[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-overthrowing-han":3,"chapter-overthrowing-han-overthrowing-han-chapter-434":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},1223193,1620,"Chapter 434: Truly Magnificent Was Guangwu, That True Sage Sovereign","overthrowing-han-chapter-434",434,"\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun felt restless and uneasy — not only because of the day's stifling heat and the torrential rain that followed, but also because the crude approach of solving problems through military force, martial might, and political authority had suddenly been set aside. Faced with a mountain of bureaucratic issues and the imminent task of large-scale civil governance, he found himself somewhat ill-adapted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For so many years, this General of the Guard had either been in battle or enduring hardship and rushing about in preparation for battle. The things that constantly accompanied him were nothing more than warhorses, sabers, armored soldiers, and sworn followers. Add to that his background as a frontier commandery noble, and he had, deep in his bones, grown accustomed to certain things... It must be understood that even when he participated in the political struggle in Luoyang, he merely played the role of a blade. And then Liaoxi, Mount Danhan, Goguryeo, the Yellow Turban Rebellion, the pacification of Guanxi, the campaign against Dong Zhuo, the destruction of Yuan Shao — one event after another, it can be said without exaggeration that every true rise in his fortunes was accomplished almost entirely through the most direct means of violence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And violence is highly addictive!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is not to say he lacked civil administrative experience or exposure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quite the contrary. In the eyes of many, this General of the Guard's civil administrative experience was also extremely rich; his methods of governance could even be called outstanding, his political philosophy uniquely distinctive, and he even possessed a sufficiently orthodox classical scholarship background. This was the fundamental reason many considered him different from a frontier martial brute... For instance, key subordinates like Dong Zhao, Tian Feng, Xun You, and Zhong Yao more or less chose to grit their teeth and follow him initially for these very reasons. And later on, the high officials of Guanxi, the aristocratic clans of Taiyuan, and the heroes of Hebei — the reason these people were willing to submit to him to a certain degree, to acknowledge his rule, rather than simply fearing him as they would another Dong Zhuo, was also because of those governing experiences and his classical scholarship background.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But who could have imagined that those governing principles did not originate from him, and that every time he took up administration, there was a formidable mother behind him, using concepts and methods beyond the era, along with vast financial resources, to cover for him? As for his so-called classical scholarship background, that was even more absurd — it was entirely a generous gift from his two teachers!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And besides, before this, governing one city like Handan or one commandery like Zhongshan — he governed them and that was that. To put it bluntly, with the governing style he, Gongsun Xun, employed back then, surrounded by several hundred elite sworn followers, any powerful local clan that dared cause trouble, any aristocratic family that dared spout nonsense, could be completely suppressed by force. And without any opposition, couldn't he govern however he pleased?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now everything is different. Now, Gongsun Xun faces nine provinces, over forty commanderies, and a population of more than ten million (perhaps even more)... In the past or the future, calling himself the solitary and forlorn one, or even directly proclaiming himself emperor, would have posed no problem whatsoever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And facing such a vast territory to rule, according to the education Gongsun Xun had received, he knew very clearly what he would have to confront in the future: internal factional struggles; the bureaucratic system's feigned compliance or excessive zeal in implementing governance policies; loopholes in academic and institutional construction; the return of aristocratic clans and powerful local families in new guises; the insistence on agriculture as the foundation, the support of handicrafts, and the conflict with commercial development... Gongsun Xun knew all of this!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But more importantly, Gongsun Xun was also very, very clear in his heart that when facing these problems in the future, as the absolute holder of military force and the superior ruler, unless absolutely necessary, he could not easily raise his blade internally. That would only bring greater destruction and more problems... The earlier expulsion of Cui Yan was more like one last act of willfulness, yet it already contained a compromise toward the Confucian scholars of Qingzhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, having come this far, what he wanted to become was naturally the Tang Taizong or Ming Taizu his mother spoke of! At the very least, he must become a Guangwu!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could he become a Dong Zhuo or an Erzhu Rong?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only slight regret was that, although he had clearly been very restrained, stroking his saber to remind himself every time he wanted to use force, he still had no choice but to personally kill Xu You outside of battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One can only say, is this what a chaotic world is like?