Chapter 331

Chapter 331

Can’t a strategist ascend the throne? Volume 10: The World in Chaos, the Time of the Deer Hunt Chapter 331: The Second Book

“So, my lord, which book do you plan to select as the second publication?” Xi Zhicai flipped through the documents Qiao Yan had handed him, noticing they were all letters sent to Bingzhou from various families.

The impact of the printing technique was quite limited under Qiao Yan’s restrictions, making these people think she was very approachable.

Just like the Xiping Stone Classics, which only included the Lu version of the Book of Songs along with two variant texts, the same was likely true for other classical texts.

The letters sent were all hoping to establish their own orthodoxy.

When the printing technique first appeared for the large-scale printing of the Leping Monthly Report, they had already tried this once. However, after witnessing the influence of the hastily printed summer edition this year, they came to discuss relationships again before the second book was to be published.

Some of the more tactful ones didn’t talk about squeezing out other families but rather about “moving this one up a bit.”

“Who do you think deserves this second book? The Xun family from Yingchuan or the Ma family from Fufeng?” Qiao Yan shook her head. “I’m not in Guanzhong, so I don’t have time to spar with them. There’s another meaning to this—”

“In these externally transmitted messages, the initiative is ours to decide. With five provinces in hand, we no longer need to be bound by them.”

Xi Zhicai replied firmly, “Then, my lord, what you plan to print is not poetry.”

Qiao Yan stood up and walked to the window, looking out at the sky.

There had been almost no rain this year, and what little fell only moistened the surface of the land, hardly enough to be called rain. Yet, in this dry, clear sky, there was a faint sense of an impending storm.

She replied, “Go and find Zhaoji and Tingzhi.”

Cai Zhaoji and Fu Shou were both in Luoyang, assisting with the city’s reconstruction. Under Qiao Yan’s orders, they temporarily returned to Bingzhou and stood before her.

Although they had guessed that Qiao Yan’s summoning them back at this time was no simple task, when Qiao Yan handed them the plan and a few pages of manuscript, they still couldn’t help but show astonishment. “My lord, what is this?”

“Choosing which family’s document to publish as the second book will always invite objections unless we can expand our territory further,” Qiao Yan replied. “So rather than letting them argue over qualifications, it’s better to choose something… more interesting.”

Fu Shou listened intently to Qiao Yan’s words, her eyes fixed on the text in her hands.

Years ago, to persuade Qiao Yan to let her participate in the river survey west of Ziwuling, she had submitted something to Qiao Yan, which Qiao Yan named “Shan He Lu” (Records of Mountains and Rivers). It was meant to document the landscapes and rivers of various provinces, allowing people to understand the world without leaving home.

Over the years, from Bingzhou to Liangzhou, from Liangzhou to Guanzhong, and then to the entire Sili region, Fu Shou had continuously refined this book to a substantial thickness, covering most of the waterways in three provinces.

What was recorded was no longer just local anecdotes or folk tales but also the irrigation operations that had appeared in these regions over the years, as well as the various battles that had taken place in the mountains and rivers during the suppression of bandits in Bingzhou, the pacification of Liangzhou, and the advance into Guanzhong.

This made the “Shan He Lu” somewhat akin to the “Shui Jing Zhu” (Commentary on the Water Classic) for these three provinces, but with a lower reading threshold than Qiao Yan remembered.

However, even though every change in this record had been shown to Qiao Yan by Fu Shou, she never expected Qiao Yan to choose this book as the second publication!

“The ‘Ji Jiu Pian’ allows the people to learn characters and common knowledge, while the ‘Shan He Lu’ lets them understand the vastness of the mountains and the depth of the territory.”

Fu Shou thought for a moment and asked, “But my lord, aren’t you afraid that the enemy might use the detailed information about our mountains and rivers to invade?”

Qiao Yan raised her hand, signaling Fu Shou to turn the page.

Fu Shou flipped to the first page, where Qiao Yan had written a summary. It recorded the hydrological and geographical information of other provinces.

