[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-overthrowing-han":3,"chapter-overthrowing-han-overthrowing-han-chapter-522":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},1223281,1620,"Chapter 522: No Withered Branch Seen When the Soil Was Tended (Part Two)","overthrowing-han-chapter-522",522,"\u003Cp>On the twenty-ninth of the twelfth month, Liu Xuande, separated from Jiangxia only by a single river, finally arrived belatedly. Yet no sooner had he reached Xiling City than the Son of Heaven dispatched a eunuch there to offer comfort. And after the eunuch departed, barely a moment later, Kuai Liang, style Zirou, Registrar under Liu Biao, came directly to visit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Biao himself had arrived the day before, but he neither came in person nor invited Liu Bei over, merely sending an envoy to visit... This was, of course, perfectly reasonable, because although the Son of Heaven had not acknowledged it, Gongsun Xun had, after all, once given Liu Bei the title of Liu of Jingzhou, while dismissing Liu Biao as Governor of Jingzhou. The nominal standing between the two families was indeed somewhat awkward and embarrassing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, there was no fundamental conflict after all. Liu Bei had previously only wanted to swallow up the Sun clan. It was just that Yizhou had fallen far too quickly, and the situation in Jingnan was far too precarious. Under such pressing circumstances, Liu Jingsheng suddenly found himself reduced to a mere single commandery, so naturally there was some tension and guardedness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the more dire the situation, the more they needed to unite. That was why Kuai Liang had hurried over to exchange views.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother Zirou, you have come at just the right time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the two sides had exchanged pleasantries and were seated in the hall, with tea served, Liu Bei calmly put forward a small suggestion to Kuai Zirou. \"I was just about to seek you out to ask: could I trouble your worthy brothers and General Cai to assist me in taking over the military and civil administration of Nan Commandery?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even for Kuai Liang, whom the world called a man of wisdom, he could not help but stare dumbfounded. Only after a long while did he speak: \"General of the Left, do not jest!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When have I ever jested?\" Liu Bei spread his hands in response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My master has only Nan Commandery left. How can he, on the strength of a single word, hand over all military and civil authority of Nan Commandery to the General of the Left?\" Kuai Liang found it increasingly absurd. \"If Nan Commandery is also gone, where is my master to go?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then stay in Xiling to accompany the Son of Heaven!\" Liu Bei grew even more forthright.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kuai Zirou was so furious he laughed, rising directly to his feet. \"What exactly does the General of the Left mean by this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nothing more than utter sincerity.\" Liu Bei raised his pottery bowl, took a sip of tea, and then, expressionless, continued. \"Would you permit me to ask you a few things?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kuai Liang gave a scornful laugh and then sat back down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"First... does Jingzhou, or rather Nan Commandery, truly wish to surrender?\" Liu Bei asked with a serious expression. \"Second, if not surrender, is the only option to unite our full strength and fight desperately for survival? Third, if we are to fight, who can serve as commander? Who else but me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kuai Liang let out a sigh. \"Had I not long understood this reasoning, I would have already swept my sleeves and left just now... But General of the Left, where in the world is there someone like you, who, seeing the boat about to capsize mid-river, still scrambles to seize the cargo? This is not looting a burning house! It is everyone together in the fire!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother Zirou, there is no need for this. Listen as I speak slowly... In truth, I have thought it over. Doing this is good for everyone!\" Liu Bei was unhurried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kuai Liang shook his head repeatedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Take my brother Jingsheng, for instance. With the greater situation collapsing, what is it he seeks?\" Liu Bei paid no heed to the other man, but continued questioning, and answering himself, conveniently revealing the answer. \"What he seeks is merely his own life and that of his family... Because the matter of his former colleague Lu Bu is right before his eyes. Because he took in Lu Bu, settled the Son of Heaven, and supported Yizhou. Thus, his heart is filled with anxiety, fearing that if the day comes when he is defeated or surrenders, others might live, but he himself would end up dead without a burial place! Otherwise, given his temperament, he would have surrendered long ago!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kuai Liang's heart stirred slightly, yet he did not refute this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And then there are people like you.