[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-overthrowing-han":3,"chapter-overthrowing-han-overthrowing-han-chapter-50":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},1222809,1620,"Chapter 50: Should Depart","overthrowing-han-chapter-50",50,"\u003Cp>At dusk, Xu You opened the casket.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three Gongsun brothers sitting opposite him all froze for a moment, then Gongsun Zan and Gongsun Xun exchanged a glance and remained motionless, while the youngest, Gongsun Yue, abruptly rose to his feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where are you going, A-Yue?\" Gongsun Zan asked, puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nowhere at all.\" Gongsun Yue answered with his back to the casket, hands clasped behind him. \"I simply do not wish to see such a filthy thing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Have you never seen a human head before?\" Gongsun Zan was utterly speechless. \"At the battle of Lulong Fortress, hundreds of heads were piled there, and I never heard you call them filthy — you seemed rather pleased, in fact. And I vaguely recall that the year before last, on the road to Liucheng, you personally shot dead a Xianbei scout who lacked eyes to see. When you came back you boasted to us that you were eighty zhang away and put an arrow right through his forehead...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Eldest Brother, is that the same thing?\" Gongsun Yue suddenly turned his head back, and for once was earnestly arguing with his elder brother. \"If we speak only of human heads, we have long dwelt on the frontier — which year has passed without seeing heads fall to the ground? Xianbei heads, Wuhuan heads, Goguryeo heads, Han heads...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then what are you avoiding?\" Gongsun Xun pulled a stern face and began scolding as well. \"Have you forgotten that Brother Ziyuan is still here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What I am avoiding is neither Brother Ziyuan nor this head!\" Gongsun Yue still retorted defiantly. \"It is this manner of noble houses treating human lives as weeds! We on the frontier, whether killing people or exterminating clans, do so only because the land is bitter and cold, and the tribes differ — if we do not kill, we cannot survive. In truth, those on the frontier value human life the most. Who among them would take the head of their own household servant over a matter like this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Worthy brothers, please pause a moment.\" Xu You, whose face had been twitching as he listened, helplessly interrupted the three. \"Why must you make things difficult for a mere messenger? In what way have I, Xu Ziyuan, wronged you worthy brothers, that you should join together to put on a play for my benefit?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun immediately broke into a laugh, and Gongsun Yue, after a dry chuckle, sat back down as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Zan, however, though he also laughed, gave a cold sneer: \"It is not that we wish to make things difficult for Brother Ziyuan. It is simply that we brothers cannot fathom Yuan Benchu's intent. Tell me, by sending a human head, is he offering an apology, or is he trying to intimidate us frontier bumpkins? Could it be he thinks we have never killed anyone?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu You sighed: \"It truly is an apology! And this was the condition Han Wenyue set on your behalf...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We never told Han Wenyue to say such a thing.\" Gongsun Xun hurriedly denied. \"Yesterday, when I rode back in the same carriage with Han Wenyue, he only said he would settle this matter for us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I am well aware of that.\" Xu You continued sighing. \"Nine times out of ten, Han Wenyue acted on his own. But this truly is what he said... kill the two Yuan household servants who led the way, send one head to Zang Hong, send the other to you, and the matter is settled.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then where is Han Wenyue now?\" Gongsun Zan frowned. \"If it is true, once we clarify with him, what harm is there in accepting this head?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That is precisely where that scoundrel's cunning, ghost-like nature lies!\" If the other had not asked, it would have been one thing, but the moment this was brought up, Xu You immediately began trembling with rage. \"No one expected that the Xiliang barbarian had actually received his court appointment two or three days ago. When he went to see Benchu today, he simply carried his seal and ribbon in his bosom. After throwing his weight around and cursing them out thoroughly, he got straight on his horse and headed for Xiliang — they could not even catch up to him!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Zan found this increasingly amusing: \"Then it is just your empty word, Xu Ziyuan, with no proof. Who knows whether you are deceiving those above and below? Perhaps Yuan Benchu clearly meant to put us in our place, but you, finding yourself in a difficult position here with us, are forcibly passing off a warning as an apology to fool us...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Bogui.\" Xu You was also increasingly helpless. \"This truly was Han Wenyue's mischief. He played everyone for fools — we all fell for his cunning scheme!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let us set that aside for now.\" Gongsun Xun shook his head. \"Brother Ziyuan is also a wise man. One should not trouble two masters for one affair — why not give us some advice? How should we dispose of this head to satisfy all sides?