“Can strategists not ascend the throne?”
Chapter 313: Breaking into Chengdu
Originally, Zhang Lu thought he was in pretty good shape, but Qiao Yan managed to put a damper on that with just one sentence.
“Still safe and sound?”
If he said he was still able to stir up trouble and had developed quite a few followers in this Guanghan territory, he just knew he’d be targeted by Qiao Yan in the next moment.
What on earth was she doing here?
Zhang Lu sighed in his heart.
This was truly a nightmare!
Clearly, with the drought and locust plague affecting the Sili region, they needed a Grand Marshal like her to hold the fort and prevent any disasters from provoking civilian unrest. And it was obvious that after the governor was killed in Yuzhou and Runan lost land, she should be keeping a close eye on the enemy situation in both Yuzhou and Yanzhou. Moreover, he, as a leader of the Taishi Path, was stuck managing things in Guanghan and should have been minding his own business. How on earth did he get into such a mess?
Why was it him that caught Qiao Yan’s attention, prompting her to personally come to confront him?
What had he done to deserve this?
Shouldn’t the likes of Dong Zhuo be treated to this kind of attention instead?
Thinking back to the time he was completely outmaneuvered by Qiao Yan in Hanzhong, almost losing his life, he rubbed his head, feeling that the knot in his brain was probably not much softer than it had been back then, and he certainly wasn’t in a better position now.
He stepped out from among his followers, standing on the battlement of Huyi Dam, and sincerely asked Qiao Yan, “May I ask, Grand Marshal, why you have come to this place?”
He wasn’t without his own temper.
Time and again, she used him as a scapegoat, imagining him as the “chicken” to be killed to scare the others. Even if he were a rabbit, he should at least be prepared to bite back at this moment!
Should Qiao Yan state her intent to annihilate him to ensure the cult wouldn’t spread under her nose, even though he knew he wasn’t her match, he would still fight tooth and nail to prove a point.
The followers who had survived the Hanzhong conflict were mostly those who revered the Taishi Path and had left their families behind to follow him here. Their will to fight would surely match that of the people from Liangzhou, and they could still inflict some losses upon the enemy.
But when he heard Qiao Yan’s calm reply, it was—
“I came here to borrow a road.”
Zhang Lu momentarily felt lost, thinking he must’ve misheard.
But soon he realized he hadn’t made a mistake.
She had indeed said “borrow a road.”
She even continued, “Besides borrowing a road, I would also like to invite you to accompany me, Zhang Shijun, to see a good show in Shuzhong.”
Zhang Lu turned and glanced at the mountains behind him.
When Qiao Yan mentioned borrowing a road, he, who had been living here for years, wouldn’t misjudge which road she meant.
Under Liu Yan’s jurisdiction, Yizhou was more accurately situated within the Chengdu Plain. Just like the Hanzhong Plain is sandwiched between the Qinling and Micang mountains, the Chengdu Plain is also surrounded by mountains, one of which was the Mount Motian behind Huyi Dam.
Eastward from Mount Motian extends the Micang Mountain in the south of the Hanzhong Plain.
So he could flee from the Hanzhong Plain into the Guanghan territory because this migration didn’t cross a significant geographical barrier.
For Qiao Yan to borrow a road, it could only be to traverse the Yinpian path over Mount Motian, following a different trail than crossing through the Micang and Daba mountains, into the Chengdu area.
She was after Liu Yan!
Zhang Lu couldn’t believe his eyes as he looked at Qiao Yan.
This shocking plan was communicated to him so casually, as if it carried another unspoken message: If he agreed to borrow the road and even helped to pave the way for her plan to cross the Yinpian path, he could indeed see the “good show” she mentioned in Shuzhong.
But what would happen if he declined?
Before he even ran into the wild detachment, Zhang Lu would probably end up as a joke in Chengdu!
Facing such a threat, he felt he must have lost his mind to not even consider that Qiao Yan might ditch him after he helped her and directly opened up the camp gates to welcome her in.