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That night, Gongsun Xun tossed and turned, only falling asleep with his head pillowed on his saber in the latter half of the night... And for some reason, though he was clearly amidst the clashing blades of tens of thousands of troops, he first dreamed of Liu Zhang presenting that Yellow River carp, and then, as before, dreamed of those Yellow Turbans who had crossed the river and died at this very place back then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But time had passed and circumstances had changed. Although he still clearly remembered the names of those leaders, in his dream he could no longer recall their faces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>………………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rain poured in torrents, lightning flashed and thunder roared, heedless of day or night. Within the vast military camp, a man wearing a high cap, armor, and a straw rain cape over it all turned into the rear tent of the central army headquarters. There, beside a brazier, he bowed with clasped hands toward the direction of the couch, addressing the occupant as \"My Lord.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No need for excessive courtesy!\" The man on the couch, his face covered in sweat and looking rather disheveled, gestured casually at the visitor before speaking bluntly. \"Junli, last night I slept with my head pillowed on the Ancient Ingot Saber and dreamed of Emperor Guangwu, the Founder of the Han! In this army, you are the most learned and the person I trust most — you must interpret this dream for me!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The visitor was slightly taken aback. Only after he carefully removed his straw cape and conical hat did his face become visible — it was none other than Zhu Zhi, Zhu Junli. And the man on the couch was no other than Zhu Zhi's lord, the foremost of the Four Great Powers of the Central Plains, the one hailed as the Fierce Tiger of Jiangdong: Sun Jian, Sun Wentai.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for this place, it was a military camp within the borders of Xinye County, between the Yu River and the Bi River in Nanyang Commandery, Jing Province, under the Great Han.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Zhi removed his straw cape and conical hat, and by the light of the brazier studied Sun Jian's complexion. It was obvious — just from the beads of sweat on the man's face, one could conclude that his lord was not lying. And indeed, Sun Wentai had no need to lie to a trusted confidant like Zhu Zhi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your servant has three interpretations. It depends on which one My Lord chooses to believe.\" Zhu Junli approached the couch, and after a moment's thought, spoke directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Explain them one by one!\" Sun Jian sat on the couch, gripping his saber as he responded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The first is the common theory of ghosts and spirits.\" Zhu Zhi pointed at the Ancient Ingot Saber in the other's hand. \"This saber has accompanied My Lord for a long time and has inflicted many casualties. Over days and months, it cannot avoid being tainted with an aura of blood and violence, not to mention the great battle fought here just days ago. Today, with the thunder roaring, it has stirred the overflowing vengeful spirits within. And with My Lord pillowing his head on this saber to sleep, he could not avoid being affected...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It is not that I do not believe in such talk of ghosts and spirits,\" Sun Jian shook his head. \"But I have killed countless people. My own saber, people I killed myself, and within an army of twenty thousand that I command — how could I be disturbed by them?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"True enough.\" Zhu Zhi immediately nodded, his expression unchanged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is the second?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The second is the so-called theory of an auspicious omen.\" Zhu Junli remained expressionless. \"We won a victory several days ago, defeating the allied forces of Yuan Shu and Liu Biao. We only await clear skies to cross the Bi River and thoroughly crush Yuan Shu. And Caiyang County on the opposite bank of the Bi River is precisely the hometown of Emperor Guangwu. One might imagine that Emperor Guangwu, seeing My Lord's divine martial prowess and favoring him, sent this omen...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If it were an auspicious omen, why would I wake in alarm... Never mind. What is the third?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"As for the third...\" Zhu Zhi's expression shifted slightly. \"Some say that what one thinks of by day, one dreams of by night, and that dream matters have no relation to fortune or misfortune... My Lord, I know you usually dislike circuitousness, so your subordinate will speak plainly. This matter may simply be that My Lord entertained certain thoughts in his heart during the day, yet as a Han subject who has repeatedly received Han favor, felt a slight sense of shame. And then, coincidentally hearing that the place ahead is Emperor Guangwu's hometown, this led to tonight's discomposure.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Only you, Junli, would dare speak to me like this.\" Sun Jian could not help but shake his head with a bitter smile. \"It seems that is indeed the case... Days of continuous rain. Yesterday in the tent, I listened to that old scholar read history to me, speaking of Emperor Guangwu's Mandate of Heaven, and then reflecting on the current situation, I did have some unusual thoughts... Why are you not alarmed?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why should your subordinate be alarmed?\" Zhu Zhi chose his words carefully before answering slowly. \"Who is not a Han subject? But in the current situation, who knows how many people have long felt in their hearts that the House of Han cannot be revived? At the very least, ever since Dong Zhuo, everyone has felt that 'the affairs of the world can now be undertaken by me.' What is more, now we have the General of the Guard leading the way for all under Heaven, and our own circumstances are better than ever before. What harm is there if My Lord entertains some thoughts? To be frank with My Lord, you only seriously began to entertain such thoughts yesterday. In my view, that is rather late. Some of the officers in the army have ambitions far wilder than yours...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And you?