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“Can a strategist not ascend to the throne?”
Chapter 329 is heavy with implications!
Even with Wang Yun in the audience and the Sima’s secretary being cushy with Liu Yang, it still caught everyone off guard, especially since Chunyu Jia, who had fainted from public humiliation before, suddenly hated Qiao Yan’s actions. When Liu Yang said that, their faces dropped.
“The Han dynasty won’t fall to the eunuchs like Dong Zhuo but to the hands of Qiao Yan,” muttered some sour Confucian while the prince, who benefited from her favor, shouldn’t echo such sentiments.
If word got out about this, Qiao Yan hadn’t done anything wrong up to now, so her reputation wouldn’t take a hit; it was Liu Yang who’d end up the laughingstock of the world.
“Your Highness, let’s be cautious with our words,” Chunyu Jia coughed to advise.
Liu Yang knew he was going overboard, but he had to test the waters and show off his guts against Qiao Yan, so he had to keep it up.
Shaking off the angry flair, he said, “Though there’s exaggeration here, look at the years when Grand General Liang Ji held power and no official dared disobey. He monopolized the court for twenty years. Just look at the Grand Marshal’s actions today; she’s not even twenty-five! If we don’t put limits on her, her influence could last way longer than twenty years!”
Even the deans from Chiyang Medical Academy remarked that if any disciple there could restore a common person’s body to that of a Grand Marshal, they’d gladly relinquish their positions for it—pure medical miracle!
This really showcases just how terrifying her physical condition is.
Despite being young, Liu Yang couldn’t guarantee living past Qiao Yan.
It was precisely because of her youth and health that Qiao Yan being in power became even scarier.
“She hasn’t poisoned emperors like Liang Ji did or indulged in lavish excesses; yet Liang Ji built the Princess Pavilion ten zhang high for show, while she constructed a new road in Chang’an, setting the standard. Liang Ji’s subordinates basked in his glory, while the Grand Marshal’s officials are all her pets. Should we overlook this just because the consequences seem fewer?”
This reasoning made a bit of sense on the surface but was just hot air.
Yuan Yao scoffed in his heart.
That new road in Chang’an? He happened to see it booming back then.
Without that new road, the changes in Chang’an would never have spread across the realm as quickly, even with newspapers.
It’s a completely different story from Liang Ji’s efforts to display his power.
And claiming that all the prefects and governors come from her circle? Liu Yang should check himself. If it weren’t for Qiao Yan’s filtering, how could a once-empty Han dynasty stand on its own?
With Liu Yang’s chit-chat, it’s not like he’s some maestro of persuasion, especially when he’s actually speaking from the heart…
These were genuine feelings!
Yuan Yao rolled his eyes, just as he heard Liu Yang continuing, “Everyone, the people fear no one more than the so-called gentlemen who are really scoundrels. My father is kind-hearted, but burdened by his reputation, sincerely believes the Grand Marshal has no intentions of usurpation. This is something we all must work together on.”
Then the secretary Wang Yun sent interrupted him, asking, “If I may inquire, do we have soldiers at hand?”
This guy was just a secretary, but it’s not like secretaries always followed orders blindly. Many of them were just getting some experience watching the political scene first.
This included him.
He caught Liu Yang’s drift; those comments about Liu Yu hinted he wasn’t keen on risking his son for a leadership role, intending to pick a royal kid instead.
This meant those loyal to Liu Yu wouldn’t listen to Liu Yang if they were just his entourage.
The real issue was, with no real troops, how could they pull off a palace coup and take down Qiao Yan? What would they do afterward?
After this year’s drought and locust plague, the public finally settled down, thanks to Qiao Yan. If she got hurt now, people might think her too ambitious and deserving of punishment, or that Liu Yu instigated this against her.
The public would surely weigh in on this!
This was super risky.
But he knew he was there on behalf of Wang Yun and just needed to follow orders. So any worries and doubts were folded into a single question—
Since you have such intentions, where’s your military force?
None present had one.
Even though Yuan Yao was Yuan Shu’s son, Yuan Shu’s old subordinates remained in Yingchuan with the new governor Yuan Huan forming defenses, not in Chang’an.
