Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Can a strategist not ascend the throne? Volume 1: The Yellow Turban Rebellion, The Clear Voice of the Young Phoenix Chapter 14: Aiming for Changshe

These people thought this way, and most others would not be an exception.

The famine at the end of the Han Dynasty drove people to the desperate path of rebellion. Having grain in hand was more tempting than holding mountains of gold and silver.

The idea that those with grain should be the boss was not strange at all.

Although Liang Zhongning followed Qiao Yan’s advice and drank a lot of wine to cover up the impulsive killing, he could still distinguish whether his sudden reduction in fear was due to the courage from alcohol or because—

If he were in their shoes, he would also choose to ignore the already dead rebel leader Bu Ji and consider the immediate benefits at hand!

Watching these people leave, he turned around and saw Qiao Yan slowly emerging from the alley behind.

The blood splattered on her collar from the earlier banquet had not been cleaned due to the hurried actions, and now, under the swaying lantern in the night wind, it appeared as a dark brown stain.

Liang Zhongning was about to step forward and say, “Sir, you’ve worked hard,” urging her to rest and change clothes, when he suddenly heard her speak:

“Congratulations, Commander. I see from your face that the crisis of death has passed, and it’s time for me to retire.”

Liang Zhongning was immediately shocked.

He hurriedly asked, “Why so urgent?”

What retirement? She couldn’t leave!

But Qiao Yan naturally couldn’t tell him the real reason.

Her urgency was simply because she had to play the retreat-to-advance tactic again before Liang Zhongning fully recovered from the night’s upheaval and had time to think about the loopholes in her preemptive strike against Bu Ji and Zhang Bo.

This trick had been used more than once, but as long as it worked, who cared how many times it was used.

Especially since it was particularly effective on Liang Zhongning.

With his abilities, leading a Yellow Turban Commander’s scale of troops was already somewhat of a stretch, let alone becoming a grand commander with three forces combined.

He was no longer afraid of the Yellow Turbans outside the city charging in to avenge Bu Ji, but the thought of managing the military provisions, training, and marching of so many people gave him a headache.

Seeing Qiao Yan not responding to the “why,” his remaining drunkenness was almost gone.

“Sir, please stay here for a few more days,” Liang Zhongning, disregarding the presence of his subordinates, showed excessive reliance on Qiao Yan, whether it would dilute his power.

Suddenly elevated to such a position, he could only think—

If he previously needed Qiao Yan to help him navigate among the other commanders, now he needed her strategic planning skills to maintain the stability of over twenty thousand people.

But as Qiao Yan said, she had only stayed for the deal.

With the Tian Family Fortress previously breached, his army had ample grain; with Bu Ji and Zhang Bo dead tonight, there was no longer any power struggle among the commanders. His previous signs of disaster and death were indeed gone.

What reason could he use to keep her?

Liang Zhongning felt he had never thought so quickly in his life.

Just as he walked from his original position to Qiao Yan, he came up with a reason.

“Sir, you shouldn’t leave so early! Your decisions are beyond my capabilities. If chaos breaks out among the three armies here and I can’t react in time, wouldn’t it inevitably lead to casualties?”

“Sir, you breached the fortress, distributed grain to us, eliminated two commanders, and united the three forces, all to sacrifice the few to save the many. But now, can you bear to see more people die here?”

Liang Zhongning’s rapid-fire plea fully demonstrated a truth—

Eloquence can be forced out under pressure.

But his words made Dian Wei, acting as Qiao Yan’s bodyguard, momentarily expressionless.

However, most of his face was hidden in the night, and no one noticed his expression change.

The surrounding soldiers also cast expectant glances similar to Liang Zhongning’s at Qiao Yan.

This military advisor, who shouldn’t have been a pillar at such a young age, after hearing this, pursed her lips and looked directly into Liang Zhongning’s eyes, clearly seeing the anxiety in them.

