Chapter 313

Chapter 313

Can a strategist not ascend the throne? Volume 9: The Plague of Drought and Locusts, Flying to Liaodong Chapter 313: Breaking into Chengdu

Zhang Lu originally thought he was in good health, but in this sentence, Qiao Yan made him feel unwell.

Long time no see?

If he said he could still stir up trouble, developing many followers in the Guanghan Dependency, he felt he would be targeted by Qiao Yan in the next moment.

Why on earth did she appear here!

Zhang Lu sighed in his heart.

This is really a ghostly encounter.

Clearly, the Si Li region still has drought and locust disasters that require her, the Grand Marshal, to oversee to prevent civil unrest. Also, in Yuzhou, the governor was recently killed, and Runan lost territory, requiring her to oversee the enemy situation in Yuzhou and Yanzhou at any time. With him, the Taishi Path leader, keeping a low profile in the Guanghan Dependency, it seemed impossible to do anything earth-shattering—

Why was it him who was targeted by Qiao Yan, even making her personally lead an expedition to his front?

What virtue or ability do I have!

Shouldn’t someone of Dong Zhuo’s caliber receive such treatment?

Thinking of how he was fooled by Qiao Yan in Hanzhong years ago, nearly losing his life, Zhang Lu touched his head, feeling that this knot was not much harder than before, so his situation wouldn’t be much better than back then.

He stepped out from his followers, stood on the city wall of Huyi Dam’s camp, and asked Qiao Yan sincerely, “May I ask, Grand Marshal, why have you come here?”

He wasn’t without temper.

Being repeatedly targeted as the “chicken” to scare the monkeys, even if he were a rabbit, it was time to bite back!

If Qiao Yan said she would annihilate him here to ensure that heresy wouldn’t spread under her nose, even knowing he was no match, Zhang Lu would fight to the death.

His followers, having been through the Hanzhong war, and many having left their families to follow him here, wouldn’t lose much in willpower to the Liangzhou people, always causing some losses.

But what he heard Qiao Yan say calmly was—

“I came here to borrow a path.”

Zhang Lu was momentarily confused, thinking he had misheard.

But he quickly realized he wasn’t wrong.

Qiao Yan indeed said “borrow a path.”

She added, “Besides borrowing the path, I also want to invite Master Zhang to accompany me to Shu to watch a good show.”

Zhang Lu looked back at the mountains behind him.

Having been here for years, he wouldn’t mistake which path Qiao Yan wanted to borrow.

The Yizhou governed by Liu Yan, more accurately the Chengdu Plain, was surrounded by mountains, one of which was Mount Motian behind Huyi Dam.

Mount Motian extends east to Micang Mountain south of the Hanzhong Plain.

So he could flee from the Hanzhong Plain to Guanghan Dependency without crossing the massive geographical barrier.

Qiao Yan borrowing the path could only mean taking the Yinping Path over Mount Motian, entering the Chengdu area of Shu.

She was going to attack Liu Yan!

Zhang Lu looked at Qiao Yan in disbelief.

This astonishing plan was told to him so lightly, as if saying: if he agreed to lend the path and even contributed to the plan, he could watch a good show in Shu.

But what if he disagreed?

Before Chengdu saw this surprise attack, Zhang Lu would become a joke!

Facing such a threat, Zhang Lu felt he might be crazy to not consider Qiao Yan might betray him, directly opening the camp gates to welcome her in.

Even sitting in the same room with Qiao Yan, looking at her face, Zhang Lu still felt dazed.

“Master Zhang, why act so righteous?” Qiao Yan smiled, “In the past, we had different stances, and since you couldn’t be used by me, I naturally had to teach you a lesson. But have you seen me do anything to your mother and brother?”

That was true.

According to Zhang Lu’s information, his mother Lu Shi and brother Zhang Wei were still alive in Hanzhong, just using the Taishi Path as a special means for Xu Shu and Qiao Yan to govern Hanzhong.

If Qiao Yan wanted to eradicate Taoism, she wouldn’t need to go through such trouble.

As he pondered, Qiao Yan asked, “I’ve told you directly about borrowing the path, so I’ll ask plainly. To consolidate the Taishi Path’s position in Yizhou, you must rely on the real power holder in Yizhou. But Liu Yan has already abandoned you, ignoring Guanghan Dependency for years. Relying on him is useless.”