What Qiao Yan did to prevent Yuan Shu’s chaos in Chang’an didn’t really matter; the outcome was, Yuan Yao was only left with two little kittens by his side.
Wang Yun, as the Minister over the Masses, didn’t have military power, and after the blunders from Dong Zhuo’s rebellion, he was stripped of command duties by Qiao Yan, with no one daring to speak against her.
Chunyu Jia? Probably couldn’t outfight Liu Yang.
As for anyone else Liu Yang might recruit…
This secretary felt he could guess the odds.
Anyway, there wouldn’t be any revolutionary talents among them.
Only daring fools like Liu Yang could act beneath the Grand Marshal’s nose, thinking any challenging questions were okay since they still believed in their little plan to retake the Han.
He responded, “Since Zhao Yun left for Luoyang, the military post in Jingzhao has been vacant. Could we trouble Minister Wang to recommend Master Shun?”
“Furthermore, my father’s subordinate, Xianyu Duwei, and I maintain a good relationship, which could also help us out.”
This Xianyu Duwei wasn’t the one present but his brother Xianyu Yin, who wasn’t around either. Yuan Yao suspected, from Liu Yang’s wording, that he already had a secret agreement with him, just not present today.
As Yuan Yao thought this through, Liu Yang turned to him, causing a little panic.
This brought back memories from when Yuan Yao first came to Chang’an, where Liu Yang said he didn’t know what position Liu Yu had in mind for him, but whatever it was should fit his status, so—
“I also intend to recommend Zixu as the prefect of Nanyang.”
Nanyang?
Yuan Yao almost jumped out of his seat but was held down by Liu Yang, “Zixu, I know you’re eager; while Nanyang is under Liu Jingsheng, it doesn’t seem like the best area, but let’s discuss why I think it’s a solid choice.”
“Based on your father’s previous area and the Yuan family’s reputation in Runan, you should be stationed in Yingchuan to oppose Cao Cao, but the current prefect Yuan Yaoqing is well-respected and the appointment has been finalized; that’s hard to change. Nanyang is the second option.”
“Firstly, Nanyang is close to the Sili. Once something changes in Chang’an, troops can be dispatched through Wugang toward Chang’an, making it a solid backup for us. Secondly, it sounds reasonable; having Zixu as prefect would threaten Liu Jingsheng, preventing any unnecessary thoughts, and could also be touted as a way for Zixu to support Yingchuan.”
“See? It’s not like we’re completely without means!”
Liu Yang wrapped up his point, feeling the heavy silence afterward was nothing but praise for his great idea.
Thank goodness he visited Hongwen Hall a few days ago.
He didn’t find any real aide like he was hoping, but heard about the possibility of taking Nanyang first to shake Liu Biao’s hands before he could stir up trouble.
That told Liu Yang this was his chance, and also a perfect spot for Yuan Yao!
“It’s a good plan, but this year has seen so many shifts within the bureaucratic roles, with Yizhou and Youzhou being taken, and the battles in Xuzhou are still going on, causing imbalance,” Chunyu Jia considered and replied, “Your Highness, if you really want to raise this issue, perhaps waiting until next spring is wiser. Let Yuan Langjun acclimate a bit in Chang’an first. When the time comes to recommend him, it’ll be smoother.”
“I agree,” the Secretary from the Minister over the Masses echoed.
He didn’t realize that Yuan Yao, who had previously reported Yuan Xi to Qiao Yan, nearly bouncing up wasn’t just a young man being impatient.
Seeing Liu Yang also “anxious” to be the prefect of Nanyang, Yuan Yao mused that the son of Yuan Gonglu was just like Liu Yang.
Too bad this year wasn’t right for such moves, so for now, it’s better to squash this idea.
Even if they had to go ahead, it had to be at a more favorable time.
Liu Yang glanced at these two more authoritative people, wanting to vent his dissatisfaction, but considering he needed to win over both sides, he held it in and only asked, “Can’t we at least hint at it?”
If they pitched it this year, they could play the emotional card… but dragging it into next year wouldn’t allow for such soft approaches.
