Chapter 129

Chapter 129

Can a strategist not ascend the throne? Volume 4: The End of Zhongping, The Turmoil of Luoyang, Chapter 129: Borrow and Return

Belonging to the book:


Can a Strategist Not Ascend the Throne?

Chapter 129: Borrow…

Borrowing grain from Qiao Yan? This idea really had to come from Yuan Shao.

Lu Zhi, just thinking about Qiao Yan being able to deploy twenty to thirty thousand troops on the south bank of the Yellow River, pressuring Dong Zhuo, while he could only muster two to three thousand, mostly from Liu Bei’s forces, and having to gather with these various local forces to discuss breaking through Xuanmen Pass, already felt deeply ashamed.

Yuan Shao, however, was completely unapologetic, actually wanting to borrow grain from Qiao Yan!

But if you think about it, the lack of grain in the army here is indeed a fact.

Liu Dai, Kong Zhou, and Zhang Miao were all appointed as prefects and governors by Dong Zhuo, and it hasn’t been long since they took office. They rose up entirely based on the reputation of scholars and the righteous cause of opposing Dong Zhuo. Qiao Zhao, Sun Jian, and Bao Xin have been in their positions a bit longer, but the harvests in the Central Plains in recent years have been mediocre. Although better than the earlier drought, it’s common for government storehouses to have no surplus grain.

The only ones with ample military grain here are Bao Xin and Qiao Zhao, one being the Chancellor of Jibei and the other the Prefect of Dong Commandery, with a combined total of over five thousand grain carts.

Of course, this number is actually exaggerated.

To reassure the soldiers about advancing, the bottom of the grain carts was filled with grass and stones, with the real grain on top.

This grain is indeed insufficient to supply the entire army’s advance.

But this is absolutely no reason for Yuan Shao to take advantage of Qiao Yan at this time!

Seeing Lu Zhi’s displeased expression, as if about to argue, Yuan Shao continued, “Lu Gong, it’s not that I’m deliberately making things difficult for the younger generation, but you see the current situation. First, there was friction between Sun Wentai and Zhang Ziyi, ending with Zhang Ziyi’s death. These days, the friction between Liu Yanzhou and Qiao Dongjun is mostly due to soldiers’ grain. If we rashly order them to combine forces and attack a dangerous pass like Chenggao, if things don’t go well, there might be internal strife due to further disputes. Then, instead of eliminating the bandits, we might become prey ourselves.”

“I know it’s difficult for Qiao Bingzhou to provide more grain, but she has twice defeated the Xianbei outside the borders, plundered much, and returned with meat for her soldiers. She also established military farms on the Baidao River. Even though the borderlands are poor and yields are low, it’s solidly her own military grain…”

“If we can defeat Dong Zhuo and go to various places to reassume positions, oversee the restoration of people’s livelihoods and fields, we will definitely repay her double. This is also a last resort.”

Yuan Shao spoke so grandly that if Qiao Yan knew he was using military grain as a pretext, she might even praise him for finding a good excuse.

After all, the current dispute over military grain between Liu Dai, the Governor of Yanzhou, and Qiao Zhao, the Prefect of Dong Commandery, really led to a bloodbath after the coalition disbanded, ending with Qiao Zhao’s death.

But whether Yuan Shao is really delaying the advance due to lack of grain or for other reasons, who knows?

Relying on the prestige of the Yuan Clan of Runan, he and Yuan Shu, one in the north and one in the south, called for the campaign against Dong Zhuo, and it was said to be a resounding response.

But what about after successfully entering Luoyang?

The current Son of Heaven, Liu Xie, once fled because the Yuan Clan burned the Southern Palace. Even Dong Zhuo’s entry into the capital was more or less caused by Yuan Shao.

Even if the various changes were beyond his expectations, once the Son of Heaven is free from Dong Zhuo’s control, he has every reason to settle accounts with the Yuan family.

Even if, due to Dong Zhuo’s actions and the Yuan Clan’s long-standing influence, the Son of Heaven chooses to continue entrusting the Yuan Clan with important responsibilities—

But Yuan Shao, though adopted by his uncle and considered half a legitimate son, must still bow to the true legitimate eldest son of the Yuan Clan, Yuan Ji, who is still alive. This is an undeniable fact.

At that time, he will no longer enjoy such treatment.

Even if he hasn’t gone so far as to wish Yuan Ji to be killed by Dong Zhuo like Rao Longzong, Zhou Hui, Wu Qiong, and Zhou Bi, he still hopes to gain more leverage in this state before achieving the goal of eliminating the bandits.

