Chapter 126

Chapter 126

Can a strategist not ascend the throne? Volume 4: The End of Zhongping, The Turmoil in Luoyang, Chapter 126: Going Alone with a Single Blade

The method of crossing the river using sheepskin rafts, if placed in modern times, would be considered an intangible cultural heritage of the Yellow River basin. But in this era, it is still a novel concept.

Although Qiao Yan told Cao Cao and Lu Zhi that “others think northerners are not good at naval warfare, but my Bingzhou is different,” in reality, it has only been a few decades since the method of “sewing leather bags into boats” was introduced to Bingzhou by the Protector of the Qiang from Liangzhou.

Even the task of completely skinning a sheep from the neck down took a considerable amount of time.

Fortunately, Bingzhou’s geographical location dictates that if she wants to attack Luoyang, she must cross the Yellow River from Mengjin. Anticipating the difficulty, she had been preparing for this since early spring.

“Fengxiao, standing in front of this sheepskin raft, are you planning to become an expert at blowing up sheepskins too?” Qiao Yan followed the drying rack to its end and saw a familiar figure.

Guo Jia quickly waved his hand and replied, “Your Majesty is joking. At most, I can only take a sheepskin bag and splash around in the water while crossing the river, just to cheer everyone on. I don’t have the strength to blow up sheepskins.”

Qiao Yan smiled. Only Guo Jia could say and do something like splashing around in the water with a sheepskin bag.

Guo Jia then straightened his expression and said, “I was just thinking that while we openly build bridges and secretly cross Chencang, using the pretense of building ships to make sheepskin rafts, we can indeed deceive the forces stationed at Mengjin and Xiaopingjin.

“But the Yellow River’s flow at Mengjin forms an upward arc, and this impact line is also affected by the river’s central island. If we could directly advance from the river island outside Xiaopingjin, following the side adjacent to Luoyang downstream, and rush to the river’s bend, could we allow soldiers who are not particularly skilled in swimming to successfully cross without needing floating bridges or rafts?”

The wooden frames on the sheepskin rafts, although not requiring many materials, still represent a significant consumption for the forces Qiao Yan currently commands.

It would be easy for the enemy to notice any unusual movements in their camp.

Since the buoyancy of a sheepskin bag is enough to carry one person across the river, why not use the terrain to reduce the amount of bamboo and wood needed, except for the large sheepskin rafts used to transport cavalry?

Guo Jia had been observing the terrain for a long time and had studied the sheepskin rafts carefully, feeling that there was great potential in this method.

In fact, although following this method would require retreating a distance towards Pingjin, reducing the easily detectable crossing process by half and better utilizing the river’s flow, it would definitely be a worthwhile trade.

The only concern is—

“Xu Rong, stationed at Xiaopingjin, is not from Xiliang and is somewhat out of place among Dong Zhuo’s forces. Given his meticulous nature, he would never neglect the river island in front of Pingjin. Even if he hasn’t stationed troops there now, he would certainly not be lax in his vigilance. This is something we need to think about.”

Xu Rong…

In the historically brief Battle of Bian Shui, he sent Cao Cao and others fleeing in panic, and this battle’s outcome was not just due to the large number of Xiliang troops.

Borrowing a path from his doorstep might be riskier than sneaking the wooden frame materials into the military camp at night.

But Qiao Yan was quite intrigued by Guo Jia’s idea. Rather than undermining the plan, it would be better to eliminate the person affecting it.

After some thought, Qiao Yan said, “Bring me paper and brush.”

Half an hour later, a messenger crossed the river from the north and headed straight for Xu Rong’s military tent.

Since the messenger claimed to be delivering a letter from the Governor of Bingzhou and arrived alone with just a boat and a boatman, he was not heavily restricted upon landing and was brought before Xu Rong.

Seeing that the messenger was just a young man, Xu Rong couldn’t help but ask in surprise, “Is it because Lord Qiao is young himself that he also employs young people?”

“Not exactly,” the messenger replied, cupping his hands towards Xu Rong. “It’s just that I told Lord Qiao that seeing your orderly camp, I deduced that you must be a disciplined commander who wouldn’t kill a messenger. I also happen to share your surname, Xu, and although I’m from Yingchuan and not of the same clan, there is some connection. It’s an extra layer of security.”

This person was none other than Xu Fu.

Qiao Yan had brought him along on this campaign as her third strategist.

However, Xu Fu had always been modest about this, feeling that he was not yet fully qualified and had volunteered to serve as a clerk in the army. When Qiao Yan decided to send a letter to Xu Rong, he volunteered to deliver it.

Qiao Yan had no doubts about his courage and eloquence, but she was somewhat worried that Xu Rong, despite his demeanor, might not let the messenger return safely. If Xu Yuanzhi were to perish here, it would be too late for regrets.