When he finally sat in the same room with Qiao Yan, looking at that familiar face, he still felt a bit dazed.
“Zhang Shijun, why put on that sacrificial air?” Qiao Yan chuckled. “In the past, when our positions differed and you couldn’t be of use to me, I had to make an example of you, but have you seen me take any drastic actions against your mother or brother?”
Actually, he hadn’t.
From the news he received, his mother from the Lu family and his brother Zhang Wei were still doing just fine back in Hanzhong. The Taishi Path merely became a means for Xu Shu and Qiao Yan to manage the people.
If Qiao Yan had wanted to wipe out the Taoists, she wouldn’t have bothered with such effort.
As he pondered this, Qiao Yan continued, “I’ve been straightforward about borrowing the road, so I’ll also ask bluntly—Zhang Shijun, to consolidate the Taishi Path in Yizhou, you must rely on the true powers of Yizhou. Liu Junlang clearly sees you as a pawn in our previous gathering, which is why he’s ignored the Guanghan territory for years. Relying on him would be futile if you want to revive your status.”
“So, is it useful to pin hopes on Liu Junlang’s heir? If I remember correctly, your relationship with Liu Zhang’s son isn’t great. Your mother used ghostly powers to earn Liu Yan’s trust, which is why, as a local man of Yizhou, you’ve walked a completely different path from the local gentry, drifting away from them.”
As soon as Qiao Yan finished speaking, Zhang Lu blurted out, “What does Liu Zhang have to do with it?”
Liu Yan had four sons after all!
But as soon as he asked, he met Qiao Yan’s knowing smile. “Isn’t this the good show I’m inviting you to see?”
This statement suddenly made Zhang Lu realize that he was just one mountain away from the Chengdu Plain, yet he seemed to be less informed about the current situation than Qiao Yan.
Qiao Yan’s sudden turn towards Yizhou clearly indicated that she wasn’t about to confront Liu Yan without reason; rather, in Chengdu, a power shift within Yizhou was already occurring.
As Zhang Lu registered this shocking news, he heard Qiao Yan ask, “Zhang Shijun, can you now accurately answer my question? Are you willing to borrow this road and accompany me?”
Zhang Lu felt he probably didn’t have any other choice.
If Liu Yan gained the upper hand in the clash with Hanzhong, Zhang Lu might still have a chance to regain his trust and continue his teachings with the support of the governor. But right now, Liu Yan not only lacked the chance for a comeback, but he was also likely facing his end.
If, as Qiao Yan said, Liu Zhang was the next heir, then considering the delicate relationship between him and the local gentry of Yizhou, Zhang Lu could confirm that without Qiao Yan intervening, he might not survive in Guanghan territory.
Given that, why not accept the olive branch Qiao Yan extended and transition from a cornered position to one with great prospects?
Done deal!
He tentatively asked, “Other than leading the way, is there anything else you need me to do, Grand Marshal?”
Qiao Yan replied, “Very simply, whatever I say is the doctrine of the Taishi Path, you shall incorporate it as the leader.”
Had Qiao Yan said such a thing two years ago, it would undoubtedly have been a desecration of his doctrine. But after struggling to establish the sect in Guanghan territory, Zhang Lu had recognized a crucial fact.
The so-called unity of politics and religion, if there’s no political power, the religious power reduced to mere slogans in the current situation.
Zhang Lu’s mind raced as he realized the path ahead couldn’t possibly be better.
He stood up, bowed to Qiao Yan, and said, “I am willing to obey your commands.”
Qiao Yan smiled and said, “It’s not really a command; just take me on the way.”
This road wouldn’t be easy.
If traveling from Chang’an to Hanzhong through Ziwugu, Luogu Path, and Xiegugu Path was difficult due to being trapped in the Qinling, then this Yinpian Path was genuinely no walk in the park.
The former paths would sometimes have locals traveling through to reach Guanzhong, while the latter was genuinely deserted territory.