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How would I know?\" Xu You asked indignantly. \"If I had not been the one who killed this man, and thus cannot extricate myself, I would have long since hidden far away... I will not hide it from you all: this time I was truly made a fool of. The moment that head fell, I suddenly realized I had fallen into a trap, but it was already too late!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yet Brother Xu still came.\" Gongsun Xun could not help smiling. \"I imagine you still have some guidance to offer.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I dare not call it guidance.\" Xu You said helplessly. \"In truth, the crux of this matter lies neither in this head, nor in the disturbance Han Wenyue stirred up on your behalf, but in the fact that you brothers must understand Yuan Benchu's true intent...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then what is Yuan Benchu's true intent?\" Gongsun Xun pressed earnestly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do the three of you still consider me, Xu Ziyuan, a friend?\" Xu You hesitated, then unexpectedly asked such a jianghu-flavored question first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That goes without saying.\" Gongsun Xun could not suppress a smile. \"Just now was merely a jest; we had no real intention of putting on a play to deceive Brother Ziyuan.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That is good, then.\" Only then did Xu You set his mind at ease. And what followed was a frank talk, in which he explained with perfect clarity that Yuan Shao's gathering of the partisans this time was in fact a pursuit of the great cause of exterminating the eunuchs, and then pointed out the critical dynamic that the partisans lacked military force and had no choice but to rely on frontier scholars.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In other words,\" Xu You finally said earnestly, \"Yuan Benchu genuinely wishes to befriend you worthy brothers. And since that is the case, no matter how poorly this apology was executed, it does not matter, because there is ultimately sincerity within it... And you worthy brothers, for your part, might as well engage with him on the principle that cooperation benefits both sides!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Gongsun brothers nodded repeatedly, clearly having taken it to heart, and then Gongsun Xun also continued smiling: \"In truth, it is not merely a case of both sides benefiting. In my view, it is likely threefold benefit. Brother Xu, positioned between Yuan Benchu and us, operating a sole channel — if great affairs truly arise in the future, I fear your crucial efforts in maneuvering will be indispensable, will they not?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If I, Xu You, claim the merit and enjoy the benefit, what is there that cannot be spoken of openly?\" Xu You was entirely unabashed. \"Since you brothers are perceptive and understand the stakes, nothing could be better... Today has been full of complications, so let us end our words here. After all, I, Xu Ziyuan, am of Nanyang origin, and in the end, I must naturally honor Yuan Benchu as a half-leader. To you, I can only say I have given my full heart; giving my full strength must be left to others... Today I still have one more head to deliver to Zang Hong at the Imperial Academy.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Gongsun brothers did not detain him further, but rose together to see Xu You out the door... The farewell at the gate naturally need not be mentioned. Let it be said that when they turned back into the room, their expressions suddenly changed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What does Yuan Benchu's intent have to do with me?\" Gongsun Zan was the first to sneer. \"When I returned yesterday, I had already made up my mind. This Yuan Benchu may be the paragon of the realm, but I have not the slightest desire to curry favor with him. Besides, in the capital, is there no one who can contend with him? Yuan Gonglu has always treated me with courtesy and respect...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Xun and Gongsun Yue exchanged a glance, but neither chose to remonstrate. After all, others aside, these two brothers knew perfectly well: talk of Yuan Gonglu, talk of not wanting to curry favor — it was all empty words. The main thing was that their clansman's pettiness had flared up. It must be said, they were all sons of concubines; seeing the other's such imposing prestige, how could it not stir the sensitive spot in Gongsun Zan's heart? And once a man's jealousy arises, it can no longer be reasoned away by any logic or calculation of gain and loss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In truth, we might follow the precedent of the Old Text and New Text matter, and have us three brothers act separately.\" Gongsun Yue, after lowering his head and pondering for a long while, finally spoke. \"Eldest Brother can go seek out Yuan Gonglu, Second Brother can associate with Yuan Benchu, and I will return to Goushi to study bitterly...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Not appropriate.\" Gongsun Xun finally spoke as well, but he seemed to have long held a fixed opinion, merely waiting until the end to voice it. \"In my view, all three of us should leave Luoyang as soon as possible and return to Goushi together. In truth, if not for the fact that less than a year of study would invite contempt, I would want to return home immediately!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What kind of talk is this?