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“Can strategists not ascend the throne?”
Chapter 287 of “Can Strategists Not Ascend the Throne?” kicks off with some serious talk about why these folks from Leping are summoned to Chang’an. Spoiler alert: it’s definitely not for a casual sightseeing tour.
No grand celebrations happen in Chang’an right now, especially not anything like the New Year festivities.
If there were any, it would have popped up in the initial drafts of the Leping Monthly Report.
Clearly, if they weren’t being called for some frivolous reason, then it must be something serious.
When Qiao Yan seriously dropped the “task” bomb on them, it confirmed their suspicions.
“Have a seat.”
As soon as Lu Lingju heard that, she plopped down with her fancy box of Victory Coins, even sneaking a peek inside. But the moment Qiao Yan’s gaze flicked her way, she instantly sat up straight, acting all prim and proper.
Lu Lingju, being the next generation of female generals, couldn’t help but feel energized watching the youth brimming with potential. Qiao Yan thought that today’s little opposition they faced in court was no biggie.
These clowns from the Yanzhou Qiao clan, unable to grasp the big picture, will one day munch on their own bitterness if they keep clinging to their outdated notions.
On the flip side, the kids from Leping Academy, with their experiences and knowledge accumulating over time, would eventually elbow these old-timers out.
Thinking about that made Qiao Yan smile as she said, “A year and a half ago, I assigned you a task. Imagine how you would cross the sea with two fleets of 500 to intimidate Gongsun Du of Liaodong. You submitted your answers to me last year as part of your end-of-year assessment.”
Since they were still young, Zhuge Liang, Pang Tong, and Sima Yi worked solo on the assignment, while Lu Yi, Guo Huai, and Lu Lingju grouped up, with the latter submitting two proposals.
In total, five plans landed on Qiao Yan’s desk.
Seeing their surprised faces, Qiao Yan continued, “Just because I didn’t comment on your plans back then doesn’t mean they’re going to collect dust.”
Right after submissions, there was a solar eclipse, causing Chang’an to scramble with half the tasks involving rumor control and prepping for the spring farming season.
For Sima Yi, being the oldest among them, it made sense for Qiao Yan to hold off on the plan to seize Youzhou for a bit.
Plus, with the bizarre weather starting in May, it was definitely not a good time to launch a military operation.
What was slightly annoying for him was that he wanted to shine by showcasing his submitted strategy against Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong, but Qiao Yan had hopes of putting that on the back burner.
Was there still a chance?
Just then, Pang Tong shot up with a question, “You’re saying this plan is getting a reboot? But, uh, it is winter, and not exactly ideal for sea travel.”
Never mind the sea travel; right now in the northern region of Bingzhou, the wind was so harsh it felt like knives slicing through skin, not to mention places like Youzhou and Liaodong.
Even with warm clothes, soldiers leaving the port in Xuzhou would likely freeze solid upon arrival.
And if they managed to not get surrounded by Gongsun Du’s troops, that’d be the silver lining.
Failing to intimidate Gongsun Du would simply turn them into hostages for him. Talk about a colossal embarrassment!
“When did I say you should rush off to Liaodong?” Qiao Yan chuckled as she looked at Pang Tong, “I’m giving you five months, starting now, to stay put in Hailing. I want you to observe the situations in Xuzhou and Yang Province this year, and find an opportunity to break the deadlock along the Huai River, or stoke the flames between Jingzhou and Yang Province.”
“Then by the end of May, lead the fleet from Hailing to Liaodong to make a spectacle to intimidate Gongsun Du. But…”
Qiao Yan paused, her gaze sweeping through these eager youths as if they were ready to take off any minute, “I want you to revise your previous proposals based on everything you’ve learned in this year and a half, and after examining the situation in Hailing.”
“You can adjust the number of ships and crew as needed. Just make sure to report back to Chang’an by February with the numbers, and the strategies must reach me before May.”
Hearing they had a bit more freedom made their faces light up.
Then came Qiao Yan’s reminder: “One last thing! I’ll only choose one plan for the intimidation from Hailing, so the rest will be losers. If I were you, I’d explore other avenues to gain an edge, maybe meddle in the war efforts in Yang Province and Xuzhou.”
