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“Can strategists not ascend the throne?”
Chapter 236: Holding high ministerial positions…
Commanding the Grand General and the Cavalry General to hunt in Hanzhong!
On the surface, it looks like Qiao Yan and Liu Yan are teaming up for a joint execution against Zhang Lu.
But the prey in this Hanzhong hunt, could it be Zhang Lu whom Qiao Yan dubbed irredeemable, or that Liu Yan who’s got his eyes on the throne? Most people present aren’t fools; they can pick up on the underlying implications.
Of course, it’s Liu Yan!
Yet while they’re pretending to be all buddy-buddy with the Grand General and Cavalry General looking to hunt together, at least on paper, they haven’t totally burned bridges with Liu Yan.
“Hunt together…” Huangfu Song repeated the word aloud, then suddenly burst into laughter, “Wonderful! A delightful hunt!”
The last time the term “hunt” came out of Qiao Yan’s mouth, she was claiming she was going to hunt with Han Sui at Jincheng.
But back then, she certainly didn’t give Han Sui a chance to “hunt.”
After she made a detour through Longxi County to deal with Ma Teng, all she left for Han Sui was a dead-end surrounded from all sides.
Today, her tone rang clear and proud, signaling a similar attitude.
Though it’s a “hunt,” it’s not hard to see who’s calling the shots here.
This isn’t about teaming up with Liu Yan to take down Zhang Lu in Hanzhong.
It’s about racing in with the army from Guanzhong before Liu Yan receives news of encirclement hunting from Chang’an, creating the illusion that they’re marching south with a vengeance!
To squash Liu Yan’s ambition for the throne!
However—
Even Minister over the Masses Wang Yun felt that launching a scolding and attack on Liu Yan wasn’t very suitable given the current situation.
Even the Emperor Liu Yu hesitated about holding Liu Yan accountable.
So, how would Liu Yan feel about this?
He sure didn’t expect to receive such a direct blow!
At this moment, Liu Yan was indeed feeling this way.
On one hand, he had people checking whether the fire at the Yizhou government storehouse was an accident or arson, while on the other hand, he was worried that the evidence taken by the Chang’an envoy had gone up in smoke among the ruins.
But as he mulled it over, he realized he didn’t really need to panic.
Even if all his old tricks had been laid bare before Liu Yu and Qiao Yan, facing a more pressing rival, could they really disregard the threats from Ye City and Youzhou, ignore the vigilance of Liu Biao and Yuan Shu, and brazenly invade Yizhou?
They likely couldn’t!
Right now, they could at most clarify their own intentions, but the appearance of friendly neighbors wouldn’t crumble just because of this surprising confession.
At the very least, it had to wait until they separated the high ground from Ye City before they’d have time to tussle with Yizhou.
But considering that Gongsun Zan and Yuan Shao were no pushovers, Liu Yan felt that this process would take at least five more years.
By that time, with his divide-and-conquer tactics in Yizhou and support for the Eastern Zhou scholars, he’d have a firm grip on all of Yizhou. Who knows, he might even have some resources left to further bring the southern tribes under his rule.
At most, in this current situation of enemy strength and their weakness, he still couldn’t openly provoke the Chang’an court.
After all, the Grand General position still stemmed from Qiao Yan ceding it, and she was young enough to raise some eyebrows about her potentially impulsive decision-making.
Given how ruthlessly she defeated Han Sui and Dong Zhuo, Liu Yan figured it best not to follow in their footsteps, leaving a little leeway between them.
That was enough.
When he shared this thought with his subordinates, Zhao Wei’s face subtly showed some delight.
Looks like his arrangements were already paying off.
He really wanted to suggest to Liu Yan that maybe sending the eldest son to Chang’an as an official could be a good way to sweep this awkwardness under the rug.
If such a move were made, it might confuse the people in Chang’an into thinking Liu Yan only harbored such thoughts before Liu Yu claimed the throne, and that now he’d abandoned that scheming.
But once that bait was thrown out, deciding whether to be the lord or the subject would then depend on how things played out!
The ball was still in Yizhou’s court!
Liu Yan indeed had four sons nearby; losing the eldest to the capital wasn’t that devastating.
Unless considering the arrow wounds he sustained early on, Liu Yan was still in the prime of his political life, not needing to sweat over any unexpected mishaps with his eldest son away.
Only, Zhao Wei worried his enthusiasm might be too obvious and give the power-sensitive Liu Yan the wrong idea, leading him to connect it back to the fire in the government storehouse, so he had to stay quiet for now.