“Then, is it useful to pin hopes on Liu Yan’s successor? If I recall correctly, your relationship with Liu Zhang isn’t good, as your mother’s ghost path gained Liu Yan’s trust, making you, a local of Yizhou, take a different path from the Yizhou scholars, diverging from Liu Zhang’s Yizhou scholars.”

As soon as Qiao Yan finished, Zhang Lu blurted out, “What does this have to do with Liu Zhang?”

Liu Yan has four sons!

But as soon as he asked, he met Qiao Yan’s amused gaze, “Isn’t this the good show I want to invite you to watch?”

This made Zhang Lu realize that, though only a mountain away from the Chengdu Plain, he might know less about Chengdu’s situation than Qiao Yan.

Qiao Yan suddenly turning to attack Yizhou wasn’t to break with Liu Yan for no reason, but because Chengdu was undergoing a transfer of power.

As Zhang Lu was caught off guard, Qiao Yan asked, “Master Zhang, can you now answer me accurately, are you willing to lend this path, and accompany me?”

Zhang Lu felt he had no other choice.

If Liu Yan had the upper hand against Hanzhong, Zhang Lu might regain his trust and continue preaching with the Yizhou governor’s support. But now, Liu Yan not only had no chance to counterattack, he might soon pass away.

If, as Qiao Yan said, Yizhou’s next successor was Liu Zhang, considering his delicate relationship with Yizhou scholars, Zhang Lu confirmed that without Qiao Yan’s intervention, he might not survive in Guanghan Dependency.

So why not take Qiao Yan’s olive branch, turning from a cornered state to a promising future?

Let’s do it!

He tentatively asked, “Besides leading the way, what else does the Grand Marshal need me to do?”

Qiao Yan replied, “Simple, whatever I say is the Taishi Path’s doctrine, you add it as the leader.”

If Qiao Yan had said this two years ago, it would have been blasphemy to Zhang Lu. But after struggling to expand the sect in Guanghan Dependency, Zhang Lu deeply realized a fact.

So-called theocracy, without politics, in today’s situation, religion is just empty talk.

Zhang Lu’s mind raced, knowing there was no better path.

He stood up, bowed to Qiao Yan, “At your command, my lord.”

Qiao Yan smiled, “Not quite a command, just lead the way first.”

This path was really tough.

If the paths from Chang’an to Hanzhong—Ziwu Valley, Luogu Path, Xiegu Path—were hard due to the Qinling Mountains, then the Yinping Path was no less challenging.

The former were often traveled by locals to reach Guanzhong, but the latter was truly remote.

It must be said, expelling Zhang Lu here, forcing him to build roads for occasional material exchange with the Chengdu Plain and to fulfill the sect’s redemption principles, was her most correct decision.

Even with insufficient manpower, Zhang Lu couldn’t pave the entire 700-li Yinping Path, but he could “carve mountains and build bridges” at key points.

With these crucial connections and hundreds of soldiers brought by Zhang Lu to clear the way, the efficiency of crossing Mount Motian increased manifold.

Though in some narrow paths, soldiers had to march single file, on the opened mountain paths, they could even gallop.

Zhang Lu enviously glanced at the grain carts in Qiao Yan’s army, these wheelbarrows were clearly for transporting supplies on such mountain paths.

If he had such tools, there would be no need for people to carry supplies on their backs to sustain life in Guanghan Dependency.

He looked at the soldiers who seemed particularly relaxed on the mountain paths, gaining new respect for Qiao Yan’s Liangzhou troops, feeling that not opposing her but cooperating was perhaps his most correct decision.

So now, enjoying the wheelbarrows and ample food and drink along the way, was him.

Perhaps because Qiao Yan’s army entering Shu was like the royal army’s arrival, the usual snakes and insects on the Yinping Path didn’t attack, leaving only the fatigue from narrow paths and mountain climbing.

But these difficulties were bearable for well-trained soldiers.

When Zhang Lu chatted with them about their high morale, Yao Chang glanced at him, “Do you think Bingzhou troops are any less enduring? Many of them have fought the Xianbei in the north. This time, the lord chose almost all Liangzhou troops, giving us a chance to make meritorious deeds.”

“Such rare opportunities to earn merits, determining whether we can stand out among the lord’s other troops, of course, we must fight with all our might.”

