Chapter 32

Chapter 32

Can a strategist not ascend the throne? Volume 1: The Yellow Turban Rebellion, The Clear Voice of a Young Phoenix Chapter 32: The County Marquis of Leping

Belonging to the book:


Can a strategist not ascend the throne?

Chapter 32

Rewarding with the position of County Marquis?

If the first half of Liu Hong’s words, mentioning the debate between Qiao Yan and Zhang Jiao, and the betrayal of the Yellow Turbans in Ji Province towards the Great Virtuous Teacher, was already a bombshell, then the second half of his words was truly about to turn the court upside down.

Yuan Wei had no time to react to Liu Hong’s negation of him with the words “truly a great fallacy,” and hurriedly said, “I hope Your Majesty will think twice before deciding on the position of Marquis.”

Not to mention that conferring a marquisate was already considered an overreach in his view.

Now, His Majesty actually said he would confer a County Marquis title to Qiao Yan.

This is truly unacceptable!

Even if this woman has indeed made outstanding contributions, before knowing her gender, Yuan Wei had considered wooing her from the standpoint of the Yuan Clan of Runan, but it should not have skipped several procedures to directly confer her as a County Marquis!

The County Marquis, as the highest position in the current Han dynasty’s marquisate conferring process, can establish a state with a county, equivalent to having further autonomy in the marquisate territory, and can even appoint multiple officials within the county state.

“Your Majesty, think twice!”

Amidst the uncontrollable murmurs below, Yuan Wei’s voice was particularly loud in Liu Hong’s ears.

And because of this repeated urging to think twice, it continued to provoke Liu Hong’s already sensitive nerves, which were set off by his suggestion stepping on three landmines.

“Minister Yuan.”

As soon as Liu Hong spoke, the room immediately quieted down.

Everyone could tell that this address, though seemingly gentle, clearly gave a sense of an impending storm.

“Your Majesty, please speak.” Yuan Wei, realizing his reaction was slightly excessive, quickly adjusted his expression.

“You tell me to think twice, then where does rewarding a meritorious official with a County Marquis title violate the ancestral precedents?”

Liu Hong had already sat back down as he spoke.

Although he no longer looked as aggressive as when he stood up and slammed the table, Yuan Wei, who had personally seen Liu Hong decide to establish the Hongdu Gate School, felt that this current demeanor was even more unsettling than his direct anger.

“Indeed, it is not within the explicit ancestral precedents, but it is not appropriate for a woman to hold the position of a County Marquis with a state.”

Yuan Wei bowed with his ceremonial tablet. “Qiao Yan is only a ten-year-old child after all, and although she has achieved merits by chance, her knowledge is still shallow and insufficient to govern a county. It would be better to nurture her slightly, following the example of Empress Hexi in recording meritorious officials, restoring the royal family, and promoting virtue.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he heard Liu Hong let out a cold laugh, “Lu Ziggan recorded the debate between Qiao Yan and Zhang Jiao in his letter, and when I read it, I saw a talented person leap off the page, yet she becomes the shallow person in your words, Minister Yuan. Fine!”

Liu Hong threw the memorial he was holding to the side, pressing his hand on the table, and said, “Minister Yuan, I might as well imitate Qiao Yan and debate with you three times.”

Hearing this, Yuan Wei immediately knelt on the ground.

Among the brothers of the Yuan Clan of this generation, he was the youngest but the first to reach the position of one of the Three Excellencies. Yet, even so, he would not dare to debate with the current emperor in court.

He hurriedly replied, “I dare not.”

“You dare not? Then listen.”

Liu Hong, who had seemed somewhat drowsy during the morning court, now, as some bold officials peeked at him from behind their ceremonial tablets, saw that his eyes were sharp, clearly more awake than anyone.

But thinking of Liu Hong’s various outrageous actions, they no longer held any expectations for his semblance of a wise ruler, only sympathy for Yuan Wei.

Among them, there were naturally those who did not wish to see Qiao Yan conferred as a marquis, but everyone knew Liu Hong’s ways and his typical stinginess. Even if he really gave out the County Marquis position, he might not release much power. Yet, Yuan Wei had to touch this bad luck, and now he had to be made an example by Liu Hong.