She had made the right call to exiled Zhang Lu here, forcing him to maintain occasional exchanges with Chengdu Plain and offering a suitable channel for repentance through road construction.
Even if Zhang Lu didn’t have enough manpower to completely lay down a new and stable road across the 700-mile Yinpian Path, he could definitely carve out passages and build bridges where necessary.
With these crucial connections established, and with several hundred soldiers Zhang Lu brought along clearing the way, efficiency in crossing Mount Motian soared multiple times.
Though the narrower paths still only allowed soldiers to proceed in single file, the newly forged routes could even accommodate horses galloping through in the most accessible segments.
Zhang Lu couldn’t help but squint at the supply carts in Qiao Yan’s army. These one-wheeled carts were clearly designed for transporting goods for soldiers over such rugged paths.
If only he had such a contraption, he wouldn’t need to repeatedly rely on manpower to transport supplies necessary for survival in Guanghan.
He looked again at his soldiers who were remarkably comfortable on this mountain trek, and he was starting to see that instead of opposing Qiao Yan, teaming up with her in this road-collaboration might just be the best decision he ever made.
So now, enjoying the benefits of that one-wheeled cart and securing enough supplies along the way, had become his current reality.
It was hard to say if it was because Qiao Yan advanced into the Shu territory, which probably counted as the general’s arrival, but the snakes and pests normally seen on this Yinpian Path had not appeared to attack, leaving only the slowed marching speed hindered by the narrow paths and the fatigue from climbing.
However, these difficulties were still within acceptable limits for the battle-trained soldiers.
While Zhang Lu chatted with them about their morale, Yao Chang glanced at him and said, “Do you think the Bingzhou troops will lag behind us in terms of grit and endurance? Many of them have had plenty of practice in the cold northern regions. This time, the general has nearly exclusively called on our Liangzhou comrades to march, giving us a real shot at showing off our skills.”
“Since it’s a rare opportunity to earn merit and decides whether we can stand out among the other troops, we must give this fight everything we’ve got!”
“Absolutely,” Ma Chao chimed in, “besides, we’ve been stationed in Hanzhong, ready to showcase the prowess of our Liangzhou soldiers against the southern barbarians for two years now, and we are bursting with anticipation.”
“With the general’s influence spreading far and wide, many commanders are coming to join us. Whether the new states will allow us seasoned veterans to participate in the battles depends entirely on the general’s wishes; such tasks are not easily dismissed.”
Ma Chao was quite envious of Zhao Yun, who traveled with Qiao Yan’s army, now camped in Luoyang and potentially ready for a strike as backup from Yingchuan. But he understood that Zhao Yun had worked alongside the general for longer and had consistently managed central command duties, thus making his current authority well-deserved.
He was hoping for one thing—whatever responsibilities were originally assigned to him should not be handed to someone else, and it would be best if Liu Yan didn’t simply surrender out of fear of Chang’an’s might.
Because of this thought process, when Ma Chao received the message that he and Yao Chang were to secretly join the general in Wudu County, he immediately rubbed his hands in anticipation, ready to make a spectacular display in battle.
“To think that a mere Mount Motian could hope to halt us—it’s laughable.”
Zhang Lu felt rather speechless when someone of Ma Chao’s age referred to him as “seasoned veteran.” However, he couldn’t help but admire the competitive spirit that they displayed.
This kind of rivalry had never appeared among Liu Yan’s subordinates.
After all, such competition only arose in the face of fair treatment.
Fairness…
The notion that merit would lead to reward rather than favoritism was indeed a luxury in Yizhou.
Thinking of this, Zhang Lu felt that not only was his choice correct, it might be very much so!
“What are you dawdling for? The troop command has already sounded!” Zhang Lu, still lost in thought, was pulled up by Ma Chao with a gentle shove forward. “Wudou Mi, it’s your turn to lead the way.”
Zhang Lu’s followers glared at Ma Chao, “How dare you speak to our leader that way?”
