Chapter 319

Chapter 319: Change of Ownership in Youzhou

Deciding military merits by drawing lots sounds utterly unreliable, but who can really say which arrow killed Gongsun Zan?

“If we must say, the arrow and blade wounds inflicted by these soldiers, though not as precise as those from the generals, still caused fatal bleeding. And let’s not forget, this horse deserves credit too.”

A fully grown warhorse trampling a person, breaking ribs, is also deadly.

Who knows if those arrows might have been slower than the horse in delivering Gongsun Zan to his death?

Lu Lingju glanced towards the source of the voice, raising an eyebrow: “If you can’t speak properly, better not speak at all.”

The young man who spoke was Yan Rou, whom they met while defeating the Wuhuan forces.

According to him, he was captured by the Wuhuan in his youth.

Over years of living with them, despite being Han, he gradually earned their trust.

Thus, it was he who quickly gathered a group when Lu Lingju and Tai Shici suddenly attacked the camp, serving as a bargaining chip for cooperation.

This cooperation wasn’t impossible.

The Wuhuan weren’t just those gathered by Tadun; Qiao Yan’s forces sent to Liaodong couldn’t annihilate them, just as Qiao Yan’s earlier campaign only targeted the Xiongnu. Hence, on Zhuge Liang’s advice, they brought Yan Rou along.

Hu Shao, whose father once served as Protector of the Wuhuan, had returned to Bingzhou after Liu Yu’s defeat by Gongsun Zan, when Tadun’s influence peaked and the Han lost control over the Wuhuan.

Zhuge Liang believed that if Youzhou fell back under Chang’an’s control, the Protector position would need reinstating.

Yan Rou, being Han yet respected among the Wuhuan, was ideal for this role.

With him assisting in mediating Wuhuan relations, internal pressures would lessen while confronting Yuan Shao at the Ji Province border.

Indeed, bringing Yan Rou proved beneficial.

Though long-term effects remain unseen, his immediate usefulness was clear.

Hailing from Guangyang, Yan Rou knew the coastal routes from Liaodong and Liaoxi to Guangyang and Yuyang better than even Gongsun Du.

Whether plotting shortcuts or avoiding city conflicts, Yan Rou had his strategies.

His guidance allowed them to join the pursuit of Gongsun Zan after killing Tadun in Liaodong, ensuring Gongsun Zan had no chance to escape.

Thus, while Lu Lingju spoke harshly, she respected Yan Rou’s potential usefulness in Youzhou.

She whispered, “Tai Shici, Gan Ning, and I can share credit, but with them, it must be clear. The higher our merit, the more your contribution from Liaodong to Yuyang stands out.”

Lu Lingju shot him a look—if he wanted a significant appointment from Chang’an, he should speak less when unnecessary.

So what if one of the opposing generals was her father?

In determining military merits, even father and daughter must settle accounts.

But before Lü Bu could call her an “unfilial daughter” and claim credit for ambushing Gongsun Zan, Zhang Liao interjected, “This gentleman’s words imply that now isn’t the time for such disputes. Even horses can be credited.”

“Though Gongsun Zan is dead, Youzhou isn’t fully under control. With internal and external troubles, why disrupt ourselves over who killed Gongsun Zan? Let Junhou decide after Youzhou is pacified.”

Qiao Yan never mistreated her own, even someone as temperamental as Lü Bu received suitable appointments.

Gongsun Zan’s death merits would surely be fairly judged by her.

First, finish the cleanup.

To Zhang Liao, there were still many opportunities for merit.

Recognized by Qiao Yan as a capable leader, Zhang Liao displayed true general’s demeanor.

Tai Shici, not his first meeting with Zhang Liao, felt that nearly three years of holding Juyong Pass had honed Zhang Liao’s skills.

“How’s Liucheng?” Zhang Liao asked.

This was something Lu Lingju nearly forgot, but Zhuge Liang filled in.

