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“Can strategists not ascend the throne?”
Chapter 22
Previously, when their group successfully infiltrated the city, they had also set a designated time to launch their attack while signaling from outside.
From the top of Gucheng Mountain, it was hard to get a clear view of everything happening in Xiaquyang City, but a few spots were vaguely visible.
At that moment, Qiao Yan was noting those spots, having prepared some cloth to signal Huangfu Song with its hanging and number.
Everything was going smoothly, and Huangfu Song arrived as promised, making Xu Fu’s heart swell with excitement.
The grand plan was coming to fruition!
But perhaps it was just his innate flair for grand affairs, as he suddenly grabbed the minor rebel leader’s dagger and slashed at a guard on the city wall. Surprisingly, when he reached the winch at the city gate, his hands were steady.
Having previously guarded Changshe, he knew how to lower the drawbridge with the winch, and Xiaquyang was merely a sturdier gate with a longer bridge—no real difference.
As the drawbridge fell, Huangfu Song’s cavalry charged across the moat and stormed into the city.
The pre-arranged battle plan split these cavalry into three groups, heading towards the other three sections of the city wall.
Disturbances on the eastern wall of Xiaquyang City, accompanied by a few frantic cries of “Enemy attack,” quickly spread to the other wall sections.
But the rushed and brief messages made the guards at the three walls unaware that the enemy was not outside but had already infiltrated the city.
If the attack had merely come from outside, given Xiaquyang’s strong defenses, they wouldn’t have needed to panic or consider fleeing.
However, since they couldn’t escape at that moment, they wouldn’t get another chance!
The elite soldiers of the Han Dynasty swiftly climbed the city walls from within, seizing control of the other three gates and effectively cutting off the Yellow Turbans’ escape routes.
After leaving some guards at the gates, leveraging the city’s defenses, the rest advanced rapidly into the key points of the city, heading straight for Zhang Bao.
Zhang Bao was still dreaming at this time.
In his dream, the Han army appeared like a black cloud over Xiaquyang, and as two forces clashed—one coming from the east, the other from the west—he decisively mobilized his troops and successfully repelled both sides.
Victorious, he excitedly went to find his brother to brag, only to see his brother’s corpse in Guangzong City, said to have passed away from sudden illness.
Passed away?
Zhang Bao jolted awake.
But upon waking, he was met with the frantic faces of his subordinates.
This commotion made him realize that he wasn’t awakened by a nightmare but rather by his men shaking him awake.
“What’s with the panic?” Zhang Bao grumbled.
“The Han army… it’s attacking!”
What a coincidence; he had dreamed this very scene!
So what if the Han army was attacking? He was holed up in the strong city of Xiaquyang; there was no way they could do any damage to him.
Perhaps this time it would follow his dream, where they got into a quarrel, giving him a chance to shine.
But his daydream was soon brutally interrupted by his subordinate, who finally gasped out, “They’ve already breached the city!”
Zhang Bao almost thought he misheard.
But the fear in his subordinate’s voice felt genuine. Focusing, he strained to listen and indeed heard a clamor outside; it was not the usual sounds of a quiet night, but rather the unmistakable arrival of troops nearby.
It made no sense how their solid defenses had been compromised, and despite having the night guards, the enemy had somehow breached the city’s gates without alerting him beforehand!
No
But wasting time pondering this was clearly pointless.
He hurriedly grabbed his long knife, stormed out the door, intending to rally his men for a counterattack.
But upon stepping out of his fortress, he saw not his troops engaged in battle but rather an army swarming like they owned the place.
This heavily armored contingent had surrounded his temporary residence, and among them was a commanding general exuding an intimidating presence.
Although Zhang Bao had never seen Huangfu Song in person, the moment their eyes met, he knew this was undoubtedly an important figure dispatched by the Han court to pacify the rebellion.
With an air of calm, Huangfu Song regarded Zhang Bao, who was still half-clad in armor, and said, “The General of the Earth must be curious as to why no one is coming to save you. Instead of elaborating, why don’t you listen to the sounds from within the city?”
