[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-overthrowing-han":3,"chapter-overthrowing-han-overthrowing-han-chapter-400":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},1223159,1620,"Chapter 400: Vainly Awaiting War-Horses to Recover Hebei","overthrowing-han-chapter-400",400,"\u003Cp>In mid-July, the day after the lumber yard caught fire — that is, the fifth day of the siege — Yuan’s army halted the transport of lumber from the rear and ceased building siege engines. Instead, they concentrated over ten thousand auxiliary troops to haul earth, then began piling it up east of Handan City, preparing to ram it into a mound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a very dangerous move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One must understand that, in the conventional sense, siege tactics in the cold-weapon era amounted to little more than scaling walls with cloud ladders or battering open gates with rams. The various engines, for all their diversity, were merely advanced versions of these two basic devices… and if neither worked, the next step should have been stone-throwing carts, or catapults — the great killers that had appeared since the Warring States period.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in reality, the catapults of this age lacked counterweights, lacked pulley blocks, lacked base axles, took an extremely long time to build, and involved certain technical hurdles. Therefore, from a cost-effectiveness standpoint, unless absolutely necessary, such weapons rarely appeared on the battlefield.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, before catapults were substantially improved, there were still several effective siege methods to substitute for them when facing strong walls — such as tunneling, flooding, or setting fires. And among these, one method appeared with great frequency, produced excellent results, and was especially concentrated in the late Han… Indeed, it was not digging tunnels, nor flooding, but ramming up earthen mounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An earthen mound had one advantage and two functions. The advantage was that a mound could be piled up entirely beyond the range of the city walls, and it could very easily be built to a height far exceeding the walls — simple and safe, so to speak. Of the two functions, one was that after seizing the height advantage from the walls, one could suppress the walls from above, creating a safe zone for scaling operations. The other was that Han-dynasty rammed-earth techniques were highly advanced and formed the very foundation of many permanent structures; thus, during the ramming and piling process, the hard rammed-earth mound would continuously settle, itself exerting pressure on the wall’s foundation. Often, once several rammed-earth mounds were raised, the walls would collapse on their own without any need for scaling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, when word came from the walls that an earthen mound was being raised at the east of the city, Guan Yu in the western camp could no longer sit still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“General, you must not go!” The one who spoke up to stop him was none other than Guo Fengxiao. The man, in a tall hat and wide-sleeved robes, stood before Guan Yunchang with one hand on his sword, his manner exceptionally earnest. “Yuan’s army has not once tried to ram the gates, not once attempted to scale the walls, yet now they suddenly start piling up an earthen mound — this cannot but arouse suspicion. I fear it is because the General displayed such divine might the day before yesterday, drawing their concern, that they have deliberately devised this…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This general knows that.” Guan Yunchang, already fully armored, looked down at the young man before him. “To pile up an earthen mound so hastily — nine times out of ten, Yuan’s army means to set an ambush and eliminate this general. But Fengxiao, this general asks you only one thing… if I do not go, and this earthen mound is truly raised, what then?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guo Jia fell silent at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, how could Guo Jia not understand? This was, just like the night raid on Han Meng’s camp the day before yesterday, something akin to an open conspiracy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that time, Guan Yu, through three sorties in a single day, had demonstrated combat ability far surpassing all the commanders in Yuan’s camp, thereby establishing strategic deterrence. This forced Yuan Shao to make a corresponding strategic response to every one of Guan Yunchang’s sorties; otherwise, he would very likely suffer new, substantive casualties — and such casualties were absolutely unacceptable. But if he was unwilling to accept them, then, just as on the night before last, gaps would form, forcing him to delay siege operations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now, this earthen mound being built on the other side of the city was likewise a form of strategic deterrence. If Guan Yu went, it was nine-tenths certain to be an ambush. But if he did not go, and the mound was smoothly rammed into place, what then? And if he ignored one mound, what about a second? A third?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When that time came, never mind assaulting the city — the outer camp itself would lose its strategic raison d’être. One must realize, the reason Guan Yunchang could sortie at will was that he relied on the safe passage hugging the city wall, on the cover of bows and crossbows from the wall. If the earthen mound were truly raised, Guan Yu’s safe passage would also be cut off. When the time came, he would not even be able to march out — then what would this strategy of defending by attacking amount to?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There are some words I should not speak,” Guo Jia thought, and could only change his approach to dissuade him. “But the General bears the safety of the entire camp on his shoulders. If this venture meets with the slightest mishap, can this city of Handan truly be held?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That is not how it is.” Hearing this, Guan Yunchang could not help but stroke his beard and slowly shake his head. “This general and State Chancellor Shen were jointly ordered to defend Handan, and we agreed beforehand — matters within the city are his, matters outside the city are mine. In other words, this matter is, in itself, within this general’s duty. A general receives his orders here — how can he fear death and refuse to fight? As for mishaps, Fengxiao, the strategy of three strikes in one day that you proposed earlier was superb. You are a person of extreme talent. If I die, I must ask you to assist Wengui in taking command of this camp and holding the outer defenses.