Chapter 333

Yuan Shao frowned in dissatisfaction, “Why couldn’t you keep such a strange device intact? Ever since the development of the crossbow, I never worried about defending the city against sudden attacks, whether from Qiao Yan’s forces here in Youzhou or elsewhere. If we could unpack the technology behind this repeating crossbow today, we wouldn’t be the ones in trouble now.”

The subordinate chuckled wryly, “If we could’ve kept it intact, we would certainly want to, but this repeating crossbow wasn’t equipped throughout their ranks. Only one person carrying it died at the hands of General Gao, but before dying, he stabbed the mechanism with his dagger, causing its destruction.”

He hadn’t witnessed this scene, but he accompanied Ju Shou and saw the short blade pulled from the repeating crossbow, with parts scattered all over. It made him feel that the Bingzhou cavalry exhibited not only bravery in combat but also an unyielding resolve to repay the kindness of their lord.

Even Ju Shou commented that this swift-moving team would’ve succeeded without the repeating crossbow’s assistance during the raid.

Had he not seen for himself the abilities of Qiao Yan’s troops, he wouldn’t have believed they could look this impressive.

Unfortunately, before he returned to Ye City, Ju Shou had told him not to mention this last bit to Yuan Shao, just to say that the guards stationed in Gaoyang would promptly reestablish their defenses along the Yuma River and Yishui.

Hearing Ju Shou’s instructions, Yuan Shao asked, “There won’t be any further news of the enemy raiding our camp, will there?”

Just one Gao Lan being taken was a loss Yuan Shao could handle.

However, not long after Yuan Shao got Ju Shou’s answer of “doing everything possible,” he received news that nearly made him bite his teeth out.

Qiao Yan declared that she would swap Gao Lan, whom she captured, for Tian Feng’s family. If Yuan Shao felt that one Gao Lan wasn’t enough, then throw in Xin Pi as well.

From any angle, it appeared to be a pretty good deal for Yuan Shao.

Good deal? That depends on how she proposed this transaction!

This rascal Qiao Yan took up two entire pages in the October edition of the Leping Monthly Report to document this matter.

One page reported on the achievements of the Bingzhou cavalry in this raid while also emphasizing this year’s horse expansion breeding plans.

The sheer numbers were a direct shock to Yuan Shao, making him choose to skip reading further.

The other page offered strong condemnation toward Yuan Shao.

She had it written that Yuan Shao’s unnamed ally had been previously mentioned in the Leping Monthly Report, going from a hardworking person laboring in Bingzhou to a member of the Shangshutai, serving as a success story for the Chang’an court to attract talent from outside.

But Yuan Shao, man of dirty tricks, shameless to the core, even refused to let the family of said ally reunite, and even intended to kidnap hostages, turning them into Yuan Shao’s insider.

Qiao Yan could never permit a loyal minister of the Chang’an dynasty to face such treatment. After capturing Yuan Shao’s general Gao Lan and then managing to capture strategist Xin Pi, she decided to use these two to negotiate the return of Yuan Shao’s ally’s family.

She might incur some loss in this deal, given the importance of both captives to Yuan Shao, but if she’d only asked for money in return, she could have gained a considerable ransom instead. However, to provide a sense of safety for the outsiders pledging loyalty to Chang’an, she must set this example at this moment.

“Shameless… beyond shameless!” Yuan Shao trembled as he held onto the Leping Monthly Report.

No one knows if it’s because of this year’s drought, but the Leping Monthly Report had a vast number of sales channels in Ji Province and Qing Province.

By the time Yuan Shao figured out something was off with the contents of this October edition, the reports had already been widely circulated, and heaven knows how many had seen its contents.

Especially, the officials in Ye City.

In the wake of Yizhou and Youzhou being taken over by the Chang’an court this year, Yuan Shao clearly heard a saying circulating in Ye City.

They claimed, given the fierce offensive trend of the Chang’an court, could Yuan Shao really block their momentum of reclaiming the world and restoring unity?

Rather than stubbornly resist and fight to the death, why not surrender directly?

After all, that Son of Heaven seated in Chang’an, Liu Yu, is a well-known softy, and once he ascended the throne, he became a benevolent ruler, no doubt much better than Liu Bian.