\" Liu Bei continued, smiling. \"You also wish to surrender, yet dare not surrender. You wish to fight, yet dare not fight... Why? Because you, the great clans of Jingzhou, or rather Nan Commandery, are weak and feeble, yet are precisely the ones most detested by my elder brother in the north.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kuai Zirou could not help but swallow his saliva, and finally spoke out in rebuttal: \"The General of the Left is being alarmist. Jiaozhou could surrender; why can we in Jingzhou not surrender?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You in Jingzhou truly cannot surrender.\" Liu Bei immediately sneered. \"Jiaozhou is a place truly beyond the central government's reach. In broad terms, they only seek unification. And Shi Weiyan has years of collegial friendship with my brother from the Imperial Secretariat, with past kindness and no grudges. If he surrenders, he surrenders. But what of you? Do you not know your own affairs in your hearts?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What you just spoke of were all deeds done by our Liu of Jingzhou.\" Kuai Yue forced an explanation. \"That is why he is anxious. As for us below, we belong to an enemy state. How would Duke Yan implicate those below for such matters?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother Zirou, why deceive me as if I am ignorant?\" Liu Xuande sneered even more. \"Let me ask you: back when Liu Jingsheng rode alone into Xiangyang, and dozens of clan bandits were exterminated, were their lands, wealth, and population all confiscated? How much did you great clans around Xiangyang divide among yourselves? And how much was set aside to settle the refugees from the north? And speaking of refugees, with countless refugees from the north, leaving aside those official and gentry households that gathered forces for self-protection, speaking only of the poor commoners, how many were organized by the government for military farming, and how many were seized by you locals to enrich yourselves? Outsiders say that the land of Nan Commandery is divided three ways among the Liu, Cai, and Kuai clans. Is this false?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kuai Yue was finally at a loss for words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You people of Nan Commandery are clearly a mix of great clans and local magnates. In a territory of half a province, the economic foundation is entirely under your control, and the paths to officialdom are entirely in your grasp. And my elder brother has made it clear enough: he has toiled for decades to reach this point, and what he seeks is to slaughter people like you until they are utterly wiped out!\" Liu Bei's tone grew increasingly severe. \"And how could clever people like you not understand this? That is precisely why you are both cowering and stubborn. Otherwise, had the north shown even the slightest crack, you would have long since sold out Liu Biao and the Son of Heaven together. Why wait until now? Do you truly think I do not know what you said to Shen Zhengnan when you served as envoy at Ye last year?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kuai Liang's face turned ashen, yet he could not refute it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother Zirou!\" Liu Bei raised his eyebrows with rare emphasis and sighed. \"The situation now is that your side in Nan Commandery has outstanding strength, yet whether ruler or subject, you all wish to resist but dare not resist, wish to surrender but dare not surrender... because you fear resistance will offend the north, and surrender will be in vain, reducing you to fish meat on the chopping block. But what if you now give Nan Commandery to me? I, however, dare to fight with all my might! And with me in charge, you need only hand over the strength of your various families for me to command, without needing to show your faces at all. Then, even if we are defeated, my elder brother will inevitably hate me intensely, while you might just escape calamity. Why not take pleasure in this?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kuai Liang remained silent for a long time, then could not help but ask in return: \"If so, what benefit does the General of the Left gain?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This matter is also simple.\" Liu Bei sighed deeply. \"I too have been driven to the end of the road by the north. This is the sole path to survival... If defeated, then death. But if we win one battle, with the three commanderies of Nan, Yuzhang, and Danyang in hand, Jiangxia will also effectively be under my control. With the strength of four commanderies, it will be enough to turn back and sweep through the four commanderies of Jingnan, then subdue the Sun and Shi clans. At that time, holding the southeastern half of the realm, I can still struggle to turn back and hold my ground. This is also the final path out that my advisor Lu Zijing devised for me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kuai Liang pondered carefully, and actually nodded slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Go then!\" Liu Bei did not say much more. \"Speak today's words to Cai Degui and the others. As for my brother Jingsheng, with his intelligence, he will naturally understand how to go with the current; telling him or not is of no great consequence... Only, it must be quick. Before I came, I had great difficulty persuading my younger brother Yide to go into battle for me. In a couple of days, once we obtain formal standing before the imperial court, and after the spring planting is over, perhaps we can strike first and gain the upper hand.