Chapter 314

Chapter 314: Whose Era Is It?

Can a strategist not ascend the throne? Volume 9: The Calamity of Drought and Locusts, Flying Troops to Liaodong, Chapter 314: Whose Era Is It?

Belonging to the book:


Can a Strategist Not Ascend the Throne?

Chapter 314: Whose Era Is It?

Not only did the disguised Liu Yan not know what to say at this moment, but even Zhao Wei, who should have been primarily responsible for the grand play of appointing an heir, was also at a loss.

What should he say? That as the mastermind behind this scene, he should personally welcome the Grand Marshal?

Even Zhao Wei, who was bold and reckless, was behaving like this, let alone Liu Zhang, who was immediately targeted by Qiao Yan.

Liu Zhang looked at her and asked, “Or is it because of everyone’s support that Liu Yizhou feels that even I, the Grand Marshal, must follow your rules when I come to your territory in Chengdu, Shu?”

“Won’t Liu Yizhou personally speak with me?”

The emphasis on the word “personally” became increasingly ambiguous under the encirclement of soldiers.

Under Qiao Yan’s overly sharp gaze, Liu Zhang, who had only been persuaded by Zhao Wei to sit in this position, retreated in fear and even fell to the ground.

Liu Yizhou, Liu Yizhou…

At this moment, the Liangzhou soldiers led by Wu Yi and Zhang Lu had completely taken control of the city. Because Wu Yi had gained Liu Yan’s trust, the power he could mobilize in the city further solidified the advantageous situation.

Yet, even at this point, Liu Yan remained seated, showing no signs of normal behavior. Everyone should know that he was not in a clear state of mind.

Could Qiao Yan not see this? Impossible!

But she still asked such a question.

So, when she said “Liu Yizhou,” was she referring to the real Governor of Yizhou, Liu Yan, or the impostor? In her shifting gaze, there was clearly ambiguity, and it was highly likely she meant the latter!

Liu Zhang’s lips trembled, and he dared not speak.

In his almost blank mind, he couldn’t even think about how she had traversed the thousand-mile journey from Hanzhong to Chengdu in an instant. All he knew was that the moment the city’s alarm was sounded, he regretted more than ever—

Regretted why he had been persuaded by Zhao Wei to make such a move!

If Qiao Yan hadn’t come here, and they had really gone ahead with their plan to force the issue, they would at most have faced a subsequent expedition from Chang’an. But now, before the rice was even cooked, she had already appeared before them…

In the face of the awe-inspiring Grand Marshal, did they still have a chance to turn the tables?

Qiao Yan withdrew her gaze from the trembling Liu Zhang, inwardly scoffing that the people of Yizhou had chosen a rather “suitable” new Governor of Yizhou, and then immediately said, “Arrest Zhao Wei and Liu Zhang, seal off Chengdu, dismiss and investigate all those involved in this matter, and settle Liu Yizhou and the others in the prefectural office. General Wu, follow me.”

The previous instructions were clearly directed at Yao Chang, Ma Chao, and the others.

Except for Liu Yan, who was on the verge of death and received proper care, everyone else, regardless of whether they were victims of this scheme, was directly detained by the unfamiliar Liangzhou soldiers and taken to Liu Yan’s prefectural office.

The man hiding under Liu Yan’s seat was, of course, thrown into Chengdu’s prison.

Interestingly, before being taken away, he made a plea for his own innocence and accused Zhao Wei and others. Because his voice was so similar to Liu Yan’s, it was as if he was speaking on Liu Yan’s behalf.

Qiao Yan sneered and muttered something.

Then she waved her hand, signaling the military doctors to follow the group heading to the prefectural office.

Marching into Yizhou, a place rife with southern miasma, Qiao Yan dared not relax in the slightest.

Even though their route had caught the people of Yizhou off guard, and they had a competent guide after passing through Guanghan, diseases wouldn’t avoid them just because of the speed of their advance or the capture of Chengdu.

