[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-overthrowing-han":3,"chapter-overthrowing-han-overthrowing-han-chapter-464":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},1223223,1620,"Chapter 464: Long and Arduous Is the Road Ahead","overthrowing-han-chapter-464",464,"\u003Cp>In the middle of the eleventh month of winter in the fifth year of Jian’an, Emperor Liu Xie of Han, after enduring countless hardships, finally succeeded in crossing Wuguan with only a few dozen followers and arrived at Wancheng in Nanyang Commandery, the Southern Capital among the three capitals of Great Han.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, this place was the imperial hometown, and like Chang’an, it was one of the legally designated auxiliary capitals after the founding of the Eastern Han, and also a location of a certain ancestral temple. From this perspective, the escape plan of the young Son of Heaven and Yang Biao did have some rationale, for Wancheng itself held a certain special legal status.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, it was only a little bit, better than nothing. For although this place was economically developed, its political status had been severely eroded because it was too close to Luoyang, even to the point of a kind of congenital deficiency. If one had to make an anachronistic analogy, one could say this place was to Chang’an exactly as Fengyang in the late Ming was to Nanjing... in theory they were the same thing, but in practice they were not the same at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Returning to the matter at hand, as the Regional Commander responsible for the Nanyang region under General of Valiant Arms Cao Cao, Cao Cao’s younger brother Cao De was at first somewhat bewildered after receiving this party, then shaken, but quickly came to his senses and then began to bustle about in a fluster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On one hand, he vacated his own residence in Wancheng for the Son of Heaven to dwell in, and on the other, he dispatched a flying courier to Chen Commandery to report back to his elder brother Cao Cao. Then, just as he was about to study the matter of protocol, he was reminded by Captain Ren Jun, Deng Zhi, and the Prefect of Wancheng, Man Chong, to urgently reinforce the key towns of Shunyang and Nanxiang on both banks of the Dan River, directly facing Wuguan to the west. He also sent another flying courier to Luyang, warning the local garrison commander Shi Huan to be on strict alert.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the interesting thing was, just as Cao De’s messengers had set out, Yang Biao, having steadied his posture, immediately dispatched his own private messengers southward to where Lu Bu and Liu Biao were. The Minister of Justice, Zhou Zhong, also unhesitatingly sought out an old acquaintance in Wancheng and asked the latter to immediately deliver a letter to Shouchun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These actions truly made Cao De’s heart thump with fear, yet he could hardly voice any objection. But when he suddenly heard that Ding Chong had died on the road, frozen to death while drunk, he finally began to see the light... It must be understood that the Ding clan, the Cao clan, and the Xiahou clan were together ranked as the three great clans of Qiaoxian, intermarrying for generations and essentially forming a single entity. The wives of both Cao Cao and Xiahou Yuan were from the Ding clan, and they were biological sisters. As for Ding Chong, he was an outstanding figure specially cultivated by this generation of the Ding clan, a man who was like a blood brother to the Cao and Xiahou brothers. And yet he had died in a muddled manner on the road?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this thought, even though Cao De was known for his generosity, he could not help but harbor doubts in his heart. He then summoned his privately recruited personal aide in Nanyang, a local talent of Nanyang who had not yet undergone his capping ceremony, Zong Yu, and had the latter personally carry another private letter to Chen Commandery to see his elder brother, General of Valiant Arms Cao Cao. At the same time, he ordered Ren Jun to lead troops south to Jiyang to prepare for any unforeseen events from the south.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And just as Wancheng was thrown into utter chaos by the sudden arrival of certain people, a thousand miles away, someone had also come from afar to the place of the General of the Left, Governor of Yuzhou, Liu Bei... However, these were not uninvited guests, but rather Lu Su and Chen Deng, returning from their long mission to Hebei.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be honest, Liu Bei had not expected Lu Su to return so late, even though he had specifically instructed him to help offer sacrifices to his ancestors and to carefully observe the situation in Hebei to facilitate strategic decisions... But to be gone for so long, nearly half a year from start to finish, was still hard to understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, he had returned in the end, and so the General of the Left, Liu Xuande, personally went ten li outside the city to welcome him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the depths of winter, and although Shouchun was in Huainan, the cold wind was still biting. Liu Bei not only led his trusted followers out early to greet him, but when he saw Lu Zijing appear in the distance, he even took the initiative to dismount and personally stepped forward to hold Lu Zijing’s saddle, as a gesture of welcome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This posture clearly gave Lu Su immense face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And through this, everyone understood that Lu Zijing, by virtue of his achievements on this diplomatic mission, was finally about to join the upper echelons and core of the