\" Sun Wentai asked abruptly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"At times, your subordinate also feels some shame toward Chang'an.\" Zhu Zhi was silent for a moment, but still admitted it indirectly. \"However, ever since Changsha, when My Lord appointed me as Commandant with a rank of two thousand shi, if I claimed to have no desire to follow My Lord in achieving great things and be ranked among the Cloud Terrace, I would only be deceiving myself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Jian sighed deeply: \"The crux of the matter is, as you just said, Junli, our current situation is simply too favorable. To say one does not entertain such thoughts would be utterly laughable!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Zhi immediately nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, it is necessary to discuss the situation in Nanyang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nanyang, a single commandery of thirty-seven counties and nearly fifty cities, had, as early as the reign of Emperor Shun, close to five or six hundred Battalion Commander and a population of nearly two and a half million. Meanwhile, the entirety of Jizhou, hailed as the essence of Hebei, consisted of merely one hundred counties, one hundred twenty to thirty cities, nine hundred Battalion Commander, and a population of five to six million... To say that Nanyang Commandery alone rivals an entire province elsewhere is no exaggeration!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to mention, Nanyang also possessed the densest and most developed handicraft industry base in the entire Great Han, as well as the largest government-operated iron smelting base in the entire Great Han dynasty. Such a commandery was truly the foundation for a hegemonic enterprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, speaking of this, one must first mention another person: Yuan Gonglu!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, after obtaining the seal and ribbon of the Rear General from Dong Zhuo, Yuan Gonglu fled south to Nanyang. At that time, with the assistance of his enforcer Sun Jian, he immediately carved out the three connected core territories of the Central Plains — Nanyang, Yingchuan, and Runan — with a cumulative population of roughly six million... You read that correctly: three commanderies, six million people. Runan's agriculture, Yingchuan's talent, Nanyang's ironware and wealth — everything one could want. Add to that a leaderless Jing Province, a turbulent Huainan, and an empty Jiangdong, and the assessment of Yuan Shu as one of the Four Great Powers of the world at that time was by no means empty words. His rhetoric of using the south to dominate the north could not be dismissed as baseless either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But just like that, this vast foundation crumbled. Liu Biao rode alone into Xiangyang, and Jing Province, apart from Nanyang, no longer belonged to him, Yuan Gonglu. Zhu Jun went to Jiaozhou to rescue his son but failed, was driven back to his hometown in Kuaiji by Shi Xie, and after greeting his other son, Zhu Hao, the Grand Administrator of Yuzhang, the Jiangdong region no longer heeded the Rear General's commands. Most fatally, Liu Bei, a rough youngster from Zhuo Commandery barely thirty years old at the time, planted himself in Huainan, and the two commanderies of Jiujiang and Lujiang, the essence of Yang Province, suddenly ceased to be his as well!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, as Sun Jian turned his troops around in a fit of rage, Runan and Yingchuan were immediately lost. And now, of Nanyang's many cities, Sun Wentai, with the speed of a gale and the fury of a blaze, had seized all but a mere five counties and seven cities in the narrow region southeast of the Bi River, southwest of Mount Tongbai, and north of Jiangxia Commandery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In just four short years, without a single large-scale decisive battle ever erupting, he muddle-headedly went from occupying all the essence of the Great Han's south at his peak, controlling a population of six million and remotely commanding the lands of Jing, Yu, and Yang Provinces, to being reduced to a territory of five counties and seven cities. People may not understand what this concept means...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For such a person, throughout all history, from ancient times to the present, spanning five thousand years, we use only seven characters to describe him — Yuan Gonglu, the Fierce Ghost of the Road!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Conversely, why Sun Jian's situation was so favorable at this moment, and why it frightened Liu Biao into turning around and cooperating with someone like Yuan Shu, becomes self-evident without asking. Because Sun Wentai was on the verge of completely seizing all three commanderies of Yingchuan, Nanyang, and Runan!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, unlike Yuan Shu, who was surrounded by enemies on all sides and plagued by internal chaos, Sun Wentai, aside from his own unparalleled military prowess, also enjoyed an external situation that was exceptionally advantageous to him... Gongsun Xun had ceased hostilities, Cao Cao served as his shield, and Liu Bei provided cover for him. This allowed him to be completely free of worries about his rear, focusing his military efforts in only one direction. And more importantly, due to the pressure from Gongsun Xun, the Central Plains were exceptionally united. This meant Sun Jian temporarily did not need to worry about the absorption and governance of his territory, because without external military forces to echo them, what could the scholars of these three commanderies use to oppose Sun Wentai, whom they inwardly resisted?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, as Sun Jian's rule continued and he won victory after victory, this Fierce Tiger of Jiangdong had gradually begun to gain the recognition of some locals — some scholars had taken office under him, and quite a few powerful local families had come to join him!