“Can strategists even ascend the throne?”
Chapter 29
This is a battle for fame!
In Qiao Yan’s original plan, she already had the merits of pacifying the Yellow Turbans in Yanzhou, so it wouldn’t hurt to give up some glory from the Ji Province battle to gain friendship with Huangfu Song and Lu Zhi.
Once the fighting settled, she would rush to Luoyang to see Qiao Xuan one last time, and then return to Yanzhou to observe mourning and maintain her reputation.
Thanks to her swift action, uniting the Yellow Turban factions in Yanzhou, she managed to contain the conflict and save many along the way—that’s what established her foothold in the region.
While she couldn’t openly recruit guests like the powerful families of the late Eastern Han, she could entrust that task to her allies, the Xue and Tian clans.
When it came to the chaotic seventh year of Guanghe, when Dong Zhuo stirred up trouble, her clan uncle, then Prefect of Dong Commandery, would launch an effort to rally local lords against him. This would provide her with another chance to garner recognition.
After that, whether observing the contest between Qiao Zhao and Liu Dai in Dong Commandery for potential gain, or abandoning Yanzhou’s chaotic situation for another place, she would still need an opportunity to make her move.
Even if her plans fell flat, she could still land on her feet as a strategist for a regional lord, just like the Strategist System’s main quest line.
With her prior fame, it would be tough for anyone to take her out without consequence.
But then, an unexpected twist popped up.
Han Emperor entrusted a secret edict to Zhang Rang, which hinted at allowing her to be awarded military honors and a title.
This could put her in a more proactive position and detach her from being bound by Yanzhou.
Truth be told, it wasn’t her best option!
From the Emperor’s decree, it was clear that age was no longer a hindrance for her to be conferred as a noble.
Even though Huangfu Song muddled the gender in military reports, his letters to Lu Zhi hinted at his preference to flaunt “young yet talented.”
The same idea should hold true for Liu Hong’s correspondence.
So now, it all came down to how gender played into it.
However, this was no simple matter of male vs. female.
Qiao Yan, well-versed in history, guessed Zhang Rang’s concerns upon learning he withheld her title.
There were precedents of female lords in early Western Han that shattered norms, and if she wanted her own title, she had to break through layers of shackles and biases.
Thus, she’d need to up her game, or, rather, find a reference point for herself.
The system noticed her staring blankly back at the table, her fingers mindlessly tracing letters, eventually settling on “Xu Fu.”
Exactly, the only situation she could refer to was Xu Fu.
The other four female lords of early Western Han either benefited from their husband’s achievements or the ruler’s favoritism, clearly not her case.
Besides, during Empress Dowager Deng’s reign, nobody dared to imitate Lu Hou’s practice of conferring titles to sisters, demonstrating how deeply feared and begrudged Lu Hou’s name was; any sign of a repeat was feared.
One reason the rulers of Han would not readily title females likely stemmed from this fear.
Only Xu Fu’s case was a bit different; she was conferred through fortune-telling prowess.
Xu Fu’s title was thus tied to Liu Bang’s legitimacy, making it an inevitability.
Could Qiao Yan use this reasoning? Maybe she really could.
At this nascent period post-Yellow Turban Rebellion, if she managed to prove that her existence could potentially continue the Han dynasty’s legacy, akin to a prophetic sign, then maybe that title wouldn’t be out of reach.
Liu Hong was an “interesting” emperor, a quality Qiao Yan thought made it likely she would only have this chance to be titled while he was in power.
His governing methods had their flaws, but he certainly excelled at balancing the external clan, eunuchs, and noble families—basically an emperor’s touch.
Originally, Qiao Yan was supposed to belong to the noble camp, but her uncle and aunt perished in the Yellow Turban Rebellion, and Qiao Xuan’s days were numbered, allowing her the chance to become a distinct entity.
Yet, this boost needed to be handled with care.
If she went overboard, the sitting emperor might grow wary of her and retract the title due to her gender.
