Chapter 137

Chapter 137: The Bridge Across the River

In this current era, not only are there fewer restrictions on the remarriage of princesses, but even common women face fewer constraints. There’s even the saying, “Since Dong Yan, many princesses and noblewomen have overstepped the bounds of propriety.”

However, it was somewhat surprising to Qiao Yan that Princess Yang’an, who had no other brothers to support her after her father’s death, would propose separating from Fu Wan to maintain the dignity of the Han dynasty.

But the princess, with her unwavering royal demeanor, showed no hesitation in her decision, clearly a result of careful consideration.

Before Qiao Yan could respond, the princess added, “Of course, if it comes to that, it won’t just be me and A’Shou. A’Shou’s birth mother, my young son Fu Ya, and even the princesses A’Shou suggested we shelter in our residence will come along.”

“So, has the princess already discussed this with Fu Shizhong?” Qiao Yan inquired.

She had no objections to this arrangement.

From earlier conversations between Fu Shou and herself, Qiao Yan had a rough idea of the princess’s character.

She was strict with her children, sometimes making Fu Shou apprehensive. However, aware that her status as a princess was merely a gesture of favor from Emperor Huan, she rarely interacted with other royals and remained neutral between Liu Xie and Liu Bian.

Her reluctance to follow the newly enthroned Liu Bian to Ye City was understandable.

On one hand, she saw this move as undermining the authority of the Han imperial family, which she resented. On the other, in a court established by Liu Hong’s eldest son, her position would become even more awkward.

Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu, though loyal to the new emperor, had previously burned the Southern Palace, suggesting that the new emperor was merely a tool for their ambitions. How much more so for a princess like her.

Ye City in Ji Province was a place where Liu Bian could forget the turmoil he experienced in Luoyang, and where Fu Wan could seek new fortunes, but it was no place for Princess Yang’an, Liu Hua.

Nor was it a place for Liu Hong’s other princesses.

With the current state of constant unrest, no one could predict how long the temporary calm would last. If she requested to move to her fief, she might not be able to protect herself should drought strike again.

After analyzing the various warlords who came to Luoyang to support the emperor, Liu Hua realized that Qiao Yan was her only viable option.

Thus, she approached Fu Shou again.

Since Fu Shou had interacted with Qiao Yan, she had idolized the Governor of Bingzhou. Her suggestion to shelter the princesses in their residence during Liu Hong’s funeral made Liu Hua realize that Fu Shou was no longer just an ordinary child.

Liu Hua wasn’t wrong about Fu Shou. When asked if she could introduce her to Qiao Yan, Fu Shou pondered and asked, “Since even Lu Gong believes that the emperor in Chang’an might be rescued, and the eldest son of the late emperor would be in a difficult position, while my father seeks to rise through loyalty, which is a path to disaster, why can’t my second brother and I go to Bingzhou with our mother?”

Let Fu Wan take his eldest son, Fu De, to Ji Province.

If her father was unreliable, she would take her mother and follow her stepmother to flee.

They could give Fu Wan a plausible reason: spreading the family’s investments. But the truth would be clear once they parted ways.

Liu Hua and Fu Shou agreed that this plan was feasible and immediately informed Fu Wan.

Of course, she wouldn’t discuss such wordplay openly with Qiao Yan, merely replying, “I won’t burden Marquis Qiao with such troubles. As the eldest daughter of Emperor Huan, I have a substantial dowry and don’t need your support. I only ask for one thing.”

“My son Fu Ya and A’Shou are of an age to study. I’ve heard that the great scholar Cai Bojie is in Leping. I would like you to introduce them to him. Whether he accepts them as disciples is up to him.”

Qiao Yan smiled, “I think the princess should wait until you arrive in Leping to make that decision.”

Leping Academy wasn’t sustained by Cai Yong alone.

Hearing the deeper meaning in Qiao Yan’s words, Liu Hua didn’t press further and simply agreed on a departure time before leaving.

After seeing off Princess Yang’an, Qiao Yan turned to Xun Shuang and bowed, “I’ve long heard of the Yingchuan Xun family since my time in Changshe. It’s a pity that I couldn’t seek your guidance then, as you were avoiding trouble. Now, seeing you sacrifice yourself for righteousness, you are a model for us to emulate.”

Xun Shuang shook his head, “No need for such praise. I’m old and can’t compare to your youthful vigor, Marquis Qiao, who bravely crossed the river and defeated the traitor Dong Zhuo. Nor is my move to Chang’an anything remarkable. It’s just a change of residence. The task of restoring the state and benefiting the people falls to you young ones.”

