[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-overthrowing-han":3,"chapter-overthrowing-han-overthrowing-han-chapter-506":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},1223265,1620,"Chapter 506: Bent on Southward Journey, Winter's Chill Bites Deeper","overthrowing-han-chapter-506",506,"\u003Cp>Lu Bu's death was no pity, but it left many people covered in filth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First, Xun You was forced into a role he wasn't ready for. He seemed to complete the mission perfectly, yet a string of so-called unconventional blunders followed. To broaden the consensus for Lu Bu's execution, he temporarily brought in Bingzhou-born officers who were already bitterly disappointed and enraged by Lu Bu over the Huang Yuan and Wei Xu incidents. Then he had Lu Bu temporarily bound and brought before Gongsun Xun, needlessly provoking the latter and making the situation even more unmanageable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In all fairness, this was something Jia Xu should have handled. Jia Wenhe would absolutely never have gone soft just because they were in-laws, and with his deep understanding of human nature, he would have handled it impeccably — clean and decisive — both soothing Gongsun Xun's anger and dissolving the matter into nothing. By comparison, Xun You, whose talents lie more on the battlefield, perhaps focused too much on the mission's success and overlooked the human factor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then there is Gongsun Xun's side. No matter what, Lu Bu's arrival here today and the bizarre manner of his death cannot be concealed... No matter how it is covered up, given Lu Bu's status and position, rumors are bound to spread. And now, with the Yan army winning decisively on all fronts and the Central Plains firmly in hand, no waves can be stirred in the short term — but what of the future?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether this will make Liu Yan, Liu Biao, Shi Xie, and others suspicious and fearful is truly hard to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, what impact this incident will have on Sima Yi, who was inadvertently drawn in — whether positive or negative — is also truly hard to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, returning to the matter at hand, all of this is actually irrelevant, because ten Lu Bus falling into a cesspit could not compare to the shock that the news of Cao Cao's death would send through the realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, as the Yan army took over Wancheng, a few days later the news that Lu Bu had drunkenly slipped and fallen into a latrine pit and been hastily buried reached Caiyang along with the news of Cao Cao's death. Yuan Gonglu cared not a whit about Cao Cao's fate, but was utterly terrified for a time by Lu Bu's death!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His indifference to Cao Cao's death was, of course, because he had long anticipated it — after all, this operation was his design from the start... Cutting off the frontline army's provisions, sending a messenger to the Yan army at the front, and incidentally abducting the Son of Heaven south to Caiyang — he taught all of it to Lu Fengxian. It would be strange if he didn't know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And as for being terrified by Lu Bu's death... well, what kind of man is Yuan Shu?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if he is no good at leading troops, as a legitimate son of the Yuan clan who had been immersed in the empire's political center since his youth, he possesses the most basic political sensitivity. Never mind whether his cheap son-in-law's death was truly an accident — the key point is, without Lu Bu, what standing does he have to bargain with Gongsun Xun?! If the Yan army catches up to him now, he might not even need to \"slip\" — he could simply be smothered to death in a prison latrine with no one to collect his corpse... Yuan Benchu might still retain some dignity before that Lord Yan, but what is he, Yuan Gonglu?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, even separated by two rivers (the Yu River and the Bi River), Yuan Shu immediately became like a startled rabbit, desperate to flee to Jiangxia without delay!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no helping it — the matter of slipping and falling into a latrine pit was simply too terrifying!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the young Emperor hoped to delay departure by one day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The reason was simple: as the Son of Heaven of the Han dynasty, he was about to leave the Central Plains for the banks of the Yangtze, departing the Great Han's southern capital and imperial homeland for a remote Chu region like Jiangxia. And since he happened to be stopping at Caiyang just before leaving, he had every reason to pay his respects at the tomb of Emperor Guangwu, the dynasty's founder, before departing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is there to pay respects for?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a large residence within Caiyang county town, Yuan Gonglu — a mere commoner who nonetheless controlled the troops and dominated the retreat — erupted before the Son of Heaven. \"In the current situation, even if Emperor Guangwu were reborn, what could he do? Could he save the Great Han?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If Emperor Guangwu were reborn, with ten thousand cavalry at Kunyang he shattered Wang Mang's host of four hundred thousand.\" The young Emperor, dressed in plain clothes, pursed his lips and replied with solemn gravity. \"One battle and he could slaughter the Yan traitor. How could he not save the Great Han?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That was then, this is now!\" Yuan Shu grew increasingly irritable, advancing directly upon the Emperor and berating him. \"Back then, the Han house still possessed the Mandate of Heaven, which allowed Emperor Guangwu to achieve such great deeds. Today, the Han house no longer has the Mandate! Never mind Emperor Guangwu — even if Emperor Gaozu were reborn, what could he do?! I fear he too would be done to death by Gongsun Xun in a latrine!