If she played it too light, it could lead to other unwanted conclusions, and that result was something Qiao Yan definitely wanted to avoid.
Being known for her filial piety yet not overly reliant on a powerful family, and with enough savvy—the eleven-year-old Liu Bian would be the prime candidate for a future empress, right?
Qiao Yan wasn’t about to step into that trap.
Her aim was solely on that title, though she didn’t care what kind, as long as it was of noble rank.
To balance the scale of this boost, it looked like she’d need to leverage the three who came with her, along with that philosophical debate she intended to score some fame from with Zhang Jiao.
In the tent, the flickering candlelight sparked a glow in the corner of her eye, pulling her thoughts back from the “title” mess.
Feeling a bit more at ease, she wouldn’t lose sleep over this news.
Let’s see tomorrow.
She blew out the candle, plunging the tent into darkness.
The system wanted to ask her about her conclusions, but seeing her appear fatigued and slip into sleep, it held its tongue.
With a host like her, what was there to worry about? Better to fret over Zhang Rang who didn’t properly announce the edict and Chunyu Qiong who was already being used as an informant.
It murmured softly, “Good night, host.”
The next day, at the military camp outside Quzhou, Qiao Yan woke once more to the reminder from the system’s alarm.
As for Chunyu Qiong, he was waking up from his drunken stupor.
As he regained consciousness, he felt a bit cloudy.
He vaguely thought he might have talked too much the previous day but couldn’t recall if he’d spilled any beans that should remain secret.
Yet, he convinced himself there wasn’t any particularly sensitive information shared, so it likely wouldn’t be a big issue.
Probably… right?
With that, he wandered aimlessly through the camp, trying to remember what he discussed with Liu Bei.
However, the alcohol muddled any crucial details from surfacing.
He soon learned Liu Bei had already left the camp early again to chase bandits, making it impossible for him to seek answers.
Chunyu Qiong decided not to stress; if he couldn’t recall, he’d just treat it like it never happened.
With this resolved in his mind, he began to appreciate the camp’s atmosphere.
Lu Zhi had moved a portion of the soldiers, including some brought by Huangfu Song, into Quzhou City, which left the camp feeling a tad less crowded.
But Chunyu Qiong still thought Lu Zhi lived up to his reputation as a renowned commander.
These soldiers, after winning against the Yellow Turbans of Ji Province, remained vigilant, and their patrols were flawless—far superior to those of the Luoyang camp.
Though there was a slight reduction in numbers, the ongoing operations concealed any flaws.
But that’s just how Chunyu Qiong was; he didn’t feel ashamed about it, only that he felt somewhat safer in this well-organized camp.
Yet, amidst this orderly military defense, two figures stood out.
Chunyu Qiong halted by one of the tents and, peering around its cover, spotted Qiao Yan and Zhang Rang chatting warmly.
Normally, the grandsons of high officials, a noble girl, and a eunuch shouldn’t have any connections at all, yet here they were, having a grand old time, completely negating any sense of faction.
He frowned, cursing himself for not having secret listening devices to catch their conversation. If he moved closer, he worried he’d be detected by either of the two.
He could only see that during their dialogue, Qiao Yan suddenly seemed a bit melancholy, almost tearing up, while Zhang Rang appeared to comfort her.
The topic of their conversation might not have been a merry affair, but in a sense, the atmosphere was quite harmonious.
Chunyu Qiong’s guard went up.
Aligning with the Yuan Clan, he naturally stood against the eunuchs.
Before arriving, Minister Yuan Wei had warned him to keep a close watch on Zhang Rang and Zuo Feng’s actions. If they offended Lu Zhi or Huangfu Song, it would be an opportunity for them to pull those two to their side.
As for the new favorite of the emperor, the Qiao clan’s offspring needed to be kept on good terms.
If Zhang Rang and the others managed to befriend her and it worked—he’d need to report to Luoyang immediately.
Chunyu Qiong sensed this could genuinely signal the opposing side had chosen to ally with the Ten Regulars.
