Chapter 179

Chapter 179

Can a strategist not ascend the throne? Volume 6: Two Provinces Stand Firm, the Silk Road Reopens Chapter 179: New Year’s Banquet

Dong Zhuo and Han Sui’s methods of development have proven one thing: it’s not difficult to gather a group of Qiang people around oneself.

However, this profitable method of winning support may gain temporary loyalty but is detrimental to long-term stability.

Therefore, Qiao Yan must immediately showcase the current state of Liangzhou under her governance to awe the Qiang people and present her own logic to bind them, preventing the recurring cycle of the Qiang people surrendering and then rebelling, and rebelling only to surrender again, as seen during the Han Dynasty’s rule over Liangzhou.

This century-long Qiang rebellion has resulted in one consequence.

Perhaps initially, the Qiang rebelled because outsiders governed the northwest and were wary of the powerful northwestern clans, preventing mutual benefits between the state government and local regions.

As an annexed and vulnerable group, the Qiang not only bore the burdens of labor and military service but also served as scapegoats for the local powerful clans, forcing them to rebel.

But now, anyone naive enough to think that treating them with respect can return them to their state a hundred years ago, believing “the Qiang were originally good,” is truly a fool.

At the very least, we must wait for their level of civilization to rise and for sufficient bonds to form between them and Qiao Yan, who governs Liangzhou, before discussing such issues.

First, let them hold the five-zhu coins, integrating them into legitimate trade practices.

Then, let some of them learn the Han language and join more critical and better-paid positions in Liangzhou’s development, naturally sparking a trend of learning the Han language.

Qiao Yan did not mistreat the Qiang who only spoke their own language.

But this visible difference in treatment made the Canlang Qiang, who arrived in Huangzhong, temporarily set aside their worries about where to eat and instead apply for a seven-day language course at the foreign language office.

Of course, Qiao Yan is not running a charity.

The expenses for food and accommodation during this seven-day trial period must be borne by the Qiang themselves.

Fortunately, the military food production system established before the expedition to Liangzhou and the shelters prepared in advance in autumn kept these expenses to a minimum.

At least for these Qiang, it’s not an amount they can’t afford with a little effort.

This led to a long line of people outside the foreign language office when Mi Tang and her companions arrived to sign up.

But Mi Tang quickly noticed that the line moved swiftly.

When she emerged from the line, she held another token, engraved with the time she could enter to learn the Han language.

Another person had already recorded her name in the registration book, ensuring a match between the person and the token.

Before their scheduled time, they could participate in the expansion project of the foreign language office.

This job didn’t pay but provided food and accommodation.

“Five days…” Mi Tang calculated the time and looked at the still long line, realizing that the guide’s advice to make a quick decision and settle their arrangements wasn’t just casual talk.

Had they hesitated any longer, the waiting time could have extended to seven or eight days.

With this arrangement, she decisively took on the expansion work.

Building houses in winter isn’t a comfortable job and is quite physically demanding, but the foreign language office is just a step away from the library Qiao Yan built in Liangzhou, surrounded by high walls and buildings, providing some shelter from the wind.

During her breaks, Mi Tang gauged the expanded area, feeling that the foreign language office would eventually accommodate a considerable number of people.

What is this Governor of Bingzhou really thinking?

Unbeknownst to her, Qiao Yan herself was holding a scroll, looking down from above at the construction scene.

Cheng Yu stood beside her, listening as she instructed, “In a while, set aside a section specifically for teaching Qiang children aged three or four.”

These children speak Qiang but have a limited vocabulary. Placing them in a Han-speaking environment for transformation is more effective than waiting until they’re older to start training.

Essentially, this isn’t about teaching them the Han official language as a foreign language but about “immigrating” them, though this distinction need not be explicitly stated.

“Also, have them supervise something,” Qiao Yan pointed to the already operational section, saying, “Have those in the seven-day trial read aloud, so those working on the expansion can hear.”

As more Qiang people join, the waiting time for enrollment will inevitably lengthen.