Zhang Bao concentrated to hear this time, and the noises that had been vague inside the house were now perfectly clear.
It wasn’t just the noise of soldiers running about; there were cries of “The Han army has entered the city; the General of the Earth is dead.”
Zhang Bao’s face drained of color.
If it weren’t for such alarming shouts, people in the Way of Great Peace would surely have come to his rescue—after all, they would have made it difficult for the suddenly attacking Han army, perhaps even providing him a chance to escape.
But now, with this erroneous message echoing in their ears, his subordinates lacked the sheer judgment to resist this rumor.
In the past, that was a virtue.
But now, it turned into a vice.
With the commander in the city already dead, those people believed that rather than risk confirming his fate, it was better to trust that at this moment, Xiaquyang was no different from any city that had been occupied—it had no chance for resistance.
Their only hope for survival was to flee toward one of the gates.
But if the Han army really had breached the walls and taken the battlements, Zhang Bao could easily guess that those trying to escape would find not a way out but rather a one-way ticket to death.
“Who are you?” Even though he sensed defeat, Zhang Bao couldn’t help but ask.
“General Huangfu Song, Left General of the Han army.”
Upon hearing this name, Zhang Bao realized that unexpected events were not exclusive to Xiaquyang; something equally shocking must have occurred in Changshe as well.
But asking what had happened there now held no significance, just as Zhang Bao believed that unless he was a total fool, he would inevitably connect the arrival of newcomers and the turmoil within the city—
There was no need to ask that question.
No amount of cursing the foolish leaders would help; now that this group had arrived, their fate was likely sealed.
How could he blame the dead!
“May I ask what you intend to do, General?”
Huangfu Song responded with an air of certainty: “I require your head.”
Zhang Bao probably felt quite vexed; perhaps he should have rallied the Yellow Turbans better to avoid such a disgraceful defeat.
Before the scattered Yellow Turbans in the city even received his commands to gather, they were already met with the news that the Han army entered the city, claiming that the General of Earth, Zhang Bao, was dead. And then, when they attempted to flee through the gates, deadly arrows rained down upon them.
Those who should have defended the city had become targets, while the Han army, which should have suffered heavy losses in the siege, now occupied the advantageous high ground.
Xu Fu, not lingering to ponder how these desperate Yellow Turbans might not be as irredeemable as he thought, immediately led Dian Wei toward Qiao Yan’s hiding spot after Huangfu Song arrived and split the forces to attack.
Before even the first wave of attempted escapees could have results, those already within the city wouldn’t be looking to hide in rooms or alleys.
As Qiao Yan had said.
Despite her confidence, Xu Fu felt a twinge of unease.
Fortunately, upon arriving at the water vat, he found Qiao Yan safe and sound.
She jumped out of the vat, and despite the soiled mess on her shoes and legs, her calm demeanor stood in stark contrast to the chaos around them.
Upon seeing Huangfu Song, she gracefully clasped her hands in greeting, saying, “Congratulations, General.”
Huangfu Song was pleasantly surprised that she emerged from the capture unscathed, replying with a grin, “I expected you would say I didn’t disappoint, why only a congratulations?”
Listening to this, Huangfu Song felt further affirmed of his earlier statement to Cao Cao, where he remarked, “In times of hardship and difficulties, true heroes are born.”
“You need not be overly modest; the strategy to let the wandering knights into the city was yours, and taking risks to implement it was your choice. This victory will certainly be recorded in your favor when I report it.”
“You’ve worked hard today; you should rest early.”
Seeing that Qiao Yan seemed to want to say something, Huangfu Song interrupted, “I know you wish to ask how to deal with the Yellow Turbans in the city. However, those affiliated with Zhang Jiao, Zhang Bao, and Zhang Liang possess a stubbornness far beyond your imagination; their situation differs greatly from that of Yanzhou and Yuzhou.”
