every one of the assembled ministers fixed their gaze upon Wang Yun, Wang Zishi, who had been directly singled out and questioned. After all, as everyone knew, this Minister over the Masses, who oversaw the Imperial Secretariat, had received all his fame, position, and real power from Dong Zhuo. That he should be targeted now seemed all the more natural.

And Wang Zishi, after a moment of silence, solemnly inclined his body slightly toward Gongsun Xun and replied: "In answer to the Guard General, I believe Dong Zhuo's crimes are severe, worthy of being called high treason and utter depravity. Moreover, his misdeeds are piled one upon another — to borrow a phrase from the *Spring and Autumn Annals of Master Lü*, even if one were to exhaust all the bamboo in Jing and Yue, it would still be difficult to record them all... Therefore, there is no need to elaborate further."

"All matters have degrees of importance, and all men have roles as principals or accessories," Gongsun Xun said unhurriedly. Waving a hand to dismiss Zhong Yao back several paces, he stepped directly onto the steps before the watchtower, then looked down from above, hand on his sword, and continued his pressing interrogation. "Besides, when I left Guanzhong last year to suppress the rebellion in Liaoxi, Dong Zhuo could still be fairly called a loyal minister and good governor of the state. Barely more than a year has passed — even if he committed crimes every single day, they could not be so numerous as to be beyond recounting, could they? From beginning to end, pick out the major crimes and speak of them... Otherwise, if we execute a Grand Commandant, a Chancellor of State, and a Grand Preceptor without just cause, how will you and I justify ourselves to the realm in the future?"

Wang Yun fell silent again for a moment, and his voice could not help but sink low: "Must the Guard General truly get to the bottom of this?"

"Am I not qualified to inquire into this matter?" Gongsun Xun asked curiously in return, then raised his voice to address the assembly. "The Son of Heaven is young, and it is proper that someone should hold the reins of court on his behalf and assist in the grand scheme of things. But now the Grand General He Jin is dead, the General of Agile Cavalry Dong Zhong is dead, the General of Chariots and Cavalry He Miao is dead, the Grand Tutor Yuan Kui is dead, and even the Chancellor of State Dong Zhuo is now dead. The Grand Marshal Liu Yu is still in Hedong and has yet to arrive... In that case, just as back then, if I did not come to punish Dong Zhuo, who would? Duke Wang, may I ask, if I do not inquire into this matter today, who will? Yuan Benchu? Where is that man?"

Warm breezes gusted in waves; the palace watchtowers stood lofty and imposing. Minister over the Masses Wang Yun was speechless, and the civil and military officials beneath the watchtower were all left with nothing to say.

In truth, this was precisely another enormous weak point for these people. Faced with Gongsun Xun's hundred-thousand-strong army, his achievements in the Dong Zhuo campaign, and the fact that his power now stood alone and supreme near the central government, their sole reliance was the authority of the central government and political tradition. But, not to mention that Dong Zhuo had previously destroyed the central government's authority so thoroughly that nothing remained — even according to the so-called political traditions of the Han house, Gongsun Xun at this moment was actually the legitimate locus of all military and political power in the realm.

It must be understood that this Guard General had already been Guard General five years ago.

Rather than ask why he was so self-assured and bold, it would be better to ask why all those who had ranked ahead of him were all dead. And these people — surely they were not all killed by him, Gongsun Xun?

"Speak then, recount them one by one in chronological order!" Seeing that Wang Yun could no longer evade, Gongsun Xun, one hand on his sword, glanced around with a sneer and beckoned to a subordinate below. "Wang Xiang, come forward. Right here before the Eastern Watchtower of Weiyang Palace, take up paper and brush and record everything in detail, so that it may be proclaimed to the realm!"

Wang Xiang, hearing this, dared not delay. He hurriedly fetched paper, brush, and an ink-pouch from his mount, then, with the assistance of two warriors, went directly up to a protruding stone platform on the watchtower, preparing to take down the record on the spot.

Wang Yun, seeing that evasion was impossible, could only first force himself to nod and lower his head, then straighten up again to face him: "If the Guard General is so intent on this, I can only respond with the truth. In any case, there is not a single person in the realm who does not know of these matters — to forcibly cover them up would only make one a laughingstock!"

"Speak, then."

"Dong Zhuo's first great crime was leading troops into Luoyang without an imperial edict."

"Well said!" As soon as the first charge was uttered, Gongsun Xun's expression turned fierce. "As a frontier general and a provincial governor, instead of obeying the edict and assuming his post in the region, he instead led his troops privately into Luoyang — a crime beyond pardon... However, who were his accomplices in this matter? Who in Luoyang summoned him?"

Wang Yun's face was ashen, but the man was by nature unyielding and incapable of lying to someone's face, so he raised his voice and answered: "Though there are some ambiguities in this matter, it should be that the former Colonel-Director of Retainers, Yuan Shao, proposed it, and the Grand General He Jin privately summoned him. Perhaps the late Grand Tutor Yuan Kui also knew of it."