Whether she chose this path or was simply misled didn’t matter; alliances were extremely difficult to amend once mistakes were made.
Of course, Chunyu Qiong wouldn’t admit that his underlying feeling wasn’t merely regret for his own obscured brilliance, but also resentment for that child potentially receiving a noble title while he remained title-less.
He watched for a considerable time until Zhang Rang finally parted ways with Qiao Yan, and she didn’t show any signs of turning against him. Instead, she gazed in the direction he left until he vanished from sight, feeling vindicated in his assessment.
When he snapped out of his musings, he realized not only had Zhang Rang disappeared, but Qiao Yan was also out of his line of sight.
Little did he know, Qiao Yan indeed had good reason to chat with Zhang Rang.
Considering Zhang Rang’s discomfort over suppressing the decree due to her gender, the conversation had to be strictly pleasant. When she inquired about Qiao Xuan’s health in Luoyang, he could only respond appropriately.
After all, he was the only one accompanying Liu Hong to visit Qiao Xuan’s residence.
Upon hearing that the Emperor himself had visited Qiao Xuan, who was gravely ill, mentioning the words “Please bury him at the frontier, and let his soul bless the Han,” Qiao Yan felt a surge of emotion, sympathizing with this elderly man who had lost his son late in life.
Regrettably, Qiao Xuan, so loyal to the Han, found himself in the deep mire of the Eastern Han’s impending collapse.
Seeing Qiao Yan compose herself, Zhang Rang replied, “I still have my duties here. Even if my grandfather knows, he won’t hold it against me. He harbors aspirations of serving along the borders, and so do I. Thank you, Eunuch, for relaying my grandfather’s words.”
Zhang Rang was relieved.
He had already sent word yesterday, along with reports of Huangfu Song and Lu Zhi’s victory, knowing they would get news at the capital eventually.
As long as he wasn’t coerced into reading the decree aloud, everything would be fine. No wonder Chunyu Qiong saw the conversation between Qiao Yan and Zhang Rang as being warm and friendly.
Zhang Rang had no idea Qiao Yan used the intelligence on Chunyu Qiong’s tent timing to engage him, only knowing —
Someone like Qiao Yan would never be a trivial character, even if the Han’s restrictions could keep her from becoming the Leping Marquis; she was certainly no ordinary individual.
Since she didn’t mind mixing with the likes of him, forming a good rapport could be beneficial.
He made a note of this and decided not to hesitate in greeting this young lady when they crossed paths.
For Chunyu Qiong, this made it seem as though they had secretly forged a deal.
It wasn’t hard to figure out.
Zhang Rang withholding the decree and not making a move against Huangfu Song while approaching Qiao Yan likely indicated he had already hinted at the Emperor’s intentions to confer her a title.
If an eunuch like him managed to orchestrate a title for this girl, wouldn’t that leave Qiao Yan indebted to him?
How she repaid that favor would be entirely up to Zhang Rang.
Chunyu Qiong couldn’t help but think this wasn’t looking good.
But if Zhang Rang could send word back, then he could too!
Especially since he was among the escort for this trip with plenty of soldiers at his disposal, he could deliver messages swiftly.
Though his writing skills were lacking, as a notable captain, drafting a letter was hardly an issue.
In the end, the letter that reached Yuan Wei’s hands was not more than a brief note saying,
“Qiao Yan is in close discussion with Zhang Rang.”
He wrote merely “objective fact,” leaving it up to Yuan Wei to decide how to manage this—whether to support Zhang Rang’s aid in her nobility or suppress it entirely — that call belonged to the Minister.
After sending off that note, Chunyu Qiong felt a bit more at ease.
When next he saw the two of them engaged in lively conversation, he didn’t feel quite as anxious.
With the Prohibition of Factionalists lifted, the court would surely start reinstating the faction members.
With Yuan Wei as support, the Minister’s voice would certainly strengthen, making it easier to accomplish things, right?
They couldn’t let the eunuchs gain any advantage from this.
