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“Can strategists really not ascend the throne?”
Chapter 33
But no matter how shocked Chunyu Qiong and Zhang Rang were, it couldn’t change one fact—
The imperial decree that Zhang Rang had previously detained might have had some wiggle room, but now, with it being read out loud from Bi Lan, the Palace Attendant’s mouth, there was no turning back.
Marquis of Huaili, Marquis of Qiantang, Marquis of Leping.
These were the highest honors Liu Hong bestowed here.
And in the decree given to Qiao Yan, Liu Hong didn’t hold back on the praise for her.
Deeply committed to loyalty and filial piety, the phrases about strategy and achieving victory from thousands of miles away, and the line “Those who leave a name in history deserve heavy rewards” formed a title that broke free from the constraints of gender.
Even more astonishing was the final addition, “Respect it!”
Zhang Rang, accustomed to deciphering Liu Hong’s mind, noted that this phrase “Respect it!” wasn’t common even in the decrees for county marquises.
In previous instances, it was usually a sign that the emperor held exceptionally high expectations for the person being rewarded.
For instance, the founding general of Eastern Han, Deng Yu, listed at the top of the 28 generals of Yuntai, received the title of Grand Minister and was bestowed a fief of ten thousand households after Emperor Guangwu ascended. His decree contained similar wording.
At that time, Deng Yu was preparing to face the Red Eyebrows Army, and Emperor Guangwu had a lot of hope for him in that decree.
Now, seeing this phrase in Qiao Yan’s decree made Zhang Rang ponder what expectations Liu Hong had for this girl who hadn’t even reached womanhood yet.
Did he want her to further the eloquence that upheld the Han’s legitimacy, or did he expect her to achieve something using her intellect on the land that came with her title?
But perhaps, like Liu Hong’s unexpected approach, he hadn’t thought too much when drafting this decree and just wanted to add an exclamatory phrase?
Regardless of what Liu Hong’s intention might be, the unexpected granting of the title to Qiao Yan made the subsequent news in the decree seem less important.
Under the three marquises, there were actually four other titles awarded.
Huangfu Song’s Military Sima Fu Xie distinguished himself in battle in Changshe and excelled in assisting Huangfu Song in Ji Province, earning a title as a Tinhou.
The other three were—
Cao Cao, who supported Huangfu Song as a Cavalry Commandant and bravely entered the city during the Battle of Guangzong.
Tian Yan, whose family contributed to subduing the Yellow Turbans in Yanzhou during the Changsha battle.
Xue Fang, the clan leader of the Xue family, who held East A and helped pacify Yanzhou.
As for why it was Xue Fang and not Cheng Li who received the title, or why Tian Yan got the marquis title instead of a regular official position, Qiao Yan could guess a bit of Liu Hong’s reasoning.
Apparently, Liu Hong hadn’t yet received Liu Yan’s proposals regarding the Provincial Governor System, and as a somewhat clever emperor, he might want to test whether granting titles to the powerful could deter the greedy from seizing people and land.
Qiao Yan didn’t know much about Xue Fang, but she was quite familiar with the Eldest Young Master Tian, who was simple enough that his thoughts were clearly written on his face—understanding what he thought at this moment was not difficult at all.
When Qiao Yan approached him, Tian Yan didn’t hide his respect for her.
Truth be told, when he risked his life to send that letter for collaborative efforts, Tian Yan had some regrets in his heart.
After all, he couldn’t be sure if Qiao Yan’s phrase “to leave a name in history” was just an exaggerated promise.
But at that time, everyone was already on the battlefield, and no matter how impulsive the choice was, he had to grit his teeth and move forward.
And now…
Tian Yan felt an illusion, as if he were still dreaming.
Receiving a title from Emperor Huan and being a Tinhou may sound good, but there was undoubtedly a fundamental difference between powerful families with shallow foundations and being a Tinhou of the Han.
This was a matter of class recognition!
