[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-overthrowing-han":3,"chapter-overthrowing-han-overthrowing-han-chapter-433":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},1223192,1620,"Chapter 433: A Thousand Feet of Cloud Terrace, All Meritorious Ministers","overthrowing-han-chapter-433",433,"\u003Cp>Zhang Fei and Li Jin, one south and one north, with no thought of advance or retreat, were destined to become a tale retold as their achievements grew — just as earlier, the Tutor of Chen, Han Tuo, burned the granary at the cost of his own life, single-handedly reversing the situation in the Central Plains, and would sooner or later be remembered... Some precious things may be overlooked amid the chaos of the age and the swirling dust it raises, but as time passes and the rain and wind wash over them, their original brilliance will eventually shine through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, to put it the other way, the summer of the second year of Jian'an was precisely an age when dust was swirling everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as the flames of war reignited in Nanyang and the four powers of the Central Plains merged into one, in early June, the mightiest man under heaven, the General of the Guards Gongsun Xun, after disbanding and settling part of his troops in Qingzhou, traveled west to Yanzhou — partly to continue inspecting his newly acquired lands and make proper arrangements, and partly to prepare to cross the river at Cangting and proceed to Yecheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, with Hebei pacified, the center of gravity of this General of the Guards' domain would shift dramatically, and there was no more natural seat of governance than Yecheng. And on this occasion, besides appointing provincial governors and establishing separate generals, Gongsun Xun specifically transferred Gao Shun, Xu Huang, Zhang Liao, Cheng Lian, Zhao Yun, Tian Yu, Yang Kai, Yuwen Heita, and other capable subordinates, along with Taishi Ci and Yang Qiu whom he had retained, together with elite troops from each division, all to Yecheng, directly under Han Dang, the Marshal of the General of the Guards' headquarters — roughly twenty thousand men in total, ten thousand cavalry and ten thousand infantry, serving as the central imperial guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So Henei is largely settled now?\" That afternoon, at the pontoon bridge at Cangting, countless troops were crossing the river northward, while Gongsun Xun's canopy halted atop the southern bank's bridgehead on the Golden Embankment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That seems to be the case,\" Lu Fan replied slowly from the side. \"According to the military reports sent down the Great River, Zhang Yang was unwilling to surrender, yet unwilling to fight. His subordinate Yang Chou could bear it no longer and assassinated his master, attempting to offer the commandery in surrender. But Zhang Zhishu, though weak and incompetent, had always treated his subordinates well. A surrendered general from Heishan, recently brought to heel, named Mu Gu, styled Mu Baitu, then assassinated Yang Chou in turn and tried to rally resistance... After the General Who Guards the West's army entered Henei, Zhang Zhishu's old troops scattered and surrendered in droves. Only that Baitu led two or three thousand mountain bandit surrendered troops in an attempt to resist at Shequan City, but the vanguard, led by Qian Zijing and Ju Gongtiao, pressed the attack and took it in a single battle.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A white hare caught at Shequan?\" The weather was somewhat sultry. Gongsun Xun, seated on the Golden Embankment, mused thoughtfully, then shook his head. \"Zhang Zhishu, though overestimating his own strength and weak and incompetent, was after all one of those rare men who understood how to protect the territory and bring peace to the people — a pity indeed... And now that such a bizarre affair has occurred, since the man never directly fought us, why not grant him a good posthumous name?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Aye!\" Lu Fan nodded in understanding, then quickly pressed further. \"With this matter concluded, how should Henei be administered? And regarding Henan — because the delay there was too long while Qingzhou was settled too quickly, General Cheng Who Guards the South and Xu Changqu have already led their troops upriver. The two generals have been marching west, not far behind the General Who Guards the West... Should we give instructions regarding Henan and Hongnong?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Cheng Demou and Xu Bojin are both former officers of my household. With A-Yue there, we need not worry about them stealing credit. There is only one word for the three of them...\" Gongsun Xun felt the weather growing increasingly hot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fan and the others immediately inclined their heads slightly to receive his orders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Cut the tangled mess with a sharp knife!\" Gongsun Xun said with evident severity. \"In the Hebei campaign, Yuan Shao was annihilated — our military might is already sufficient. There is no need to parade so many troops around flaunting our strength... If Duan Wei and Li Meng are sensible, they can both be given good outcomes. If they are not, do not hesitate. Whatever happens, it must be swift. With so many troops stationed here, do they not need to eat and be supplied? Settle things quickly, then each return to your posts, disband the surplus troops, and let the soldiers go home... Do as previously discussed. For Xu Rong, let him keep five thousand troops, garrisoned at Huayin under Wang Shuzhi. Henan and Hongnong are special cases — let Cheng Demou take over the troops of Duan and Li, organize military agricultural colonies, and the titles of Grand Administrator for the two regions can be retained by the two generals to soothe hearts. After A-Yue returns to Bingzhou, he must disband the main force and focus on assisting Shanzhou, defending the north, and gathering the Xianbei tribes. As for the Grand Administrator of Henei... do you have any suggestions?