Chapter 165

“Pay back the grain?”

Yuan Shao did a thorough calculation and realized it was indeed time to return that 50,000 stones of military grain.

Due to relocating the capital and dealing with bandits, he had almost forgotten that the joint forces against Dong Zhuo had actually happened last year, and the grain borrowed from Bingzhou had indeed arrived in June last year.

It had been exactly a year since then.

No, actually, it was a few days more.

If following Qiao Yan’s proposed calculation back then, Yuan Shao would still need to return a few dozen to over a hundred grains of wheat. And according to the debt repayment terms at that time, Yuan Shao was supposed to count those grains out personally for Qiao Yan to see.

If it had been someone else making such a request, Yuan Shao might have thought it was just a teasing joke. Everyone had already reached these high positions; they shouldn’t still fulfill such ridiculous additional conditions.

But alas, the one on the other side was Qiao Yan.

Given her style, she really could demand something like that!

Yuan Shao held the letter with a grave expression.

Then he looked again at what she had said in the letter—just as she was about to rush to Chang’an for a rescue, she wants the grain back quickly.

She was really not holding back… not willing to write even one more word!

What a haughty tone!

Even though Yuan Shao had held great power in Qingzhou and Jizhou and had merits in supporting the Eastern emperor this past year, the letter he got from Qiao Yan still had this bossy attitude.

It was hard not to make Yuan Shao instantly remember the scene from last year when Qiao Yan had directly scolded him in the street for “gold and jade sitting on a pile of trash.” It was just as rude!

Well, well!

If she successfully attacked Chang’an afterward and managed to rescue the young emperor Liu Xie, wouldn’t she then turn her sharp focus from Ma Teng and Han Sui onto him, leading to an instant war?

Yuan Shao thought of himself as quite competent, but with the grain prices in Ye City high, and banditry re-emerging, if Qiao Yan were to attack him directly with Liu Xie’s legitimate claim in hand, he would not be her match at all.

Seeing Yuan Shao’s expression shift after he received that letter, Shen Pei, sitting below, wanted to ask what Qiao Yan had written, but suddenly heard Yuan Shao say, “Zhengnan, we cannot repeat Han Sui’s mistakes.”

What was meant by not repeating Han Sui’s mistakes?

Han Sui was far too trusting of Qiao Yan, never imagining she could break through Jincheng in such a manner.

With 30,000 men back then, Zhou Shen and Sun Jian had been cut off by the Xiliang army at Kuaiyuan Gorge, losing everything, while Han Sui had been completely flanked by Qiao Yan, who outmaneuvered him for a total encirclement.

No one should forget that this young Marquis of Bingzhou had originally risen from the battlefield of the Yellow Turban Rebellion.

So who could guarantee that, if she faced Dong Zhuo, it would be a fight between two tigers, bringing about injuries, rather than—

rather than another Han Sui situation?

There may be many who can lead, but there are few true commanders, and Qiao Yan is among the best.

If they wanted to continue developing in Jizhou and Qingzhou, at the very least, they needed to stockpile grains for another two years to gather the means to recruit soldiers. They couldn’t let Qiao Yan continue her offensives into the Northern regions.

Yuan Shao had finally learned his lesson; never underestimate his opponents, especially an unpredictable one like Qiao Yan.

After being completely stirred up by the tension from Qiao Yan’s demand for debt repayment, his earlier soothing emotions from the battlefield news suddenly flared up again.

Suppress! He must suppress her!

But how to tie her up… as Shen Pei said, it was indeed a matter that required careful decision-making.

Even if he had reasons to support Liu Bian as the legitimate heir, if he were too blatant in sabotaging her, it could easily give others something to talk about.

Yuan Shao glanced around at the strategists in the hall, feeling proud of the situation he had established in Jizhou and Qingzhou with his gathering of talents, while also pretending to look worried as he asked, “If the plan to block her advance is set, what do you all think we should do?”

Repaying the grain was impossible.

Though 50,000 stones of grain didn’t seem much, if it were directly used in the campaign to rescue Chang’an, turning it into Qiao Yan’s aid for bringing back Liu Xie, Yuan Shao felt he wouldn’t be able to eat for a while.

How could he provide such support?

Moreover, with the grain prices in Jizhou falling slightly as harvest approached, but still far higher than last year, it meant that what he owed had multiplied several times this year.

This made him feel even more constricted.

So, no repayment!

And since he didn’t plan to repay, he needed to make things difficult for the creditor, keeping her too occupied to think about anything else.

At this moment, those present weren’t just Xu You and Shen Pei, who had previously been sent to Jinyang to convey Qiao Yan’s appointment as General.

Ever since Yuan Shao had welcomed the Emperor back to Ye City with power in hand, many who were skeptical of Dong Zhuo and Liu Xie had sought refuge with Yuan Shao as they saw the court being established.