"Where are those scoundrels of the He and Yuan clans?" Gongsun Xun suddenly drew his sword and pointed at the ministers below the platform, shouting harshly. "Having perpetrated such a calamity, do you still think you can claim innocence? Roll out here, and stand beneath the left-side triple watchtower for me!"

Watchtowers are structures before palaces that symbolize authority. The highest grade is the triple watchtower, and a triple watchtower is divided into two wings, one left and one right, flanking the great avenue that leads straight to the palace gate, appearing extraordinarily lofty and imposing... For this reason, these two structures are also called the "Images of Wei."

In later ages, there was a saying: "He who shall replace the Han shall be Dang Tu Gao" — and the triple watchtower, or rather the Images of Wei, were probably the tallest structures by the roadside. Hence the theory that Wei would replace Han.

But setting aside such absurdities for now, returning to the matter at hand — Gongsun Xun shouted his stern question, and of course, no one stepped forward.

"Guard General," Wang Yun exhaled deeply and said in a slightly trembling voice, "the He brothers, as well as Grand Tutor Yuan and Grand Coachman Yuan, uncle and nephew, have all already had their entire households executed. And Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu have both fled Luoyang and are now east of the passes... If you wish to hold the He and Yuan families accountable for their crimes, I fear it will be very difficult."

"So that is how it is." Gongsun Xun suddenly saw the light. The hand holding his sword pressed slightly downward, and he returned the blade to its scabbard. "When a man dies, it is like a lamp going out — merits and crimes alike turn to ash. Those who should bear responsibility for the crime of leading troops into Luoyang are either dead or later rose up with troops to redeem themselves, so there is no need to pursue it further... Duke Wang, continue. What other great crimes did Dong Zhuo commit?"

"Next, he arbitrarily carried out a deposition and enthronement," Wang Yun said expressionlessly, his voice deep. "The late Young Emperor was the eldest son of the late Emperor Ling by his empress. He ascended to the great treasure, and all the realm submitted to him. He had not yet come of age to rule personally, and had committed no great fault. Yet Dong Zhuo led armored soldiers into the court and forced the Son of Heaven to abdicate. Therefore..."

"Therefore, the crime is beyond pardon!" Gongsun Xun let out a long sigh. "Is the man who did such a thing not a traitor to the state? That is precisely why I joined with all the ranking officials of the northern lands to swear an alliance at Changshan, and then, undeterred by thousands of li, personally raised troops to campaign against Dong Zhuo! But, while Dong Zhuo's crime is beyond pardon, can the accomplices who helped him commit such a treasonous and heinous act possibly hope for pardon? Who assisted Dong Zhuo in carrying out the deposition and enthronement that day? Who removed the Young Emperor's seal and cord, who supported the Young Emperor as he descended from the hall, and who led the assembled ministers to be the first to bow to the current Son of Heaven? Walk out on your own, and go beneath the left watchtower to await judgment!"

"All these acts were committed by the former Grand Tutor Yuan Kui," Wang Yun once again replied with a solemn expression. "The Grand Tutor is already dead. As for Niu Fu, the leader of the armored soldiers who controlled the Southern Palace that day, he too has already been slain by the Guard General at Shanxian."

"How is it that all the crimes were committed by dead men?" Gongsun Xun could not help but furrow his brow.

"Among those who bore weapons and entered the hall that day, there is still one Lü Bu here," Wang Yun suddenly mentioned a rather unexpected name.

"A mere henchman — hardly worth mentioning," Gongsun Xun said with a stern, dismissive laugh. "But very well, where is the criminal minister Lü Bu? Go directly and stand beneath the left watchtower!"

Lü Bu was just about to step forward and argue his case when the dozens of armored soldiers who had clearly been watching him closed in. The leaders, Taishi Ci and Zhao Yun, directly bared their blades in threat. Lü Bu, for all his tiger-like valor, was helpless. On the spot, his ceremonial sword and ornaments were seized, and barehanded, he was driven beneath the left wing of the triple watchtower at the Eastern Watchtower of Weiyang Palace, where dozens of armored soldiers held their blades to isolate him.

"And apart from the criminals?" Gongsun Xun continued with a mournful sigh. "The house of Han has nurtured its scholars for four hundred years — was there truly not a single loyal man that day who rose in the court to protest?"

"Minister Lu Zhi and Colonel-Director of Retainers Yuan Shao both openly protested," Wang Yun replied in a deep voice. "And at the time, though Minister over the Masses Ding Gong was coerced into drafting the decree, he also seized the opportunity to insert veiled mockery of Dong Zhuo into the Empress Dowager's edict."

"These three... Yuan Shao is east of the passes. Duke Lu was rescued by my younger brother back then and returned to his hometown in the northern lands. Where is Minister over the Masses Ding Gong?" Gongsun Xun sighed again. "He may go and wait quietly beneath the right-side triple watchtower."

"He has already been found pretext to be executed by Dong Zhuo," Wang Yun replied crisply.