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Fan and the others felt their hearts stir in unison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What about Ju Zong, Ju Gongtiao?\" Shen Pei stepped forward boldly and proposed a name. \"Ju Gongtiao is utterly loyal, possessing both talent and virtue...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I believe he is acceptable,\" Tian Feng also stepped forward to jointly recommend him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun's mind stirred slightly. He naturally knew that Shen Pei, Tian Feng, and Ju Zong had personal ties and were fellow provincials. But Shen Zhengnan and Tian Yuanhao's action was also open and aboveboard, for Ju Zong had no issues whatsoever in terms of seniority or loyalty. And in the coming years, the most important task was implementing the new policies — for a major and strategic commandery like Henei, using someone of Ju Zong's reliable background was more important than anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, with Ju Shou and his son both dead, though Gongsun Xun felt no shame, he did feel somewhat awkward toward Ju Zong. If the man returned to the headquarters, future encounters would be somewhat embarrassing... And thinking further, Ju Zong was currently serving at the front under Gongsun Yue's command — he would not even need to be relocated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In any case, Shen Zhengnan's proposal, if not deliberately calculated, was nonetheless extremely apt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But just as Gongsun Xun hesitated momentarily, Lu Fan's gaze swept over the many figures present, and he suddenly stepped forward: \"Ju Gongtiao's loyalty is commendable, but the matter of land surveys will inevitably require heavy-handed measures. I believe Cheng Yu, Cheng Zhongde, would be a better choice!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Zhongde, who had been standing to one side with his hands clasped, had never imagined that the personnel dispute between these two figures would involve him. He could not be bothered to say much, merely opening his eyes slightly before clasping his hands and standing still again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, this candidate was indeed somewhat unexpected. Shen Zhengnan and the others had only been looking after their provincial acquaintances a little while fulfilling their public duty, and for a moment they found themselves unable to refute it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Cheng Zhongde will not do,\" Gongsun Xun glanced at Cheng Yu and shook his head flatly. \"Zhongde is accomplished in both civil and military affairs and possesses a firm spirit. I intend to appoint him as Governor of Yingzhou... Let Qian Zijing take Henei, and Ju Gongtiao go to Shangdang!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, the vacancy for Grand Administrator of Henei was immediately beyond dispute. But as for the Governor of Yingzhou...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is my lord putting this old man on the fire to roast?\" Cheng Yu also showed helplessness. \"I am a surrendered man, newly come to your headquarters, utterly without seniority. How can I suddenly be made a provincial governor? And of Yingzhou, the wealthiest place in Hebei, no less?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A surrendered man whose name I changed eight or nine years ago — what seniority are we talking about?\" Gongsun Xun looked around and laughed. \"Besides, I have already dispatched all of Yuan Benchu's former headquarters staff to Heshuo. I must appoint some surrendered men of renown to soothe the hearts of the famous scholars of the realm, must I not?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Yu laughed along with him: \"Is the General afraid that leaving a firm-spirited famous scholar like me in Dongjun would make that place difficult to set in order?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am even more afraid that if Zhongde does not go to Yingzhou, there will be no one there to devote themselves fully for me,\" Gongsun Xun raised his head and spoke earnestly. \"Zhongde... one only hates the lack of men when the time comes to use them. I have thought carefully — since my elder brother has gone to Chang'an, those capable of this task are none other than you and the several military advisors. But Tian Yuanhao excels at grand strategy and possesses righteous integrity — I intend to have him serve as an inspector in my headquarters, performing the role of a remonstrating official. Gongda is clear-sighted — I intend to keep him at my side to consult on unresolved matters. Zhicai is loyal and reliable — I intend to continue using him to control intelligence and oversee the generals. As for Ziheng and Zhengnan, there is even less need to speak... If I do not use you, who would you have me use?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence reigned all around, broken only by the shouts and cheers of the soldiers still crossing the river on the pontoon bridge. Cheng Yu pondered briefly, then in the end bowed his head to receive the order: \"Yu has no talent or virtue, only a measure of firm spirit. I offer it for my lord to use.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun immediately nodded, then rose to his feet atop the Golden Embankment: \"In that case... add that Yu Wenze, having twice drawn lots and survived, shall return to Jibei to assist Yunchang in sweeping away the Taishan bandits. Dongjun shall temporarily be directly subordinate to Jizhou. These matters can be considered largely settled. As for the affairs of Taishan Commandery, we shall discuss them after the Taishan bandit rebellion is pacified!