While he couldn’t find out who leaked the idea of surrender, Yuan Shao could guarantee that there were significantly more people harboring such thoughts!

Now, with his move of detaining families of the officials in Chang’an, the losses from the Ji Province and Youzhou frontlines being laid bare in the Leping Monthly Report undoubtedly subjected him to public scrutiny, marking his second public execution since the wheat borrowing scandal.

But that previous “funny business” with the wheat happened three years ago. Back then, the Leping Monthly Report’s print runs and reach couldn’t compare to today; this case is bound to pack a greater punch.

“Those loyal to the Chang’an court can’t be caught by outsiders? She sure knows how to make a name for herself!” Yuan Shao slammed the newspaper onto the table, but even without it in front of him, the sharp mockeries aimed at Ye City in those words still seemed to bounce around in his head.

He took a deep breath, knowing this was not the time to candidly mention that Yuan Feng was actually Tian Feng.

If he went ahead and did that, he’d surely be questioned as to why Tian Feng, a common man from Ji Province, was present in Bingzhou.

The act of sending spies to gather enemy intelligence isn’t particularly shady, but only provided the identity of the information carrier isn’t exposed.

In a situation where Tian Feng hadn’t explicitly indicated betrayal, if he suddenly revealed the identity, who would dare take risks for him from now on?

And what Qiao Yan wrote today merely regarded his act of detaining key personnel from the other side; tomorrow it would become an outright accusation of both courts crossing swords without honor, and she’d have a solid reason to justify her military actions.

She’s got the upper hand, having not only failed to notice that Tian Feng was actually a spy from the enemy but also giving him opportunities to learn and advance after recognizing his talent, and upon finding that his family was held hostage by Yuan Shao, intent on using his esteemed ministers as bargaining chips.

Even if Yuan Shao blows up at this moment declaring that Yuan Feng is indeed Tian Feng, arguing that this may very well mean Tian Feng was not fully committed to being a spy, he could bet anything that according to Qiao Yan’s smooth-talking nature, she’d likely say—

“Even if I now know that Tian Yuanhao has issues with his identity, I don’t mind rescuing his family from this predicament. This way, I could repay Tian Yuanhao for the contributions he made for Chang’an in these past years and allow him to make a fresh decision afterward.”

Xu You added a comment.

Yuan Shao tugged at the corner of his mouth, “That’s precisely the sort of thing she would do. At that point, I’d become the largest laughingstock.”

“Tian Yuanhao’s identity being exposed is undesirable for another reason I don’t even need to elaborate on; ones as loyal to the Ming Duke rather than the Ye City Son of Heaven, stirring up trouble by switching sides to Qiao Yan, would garner good treatment, akin to a fatal bargain.”

While things may not erupt immediately within this year, what about next year? The year after that?

Tian Feng’s identity shouldn’t be revealed for yet another reason.

When did that Yuan from Ji Province arrive in Bingzhou? Three years ago!

What sort of brain does Yuan Shao have to let a prominent figure like Tian Feng remain in the enemy camp for three years?

Whoever it was would surely be swayed by the enemy’s treatment and defect!

Yuan Shao ground his teeth in thought for a long while before resolutely deciding, “We’ll swap people!”

It’s better to completely write off one Tian Feng than to risk losing both Xin Pi and Gao Lan; it’s better than ending up with nothing!

This time he learned his lesson!

No matter if it’s scouting out the enemy’s operational status or checking their military placement, he shouldn’t think to send his men over anymore. They would fall into Qiao Yan’s hands with no other backup plan.

Tian Feng’s family was blindly sent to the hostage exchange point that Yuan Shao arranged, and the strategists Xi Zhicai and Qu Yi, who had previously been sent to Taiyuan, handed over Xin Pi and Gao Lan.

Seeing these two return uninjured and not being wrapped up in any word games by Qiao Yan, Xu You let out a long breath.

But the thought that these two could’ve been sent back from Youzhou instead of detouring through Taiyuan just to meet Qiao Yan made Xu You’s heart skip.

There’s also the Youzhou native, Xin Pi in the mix…

What would Yuan Shao think about that?