She was silent for a while before speaking, “I am not a savior, nor do I have the ability to see whether the Way of Great Peace uprising is truly the path to change…”

This sounded like a gentle refusal, and Liang Zhongning’s mood was about to hit rock bottom when he suddenly heard Qiao Yan add, “But what the Commander said is not without reason. I will soon write a letter and have someone deliver it to Gaomi to consult Master Zheng on this matter.”

She sighed slightly, “Before receiving a reply, I will assist the Commander.”

Liang Zhongning felt somewhat relieved with this response.

During these troubled times, traveling between Yanzhou and Qingzhou was not easy.

Qiao Yan’s need to write a letter to consult Zheng Xuan’s opinion was manageable; he could just make the letter get lost on the way!

However, to his surprise, Qiao Yan seemed determined to consult her teacher and actually sent Dian Wei to deliver the letter.

This was a messenger he couldn’t possibly tamper with.

Liang Zhongning was half-dead with frustration, watching Qiao Yan write the letter, hand it to Dian Wei, and send him off with enough provisions, heading east out of the city, even taking Bu Ji’s horse.

He grumbled inwardly that the guy might just disappear with the horse and provisions, but then suddenly remembered that this man had a friend locked up in Puyang’s prison, well-fed and cared for!

With the chivalrous customs of the Han Dynasty, he would definitely return.

Even when he later heard that the two Yellow Turban forces outside the city, after receiving the grain salvaged from the fire, immediately changed their tune and revered him as the sole Yellow Turban Commander in Yanzhou, it didn’t improve Liang Zhongning’s mood much.

But… having more people under his command did seem quite rewarding.

The people outside the city each received a share of the grain, using clothes or bags they carried to hold the millet.

With the original commanders dead, this method of distribution gave them a sense of security, and they accepted the decision to be mixed and reorganized without resistance.

Having so many more mouths to feed should have caused some underlying dissatisfaction among Liang Zhongning’s original troops.

But coincidentally, several things happened in Puyang city as Liang Zhongning unified the Yellow Turbans in Yanzhou.

The first was that Tian Shi, who was imprisoned and waiting for ransom, changed his previous scolding attitude towards Liang Zhongning. After hearing about his recent actions and “achievements,” he regarded him as the future ruler of Yanzhou.

Qiao Yan did not intervene in this matter.

More accurately, this was a tacit agreement she had reached with Tian Tao, now starting to take effect at the right time.

Some words, having already elevated herself to the position of a wise and capable person, Qiao Yan couldn’t say, but Tian Shi could!

With Liang Zhongning’s previous level of understanding, he wouldn’t realize that Tian Shi, a local magnate in Puyang, showing such respect to him, an outsider, was extremely unusual.

He only knew that Tian Shi’s eldest son, who had previously pointed at his nose and cursed, now followed behind his father, even regarding him as the next Dong Commandery Prefect or Yanzhou Governor—

This made him feel more elated than being drunk.

What made him even more proud was that Tian Shi’s show of loyalty wasn’t just flattery. Led by Tian Tao, the Tian clan used local connections to uncover many useful people and grain reserves in the area.

These changes made it hard for Liang Zhongning’s troops to think that, even if there were some hidden truths in how their commander replaced the other two commanders, perhaps his righteous killing had some element of surprise.

But as long as life was good, who cared about these details!

With the Yanzhou Yellow Turbans not having to directly confront the Han army, the area around Puyang seemed peaceful and stable.

It was already spring planting time, and the Yellow Turban Rebellion had delayed much of it. Any further delay would be too late.

Qiao Yan immediately selected a portion from the Yellow Turban army to plant seeds on the farmland handed over by the Tian clan. By the time everything was managed, it was almost the fourth month of spring.

Then the second good thing happened for Liang Zhongning.

Previously, Dong’e County in Dong Commandery resisted the Yellow Turbans. Zhang Bo’s subordinate, the Dong’e County Magistrate Wang Du, was defeated by the local people and gentry and failed to capture Dong’e.

Even more unlucky, he was killed on his way back to Puyang due to internal military conflicts.