Liu Yang didn’t know Yuan Yao’s full capabilities; from what he heard, Yuan Shu wasn’t great in Yu Province either.
His hesitant tone caught Chunyu Jia and the others’ attention.
As the atmosphere got ambiguous, Chunyu Jia said, “It might not hurt to give it a try…”
As for success, it would depend on luck.
Perhaps it would also hinge on Yuan Yao’s performance at that moment.
But for performance itself, Yuan Yao was never lacking.
Under cover of darkness, he jumped the wall into the adjacent house.
The official inside wasn’t backed by many guards, and his hearing was poor, so Yuan Yao’s nighttime sneak didn’t get any alarm bells ringing.
Yuan Yao sighed with relief, realizing after months in Chang’an, his hunting skills hadn’t dulled, then hurried next door.
Nighttime curfews made finding someone tricky; and wanting to avoid detection by Liu Yang, he couldn’t act openly during the day, so this was his method.
Thank goodness, after crossing one more courtyard, he reached a subordinate’s quarters of the Grand Marshal.
Startled awake by the noise, Fa Zheng came out to face the eager Yuan Yao, shock written all over his face.
Fa Zheng: “……”
Hold on, isn’t Yuan Shu’s kid not quite right in the head?
But after hearing Yuan Yao’s intentions, Fa Zheng thought—
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“It’s not that my brain isn’t working; it’s just too efficient!”
Whether or not one has the skill to stand out is not what matters; having the ability to be in the right place at the right time to report back is clearly much more important.
“You stay in and lock the door tomorrow morning. I’ll go find someone to report this,” Fa Zheng declared, worried that Yuan Yao might suddenly change his mind and do something reckless, so he insisted on keeping him at home.
Yuan Yao nodded enthusiastically like a garlic pounding pestle.
This overly compliant behavior signaled one thing: he absolutely didn’t want to be used as a pawn in someone else’s power grab, nor did he want to team up with those idiots against the Grand Marshal.
This reaction from Yuan Yao left Fa Zheng’s words stuck in his throat, and he finally just said, “Then that’s that.”
The next day, since the chief clerk and military officials of the Grand Marshal’s residence were absent, and even Qiao Yan was still in Bingzhou, Fa Zheng rushed straight to the Grand Minister of Agriculture’s residence to find Cheng Yu.
As soon as he finished speaking, Cheng Yu slammed his hand on the table and yelled, “Nonsense!”
The storm brewing on the face of this stern-looking middle-aged man was enough to make anyone feel intimidated.
Fa Zheng was shocked by the news from Yuan Yao, not displaying such excitement, genuinely believing the situation was far from critical, and was totally unprepared for Cheng Yu’s reaction.
Cheng Yu was already up from his seat, pacing back and forth in the room.
Having held a place among the Nine Ministers for so long, the imposing aura he exuded far surpassed his days in Dong Commandery, and it was clear from his words just how deep his resentment ran.
“First, it’s those troublesome relatives from the esteemed lord, and now it’s these incompetent fools just collecting salaries and doing nothing. It’s never-ending!”
“What right does Prince Yang have to criticize the esteemed lord’s actions? Without the lord, his head would probably already be a cup for the Wuhuan!”
“Chunyu Jia and Wang Yun should be excluded from discussion; have they ever done anything to help the people or reclaim territories?”
Cheng Yu paused, “Oh, I forgot, Wang Yun has at least contributed a bit in keeping this Chang’an court alive.”
However, even the barely mentionable merit attributed to Wang Yun sounded dripping with sarcasm when Cheng Yu said it.
He closed his eyes and finally suppressed the anger on his face.
Although he had long known Qiao Yan’s target was that unique position in the world and that it was only a matter of time before she conflicted with the imperial power of the Han and those fiercely loyal to it, it was like the annoying Qiao clan from Yanzhou showing up in Chang’an at the most inappropriate time—all these shortsighted individuals were popping up far too early.
Of the ten provinces in the Han, only five were truly under Qiao Yan’s control.
With more than half of the territory, a reversal of fortunes was always possible, and one couldn’t say victory was assured.
Even the court in Ye City still received support from several provinces because of Liu Bian’s existence, keeping it afloat.