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kuai Liang dared not linger, and bowed in farewell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And once Kuai Zirou had left, Liu Bei still sat upright in the hall, full of spirit, as if waiting for someone. And indeed, not long after, an attendant came to report that Cui Yan, a celebrated scholar of Qinghe, had presented his name card, seeking an audience with the General of the Left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Bei merely nodded slightly, and the attendant led Cui Yan inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mr. Cui, after many years apart, your distinguished bearing remains unchanged.\" Seeing Cui Jigui enter, Liu Xuande rose to greet him. From his words, it seemed he had some past acquaintance with the other man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"General of the Left.\" Cui Yan bowed slightly in salute, yet remained composed. \"The General of the Left is also as spirited as ever... To think, it has already been thirteen or fourteen years since we parted in Hebei. Truly, it makes one sigh.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Indeed.\" Beside the brazier in the hall, watching as the attendant changed the tea, Liu Xuande, dressed in a loose robe, sat down on his own and gestured casually, appearing exceptionally relaxed. \"Please sit, sir. Since we are old acquaintances, let us dispense with excessive ceremony.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Yan nodded slightly and also sat down casually in the hall. With this, the pleasantries between the two were concluded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, although Cui Jigui took his seat with outward composure, deep down there was a trace of unease. This was because that brief encounter the two had shared in Hebei years ago had not been entirely pleasant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was only natural.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One only had to think about it. If these two had any intersection, it must have been during the period after the Yellow Turban Rebellion when Liu Bei served as Prefect of Pingyuan. At that time, Liu Bei was a county magistrate who had risen through military affairs, while Cui Jigui was a rising star of the neighboring Qinghe Cui clan and a prized disciple of Zheng Xuan. Although one was an official and the other a commoner, in terms of social status, there was no great gap. Yet the distinction between civil and military was clear, the difference in family status was obvious, and they seemed to have clear divergences in ideals and paths. Naturally, it was unlikely they would have hit it off at first sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And indeed, that was the case.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That year, also around the New Year, Cui Yan was returning from Qingzhou, preparing to go home for the holidays. Passing through Pingyuan, he quite naturally stayed with a group of classmates at the home of Gongsun Du. Liu Bei brought Jian Yong to pay a visit. During the visit, both sides were naturally men of decorum, and nothing went amiss... But given the prevailing custom of the time, evaluating personalities was unavoidable. So as soon as Liu Bei left, everyone asked Cui Yan to appraise this Prefect of Pingyuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Yan's words at the time were rather blunt. He held that since Liu Bei had reached the rank of a thousand-bushel county magistrate, a high-ranking appointed official of the court in proper standing, he should observe the proprieties of hierarchy and deference. As for Jian Yong, his lame leg preventing him from sitting straight was one thing, since there was a reason for it. But for him to directly address Liu Bei as \"Xuande,\" without even using the honorific \"Lord,\" was excessively lax in etiquette. And if those around him behaved in such a manner, it showed that Liu Bei, and even Gongsun Xun behind Liu Bei, still retained the manner of frontier wandering swordsmen. This was truly a calamity for the state.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Bei naturally heard of this matter later, but the two sides had no further opportunity for contact afterward, and the matter was naturally left unresolved. He never expected to meet again today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And as often happens, what one fears most comes to pass. After both were seated, Liu Xuande, still casual, directly brought up the previous incident:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Forgive my presumption, but I am indeed curious. When my brother expelled you, Lord Cui, was it because that old incident in Pingyuan, where you used a small matter to infer the greater and disparaged him through me, had been brought to light?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Yan was silent for a moment, then simply shook his head. \"I originally thought so too. But after drifting about these many years, I have come to understand somewhat in my heart... If one speaks of targeted intent, given that man's temper and disposition, it certainly existed. But fundamentally, that was not the reason.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How so?\" Liu Bei was momentarily curious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It was truly because I, as a person, fundamentally clashed with his grand policies.\" Cui Yan spoke earnestly. \"He wishes to suppress the great clans, and the Qinghe Cui clan happens to be a top great clan in Hebei. He wishes to implement the imperial examinations, and I happen to be a famous Hebei scholar of pure conversation... Add to that his desire to coerce and co-opt my teacher to serve as the figurehead for his university. How could he tolerate a leading disciple of Master Zheng, of surrendered background, who was not of one heart with him? That man, on the surface, targeted me, but he was merely using me as a target to accomplish his goals. As for a few mere words, and indirect criticism at that, how could he possibly care?