Zhuge Liang replied, “Gongsun Xu, Gongsun Zan’s son, leads Liucheng with Guan Jing assisting. Gongsun Xu is negligible, but Guan Jing is somewhat capable and loyal to Gongsun Zan. Liucheng is hard to breach, so we guard key routes to prevent their southward movement. With Gongsun Zan dead, Liucheng stands alone. Many inside likely wish to survive. Spread the news to incite internal strife, then besiege.”

Gongsun Zan and Liu Yan were different.

Liu Yan was nominally a subject of Chang’an, never acting against it, so after his death, only the usurping Liu Zhang faced punishment; his other sons were treated well.

But Gongsun Zan was an enemy.

An enemy who nearly killed Liu Yu and had a son-killing feud with him!

Thus, Gongsun Xu had no way out.

But no matter how he resisted in Liucheng, as Zhuge Liang said, the outcome wouldn’t change.

Gongsun Zan’s death and the imperial army’s arrival were beyond Gongsun Xu and Guan Jing’s control. Internal strife depleting Liucheng’s forces would benefit those aiming to pacify Youzhou.

“Then, Kongming and General Lv, please handle this, with Prefect Gongsun assisting,” Zhang Liao said.

Though not the highest in rank here, Qiao Yan’s arrangements clearly made Zhang Liao the commander, so his orders were justified.

Gongsun Du gave Zhang Liao a grateful look.

Returning to Liaoxi to attack Liucheng wasn’t dangerous but an opportunity to add to his merits after submitting to Chang’an. With Zhuge Liang planning and Lu Lingju leading the charge, he only needed to provide troops from Liaodong—a guaranteed win.

No wonder Qiao Yan made Zhang Liao responsible for Youzhou.

Young but steady, especially in emotional intelligence.

Calling her “General Lv” instead of “Little Lv” greatly improved Lu Lingju’s impression of him, and she accepted the task.

“Middle General Lv also has significant responsibilities,” Zhang Liao turned to Lü Bu. “Though our battles in Guangyang and Yuyang were quiet, wars always cause migrations. Refugees fleeing Youzhou to Ji Province will surely inform Yuan Shao.”

“I know, I’ll guard Zhuo County as Junhou instructed,” Lü Bu replied without hesitation.

If Gongsun Zan had escaped Yuyang, forcing him to guard borders instead of pursuing, Lü Bu would be unhappy.

But now, having contributed greatly to Gongsun Zan’s death and seeing his daughter’s growing prowess, guarding Zhuo County wasn’t about cowering across the river from Yuan Shao.

It was about intimidating, making Yuan Shao fear his potential attack!

What could be more fitting for Lü Bu?

Zhang Liao added, “Also, Zhongda and General Gan will assist.”

Sima Yi’s expression remained unchanged, but inwardly, he sighed.

If accompanying Gan Ning along the Bohai Bay was challenging, adding Lü Bu made it even harder.

Though skilled in diplomacy, facing such a duo with Yuan Shao controlling Ji and Qing Provinces made him feel overwhelmed.

Though this position offered more chances for merit than Xuzhou…

Sima Yi silently sighed.

Yet, Zhang Liao’s arrangements were flawless.

Lü Bu guarding the border, as Qiao Yan decreed, with his experience and achievements, was perfect for threatening Ji Province.

The Juma River in Youzhou, rarely dry, still flowed during this dry season, making it ideal for Gan Ning to shine.

After all, when the overseas grain reached Liaodong, Gan Ning already knew of Yizhou’s change of ownership.

Having little loyalty to Liu Yan, he accepted serving Qiao Yan.

With a chance to earn merit against Ji Province, Gan Ning wouldn’t refuse.

This was perhaps the only comfort for Sima Yi.

Lü Bu and Gan Ning’s competitive spirits were better than dealing with slackers.

Fortunately, this was temporary.

Once Youzhou’s situation reached Qiao Yan, adjustments would follow… right?

Thinking so, Sima Yi’s gaze towards Zhang Liao and Tai Shici held subtle regret.

How much better it would be with them.

