[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-overthrowing-han":3,"chapter-overthrowing-han-overthrowing-han-chapter-457":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},1223216,1620,"Chapter 457","overthrowing-han-chapter-457",457,"\u003Cp>The reason Han Wenyue wept was not because he realized the situation in Liangzhou had reached a dead end, but because Gongsun Xun saw through his scheme at a glance, leaving him personally at a dead end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Come to think of it, theoretically speaking, the traditional Liangzhou region — that is, the seven eastern commanderies of Liangzhou — had been in chaos for over a hundred years. During those hundred-plus years, the Han Empire, at the height of its power, had repeatedly launched large-scale punitive expeditions with the full might of the realm...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did they win? There were certainly victories.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But was it ever pacified? Each time it only grew more chaotic than the last.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, Han Sui actually had some confidence in the face of Gongsun Xun's sudden military action. As long as Liangzhou could unite as one and resist layer by layer relying on the terrain, a mere thirty to forty thousand enemy troops could be completely worn down by logistics. And when the time came, as soon as Cao and Liu in the Central Plains came to their senses and made a move, or if Chang'an had another incident, Gongsun Xun would have no choice but to hold his nose and make peace with the Liangzhou warlords.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if Gongsun Xun had extraordinary skill and could defeat and pacify Liangzhou in a \"short, flat, and swift\" manner, even temporarily gaining effective control over Liangzhou, it would not matter. Because the Qiang-Han situation in Liangzhou was far too complex, and sooner or later it would fall into chaos again... What the Han Empire could not achieve with the full might of the realm, Han Wenyue truly did not believe Gongsun Xun could achieve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In other words, as long as he, Han Sui, could hide and survive by a thread, could continue to hole up in Liangzhou, then at worst he could endure for a time and play the loyal subject of the Gongsun clan for a couple of years. After all, once Gongsun Xun left, he would still be the local emperor of Jincheng; when Liangzhou fell into chaos again, he would still be the de facto ruler of three commanderies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, Han Wenyue, having held sway over Liangzhou for many years, had always maintained this mentality when facing powerful foes from the east — even though he had long been the foremost military power in Liangzhou, every time he truly faced a massive military or political challenge, he would proactively step back and push some fool forward to be the nominal leader.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, that person was also the inevitable choice to be betrayed during the decisive battle and to be annexed for expansion afterward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first it was Beigong Boyu and Li Wenhou, then Wang Guo, later Ma Teng, and in another timeline, perhaps even Ma Chao at the very end... One can only say that in this world there are only mistaken names, never mistaken nicknames — the Nine-Bend Yellow River's ten-thousand-li sands were by no means an empty reputation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, returning to the present, Han Sui actually still wanted to use this \"Six-Commandeery Covenant\" method to assemble the Liangzhou warlords, then put forward Ma Teng or someone else, build up some momentum, so that Gongsun Xun would target that person while he hid behind and survived another round.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But who could have guessed that Gongsun Xun, this old acquaintance from Luoyang, seemed to know him all too well, and from the very start turned the tables on him, directly hoisting him, Han Wenyue, up in the air from afar — he might as well have told the whole world that he, General of the Guard Gongsun Xun, had come to beat Han Sui, and everyone else had better step aside!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Father-in-law.\" Before Pang De left the private chamber, he spoke with rare earnestness once more. \"My general also said: born into a chaotic age, once you decide to carve out your own territory, do not always think of taking advantage of others without being taken advantage of yourself... Today he is merely collecting the debt on behalf of the Liangzhou warlords you have sold out over these ten years! And this time, you must understand: whether Liangzhou chooses war or peace, if there is the slightest discord in this affair, no matter who causes it, he will lay the blame on your head. Please, you must think thrice before acting.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, Han Sui lost even the heart to weep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And indeed, he could no longer continue weeping... On the afternoon of the eighth day of the ninth month, the Liangzhou warlords gathered one after another on a raised platform outside Yuzhong City, beginning yet another so-called Liangzhou Covenant. Such covenants were hardly a first or second occurrence — Beigong Boyu's uprising back then, Wang Guo's later eastern campaign against the Three Adjuncts, all had similar actions — but never once had there been as many people as today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because this time, it was not only the radicals and the warlords alienated from the central government, but even the moderates who still held trust and hope for the House of Han or the General of the Guard, and even the neutral factions who had always kept to themselves, all came flocking... After all, this covenant was one simultaneously recognized by both Gongsun Xun and Ma and Han.