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Particularly worth mentioning here is Li Tong, a renowned local commander who had raised troops in Langling County, at the junction of Runan, Jiangxia, and Nanyang, after Dong Zhuo's rebellion. He too had submitted to Sun Jian, bringing with him a large number of powerful local forces! And because he was from Jiangxia and familiar with the terrain east of the Bi River, he was now serving as a general under Sun Jian, leading three thousand Langling troops in support of the campaign!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under such circumstances, Sun Jian could continue pushing southward without any pressure whatsoever!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After pushing through Nanyang, he could push into Jiangxia. At that time, with Liu Bei protecting his flank in Jiangxia, after pushing through Jiangxia, he could then push into Nan Commandery (where Xiangyang was located) without any pressure. Once Nan Commandery and Jiangxia were both in his hands, further south lay the Great River, and beyond that, the four commanderies of Jingnan that he had once pacified... When that time came, the power and influence Yuan Gonglu had once achieved, he too could achieve. And what Yuan Gonglu could not accomplish, he could also do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps it was just as Sun Jian wrote in his letter directly arranging a marriage alliance with Cao Cao: \"Rest and recuperate for three years. With Xuande left to govern the territory, and Mengde as the rear army transporting grain, I myself shall lead two hundred thousand troops from the Central Plains and Jingxiang on a western campaign. Though the General of the Guard is strong, how could he withstand this? Why worry that Chang'an will not fall, or that the Son of Heaven will not return?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was truly no joke — at the very least, it could not be treated as one. Because just days ago, Sun Wentai had just crushed the allied forces of Yuan Shu and Liu Biao right here, displaying the full might of the Fierce Tiger of Jiangdong!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that time, Liu Biao had dispatched ten thousand reinforcements, led by his cousin Liu Pan, who was reputed to be fierce and brave. These ten thousand reinforcements, combined with the last ten thousand troops Yuan Shu could scrape together, totaled twenty thousand. Sun Jian's side also had twenty thousand. Thus, twenty thousand against twenty thousand, they fought a decisive battle by the Yu River within Xinye's borders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two sides fought from morning until sunset. Sun Wentai, personally wielding the Ancient Ingot Saber, charged at the forefront. Both sides launched repeated charges, but the final result was a crushing defeat for the allied forces of Yuan and Liu, with several thousand corpses left on the field. Even Liu Pan was nearly captured by Li Tong, only saved in the end by the valiant efforts of General of the Household Huang Zhong, who served as the deputy commander for this campaign.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, relying on a summer rainstorm descending from the heavens, Yuan Shu managed to lead his remnant troops across the Bi River back to his last territory. Liu Pan and Huang Zhong also barely managed to regroup their defeated soldiers and return to the opposite bank of the Yu River, but they could not even enter the empty county seat of Chaoyang on the other side. They could only once again hurriedly retreat southward through the rain, settling within the borders of Deng County, north of Xiangyang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, at this very moment, Sun Wentai was only one Deng County and the five counties beyond the Bi River away from sweeping across all of Nanyang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other side, after discussing the situation for a while, as the rain outside the tent gradually thinned, Sun Jian's breathing steadied somewhat, and his mind finally began to clear: \"After we pacify the five counties beyond the Bi River this time, we must not rush south into Jiangxia. There are four things that must be done. Junli, you must remember them for me...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Zhi immediately prepared to rise and stand at attention to receive orders, but was promptly pulled back down onto the couch by Sun Wentai.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"First, write to Xuande. Ask him, after his wedding, to immediately march north to Runan and, on my behalf, wipe out the Yellow Turban bandits Liu Pi and Gong Du, who are entrenched around Xincai and answering to Yuan Shu. After that, have him go south to Jiangxia to assist me…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Zhi immediately seemed about to speak, then held back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hear me out. After the Yellow Turban bandits are wiped out, whether or not he comes to Jiangxia to assist me, the seven counties on the east side of Runan, east of the Yingshui River, will all be given to him — a wedding gift from me, his elder brother.\" Sun Jian quickly cut the other man off. \"Then urge him to head toward Jiangdong. Tell him that Zhu Gongwei is advanced in years and his sons are worthless, and advise him to seize all of Yangzhou.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Liu Xuande is a hero of the northern lands. He sits astride Huainan, and his eyes are fixed only on the Central Plains to the north. He may not be interested in eking out an existence in Jiangdong,\" Zhu Zhi said, still somewhat helpless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know,\" Sun Jian replied, equally helpless. \"But at least it's an explanation, isn't it? The way things are, with him not saying a word, I always feel I've wronged him. The whole world calls me a thief who stole his sworn brother's subordinate territory… and I can't even refute it! Yet in these chaotic times, how can one just give away territory for nothing? When we gave Chen Commandery to Cao Mengde back then, it was because we truly couldn't hold our ground there, and Cao Mengde also supplied us with plenty of grain and fodder, helping us survive the famine before last autumn's harvest. Today, it's only because I see he's unwilling to take Jiangxia that I'm giving him these seven counties for nothing. What more do they want?