\" Gongsun Zan was utterly astonished. \"Could it be you think the eunuchs will certainly not tolerate Yuan Shao's posturing, and will make a move within days? Even so, it should not warrant this... with your audacious nature, you would probably be scrambling to stay and seek fame from it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Eldest Brother, I have grown much more prudent now.\" Gongsun Xun answered helplessly. \"Moreover, it is not worry over the eunuchs... Yuan Shao, from a line of four generations of Three Excellencies, is ultimately not easy to move against lightly. Besides, those around him now are all merely scholars and literati. The eunuchs have always been pragmatic — how would they even take him seriously?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then why?\" Gongsun Yue was equally baffled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What I worry about is precisely Yuan Shao!\" Gongsun Xun sighed with emotion. \"In truth, when I was in Goushi before, I unintentionally overheard Teacher Lu speaking with someone... that Yuan Benchu is outwardly tolerant but inwardly jealous! On the surface magnanimous, but in his heart extremely petty. Today Han Wenyue publicly humiliated him, and he was forced to send someone to apologize to us. He says nothing on the surface, but I fear in his heart he has already come to resent us brothers!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Zan, judging the other's heart by his own, actually nodded slowly at this: \"A-Xun speaks truly. This Yuan Benchu likely does harbor ill intent!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Therefore,\" Gongsun Xun continued, \"if we remain in Luoyang — to put it bluntly — his family has four generations of Three Excellencies; he need only say the word, and caught off guard, we brothers would likely suffer sudden calamity... Of course, this matter can be argued either way, but how can a true man place his life in another's hands?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Indeed!\" Gongsun Yue was also startled upon hearing this. \"Back then, that Cao Mengde seized Jian Shuo's uncle during the curfew and beat him to death on the spot in the name of violating the prohibition — there was no chance to save him... And is Cao Mengde not precisely Yuan Benchu's childhood friend? If someone, acting on Yuan Shao's instructions, follows that same pattern, what could we do?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I certainly would not have used that example, Gongsun Xun thought to himself, but aloud he smoothly picked up the thread: \"That is exactly the point. Think about it: in this city of Luoyang, we have only three men and three blades. Faced with such a situation, aside from sitting and waiting to die, we have no other recourse. But if we return to Goushi, it is after all the outskirts, and there is a charitable lodge there, a mix of fish and dragons, with dozens of idlers being kept. If something truly goes wrong, we can have Han Dang lead men to stir chaos, while the three of us mount horses and flee for our lives!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It seems we truly must temporarily avoid calamity.\" Gongsun Zan said through gritted teeth. \"For today's matter, there will be ample repayment in the future... Still, I truly did not expect that you, A-Xun, have indeed matured considerably. Your insight into people's hearts grows ever more penetrating, and your conduct grows ever more cautious... Shall we pack up now and take advantage of the city gates still being open to leave tonight?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That is hardly necessary.\" Gongsun Xun waved his hands repeatedly. \"Leaving tomorrow is fine. The key point is, is there not still one important item yet to be dealt with?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gongsun Zan and Gongsun Yue were slightly startled, then together looked toward the wooden casket that was still open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now, Eldest Brother and I both have some modest reputation in Luoyang,\" Gongsun Xun said, reaching down to grab a calico cat that was trying to slip past his feet and tossing it aside, then patting Gongsun Yue on the shoulder. \"Only A-Yue's name is not yet known. Then let this matter be entrusted to you. Go now — take this casket to the neighboring building to find Teacher Liu and our fellow students. Tell them we were not at home, and you alone received this item... Be sure to finish the play from earlier!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Staring at the human head before him, Gongsun Yue, for some unknown reason, suddenly shuddered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"(Gongsun) Yue was stern without but earnest within... Once he visited a friend; that friend's household servant was insolent and rude, so he left in anger. When the friend returned and heard of it, he was furious and executed the servant, then sent the head in a casket as an apology. Yue opened the casket, saw it, wept bitterly, and gave it a lavish burial. He said: 'I did not kill you, sir, yet you died because of me — a crime!' Thereafter he never associated with that friend again. His teacher Liu Kuan, hearing of this, told those around him: 'Yue has attained benevolence!'\" — A New Account of the Tales of the World, Chapter on Virtuous Conduct\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Apologies, I took a look before uploading and felt very dissatisfied, so I did a major overhaul, hence the lateness...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Also, new book group: interested students can join, 684558115.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2578,"2026-06-04T19:42:03.441Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","4dcf6be96eff4d3863465b62ada27e0b936776bc5a02a22824bb96c9a818e61b","overthrowing-han-chapter-51","overthrowing-han-chapter-49",548,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Foverthrowing-han-cover.jpg"]