Chapter 141

Chapter 141: Fighting Side by Side

Can a strategist not ascend the throne? Volume 5: The Han Divided, Battles in Hexi, Chapter 141: Fighting Side by Side

Book: Can a Strategist Not Ascend the Throne?

Chapter 141: Fighting Side by Side…

Farming between the muddy waters and the Luo River?

The Loess Plateau of today has not yet experienced the large-scale reclamation and farming of the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is still in the stage of the Qin and Han dynasties’ migration to the frontiers. The “mud” in the muddy waters is far from the sand floods of later generations, which often caused disasters.

But one must know that even if the banks of the muddy waters and the Luo River can indeed be used as farming areas, the area between the muddy waters and the Luo River is…

Qiao Yan, holding a cold dish of crispy mountain, faced Xun You and asked, “Are you sure?”

Xun You replied, “I never speak without careful consideration.”

She immediately stood up, “Alright, come with me.”

She had already arranged the major affairs within Bingzhou and had some free time. Leaving for a few days was not a big deal.

Considering the upcoming battle from Liangzhou to Chang’an was crucial, she decisively handed over the administrative tasks to Cheng Yu and Xi Zhicai, taking Guo Jia and Xun You with her, traveling from Jinyang to Xihe, then to Shangjun.

Not far after passing Gaonu, they reached the Luo River.

This Luo River is not the same as the one in Luoyang. Perhaps calling it the North Luo River would make it easier to distinguish.

The North Luo River flows into the Wei River. In other words, following the North Luo River downstream leads directly to the Guanzhong Plain, which is why Dong Zhuo stationed Duan Wei at Huayin.

By controlling this river valley, the path from Bingzhou to Chang’an was blocked.

Therefore, if she wanted to mobilize the army, she couldn’t take this route.

Qiao Yan stopped her horse in front of the North Luo River, pointing her whip towards the west, the direction of Liangzhou. The mountain range ahead was clearly visible.

“Are you planning to farm on the Ziwu Ridge?” Qiao Yan turned her head to look at Xun You, asking word by word.

The vast forest plain ahead was the Ziwu Ridge, the natural boundary between Bingzhou and Liangzhou.

The green mountains stretched north and south.

Of course, this place was different from the Taihang Mountains, where only narrow passes allowed passage. The Ziwu Ridge had an elevation difference of about 400 meters from Gaonu, which they had just passed, and there were many accessible paths.

Interestingly, the future Shu Han general Wei Yan proposed a surprise attack on Chang’an through the Ziwu Valley, and the Ziwu Ridge, with the same name, could also lead directly to Chang’an. One was in the south, the other in the north.

After Xun You suggested Qiao Yan to go up the mountain first, they ascended to the high ground, reaching the Qin Straight Road on the Ziwu Ridge.

In the past, the Qin king built the Qin Straight Road, connecting Jiuyuan in the north and Xianyang in the south, to facilitate troop movements and intimidate the Xiongnu.

Today, this Qin Straight Road still remains, not overgrown with weeds. At its widest, it is over twenty zhang wide, allowing several carriages to travel side by side, truly an ancient version of a highway.

However, the southern end of this road, like the defense at Huayin against invasions from Bingzhou and Luoyang, was also a key defense point for Dong Zhuo after he reached Chang’an.

From here to the Ganquan Palace on the Qin Straight Road, there are still over five hundred li, with no supply points along the way. If Bingzhou does not exhaust its people with excessive military actions and the border defenses remain intact, the available army would only be about twenty to thirty thousand.

In such a long march, the ratio of grain transport to combat personnel would still need to be about one to one.

Qiao Yan rode slowly, saying, “After Dong Zhuo entered Chang’an, he established the second line of defense at Gaoling. To the west, it blocks enemies coming down the Jing River; to the east, it blocks those coming from the Straight Road. The defender is Zhang Ji. Dong Zhuo also issued an imperial decree, appointing Ma Teng as the Front General and Han Sui as the Left General. Once there is an invasion from Bingzhou or Liangzhou, he can lead the Liangzhou army from the Right Fufeng direction as reinforcements.”

“General Huangfu Song’s army has not yet mobilized, but Dong Zhuo’s Xiliang forces have moved from Liangzhou to Chang’an. With only ten thousand troops attacking deep into the Guanzhong Plain, encountering the Gaoling defenders would be suicidal.”

Even with fierce generals like Zhao Yun and Lü Bu, it would be useless.

Dong Zhuo, as she suspected, after the defeat in Luoyang, temporarily restrained his arrogance and turned to a solid defensive stance.