“Right,” Ma Chao added, “Besides, we’ve been stationed in Hanzhong, ready to use our Liangzhou troops’ prowess against the southern barbarians, preparing for two years, holding our breath.”

“The lord’s prestige reaches far, many generals come to join. Whether we old generals can participate in new regions’ battles depends entirely on the lord’s mood, such assigned tasks must not be missed.”

Ma Chao was envious of Zhao Yun following Qiao Yan, now stationed in Luoyang, ready to support Yingchuan at any time.

But he also knew Zhao Yun had followed the lord longer, always responsible for central military affairs, so it was natural to assign him this duty.

He only hoped his assigned duty wouldn’t be given to others, and Liu Yan wouldn’t surrender out of fear of Chang’an’s might.

With this thought, when Ma Chao received orders to lead troops to Wudu to secretly meet the lord, he eagerly awaited a splendid battle.

“Mount Motian trying to stop us is a joke.”

Zhang Lu was speechless at Ma Chao, so young yet calling himself an “old general,” but couldn’t help but envy their competitive spirit.

Such competition only arises under fair treatment.

Fairness…

Rewarding merits rather than acting on whims is such a luxury in Yizhou.

Thinking this, Zhang Lu felt his choice wasn’t just correct, but very correct!

“What are you dawdling for, the assembly call has sounded.” Still lost in thought, Zhang Lu was pulled up by Ma Chao and pushed forward, “Five Dou of Rice, it’s your turn to lead the way.”

Zhang Lu’s followers glared at Ma Chao, “How dare you speak to our master like that!”

Who calls someone by their nickname like that?

Zhang Lu waved his hand, “Enough, enough, I heard General Ma Mengqi once tried to assassinate the Grand Marshal but ended up targeting Lu Bu, his thinking is different from normal people, no need to blame him.”

Ma Chao: “…?”

Hearing this, Yao Chang couldn’t help but laugh.

Seeing Ma Chao look at her, she quickly said, “I didn’t tell him, don’t blame me. The lord is calling me, I’m leaving.”

Qiao Yan saw Yao Chang running towards her from afar, leaving Ma Chao standing dumbfounded before angrily following the team, feeling both helpless and amused by the lively scene.

But, since Zhang Lu made his choice in the face of this surprise attack and Yizhou’s changes, he would be her subordinate.

Subordinates should get along, right?

She patted her horse Zhu Tan, who pawed the ground in agreement, deepening her smile.

From the second year of Zhongping when she got this horse, almost ten years have passed.

A warhorse’s prime service age is from four to thirteen, so Zhu Tan is in its late service.

Though as her mount, it receives special care to extend its service life, birth, aging, sickness, and death are natural, even for horses.

So, she should end these wars within five or six years.

“Let you all see the prosperous world unified…”

When Yao Chang approached, Qiao Yan’s words had faded to almost inaudible.

“My lord, what are you saying?”

“Nothing,” Qiao Yan looked ahead, Yao Chang seeing a golden light in her eyes, “I’m saying, we should give the Chengdu Plain a surprise!”

“Let’s go!”

Without a guide like Zhang Lu, Qiao Yan wouldn’t dare take the Yinping Path.

Take a mountain on the Yinping Path in Mount Motian, over 2000 meters high, its north slope gentle, but the south slope almost a cliff. Only the Taishi Path followers, to achieve their master’s goal, dared build a path here.

Fortunately, crossing Mount Motian’s Yinping Mountain, crossing the Min River, and going further was Ma Zhuan Pass.

The last stretch wasn’t hard.

And ahead, Jiangyou Pass.

Surrounded by mountains, the Fu River flows rapidly before the steep peaks, this is the end of the Yinping Path.

Passing Jiangyou Pass, the Chengdu Plain appears before them.

The endless Chengdu Plain!

Qiao Yan looked at this scene, different from the Guanzhong and Hanzhong Plains, her tense face from days of dangerous travel finally relaxed, smiling.

Though still hundreds of miles from Chengdu, here they could rush at full speed towards the Yizhou capital.

In at most two days, they could reach Chengdu’s city walls!

Zhang Lu, the guide, even thoughtfully informed Qiao Yan of a nearby horse farm at Jiangyou Pass, allowing them to seize some horses for faster arrival in Chengdu.

“Yan Cai, send someone with Master Zhang,” Qiao Yan ordered.