While the number of households under his title was far less than Fu Xie and Cao Cao, it was more than enough for him. It sufficed for the Tian family!
He nearly wanted to rush over and shake Qiao Yan’s hand but realized that would be a bit overboard and awkwardly withdrew, mumbling, “All thanks to your planning, our Tian family is able to stand here today. We will forever repay this great grace.”
The term “teacher” was how Tian Yan had addressed Qiao Yan when she appointed Liang Zhongning as a strategist, and he hadn’t changed that now.
Then he remembered something and said, “No, now I should be calling you Marquis of Leping.”
“But why was the Tinhou position given to me instead of my father?” Tian Yan scratched his head, looking somewhat puzzled.
Though the Tinhou title went to their family, it was a bit strange for the son to be a marquis while the father was just an ordinary man.
If we talk about merits, Xue Fang’s contributions were on par with those of his father and uncle.
“The emperor’s intention isn’t something we should speculate about,” Qiao Yan replied.
“Right, right… that makes sense,” Tian Yan said, and couldn’t help but smile foolishly.
But in comparison to Qiao Yan’s reaction, he felt he was a bit too reckless.
She directly became a county marquis with power over founding a nation, and she didn’t seem as overly excited as he was. It’s no wonder she received such high praise without having even formally met the emperor yet.
However, it wasn’t just Tian Yan that found Qiao Yan steady.
Cao Cao thought the same.
As Qiao Yan was making her way toward the camp, she happened to run into Cao Cao, who was also wandering nearby.
According to the Han hierarchy, with Qiao Yan holding the title of Marquis of Leping, she was practically just under Huangfu Song and Lu Zhi, so even Cao Cao had to greet her.
But Qiao Yan opened with, “Uncle,” setting the tone for their chat to be a casual one, so Cao Cao didn’t mind the formality.
“I hadn’t had a chance to congratulate you, Uncle,” Qiao Yan continued, “but it’s not because of the Tinhou position, but because of your newly appointed position as Governor of Jinan.”
Cao Cao asked, “Why is your congratulations different from those to others? The Governor of Jinan and Cavalry Commandant both hold the same rank, and given the lingering effects of the Yellow Turban Rebellion, the Governor’s position isn’t easy to handle. Whereas, the Cavalry Commandant is a court position, better protected by cavalry, merely a lateral transfer.”
“Uncle, are you saying this because you’re not particularly satisfied with your position?” Qiao Yan inquired. “Don’t underestimate my age; I understand your true feelings.”
Indeed, the difference between the central officials and the Governor of Jinan was practically negligible, both holding equivalent rank.
However, the advancement and condition of Han officials were not the same as eunuchs in the capital; merely being closer to the emperor didn’t guarantee better outcomes. It’s best to have experience as a regional prefect first.
The salary and authority of the Governor of Jinan were on par with that of a Prefect, making it the top administrative position in Jinan.
If a mediocre person were placed in this role, it might indeed suffer compared to climbing the court ladder, but this was Cao Cao.
That made all the difference.
Qiao Yan continued, “You have governance abilities, not just martial skills. While Huangfu Song may have been promoted from Left Middle General to General of the Chariots and Cavalry, I see your path lies among the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers. If you can showcase your talents in Jinan within five years, you will surely rise even higher.”
“Given the lingering issues from the Yellow Turban Rebellion, I doubt those are your true sentiments, Uncle. If it weren’t for the chaos, how would you have the chance to thrive?”
Cao Cao laughed heartily, stroking his beard, “Your assessment of my capabilities is undoubtedly a high compliment, Young Lady Qiao. How could I, Cao, deserve such praise?”
He thought for a moment and asked, “By the way, I’m not the only one receiving a promotion; who else do you foresee getting elevated?”
Cao Cao’s latter question lowered in tone, sounding less like an inquiry and more like gossip.
Qiao Yan also lowered her voice, “Since you accept me as your junior, I’ll speak a bit boldly.”
