Chapter 183

Chapter 183

Can a strategist not ascend the throne? Volume 6: The Two Provinces Stand Firm, the Silk Road Reopens Chapter 183: Old Age Approaches

The cargo boxes brought in by Xu Rong contained not only cotton seeds for planting but also several boxes of already separated cotton fluff.

When Qiao Yan reached out to pull it out, the familiar texture brought a smile to her face.

Among the precious fabrics of the Han Dynasty, there was one called “white folded,” which was sent from Jiaozhou and Yizhou to Chang’an, made through cotton spinning technology.

But that cotton was kapok, not the cotton widely used in textiles and cotton-padded clothes in later generations, and its yield was very limited.

What she saw before her was real cotton.

Xu Rong said, “After we arrived in the Kushan Empire, we searched extensively and finally found a few merchants who had traded in the Han Dynasty. Due to the war in the northern part of the Kushan Empire, these merchants suffered significant losses, with some even going bankrupt. When they heard we were willing to hire them, they quickly signed contracts with us.”

“These people also told us that the cotton you wanted, which they called ‘gubai,’ is grown further south in the land of India. We had to travel further south to purchase it, which delayed our journey.”

Qiao Yan thought to herself that this couldn’t be considered a delay.

If Xu Rong and Ma Teng hadn’t led the army to clear the way, encountering bandits on the road would have caused delays, and extreme weather would have been troublesome as well.

Moreover, the Gobi Desert on the Silk Road would have been difficult to traverse without horseshoes protecting the horses’ hooves.

What particularly satisfied Qiao Yan was Xu Rong’s cautious nature. He mentioned that on the road, he imitated the Westerners’ method of wrapping animal skins around the horses’ and camels’ hooves to conceal the horseshoes, thus entering the Kushan territory without causing unnecessary trouble.

This caution was also evident in the procurement process.

When Qiao Yan asked why this cotton hadn’t spread widely within the Kushan Empire, Xu Rong replied without hesitation, “I specifically asked this question when purchasing the seeds and cotton.”

When the cotton appeared before Xu Rong, transforming from the drawings Qiao Yan had made into reality, he immediately realized that this material was not only a thousand times better than the mulberry bark used for warmth in Bingzhou but also more likely to be widely adopted than animal fur.

In this era, eating meat was a luxury, and by extension, only a few could afford fur clothing.

Some people were even allergic to fur, further reducing its audience.

But cotton, as a crop-based warmth material, was different. As long as it could be cultivated in large quantities, it could be popularized.

“On one hand, cotton consumes labor and land resources, and continuous planting can lead to various diseases.”

“That’s not a problem for us,” Qiao Yan replied. “When the Black Mountain Army first submitted to me, they planted yams on the mountainous terrain of Leping. That also required patience. When it comes to surviving the winter, no trouble is too much trouble.”

“Consuming land resources is also fine; we can rotate crops with beans and wheat.”

At most, it would be a three-year planting cycle.

Nowadays, the common people can survive the winter with mulberry bark clothing. With the ability to withstand cold, making cotton-padded clothes doesn’t require much thickness to bring about a fundamental improvement.

The consumption for this part can be sufficiently met by the farmland within Bingzhou.

The reason for choosing Bingzhou over Liangzhou is twofold: the current Little Ice Age makes Liangzhou’s temperature slightly unsuitable for cotton growth, and Qiao Yan doesn’t want the secret of cotton to be discovered too quickly. Naturally, it’s better to keep it where she can oversee it.

Xu Rong said, “Unfortunately, India doesn’t have such conditions. According to the locals, over three hundred years ago, the Yuezhi invaded from the northwest, occupying the northern lands of India and establishing the Kushan Empire in the north. To resist foreign enemies and pay tribute to the Kushan Empire, they had to plant more rice to fill their granaries and use more manpower to replenish their troops. This is one reason.”

“Another reason is that separating cotton from its seeds is labor-intensive.”

Xu Rong opened one of the boxes, which contained cotton that hadn’t been fully separated. “According to the Indians, they developed a tool to separate the two six hundred years ago, but the efficiency is still low. It takes one person dozens of days to process the cotton from one acre of land. With a strong enemy to the north, they don’t have the time to do this.”