What sort of address is that?
Zhang Lu waved his hands. “Alright, alright. I’ve heard that this General Ma Mengqi once tried to assassinate the Grand Marshal but ended up targeting Lü Fengxian instead—clearly, his thought process isn’t quite the ordinary one, so there’s no need to hold a grudge against him.”
Ma Chao: “…?”
Hearing this, Yao Chang couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
Seeing Ma Chao shoot her an amused glance, she hurriedly retorted, “I didn’t say that to him; don’t pin that on me. The general called for me, I’m off now!”
From afar, Qiao Yan noticed Yao Chang rushing toward her, leaving Ma Chao standing there in a bit of a daze, before he finally sulked and caught up with the troops, feeling both amused and frustrated at the scene.
But regardless of how it turned out, since Zhang Lu had made this choice amid the sudden appearance of the detachment and the changing situation in Yizhou, he would now be considered her subordinate.
Subordinates should maintain a good relationship with one another, shouldn’t they?
She patted her steed, the red sandalwood horse, and noticed it pawed the ground twice in agreement, causing her smile to deepen.
Since inheriting this horse in the second year of Zhongping until now, it had been nearly ten years.
A warhorse aged from four to thirteen years is still considered to be in its prime service years; by this standard, her steed was indeed nearing the end of its service life.
Even though it was cared for by a dedicated groom due to its status as her mount, aging and dying is a natural part of life, even for horses.
Thus, she should probably aim to conclude these wars within the next five or six years.
“I have to show you all what a unified world looks like…”
By the time Yao Chang reached her, the last note of Qiao Yan’s words had dipped to nearly inaudible levels.
“What did the General say?”
“Nothing,” Qiao Yan replied, raising her eyes to look ahead. From Yao Chang’s perspective, she caught a glimpse of a glimmering light in her eyes, “I was just saying it’s time to surprise the Chengdu Plain!”
“Let’s go!”
If it weren’t for Zhang Lu leading the way, Qiao Yan wouldn’t have dared to venture carelessly down this Yinpian Path.
Take, for example, one of the peaks along the Yinpian Road in Mount Motian, standing over two thousand meters high; while the northern slope looked quite gentle, the southern slope was almost a sheer cliff. Only the followers of the Taishi Path, striving to achieve the leader’s goals, would have the audacity to build a road here.
Fortunately, as they crossed the Yinpian Mountain, descended the Minjiang River, and went a little further, they reached Maturn Pass.
The last leg of the journey was no longer difficult.
Once past Jiangyou Pass, they were greeted by the expansive Chengdu Plain.
As far as the eye could see, the Chengdu Plain unfolded!
As Qiao Yan gazed at this scenery, distinct from the Guanzhong and Hanzhong plains, the tense expression borne from navigating dangerous roads finally softened into a smile.
Even though they were still several hundred miles from Chengdu and its surroundings, once they reached here, they could now gallop full-speed toward the Yizhou capital.
In just over two days, they would be positioned before Chengdu!
Zhang Lu, responsible for leading the way, had the foresight to inform Qiao Yan about a nearby horse farm close to Jiangyou Pass, where they could capture a batch of horses to reach Chengdu quicker.
“Yancai, take some people to accompany Zhang Shijun,” Qiao Yan instructed.
Seeing Ma Chao also eager to jump in, Qiao Yan waved her hand, letting him tag along.
However, as she turned her attention back to the open path to Chengdu, she did not intend to charge recklessly into Chengdu territory as Zhang Lu had anticipated, but instead displayed a pensive look.
She turned to the remaining few and said, “Organize the troops; the infantry will advance first. We must take Fuxian; I want to have a chat with someone in the county about his routes.”
Fuxian is the modern-day Mianyang, a crucial junction for heading to Chengdu from Jiangyou Pass.
Her intent to attack Fuxian stemmed not only from the need to secure their backs against potential threats from these towns.
But also because—
At this moment, the aptly stationed Liu Yan’s capable subordinate Wu Yi was in that locality.