Seeing Ma Chao also eager, Qiao Yan waved him off, letting him go too.

But facing the smooth road to Chengdu, she didn’t plan to charge straight in as Zhang Lu guessed, but showed deep thought.

She ordered the remaining few, “Reorganize the army, infantry first, take Fu County, I want to talk to someone there about his path.”

Fu County, later Mianyang, was the必经之路 from Jiangyou Pass to Chengdu.

She wasn’t just attacking Fu County to avoid leaving her back exposed.

But because—

Stationed here was Liu Yan’s trusted subordinate, Wu Yi.

Brother-in-law of Liu Yan’s third son, Liu Mao, from Chenliu, Yanzhou, Wu Yi.

In Chengdu, perhaps because the highest leader Liu Yan rarely appeared, the atmosphere was tense.

Wu Yi, highly regarded by Liu Yan among the Dongzhou scholars, was early dispatched to guard Fu County, as a barrier for Chengdu, not appearing in Chengdu.





Not strange.

But Pang Xi, who was often highly regarded by Liu Yan, has also been absent for several days.

Could it be that Liu Yan sent him on some special mission?

It is precisely because of Pang Xi’s disappearance that people have to turn their attention to the Yizhou provincial government, speculating what exactly happened there.

At this time, a man at the center of the storm, after pacing in the room for a long time, with cold sweat on his forehead due to anxiety, rushed straight to another person standing aside, “Mr. Zhao, are we really going to do this? He is my future in-law after all!”

Zhao Wei replied indifferently, “In-law? You consider him as your in-law, preparing to marry according to the Provincial Governor’s arrangement when your eldest son comes of age, but does he consider you as his in-law? I think you have already got an answer from him. If you and your elder brother appear before him at the same time, who would he choose to be the future governor of Yizhou?”

A hint of disdain flashed in Zhao Wei’s eyes, but thinking of the other’s malleable temperament which was advantageous for them, allowing the Yizhou people to inherit Liu Yan’s reputation and surpass the Dongzhou scholars, when he continued to speak, it was only with kind words.

“Fourth Young Master, now the arrow is on the bowstring and must be shot. You have already won over your maternal relatives, and with the support of us Yizhou magnates, if the Provincial Governor’s health could recover, there might still be a chance to retreat, at most just apologize to the Provincial Governor. But do you have that chance now?”

Liu Zhang hesitated, biting his teeth, thinking of his father who was already on the verge of death. According to the medical officer, he could live at most a few more days. He indeed had no chance to retreat.

Once his father passes away, letting his eldest brother become the successor governor of Yizhou, for him, a younger brother who has done many wrong things, there might be no possibility of forgiveness.

He didn’t kill his father, he… he also didn’t delay the opportunity for medical treatment, what does he have to feel guilty about?

Thinking so, he still whispered to Zhao Wei, “But General Pang was appointed as the Prefect of Ba Commandery by my father last year, responsible for monitoring the movements in Hanzhong. If we rashly capture him when he returns to Shu for reporting, would it not disrupt my father’s defense plan in Shu?”

Zhao Wei said calmly, “Fourth Young Master, you are wrong. Isn’t the person who knows the defense of Yizhou best the people of Yizhou? General Pang was first a court advisor, then a subordinate of the Provincial Governor, entering Shu from Sili and shifting from civil to military. In the year he served as the Prefect of Ba Commandery, there were many acts of monopolizing power and gathering scholars in the Ba region, but when have we heard of his successful suppression of the Prefect of Hanzhong’s prestige!”

“Pang Xi may not be the barrier for Yizhou’s defense, but possibly a disaster for us. If after your father’s death, the cunning Grand Marshal and the Prefect of Hanzhong directly win over Pang Xi, who can guarantee he won’t be used by them, offering the gateway of Yizhou. Rather than that, it’s better to replace him directly with General Yan as we are doing now.”

Liu Zhang stammered, “Yes… what Mr. Zhao says is right.”

The general Yan Yan recommended by Zhao Wei to replace Pang Xi is indeed a rare military talent, and compared to Pang Xi, he is more capable of commanding troops.

It is precisely because of Yan Yan’s performance that Liu Zhang was persuaded by Zhao Wei, feeling that Liu Yan’s suppression of Yizhou’s power was more out of personal interest rather than a lack of ability among the Yizhou people.