Ambitious as they were, these greenhorns were still riding the high of competition, but after mulling over Qiao Yan’s words, Sima Yi’s expression turned contemplative.
If they got involved in Dongyang, their best outcome would just be convincing Gongsun Du to send reinforcements to the Youzhou front, teaming up with Zhang Liao in Shanggu to collectively tackle Gongsun Zan.
That would make Zhang Liao the commander.
But what about the situation in Xuzhou and Yang Province?
With Zhang Yi being recognized as the Governor of Xuzhou by Chang’an, he not only lacked personal prowess but had a history with Qiao Yan.
Considering the situation in Xuzhou, Qiao Yan was not one to sweep old grudges under the rug, but since Xuzhou was still a mishmash and Sun Ce in the south was a true menace, limiting his power was also necessary. Zhang Yi wouldn’t be leading the effort to reclaim southern territories.
This whole ordeal seemed more like a way for Qiao Yan to test these youngsters while also charting their future paths.
Sima Yi’s dad and bro were already officials in the capital, while he had no intention of climbing the bureaucratic ladder the old-fashioned way.
Operating effectively on the Xuzhou battlefield while staying under the radar might be the better route for him.
But it was still early to gauge the situation in Hailing. As Qiao Yan said, even the proposals they put forth would need tweaking after their on-site assessments, not to mention analyzing the conditions across the states.
He cast a brief glance at the box of Victory Coins before he kept his mouth shut, but his wheels were definitely turning.
Then Zhuge Liang piped up, “Don’t you think sending so many of us to Xuzhou might be a little too conspicuous?”
Though the students from Leping Academy hadn’t been assigned formal roles under Qiao Yan yet, legends like Cai Zhaoji were already considered graduates, which didn’t mean they hadn’t earned their stripes elsewhere.
Especially young guns like Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong, who were well-known. Qiao Yan valued them highly, and it was clear they’d be given important responsibilities post-graduation.
So, having them pop up suddenly in Xuzhou, a hotspot for power clashes, might lead some to think Qiao Yan had ulterior motives.
Zhuge Liang’s concerns were valid.
Qiao Yan responded, “That’s why I won’t let you expose your identities. Instead, I’ve arranged for a teacher to accompany you as a cover, presenting it as a field trip for Leping Academy.”
“To ensure Jia Xu’s safety, I’ll send Tai Shici along as well. You should know how to best utilize those two.”
Zhuge Liang stood up and bowed to Qiao Yan, “Thank you, my lord.”
Jia Xu had a rather tricky role in Chang’an; after a stint of assisting there, being posted to Leping Academy to just teach would feel downright normal.
With the standoff near the Huai River in Xuzhou, it was indeed the perfect spot to train new recruits.
But Jia Xu’s reputation also had its quirks; he was largely suspected to be the mastermind behind Sun Jian’s demise.
His advice to Dong Zhuo had led to Sun Jian’s untimely end in Jing Province.
If anyone thought Sun Ce didn’t harbor any resentment towards Jia Xu, they’d be kidding themselves.
Thus, to prevent any sudden disappearing acts from the academy’s students, ensuring Jia Xu remained alive was a must, making it totally necessary to have someone there for backup.
As for Tai Shici, he was just a minor official in the Grand Marshal’s residence. Ever since he escorted Bi Yuan from Liaodong to Shanggu, he hadn’t had a chance to shine. People barely recognized him as someone who once held an official position in Qingzhou.
But in reality, when Tai Shici fled to Liaodong, he had a wealth of knowledge about the place, which would be helpful.
“`
Not long ago, under Ma Jun’s assistance, the Divine Bow Camp he commanded had already completed the weapon modifications and training with the new weapons.
They might not have a huge number, but they were undoubtedly a significant threat to Liaodong!
This was another form of support that Qiao Yan provided for them.
She also shared the attention that might have focused on them with Jia Xu.
Whether they could make good use of these conditions would depend on their abilities!
As a key figure in the new generation whom Qiao Yan valued, it would be a shame if they couldn’t put on a spectacular show given such resources; it would truly disappoint the hopes of their lord!