However, since the main force of this march was the Liangzhou army, whose physical condition even the Bingzhou army might not match, and a significant portion had already adapted to Yizhou’s climate over the past two years, the military doctors didn’t have much to do. Instead, they were tasked with treating Liu Yan.

Watching the two groups heading in different directions disappear from her sight, Qiao Yan also walked out in a certain direction.

Because of her earlier words, “General Wu, follow me,” Wu Yi followed Qiao Yan and heard her ask, “Can you gain control of the military camps near Chengdu?”

He had initially felt some melancholy upon seeing Liu Yan in such a state, but upon hearing Qiao Yan’s question, he immediately replied, “Yes.”

“However, I must trouble you, Lord, to spread the news widely in Chengdu that Zhao Wei and Liu Zhang have detained the Prefect.”

Although Liu Yan had treated the Yizhou and Dongzhou factions differently, leading to dissatisfaction among Zhao Wei and others, he had been the Governor of Yizhou since the Zhongping era, long enough to establish his authority. Many in Yizhou even compared Liu Yan favorably to Xi Jian, believing him worthy of support.

To win over the hearts of the Yizhou people, it was undoubtedly necessary to raise the banner of quelling internal strife for Liu Yan.

Seeing Qiao Yan nod, Wu Yi continued, “Additionally, Lord, it would be best if you could quickly have General Pang and the Prefect’s sons appear in public, so that…”

“No rush on that. Just say they were controlled by southern barbarian poisons by Zhao Wei and others and are not yet awake.”

Hearing this, Wu Yi’s face showed a hint of surprise, but he suddenly remembered that when Qiao Yan had visited Fuxian, where he was stationed, she had said, “Instead of hoping that your sister’s marriage to Liu Yan’s son will lead to his rise and fulfill the prophecy of her noble destiny, why don’t you both strive for positions under me and seize a noble destiny you can control?” So he simply asked, “Then what does the Lord need from me now?”

“After securing control of Chengdu’s military camps, under the pretext of assisting Liu Yizhou in quelling the rebellion, I will also place Ma Chao and his troops under your command. Immediately head north and join forces with the Governor of Hanzhong—”

“To attack Yan Yan in Ba Commandery!”

Ever since she successfully persuaded Zhang Lu to help her sneak through the Yinping Trail, she had sent a message to Hanzhong, ordering Xu Shu to march south ten days later, cross the Micang and Daba mountain passes, and advance towards Chengdu from Ba Commandery.

The soldiers Xu Shu had recruited in Hanzhong and the troops led by Chu Yan, who was also in Hanzhong, had to reach Chengdu to provide backup support for Qiao Yan. Otherwise, relying solely on her surprise troops, it would be quite difficult to simultaneously suppress Wu Yi, Zhang Lu, and later Pang Xi’s forces.

The main army could only advance through Ba Commandery, and the current defender of Ba Commandery was Yan Yan, who had been sent by Zhao Wei to replace Pang Xi as the Prefect of Ba Commandery during Liu Zhang’s power grab.

Yan Yan was indeed capable. To minimize casualties in breaking through Ba Commandery’s defenses, a sudden pincer attack would be best.

However, after Wu Yi left to carry out his orders, Fu Gan, who was still following her with a portion of the cavalry, asked, “Lord, by sending General Wu with Chengdu’s garrison to Ba Commandery to join forces with Colonel Chu, are you trying to prevent too many troops in Chengdu from causing rebellion and making it difficult for us to control the situation?”

Qiao Yan smiled, “Why can’t it be that I want to give him a chance to earn merit?”

When her forces arrived at Fuxian and he was persuaded to defect, leading troops into Chengdu, it could be considered a merit.

Joining forces with Xu Shu and Chu Yan to attack Yan Yan from both sides, effectively eliminating the armed forces of the rebellious Yizhou faction, would also count as a merit.

These two merits would surely be “truthfully” reported to the court in Chang’an.

The turmoil in Yizhou, with Liu Yan’s impending departure, also gave her the opportunity to eliminate the Liu family’s governors one by one. Therefore, she absolutely could not allow Liu Yan’s descendants to continue inheriting the position of Governor of Yizhou. Instead, she needed someone with some prestige in Yizhou but who was not a native of Yizhou.

