Chapter 216

Chapter 216

Can a strategist not ascend the throne? Volume 7: Eight Hundred Qin Rivers, Occupying Guanzhong Chapter 216: Intelligence Appointment

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Can a strategist not ascend the throne?

Chapter 216: Intelligence Appointment

These two elderly scholars, bringing along two children, seemed to have turned into a youthful quartet.

In a sense, this regression isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but their attempt to cover up made Qiao Yan wonder if she looked like a villain coming to inspect.

She tapped her cheek, and Lu Ji, catching her gaze, instinctively wiped his own face.

In this action, he suddenly realized he hadn’t completely erased the traces of sneaking a snack.

It’s hard to say, but this child already shows signs of future bravery.

Facing this caught-in-the-act scene, he puffed out his chest, wiped his face clean, and put on a nonchalant expression.

Unfortunately, being so young, his attempt looked rather comically awkward.

Qiao Yan found it amusing but decided not to expose them, instead pondering whether to have the interesting anecdotes of Leping Academy recorded.

This wouldn’t go in the Leping Monthly Report’s miscellaneous section, but perhaps a Leping Academy memoir could be compiled years later when these second-generation scholars serve under her?

Whether it’s a dark history or not, it would certainly be an interesting source for future historical records.

She contemplated the feasibility without voicing it, merely bowing to Cai Yong and Zheng Xuan before discussing her intention to bring Xun Shuang here.

Zheng Xuan replied, “Among the eight dragons of the Xun family, Ciming is unparalleled. I’ve long heard of Xun Ciming’s reputation, but with me in Beihai and him in Hanbin, one under house arrest and the other in seclusion, we’ve had no chance to meet. I never thought we’d have this opportunity in our twilight years.”

Qiao Yan sighed, “But Ciming is concerned about the current situation and isn’t in the best health. I wish to invite him, but fear he may refuse to move…”

Hearing this, Cai Yong and Zheng Xuan understood.

They were simply being asked to write a letter inviting Xun Shuang.

Being old acquaintances with Qiao Yan, they chuckled, “Yan Shu, your method of bringing one person to attract another seems aimed at gathering all the great scholars under your wing.”

Her plan was quite transparent.

Though they said this, they had no qualms about doing this “deceptive” task.

Cai Yong’s “Kingfisher Poem” receiving such an unconventional interpretation in the Leping Monthly Report was a true reflection of his inner feelings.

Over the years, he had reflected on his past experiences, realizing that his earlier hardships were partly due to his low emotional intelligence in advising and social interactions.

Changing such inherent traits isn’t easy.

Fortunately, his younger daughter is directly learning from Qiao Yan.

As Qiao Yan’s influence expanded from Leping to Bingzhou and now nearly three regions, the child has gradually become a capable individual.

The older one, forced to mature amidst worldly struggles, has now found healing and renewal here.

For Cai Yong, this is the greatest gain, not to mention completing the compilation of the Dongguan Han Records.

For Zheng Xuan, a year here has shown him that Leping is indeed a suitable place for academic advancement.

His disciples seeking official positions also have places to serve.

Guo Yuan, with both virtue and ability, was first appointed as a Tuntian Colonel in Liangzhou, then transferred to Guanzhong, clearly being groomed for greater responsibilities.

His promotions set an example for Zheng Xuan’s disciples.

Thus, this place should also be a good destination for Xun Shuang.

Though Qiao Yan didn’t mention it, Zheng Xuan thought of another person, a fellow countryman who has always lived in seclusion, also a skilled scholar.

In Zheng Xuan’s view, continuing to live in seclusion in Qingzhou or Youzhou is inferior to secluding in Leping, where the abundance of paper alone surpasses any other place.

If one feels living here long-term is like accepting charity, then leaving behind more scholarly works would suffice.

However, this person is currently avoiding trouble in Liaodong, hindered by the war in Youzhou, making it difficult to come.

At most, a letter can be sent first, and we’ll see what happens next.

He didn’t voice his plan to invite Bing Yuan, as Qiao Yan asked about any deficiencies, leading to a discussion about the new cotton coats distributed at Leping Academy.

Besides the garrison soldiers, Leping students also received cotton coats.

However, with the surrounding mountains blocking the northern winds, the temperature isn’t too low, and the students’ dietary conditions are good. Considering their youthful vigor, the coats were made thinner.

This is sufficient for warmth.

Zheng Xuan said, “I heard the Marquis specifically ordered that these coats must not be given to others, including family elders. This is quite an unusual rule.”

Qiao Yan didn’t find it unusual.

She replied, “I can’t help but emphasize this. This year’s cotton harvest isn’t enough for everyone, so some might give their coats to relatives out of filial piety. While virtuous, it could lead to disparities among students, causing discomfort.”