Seeing that Qiao Yan had finished speaking, the others gradually stood up to leave, but just as they reached the door, they heard Qiao Yan say, “Beyan, please stay a moment.”
Lu Yi stopped in his tracks and returned to stand before Qiao Yan.
“You should know why I called you,” Qiao Yan said, looking at the boyish face before her. “Just now, when I mentioned provoking conflict between Yang Province and Jing Province, your expression was a bit… peculiar. What were you thinking?”
Lu Yi held his thoughts for a moment and said, “I was thinking about the safety of the Lu family in Wu County.”
Compared to other noble families in Yang Province, the Lu family in Wu County had been comparatively close to Sun Ce because of his life-saving grace; if not for that, Lu Kang wouldn’t have assisted Sun Ce in garrisoning Jiujiang.
If a conflict erupted between Yang Province and Jing Province, Lu Kang would inevitably be drawn into it.
Having sought refuge with his great-uncle Lu Kang from a young age, Lu Yi saw little difference between him and his biological grandfather. If he were sent by Qiao Yan to Xu Province and that somehow had adverse effects on his grandfather, he absolutely could not forgive himself.
He wasn’t oblivious to the fact that allowing Sun Ce to establish a firm foothold in Yang Province would not only be unfavorable for Qiao Yan but also wouldn’t bring considerable benefits for the families of Wu County. However, when it came to family, he still held some reservations at his age.
Qiao Yan noticed Lu Yi’s concerns and chuckled, “You’re overthinking it. Lu Qi is my right-hand. She’s keeping an eye on the situation in Liangzhou for me. Why would I do anything unfavorable to her father?”
Lu Yi blinked in surprise.
His aunt, Lu Yuan, had been assisting Qiao Yan as a liaison in Liangzhou for the past few years, managing the Silk Road and handling the relationships among the noble families of Liangzhou while maintaining cooperation with the Qiang people. That was all Lu Yuan’s responsibility.
This position further proved her status as a trusted confidante of Qiao Yan.
Why would Qiao Yan act against Lu Kang when she might end up at odds with her own right-hand?
Thinking this way, Lu Yi felt as if he had been overthinking.
Qiao Yan then added, “Since you’re concerned that changes in Yang Province could affect your grandfather, rather than feeling calculating about going to Hailing, you should focus on how to minimize any potential disturbance this trouble could cause. Don’t you think?”
Lu Yi vaguely felt like he was being put on the spot, but looking into Qiao Yan’s eyes, which didn’t seem to be teasing a child, he retracted this speculation and nodded seriously, “Thank you, my lord, for your reassurance. I understand what to do now.”
Before he left, Qiao Yan added, “Make sure to consult with Wenhe. While he might not tell you directly what to do, you will have plenty of opportunities to exchange ideas with him on your way to Xu Province.”
Lu Yi took this advice to heart, treating it as an assignment for his extracurricular practice.
Later, just before they joined Jia Xu to set off, they received another order from Qiao Yan.
Since they were supposed to broaden their horizons as individuals who hadn’t been out much, why not take the same route to Hailing as Zhang Yang, going to Hanzhong first and then following the river down?
If possible, convince someone in Yizhou to join them.
This person’s name was Gan Ning.
Lu Lingju found this special route particularly novel.
As they left Chang’an, she excitedly told Lu Yi, “Speaking of which, my dad has never taken this route into Shu. Once I get back to Bingzhou, I can brag about it to him. He always says I need at least two more years before I can be of any worth, but look now—”
She rolled up her sleeves, saying, “Now I have to choose between Xu Province, Yang Province, or Liaodong. What a tough decision!”
Lu Yi rolled his eyes slightly, thinking in a way that little Lu, the general, might be on the same wavelength as big Lu, the general.
To put three battlefronts in the context of grocery shopping might just be a talent.
Fortunately, he then heard Lu Lingju say, “Don’t worry, I won’t mess around. Just command me, and I’ll put in the work. That’s what I’m good at.”