“No… General, you worry too much. I do not plead for leniency for the Yellow Turbans here,” Qiao Yan waved her hand.
She was well aware of her current capabilities and limitations; she had her own sense of judgment.
Moreover, those entrenched in Xiaquyang’s defenses were precisely Zhang Bao’s elite troops.
If such a group was not eradicated, Qiao Yan understood that the chances of preserving any lives she wanted to save would be grim, and the ripple effects could reignite the Yellow Turban Rebellion.
Huangfu Song certainly knew that the population shortage in Ji Province would incur adverse effects; otherwise, he wouldn’t have proposed a year’s tax reduction when he became the governor of Ji Province in the future.
Thus, certain words were best struck at the most opportune moments.
Huangfu Song was caught off guard by Qiao Yan’s words, only to hear her say, “What I wanted to speak of is another matter. Just now, I heard Xu Fu mention that this minor rebel leader has taken the county magistrate’s wife for himself. If I see this lady, I would like to request that the rebel leader refrain from harming her.”
However, Qiao Yan never expected that the woman known as Lu Yuan would act so unexpectedly.
In the chaos caused by Huangfu Song’s troops entering the city, she had taken advantage of the confusion, urging the soldiers left behind by the minor rebel leader to gather as many people as possible by claiming that hiding in the cellar was safer.
She had orchestrated this dodge to enable them to try and strike back after evading the city searches.
Clearly, her earlier behavior was a cover to assassinate the minor rebel leader, and after not revealing a flaw for two months, her current statement wouldn’t raise suspicions.
But once she had lured them into the cellar, she locked the entrance tight and then went to find the patrolling Han soldiers.
This maneuver evidently saved Huangfu Song quite a bit of hassle.
On hearing that Qiao Yan wanted to find out about her whereabouts, Lu Yuan raised an eyebrow and followed the searching soldier to stand before Qiao Yan and Huangfu Song.
She was indeed a strikingly beautiful woman, but what caught Qiao Yan’s eye was her resolute demeanor.
After Lu Yuan recounted her actions, Qiao Yan couldn’t help but applaud and ask, “May I know what your plans are once this matter concludes?”
With the suppression in Xiaquyang, it was likely to be a deserted city for a while, making it unsuitable for Lu Yuan to remain.
She did not seem like a woman of common origin; perhaps she would return to her hometown or seek refuge in a nearby town.
Qiao Yan admired Lu Yuan’s successful act of vengeance, so she couldn’t help but inquire.
Her response surprised Qiao Yan.
“Previously, I heard the officer guiding me mention that this city’s success relied heavily on your abilities, young lady,” Lu Yuan inquired. “May I stay by your side, like that little lord, to hold your horse and assist?”
Xu Fu: “…?”
What was this? Someone trying to snag his role?
Clearly, the task of holding the horse and assisting didn’t seem appropriate for a woman with such a scholarly aura, but to Xu Fu’s disappointment, after deliberation, Qiao Yan decided to keep her on.
However, she didn’t mean for Lu Yuan to follow her immediately; instead, since Lu Yuan had proposed such a thing, it seemed she had nowhere to go for the time being, so it would be safer for her to stay with them until Ji Province’s Yellow Turban issue was suppressed before making any decisions.
Before anything else, she was a family member of an official in Ji Province, now reduced to this state due to the Yellow Turban Rebellion and thus deserved some protection.
Aside from Lu Yuan’s situation, the Yellow Turbans in Xiaquyang had been completely suppressed or, rather, almost eradicated by then.
Through the open window, Qiao Yan listened outside, and the sounds of the hunting and slaughter were slowly fading away, leaving only the occasional sounds of soldiers patrolling the streets.
But if she listened more closely, she could hear soft sobs coming from the adjacent room, quickly stifled.
Qiao Yan was confident in her read of Lu Yuan’s character; the late Han era was not marked by strict demands for chastity, so this crying seemed more a farewell to her past than a lament for her forced collaboration with the thieves.