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Zhi said no more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Second, Yuan Gonglu is my former recommender. My rank as General Who Smashes the Caitiffs — although it was later verified and confirmed by Chang'an — was originally granted by him. If we can capture him after the battle, treat him well, but do not send him to see me, lest it cause embarrassment. Send him directly to Chang'an, stating only that he was taken in the course of carrying out orders to suppress the rebels…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Zhi nodded repeatedly. This was something he had long wanted to remind the other man of; it was best that Sun Jian had thought of it himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Third, after Yuan Shu's remnants are dealt with, you must inspect the treasuries and the spoils of war. Select some rare treasures and local specialties, and in the name of tribute, find a local notable to escort them to the Son of Heaven in Chang'an.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Zhi nodded without hesitation and agreed: \"The Son of Heaven must not be left to Cao Mengde alone!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's not quite what I mean,\" Sun Jian said, somewhat moved. \"The last matter… when you reach Caiyang, see if there is a temple to Emperor Guangwu. If there is, restore it; if not, build one. When the time comes, I will personally lead the officers and men of Jing and Yu provinces in offering sacrifices to the Founding Emperor, and then proceed with the campaign against Jiangxia!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Zhi slowly nodded. \"Since my lord has conceived this intention, then carry it out… Only, be wary that Huang Zu of Jiangxia, under Liu Biao's orders, may march north out of the Green Forest Hills to aid Yuan Shu once more.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That is almost a certainty. What is there to be wary of? I am waiting for him to come!\" Sun Jian leaned on his sword and rose from the couch, utterly unconcerned. \"The realm is in chaos, everyone contends with everyone else, yet only one man can succeed. Now that I have set my mind to this, even dreaming of Emperor Guangwu, men like Liu Biao, Huang Zu, and even Yuan Shu ought to be crushed beneath my advance! And now, I have twenty thousand crack troops here, with another ten thousand reinforcements about to arrive from Yingchuan. When I have thirty thousand troops in hand, unless the General of the Guards himself comes, who under heaven can stop me? That Grand Herald who was driven out of Chang'an? The man has a great reputation, holds a general's seal, a county marquis seal, and the seal of the Nanyang Administrator — he's the scion of a great Confucian scholar, a former Nine Minister — yet he has only eight hundred cavalry, can't even cross the Danshui River, and I hear he can only sneak across the Mianshui from the west. He can't even feed himself and has to occupy a mere Shedu Township like a bandit! For a hero of former days to fall so low — if I were him, I'd have slit my own throat long ago. Why endure such humiliation?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Zhi said no more… Consider Lu Bu, Marquis of Wen, the rightful and proper Administrator of Nanyang. After emerging from Wuguan, he could not cross the Danshui to take up his post, could obtain no supplies along the way, and was finally driven into Shedu Township to live as a bandit… Was that not something you, Sun Polu, brought about?! Was it not your nephew Xu Kun who led troops to ambush Lu Bu at the Danshui River?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, Zhu Zhi also knew that Sun Jian and Lu Bu had a personal grudge. Back then, Lu Bu, Jia Xu, Duan Wei, Li Meng, and others had successfully laid an ambush during the withdrawal from Yingchuan, annihilating Sun Jian's entire force — Sun Jian himself had nearly died.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That day passed without further words. The next day, the sky gradually cleared. Although Sun Wentai had a fiery temper, he was long experienced in military affairs and understood the importance of logistical arrangements. So he did not rush to advance to the east bank of the Bishui to attack Yuan Shu. Instead, the entire army first entered the city of Xinye to settle in briefly, air out their clothes, and dry their military rations… For three days straight, as they were about to set out, scouts came and went, and sure enough, they learned that Huang Zu had led ten thousand troops out of Jiangxia into Nanyang and joined forces with Yuan Shu's remnants on the east bank of the Bishui — roughly fifteen thousand men in total, encamped at the imperial hometown of Caiyang. At the same time, Liu Biao had dispatched twenty thousand reinforcements, led by Cai Mao, who marched out of Dengxian and joined forces with Liu Pan. That force now numbered some twenty-four or twenty-five thousand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only that, but scouts also reported seeing the banners of Lu Bu, Administrator of Nanyang, and some of his cavalry appearing in the military camp north of Dengxian… A few scouts, caught off guard, were nearly all hunted down and killed by the Bingzhou cavalry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be fair, most of this was within Sun Wentai's expectations… Huang Zu marching north to support Yuan Shu, Liu Biao sending reinforcements, even Lu Bu, in his desperation, having no choice but to continue south and throw in his lot with Liu Biao — all of this had been anticipated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, the fact that Liu Biao's reinforcements from the direction of Dengxian numbered as many as twenty thousand, and arrived so swiftly, truly caught him off guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, after a moment's thought, Sun Jian had to admit it made sense… Behind Dengxian lay Xiangyang, and the support of the Xiangyang gentry clans for Liu Biao — and their loathing for himself, a man who had killed a Jing Province Inspector and a Nanyang Administrator and had once made massive demands for military supplies in Jing and Xiang — was beyond doubt. Faced with the potential catastrophe bearing down on them, it was only natural that these people would throw everything they had into the fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It came back to the same point: who told him, Sun Wentai, to be a mere military man? Who told him to kill Wang Rui? Who told his ancestors to be melon sellers from Wu?