Huainan system. Even the two Zhangs under Liu Bei—Zhang Fei and Zhang Zhao—could no longer hold him back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An additional note must be made here: Liu Bei was extremely adept at winning people over. Any talent he encountered, regardless of origin, native place, or personality, this General of the Left could treat with the courtesy of a worthy and win their heartfelt devotion, causing them to in turn wholeheartedly pledge loyalty to him... This is beyond doubt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, this did not mean there were no factions or conflicts within this military-political group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among them, the main factional divisions were naturally the oft-mentioned original-follower outsider faction and the local faction. In Liu Bei’s case, because Xuzhou was acquired later and Runan returned to his governance, it was even simpler: directly the Xuzhou, Yangzhou, and Yuzhou factions. But unlike the naked conflicts of interest under Yuan Shao or Liu Yan, the factions here, though formed along regional lines, were not so low in caliber. Their conflicts were more manifested in what could be called disputes over the path forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, if one had to forcibly define these two factions, they somewhat resembled a young, radical faction and a steady, conservative faction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The so-called steady conservative faction, led by Zhang Fei and Zhang Zhao, with those who had fled south from the Central Plains earlier—such as Chen Ji and his son Chen Qun, Yuan Huan, and others—along with later-joining Xuzhou men like Zhang Hong, Chen Gui, and Cao Hong as its core, generally harbored certain doubts about military expansion. They believed the Cao-Liu alliance should be maintained, and harmonious relations with Hebei preserved... In any case, just maintain the status quo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among them, Zhang Fei was a special case; he valued brotherhood and had received great kindness from Gongsun Xun, so he resisted confrontation with the north—this everyone knew. And men like Zhang Zhao, Zhang Hong, the two Chens, Yuan Huan, Cao Hong, and Chen Gui were not some pedantic capitulationists... Their educational backgrounds and northern origins meant they had a deeper understanding of the cruelty of war. Coupled with the satisfaction of naturally occupying high positions within Liu Bei’s group, they resisted war from the bottom of their hearts!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the young radical faction, it was even simpler: it mainly consisted of mid-to-high-ranking military officers (mostly promoted from the local area) as its core, with the Three Talents of Huainan—Zhou Yu, Lu Su, and Liu Ye—as its representatives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These people were generally young and generally of local Huainan origin. Being young meant they had the ambition to establish merit and achieve great things; being young meant they lacked a sense of identification with the central authority; being of local origin meant they controlled vast amounts of wealth and manpower, and meant their political status within the group was relatively low.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, the two words \"House of Han\" meant nothing in their eyes; their minds were filled entirely with the ambition to contend for hegemony!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Take that fellow Liu Ye, for example. Born of legitimate Han imperial lineage, yet from his youth he considered this background a future hindrance to his achievements, because the House of Han could not be revived! It was not until the pleasant surprise of Liu Bei’s sudden arrival that he completely let go of this mental knot and followed this lord to restore the House of Han!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Su goes without saying. Was the title of the \"Deng Yu of Huainan\" false? At a young age, he sold off his lands and houses, distributed his wealth to bind warriors to him! This was a man utterly determined to do great things!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Yu was the same. After being recruited as the Prefect of Juchao at a young age due to his family background and renowned talent, he not only ignored county administration but spent his days drilling troops there. After being discovered by Zhang Fei and conversing with him, he was recommended to Liu Bei, whereupon he immediately volunteered to go to Guangling to train the navy!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that time, Yuan Shao had just been defeated, the importance of seaborne naval forces had shaken the world, and Tao Qian of Xuzhou was growing old. This was clearly also an intent to stir up trouble, and even more direct and practical.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, just imagine: these men encountered a chaotic world in their youth, and instead of developing any centripetal force toward the central authority, their minds were filled with thoughts of establishing merit and achieving great deeds. Then, happening to meet a lord as outstanding as Liu Bei, they were naturally willing to assist him in accomplishing a grand enterprise!