After all, their climate isn’t that cold year-round. Instead of bothering to grow cotton and deal with the separation of cotton and seeds, it’s indeed better to grow more food.

In their perception, food is the real hard currency.

“This is indeed a problem,” Qiao Yan said, taking out one of the cotton bolls and splitting it into four parts. One part contained two or three seeds, unlike modern hybrid cotton, which has seven or eight seeds. If not removed, the cotton fluff couldn’t be used directly. “Send this to Deheng and have him figure out a way to make a cotton seed separation machine before the autumn harvest.”

Xu Rong suddenly felt a bit sorry for Ma Jun.

If he remembered correctly, the battering ram used in the attack on Gaoping and the heavy crossbow that killed Pang De with one shot were both made by Ma Jun.

Although he knew Ma Jun was a genius in mechanics, having him first improve military equipment and then tinker with civilian tools seemed too much like the standard logic of “the capable do more.”

Xu Rong’s expression was too obvious.

Qiao Yan coughed lightly, not saying that this was probably because Ma Jun’s historical creation of the “Water-Powered Puppet Theater” had given her some stereotypes.

She added, “Actually, it doesn’t have to be done by him alone. Now that the battering ram and heavy crossbow have proven their effectiveness in actual combat and don’t need immediate maintenance, it’s better to take the cotton back to Bingzhou.”

“Let Ma Jun lead the invention of the cotton seed separation machine, and we can select additional personnel from the Science Museum and Leping Academy.”

Qiao Yan thought for a moment and then wrote, asking the women who had contributed to making mulberry bark clothing and paper to also participate in the cotton seed separation project.

In Chinese history, Huang Daopo, a key figure in promoting cotton, created tools like the “lanche” to separate cotton seeds, replaced small bows with large bows and hammers to fluff the cotton, and invented the three-spindle spinning wheel to quickly spin yarn. From a child bride who fled to Yazhou due to abuse, she became a landmark figure.

Now that cotton is being planted earlier in the northwest and will be used earlier for clothing, these inventions must also appear earlier.

Who knows if these inventions won’t come from other women?

Given Ma Jun’s past experiences, he has an unparalleled talent for weapon modification, but when it comes to daily necessities, those closer to these matters might deliver a more satisfactory answer to Qiao Yan.

So more accurately, he is there to provide technical support.

Seeing Qiao Yan take a few more sheets of paper and write the words “cotton” and “Princess Yang’an” but then set them aside without asking, Xu Rong continued, “There are a few other things I brought back that I’d like you to see.”

The first item was still related to cotton, specifically the cotton planting techniques Xu Rong inquired about after purchasing a large quantity of cotton seeds.

On the way back from the Kushan Empire to Liangzhou, he had someone translate them into Chinese.

Qiao Yan’s need for this wasn’t very high, as the northern planting manual she had exchanged also mentioned cotton, which could be grown in the northwest.

But this planting technique undoubtedly matched the seeds they brought back and could reasonably explain the technical guidance for the first year of cotton planting in Bingzhou.

This comprehensive consideration made Qiao Yan even more confident in Xu Rong’s ability to handle important tasks.

The first item was other specialties from the Western Regions.

Xu Rong knew that the funds Qiao Yan gave him for purchasing goods had to be used wisely, so he carefully selected the crops he brought back.

With limited funds for this trip, he only brought back two types: one was pepper, and the other was Persian vegetable.

The latter is more famously known as spinach in modern times.

The former was brought to China during Zhang Qian’s mission to the Western Regions, but the quantity was too small and it wasn’t widely cultivated.

Xu Rong pointed to the spinach and explained first, “As per your instructions, we took a sample of Liangzhou soil to the Western Regions. This green vegetable can be grown on it. The Kushan people said it can grow in ten days and can be planted alongside tall plants.”

Qiao Yan herself couldn’t distinguish the acidity or alkalinity of the soil, nor was it her area of expertise, but since Xu Rong said so, it was clear that spinach’s pH level was compatible with the northwest region.

Xu Rong continued, “The Kushan people mentioned that eating this can make one’s complexion rosy and improve health, so I bought a lot.”