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan Shu was spent, reduced to a mere figurehead. These sins naturally fell upon Sun Jian to bear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Wentai, for the moment helpless, could only temporarily halt his advance. He sent Zhu Zhi with five thousand troops across the Yushui River to the city of Chaoyang on the opposite bank to form a pincer position, while also sending a dispatch to his younger brother Sun Jing behind him, telling him to hurry over with the Yingchuan reinforcements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet on the tenth day of the sixth month, just as Sun Jing had sent a reply describing the hardships of conscripting troops in Yingchuan — how the gentry clans there were all resentful and sarcastic, and advising his elder brother to write to Cao Mengde and formally request reinforcements — a messenger suddenly arrived in Xinye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The messenger called himself Song Zhong, courtesy name Zhongzi, a native of Nanyang, now serving as an official under Liu Biao. He had been sent by Liu Biao to sue for peace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Jian found it inwardly laughable. Given the overall situation, even if there were temporary setbacks, how could he possibly truly cease hostilities?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, with the matter of Han Tuo still fresh in his mind, Sun Wentai did, after all, show a modicum of courtesy to this so-called notable. So he held his nose, put on a show, and even hosted a banquet in the Xinye government office, intending to go through the motions and send him off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only after three rounds of wine in the hall did Sun Jian raise his cup and broach the serious matter with the great scholar sitting stiffly upright beside him: \"Master Song, I wonder what Prefect Liu of Jing Province intends? And what exactly is this 'peace' of his?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Zhong hesitated slightly, but then spoke earnestly: \"Sun Polu, Prefect Liu of Jing Province's meaning is this: the realm is now in turmoil. Both you and he are important ministers of the court. Your first duty should be to protect the borders and bring peace to the people…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Master Song,\" Sun Jian said, finding it increasingly amusing. \"I merely asked what Prefect Liu of Jing Province intends. Would it not be simpler to just say it plainly? Why all this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Song Zhong was momentarily bewildered. \"Since we are discussing peace, there must be some justification, must there not? How can we discuss peace without speaking of these things?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Wentai and the many officers below the hall looked at one another, only then realizing that this man was a pedantic scholar. Zu Mao actually burst out laughing, but was silenced by a glare from Sun Jian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then Master Song, please continue,\" Sun Jian said helplessly, raising a hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so, after Song Zhongzi had rambled on for a long while, Sun Jian finally grasped Liu Biao's meaning… It turned out Liu Biao was proposing that if Sun Jian was willing to cede the two counties of Xinye and Chaoyang to Lu Bu, the rightful Administrator of Nanyang, to garrison, then he would have Huang Zu personally bind Yuan Shu and send him to Chang'an. The tax revenues from the east bank of the Bishui would also go to Sun Jian!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Jian could understand this, to a degree. After all, after Gongsun Xun defeated Yuan Shao, the political landscape had shifted, and the two Yuans had become universally acknowledged political villains. Now that Yuan Shu was defeated, with only a few thousand broken troops left, he had lost the last shred of his usefulness. Liu Biao knew he could no longer remain tied to that wretch Yuan Shu, so he might as well offer him up, along with a display of military strength, to see if he could trade them for peace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet, it still came back to the same point: Sun Jian's strategic position was now excellent. He was preparing to swallow Liu Biao and Huang Zu together. How could he agree to cease hostilities on these terms? Let alone cede Chaoyang and Xinye, two key locations that were clearly the shield of Xiangyang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And what if I refuse?\" Sun Wentai's manner inevitably grew flippant after hearing this. \"Does Prefect Liu of Jing Province think that sending twenty thousand new troops to Liu Pan and Huang Zhong can frighten me off? Were those two not soundly defeated at Xinye before? Fight another battle, and even with Cai Mao and Lu Bu added, they will still be defeated.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"General, hear me out,\" Song Zhong urged earnestly. \"Warfare is an inauspicious thing. Now, everywhere in the realm, there are gradually signs of peace and stability. We are all Han ministers. If each side can take a step back, it would be a blessing for all under heaven…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is Prefect Liu of Jing Province the only Han minister, then?\" Sun Jian grew even more dismissive. \"I am also a Han minister.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But General, this campaign of yours is widely regarded as lacking proper justification,\" Song Zhong continued with earnest persuasion. \"You should be cautious!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How so?\" Sun Jian was unimpressed. \"The General of the Rear is guilty of crimes. As a Han minister, should I not punish him?