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And looking out across the scene, Qiang and Han intermingled, officials and bandits sat side by side, civil and military were indistinguishable, rich and poor worlds apart — there were even Di people and Xianbei people. The meeting ground was the open-air ruins of the Han army's main camp from the siege of Yuzhong back then, and no one even had a chair. A small number sat on the ground, but most remained armed and mounted on horseback, seemingly ready to fight or flee at any moment... There was no helping it — this was Liangzhou. For over a hundred years, Liangzhou had been this complex, this chaotic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the two armies clashed, Fu Xie prepared to die in the manner of a loyal subject of Great Han, yet thousands of rebels knelt before him, begging him to flee;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gai Xun fought with all his might, and when wounded and in dire straits, he cursed furiously on the battlefield, daring anyone to come and kill him — yet no one dared to raise a hand;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Huan staked his life in a hundred battles to earn precious military merit, yet then used that military merit to trade for a household registration in the Three Adjuncts;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dong Zhuo, in his youth, farmed in Longxi, yet dozens of great Qiang chieftains befriended and traveled with him;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Zhong, while serving as an official away from home, repeatedly urged Huangfu Song to raise troops and rebel against Han, yet when he returned to Liangzhou and faced coercion from the rebels, he chose suicide;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every war was called a \"Qiang rebellion,\" yet the main force of every uprising was always Han local strongmen. Later on, the Qiang rebel leaders mostly died out, and instead it was the coerced Han turncoat generals and surrendered officials who rose to prominence!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this place, there were no clear boundaries between enemy and friend. One year, people were fellow villagers and close acquaintances who weathered famine together; the next year, they drew blades against each other over the great cause of the House of Han. One year, they were sworn brothers bound by blood oath; the next year, they were wild dogs tearing at each other over territory. One year, they nearly slaughtered each other's entire families; the next year, they pledged themselves anew as father and son, as brothers, to plunder and survive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The people of Liangzhou themselves could not tell who was their enemy and who was their friend — it was as if everyone was a friend, and yet everyone was an enemy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, returning to the present, not long after the covenant began, it slid in a bizarre direction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, Han Sui had just ridden up onto the platform with Ma Teng and Pang De, leading armored riders to overawe the scene, and had not even finished his pleasantries before someone directly slapped him in the face in public!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because of the participation of a large number of pro-Han magnate clans, Han Sui had anticipated this to some extent, but he never imagined it would come so quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"May I ask the General of the Fangya!\" someone called out loudly from below the platform. \"You have summoned the heroes of the six commanderies in the name of a covenant — what exactly is this about?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It is to discuss how to respond to the General of the Guard's menacing advance this time.\" General of the Longxiang Ma Teng, seeing Han Sui beside him remain silent, assumed the man did not recognize the speaker, so he responded on his behalf while also offering a hint. \"Weizhang, your Zhaos of Ji County are a renowned family of Tianshui. This matter concerns the entire situation in Liangzhou. If you have something to say, by all means speak plainly.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This man called Zhao Weizhang was none other than Zhao Ang, son of the renowned Zhao clan of Ji County in Hanyang Commandery (Tianshui). Hearing this, he did not stand on ceremony. He directly reined his horse and ascended the general's platform — the very one built of rammed earth during the Han army's siege of Yuzhong — from the side. Then he turned his horse around on the platform, looked down disdainfully left and right, and spoke insolently: \"Gentlemen! In the view of this Zhao Ang of Tianshui, today's troubles are all calamities stirred up by the two villains, Fangya and Longxiang, yet once again, just like the previous times, they want all of us in Liangzhou to bear the brunt of the disaster for them!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A clamor erupted below the platform — some laughed, some shouted curses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What kind of talk is this, Weizhang?\" Ma Teng could not help but grow flustered. \"When have I ever harbored such ill intentions?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why must General Longxiang put on such an act?\" Zhao Ang's words remained fierce, yet he did not even turn his head, merely facing the back of his head toward Ma Teng, Han Sui, and the others behind him. \"The General of the Guard has dispatched troops to clamp down on Liangzhou from three sides. What is this about, if not that some, nominally Han subjects but in truth Han traitors, have carved up provinces and commanderies, arrogating power and acting tyrannically?! And these years, those who have carved up Liangzhou and enjoyed every wealth and honor — are they not the two villains Fangya and Longxiang? Could it be me, Zhao Ang? Or you, Fu Gan of Beidi? Or you, Shaodang Qiang of Jincheng? Surely it cannot be you, Baima Di of Longxi?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every time Zhao Ang pointed at someone, a wave of laughter erupted below the platform, until at last it was an uncontrollable din, laughter surging like the tide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And after the laughter gradually subsided, the Gentleman Attendant of the Yellow Gate Fu Gan, who had been sent here on orders, raised his voice indignantly from below the platform: \"How could the Fu clan of Beidi ever be traitors?! I have come here today, firstly on orders to observe the hearts of the Liangzhou people, and secondly to tell my fellow Liangzhou countrymen: eight years ago, my father could die at the hands of traitors for Liangzhou; today, I, Fu Gan, can also die at the hands of traitors for Liangzhou!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, an even greater uproar erupted below the platform. Who knew how many Qiang, Han, and Xianbei heroes from Beidi Commandery surged forward, declaring that if Han and Ma dared to make a move today, they would rather die than betray the Fu clan again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among them, some, untamed in nature, could not help but draw their blades right there below the platform, shouting defiance at Han and Ma, demanding the two pay with their lives!