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Quite right.\" Liu Xuande also laughed. \"At that time, in that situation, he needed to rap the great clans of Hebei, rap the scholars of pure conversation, coerce the students of Master Zheng, and intimidate the surrendered officials of the Yuan clan. You, sir, were simply too perfect a target. If not you, then who?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Yan could only smile bitterly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But after all these years, have you never considered returning to Hebei? Given that your clansman Cui Min and your clan younger brother Cui Lin are both now in positions of importance, if you asked them to plead your case, what of returning to the north? I recall one is already a Minister, and the other already a Deputy Minister, correct?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Correct... But even if that man in the north wished to pardon me, I could not tolerate myself returning just like that.\" Cui Yan's tone grew even more bitter. \"Having studied the classics for half a lifetime, my first appointment was as a General of the Household, only to be called utterly useless... I must, at the very least, prove to the world that I am not a man without use.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Both fallen to the ends of the earth, and meeting, need we have ever known each other? Lord Cui, I understand your sentiments particularly well.\" Liu Bei sighed with a smile, then casually picked up his tea from the seat to moisten his throat. \"But I still have one question... I ask Lord Cui to answer sincerely.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Since we are both fallen men, the General of the Left may ask anything.\" Cui Yan quickly responded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In your opinion, are the imperial examinations good?\" Liu Bei asked unexpectedly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Yan was slightly taken aback, and could not help but look despondent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It seems you, like me, also feel that the current examinations are actually somewhat better than the original recommendation system. It is just that, forced by the circumstances of the times, you were easily labeled by that man as an opponent of the examinations, a label you cannot remove no matter what, which is why you are in such a sorry state. So much so that for many years, traveling the four corners, you only speak of the merits of recommendation, but never mention the flaws of the examinations...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Yan sighed but did not deny it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In truth, now that I've calmed down and reflected carefully, I've realized that a system capable of giving those at the bottom a sliver of hope to rise up is far more brilliant than any method of seeking worthies and recruiting talent!\" Liu Bei, seeing this, was also quite moved. \"As long as people have hope of moving upward, this realm would never sink into the lifeless stagnation of the Huan and Ling eras.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Yan finally could not help but retort: \"If the recommendation system could be made fair and impartial, it would also be workable... The imperial examinations merely strip away all human sentiment and morality, relying solely on tests. In times of chaos, when morality has decayed, I see no problem using it as a temporary measure, but how could it endure for long?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Where in this world is there a policy that endures forever?\" Liu Bei said dismissively. \"But a policy that saves the age is precisely what is needed in a time of dynastic revolution.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What does the General of the Left mean by that?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nothing more than this: in the past, I always felt that my elder brother was formidable, but as to where his formidability lay, I could only see that he could fight wars, win men's loyalty, and build momentum. Yet why he could build momentum always eluded me, and what I did in the Huai region was mostly just copying the form without understanding the essence. Only recently have I thoroughly understood that if one wishes to carry out dynastic revolution in this realm, the first priority is the economy, and the second is institutions. Only when the economy and institutions are properly handled can one go to war and be invincible.\" Liu Xuande set down his earthenware bowl and sighed softly. \"These three are all essential tasks in a time of dynastic revolution, and they must be carried out in sequence. But men of this world, myself included, are always dazzled by his ability to fight and win wars, never grasping the importance of the first two... Of course, Cao Mengde may have understood more than I did, but he is already dead. And now that I finally understand, it is also too late.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Yan, hearing those final words \"too late,\" nearly wept, only holding back with great effort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Master Cui.\" Liu Bei turned back and spoke solemnly. \"Consider this: Duke Yan's ability to build the momentum to overthrow the Han rested first on land surveys, military colonies, and land grants — that was economic revolution. Next came the imperial examinations, bureaucratic reforms, and the three-head system. Only last came warfare. Is that correct?