Qiao Yan also had no doubt that if she chose to attack Chang’an via the Luochuan Road or the Qin Straight Road, Dong Zhuo, in a desperate situation, would mobilize the three hundred thousand people of Chang’an to defend the pass, fighting to the death.

What she wanted was the righteous name of opposing Dong Zhuo, not to plunge the people of Chang’an into deeper suffering.

Therefore, this move was also not feasible.

Xun You replied, “My lord sees clearly.”

Working under such a young yet sufficiently calm lord was undoubtedly comfortable.

Although she had the feat of a thousand-mile raid on the Xianbei camp, she never underestimated her opponents and knew that some tactics would not work as well after being used once. She did not lose her head in the face of recent victories.

“What I said is not just that this path is blocked,” she pointed to the south, “There are defenders stationed south of the Straight Road. If sentries patrol regularly, our movements here will not escape Dong Zhuo’s notice. The Straight Road overlooks both sides, making it difficult for us to attack Chang’an, but Chang’an can send a cavalry detachment to attack. Do you still think it’s safe to station troops here?”

According to Qiao Yan’s original plan, the most suitable position from Shangjun to Liangzhou was further north.

Following the boundary of the Han Great Wall, from Jingbian and Dingbian, directly to Lingwu in Beidi, which was also Fu Xie’s hometown.

Then, establish a supply route along the Great Wall, and after securing Lingwu, coordinate with Huangfu Song’s forces from the north and south, first eliminating Ma Teng and Han Sui, completely cutting off Dong Zhuo’s retreat, then planning to move south and east.

The noble Xun family member nodded to her with a smile, “My lord is correct, but does the person stationing troops have to be Han Chinese?”

He paused for a moment, seeing a thoughtful expression on Qiao Yan’s face, and continued, “I see that the people of Bingzhou under your rule have already been taught farming techniques. Why not teach the assimilated Southern Xiongnu?”

“When I came, I inquired with Guo Jia about the situation of the Southern Xiongnu in Meiji. With the Han dynasty in decline, the frontier regions have developed rebellious intentions. This is why the Southern Xiongnu’s left-wing nobles harbored rebellious thoughts. Fortunately, my lord’s intimidation prevented them from acting rashly. But I think my lord does not want them to just remain inactive.”

Xun You continued in a gentle tone, “The Southern Xiongnu are subjects of Bingzhou and should be driven by my lord. Otherwise, keeping such a potentially rebellious group, especially now that we no longer need to consider the emperor’s attitude towards the Southern Xiongnu, it would be better to kill them and use them as fertilizer, right?”

Qiao Yan met his calm gaze and suddenly understood why Xun You could propose the strategy of flooding Xia Pi.

She said, “Continue. Since you’ve decided to station the Southern Xiongnu here, you must have thought through the subsequent arrangements. Tell me.”

As Xun You said, if she really didn’t plan to use the Southern Xiongnu, now that the Han dynasty’s power was divided, with the north and south in a standoff, and she had returned victorious from Luoyang, she no longer needed to consider the Han dynasty’s appeasement of the Southern Xiongnu and could simply kill them all.

Qiao Yan did want to use them.

After previous suppression, these Southern Xiongnu could be recruited as soldiers.

After all, she had already demonstrated sufficient military suppression. A moderate approach now would not make these Southern Xiongnu forget the deterrence she brought.

The left-wing nobles who had previously harbored rebellious thoughts could be left alone for a couple more years as a source of cattle and sheep.

Qiang Qu, who showed a cooperative attitude towards the Han dynasty, or rather towards Qiao Yan, could be integrated into Bingzhou’s resident system and given some benefits.

She originally planned to have Yufuluo, who had previously gone to Youzhou to help quell the Yuyang rebellion, join the army.

The victory and reward system of the Bingzhou army had already made Qiang Qu’s eldest son show interest.

But now, it seemed this method of using people might need to change.

Xun You replied, “Use Huchuquan.”

Luantai Huchuquan, the second son of the Southern Xiongnu chieftain.

According to the Xiongnu’s internal rules of father-to-son and brother-to-brother succession, his right to inherit was unquestionably after Yufuluo. During Qiao Yan’s frequent “visits” to Meiji City, where the Southern Xiongnu resided, he was rarely seen.

“My lord can order Huchuquan to go out under the pretext of seeking opportunities, leading the Southern Xiongnu to camp on the Ziwu Ridge and farm along the banks of the North Luo River and the muddy waters. This would at least buy us six months to a year of confusion.”

Xun You’s suggestion was indeed feasible.

During Qiao Yan’s attack on Luoyang, she twice feigned weakness towards Dong Zhuo, but both times dealt him near-fatal blows.