Whether this will cause conflicts between earlier and later arrivals, Qiao Yan can’t yet accurately predict, but precautionary measures are necessary.

Cheng Yu pondered her words and asked, “My lord, do you want the Qiang still working to hear more and feel more confident about passing when their turn comes?”

It sounds like giving them more preparation time, but the final outcome still depends on their abilities.

Qiao Yan smiled, “It’s also beneficial for those currently learning to speak more, isn’t it?”

As for how to teach the Qiang the Han language, she won’t micromanage.

The scholars who came with Liu Yu, eager to copy books in the library, would go to great lengths, let alone teach some Qiang people.

Collective efforts always yield good methods.

If such matters required Qiao Yan’s personal attention, the trivialities of two provinces would have overwhelmed her long ago.

She closed the scroll in her hand, set it aside, and said to Cheng Yu, “Let’s not talk about this for now. Speaking of which, since arriving in Liangzhou over half a year ago, have I not formally gathered these Liangzhou powerful clans for a meeting?”

Before defeating Han Sui, it wasn’t suitable to do so, to avoid over-reliance on these northwestern powers and subsequent complications.

Right after pacifying Longxi and Jincheng, it also wasn’t suitable, as personal relationships could hinder decisive actions.

Before having this number of assimilated Qiang, it still wasn’t suitable, as she had only shown military prowess, not governance capabilities.

But now, as the third year of Guangxi approaches, the timing is ripe.

Cheng Yu didn’t answer whether it was feasible but asked, “When does my lord plan to do it?”

Qiao Yan replied, “The third day of the first month.”

During the Yongchu period’s western Liang conflicts, Grand General Deng Zhi, like Cui Lie a few years earlier, even proposed abandoning Liangzhou in court. At that time, Yu Xu, then just a Langzhong official, suggested a strategy for dealing with the powerful Liangzhou clans.

Qiao Yan did the same with the Southern Xiongnu and Bingzhou noble families.

It’s called—externally encourage and reward their merits, internally control and prevent their schemes.

On the surface, it appears to reward Liangzhou descendants with honorary titles for their fathers’ and brothers’ achievements, but in reality, it holds them as hostages, dispersing and disrupting them to prevent rebellious plots.

Whether this hostage effect works is uncertain, as northwestern powerful clans are traditionally indifferent, but at least one thing is clear:

Separate the two generations of powerful clans into different promotion systems to divide their strength.

As Jia Xu suggested before going undercover, also pull out a leading figure from the powerful clans to gather influence.

In the arrangement for the Xiping Qu family, Qiao Yan did just that. Now, with the timing right, she can do the same for other powerful clans in Liangzhou.

And just at this time, there’s a perfect opportunity to connect with these families.

It’s the New Year.

Qiao Yan entered Liangzhou in April last year.

For these Liangzhou powerful clans, this is Qiao Yan’s first New Year in Liangzhou.

Yet, in less than a year, she has successively suppressed Ma Teng and Han Sui, opened military and civilian farms, and accommodated annexed Qiang people.

These local powerful clans clearly realize she’s no longer a passing whirlwind attacking Dong Zhuo but a towering tree firmly rooted and rapidly growing in Liangzhou.

Not to mention those who once responded to Han Sui’s call to arms and were lucky not to be on his list for aid, even those who had connections with Dong Zhuo hastily burned his letters, fearing Qiao Yan might find evidence.

With the number of soldiers and Qiang people she now commands, wiping them off Liangzhou would be all too easy.

Fortunately, Qiao Yan seems to have shifted her focus to the annexed Qiang, repeatedly inquiring about the five “factories” even in deep winter, clearly having no extra thoughts for them.

Compared to the lands they offered, Qiao Yan seems more inclined to cultivate new territories herself.

This inclination further eased their worries.

But at the end of December, they suddenly received an invitation from the provincial government, suggesting that since they share Liangzhou, they should celebrate the New Year together with a dinner on the third day of the first month.

This made their recently eased hearts tense up again.