Implying she wouldn’t mention the others in detail.
In fact, Qiao Yan only had eyes for Cao Cao’s rise.
Though Huangfu Song was unmatched among his peers in terms of martial prowess, and his Military Sima Fu Xie was formidable, the position of Grand General was held by He Jin. Huangfu Song could only aspire to a title as Left General, ranked at the same level as a Duke.
In Year 5 of Zhongping, he did achieve that title, but his straightforward nature and lack of subtlety made it more a result of available candidates than merit.
Before that, he lost 6,000 households due to slander from Zhao Zhong and Zhang Rang, being demoted to a Town Marquis.
Lu Zhi, while capable of military leadership, cared little for fame and fortune, preferring to study classics over commanding troops; merely holding this position was satisfactory enough for him.
As for Liu Bei, he had indeed received a better position than the County Captain of Anxi, mainly because Lu Zhi hadn’t been demoted. His achievements were accurately recorded, so he became the Official in Charge of Military Affairs in Qinghe County, filling a vacancy in Yanzhou.
However, a peculiar situation arose; after the Yellow Turban Rebellion was quelled, Emperor Liu Hong—known for his meticulous management—ordered the selective elimination of military officials promoted due to their military achievements.
Unlike Cao Cao, Liu Bei still had family support, so even his remarkable skills wouldn’t guarantee avoiding mundane bureaucratic duties. Nevertheless, promoting him wouldn’t be easy.
Cao Cao, unaware of Qiao Yan’s unsaid thoughts, felt that he had indeed gained a wise younger generation.
With that, he couldn’t let the opportunity of being the elder go to waste.
He asked, “Do you know why the emperor made you Marquis of Leping?”
Qiao Yan replied, “Huaili County is in Yongzhou, Qiantang County is in Yangzhou, Leping County is in Bingzhou. I initially thought it was a sign from the emperor showcasing the vastness of Han territory, but is there more to it?”
Cao Cao smirked, “It’s rare to see you in the dark.”
He found a spot to crouch down, using a branch as a pen to sketch the map of Han’s provinces, explaining: “Yongzhou borders Liangzhou, and Huaili’s intent in Yongzhou is pretty clear. Recently, Liangzhou has shown signs of disloyalty, even gathering forces, with plans to grant General Huangfu command in that area soon.”
Qiao Yan pointed towards Yangzhou, “Then Lu Gong’s situation must be similar. Given his past experience in suppressing the Jiujiang rebellion, and with the Yellow Turbans in Yangzhou still not quelled, it seems Lu Gong will soon receive commands to march south and wage conflict.”
The emperor practically had a small strategy chart made targeting the two generals.
Giving them a marquis title was indeed generous!
But the land has to be taken or defended by them.
Compared to the officials needing to pay to get their positions, it was hard to say which situation was weirder.
Qiao Yan couldn’t help but laugh, “But surely the emperor doesn’t expect me, a unarmed individual, to guard Bingzhou? Leping isn’t exactly situated on the front lines.”
“That’s not the case,” Cao Cao replied, “I inquired with Bi Lan, who mentioned that Zhang Rang also shared some things with you. After the last military report arrived in Luoyang, the emperor visited your grandfather.”
Sure enough, Zhang Rang did mention this, even recalling the request for her grandfather to be buried at the border.
As she nodded idly, realization dawned on her.
Cao Cao noted the fleeting understanding on her face and remarked, “Right, just as you assumed. Because of your grandfather’s wish, the emperor agreed to fulfill it and let him be buried in Bingzhou.”
“In the past, your grandfather served as the General of Crossing Liao, residing in Wuyuan, within Bingzhou. Out of sympathy for his loyalty, the emperor accepted this wish, but pushed the location inward to avoid conflict impacting your grandfather’s future grave. This decision is precisely why you, Marquis of Leping, exist.”