Wu Yi, brother-in-law to Liu Yan’s third son Liu Mao, was from Chenliu in Yanzhou.
At present, it seemed that due to Liu Yan’s recent absence from overseeing Chengdu, an atmosphere of tautness lingered on despite daily operations.
Having gained Liu Yan’s favor, Wu Yi had long been assigned to guard Fuxian, serving as a wall against Chengdu’s threats. He had not shown up in Chengdu herself…
Not surprising.
But another person, Pang Xi, who was often valued by Liu Yan, hadn’t shown up for several days either.
This couldn’t possibly mean Liu Yan sent him on some special mission, could it?
Because of Pang Xi’s silence, people couldn’t help but focus their attention on the Yizhou provincial government, speculating about what was happening there.
Meanwhile, a certain man in the eye of the storm paced back and forth in a room, cold sweat dripping from his brow in frustration, and he rushed toward another person standing to the side saying, “Mr. Zhao, are we really going to do this? That’s my future in-law!”
Zhao Wei replied nonchalantly, “In-law? You think of him as an in-law, getting ready for a wedding between your eldest son and his family as directed by the Provincial Governor? But does he even see you as an in-law? I think you’ve already got your answer there. If both you and your brother showed up before him, he’d choose who’s going to become the future ruler of Yizhou.”
A flicker of disdain crossed Zhao Wei’s eyes, but knowing the other’s easygoing nature played right into their hands, allowing the people of Yizhou to inherit Liu Yan’s reputation while overshadowing the eastern provinces, he softened his tone when he continued.
“Young Master, we’re out of time. You’ve already brought your maternal clan on board, and with the support of these Yizhou elites, if the Provincial Governor’s health improves, we might still have a chance to pull back. At most, you’d just have to apologize to him. But do you have a choice now?”
Liu Zhang hesitated, gritting his teeth as he thought of his father, whose condition was worsening. According to the physician, he could last only another day at most; he really had no chance to back down.
Once his father passed, if his elder brother took over as the Provincial Governor, there’d be no chance for him to escape after all the mess he’s made.
His father wasn’t killed by him; he… didn’t delay his treatment in any way, so what was there to feel guilty about?
Thinking it over, he quietly asked Zhao Wei, “But General Pang was appointed by my father last year as the Prefect of Bajun to oversee the movements in Hanzhong. If we act rashly and take him out while he’s reporting back, won’t that ruin my father’s defensive strategy in Shu?”
Zhao Wei, calm as ever, replied, “Young Master, you’re mistaken here. Who understands the defenses of Yizhou better than us locals? General Pang started as an advisor, then as a subordinate to the Provincial Governor. He came from the plains to Shu, transitioning from civil to military. Over the past year as Prefect of Bajun, he’s made quite the name for himself in grabbing power, but has he ever been known for successfully taking down the Governor of Hanzhong?”
“Pang Xi might not be a bulwark for Yizhou’s defenses but could be a liability instead. If your father passes and that scheming Grand Marshal and the Governor of Hanzhong recruit him, there’s no telling he won’t be used against Yizhou, handing over the gates. So rather than that, wouldn’t it be better for us to do what we’re doing and replace him with General Yan?”
Liu Zhang mumbled, “Yes… Mr. Zhao is right.”
The general recommended to replace Pang Xi, Yan Yan, was indeed a remarkable martial talent, far more capable in command than Pang Xi.
It was precisely Yan Yan’s capabilities that convinced Liu Zhang that Liu Yan’s oppression of the Yizhou forces stemmed more from selfish motives than from a lack of ability among the Yizhou people.
According to Zhao Wei, among the military elites from Yizhou, there was another spear expert named Zhang Ren, but unfortunately, this talent hadn’t been recognized before Liu Zhang could promote him from his previous position due to Liu Yan sending him off to guard the students of Leping Academy on their journey east. Quite a ridiculous move.