"In other words, those who aided the tyrant and those who stood up to oppose him that day are mostly gone... Those who have survived to this day are mostly those who remained silent and said nothing that day?"

"Indeed."

"In that case," Gongsun Xun raised the broken blade in his hand and pointed it distantly at the assembled officials, "all those who were in the hall that day and sat by watching as Dong Zhuo carried out the deposition and enthronement — move five paces to the left! The rest, stay where you are!"

The assembled ministers were immediately terrified and alarmed, but with two thousand cavalry behind them bearing weapons and Gongsun Xun alone before them raising his blade in rebuke, they had nothing to say. They could only move five paces to the left in panic... And with this movement, a good seventy to eighty percent of the civil and military officials shifted.

In the end, even Wang Yun, after a moment of silence, prepared to move left under Gongsun Xun's very gaze.

"Duke Wang and Vice Minister Zhong, halt!" Zhong Yao, holding the imperial edict, was also about to move left, but was called to a stop by Gongsun Xun. "You two are now, one, the Son of Heaven's envoy, and the other, the one speaking on behalf of the court ministers. Stand there quietly... Duke Wang, please continue to detail Dong Zhuo's crimes."

"Dong Zhuo also poisoned the Empress Dowager to death," Wang Yun halted his steps and turned back to answer.

"Again, a crime beyond pardon!" Gongsun Xun raised his hand once more and pointed his blade beneath the watchtower. "Those who were accomplices, go stand beneath the left watchtower on your own. Those who struggled against it with all their might — even if you only publicly uttered a single word of mockery — go and wait beneath the right watchtower on your own. No need to concern yourselves with anything else... As for those who were in the Luoyang court at the time, who sat by and watched Dong Zhuo commit this treasonous and heinous act without uttering a single word — move another five paces to the left!"

The civil and military officials beneath the watchtower now understood what Gongsun Xun was doing, but they dared not refuse to move. In truth, those who had already moved five paces before now all moved left again. Even among the twenty to thirty percent who had not moved before, many now silently moved left to catch up those five paces.

"Duke Wang, continue." Seeing the ministers had finished moving, Gongsun Xun continued to press Wang Yun to announce Dong Zhuo's crimes.

"He poisoned the Young Emperor to death."

"As before — accomplices, go to the left watchtower on your own; those who remonstrated, go to the right watchtower on your own; those who sat by and watched, move five paces to the left."

"He forcibly relocated the capital, causing the common people of Henan to be displaced and wander in misery, with casualties and corpses littering the roadsides along the way."

"A crime beyond pardon. As before." With this statement from Gongsun Xun, a portion of the ministers, led by Yang Biao and Huang Wan, finally stepped out from the main group and went to stand beneath the right watchtower. But even more people continued to shift leftward without stopping.

In truth, by now, only ten to twenty percent of the people remained in their original positions.

"Continue."

"He declared himself Chancellor of State, plundered Henan, and excavated the various imperial mausoleums and grave mounds to seek wealth and goods."

"Also the truth. As before."

"He cruelly abused surrendered troops, and without cause exterminated the entire households of the Grand Tutor and the Grand Coachman."

"The Grand Tutor... the Grand Coachman were indeed wronged, so as before." Gongsun Xun gave a cold laugh. And with these words of his, even those ministers and officials of Guanzhong origin, such as Huangfu Song, began to lower their heads and move left. Those who could still remain unmoving now numbered no more than sixteen or seventeen people.

"He ordered the torture and interrogation of the Three Adjuncts, wantonly killed the innocent, and used the ceremonial regulations of Chang'an to build the Your Majesty Fortress."

"As before." Gongsun Xun gripped his sword hilt, clasped his hands behind his back, and sneered coldly, for this time not only were several people directly named and dragged beneath the Southern Que, but even the large force that had been ceaselessly moving left had now arrived beneath the left-side Que, where they were surrounded and held at weapon-point by hundreds of White Horse Volunteers.

At this moment, the area around Lu Bu had instead become the place with the highest concentration of ministers and officials.

"Is there anything else?" Gongsun Xun stood upon the steps, hands still clasped behind his back, pressing the question.

"The rest are all military crimes. The Guard General holds the military authority of the realm, which is not something I, as Minister over the Masters of Writing and Minister of the Interior, can presume to comment on." Wang Yun stood below the steps before Gongsun Xun, yet still held himself erect and upright, showing not the slightest intention of yielding.

"So that is how it is." Gongsun Xun nodded slightly, then turned to survey the three sides again. "Then among these, are there any others who once resisted Dong Zhuo yet managed to survive? Whether an attempted assassination or merely a word or phrase spoken against him — as long as someone can bear witness, they may go stand beneath the right Que."

At these words, several more people stepped forward: one elderly, who was the Captain of the City Gates, Zhu Jun; one middle-aged man, whom Gongsun Xun did not recognize; and three young men, who were Liu Yan's eldest son Liu Fan, his second son Liu Dan, and his youngest son Liu Zhang... This, indeed, left nothing to be said.