Thus, some turned to Jiang Jiao, who worked under Qiao Yan, for information.

Theoretically, Jiang Jiao previously escorted Gai Xun to Bingzhou and had a rapport with him; by official affiliation, he was a subordinate of Zhang, the Prefect of Hanyang; but Qiao Yan, citing a lack of manpower for the construction of Jincheng and Wuwei, easily recruited him to work under her.

The somewhat young Jiang Jiao, who once followed Gai Xun to Bingzhou out of admiration, naturally accepted this assignment due to Qiao Yan’s various actions.

From autumn to winter, he assisted Cheng Yu in Jincheng County, deeply understanding why he and Gai Xun saw such a peaceful, prosperous scene when they arrived in Bingzhou.

Suddenly pulled from official documents to answer such questions, he was momentarily stunned, feeling as if he had been dragged back to his original world.

The representative from the Ren family, one of the four prominent families of Hanyang, thought Jiang Jiao’s reaction meant he hadn’t heard the news and asked, “Do you think she would do something like this to us during the New Year?”

Even though the concept of relieving military power over a cup of wine hasn’t been coined yet, they’ve heard of the Hongmen Banquet.

Liu Biao, the Governor of Jing Province, tricked and killed local bandits in a similar manner.

This news had already spread from the south to the north.

Given Qiao Yan’s style, others might say shedding blood during the New Year is inauspicious, but she probably wouldn’t care.

“What are you thinking?” Jiang Jiao looked at him helplessly.

Even in his shoes, he might have had similar suspicions, but after witnessing Jincheng County change hands and develop under Qiao Yan, hearing such talk felt somewhat ridiculous.

He continued, “Do you know what happened in Bingzhou a few days ago? The great scholar Zheng Kangcheng was invited by our lord to Bingzhou, accompanied by his student Cui Jigui and Guan You’an from Beihai in Qingzhou. They all arrived at Leping Academy. Our lord asked me if there were any promising students in Liangzhou to send for lectures.”

“Do you think who would have this honor? The Qiang? Or those who can’t even read?”

Struck by this barrage of information, the other party was dumbfounded.

Three names appeared in this statement.

Zheng Xuan, Cui Yan, and Guan Ning.

Among contemporary scholars, they belong to the hermit faction, making it difficult to invite them.

For Zheng Xuan, Yuan Shao’s invitation to rebuild the Imperial Academy in Ye City wasn’t very tempting.

Instead, what Guo Jia conveyed from Qiao Yan—that in Leping, embraced by mountains, he could quietly write with ample paper—was more appealing.

The only trouble was how to discreetly bring Zheng Xuan, along with Cui Yan and Guan Ning, to Bingzhou, avoiding the eyes of Yuan Shao and others.

With Qiao Yan’s stance almost certainly opposed to Yuan Shao’s, Yuan Shao wouldn’t easily let Zheng Xuan go to Bingzhou. Even if Zheng Xuan publicly expressed such intentions, Yuan Shao would try to keep him in Ye City.

That’s why Qiao Yan sent Guo Jia.

Fortunately, Yuan Shao didn’t expect Qiao Yan, preoccupied with Liangzhou, to spare the effort to manage the court’s recruitment of Zheng Xuan.

He also didn’t anticipate Guo Jia, before approaching Zheng Xuan, sending a letter to Mi Zhu for a merchant convoy’s assistance and contacting Guan Hai, who had just been repelled by Yuan Shao.

The twists and turns, Qiao Yan knew from Guo Jia’s letters, while Jiang Jiao only knew the outcome.

But these Liangzhou powerful clans only needed to know the result.

The Ren family representative quickly snapped out of his daze, his eyes lighting up, “Is this true?”

The reputations of Zheng Xuan, Cai Yong, Guan Ning, and Cui Yan, combined, are not just tempting for the powerful clans in Liangzhou seeking to gild themselves but are a solid lure across the realm.

Hearing Jiang Jiao mention that Liangzhou people would attend lectures, not basic education, the number of people who could receive such an honor is limited.

