Chapter 333

Chapter 333

Can’t a strategist ascend the throne? Volume 10: The World in Chaos, the Time of the Deer Hunt Chapter 333: The Fourth Year of Jian’an

As for how to confirm the identity of this big fish, it’s simple.

Isn’t Tian Feng right here?

Just call him over and we’ll know.

Unfortunately, there’s no saying like “The teacher dies before the mission is accomplished,” otherwise Xin Pi, who was thrown into the military camp and then imprisoned with Gao Lan, would surely want to sigh with such a sentiment.

Xun You couldn’t help but marvel after locking up the person pointed out by Sima Yi. This kid not only has a knack for seizing opportunities, finding such a favorable attack timing for Lü Bu, but also seems to have an extraordinary talent for catching enemy spies.

Perhaps this is his political acumen?

Xun You thought about the performances of Sima Fang and Sima Lang, feeling that in a way, Sima Yi’s talent might also be hereditary.

But now, this young man is far from the scheming performance of a senior minister in the historical Cao Wei, and with several seniors above him, he can’t stir up much trouble.

Xun You just noted the young man’s performance on the merit book of the Youzhou front line and started writing the battle report with Qiao Yan.

With Tian Feng as a propaganda case, Xin Pi, who risked sneaking into the enemy camp, can’t possibly repeat the old path. Even if he isn’t exploited by the enemy, the cost isn’t worth it.

Youzhou is not like Guanzhong. Once Xin Pi is appointed and wants to escape back to Ji Province, it wouldn’t be too difficult, especially since they haven’t yet rooted out all the spies Yuan Shao planted in the new recruits in Zhuo County. They can’t take risks with such support in place.

Rather than letting him become a second Tian Feng, it’s better to capture him directly.

In this operation, the main general Gao Lan in the border military camp would be abducted by Lü Bu’s sudden raid, and the cautious strategist Xin Pi, who never made a mistake in sneaking into the enemy camp, would be caught by a young man’s observation.

These two may not seem like significant losses to Yuan Shao, nor do they reach the level of a major setback, but they are undoubtedly another blow to Yuan Shao’s camp.

Gao Lan’s capture is almost a joke, a big joke in the direct confrontation of strength, while Xin Pi’s capture is a joke Yuan Shao delivered himself.

How will Yuan Shao restore the morale lost in this part?

Thinking that the move to boost Lü Bu’s momentum came from their own side, they must feel even more annoyed when they think about it at midnight.

More importantly, they now have hostages in their Youzhou garrison.

Two, enough to make a deal.

“Lü Bu raided the camp? What were your scouts and camp defenses doing!”

Hearing the news sent by Ju Shou’s subordinate, Yuan Shao thought that with Ju Shou’s reliability, it should be about successfully repelling the enemy’s attack or making the enemy dare not act rashly. He never expected to hear the absurd news of Gao Lan’s capture.

The formal battle hasn’t even started yet. Even though Ju Shou’s rank is higher than Gao Lan’s, Gao Lan is still a main general. When has a main general been captured first?

Yuan Shao almost spat out his tea upon hearing this.

The reporting subordinate helplessly replied, “We were well-prepared, but Lü Bu didn’t intend to cause large-scale casualties or set the camp on fire. He just wanted to break through the camp and abduct General Gao.”

“Also, we overlooked something they had.”

Under Yuan Shao’s gloomy gaze, he placed a crossbow mechanism from his bag in front of Yuan Shao.

Yuan Shao suspiciously asked, “Why are you bringing this scrap metal to me?”

Indeed, what appeared before Yuan Shao wasn’t a complete crossbow mechanism but a broken, defective piece.

A sharp blade was stuck in the crossbow mechanism, almost splitting it in half and damaging many of its components.

“This is the crossbow mechanism used by Lü Bu in the raid. It can fire ten arrows at once, surpassing the lethality of the long-lost repeating crossbow in breaking formations.”

Cavalry can use crossbows during charges, but there’s no time to reload arrows flexibly. But if this crossbow mechanism had already been loaded, just pressing a switch at the right time could fire ten arrows in a group?