But Xu Fu’s response was, “If a courageous person cannot handle this mission properly, Your Majesty’s grand plan will inevitably be flawed. In the past, I was moved by Your Majesty’s willingness to act as bait in the Yellow Turban Army. Today, I can say the same: if this can help us cross the river smoothly and strike directly at Luoyang, why should I cherish my own life?”

He added, “Moreover, Your Majesty will eventually face Xu Rong. If we can take this opportunity to observe his military situation, it would be a precaution. This task cannot be entrusted to an ordinary messenger.”

So let me do it!

This is why he is standing here now.

Xu Rong studied the young man’s face for a while, realizing that his praise for his disciplined command seemed genuine, and his mood lightened a bit. He asked, “You’re right, I don’t kill messengers. So what message does Lord Qiao have for me?”

Xu Fu handed the letter he carried in his sleeve to Xu Rong’s personal guard and replied, “Previously, Lord Qiao and you had a battle in the capital. The brave men under Lord Qiao who fought you were deeply impressed by your skills. Now, as we come to quell Dong Zhuo’s rebellion, we meet again…”

“You needn’t say more,” Xu Rong interrupted Xu Fu. “Chancellor Dong has shown me great favor. How dare you call him a traitor in my presence! If you’re here to discuss winning me over, there’s no need to continue. Given your youth, I will let you return, but say no more.”

Faced with Xu Rong’s outburst, Xu Fu remained calm and composed, replying, “General Xu, if you think I’m here to bribe you into turning against Dong Zhuo to ensure our crossing, you underestimate both my lord and yourself.”

He declared firmly, “Such behavior is beneath my lord!”

Seeing Xu Fu’s unwavering confidence, Xu Rong couldn’t help but suppress some of his anger and asked, “Then what is Lord Qiao’s intention?”

Xu Fu replied, “Lord Qiao admires your reputation, but our positions are opposed, and we must eventually face each other in battle. To show respect for a hero, Lord Qiao wishes to meet you alone on the river island with a flask of wine. Dare you go alone with a single blade?”








Before Xu Rong could speak, Xu Fu continued, “Meeting heroes with wine, becoming enemies after drinking, that’s all there is to it. Marquis Qiao has the courage to risk her life to meet friends, could it be that the General is afraid there’s a trick?”

“That scoundrel Dong Zhuo doesn’t regard Marquis Qiao as a significant figure, clearly sending messenger Li Su to propose a meeting outside Luoyang at the Sunset Pavilion, yet sending men to raid the camp the night before departure. Marquis Qiao would never do such a despicable thing. Our soldiers are all under the watchful eyes of General Niu, so it’s impossible for us to cross the river during the meeting.”

“…” After a long silence, Xu Rong finally replied, “Now I know why Marquis Qiao sent you as the envoy.”

Xu Fu accepted the “compliment” calmly and replied, “Then may I ask the General’s opinion? With the invitation from Marquis of Leping on the letter as evidence, surely that scoundrel Dong Zhuo won’t blame the General for leaving his post without permission.”

Xu Rong opened the envelope and unfolded the letter, finding it exactly as Xu Fu had said.

After pondering for a moment, he replied, “As Marquis Qiao wishes. But the island in the river is right in front of us, and messengers come and go just like this, why wait for five days later?”

For a moment, he felt that the agreed date was also a subtle jab at Dong Zhuo’s previous invitation, but then he heard Xu Fu say, “Marquis Qiao is currently overseeing the construction of boats to cross the river, along with the important task of uniting the benevolent and ambitious people of the Central Plains to overthrow Dong Zhuo. She can’t spare the time these days.”

Seeing Xu Rong stunned by his words, Xu Fu laughed, “The General surely won’t blame me for saying a few extra words, I’ll take my leave now.”

Xu Rong suspected that there was some trick in his words, but since he had already promised not to kill the envoy, forcibly detaining him would be meaningless. He could only watch as the other party boarded the boat and reached the other side of the river.

Five days…

Within these five days, Qiao Yan’s two other letters had also reached their intended destinations.

Cao Cao, upon receiving Qiao Yan’s invitation, thought of his westward expedition ambition discussed with Qiao Yan and the humiliation of being driven out of Luoyang by Dong Zhuo. He immediately decided to issue a proclamation against Dong Zhuo, gathering forces to attack Xuanmen Pass, forming a pincer movement with Qiao Yan.

He said to his eldest son, “Previously, Ye Shu owed you a gift. Now, if we can enter Luoyang together, she, as the Prefect of Bingzhou, should make up for it.”

“Father…” Cao Ang was both amused and exasperated.