Did these fools really think that without the esteemed lord, they could manipulate the generals and strategists who ride the battlefield and plot strategies from high above, reclaiming lands left and right?
If they could do that, why did Cheng Yu have to wait until he was over forty to find a place to settle down, putting his future in the hands of the esteemed lord!
“Honestly, the Grand Minister of Agriculture doesn’t need to worry too much; these people are just clowns at most,” Fa Zheng reassured, already informed in advance by Qiao Yan that once the military actions against the Nanzhong commenced in Yizhou, he would be dispatched to assist, and he definitely didn’t want some selfish individuals influencing his chance to shine. But considering these folks can’t even keep a simple plot quiet, there was nothing to fret about.
Cheng Yu shook his head. “What I am worried and angry about is not these clowns, but whether the opposition voices will grow louder once the esteemed lord restores order in the newly reclaimed Yizhou and Youzhou. It’s not just those mentioned by Yuan Zixu lurking beneath the surface in Chang’an.”
“Instead of letting some people hide in the shadows, ready to take bites at any moment, it’s better to go along with their wishes.”
“For example—let’s help them with their arrangements for Yuan Zixu.”
Liu Yang didn’t think that if Yuan Yao could become the governor of Nanyang, it would just mean another person wielding military power for them, right?
So let’s make it happen!
If they didn’t bolster their resolve, how could they pull a stunt that would reveal their own faults?
In their thoughts, increasing the number of influential individuals in their ranks would surely expand their possible allies’ strength.
People are already a bit foolish, so the cards should at least be better.
This last line was included in the letter sent to Qiao Yan.
When she opened it and read Yuan Yao’s relayed criticisms, her heart ignited with anger, but she couldn’t help but chuckle at the sharp remark.
Indeed, they were too foolish, unable to compare with the opponents she currently faced. So when she gradually devoured these opponents, who would believe that she could stumble into a puddle too shallow to drown a child?
Still, she had to let them dig their pit a little deeper!
She temporarily left the Guanzhong region, even planning a trip to Luoyang next, all to gather these people together.
Now was the time for her to hand them a knife.
“Does the esteemed lord think the position of governor in Nanyang can be given to Yuan Yao?” Xi Zhicai asked.
Thinking of Cheng Yu, who delivered the message, and Xi Zhicai, who was working beside her, both of whom were early supporters from her days in Leping, Qiao Yan thought this seemed like destiny but couldn’t help but smile.
She replied, “Why not?”
“Yuan Zixu really doesn’t have the ability to be a county governor, but if he did, I’m afraid Liu Jingsheng in Jingzhou would be uneasy, fearing that I might deal with him first next year!”
But if it were Yuan Yao, Liu Biao would probably see this as a gesture to ease relations.
“Plus, based on my outward behavior, I currently do not wish for internal chaos and will not tear my face with Liu Yang. For Yuan Zixu, it was probably a comfortable job to avoid Liu Yang pulling him into discussions about how to remove me, and at times being forced to board a pirate ship heading to Nanyang. I’ll inform him of these details in the letter.”
Xi Zhicai joked, “I think what he wants most right now is a personal note from the esteemed lord, to prove he hasn’t put himself in a dangerous position.”
“So let’s let him go to Nanyang for a while to dodge the winds, and also keep Liu Yang feeling like he has some say in Chang’an. He should be motivated to take on that Grand Marshal Qiao, who acts just like General Liang Ji, and get rid of her.”
Qiao Yan slapped the letter on the table and added, “But he is really quite foolish.”
“If according to Yuan Zixu, Wang Yun didn’t show up himself but sent a house steward to participate in this meeting, it shows that he may harbor intentions against me but doesn’t really plan on sinking with Liu Yang.”
“That guy Chunyu is already opposing Liu Yang’s timeline on this plan, so it’s not guaranteed he doesn’t have personal motives.”
“Xianyu Yin also hasn’t shown up; he’s just expressed support from afar. Who knows if that’s to keep him safe from leaking information later.”
As for Yuan Yao, there’s no need to mention him—this guy spilled all the info to Qiao Yan’s subordinates the very day he left Liu Yang’s place. He practically perfected the art of proactively reporting to lighten his punishment.