Princess Yang’an had spoken directly, and so did Xun Shuang.

He pushed Xun You forward and said, “I have only one request.”

“Though there’s a saying to recommend the worthy and avoid relatives, considering your plan to advance from Liangzhou to Chang’an, I’ve thought it over and wish to recommend Gongda to you. Gongda is gentle on the outside but firm within, excelling in military strategy and current affairs. If you campaign in Liangzhou, he could accompany you. What do you think?”

This proposal surprised Qiao Yan more than Princess Yang’an’s offer of allegiance.

Though she didn’t show it, her heart was stirred.

What did she think? What did she think?

This was Xun You!

The Xun You whom Cao Cao praised, “No campaign was without his advice, and every victory was due to his strategies!”

In her original plan, the campaign against Liangzhou would have Jia Xu, a native of Liangzhou, as the chief strategist.

With Cheng Yu and Xi Zhicai needed in Bingzhou, and Guo Jia monitoring the northern frontier to prevent trouble from Budugen and Ke Biner, she could only bring Xu Fu along.

Fortunately, after the death of the Liangzhou scholar Yan Zhong, Ma Teng and Han Sui, lacking a figurehead and with Dong Zhuo’s entry into the capital reducing their threat, turned against each other. With Huangfu Song’s assistance, Qiao Yan anticipated little pressure.

But with Xun You added to the mix, it would be like adding wings to a tiger!

As soon as Xun Shuang finished speaking, Qiao Yan instinctively looked at Xun You.

In the council hall, Xun You had been silently supporting his uncle, almost invisible. But meeting his eyes, she recognized the shrewdness of a strategist.

Even without knowing that Xun You had previously described her as “unfathomable,” Qiao Yan could see that Xun Shuang’s recommendation wasn’t just to ensure his own safe extraction from Chang’an to fulfill the mission of rescuing the emperor. Xun You had assessed the various factions in the Luoyang conflict and decided whom to serve.

Had he not been willing, given Zheng Tai’s earlier assessment of Xun You in Bingzhou, Xun Shuang wouldn’t have casually assigned him.

In that moment of eye contact, Qiao Yan realized another truth.

In this campaign to purge the court of Dong Zhuo’s influence, she had finally, officially, been recognized by the renowned central plains families as a worthy investment.

She was no longer just a young governor who had risen rapidly due to her loyalty to Liu Hong.

She was now a contender among her peers, elders, and even the heroes of the realm, placed at the forefront of those worth serving!

The foresight of Xun You, or rather the Yingchuan Xun family, had led them to act before others.

But the ripple effects of this Luoyang trip were far from over.

At the very least, the Xun family wouldn’t be the only one making such an investment; other well-connected noble families would follow.

Though Qiao Yan knew that to rebuild order, she couldn’t overly rely on these families for support.

But she understood the nuances of such relationships.

Someone like Xun You, a strategic asset, couldn’t be turned away.

Her thoughts didn’t cause her to hesitate long before Xun Shuang and Xun You. She replied, “Recommending without avoiding enemies, and without avoiding sons, is the principle of Qi Huangyang. In times of national crisis, your recommendation is exactly what I need.”

After some consideration, she continued, “If I recall correctly, Gongda was previously recommended by General He as a Gentleman of the Yellow Gate. Unfortunately, there’s no corresponding position in Bingzhou. But if I campaign in Liangzhou, I’ll start from Shangjun. Would Gongda be willing to serve as a Personnel Officer in Bingzhou’s Shangjun and accompany the expedition?”

Xun Shuang’s recommendation, though filled with praise for her crossing the river and defeating Dong Zhuo, wasn’t seeking her to say—whether Xun You could become a military strategist was still unknown, and they’d see after some achievements.

Offering the vacant position of Personnel Officer in Shangjun was her response to the Xun family’s goodwill.

Xun You bowed to her, “The position of Personnel Officer is sufficient. I will do my utmost to strategize for you.”

His promise was firm, his demeanor no longer gentle. But for Qiao Yan, the principle of “kindness doesn’t command troops” was essential. For Xun You to excel as a strategist and rival Jia Xu in the Liangzhou campaign, he needed such an attitude.

She helped him up and replied, “Then please escort Master Ciming back and report to my camp north of Luoyang.”

Her troops were temporarily using part of the Northern Army Five Divisions’ camp.

The Luyang coalition was stationed south of the city, and the Suanzao coalition to the east, avoiding interference.