For the Han Dynasty people, who had relatively little medical knowledge, such a food with these effects was akin to a good medicine.

He indeed made a correct choice.

By the end of the first century AD, many crops familiar to later generations were still growing wild and hadn’t been domesticated. For example, carrots wouldn’t be transplanted from the wild to fields for another eight hundred years and wouldn’t reach China for another three hundred.

Such foods couldn’t be introduced to the Central Plains for Qiao Yan’s use.

Another part of the produce that might flow into the Silk Road due to the expansion of the Kushan Empire actually came from lands further south and wasn’t suitable for planting in the north, especially high-quality rice varieties.

Having spinach now is also good; it provides iron, folic acid, and blood replenishment.

Thinking about adding another dietary supplement for her strategists and generals, Qiao Yan replied with satisfaction, “This is very good.”

Hearing Qiao Yan’s praise, a look of relief flashed across Xu Rong’s usually stern face.

This round trip, nearly half a year away from Han territory and into unfamiliar lands, wasn’t the hardest part.

The difficulty was that if there were any mistakes in selecting the items to purchase, it wouldn’t just waste money but also irreplaceable time.

Ma Teng fell ill as soon as he returned to Liangzhou, having relaxed too much.

Fortunately, the feedback they received was worth the journey.

“The other item isn’t really suitable for planting here,” Xu Rong pointed to the pepper and said. “But this has a spicy flavor and can dispel dampness and cold. I thought bringing some back might be useful.”

After all, their environment is too cold.

In Qiao Yan’s view, Xu Rong’s choice was also correct.

After pepper was widely introduced to China, it was indeed recorded in the Tang Materia Medica as a medicine to dispel internal cold.

Considering this usage, Qiao Yan decided to give it to Wu Pu to see if he could use it to lure Hua Tuo to Bingzhou.

Inviting Hua Tuo to Bingzhou was an idea she had last New Year, but the expedition to Liangzhou temporarily put it on hold.

With Zhang Zhongjing, another renowned physician, being a southern noble and already in officialdom, making it impossible for him to come north, Hua Tuo was undoubtedly the only choice.

Thinking this, Qiao Yan dismissed the idea of making pepper-roasted lamb to satisfy her appetite and instead closed the box, planning to send it back to Bingzhou along with the cotton seeds.

After all, pepper at this time wasn’t a seasoning but was used as a spice due to its pungent aroma.

And spices have always been expensive, pepper being no exception.

The price of this bit of pepper wasn’t lower than that big box of spinach seeds, so it was better to make the most of it.

Then there was the third item Xu Rong brought back, several fine horses from Ferghana.

Xu Rong introduced, “These horses aren’t as good as Red Hare, but they are of much higher quality than the horses used by the generals under your command and are much cheaper than buying directly within Han territory. However, we need enough Ferghana people in the team.”

Qiao Yan walked around one of the horses and had to admit that Ferghana horses deserved their reputation.

She asked, “Is it possible to conduct bulk trade for these horses?”

“It’s a bit difficult,” Xu Rong replied. “Buying a few horses can still be negotiated with the Kushan merchants we’ve won over, but if the quantity is large, they’ll know we’re in urgent need and will surely raise the price. Plus, the cost of transportation might make it less cost-effective than the horses raised by the Qiang people.”

Qiao Yan rested her chin on her hand and pondered for a moment before asking, “What if I give you some of our Qiang cavalry, disguised, to go and steal them?”

Xu Rong looked at Qiao Yan in shock, but her serious expression suggested she wasn’t joking but genuinely considering the idea.

Qiao Yan continued unhurriedly, “The era when the Western Regions were under the jurisdiction and mediation of the Protectorate of the Western Regions has long passed. Ferghana was even once under the control of the Kushan Empire. Now that the Kushan ruling center has moved south, causing Ferghana and Khwarezm to attempt to break free from Kushan control, why can’t we take advantage of the chaos?”

“If a batch of fine horses from Ferghana were to be plundered, who would be the most likely culprit?”

This didn’t seem like a hard question to answer.

The most likely culprit would be the Kushan Empire.