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young Emperor's face instantly changed color, and the various pillars of the Great Han in the courtyard all fell speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Gonglu!\" In the dead silence, Yang Biao, who was gravely ill, had no choice but to force himself up by leaning on the arm of his clan nephew, Attendant Yang Liang, and rebuke him. \"The state suffers such great calamity, and talent around the Son of Heaven withers away. You, as the sole surviving member of the realm's second-ranked clan, ought to join forces with all these gentlemen to support the Son of Heaven together...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet as he spoke these words, while the first part was delivered with full vigor, quite displaying the mettle of an old minister, the latter part inevitably faltered from lack of strength, and he could not continue for a time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you are ill, go back and rest. You'll have to board a carriage for a long journey shortly anyway!\" Yuan Shu retained some face for his own brother-in-law, but in such an urgent situation, he could hardly be bothered to take the other seriously. \"As for whether what I say is right, and whether what you say is empty, why deceive ourselves? What 'realm's second-ranked clan,' what 'Yuan and Yang pillars' — they are all about to be finished along with this Han house... And 'join forces with all these gentlemen'?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Biao wanted to stop him, but he was gasping for breath and simply could not speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He who replaces the Han shall be Dang Tu Gao!\" Yuan Shu, having reached this point, instead began to muse aloud to himself. \"Back in Emperor Ling's time, everyone already knew the Great Han was going to fall! Rumors filled the air back then, and at the time I thought this saying was meant to be fulfilled by our Yuan clan. Thinking back now, the one who replaces the Han is clearly Yan. Only the latter half of that old saying was extremely accurate — six-seven-forty-two, which I fear corresponds to the Han house's four hundred and twenty years of Mandate! In other words, the Great Han dynasty has only a few years left. Now we are merely hoping to eke out a few more years of survival in Jiangxia, quietly awaiting Northern Yan to swallow Southern Han. As for you and me, we are people Gongsun Xun bitterly hates, and I fear we cannot surrender to Yan either. That is why we have no choice but to borrow the empty shell of the Han house to enjoy a few more years of fortune, to not die if we can avoid it! Wenxian, just cherish your fortune and stop stirring up trouble.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Biao was half furious, half helpless, but in the end, he was speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the young Emperor, his expression was even more desolate and frightened. He wanted to refute, but for a moment he was dazed and at a loss, utterly unsure what to use as a rebuttal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"One word!\" Yuan Shu, seeing that Yang Biao would say no more and that everyone around had been cowed by him, turned back directly and continued to berate the Emperor. \"Your Majesty, waste no more time. Pack up quickly — we leave tonight!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We...\" The Emperor still hesitated somewhat, both angry and hesitant, yet he caught sight of the spear-wielding soldiers by the courtyard wall who had been whispering and looking this way, and he actually dared not flare up. It must be understood that these troops had been handed to Yuan Shu by Lu Bu and answered to no one else. So he could only choke with emotion. \"We, We...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We! We! We!\" Yuan Shu, utterly impatient from listening, shook his sleeves and cursed. \"Dog-legged 'We'! You're not even as good as your father! Your father may have brought chaos to the realm, but at least he could speak clearly! And he still knew what it meant to honor teachers and respect the Way! Not like you, this false emperor installed by Dong Zhuo, with your hollow pretenses! Today's matter is settled! No need to go pay respects to any Emperor Guangwu — we depart overnight, and talk again when we reach Jiangxia!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With these words, Yuan Gonglu flicked his sleeves repeatedly, put his hands behind his back, and left. The soldiers who had entered with him also filed out in succession, then stood guard outside the gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence fell once more all around. Yang Biao, unable to catch his breath, began to show signs of fainting. And in the utter stillness, the Emperor himself was so furious his face turned ashen. Only after a long while did he finally ask those around him indignantly: \"Gentlemen, has there ever been such a thing under Heaven?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Zhi and Jing Ze each remained silent. Yang Biao, supported by his nephew Yang Liang, rose to his feet and was about to speak, when unexpectedly, the young Emperor of his own accord raised his head and sighed, and for a moment could not hold back his tears: \"How could We not know that the Han house cannot endure for ten thousand generations? But as a descendant of the Han house, should We not do Our utmost to guard the family estate, so as to avoid becoming the sovereign who lost the kingdom? What wrong have We actually done, to deserve such humiliation?! If Our elder brother were still alive, why would We ever have wanted to be this emperor?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words from Liu Xie, Yang Biao instantly forgot what he had originally intended to say, and could only share in the sorrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Deng Zhi, Yang Liang, and the others also felt at that moment that all matters were difficult to broach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But a moment later, seeing the Emperor standing in the courtyard had calmed somewhat, Jing Ze spoke up with a slightly troubled and helpless air: \"The situation is critical, but your servant has just learned of several important matters that must be reported to Your Majesty...