Even if he wouldn’t openly berate Xin Pi out of face-saving considerations, situations from his inappropriate counsel, operational blunders, to encounters with Qiao Yan would give Yuan Shao plenty to speculate.

But thankfully, the men are back; everything else can be discussed later when they get back.

However, just as Xu You was about to leave, he heard Xi Zhicai call out, “Wait!”

Xu You turned back and asked, “What else do you need?”

Xi Zhicai smiled and replied, “I heard from Fengxiao’s letter to me that Yuan Ziguo has a son named Yuan Xi, who once visited him in Chang’an. May I ask why he isn’t included among those being sent over?”

A vein on Xu You’s forehead twitched.

Don’t think he didn’t know who Yuan Xi was; he was none other than Yuan Shao’s second son, Yuan Xi!

Xi Zhicai was clearly aware of this too.

But if they were to send over that younger lord during this hostage exchange, that would unquestionably be too outrageous.

He replied, “He’s deceased.”

“Oh?” Xi Zhicai looked him over and responded playfully, “That’s truly regrettable. I’ll be sure to inform your lord about this matter of sending a white-haired man to mourn a black-haired one.”

“Additionally—”

“There’s one more thing I must ask you to relay to Yuan Qingzhou. Among the captives in Youzhou, there are still many who cooperated with Xin Zuo. Make sure Ju Gong collects them as well to avoid them being our guests and him later demanding interest from Yuan Qingzhou.”

Getting rid of all the spies means they won’t have to go through each one during the newcomers’ induction.

If there’s a slip-up in the process, it could lead to misunderstandings among the new recruits in Zhuo County. Best for Yuan Shao to come pick them up himself.

Hearing the term “interest,” Xu You became a bit agitated.

After all, it was precisely to repay Yuan Shao for the borrowed grains’ interest that he had been ousted from Chang’an due to that astronomical debt, and now hearing that they’re charging interest on their housing and meals made him nearly trip over his own feet.

“Crash right over!”

“Don’t worry, we’ll make sure to get the people out quickly.”

“That would be just perfect,” Xi Zhicai flashed a smile at Xu You, “Take care, no need to see you off.”

There was no need for Xi Zhicai to see him off along the steep route; on the other end lay Yuan Shao’s defenses!

Xu You turned around and took a few steps, realizing he wasn’t being stopped this time, and hurried his pace to avoid hearing any more annoying phrases like “Where is Yuan Xi?” He quickly left the area.

Once he could no longer see the Bingzhou messenger, he finally felt somewhat safe.

Noticing the two he brought back were a bit silent, Xu You thought that their capture was hardly by their choice, so he ventured to ask, “What did you think when you met Qiao, the Prefect of Bingzhou?”

“To be honest,” Xin Pi sighed, “We haven’t seen each other since we were sent from Youzhou to Bingzhou. Seems like she just wants to get this transaction done through her.”

But would Yuan Shao believe such a thing?

Maybe yes, maybe no; in any case, all the gossip and discussions in Ye City remained suppressed under Yuan Shao’s control.

He had to proceed according to the steps Xi Zhicai insisted on, having Xin Pi make another trip to Zhuo County to gather those who would accompany him back.

The reasoning given in Lü Bu’s army was that these new recruits were to aid Liu City, not stay there for training. In reality, Xin Pi was leading them back to Gaoyang.

Yuan Shao didn’t immediately transfer Xin Pi and Gao Lan’s posts, but as he had discussed with Xu You, Guo Tu, and Shen Pei in Ye City, he intended to move Xin Pi north next year to cooperate with Zhang He in defending River North County, turning Shen Pei north as well to work with Ju Shou, while rearranging the positions of Gao Lan and Gao Shun.

“Honestly, sending me north to supervise the war, it looks like I’m the one with interests here, but I don’t feel it’s a good arrangement. Changing generals at the last moment is a huge taboo. If only Lord Meng were more decisive, just swap them out right away; yes, there would be some complaints, but that’s better than causing conflicts over troop movements that would give others a chance to take advantage,” Shen Pei said to his wife when he got home.