It was merely a ritual of sorts.
Qiao Yan couldn’t help but ponder this surname, Lu.
It vaguely rang a bell, yet considering the famous Lu family from Wujun in the Three Kingdoms era, one was in the south and the other in the north, logically, they shouldn’t be related.
Regardless, it wasn’t critical; she chose not to delve deeper for now.
What mattered more to her were the forthcoming military plans.
The battle of Xiaquyang had yielded her 10 strategist points, which felt quite justified.
Although she felt a twinge of guilt for raking in so many points at the expense of the Yellow Turbans, she quickly pushed those feelings aside.
After all, it was better to consider how she might gain further benefits in the battle at Guangzong.
Huangfu Song showed no signs of pausing; within a day after breaking Xiaquyang, he had his soldiers donned in Yellow Turban attire, with a tightly bound Zhang Bao in tow, heading south straight for Guangzong, located south of Julu.
However, he ordered his army to disguise themselves as Zhang Bao’s troops from Xiaquyang, causing their actions to seem like the wind, and they traveled for over ten days before leaving Dong’e.
The messenger carrying Huangfu Song’s report first stopped at Ditai City to collect the head of Bo Cai. Now, he was dashing toward Chenggao Hulao Pass, switching horses along the route to reach Luoyang.
With the gates tightly shut and with the capital gripped by the chaos of the Yellow Turban Rebellion, Huangfu Song’s report reached just in time.
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“Here’s the Emperor Liu Hong’s desk.”
The 27-year-old Emperor Liu Hong is the long-lasting exception among the list of short-lived East Han emperors who started dropping like flies since Emperor Zhang.
Just so you know, Emperor Sha only lasted eight months, Emperor Chong three years, and Emperor Zhi croaked at nine, while the last emperor Liu Huan somehow stretched it to a whopping thirty-six years.
As he received a secret report from his little eunuch attendant, the atmosphere in the Han Palace was dimming as night fell, the beautiful palace brightly lit, yet his face revealed signs of illness.
Startled by the little eunuch’s footsteps, he lifted his eyelids, weariness flashed across his wine-soaked features, “What is it?”
“Your Majesty, a secret report from the Middle General!”
This snapped Liu Hong to attention.
Usually, military affairs don’t come with secret notifications.
In his mind, the trusted Middle General Huangfu Song was still at Changshe battling the Yellow Turban rebels.
News of Zhu Jun’s defeat had completely reshaped his view on the Yellow Turbans, filling him with both anger and shock. Because of this loss, he ordered Huangfu Song to hastily mobilize troops to rendezvous with Zhu Jun, with Cao Cao leading cavalry alongside. Suddenly hearing Huangfu Song’s news was a secret report instead of the victorious announce he expected, he immediately got off the couch.
Worried this military news might be about a devastating defeat, he took a few quick steps to snatch the report from the little eunuch.
Upon witnessing this response from the Emperor, Zhang Rang, who had been waiting dutifully, immediately knelt down.
He didn’t need to be this tense normally.
Liu Hong had even previously uttered the line “Zhang the Attendant is my father,” which would make any proper father roll in his grave, but times had changed.
This month, because of the unprecedented chaos caused by the Yellow Turbans, the doctor Zhang Jun had written a petition demanding the execution of the ten eunuchs, claiming that their meddling in politics and greed left the people seething with anger. If they were executed publicly to appease the populace, the Yellow Turban Rebellion would surely calm down without a fight.
Liu Hong naturally dismissed this idea, throwing Zhang Jun’s petition back at Zhang Rang instead.
Zhang Rang knew Liu Hong needed them to counter the powerful families and couldn’t afford to execute them out of this民愤 reason, yet they had to show Liu Hong they were competent.
At that moment, he and Zhao Zhong, along with the other eunuchs, stripped off their hats and shoes, kneeling before Liu Hong to beg for forgiveness, proposing great sums to fund military expenses, which finally let the matter slide, still keeping their positions.