But however quickly the letters flew from Ji Province to Luoyang, it still took time. Before he received news from the capital, Chunyu Qiong spotted a critical figure entering the encampment.
A person he never expected to see here at this time.
Zheng Xuan of Gaomi.
The Prohibition of Factionalists had confined Zheng Xuan for thirteen years, unable to leave an inch, so Chunyu Qiong, who had been in Luoyang all these years, had never laid eyes on this renowned figure.
But for him to arrive in such grandeur, with several carts of writings and the welcome of Lu Zhi, nobody else but Zheng Xuan could do that.
As soon as Zheng Xuan arrived, he spotted Qiao Yan heading his way, proclaiming, “I am Qiao Yan from Yanzhou, here to plead for Zheng Gong.”
This was undeniably a declaration of Zheng Xuan’s status.
Zheng Xuan was indeed the person she had summoned after discussing with Huangfu Song.
However, he showing up didn’t quite meet her expectations, as she had only invited him in her letter if he couldn’t come personally to send a capable disciple…
“That’s good enough.”
This was already sufficient for her to initiate her own actions.
However, Zheng Xuan’s personal arrival in Jizhou undoubtedly gave her more assurance.
The elderly figure with a grand crown and flowing garments, upon hearing her words of apology, showed no sign of displeasure. “You’ve already clarified the chain of events regarding my name in the letter sent to me, so how could I possibly blame you for this matter?”
Seeing Qiao Yan rise, he took a good look at this girl who claimed to be his disciple. Observing her delicate features and sincere gaze, he couldn’t help but feel a surge of appreciation and continued,
“Seeking revenge for parents is a natural duty of children. You didn’t indiscriminately label the Yellow Turbans as rebels and traitors but instead spared the lives of the ignorant masses under the hands of the two generals at Changshe. Now, seeking help in writing for the lives of many, how could I not personally come, even after years of staying out of circulation?”
Qiao Yan quickly replied, “Zheng Gong’s high virtue.” However, the elder waved his hand, “There’s no need to flatter me. I have a few questions to ask you. If your answers don’t satisfy me, even if I come, it may not turn out as you wish.”
Though he said this, even Chunyu Qiong, who least understood why Qiao Yan had invited Zheng Xuan, could hear that his words carried more of a casual tone rather than a threat, clearly showing a bit of indulgence toward the younger generation.
“Please ask freely, Zheng Gong.”
As Zheng Xuan walked towards the camp, he inquired, “What makes you think I have the ability to inflict damage on Zhang Jiao’s Way of Great Peace?”
The Way of Great Peace was focused on the teachings of Huang and Lao, while Zheng Xuan was deeply invested in Confucianism, meaning there was no real crossover, except perhaps a touch of coincidence in prophetic discussions.
This was quite different from the debates he had experienced with the new and old Confucian texts.
If Qiao Yan believed it was his reputation that inspired this hope, he would turn around and leave without a second thought.
However, clearly, Qiao Yan had considered this question; she replied unhurriedly, “I have studied the Scripture of Great Peace somewhat in Yanzhou, but I hope everyone present won’t think of sending me to prison just because I read it.”
Huangfu Song immediately burst out laughing, “Looks like Zigan needs to keep his men in check; it’s right to act flexibly in emergencies.”
Qiao Yan clasped her hands to Lu Zhi and continued, “The Scripture of Great Peace is closely related to Zhang Jiao’s texts, containing many allusions to the stars and false claims of divine intervention.”
She said this so confidently as if she had never discussed with Liang Zhongning the “bright stars of Di and Fang, delineating the lands of Yanzhou and Yuzhou.” Seeing Zheng Xuan’s expression seemed to indicate he grasped her intent, she continued.
“Therefore, I’m not asking Zheng Gong to refute Zhang Jiao with Confucian texts. You, having long engaged in educating, naturally understand that the rites and traditions aren’t something the common folk in various states can comprehend. However, there might be one thing that can be made clear.”
