Chapter 282

Chapter 282: Choosing Troops

HaiLing?

The court officials present pondered for a moment and realized that this really could be a suitable spot for troop deployment.

The unexpected upheaval in Xuzhou was hard to keep up with, but the outcome was pretty straightforward.

If the former Prefect of Guangling, Zhang Yi, could muster enough support, he could at least carve out a slice of territory in Xuzhou.

Yuan Shao was distressed by losing control of Xuzhou when it fell to the Ye City court, which is why he so decisively approved Liu Bei’s promotion to Prefect of Xuzhou. But what about here in Chang’an?

Chang’an never had control over Xuzhou to begin with, and then suddenly out pops a Zhang Yi, which was actually a pleasant surprise for them.

They needed to send a signal of support to Zhang Yi.

This person didn’t need to be at the front lines, but they had to hold a firm position.

Furthermore, the situation in Xuzhou had suddenly gained strength from Yang Province, which seemed somewhat precarious.

Sun Ce’s surprise move back in the day from Jing Province into Yang Province, with his subsequent campaigns, showed his fierce ambition.

Yet, in the face of him, the north was antagonistic, the west was a grudge, the south had long since slipped from the court’s grip, and the east was just a vast ocean—talk about an environment ripe for expansion.

If Sun Ce wasn’t kept in check, who knows, he might carve out his own territory across three states, then prop up another Emperor like Qiao Yan and Yuan Shao did.

At that point, the world would be divided into three instead of the current two—making reunification an even more daunting task!

Therefore, managing Sun Ce was imperative.

Someone really needed to be stationed.

Liu Yu noticed the officials weren’t opposing the proposal, so he immediately proclaimed—

Zhang Yi will be appointed as Prefect of Xuzhou, with the Chang’an court establishing a military base in HaiLing to oversee the operations.

The envoy had no idea that what they wanted would come so easily; it felt like this court meeting was just a formality.

Before coming, he even had Zhou Yu pointing him to recite plenty of lines to deliver here, fearing that he’d mess something up due to rushing here.

Now… was this really not a dream?

Even though the subsequent troop arrangements would involve some internal discussions, it didn’t affect his ecstatic expression while he held that imperial edict as he left.

He was a subordinate of Zhang Yi, not Zhou Yu, so he wasn’t as sensitive to this military base business.

Yet, back in the Chang’an court, someone began probing into the military suggestion made by Qiao Yan.

The decision to station troops was one thing, but who would go to Xuzhou?

It’s easy to propose, but to actually execute it, a person sent as an envoy from Chang’an could end up isolated, needing to handle communications over a long distance and remain adaptable.

“I think we don’t necessarily need to send someone with exceptional skills,” Xun Yu chimed in as discussions erupted in the court, “given that Yang Province is far east by the sea, willing to pay taxes to the court, and even reach agreements with the Grand Marshal to send a portion of this year’s harvest after autumn—it’s drastically different from Yuan Shao in Ye City.”

“This sudden involvement of Zhou Gongjin in Xuzhou matters might be seen as stretching his authority at Sun Ce’s behest, but it could also be interpreted as a necessary measure to protect Yang Province. It’s risky to drive an overly strong wedge into HaiLing, as it may backfire.”

“Moreover—” Xun Yu noticed Qiao Yan’s approving expression and continued, “the Grand Marshal’s capable people are already positioned in Hanzhong, Taihang Mountains, Baidao, Juyong Pass, and Liang Province. These individuals shouldn’t be casually moved, or they might create future troubles.”

“As for who’s suitable for this post, the Grand Marshal should already have an answer based on his knowledge of his subordinates.”

Indeed, Qiao Yan had an answer.

Xun Yu’s statement was clear; they needed to intimidate Jiangdong while being careful. Otherwise, they risked cutting off support from Yang Province for Zhang Yi, making them prefer to stick to the Yangtze River frontline rather than gamble with the battle line pushed to the Huai River.

Thus, it was impossible to send capable generals like Zhao Yun or Zhang Liao to HaiLing.

Even if Zhang Liao had historical achievements against Jiangdong in Hefei, he had to remain in Youzhou to fight.

She replied, “I would like to recommend someone, the Duwei of Yanmen County, Zhang Yang, also known as Zhang Zhishu.”

Long before Liu Yu established the capital in Chang’an, Qiao Yan had seen her subordinates rise in rank, aside from a couple of obvious promotions, there were also a few minor adjustments.