As the bodyguard on this trip, Tai Shici particularly liked her straightforward nature and turned toward her, asking, “Do you need me to teach you a couple more archery techniques so you can be even more useful?”
Lu Lingju’s gaze first landed on the blank spot on Tai Shici’s arm, then on the heavy bow behind him, and finally on the Divine Bow hanging by his horse. Her eyes lit up with excitement.
She thought this trip would surely yield great rewards and replied cheerfully, “Absolutely! You’re not worried I might learn all your skills and even take over as the leader of the Divine Bow Camp, right? I must give it a shot!”
Tai Shici couldn’t help but laugh loudly, “Good! Ambitious! Just as you should be if you want to be a general!”
He tossed one of the Divine Bows handed to him over to Lu Lingju, saying, “Don’t shoot yet, just observe the structure carefully. I’ll test you later.”
Jia Xu watched this harmonious scene unfold and wasn’t sure whether to comment. It sure seemed comfortable when a couple of clueless folks interacted. But he, on this side…
He glanced at Sima Yi, who had been silent for a long while, and said, “If you want to ask something, just go ahead.”
My lord, my lord! You say this is a long break to relieve the exhaustion of a year and a half of work in Chang’an, but this vacation is turning out to be way more tiring than going to work!
Never trust her nonsense again!
[Speaking of which, aren’t you supposed to give them the character locator right about now?] the system couldn’t help but prompt as Qiao Yan watched the group leave.
At that moment, in Qiao Yan’s sleeve, she held the character locator she had exchanged with the palace intrigue system.
Qiao Yan was indeed correct; that locator might have been owned by other systems, but those had little to do with her. Anyway, the palace intrigue system she contacted had consented to the trade after hearing her terms. However, she hadn’t chosen the first two conditions she proposed.
While clothing and wealth might make her journey smoother, they clearly couldn’t provide the peace of mind that a longer-term cooperative partner could, especially when that partner had already proven through their experience that they possessed both intellectual and practical capabilities.
So, the character locator was simply one bargaining chip among the “career planning” exchanges.
Future trades could occur after she unlocked more functionalities of the palace intrigue system.
When the system inquired about her plans for the locator, Qiao Yan replied, “I want to see how they plan their next move. There’s no rush to give it away yet. I also need to think about how to convince them that it’s not some miracle but just a tool to assist them in completing their tasks.”
Is claiming it’s Ma Jun’s new research product feasible?
Just as Qiao Yan pondered this, she suddenly noticed someone rushing toward her direction. From afar, she recognized that it was one of the Grand Marshal’s men.
When the person got close, she saw a hint of urgency on his face.
Qiao Yan quickly asked, “What happened?”
The man replied, “Guo Changshi told me to hurry and inform you, my lord, that there’s been a commotion in the city.”
Typically, such a seemingly mundane quarrel wouldn’t require Guo Jia to inform Qiao Yan unless…
The two who were arguing were of significant standing, and the content was particularly notable because it involved her.
“Who was arguing?”
“Doctor Chunyu and… Ni Zhengping.”
There was no need to elaborate on Doctor Chunyu’s identity; aside from Chunyu Jia, who had raised doubts against her in court this year for delaying military action due to a disaster that hadn’t even occurred yet, there wouldn’t be anyone else.
But why was he arguing with Ni Heng?
Qiao Yan rubbed her forehead and asked, “Was there any major incident?”
The messenger paused for a moment before cautiously responding, “Ni Zhengping verbally attacked Doctor Chunyu so hard he coughed up blood. Fortunately, the rescue team from Chiyang Medical Academy arrived quickly, so he’s fine now. He’s still standing there in a standoff with Ni Zhengping… it shouldn’t be considered a major incident. However, Guo Changshi said it’s best for you to check on this.”
Qiao Yan: “……”
The first half of that was already packed with information, and the second half was even more interesting.
She couldn’t help but feel that Guo Jia’s “check on” had a particularly deep meaning.
Is he really not worried I might ask Doctor Chunyu about it and send him to the hospital?
Nevertheless, despite her thoughts, Qiao Yan decisively replied, “Let’s go and take a look.”
She wanted to see just what kind of insults the wild Ni Heng could come up with!
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