That issue had been brushed aside for the time being, but if Huangfu Song’s report contained a defeat—
Ignoring the multiple punishments Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun would face, Zhang Rang’s own head was definitely on the chopping block.
He began to think that if he reported Huangfu Song’s secret involvement with the Yellow Turbans, he might earn himself a way out, when suddenly he felt a shadow loom over him.
Liu Hong was standing right in front of him.
He tapped his hand on the report he’d just finished reading, eyeing Zhang Rang with a mix of frustration and amusement, “What do you think, Zhang Attendant, about the report?”
Zhang Rang was sweating bullets.
He stammered, “Could it be that General Huangfu has actually been defeated?”
Liu Hong fell silent for a long time, but just when Zhang Rang thought he’d reached peak terror, Liu Hong suddenly burst into laughter, “Why do you doubt General Huangfu so?”
“Heaven bless our Han! Huangfu Yizhen truly lives up to his reputation, having already claimed victories over two provinces against the Yellow Turbans!”
After he finished speaking, he kicked Zhang Rang’s shoulder, indicating the guy shouldn’t be sprawled out on the ground like that.
When Zhang Rang stood up again, he saw Liu Hong had opened the report again, as if relishing every word, his face lighting up with joy.
This series of announcements left Zhang Rang utterly stunned.
Even if he didn’t quite grasp why clearing the siege of Changshe morphed into pacifying Yanzhou and Yuzhou, or how the great grandson of Qiao Gong played into all this, he could at least conclude—
His life was safe for now.
Zhang Rang let out a cautious breath, but when Liu Hong’s gaze quickly shifted back to him, his heart skipped a beat as he stood up straight again.
Liu Hong’s words were ambiguous, leaving Zhang Rang feeling uncertain whether they were intended or not.
Then he heard Liu Hong continue, “What do you think I should reward this Middle General?”
Zhang Rang nearly kneeled again.
This wasn’t going to be easy to answer.
Huangfu Song wasn’t exactly from the scholarly bunch and wasn’t an enemy due to the political purge, but he had always clashed with the nobility, even petitioning for the removal of the purge himself.
How much credit he deserved was a mystery to Zhang Rang, even from Liu Hong’s brief remarks, but in the midst of the eunuchs just having been shaken down for money to save their skins, he clearly didn’t have the chance to tarnish Huangfu’s reputation.
Yet to say Huangfu Yizhen deserved a large reward was another mountain to climb.
“The servant believes… it all depends on Your Majesty’s will.”
Liu Hong waved his hand, “Forget it, if the Middle General can capture Zhang Jiao and present his head publicly, then both will receive equal rewards. But what about another person…”
Liu Hong’s question completely threw Zhang Rang for a loop.
Let alone Qiao Yan, even Qiao Gong’s son Qiao Xuan seemed to have vanished from his memory long ago.
Five years ago, Qiao Xuan was retired from his post as Grand Commandant due to illness, assigned to a lesser title.
Though still called a minister, he was effectively sidelined, merely acting as a source of salary for the old Grand Commandant’s upkeep.
Zhang Rang searched his mind but couldn’t recall the name Qiao Yan, replying, “I recall Qiao Gong’s son served as Prefect of Rencheng, and Qiao Gong’s grandson must be in Yanzhou; beyond that, I truly don’t know.”
Zhang Rang quickly opened it, and the more he read, the more he felt this was all a dream.
How could he read that a ten-year-old child defeated the Yellow Turbans in two provinces? Yet, he recognized the handwriting, it was Cao Cao’s.
Cao Cao penned it, Huangfu Song authorized it, and he mentioned Bo Cai’s head as proof, so it likely wasn’t a sham report.
After finally snapping back to reality, he noticed Liu Hong was glaring at him, seemingly expecting an answer.
Zhang Rang stammered, “Since he’s a child prodigy, he should definitely be promoted to an official position to relieve Your Majesty’s burdens.”