During the Eastern Han period, there was a book called “Shui Jing” (Water Classic), but it wasn’t widely circulated. Fu Shou only saw it after coming to Bingzhou. Later, Li Daoyuan’s “Shui Jing Zhu” was based on this book.

However, this book only recorded main rivers and not tributaries, with 137 rivers described in just over 8,000 words, showing how much information was missing.

The book now in front of Fu Shou followed the outline of her records for the three provinces but had simplified some descriptions and needed further editing.

“I had people travel around over the years to compile this missing information. In this revision, you should obscure the information at the borders of all power factions. The rest should be written as is.”

What harm is there in publishing the waterways and mountains of Liangzhou, Bingzhou, and Sili? Everyone is treated the same, and in such publications, the efforts spent on water management in the three provinces are clearly displayed to the people, serving as a comparison!

They might not understand the folk stories recorded in the accompanying text, but they will surely understand the new and old waterways distinguished by thick and thin lines.

They might not have known how the Marquis of Leping developed from a small territory to what it is today, but now they can see the astonishing numbers along the expansion route.

They might not have known how vast the world is, but now they can see a signal—

If one does not have the determination to reunify the world, there is no need to make such a thankless move!

This is indeed the most suitable book to publish at this time!

Not only because it is a book that offends no one, but also because it records, besides the existing reality, the traces of their journey step by step!

“I entrust the recompilation, proofreading, and printing of this book to you two. Complete it by the first day of the new year. If you need manpower, arrange it yourselves. Do not delay the monthly publications of Leping Academy or the construction of wells and canals around Luoyang. Any questions?”

The first part about the monthly report was directed at Zhaoji, and the latter part about the waterways was directed at Fu Shou.

To complete this densely informative book, or rather atlas, alongside their already demanding tasks, was a formidable challenge.

But thinking that this book, second only to the literacy book, would bear their names as authors and proofreaders, and be distributed everywhere like the “Ji Jiu Pian,” perhaps even more cherished than the Leping Monthly Report, and passed down through the ages, this challenge was no longer a burden but a motivation!

The two replied in unison, “My lord, rest assured, there will be no problems.”

“Good,” Qiao Yan looked at these two young women, who already had the makings of pillars of the state, and thought of Yao Chang and Lu Lingju, who were beginning to shine in military affairs. Her eyes showed more amusement. “I will bear all the resistance to publishing this book. I just need you to give me a book that will silence everyone.”

As she watched them leave to prepare, Xi Zhicai finally interjected, “My lord, you intended to keep me in suspense earlier, making me think you planned to create a deluxe edition of the Leping Monthly Report’s highlights. I thought, if arranged that way, the information would be too scattered, and it might not make Cao Mengde regret not striking a deal earlier.”

Qiao Yan asked, “And now?”

Xi Zhicai smiled without giving a clear answer.

But perhaps his answer was already hidden in that smile.

The “Ji Jiu Pian” at most spreads common knowledge, but paired with the “Shan He Lu,” it becomes a full display of power!

The appearance and mass printing of this book are like a declaration to her enemies that she has far surpassed anyone’s imagination in exploiting her own resources, now openly displayed for all to see.

If they cannot counter this, they will eventually face the loss of their people.

More interestingly, in the initial records of the three provinces, Xi Zhicai found the battle of Gaoping City in Liangzhou.

The feat of beheading 8,000 Qiang soldiers at Gaoping forced people to recall one thing—

She can show mercy to her enemies, but she can also annihilate them completely!

This is no longer a geography book but a declaration of war!

Perhaps Xi Zhicai wasn’t the only one who realized this signal. After Qiao Yan sent the printing plan and the first half of the book to Chang’an, the letters sent to Bingzhou from various parties were reduced to simple greetings.

What the third book to be printed is remains to be seen, but when the Grand Marshal shows such a sharp edge, they might as well…








It’s probably best not to touch her bad luck.

In the midst of all this sharpness, those who suffer are definitely not the ones who still have cooperative relationships with her.

The restrictions imposed by the drought-induced alcohol ban, if thought of as they were two years ago, might have been seen as a reduction in their power, but now it seems more like a lifeline.