Originally quite handsome, Yuan Shao’s words momentarily stumped Lu Zhi.

But Lu Zhi wasn’t unable to refute Yuan Shao; it’s just that when the other party has already completed their logical self-consistency, there’s no way to reason with them.

“This is too shameless…” A voice suddenly came from the corner of the main tent.

Yuan Shao looked towards the sound and saw a similarly straightforward warrior’s face. Seeing Yuan Shao look over, Zhang Fei wasn’t intimidated by his status at all. Instead, he raised his voice and replied, “I didn’t say anything wrong. You say it’s borrowing and returning, but in times of disaster, why should Bingzhou keep extra grain instead of storing more for themselves, in exchange for a promise that might not be fulfilled? It’s not like they’re full and have nothing better to do.”

“Yide.” Liu Bei reminded, making Zhang Fei shut up.

Yuan Shao frowned, “Is this also Xuande’s meaning?”

Liu Bei, by status, Yuan Shao somewhat looked down on him, but he had befriended horse merchants from Ji Province, and among the people he brought, a small half were cavalry, only slightly fewer than Bao Xin, the Chancellor of Jibei, who had over seven hundred cavalry. This was enough to make him a leader who could communicate equally with everyone.

Moreover, Lu Zhi is now the leader of the coalition, and Liu Bei, as his disciple, naturally counts as a deputy.

In such a situation, Yuan Shao had to consider Liu Bei’s opinion.

“If Benchu wants to hear the truth, then I can only say yes. Although I, Liu Bei, do not occupy a province like Marquis Qiao, I am unwilling to ask for military grain from her for such reasons at this time. May I ask Benchu, if Marquis Qiao lends us grain, will we share part of the military merit with her after our successful advance?”

Yuan Shao remained silent, not answering.

If he were to answer this question, the answer might be—no.

Military grain is military grain, and military merit is military merit. Yuan Shao distinguishes the two very clearly.

Liu Bei asked again, “If Marquis Qiao refuses to lend us grain, and Benchu chooses not to advance, will the blame for missing the opportunity fall on her?”

This doesn’t seem too hard to answer. Yuan Shao himself would lead the way in finding the best scapegoat for not advancing.

At this point, Liu Bei cupped his hands towards Yuan Shao, “I cannot change Benchu’s mind. If Benchu still wants to borrow grain from Marquis Qiao, please do not mind my soldiers. I will naturally find a way to solve the grain problem.”

“Don’t mind me either.” Cao Cao said solemnly from the side.

He finds it shameful to mix with these people!

If Zhang Fei hadn’t spoken his mind so bluntly, Cao Cao would have spoken up earlier.

There’s no reason for Qiao Yan to both initiate the campaign against Dong Zhuo, providing them with a battle opportunity, and also supply them with military grain!

He looked around the tent, clearly seeing the expressions of those who were moved when Yuan Shao proposed this idea.

Qiao Zhao, the Prefect of Dong Commandery, who is related to Qiao Yan, didn’t even make any argumentative response at this time, making Cao Cao feel somewhat pitiful.

Cao Cao vaguely remembered Qiao Yan mentioning in their correspondence that she had taken Qiao Zhao’s second daughter to Leping for schooling to maintain ties with the Qiao Clan of Yanzhou.

But this fragile connection is clearly no match for the interests at hand.

Such a group of people…

Even with Lu Zhi, Liu Bei, and himself here, according to the coalition’s rule of majority rule and the burden of the righteous cause against Dong Zhuo, it’s impossible to dissuade them from thinking borrowing grain is feasible.

Cao Cao felt deeply disheartened.

If the people trying to restore the Han Dynasty are like this, is there really any hope for its revival?

Even if they behead Dong Zhuo and hold him accountable, who knows if another Dong Zhuo-like scourge will appear tomorrow!

This greed could easily turn into a demon!

Cao Cao thought of his previous conversations with Qiao Yan in Yanxi Lane, of her two, no, three expeditions beyond the borders to attack the Hu people, ensuring peace within Bingzhou, and felt even more that Ye Shu’s actions were not worth it.

In this world, people like Lu Zhi, who can yield for justice, are only seen as easy targets, and people like Qiao Yan, who guard the borders and govern the people, are only seen as money bags for military grain.

How laughable!

He didn’t even wait for Yuan Shao to say anything more, just cupped his hands towards Lu Zhi and Liu Bei, and directly lifted the tent flap to leave.

If he stayed any longer, he was afraid he would hear Yuan Shao say something about the exigencies of the times, making him retort with “unworthy to scheme with such a person.”