“I’ve heard that your talent in calculations is extraordinary; you studied celestial astronomy under the renowned Confucian in Fufeng. Since Ma Jichang has passed away, the only one capable of using celestial teachings to dismantle the falsehoods within the Scripture of Great Peace is Zheng Gong.”
Zheng Xuan pointed to Lu Zhi and chuckled, “Lu Zigan and I are close. Why not just consult him?”
Qiao Yan, eager to capitalize on her age advantage, made a slightly cute face, “When it comes to military formations, you don’t match Lu Gong, but in heaven and earth calculations, Lu Gong can’t hold a candle to you. To break this sturdy shield of the world, you need an exceptionally sharp spear, wouldn’t you say?”
This comparison left both parties unoffended. After all, she was still young; even if she spoke too directly, she wouldn’t likely be blamed.
Lu Zhi and Zheng Xuan exchanged glances, almost simultaneously cracking into laughter.
Having not seen each other for years, hearing their names in the mouth of a junior did evoke some nostalgia.
“Alright,” Zheng Xuan said, evidently satisfied with Qiao Yan’s answer. He continued to ask, “While your reasoning is quite good, do know that the foundation of the Way of Great Peace lies in equality in all things. To discuss wealth and possessions within the context of that equity isn’t solely for individuals. How do you plan to counter that?”
Qiao Yan didn’t answer the question directly but looked at Zheng Xuan and asked, “Before Zhang Jiao, was there anyone who could command thirty thousand men with a single order?”
Zheng Xuan replied, “None.”
“The saying that ‘it’s not about scarcity but inequality’ was indeed said long ago, but strict fairness is less likely to prevent lazy individuals from taking advantage. I feel this is not the root of the problem,” Qiao Yan explained.
Seeing Zheng Xuan lost in thought, Qiao Yan paused for a moment and then continued, “Zhang Jiao has managed to spread this Way of Great Peace far and wide. Upon thorough investigation, it seems not so much because of equitable sharing of wealth and land, but because the principle grants longevity.”
“In the years of Jian Ning four, Xi Ping two, Guang He two, Guang He five, four great plagues provided Zhang Jiao with opportunities for kindness and teaching.”
If it weren’t for the propitious timing, Zhang Jiao would never have been able to expand the Way of Great Peace to this level.
The idea of Talisman Water as a remedy today roughly parallels modern medications combined with psychological therapy, expressed through religion, thus becoming Zhang Jiao’s most advantageous tactic to rally supporters.
Given the diseases of that time included cholera, pneumonia, and hemorrhagic fever, it’s certainly questionable if there were many healers around.
“But I’m not an expert in this field and can’t determine the facts solely on my thoughts,” Qiao Yan remarked, “therefore, I’ve invited another person, and this is the second round of my discussion with Zhang Jiao.”
“From what you say, this person is a healer?” Zheng Xuan asked.
Qiao Yan nodded, “Yes, a divine physician of our time. However, I’m not inviting him to refute the notion of Talisman Water.”
She showed a slightly awkward expression, “I’ve heard he’s been saving people far and wide for years. If I only said to invite him to duel Zhang Jiao, he’d probably rather stay at home inventing new medicines. So I told him there would be a great plague following the battle in Jizhou, begging him to take pity on the people and come.”
Had it not been for digging through Qiao Yan’s original memories and recalling this recent hero’s whereabouts, she likely wouldn’t have thought of him.
Fortunately, after Zheng Xuan expressed satisfaction with her answers and decided to stay to lend her a hand, the second party sent to find people also brought back good news.
They had retrieved Hua Tuo to this place.
Hua Tuo, originally from the Pei State in Yanzhou, was a fellow townsman of Cao Cao. Cao Cao had previously suspected Qiao Yan was not going to his home to find someone, and after being returned from Guangzong by Huangfu Song, he just witnessed this explanation.
“So you were looking for Master Yuanhua.” Cao Cao stroked his beard, “With his medical skills against Zhang Jiao’s Talisman Water, there is indeed potential.”