However, Yuan Wei was always eloquent. If he could withstand the emperor’s pressure and dissuade the conferment of the County Marquis, it would still be a good thing.

He Jin thought so.

He had obtained the position of Marquis Shen for “discovering” the conspiracy of Zhang Jiao’s disciple Ma Yuanyi in the capital, which could be said to have safeguarded the safety of the capital Luoyang. If a young girl were to stand alongside him, it would truly make him uncomfortable.

He Jin did not realize that Liu Hong’s sudden outburst of anger was partly due to his own actions.

He only felt the necessity of power more acutely upon seeing the prestigious Yuan Clan of Runan, known for four generations of Three Excellencies, also showing such a sorry state in court.

He pondered in his heart that it was indeed necessary to elevate his nephew to the throne.

Then, relying on his status as a relative of the emperor, he would have a position second only to one in the capital.

Just as he thought this, he heard Liu Hong speak and quickly gathered his thoughts.

The emperor sitting at the head no longer resembled the puppet of past years, now speaking with calm assurance, “I remember Minister Yuan’s wife is from the Ma Clan of Fufeng?”

“…?” Yuan Wei, in a state of confusion, raised his head slightly from his prostrate position, completely unaware why Liu Hong would ask such a question at this moment.

Wasn’t it supposed to be three debates? Why suddenly mention his wife?

But since it was the emperor’s question, he could only reply with a “Yes.”

“I heard that when Minister Yuan married his wife, he asked her three harsh questions.” Liu Hong looked at him with a half-smile, completely ignoring Yuan Wei’s awkward expression upon realizing what he was about to say. “The Ma Clan of Fufeng has produced great craftsmen for generations, and Ma Rong was a renowned Confucian scholar of the world, outstanding in astronomy and calendar studies. His daughter quite resembles her father, a perfect match for the Yuan Clan of Runan. Yet, Minister Yuan, instead of being proud to marry such a woman, instead…”

“Gentlemen, why not listen to what Minister Yuan said.”

“His first question actually asked his wife why she brought so much dowry, yet the Ma Clan, known for their filial piety, replied that this was the kindness of her parents, and she dared not disobey. If her husband wished to emulate Bao Xuan and Liang Hong, she could also emulate Shaojun and Meng Guang, practicing strict frugality.”

“The second question was even more interesting. He said that Ma Rong, Ma Jichang, accepted a recommendation before his elder brother, and people laughed at him. His wife married before her elder sister, so was it acceptable to go first? Minister Yuan, is this a question that a member of a family with four generations of Three Excellencies could ask?”

Yuan Wei’s face burned red.

But Liu Hong was determined to teach this senior court official a lesson as punishment for his misconduct, and would not give him this face.

He himself was used to being unruly, and now with the results of quelling the Yellow Turban Rebellion on his desk, equivalent to having the capital to wield a sharp sword, he continued:

“The Ma Clan had sibling love, speaking of her elder sister’s high virtue and uniqueness, not yet matched with a good partner. Unlike her own shallow virtue, willing to lower herself to marry you.” Liu Hong himself laughed, “She was right! Your vision, Minister Yuan, is truly shallow!”

“The third question was even more bizarre, something a new son-in-law could say. He said his father-in-law’s scholarly articles were second to none, yet when he was an official, he was demoted for greed. What was the reason?” Liu Hong sneered again here.

Yuan Wei, who had earlier raised his head to observe the emperor’s expression, now completely lowered it again.

He never expected Liu Hong to remember these things from years ago so clearly, and now suddenly attacking him, not only were the emperor’s evaluations like knives and swords to him, but the looks from his colleagues around him made him feel as if he had thorns in his back.

As for why it was the back…

He was in the front row as one of the Three Excellencies.

He now felt this position was truly unbearable.