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, this kind of thinking naturally provoked resistance from men like Zhang Zhao... In fact, quite early on, because Zhou Yu and Liu Ye’s personal cultivation was of such a level that even Zhang Zhao and his ilk could find no fault to openly criticize them, the slightly more rough-mannered Lu Zijing became the target of Zhang Zhao’s group... Zhang Zibu told Liu Bei every day that this fellow Lu Su did not understand humility and was fond of warlike matters, and absolutely must not be given heavy responsibility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Bei always agreed, yet Lu Zijing’s official position grew ever higher, his responsibilities ever heavier, until finally arriving at this day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How to put it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason these two factions could exist under Liu Bei’s command and develop to this point was mainly due to Liu Bei’s own issues. Back when Liu Bei left, he swore an oath with Gongsun Xun not to become enemies. At that time, this wandering knight of Zhuoxian truly meant it in his heart—go out and make a try; if Gongsun Xun unified the realm, then he would simply surrender, for he himself could not have imagined at the time that he would reach his current position; and if Gongsun Xun, being the first to bear the brunt, fell in the early stages of the grand struggle, then he would inherit that unfulfilled will and contend for it himself. Was that not acceptable?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But who could have foreseen that the grand situation of the realm today would be one where Gongsun Xun stood at the top, with him and Cao Cao occupying the next tier?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And having come this far, who could be content not to make a bid for it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xuande was certainly unwilling to be a man who betrayed righteousness, yet he was also unwilling to simply stop there. This was human nature... Thus, Cao Cao became the alliance leader, completely blocking Gongsun Xun in the north, and thus the factional struggles within Huainan came to be.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To put it plainly, this conflict originated from within Liu Bei’s own heart, and subsequently manifested within his own headquarters!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Returning to the present, the General of the Left, Liu Xuande, personally holding the saddle and dismounting, welcoming Lu Su from ten li away, could not help but stir everyone’s hearts. Could it be that this Crouching Dragon of the Huai had finally made up his mind?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be honest, given Liu Bei’s current status and strength, if he truly intended to cross swords with Gongsun Xun, no one would say much. For instance, before this mission, Lu Su had once advised Liu Bei, stating bluntly at the time: \"Such is the general trend of the world; it is only natural for heroes to carve out their own domains. Today, my lord, obeying Heaven and accepting your mandate, uniting the three provinces of Yu, Yang, and Xu to contend for the realm, is the true path of the Great Way. Mere personal friendship is not worth a scoff! When I journey north today, I must certainly spy out the truth of the situation for my lord, so as to determine the grand strategy for the future!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These words still rang in their ears, and now that he had returned to Huainan, it was inevitable that everyone’s thoughts would wander.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, Liu Bei and Lu Su entered the city hand in hand, proceeded into the General of the Left’s residence, and a banquet was laid to wash away the dust of travel. And he even placed Lu Su’s seat at the second position on the left, second only to Zhang Zhao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Zijing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After three rounds of wine, no public matters had been discussed, only some anecdotes from the road. Liu Bei, slightly tipsy, could not help but smile and ask, \"Today, I first welcomed you by holding your saddle, and then invited you to sit in this position. This should be sufficient to commend your achievements, yes?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I believe it is not enough!\" Lu Su, who had also had a few extra cups, rose with a stern face and answered bluntly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, everyone in the hall first laughed as before, but a moment later, they suddenly fell silent and froze... Clearly, this reply was too sudden and too unexpected, so much so that the crowd did not react at first. And once they did react, they were even more at a loss for words!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What nonsense is Zijing speaking?!\" Unexpectedly, the first to stand up and rebuke him was Liu Ye, seated at the fourth position on the left. \"Such disrespect—is this the conduct befitting a subject?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zhao, at the first position on the left, and Chen Ji, at the third, both remained silent. Even Liu Bei looked somewhat embarrassed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, given the intelligence of these men, especially Liu Bei and Liu Ye’s deep regard for and understanding of Lu Su, how could they not understand that Lu Zijing was using this topic to make a point? But understanding was one thing; with Zhang Zhao sitting right there in the first position among the civil officials on the left, for you, sitting in the second position, to say it was not enough—what did that imply? Those who knew understood you wanted to seize the moment to speak; those who didn’t would think you were openly disgusted with Zhang Zibu!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Liu Bei found it difficult to intercede in this remark!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was precisely realizing this that Liu Ye, as Lu Su’s close friend, rose to rebuke him... nominally a rebuke, but in reality, giving Lu Zijing a way out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Lu Su was utterly unperturbed. He simply continued, cupping his hands and speaking: \"My lord, during this northern journey with Chen Yuanlong, I have seen much, and my heart is filled with emotion to the extreme, hence this posture... As for Ziyang saying I lack the propriety of a subject, that is nonsense. In my opinion, if one day my lord could encompass the four seas and extend his virtue across the realm, then even if you summoned me to some palace or terrace in a soft-wheeled cart to discuss affairs, I would be satisfied to the utmost! But now, my lord only holds a small territory on either bank of the Huai River, with the danger of collapse looming before our eyes, yet here we are still fussing over left hand and right hand, first and second—is this not laughable?