And at this point, only a dozen or so people still remained where they were.

"Those of you who only took office after Dong Zhuo entered the Your Majesty Fortress may also go beneath the right Que." Gongsun Xun looked at the remaining ministers and officials before him, speaking with goodwill.

As expected, two more people came out, let out a long breath, and went to stand beneath the right Que.

"Where is Gai Yuangu?" Gongsun Xun paused briefly, then continued looking around with curiosity. "I heard that as early as the beginning, after Dong Zhuo deposed and installed the emperor, he wrote a letter directly rebuking Dong Zhuo, saying, 'You petty clown, you have recklessly carried out this deed; those who come to congratulate stand at the gate, while those who come to mourn stand at the hut.' He was one of the rare ministers of integrity in this realm. Why is he not seen today?"

Huangfu Song, who stood before the left Que of the Weiyang Palace's eastern gate but had barely managed not to stand directly beneath it and thus be surrounded by armored soldiers, cupped his hands slightly and answered: "In reply to the Guard General, ever since Dong Zhuo threw governance into chaos, Gai Yuangu, because he could not stop it, repeatedly choked with rage, until carbuncles broke out on his back and he gradually became bedridden... And a few days ago, upon hearing that Dong Zhuo had been executed, the man was overcome with excitement and instead passed away."

Gongsun Xun fell silent for a moment, then immediately sighed with emotion: "In truth, is Dong Zhuo's crime not laid out right here? If this man were without guilt, then what of those who died opposing him? Gai Yuangu, angered to death by him; Xun Ciming, driven to death by him; the court ministers he killed to make an example; the scholars and commoners of Henan who died on the road, plundered and driven away by him; and the comrades who fell along the way as they followed me on this thousand-li campaign... Were these people traitors? Dong Zhuo's crime is the greatest of crimes, and so even in death his head had to be severed by me and paraded through the Three Adjuncts! But there is one thing I wish to ask you all: why were those who resisted Dong Zhuo so few, and those who aided the tyrant so many? Of the entire court of ministers, eight or nine out of ten stand arrayed beneath the left Que — do you not feel shame?! Dong Zhuo is guilty, but is Dong Zhuo the only one guilty?"

"Guard General!"

Beneath the left Que, there was a moment of panic and turmoil, with many kneeling to beg forgiveness and plead for mercy, while Wang Yun, standing before Gongsun Xun, though his face was ashen, still held his head high and stood erect. "Dong Zhuo was brutal and tyrannical, killing people and exterminating clans at the slightest provocation. We, with hands too weak to truss a chicken, could only bow our heads and bide our time..."

"Bide your time for what?" Gongsun Xun suddenly cut him off, staring directly at him and shouting the question. "For Dong Zhuo to perish on his own?! If there were no me in this world, would you still be bowing your heads and biding your time when he usurped the Han and set himself up as emperor? Besides, the people of the realm judge by deeds, not by thoughts. You ministers of the court, for generations have received the Han salary and been Han subjects, yet you sat by and watched the deposing and installing, sat by and watched the moving of the capital, sat by and watched the Empress Dowager be poisoned, sat by and watched the young emperor be poisoned... Did I not give you a chance? If you had risen to resist in but a single matter, if you had spoken but a single word or phrase against Dong Zhuo, you could all have gone to stand beneath the right Que. Did you?! When loyal ministers and filial sons died at the traitor's hands, when the authority of the Han house was utterly lost, when we were fighting bitterly, all the realm saw was you central ministers bowing your heads and pricking up your ears, serving Dong Zhuo as if serving your sovereign! Now someone tells me that you held the Han house in your hearts and merely feigned compliance with Dong Zhuo. If this is spoken aloud, will the people of the realm believe it? Will I believe it? Will the shining annals of history believe it?"

At these words, beneath the Southern Que, from Huangfu Song on down, they could finally bear it no longer and all prostrated themselves in kneeling apology.

And hearing those last few sentences, even Wang Yun momentarily broke down emotionally, unable to restrain himself: "The times being what they are, we have no defense to offer, but what exactly does the General intend to do?"

"Rest assured, Minister of the Interior." Gongsun Xun's tone suddenly became indifferent. "I merely wish to ask you lords who preside over the central government on behalf of the people of the realm, and hope that you pillars of the state will tell me: the realm has fallen into chaos to this extent — in the end, upon whom does the responsibility lie?"

Most of the crowd were helpless and could only continue to verbally acknowledge their guilt.

Only Wang Yun remained silent.

Gongsun Xun stared coldly at the man, and then spoke bluntly: "Lord Wang served Dong Zhuo as if he were his sovereign and father, yet is unwilling to answer a single question from me?"

Under the gaze of all above and below, Wang Yun was truly helpless and could only, with difficulty, cup his hands and say: "That the realm has fallen into chaos to this extent — the primary responsibility lies with Dong Zhuo, and the secondary with us..."