This is clearly… offering them benefits!

In other words, their actions since last year of offering lands and people have finally aligned with Qiao Yan’s temperament, and they are about to receive significant returns.

No wonder this was chosen to be announced at the start of the year.

Jiang Jiao replied, “What benefit would I have from lying to you? If our lord hadn’t said I’m not suited for advanced studies and should gain experience in administrative affairs, I would have resigned and gone to Bingzhou by now.”

This wasn’t Jiang Jiao advertising under Qiao Yan’s arrangement but his genuine thoughts.

After all, it’s Zheng Xuan and Cai Yong!

Even Guan Ning and Cui Yan are not ordinary scholars.

With Lu Zhi and Xun Shuang still trapped in Chang’an, these few are increasingly the last remaining great scholars.

The powerful clans who received Qiao Yan’s invitation, informed in advance, were not worried but entered the provincial government with smiles.

They noticed others also brought New Year gifts, clearly aiming to deepen their relationship.

Even seeing Qu Yi’s cold face at the entrance didn’t deter them.

What does his bad attitude matter?

The Xiping Qu family, residing in Huangzhong, has long interacted with the Qiang…





The state of the Dao, when it comes to armed forces, is passable, but in terms of cultural level, it’s almost like delivering vegetables to others.

Speaking of which, if we really want to select people to send to Bingzhou for education, the Qu family can forget about it.

In situations where there are competing interests, it’s normal for Qu Yi to not have a good expression towards them.

However, what they don’t know is that Qu Yi isn’t in a bad mood because of this.

This year, the New Year was celebrated in the Liangzhou region.

Qiao Yan didn’t summon all the personnel left in Bingzhou to Liangzhou for work reports, but still followed last year’s tradition by distributing Victory Coins to her subordinates as New Year blessings.

Those who couldn’t receive the Victory Coins temporarily, such as Jia Xu, who was still in Chang’an city dealing with Dong Zhuo, Xu Rong and Ma Teng, who were on duty on the Silk Road, and Lu Yuan, who had persuaded Lu Kang and was returning to Bingzhou with people, had their Victory Coins kept by Qiao Yan first, to be given to them upon their return.

Those like Qu Yi, Zhao Yun, Cheng Yu, and Xu Shu, who were nearby, directly received the Victory Coins from Qiao Yan, also celebrating the New Year together.

Among them, a few people’s situations were different, such as Qu Yi.

Last year during the New Year, he was still a subordinate of the General Who Calms the Liao, not Qiao Yan’s subordinate, so he didn’t receive the Victory Coin then.

This year, not only was he in front of the Governor, but he also brought his entire clan into Qiao Yan’s territory. Looking back at last year’s achievements, he could be considered to have made contributions to Marquis Qiao.

When he received this New Year blessing symbol, he felt quite satisfied.

But what he didn’t expect was that this year’s Victory Coin was not the same design as last year’s.

He watched as Zhao Yun took out last year’s coin from the brocade pouch he carried, compared it with this year’s, and then put it back in the pouch, inevitably casting an envious glance.

Then he saw Lü Bu showing off his two coins to Ma Chao.

Qu Yi: …

Collecting cards, it seems, has always been the same kind of obsession from ancient times to the present.

He had no idea that this was Qiao Yan’s idea to motivate her subordinates, hence the creation of this Victory Coin marked with the third year of Guangxi.

He just felt a bit down.

So when he saw these northwestern noble families coming to his door, seemingly to compete for his job, he felt even more depressed.

But he also knew that whether the Xiping Qu family had moved here or not, he was already labeled as a Liangzhou person.

Now that the situation of the Han Dynasty is uncertain, and Qiao Yan’s influence has grown to such an astonishing extent, whether she wants to be a Huo Guang supporting the Emperor or a Wei Xiao dominating the northwest, with her advantageous situation and her rise in Bingzhou—

What Qu Yi should do is to suppress Qu Yan, the ambitious junior, to maintain his position as the head of the Qu family, while also being pleased with the strengthening of Qiao Yan’s Liangzhou forces.