This would undoubtedly be a fatal blow to the enemy.

Yuan Shao carefully took the broken crossbow mechanism in his hand, seeing that the arrow path, though barely recognizable, was wider than usual, clearly not just for one arrow.

“When Lü Bu approached General Gao, he used this to break through the shield and spear defense.”

Yuan Shao frowned in dissatisfaction, “Why couldn’t you preserve this marvel intact! Since the invention of the repeating crossbow, even if Qiao Ye Shu stationed troops in Youzhou, I never worried about sudden changes in city defense. If we could crack the technology of this repeating crossbow, today they trouble us, tomorrow we surprise them.”

The subordinate smiled bitterly, “If we could preserve it, wouldn’t we? But the repeating crossbow isn’t fully equipped in their ranks. Only one person carrying it died under General Gao’s arrow, but before dying, he stabbed his dagger into the crossbow mechanism.”

He didn’t witness this scene, but seeing the short knife pulled from the repeating crossbow with Ju Shou, parts scattered everywhere, he felt the Bingzhou cavalry’s bravery in charging and their determination to disregard life and death for their lord’s favor.

Ju Shou said that even without the repeating crossbow, this raid would have succeeded.

Without seeing the capabilities of Qiao Yan’s men, he couldn’t believe they were like this.

Unfortunately, before returning to Ye City, Ju Shou told him not to inform Yuan Shao of the last sentence, just to say that the defenders in Gaoyang City would quickly reorganize camp defenses and reestablish the lines at Linju River and Yishui.

Hearing Ju Shou’s message, Yuan Shao asked, “No more news of enemy raids?”

Just Gao Lan being abducted is still a bearable loss for Yuan Shao.

But not long after Yuan Shao received Ju Shou’s “all-out effort” response, he got news that almost made him grind his teeth.

Qiao Yan claimed to exchange Gao Lan, captured by her side, for Tian Feng’s family. If Yuan Shao thought Gao Lan alone wasn’t enough, she would add Xin Pi.

Thus, this seems like a very good deal for Yuan Shao.

A good deal? Let’s see how she proposed this trade!

Qiao Yan, that scoundrel, used two pages of the October issue of Leping Monthly Report to record this.

One page reported the achievements of the Bingzhou cavalry in this raid, emphasizing this year’s horse breeding expansion plan.

The direct numerical impact made Yuan Shao’s eyes hurt, so he skipped it.

The other page strongly condemned Yuan Shao.

She wrote that a certain Yuan from Ji Province was mentioned in earlier Leping Monthly Reports, growing from a laborer going to Bingzhou to a member of the Imperial Secretariat, a successful example of the Chang’an court attracting external talent.

But Yuan Shao, with his frequent dirty tricks and shamelessness, refused to let Yuan’s family in Ji Province reunite with him, even intending to hold them hostage to make Yuan his inside man.

Qiao Yan cannot allow loyal ministers serving Chang’an to be treated this way. After capturing Yuan Shao’s general Gao Lan and following the trail to capture his strategist Xin Pi, she decided to exchange these two for Yuan’s family in Ji Province.

This trade might be a loss for her, as both of Yuan Shao’s subordinates are important to him. If she only demanded money, the ransom would be substantial, but to give security to external scholars serving Chang’an, she must set an example now.

“Shameless… utterly shameless!” Yuan Shao’s hand holding the Leping Monthly Report trembled.

Perhaps due to this year’s drought, Leping Monthly Report has many distribution channels in Ji and Qing Provinces.

When Yuan Shao noticed something wrong in the October issue, these reports had already spread widely. Who knows how many people have seen the content.

Especially the court officials in Ye City.

With Yizhou and Youzhou successively falling into the hands of the Chang’an court this year, Yuan Shao clearly heard a rumor spreading in Ye City.

They said, with the fierce offensive trend of the Chang’an court, can Yuan Shao really stop their steps to reunify the world?

Rather than stubbornly resisting and fighting to the death, why not just surrender?

After all, the Son of Heaven in Chang’an, Liu Yu, is a well-known nice guy, becoming a benevolent ruler after ascending the throne, arguably much better than Liu Bian.