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That may be so, but in this land of Nanyang, Prefect Liu of Jing Province, as Inspector of Jing Province, inherently has the authority to command this province. And Lu Wenhou, as Administrator of Nanyang, should inherently manage the affairs of Nanyang. Even the General of the Rear, though guilty, is ultimately an important minister of the court, and moreover, he was General Polu's own recommender. How can you presume to call him to account on your own authority? Furthermore, there is Liu of Yuzhou, who is the master of Yuzhou, and now General Polu draws his sustenance from Yuzhou yet comes to Nanyang to seize the General of the Rear. In relation to these several men, it seems rather…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Master Song, hold!\" Sun Jian suddenly interrupted. \"Who is this Liu of Yuzhou you speak of?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Liu Bei, the Inspector of Yuzhou!\" Song Zhong answered with a serious expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, everyone in the hall, from Sun Jian down, changed color.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My brother Xuande is to the south?\" In the summer heat, Sun Jian was so dumbfounded that he felt his hairs stand on end. If Liu Bei was on the opposing side, the implications went far beyond the outcome of a single battle — he, Sun Wentai, might face the danger of total ruin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That is not the meaning. It is that Liu of Yuzhou and Liu of Jing Province are both kinsmen of the Han imperial house, have been neighbors for years, and have always been on good terms. Hearing that Sun Polu and Liu of Jing Province have been fighting for days, with countless innocent casualties, he sent a letter here to urge peace…\" So saying, Song Zhong drew a letter from his bosom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, the officers below the hall all looked relieved. As for Sun Jian, who shared the mat with Song Zhong, despite having repeatedly reminded himself to give face to this notable with such a great reputation in the south, after being so startled, he could not help but fly into a rage at the sight of the letter!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thereupon, fury rising from within, he actually stood up, snatched the letter, slammed it on the table, and burst out cursing: \"You are utterly ridiculous! Did Liu Jingsheng send you here to insult me or to toy with me?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Song Zhong could speak, a young attendant with bound hair beside him rose indignantly: \"My father is a great scholar of the ancient script classics, renowned far and wide, often mentioned alongside Master Zheng of Gaomi as the twin pillars of North and South. When he sought refuge from disaster in Jing and Xiang, even scholars from the lands of Ba and Shu, hearing of his fame, came carrying bookcases to study under him. Were it not for the sake of peace under heaven, how would he condescend to come see a military man who knows only killing? To share a mat with you today was already an insult to us, father and son! And my father, mindful of the suffering of war throughout the realm, counseled you so earnestly, yet you only heap greater insult upon him!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Jian was so furious he laughed. \"Only now do I understand why the General of the Guards drove Cui Yan away from Zheng Xuan's side. Your father, muddled as he is, at least has some sense of propriety. But a child like you, borrowing his father's name — young as you are, you already have the power to disrupt the flock!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I may indeed be one who merely borrows his father's name, but the General of the Guards studied under the great scholars Master Lu and Master Liu, and is a legitimate heir of classical learning. A melon-selling upstart like you, a wanton killer — are you even qualified to compare yourself to him?\" The youth's face flushed red, his words growing more rapid. \"The reason the realm is in chaos is precisely because there are too many military men like you with wicked intentions! In my view…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Halfway through, Sun Jian first heard the other insult his ancestors, then was struck in a sore spot. On top of that, he had been genuinely startled by Song Zhong earlier, and the cold sweat had not yet dried. He could no longer restrain himself. He simply reached behind him to the wooden rack, took down a short halberd, and with a light toss across the mat, the youth's throat was instantly torn open, blood splashing onto the mat. He died immediately beside his father…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hall fell utterly silent. Song Zhong, in his shock, did not react for a moment. Only after a long while did he break down in anguished wailing, clutching the corpse and howling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were no lack of scholars in the hall — many were natives of Nanyang, Yingchuan, and Runan. Now they came forward one after another, kneeling and begging that Song Zhong be spared. Sun Wentai, too, realized what a foolish thing he had done, but could only wave his hand awkwardly and have someone take the father and son out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That evening, Zhu Zhi, hearing of the matter, crossed the river in astonishment to see Sun Jian. He found Sun Wentai and his core officers waiting for him in the hall in Xinye, the bloodstains still not dry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I was wrong!\" Seeing Zhu Zhi, who had always urged him to treat scholars well, Sun Jian could not help but feel awkward and immediately admitted his fault. \"But now that it's done, there's no help for it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The key is, how do we mend people's hearts?\" Zhu Zhi gave a bitter laugh, clearly unable to let go of his resentment. \"How could I not know that my lord, after decades of killing, has grown accustomed to it? In ordinary times, you charge at the forefront, pressing forward without regard for your own life, and in private, you likewise disregard the lives of others… But my lord, if you don't value your own life, what use is even the greatest enterprise? If you don't value the lives of others, who will be willing to follow you? Song Zhong is a great local scholar, considered the foremost in ancient script learning in Runan, Yingchuan, Wancheng, and Xiangyang. Today he came as an envoy, and his son was merely a boy with bound hair. How could you kill him in public? Once word of this spreads, I fear there will be unrest in our rear, and the reinforcements from Yingchuan will be delayed!