As the saying goes, things should not be done more than three times. How could he expect that Qiao Yan, while disliking repeating old tricks in some aspects, would not hesitate to use effective methods again?

She listened as Xun You continued, “During this period, since my lord acknowledges the western emperor as legitimate and shows the current situation of returning from the campaign, unable to fully control Bingzhou, even having to allow the remnants of the Southern Xiongnu to roam the Bing-Liang border, Dong Zhuo, having a chance to catch his breath, will inevitably relax. My lord must also strive for a title surpassing Ma Teng and Han Sui, so that—”

“Taking advantage of his unpreparedness, we can rightfully launch a full-scale attack on Liangzhou.”

This last sentence had a very “dagger revealed” tone.

Xun You pointed to the west of the Ziwu Ridge, the part belonging to Liangzhou, and asked, “Would my lord like to go down the mountain with me?”

Go! Why not?

On the west side of the Ziwu Ridge, along the muddy riverbank, it was said to be a favorite route for the Xiongnu and Qianghu invasions.

But what Qiao Yan saw now was a sparsely populated area.

The muddy waters, bounded by Qingyang, had two rivers to the north: the Huan River to the west and the Baima River to the east. South of Qingyang, it was also called the Malian River.

Between the Huan River and the Baima River, standing near Qingyang, was the Shegu Mountain mentioned by Xun You.

Qiao Yan looked at the slightly yellow river before her, withdrew her gaze from the west, and said, “Speaking of Shegu Mountain, I can’t help but think of someone. In the spring of the sixth year of Yonghe, the Han dynasty’s General Ma Xian fought the Qiang tribe at Shegu Mountain. General Ma and his two sons died in battle here.”

“From the seventh year of Yongchu to the sixth year of Yonghe, over twenty-eight years, General Ma killed over twenty-one thousand Qiang people. But in the battle of Shegu Mountain, he did not take advantage of the Qiang’s gathering to attack, neglecting military affairs and valuing wealth. This defeat was not surprising. After General Ma’s death, Huangfu Song, a late bloomer, finally showed the qualities of a great general, becoming one of the ‘Three Bright Stars of Liangzhou’ in the future.”

“This Shegu Mountain can indeed be called a mountain of warning.”

Xun You thought she was recounting history, but then suddenly heard her say, “Gongda, it’s fortunate you reminded me. After we return, we’ll do as you said. I will first meet Huchuquan, and then you and Guo Jia will handle the subsequent orders.”

He looked at Qiao Yan, seeing the strong winds of the Loess Plateau lifting her hair and cloak, revealing her sharp and captivating gaze.

The governor of Bingzhou, who was even half his age, displayed a heroic demeanor at this moment that was truly unforgettable.

He also deeply understood why people like Guo Jia and Xi Zhicai, who usually relied on their talents to act freely, respected and admired her so much.

He dismounted and bowed deeply to her, “My lord, rest assured, I will surely eliminate future troubles for you.”

What are future troubles?

These Southern Xiongnu, after being relocated here, might become like wild horses, interacting with the surrounding Qiang tribes, creating a false image for Dong Zhuo, Ma Teng, and Han Sui, and potentially turning from fake rebellion to real rebellion.

Given the Southern Xiongnu’s behavior, even if their parents, wives, and children were in Qiao Yan’s hands, it would have little restraining effect.

The only thing that could bind them was interest.

Fortunately, compared to Han Sui and Ma Teng, Qiao Yan had a clear advantage in this regard.

As for how to drive these Southern Xiongnu, he already had a plan in mind.

Just as he regained his thoughts, he saw that Qiao Yan did not return after completing the on-site exploration but had her personal guards set up camp here.

Seeing Xun You’s puzzled look, Qiao Yan waved her hand, indicating he need not ask.

After the camp was set up, a simple water filtration device was arranged under Qiao Yan’s orders, and soldiers fetched water from the muddy river.

Then, after filtering and boiling, the river water was handed to him by Qiao Yan.

Xun You took a sip and couldn’t help but frown, “Is this water a bit bitter?”

“Here…”





The salt content in the noodles is too high, it can’t be used to irrigate the crops.” Qiao Yan snatched the cup from his hand and poured out the saltwater.

Explaining to Xun You that the upstream of the river is located in a freeze-thaw zone, where high mineral concentration soil water feeds into the river, causing a sharp increase in salinity, might be a bit difficult.

But as long as the problem can be clearly explained, that’s good enough.

This is the drawback of the muddy water here.

Xun You’s expression changed, “I previously thought the lack of arable land here was due to the Qiang and Hu tribes looting, making it better to herd than to farm, but now it seems there’s a reason for it. This was my oversight.”