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Faced with such a chaotic scene, Ma Teng and Han Sui — one flustered, the other silent — left many Qiang and Han chieftains close to the two at a loss. It was only after a long while that the scene below the platform gradually calmed under the pacifying efforts of Fu Gan and Gai Shun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, after the ruckus stirred up by Zhao Ang, Fu Gan, and Gai Shun, any talk of shared hatred against a common enemy was laughable. At the very least, the stance of the magnate clans of the two commanderies that had fallen under Gongsun Xun's control — Beidi and Hanyang (Tianshui) — was already unmistakably clear. But more importantly, Han Sui's own bizarre behavior had already stirred unease and vigilance among his subordinates and the headmen of the regions he ruled...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It must be said, in a place like Liangzhou, especially among the separatists and splittists, any attempt to establish an effective top-down rule was sheer self-delusion. Whether Han Sui or Ma Teng, each was nominally a great leader, but lift the curtain of their nominal rule, and what lay beneath was still a dense patchwork of tribes and magnate clans, large and small.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, the two had not been without rivals in Liangzhou over the years, nor could they possibly have been united, truly treating each other as brothers... For example, there was Yang Qiu, whom Ma Teng and Han Sui had jointly squeezed out; for another example, back when Gongsun Xun assigned Ma Teng to the three eastern and northern commanderies of Liangzhou, and Han Sui remained in the south and west, Longxi Commandery was Ma Teng's original base. So the seemingly honest Ma Shoucheng, when he left Longxi, played a dirty trick — he propped up an old rebel named Song Jian, causing Han Sui to suffer a great loss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And you had to admit, this Song Jian had some skill. After repeatedly making Han Sui's life unbearable, he eventually took control of the entire Longxi and then declared himself King of Pacifying Han, drawing simultaneous fury from both Chang'an and Yecheng. At that time, Gongsun Xun had just defeated Yuan Shao and established his administration in Yecheng — how could he tolerate such a thing? He nearly led his troops to Liangzhou in person.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How was it resolved in the end?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The answer was that the whole of Liangzhou, including the interior of Longxi Commandery itself, realized where the problem lay. They knew that if things continued this way, this fellow Song Jian would sooner or later ruin everyone's separatist prospects. So Han and Ma joined forces, and together with Huangfu Song, who was then stationed in Hanyang, the three of them pressured the various tribes and strongmen of Longxi to act together. They killed Song Jian right there in Longxi, but Longxi was still divided up among the former followers of this King of Pacifying Han, merely nominally belonging to Han Sui.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under this peculiar political model, if Han Sui and Ma Teng lost their prestige, the consequences would be dire indeed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Wenyue naturally noticed this as well. So after hesitating for a moment — whether out of wishful thinking or ultimate unwillingness — he ultimately spurred his horse forward, attempting to put up a slight resistance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Han Sui, after all, was the man who had led Liangzhou for a decade. When he now came forward, the scene below the platform gradually fell silent — everyone wanted to hear what he had to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fellow sons of Liangzhou.\" Han Sui reined in his horse side by side with Zhao Ang on the platform and sighed. \"Fufeng Zhao, Beidi Fu, Dunhuang Gai — though they have always been close to the imperial court and each has their own allegiance, they are, in the end, our own people of Liangzhou. So I bear no grudge for the accusations these three have leveled at me today. But I, Han Sui, still wish to offer a defense. I wish to ask you all one question... In all these past years, though it was indeed General Longxiang and I who divided Liangzhou between us, can the way we two have treated the sons of the six commanderies truly be called harsh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, another buzz of discussion arose below the platform. No matter what, Han Sui and Ma Teng had ruled Liangzhou for a long time — how could they be entirely without any prestige?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Sui, in his youth, had been a celebrated scholar of Xiliang, an outstanding talent of the province, and he never lacked the basic ability to govern a region. Ma Teng was not bad either; he was honest and generous by nature, treated others with leniency, and had also repeatedly repelled incursions by the Western Xianbei in the north, thus possessing some foundation of popular support.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the crowd's attitude waver, Han Sui could not help but breathe a slight sigh of relief. He then raised a crucial question: \"In truth, if you gentlemen feel that General Longxiang and I are insufficient to govern Liangzhou, that is also fine. What do we two have to complain about? I can send my family to Yecheng, then go to Cheshi to serve as General of Pacifying the West, Governor of Zangzhou, and Protector-General of the Western Regions. General Longxiang can go to Chang'an or Yecheng to serve as one of the Nine Ministers — I hear he may also be enfeoffed as a County Marquis. His eldest son, Ma Mengqi, is now also well-employed in the General of the Guard's army... In other words, we two, no matter what, will not lack for dukedoms and marquisates to last ten thousand generations. But what of you? Once the General of the Guard enters Liangzhou, will his treatment of you be as good as the treatment General Longxiang and I have given you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clamor below the platform grew louder, and the subordinates of Han and Ma seized the chance to stir the crowd:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We ask General Longxiang to be the covenant leader and command the six commanderies!