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hall fell silent, and everyone then recalled the purpose of Lu Su’s mission, their expressions turning solemn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Does this mean the armies of Hebei are extremely formidable, and the General of the Guard is about to attack the Central Plains?\" Liu Bei sat upright at the head, expressionless. The one who spoke was Zhang Zhao, Zhang Zibu, his face full of worry. \"And the reason Zijing was gone so long this time was to thoroughly spy out the true state of Hebei’s military affairs?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Master Zhang, that is not my meaning!\" Lu Su turned his head and bowed to Zhang Zhao. \"Although Yuanlong and I tarried long in Hebei on this trip, we were accompanied throughout by Military Advisor and Libationer Guo Fengxiao of Yingchuan, a subordinate of the General of the Guard. We were not permitted to enter military camps or other confidential areas. The only time we caught a glimpse of the army’s appearance was when the General of the Guard traveled west to Chang’an, and we briefly observed from the roadside. I have already reported back on the elite cavalry of Hebei that I saw then...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zibu frowned for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"However, as for the might of Hebei’s armies, who does not know it, whether they have seen it or not? How did Dong Zhuo and Yuan Shao perish? How did Han Sui and Ma Teng surrender?\" Lu Zijing turned back and asked the civil and military officials of Shouchun sternly. \"As for whether the General of the Guard will attack the Central Plains, Master Zibu’s question is even more laughable. Now that the General of the Guard has pacified Hebei and the Three Adjuncts, and has now annexed Liangzhou, stabilizing his rear, what else would he do but attack the Central Plains? Could it be that he would stop at the line of the Yellow River and Mount Tai because of personal friendship with the General of Valiant Arms or with my lord?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That is not what I meant. A few days ago, when news came that the General of the Guard had pacified Xiliang, we were still discussing whether the General of the Guard would first pacify Bashu to ensure complete safety,\" Liu Ye, seeing the situation turning sour, hastily interjected to smooth things over again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This matter is meaningless,\" Lu Su stood there and refuted solemnly. \"This belongs to minor details, and minor details may change with shifts in the current situation. What truly deserves attention is the grand situation, for only by glimpsing the grand situation can one know the direction of the world’s great trend...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I imagine that after half a year on this journey, you must have grasped the grand situation!\" The speaker was Chen Qun, seated further down. He clearly was not convinced that Lu Su should be seated above his father.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Correct,\" Lu Su looked at Chen Qun and answered seriously. \"On this northern journey, I tarried for a long time and can be said to have fully grasped the grand situation of Hebei.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"May I ask from where this grand situation was derived?\" Chen Qun raised an eyebrow and immediately pressed further. \"Did Brother Zijing not say that on this trip to Hebei, you were not permitted access to confidential areas?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"To grasp the greater situation, one must begin with the smallest details,\" Lu Su said unhurriedly. \"Secret military intelligence, staff office schemes — those are actually useless... During my time in Hebei, four small matters stirred me deeply. As the saying goes, see the subtle and know the manifest — that is why I harbor this sense of worry and dread today.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Half a year in Hebei, and aside from your diplomatic mission and ritual duties, you only gathered four small matters?\" Chen Qun's dissatisfaction grew harder to conceal. \"You, sir...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Speak, then.\" At that moment, Liu Bei, who had long remained silent, suddenly spoke up, and Chen Qun immediately fell quiet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"First: when I first met the General of the Guard, he immediately identified my native place and name, and offered assessments of me, Ziyang, and Gongjin... This matter has already been reported back... My point is, the three of us, though we have gained our lord's trust and employment, what are we in the vast realm? Merely three young men newly promoted to handle some mundane affairs. Yet the General of the Guard knew us thoroughly — this shows he harbors not the slightest contempt for the Central Plains or for our lord.\" Lu Su spoke with eloquence, and those around him, even Zhang Zhao, could not help but nod slightly in agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Second.