Just as Cao Cao suspected, although a few chose to withdraw from the act of requesting grain from the Governor of Bingzhou, given the feasibility, the letter to Qiao Yan setting the time for the attack still mentioned this matter.

Qiao Yan received the letter and took a long time to react. She had underestimated Yuan Benchu’s shamelessness!

“I originally thought he would at most slack off or compete with Lu Gong for the position of coalition leader, but I never expected…” Qiao Yan pinched the letter, turning to Jia Xu and Guo Jia with an indescribable expression, “He’s trying to extort me?”

Jia Xu, having seen much in Liangzhou and Luoyang, had never seen such a brazen demand for military grain.

But considering the other party’s background from the Yuan Clan, which had produced three dukes in four generations, it wasn’t entirely unreasonable.

He asked, “So what does Marquis Qiao think?”

“Given the current situation, the grain must still be provided.” Qiao Yan replied with a stern face.

The issues Liu Bei thought of, she naturally thought of too. Although she most hoped to see Yuan Shao and others still blocked outside Xuanmen Pass when she successfully entered Luoyang, she absolutely didn’t want to leave any handle for others. So, this borrowing of grain, given that Bingzhou can afford it, can be done.

But—

“But the method of lending and returning the grain must be decided by us.”

Has Yuan Shao forgotten that when she went to the capital to request the Son of Heaven to promote the General Who Crosses the Liao, although she kindly informed Yuan Shao of the Son of Heaven’s plans, the one who benefited the most was not Han Fu, the General Who Crosses the Liao, but Qiao Yan, the Governor of Bingzhou.

Because of this restraining relationship, when Han Fu wanted to support Yuan Shao and others in their uprising against Dong Zhuo, Qiao Yan detained him on the grounds of “the Governor going out, intending to act improperly,” and even transferred Qu Yi to the camp by the Yellow River.

In such a manner, Han Fu didn’t dare to say a word of dissent.

She has always been the type who doesn’t let herself be taken advantage of, so how could she let Yuan Shao gain the upper hand!

“Fengxiao, I want you to go to the coalition camp at Suanzao.” Qiao Yan said.

Guo Jia replied, “Yuan Shao is ambitious and loves glory. Even if Your Lordship sends grain, he will likely claim it as his own to the soldiers. If Your Lordship doesn’t impose restrictions, it’s hard to ensure that the credit doesn’t all fall to Yuan Shao.”

“This is the first point.” Qiao Yan’s fingers tapped the table faster than usual, showing her urgency in dealing with Yuan Shao’s scheming.

But Guo Jia soon saw a mysterious smile appear on her face, as if she already had a way to restrict Yuan Shao.

She beckoned Guo Jia, “Do as I say.”

Two days later…








In the Suanzao military camp, the envoy sent from Qiao Yan stood before Yuan Shao.

When Guo Jia arrived in Leping, it was the fourth year of Zhongping. Now, two years have passed, and this young man, who is still a year away from his official coming-of-age ceremony, has been serving under the Governor of Bingzhou. Due to his frequent travels, he doesn’t strictly follow the rules.

The handsome young man, nurtured by the climate of Bingzhou and the cuisine of Leping, bowed to Yuan Shao.

Yuan Shao, though shameless at times, never missed an opportunity to show his respect for talented individuals. Seeing that the envoy sent by Qiao Yan was a scholar of remarkable appearance and demeanor, he treated this meeting with great importance, giving enough superficial courtesy.

Since Lu Zhi and Liu Bei were unwilling to borrow grain from Qiao Yan and had already made their own preparations, Yuan Shao alone received Guo Jia to discuss the matter of borrowing grain.

“Lord Qiao’s intention is that since we are all contributing to the Han Dynasty, it’s acceptable for Bingzhou to provide more grain. However, Bingzhou has not yet reached this year’s harvest, and the available grain is only from last year’s stock. At most, we can only provide fifty thousand dan.”

Fifty thousand dan?

This number far exceeded Yuan Shao’s original estimate.

A hint of joy flashed across his face, but he still maintained some dignity and replied, “Lord Qiao’s dedication to the state is commendable, making her a leading figure among the patriots. If this battle can save the Son of Heaven from the hands of traitors, Lord Qiao will surely be credited with the first merit.”

Guo Jia inwardly mocked, “What status do you, Yuan Benchu, have to make such promises?”

Even without considering that, Lord Qiao doesn’t need your superficial gestures; she needs something more substantial.