"What kind of talk is this?" Gongsun Xun finally rebuked him with a stern expression. "That the realm has fallen into chaos — is the primary responsibility not with Liu Hong, the secondary with Dong Zhuo, and the final share to be counted upon the heads of you ministers and great officials?"

The assembled ministers beneath the Que, having seen Wang Yun yield, had already felt relieved, but upon suddenly seeing Gongsun Xun's expression change and realizing who Liu Hong was, each of them changed countenance... some were dejected, some silent, some indignant in response.

And without a doubt, Wang Yun was precisely the most indignant of them all.

It must be said, the reason Wang Zishi was Wang Zishi — whether it was presiding over court affairs and maintaining the greater situation during Dong Zhuo's tyranny, or enduring humiliation and plotting in another time and space, or stepping forward with head held high at this moment — he had his reasons in every case...

First, the great ministers of the Han house had withered and been purged too quickly. From the deaths and clan exterminations of He Jin and his ilk, to the ambitious men leaping to rebellion one after another, to the successive deaths of Han loyalists, and finally, setting aside those who were too old or too weak, too senior or too junior — whether in terms of seniority, age, or background, it was Wang Zishi's turn to serve as this pillar of the Han house.

Second, regardless of this man's seniority and character, Wang Zishi's political stance had always been extremely clear. He was a typical Confucian scholar-official of the Han dynasty. Whether his character was strong or not, whether his lust for power burned fiercely or not, his loyalty to the Han house was beyond doubt.

To whatever extent Emperor Ling, Liu Hong, had indulged Zhang Rang in persecuting him, though he harbored hatred in his heart, he never turned his spear-point against the so-called sovereign and father. And when Dong Zhuo acted with violence and recklessly deposed and installed the emperor, others thought he was frightened into submission, but here before the Weiyang Palace, Gongsun Xun was probably the one person besides Wang Yun himself who understood this man's mind most clearly. This Wang Zishi had from the very beginning harbored a heart of endurance and forbearance, precisely in order to restore the Han house.

"How can one arbitrarily censure the sovereign and father?" Wang Yun, who had been about to bow his head, indeed raised his head again in defiance, and with even greater vehemence and indignation.

"Is this my first time censuring him?" Gongsun Xun clasped his hands behind his back, the blade tucked in his sleeve, and shouted back fiercely. "My proclamation denouncing Dong Zhuo told the realm from the very start that Emperor Ling was a despot who brought calamity and chaos upon the realm... Did you, Wang Zishi, only learn of this today?! The hundred thousand soldiers within and beyond Chang'an all bear this conviction, and only thus could they arrive here — did you only understand this today?! That Dong Zhuo could so easily bring calamity upon the state, that the regions could so easily form separatist powers, is precisely because the people of the realm have long ceased to regard Emperor Ling as just, and long ceased to regard you ministers of Wan and Luo as just — do you only grasp this principle today?!"

Wang Yun's eyes were bloodshot, yet he was grief-stricken and indignant, speechless.

"The Guard General fought bitterly for a year, forged ahead for thousands of li, with casualties piled high — was it all merely to speak these words today before this Que?" Beneath the eastern Que of the Weiyang Palace, there was still someone who could be considered a comrade of Wang Yun. Zhu Jun, standing beneath the three-tiered right Que, was too far away, and so could only shout back loudly from a distance. "Or was it that ever since returning home from Mengjin that day, you have harbored a private grudge and pent-up resentment?"

"Lord Zhu is mistaken." Gongsun Xun immediately raised his blade and responded, his voice resounding through the Que. "In truth, how could it be only one year? How could it be only a pent-up resentment from before Mengjin? Ever since I bound my hair and began my studies, for over ten years, I have campaigned east and west, served in three commanderies, advanced and retreated several times, braved death and faced danger — precisely in order to stand at the very center of this realm, with irresistible force and irreversible authority, and ask you lords of the central government a single question: Are those who have brought calamity and chaos upon the realm not precisely Emperor Ling and you gentlemen?!"

Zhu Jun's expression immediately changed.

"You say Dong Zhuo brought calamity and chaos upon the realm — this is indeed true. But why could he, within a single year, wreak such havoc upon the realm? And is it false that a year ago the realm was already tottering on the brink of collapse?"

In the warm breeze, beneath the eastern Que of the Weiyang Palace, the voice of Gongsun Xun, holding his blade and shouting his questions, grew louder and louder.

"The eunuchs brought calamity upon the state for twenty years — was that indulged by Dong Zhuo?!"

"Sons of humble families and good households, whether they toiled bitterly at the classics or faced death to serve the state, yet could hardly obtain a single desirable post — was that excluded by Dong Zhuo?!"

"The common people were displaced and homeless, the tillers without their fields, the weavers without shelter — was that land annexed by Dong Zhuo?!"

"The Son of Heaven without the Way, the ministers corrupt, the great clans hypocritical, the powerful families annexing land, and even the border generals growing arrogant and unruly — are all these false?!"