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It is.\" Cui Yan forced himself to answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And so,\" Liu Xuande also sighed, \"do not think that just because we are now scrambling in panic, with the tide visibly turning against us, that this was necessarily my brother's original intent. He too was forced by events — Yizhou falling in three months, the Son of Heaven having an heir, the Liaoxi earthquake — compelled to decide to pacify the realm ahead of schedule. It is simply that with such overwhelming advantages, the moment he resolved on unification, he drove us into a dead end... Is that not the truth of it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It should be.\" Cui Yan's mouth grew increasingly dry, but he had no mind to drink tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Since we are in a dead end, there is no choice left.\" Liu Bei suddenly raised his voice. \"I have heard that you have been making the rounds in Xiling these days, trying to bring several factions together for a desperate fight. So, in seeking me out today, do you wish me to serve as the commanding general leading the troops?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Indeed.\" Cui Yan had clearly not yet recovered his wits and spoke almost without thinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I understand.\" Liu Bei nodded in agreement. \"I will naturally do my utmost, but you must also persuade the southern-migrated aristocratic clans to support me with all their strength!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Yan was still somewhat dazed: \"The General of the Left agrees?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did I not just say? Since we have been driven into a dead end, do I have any other path to choose?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Yan pondered briefly but remained silent for a moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There is no need to speculate.\" Liu Bei answered calmly. \"My brother did indeed send me a private letter urging me to surrender. That discourse on the economy and institutions was what he wrote to me in that letter...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The words were sincere, and I believe him.\" Liu Xuande's speech remained composed, clearly the result of thorough and complete reflection. \"However, after so many died at Guandu, how could I possibly turn back? Or to put it another way, just as you, sir, could never turn back once you left Hebei, so too, once I set out to establish my own foundation, I can never turn back either. The same applies to those southern-migrated aristocratic clans. You must tell them: whatever the reason, since they came south, all communication with the north is already severed, and they can only follow me and do their utmost.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cui Yan sighed, then rose and faced him, promising to do his utmost to rally support for the other party, and promptly took his leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And as soon as the man left, Liu Bei suddenly appeared somewhat weary. He waved his hand dismissively, left the front hall, and retreated into the rear courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A day and night passed without incident. After another day, on the day of the New Year, the Son of Heaven formally convened that year's New Year Grand Court Assembly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be honest, with the House of Han now reduced to a single commandery — even adding up all the so-called pro-Han factions, they held no more than six commanderies — it had long since lost its fundamental economic base... If they had a few years, some of the southern-migrated clans might carry out land reclamation, establish schools and handicrafts, and develop some fortified-estate economy in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze, and perhaps there might yet be a day of revival... But at present, it had been barely a full year since the so-called southern migration of the House of Han. Where would any economic development come from?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, although the southern migration of some aristocratic clans after the Battle of Guandu meant that the petty court at Jiangxia did not lack for officials, the spectacle was truly too shabby!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the entire city of Xiling, there was simply no great hall capable of holding three hundred people!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, everyone had to brave the cold wind and complete the obeisance to the young Son of Heaven out on the main street, after which they dispersed in a hubbub. Only a few key figures were permitted to enter the Son of Heaven's palace — that is, the foremost mansion in Jiangxia, which Liu Biao had funded and had built for Huang Zu, and which had changed hands who knows how many times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Come to think of it, Empress Yuan had been married in this very building before, but now she was unwilling to come here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"At this juncture, there is no need for many words. I, your servant, am willing to succeed Minister Cao as commander, to lead the soldiers of Jianghan northward on a punitive expedition against the Central Plains, to restore the House of Han!