Although it’s unclear who suggested surrender, Yuan Shao can guarantee that many people think this way!

Now, his act of detaining the families of Chang’an officials, the defeats on the Ji and Youzhou fronts, are all exposed in the Leping Monthly Report, undoubtedly a second public execution after the wheat debt incident.

But the wheat “anecdote” was three years ago, and the Leping Monthly Report’s printing and distribution were far less than now. Today’s impact is surely greater.

“Loyal servants of the Chang’an court shouldn’t be held by outsiders? She sure knows how to build a good reputation!” Yuan Shao slammed the newspaper on the table, but even without it, the sharp mockery of Ye City seemed to leap out at him.

He took a deep breath, knowing now isn’t the time to reveal that Yuan Feng is Tian Feng.

If he did, he’d be questioned why Tian Feng came to Bingzhou as an ordinary Ji Province man.

Sending spies to steal enemy intelligence isn’t a dirty move, but only if the identity isn’t exposed.

With Tian Feng not clearly betraying Yuan Shao, suddenly revealing his identity would make no one willing to take risks for him.

And what Qiao Yan wrote today is just about Yuan Shao detaining the families of her officials, tomorrow it becomes about the two courts fighting unfairly, giving her a justified reason to attack.

How righteous she is, not only not realizing Tian Feng was an enemy spy, but also giving him opportunities for education and promotion upon discovering his talent, even intending to exchange Yuan Shao’s important officials for his family held by Yuan Shao.

Even if Yuan Shao now reveals that Yuan Feng is Tian Feng, saying he might have turned to Qiao Yan instead of being a good spy, he dares to guarantee, with Qiao Yan’s bold-faced lies, she would likely say—

“She would say, even knowing Tian Yuanhao’s identity is problematic today, she doesn’t mind rescuing his family from this dilemma first, repaying Tian Yuanhao’s contributions to the Chang’an court over the years, and then letting him choose again.”

Xu You added.

Yuan Shao twitched his mouth, “That’s indeed something she would do, then it would truly become a beautiful story. And I, Yuan Shao, would be the biggest joke in it.”

“Another reason Tian Yuanhao’s identity isn’t suitable for exposure is that his loyalty to you, not the Son of Heaven in Ye City, causing so much trouble yet being treated well by Qiao Yan, is no different from buying bones with gold.”

Perhaps it won’t cause an immediate reaction this year, but next year? The year after?

And there might be another reason Tian Feng’s identity shouldn’t be revealed.

When did the Ji Province’s Yuan come to Bingzhou? Three years ago!

What kind of brain does Yuan Shao have to let a famous scholar like Tian Feng stay in the enemy camp for three years?

Anyone would be tempted by the enemy’s treatment and switch sides!

Yuan Shao gritted his teeth, pondered for a long time, and painfully decided, “We’ll exchange!”

Losing Tian Feng completely, at least rescuing Xin Pi and Gao Lan first, is better than getting no one.

This time, he’s learned his lesson!

Whether it’s scouting the enemy’s internal operations or military deployments, he won’t consider infiltrating his own people anymore. There’s no other possibility than being swallowed by Qiao Yan.

Tian Feng’s family was bewilderingly sent by Yuan Shao to the pass for the hostage exchange, where Xi Zhicai and Qu Yi, who had been sent to Taiyuan, handed over Xin Pi and Gao Lan.

Seeing these two returned, without missing limbs or being played by Qiao Yan’s word games, Xu You, responsible for the exchange, couldn’t help but sigh in relief.

But thinking that these two could have been sent back from Youzhou but were first sent to Jinyang in Taiyuan to meet Qiao Yan, Xu You couldn’t help but feel a pang in his heart.

Among them is Xin Pi from Yingchuan…

What would Yuan Shao think?

Even if he wouldn’t reprimand Xin Pi for face-saving reasons, from his inappropriate advice, operational mistakes, to the suspected talk with Qiao Yan, it’s enough for Yuan Shao to make some guesses.

But fortunately, the people are back, other matters can wait until after returning.

Just as Xu You was about to leave, Xi Zhicai said, “Wait!”