Zheng Xuan pondered, “Those wearing coats might feel selfish if others gave theirs away.”

“Exactly. People tend to conform, especially when their virtue is questioned,” Qiao Yan said. “I’d rather allocate some coats from the garrison to the academy, ensuring students stay warm and focus on learning, not proving their generosity.”

“If they wish to give coats to relatives, they should earn rewards through achievements.”

Qiao Yan turned to Lu Ji, “Take your sister as an example. She has made significant contributions and is now heading to Liangzhou. I regard her as a trusted general, hence I naturally respect her father, sending over a dozen coats to Lujiang. But your coat is for you only, understood?”

“I understand,” Lu Ji nodded solemnly. “I can’t use the Marquis’s gifts to boost my own image. Filial piety must be earned.”

He then whispered, “But my father can’t fit into my coat.”

The others laughed.

Qiao Yan patted his head, “You’ll grow taller in a few years. Until then—”

She glanced meaningfully at the group, “Eat less ice in autumn.”

As she left, she had the four bowls taken away.

Qiao Yan instructed the servants, “Zheng Gong and Cai Gong are not young. While occasional treats are fine, control their intake of sweets and cold drinks.”

But as she left the courtyard, she considered having Hua Tuo prepare some healthy snacks, not wanting to deprive them of culinary pleasures.

Before she could recall a suitable snack, someone called her, interrupting her thoughts.

She turned to see Cao Pi approaching.

The child, only a year older than Lu Ji, stood before her, seeing no displeasure on her face, and asked, “Marquis, if I wish to buy cotton coats for my parents, are there other ways?”

His situation differed from Lu Ji’s.

Lu Yuan serves under Qiao Yan and is highly trusted, hence able to secure benefits for her father.

Though Cao Cao is a friend and peer of Qiao Yan, his title as Governor of Yanzhou comes from the Emperor in Ye City.

This places him on a different stance.

Though young, Cao Pi, after studying geography in Leping, could roughly assess his father’s predicament.

The title of Governor of Yanzhou was easily obtained, and consolidating the rest of Yanzhou, leveraging advantages from Dong Commandery, isn’t too difficult, nearly completed now. But to lightly speak of welcoming the Emperor or changing stances like Qiao Yan is currently impossible.








Rashly switching sides, otherwise, it’s inevitable to face war from the north.

Because Cao Cao and Qiao Yan weren’t exactly formal allies at this time, Cao Pi couldn’t help but feel a bit uneasy when he asked this question.

Cotton-padded clothes are a good thing, even a child like him knows that.

Although he couldn’t yet foresee how the popularity of cotton-padded clothes would make the power gap between various factions more apparent, he still wanted to send one to his parents.

Qiao Yan smiled: “You don’t need to ask about this, your father is a smart man, he will send someone to me before winter.”

Once she spreads the news about Ye City, Cao Cao will surely send someone over.

But while she can give away farming techniques as a New Year’s gift, the cotton used to make cotton-padded clothes won’t be given away.

This isn’t about whether to cherish past friendships, but a necessity of the situation.

At most, the benefits from the first action can be applied to the second transaction.

With cotton-padded clothes still being exclusive, the limit of this transaction can be set within the acceptable range of the other party.

Isn’t this also a way to use others’ fields to fill one’s own military provisions?

But there’s no need to say this to Cao Pi.

Wait until Cao Cao’s envoy arrives.

Cao Pi nodded somewhat understandingly, bowed to Qiao Yan, and then left.

Watching the child’s back, Qiao Yan couldn’t help but sigh about how precocious children are these days, then turned to her courtyard in the academy and had the Qiao sisters summoned.

When they arrived, they saw a grey pigeon pacing back and forth on the table in front of Qiao Yan.

This carrier pigeon, raised in Leping and brought to Qiao Yan by the pigeon keeper, showed no intention of escaping but instead pecked a few grains from Qiao Yan’s hand and stared at her.

Seeing this, the Qiao sisters, who were initially nervous about meeting Qiao Yan again, relaxed a bit, and the more lively younger sister even smiled.

Noticing this, Qiao Yan asked: “Have you adapted well to the academy these past three months?”

Qiao Ting quickly straightened up and replied: “My sister and I both like it here.”

She felt that agreeing with her sister’s judgment to come here was the best decision they had made.

The academic atmosphere at Leping Academy values talent over background, and with Cai Zhaoji topping the ranks in the first two years and Qiao Yan as the founder, it set a tone that doesn’t overly emphasize gender differences.

Interestingly, although there are different development tendencies in literature, martial arts, medicine, and agriculture, they are not as distinct as oil and water but rather complement each other.

The two sisters really like it here.

In their spare time, Qiao Ting learned some self-defense martial arts from Lu Lingju.

Qiao Lan went to learn some first aid medical knowledge from the female doctors in the academy.