At this time, the term “Three Divine Physicians of Jian’an” had not yet been established to include Hua Tuo, Dong Feng, and Zhang Zhongjing, but being a fellow townsman with Hua Tuo, Cao Cao couldn’t have not heard of his reputation.
Although being a physician was often seen as a lowly profession, with medical skills at Hua Tuo’s level, countless people would entrust their lives to him, earning him the respect he deserved.
Luckily for Qiao Yan, Hua Tuo had not ventured far in recent years; instead, he had compiled his experiences from travels in places like Yangzhou and Xuzhou into a book. Hearing there could be many patients, he hurried over.
Even better, Hua Tuo, despite his intense dislike of being forced into service, and refusing to treat Cao Cao’s headaches later on, finally adapted to the mindset of his time. Upon seeing Zheng Xuan present there, his tone softened.
Once Qiao Yan had the people deliver the Talisman Water stored in Quzhou and Guangzong to Hua Tuo, he immersed himself completely in research.
Evidently, this divine doctor had hinted at his choice through his actions.
Qiao Yan let out a huge sigh of relief.
“When I handled the Yellow Turban captives in Guangzong, I heard that you were to debate Zhang Jiao three times, and I was truly worried you’d be having a polite and superficial exchange,”
Cao Cao noted Qiao Yan’s expression and chuckled, “Looking back now, despite your young age, you possess the energy of thunder; you are indeed a true supporter of pragmatism. You wouldn’t genuinely engage in just back-and-forth dialogue.”
“Uncle, please don’t make fun of me.” Qiao Yan bowed her hands in plea, “In the end, I’m still young, and my knowledge is limited; I can only rely on leveraging strength against strength to tackle this from three angles, a shortcut of sorts.”
“You’re wrong,” Cao Cao said seriously, “I actually believe this is not a shortcut, but a genuine reliable method.”
“And being able to have such keen insights, as well as decisiveness in seeking out people, especially having the courage to invite Zheng Gong here, if you consider these mere childish antics due to lack of skill, then I, Cao Mengde, would truly be ashamed.”
Cao Cao noticed his straightforward word made her a bit startled and reverted back to a teasing grin, “By the way, I’m curious about one thing. I know the third person you’re seeking for the third debate. But how would that impact Zhang Jiao?”
As they headed from Xiaquyang toward Guangzong, Cao Cao had already inquired about why Qiao Yan wanted Xu Fu to seek out Buddhist temples within Jizhou.
Now that the first two rounds had concluded with determined “participants”, she shouldn’t need to conceal anything for the third, right?
“The third round might be a bit more obscure,” Qiao Yan replied.
“…?” Cao Cao was puzzled by her words.
He soon heard Qiao Yan utter a term he truly couldn’t comprehend, “You could interpret the third round as plagiarism, in short, hitting from the moral aspect.”
“What does this mean?”
“Zhang Jiao’s system of Great Peace borrowed significantly from Buddhism; having a ready-made religious system to work with is naturally far easier than starting from scratch. But if the Way of Great Peace believes its doctrine is flawless and the supreme celestial path, then why indulge in mere imitation?”
“So, I say this is somewhat of a crooked argument.” Qiao Yan acknowledged her approach with self-awareness.
Yet celestial astronomy and numerical calculations are sciences, while healing methods in the face of plague are medicine, and engaging in some bizarre means in the rebuttal framework clearly wouldn’t be seen as a problem.
Besides, she was still a child.
Sometimes, playing the age card is allowed.
Moreover, how to present these three debate topics would depend on how she and Zhang Jiao confront each other head-on.
Even if the arrival of Zheng Xuan and Hua Tuo relieved her stress a bit, it couldn’t avoid the reality that this indeed would be a tough battle.
Before the deadline for her scheduled three rounds of debate with Zhang Jiao arrived, the third assisting party also reached Quzhou.
Xu Fu had evidently not disappointed her expectations, bringing a key figure here.