Is this the time to bring this up?

He then heard Cao Cao say, “At her age, she has initiated the world’s first move against Dong Zhuo, her courage and temperament have far surpassed her peers. It seems, Zi Xiu, you still need to work hard!”

“But Ye Shu is perfect in every way, except for one thing. A proclamation, a proclamation, it needs the righteousness of a crusade, not just for Dong Zhuo to see. It should exaggerate his deeds to truly be a proclamation.”

Cao Ang watched as Cao Cao rolled up his sleeves, trying hard not to show any unusual expression.

Who knew that his father’s actions at this moment, the subtext was—

Criticizing Dong Zhuo, Qiao Yan hasn’t done it beautifully enough, it still needs someone more experienced like him.

Father! Are you boasting about your literary talent or subtly criticizing yourself?

But no matter how Cao Ang inwardly complained, this standard proclamation written by Cao Cao was delivered to Lu Zhi’s hands right after Qiao Yan’s letter arrived in Ji Province.

In this highly inflammatory declaration of joint military action, Lu Zhi immediately stood up, pacing back and forth in the room, suddenly laughing loudly, “Good, good! One route from the north, one from the east, if the two passes are breached, Dong Zhuo will surely be executed. Xuande!”

Liu Bei had already prepared to march on Luoyang since Lu Zhi arrived.

Although he hadn’t made the same leaps and bounds as Qiao Yan in recent years, having no clear path in officialdom, he could only follow the routine. But his early connections with the wealthy merchants Zhang Shiping and Su Shuang from Zhongshan had not been severed after he moved to Ji Province.

Through his dealings with these two, he had managed to gather some manpower.

During his tenure in Qinghe County, he clearly realized that if he wanted to rise through the ranks in the usual way, unless he could be promoted by the Three Excellencies like the current Grand Commandant Huang Wan, it would be difficult to reach a high position.

Instead, if he could make achievements in quelling rebellions and fighting bandits, he would have a better chance of promotion without relying on official connections.

Now that the late Emperor has passed away, and the young son has succeeded, but is controlled by evil villains, it’s the best opportunity for him.

If he wants to do something significant for the people, he must at least become a Prefect. Such a utilitarian thought is not shameful!

He quickly replied, “Master Lu, if you have any orders, I will immediately mobilize with my men!”

“Not so fast,” Lu Zhi replied, “You and I will first go see Yuan Benchu.”

He and Yuan Shao had once stood on opposite sides in Luoyang, and if it weren’t for the Yuan Clan’s support of Dong Zhuo, he wouldn’t have been defeated by Dong Zhuo.

He believed that Cao Cao didn’t just send the proclamation to him, but must have also given Yuan Benchu a copy, and that Chenggao Hulao is a strategic pass in the world. If they are to join forces, they must be of one mind.

Whether Yuan Shao takes a step back first, or he does, these past grievances must first be resolved.

If not, I’m afraid that outside Xuanmen Pass, their role would be less than Qiao Yan’s route.

“Master Lu…”

“Xuande,” Lu Zhi smiled frankly, “At this time, how much is face worth? The big matter is more important. Consider it as me teaching by example.”

But obviously, not everyone who received Cao Cao’s proclamation against the bandits had such awareness.

Like Zhang Zi, the Prefect of Nanyang, who was expected by Xun You to join forces with Yuan Shu, actually died at the hands of Sun Jian during the initial mobilization due to military provisions. Sun Jian was fierce and flamboyant, while Zhang Zi acted on the grounds that a Prefect of another commandery had no authority to requisition provisions, the whole mess is hard to explain.

Even Yuan Shu and Yuan Shao, these two brothers, couldn’t avoid some competition for leadership in their correspondence during this mobilization against Dong Zhuo.

Qiao Yan was well aware of what these incoming “warlords” would do, but she currently had no extra energy to care about their internal strife.

With the five-day agreement arrived, compared to Xu Rong’s deep fear of any trick, she was incredibly relaxed and straightforward, boarding the boat in casual clothes.

From Niu Fu’s perspective on the south bank of the great river, it was a small boat sailing through the muddy waves of the great river, with the other party’s black clothes fluttering in the river breeze, exceptionally graceful.

The boat sped like lightning, heading towards the island in the river.

From Niu Fu’s position, it was impossible to see the scene on the other side clearly, and he could only sigh in admiration, but couldn’t help but note Xu Rong in his mind.

After the boat docked on this side, Zhao Yun pressed down the edge of his bamboo hat, temporarily acting as a qualified boatman, watching her disembark with a sword and a wine gourd, facing Xu Rong who had landed on the other side from a distance.

Even with bodyguards by her side, this was truly a heroic meeting with wine in style!