But to Zhao Wei’s surprise, Liu Yan suddenly said, “Do you think that if I sent my youngest son to Chang’an for education, it could serve as a bargaining chip to ease relations?”
Zhao Wei: “……”
Wait! This wasn’t what he had prepared for!
According to normal reasoning, things were supposed to be progressing forward here.
If Liu Yan had already come to an agreement with Chang’an, sending Liu Zhang there in exchange for that Grand General position, he shouldn’t be saying this right now!
In this flash of insight, Zhao Wei made a rather bewildering judgment—
The news he’d received about Liu Yan sending Liu Zhang to Chang’an might very well be fake, a trap set by the envoys visiting Chang’an!
But if that were the case, then what had he been doing all this time?
To sway Liu Yan’s decision to send Liu Zhang to Yuzhou as a hostage, he had laid out Liu Yan’s schemes and the internal factions in Yizhou, even addressing the potential issues surrounding Liu Yan’s choice of heir, all for the Chang’an envoy!
Yet it seemed Liu Yan never even contemplated such a decision!
Zhao Wei had been merely speculating based on the little snippets he’d picked up from the envoy.
Given the envoy was carrying the decree for Liu Yan’s appointment as Grand General, and since they likely didn’t know the full story behind Liu Yan taking over Yizhou, Zhao Wei didn’t doubt they would concoct such false information.
In fact, if he hadn’t jumped headfirst into the pit, that false news would have been uncovered shortly after they left Yizhou.
But now…
It wasn’t the envoy’s theatrics making Yizhou the laughingstock; it was him, Zhao Wei, making a move that was exceptionally unhelpful to Yizhou, thinking he was securing them a solid benefit!
This terrifying possibility crossed Zhao Wei’s mind, altering his expression.
And at this moment, he could not voice his concerns to Liu Yan…
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“Saying this will only keep my expression in check.”
Even though he eliminated the evidence of Liu Yan’s treasonous intentions, it was still a reckless act done without Liu Yan’s knowledge.
Who knows if his actions might give Liu Yan another chance to execute a third purge of the Yizhou soldiers!
Zhao Wei, feeling alert, immediately made a decision.
He would never let anyone know that he was behind this!
Even if he realized he had fallen into the trap set by the emissaries from Chang’an, he could only pretend he had never acted so foolishly.
But what he probably didn’t expect was that his earnest assistance would not only expose Liu Yan’s ambition in front of the court in Chang’an but also give Qiao Yan the opportunity to propose the plan to hunt in Hanzhong.
Because of Liu Yan’s betrayal as the “Grand General,” once the strategy to advance into Hanzhong was set, the court in Chang’an started considering another issue that was extremely beneficial for Qiao Yan.
As for the hunting assembly, it certainly implied a higher-ranking person summoning and mobilizing those of lower rank.
Given the current situation, they absolutely could not allow Liu Yan to control Qiao Yan.
If that were the case, it would contradict their desire to “hunt in Hanzhong.”
Unfortunately, under the current bureaucratic system, the Grand General ranks above the Three Dukes.
If they wished to maintain the status quo with Liu Yan without a fallout, it might require Liu Yu himself to lead the charge to achieve that goal.
But Liu Yu’s capability in battle had already been thoroughly proven in his conflicts with Gongsun Zan.
He could lead the army but couldn’t win.
Thus, personally leading troops into battle was clearly unfeasible.
Considering the recently stabilized livelihood of Chang’an citizens, it was not suitable for Liu Yu to go, and they should continue to maintain the Son of Heaven sitting at the center.
Was there any way to change this situation?
Actually, there was!
They could elevate Qiao Yan’s position above Liu Yan’s.
But there was only one position above the Grand General and below the Emperor.
The Grand Marshal.
This position had originally belonged to Liu Yan, but was removed after Liu Yu ascended, and now if it circled back to Qiao Yan, who should be the Grand General…
Due to Liu Yan’s coveting of the imperial position, no one seemed to find this problematic.
Moreover, they had already considered Qiao Yan fit for the Grand General position, which in itself placed her above the rest.
Just having her take a step forward to the Grand Marshal role, to keep Liu Yan, who was a rather dangerous member of the Han family, in check, seemed like an unavoidable necessity!
Huang Wan had no intention of defending her cousin; instead, she aimed to form a separation with him. Considering this, she suggested this idea at this crucial moment.
By the Emperor’s decree, while announcing the intention to hunt in Hanzhong, let Qiao Yan be raised to the Grand Marshal!