Thinking this, he maintained a calm demeanor and added, “It’s not difficult for us to provide the fifty thousand dan from our military camp. However, as General Yuan has seen, our Lord Qiao is facing Niu Fu across the great river. Any movement in our camp will be noticed by the enemy. If the grain transport is revealed to Dong Zhuo, it will also reveal our intention to advance.”

Yuan Shao: “Then what is Lord Qiao’s suggestion?”

Guo Jia replied, “Why not have Lord Qiao write a letter, instructing the Prefect of Shangdang to transport the grain through Fukou Pass, passing through Ji Province to Suanzao. This route is closer and won’t delay the military opportunity.”

As for how they will publicize this along the way, that’s their business.

If Yuan Shao’s friend He Yong were not in Luoyang, coerced by Dong Zhuo, but by his side, seeing Guo Jia’s relaxed demeanor, he should have sounded the alarm.

But at this moment, Yuan Shao didn’t sense any scheme. He only thought about the grain and how, as the proposer, he could gain favor with the allied forces. Letting Qiao Yan have some advantage was acceptable.

Yuan Shao replied, “If it can be done this way, it would be even better.”

Guo Jia added, “Moreover, Lord Qiao’s intention is that since it’s a loan, it must be repaid. Although she is the Governor of Bingzhou, she is not a warlord ruling independently in Bingzhou. The fifty thousand dan of military grain could have been used for expeditions beyond the borders. Now, it’s being used as a temporary measure. Fortunately, General Yuan, coming from a prestigious family and being a hope of the Central Plains, mentioned in his letter that he would repay the loan, so he shouldn’t default.”

“According to Lord Qiao’s idea, having multiple people repay the loan would be troublesome. If General Yuan doesn’t mind, why not take on the entire fifty thousand dan yourself?”

Yuan Shao thought for a moment and nodded in agreement.

After all, he had no intention of repaying, so whether he owed the entire amount or each person owed a bit to Qiao Yan, it made no difference.

With his reaction, the rest was easier to discuss.

“However—”

Guo Jia cleared his throat, “I must say this upfront. Currently, the primary task is to attack Dong Zhuo, and the prefects of various commanderies have just taken office. Even Yuan Benchu is now just a nominal Tiger Guard Middle General. Therefore, repayment must be delayed until next year’s autumn harvest. We in Bingzhou are not unreasonable; they can repay by next September. But we must have a written acknowledgment of the debt.”

“Yuan Benchu comes from a family of three dukes over four generations, so he surely won’t default. But we are poor and need some security. We won’t charge interest until next September, but if repayment is delayed by one day, please add one grain of wheat to the fifty thousand dan of military grain. If delayed by two days, add two grains, three days, four grains, four days, eight grains, and so on. If he defaults, I will rightfully come to collect and have him count them out for me!”

Yuan Shao was about to get angry when Guo Jia calmly bowed and clasped his hands, saying, “These are the exact words of my Lord Qiao. If General Yuan is willing to write this IOU, the fifty thousand dan of military grain will be delivered immediately without delay.”

“…” Yuan Shao was momentarily choked by the phrase “nominal Tiger Guard Middle General” and then heard the strange rule about the increasing grains of wheat for delayed repayment.

This talk of one grain, two grains of wheat sounded like a joke. In the face of fifty thousand dan of military grain, these few grains of wheat were insignificant. The key point must be in the phrase “count them out for me”!

Qiao Yeshu is already sixteen this year. If she were in a different position, she would be of marriageable age. How could she still do such childish things!

But since Yuan Shao had already planned to default, it didn’t matter if she wrote about eight or sixteen grains.

After some calculation, he replied, “Then let’s write it. Lord Qiao’s timely assistance is already commendable, and we certainly can’t let you suffer a loss.”

Suffer a loss?

They certainly didn’t suffer any loss!

When Guo Jia left the camp with the document bearing Yuan Shao’s official seal and signature, he ran into Cao Cao.

Cao Cao had seen Guo Jia with Qiao Yan before, during the martial arts competition, and recognized him.

“Lord Qiao sent you here to…”

Guo Jia replied, “She sent me to discuss the grain delivery with General Yuan. Now, attacking Luoyang is the priority; other matters can wait.”

Cao Cao was stunned for a moment and sighed, “Yeshu is truly a pillar of the Han Dynasty. I am not her equal, but she has suffered a great loss this time.”

He knew Yuan Shao’s temperament well; he wouldn’t return favors after receiving benefits from others.

But all he saw was Guo Jia’s unchanged expression, who then said, “I remember that Colonel Cao and General Yuan were close friends since childhood. If you don’t mind my presumption, I’d like to ask you a question.”