Perhaps because they were savoring the information conveyed in this new book, they didn’t react to some of the directives.

For example, Fa Zheng went to Yizhou in October to serve as a Personnel Officer under the Governor of Yizhou, Wu Yi.

He would be responsible for coordinating the expenses of Yao Chang and others dealing with the Nanman, while also providing strategic support to her. On the other hand, the position of Personnel Officer was actually the same position Qin Yu held when Qiao Yan was the Prefect of Bingzhou. Given Yizhou’s status as the granary of the “Land of Abundance,” this position also served to monitor and control Wu Yi.

Of course, as long as Wu Yi had no intention of turning against her, Fa Zheng’s main role would be the former.

Another directive was that, with the approval of the Son of Heaven and the Grand Marshal, Yuan Yao was sent to Nanyang to take over the position of Prefect of Nanyang.

Normally, the position of Prefect of Nanyang could have been recommended by the Governor of Jing Province, but it was also reasonable for the court to arrange it, given that Nanyang was just a stone’s throw away from the capital. To ensure the stability of the passes, some precautionary measures were necessary.

However, to the surprise of those who paid attention to this matter, Liu Biao and Yuan Yao had no prior relationship, yet they appeared to be quite amicable during the handover of the Prefect of Nanyang.

But only they themselves knew what they were really thinking.

In any case, Yuan Yao was quite pleased.

He had a pardon letter from Qiao Yan, temporarily staying away from certain fools in Chang’an, and the academic atmosphere in Nanyang, influenced by Yingchuan, was quite different from the bandit-ridden southern Jing Province. It required little effort from him, making it a perfect place for him.

Liu Biao… was also quite relieved.

Sending those tough characters to his territory would be no different from holding a knife over his head.

Looking at Yuan Yao’s simple-mindedness, he even felt that the Grand Marshal, despite her harsh words towards Yuan Shu, was quite magnanimous in treating his orphaned son.

He even managed to sleep soundly for once.

The final directive was issued to Yang Province.

The former Prefect of Yuzhang, Huang Zu, was deemed incompetent and was attacked by Sun Ce, as mentioned in Sun Ce’s earlier memorial. However, the newly recommended Prefect of Yuzhang, Zhu Zhi, was killed by the Shanyue, meaning the position needed to be reassigned.

Even though Qiao Yan had arranged for the Qiao Lan and Qiao Ting sisters to stir up trouble in Yang Province, aiming to unite the various forces dissatisfied with Sun Ce, she never expected such a bizarre incident of a court-appointed official being killed.

However, Zhu Zhi’s death was undoubtedly the final straw that drove Sun Ce’s rationality out of his mind when dealing with the Shanyue!

This was actually a good thing for Qiao Yan.

So, in her memorial to Liu Yu, she mentioned that the confrontation in Xuzhou might require support from Yang Province, making the stability of the various commanderies within Yang Province quite important.

Rather than using someone from a noble family in Yang Province, it would be better to further strengthen Sun Ce’s own forces.

For example, appointing Sun Ce’s uncle, Wu Jing, as the Prefect of Yuzhang.

This position would be impossible for Sun Ce to recommend himself, but coming from Qiao Yan, it avoided the trouble of “nepotism.”

Wu Jing had served under Sun Jian shortly after his sister married him, also commanding troops and fighting alongside him. There wasn’t much difference in experience or ability between him and Zhu Zhi, who was killed by Huang She.

This succession was quite natural.

But the real instability in Yang Province was never in Yuzhang, adjacent to Liu Biao, but in Danyang and Wu commanderies!

What did a gesture of goodwill in the position of Prefect of Yuzhang amount to!

What consequences this edict would have upon reaching Yang Province was not too important to Qiao Yan.

She had already turned her attention to the reports coming from Youzhou.

But just as she started reading, her initial thought of it being a simple update was quickly dismissed.

Xun You wrote in the letter that something “interesting” had happened in the military camp recently.