Especially those scholars from Ruying seeking to showcase their ambitions, forming mutual interests with Yuan Shao in Hebei.

While the negative effects brought by Yuan Shao’s arrival at the acid jujube Coalition had impacted him to some degree, now that a year had passed, he dared say his assembly of talented people was unmatched across the land.

When he asked this question, the crowd began to ponder and didn’t display any opposition to his decision, which further calmed Yuan Shao’s anger provoked by Qiao Yan’s debt summons.

This was his basic foundation.

Even if Qiao Yan came wielding the power of a great victory, how could she compare to his accumulation?

One person stood up first, bowing to Yuan Shao and saying, “Looking broadly at the world, there are few who could suppress the brilliance of the Bingzhou Marquis. She has no great relationships to rely on; to make her stop in Liangzhou is indeed difficult. The agricultural and water management in Bingzhou has improved since the locust plague of the three regions, and I hear that during Shen Pei and Xu You’s recent visit to Bingzhou, they witnessed many citizens celebrating the harvest. There’s no way to use that to drag down the whole region.”

Yuan Shao turned to look at him, pleased to see that it was Ju Shou speaking.

Ju Shou, hailing from Hebei, had been recruited for his “great ambition and strategic mind” after Yuan Shao welcomed the Emperor to Ye City.

Even though Yuan Shao had been trampled by Qiao Yan multiple times, he couldn’t let himself get too carried away, so he maintained a good attitude towards the scholars from Hebei.

Shen Pei, who had been sent to Bingzhou, represented one side, and Ju Shou represented another.

In truth, Ju Shou brought him even more pleasant surprises!

This wasn’t just a simple civil servant but a general capable of commanding troops.

Since the beginning of Yuan Shao’s sweep of Qingzhou last year, Ju Shou had been appointed as Cavarly Commander, assisting in battles, and after achieving many military successes, he had displayed extraordinary command skills this year amid the turmoil in Jizhou with people like Mu Gu and Yu Du.

“Yuan Shao immediately made a decision, appointing Ju Shou as the military supervisor, and even submitted a request to the Emperor for the title of ‘Fighting General’.”

Of course, that title wasn’t much; it was more of a symbolic honor for his outstanding performance.

But Yuan Shao didn’t give out this position just because Ju Shou helped him suppress the chaos. It was also because when Ju Shou first joined Yuan Shao, he spoke a few interesting words to him.

He said how Yuan Shao, at a young age, had already gained a reputation throughout the land, showing loyalty and righteousness while raising troops to fight Dong Zhuo. Now he had “gathered the people of Ji Province, becoming influential among the Wei River region, renown across the world,” that he would “command many states, rally the heroes, build an army of a million, have the Emperor arrive in Ye City, restore the ancestral temple in Wei County, and command the world to defeat the rebellious.” He asserted, “In a few years, this would be no tough task.”

This was some long-term strategic talk!

It aligned perfectly with Yuan Shao’s own ambitions!

When Qiao Yan was riding high, Yuan Shao even wanted Liu Bian to grant her a title of General just to win her favor. Ju Shou still had faith in him, saying “this task is not difficult,” which was like a soothing pill for Yuan Shao.

And Ju Shou was far from a talker; he actually had the skills to help him pacify the chaos and challenged the disloyal.

Compared to Shen Pei, who had principles but was more defensive, Xu You, who was cunning but preferred rhetoric, Tian Feng, who was upright but often rebellious, and Feng Ji, who had good insights but was somewhat short-sighted, Ju Shou was simply the most trustworthy adviser in Yuan Shao’s eyes and his greatest gain after establishing his foothold in Hebei.

Seeing him stepping up first, even when he was initially discussing Qiao Yan’s current advantages, did not lessen Yuan Shao’s anticipation of what he would say next.

Ju Shou continued, “I have two methods to temporarily hold back their offensive. Given the current situation, we must attack Chang’an; however, a pause in our offensive is sufficient.”

Yuan Shao eagerly replied, “Please, do share!”

He was already thrilled with one method, let alone two!

Ju Shou replied, “Firstly, according to the ceremonial rules that Qiao Yan respects, the only two who could rival her are Lu Zhi and Liu Yu. Lu Zhi has willingly taken on the role of guarding the ‘Western Emperor’ and can’t impede her actions anymore, but Liu Yu can.”

“Observing Qiao Yan’s governance style, it’s completely different from Liu Yu’s. The former is rich in troops, fiercely attacking the border Hu, while the latter lives frugally, opening Hu markets, trying to win over the Wuhuan tribe and scheme against Zhang Ju and Zhang Chun.”

“If the populace in Bingzhou lives in peace, no one can criticize Qiao Yan, but the aristocrats in Liangzhou have taken to slaughtering, and in battling Han Sui and Bian Zhang, they’ve turned into a continuous conflict. The bloodshed in Gao Ping and Ayang is unheard of as the Liangzhou people are not known for their comfort.”