So when everyone took their seats, the slight displeasure on his face had already been suppressed.

Missing one Guangxi second-year Victory Coin doesn’t matter, as long as he lives longer than others.

He looked towards Qiao Yan at the head of the table.

Even though there was a charcoal brazier in the room, the cold of Liangzhou’s January night still permeated, so she still wore a black cloak over her shoulders, with a red and black outfit inside.

These two colors, under the candlelight, inexplicably had a bloodthirsty aura.

Qu Yi noticed that she wasn’t wearing the gold seal and purple ribbon representing the Marquis of Leping today, but this didn’t diminish the formality of the banquet. Instead, the blood-colored jade ring on her finger made her seem to still carry the aura of breaking enemies.

Only when she raised her wine cup towards the guests did this stern demeanor slightly soften.

But only slightly.

Because the white jade cup in her hand was filled with purple-red wine.

She glanced at the guests below, who for some reason seemed a bit intimidated, and smiled, “It’s cold and the roads are difficult, transporting food is manageable, but delivering wine is not easy, so we can only enjoy the fine wine offered by the Yan family of Wudu with everyone.”

Yan Jun, who was mentioned by name, was initially heartbroken by this expense, but upon hearing Qiao Yan publicly mention his name, he quickly stood up and replied, “The Yan family of Wuwei Commandery, in awe of the Marquis’s might, has pledged allegiance and is honored by the Marquis’s regard, establishing farmland here. We will surely do our utmost for the Marquis. It’s just some goods from the Silk Road, not worth mentioning, not worth mentioning.”

He wasn’t making a loss in his investment in Qiao Yan.

The irrigation and water storage projects gradually initiated in Wuwei Commandery were likely a gesture of reciprocity from the Marquis, also considering the farmland held by the local noble families.

Yan Jun wasn’t a fool, just perhaps a bit too trusting of Qiao Yan.

In this matter, he saw clearly.

The construction of water conservancy and the promotion of new farming tools would surely mean a bountiful harvest next year, which would also benefit them.

Not to mention, he also heard Qiao Yan say at this moment, “Boying, would you be willing to send the younger members of your family to study under Master Zheng?”

“A few days ago, the great scholar Zheng Kangcheng arrived in Bingzhou and is temporarily residing at Leping Academy. I thought, since during the Prohibition of Factionalists, Master Zheng taught thousands of disciples in Beihai, now that he’s in Bingzhou, those seeking knowledge shouldn’t be fewer than in Beihai. We should add more people.”

Yan Jun was startled.

Among the noble families in Liangzhou, many are connected by marriage. Facing the disdain from the eastern noble families towards the western ones, they often band together, but this doesn’t mean news travels quickly.

The four surnames of Hanyang learned this news from Jiang Jiao, spreading it to the surroundings, but Yan Jun was still kept in the dark.

He looked at the faces of several people in the room; those who knew the news showed understanding, while those who didn’t were as surprised as he was. But regardless, they all showed great envy towards him for being invited first.

Yan Jun immediately realized that what he lost was fine wine, but what he gained was Qiao Yan treating him as one of her own.

Then what about the Silk Road purchases he also contributed to?

Could they bring him even greater benefits?

However, he didn’t have much time to consider these at the moment. He quickly replied to Qiao Yan, “Not just studying under Master Zheng, even serving him tea and water would be no trouble.”

“That won’t be necessary,” Qiao Yan waved her hand and replied, “Master Zheng teaches many disciples but enjoys a simple life and upholds righteousness. After Fengxiao brought him back, he has already stated that he doesn’t need anyone to serve him, just a couple of disciples to copy books for him. However—”

“Master Zheng is after all getting on in years, and if he were to exhaust himself teaching disciples, I would feel uneasy. Just select three from your family to send over.”

Three?

The noble families of the northwest, in response to the turmoil, have often gathered complex family structures, with far more than thirty or forty young members of reading age?

Only three spots would definitely not be enough.