Xu You turned back, “What else do you want?”

Xi Zhicai smiled, “I heard from Fengxiao in his letter that Yuan Zigu has a son named Yuan Xi who once visited Chang’an to see him. Why isn’t he among those sent here?”

Xu You’s temple vein twitched.

Don’t think he doesn’t know who Yuan Xi is, isn’t that Yuan Shao’s second son, Yuan Xi?

Xi Zhicai obviously knows this too.

But if this hostage exchange also sends the second son to the other side, it’s too outrageous.

He replied, “He passed away.”

“Oh?” Xi Zhicai looked at his face, playfully replied, “That’s really a pity. I’ll inform the lord about this white-haired sending off black-haired.”

“Also—”

“One more thing, please inform Governor Yuan of Qingzhou, among the prisoners in Youzhou, there are many who cooperated with Xin Zuozhi. Let Ju Gongyu take them away too, to avoid eating and living on us, then asking Governor Yuan for interest.”

Picking out all the spies, no need to screen them one by one among the new recruits.

If there’s accidental harm, it might cause unnecessary misunderstandings among the new recruits in Zhuo County, better let Yuan Shao’s side take them.

Hearing the word “interest,” Xu You was triggered.

After all, he was thrown out of Chang’an for the sky-high debt interest Yuan Shao had to repay. Now hearing about living expenses also incurring interest, he almost didn’t stumble on the spot.








He fell down with a thud.

“Don’t worry, we’ll take the person away as soon as possible.”

“That would be great,” Xi Zhicai smiled at Xu You again, “Take care, no need to see me off.”

Of course, Xi Zhicai didn’t need to escort Xu You through the Jingxing Pass, as the other end of the pass was still guarded by Yuan Shao’s defenses!

Xu You turned around and walked a few more steps, realizing that he was no longer being stopped, he quickly quickened his pace to avoid hearing something like “Where is Yuan Xi?” from the other party, and hurriedly left the place.

Only when the figure of the Bingzhou official disappeared from behind did he finally feel a bit of safety.

Seeing that the two who were brought back were somewhat silent, Xu You thought that being captured was not what they had hoped for, so he asked, “How did you feel after meeting that Qiao Bingzhou?”

“To be honest with you, Ziyuan,” Xin Pi smiled bitterly, “Since we were sent from Youzhou to Bingzhou, we have never seen her, as if she just wanted to ensure that this transaction passed through her hands.”

But would Yuan Shao believe this if told?

Maybe he would, maybe he wouldn’t, but in any case, all the rumors and storms in Ye City were suppressed under Yuan Shao’s control.

He also had to follow Xi Zhicai’s final instructions in the transaction process, letting Xin Pi make another trip to Zhuo County and select the people who would accompany him to take away.

The reason given in Lü Bu’s army was that these new recruits would be used to support Liucheng and would not stay here for further training, but in reality, they were taken back to Gaoyang by Xin Pi.

Yuan Shao did not immediately adjust the positions of Xin Pi and Gao Lan, but as he had discussed with Xu You, Guo Tu, and Shen Pei in Ye City, he planned to transfer Xin Pi to cooperate with Zhang He in guarding River North County, move Shen Pei to the north to work with Ju Shou, and swap the positions of Gao Lan and Gao Shun next year.

“To be honest, sending me north to supervise the battle seems like I’m the one benefiting, but I don’t think it’s a good arrangement. Changing generals on the battlefield is a big taboo. If the lord had been more decisive and directly replaced the people, although it would inevitably attract some criticism, it would still be better than causing discord due to the adjustment of soldiers, giving others an opportunity to take advantage,” Shen Pei said to his wife after returning home.

He rested his chin on his hand, looking worried: “Especially the Jingxing Pass. Although the pass is difficult to traverse and the lord has equipped it with enough crossbows to cover the path, in terms of familiarity, we are truly not as good as Bingzhou on the other side.”

Bingzhou’s development of the Taihang Mountains is far superior to that of Jizhou.

Thinking that there are still some former Black Mountain Bandits on the other side, Shen Pei felt inexplicably panicked.