\" Lu Su rose from his seat and addressed the civil and military officials of Shouchun. \"Yuanlong and I went to Zhuoxian to perform sacrifices to our lord's ancestors and to Master Zigan on our lord's behalf. We met many of our lord's old clan members and former acquaintances, among them Lord Yuanqi, who once donated funds to support our lord's studies, and Lord Zijing, who happens to share my courtesy name... Before we departed, our lord gave instructions, so I invited both families to come to Huainan on his behalf, to fulfill his filial duty... Yet neither elder agreed. Instead, Lord Zijing wrote a letter urging surrender, advising our lord to lead the people of the Central Plains to submit to the General of the Guard as soon as possible.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, Lu Zijing indeed drew a letter from his bosom, turned, and handed it to Liu Bei. The civil and military officials in the hall broke into an uproar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Bei took the letter, casually opened it and glanced at it, then shook his head and smiled. \"It is my uncle's handwriting... I understand his meaning well enough; it is certainly no forgery.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That is precisely the point!\" Lu Su responded at once. \"Even our lord's closest elder in the clan urges him to surrender — is it because he does not wish to see our lord succeed? In the end, it is simply because he believes the realm is destined to belong to the General of the Guard, and that our lord in Huainan is merely clinging to a precarious existence. This is an elder's concern.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And the other two small matters?\" Liu Bei carefully tucked the letter into his bosom before continuing his inquiry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"One is the grandeur of the University of Yexia, where brilliant young men and youths emerge in an unbroken stream,\" Lu Su continued. \"Scholars come and go in endless succession — it truly shook me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A single falling leaf heralds autumn. Relying on discovering talent is ultimately a lesser approach; a flourishing culture of education that produces talent in a steady flow — that is the true purpose of civilizing instruction.\" Zhang Hong in the assembly sighed with emotion. \"When Lecturers Lord Yue and Lord Wei came here from the University of Yexia, in just a few months they transformed the University of Shouchun. We have already discussed this at length here in Shouchun.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Lord Zigang speaks truly.\" Lu Su sighed. \"This is what makes Hebei truly fearsome. In truth, it is not only the university. Yuanlong and I traveled through half of Hebei and found that everything there — from education to military service, from taxation to the postal relay system, from the rotation of officials to the village tithing units — all matters are governed by institutions, not dependent on individuals. And this means the General of the Guard's foundation in Hebei is truly deep to the extreme. His rule there will never be shaken by a temporary setback... Compared to them, we fall far too short. One must understand: success depends on people, but governance depends on institutions.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hall fell rather quiet. Liu Bei was briefly taken aback, then slowly nodded and spoke again. \"In those days at my elder brother's side, what I learned most was to put people first in all matters, and thus I neglected institutions. That is my failing. And the fourth matter?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Reporting to my lord,\" Lu Su's expression grew increasingly grave, \"I discovered that in the Hebei countryside, the common people actually do not fear soldiers and blades!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, many looked bewildered, but some — such as Zhang Zhao and Liu Ye — changed color one after another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Bei pondered briefly, and his expression finally changed as well. \"Is this true?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It is!\" Lu Su answered earnestly. \"As everyone knows, the chaos has lasted only a few years. Here under our lord's rule in Huainan, though the people submit to our lord, they still tremble with fear at the sight of armed soldiers marching along the roads... Yet in Hebei, when I traveled with Guo Fengxiao, we had two companies of cavalry escorting us — crack troops in fine armor, four or five hundred horsemen sweeping across the open fields. The common folk along the roads not only showed no fear, but often gathered around to watch and ask questions. When they learned it was not a battle, some even showed disappointment on their faces...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is absurd!\" As the entire hall listened in silence to Lu Zijing's words, Zhang Zhao suddenly burst out in rebuke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I too thought it absurd at first!\" Lu Su immediately composed himself and replied. \"Only later, upon inquiry, did I learn that the General of the Guard had long since begun disbanding military agricultural colonies on a large scale in the north, taking the former colony lands and unclaimed lands into public ownership, then distributing them based on household population...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is a law for ten thousand generations!\" Liu Ye practically blurted out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Indeed, it is a law for ten thousand generations!\" Lu Zijing turned and answered. \"Yet such land distribution also harbors a hidden worry: after a person dies, this public land must be returned to the public domain. The poor common folk, having toiled their whole lives, have no land to pass on to their descendants and cannot help but feel anxious. So this year, after the spring plowing, it was changed again — a portion of permanent private land is now granted based on household registration. Upon death, it may be sold or inherited. Then further rules were set: military merit, governance merit, inventions, authorship, scholarly advancement, and official service — all are rewarded with land that becomes permanent private property. And these rewarded private lands are not even permitted to be sold; they follow the household in life and death! So those former colonists who received land now nearly all seek military merit to obtain permanent private land!