Just with these few people, the situation got this chaotic; who knows what kind of storm would ensue if even more hands were involved!
“So, we need to arrange a suitable helper for them.”
In Qiao Yan’s mind, she pondered over these factors pushing her forward, forming a strategy.
These tumors rooted deep within her realm of control were precisely what would convert her from a minister wielding great power to an emperor able to overthrow the Han!
So, she must be steadier, and more cautious…
To thoroughly eradicate not only them but the Han’s domain along with it!
“That little brat Sun Ce is really getting out of hand,” a voice suddenly erupted from a residence in Wu Commandery.
“Alright, Zhu Gong, you know what that guy’s temper is like. Didn’t the massacre of the Wang family by Sun Ce prove it already?” another person replied, “He’s just as crude as his ancestors, those melon sellers. Do you really expect him to act according to our rules?”
“But he really has crossed the line this time,” a third person interjected, “He’s being polite and recruiting people from the four surnames of Wu Commandery, and he should’ve at least given us a position that aligns with our interests, but look at what he’s done!”
“After the fall of Yuzhang Commandery and the killing of Huang Zu, Sun Ce immediately solidified the position of the Yuzhang Commandery governor, and he chose Zhu Junli, which is undoubtedly a slap in the face to the Zhu clan of Wu Commandery.”
Zhu Junli, mentioned by this individual, was the Zhu Zhi who had been appointed by Sun Ce to take charge of Yuzhang Commandery.
He started as a county clerk and official until he served under Sun Jian. After Sun Jian’s death, he became one of Sun Ce’s retinue, so he’s a loyal old servant of the Sun family.
But he wasn’t from the same lineage as the Zhu clan of Wu Commandery.
When Zhou Wu exterminated Shang, a Cao surname descendant was rewarded with lands in Zhu. After the fall of Chu, it transformed into the “Zhu” surname, spreading across Pei State and Wu Commandery, among which Zhu Zhi was favored and utilized by Sun Ce from Pei State.
For hundreds of years since the Zhu family emerged during the Spring and Autumn period, like the Yuan families of Chen County and Runan, there were also distinctions between factions; the two branches of the Zhu family were no exception.
Sun Ce killed Huang Zu and then sidelined the Zhu clan of Wu Commandery, favoring the Pei State Zhu clan for the commandery governor position, which was clearly a warning!
The remote territory of Yang Province for many years had accustomed these noble families to manipulating benefits from behind the scenes. How could they accept Sun Ce reshaping the rules of the game based on his military achievements!
As Sun Ce wasn’t in Wu Commandery right now, they could freely vent their anger.
Even if Zhu Zhi ascends to govern Yuzhang Commandery, they might not stop him, but this sudden act without notice stirred up a desire among the gathered families to teach Sun Ce a lesson.
Just as they were about to voice this lesson, they heard someone outside announcing that a young man claiming to be “Huang” was asking to meet.
“He didn’t say his full name?” one of them asked.
The doorman shook his head, “No, he said that just hearing the surname should be enough for you to know who he is.”
Huang?
That surname is somewhat delicate.
Huang Zu… No, it’s Huang She!
The elder of the Wu Commandery Zhu clan immediately barked, “What does he want?”
News of Huang Zu’s death had already reached Wu Commandery, so it was naturally known that Sun Ce was hunting for Huang She.
They complained that Sun Ce was too ruthless but didn’t intend to truly invite trouble.
Especially not by taking in that son of the defeated army, Huang She, onto their turf.
However, after the doorman returned to inform Huang She, he soon came back again, holding a box.
“The young man from the Huang family said he could leave, but before he goes, he wanted to present a gift to you all.”
The elder Zhu Gong cautiously accepted the gift and carefully placed it on the table. To prevent any tricks, he used his cane to lift the lid of the box.
The moment the lid was opened, a strong, pungent smell of blood burst forth, and those present were taken aback as they saw what was inside the box—
A severed human head!
In a state that was hard to describe, the closest to the box, Zhu Gong, managed to recognize the head.
It was—
Governor of Yuzhang Commandery, Zhu Zhi!