Even though these generals are all surnamed Gao, even Gao Shun and Gao Gan, who are from the same clan, have differences in military deployment, let alone after the defense modification, Gao Lan and Gao Gan will be left here.

The former was originally one of Yuan Shao’s notable generals, but after being captured and passing through Jingxing, he became a laughing stock for the latter.

The latter is also Yuan Shao’s nephew, naturally having an advantage in closeness.

“This is no way to break the deadlock…”

Unfortunately, Shen Pei could tell that Yuan Shao’s determination to change people next year was firmer than anyone imagined, perhaps stimulated by Qiao Yan’s Leping Monthly Report.

Or perhaps, he had to accept the fact that Tian Feng had indeed switched sides and was now in Youzhou, becoming a real opponent, making him more anxious than ever.

“What do you plan to do? Follow Tian Yuanhao’s example and defect to Chang’an?”

Hearing his wife’s question, Shen Pei quickly replied, “What nonsense are you talking about? I have been entrusted with a crucial task by the lord. Even if I am captured and taken west one day, I will die facing east. How could I submit to the enemy and live in peace?”

He sighed, “I just hope that this adjustment can be advised against before it is executed.”

In fact, more than the change of generals, he feared that before this yet-to-be-implemented change, due to the inevitable decline in Yuan Shao’s regard for Gao Lan and Xin Pi, someone might recommend new people to seek greater benefits for themselves.

But now is definitely not the time for such things…

The winter of the third year of Jian’an arrived in such an environment.

From the end of October, the signs of this year’s particularly cold winter were already fully displayed in the chill of late autumn.

For the people in Qiao Yan’s territory, it wasn’t much of a trouble.

In the October issue that reported the exchange of hostages with Yuan Shao, it also published the preparations for winter in the four northern provinces.

The arrangements for personnel are not much to mention, basically following the conventions of previous years.

For example, the Huangzhong Valley in Liangzhou continues to accept Qiang people who live on the plateau in spring and summer, respecting their habits and providing them with a winter shelter. For example, the Xianbei people outside Bingzhou enter Yanmen County and Yunzhong County as usual to participate in the local mining industry.

The most important thing is the daily necessities that the people care about most.

If the well water freezes, where will they get water?

After the frequent droughts that dried up the rivers, this is a very serious issue.

Not everyone has the conditions to burn firewood or charcoal.

The monthly report explained that to avoid the impact of the drought, deep wells were dug almost everywhere, and the probability of freezing in winter is much lower than that of the original wells.

If you are really worried about this, either cover the well or directly fetch water from the underground reservoir in front of the Qinling Mountains.

The second is cotton.

People in Bingzhou, Liangzhou, Youzhou, and Sili can purchase the cotton needed for a cotton coat with their household registration, limited to one per person, at a price of twenty five-zhu coins per portion.

As Qiao Yan said in the trade conditions proposed to Yanzhou, only selling the cotton needed for cotton coats actually lowers the threshold for people to purchase.

After all, old clothes that no longer fit, original winter clothes, and leftover fabrics can all be used to wrap the cotton coats.

In Yizhou, Jingzhou, Yingchuan in Yuzhou, and Yangzhou, due to the relatively warmer climate, the price of cotton will increase by five five-zhu coins to ensure that the north can purchase it first.

The impact of the weather is imminent. Seeing that even Luoyang, the closest city, has long queues of people buying cotton, Cao Cao, no matter how unreliable he thinks the cotton coat trade mixed with book sales is, has to send someone to Bingzhou again to finalize the deal.

This time, besides Cao Ang, who was still sent, Cao Cao did not send Cao Hong again, but let Chen Gong accompany Cao Ang.

“I thought that after Brother Mengde learned that I snatched Tian Yuanhao from Yuan Benchu, he wouldn’t dare to send you, Chen Gongtai,” Qiao Yan put down the scroll in her hand and looked at the two visitors.

The chill of early winter had already condensed a layer of white frost on the green bamboo in the courtyard, but the room, due to the underfloor heating, still felt like spring and summer.