Thus, Xun You wouldn’t get lost.

He replied, “As you command, Marquis,” and left with Xun Shuang for the Minister of Works’ residence.

What further discussions or instructions the grandfather and grandson had after this decision, Qiao Yan didn’t know. She only knew that Yang Xiu, who had greeted her from across the street earlier, was now almost seething with resentment.

He approached, inwardly marveling at how Qiao Yan’s commanding presence had grown over the past four years, no longer confined to the phrase “a young phoenix’s clear voice.” Yet, he couldn’t help but grumble that he had been the one to recognize her potential early on, so why…

“Do you have any vacancies left in your Bingzhou government?”

Qiao Yan replied, “I thought, with your temper, Yang Dezu, you’d ask which position you wanted to compete for.”

“…Well, not exactly.”

Just because he had once challenged Qiao Yan, seeking a Monthly Appraisal at Dingzhong Temple, didn’t mean he should be stereotyped.

Yang Xiu muttered, “Rewarding the meritorious and enfeoffing the diligent is the established rule. I don’t intend to use the Yang family’s reputation to seek special treatment from you. Moreover, having been absent from Bingzhou these past years, I know little about your governance. Seeking a high position rashly would only bring shame.”

Once bitten, twice shy.

Qiao Yan couldn’t help but laugh, “That doesn’t sound like something Yang Dezu would say.”

“You’re mistaken,” Yang Xiu shook his head, “Precisely because I consider myself intelligent, I first seek a foothold. Promotions will come through merit.”

“Does your father have no objections to your choice?” Qiao Yan asked.

After all, Yang Biao had chosen to side with the Yuan family, to whom he was related by marriage, and was about to follow them to Ye City.

If Yang Xiu went with them, his treatment wouldn’t be like coming to Bingzhou, where he’d have to settle for leftovers.

Yang Xiu replied, “Before your forces arrived in Luoyang, I made a bet with my father, saying…”








If you, my lord, can enter Luoyang ahead of my father, he won’t be able to stop me from choosing Bingzhou.

He cupped his hands towards Qiao Yan, “I must also thank you, my lord, for not letting me lose this bet.”

However, it’s clear that after this emergency battle, those with foresight aren’t just limited to him.

Yang Xiu, though proud, couldn’t help but feel a bit overwhelmed when he realized he was competing with Xun You.

“The remaining positions in Bingzhou are still available…” Qiao Yan walked towards the northern military camp, signaling Yang Xiu to follow, while pondering which position would suit him best.

Coming from the prestigious Hongnong Yang family was more of a hindrance than a help for Yang Xiu at this time.

For instance, she had long thought that the position of Grand Justifier, urgently needed in Bingzhou, was absolutely not suitable for Yang Xiu. This role, responsible for selecting talents, would be more appropriate for Zheng Tai.

Looking at it this way—

“I intend to promote the current Registrar to the position of Merit Officer, and have you take over as Registrar. What do you think?” Qiao Yan asked.

If Yang Xiu were to only serve as a minor official, it would inevitably lead to suspicions that she was mistreating the scions of noble families.

Positions like Inspector were not suitable for Yang Xiu’s emotional intelligence.

Instead, serving as a Registrar with the army would align with his experience in Bingzhou and his own capabilities.

This would also allow Qiao Yan to rightfully promote Lu Yuan from Registrar to Merit Officer.

This position, no less important than that of a Chief Clerk or Administrator, was originally reserved for her by Qiao Yan. Now, based on merit and seniority, she could be placed here.

Interestingly, Yang Xiu also served as a Registrar when Cao Cao was Chancellor.

This couldn’t help but give Qiao Yan a subtle feeling when she met Cao Cao in person.

But as for poaching people, the more you do it, the less guilt you feel.

Moreover, the focus of this meeting wasn’t to discuss how many of his people she had poached, nor whether she should give a belated gift to a certain nephew, along with gifts for Cao Cao’s two sons, Cao Pi and Cao Zhang, but to bid farewell to Lord Lu.

Or rather, to Lord Lu and others.

Lu Zhi, Huang Wan, Wang Yun, Yang Zan, Shi Sunrui, and Xun Shuang were just some of the officials heading to Chang’an.

At the Sunset Pavilion, a famous farewell spot in the western outskirts of Luoyang, ahead lay the Zhangfang Ditch, the western boundary of the city. Crossing the bridge to the west meant leaving Luoyang. Today, the place was bustling with people, more like the prosperous capital than the western suburbs.