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My lord!\" Cheng Yu, hearing this, could not help but interject. \"Since we speak of the Taishan bandits, then no matter what, we cannot let Yu Du escape again this time... That scoundrel has been causing uproar across the realm for eight or nine years now, ever since he rose in Dongjun with the Assistant County Magistrate of Dong'e, Wang Du, during the Yellow Turban Rebellion, then killed the Magistrate of Dong'e, Wen Rensheng, and fled. He is cunning and savage, utterly unrepentant, and has repeatedly carried out major deeds — he has become the very emblem of bandits under heaven.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let us observe and see,\" Gongsun Xun clasped his hands behind his back and gazed at the river, unconcerned. \"In the chaos of a troubled age, dragons and serpents rise together. Yu Du's repeated successes are not due to the man himself, but because those in power have never been able to bring stability to the land... Look — in the past, he rampaged across Hebei with a great following, even seizing Yecheng with ease while I was locked in battle with Yuan Shao. But now that I have unified the lands north of the Great River, where in Hebei does he still have a foothold? Killing such a man is simple, but if the land cannot be pacified, someone else will always rise to take his place. Zhongde, you are well aware of the events of those years — even Yu Du was merely acting in place of the dead, men like Wang Du. Do not forget how many white bones lie at the bottom of this river here. That is the source of Yu Du's fortune.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Gongsun Xun speak of the past, Cheng Yu could only sigh and had nothing more to say. It was instead Dong Zhao who, seeing Gongsun Xun rise and prepare to cross the river northward, could not help but hesitate as if to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is it?\" Gongsun Xun took two steps, then turned back helplessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Two matters,\" Dong Zhao quickly composed himself and replied. \"One is... one is that my lord previously seemed to have given orders to Advisor Xi, instructing him that after the Henan affair is settled, he should not hurry back to Yecheng, but first go to Chang'an to escort the Old Madam and my lord's family, along with the General of the Guards' headquarters staff, here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is that not a matter of course?\" Gongsun Xun stood on the embankment, momentarily puzzled. \"Previously, to lure Yuan Shao, the territory we controlled was long and narrow, so our families and headquarters staff had to follow us back and forth in hardship — sometimes Changping, sometimes Chang'an, sometimes Changshan, sometimes Taiyuan. But now that Hebei is pacified, we can finally settle them in Yecheng...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That is not what I meant,\" Dong Zhao lowered his voice. \"I mean to say...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Son of Heaven must not be moved!\" Tian Yuanhao suddenly stepped forward and interjected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yuanhao is absolutely right — the Son of Heaven does not move!\" Gongsun Xun could no longer pretend to be obtuse. \"Nor do the ministers!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Aye!\" Dong Zhao immediately assented.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Guanzhong is good!\" Gongsun Xun had no choice but to explain a few more sentences. \"Not to mention its layers of locks and keys, the Imperial Secretariat and Weiyang Palace are all there — why would we need to relocate them specially? Moving the capital is something that shakes the foundations of the state. Unless absolutely necessary, it must not be done recklessly... Moreover, Hebei is now a vast blank slate. If we cannot complete the new policies, how can we properly bring the Son of Heaven to this post-war chaotic land?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The expressions of the assembled men varied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The truth was, Gongsun Xun's refusal to move the capital to Yecheng was not because, at this stage, the Son of Heaven was useless to him. On the contrary, the Son of Heaven and the Han court had now reached an unprecedented level of importance to him — but this importance had become a double-edged sword. The principle set forth during the strategy session at Changshan, \"seize the Son of Heaven but do not be commanded by others,\" had now been carried to a new level:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the years to come, Gongsun Xun would still need to control the Son of Heaven and the ministers, ensuring these people did not fall into the hands of \"others\" and cause him to lose the moral high ground... especially now that the Central Plains alliance had effectively formed, and unlike the previous situation with Yuan Shao, this alliance gathered a great number of true heroes and outstanding men while also leaning far too heavily toward pro-Han political sentiment!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, with Yuan Shao fallen and Yuan Shu on the verge of death, the banner of the Han dynasty was something none of the remaining warlords could afford to let go of — it was the only moral authority they could rely on to oppose Gongsun Xun. As for Gongsun Xun himself, he had not yet reached the point of breaking with them; one could even say that time was still far off. He had only just begun to build his own system.