“So your situation is somewhat different from Lu Gong’s and General Huangfu’s,” Cao Cao said, sizing her up, “Given your abilities, it shouldn’t be hard for you to muster a force within Leping County. With your knack for persuasion, you might even rally neighboring counties, like Changshan and Taiyuan…”
Qiao Yan felt that there was something fishy in the way Cao Cao paused on the word “persuasion,” as if he wanted to say “entice” or “instigate.”
But at the moment, that subtlety didn’t affect her much as she heard Cao Cao add, “But I suspect the emperor never envisioned you waging wars against the Xiongnu.”
Qiao Yan chuckled, raising her hands politely, “Uncle, don’t worry. Planning extensively during the Yellow Turban War was quite an exceptional case. Bingzhou already has various prefects and governors managing the area. How could a simple county marquis like myself pull together folks to head north and fight?”
It was peculiar for Cao Cao to emphasize to her that she wasn’t expected to take on war responsibilities like Huangfu Song and Lu Zhi, besides being the marquis.
But when it came to Leping, apart from having just Taiyuan and Yunzhong between it and the Han borders, this place had significance.
This was a region that future generations claimed would be keenly contested…
Liu Xiu, Emperor Guangwu, first took Taiyuan, then subdued the Xiongnu, clearing the East and securing the Central Plains. During the late Sui dynasty, the Li clan rose in Taiyuan, leading to Taiyuan being called a land of dragon emergence by the Song.
The valleys formed by the Taihang, Taiyue, Lüliang, and Yunzhong mountains are typically characterized as a tight spot between two lands, with each basin intricately connected yet divided by mountain ranges, creating numerous perilous passes.
The fertile lands nourished by rivers are cloistered behind layers of fortifications, making it a position easy to conquer but difficult to retreat from. It’s no wonder sayings like “Shangdang is the backbone of the world” and “Overlooking the Central Plain, with the Ho river to the east” exist.
And Leping rests between Wutai Mountain and the Taihang Mountains, though its elevation may not surpass Shangdang’s, the proximity and terrain are quite similar.
If it were merely a resting place…
“What are you pondering about again, niece?”
Cao Cao interrupted Qiao Yan’s thoughts.
Snapping back to reality, she noticed she’d been staring at the map for a bit too long and replied, “I was just observing how generous His Majesty is in choosing Leping as my land.”
Cao Cao pondered Liu Hong’s usual style and Qiao Yan’s description of “generous,” unsure if he should correct her perspective.
But reflecting on the rewards the emperor had granted her against those given to Huangfu Song and Lu Zhi, it seemed she truly could bear that praise.
Moreover, Qiao Yan was unlikely to linger long in the capital, and she may not even get the chance to meet the emperor officially, maintaining her impression of him for now.
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“Cognition isn’t really an issue.”
That said, even wise rulers can have their moments of confusion, and foolish ones can pull off wise moves. Who knows? There might even be a chance for an astonishing turnaround.
Who can really predict the future?
For now, the most pressing matter is to quickly execute Zhang Jiao, then send Qiao Yan back to the capital with the delegation to see her brother Qiao Xuan one last time before he kicks the bucket.
Zhang Jiao…
This so-called Great Virtuous Teacher, who founded the Way of Great Peace and sparked the Yellow Turban Rebellion, is about to receive a fate he wrote for himself in a decree read by Bi Lan, under Liu Hong’s orders, along with one of his disciples who’s been spotted in Luoyang.
The punishment?
Death by a thousand cuts.
And his brother Zhang Liang, while he contributed to the surrender, this “achievement” was built on a foundation of storming the city and killing officials from Quzhou, which definitely isn’t going to earn him any awards. Instead, he should be punished for his crimes.
Luckily for him, there’s some good news: since the abolition of harsh penalties during the reign of Emperor Xian of the Western Han, many brutal punishments have been revised, and these have continued into the present. Plus, with Liu Hong granting him a pardon from the death penalty, there’s a chance for the Yellow Turban Commander to surrender without any weapons. So, Zhang Liang’s final sentence is—
Two hundred lashes and a transfer to the Wuyuan border defense camp.