But Zhang Liao had to handle Yuyang and Youbeiping, eliminating Gongsun Zan’s influence, and couldn’t join the border defense soon.

Tai Shici was called to assist.

“Brother Ziyi, having served in Donglai, Qingzhou, and lived long in Liaodong, is well-versed in governance and Youzhou. Please lend me a hand.”

Tai Shici had no reason to refuse Zhang Liao’s request.








“Thanks to Wen Yuan for calling me Brother Ziyi, but you’ve been loyal to our lord for several years longer than I have, so there’s no need for such formalities. If there’s anything I can help with here, just let me know.”

Zhang Liao smiled, “It’s rare to see someone like Brother Ziyi, who is clearly highly skilled, yet has been holding the position of a minor official in the Grand Marshal’s office for two whole years, and still remains as steady as Mount Tai. Your contributions to the death of Gongsun Zan and the pacification of Youzhou must be significant. Why bother about who came first?”

He pointed to Tai Shici’s Divine Bow battalion and said, “But since Brother Ziyi has already said to just let him know, there’s no need for me to be polite. Please, Brother Ziyi, take some men and the news of Gongsun Zan’s death to the prefectural office in Youbeiping Commandery and bring back the documents from the government storehouse to Yuyang. Additionally, the prefectural office of Youbeiping is almost adjacent to Liaoxi, and one of the nearest county seats is Gongsun Zan’s former residence, Lingzhi—”

“Most of Gongsun Zan’s clan resides there. Since they had a lukewarm relationship with Gongsun Zan in the past and rarely interacted, it might be best to invite a couple of talented and virtuous individuals from there to help stabilize the hearts of the powerful families in Youzhou. I will report this to our lord later.”

Tai Shici clasped his fists towards Zhang Liao, deeply impressed by his thorough arrangements.

The journey to the prefectural seat of Youbeiping and Lingzhi in Liaoxi wasn’t too far, and it didn’t require a long cavalry march. A show of force would suffice, just as Tai Shici and his troops were doing now.

When Tai Shici delivered the documents from Youbeiping to Yuyang, the reconstruction of order in the area, now without Gongsun Zan as the Governor of Youzhou, had already begun under the management of the personnel Zhang Liao had cultivated during his tenure as Prefect.

As soon as Tai Shici returned, Zhang Liao lifted a ledger and said to him, “I think I’ll have to trouble Brother Ziyi to make another trip for me. I initially thought that all we needed to do here was assess the losses in manpower and the remaining population and farmland in Yuyang and other areas due to our recent battles. But it turns out there’s an unexpected discovery.”

“I had assumed that someone like Gongsun Zan, who was brave in quelling rebellions in his early years and arrogant in recent years, wouldn’t bother with the cunning strategy of having multiple hideouts. Yet, he didn’t abandon the northern fortress-building tradition and had been sending the tax revenues from Yuyang Commandery to Quanzhou over the past two years.”

Tai Shici asked curiously, “Not in Liucheng?”

Zhang Liao shook his head, “Liucheng is deep in Liaoxi, a place rarely reached by Central Plains armies. It was used to settle his wives, concubines, and children, serving as a fallback. But Gongsun Zan, who dared to seize the position of Governor of Youzhou, wouldn’t be satisfied with just Liucheng. Naturally, he would also need a fortified city to the south.”

If this place wasn’t needed, it would just be a place for Gongsun Zan to accumulate his private wealth. But if it was needed, it would become his bridgehead for advancing south into Ji Province!

Gongsun Zan’s position as Governor of Youzhou was obtained from Yuan Shao, but he had no respect for this “ally.”

“So, what do you suggest we do with this place, Wen Yuan?”

Zhang Liao replied, “Please, Brother Ziyi, go and take inventory of the stockpile there. Once this list is sent back to Yuyang, I think good news from Liucheng should also arrive, and we can send everything back to our lord together.”

What was originally Gongsun Zan’s surprise for Yuan Shao might now be our surprise for him!

But how to make use of these confiscated resources will depend on our lord’s decision.