The facial features of the Qiang people and…








The Han people who frequently trade in the Western Regions are different. In this situation, if Qiao Yan’s suggestion of a disguise is followed, it might indeed deepen this misunderstanding.

Xu Rong was about to speak when Qiao Yan earnestly said, “Wen Xian, don’t forget, you are a general under my command, not an envoy to the Western Regions.”

Hearing this, Xu Rong was momentarily stunned, but upon reflection, he suddenly saw the light.

He had been using his meticulousness in arranging troops and setting up camp defenses to pave the way for the merchant caravan and prevent bandit attacks, applying the same care to purchasing goods. Yet, he hadn’t realized he could think even more outside the box!

Qiao Yan pushed further, “It wouldn’t hurt to do it once or twice when necessary. Don’t you want to form a cavalry unit entirely mounted on Ferghana horses?”

“…” Xu Rong couldn’t lie in front of Qiao Yan.

He even thought that if someone as honest as Zhao Yun were asked this question, they might give the same answer.

Of course!

What general wouldn’t want to have such a strong cavalry force to expand their territory?

Xu Rong also had ambitions to achieve great deeds.

So, in the poor conditions of Liangzhou and Bingzhou, raiding the Ferghana army to seize some warhorses seemed indeed feasible!

Qiao Yan could see the answer in his silence.

She teased, “What? Didn’t Ma Shoucheng remind you of this?”

Xu Rong suspected Qiao Yan was subtly criticizing Ma Teng, as he must have done plenty of horse-stealing in Liangzhou.

But considering the trust she had placed in Ma Teng before the trip, he felt this teasing wasn’t a big issue.

“He’s a bit nervous,” Xu Rong thought of Qiao Yan’s words before departure, reminding him to pay special attention to the movements of the northwestern aristocratic families’ subordinates, and added, “Probably because the Marquis has just intimidated Liangzhou, and those powerful families in Wuwei are still trying to curry favor with the Marquis, not daring to incite Ma Teng to reclaim power.”

“I think they won’t have the guts so quickly,” Qiao Yan said, “So I plan to have you set a trap on your first trip along the Silk Road.”

Since Xu Rong was to try raiding Ferghana horses, another trip along the Silk Road was necessary.

This trip would not only include Ma Teng and Xu Rong, who were somewhat sidelined by Qiao Yan, but also a group of Qiang people. Setting a trap would be easier than last time.

For Qiao Yan, such a trap was necessary.

Having already obtained cotton, the most important resource from the Silk Road, and several Kushan merchants, her need for the northwestern aristocratic families on this land route no longer existed.

With hostages in hand, it was the perfect time to find a reason to trim down the restless ones.

Considering the time needed for a round trip on the Silk Road and the military actions to seize horses, by the time they returned, it would likely be harvest season.

By then, the first harvest from her land reclamation in Liangzhou would surely boost her popularity among the people.

That would be the best time for her to act.

Xu Rong understood this well and prepared for the next westward trip in a month.

Perhaps due to the success of the first trip, earning Qiao Yan’s high praise, or the prospect of a battle that could allow him to form a formidable cavalry upon return, Xu Rong showed an uncharacteristic lack of composure, immediately dragging Ma Teng to select Qiang soldiers.

Both men, having served Dong Zhuo and fought alongside the Qiang as rebels, could speak some Qiang language and had commanded Qiang troops before, so there was no need to rush.

But Xu Rong thought, since this wasn’t a local battle and victory was essential, sufficient磨合 was necessary.

Still ill, Ma Teng: …

“I think it’s necessary to have Mengqi accompany you on this trip,” Ma Teng sighed.

But he knew well that this was impossible.

Even if this mission went splendidly, and even if Qiao Yan harbored no suspicions about his surrender, he should still leave Liangzhou temporarily, which was better than retiring in Bingzhou.

Compared to the treatment of the northwestern aristocratic families, his situation was quite dignified.

Of course, the prestigious families in Wuwei were completely unaware that Qiao Yan was planning to skin them.

The land being reclaimed avoided their territories, not intending to coexist peacefully but to take over at the right time.