“Go ahead.”

Guo Jia smiled meaningfully, “Has General Yuan’s arithmetic always been this poor?”

“…?” Cao Cao didn’t understand the implication of the question.

Guo Jia clearly didn’t expect an answer and left the Suanzao camp directly.

When he set out from Mengjin to Suanzao, Qiao Yan had already sent out a letter to Shangdang to gather grain. Guo Jia met up with the grain delivery team before returning.

During this time, Qiao Yan had exchanged another letter with the Suanzao allied forces, finalizing the time for the advance.

The official attack on Luoyang would begin five days later.

On the thirteenth day of the sixth month of the first year of Guangxi.

It coincided with the rainy season in Luoyang, causing the Yellow River to rise significantly. Although the Mengjin and Xiaopingjin passes didn’t extend to the flooded areas.

These two passes were not permanent fortifications, and to defend against Qiao Yan’s army, they had to recruit more soldiers, forcing them to station some troops outside the passes in camps.

This was already an uncomfortable environment, and with the muddy rainy season, if the camp’s drainage wasn’t properly managed, it became even more unbearable.

Niu Fu, walking through the camp, heard many complaints. They had been stationed here for nearly a month and a half, experiencing only the hardships of camping, while the Prime Minister enjoyed himself in Luoyang. What kind of logic was that?

Even during the moonless nights earlier in the month, they didn’t see the enemy taking advantage to attack by boat, making them wait in vain for several nights. Now, it seemed even less likely.

These complaints, compared to the enemy soldiers’ vigorous training on the riverbank, made them feel even more unbalanced.

But they didn’t know that, taking advantage of the lax defense of the river island by the pass guards, Qiao Yan’s soldiers had secretly practiced countless times at night on the northern riverbank to the river island using sheepskin bags.

Although some of them were initially poor swimmers, with ropes tied to something equivalent to a lifebuoy, even the most landlocked had to learn to paddle.

Now, everything was ready!

Qiao Yan looked up at the sky.

Perhaps because it was going to rain tomorrow, the sky was overcast, completely obscuring the moonlight.

What perfect timing and地利!

As she raised her hand to signal, the camp’s silent password system quickly spread the order.

The soldiers, wearing leather armor and carrying weapons, quickly ran to their assigned sheepskin bags, following their night training, and then headed west in teams.

They needed to run about eight miles upstream with the sheepskin bags on their backs, then swim to the river island and float downstream.

Qiao Yan would set out an hour later.

This was the time she left for the soldiers to reach the river island, eat their dried meat, and regain their strength.

As her second order was issued, two large sheepskin rafts were carried to the shore and placed in a blind spot, away from the wooden boats.

The sheepskin rafts, made from six hundred sheepskin bags, could carry up to thirty tons, as tested by Qiao Yan.

This meant she could transport hundreds of heavily armored soldiers across the river with these two rafts.

Qiao Yan herself stepped onto one of the rafts.

The rafts, each with three heavy oars at the front and back, entered the water with a dull sound.

But amidst the howling wind and roaring river, this sound wouldn’t attract attention, at most mistaken for waves hitting the shore.

Dian Wei and Qu Yi, ordered by Qiao Yan, each led two hundred armored soldiers onto a raft, with shield soldiers carrying shields at the front.

Even with the raft fully loaded, it remained stable on the water.

In this solemn atmosphere, where even the sound of armor was almost inaudible, Qiao Yan raised her hand and issued the third order.

Set sail!

Each heavy oar required two people to operate, ensuring the large raft could navigate the Yellow River.

Qiao Yan stood behind the first row of shields, looking ahead. The Mang Mountain on the opposite bank was almost invisible in the night’s darkness, with only the faint flicker of lights at the Mengjin Pass visible.

As the commander, she shouldn’t take such risks, but this river crossing was crucial and required her to oversee the remaining troops’ crossing and block reinforcements from Xiaopingjin.

Thus, she had to go herself!

But halfway across the river, any regret for personally leading the battle had vanished.

Who had ever seen such a way of crossing a river?

In the dark night, without the romance of “the flowing waves carrying the moon away,” there were only two large sheepskin rafts carrying iron-clad soldiers breaking through the waves.

Ahead, three thousand soldiers with sheepskin bags floated in the river, drifting eastward. Although she couldn’t see their movements clearly, she could see a continuous black line pointing to the landing point ahead.

They formed an unstoppable offensive force!

Qiao Yan couldn’t help but tighten her grip on her long spear.

Cross the river! Attack!