"Shifting the blame for the realm's decline onto a dead man is one thing, but even among the dead, you must rank them in tiers, letting Dong Zhuo alone bear the blame for the Han house's decline, while observing the taboo of shielding the sovereign's honor for a despot like Emperor Ling — are you not afraid that after you die, I will cause some of you to bear a baseless infamy for ten thousand generations?"

After this barrage of questions, Gongsun Xun's own eyes were reddened, and he drew his blade, pointing back behind him toward the Weiyang Palace to the west: "Setting this matter aside for now, on the road to moving the capital, the scholars and commoners of Henan fell dead and wounded in heaps along the way; the Empress Dowager and the young emperor were both poisoned to death. To sovereign and to subject, to those above and to those below... all of you, together with me, kneel and beg forgiveness toward this last remnant of the Han house's dignity!"

At these words, those who had already been prostrating themselves in kneeling apology turned one after another to kneel toward the Weiyang Palace in the west; even the scant few beneath the right Que, including Zhu Jun, who came from a humble background, all prostrated themselves and knocked their heads.

Not only that, but Han Sui, Ma Teng, and the others who had followed Gongsun Xun in, dressed up in human form like dogs mimicking men, as well as the officials of the Three Adjuncts — no one knew who led it — all knelt and knocked their heads as well.

Gongsun Xun gripped the broken blade in his hand and stared coldly at Wang Yun before him. He had already made up his mind: if this man did not kneel, then he would disregard everything and kill him outright... Having toiled so hard for so many years to reach this point, if he could not even achieve a moment of unburdened clarity, what else was there to speak of?

And Wang Yun, meeting Gongsun Xun's gaze, finally also prostrated himself and knocked his head.

Gongsun Xun did not even look at him, but turned directly around to face Zhong Yao. The latter held the imperial edict in his hands, and facing the countless ministers and great officials kneeling in his direction, truly did not know what to do.

Of course, once Gongsun Xun sheathed the broken blade in his hand, stepped forward, and took the imperial edict with one hand, Zhong Yao also seized the opportunity to kneel.

"All of you, rise!" Gongsun Xun flipped through the imperial edict once, then became somewhat casual and indifferent. "I am not a cruel and harsh man. If I only knew slaughter and unbridled tyranny, how would I differ from Dong Zhuo? Today's matter was merely to make you understand that from this day forward, whether you are willing or not, in terms of law, in terms of principle, in terms of authority, in terms of virtue, in terms of merit, in terms of power — the affairs of the realm shall fall to me, Gongsun Xun, to manage... If there are those who, like Dong Zhuo, act with violence and lawlessness, I shall personally execute them; if there are those who, like the Ten Regular Attendants, bring calamity and chaos upon the realm, I shall personally destroy them; if there are those who attempt to carve out a separatist domain and divide the state, I shall personally exterminate them... In short, since the Son of Heaven has not yet come of age, and I am the Guard General, from this day forward, the acts of chastising the realm and of soothing the soldiers and settling the people — I shall carry them out myself! You all, likewise, should take good care of yourselves."

Wang Yun and the others rose to their feet, wanting to speak but unable to, and could only bow their heads deeply.

"The rest of the ministers and great officials shall all wait here." Gongsun Xun put away the imperial edict, then straightened his tall frame and addressed the crowd beneath the Que. "Those who rendered meritorious service in this campaign against Dong Zhuo, those of the rank of two thousand shi and above, follow me into the Weiyang Palace to have an audience with the Son of Heaven and to reply to this edict... Ziyi!"

"Your subordinate is here!" Taishi Ci, who had been holding his blade and monitoring the situation beneath the right Que, hurriedly stepped forward.

"You are a Major under the Right General's command. Though your rank is only one thousand shi, you represent the Right General and cannot be absent from this audience... Cast aside your blade, take up the three-chi ceremonial sword befitting the Right General, and follow me up the steps to face the Son of Heaven." Gongsun Xun turned his head and instructed.

"Aye!" Taishi Ci was astonished and overjoyed, and smoothly took the ceremonial sword that Lu Bu had previously been equipped with into his hand, causing Lu Fengxian, who had just breathed a sigh of relief, to seethe with unquenchable resentment.

"Zilong." Gongsun Xun then called another person, and drew that broken blade from his waist. "For an audience with the Son of Heaven, one should not originally bear a blade. But Dong Zhuo poisoned the young emperor, who was the Son of Heaven's blood kin and enemy. Since this blade killed Dong Zhuo, it cannot but be brought to show the Son of Heaven... You shall come and specially bear the blade."

Zhao Yun also stepped forward in delighted surprise to receive the blade.

Having handed over his weapon, Gongsun Xun clasped his hands behind his back, holding the imperial edict upside down, and ascended the steps, proceeding along the main avenue within the Que toward the main hall of the Weiyang Palace to the west. At his side were naturally Zhao Yun, bearing the blade, and Taishi Ci, bearing the ceremonial sword on behalf of Zhao Bao, while the meritorious officials who had ridden in on white horses also followed behind in succession.