Unaware, the Yan family of Wuwei presented Qiao Yan with Western rock sugar purchased from the Silk Road trade, earning her “sincere” praise.

After Qiao Yan granted the Yan family an additional study opportunity, both sides felt satisfied.

After seeing off Yan Jun, Qiao Yan had Lü Bu escort the items to Bingzhou and inform his wife and daughter of his safety.

The remaining cotton was fluffed and made into a cotton coat and a quilt.

Qiao Yan kept the quilt for herself, and after a good night’s sleep, she finally felt a bit of normal life returning.

The cotton coat was sent to Cheng Yu in Jincheng County.

Although it’s about fairness in scarcity, when only one cotton coat was available, besides the Assistant Governor of Bingzhou, no one else was qualified.

The Ferghana horses were gifted to Dian Wei, Zhao Yun, Zhang Yang, Zhang Liao, and Chu Yan.

Cheng Yu, watching Qiao Yan’s back as she looked out the window, reminded her, “Your action shows nostalgia rather than rewarding based on merit, which might not be good.”

In any power structure, seniority-based rewards are not beneficial.

Especially since among the five who received horses, Dian Wei and Chu Yan were not skilled in cavalry combat, yet Qiao Yan still gifted them Ferghana horses.

Qiao Yan chose not to keep the only cotton coat for herself but gave it to him, which deeply moved Cheng Yu. However, out of loyalty, he offered this advice.

Qiao Yan, looking at the new green branches outside, smiled, “Master Zhongde, you’re mistaken. This isn’t nostalgia but a message to everyone that these things will eventually be available to all.”

Cotton coats will be had, and good horses too.

This was her promise to her subordinates.

So she started with those who followed her from the beginning.

In the spring of the third year of Guangxi, Liangzhou and Bingzhou truly felt the return of spring and the approach of hope, while Dong Zhuo, further south, was having a much harder time.

When Li Jue returned to Chang’an from Gaoling to report to Dong Zhuo, he saw Jia Xu sighing as he descended the palace steps.

Jia Xu, since joining Dong Zhuo, had been highly valued and always appeared profound, making Li Jue often feel apprehensive around him. It was the first time he saw Jia Xu in such a sighing state.

But Li Jue and Jia Xu had no prior friendship, and he couldn’t think of a reason to strike up a conversation before Jia Xu hurried away and soon disappeared from sight.

Li Jue could only retract his gaze and continue forward.

Dong Zhuo, even after fleeing from Luoyang to Chang’an, remained unchanged in his arrogance, such as maintaining the pretense of occupying the Han palace.

Unfortunately, with Qiao Yan’s threat from the north, Dong Zhuo dared not and could not spend much effort on palace repairs, so he had to live in the Han ancestral temple in Chang’an with Liu Xie and had the Weiyang Palace simply renovated, then brazenly occupied the main hall.

Under Dong Zhuo’s threat, the precocious Liu Xie knew he couldn’t show any unusual expressions and never did in the court transformed from the Jingzhao Prefecture’s residence.

Thus, Li Jue came to see Dong Zhuo in the Weiyang Palace.

Unfortunately, a great fire at the end of the Former Han dynasty had burned the Weiyang Palace to the ground. The newly built palace was constructed on the original foundation with the highest craftsmanship standards in Chang’an, far from its former glory.

Dong Zhuo had also adjusted the palace according to his taste, making it look new but with a nouveau riche flavor.

Of course, Li Jue, with his own nouveau riche taste, wouldn’t criticize Dong Zhuo on this.

What he cared about was Dong Zhuo’s current mood, which was clearly not good.

When he greeted Dong Zhuo, the latter’s gaze was heavy with gloom.

This was undoubtedly due to Qiao Yan in the north.

Li Jue couldn’t help but suspect that Dong Zhuo and Qiao Yan’s fates were at odds, as Dong Zhuo’s recent anger was all because of her.

She had eliminated Han Sui and pacified Liangzhou, causing Dong Zhuo great anxiety.

She had recommended Sun Ce as the Prefect of Kuaiji, almost making Dong Zhuo flip the table.

A few months ago, her New Year’s gift to Liu Xie, as Cao Cao had guessed, ended up in Dong Zhuo’s hands.