“The Ma Clan indeed had great talent. She replied to this thing that belittled her father-in-law, saying that Confucius, a great sage, was not spared from the slander of Wu Shu; Zilu, a man of great virtue, still had the complaints of Bo Liao. After marriage, she even managed the household for Minister Yuan and raised their children to be talented, truly a great virtuous person. And Minister Yuan, who couldn’t even debate with his own wife, where did you get the face to say Qiao Yan is shallow!”

“If the loyal and filial actions of Qiao Yan are not worthy of a marquisate position to commend the Han dynasty’s reward for the capable, then you, Minister Yuan, with your three questions showing nothing but malice, and your words not even matching a woman’s, might as well take off your crown and resign, what are you doing as a Minister!”

Under Liu Hong’s step-by-step pressure, Yuan Wei now understood why he didn’t talk about the first or second debate topics. He only needed to use the information he had about his ministers to push him to such a state at this “necessary” moment, why bother with the latter two debates.

“…I… I am terrified.”

“Terrified… Hmph.” Liu Hong’s gaze swept over his back.

He knew in his heart that although he had severely reprimanded Yuan Wei, he had no real intention of removing him from the position of Minister.

After the Prohibition of Factionalists, the Yuan Clan of Runan and the scholars they represented were bound to be promoted and reused by him. Using those people was no better than using a figurehead like Yuan Wei.

Now that his warning was enough, he just needed to add fuel to the fire for the purpose he wanted to achieve.

Liu Hong grabbed the memorial at hand and threw it towards Yuan Wei. “Look.”

The memorial was thrown in front of Yuan Wei, who dared not look at Liu Hong’s expression at this moment, only reaching out to pick up the memorial.

Although Lu Zhi did not immediately record the dialogue between Qiao Yan and Zhang Jiao on the spot, in the Han dynasty, where paper, although popularized due to Cai Lun’s paper, still had serious preservation and manufacturing issues, most scholars still preferred to use bamboo slips and silk books, as well as relying on their own memory. Therefore, it was not difficult to recount when writing this memorial.

The astronomical theories in the first debate, the medical theories in the second debate, and the Buddhist and Taoist imitations in the third debate all made Yuan Wei more and more shocked as he read.

This was indeed not a three-debate battle that could be explained by luck, and it was in this record of the debate that Yuan Wei, no matter how much he disapproved of women being conferred as marquises, had to admit that Liu Hong indeed had the necessity to reward Qiao Yan.

Because Qiao Yan, with factual evidence, argued that celestial anomalies were not due to the emperor’s lack of virtue, but clearly the sun and moon following their paths. Although this statement somewhat affected the belief that the emperor’s reign was divinely ordained, in the current situation, the principle of choosing the lesser of two evils was known to both Liu Hong and Yuan Wei.

For the Han dynasty, which was frequently hit by natural disasters… this was a statement to save the society.

And her second debate defined the healing effects of the Way of Great Peace as having residual harm, which was a powerful medicine to dismantle the Yellow Turban’s faith for the lowest commoners, having a more profound impact than merely capturing Zhang Jiao.

As for the third debate, Zhang Jiao seemed to have resigned to fate and did not say much, so it was not worth mentioning.

But when she concluded the entire debate with the assertion that astronomical theories, medical principles, and Buddhist teachings were all rooted in the soil of the Han dynasty’s development, it was the best propaganda and promotion for the Han dynasty.

Moreover, these words came from the mouth of a young child.

The effect of these truths being spoken by a young girl would certainly be much greater than if they were spoken by Zheng Xuan and Lu Zhi, who were also present.

“…I was wrong, the marquisate position, Your Majesty should indeed reward.”

Of course, although Yuan Wei’s thoughts had changed, this defecting statement still seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth.

Anyone who was made such an example and struck with old accounts would probably find it hard to recover quickly.

Yuan Wei was not young anymore and could not withstand such a blow.

He respectfully handed the memorial to the eunuch who came down to fetch it, then adjusted his crown and returned to his original position in the line.

Although he still maintained the demeanor of a noble family, standing straight, Yang Ci, who was in the same row as him, looked at him and felt that his expression seemed to have aged several years.