Chen Gong thoughtfully glanced at the ground, then turned his gaze back to Qiao Yan’s face, “I think my situation should be different from Tian Yuanhao’s.”

“Of course it’s different,” Qiao Yan smiled, “I am always very tolerant to my own people, but to someone as smart as you, Chen Gongtai, who is not for my use, I have to show the spirit of autumn wind sweeping fallen leaves.”

“For example—I have to tell you some bad news first.”

“That day I told Zixiu that I could accept selling books to Yanzhou and giving away cotton with the books, but now this condition… has to be slightly changed.”

Before Chen Gong could ask, Qiao Yan slowly replied, “The principle of ‘no waiting after the deadline,’ I think Chen Gongtai, as a decisive and smart person, would not fail to understand.”

The confidence in her tone made Chen Gong realize that this was not going to be an easy deal.

After all, having just succeeded in the deal with Yuan Shao, Qiao Yan was even more aware of the bottom line that various forces could be manipulated.

When the book called “New Trade Item No. 2” by Qiao Yan appeared in front of Chen Gong, his face changed again and again.

The lethality of this book was no less than the publication of Yuan Shao detaining Tian Feng’s family in the Leping Monthly Report!

If this item flooded into Yanzhou, their winter coats would really be made for others!

He opened his mouth to argue about the trade item, but saw Qiao Yan already raising a finger in front of her, “Chen Gongtai, I think Brother Mengde sent you here not hoping that you would return empty-handed again and have someone make a third trip. Your bargaining had better be well thought out before you speak.”

Chen Gong quietly looked at Qiao Yan for a while, clearly seeing the unyielding in her eyes.

Only then did he speak, “Book No. 2 can only account for 30% of this book sale.”

He thought there would be more haggling, but heard Qiao Yan reply as if she hadn’t thought at all, “Deal.”

Chen Gong: “…?”

“Didn’t you hear my answer?” Qiao Yan said, “I said, deal. I have my bottom line, I can’t let people negotiate with me again and again without paying any price, but there is another bottom line in this world, called life.”

Winter is coming, there’s no time to delay.

She had no intention of pushing people to the brink.

“Book No. 2 has not yet been printed, it will be delivered after completion in January next year, the complimentary cotton and Book No. 1 will arrive in Yanzhou first, the sales process will be handled by my people, otherwise the price would not be this, I hope Yanzhou and Yuzhou can understand what I mean.”

“Of course,” Chen Gong replied, while thinking, should he refresh his understanding of this Grand Marshal who holds the reins of half the world?

In previous years, Cao Cao and Qiao Yan had also done business in cotton coats, at that time the price of cotton alone was one stone of rice for the cotton of one coat, this year’s operation of selling books and giving away cotton, Yanzhou was already prepared to be ripped off, but learned that Qiao Yan only planned to set the price at thirty-five five-zhu coins.

Although more expensive than the price in the territory under the Chang’an court, it was much cheaper than the price of rice in this year of drought!

If they could limit the impact of Book No. 2 to a certain extent, it would not be a loss!

Qiao Yan’s statement that life is her bottom line is clearly not just a casual remark.

She has the habit of making victory coins for her subordinates on the first day of the first lunar month every year, which has not been a secret to the outside world in recent years.

And on the first day of the first lunar month of the fourth year of Jian’an, the victory coins that appeared in the hands of her subordinates in various places actually had a pattern of a crane holding a single grass.

The meaning of this totem is—

In the year of natural disasters, with various epidemics in different places, I hope everyone values their own lives, waiting for tomorrow.

Before achieving the results of expanding the territory, the most important thing is to keep oneself alive.

But even with such blessings, Xun Shuang, who had been seriously ill since the end of the third year of Jian’an, passed away in the first month of the fourth year of Jian’an at the age of sixty-eight.

“Even though I know that this lifespan is actually close to seventy for most people, Master Ciming’s body was worn out by his early years of seclusion by the Han River, and it was already not easy for him to live to this year, but it still feels heartbreaking to witness the passing of these elders.”

Qiao Yan held a grand funeral for Xun Shuang in Leping and invited his students to attend.