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Land grants, private land, common people rejoicing at the news of war... and in just a few years?\" Liu Bei was finally shocked into a change of expression. \"Pitiful that I have toiled for years and barely succeeded in land surveys, that even the Three Chiefs system is unstable, that the examinations and university are mere surface efforts, and that the 'spreading the poll tax into the land tax' seems successful but is in reality an empty name, because everywhere relies primarily on military colonies. How did my elder brother manage to accomplish such difficult things? Could it truly be a gift from Heaven? No wonder you concluded that Hebei is about to launch a great offensive southward!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My lord, do not sell yourself short.\" Lu Su spoke with a solemn expression. \"The reason I delayed so long in Hebei was precisely to investigate to what extent this land grant system had reached... Upon careful examination, it is actually most complete in Youzhou, with Jizhou next, and Yingzhou and Qingzhou after that. However, in Qingzhou and Yingzhou, the steps of gathering unclaimed land for colonies, then disbanding the colonies and taking the opportunity to grant land, proceed in an orderly fashion — surpassing parts of Jizhou.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No wonder my uncle wrote to urge me to surrender.\" Liu Bei sighed with emotion. \"The times being what they are, no wonder you, Zijing, say we are in a perilous situation... Is this what you have gained from this journey?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not so. Yuanlong and I observed and felt much along the way, but after discussing it between ourselves, the conclusion we need to report to our lord amounts to just two sentences.\" Lu Su raised his voice further in response. \"What I said before was merely to silence the many civil and military officials here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Which two sentences?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"First: the House of Han truly cannot be revived!\" Lu Su looked at Liu Bei and spoke with force. \"Second: the General of the Guard's momentum truly cannot be shaken!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, many in the assembly were shaken, and Liu Bei's expression grew even more troubled — this was his Deng Yu! With Zhou Yu in Xuzhou, this man had been the most uncompromising advocate for war in all of Shouchun, yet he had arrived at such a conclusion!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the silence, Zhang Zhao stroked his beard thoughtfully, then suddenly rose and addressed Liu Bei with cupped hands. \"My lord... the great trend of the realm being what it is, why forcibly go against it? Given my lord's friendship with the General of the Guard, if you were to surrender the Central Plains now, hereditary dukedoms and marquisates would not be lacking. But if we delay, and the two sides meet in battle, then not only will the calamity of war spread and the dead lie in heaps, but it will be impossible to avoid brothers maiming one another and all bonds of honor dissolving! I pray my lord will give this much thought!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That is not my meaning!\" Just as Liu Bei's expression grew increasingly troubled, Lu Zijing suddenly raised his voice again. \"My meaning is this: if the House of Han cannot be revived, then our lord must have the resolve to reforge the realm, as Emperor Guangwu, Founder of the Restoration, did. He must no longer harbor any thoughts about Chang'an. As for the slogan of reviving the House of Han, let it be shouted, but in his heart, our lord must clearly understand that his foundation lies in territory, population, soldiers, and talent — not in some identity as a scion of the Han imperial clan... That identity is not worth a single coin!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Bei's expression tightened slightly, and Zhang Zhao's did the same. Many in the assembly lowered their heads and said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And as for 'the General of the Guard's momentum truly cannot be shaken,' this means we must not hope to emulate the time of Yuan Shao or Dong Zhuo, winning a single battle and then annexing provinces and commanderies.\" Lu Su did not even glance at those around him and continued his counsel in the hall. \"First, we must prepare ourselves. When the moment comes, if we cannot do our utmost to help the General of Valiant Arms win a victory, we must at least help him stabilize his footing along the Yellow River. Second, our lord can no longer underestimate Jiangnan. He should immediately dispatch a great army southward to swallow up Sun Ce, subdue Zhu Hao, and not even spare Jiaozhou. If possible, even Liu Biao and Liu Yan should be attacked up the Great River and wholly annexed! For only with a foundation and depth deep enough behind us can we barely hold our ground against the General of the Guard's overwhelming momentum and contend for the dragon at our leisure!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hall held its breath and stilled its qi. Liu Bei was visibly moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment, Liu Ye was the first to rise and come to the center of the hall to stand alongside Lu Su. He bowed and petitioned: \"My lord, I believe Lu Zijing's words from the heart are truly our lord's only path forward!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is reckless talk!