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor immediately wiped away his tears and gestured for him to proceed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Earlier, Marquis Lu Wen said that Cai Dejui was indeed to hand over the entire Nanyang commandery to Zhong Yuanchang the day before yesterday. I fear that was a lie.\" Jing Ze glanced back toward the gate and spoke earnestly. \"Because according to what your servant has learned, just yesterday Cai Dejui sent a messenger here specifically to inquire why Wancheng had fallen into the hands of the Yan army — only to be driven away by General Yuan... General Yuan.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor was dazed for a moment, then grew despondent: \"As matters stand, how could We not know that We have been held hostage by this pair of in-laws, Lu and Yuan? It is laughable that We once thought Lu Bu trustworthy!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There is one more matter.\" Jing Ze drew a slight breath of the cold winter air and continued carefully. \"Minister of Works Cao was overtaken by the Yan army at Wancheng and died beneath the city walls.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this, not only the Emperor, but even Yang Biao, Deng Zhi, and Yang Liang were all momentarily stunned. And then, from the Emperor down, all fell despondent... After all, while this news was shocking, it had to be said that it was, to some degree, within expectations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It was We who failed Lord Cao!\" After a long while, the Emperor once more shed tears, so much so that he had to cover his face from the others in the courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There is yet one more matter.\" Jing Ze continued to speak carefully. \"Your servant has also just learned... that after Minister of Works Cao's death, Marquis Lu Wen set out from Wancheng for Xu County to receive his reward, but after getting drunk, he accidentally slipped and fell into a latrine pit, dying on the spot!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere in the courtyard became subtly charged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the amount of information contained in these words was simply too great... For instance, it confirmed Lu Bu's traitorous conduct; it also indirectly made those in the courtyard realize why Yuan Shu was in such a frantic hurry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And very quickly, the Emperor gnashed his teeth and expressed the most direct and reasonable attitude: \"Serves him right!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The intelligence briefing concluded, and having expressed his attitude, the Emperor did not detain anyone, but unexpectedly chose to dismiss the various ministers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unlike Yuan Shu, these men still observed some decorum... so they hastily bowed in farewell and exited together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once outside, walking through streets filled with soldiers bearing spears and wearing swords, just as they were about to part ways at an intersection, Yang Biao, already so exhausted he could barely hold on, suddenly called out to Jing Ze and Deng Zhi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jing Ze, puzzled, had no choice but to turn back and approach, bowing together with Deng Zhi: \"What instructions does the Grand Commandant have?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nothing in particular.\" Yang Biao suddenly reached out and, right there at the intersection, grasped Jing Ze's wrist, then spoke with earnest sincerity. \"This old man is already decrepit with age and illness. In the future, the only ones the Son of Heaven can rely on are you and Attendant Deng!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though these words were abrupt, considering the man's rapidly deteriorating health, they were reasonable enough. Thus, Jing Ze and Deng Zhi hastily bowed again and repeatedly expressed their commitment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"However, Attendant Deng, though diligent, is after all too young, let alone that in chaotic times, military matters must take precedence...\" Yang Biao paid no heed to their postures and simply continued speaking. \"General Jing, as matters stand, the one the Son of Heaven can truly rely on is, I fear, only you. And this old man has no other request, only that General Jing will do his utmost at critical moments and share a little of the Son of Heaven's burden... Others may not know, but do we two not understand that the Son of Heaven is in fact innocent and blameless? Of course, it is only 'do your utmost' — given the circumstances, no one can make excessive demands of anyone!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jing Ze was thrown into momentary confusion, unsure to what extent Yang Biao had seen through things, and could only nod repeatedly in assent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And having said his piece, Yang Biao delayed no further, but directly turned, supported by Yang Liang, and went to his lodgings to rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the other side, Jing Ze and Deng Zhi also returned to their own quarters, where they packed their belongings. By evening, they hastily fled south in disarray together with the Son of Heaven. That very night, the Emperor's party traveled twenty li south of Caiyang city. It was already the third watch of the night before they finally made camp on the spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at this time, the Emperor took the initiative to send a trusted young eunuch to summon Jing and Deng. It must be said that although all decorum around the Son of Heaven had collapsed by now, and Yuan Shu had taken over all security duties around him, by virtue of their offices — one General of the Gentlemen of the Household Rapid as Tigers, the other an Attendant — the two men still hurried over to pay their respects to the Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, when the two arrived before the Emperor's tent, they found neither the various Yang clan ministers nor Yuan Shu present. What was more, the Emperor, taking advantage of the night and disregarding all protocol, directly summoned the two into the pitch-dark tent of Consort Dong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two had long harbored their suspicions, and at this point could only steel themselves and enter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sure enough, as soon as they entered the tent, the Emperor came straight to the point: \"Do you two ministers know that during the evening march, Yuan Gonglu sent someone directly to demand that I appoint him Minister of Works, and also that I take his eldest daughter as Empress?