Receiving a response to this second question eased the tension on Liu Zhang’s face a little.
He wiped his cold sweat and let out a sigh.
Since he decided to seize power while his father was ill, he hadn’t slept well a single day.
His father had once said he wasn’t as capable as his three older brothers and practically closed the door on his own inheritance of the position of Governor. But now Zhao Wei and others swore he was more suited for the role than those older brothers, which had rekindled some of his confidence.
The riches of Yizhou contributed to the intricate intertwining of various powers, creating an atmosphere ripe for intrigue and wealth accumulation. He knew a bit about it, but no matter how he looked at it, he felt incapable of changing the situation. Perhaps turning a blind eye was the best approach for now.
Once he adjusts to the role of Provincial Governor, he can initiate reform later.
He thought some more and asked a third question to dispel his lingering doubts: “Mr. Zhao, if the capital dispatches another Provincial Governor due to my father’s death, what should we do?”
It’s no wonder Liu Zhang harbored fear toward Chang’an.
His father could come up with the Provincial Governor System to control Yizhou, a thriving metropolis, often commanding armies to suppress and divide. He was indeed a formidable figure, and yet there was still much he feared about that Grand Marshal.
His father, far more capable than him, had no choice but to navigate such trepidations.
Zhao Wei just scoffed, “Young Master need not worry about that. If Chang’an won’t give you the position of Provincial Governor, someone else will want it. As long as you have a legitimate claim, you can contend with the north. Besides, aren’t you a member of the Han royal family? If Qiao Yan’s power continues to rise and she cannot accommodate a Provincial Governor hailing from Han blood, there are plenty of people who would oppose her attack on Yizhou.”
Liu Zhang’s eyes lit up.
Zhao Wei’s words implied employing Yuan Shao in Ye City and those in Chang’an who were against Qiao Yan to counter her movements.
Was this feasible? Absolutely!
Zhao Wei clearly noticed the shift in Liu Zhang’s expression, knowing that Liu Yan’s fourth son was completely under his sway now.
He clapped Liu Zhang on the shoulder and encouraged him, “Young Master, you can push your worries aside for now. What we need to do is quell those opposing voices and officially establish you as the heir to the Provincial Governor. Before Chang’an catches wind of it, let’s make this a done deal!”
He paused and laughed, “Actually, I misspoke just now.”
Confused, Liu Zhang wondered what he had said wrong, as Zhao Wei suddenly knelt before him, “You should be called the Provincial Governor now.”
“Sir… there’s no need for such formalities.” As Liu Zhang helped Zhao Wei up, the anxiety that had been etched on his face faded, replaced by the excitement of power within his grasp.
Thinking about how the title of Provincial Governor and the titles of lord were about to shift from his father to him, and with Hanzhong still having protective mountains like Micang and Daba, Liu Zhang found himself wishing time would speed up to two days later.
That was the auspicious day selected by Zhao Wei and the Yizhou elite for his ascension!
Certainly, the Provincial Governor position was appointed by the court, evolving from the title of Governor. By common sense, Liu Yan would not inherit the position for Liu Zhang.
But Liu Yan was a member of the Han royal family, which gave Zhao Wei and others the leeway to maneuver.
If Liu Yan declared his youngest son as the heir to the family business, once Liu Yan passed, his subordinates would naturally obey Liu Zhang’s commands.
If any conflict arose between the Yizhou and Dongzhou factions during that time, similar to how he quelled the Qie Jian rebellion, and if he garnered some merit in quelling dissent, showing that Yizhou had supported him, then—
Just as Zhao Wei and Liu Zhang had discussed, even if the court in Chang’an didn’t want him as the next Provincial Governor, they’d have to accept this reality.
Now was the time for them to complete the first step.
To publicly announce Liu Yan’s choice of heir.
To prevent any complaints that they were usurping power during Liu Yan’s illness, or possibly having a hand in his death, Zhao Wei and Liu Zhang agreed that Liu Yan should “personally” announce this outcome.