And then there’s Liang Jing.
Liang Zhongning witnessed the debate between Qiao Yan and Zhang Jiao, and with his not-so-bright mind, he truly felt he had been duped by Zhang Jiao.
But when he saw Qiao Yan again, he had a wild instinct—
If Zhang Jiao is a high-level con artist, doesn’t that make Qiao Yan an even better one?
But recalculating the truth of the knowledge transfer from their debate over who outsmarted whom seemed pointless at this stage.
Liang Zhongning locked eyes with Qiao Yan across the prison cell, just in time to hear the pronouncement of his sentence.
One hundred lashes and a transfer to the Wuyuan border defense camp.
Pretty much the same punishment as Zhang Liang, just a tad lighter.
Border defense duty is a high-risk gig, but it’s certainly better than losing your head for treason!
But for these folks who were forced into rebellion, what does avoiding the death penalty really mean compared to the choice of “rebel or die”?
Clearly, just because they’re getting a chance to eat government rations doesn’t mean they can coast through life.
However, with Liang Zhongning’s limited understanding, he can’t quite come to a conclusion.
Since Emperor Xian decreed the use of bamboo sticks for lashes, they’re not lethal. Plus, the rule against changing the punisher means that when a punishment goes over a hundred lashes, it often lacks a bit of oomph. Given that he and Zhang Liang are both sturdy, these lashes won’t do any irreversible damage.
He numbly accepted his punishment and, along with fellow exiled Yellow Turban prisoners, was escorted towards Bingzhou by Fu Xie’s troops.
As they neared Quzhou—just ten miles away—a sudden rain poured down in Ji Province.
Summer rain isn’t strange, and this year isn’t matching last year’s terrible drought.
But as the fine raindrops fell on his head, he suddenly remembered today was the day Great Virtuous Teacher Zhang Jiao was executed.
Yet in this silent crowd, nobody spoke up. This time, it wasn’t about the Yellow Heaven showing mercy or the good fortune of fruitful rain; not a word was uttered.
Liang Zhongning instinctively glanced towards Quzhou, frowning at what he saw.
If he wasn’t mistaken, through the mist of the rain he caught sight of a young man holding a horse, and upon that horse sat a familiar figure cloaked against the rain.
But when he looked again, the figure was already gone.
Maybe the heavy rain just blurred his eyesight.
Meanwhile, the soldiers driving him on pushed him to turn back.
Yet Liang Zhongning wasn’t entirely wrong; there were indeed two figures on a horse watching them leave, heading back to Quzhou.
When Qiao Yan left Quzhou earlier, she told Huangfu Song the punishment of death by a thousand cuts was way too brutal, especially since Zhang Jiao wasn’t the direct cause of Qiao Yu and his wife’s deaths. It was more reasonable to look after those exiled Yellow Turbans.
At this moment, Xu Fu, who was holding her horse, was sharp enough to discern that Qiao Yan’s public reason wasn’t truly her motivation.
“Lady Qiao feels sympathy for the Yellow Turbans?” Xu Fu pondered out loud.
Amidst the sound of rain and hoofbeats crunching through the mud, Qiao Yan’s response was still crystal clear, “Having sympathy for the weak requires one to be strong, and I am not strong enough yet.”
“But, from my perspective, Lady Qiao has given them a chance at life.”
Xu Fu, who witnessed the battle of Changshe, was somewhat aware of how the Yellow Turbans had initially been treated—now it was going from killing to whipping followed by exile, a drastic improvement.
“Is life simply about still breathing?” Qiao Yan countered.
Xu Fu couldn’t find an answer right away.
He felt that when Qiao Yan posed that question, she appeared far more mature than in her strategic and debating moments.