After fully controlling the three Yellow Turban forces, Liang Zhongning planned to use Dong’e as his training ground to show the rest of Yanzhou that, although he usually stayed in Puyang, he had the ability to conquer the entire Yanzhou.

But before he could send troops, Dong’e had already come to surrender.

The leader, Xue Fang of the Xue clan, claimed to have marital ties with the Tian clan. Now that the Tian clan had joined the Yellow Turbans and followed Liang Zhongning’s orders, there was no need to resist stubbornly.

Liang Zhongning was overjoyed.

Wang Du was not his subordinate and had already died. Accepting Xue Fang into the Yellow Turban army was no problem.








Moreover, Xue Fang did not come alone; he brought with him the strong men of the Xue family, as well as gold, silver, rice, and grain, showing utmost sincerity.

With these two matters at hand, Liang Zhongning’s position in Yanzhou was undoubtedly more secure.

On the seventh day of the fourth month, Yanzhou welcomed its first rain of the spring.

Standing under the eaves, Liang Zhongning listened to the joyful cheers of the soldiers outside due to the rain. For a moment, he almost forgot that he still needed to await orders from the General of Heaven to dispatch troops to support one of the battlefronts.

He felt that this spring rain, following last year’s severe drought, was like a sign of hope.

However, just as he was about to walk through the military camp, he suddenly saw a familiar figure in the rain, heading towards the courtyard where Qiao Yan resided.

The hazy rain blurred his figure slightly, but it did not diminish the imposing aura of a warrior as he strode forward.

Who else could this be but Dian Wei!

Considering the time, if he had not been delayed on his journey, he should indeed be returning around now!

Behind him was a man over eight feet tall, with a beautiful beard, a face Liang Zhongning had never seen before.

Though unfamiliar, the man’s scholarly demeanor and grace were truly outstanding.

Thinking about what Dian Wei had gone to do—

Liang Zhongning felt that unless he was a fool, he could guess the man’s identity.

This must be one of Zheng Xuan’s disciples, coming to take the strategist away!

Liang Zhongning nervously clenched his fist, but after pacing under the eaves for the time it takes to burn an incense stick, he couldn’t come up with a reason to persuade Qiao Yan to stay.

In the past half-month, Qiao Yan had solved his problems and led the soldiers with utmost dedication, making Liang Zhongning feel that if she were older, she should be in a high position, showcasing her talents.

If the General of Heaven could replace the old heaven with the Yellow Heaven, fulfilling destiny, he would surely introduce Mr. Yan to the general.

But if Qiao Yan returned to Beihai, wouldn’t this relationship fade?

He now had the support of the Tian and Xue families, but his current position was largely thanks to Mr. Yan’s assistance since the battle with the Tian family.

But what reason could he use this time?

Feeling stifled, even the precious spring rain didn’t seem so delightful anymore.

But little did he know, the person Dian Wei brought to Puyang was not a disciple of Zheng Xuan from Gaomi, nor had Dian Wei actually gone to Gaomi.

The person Dian Wei brought was named Cheng, with the given name Li, courtesy name Zhongde.

Besides Cheng Li, he had a more familiar name—

Cheng Yu.

According to the “Book of Wei,” Cheng Yu dreamed of climbing Mount Tai and holding the sun in his youth, which he mentioned to Xun Yu after joining Cao Cao.

After the battle between Lü Bu and Cao Cao for Yanzhou, it was Cheng Yu’s efforts that preserved three counties of Yanzhou for Cao Cao, giving him a chance to counterattack. Cao Cao, hearing about the dream from Xun Yu, renamed Cheng Li to Cheng Yu, following the dream’s omen.

So, at this moment, Cheng Yu should still be called Cheng Li.

Cheng Li was over forty, but due to his tall stature and good physical condition, he looked no more than thirty.

Qiao Yan thought, since he lived to nearly eighty in the tumultuous times, even during the Yellow Turban Rebellion, it wasn’t surprising he didn’t appear aged.

But while Qiao Yan wasn’t surprised, Cheng Li was astonished upon seeing her true face.