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guo Jia was about to argue further, but Guan Yu could not help narrowing his eyes again: “Son of the Guo family, in truth, after half a day of talk, it is all still mere apprehension… When I fought them the day before yesterday, I felt that every one of those officers and men in Yuan’s army was but clay chickens and pottery dogs. Against such figures, what fear is there even in ten layers of ambush? Once the earthen mound is raised, I will go with Pan Wengui to meet the attack. You will stay here and defend well — only thus can both ends be secured!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guo Fengxiao, having spent several days with Guan Yu, knew the man’s temperament all too well. Finding himself helpless, he could only shake his head: “In that case, General, please be sure to take more men, and also coordinate well with State Chancellor Shen in the city.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Coordination is a given, but for this general’s command, a thousand men will suffice.” Guan Yu spoke with a straight face, then gave his reasons before Guo Jia could object. “It is not that this general is being arrogant. First, if it is merely to scatter the auxiliary troops before the earthen mound, too many soldiers are unnecessary. Second, moving along the base of the wall, with the possibility of ambush, bringing too many troops to the east of the city would only be a hindrance. Lastly, you have only thought of ambush — but have you considered that they might turn our own tactic against us, using a diversion to draw the tiger from the mountain, and when this general leads troops to the east of the city, Yuan’s army will launch a major assault on the camp? And if the camp is lost, we would have no choice but to retreat into the city in haste.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guo Jia had, of course, thought of that, which was why he had only been urging the other not to sortie. But once the other had made up his mind to sortie, he did not try to dissuade him further… Or, to put it bluntly, from the perspective of an army advisor who also oversaw military law, he had already done his utmost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Speaking of which, Guo Jia, who had just undergone his capping ceremony and had only been handling serious matters for a few days, at this moment truly felt an exceptional admiration for Xun Yu. Back then, the other man, also young, had led several great clans, thousands of people in all, in migrating from Yingchuan to Ye City. Amidst clan strife, women and children struggling on the road, the chaos of war blocking the way, and bandit raids, he had managed everything in perfect order… These things, from the perspective of Guo Jia as a hair-bound youth at the time, had seemed truly easy. Yet now that he had truly set his hand to serious work, facing a mere camp of three thousand men, he had discovered just how difficult it was to get things done!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Setting aside how a military judge should handle the myriad threads within a camp, even in simply offering counsel to a general, he, as an advisor, felt a certain sense of powerlessness… Why? Because there is no such thing as a flawless, all-encompassing stratagem. Because any military action carries risk. Because in the end, everything must be decided by slaughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Racking his brains, thinking of the greatest possibilities, devising the best plan — yet after speaking it aloud, he still trembled with anxiety, because even the best stratagem could be a mistaken judgment based on faulty perception, and at that time could lead to the loss of countless lives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, by comparison, what Guo Jia understood even more clearly was that, in this process, Guan Yu, as the commanding general, had it the hardest! Because whether he heeded the advice or not, as long as defeat came, the responsibility he bore was greater than that of the one who offered counsel, and the price he paid was greater too. And when a suggestion was rejected — for instance, right now — Guo Fengxiao’s heart actually breathed a sigh of relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was not to say that Guo Jia deliberately shirked responsibility, but rather that Guan Yu understood the timidity of a young man, and as a general, he took the initiative to shoulder everything — this battle, from the start, could not be avoided.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gongtai, do you think Guan Yunchang will come?” The weather was sweltering, yet Yuan Benchu had long since taken a seat behind the rammed-earth mound worksite east of the city, and then sighed as he gazed at the sky. Sitting with him was none other than Chen Gong, who should have gone to Qinghe to confiscate property and execute people, but had been forced to stay because of this stratagem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What does Your Excellency think?” Chen Gong sat to one side, expressionless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I think he will certainly come.” Yuan Shao sighed deeply. “After all, he is a favored general under Gongsun Wenqi. Ju Gongyu and these Hebei locals all say that his temperament is absolutely identical to Gongsun Wenqi’s, and his martial valor is comparable to Zhang Yide’s before Hulao Pass… Though I do not know exactly what kind of man he is, since he is absolutely identical to Gongsun Wenqi, then he will certainly come.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Excellency still cannot forget the White Horse Bandit…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What White Horse Bandit? That was just a slogan for starting the war. If he is a bandit, then what am I, Yuan Benchu?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Moreover, it is not that I cannot forget, but that many years ago I already harbored wariness, mingled with a measure of envy and respect.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wariness, this subordinate understands. But what did Your Excellency envy him for, even many years ago?” Chen Gong was unconvinced. “At that time, Your Excellency was of a line that had produced three Excellencies in four generations, seated in possession of the realm’s expectations, while Gongsun Wenqi was merely a famous general of a border commandery. Had it not been for He Jin’s sudden death and Dong Zhuo’s usurpation of power, with that man suddenly rising up grasping the mighty troops of the northern lands, how would it ever have been the turn of such a person to contend with Your Excellency for the realm?