According to Zhao Wei, there is also a skilled spear user named Zhang Ren among the Yizhou generals, unfortunately, this person has not yet been recognized by Liu Zhang’s “keen eye for talent”, promoted from his position as an officer, and has already been sent by Liu Yan to escort the teachers and students of Leping Academy passing by, making him a bodyguard for their eastward journey. This action sounds quite absurd.

The second question being answered slightly eased the tension on Liu Zhang’s face.

He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and let out a long breath.

Since deciding to seize power while his father was seriously ill, he hasn’t had a good night’s sleep.

His father said earlier that he was not as capable as his three elder brothers, almost cutting off his possibility of inheriting the position of Yizhou Governor, but Zhao Wei and others firmly believed that he was more suitable for this position than his elder brothers, which restored a lot of his confidence.

The prosperity of Yizhou has led to the complex intertwining of various forces in Yizhou, and the prevalence of power manipulation and wealth accumulation. He more or less knows a bit about it. He feels that he does not have the ability to change this situation, but perhaps turning a blind eye is the most suitable state for the current Yizhou.

It’s not too late to initiate reforms after he adapts to the position of Yizhou Governor.

He thought about it and asked the third question to dispel the last doubts in his heart: “In Mr. Zhao’s opinion, if Chang’an sends another Yizhou Governor due to my father’s death, how should we respond?”

It’s really not Liu Zhang’s fault to fear Chang’an.

His father, who could think of reinstating the Provincial Governor system, occupying Yizhou, an independent land of abundance, and repeatedly leading troops to suppress and divide, can be considered a heroic figure, but wasn’t he also in awe of the Grand Marshal?

The father, much more capable than his son, was like this, and he cannot be exempted from vulgarity.

Zhao Wei just sneered, “Fourth Young Master, don’t worry about this. If Chang’an is unwilling to give you the position of Provincial Governor, someone will be willing. As long as you have a legitimate name, you can compete with the north. Besides, aren’t you a descendant of the Han royal family? Qiao Yanshu’s power is growing day by day. If she can’t tolerate you, a quasi-Provincial Governor with Han blood, there will be many people opposing her move to attack Yizhou.”

Liu Zhang’s eyes lit up.

The meaning in Zhao Wei’s words is to use Yuan Shao in Ye City and those in Chang’an City who oppose Qiao Yan to limit her actions.

Is this feasible? Of course!

Zhao Wei clearly saw the change in Liu Zhang’s expression and knew that Liu Yan’s fourth son was completely under his control.

He patted Liu Zhang’s shoulder and encouraged, “Fourth Young Master, these concerns can be temporarily put aside now. The only thing we need to do now is to stifle the voices of opposition and let the Provincial Governor legitimately appoint you as the heir. Before Chang’an notices, let’s make the cooked rice!”

He suddenly laughed, “No, I said something wrong.”

When Liu Zhang was confused about where he was wrong, Zhao Wei bowed to Liu Zhang, “It should be called the Provincial Governor now.”

“Sir… sir, there’s no need for such a grand ceremony.” When Liu Zhang helped Zhao Wei up, it was hard to see any anxious emotions on his face, only the excitement of having power in hand.

Thinking of the title of Provincial Governor and the title of Prefect transferring from his father to him, and thinking of the Mianyang Mountain and Daba Mountain south of Hanzhong and the Ba Commandery as a buffer zone, Liu Zhang now only wishes that time would quickly pass to two days later.

That is the auspicious day chosen by Zhao Wei and other Yizhou scholars for his ascension!

Indeed, the Provincial Governor is appointed by the court, developed from the Inspector, and according to common sense, there is no such thing as Liu Yan inheriting the position of Yizhou Governor to Liu Zhang.

But Liu Yan is a descendant of the Han royal family, which gives Zhao Wei and others room to maneuver.

If Liu Yan, among his four sons, designated his youngest son as the heir to inherit the family business, then once Liu Yan dies, his subordinates will first obey Liu Zhang’s orders.

If at this time there is still a confrontation between Yizhou scholars and Dongzhou scholars, and Liu Zhang, like the situation of quelling the rebellion of Xi Jian, suppresses this confrontation, making a contribution to the peace of Yizhou, and then these Yizhou magnates show their support for him, then—

Just as Zhao Wei and Liu Zhang said, even if the Chang’an court does not want him to be the next Yizhou Governor, they can only accept this fact.