Previously, Qiao Yan had sent Dian Wei to Gaomi with a letter to consult Zheng Xuan.

But the eastward journey could lead to Qingzhou or Dong’e County, east of Puyang in Yanzhou.

With Dian Wei’s martial prowess, entering the city unscathed was not impossible.

Receiving Qiao Yan’s letter from Dian Wei, Cheng Li realized she was no ordinary person.

Whether it was her claim of being from the Qiao family of Liang, the son of the late Rencheng Prime Minister, now in the rebel camp, intending to use their strength to drive out the Yellow Turbans in Yanzhou, or her brief mention of gaining Liang Zhongning’s trust, killing the Yellow Turban leaders Bu Ji and Zhang Bo, and gathering the Yellow Turbans in Puyang, all amazed Cheng Li.

Her invitation at the end of the letter, “Do you wish to defend a city or secure a region? Let’s discuss in Puyang,” left Cheng Li pondering.

He was certain this wasn’t a ploy to deceive Dong’e’s gates.

Her writing exuded a spirited confidence, even without a formal meeting.

Yet, Cheng Li stayed up all night, only discussing with Xue Fang the next day.

Xue Fang, the head of the Xue family in Dong’e, was no fool, not among the “foolish people” Cheng Li had called during the Dong’e defense.

Hearing Cheng Li’s plan to follow Qiao Yan’s letter and assist Liang Zhongning, Xue Fang hesitated but quickly decided to proceed after Cheng Li’s analysis.

This was why Liang Zhongning gained this support.

Cheng Li himself waited until the estimated time for a round trip to Gaomi before coming with Dian Wei.

On the way from Dong’e to Puyang, the traces of the Yellow Turban Army were still shocking.

But outside Puyang, despite the slightly barbaric atmosphere and less order than before the chaos, the sight of farmers in the fields was striking.

Seeing Qiao Yan in person, so young, Cheng Li, though over forty and usually composed, couldn’t help but ask, “Are you the one who wrote that letter?”

But he quickly realized it was a foolish question.

If Qiao Yan wasn’t the mastermind, the Yellow Turban soldiers wouldn’t have looked at him with envy, and Dian Wei wouldn’t have shown admiration.

Her gaze, despite her height, carried a commanding presence.

Cheng Li added, “I misspoke. If not you, who else could it be?”

He shouldn’t underestimate the young.

With an apologetic smile, he said, “I believe I’m not late?”

“Mr. Zhongde, you are not late,” Qiao Yan nodded.

Cheng Li was neither late nor early.

He executed Qiao Yan’s plan perfectly, arriving at just the right time to deceive Liang Zhongning.

Qiao Yan thought, working with smart people like Cheng Li was indeed comfortable.

Cheng Li was the first strategist she had met who would leave a significant mark in history.

At his age, his knowledge was complete, lacking only practical experience.

Unfortunately, with just a glance, Qiao Yan couldn’t gauge his depth.

But she was certain she wasn’t far from her goal.

She withdrew her speculative gaze and continued, “I invited Mr. Zhongde to Puyang for a discussion. Can you guess my next move?”

This was a test for her companion.

Cheng Li naturally understood the challenge.

Usually, such tests were from elders to juniors, but with Qiao Yan, it felt appropriate.

Her previous actions had earned her equal standing.

Looking around the room, he saw a map on the table.

It was a common map of the Han territory, with no markings to indicate her intentions.

But Cheng Yu wasn’t daunted.

During his stay in Dong’e with Dian Wei, he had pieced together Qiao Yan’s actions, and with his intelligence, it wasn’t hard to deduce her next move.

Even he had to admit, without knowing her true intentions with Liang Zhongning, he might not have guessed her plans.

The Yellow Turbans in Yanzhou, deceived by her schemes, had no chance.

He stepped forward, pointed at a spot on the map, and said decisively, “I see your target is Changshe!”

Yingchuan, where the Yellow Turbans and Han army clashed—Changshe.

Also where the Yellow Turban leader Bo Cai besieged Huangfu Song, the Left General of the Han!