For instance, Zhang Yang was promoted from being an official to the Duwei of Yanmen County—essentially, he got a raise without any major changes to his responsibilities.

This was a significant move.

Though some questioned why Qiao Yan would choose someone from a northern county of Bingzhou for HaiLing, seeing her conviction in the recommendation, Liu Yu, not having a better candidate, replied, “Approved.”

“The Grand Marshal’s authority seems increasingly astounding,” Wang Yun remarked as he watched Qiao Yan leave, turning to his old friend Yang Zan.

Yang Zan quickly noted that Wang Yun’s description of “astounding” didn’t seem entirely complimentary, hinting at some concern.

He quietly replied, “It’s probably best to tread carefully with such remarks.”

“This isn’t a matter of caution for me,” Wang Yun responded in a voice only the two could hear, “Why do you think the envoy from Xuzhou came straight to the Grand Marshal to seek an audience with His Majesty, instead of directly approaching the emperor? Plus, she had already picked the military station before this court meeting, leaving no room for others to interfere.”

“Today is what it is; the military situation in Xuzhou is indeed urgent and decisions must be expedited to prevent Ye City from snatching the upper hand. However, if this becomes a routine, I fear one day the world will only know of Grand Marshal Qiao Yan and forget the Emperor altogether.”

Yang Zan cautiously advised, “Best to be discreet. You heard Xun Wenru’s comments; he discussed the troop placement options, speaking only of adjustments concerning the Grand Marshal’s subordinates. As of now, the opportunity to recover the realm for the Han only rests with Qiao Yan; are you suggesting substituting herself with someone else in HaiLing?”

Wang Yun shook his head, “You needn’t worry about me making any overt opposition. I’m just speaking my mind. It’s only the start of the first year of Jian’an; do you think I’m looking to stir up internal strife?”

He wasn’t that dimwitted yet.

However, as he turned his gaze back to the Purple Throne Palace, he felt a twinge of melancholy.

“Let’s drop this. How about that fellow, Duwei Zhang, who’s heading to garrison at HaiLing? What do you think the Grand Marshal is thinking?”

Not only Wang Yun found this arrangement puzzling, but even the individual concerned was still trying to figure it all out.

“I’m totally lost!”

As soon as he galloped into Chang’an and saw Qiao Yan, the first thing he blurted out was—

“Milady, I’m like a duck out of water!”

How did they assign him to a major town by the river?

Zhang Yang was much more shocked than pleased by this “important responsibility”.

According to Qiao Yan, he was a man of courage but lacked real talent.

With a boss like her hovering over him, he felt that description was pretty spot on.

But still, being stationed in Xuzhou while keeping an eye on the situation in Yangzhou didn’t seem like a task he should be given.

Did they really not worry about him messing things up?

Zhang Yang looked at Qiao Yan, hoping for some clarification.

Qiao Yan replied, “When did I say you were going alone?”

Zhang Yang’s eyes lit up, “Are you sending Guo Changshi or Xun Camp, or even Xi Biejia to be my strategist?”

“No, forget it,” Qiao Yan cut off his daydream. “Those folks, or rather these individuals, I’ll send over to you later. For now, just head to Hanzhong.”

Zhang Yang grimaced, “Milady, aren’t you worried I’ll mess things up using my skills that won’t even pass the Leping Academy’s assessments?”

Besides, he was from Bingzhou; getting close to Zhang Yi felt like a reminder of when he was kicked out of Bingzhou back in the day.

Even if he acted friendly, it might just provoke a grudge.

“As long as you don’t act rashly, follow the arrangements from Chang’an, and minimize contact with Yangzhou, you won’t mess this up.”

Hearing Qiao Yan’s confident words, Zhang Yang chose not to dwell on it any further.

After all, the Milady had never let him down until now; she even left a legacy of achievements against the Hu in the borderlands, so he didn’t need to strain his meager brain trying to figure out her intentions.

Following Chang’an’s orders? He could manage that.

Reducing social interactions? He could do that too.

No worries there.

He straightened his back, “If that’s the case, you can rest easy, Milady, I’ll head to Xuzhou with my men right now.”

“No, take another route,” Qiao Yan raised her hand to stop him before he dashed off, “First, go to Hanzhong.”

“……?” Zhang Yang felt lost again; it was clear Qiao Yan wasn’t making a slip of the tongue but was actually arranging for him.

But what did it mean to go to Hanzhong instead of Xuzhou?