Qiao Yan smiled, “Gongda, having long resided in Yingchuan and Luoyang, it’s not surprising you know little about the special conditions here. Besides, the Baima River section is not usable, but I never said the area south of Qingyang isn’t.”

“It’s getting late today, let’s head south with me tomorrow.”

This also served as an additional lesson for Xun You, who had less experience in northern battles.

The next day, Qiao Yan led the group further south. After passing Qingyang, the muddy water converged with several tributaries in the Ning and Niyang areas, some of which had clear water, contrasting sharply with the yellow muddy water.

Qiao Yan pointed to the area, “This place meets Gongda’s requirement for a military settlement. The river water comes from the Ziwu Ridge, not from the upstream Huan County area. Including the mountain streams in Ziwu Ridge, it’s enough to support the Southern Xiongnu tribes stationed here.”

However, expecting the Southern Xiongnu to quickly learn how to determine the direction of farmland reclamation in such special terrain is somewhat difficult. A specialized team would need to be sent to plan this.

Unexpectedly, among those who volunteered after the recruitment order was issued, there was a special individual.

“I’m just here to observe and learn, I won’t get in the way.” Fu Shou tried to stand straight to appear more adult-like, but her age was still evident.

She played the emotional card, “Sister, do you remember what I once told you?”

Qiao Yan laughed, “How could I forget?”

When Qiao Yan went to the capital to seek the position of Bingzhou’s governor, she met Fu Shou again in Yanxi Lane, who asked why there wasn’t a book documenting mountains and rivers, allowing people to appreciate the beauty of nature without leaving home, preferably with illustrations.

Back then, Fu Shou was confined to her home in Luoyang, but now, following Princess Yang’an to Leping, she felt like a bird freed from its cage.

“That’s good, I haven’t forgotten your encouragement.” Fu Shou’s eyes lit up, and she immediately presented her recent findings around Jinyang to Qiao Yan.

Inspired by Cai Zhaoji’s promotional methods, and with plenty of Leping Marquis paper available, she began constructing a framework for documenting hydrology and geography.

Qiao Yan took the notebook, seeing a map of Bingzhou on the first page with a few lonely rivers.

The second page detailed the names and shapes of places along one river, with ancient and modern river names, river shifts, water quality, and crop information on the side.

The next page recorded inscriptions and customs near the river.

Fu Wan, a civil official, had cultivated Fu Shou’s calligraphy and painting skills from a young age, which now came in handy.

Though the content was still rough, Qiao Yan thought that with more experience from the muddy water and Ziwu Ridge, and more travel within Bingzhou, it could be refined.

She considered that this project’s significance might not just be in documentation but could also be started early.

Seeing Qiao Yan silent after reviewing her work, Fu Shou nervously clasped her hands, but then Qiao Yan took a stiffer piece of paper, wrote “Shan He Lu” (Record of Mountains and Rivers), punched two holes, and did the same with a stack of Leping Marquis paper.

Fu Shou was puzzled until Qiao Yan tied them together with a string, explaining, “Documenting rivers and mountains inevitably requires additions and merges. Let’s do it properly, adding pages as needed.”

This implied approval of her self-recommendation!

Fu Shou thanked Qiao Yan, promising not to hold her back.

While agricultural planning was for specialists, she was just hitching a ride to document new territories.

As she hurried to report to the expedition leader, Qiao Yan asked, “Did you get permission from the Princess? Don’t use my approval to pressure others.”

“Of course not!” Fu Shou replied confidently, “Mother said I should learn from Sister Zhaoji to make our trip to Bingzhou worthwhile.”

Qiao Yan then asked, “What is the Princess doing now?”

“Don’t tell anyone,” Fu Shou whispered, “Mother and the other princesses, along with their maids, initially didn’t know what to do in Bingzhou. If they only sought refuge here, they’d eventually run out of resources.”

The Han princesses had some backbone.

Perhaps because the emperor was unreliable, the daughters had to support themselves.

The previous turmoil in Luoyang’s Southern Palace and Dong Zhuo’s tyranny made them realize their princess status offered no advantage, especially with the Han dynasty split.

“Mother thought about what they were good at—farming was out of the question. Even I, who’ve grown mustard, am better at it than them.”

Her comment made Qiao Yan laugh.

“Don’t laugh, it’s true. But mother has some expertise in clothing coordination and royal skincare secrets. While food is essential, we noticed in Jinyang that jewelry shops still do well.” Fu Shou said, “So they plan to open a shop. Sister, can you lower the taxes?”

Starting a business isn’t easy.