In the setting sun, the various ministers stood beneath the Que, raising their heads to watch that figure on the imperial way, growing higher and higher in position. Among them, a few, for no apparent reason, suddenly recalled a saying — "The one who replaces the Han shall be Dang Tu Gao!"

The one who replaces the Han — is it not simply the man standing highest on the road?

At dusk, Gongsun Xun returned from his audience with the Son of Heaven and ordered the confinement of the ministers beneath the watchtowers lifted, yet with a casual gesture he had the dozen or so officials who had remained motionless earlier dragged, in the name of being Dong Zhuo’s remnant faction, to the Duting in the east-west market north of Weiyang Palace, and publicly executed!

At this, not one of the high ministers and great officials beneath either the left or right watchtower raised any objection — to lie openly before all on such a political occasion, and to have betrayed everyone, made death too light a punishment!

As dusk approached, viewed from the eastern watchtower of Weiyang Palace, the setting sun rested exactly atop the main hall of Weiyang Palace, then gradually sank away… The assembled ministers, hearts in turmoil, could only disperse in groups of three or five, each going their own way, passively bracing to welcome a new era.

And among them, a middle-aged man who had originally stood beneath the right watchtower quietly watched the sunset to its end beneath the tower, and only then, without a word, tucked his hands into his sleeves and headed back toward his residence… But just as he turned to leave Weiyang Palace, two armed riders on white horses suddenly blocked his path, yet they addressed him as Military Advisor with the utmost deference.

“Gentlemen… you must have mistaken me for someone else?” The man naturally understood the significance of the title Military Advisor in Gongsun Xun’s army, and it was precisely because he understood that he looked somewhat helpless.

“Military Advisor Xun.” One rider hastily bowed his head and explained. “Our General of the Guard, just now in Weiyang Palace, has already petitioned for honors before the Son of Heaven on behalf of the various self-appointed generals and Commandants of the Household. The rest aside, according to the present instructions, Master Zibo is naturally promoted to General of the Military Advisor, Master Yuanhao is transferred as Left Military Advisor and Commandant of the Household, Master Zhicai as Right Military Advisor and Commandant of the Household, Master Jia Wenhe, still at Tongguan, as Front Military Advisor and Commandant of the Household, and you, Military Advisor Xun, are to be Rear Military Advisor and Commandant of the Household.”

Even with Xun You’s exceptional composure, he found it absurd: “I, a man just released from prison — what virtue or ability do I possess to be ranked alongside these four meritorious ministers as a chief strategist of the army? Moreover, I have never served in the military before, and having just been restored to my original post a mere three or four days ago, I am still nothing more than a Gentleman Attendant of the Yellow Gate delivering messages!”

“Why doesn’t the Rear Military Advisor ask our general about this matter in person?” The man smiled carefully and apologetically. “The general has ordered us two brothers to wait here specifically to escort the Military Advisor to his lodgings for a meeting.”

Given Gongsun Xun’s authority and prestige this day, what could Xun You do but nod in assent?

And on the way, without the taciturn Xun Gongda needing to ask, the two men introduced themselves, and only then did Xun You learn that these two, who seemed like ordinary retainers under Gongsun Xun’s command, were in fact noble sons of Bingzhou — none other than the Xiongnu Chanyu Yufuluo and his younger brother Huchuquan!

It was yet another broadening of one’s horizons.

The three turned into the residence that had originally been Dong Zhuo’s in Chang’an, and naturally the Yufuluo brothers, bearing retainer tokens, cleared the way all along, passing unimpeded straight to Gongsun Xun’s quarters in the rear courtyard. And Gongsun Xun, who that very afternoon had been berating ministers as if driving oxen and sheep with a whip, upon seeing Xun You — the middle-aged man he had not recognized before — showed neither surprise nor suspicion, nor did he rise and strike a pose of humbly seeking talent; he simply invited the other directly onto the sitting platform.

“The campaign against Dong is accomplished, and now we have come to Chang’an. I intend to draft a proclamation, my first official document since arriving at the center. Wang Xiang is organizing the afternoon’s notes, so I must trouble the Rear Military Advisor to serve as my scribe and polish the text a little.” Gongsun Xun pointed to the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone on the low table atop the platform and gave the order crisply. “I will dictate; you write directly.”

Xun You, without a word, directly picked up the brush.

“This proclamation is titled ‘Edict Seeking the Worthy.’” Gongsun Xun sat cross-legged on the platform, not even glancing at Xun You, and spoke as if to himself. “It reads: Since ancient times, what sovereign who received Heaven’s mandate or restored a dynasty has ever not longed to obtain worthy men and noble gentlemen to govern the realm together with him? But worthy talents wither away at home, never leaving their village lanes — how can one easily encounter them? Moreover, now the realm is in turmoil, a special time when the thirst for talent is most urgent.”

The colloquial narration was very concise, but also merely that — for it was mostly formal rhetoric.