Zhang Liao’s estimation wasn’t wrong. The amount of wealth, grain, and military supplies stored in Quanzhou was substantial. Gongsun Zan had even stationed a considerable number of troops there. Even though the news of his death had spread throughout Yuyang Commandery, these troops didn’t desert their posts, making it take some time for Tai Shici to capture the place.

When Tai Shici returned to Yuyang with the ledgers from Quanzhou, the cleanup in Liucheng was also nearly complete.

Gongsun Zan’s subordinate, Guan Jing, knowing that it was the end and that they were no match for their opponents, and realizing that he couldn’t even send Gongsun Xu away in the chaos—or that even if he did, there was no one to turn to—simply set a great fire in Liucheng.

This loyal minister, who had often advised Gongsun Zan, chose to burn himself to death in Liucheng, just as he had historically led his troops into Yuan Shao’s army to die for his lord upon hearing of Gongsun Zan’s death.

Several others also perished in the fire.

Besides Gongsun Zan’s son and cousin, there were also three of his sworn brothers.

Yes, sworn brothers indeed.

Gongsun Zan, who came from a minor official background with a mother of low status, liked to associate with people who, by the standards of the time, were considered lowly, such as fortune-tellers and merchants who were not well-regarded in Liaoxi.

Gongsun Zan called himself the eldest brother, forming a sworn brotherhood with the fortune-teller Liu Weitai, the silk merchant Li Yizi, and the merchant Le Hedang, even having his son marry their daughters.

The extent of their wealth was one thing, but Gongsun Zan treating them as his own Quzhou and Guanying, sincerely regarding them as equals, was another matter entirely.

Although they knew that Qiao Yan’s troops, after capturing Liucheng, might not necessarily take their anger out on them, and that the policies in Guanzhong were relatively favorable to merchants, they chose to join Guan Jing in his decision to die for Gongsun Zan, to repay his kindness.

By the time Lu Lingju, with the assistance of Zhuge Liang, broke into Liucheng, the fire in the city’s administrative center was already beyond control.

For Lu Lingju, beheading Tadun didn’t cause her any hesitation, and surrounding and killing Gongsun Zan’s White Horse Righteousness cavalry didn’t make her frown. But hearing about these sworn brothers dying together brought a look of melancholy to this young general’s face.

“Let’s give them a proper burial, especially that Chief Clerk Guan. He was a righteous man.”

“Gongsun Zan died because he betrayed his subordinates, yet there are still those willing to die for him. Perhaps this is the paradox of a heroic figure,” Qiao Yan said as she closed the battle report from Liaodong.

During the Youzhou campaign, she had already implemented various arrangements in Yizhou. After the court received the report sent by Fu Gan and appointed her to the positions she most needed, she set out north.

When she reached Hanzhong, she happened to receive a message from Zhang Liao.

The Youzhou campaign was entirely her plan, and this final remark about Gongsun Zan was already more than generous.

From preparation to execution to completion, this campaign had both expected and unexpected outcomes.

The unexpected ones were the growth of the young people and Zhang Liao’s increasingly reassuring performance.

She could now confidently leave the governance of Youzhou to him.

As for Yizhou, after the death of Governor Liu Yan, the position of Governor of Yizhou was abolished, reverting to the system of inspectors overseeing prefects.

The three positions Qiao Yan was determined to secure—Inspector of Yizhou Wu Yi, Prefect of Zangke Commandery Zhao Ang, and General Who Guards the Qiang and Man Yao Chang—had all received their appointment edicts. The rest could wait.

Especially the southern barbarians in Yizhou, some of whom might be hard to even find, let alone subdue.

But it wasn’t crucial to quickly subdue them, as the greatest gain from taking Yizhou for Qiao Yan was the fertile Chengdu Plain and the strategic control of the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, allowing her to deploy troops to Jingzhou, Xuzhou, and Yangzhou at any time. The rest could be dealt with gradually.

So, when she headed north, her instructions to Yao Chang were to prioritize stability, especially being cautious of diseases in the southern environment. Any actions should wait until the medical teams from Chiyang Medical Academy arrived.