Resting his chin on his hand with a frown, he continued, “Especially that steep route at Jingxing; it may be hard to traverse, but with Lord Meng equipping it with enough crossbows to cover the path, we’re really not as familiar with it as the folks from Bingzhou.”

Bingzhou’s development of the Taihang Mountains far surpassed that of Ji Province.

Thinking about the remaining threat of the former Black Mountain Bandits, Shen Pei felt an unnecessary twinge of anxiety.

Even though both generals shared the surname Gao, even Gao Shun and Gao Gan, hailing from the same family, showed differences in military arrangements, let alone the change in defense with Gao Lan and Gao Gan staying behind.

The former had been a top commander under Yuan Shao, only to have become a laughing stock after this capture, crossing Jingxing again, no less!

The latter was Yuan Shao’s nephew and thus had the familial advantage.

“What kind of deadlock is this…”

Sadly, Shen Pei could tell that Yuan Shao was dead-set on switching personnel next year, possibly due to some provocation from Qiao Yan’s Leping Monthly Report.

Or maybe he had to confront the fact that Tian Feng had indeed switched sides, now in Youzhou, and had become a real opponent, making Shen Pei feel all the more anxious than before.

“So what are you planning to do? I hope you’re not thinking of pulling a Tian Yuanhao and jumping over to Chang’an?”

At her question, Shen Pei quickly replied, “What nonsense is that? I’m entrusted by Lord Meng with an important task; even if one day I’m captured and taken west, I would still face east and die! How could I bow to the enemy and live in shame?”

He sighed, “I just hope that before this rearrangement is executed, someone can talk some sense into it.”

Even more than switching generals, he feared that someone might suggest bringing in new blood to grab greater benefits as Gao Lan and Xin Pi’s standings surely would decrease in Yuan Shao’s eyes.

But now was definitely not the time for such things…

Thus, winter arrived in the third year of Jian’an under such circumstances.

As October rolled into the end of the month, the unusually cold winter signals had already manifested in the autumn chill.

For those within Qiao Yan’s territory, it wasn’t too troublesome.

The October issue that reported on the exchange of hostages with Yuan Shao also detailed preparations for winter across the four northern provinces.

As for personnel arrangements, there wasn’t much to talk about; they generally stuck to the past few years’ practices.

For instance, Liangzhou’s Huangzhong valley continued to welcome the Qiang people residing in the highlands during spring and summer, respecting their preference for stable lifestyles by providing them a winter home. Similarly, the Xianbei people from beyond Bingzhou routinely entered Yanmen and Yunzhong counties to engage in local mining enterprises.

What was most important was the living essentials that the populace was most concerned about.

If the well water freezes, where would they get water from?

After the drought, this was a serious issue.

Not everyone could afford to burn wood or coal.

The monthly report explained that to mitigate the drought’s impact, the wells dug across various regions were mostly deep wells, which had a far lower chance of freezing during winter compared to the usual shallow wells.

If they had to worry about this, they could either cover the well or directly draw water from the underground reservoir before the Qinling Mountains.

Secondly, there was cotton.

Folks in Bingzhou, Liangzhou, Youzhou, and the capital could purchase one portion of cotton needed for a cotton coat according to local household registration, priced at twenty five-zhu coins per unit.

Just as Qiao Yan stated in her terms for trading with Yanzhou, only cotton for clothing would be sold, effectively lowering the buying criteria for the populace.

After all, discarded old clothes, previous winter wear, or leftover fabric could all be used to wrap up cotton coats.

In Yizhou, Jingzhou, Runan, and Yang Province, due to their relatively warmer climate, prices for cotton would rise by five coins and five zhu, ensuring that the northern provinces had priority in purchasing these items.

The weather was pressing, and seeing the long lines forming in Luoyang as people rushed to buy cotton, Cao Cao couldn’t help but head back to Bingzhou to finalize the deal, despite thinking that mixing this cotton trade with book sales was a bit dubious.

And this time, aside from Cao Ang who was still being sent, Cao Cao didn’t send Cao Hong but instead had Chen Gong accompany Cao Ang.