“However, talent is something where each person has their own specialty,” Gongsun Xun continued calmly, hugging his knees. “A man like Meng Gongchuo, as a household steward devising grand strategies, is certainly excellent, but he could not serve as a local administrative chief. And talent is also scarce. If one sought only figures perfect in both virtue and ability, then how could Duke Huan of Qi and the Exalted Ancestor of our dynasty have achieved hegemony in the world?”

Xun You continued to wield his brush like flying, his expression as composed as ever.

“Therefore,” Gongsun Xun sighed deeply, “in this realm today, is there still anyone like Jiang Ziya, clad in coarse cloth yet harboring true talent, fishing by the banks of the Wei River awaiting an enlightened lord? Is there still anyone like Chen Ping, denounced for debauching his sister-in-law and taking bribes, who has yet to meet with a recommendation? Is there still anyone who, seeing this world defiled, has the heart to cleanse the realm with law and method like Zhang Tang? Is there still anyone who possesses the talent of a Wu Qi, yet has not received heavy employment? Is there still anyone… who, like Han Xin, after being humiliated, could only stand before a gate holding a halberd for another?”

Xun You’s brush flew.

“Thus,” Gongsun Xun turned his head to look at Xun You, “I ask the realm to convey this message on my behalf to these worthy and capable men… If they seek wealth, I am willing to give wealth; if they seek fame, I am willing to give renown; if they seek respect, I am not incapable of making gestures and treating them with courtesy… But what I fear most is that these men are simply unwilling to tell me what they truly want, before they are willing to serve me and restore order to the realm!”

Xun Gongda’s brush paused imperceptibly, yet he still swiftly completed this meaning in elegant classical prose.

“Lastly…” Gongsun Xun stared ahead and suddenly sighed, “From a personal standpoint, I would still rather see those who come be like me — comrades who wish to cleanse the realm, rescue it from peril, and settle the chaos… Then, when the time comes, those who take up arms, I am willing to share my battle robe with them; those who take up the pen, I am willing to share my mat with them… Only this, and nothing more!”

Xun You looked down at the mat beneath him, then hurriedly lowered his head again to write.

“Is it finished?” Gongsun Xun, who had been staring blankly ahead, suddenly turned his head and asked.

“Yes!” Xun You offered it up with cupped hands. “Only today do I understand that the General’s ability to achieve great momentum lies firmly in his thirst for worthy talent.”

Gongsun Xun burst out laughing in spite of himself.

The poem says: Once I sought old friends toward Pan Valley, and saw high cliffs and great walls vying to unfold.

It was the season when new-clear skies overflowed the Heavenly Well — who leaned a long sword against Mount Taihang?

The Matou Stream runs deep, impossible to ford; borrowing a cart to cross, the water entered the carriage box.

Flat sands, green waves at Fengling Ford; wild geese and ducks take flight, threading through the drooping willows.

Where the Southern Palace was breached, old relics emerged; the flying general of Tongguan departed, unmatched under heaven.

Chang’an shut its gates for thirty days; pushing aside books, striking the brush, we sang with fervent passion.

The General drove north, a hundred thousand coming; beneath the autumn wind on the plain, long did he pace in hesitation.

The long comet does not linger for tiger and wolf; at midnight, the Wei River flowed with drifting light.

—————— I am the splitting line of a headache ——————

“After the Grand Ancestor accomplished the campaign against Dong, he entered Chang’an on a white horse. Along the road, elders of Henan climbed buildings by the street to catch a glimpse of him, and weeping, they told his attendants: ‘This is that same White Horse Chief who killed Wang Fu on Bronze Camel Street in former days; now he has killed Dong Zhuo as well. The realm may at last enjoy lasting peace!’ In Guanzhong, a saying then spread throughout the realm: ‘The White Horse of Liaoxi never fails the realm!’” — A New Account of the Tales of the World, Chapter on Recognition and Praise

“After the Grand Ancestor accomplished the campaign against Dong, he entered Chang’an on a white horse… and went to Weiyang Palace to have an audience with the Han Emperor. At that time, the Han Emperor was ten years old. After he emerged, Cai Yong, as an old acquaintance, went to him and asked: ‘What is the Son of Heaven like?’ He replied: ‘The Son of Heaven is intelligent.’ Yong then rose and bowed: ‘Now the Lord Marquis has led a host of a hundred thousand across the Wei River, and the hearts of Chang’an are unsettled. The Son of Heaven is now ten and intelligent; the Lord Marquis’s daughter is just of fine age — why not consider betrothing her as Empress, to settle the hearts of the realm?’ The Grand Ancestor answered sternly: ‘Emperor Ling was also intelligent, yet he brought calamity and chaos to the realm, fit to be called the chief of villains. So how could my tiger daughter be married to the son of a villain?’” — New Book of Yan, Scroll 1, Annals of the Martial Emperor, Grand Ancestor

End of this volume

Exhausted to death, my brain is a blur — going to sleep!

PS: Continuing to offer a sacrifice book — Ming Court, a big name’s new book: accidentally joined the eunuch faction, the time is the end of the sixth year of Tianqi — Chongzhen is about to ascend!!!!

(End of this chapter)