\" Zhang Zhao could finally endure no more and erupted in great fury. \"The General of the Guard indeed has an eye for talent! He said Lu Zijing falls short of Xiao He and barely qualifies as a Deng Yu; Liu Ziyang falls short of Zhang Liang and barely qualifies as a Chen Ping; only Zhou Gongjin may be compared to Han Xin... Was he praising you? He was clearly saying that you three have talent but lack virtue, and are insufficient for your posts! Yet today I think the General of the Guard still overestimated you. You people are clearly nothing but lovers of chaos! A handful of reckless, frivolous men, all harboring schemes to gamble on fortune through danger — for the sake of your own achievements and careers, you ceaselessly stir up war, utterly disregarding the calamity of a divided realm! Everyone speaks of Jia Xu of Xiliang as a wrecker of order, but in my view, you are the true wreckers of order!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Su and Liu Ye lowered their heads and said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This silence was both a respect for Zhang Zhao's standing and a silent resistance to his political views... After all, no matter how angry Zhang Zibu became, given his virtue and his loyalty to Liu Bei, once Liu Bei made up his mind, he would never drag his feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, it was not only Zhang Zhao — even Zhang Fei, who at this time served as Grand Administrator of Guangling, was the same in the eyes of men like Lu Su and Liu Ye. Never mind that before Liu Bei openly declared his stance, these men would always do their utmost to advocate for peace — that was only because they truly did not wish to fight. But when the time came that Liu Bei and Gongsun Xun crossed blades, no matter how troubled these men were, they would still strive with all their might.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no logic by which Zhang Fei could ride a thousand li alone for the General of the Guard's kindness, yet abandon his sworn brother Liu Bei when Liu Bei was clearly at a strategic disadvantage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In my view, Zijing omitted one matter, and Zibu omitted one person.\" After a long pause, Liu Bei at the head of the hall finally spoke amid a sea of expectation. \"Zijing... on this journey to Hebei, your observations were still not meticulous enough.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes!\" Whatever the case, Lu Su answered in a low voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When it comes to understanding my elder brother the General of the Guard, I, Liu Bei, can always be counted among the foremost in the realm.\" Liu Xuande raised his wine cup and spoke slowly. \"Just as, though I have not seen my elder brother for a long time, I know that not a single day has he slacked in attending to the greater situation of the realm, not a single day has he forgotten to unify all under Heaven... Where to begin? Naturally, with that Bronze Sparrow Terrace.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The people in the hall were momentarily stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You all thought the Bronze Sparrow Terrace was a gesture to assert his authority, an imitation of how Emperor Gaozu built the Weiyang Palace. In truth, you underestimated him.\" Liu Xuande sighed with emotion. \"At first, I thought the same as all of you, until later, when Zijing first wrote back saying that the high terrace faced the Zhang River — only then did it suddenly dawn on me... Zijing, when you met my elder brother at the Bronze Sparrow Terrace, was he not always gazing out at the Zhang River, lost in thought?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He was!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then do you know what lies within the Zhang River?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I do not.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The bones of the defeated Yellow Turban soldiers! And among those defeated Yellow Turbans were his old friends, his former subordinates, his old companions... Others may not know, but I know better than anyone: he built that terrace by the Zhang River to display his majesty on the surface, but in truth, it was to remind himself that he still has things to do, that he still has vows unfulfilled, that there is still a realm to swallow up!\" Liu Bei's expression was solemn as he spoke slowly. \"Just as I, Liu Bei, whenever I have a moment of idleness or encounter administrative difficulties, ride northward until I reach the Huai River before stopping. Why? Because I must gaze north and think of the old lands of Pingyuan! To think that it was precisely when I was County Magistrate in Pingyuan that I saw to what degree the realm had fallen into ruin, that I learned how detestable the powerful magnates were, how sanctimonious the great clans were, and that I conceived the ambition to cleanse the realm! I spent many years in Pingyuan, and for many years I nurtured that ambition. That is why I rose up in a single moment and have come to this day! Zijing!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your servant is here.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"On this diplomatic mission, you showed considerable diligence, but you still overlooked my elder brother's own blazing ambition!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Zibu.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your servant is here...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You too have overlooked something — and that is my, Liu Bei's, determination to save the age and bring peace to the people!\" Liu Bei answered with awe-inspiring gravity. \"On this point, you fall short of my elder brother Gongsun Wenqi... When he said Zijing is no Xiao He, Ziyang is no Zhang Liang, and only Gongjin may barely compare to Han Xin, rather than mocking or praising the three of them, he was mocking me, Liu Bei, for my talent falling short of Emperor Gaozu! Why do I say this? Is it not because he knows in his heart that I, Liu Bei, possess the ambition of Emperor Gaozu, and have not let it diminish in the slightest!