Liu Zhang worried about such a risky move, but Zhao Wei assured him that as long as Liu Yan “appeared” in public, achieving this goal would not be too difficult.
After all, keeping Liu Yan far enough away from those hearing the announcement would ensure they didn’t realize he was actually in a deep sleep rather than alert.
As for finding someone whose voice closely resembled Liu Yan’s, if they could manage that, to the outside world, it would appear Liu Yan was announcing such an edict himself.
As for Liu Yan’s other sons, as long as they had an appearance in such a setting, be it dragged in or coming in normally, they could easily devise a distraction regarding Liu Yan’s condition.
In the final two days of preparation, Liu Zhang kept a close watch on his father’s breathing, terrified the old man might suddenly pass away, ruining all the preparations he had set in motion.
Fortunately, it seemed the heavens were smiling upon him.
Zhao Wei informed him that the recent string of changes in Shu and the swap of Prefects in Bajun hadn’t caught the attention of Governor Xu Shu of Hanzhong.
He was probably too young and merely a mouthpiece for Qiao Yan in Hanzhong, so he didn’t need to be taken too seriously.
And with the physician’s treatment, Liu Yan was still clinging to life, albeit weakly, and hadn’t yet passed away due to the urgency of his illness.
He even woke up once during the process, hearing Liu Zhang tell him that all four of his sons took turns guarding his bedside with comfort on their faces, only to fall back into a deep sleep.
With three sons still alive and the fourth not nearly as capable as his older brothers, how could Liu Yan ever harbor doubts toward this son?
But on the “auspicious day” of his ascension, this very son brought him up to the high platform, placed him on a rather wide couch, and secured him in place, making him appear to still have some semblance of mobility.
However, below this couch, hidden beneath colorful brocade, was someone whose voice sounded eerily similar to Liu Yan’s.
Meanwhile, on the opposite side of the platform, Liu Yan’s first three sons sat looking somewhat dazed, supported by others.
Pang Xi, who had been missing for quite some time, also took his seat but said not a word.
Although the whole situation felt bizarre, after thinking of how Liu Yan had been ill for months, those in attendance, including his ministers and sons, would understand the pressure and strain over such a long duration.
Next to take a seat was Liu Zhang, along with Liu Yan’s other ministers.
No matter their state, everyone was present.
“It’s just a matter of reading the heir’s declaration; why the grand spectacle?” The people drawn here looked at the indistinct figure above with a sense of astonishment.
“That’s the Provincial Governor, totally different from us common folk toiling away in the fields,” another replied immediately.
“True enough, but this is totally in line with our Provincial Governor’s style.”
Liu Yan loved grandeur and status, everyone knew that.
The last time someone from the Chang’an court came to promote him as Grand General, he made a big deal out of it, gathering everyone around him. Today’s similar display was clearly his unchanged ways.
However, what none of those present, except for the savvy Yizhou elite, could have imagined was that Liu Yan would announce that his chosen heir was not his nominal eldest son Liu Fan, nor the second son Liu Dan, who had served as a court censor, and not even his third son Liu Mao, who had married the sister of Wu Yi by his father’s arrangement, but instead, his usually low-profile fourth son, Liu Zhang.
Liu Zhang as the heir!
When this arrangement was revealed, the venue erupted in chaos.
Even if it didn’t strictly have to adhere to the rules of primogeniture, one would think the selection of an heir should lean toward the capable, right?
Suddenly thrust into this position, Liu Zhang, someone who didn’t even appear as dignified as his elder brothers, raised suspicion among everyone with a functioning brain!
If Liu Yan was truly the kind of person who made decisions based solely on preference, perhaps this arrangement was understandable. But Liu Yan had always left Yizhou with the impression of being a master of balance in power—a level-headed strategist, not someone to act impulsively. So how could he make such an absurd move?
Immediately, someone stood from their seat and questioned Liu Yan, “May I ask, Lord, how you can expect us to believe your youngest son can carry on your legacy with just a casual phrase?”