“Let Liu Yu handle this matter.”

Yuan Shao hesitated, asking, “But even if Liu Bo’an does not recognize the Emperor in Ye City as the legitimate ruler, he has not expressed allegiance to the Western Emperor either. What if he doesn’t want to go?”

From Yuan Shao’s perspective, Liu Yu’s soft approach toward the Wuhuan was a true reflection of his character.

He lacked ambition.

Having someone like that around is quite comfortable, but getting him to extend his hand into someone else’s territory seems a bit tricky.

“This issue is not difficult,” before Ju Shou could respond, Xu You jumped in, saying, “In May, there are many who claim in Liu Yu’s territory that they want Liu Yu to be the ruler of the world. Wouldn’t it be better if you gave him a little push?”

Liu Yu himself openly rejected such rumors.

He even responded, “This realm is in chaos, and the Emperor is in distress. I have been greatly favored and have yet to wipe away the national shame. Each of you governs your own states and counties, so we ought to unite and dedicate ourselves to the royal family instead of scheming for a rebel!”

In other words, he was working hard in Youzhou not to become a king but to gather regional strength, hoping someday to restore the capital to Luoyang.

Which Emperor to support is up for debate, but it’s certain it’s not him.

However, according to Xu You’s method, if this sentiment spreads widely and someone coincidentally wants him to persuade Qiao Yan against her moves under the pretense of reclaiming the Emperor, would Liu Yu, considering his reputation, choose to go?

The likelihood of him going is very high!

Xu You added, “Your Excellency, there’s no need to have the Emperor appoint Liu Bo’an as the governor of Liangzhou. Just have Liu He take over in the meantime.”

Giving Liu Yu the position of Liangzhou Governor might make Liu Yu feel this is inappropriate.

By finding a middle ground, they could send him as a controlling force.

Yuan Shao praised, “Let’s go with what you both said.”

Liu He had been Liu Xie’s companion during his studies. When Luoyang fell last year and Dong Zhuo fled with Liu Xie, he didn’t manage to take Liu He with him. He stayed with Yuan Shao’s faction after the establishment of the Ye City court.

Having Liu He take over the governorship of Youzhou, in a sense, also granted Yuan Shao leverage in Youzhou dealings.

He then turned to Ju Shou, saying, “Please, share the second measure.”

Ju Shou replied, “I ask that you invite Zheng Xuan to come to Ye City, restart the Imperial Academy, and—”

“Request the disciples from Lu Zhi and the students of Xun Shuang who took shelter during the political purge, to go to Liangzhou and convey the message. The realm’s great scholars have already lost countless during the Prohibition of Factionalists, and if Qiao Yan rashly attacks Chang’an, Lu Zhi and Xun Shuang’s lives will inevitably be in jeopardy, which would be a tremendous regret.”

“These disciples should not persuade against war but rather advise caution, waiting for the outcome in Jing Province before sending another army to attack Chang’an when everything is safer.”

Lu Zhi and Xun Shuang would definitely wish for Qiao Yan to directly engage, but Dong Zhuo would never allow such thoughts to leak out.

This allowed their method of public debate to become feasible.

Moreover, as Ju Shou mentioned, these students being called to Liangzhou were not meant to stop Qiao Yan from battling Dong Zhuo to rescue the Emperor, but to hope she waits a bit, ensuring a swift victory over Dong Zhuo without losing those honorable figures.

However, with the conflict between Liu Biao and warlords like Sun Jian and Zhu Jun, how long would it take to settle things? That wasn’t something to adjudicate lightly, and Yuan Shao could even intervene and take some action.

But on the surface, he was merely bringing the esteemed scholar Zheng Xuan to the capital and reopening the long-neglected Imperial Academy as its overseer.

This was even a move to continue rallying the hearts of the scholars.

With these two measures implemented, if Qiao Yan wanted to lead her victorious assault against Han Sui after a major triumph, it would be at least a year and a half before that could materialize.

If she proceeded too soon, her position as a loyal subject of the Han would certainly crumble.

As Ju Shou speculated, even if Qiao Yan wasn’t as devoted to the former Emperor as she pretended, and had indeed taken on the role of a fragmented power while masquerading as a loyal Han subject, there’s no way she would self-sabotage at this crucial juncture.

As soon as he finished speaking, Yuan Shao clapped and bowed in gratitude toward Ju Shou.

These two suggestions from Ju Shou not only helped stall Qiao Yan’s plans but, more importantly, were laying bricks for Yuan Shao’s grand strategy to dominate Hebei.

This is precisely the kind of quality that a top-notch strategist should possess!

With such a strategist like Ju Shou by his side, how could Yuan Shao worry about not achieving great things!

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