Chapter 246

Chapter 246

Can a strategist not ascend the throne? Volume 7: Eight Hundred Qin Rivers, Occupying Guanzhong Chapter 246: You Are Useless

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Can a strategist not ascend the throne?

Chapter 246: You Are Useless

However, if Qiao Yan were to say, these titles like Annan and Pingbei, although they do represent attitudes towards various sides, she hasn’t planned to go to war with Yuan Shao so quickly.

Rather than being a declaration of war against Yuan Shao, it’s more like a big pie drawn for the court in Chang’an and her subordinates.

Under the circumstances of her just completing the battle to conquer Hanzhong, if she says she wants to conquer the east, the credibility and feasibility are much higher than before. To achieve the goal of unifying the world, the ministers in the court will inevitably satisfy her demands for building Chang’an.

This is what is more practically meaningful to Qiao Yan.

She will pay attention to and even interfere with the war between Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu, but she will never personally participate in the war.

In addition, some job arrangements probably won’t reach Yuan Shao’s ears, because for the people of Chang’an, it doesn’t seem to be something that needs too much attention, and some people shouldn’t be called Qiao Yan’s subordinates at present.

For example, in fact, there are not only three people under her command who have been transferred to the position of prefect, but five.

In addition to Zhang Liao, who is on the front line confronting Gongsun Zan, Xu Shu, who oversees Hanzhong, and Zhao Yun, who is training troops in Guanzhong, there are two more prefect positions settled in this promotion.

Dunhuang Prefect Xu Rong.

Zhangye Prefect Ma Teng.

The Four Commanderies of Hexi will inevitably develop further with the stability of the rear.

Whether from the arrangement of manpower or from the consideration of the region, these two prefect positions can be secured.

Xu Rong is from Liaodong, and Ma Teng, according to his ancestral home, should be considered from Guanzhong. Now, letting them manage the Four Commanderies of Hexi and continue to use soldiers to travel on the Silk Road to see if they can grab some material benefits from the warring Kushan Empire is a timely arrangement.

And to prevent Ma Teng and his subordinates from forming an independent entrenched force north of Wuqiao Ridge in Hexi, Qiao Yan has left at least four constraints on him.

The position of Jiuquan Prefect Huang Yan has not changed, and the Huang clan of Jiuquan he represents is the local powerful force.

This family can be considered a “tumor” in the Four Commanderies of Hexi, but with its existence, Ma Teng has no possibility of growing strong enough to become a separatist force.

This is the first.

Second, compared to Ma Teng, Xu Rong, who defected from Dong Zhuo, came to Qiao Yan’s command earlier and is more likely to become her confidant than Ma Teng.

Qiao Yan also transferred Jiang Jiao, who was re-employed, to Xu Rong’s command as his personnel, using the eager-to-rise-again Jiang clan of Hanyang as support for Xu Rong. With Yan Xing as Xu Rong’s deputy, this is enough to form a force in Dunhuang that is not inferior to the local powerful forces.

Third, Lu Yuan transferred from the original Bingzhou Gongcao Personnel to Liangzhou Biejia.

Because the name Biejia comes from when the governor or governor has no time to take care of the state, the Biejia acts on behalf of the superior to inspect the various commanderies, and can set up a separate carriage to show his authority. Therefore, when Qiao Yan holds the title of Liangzhou Governor, Lu Yuan is exercising the power of Liangzhou Governor on her behalf.

The stability of the Qiang people, farmland, and powerful clans in Liangzhou requires someone to oversee while building Guanzhong and Hanzhong, and this task is just right for Lu Yuan.

After some consideration, Qiao Yan also transferred Zhao Ang of the Zhao clan of Hanyang to Lu Yuan as a subordinate.

However, compared to Zhao Ang, Qiao Yan is actually more concerned about Zhao Ang’s wife, Wang Yi.

But last year when she questioned the four surnames of Hanyang, Wang Yi was already pregnant and gave birth to a daughter named Zhao Yue at the beginning of this year. She is still in recovery and not suitable for promotion yet. Let’s wait a few more months.

Fourth, Ma Teng’s two sons, Ma Xiu and Ma Tie, are studying in Bingzhou, and his eldest son, Ma Chao, has been transferred by Qiao Yan to Hanzhong to serve as the Annan Colonel under Chu Yan, the Annan Middle General.

Regardless of whether people in Liangzhou value father-son relationships or not, with Qiao Yan not leaving him any, he has no choice but to be cautious.

But from Ma Teng’s perspective, as a former rebel who once occupied Xiliang with Han Sui, not only was he not executed like Han Sui, but he still retains the position of prefect and even as a member responsible for the Silk Road, he has been given an iron rice bowl.

The role of the Silk Road is already evident in just the two things of bringing back Ferghana horses and cotton seeds, and there will inevitably be more opportunities to accumulate merit in the future.

Ma Teng originally wanted to find a position in the court to retire leisurely, but now he feels that being the prefect of Zhangye is more comfortable.

As long as he has no rebellious intentions towards Qiao Yan, this position is more conducive to his stable life in the future.