Transforming her previous title of “Grand Marshal” from being just a nominal promotion into the genuine authoritative position of Grand Marshal!
“This matter…”
Before Qiao Yan could finish speaking, Lu Zhi interrupted, “Are you really hoping to see Liu Yan, this Grand General, taking advantage of our advance into Hanzhong, even in defeat, to hold you accountable?”
“Or do you want to see the Ye City court questioning our clarity between friend and foe, making us a laughingstock?”
“Or perhaps you hope for Liu Yan to become like you fear, resting and recovering in the bountiful lands of Yizhou, becoming a thorn in our side?”
After Lu Zhi’s three rhetorical questions, he turned to Liu Yu, saying, “I urge His Majesty to consider this proposal. The title of Grand Marshal is not an overreach; it is about placing capable individuals where they belong, making warriors respectful, scholars disciplined, sly officials transparent, and ensuring the people’s livelihood.”
Faced with the hidden dangers of suppressing Yizhou, promoting Qiao Yan was undoubtedly the best solution they could propose, transforming the hunt into a Grand Marshal inviting the Grand General to hunt Zhang Lu’s rebels, defeating the enemy leader and discussing the victory.
Lu Zhi understood this logic.
How could Liu Yu not understand it?
He had felt quite inadequate toward Qiao Yan when she resigned from the Grand General position for Liu Yan, which led him to grant her that false command insignia, the title of Grand Marshal, and authorized her to assume authority in a new government.
Now to formally give her the Grand Marshal title would completely erase Liu Yu’s sense of guilt.
It was rightfully so!
Moreover, if figures like Wang Mang and Huo Guang were to appear as threats to imperial power while serving as Grand Marshal, what about Qiao Yan?
No one present dared say that she wasn’t a loyal minister of the Han!
If we consider her contributions to the Han since the Yellow Turban Rebellion over these eight years, they surpass many others who worked for decades; why shouldn’t her status match her deeds?
In the absence of the possibility that she would usurp the Han, the title of Grand Marshal was indeed the most fitting position!
Thus, the citizens of Chang’an heard a special drum announcement two days afterward.
Due to Marquis of Leping Qiao Yan’s loyalty and dedication to the Han dynasty, coupled with her sincere efforts in restoring its glory, the position of Grand Marshal was reinstated above the Three Dukes and the Grand General, overseeing military and political authority.
The citizens didn’t quite understand what it meant to go from Grand Marshal of the Cavalry to Grand Marshal; some even felt that losing four words seemed like a downgrade.
However, hearing that this was an elevation for the prefect of Bingzhou, they couldn’t help but applaud at the shift in their lives over these past six months.
But this simplification of the decree meant so much more to Qiao Yan.
Inside the Purple Hall, she was already donning official robes, listening attentively to the sacred edict being read aloud.
“In accordance with heavenly will, I receive this command.”
“In the first year of Jian’an, in the second month… a decree for Bingzhou’s Cavalry Grand Marshal Marquis of Leping Qiao Yan.”
“You have held the governor’s title since the mid-Zhongping period, leading the army, negotiating peace; although there were barbarian incursions and many fierce individuals, there were also those who offered armor to defend the borders, tirelessly pursuing and defeating the tribal chieftains.”
“At the end of Zhongping, when Dong Zhuo caused chaos, you exemplified the integrity of the Han and led troops against him, raising the white feathers—your banners drove away the invading bandits, forcing the leader into the West.”
“Furthermore, you commanded chariots to the West Liang, with invincible spirit, restoring order to the Qiang.”
“During the Guangxi period, your pure loyalty and courageous virtue remained unchanged; you were a mighty force in Guanzhong, keenly discerning every detail, overseeing the guards of Juyong, and your reputation reached all corners.”
“I hold a heart that rewards merit and德, recalling your faithful service, declaring great benevolence, preserving integrity and maintaining auspices, to ensure the safety of the state; thus, I am bestowing upon you the title of Grand Marshal, in honor!”
As the last word echoed, Qiao Yan raised her hand and carefully accepted the sacred edict from the hand of the Grand Commandant Chen Ji.
On the day Liu Yu ascended, she had also received the side sword from him, just like the early Han Emperor receiving the sword of the founding emperor, signifying her role in forging a path for the dynasty and subduing the realms.
And now, at this ceremony of being granted the title of Grand Marshal, she received the staff of authority from Liu Yu, symbolizing her prestige.
This decree of Grand Marshal—
From this day forth, she became the foremost individual beneath the Son of Heaven, both in rank and authority!