According to Xun Shuang’s request, his body would be buried on the Taihang Mountains.

After all, he had drifted all his life, why must his soul return to his hometown.

Qiao Yan looked at the Xun family disciples in white all over the mountain and said the above words to Xi Zhicai with emotion.

In fact, Xun Shuang not only lived to this year, but also lived five years longer than he did in history.

And in these five years, he spent three years writing books and teaching in Leping Academy, which could be considered a peaceful old age for him.

Before his death, his only regret was one thing.

Years ago, his daughter’s husband died, Xun Shuang hoped that his daughter would remarry and betrothed her to a fellow villager, but Xun Cai wanted to keep the festival for her deceased husband, avoided the guards on the wedding day and committed suicide, leaving only the words “Return the corpse to Yin,” to return the corpse to the Yin family where her husband Yin Yu was.

This became Xun Shuang’s eternal pain.

Before the old gentleman’s death, perhaps because of the clarity of mind before death, he looked at Qiao Yan standing by his sickbed, signaled her to dismiss her subordinates, and asked, “Can Your Lordship promise me one thing.”

“In the past, I followed ancient rituals, thinking that only rituals cannot be abolished, and everything else can be flexible and compromised. This thought did not change even when I returned to Luoyang. However, the chaos of Dong Zhuo, the collapse of rituals, the Han court almost ceased to exist, and the people lived in dire straits, I realized that sticking to outdated rituals is useless, only accelerating the chaos of the times.

He closed his eyes and rested for a long time, almost at the point where his breathing was almost inaudible, before he said to Qiao Yan, “I don’t know what Your Lordship wants to do, perhaps I don’t want to delve into it. Only the capable can stabilize the world, Your Lordship has a bottom line, I have no worries.”

“I hope to take Your Lordship as an example, so that the parents of the world no longer force marriage, and let the women of the world know… that there is not only one way to live by keeping the festival for the former husband.”

“…I am sorry to A Cai, I must make some amends.”

And the legacy he left to Qiao Yan was to persuade some disciples who originally wanted to leave to continue studying in Leping, and some who no longer needed to study further also chose to stay in Leping to guard the spirit of their teacher.

Among them, there may be some who are conservative, but there will definitely be some talented people.

The screening of these talents will be left to Xi Zhicai.

“Among the eight dragons of the Xun family, Ciming is unparalleled. Xun Ciming had such fame during his lifetime, died as a Han minister, and had Your Lordship handle his affairs after death. Perhaps one day his books and works will be circulated throughout the world, and he can die without regret,” Xi Zhicai slowly walked beside Qiao Yan and replied.

At this point, he suddenly stopped in place, looked up at the sky, and said in a voice that only two people could hear, “Your Lordship, the wind is rising.”

Yes, the wind is rising.

The winter wind on the Taihang Mountains is biting, blowing the white banners in the mountains rustling.

Qiao Yan reached out and caught a wisp of cold wind flowing through her fingertips, her eyes already restored to a calm color, “The wind rises from the tip of the grass, the situation is about to change.”

The fourth year of Jian’an is destined to be an unquiet time!

In the first month of the fourth year of Jian’an, civil unrest broke out in Pei State, Yuzhou, and the officials Liu Bei stationed there were detained. Led by the powerful families of Pei State, they defected to Cao Cao.

This change of territory ownership within the Ye City court was enough to make Yuan Shao feel furious, but because of the hostage exchange at the end of last year, he couldn’t issue any condemnation against Cao Cao under such unfavorable circumstances.

Besides, what responsibility does Cao Cao need to bear for this?

Is it to blame him for being born in Pei State and having some private connections with the local powerful families in his early years?

Or to blame him for handling the livelihood affairs of the newly incorporated Chen County and Runan County in Yuzhou just right this winter?

Liu Bei is only the governor of Xuzhou in name, and should not include the territory of Yuzhou.

But this is obviously not the end of this year, but just the beginning.

On the sixth day of the second month of the fourth year of Jian’an, the forces led by Zhang Yi in southern Xuzhou crossed the Huai River boundary and launched a fierce attack on the north bank against Liu Bei!