Yan Jun wanted to say that actually, more people could be sent, like when Lu Zhi opened his teaching courses in Zhuo County, letting some fillers sit in the corners, just going through the motions for a gilded process.

Moreover, if Zheng Xuan couldn’t take many disciples, then Guan Ning, only in his thirties, and Cai Yong, still in his prime, could probably teach, so sending a few more wouldn’t hurt.

But now the authority lies in Qiao Yan’s hands, and it was she who established Leping Academy. He could only seek to expand the number of participants later, and not haggle over numbers with her when all families were gathered here.

If he really did that, it would surely displease Qiao Yan.

Fortunately, he soon heard that Qiao Yan had allocated two to three spots for other families as well.

Those who assisted in quelling the unrest, donated land to the people, or contributed wealth and goods received three spots, others two.

The difference in numbers wasn’t large, but it still indicated some level of closeness.

The smile on his face couldn’t be suppressed.

And while this was good for him, it was naturally good for the others present as well.

In this somewhat relaxed New Year’s banquet, Qiao Yan also casually mentioned the support each family provided last year, making people wonder if her recent policy of pacifying the Qiang people had softened her aggressive nature.

Thus, the atmosphere at the banquet became quite harmonious.

Perhaps the only thing that felt a bit off was the food.

Since the wine was provided by the Yan family of Wuwei, naturally, the food was too.

Adhering to the logic that it’s better to satisfy Qiao Yan alone than to please all the other families, Yan Jun unhesitatingly skewed all the dishes towards sweet flavors.

But this is Liangzhou in the northwest…

No matter how much these noble families pride themselves on being different from commoners, maintaining some decorum, their dietary habits still lean towards strong liquor and meat.

Suddenly encountering such a menu, it was indeed a bit uncomfortable.

However, whether this banquet was more about the food or the political discussions, everyone knew, and didn’t make a big deal out of it.

They just listened to Qiao Yan’s arrangements for each family, pondering over the candidates from their own families, while also hearing Qiao Yan say, “That’s about it. Please return and quickly select suitable candidates to accompany me to Leping in ten days. No delays.”

Upon hearing this, someone immediately asked, “Is the Marquis leaving Liangzhou?”

Qiao Yan raised her cup and replied, “Only for a short while. It’s been eight months since I led troops from Bingzhou until now. Although there are capable people stationed in the province, the late Emperor entrusted me with the authority of Bingzhou Governor to oversee Bingzhou’s affairs. Even if the major issues are under control, the minor ones still need attention.”

“Moreover, during the critical situation of the Yellow Turban Rebellion, I once borrowed the name of Master Zheng’s disciple to gain the trust of the Yellow Turban Commander. When I debated Zhang Jiao three times, I had already apologized to Master Zheng, but I still owe him a favor. Now, leading many disciples to trouble him, how can a mere letter suffice? Naturally, I must return to make amends.”

Her words were quite reasonable.

In these times when respecting teachers and valuing the Dao is prevalent, the relationship between Qiao Yan and Zheng Xuan couldn’t be altered just because she was the Governor of Bingzhou.

Since there was a request, she should also adopt the attitude of a junior, otherwise, it would inevitably invite criticism.

She paused, then continued, “Everyone can rest assured, my intention to confront Dong Zhuo remains unchanged, and I will return within a month. By then, it won’t yet be the sowing season, so it won’t delay any major events here. Or perhaps—”

“Do you wish for me to be away longer, so that someone among you can coordinate with that traitor Dong, allowing him to advance into Liangzhou?”

As she spoke, her tone remained gentle, but as she set her wine cup down on the table with a light tap, a soft sound was heard.

This sound plunged the banquet into the silence of its beginning.

But seeing Qiao Yan’s relaxed expression, it seemed she had no intention of revisiting old grievances, and the attendees breathed a sigh of relief. After a moment of silence, they all began to deny.