“Fool!” Before he could finish, Liu Hong cut him off with that remark, yet Zhang Rang clearly saw that Liu Hong was quite pleased with his response.
Though Liu Hong said this, he was silently harboring the desire to nurture the young genius.
True, Qiao Yan was from a noble family, but now he was without parents, and Qiao Xuan was bedridden with illness—this was a prime opportunity to extend favor and cultivate him into a formidable aide.
The more critical the moment, the more he needed such talent at his disposal.
If not for Huangfu Song mentioning Qiao Yan was heading to Ji Province alongside him to witness the Yellow Turbans’ demise, he would have dearly liked to call the kid to the capital for a face-to-face.
Zhang Rang’s faltering thoughts brought back some semblance of confidence in himself, as Liu Hong paced within Yutang Hall for a moment and said, “While he shouldn’t be granted an official title, it doesn’t mean he can’t be conferred a noble title.”
His tone was firm, making it clear to Zhang Rang that this was a well-considered conclusion.
Given Liu Hong’s historical style, he wouldn’t allow anyone to contest this idea.
Zhang Rang eagerly plastered on a flattering expression, “What Your Majesty says holds true. Besides, this child fighting the Yellow Turbans is for his parents and the nation, showcasing loyalty and filial piety. He should certainly have a noble title to reflect Your Majesty’s grace.”
“It’s just unclear—where does Your Majesty wish to grant him lands?”
Liu Hong’s gaze fell upon the candlelight in the hall, and for a brief moment, it seemed to flicker, “No rush, I’d like to meet Qiao Gong tomorrow.”
Zhang Rang nearly blurted out that the letter clearly said not to inform Qiao Gong about the death of his son, but looking at Liu Hong’s demeanor, it clearly appeared he hadn’t forgotten this matter.
As the current embodiment of a “well-meaning fool,” Zhang Rang chose to pretend he didn’t see anything.
Liu Hong’s intention of meeting Qiao Gong should clearly be to summon him to court, but since the weather had shifted since the beginning of spring, this old minister had fallen sick enough not to get out of bed.
He mused that he couldn’t possibly allow someone to die en route, after all, he himself led the guards out of the palace simply and unadorned.
Liu Hong was known for being stingy, particularly with how he hoarded wealth by taking from the eunuchs while eliminating problematic figures, extracting all the funds he could from the nobility, so it was unrealistically hopeful to expect any gifts for visiting the ailing old minister.
However, upon seeing the bare walls and lack of decorations in Qiao Xuan’s residence, he couldn’t help but feel a bit more respect for this old gentleman.
He hadn’t informed anyone of his visit, so Qiao Xuan’s house could reflect its true state, demonstrating he was a gentleman uninterested in wealth.
And thinking back—when Emperor Huan ruled, the Xianbei, Southern Xiongnu, and Goguryeo invaded, raiding the borders. If it hadn’t been for the promotion of Qiao Xuan as General to pacify the frontier during those times, and Qiao Gong’s operations afterward, it was uncertain whether the borders would be as peaceful by the time the throne passed to him.
This was a pure Han minister and a pillar of the nation…
No wonder he had such a grandson.
But alas, at the end of one’s life, death is no longer in one’s hands; the once brave General Qiao and Grand Commandant was now just a frail old man confused on the brink of death.
As Liu Hong stood by his bedside, the bony old man struggled mightily to gather his fleeting energies, turning as if to rise and bow, but Liu Hong hurriedly stopped him.
This commotion made Qiao Xuan cough for a long time, and once he calmed down, he finally spoke, “What virtue or ability do I possess for Your Majesty to visit?”
“I’ve heard Qiao Gong is gravely ill; I couldn’t help but come see you.”
That was Liu Hong’s answer.
He actually didn’t utter any words he shouldn’t have, which made it appear as if this visit was merely out of concern for an ill veteran.