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We can gather troops and hold the strategic points at Mount Qingshan and Mount Shegu to resist the twenty thousand troops from Bingzhou and Shanzhou!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hold Lintao, and the south is nothing to fear either!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The four western commanderies are utterly powerless. The road through Wuwei is long and narrow — even if they want to send troops, they won't make it in time. There's no need to worry about the west at all!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Strike Hanyang! Let General Longxiang be the covenant leader and General Fangya be the deputy covenant leader. We'll gather a hundred thousand troops and strike Hanyang!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let them come by any road — we'll go by only one!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Capture the White Horse Bandit alive!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fight into Chang'an City — General Huxiao shall be the Son of Heaven, General Longxiang shall be the Chancellor!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one knew when it started, but the slogans from below the platform grew more and more outrageous. Han Sui, listening on the platform, felt his scalp go numb. He had no idea whether these men were his own subordinates or spies sent by Gongsun Xun, so he hurriedly corrected them: \"That is not what I meant! That is not what I meant! The main point is that all of Liangzhou, high and low, must advance and retreat as one... If we unite as one, we can use this to ask the General of the Guard — without the two of us raising it — exactly how he intends to treat Liangzhou? Is there a plan? That is all I meant!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If the General of the Guard enters Liangzhou, he will surely far surpass the two Generals Huxiao and Longxiang! And he has long had a plan!\" No sooner had Han Sui finished speaking than a slightly peculiar accent suddenly rang out from somewhere on the platform. Precisely because everyone had fallen silent to listen to Han Sui, it sounded exceptionally loud, drawing laughter from many below the platform for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Sui, however, understood — this was a southern accent. He turned his head and saw that it was a young scholar who had been standing behind Pang De, silent all along, who had spoken. He could not help but sneer: \"You, sir, are an outsider. Why have you come to our Liangzhou assembly?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am a Retainer Rank-Seven Clerk under the General of the Guard — Jiang Gan of Jiujiang!\" The man showed no shyness toward strangers. He spurred his horse past Pang De and advanced, facing them with head held high. \"You gentlemen are here debating the General of the Guard. The General of the Guard long anticipated such questions, so he sent me as his envoy to provide answers... If General Huxiao believes that the General of the Guard's envoy may not stand his horse here, then let him cut me down. Otherwise, permit me to stand my horse here and inform the heroes of Liangzhou on the General of the Guard's behalf how he will govern Liangzhou!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Sui and Ma Teng looked at each other, not daring to refute him. Below the platform, a hush fell, and every man craned his neck to look at the General of the Guard's envoy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, as Jiang Gan advanced boldly, riding alongside Zhao Ang to face the many men of Liangzhou below the platform, before he could even open his mouth, someone below, seeing him carefully riding his horse at the edge of the platform, could not resist mocking him: \"Have you come here, sir, to play the persuader? If you ask me, a lad from Huainan like you only knows how to ride boats, not horses. Since it's such a struggle, why not let that son of the Zhao clan beside you continue speaking? Or does the General of the Guard think the Liangzhou men under his command cannot speak?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"First, that brother speaks truly.\" Jiang Gan barely managed to steady his warhorse and continued, raising his voice to address them. \"You are all heroes of Liangzhou, and I, a man from Huainan, have traveled far through wind and sand to get here — an arduous journey indeed. If I did not come to be the General of the Guard's persuader, what else would I have come for? As for why I was sent to speak, it is because the General of the Guard knows full well that you heroes of Liangzhou mostly make your names by saber and horse — skilled in war but not in speech, skilled in deeds but not in argument. That is precisely why he sent me here! However, I have come as a persuader, but not to persuade the two Generals Huxiao and Longxiang, for the General of the Guard has already laid out terms to them...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then whom have you come to persuade?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have come to persuade all of you — to persuade Liangzhou!\" Jiang Gan answered with all his strength. \"How can mere Ma Teng and Han Sui represent Liangzhou? Liangzhou has eleven commanderies and kingdoms, over a hundred walled cities, a mingling of a hundred peoples — Han, Qiang, Di, Xianbei — and its heroes number in the thousands upon thousands. To speak of Liangzhou, one must naturally face all of you directly...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The heroes of Liangzhou are indeed all gathered here. But what qualifications do you have to face the entire province of Liangzhou alone? Simply because you are the General of the Guard's envoy?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone below spoke up again in retort. Han Sui, sharp-eyed, saw that it was Jiang Xu, a direct-line scion of the younger generation of the Jiang clan — one of the four great clans of Hanyang (Tianshui), namely Jiang, Yan, Ren, and Zhao. And considering that the one who had spoken earlier was his clansman Jiang Jiong, and that Zhao Ang stood beside Jiang Gan as his protector, Han Sui's heart could not help but gradually turn cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hanyang — or Tianshui, as it was called — had always been the most developed commandery in Liangzhou, and so the great clans gathered there. Back then, Gongsun Xun, wielding the prestige of his victory over Dong Zhuo, had forcibly taken half the commandery. Later, after Huangfu Song had properly administered it, he gradually took the entire commandery. This had caused Liangzhou as a whole to tilt heavily toward the central government — or rather, toward Gongsun Xun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, regret was useless... He had already wept before — what more could he do?