But to be precise, Wu Yi would not be the Governor of Yizhou, because Yizhou, a place prone to independence, was no longer suitable for having both military and administrative power concentrated in one person’s hands.

So Wu Yi would at most be the Governor of Yizhou.

The Prefects of Yizhou’s various commanderies were the ones she would manipulate…








She shifted the discussion from the arrangement of Wu Yi to Jiang Jiao, saying, “Uncle Ming, you once assisted Zhongde in handling military affairs in Jincheng Commandery. How about now in Chengdu?”

Jiang Jiao initially thought that his following along was merely to observe the attitude of the four prominent families of Hanyang after the previous purge. However, he didn’t expect that Qiao Yan, in leading this team composed of Liangzhou people, had actually considered his position.

Qiao Yan continued, “Before Yuan Zhi and others arrive in Chengdu from Ba Commandery, and before I release Liu Junlang’s sons and subordinates, we need to inventory the stored grain in the Yizhou government storehouse and the confiscated assets of Zhao Wei and others. Once we have enough manpower, without needing to consult Chang’an, we can directly send the provisions via the Yangtze River to Hailing.”

These provisions would be used to entice Gongsun Du in Liaodong Commandery and cover the expenses of his military actions.

Realizing that this trip to Yizhou might trigger a series of reforms and that he had a chance to rise further, a hint of joy flashed across Jiang Jiao’s face as he replied, “Rest assured, Your Excellency, I will handle this matter properly.”

As for the negotiations involved in confiscating the storehouses of Zhao Wei and others, and the unwritten rules with the powerful families of Yizhou, Jiang Jiao could already find a reference answer from Qiao Yan’s attitude towards the families of Liangzhou.

After Wu Yi took away the soldiers of Chengdu, the city was completely under their control.

“We can leave now,” Qiao Yan finally said to Fu Gan. “Back then, a fire in Chengdu burned down the thousands of carriages Liu Yan had built, and another fire destroyed the former residence of Dong Fu in Mianzhu. But I think the leverage the Yizhou Governor left us is not just what was burned.”

Whether his wife and children were as cautious as he was after Qiao Yan’s military threat to Hanzhong remains unknown.

There are always some improprieties after seizing power.

Even if there aren’t, to abolish Liu Yan’s position as Governor of Yizhou and make the people accept a change in Yizhou’s management style, there must be.

Therefore, such confiscations can only be entrusted to her trusted aides.

Fu Gan understood Qiao Yan’s implied meaning and followed without further words.

With these arrangements, everyone was in their rightful place.

For the people of Yizhou in Chengdu, the sudden change of the city’s garrison didn’t seem to affect their lives. They were both anxious, fearing they might be affected by this power shift, and curious, trying to find out about the series of events in the city.

People are always curious, especially when the gossip involves disputes over inheritance.

Moreover, the fact that “Liu Yan chose Liu Zhang as his successor” was showcased on a high platform, making it even more of a topic for discussion.

While Qiao Yan was reviewing the documents Liu Yan left behind, Yao Chang, who was patrolling the city, reported to her, “Today on the streets, I heard them say that even though Yizhou is thousands of miles away from Chang’an, if you do something bad, Your Excellency will descend from the sky to punish you.”

“Last time, Liu Yizhou’s improper carriages were exposed, and Your Excellency rushed to Hanzhong despite the recent coronation ceremony in Chang’an. This time, Liu Zhang, that kid, usurped his father’s authority before even sitting on the position, and Your Excellency arrived again. Although Your Excellency doesn’t deal with trivial matters, it doesn’t stop people from using it to warn their children.”

Yao Chang found it increasingly amusing as she spoke.

She imitated the adults’ tone, “It’s probably like this: if you don’t respect the emperor or your parents, tomorrow the Grand Marshal will come to your door with those Liangzhou soldiers.”

Qiao Yan replied, “Aren’t you also in this lineup?”

Yao Chang laughed, “To be honest, it’s quite a novel experience.”