Now is the time for them to complete the first step.

Announce to the public the heir chosen by Liu Yan.

To prevent people from criticizing them for making a power grab while Liu Yan was ill, and possibly even tampering with Liu Yan’s death, Zhao Wei and Liu Zhang decided to let Liu Yan “personally” announce this result to the public.

Liu Zhang was somewhat worried about this overly risky move, but Zhao Wei said that as long as Liu Yan “lives” to appear in public, it is not difficult to achieve this goal.

After all, keeping Liu Yan far enough from those who hear the announcement can prevent others from noticing that Liu Yan is in a coma rather than awake.

As long as they can find someone whose voice is very similar to Liu Yan’s, to outsiders, it will be Liu Yan himself announcing such a decree.

As for Liu Yan’s other sons, as long as they appear on such an occasion, whether they are brought in by force or appear normally, just like Liu Yan’s physical condition can be fooled, these can all be used to create a smokescreen.

In the last two days of preparation, Liu Zhang closely watched his father’s breathing, fearing that he would suddenly die, making all the preparations he had made go to waste.

Fortunately, it seems that heaven has favored him.

Zhao Wei informed him that the series of changes in Shu and the operation of replacing the Prefect of Ba Commandery did not attract the attention of the Prefect of Hanzhong, Xu Shu.

He is too young, perhaps just a mouthpiece left by Qiao Yan in Hanzhong, and there is no need to take him seriously.

And Liu Yan’s life, under the treatment of the medical officer, still maintains a faint breath, and he did not die directly due to the sudden illness.

He even woke up once in the middle, hearing Liu Zhang, who was guarding his bed, tell him that the four brothers took turns guarding the sickbed, and without doubt, he fell asleep again with a gratified expression.

With the first three sons still alive, and the fourth son’s ability far inferior to the first three brothers, how could Liu Yan have any doubts about this son?

But it is this son, when the “auspicious day” comes, who brings him to the high platform, places him on a somewhat wide seat, and then fixes him on the backrest, making him look like he still has mobility.

However, under the seat, covered by brocade, there is actually a person whose voice is extremely similar to Liu Yan’s.

And on the other end of the high platform, slightly lower than this side, among the seats of the subordinates, Liu Yan’s first three sons are all seated with a somewhat dazed look, supported by others.

Pang Xi, who has been missing for a long time, also took a seat, but did not say a word at this time.

Although this scene is a bit strange, considering that from Liu Yan’s illness to now has been several months, in such a long treatment time, Liu Yan’s subordinates and sons feel the long-term pressure and pain, which is also understandable for those who have patients at home.

Then Liu Yan’s youngest son, Liu Zhang, and Liu Yan’s other ministers took their seats.

Regardless of the state, people are finally all here.

“Just announcing the heir, why make such a scene.” The people attracted to this place, looking at the somewhat unclear figures above, couldn’t help but marvel.

“That’s the Provincial Governor, not the same as you who only have farmland at home.” Another person immediately replied.

“That’s right, and this is really the style of our Provincial Governor.”

Liu Yan likes grandeur and face, everyone knows this.

Last time when the Chang’an court came to appoint him as the Grand General of the dynasty, he also made a big scene, gathering people around him. Today, making a similar scene again, it can only be said that he remains true to his original intentions.

But what no one present, except those Yizhou scholars who had already been informed, expected was that the heir announced by Liu Yan at this moment was not his nominal eldest son Liu Fan, nor his second son Liu Dan who had served as a court historian in the court, nor his third son Liu Mao who had married Wu Yi’s sister under his father’s arrangement, but his fourth son Liu Zhang who had always had little presence.

Liu Zhang as the heir!

This arrangement caused an uproar.

Even if it’s not necessarily following the rule of primogeniture, the rule of selecting the most capable heir should still be followed!

Liu Zhang, who doesn’t fit either rule, suddenly ascending to this position, anyone with a sound mind knows something is wrong!

If Liu Yan was originally such a person who acts on his preferences, such an arrangement might be excusable, but the impression Liu Yan left on the Yizhou people in his early years was that he was good at the art of power balance, definitely not a person who acts on impulse, how could he make such an unbelievable move?