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The General of the Guard's envoy is not qualified to face the entire province of Liangzhou?\" Just as Han Sui was lost in wild thoughts, Jiang Gan beside him, with the tacit cooperation of his allies, had already continued his performance. Looking down from his elevated position, he rebuked them harshly, as if scolding a three-year-old child. \"If Emperor Guangwu were reborn, would you also ask whether the envoy of Shizu Guangwu was qualified to face the entire province of Liangzhou?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, even though Han Sui knew in his heart that the man was putting on an act, his spirit could not help but be seized for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And not only him — above and below the platform, many of the great Liangzhou clans, including the Jiang brothers who had spoken in retort, including Zhao Ang beside Jiang Gan, including Fu Gan and Gai Shun, who were surrounded by many Northern Qiang chieftains, including Ma Teng, who stood behind Jiang Gan — all were stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The courage of all the heroes of the entire province of Liangzhou was, for a moment, seized by a single scholar from Huainan... Of course, they did not fear a scholar from Huainan — they feared the General of the Guard, who had already assumed the momentum of Emperor Guangwu!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be honest, although private rumors had grown more and more numerous, comparing Gongsun Xun to Liu Xiu — this was truly the first time anyone had heard it spoken aloud. And these words, Jiang Gan certainly had not discussed beforehand with those young scions of the Hanyang (Tianshui) great clans — it was genuine improvisation. So even those Hanyang (Tianshui) clan scions all lost color.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They say Liangzhou has been in constant rebellion since the early Han.\" Jiang Gan gripped the reins with both hands and continued to look down upon them with disdain. \"Then I dare ask another question... When Emperor Guangwu reigned, did Liangzhou rebel? Did Liangzhou dare to rebel?! The great trend of the world — long united, it must divide; long divided, it must unite. One era of order, one of chaos; every two hundred years, a sage emerges. Now the General of the Guard scourges the world, intent on swallowing the four seas and unifying all within the realm. You men of Liangzhou, who suffered endless bitterness under the Han — instead of seizing this chance to be his vanguard and change Liangzhou's old ways, you gather here, following two defeated generals from the Wei River, clamoring and putting on a show. Do you truly think you are still opposing that pack of Luoyang fools of old?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Gan's freewheeling improvisation only made his presence more imposing. When he spoke of the Battle of the Wei River, Han Sui and Ma Teng, whose backbones had been shattered, dared not refute him. When he spoke of future prospects, Jiang, Zhao, Fu, Gai, and even Yang Fu — clansman of Yang Qiu, who should have spoken up — all fell silent and speechless... Clearly, Jiang Ziyi no longer needed anyone to play the straight man for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked around and continued speaking from horseback: \"You asked how the General of the Guard will govern Liangzhou? This matter is simple! The House of Han regarded you as frontier rustics and looked down on you. But our General of the Guard hails from Liaoxi and always calls himself a common man — how could he discriminate against you because you come from the frontier? The House of Han, with Qiang and Han living intermixed, often made no distinctions and recklessly slaughtered. But the General of the Guard sees Qiang and Han as one body. Any Qiang, Di, or even Xianbei who can speak the Han tongue and is willing to adopt a Han surname may be registered as a common subject... Not only that — do you know that in the Ye City Grand Academy, there are Xianbei and Xiongnu who have changed their surnames, studying as university students? And that Xianbei with the surname Murong has already graduated and become a Rank-Seven County Magistrate? If our General of the Guard can tolerate even the Xianbei, why could he not tolerate the Qiang and Di, who are even more sinicized?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A stir ran through the crowd below the platform.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In Liangzhou, Qiang and Han have long lived intermixed and are already one body. The Di people submitted to the Han and have diligently farmed Han lands for three hundred years — they changed their surnames long ago and are completely indistinguishable from the Han. Do you think the General of the Guard does not know this? These matters, I, a man from Huainan, did not know — but the General of the Guard told me personally.\" Jiang Gan continued. \"Before I departed, he gave me specific words to convey to all of you...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Below the platform, silence swiftly fell once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The General of the Guard said: He believes that Liangzhou has come to its present state for three reasons. First, men of Liangzhou face discrimination in official careers, so the upper stratum cannot merge as one with the rest of the realm. Second, in Liangzhou, the Han, Qiang, and Di peoples live intermixed — the lower strata have in fact merged, while the middle strata clash with one another. Yet the House of Han, in its arrogance, cannot change course and deal justly, and only blocks rather than dredges, causing unending Qiang uprisings within Liangzhou. Third, the House of Han has now lasted nearly four hundred years, and local governance has in fact completely collapsed, so the common people of the lower strata, whether Qiang or Han, suffer bitterly from exploitation and can barely survive... Beyond these, incessant warfare has cut off the Western Regions trade routes, making the people's livelihood ever more bitter.\" Jiang Gan spoke eloquently in the utter silence. \"Therefore, my general has asked me to ask all of you: If he is willing to start with these four matters — to accept Liangzhou heroes fairly into official service; to permit Qiang and Di to change their surnames and return to the Han, and to regard the common people of the lower strata as one body; to set local governance in order; to remove warlords and clear the trade routes — then can you offer up with both hands the eleven commanderies, hundred-odd cities, and thousand-odd tribes of Liangzhou, bow to him as your lord, and let him come to attend to Liangzhou's affairs?