Liu Hong indeed did not further say anything about Yuan Wei being unworthy of being an official, but Liu Hong’s harsh evaluation of him must have left a deep mark in Yuan Wei’s heart.

Even though Liu Hong immediately said that today’s matter was only known to those present and strictly prohibited from spreading, it probably could not change this impact.

Liu Hong then said, “Do any of you still have objections to Qiao Yan being conferred as a marquis?”

Obviously, no one dared to have an opinion on whether to confer a marquisate. The example of Yuan Wei’s opposition was right in front of them. If they were to say such things like him, who knows if Liu Hong had any other internal information targeting them.

Between embarrassing themselves and seeing Qiao Yan conferred as a marquis, they chose the latter.

However, someone still spoke at this time.

Yang Ci stepped forward and said, “The Qiao girl is naturally intelligent and has a heart of loyalty to the country. What Your Majesty said is correct, she should be conferred as a marquis, but is it too much to directly confer her as a County Marquis?”

Seeing that Liu Hong did not interrupt him, Yang Ci continued, “The Right General of the Chariots and Cavalry Zhu Gongwei, who earlier quelled the Liang Long rebellion in Jiaozhou, was only conferred as a Marquis of Duting. If Your Majesty wants to refer to the female marquises of the early Han dynasty, such as Xu Fu, who only received the position of Marquis of Mingci Ting, Qiao Yan, although talented, giving her a Township Marquis or Marquis of Duting position is enough, why reward her with a County Marquis?”

Liu Hong remained expressionless and only asked, “Does the Grand Commandant have any grandsons?”

Yang Ci thought about it and realized he had no anecdotes with his grandsons that Liu Hong could bring up here, so he replied, “I do have a grandson, just nine years old, with the single name Xiu.”

Liu Hong then asked, “Then after your hundred years, would you wish to see the Han emperor treat him favorably because of you?”

Yang Ci felt that he probably did not mishear. In this sentence, compared to the previous reprimand of Yuan Wei, Liu Hong’s tone was much kinder.

He pondered that the emperor’s meaning was probably that since he had lifted the Prohibition of Factionalists, he naturally had to give some face to the scholars. Having already struck Yuan Wei with a stick, he now naturally had to give him a sweet date.

It seems… it seems there’s no problem.

Moreover, his son Yang Biao married the great-granddaughter of Yuan An, making him a peer of Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu, so the two families could be considered in-laws, and Yang Xiu was the descendant of the Yang-Yuan marriage.

So, in this way, the emperor, having given him face, also hinted at honoring Yang Xiu, which was equivalent to returning the face to the Yuan Clan.

He then heard Liu Hong say, “Your grandfather was the Grand Commandant, your father was also the Grand Commandant, and now you are the third Grand Commandant, with the title of Marquis of Linjin, and with children and grandchildren growing up, they will surely be great talents, possibly producing a fourth Grand Commandant. Yet, Qiao Gongzu’s children have all perished, leaving only Qiao Yan. What harm is there in giving her a County Marquis to rely on?”

Yang Ci’s heart stirred.

Liu Hong’s words were clearly meant to reassure these old ministers.

Thinking again, earlier Liu Hong mentioned that when he was rewarding based on merit, he placed Qiao Yan behind Huangfu Song and Lu Zhi. Under this standard of evaluation, since Qiao Yan was to be exceptionally conferred as a County Marquis, then Huangfu Song and Lu Zhi must also be County Marquises.

Huangfu Song aside, Lu Zhi was a key figure among the scholars.

This was not too much of a loss for them.

He immediately replied, “Your Majesty is wise and benevolent, far beyond what I can reach.”

Thus, the conferment was decided.

Yuan Wei was left speechless by Liu Hong, and Yang Ci also admitted in court that Liu Hong’s conferment was not problematic. Under such circumstances, where would there be a third person to voice any objections.

The General of the Chariots and Cavalry He Miao looked around and felt something was not quite right.

His elder brother He Jin was asked by the emperor to recommend someone to quell the rebellion in Jing Province to show favor, but he was not really given the chance to speak.