These officials heading to Chang’an, though not bringing their families, carried a lot of luggage to gain Dong Zhuo’s trust.

This made Qiao Yan acutely aware of the deep-rooted loyalty formed over nearly four hundred years of the unified Han dynasty.

Even now, with the division between east and west, the entrenched problems of the dynasty’s decline, and the lack of capable emperors like Liu Xie or Liu Bian, they still identified as Han officials and were willing to die for it.

She wanted to break this situation, to establish a new order from this broken era. But relying solely on her current subordinates, who had little attachment to the Han, and this single province, was far from enough.

Far from enough…

Watching this scene, she was moved by the solemn atmosphere, but also couldn’t help but sigh at the situation.

This is what it means to shoulder a heavy responsibility.

“Just now, you promised Lord Lu that you would definitely prevent General Huangfu from being controlled by Dong Zhuo and not keep Lord Lu waiting too long. But then you’ve been spacing out here. What, even the ever-strategic Marquis Qiao has moments of confusion?” Cao Cao interrupted her thoughts.

Qiao Yan collected her thoughts and replied, “If one has no worries, how can they still be called human? On one hand, I worry about Lord Lu and the others heading to Chang’an, living under Dong Zhuo’s blade. On the other hand, I wonder, with the eldest son of the late emperor as the eastern Son of Heaven, moving the capital to Ye, where should the residents of Luoyang go?”

“I heard that Yuan Shao intends to have the emperor issue an edict to exempt taxes around Ye and encourage some residents to move out, but few are willing.”

Living under the emperor’s rule isn’t necessarily peaceful. Take Luoyang for example; when Dong Zhuo arrived, the first to suffer were the residents of Luoyang.

Cao Cao pondered and replied, “These people won’t all stay in Luoyang.”

Luoyang is expensive, and the residences are crowded. Previously, it was because Luoyang was the capital that it gathered such a population.

Now, gathering in such a way isn’t something the people, who have learned to seek advantage and avoid harm in troubled times, would choose.

With the withdrawal of the Northern Army Five Divisions, the population of Luoyang, this great city, will at least be halved.

And these people will likely migrate to neighboring provinces.

Cao Cao added, “I originally wanted to tell you that your expedition to Liangzhou has realized the ambition of conquering the west ahead of me. Why not give me a chance to march together? But since you specifically mentioned the residents of Luoyang, I have another idea.”

He said with certainty, “I want the position of Prefect of Dong Commandery. If I achieve something, I’ll aim for the position of Governor of Yanzhou.”

The former Prefect of Dong Commandery, Qiao Zhao, died at the hands of Hu Zhen and Hua Xiong during the Suanzao coalition’s attack on Xuanmen Pass, leaving the position vacant.

Dong Commandery is connected to the capital region, and if Luoyang residents migrate, they are likely to choose this place.

“Who do you plan to ask for this position?” Qiao Yan looked towards the team setting off under the sunset, even though Lu Zhi still stood tall, exuding an unyielding spirit, she couldn’t help but feel a bit melancholic.

Cao Cao replied, “It doesn’t matter who I ask, as long as I achieve my goal.”

Qiao Yan shifted her gaze from Lu Zhi to Cao Cao.

She wasn’t hard-pressed to notice that after the unreliable march of the Suanzao coalition, some of his thoughts had clearly changed.

But this more pragmatic approach was clearly more suitable for the current era.

As for more emotions, with Cao Cao’s seasoned experience, he wouldn’t show them outwardly, making it hard for Qiao Yan to fully grasp.

She casually asked, “Speaking of which, Liu Bei took the same route as you from Suanzao, and you’ve known him for a while. Have you asked him what he plans to do?”

Cao Cao replied, “Liu Bei originally planned to follow Lord Lu to Chang’an, with the intention of serving him, but was scolded back by Lord Lu.”

Qiao Yan continued, “Lord Lu must have said that Liu Bei is in his prime, with strong men like Guan Yu and Zhang Fei by his side. Even if he doesn’t know what to do, he should at least make an effort in the areas where the Qingxu Yellow Turbans are still active.”

Cao Cao clapped and laughed, “Ye Shu, you truly have studied under Lord Lu for a while, knowing his temper so well. At the time, I suggested that if that’s the case, why not have Liu Bei accept the invitation from the Taishan Prefect Ying Zhongyuan and seek a position of two thousand dan in a nearby area, supporting each other.”

“Close to Taishan, and needing to prevent the Qingxu Yellow Turbans…” Qiao Yan thought Cao Cao was quite mischievous, “Isn’t that the Jinan State where you once served?”