Qiao Xuan wasn’t aware that Liu Hong had ulterior motives but thought that given the years he had criticized the Emperor’s corrupt practices, resigning might not be the wisest choice.
Yet those words he had prepared to counsel Liu Hong faltered on his lips, turning into a fierce fit of coughs instead.
This feeling of impending death was not a first for him.
He used to be strong-willed, fearlessly voicing his opinions, yet now vitality was escaping him, and he couldn’t help but worry if he were to pass, the future would leave his mediocre son to face Liu Hong’s judgment—and that was an unknown possibility.
Reflecting on this, he swallowed back the words he had intended to say.
Just then, Liu Hong said, “Life and death are divine will; the world is unpredictable. When the previous Grand Commandant sought to resign due to illness, whether it was genuine or not is no matter for today. As I remember, Qiao Gong has served the nation, and if you were to depart, I’d surely feel regret. Is there anything you wish to entrust to me?”
As Liu Hong spoke, his gaze was lowered.
Perhaps apart from Qiao Xuan, who stood in front of him, no one else could perceive the emotion veiling Liu Hong at that moment.
And as Qiao Xuan looked up, he could only see a backlit figure, rendering Liu Hong’s face somewhat indistinct.
But whether it was his imagination, he sensed a hint of a weary life force in this still-young Emperor.
Regardless, he managed to respond in a hoarse voice, “I know Your Majesty is capable of managing the court affairs and judging the affairs of the realm without my interference, yet, there’s one matter I wish to request your approval, if it’s not too much to ask.”
After taking a moment, Qiao Xuan said, “Upon my death, I should be carried back to my hometown in Liangguo, but wouldn’t it be better to be buried where the Han is safe and sound?”
When he finished speaking, it seemed to drain all his energy, but his not-so-loud voice echoed like thunder in the shabby room, “I served as General to Pacify the Frontier for three years, and during that time, the Xiongnu and Xianbei dared not invade our Han territory. Should I pass, please bury me at the borders; I shall bless the Han with my spirit. I ask for your approval, Your Majesty.”
This was truly a shocking answer.
So after returning from Qiao Xuan’s residence to the palace, Zhang Rang observed Liu Hong sitting in solitude for a long while.
When he was summoned back into Yutang Hall again, he found the expression on Liu Hong’s face that had showed a flicker of emotion completely vanished, replaced by his usual demeanor.
Zhang Rang noted that a map lay on the table before Liu Hong, and in his hands, he tossed a seal up and down.
“I know the words of Qiao Gong’s dying wish were not limited to just those.” Hearing Zhang Rang’s footsteps, knowing there was now an audience, Liu Hong let out a self-mocking smile and said.
Those four words—dying wish—weren’t completely off base.
Once Qiao Xuan made that request, it was as if he had burned up whatever remaining strength he had; even with the physician’s assistance, he might only last another month—perhaps long enough for his grandson to help Huangfu Song deal with the rebels before returning to the capital.
“But no matter; during his tenure, Qiao Gong had no qualms promoting his enemies; desiring to leave behind a legacy for his descendants is nothing to blame.”
Zhang Rang knew he didn’t need to say a word right now, for Liu Hong had already weighed matters and reached his conclusion.
“Besides, Qiao Gong didn’t choose to give advice from his sickbed, leaving me no choice but accept it, thus preventing me from a tarnished record in history. Why not reward him for that?”
“Buried at the borders, that’s decided…”
Liu Hong’s gaze swept over the vast map of the territories, finally settling on a particular spot.
In the next moment, he tossed the seal he held.
The seal hardly rolled twice on the ground before it settled in place.
Zhang Rang hurriedly leaned in, “Your Majesty, please see where this is.”
As he said this, Zhang Rang saw the seal had settled on Bingzhou, and upon lifting it, he reported, “Your Majesty, this is Leping.”
Zhang Rang nearly gasped.
This title of Marquis of Leping was clearly not meant for Qiao Xuan.
This was evidently being designated for that ten-year-old child!
Marquis!