The Grand Commandant Yang Ci was hinted by the emperor to bestow favors on his descendants, but it seemed he did not really get any substantial benefits.

But he was always called foolish by his elder brother, and when he listened to the discussions of the officials in his elder brother’s Grand General’s Mansion, he was always confused. Perhaps he was just overthinking.

He suppressed his thoughts from the essence and followed the other officials of two thousand stones in small steps out of the hall.

But before the fastest among them could step out of the hall, they suddenly saw Liu Hong, who had already stood up to leave, turn back and say, “I actually forgot one thing, Minister Yuan!”

Yuan Wei, who had not yet recovered from the shadow of Liu Hong’s questioning earlier…








He walked out, wishing he could disappear so Liu Hong wouldn’t see him, but who would have thought Liu Hong would call his name again?

His legs instinctively went weak, but luckily someone supported him, allowing him to stand straight.

“Your servant is here.”

“I remember your wife, though advanced in years, is in good health and has a reputation for wisdom that extends beyond our borders. Tomorrow, she shall take over the position of Grand Historian.”

Liu Hong dropped another bombshell without giving Yuan Wei any chance to refuse. After saying this, he simply left.

Grand Historian?

Yuan Wei felt his vision darken.

What kind of position was the Grand Historian? It was a role in charge of astronomy and the calendar in the court. Though the salary was only 600 dan, it was not a position just anyone could hold.

But Yuan Wei couldn’t refuse Liu Hong’s order!

Because if he said he didn’t want his wife to take an official position, it would only prove that he couldn’t even win an argument against his wife, let alone hold an official post.

But why did His Majesty suddenly have this idea? After already granting Qiao Yan the title of County Marquis, now he wanted his wife to become the Grand Historian!

“Does Your Majesty intend to protect the Ma family?” Zhao Zhong asked as Liu Hong headed towards Yutang Hall.

Liu Hong glanced at him. “Why overthink it? I simply noticed that both disciples of Ma Rong have expertise in astronomy. With their daughter mediating, perhaps we can make Zheng Xuan serve us.”

Zhao Zhong wanted to ask more, but the emperor, who had just seemed wise, now appeared lazy and indulgent. A young eunuch had already brought Liu Hong’s carriage over.

Carriages weren’t supposed to be used within the palace grounds, but Liu Hong didn’t care. However, the carriage, adorned with pearls and jade, wasn’t pulled by horses but by four white donkeys.

Liu Hong got on the carriage, carelessly whipped the reins, and the donkey-drawn carriage sped through the garden, crushing the greenery.

Zhao Zhong hurried to follow.

As for the trampled plants, by the time Liu Hong passed through again the next day, someone would surely have repaired them.

Looking at the scene in the palace, who could tell that outside the capital, the famine and the Yellow Turban Rebellion were still ongoing, and the plight of refugees eating their own children might not be alleviated even after the rebellion was quelled?

Take Ji Province, for example.

Zhang Jiao was far better at managing his subordinates than Bu Ji and Bo Cai, the rebel leaders. After all, the Great Virtuous Teacher’s status among the Yellow Turbans was almost godlike, and Julu was the hometown of the Zhang brothers, so they naturally wouldn’t destroy the local livelihood to gather power.

Even so, while waiting for the court’s response, the push to suppress the Yellow Turbans revealed the dire state of the people in Ji Province.

Qiao Yan and Cheng Li rode through the wilderness, seeing almost no signs of human life.

This wasn’t too strange. Qiao Yan studied history and knew a bit about population history. Ancient population density wasn’t that high.

In 140 AD, 40 years before the Yellow Turban Rebellion, the population density in Julu Commandery was only 72 people per square kilometer.

A very low number.

Of course, if you included the hidden populations in the strongholds of powerful families, the number would be higher, but not by much.

If it weren’t for this, Qiao Yan wouldn’t have thought that the 100,000 Yellow Turbans who would have died in Julu were such a significant population resource.

Even if some of them would be convicted for looting and killing, some would still starve, and some would seek protection under new powerful families, it was still better than being executed simply for following the Yellow Turbans.