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Below the platform, more than one man instinctively wished to speak, yet none knew where to begin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Jiang Gan laughed again and pointed at Han Sui beside him, saying: \"Gentlemen, you all know the General of the Guard's good faith — I need not elaborate. I only wish to ask one more specific question... If my general were to act in this way, no matter what, it would be better than governance by the two Generals Huxiao and Longxiang, would it not?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Below the platform, they still found it hard to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course, the General of the Guard also said this.\" Jiang Gan raised his head again, looking down with a sneer. \"If you gentlemen of Liangzhou cannot trust him, that too is a common thing in chaotic times... But in that case, do not hesitate — immediately gather your troops and attack Hanyang. He will be right there waiting for you. And if you dare not go, then he will come to Yuzhong in person once more! But to neither fight nor surrender — a bunch of so-called heroes gathered in one place, only knowing how to clamor for others to be your vanguard, yet accomplishing nothing — is that not as laughable as women?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A great uproar erupted below the platform, and many drew their blades, cursing and shouting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Jiang Gan, seeing the drawn blades flashing below, showed no fear. Instead, he cupped his hands in apology and sneered again: \"I was wrong — those words were poorly chosen. Having traveled far through wind and sand to reach this place, I have seen with my own eyes that the women of Liangzhou can wield spears and dare to fight, can work the loom and weave, can draw the bow on horseback and till the fields on foot. How could you heroes possibly compare? To force a comparison with you heroes would only make your mothers, wives, and sisters seem incompetent!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With these words, he paid no heed whatsoever to Han Sui beside him, whose face had long since turned deathly pale, nor to the increasingly chaotic scene below the platform. Escorted by Zhao Ang, he simply returned to his place behind Pang De.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ziyi, you went too far.\" Pang De was also somewhat indignant. \"There are still many heroes in Liangzhou — how could you mock me... mock them like that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Gan smiled and said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, Jiang Gan's performance today had indeed somewhat exceeded the brief... His task had originally been simply to ensure that Han Sui could not stir up another alliance here. And that task, with the cooperation of the Tianshui great clans plus Fu Gan, Pang De, and Gai Shun, was actually very simple — which was what allowed for some improvisation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That night, the heroes of Liangzhou dispersed without result, as expected — but let us set that aside. On the other side, Han Sui and Ma Teng, who had previously sworn brotherhood, finally sat down for a candid meeting after the evening banquet. The two set up a card table, laid out the animal cards, and drew cards to compare ranks and gamble for money... As the saying goes: dragon beats tiger, ox beats boar, horse beats sheep; ox and horse beat pig and dog; dragon and tiger eat everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And at this moment, Han Sui truly despaired — because not only were Ma Teng's cards better than his, but the man was also far softer than he had imagined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Elder brother, I'm ready to surrender.\" Throwing down a pair of ox and horse, Ma Shoucheng was absolutely candid. \"We can't win anyway — why not surrender?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Sui, holding a boar and a rat in his hand, seemed about to speak but stopped, and in the end said not a word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, Han Sui understood — even envied — Ma Teng's state of mind. As a man of mixed Han and Qiang blood, Ma Teng's origins were far too low. He had been poor in his youth and was generous by nature, so his lust for power was naturally much weaker. For him, the logic was simple and direct: since there was no hope militarily, then just surrender!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The General of the Guard had not failed to offer Ma Teng terms — a Nine Ministers post or an honorary position of similar rank, a County Marquis title, a stipend to live in comfort. Then his two remaining sons and one nephew — Ma Xiu, Ma Tie, and Ma Dai — if they did not wish to study, could all enter the Retainers, which meant entering the Ye City talent system at a high starting point with no discrimination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So what more was there to say? Just surrender!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And what of my elder brother?\" After another round of cards, Ma Shoucheng laid down a pair of dragon and snake, forcibly taking the other's pair of ox and sheep, and could not resist pressing the question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I will watch a while longer.\" Han Sui thought for a long time, but could only answer thus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I will watch a while longer\" — this was what Han Wenyue had said to Pang De during the day, and what he had said to his close subordinates at the evening banquet. Now, facing Ma Teng, he still said the same thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Translated, it meant: I am prepared to sit and wait for death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such behavior seems very foolish, even baffling, yet people keep repeating the same mistake... Back then, Kong Rong in Qingzhou, facing the Yellow Turbans and Yuan Shao, had behaved the same way. Was it truly foolishness?