What on Earth made Liu Zhang qualified to be the heir? He barely even looked presentable when compared to his older brothers!
But before he could finish, Zhao Wei interjected with a sharp “Silence!”
Zhao Wei glared at him, his voice cold as ice, “By what right do you raise such a question? The Lord has made his intentions clear, and all four young masters agree with this arrangement. Yet you still insist on stirring up discord among Yizhou, blatantly disregarding the Lord’s authority!”
“Do you expect the Lord to confirm another name for the heir?”
The man shook his head, “I didn’t mean that.”
He simply felt this whole situation had unfolded too suddenly.
But if he previously held three parts doubt, the moment Zhao Wei reacted so vigorously, his suspicions raced to a near ten.
However, before he could speak further, a sudden loud crash echoed from the distance, interrupting his questioning.
Not just the crash!
Along with it came the thunder of galloping horses and the sudden eruption of battle cries.
Most people there had faced combat before and could easily recognize the sounds of chaos.
But why were these sounds coming from here?
As the crowd processed the unexpected noise, they turned toward the source, only to see confusion and disbelief mirrored on their faces.
Even Zhao Wei, who had appeared so confidently before, now bore a similarly perplexed expression.
Clearly, he didn’t know what was happening either.
And the cries of battle continued but were quickly overwhelmed by the thunderous hooves approaching them without giving them time to react.
The crowd instinctively turned toward the sound only to see a cavalry unit in gleaming armor rushing at them through the fleeing masses.
Leading them were two familiar faces—
Wu Yi and Zhang Lu!
Anyone in a high position recognized that this group of cavalry came with weapons marked by fresh blood, clearly the aftermath of a swift confrontation.
How could they dare to—
Zhao Wei’s expression changed dramatically as he took two steps forward toward the cavalry charging in.
If Wu Yi’s appearance surprised him enough, the fact that Zhang Lu had come was even more unexpected.
Wasn’t he supposed to be busy maintaining roads in the Guanghan territory? What was he doing in Chengdu? Just asking for trouble?
But as the actual cavalry unit moved into view before him, the stern look on his face froze in place.
This cavalry didn’t just ride; they were stringing bows and arrows, maintaining steady aim as they rode, the reflected sunlight on their weapons casting an ominous glint.
Among them looked many soldiers from Liangzhou, and quite a few from the Qiang people along with them.
But their remarkable horsemanship didn’t seem to be their only asset.
Zhao Wei’s lips quivered as he spotted the most conspicuous figure among the group!
Unlike the other cavalry, she moved deliberately, ensuring the unit under her command split into two columns as they reached the base of the platform, forming a surrounding circle with cavalry and archers.
As they halted, she slowly revealed her cloak that had been tousled by the wind, looking up at the chaos unfolding on the platform, giving everyone the impression she wasn’t merely observing but presiding over this theatrical display from a vantage point above.
In that instant, without needing to speak, she was enough to cause a stir among the onlookers.
Even though she shouldn’t have been there, it felt as if she had crossed the kilometers from Hanzhong to Chengdu in a flash—it was impossible to mistake her identity.
The Grand Marshal, Qiao Yan.
At that moment, when everyone recognized her, all gazes turned toward her, then followed her sight toward Liu Yan.
Only then did they realize that during the time the sound of crashing from the city gates traveled to Qiao Yan’s arrival, Liu Yan had said nothing and hadn’t moved at all.
No matter how composed a person might be, they shouldn’t exhibit such behavior in a situation like this…
As doubts began to swirl in their minds, Qiao Yan suddenly spoke: “Liu Yizhou remains unperturbed amidst the chaos—what grace.”
She clapped her hands lightly, but not a hint of respect graced her features, “But if a distinguished guest comes from afar, why not welcome them properly and display your hospitality?”
The one concealed beneath Liu Yan’s couch felt a chill running down his spine, drenched in cold sweat, panic screaming through him: how on earth could he respond?