“I thought that once Mengde learned I snatched Tian Yuanhao from Yuan Benchu, he wouldn’t dare send you, Chen Gong,” Qiao Yan set down the scroll she was holding and turned to the two visitors.

The winter’s chill already formed a layer of white frost on the green bamboo in the yard, but indoors, thanks to the heated flooring, it felt like late spring or summer.

Chen Gong thoughtfully glanced at the ground, then back at Qiao Yan’s face, “I believe my situation is quite different from Tian Yuanhao’s.”

“Of course it’s different,” Qiao Yan chuckled, “I’m always lenient towards my own people. But with you, Chen Gong, being so clever yet not under my command, I’ll have to show you the spirit of sweeping leaves in the autumn wind.”

“For instance—let me tell you some bad news.”

“When I talked to Zixiu, I said I could accept selling books to Yanzhou and throwing in some free cotton, but now this deal… needs a bit of a change.”

Before Chen Gong could question, he heard Qiao Yan continue leisurely, “Regarding the principle of ‘no delays,’ I assume you’re a man of resolution and understand this.”

Her tone carried confidence that made Chen Gong realize this wasn’t going to be an easy negotiation.

After all, now that she’d just come away with a deal from Yuan Shao, Qiao Yan was all too aware of the limits to be negotiated on all sides.

When the so-called “new trading item,” the second book, was presented before Chen Gong, his expression changed drastically.

This book’s impact was not any less damaging than the revelation in Leping Monthly Report about Yuan Shao detaining Tian Feng’s family!

If this thing flooded Yanzhou, they’d truly just be setting someone else up for success with that winter coat!

He opened his mouth to argue against this trading item but saw Qiao Yan raise a finger in front of him, “Chen Gong, I don’t think Mengde sent you to return empty-handed and then send someone else for a third round; you should really consider your bargaining more thoroughly.”

Chen Gong stared at Qiao Yan for a while, clearly perceiving her unwavering gaze.

Finally, he spoke, “The second book can only take up thirty percent of this sale.”

He thought they’d need to go back and forth deeper into negotiations, yet Qiao Yan replied almost instantaneously, “Deal.”

Chen Gong: “…?”

“Did you not hear my answer?” Qiao Yan said, “I said, deal. I have my bottom line; I can’t let people keep negotiating with me without costing them anything. But there’s another bottom line called life.”

Winter was approaching, time was running out.

She had no intention of pushing anyone to the brink.

“The second book isn’t printed yet; it’ll be sent in January once everything is done. The free cotton and the first book will arrive at Yanzhou first. My people will handle the selling process, or else the price won’t hold. I hope Yanzhou and Runan can understand my intentions.”

“Of course,” Chen Gong responded while pondering whether he should revise his understanding of this grand marshal who held sway over half the land.

In the years past, Cao Cao and Qiao Yan had dealt in cotton before. The cotton price back then was one stone of rice for one cotton coat’s worth of cotton. This year’s arrangement of selling books along with cotton had Yanzhou ready to be sidelined, only to learn Qiao Yan planned to set the price at thirty-five pieces of five-zhu coins.

While this was pricier than the prices within the imperial jurisdiction of Chang’an, it was still far cheaper than the rice prices during this drought year!

If they could manage to limit the second book’s influence, it wouldn’t be a total loss!

Qiao Yan’s insistence that life was her bottom line clearly wasn’t just idle talk.

Every year on the first day of the new year, she had the custom of creating victory coins for her subordinates, and it wasn’t exactly a secret for the outside world over the years.

And on this first day of the fourth year of Jian’an, the victory coin appearing in the hands of her subordinates was oddly one with a crane holding a single blade of grass.

This emblem meant—

In years of calamity, with various regions afflicted by their own woes, I urge everyone to take care of themselves, for tomorrow.

Before getting results in expanding territories, staying alive is the most crucial thing.

But even with such blessings, Xun Shuang, who had been ill since the end of the third year of Jian’an, passed away in January of the fourth year, at the age of sixty-eight.

“Even knowing this lifespan is close to seventy for most people, it’s difficult to say that Mr. Ciming, who had secluded himself near Hanbin in his early years, has lived much longer than he should have. It’s still heart-wrenching to witness the passing of these elders.”