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other hand, since this General of the Guards intended to build his own system and establish his own institutions, he also needed to begin guarding against interference and meddling by the Son of Heaven and the old Han ministers... After all, though they had been suppressed, the influence of those who considered themselves Han ministers could still not be ignored. Moreover, the Son of Heaven and Gongsun Xun's eldest son and daughter were close in age and extremely intelligent. Now that they had reached this stage, they were gradually becoming aware of things, and even greater care had to be taken lest the two sides combine to stir up trouble and bring unnecessary complications.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My lord is loyal and devoted to the state,\" after a long pause, while others might let it pass, Dong Zhao had to respond. \"I was merely worried that with the Old Madam coming here, and with Wang Shuzhi being a pure minister and Zhong Yuanchang constrained by the court officials, there might be disturbances in Guanzhong...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That is why I left Jia Wenhe!\" Gongsun Xun answered immediately. \"What else? You said there were two matters?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Earlier, I planted a hidden agent among the Heishan bandits. Later, during the Yecheng affair, he took the opportunity to enter Yuan Shao's service, and later still surrendered along with Guo Tu. Though he has rendered no meritorious service, I wished to seek a future for him...\" Dong Zhao said awkwardly. \"I hope my lord will graciously grant this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You are the Governor of Jizhou — handle such matters yourself as you see fit!\" Gongsun Xun was truly somewhat exasperated. \"Cross the river at once!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that Gongsun Xun was slightly irritated, no one spoke further. They all prepared to follow his canopy down the embankment and onto the pontoon bridge to head north. However, before they could reach the bridge, startled cries arose from the pontoon bridge ahead. Moments later, Liu Zhang, the commander of the Volunteer Cavalry, came dashing back from the bridge holding a thrashing object, to report:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My lord, a carp has leaped from the river onto the bridge!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone was momentarily stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But almost instantly, Dong Gongren was the first to react. He bowed and offered congratulations: \"My lord is divinely martial, brilliant, and wise — in one year he accomplished the campaign against Dong, in two years he annihilated Yuan Shao, and now he has pacified Hebei. Hence this auspicious omen!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nonsense!\" Gongsun Xun could finally endure it no longer. \"This means it is about to rain! Throw the fish back into the water and cross the river at once!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one dared say another word. Liu Zhang hastily tossed the carp in his hands aside and followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The haste of that day need not be elaborated. When Gongsun Xun crossed the Yellow River, he happened to encounter a summer rainstorm and was forced to rest briefly in Hebei. Yet that very evening, someone braved the pouring rain to deliver an urgent report from the direction of Yecheng — it was a piece of news that had earlier come from Chang'an. Yecheng, upon receiving it, had not dared delay and sent it on through the night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun opened the envelope and read by lamplight, only to find himself stunned... It turned out the letter had been sent by Jia Xu under the name of his own mother. In the letter, Jia Xu admitted that since Sun Wentai was the Fierce Tiger of Jiangdong, Liu Xuande the Crouching Dragon of the Huai, and Cao Mengde a hero of the realm, though the General of the Guards' power was now great, once these three families joined forces and fully seized the Central Plains and the Jing-Xiang region, they might not be so easily controlled!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, as early as early May, upon hearing in Chang'an of the three families' alliance, he had made his decision and petitioned to appoint Lu Bu as Grand Administrator of Nanyang, sending him with his eight hundred old troops to slip quietly out through Wuguan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That night, rain beat against the army tent, and the General of the Guards lay sleepless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—————— I am a rather helpless dividing line ——————\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In former times, when the Great Ancestor pacified Hebei, he divided the provinces and established governance. Passing through Cangting, he set up a pontoon bridge to cross the Great River. A golden carp leaped from the bridge and transformed into a golden dragon, soaring away. This was the second auspicious omen.\" — Old Book of Yan, Treatise on the Five Elements\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Three things to continue,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>1. Continue to earnestly beg the big shots to casually give Auntie a heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>2. Continue to earnestly beg the big shots to casually give Auntie a heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>3. Continue to earnestly beg the big shots to casually give Auntie a heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",3453,"2026-06-04T19:42:52.587Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","747e0027af78b88b4203892395ef62ec245dd28d6c77b0d813ac9fd1a07881bc","overthrowing-han-chapter-434","overthrowing-han-chapter-432",548,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Foverthrowing-han-cover.jpg"]