“What do you think the court will do about Ji Province?” Cheng Li asked. He had followed Qiao Yan to talk with Zhang Jiao again yesterday.

It was during this conversation that Cheng Li learned that when Qiao Yan debated Zhang Jiao, she hadn’t mentioned that a significant part of the Scripture of Great Peace actually supported imperial rule.

With the Scripture of Great Peace being labeled a rebellious text by the court and the Way of Great Peace rising in rebellion, unless someone deeply understood the essence of the scripture, no one would pay attention to this fact.

Zhang Jiao’s uprising, given this fact, made Cheng Li conclude that it was a move born out of desperation.

But the chaos and disorder of the rebellion had already caused great harm, and the outcome of being crushed by the Han imperial army was inevitable. The only thing Zhang Jiao could do was, realizing that his victory or defeat determined the lives of his followers, to give up his obsession with the Scripture of Great Peace. When Qiao Yan came to him again, he handed her a written confession to be delivered to Huangfu Song and posted throughout the provinces.

Seeing this, Cheng Li couldn’t help but think of what Qiao Yan had said when she invited him to Ji Province: to listen to the words of the Yellow Turbans.

Compared to the earlier conversation with Zhang Liang, this was the real “listening.”

Now, as the two of them rode through Julu Commandery with a few followers, it was another form of “listening.”

After riding a bit further, Qiao Yan replied, “After the rebellions, some powerful families managed to survive. They might not realize the consequences of their past actions and could even expand their influence. Families like the Tians and Xues, who contributed to quelling the rebellion and are willing to change their direction, are in the minority.”

The eldest son of the Tian family had risked his life to deliver a message to Changshe. This military achievement, along with the delayed report to the capital, must have already been decided.

After the rewards for the main contributors, it would be their turn, and they wouldn’t be treated the same as ordinary powerful families.

But most powerful clans, without such opportunities for advancement, would only choose to further develop their local influence.

This created many potential crises after the Yellow Turban Rebellion.

“What do you mean?” Cheng Li asked.

“These clan forces can’t be wiped out like the Yellow Turbans, but they can’t be left unchecked either. I guess the court will strengthen local control and come up with corresponding solutions,” Qiao Yan replied. “But they probably won’t go back to the old feudal system. Perhaps they’ll increase the authority of the Inspector’s supervisory role.”

In fact, this was exactly what Liu Hong decided—

Adding control over local finances and the power to recruit and command troops to the original supervisory authority of the Inspector, appointing members of the imperial family or trusted ministers as Provincial Governors.

However, this seemingly timely Provincial Governor system later provided the conditions for the warlords to divide the land, something neither Liu Yan, who proposed the system, nor Liu Hong, who approved it, could have foreseen.

But when the Provincial Governor system was first implemented, it had its necessity.

For example, after the suppression of the rebellion in Ji Province…

“If it’s as you say, the local officials must be completely loyal to the Han dynasty,” Cheng Li said, his insight sharp. Though Qiao Yan’s words were just speculation, it didn’t stop him from making a judgment based on her reasoning.

“Exactly. For example, General Huangfu Song would be very suitable to oversee a province,” Qiao Yan replied.

Though he didn’t have the brutal record of creating pyramids of skulls, it didn’t stop his army from gradually entering Ji Province and gaining a fearsome reputation as they continued the cleanup battles.

He had a thunderous approach, yet after becoming the Provincial Governor, he petitioned to reduce taxes in Ji Province, showing benevolence. He was indeed a very suitable candidate for Provincial Governor.

However, compared to the later warlords who could carve out their own territories, Huangfu Song seemed much more rigid.

But rigidity had its advantages.

Three days ago, a famous scholar from Liangzhou named Yan Zhong, under Huangfu Song’s command, advised him to use the merit of crushing the Yellow Turbans to stage a coup. After Huangfu Song refused, he openly revealed Yan Zhong’s actions and issued a warrant for his arrest.

At this time, Huangfu Song indeed had the capital to amass power, but he chose not to, aiming instead to be a loyal minister of the Han dynasty. For Qiao Yan, this was undoubtedly a good thing.