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Zhao sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Gentlemen, I believe the strategy Zijing just offered is extremely correct... Though my elder brother's power is great, as long as there is a viable strategy, I am still willing to do my utmost.\" Liu Bei then looked around at the civil and military officials in the hall. \"And besides, according to Zijing's strategy, I have no intention of crossing blades with him... After the Xuzhou affair, that young Sun Bofu has made many moves and repeatedly broken our agreements. Why not let Yide and Gongjin cross the river from Guangling and take Wu Commandery? I will then go south to Danyang, and even press against Yuzhang to flank Wu Commandery...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd was listening with rapt attention. Lu Su, Liu Ye, and the many military officers on the right side of the hall were especially animated, their faces alight — but then Liu Bei suddenly stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My lord?\" Lu Su stepped forward, tentatively probing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Still not right.\" Liu Bei raised his head and slowly shook it. \"Since my elder brother allowed Zijing to freely observe the true state of Hebei, he is clearly confident and without fear. So I fear he will not give me this chance to consolidate my rear at all... Yet I truly cannot imagine how he intends to act. He has killed the three families of imperial in-laws. At this moment, should he not be using the prestige of his western victory over Liang Province to hold court in Guanzhong for a time, to deal with the Son of Heaven and pacify the hearts of Chang'an? How can he scheme against the affairs of the Central Plains?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Su and the others looked at one another, each spreading their hands in helpless silence — it could not be helped. They could of course understand Liu Bei's worry and confusion, but just as Chen Deng, a young man, had once been ignorant of the greater situation and truth of the Xuzhou affair, how could men like them possibly know how a powerful minister who controlled a fifth of the realm would deal with a legitimate Son of Heaven backed by four centuries of heritage?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one had any experience with this sort of thing!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Up in Longshang, at Wudu Hechi, in the depths of winter, Gongsun Xun, who was just drinking deer broth, abruptly raised his head, utterly dumbfounded: \"Liu Boan is dead?! Who killed him?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Son of Heaven sent Palace Attendant Yang Qi to shoot and kill the Grand Commandant outside the Qingming Gate…\" the messenger said cautiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Tell the truth.\" Gongsun Xun's heart had not beat this fast in many years. \"Tell me the truth!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It truly was the Son of Heaven who sent Palace Attendant Yang Qi to shoot and kill him outside the Qingming Gate!\" The messenger could certainly understand Gongsun Xun's shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It wasn't my eldest brother who killed him?\" Gongsun Xun stared at the man for a long time, and after confirming the other had no reason to deceive him, he finally could not help but ask the question deep in his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Truly not!\" The messenger caught on and shook his head repeatedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun was completely stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>————— I am the dividing line of troubled times beyond anyone's control —————\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Zhou Yu, styled Gongjin, was a man of Lujiang… At the beginning of the Jian'an era, he was appointed Chief of Juchao. He ignored county affairs, gathered four to five hundred able-bodied youths, and roamed the Huai River region, coming and going without a trace. General of Zhenyi Zhang Fei, traveling through Dongcheng, encountered them on the road, took them for bandits, captured them, and was about to hand them over to the authorities when his attendants informed him. Fei flew into a rage and shouted: 'As one governing a region, how can you abandon your county and gather a crowd to wander the rivers and lakes? What is your name?' Yu replied: 'I am Zhou Yu. Zhou means loyalty and trustworthiness; when one assists and the state is thereby strengthened, it is called Zhou. Yu means holding high and low within the heart; rivers and marshes accept filth, mountains and thickets hide blemishes — thus it is said that fine jade conceals flaws.' Fei grew even angrier: 'The misgovernment of an entire county, how can that be called a mere flaw?' He then bound him and loaded him onto a donkey, not untying him for three days, and returned to Juchao. He took out the county's accumulated affairs, put a knife to him, and made him handle them. Yu wielded the brush as if flying, judged matters as if galloping, and in one day finished three months of accumulated administration. Fei sighed deeply, then asked his aspirations, and learning that he wished to join the army, recommended him to Liu Bei, Governor of Yuzhou. Bei spoke with him, and though barely capped, he was appointed General of the Household, and sent to Guangling to train the naval forces.\" — Records of the Heroes of the Late Han, by Wang Can\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",7222,"2026-06-04T19:42:52.587Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","50d48be06502ccf1d0a4da1caaa7ffa55c44a55fa3bebfc29d48ecb9c6d940c9","overthrowing-han-chapter-465","overthrowing-han-chapter-463",548,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Foverthrowing-han-cover.jpg"]