This young lad wiped the sweat from his forehead, still not entirely dried from their journey, regulated his breathing before he said, “I have not let the lady down. I’ve brought the abbott from that Buddhist temple here.”
Although Qiao Yan joked about just tying the person up, it was no big deal, and if necessary, resorting to some forceful measures would suffice. But Xu Fu was smart and suspected Qiao Yan intended to make good use of the abbot.
If this person grew resentful over being forced here and acted detrimentally at a crucial moment, wouldn’t that completely ruin her plans?
Thus, the originally expected first arrival, Xu Fu, ended up being last.
He learned plenty while in that temple, exploiting his superior learning aptitude to thoroughly read and understand a scripture there, even promising to translate two scrolls for the monk before bringing him to this place.
However, after arriving, he felt that he may have wasted a bit too much time…
For example, the battle between Guangzong and Quzhou had already concluded; he had initially planned to help Qiao Yan leash her horse, yet he hadn’t even seen the Commander’s Banner being raised.
Moreover, after returning, he had only exchanged a few words with Qiao Yan before witnessing her being summoned by Zheng Xuan. Hearing the esteemed scholar seemed quite impressed with the lady’s calculating abilities, he had outright taken her as an assistant.
And then there was…
Dian Wei patted Xu Fu on the shoulder, nearly knocking him to the ground. The guy had no sense of his own strength, saying, “Good thing you remembered to come back. If you delayed any longer, we might’ve missed the chance to construct this debate platform.”
In the battle of Quzhou, Zhang Liang had surrendered the city upon the capture of Zhang Jiao, opening the gates to confront the enemy, causing soldiers who originally aimed to showcase their skills by fighting to find themselves out of the game entirely.
These people instead put their efforts into building the high platform.
As to why it was built outside the city rather than within, it was naturally to accommodate a large audience.
On the day of the debate, soldiers influenced by Zhang Jiao’s Way of Great Peace from Guangzong and Quzhou gathered here, while Lu Zhi and Huangfu Song’s subordinates formed the outer circle.
Seeing such a scene, Qiao Yan couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
People’s compassion in this world isn’t mere empty words; if she fails today to pull Zhang Jiao down from his pedestal, there’s no doubt Huangfu Song would immediately order the execution of these captives to prevent future troubles.
The Yellow Turbans throughout the entire Jizhou region far exceeded those in these two cities, yet these individuals would likely face the fate of becoming souls beneath Han blades shortly.
Such was the necessity of maintaining the rule of the Great Han.
Here, perhaps the high platform could become a pyramid of skulls made from Yellow Turban heads.
Therefore, she could only succeed; failure was not an option!
This morning she had even mentioned to the system that this was a bargaining chip for her effort to secure a title, but standing on this platform, gazing into the eyes of those present from Jizhou, she suddenly found herself unable to recall that objective.
At that moment, Zhang Jiao, still shackled, was driven onto the stage.
The debate pact between Qiao Yan and Zhang Jiao was made under the eyewitness of Huangfu Song and Lu Zhi, hence naturally, his sustenance over the past half-month was not neglected.
Perhaps due to the defense of the Way of Great Peace, Zhang Jiao bore a certain intensity within him, making him appear only slightly thinner than when he had been captured, yet in spirit, he looked remarkably well.
He walked step by step towards the center of the high platform, arriving right before Qiao Yan.
The characteristics bestowed upon him by his role as the Great Virtuous Teacher over the years remained vividly evident.
Qiao Yan also noticed that as Zhang Jiao made his entrance, despite standing amongst the Han soldiers, the crowd erupted with enthusiastic cheers for their spiritual leader.
In that crowd were even the Yellow Turban Commanders like Liang Zhongning, who she had met upon her arrival, and Zhang Liang, who thought his brother would not lose even after surrendering the city.
But those cheers didn’t cause her heart to relax or feel overly anxious.
She simply fixed her gaze firmly on Zhang Jiao and said,
“The half-month deadline has arrived; thank you for your patience.”