Lü Bu had pulled off a stunt in the camp, having soldiers sew tiger tooth patterns on their clothes to show his satisfaction with the court’s appointment and his intention to remember the good wishes.

Unfortunately, due to Xun You’s intervention, the sewing kits distributed were collected back.

But perhaps it was a bit late, as some newly recruited soldiers, strictly following the general’s orders, had already sewn the tiger tooth patterns.

Some might have sewn triangles, others radishes, but these strange patterns were quite noticeable in the camp.

But what was even more noticeable was the speed at which these soldiers adapted to training.

Whether it was really influenced by the tiger tooth symbols, they performed exceptionally well in the tasks given by their superiors, and their physical condition seemed better than the average soldier.

Not all, but on average, it was true.

This made Lü Bu extremely happy, and he even approached Xun You, suggesting they shouldn’t skimp on the sewing kits.

“There’s no such mystical thing in the world.”

Qiao Yan muttered softly upon reading this.

Xun You thought the same at the time.

Achieving such an effect wasn’t difficult; it just required someone to observe the most physically fit in each squad when the sewing kits were distributed and sew the patterns on their clothes first.

But since many had done it voluntarily and were actively training, it was impossible to tell who had tampered with it.

In Xun You’s view, there were probably quite a few spies among these new recruits from Zhuo County.

Lü Bu, however, was unaware of this.

For him, the tasks at hand were to make these new recruits follow his orders and to intercept Yuan Shao’s generals at the southern border of You and Ji provinces.

The latter couldn’t be demonstrated before any formal confrontation, but the former, after his experience stationed at Suiyuan City in Baidao River, was somewhat familiar—showing solidarity with the soldiers and displaying his martial prowess.

But what Lü Bu didn’t expect was that his muscle-flexing act, mimicking Qiao Yan’s feat at Juyong Pass, actually sparked a wave of personal worship in the camp within just a couple of days.

Even more surprisingly, this wave spread from the camp to the northern parts of Zhuo County in just a few days.

The people of Zhuo County, unaware of the attacks on Gongsun Zan by Zhang Liao and Qu Yan, simply thought the so-called “Tiger Tooth Grand General” was no different from the “Grand General,” and with his achievements in contributing to Gongsun Zan’s death and even killing a Xianbei chieftain, his presence in Zhuo County was like a guardian deity!

This deserved some good publicity.

The martial atmosphere of the northern frontier was common in Zhuo County. Liu Bei had gathered a group of heroes here in his youth, and with Lü Bu’s many legends, it was much the same.

Even the wealthy merchants Zhang Shiping and Su Shuang, who had funded Liu Bei’s recruitment of more talents, visited Zhuo County to pay their respects to Lü Bu.

Such fame certainly wouldn’t make Lü Bu restless.

He naturally loved grandeur and felt his martial prowess deserved the reputation.

Xin Pi, who had orchestrated this situation, deliberately avoided Xun You and Tian Feng, observing Lü Bu’s actions and feeling that his goal was within reach.

Having chosen this target and spread the舆论 to areas outside the camp, he planned to withdraw in a few days to avoid exposure.

However, what neither Xin Pi nor Xun You, who wrote the letter to Qiao Yan, expected was that amidst the rising fame of the Tiger Tooth General, Sima Yi offered Lü Bu a suggestion—

Perhaps they wanted to use the fact that Zhang Liao was younger but held a higher position than Lü Bu to elevate Lü Bu’s status and create conflict between the two.

In that case, rather than having Lü Bu hold back and make the other side retreat, it would be better to go along with their intentions.

But… not by having Zhang Liao transfer Lü Bu back to Yuyang, but by having Lü Bu take advantage of the situation to attack Yuan Shao’s camp across the river!

This attack plan was definitely not part of Qiao Yan’s预设节奏 for the Ji Province front.

But upon receiving Xun You’s report of Sima Yi’s suggestion, Qiao Yan immediately approved it and had it delivered to Youzhou by fast horse.

Ordering Lü Bu to take advantage of the wind and cross the Juma River, inflict damage on the enemy camp, and return immediately!