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps it was, but more than that, it was helplessness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To put it plainly, in such circumstances, taking the initiative to fight offers no hope of victory; fleeing offers nowhere to run; dying — well, one is probably not willing to part with life. And in the end, if one is unwilling or unable to surrender, then when one will not fight, will not surrender, will not flee, and will not die — what else is there but to sit and wait for death?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, sitting and waiting for death is also a life philosophy — who knows, fortune might turn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Take Kong Rong, for example. At the very least, his strategy of sitting and waiting for death against the Yellow Turbans was quite successful — he, Kong Wenju, had not yet been defeated when the Yellow Turbans were first swallowed whole from behind by Yuan Shao. Then Yuan Shao came, and he continued to sit and wait for death. Yuan Shao still did not behead him, but sent him to Chang'an to enjoy life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Han Sui's case, the hope of a similar situation occurring was exceedingly slim — but it was still better than nothing, was it not?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who knows — perhaps tonight Gongsun Xun would take a fancy to someone's concubine in Chencang, sparking a rebellion, and die from an inability to adapt to the local climate!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who knows — perhaps tomorrow Cao and Liu would go to war and strike straight for Guandu!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who knows — perhaps the day after tomorrow a coup would occur in Chang'an, and the Son of Heaven would flee!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why should he not be allowed to sit and wait for death?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And just as Han Sui understood Ma Teng very well, Ma Shoucheng also understood Han Wenyue very well. They were in similar straits — it was merely a matter of whether one could cross that threshold. So once he understood the other's mind, he nodded slightly, laid down yet another pair of dragon and tiger cards, and concluded the game.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Since things have come to this, your foolish younger brother will not linger.\" Ma Teng calmly took away the jade pendant the other had wagered, then rose and formally took leave of his sworn elder brother. \"In any case, when the General of the Guard advances, he will have to deal with me first. It is not impossible for my elder brother to watch and wait a while longer... It is only a pity that after this parting, I will go to Ye City, while my elder brother will either die or go to Cheshi. It will be difficult for us brothers to meet again! With this bow, I honor our brotherly bond!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So saying, Ma Teng bowed casually beside the table and then strode out the door on his own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Sui sat at the card table, not knowing what to say. Only after the other party had walked into the courtyard did he finally raise his voice and call out: \"Leaving the moment you win, and traveling by night at that — beware of encountering bandits on the road!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Teng did not stand on courtesy either, replying from a distance: \"If that happens, then I shall simply consider it a dispersal of wealth.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Sui was utterly speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As it happened, seeing that the alliance was impossible and knowing that military resistance was utterly pointless, Ma Teng resolved to return to Anding Commandery, muster his troops, and surrender. The man departed deep into the night, and by noon the next day had reached Yongshi County in Hanyang Commandery... In truth, this was precisely the special geographical significance of Yuzhong. Yuzhong lay at the junction of the four commanderies of Hanyang (Tianshui), Anding, Jincheng, and Longxi, and also bordered the Yellow River — it was one of the premier core regions of Xiliang... After a brief rest, he prepared to pass through Yongshi County, then head east into Zuli County in Wuwei, then continue east through Fengyi Mountain, and thus enter Anding. By then, Gongsun Xun should have already set out from Chencang, and he could just lead his army south to settle matters amicably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, even surrender had its finer points. If one did not lay out one's military strength and demonstrate one's sincere attitude, how could one fetch a good price?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among the many offices of the Nine Ministers, some titles sound better than others. And if one could become Bearer of the Gilded Mace or Captain of the City Gates, would that not be better than the Nine Ministers?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for monetary rewards, the disparity would be even greater — who would ever complain about having too much money?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Ma Shoucheng, who had been calculating thus, led his nephew Ma Dai and five or six hundred personal guards out of Yongshi County seat and set off once more. That very evening, east of the city at a pastoral estate on the border between Hanyang and Wuwei, he encountered an unexpected person — his eldest son, Ma Chao, waiting there with a company of Yexia Youzhou shock cavalry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be honest, Ma Teng had never been fond of this son of his. But after all, he was his own flesh and blood, his eldest son, and now that there was no family estate or foundation left to speak of, and they had not seen each other for many years, he could not help feeling some pleasant surprise. On the other side, Ma Chao did not hesitate at all, leading his men to dismount, coming before Ma Teng to kneel and perform obeisance, addressing him as \"my lord.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both sides were thoroughly delighted, and they made camp right there at the pastoral estate, drinking wine and roasting meat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It is rare that you have such filial devotion, to know to come specially here to wait for me.\" Beside the campfire, Ma Teng, having shed his armor, gazed at his eldest son, now of age and capped, his build so very like his own, and was especially moved, repeatedly patting the other's shoulder in praise. \"To command such a formidable two hundred armored riders just after your capping ceremony — your future prospects are exceedingly great.