"Partisans…"
The word detonated in Han Fu's mind like a thunderclap.
His face drained of color.
Of course.
Before all this—what had Zhang Xin been?
Was he not the very blade once wielded by Emperor Liu Hong to suppress the Partisan faction?
The realization struck deep.
But before fear could fully take root, Ju Shou stepped forward, his voice cutting cleanly through the tension.
"So what if they are Partisans?"
His gaze was steady, unwavering.
"If they serve the state, what difference does it make?"
He turned sharply toward Xun Chen.
"And you—do not forget. Your own grand-nephew, Xun You, serves under Marquis Xuanwei. Is he not also counted among them?"
His tone hardened.
"Stop spreading alarm."
Han Fu blinked—then slowly, clarity returned.
"Yes… yes, that's right!"
He straightened slightly, grasping at reason.
When Zhang Xin had been in Luoyang, he had indeed clashed with the Partisans—but never without restraint.
Even when He Jin, influenced by them, had accused him of treason, Zhang Xin had merely dealt with minor figures outside the capital.
The core figures of the court?
Untouched.
And now?
The alliance of warlords itself was nothing more than a struggle between the Partisans and Dong Zhuo.
Everyone else hesitated.
Only Zhang Xin had marched.
A loyal man.
An honest man.
"Hahahahaha!"
Laughter erupted again.
Sharp. Persistent.
Irritating.
Han Fu's expression darkened.
Does this man ever stop laughing?
He forced a stiff smile, but inwardly, annoyance surged.
Seeing the shift in mood, Ju Shou immediately raised his hand.
"Guards—!"
Armored soldiers stepped in once more, their faces already showing faint exhaustion.
Xun Chen's laughter stopped instantly.
"Governor," he said quickly, bowing, "have you forgotten your own words?"
Han Fu frowned.
"My words?"
He waved the guards back again, confusion overtaking irritation.
"I've said many things. Which do you mean?"
Xun Chen lifted his head.
"The words you spoke—that the current Emperor is not the son of the late Emperor."
Silence.
Heavy.
Suffocating.
Han Fu froze where he stood.
Even Ju Shou's expression shifted.
Because—
It was true.
After Zhang Xin's victory at Mengjin, the Partisan lords had discussed enthroning Liu Yu. To justify such an act, they needed a pretext.
Others spoke of uncertainty—of a captive Emperor whose fate was unknown.
But Han Fu…
He had gone further.
Far further.
He had claimed outright that the Emperor was not of imperial blood.
A reckless statement.
One that could never be taken back.
Xun Chen's voice lowered, each word deliberate.
"The late Emperor valued Marquis Xuanwei deeply. And Marquis Xuanwei repaid that trust with unwavering loyalty."
"When posthumous honors were decided, He Jin insisted on a grand title. Who do you think stood behind that?"
"When Dong Zhuo desecrated imperial tombs, why did he spare the Wen Mausoleum?"
His gaze locked onto Han Fu.
"Because of Zhang Xin."
Each sentence tightened the noose.
"If he marches on Chang'an… if he welcomes back the Son of Heaven…"
A pause.
Then—
"When the Emperor hears of your words… what do you think will happen?"
Han Fu trembled.
"Slandering the Emperor is treason."
Xun Chen's voice fell like a blade.
"A crime punishable by death."
The final strike:
"When that day comes… will you offer your head willingly?"
"Or wait for Zhang Xin to take it?"
"Please—Master, save me!"
Han Fu collapsed into panic.
All composure vanished.
Ju Shou turned his head away, jaw tight.
Hopeless.
He knew Han Fu too well.
Timid. Weak. Afraid of death.
Once fear seized him, reason had no place.
Xun Chen smiled faintly.
"This is not difficult."
Han Fu leaned forward desperately.
"Tell me!"
"If Marquis Xuanwei cannot welcome back the Emperor…"
Xun Chen's eyes gleamed.
"…then there will be no punishment."
"Xun Chen!"
Ju Shou exploded, fury erupting like a storm.
"How dare you speak such treason!"
His voice thundered through the hall.
"The Xun Clan has received imperial grace for generations—and you utter such rebellion?!"
He turned sharply.
"Guards! Execute him!"
The soldiers stepped forward—
Then stopped.
Again.
Their eyes instinctively turned toward Han Fu.
"Stand down."
Han Fu's voice was firm this time.
Then he looked at Xun Chen, almost pleading.
"Explain."
The soldiers exchanged glances.
At least agree before calling us next time…
Ju Shou's heart sank.
"My Lord!"
He stepped forward urgently.
"These are words of treason! Kill him now, and you can still turn back!"
"Your previous statement was made under Yuan Shao's coercion. Explain it to the Emperor, and you may yet be spared!"
He pointed at Xun Chen, hand trembling.
"But if you follow him—"
His voice shook.
"You will be doomed beyond redemption!"
But Han Fu's face hardened.
"I am the Governor."
A cold edge entered his tone.
Ju Shou did not retreat.
"Then you will regret this."
That was the final spark.
"Enough!"
Han Fu slammed the table, rising to his feet.
"Take him away!"
His finger pointed like a verdict.
"From this moment, Ju Shou is no longer Biejia!"
The soldiers moved.
This time, there was no hesitation.
As Ju Shou was dragged out, his voice echoed through the hall—burning with fury and despair.
"Xun Chen! Are you worthy of the Han? Worthy of your clan?!"
"The reputation of Yingchuan's Xun family will be ruined by your hands!"
His voice faded into the distance.
Silence followed.
Heavy.
Xun Chen closed his eyes briefly.
I know…
But duty bound him.
I serve the one who employs me.
After this… I will leave.
—
Han Fu approached, all previous anger gone—replaced with eagerness.
"Master, please sit."
He personally guided Xun Chen to Ju Shou's former seat.
Then leaned in.
"How do we stop Zhang Xin?"
Xun Chen composed himself, then spoke calmly.
"It is simple."
"Marquis Xuanwei's troops are largely from Qingzhou."
A faint smile formed.
"Strike Qingzhou."
Han Fu blinked.
"Strike… his rear?"
"Yes."
"If Qingzhou falls, his soldiers—whose families remain there—will lose heart."
"Morale will collapse."
"He will be forced to withdraw."
Han Fu hesitated.
It sounded simple.
Too simple.
"And… who will attack?"
Xun Chen's smile deepened.
"This is not the effort of one man."
"Yuan Shao will act."
"Yuan Yi of Shanyang will join."
"Yuan Shu will send troops."
"Tao Qian of Xu Province will march as well."
He raised a hand.
"Five armies."
His voice rang with certainty.
"Striking at once."
"Qingzhou has no natural defenses. It cannot withstand such force."
He leaned forward slightly.
"And once it falls…"
"We seize the families of Zhang Xin's soldiers."
"Persuade them."
"No army can fight while its roots are in enemy hands."
A pause.
Then the final temptation:
"If we succeed… Yuan Shao is willing to cede Pingyuan and Jinan to you."
"The richest lands of Qingzhou."
Han Fu's breath caught.
Fear.
Greed.
Survival.
All collided in his eyes.
And in that moment—
The fate of Qingzhou was sealed.