But not coming up with an answer didn’t have to be a bad sign for him; confidently, he declared, “I’ll tell you when I think of the answer.”
So, until then, he could keep following along.
Of course, he had a plan.
On the way to Luoyang, he could swing by Yingchuan first to tell his mother about his intent to follow Qiao Yan.
Having witnessed her eloquent debates, Xu Fu felt that his prior desire to become a wandering knight was clearly not the right choice; a different path was unfolding before him.
He wanted to delve deeper into knowledge rather than just wielding a sword!
This decision must be communicated to his mother, and then—
If she wanted to stay in Yingchuan, he would leave the reward money from the Ji Province raid and find someone to take care of her. Given Yingchuan’s proximity to Luoyang, and after the Yellow Turban Rebellion is quelled, there should be peace for a while.
If his mother was willing to join him in Leping, even better!
Qiao Yan saw through Xu Fu’s little schemes but chose not to expose him.
Though he hadn’t yet reached the level of Xu Shu, nor had he faced life-or-death situations, he undoubtedly was a rising star.
His performance at the Xiaquyang battle and the initiative in inviting the Buddhist leader proved that.
A county marquis can’t run the show alone; having someone to support her is way more beneficial than going solo.
Moreover, in the realm of political affairs and learning from notable scholars in Jing State, Qiao Yan saw merit in both paths—none necessarily diminished the other for Xu Fu.
With a smile, Qiao Yan remarked, “Great! I’ll be waiting for your answer.”
By the time the two returned to the military camp beneath the city, Zhang Jiao was no longer in this world.
Perhaps his only remaining legacy was the Scripture of Great Peace he compiled.
But since the text was state property, it would be dealt with accordingly. Even though Qiao Yan had taken Zhang Jiao down, she wouldn’t receive special treatment to keep it.
Without hesitation, she turned in the Scripture of Great Peace she used for her arguments, but as she gazed at the sunset’s rays breaking through the clearing rain, she momentarily lost her focus.
The system almost wanted to offer her psychological support since a punishment like dismemberment, having not witnessed it firsthand, could be understandably unsettling for someone from the modern world to grapple with. The last time the system had been called to action was when Qiao Yan ordered Dian Wei to kill Bu Ji and Zhang Bo—
“There’s still a way to go before unlocking the 3D map with enough Strategist points,” Qiao Yan was inspecting her panel, her gaze lingering on the note about needing 100 points to unlock the map.
She had been eyeing that feature for a while, and now more than ever.
The geographic conditions of Leping demanded precision in governance and military arrangements, making the Strategist system anything but useless.
It was just unfortunate that she currently had—90 points.
30 points for eliminating a power, and 60 points for implementing strategies that led to gains.
Hold up…
“Isn’t your system a bit dumb?” Qiao Yan flipped through the records and asked, “Why isn’t my debate with Zhang Jiao counted?”
To witness Qiao Yan so swiftly moving past her emotional slump gave the system a sense of being just a decorative piece. When it heard her question, it awkwardly replied: [It’s not hard to understand; if Zhang Jiao didn’t debate you, once captured, he’d have no option but to die, possibly dragging his followers down with him.]
[Whether you chose a roundabout way to minimize casualties or Huangfu Song’s direct approach of execution wouldn’t alter the outcome for this faction, hence the strategists points are not awarded.]
[Now that Zhang Jiao is dead, the corresponding achievement can be revealed. It’s called Persuading Zhang Jiao to Surrender, which no one has achieved in any parallel world, so you needn’t feel down about it.]
“He’d just become a martyr; it’s not surprising he’d refuse to be swayed by any other logic,” Qiao Yan responded, “You’re right; my desire to spare the Yellow Turbans was for the sake of the Han, but it doesn’t tally with the current Han’s objectives; not counting the points is valid.”
“That said, I really need to make an impactful suggestion to Liu Hong before heading to Leping, or else unlocking the 3D map might not happen.”