In addition to the Four Commanderies of Hexi, the two decrees to foreign tribes were also not known to Yuan Shao at first.

In the battle of Yuyang in Youzhou, the Xianbei branch Ke Biner was killed by Zhang Liao, and Qianman successfully escaped but no longer dared to have the idea of being an enemy of Qiao Yan and others. Therefore, Qiao Yan suggested to Liu Yu to grant the title of Xianbei Chanyu and Yinshan Marquis to Budugen, who is already semi-domesticated.

This Xianbei Chanyu is somewhat different from the Chanyu elected by the Xianbei people themselves, as it is a decree issued from the identity of the Han Dynasty as the central hegemon.

At the same time, the Southern Xiongnu Chanyu Qiang Qu abdicated, and his son Yufuluo succeeded him, also receiving the titles of Chanyu and Marquis.

For Qiao Yan, these are two foreign leaders who can be further utilized when necessary, but they also need to be carefully watched for their ambitions.

In addition, Qiao Yan’s Grand Marshal’s office has been supplemented with subordinate positions.

Guo Jia is the Chief Clerk of the Grand Marshal’s office, Xun You is the Military Advisor, and Yang Xiu has been transferred from Bingzhou Chief Clerk to the Grand Marshal’s office Chief Clerk, and has also been released by Qiao Yan from Baidao River.

Cai Zhaoji is now responsible for gradually expanding the scope of the Leping Monthly Report and serves as the Ling Shi in the Grand Marshal’s office.

Like Tai Shici, who has newly joined Qiao Yan’s command and has not yet made any achievements, it is natural to continue to form the Divine Bow Camp as a subordinate.

Overall, this is a batch promotion that is particularly beneficial to Qiao Yan.

Don’t say that some people follow her just to fill their stomachs. Whether civil or military, if they can achieve great deeds under the lord’s command and receive titles worthy of their merits, it is undoubtedly a positive feedback for their loyalty.

The only one who has a slight opinion about this appointment is probably Dian Wei.

But maybe this can’t be called an opinion.

Dian Wei asked, “Lord, why am I the Door Tooth General?”

“It’s the Yamen General,” Qiao Yan corrected him seriously.

Because Dian Wei has followed Qiao Yan the longest, she applied for this miscellaneous general position for him.

What is Yamen?

It is the military gate represented by the tooth flag set up in front of the commander’s tent when the army is stationed.

Although the Yamen General is a miscellaneous general, it represents a close relationship with the commander, often guarding the commander.

For example, after the Battle of Changbanpo, Zhao Yun held this position.

From serving her to the present, according to the Bingzhou official system, Dian Wei’s position should be called the Tent Supervisor, but according to the military camp system, it should be called the Yamen General, so it’s not wrong to call him the Yamen General now.

But it’s understandable that Dian Wei feels there’s something wrong with this position.

After the enthronement ceremony in Chang’an this year, because Dian Wei was responsible for bringing several children from Leping to observe the ceremony, Qiao Yan once met his son Dian Man.

As a result, Dian Man ran away when he saw Qiao Yan and was caught back.

When asked why he ran, he opened his mouth and revealed his missing front teeth.

He said it was because his teeth were missing, and if he spoke in front of the lord, it would be a bit disrespectful.








In today’s world, there is no such term as “front teeth,” but rather, they are called “teeth.” It was Qiao Yan who informed Dian Man about the term “front teeth.”

When dealing with these children, she playfully asked them which of her generals they felt the safest with, promising to bestow upon that general the title of “Front Teeth General,” hoping it would help the children’s front teeth grow faster.

Dian Wei, who was listening nearby for amusement, suddenly found everyone pointing at him.

Dian Wei: “…”

He had no interest in being a “Front Teeth General.” Even a “Door God General” sounded more impressive than a “Front Teeth General.”

So, when he first received the appointment from Qiao Yan, Dian Wei mistakenly read “Yamen General” as “Front Teeth General.”

It turns out that even in vertical text, the order of characters might not significantly affect reading comprehension.

After Qiao Yan’s explanation, Dian Wei finally understood the mix-up he had made.

According to Qiao Yan, a Yamen General, often accompanying the commander-in-chief, also needs to offer military advice.

Although Qiao Yan didn’t hold much hope for the latter, it didn’t change the expectation that a Yamen General should be both militarily and civilly adept, or else they wouldn’t be capable of guarding the Yamen.

Dian Wei had no objections now.

This appointment was a sign of trust among military officers.

Recalling how he was first captured by Qiao Yan and forced into service, Dian Wei couldn’t help but scratch his head.

Qiao Yan, amused by his reaction, shook her head and asked, “If it really were a Front Teeth General, would you refuse it? Many would covet such a general’s title.”

Even a miscellaneous general is still a general.

Even if, like Dian Wei, who served as Qiao Yan’s personal guard without the actual authority to lead an army, the title of general was more of an honorary award, it was undoubtedly a special honor.

With this appointment, not only did others under Qiao Yan’s command envy Dian Wei for having aligned himself with the right person early on—

The most envious were probably the Qiao clan of Yanzhou.