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Could I not envy his free-spirited, willful, and utterly unbridled nature?” Yuan Shao answered slowly, hand on his sword. “I observed filial mourning for six years after my capping, then lived in seclusion in Luoyang for several more years — over a decade sitting motionless, plotting far-reaching schemes. How could I not, in my heart, have envied his piercing spirit and unchecked audacity? And had he not, in those preceding ten-plus years, governed regions and commanded armies to quell rebellions — whether shepherding a province or leading troops to settle chaos — how would it have come to pass that, once the crisis erupted, he wielded troops as naturally as moving his own arm, while I, on the contrary, lagged behind for a time?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Gong could not help but sigh as well: “Is Your Excellency still brooding over the matter of Ji Yong and Cui Yan the day before yesterday?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Indeed.” Yuan Shao nodded at once. “Regarding that day’s affair, I know in truth that I went somewhat too far. But as General of Chariots and Cavalry, commanding three provinces and nineteen commanderies and kingdoms — holding one quarter of the realm — and having issued such a military order before the assembled troops, how could I possibly change it? Cui Jigui knew full well it could not be done, yet still openly defied me. Did he not understand that in military matters, the victor is king and the defeated are bandits? Gaozu abandoned his children on the road, yet transmitted his realm for four hundred years. Xiang Wang was unmatched in the world, yet can only be glimpsed in the pages of history. Which is superior, which inferior?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Gong fell silent once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gongtai, the reason I did not tell you in advance the day before yesterday was not to join with old associates to deliberately strike at you local men. It was because you people have never fought in a truly great defeat, and do not understand what it means for life and death to hang in the balance, do not understand what it means for life, death, honor, and disgrace to rest on one man’s shoulders…” Yuan Shao grasped the other’s hand and spoke earnestly. “Think about it, sir, and you will understand. Whether Gongsun Wenqi or I, once defeated, the very most we could be is a Xiang Wang. And once I become a Xiang Wang, you, sir, at most, would be figures like Fan Zeng, Long Ju, or Xiang Bo — not only unknown to posterity, but also condemned as incompetents by later generations because of the outcome. With the great battle before us, we must unite as one with all our hearts!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Gong was half embarrassed, half helpless, but this time, at least, he did not take offense at the other again. Instead, he slowly nodded: “What Your Excellency says is very true. It is this subordinate who has been somewhat ignorant of what is at stake!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan Shao was just about to speak again when he suddenly saw, in the distance, a red flag on the command platform waving without cease. He abruptly rose, hand on his sword: “Long Ju has come!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Gong also rose in response: “This subordinate will go prepare at once. We must ensure this Long Ju is kept right here!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the two spoke, on the earthen mound worksite — where after a hard half-day’s labor only a thin layer had been laid, the highest point no taller than the rammed-earth command platform — the auxiliary troops withdrew in succession. At the same time, behind Yuan Shao, within the great camp that had been tightly screened off, a sudden commotion arose, and then the barricades were thrown open, and countless armored soldiers surged forth, surrounding this high platform in dense rings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simultaneously, the entire Yuan camp was thoroughly roused. No fewer than twenty units of handpicked soldiers surged forth in succession… The so-called stratagem of ambush on ten sides was nothing more than layer upon layer of blocking, layer upon layer of whittling down, and finally a single fatal strike — indeed, it was perfectly suited for dealing with a peerless hero.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>——— I am the crumbling, agonized dividing line ———\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shao fought Guan Yu. Following Xin Ping’s counsel, he employed the stratagem of ambush on ten sides. At the earthen mound east of Handan City, hearing that Guan Yu had emerged from the outer camp west of the city, he thought his plan had succeeded, and laughed, turning to those around him: ‘Long Ju has arrived; we may look forward to Guan Ying!’ Yu, having left camp, saw Yuan’s camp stir and knew there was an ambush. Advisor Guo Jia remonstrated with him, but Yu steadfastly declared with fervor: ‘Clay chickens and pottery dogs cannot withstand a single blow — why speak of victory or defeat? I have never heard of Zhao Kuo beheading Lord Wu’an!’ Thereupon he fought.” — Old Book of Yan, Volume 69, Biographies, No. 19\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Stayed up all night and produced this many words. I was truly stumped by Guan Yu’s plot, and I feel a bit like I’m crumbling. It’s not that Guan Yu is so invincibly strong, but at the very least he needs to have more style than Gongsun Zan… I wrote a seven-thousand-word draft, then deleted half of it, because I kept feeling it was too homogenized with Gongsun Zan’s plot. I wanted to not post, but was afraid of getting scolded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then there’s my whole problem — once I hit a block, I get social anxiety; whenever my phone or QQ pings, I startle. Anyway, I feel it’s many factors. Perhaps the last time I stopped updating also caused some kind of mental disconnect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This month so far is 104k. I don’t know how many words it’ll end up being. I will definitely do my best to adjust and give everyone an explanation… This situation is torment for me too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",3093,"2026-06-04T19:42:26.060Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","b60820568508e250182f975f4bae09e80854823266e989e907f4a40d1062080e","overthrowing-han-chapter-401","overthrowing-han-chapter-399",548,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Foverthrowing-han-cover.jpg"]