As for what that suggestion would be…
Well, we’d best reach Luoyang first!
Before departing, she had one more matter to address.
Besides Xu Fu, who had already subtly voiced his intention to follow her, there were a few others she needed to consult.
One of them was Lu Yuan.
Qiao Yan had allowed her to join from Xiaquyang to Quzhou, hoping she’d decide what to do after the quelling of Ji Province, but this still-mysterious woman had resolved to stick with Qiao Yan.
Even when Qiao Yan made it clear there would be no benefits for her and that Bingzhou might not be safe in the upcoming years, Lu Yuan remained steadfast.
Qiao Yan had no reason to refuse her.
With Lu Yuan’s past as a county official’s wife, there wouldn’t be any conflict of interest between them for a long while, and keeping her around would be far more useful than trying to push her away.
Lu Yuan had successfully intercepted Zhang Liang’s spies earlier while assisting Cheng Li in defense preparations. Her strategic insight and ample knowledge really impressed Qiao Yan.
Why would she need anyone’s ID to keep a willing volunteer who only asked for food and shelter?
That’s how Qiao Yan saw Lu Yuan now.
Then there was Dian Wei.
Technically, their agreement was for protection over three months. Now, with just a month left until they reach Luoyang, it was hardly more than another week.
From a practical standpoint, Dian Wei’s bravery would deliver far more value in the army or under an official than hanging around as her protector in Leping.
Cao Cao had previously asked her about Dian Wei’s situation.
After all, the area he was about to govern in Qingzhou required protection from troublesome bandits, and he could definitely use a bodyguard.
But since Qiao Yan had secured her marquis title, even if Dian Wei declined to join her, her bottom line was to send him to Chenliu in Yanzhou, rather than let him serve as an enemy supporter.
However, she probably didn’t need to worry about that anymore.
When Qiao Yan asked Dian Wei about his intentions, he replied without a second thought, “Haven’t I been following you already?”
“…?”
In her silence, Dian Wei weighed the reward he received for his contributions in the Xiaquyang attack and Changshe battle, “Isn’t this like a payment for services rendered?”
“…You could say that,” Qiao Yan was a bit lost for words with Dian Wei’s reasoning.
Then she heard Dian Wei ask, “About what you said earlier—if I have a son someday, can he study under you? You debating that Great Virtuous Teacher was quite impressive; I can’t match that.”
Qiao Yan: … You’re pretty good with words, actually.
Of course, she couldn’t reply that way, so she said, “I’m no gentleman, but I keep my promises.”
Having such a capable subordinate made it easier to realize many of her ideas.
Now, the only person left to persuade was Cheng Li.
This was the one she felt least confident about.
Cheng Li was a mature mind, already entrenched in local relationships. Their previous cooperation and companionship were justifiable, but to recruit him now felt a bit unwarranted.
Why would a county marquis need to recruit someone as talented as Cheng Li?
If the system were to ask, she might claim she wanted to correct some of Cheng Li’s excessively ruthless tactics seeking personal gain, or exchange growth experiences before the Dong Zhuo Rebellion, but those wouldn’t serve as valid reasons for her recruitment.
Yet, before Qiao Yan could speak, Cheng Li already asked, “Previously, Lady Qiao requested I join you to hear the Yellow Turbans’ opinions; now you wish to invite me to Luoyang to hear from the Son of Heaven and then to Leping to listen to the border’s voice?”
Recognizing Cheng Li’s tone, Qiao Yan smiled and, bowing, replied, “Indeed, that’s my intention. Mr. Zhongde understands me.”
Cheng Li fell silent for a moment.
His rational mind told him his talents wouldn’t flourish better in Leping than they did in Yanzhou; moving away from his homeland didn’t seem like a wise choice.
But as Qiao Yan bowed and extended her invite, sunlight breaking through the rain framed the child almost angelically.
For some reason, that sight brought back memories of his dream of lifting the sun over Mount Tai.