After all, in this increasingly peaceful environment, the court’s rewards were likely coming soon.

She had worked so hard to change her initial plan of inviting Zheng Xuan and Hua Tuo, personally debating Zhang Jiao three times to make a name for herself, and misleading Chunyu Qiong’s judgment of her. Every move was to achieve the result of being enfeoffed as a Marquis.

Even though she was usually very calculating, she couldn’t help but feel a bit anxious.

If the Son of Heaven in Luoyang didn’t grant her wish, it wouldn’t be easy to find such a perfect opportunity again.

But she didn’t show any of this anxiety on her face, nor did she mention it to anyone, including Cheng Li.

She simply smiled at Chunyu Qiong when they met on the way back to the military camp, and seeing his awkward expression, she felt much better.

Chunyu Qiong’s expression wasn’t surprising.

He had previously sent a message to Luoyang, reporting that Qiao Yan was conspiring with Zhang Rang, based on the false impression she had created.

But a few days later, he learned that Qiao Yan had only acted that way because Zhang Rang had once visited Qiao Gongzu with Liu Hong.

Hearing that her grandfather was nearing the end of his life, she had wept in sorrow, and now she was only waiting for the verdict on the Yellow Turban leaders before rushing to Luoyang to attend to her grandfather’s sickbed.

When Chunyu Qiong heard this, he was stunned.

He had sent the message days ago, only to find out he had misunderstood the situation. How could he not feel awkward?

If he hadn’t known that his mistaken message had led Yuan Wei to make a wrong suggestion, Chunyu Qiong might have simply avoided Qiao Yan.

Now, the awkwardness was because he remembered the Minister over the Masses’ instruction to maintain a good relationship with Qiao Yan, but after hearing her debate with Zhang Jiao, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe and distance.

Luckily, Chunyu Qiong didn’t have to feel awkward for long. Two days later at noon, a special team arrived at the Han military camp.

Chunyu Qiong immediately recognized a familiar face in the group.

Yuan Shao, Yuan Benchu!

But the leader of the group wasn’t him, but the Palace Attendant Bi Lan.

This wasn’t surprising. At this time, Yuan Shao was far from the powerful warlord he would later become, ruling four northern provinces. He was just a subordinate in He Jin’s Grand General’s Mansion.

If it weren’t for Dong Zhuo’s tyranny leading to the coalition of warlords against him, and Dong Zhuo killing Yuan Wei and Yuan Ji to prevent the Yuan family from coordinating from within, Yuan Shao’s political inheritance from the Yuan family wouldn’t have reached the level it did later.

Of course, even now, Yuan Shao was influential enough in Luoyang due to his status as a descendant of the four generations and three dukes of the Yuan family.

Grand General He Jin clearly valued him highly, entrusting him with the task of assisting Bi Lan in announcing the imperial decree.

But it seemed he had some bad luck here.

Not long after he arrived at the camp, Chunyu Qiong found an unnoticed moment to approach him and confessed his earlier misunderstanding about Qiao Yan.

“I don’t know if I should send a letter of explanation, but considering Qiao Yan is still a commoner, she probably won’t cause much trouble… But since you’re here, I should at least apologize,” Chunyu Qiong said, carefully watching Yuan Shao’s expression, only to find him looking a bit displeased.

“…” Even though Yuan Shao prided himself on his sense of justice and had developed a good temperament from years of socializing while ostensibly living in seclusion, he couldn’t help but feel a bit speechless at Chunyu Qiong’s words.

Who knew what he thought when he heard that his uncle had been reprimanded by Liu Hong in court, while his aunt had been promoted to Grand Historian?

But after hearing his uncle’s account of his suggestion in court, Yuan Shao discussed it with Xu You, with whom he was close, and guessed some of Liu Hong’s intentions.

But these intentions were clearly not good news for He Jin, whom they were currently relying on as a mouthpiece.

If it weren’t for this, Yuan Shao wouldn’t have deliberately sought this opportunity to come here and assess Qiao Yan, the future Marquis of Leping.