As Qiao Yan pondered this, Xu Shu suddenly interrupted her thoughts, “My lord, are you thinking about how to determine the merits for Gongsun Zan’s death?”

In the battle report from Youzhou that Zhang Liao sent her, the coincidental circumstances of Gongsun Zan being hit by four arrows were also mentioned, asking her to determine the hierarchy of merits.

In this era, coroners were still called “ling shi,” lacking the professional autopsy skills of the Tang and Song periods and holding even lower status. Determining Gongsun Zan’s exact cause of death was almost impossible.

Zhang Liao mentioned that they had treated Gongsun Zan’s body with lime and sent it to Chang’an, but Qiao Yan thought it would have been better to bury him on the spot.

Thinking about the situation in Youzhou at that time, Qiao Yan couldn’t help but feel a bit amused.

She replied, “There’s no need to worry too much about this. After all, we’ve already assigned the topic of animal military formations, so adding another case of an animal being hit by four arrows and then trampled to death isn’t too strange, is it?”

“…That’s still a bit strange.”

“Just kidding,” Qiao Yan suddenly shifted from her earlier teasing tone to a serious one. “Yuanzhi, why must we rank the merits?”

“With Yizhou and Youzhou now under our control, as long as we can hold these regions, even without considering the uncivilized areas in southern Yizhou, I already hold nearly half of the world.”

“If even now I dare not fight for the titles of generals and marshals for my subordinates, how can I claim the courage to face the heroes of the world alone!”

Xu Shu heard every word clearly, and at this moment, he felt his spirit boiling even more than when they had taken Yizhou!

She said, “I already hold,” not that the Son of Heaven in Chang’an holds this land!

When Qiao Yan returned to Guanzhong from Hanzhong, thanks to the merit of the surprise attack on Chengdu, she made an even more impressive impact on the officials in Chang’an than when she had returned from hunting in Hanzhong.

Bingzhou, Liangzhou, Sili, Yizhou…

Which previous powerful minister, in the fragmented state of the Han dynasty, could have pieced together this much?

Probably none!

So much so that when she stood in the court, even though it had only been a few months since she left Chang’an for Hongnong Commandery, she seemed strangely unfamiliar.

Unfamiliar to the point of being suffocating.

It also made Wang Yun increasingly certain that the changes in Yizhou were originally Qiao Yan’s plan, indicating that she might no longer be satisfied with the position of a powerful minister supporting the Son of Heaven!

After adjusting his emotions, he decided to cautiously probe her, “Grand Marshal, may I ask you a question about the changes in Yizhou?”

“You may, but…” Qiao Yan replied indifferently, turning her gaze towards him, “Minister Wang, before you ask this question, or before we discuss Yizhou in court, I would like to say something to everyone.”

Wang Yun’s expression froze.

He was sure he wasn’t mistaken. When Qiao Yan’s gaze swept over him, there was a layer of coldness and mockery, clearly indicating that she had already seen through his thoughts.

But even if she knew, so what?

Holding great power, whether there was any intention of overstepping, wasn’t something Wang Yun could determine.

Moreover, even if she did have such intentions, what could Wang Yun do?

Qiao Yan bowed to Liu Yu, “Your Majesty, Gongsun Du of Liaodong has submitted to our authority under the threat of warships from Hailing in Xuzhou. With the cooperation of the students from Leping Academy, the Uhuan rebellion in the Liaodong dependency has been quelled, and the Uhuan chieftain Tadun has been executed.”

If this was already a shocking message for the court, Qiao Yan’s next words were like a thunderclap.

“The Prefect of Shanggu Commandery, Zhang Wenyuan, simultaneously led troops from Juyong Pass, joining forces with General Who Pacifies the North, Lu Fengxian, to capture Guangyang and Yuyang. The eastern and western forces combined, and Gongsun Zan was beheaded. His relatives have also been captured in Liucheng.”

“Congratulations, Your Majesty, Youzhou is now pacified.”