“Marquis, what are you saying,” the head of the Jiang family, signaled by others’ glances, spoke up, “We are merely concerned that with your departure, Liangzhou might fall into chaos again, so we thought of following the Yan family’s example to help the Marquis solve problems. If we old folks have made significant contributions, we might also be fortunate enough to receive teachings from renowned scholars, which would be wonderful. Why would we ally with Dong Zhuo?”

This was, of course, a joke.

Sending the talented young members of their families to Bingzhou was already handing over their soft underbelly to Qiao Yan.

It’s just that the noble families of Liangzhou, having had no opportunities for advancement for many years, held some hope for breaking through with the reputation of studying under a great scholar, hence they bit the hook without hesitation.

But they themselves didn’t need to.

Qiao Yan is currently maintaining a friendly relationship with them, but no one can be sure if she might turn against them one day. So while they show goodwill towards her, they must also hold onto the power they can rely on, to prevent her from pulling a ‘killing the donkey after it has ground the grain’ move.

She is not afraid to act against noble families!

The Yang family of Hanyang is the best example!

As they walked out of the reception hall, the cold wind outside hit them, and they saw the guards of the Bingzhou Governor, armed with swords, standing at a distance.

Even though these guards were positioned somewhat far away, it was hard to hide the sharp aura they had developed from following Qiao Yan in battles, sobering everyone up from the wine’s influence.

But just as their emotions were unsettled, someone brought a tray of Victory Coins before them.

“What’s this?” the head of the Jiang family asked first.

The messenger replied, “The Marquis says, at the start of the New Year, it’s good to seek a favorable omen.”

Yan Jun took one of the Victory Coins from the tray and saw that it was engraved with symbols of auspicious clouds, pine branches, and deer, indeed seeking a good omen.

The craftsmanship of these coins was evidently high, with each coin’s design clearly visible, far surpassing the small coins privately minted by Dong Zhuo.

Faced with such a gesture, they could only convince themselves that in these times, those with military power naturally hold the high ground, and it couldn’t be said that the etiquette was lacking. Each took a Victory Coin and left.

Qiao Yan watched the backs of these people as they bid each other farewell and departed, a smile appearing on her face.

In this situation of mutual restraint, even if someone dared to cause trouble while she returned to Bingzhou for a while, these noble families would actively suppress any rising disturbances.

Of course, the civil and military officials she left behind would also keep a good watch over the place.

It’s just that due to Liangzhou’s unique terrain, making support inconvenient, more eyes were needed to oversee every corner.

Ten days later, on the thirteenth day of the first lunar month, after inspecting the waterways planned by Bi Lan in Wuwei Commandery and seeing that the selected youths from each family had arrived, she led this group, escorted by her retinue, towards Bingzhou.

Thinking of Bingzhou, which she had left for eight months, Qiao Yan actually felt a bit homesick.

But she didn’t show this homesickness on her face, just galloped through the snow-covered valleys of Liangzhou, passing through Ziwu Ridge, donning the attire of the Marquis of Leping, and heading straight for Leping.

Along the way, Bingzhou was enveloped in the winter chill, but it seemed to hint at some differences from last year.

There were also passersby who recognized the leader of this group and greeted her.

Although it wasn’t as excited as when she returned to Leping from the Bingzhou Governor’s office after the locust plague, it was more like the warm and peaceful greetings of family.

She arrived at Leping Academy at dusk.

She reined in her horse, handed Zhu Tan over to the academy’s gatekeeper, and entered.

Today was clear with no rain or snow, only a cold wind blowing through the halls and the setting sun shining through the windows. But because there were two pear trees planted in front of the academy’s hall, it didn’t feel desolate, instead having a lively winter charm.

She unconsciously slowed her pace, walking through the shaded paths of the academy until she stood before Zheng Xuan’s study and knocked on the door.

Inside, the scholarly and still spirited old man was playing chess with Cai Yong beside him.

Upon hearing the knock and turning to look, he saw the young Governor stepping in and bowing to him: “It’s been seven years, Master Zheng. I trust you’ve been well?”

Holding the chess piece, he was momentarily dazed.

Had it really been seven years since they last met?