Immediately, someone stood up from his seat and questioned Liu Yan sitting above, “Dare to ask the Prefect, your casual mention of the youngest son as the heir, making us believe he is the one to inherit your cause, isn’t it too frivolous!”

Why should Liu Zhang be the heir? He doesn’t even look as decent as his elder brothers!

But before he could finish, he was interrupted by Zhao Wei’s “How dare you!”

Zhao Wei looked at him with a bad expression and said coldly, “From what position do you raise this question? The Prefect has made it clear, the four young masters have no objection to this arrangement, but you insist on thinking it frivolous, intending to stir up conflict in Yizhou, really disregarding the Prefect’s dignity!”

“Do you want to name an heir and have the Prefect acknowledge it?”

The man shook his head, “I don’t mean that.”

He just felt that all these arrangements happened too suddenly.

But if he only had three points of doubt before, then when Zhao Wei made such an overreaction, this doubt almost reached ten points.

However, before he could continue to speak, he suddenly heard a violent crash from afar, interrupting his questioning.

Not just the crash!

Following the crash was the sound of horses galloping and the sudden burst of killing sounds.

Most of those present had combat experience and would never mistake what this sound was.

But why would such a sound appear here?

When everyone reacted to the sudden sound and looked at each other, they all saw confusion or suspicion on each other’s faces.

Even Zhao Wei, who had previously worn a confident expression, was no exception.

Obviously, he also didn’t know what was happening at this moment.

And the killing sounds didn’t last long, the sound of horses’ hooves didn’t give them time to react and was already approaching.

They subconsciously looked in the direction of the sound and saw, in the direction where the fleeing crowd was avoiding, a line of armored cavalry rushing towards this place with dust flying.

Leading the way were two familiar faces to them—

Wu Yi and Zhang Lu!

Anyone at a high place could clearly see that the weapons in their hands still had bloodstains, clearly having just experienced a quick rise and fall of conflict.

Who could stop the steel torrent following behind them.

“How dare you…” Zhao Wei’s face changed, and he suddenly took two steps towards the direction of the cavalry.

If Wu Yi’s appearance was already surprising enough, because after transferring Wu Yi, he had always had people block the news, strictly prohibiting it from reaching his ears, then Zhang Lu’s appearance was even more unexpected.

This guy should continue to be a road worker and preacher in Guanghan Shuguo, what is he doing in Chengdu? Seeking humiliation?

But when the real cavalry team behind the vanguard appeared before him, his accusatory expression froze on his face.

This line of cavalry was actually riding while drawing their bows and arrows, maintaining a stable aim while riding, the tips of the bows and arrows reflecting a chilling light under the sunlight, piercing into people’s eyes.

Looking through this group of people, there were many fierce soldiers from Liangzhou, and even quite a few Qiang people.

But their superb horsemanship is probably not their only advantage.

Zhao Wei’s lips trembled, and at a glance, he saw the most conspicuous presence in the crowd!

She was not as hurried as the other cavalry, just letting the team she commanded split into two columns behind her, flowing towards the high platform in front, forming an encirclement of cavalry and bows and arrows below.

But when she stopped her horse under the platform, unhurriedly pushed aside the cloak messed up by the wind, and looked up at the platform, Zhao Wei felt that she was not looking up from below, but clearly looking down from a higher position at the farce on the platform.

At this moment, she didn’t need to speak, it was enough to guess her identity.

Even if she shouldn’t appear here at this moment, as if she had flown over the thousand miles from Hanzhong to Chengdu, no one would mistakenly judge her identity.

Grand Marshal, Qiao Yan.

She is Qiao Yan!

The moment they recognized her identity, everyone’s eyes focused on her, and then, following her gaze, they all looked at Liu Yan.

They then realized that from the moment the crash from the city gate came to Qiao Yan appearing under the platform, Liu Yan had not said a word, nor made any movement.

No matter how calm a person is in the face of events, it shouldn’t be like this…

It was also when they were full of doubts in their hearts that Qiao Yan suddenly spoke, “Governor Liu of Yizhou remains unmoved in the face of turmoil, such grace.”

She clapped her hands lightly twice, but no one saw any respect on her face, “But, when a distinguished guest comes from afar, why not personally welcome and say a few words to show your hospitality?”

The person hidden under Liu Yan’s seat was about to be soaked in cold sweat in these few seconds.

How should he answer!

In the script Zhao Wei arranged for him, there was no such scene!