Especially since he needed to confirm what kind of agreement Qiao Yan had reached with Zhang Rang.

But then Chunyu Qiong came up and said it was all a misunderstanding.

Yuan Shao almost grabbed him by the collar and demanded to know how he could be so careless, knowing the responsibility he bore.

But the temperament of someone from a noble family meant he only tightened his lips for a moment before replying, “It’s fine. She won’t be in Luoyang, so it won’t affect the overall situation.”

Hearing this, Chunyu Qiong immediately felt relieved.

But he couldn’t shake the feeling that Yuan Shao’s attitude towards him was a bit cold.

Then again, considering the people Yuan Shao associated with, like Zhang Miao, He Yong, and Xu You, this attitude wasn’t surprising.

When Yuan Shao went to meet Bi Lan, Chunyu Qiong belatedly realized he had forgotten to ask if Qiao Yan’s title of Marquis had been revoked due to the influence of Minister Yuan.

But he figured that with the influence of the Yuan family of Runan, it shouldn’t be a problem.

As for the possibility that this misunderstanding might have cost her a huge opportunity for advancement…

Well, he didn’t feel guilty at all!

While pondering this, Chunyu Qiong walked to the front of the main tent, only to find that Bi Lan had already changed into formal attire, holding the imperial decree at the front. Huangfu Song, Lu Zhi, and Qiao Yan had also arrived. He quickly found a spot at the end to stand.

Then, he looked through the crowd at Palace Attendant Bi Lan and smirked, showing a bit of disdain.

After all, Bi Lan was someone who had gained Liu Hong’s favor by crafting ingenious objects. There were the bronze statues in front of Canglong and Xuanwu Que, the four large bells in front of Yutang and Yuntai Halls, and the Tianlu toad outside Pingmen. In Chunyu Qiong’s eyes, none of these were serious.

But the imperial decree in his hands represented the majesty of imperial power. As soon as Bi Lan unrolled it, everyone present knelt down.

“In accordance with heaven’s will and the times, we accept this mandate.”

“On the 16th day of the fifth month of the seventh year of Guanghe…”

“By decree, Left General Huangfu Song: …You, as the commander-in-chief of the suppression, have fought bravely and pacified Yu and Ji Provinces, achieving great merit… We hereby bestow upon you the seal and ribbon, enfeoffing you as Marquis of Huaili, with a fief of ten thousand households.”

“By decree, North General Lu Zhi: …Since arriving in Ji Province, you have disciplined yourself, remained steadfast, not rushed for merit, and overcome hardships to achieve success… We hereby bestow upon you the seal and ribbon, enfeoffing you as Marquis of Qiantang, with a fief of ten thousand households.”

Marquis of Huaili, Marquis of Qiantang—two County Marquis titles!

The two highest military commanders here, Huangfu Song and Lu Zhi, had both been enfeoffed as County Marquises. While those below them were happy for them, they couldn’t help but look forward to their own rewards.

If the commanders were rewarded so generously, those below them probably wouldn’t fare too badly.

But what they never expected was that the next decree was:

“By decree, Lady Qiao Yan…”

As soon as these six words were spoken, even the usually calm Qiao Yan couldn’t help but show a hint of joy in her eyes.

But since she was bowing her head in respect to the decree, no one noticed.

A decree right after Huangfu Song and Lu Zhi, even if not as grand as theirs, was enough. At least her debate hadn’t been in vain!

She then heard Bi Lan continue:

“In recognition of your deep loyalty and filial piety, your strategic planning with us, and your courage and leadership… Those whose names are known throughout the land deserve great rewards. We hereby bestow upon you the seal and ribbon, enfeoffing you as Marquis of Leping, with a fief of ten thousand households. Respect this!”

A fief of ten thousand households, Marquis of Leping—this was also a County Marquis title!

Chunyu Qiong almost gasped aloud in the back row.

He had thought that Minister Yuan would surely have revoked Qiao Yan’s enfeoffment, so how did she end up being enfeoffed as a County Marquis?

This—

For someone who previously held no official position or title, this was like ascending to heaven in a single step!