That once sickly child had not only been ennobled for her military achievements but had also risen to the high position of Grand Marshal amidst the decline of the Han dynasty. Today, she had even orchestrated a “rise to power bringing along her followers,” making the Qiao clan members in Chang’an green with envy.

But these promotions had nothing to do with them.

Even though they had known “Qiao Yan” longer and shared blood ties, it didn’t prevent them from being excluded now.

After Qiao Yan’s triumphant return from Hanzhong to Chang’an, before she could explain the details and follow-up arrangements of the Hanzhong campaign to the court, and before Liu Yu, on Xianyu Fu’s advice, could consult her on changes in official positions, Guo Jia had already reported his arrangements for the Qiao clan members to Qiao Yan.

Although emotionally she wanted to ignore these people and had long since decided with Cheng Yu to follow a strategy of ruling alone, since they were now before her, she had to meet them.

At least to make her stance clear to them.

So, after completing all the official appointments, Qiao Yan finally seemed to remember and had her “relatives” brought in.

What Qiao Yan found laughable was that these Qiao clan members, upon being brought into the Grand Marshal’s residence, immediately launched a triple accusation against Guo Jia, without a hint of remorse.

In their view, they had suffered greatly.

Not only had they failed to meet Qiao Yan, but they also hadn’t enjoyed the treatment of honored guests at the Grand Marshal’s residence, and were even sent by Guo Jia to work as laborers in military farms.

What kind of treatment was this!

Even during the Yellow Turban Rebellion, and even after Qiao Zhao’s death, when the Qiao clan lost the close protection of the Dong Commandery Prefect, they had never endured the torment of personally working in the fields.

This wasn’t just the case for the Qiao clan of Yanzhou; for most powerful noble families at the time, tasks like farming were absolutely not something they would do themselves.

Looking at these people before her, though their faces showed the wear of recent hardships, Qiao Yan felt no sympathy.

She spoke in a calm tone, “Guo Jia was indeed wrong, and I have already punished him.”

The group looked over at Guo Jia, seeing his listless state, and their spirits lifted.

They knew it! Blood is thicker than water!

Although Qiao Yan had reached a peak of power unattainable by ordinary people, the presence of relatives was undoubtedly a support behind her; she couldn’t possibly abandon them.

So, it wasn’t too late for them to come and seek refuge now.

However, they then heard Qiao Yan say, “I punished him by forbidding him to drink alcohol for three months as a disciplinary measure.”

Their triumphant expressions froze on their faces.

No alcohol? What kind of punishment was that?

To them, it sounded almost like a joke.

But Qiao Yan didn’t seem to be joking at all, speaking seriously, “After all, I had already informed them before the Hanzhong campaign that outsiders were strictly prohibited from entering military zones to prevent leaks. He still hesitated, fearing I might favor personal over public interests. He deserved punishment, but not for how he dealt with you.”

“How can we be considered outsiders?” one of them quickly retorted.

They were her relatives!

But in Qiao Yan’s eyes, the distinction between close and distant was clear.

They were distant, while subordinates like Guo Jia were close.

She continued, “The late emperor entrusted me with the duty of quelling rebels and protecting the throne, and the current emperor has bestowed upon me the heavy responsibility of Grand Marshal. I dare not slacken for a day. The Qiao clan of Yanzhou, though relatives, have been under the jurisdiction of the Ye court since the late emperor’s death three years ago. Being outside the court, how can they be considered close?”

This was indeed a heavy statement.

According to her, those within the court were close, while those outside were enemies.

With this division, she truly did not consider the Qiao clan of Yanzhou as her own.

As these people were stunned by her choice, they heard her say, “Moreover, the premise of not avoiding relatives in internal recommendations is that the relatives are virtuous and talented—”

“But what use are you?”

Whether it was her disappointment in their speed of alignment or her low opinion of their capabilities, they saw her scrutinizing them with a gaze as sharp as a knife. When the emotions in her eyes stilled, she waved her hand and sighed, “Leave, Chang’an has no need for useless people.”

“Lord, we are not useless…”

Qiao Yan interrupted them, “Your kind of ability would be passable in Liang, but do you believe that anyone picked at random in Chang’an would be far more useful than you?”

She turned her head and gave Guo Jia a few instructions, and in the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, he brought someone before Qiao Yan.

Tian Feng, brought by Guo Jia, had no idea what was happening.

But seeing the confrontational scene, Tian Feng had a bad feeling.

At least, not a good one for him.

Sure enough, the next moment he saw Qiao Yan pointing at him, saying, “The person before you was discovered from a position making farming tools, rose through the ranks to become an important assistant in the Hongwen Hall, studied under Chen Yuanfang, and I believe he will soon become a member of the Chang’an court.”

“Such talents, plucked from obscurity, are countless in Chang’an. They know where their future lies and strive hard for it.”

“And what are you doing?”

They were waiting for an opportunity to rise rapidly due to their familial ties!

Qiao Yan sneered, “I say you are useless people in Chang’an, and where have I wronged you!”