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There was no other choice. As the eldest son of the family, how could I not consider the clan at such a critical moment?\" Ma Chao paused at these words, then could not help lowering his head. \"As for prospects, although the Elder Lady Gongsun and the General of the Guard both think highly of me, there are too many heroes in the army; to achieve merit and establish a career is unavoidably difficult.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know what worries you.\" Ma Teng stroked his beard and spoke casually. \"Rest assured, my resolve is set. This time I return, I shall marshal the troops and submit to the General of the Guard. From this day forward, not only will you no longer be a hostage, but you will have the clan's support in Yexia — your future prospects are surely vast and far-reaching...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In truth, this humble one came precisely for this purpose,\" Ma Chao continued, his head still lowered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know.\" Ma Teng laughed again. \"You feared that I might, against all odds, be unable to see reason and harbor thoughts of resistance, causing father and son to face each other on the battlefield... Truly, how could I be so foolish? The General of the Guard is to personally march out of Hanyang, the General Who Guards the West is to lead twenty thousand troops out of Beidi, and the three northern commanderies of Liangzhou are clearly the initial main offensive direction. Han Sui can afford to wait a little longer, but I cannot hesitate for even a moment.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Chao nodded slightly, then raised his head again and shook it slightly. In the firelight, his expression seemed somewhat bashful: \"My lord, what you say is half right and half wrong...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you mean?\" Ma Teng was momentarily curious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The situation is indeed as you say, but I have always felt that we, father and son, could have a better method.\" Ma Chao spoke earnestly. \"One that would not delay Father's enjoyment of leisure in Yecheng, and would also allow Father to lend me a hand, so that I might achieve great merit in Liangzhou!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How so?\" Ma Shoucheng grew even more curious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My lord, military merit in Liangzhou is nothing more than you and Han Sui. Tell me, if I could capture one of you and present him to the General of the Guard, given the General of the Guard's clear approach to rewards and punishments, how could I not leap to become a Thousand-Dan Major...? That is a great hurdle to cross!\" Ma Chao grew ever more earnest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I understand your meaning now.\" Ma Teng was instantly enlightened upon hearing this. \"You are saying you want me to take these five—?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Forgive your father for speaking bluntly,\" General of the Dragon Soar Ma Shoucheng shook his head and sighed. \"My son is still somewhat too self-assured. Yuzhong is a key stronghold of Liangzhou. Han Wenyue also knows that meeting the enemy here is of the utmost importance, so he has placed a full four to five thousand troops in Yuzhong, all elite soldiers of his own command. Such a mighty city — back then, the imperial court dispatched a hundred thousand troops, with Dong Zhuo and Sun Jian as commanders, and still could not take it. How much less so with you leading a mere seven or eight hundred cavalry?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That is not what your son meant.\" Ma Chao appeared increasingly bashful. \"Your son never thought of assailing the stronghold of Yuzhong...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Teng was slightly taken aback.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Father, my lord.\" Ma Mengqi stretched out hands like iron pincers to grasp his own father's hands, kneeling on the ground and speaking with utmost sincerity. \"Tell me, if I were to present you to the General of the Guard, would that not be a merit as vast as the heavens?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Teng did not react for a moment. Ma Dai, who had been listening with interest nearby, hurriedly rose and grasped his sword, but still dared not draw it — not only because this was a matter of family ethics between his cousin and uncle, but more importantly, it was only now that he noticed that none of his cousin's troops had removed their armor, and they had subtly surrounded the three of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other side, Ma Chao paid no heed to Ma Dai, merely kneeling on the ground and continuing his earnest plea: \"Father, my lord, think on it. Given the General of the Guard's magnanimity, whether you surrender and go over or are bound and delivered, the result in the end is simply that you enjoy leisure in Yecheng. The treatment you deserve will still be there — there is no great difference. But whether or not I have captured you concerns the future of our Fufeng Ma clan... My two younger brothers, and A-Dai as well — will their future prospects not all depend on me? That being the case, Father, my lord, why not endure the trouble this once and pave the road for your son? And I will not hide it from Father — this reasoning was not something I thought up on the spur of the moment. As early as my time in Changping, I was already worried about my prospects. At that time, there happened to be a man named Wang Can who grew up with me and often gave me advice. One day he casually remarked that if such a day as this ever came, this was what should be done, and I have kept it in my heart for many years!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Teng, his hands gripped by his own son, found himself utterly unable to retort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>————I am the dividing line of fatherly kindness and filial piety————\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thus did Zhou and Zheng fall into enmity, Han Gao request a cup of soup, Wei Xiao sacrifice his son, and Ma Chao betray his father — such was the extremity of their cruelty and ruthlessness.\" — Records of Heroes at the End of Han, by Wang Can\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",8196,"2026-06-04T19:42:52.587Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","5f4a409406609891df4deaf78272831877f757bc7d3fa4771cacae9ed8536f8e","overthrowing-han-chapter-458","overthrowing-han-chapter-456",548,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Foverthrowing-han-cover.jpg"]