With that confusion, he crossed the Qinling Mountains under the guide’s lead and arrived in Hanzhong.

Here, Governor Xu Shu took him to a shipyard.

Back in March, shipbuilding personnel exchanged from Yangzhou had already been set up in Hanzhong.

To keep the feel for shipbuilding, after the yard was established, Xu Shu had them manufacture large vessels that could navigate the Han River.

In his eyes, starting shipbuilding in this spot, which can connect to Jing Province aside from keeping an eye on Bashu, was quite subtle.

If Liu Biao did something improper, they could seize Jing Province through an unexpected route.

After all, the Han River leads straight to Xiangyang, where Liu Biao’s government is located.

But with the recent upheaval in Xuzhou, Qiao Yan had made some plan changes.

After the decision on the garrison at Hailiang was made, she had Zhang Yang’s report mention moving some personnel from the shipyard, along with taking the most impressive Han River warships constructed there, to sail downstream along the Han River, into the Yangtze River, then to Hailiang, as if she wanted to set up another real shipyard there.

Any supplies or personnel sent to Hailiang would be dispatched from Hanzhong.

Traveling over the Qinling with messengers wouldn’t take that long, especially since the paths had been gradually rebuilt through the Taishi Sect’s “atonement”; sooner or later, they would make the Hangu Pass a smooth road.

Sailing downstream was certainly easier than land transport.

Chang’an, Hanzhong, and Hailiang could indeed connect with each other.

But no need to share all this with Zhang Yang.

When he inquired about the additional personnel Qiao Yan was supposedly sending, Xu Shu replied, “Let’s not worry about that for now; Milady will sort it out. It might even be an unexpected choice, I think he looks promising.”

Zhang Yang followed Xu Shu’s finger and spotted a peculiar character.

That odd getup was one thing, but the first thought Zhang Yang had upon seeing him was that this guy seemed like a troublemaker.

Just then, Gan Ning had received an order from Liu Yan to send a new batch of bamboo to Hanzhong when he suddenly felt someone staring at him. His sharp instincts made him turn to meet Zhang Yang and Xu Shu’s gaze.

But those two didn’t seem keen on talking.

Xu Shu had arranged a ship and crew for Zhang Yang’s eastward journey, signaling him to set off right there.

Sailing indeed was faster than traveling by land, especially with the current helping.

It only took a mere four days to sail from the docks in Hanzhong to Hailiang.

Even considering the expedited journey across the Qinling, this was still quicker than traveling overland.

After all, he couldn’t afford to push through to Xuzhou at a breakneck speed; that would be risking his life to deliver messages.

Zhang Yang leisurely took a nice nap on the boat, waking up halfway through when they docked at a port along the river to receive a gift of consolation sent by Jing Province’s Liu Biao, and then continued to conserve his strength on the boat.

He had no clue about the panic they caused Liu Biao upon suddenly appearing in Jing Province.

By the time he fully recovered from the fatigue of the rush from Bingzhou to Chang’an and then to Hanzhong, he had already crossed into Xuzhou territory.

Long before Qiao Yan sent the order to summon Zhang Yang from Yanmen, Zhang Yi’s subordinates had already returned to Xuzhou with the crucial appointment decree, so when Zhang Yang arrived, Zhang Yi had formally mobilized his old subordinates from Guangling as Xuzhou Governor.

At the same time, Zhou Yu had rounded up troops from Jiujiang under the pretense of assisting Zhang Yi in quelling the chaos in Xuzhou and settled in Guangling.

Zhang Yang’s arrival was the final piece of the puzzle.

Though surprised at how quickly Zhang Yang got there, both Zhang Yi and Zhou Yu still welcomed him.

However, just as they were about to implement their plan to expose Ze Rong’s scheme, news came from the northern part of Xuzhou.

Liu Bei, carrying the appointment as Xuzhou Governor from Yuan Shao, was marching into Xuzhou with troops, guided by Chen Deng.

What’s this?

Two governors, one from the south and one from the north!

Neither Zhang Yi nor Zhou Yu expected that the scholars of Xuzhou would make such a choice, and they were both left dumbfounded.

Ignoring Ze Rong’s thoughts stuck between the two forces, their previously smooth situation seemed to be suddenly cut in half.

It was like cold water splashed over their heads.

But at this moment, Qiao Yan calmly directed a question to her Strategist System, “With Liu Bei becoming the Xuzhou Governor, and considering all the help I’ve given behind the scenes, shouldn’t this count as an achievement?”

System: 【……】