Cao Cao replied frankly, “From Deputy Magistrate of Qinghe to Chancellor of Jinan, that counts as a promotion.”

This would be Liu Bei’s destination.

As for Cao Cao, even without Qiao Yan’s reminder, he would choose a commandery in Yanzhou as his foothold.

Given the locations of these two places, to secure these positions, they would have to recognize Liu Bian as the Son of Heaven.

This seems inconsistent with Cao Cao’s earlier cooperation with Lu Zhi to ensure Liu Xie’s ascension, but as he said—

As long as the goal is achieved.

When he parted with Qiao Yan, he asked another question, “Ye Shu, you advised me to accommodate the migrating residents of Luoyang in Yanzhou, ensuring their peaceful settlement. Don’t you plan to do anything yourself?”

Qiao Yan raised an eyebrow, “When did I say I was the type to just hand over benefits to others?”

She has grand ambitions.

After the “failed” pursuit of Dong Zhuo’s army and returning to Luoyang, apart from the soldiers nominally stationed at the northern military camp, she had Zhang Liao take some men back to the Yellow River.

While Bingzhou might not be the first choice for migrating residents of Luoyang, being the first to attack Luoyang and leaving the people unharmed, it would certainly rank high.

The only thing stopping them from moving to Bingzhou was the great river.

Now she should be glad that to deceive Niu Fu stationed at Mengjin, she had built enough boats.

These boats, besides transporting the troops who landed using sheepskin rafts to secure the riverbank, now served another purpose.

By late June, the Yellow River’s flood season had passed, and the waters at Mengjin calmed down.

These boats, with four long poles erected on each side, anchored to stay afloat, laid long planks between them within the range of the poles.

Stretching from the Mengjin crossing to the northern bank of the river.

This formed a pontoon bridge connecting the two banks.

When Ma Lun and her assistants crossed the river with the remaining books, she saw many Luoyang residents pushing carts across the bridge.

Ren Hongchang, whom she had arranged to rescue people in the North Palace, was also in the crossing party with Ma Lun. Seeing this unprecedented bridge over the Yellow River, she couldn’t help but show a look of amazement.

When Ma Lun reunited with her two sons and asked what reward she wanted, after some thought, she replied that she wanted to be someone capable of standing firm in the world. Thus, Ma Lun took her as a disciple to inherit her legacy, naturally bringing her to Bingzhou.

She wasn’t sure if choosing this path over continuing as the “Diaochan” official managing palace attire was correct, but at least the journey to Bingzhou and the construction of the pontoon bridge to attract Luoyang migrants showed her that Marquis Qiao wasn’t just talented in warfare but also had an extraordinary boldness.

With the Taihang Mountains still separating them, what exactly is Bingzhou like under the governance of this Governor?

This wasn’t just her thought.

The migrating residents of Luoyang had this question, as did Yang Xiu, who had been away from Bingzhou for four years, and even the newly recruited Xun You under Qiao Yan.

As he crossed the river with Qiao Yan, he saw a dignified young man waiting on the other bank. Hearing Qiao Yan’s address, it was Wei Ji of the Hedong Wei family.

Wei Ji, not yet twenty-five, had a decisive manner. In the Wei family, known for its classical studies and calligraphy, he was undoubtedly the heir. Thus, when Qiao Yan sent Lu Yuan to the Wei family before her expedition to Luoyang, he was already the family head.

With Qiao Yan’s triumphant return, he naturally came to welcome her as a symbolic gesture.

As he walked along the river with Qiao Yan, he couldn’t help but glance at the pontoon bridge spanning north and south.

Whether it was due to the season or the efficiency of the Bingzhou army, this was undoubtedly a grand gesture.

“Marquis Qiao’s boldness sometimes makes me feel I can never catch up,” he couldn’t help but sigh.

Even if he hadn’t crossed the river, he could see from the expressions of the Luoyang commoners crossing that they were drawn to Bingzhou because of Qiao Yan.

This made it even more evident that this Governor of Bingzhou was adept at creating miracles.

Qiao Yan replied, “Bo Yu, this isn’t my ability, but rather—the times are tough, Luoyang is difficult, and the people yearn for Leping.”

Wei Ji paused.

Whether Leping referred to enjoying peace or Marquis Leping’s reference to Bingzhou, or both, he couldn’t tell at the moment.

But in the eyes of this victorious young Governor—

He saw a flame that could cleanse the world.