Being from Liangzhou, Dong Zhuo knew well the effects of dark fritillary bulbs.

He was almost fuming with anger.

This perfunctory and mocking New Year’s gift made Dong Zhuo change his archery targets to Qiao Yan’s name for a while.

Now, seeing Dong Zhuo’s demeanor, Li Jue instinctively asked, “Is the north planning to march in spring?”

If so, Dong Zhuo’s unease would be shared by Li Jue.

Despite Duan Wei’s successful land reclamation around Chang’an last year, allowing Dong Zhuo to recruit new soldiers in winter to strengthen the defenses of various passes, if Dong Zhuo was expanding his army, wouldn’t Qiao Yan do the same?

With her control over Liangzhou, recruiting a group of fierce Qiang soldiers would be no problem. Even if Chang’an had the advantage of Guanzhong’s defenses, if the enemy fought recklessly, Li Jue felt his only option might be to flee.

Fortunately, Dong Zhuo replied, “Not yet.”

Dong Zhuo had sent spies to Liangzhou, and there was no news confirming Qiao Yan’s troop movements.

If she were to stabilize her rear before marching, it would likely be after this year’s harvest.

At least not now.

This made Li Jue somewhat puzzled.

If Qiao Yan wasn’t planning to march, why was Dong Zhuo acting this way?

He watched as Dong Zhuo pondered for a long time before saying, “Master Wenhe suggested I launch an attack during the busy spring farming season to disrupt Qiao Yan’s pace.”

Hearing this, Li Jue couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement.

If this passive defensive situation could change, it would be a great boon!

He was truly fed up with this sense of helplessness!

Dong Zhuo continued, “He suggested I march north via the straight road, quickly attack Bingzhou, and strike at Qiao Yan’s base. If Bingzhou is attacked, she will surely return to aid, but before she arrives, we can quickly move south along the North Luo River and return to Huayin. Then, holding the passes, we won’t give her a chance to pursue.”

Jia Xu, in Dong Zhuo’s eyes, was indeed a competent strategist.

The three strategies he provided earlier each had follow-up plans.

The follow-up to the Yizhou strategy was to have Liu Yan, the Governor of Yizhou, recommend Zhang Lu of Hanzhong as the Prefect of Wudu County, creating a void in Hanzhong and reducing Liu Yan’s guard through several grain trades.

The follow-up to the Jingzhou strategy was to assist Liu Biao in eliminating Sun Jian and have Zhang Ji return within Wuguan, not staying in Nanyang County, making Liu Biao think he had to ally with him.

The top strategy didn’t stop at having Yuan Shao contain Qiao Yan.

Today, Jia Xu suggested repeatedly harassing Qiao Yan, forcing her into a state of being unable to attend to both sides.

The first step was to attack Bingzhou!

This was both an opportunity to find a weakness for a decisive victory and could trigger a backlash in Liangzhou, causing a chain reaction.

But…

Even as Li Jue praised the plan, Dong Zhuo made no commitment.

Li Jue’s heart skipped a beat.

In this silence, he instinctively followed Dong Zhuo’s movements with his eyes.

Dong Zhuo’s figure was bathed in the candlelight of the hall.

This should have been a scene of grandeur.

Yet, it inexplicably felt like he was still trapped in shadows, even his slow reach for a wine cup seemed sluggish.

Li Jue couldn’t help but notice that compared to when he entered Luoyang, Dong Zhuo had lost some weight.

But this weight loss didn’t convey any sense of sharpness or strength; instead, it clearly showed he seemed caught in a cycle of self-doubt.

Unconsciously, it had been a year and a half since his defeat in Luoyang.

He hadn’t fought a single battle, just confined himself within the palace city of Chang’an.

He had ridden horses but never ventured more than a hundred li before turning back.

As time passed, he seemed to have lost the heroic spirit to face the world’s heroes, only retaining a fear of confronting Qiao Yan and doubting his ability to win.

These emotions hadn’t shown before but were completely ignited by Jia Xu’s suggestion to march.

Li Jue didn’t speak.

He realized a terrifying truth.

The Dong Zhuo who once led them into Luoyang—

He had aged.