Perhaps because they realized the knowledge they lacked on their way to Bingzhou, but this choice made Qiao Yan even more certain that these two sisters might indeed be useful to her, possibly taking charge of that intelligence organization.

After listening to Qiao Ting talk about their life at the academy over the past three months, Qiao Yan casually changed the topic: “When you came in just now, you seemed a bit curious about this pigeon?”

Hearing Qiao Yan’s casual tone, Qiao Ting replied without hesitation: “I don’t think it’s strange for the Marquis to raise pigeons, I’m just curious why you chose a grey one.”

In today’s aesthetic, pure colors are the most valued.

White pigeons are pure and have auspicious legends, and black pigeons are also acceptable, as everyone knows that the Marquis often wears dark clothes.

Placing a dusty grey pigeon in front of Qiao Yan seems mismatched with the Marquis’s bright and clear image.

Instead of directly answering, Qiao Yan lifted the grey pigeon.

With a motion of her arm, the carrier pigeon flew out the window towards the fortress in the Leping mountains.

In the eyes of the three, the silver-grey trajectory quickly blended into the environment and disappeared from their sight, more elusive than a white pigeon.

Qiao Yan replied: “Grey is easier to survive, that’s why I chose it.”

What the Qiao sisters didn’t expect was that after saying this, Qiao Yan suddenly looked back from the window, her gaze towards them carrying a serious tone: “The pigeon is like this, and so are people, right?”

This sentence seemed to carry a deeper meaning.

Qiao Lan immediately realized that Qiao Yan summoning them was likely not just out of concern for their well-being, but for other arrangements.

Thinking that one reason they chose Qiao Yan before coming here was that they could be cultivated as her confidants, Qiao Lan’s heart skipped a beat.

This seems like a sign.

She cautiously asked: “Does the Marquis want my sister and me to learn the way of survival like this grey pigeon?”

“Not entirely.” Qiao Yan shook her head and replied: “Do you know what these grey pigeons are used for?”

She didn’t plan to let the sisters guess and continued: “They are used to deliver messages.”

“Messages across vast distances, due to the undulating terrain, even with the best horses, can only travel up to two hundred miles a day, but carrier pigeons are different, the legend of traveling eight hundred miles a day is possible for them.”

“These carrier pigeons can even fly through storms to deliver messages to me.”

Facing their slightly astonished gazes, Qiao Yan asked: “If I say, I want you to help me manage this message channel, would you be willing?”

“Even if you’re not willing, it’s fine, these carrier pigeon stations have corresponding operation codes and hidden channels, just knowing their existence doesn’t affect…”

It doesn’t affect her choosing another person in charge.

So there’s no need to force them to make a choice.

But before she could finish, Qiao Lan interrupted: “I am willing!”

The decisiveness in her voice was unmistakable.

This was truly a reflection of her current determination.

Being in Leping, or rather in Bingzhou, she saw Qin Yu in charge of agriculture, Lu Yuan assisting in general affairs and diplomacy, Zhaoji responsible for cultural propaganda, and even female generals under Qiao Yan. If she had any desire to control her own fate, she wouldn’t refuse this appointment.

Moreover, if she were willing to go with the flow and entrust her future to the current situation, she wouldn’t have thought of the decision to join Qiao Yan.

She had been thinking that in Leping Academy, there are many who can assist Zhaoji with the monthly newspaper work, and in agriculture, they are not as experienced as some old farmers who have been in the field for years, and as for martial arts, even though Lu Lingju is young, she could easily handle both of them. It seems that the path they could take is similar to Lu Yuan’s.

However, Qiao Yan now offers another path.

A path unique and fitting for both of them.

Qiao Lan thought so, and so did Qiao Ting, who followed up: “I am willing too.”

Qiao Yan’s gaze swept over the sisters’ faces, seeing their sincerity, she then said: “I won’t easily hand this over to you, as it’s a matter of life and death for me. Before officially taking over, you need to pass a test.”

“Of course, before the test, I will have someone teach you.”

The next day, Jia Xu, who was in Shangjun, had his courtyard door knocked.

Opening the door, he saw the Qiao sisters standing outside.

Qiao Lan bowed to him and said: “The Marquis sent us to learn farming techniques from you, and we will stay in the courtyard next to yours until spring.”

Learn farming?

Jia Xu looked at the cotton fields outside.

Since returning to Bingzhou with Qiao Yan, the cotton in these fields has already been turned into clothes, quilts, and cloth, with not a bit left in the fields.

If they really want to learn, they should choose between April and May next year, and go find those old farmers.

Learning farming in this season with him…

Thinking of this, he glanced at Li Ru living in another courtyard and couldn’t help but sigh.

Marquis, couldn’t you find a less fake-sounding reason?