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know,\" Sun Wentai answered with difficulty. \"That is why we must have a great victory. We must swiftly crush the two armies at Dengxian and Caiyang. Otherwise, if we remain locked in a stalemate, people's hearts will scatter even faster… But if we can win quickly and decisively, no one will care about the death of a single youth.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But now, Dengxian has twenty-five thousand troops, and Caiyang has fifteen thousand. They face each other across the river and can support one another. After the last battle, we have only seventeen or eighteen thousand men. Without reinforcements, how can we swiftly crush two large armies?\" By now, Zhu Zhi could only force himself to put the matter aside and inquire with a serious expression. \"Especially the enemy at Dengxian — their numbers already exceed ours, and they have renowned commanders like Lu Bu, Liu Pan, Huang Zhong, and Cai Mao. Among them, Liu Pan, though he has suffered defeat, is still a brave and capable soldier, and Huang Zhong is fierce and valiant.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What we must be most wary of on this route is not only Liu Pan and Huang Zhong,\" Sun Jian said with a solemn expression. \"We were just discussing that although Lü Bu has only eight hundred cavalry, he cannot be underestimated... For if it were merely eight hundred horsemen, they would be of little use in the Jing-Xiang region — just like that whelp Xu Kun before, blocked by the mountains and rivers, trapped until death. But now that he has joined forces with Liu, Huang, and Cai, with infantry as the anvil and cavalry as the hammer, they will instead be of great use... And we have tasted the sharp edge of his cavalry before!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It is more than that,\" Jiang Qin said sternly from the side. \"Our own cavalry is far too few. These past few days, our scouts have gradually become unable to cross the river downstream.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then how do we fight?\" Zhu Zhi grew even more baffled. \"Are you saying I should hold Chaoyang while you, my lord, go to the east bank of the Bi River to defeat Huang Zu? But if so, with Deng County having so many troops, they could split their forces to bottle me up, then send troops across the river to seize Xinye — would you not be trapped and doomed on the east bank of the Bi River?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That is why we must strike Deng County first, and defeat Lü Bu, Liu Pan, Huang Zhong, and Cai Mao head-on!\" Sun Jian said bluntly. \"Huang Zu and Yuan Shu are incompetent; they will not cross the river lightly...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even so...\" Zhu Zhi still found it hard to grasp. \"Captain Jiang just said that the enemy has Lü Bu's eight hundred Bingzhou cavalry, and our scouts cannot even reach downstream. Here in Chaoyang, I also feel the south is a complete blank... If our army forces a river crossing, whether by pontoon bridge or by swimming, the enemy will surely know and strike us mid-crossing, will they not?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Precisely by exploiting their confidence in controlling military intelligence — we shall strike where they least expect it!\" Sun Wentai finally pressed his hand on his saber, spoke with head raised, and settled the matter with one final word. \"My mind is made. Within three days, we shall break the four villains of Deng County!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Zhi had long followed Sun Jian and naturally knew his style. And just as the man was politically frustrating, militarily his ferocity was beyond doubt — it was never a matter of simply tallying wins and losses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This time, that man has no Jia Luanwu at his side to assist him. Both sides shall rely on their strong troops, clash head-on, and decide who is cock and who is hen!\" Seeing that Zhu Zhi had no more to say, Sun Jian's expression grew ever more savage as his resolve hardened. \"And if Guangwu has a spirit, let him bear witness from across the river — let us see the Bingzhou Tiger and the Jiangdong Fierce Tiger meet in fair contest, and see which one can truly make the world tremble with his roar! I ask you all to fight with all your might and help me accomplish this!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From Zhu Zhi on down, the commanders stepped forward one by one, bowed their heads, and voiced their assent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>————— I am the dividing line where one of the tigers is always a tigress —————\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When the Grand Ancestor of this dynasty established his enterprise at Ye, he often kept Xiang Yu's broken blade by his side. When handling affairs, he would often stroke it. Once, some who were in counsel saw this and were startled and suspicious, thinking there would be a killing. Yang Xiu, attending at his side, heard of this and went out, sneering: 'This general is suppressing his killing impulse — seeing it is instead reassuring.' All were relieved. The next day, the Grand Ancestor heard of this and had Yang Xiu stand before the court. He himself stroked the blade and fixed his eyes on him for a long while. Yang Xiu was so terrified he could not control himself. He went out and told everyone: 'To suppress the killing impulse, one must first rouse the killing intent. My former words were not to be taken as truth!' All then laughed at him.\" — A New Account of the Tales of the World, Chapter on Regret\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Continuing to earnestly beg the great ones to casually give Dame a heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",7702,"2026-06-04T19:42:52.587Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","070393bd91d30385d51d88ac15a596a4734c3fd7c9ce2f4d6b0595de8b223e9f","overthrowing-han-chapter-435","overthrowing-han-chapter-433",548,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Foverthrowing-han-cover.jpg"]