Qiao Yan had a grand burial arranged for Xun Shuang in Leping and invited his students to attend the funeral.

According to Xun Shuang’s request, his body would be buried in the Taihang Mountains.

After all, his life had been a wanderer, so why insist on returning to his hometown?

Qiao Yan looked at the sea of white-clad students of the Xun family and couldn’t help but express her reflections to Xi Zhicai.

In truth, it wasn’t just remarkable that Xun Shuang lived to see this year; he actually lived five more years than in history.

During these five years, he spent three years authoring works and teaching at Leping Academy, which counted as a peaceful late life for him.

Before his death, his only regret remained one single issue.

In years past, after his daughter’s husband died, Xun Shuang wanted his daughter to remarry, matching her with a fellow townsman. However, Xun Cai wanted to honor her deceased husband’s memory and, on her wedding day, avoided her guards and committed suicide, leaving behind the words “Return the corpse to the afterlife,” wishing to return her body to her husband Yin Yu’s family.

This became an irremovable pain for Xun Shuang.

As he lay dying, whether due to clarity of mind in his final moments, he looked up at Qiao Yan standing by his bedside, gesturing for her to dismiss her subordinates, and asked, “Could you grant me a request?”

“In the old days, I followed the ancient rites and believed that only the rites were sacred, everything else could change and bend. This belief has not changed while returning to Luoyang. However, during Dong Zhuo’s chaos, rites collapsed and music was destroyed. The Han court nearly ceased to exist, and the common people were born of fire and water; I realized that clinging to outdated rites served no purpose and only accelerated disorder.”

He rested for a while, nearly unheard breaths barely audible, finally addressing Qiao Yan, “I do not know what you intend to do; perhaps I also would prefer not to probe further. In this world, only the capable can stabilize it; with your bottom line, I fear nothing.”

“I wish to take you as an example, so that no parent in the world will force their children into marriage and that all the women realize… there is more to life than being faithful to a deceased husband.”

“… I owe a debt to A Cai; I must make some reparations.”

And the legacy he left for Qiao Yan was persuading some of his students who initially intended to leave to stay at Leping for their studies, while those who no longer needed further education also chose to remain because they wished to honor their teacher’s memory.

Among them were bound to be some who clung to old ways, but without a doubt, there would be talented individuals as well.

This selection of talent fell into Xi Zhicai’s hands.

“Xun’s eight dragons, Ciming unparalleled. With such fame in life and honored in death as a Han minister, and with you, my lord, managing his affairs posthumously, perhaps one day his works will be known across the seas, and he will have no regrets in death,” Xi Zhicai slowly walked alongside Qiao Yan, replying.

At this point, he abruptly stopped, gazing up at the sky, softly stating in a voice only the two of them could hear, “My lord, the wind has picked up.”

Indeed, the wind had picked up.

The winter wind in the Taihang Mountains was fierce, causing the white banners to rustle.

Qiao Yan stretched out her hand, catching a strand of cold wind passing through her fingertips, her gaze returning to a tranquil demeanor, “The wind rises at the edge of the green plum, the situation will change.”

In this fourth year of Jian’an, it was destined not to be a peaceful time!

In the first month of the fourth year of Jian’an, chaos erupted in Pei County of Yu Province; the official guarding the area was detained, and under the lead of local tyrants, turned traitor against Cao Cao.

This change in territorial allegiance within the Ye City court was already frustrating enough for Yuan Shao, but due to last year’s exchange of hostages, he couldn’t publicly rebuke Cao Cao in this unfavorable situation.

Moreover, what responsibility did Cao Cao have in all this?

Should he be blamed for just being born in Pei County and having some prior connections with the local tyrants?

Or for efficiently managing the livelihoods of the people in the newly acquired territories of Yu Province’s Chen County and Runan County this winter?

Liu Bei was merely the governor of Xuzhou; he shouldn’t have dominion over Yu Province.

But this evidently wasn’t the end of the year; rather, it was merely the beginning.

On the sixth day of the second month of Jian’an, the forces led by Zhang Yi from the southern part of Xuzhou crossed the Huai River, launching a vigorous attack against Liu Bei on the northern bank!