\" As soon as the small court session began, Liu Xuande spoke with fervent passion, striving to seize the morale of the assembled heroes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The court fell silent for a long while. Even the young Son of Heaven was somewhat baffled as to what Liu Xuande intended to do... After a long pause, Liu Xie could not help but broach a sensitive topic:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Imperial Uncle Liu, We recall that you have always regarded that northern rebel Yan as an elder brother?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In reply to Your Majesty, I still regard him so today!\" Liu Bei raised his head and puffed out his chest, his reply ringing with forceful clarity. \"Your servant lost his father in youth and relied on the support of several uncles in the clan to travel to Luoyang and study under Master Lu... Among the dozens who traveled together, your servant's family was the poorest, his age the youngest, and his birth the lowest! At that time, only my elder brother treated me with wholehearted sincerity, supporting me unceasingly with clothing, food, carriages, and horses. From that time on, I have served him as an elder brother! As for the grace of later promotion and appointment, there is even less need to speak of it! All under Heaven know this well! For such kindness, were I still the wandering knight-errant of old, I should indeed repay it with death!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young Son of Heaven had wanted to ask why his birth was also the lowest, but seeing that no one around him reacted, he understood that this was indeed the truth and found it awkward to press further. He could only nod with emotion: \"In that case...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In that case... your servant should have surrendered long ago, gone north to Ye, and asked no further questions.\" Liu Bei continued to face him with unyielding dignity. \"Yet as a descendant of Gaozu, a scion of the House of Han, and one who is further shamed to serve as a Han minister, how could I betray the Han to follow Gongsun, abandon the Liu to follow Gongsun? Even less need be said now, when the House of Han is in ruin and in danger of utter destruction. The more critical the moment, the harder we ministers must strive... As the saying goes: Han and traitor cannot both stand; the royal enterprise cannot rest in a corner! That man upon the Bronze Sparrow Terrace in the northern city of Ye — he is indeed my elder brother, but he is also unmistakably a traitor to the state! Your servant's resolve is set: I shall gather the forces of Jianghan, strike north with all my strength toward Wan and Luo, punish the traitor, and revive the Han! If I succeed, your servant shall share the same crime as my brother, offering my head beneath the blade to repay his kindness and righteousness; if I fail, your servant shall be the first to die before the battle lines, not betraying the virtue of the Fiery Han!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xuande spoke with eloquence and assurance, his voice shaking the roof tiles, and the Son of Heaven tried several times to interject but was each time overawed by the other's words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the same token, the other important figures in the hall — Liu Biao, Zhu Zhi, Jing Ze, as well as the other Han ministers of state such as Yang Liang, Deng Zhi, and the rest — were all left speechless, nearly all of them overawed by Liu Bei.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, nearly everyone knew that at this stage, a battle had to be fought. And once battle was joined, it could only be Liu Xuande who served as general and Liu Jingsheng who provided the troops!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For as everyone knew, Liu Bei's elite troops had been nearly wiped out, though he still had several capable and renowned commanders under him; meanwhile, the generals under Liu Jingsheng had, after the Battle of Guandu, become universally acknowledged as worthless, but the Jingzhou aristocratic clans were powerful, and Nanjun had ample provisions and fodder... So, what other choice was there?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—————I am the universally acknowledged dividing line—————\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"With Jiaozhou having surrendered, Jingnan was shaken. The Han Emperor, anxious and unable to rest, summoned the various lords of Jianghan together with the high ministers to discuss the current situation. When they assembled, none spoke, until the General of the Left and Governor of Jingzhou, Liu Bei, alone thrust forth his arm and stepped forward, fervently requesting to march on Nanyang. The Han Emperor, mindful of his old ties with the Grand Ancestor, initially refused. Bei then faced him with unyielding dignity and declared: 'Elder brother he is, but traitor he is also! Yet Han and traitor cannot both stand; the royal enterprise cannot rest in a corner. As a scion of Gaozu, I must naturally advance north into the Central Plains, punish the traitor, and revive the Han, until my blood runs dry!'\" — New Book of Yan, Volume 27, Hereditary Houses, Third\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Small PS: Continuing to recommend a book — the great author Tyrant's new work, \"Outstanding Youth of the Great Ming.\" A veteran heavyweight author of historical fiction, guaranteed quality, guaranteed reliability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",5071,"2026-06-04T19:42:52.587Z",1,"Novelzhen Translator","743556ecf95a652677e79c32f1f7db925888894a366932361abb2aeed88397b8","overthrowing-han-chapter-523","overthrowing-han-chapter-521",548,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Foverthrowing-han-cover.jpg"]