Qiao Yan patted her shoulder, encouraging, “Then use your labor to offset the taxes.”

“…?” Fu Shou felt she had signed some strange contract, but before she could protest, Qiao Yan sent her out.

Thinking she wasn’t a laborer but a student, Fu Shou dismissed her doubts and reported to the terrain exploration team, unaware of Qiao Yan’s satisfied smile after closing the door.

She was pleased to see the Han princesses finding work, not just enjoying Leping’s stability but also becoming a limiting factor.

Since pacifying the Black Mountain Bandits, Bingzhou had promoted the idea that women could do anything, evident in the welcoming team from Luoyang.

This top-down approach was showing promising results.

With the Han princesses settled, Ma Lun was even less of a concern.

Liu Yuanzhuo, who proposed the Qianxiang calendar, arrived in Bingzhou before Ma Lun and had already set up a place for astronomical observations and calendar calculations under Qiao Yan’s orders.

Liu Yuanzhuo was satisfied with the cement-built data storage, and when Ma Lun and her skilled assistants arrived, they immediately started work.

Their only regret was that Luoyang’s Lingtai had a natural advantage for instruments like the seismograph. Now, even with a new hollow platform for testing, adjustments were needed to achieve the same effect.

The future Science Academy, besides providing a metal armillary sphere, also had a large telescope.

This was the largest size possible from the crystal mines the Donghai Mi clan could find.

The specific observations and lens adjustments were for professionals like Liu Yuanzhuo and Ma Lun. Qiao Yan’s role was to provide support, leaving the details to the nearby craftsmen.

This wasn’t a useless endeavor.

Mathematics and mechanics developed around astronomy would eventually boost Bingzhou’s productivity.

Qiao Yan had high hopes for Ma Jun, whose inventions in military siege equipment were exceptional.

Improved astronomical calendars would guide agricultural production, essential in this societal evolution.

She planned to rename the Astronomy and Calendar Platform to the Science Academy, integrating it into Leping Academy to enhance the academic environment.

Ma Lun had no objections to the name change. Moving from Luoyang to Bingzhou was just a change of venue for her research.

For Bi Lan and Ren Hong, this was an unimaginable life.

Bi Lan no longer had to worry about pleasing the emperor or maintaining his position.

Qiao Yan told him to do whatever he thought would make him famous in history.

Ren Hong, guided by Ma Lun, transitioned from reading to research, initially feeling lost.

But being bold and meticulous, she gradually found her footing.

She vowed to live up to the name “Hong” (wild goose) given by Qiao Yan, dedicating herself to hard work.

Though they calculated star orbits and seasons, the wild goose flying in the sky was quite fitting.

Unfortunately, the future Science Academy was in Leping, so she couldn’t ask Qiao Yan if the name had that meaning.

Qiao Yan wasn’t rushing their progress.

She was lucky to have almost the entire Grand Historian’s office relocated, leaving little for the eastern and western emperors, but couldn’t expect groundbreaking results in a year or two.

More pressing was news from Liangzhou.

Fu Gan returned to Bingzhou after a month of delivering letters, standing before Qiao Yan.

The month’s travel left him exhausted, but his cold demeanor showed a sharp edge.

“What did General Huangfu say?” Qiao Yan gestured for him to sit.

Fu Gan caught his breath, “When I delivered the letter to General Huangfu’s camp, Dong Zhuo’s edict promoting Ma Teng and Han Sui as generals also arrived, along with a summons for General Huangfu to the capital. Fortunately, your letter arrived first, so General Huangfu didn’t immediately agree, citing the need to oversee Ma Teng and Han Sui, and sent Huangfu Jianshou to the capital. Dong Zhuo, not daring to act rashly and with Huangfu Jianshou’s past connection, didn’t trouble General Huangfu.”

“Ma Teng and Han Sui are more troublesome. When Dong Zhuo’s edict arrived, they argued over who was superior, the Front General or the Left General. They had existing conflicts, and Han Sui’s history of annexing Bian Zhang and Beigong Bolu’s troops made their falling out unsurprising.”

“But they knew that united, they could fight the Han imperial army; divided, they’d be defeated individually. General Huangfu tried moving troops towards Hanyang, and at the first sign, the two sides immediately reconciled and announced it.”

“So General Huangfu sent me to deliver a message: for now, he can only consider joining forces with you. Until then, he won’t act rashly and won’t give them a chance to defeat him first.”

Fu Gan took out a letter from his pocket and handed it to Qiao Yan.

This was Huangfu Song’s reply.

A veteran of many battles, his letter was brief.

[“Five years have passed quickly, looking forward to fighting alongside you.”]