But Zhao Wei, Liu Zhang, and others, who were already imprisoned, probably wouldn’t find their situation and treatment novel.

The punishment for the exposed usurpation was entirely up to Qiao Yan.

All they knew was that Qiao Yan, with a rather mischievous taste, had imprisoned them in adjacent cells, giving them the opportunity to shift blame and reveal more secrets. Meanwhile, their estates and storehouse assets outside the prison were completely confiscated, including those hidden in other villas.

After all, Jiang Jiao’s methods against Zhao Wei’s clan were no different from Qiao Yan’s treatment of the Jiang family of Hanyang.

In this torment akin to a slow knife cutting flesh, they heard a piece of news brought kindly by a jailer—

Liu Yan had woken up.

But he wasn’t miraculously saved from the brink of death by Qiao Yan’s physicians. When Qiao Yan arrived at his bedside after receiving the news, the physician reported that this was likely Liu Yan’s final rally before death.

End-of-life care was probably not something Qiao Yan offered. At most, she appeared more gentle and amiable compared to when she scared Liu Zhang into collapsing on the ground.

But for Liu Yan, no matter how gentle and smiling she appeared, the only emotion he felt upon opening his eyes and seeing Qiao Yan, who should have been in Luoyang, was shock and horror.

When Qiao Yan dismissed everyone and sat by his bed, recounting all the recent upheavals, Liu Yan’s eyes revealed a mix of shock and suspicion.

He struggled to get up, “I want to see my son…”

But his final rally couldn’t give him the strength to get out of bed, and Qiao Yan’s next words froze him in place, “Do you want to see a son who remains unrepentant in prison, thinking he was merely misled by others, or three sons who haven’t regained their senses and are even more foolish than their younger brother in the face of these changes?”

“There’s no need for me to fabricate lies to deceive you. If it weren’t true, why would I abandon the development and defense in Luoyang to come to your remote Yizhou?”

A thoughtful expression crossed Liu Yan’s face.

The months of suffering from his arrow wound had greatly damaged his body and mind, but his intellect hadn’t been destroyed by illness. Recalling Liu Zhang’s unusual behavior the last time he woke up, he had already formed some judgment.

What Qiao Yan said was likely true.

And her calm and unhurried speech made Liu Yan realize that she no longer intended to lie to a dying man.

“Besides, I should thank you. Why would I deceive you?”

“If it weren’t for your suggestion to restart the Provincial Governor System, I wouldn’t have been able to use your argument to refute, gaining fame in the capital, receiving Xu Zijiang’s evaluation, and earning Emperor Xiaoling’s trust.”

“If it weren’t for your persistence in finally implementing the Provincial Governor System, I wouldn’t have been able to lawfully take the position of Governor of Bingzhou without anyone thinking I fought for it.”

“If it weren’t for your ambition in Yizhou, I wouldn’t know how long it would take to achieve my goal of becoming Grand Marshal.”

“Today, it’s because you failed to teach your son well, even allowing one to become a puppet for Yizhou people trying to control the entire region, that I have a legitimate reason to reclaim Yizhou!”

All of this was thanks to Liu Yan’s enthusiastic assistance. How could one not say it was thanks to him? Therefore—

“Out of gratitude, I will certainly treat your three sons well.”

Why three sons? It goes without saying.

Because Liu Zhang must pay for his actions as Qiao Yan’s explanation to the Chang’an court!

At this moment, Liu Yan saw in the eyes of the Grand Marshal, who was barely twenty, a ruthless political game. Her gratitude sent a chilling coldness through his bones.

This was no gratitude but a step-by-step tightening of the noose around an opponent, with only the word “treat well” remaining as a last shred of mercy.

The only consolation was… in his final moments, he wasn’t completely kept in the dark.

How could Yuan Shao, still locked in a tug-of-war with her, possibly be her match?

Was Liu Yu, now stationed in Chang’an, truly fortunate to have such a minister?

In his already blurring consciousness, he faintly heard Qiao Yan’s final words to him, “It is no longer the era of Liu Junlang.”