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deng Zhi and Jing Ze exchanged glances, and the former could only offer a strained consolation: “General Yuan… General Yuan is perhaps a bit too impatient, and has failed to observe the proper restraint of a subject.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What shred of a subject’s restraint has he ever observed?” The Son of Heaven shed tears once more. “Minister of Works Cao was just murdered by him, and his son-in-law Lu Bu was just killed by that Yan traitor, and now he wants to seize the position of Minister of Works and force me to marry his widowed daughter… Has there ever been such a thing under Heaven?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why not seek out the Grand Commandant and ask him to mediate a little?” Deng Zhi was utterly helpless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even if he could mediate, the Grand Commandant’s health worsens by the day — how can that last long?” The Son of Heaven’s tears still streamed unchecked. “What I fear is that once we reach Jiangxia, before the Yan traitor even strikes, I will first be poisoned with a cup of tainted wine by this ‘second surname under Heaven’!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These words were far too blunt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Deng Zhi was, after all, merely a scholar. Though the words were unpleasant to hear, he could only glance at Jing Ze and then fall silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In truth, by this point, how could Deng Zhi not have seen the reality? Yuan Shu had always been notorious across the land for his violent and perverse temperament; he had been under house arrest for years, and now was fleeing for his life. Once such a man seized power, he was simply smashing the pot because it was already cracked — there was even a hint of madness in his spirit. Thus he was bound to bully and humiliate the Son of Heaven without restraint. And as it happened, after Cao Cao’s death, Yang Biao had fallen ill and could do nothing, and the Yang clan were kin to the Yuan clan by marriage — so it seemed that neither now nor in the future would anyone be able to restrain Yuan Shu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under these circumstances, the Son of Heaven and Yuan Shu were bound to fight to the death first, even as they fled down this road to ruin!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Yang Biao’s earlier posturing had clearly been because he foresaw this step, yet was entangled in age and illness and powerless to intervene — which was precisely why he had made his stance clear and entrusted Jing Ze to handle matters as he saw fit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, the one thing no one had expected was that Yuan Shu would be so utterly shameless and crazed, and that the Son of Heaven would be so desperate — they had barely traveled twenty li beyond the city, and already things were beyond mediation… Who knew what had happened during the chaos on the road, just how Yuan Shu had tormented the Son of Heaven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you two ministers have a way to settle this once and for all?” The Son of Heaven pressed his questioning relentlessly, his eyes in the darkness turning toward Jing Ze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This matter is simple.” Jing Ze’s mouth had gone dry. He had already been ordered to resolve this affair; he simply had not expected it to come so quickly and so smoothly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you mean?” The Son of Heaven was suddenly urgent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“May Your Majesty take Lady Yuan as your consort today,” Jing Ze replied frankly. “Only thus can we guarantee the matter will surely succeed!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Son of Heaven was momentarily stunned, then abruptly understood — and behind him, Lady Dong had remained silent all the while.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>————I am the ever-silent dividing line————\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When Lu Bu died at Xu, Yuan Shu heard of it and in haste seized the Han Emperor and fled to Jiangxia. Ten li beyond Caiyang, Lady Dong grew thirsty; the Emperor requested honeyed water. Yuan Shu mocked him in reply: ‘What honeyed water? There is only blood water!’ The Emperor dared not speak. By nightfall, the Emperor and his two consorts were both famished and parched; they again requested a meal. Yuan Shu gave them stinking ox bones. The Emperor grew furious, and only then did Yuan Shu provide food and water — yet still demanded the post of Minister of Works, and further demanded that his daughter be made Empress. The Han Emperor agreed to all. When things had eased slightly, he immediately summoned the General of the Gentlemen of the Household as Rapid as Tigers, Jing Ze, to enter Lady Dong’s tent by night and seek the assassination of Yuan Shu.” — A New Account of the Tales of the World, Chapter on Uninhibited Conduct\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Thanks to book friends King of Changing Houses, Perhaps the Future, book friend 20180516032105948… Jun for the supreme alliance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",3727,"2026-06-04T19:42:52.587Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","19fe268d43046fec560e9db0e0d309b25d5a8617291508e3fdc89e4acfc1828a","overthrowing-han-chapter-507","overthrowing-han-chapter-505",548,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Foverthrowing-han-cover.jpg"]