Chapter 342

Chapter 342

Can a strategist not ascend the throne? Volume 10: The World in Chaos, the Time of the Deer Hunt Chapter 342: Placing Them in a Deadly Situation

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Can a strategist not ascend the throne?

Chapter 342: Placing Them in a Deadly Situation

Ten days…

In the beginning of these ten days, the first thing she announced was the death of Sun Ce.

Previously, to deceive Zu Lang, they had to keep his death a secret.

But now, most of the descendants of the four families in Wu County have been captured. Those still at large either know nothing about it or can already guess the general situation. Announcing it and claiming that he would return home would make some people wait for instructions from Wu Commandery, preventing them from moving around randomly.

Because of this, Gu Yong, whom Qiao Yan wanted Cai Yong to save, was also captured.

Misjudging the landing point of the ship had already left him a bit confused. The subsequent official announcement of Sun Ce’s death, centered around Wu Commandery, left him even more unsure of how to react.

However, while waiting for news from the ancestral home in Wu Commandery, he was suddenly arrested.

Zhu Huan, who was with him in Qu’a, could still struggle with his strength, but Gu Yong couldn’t.

Having served as a civil official for many years, he was quickly tied up and taken back to the prison in Wu County, where he reunited with his father and brothers.

“What’s the situation now?” Gu Yong couldn’t help but ask upon seeing his family members, who no longer looked as dignified as before.

“What else? We sent away a warrior, only to have a madwoman take his place,” someone replied. “She said we don’t deserve the name of a noble family. After detaining us, she only stayed in Wu County for a day before heading to Fuchun. Not deserving… what a joke!”

This “not deserving” was further validated by her actions.

Qiao Yan was indeed not in Wu County but in Fuchun.

After all, Sun Ce’s hometown was in Fuchun, Wu Commandery. His body had been sent back there by Sun Quan and his cousin Sun Ben from Tongguan.

Before reporting his death to the court in Chang’an for the final posthumous title, his body would remain there, receiving tributes from his subordinates who were arriving one after another.

Fortunately, the weather wasn’t too hot, and there were plenty of ice blocks stored in the ancestral homes of the four families in Wu Commandery, which had just been sealed. Maintaining the body for half a month without decay wasn’t difficult.

The young man, who once roamed the battlefield with the same vigor as his father, now lay there quietly, making one sigh at the unpredictability of fate.

Just as Qiao Yan was thinking this, she heard someone call out “Grand Marshal” from behind.

She turned around and saw Madam Wu leading a little girl of about five or six years old towards her.

Before Qiao Yan could respond, Madam Wu bowed deeply to her, “Thank you, Lord, for avenging my son by executing the Zhu family leader.”

“Madam, there’s no need for such formalities.”

Madam Wu stood up and replied solemnly, “It’s only proper. If not for your reluctance, I should bring my remaining sons to kneel and thank you in person.”

As Sun Ce had told her before his death, the inside information Qiao Yan revealed to him wouldn’t be known by his family and subordinates. At least, Madam Wu didn’t know.

What she saw was that the four families of Wu Commandery, despite her restraint during Sun Ce’s attack on Wu Commandery, showed no goodwill in return. Instead, they repeatedly set traps for Sun Ce, leading to his death in Danyang.

Regardless of who else might be pulling the strings behind the scenes, the four families of Wu Commandery were undoubtedly one of the biggest instigators.

With such entities around, even if Sun Ce hadn’t died at the hands of Zu Lang and Huang She, he would likely have fallen into the next trap.

His death was only a matter of time.

With Zu Lang dead, how could they remain untouched?

But if Qiao Yan hadn’t followed the clues from Zu Lang to uncover the four families of Wu Commandery, and if the Grand Marshal hadn’t wielded her power without hesitation, beheading Zhu Rong without concern for the repercussions, Madam Wu wouldn’t have been able to seek revenge, bound by the rules of Wu Commandery.

Even if Sun Ce and Sun Jian’s old subordinates acknowledged her as their mistress and were willing to avenge Sun Ce’s death by storming Wu County to bring the culprits to justice, could she bear to see these loyal men one day fall victim to revenge, unknowingly schemed against by others?

But Qiao Yan dared!

Her previous actions left no doubt that she had the ability to suppress the situation!

Her first move, though perhaps impulsive, had already won the obedience of Sun Ce’s old subordinates.

Given the situation in Yang Province, this was crucial.

However, how Qiao Yan planned to use these people for her own purposes was no longer important to Madam Wu. What mattered to her now was her son’s funeral and the fate of the murderers.

“By the way, I heard that you’ve temporarily suspended Lu Jining, the Prefect of Lujiang, for investigation?” Madam Wu asked.

Qiao Yan replied, “Indeed. Although Lu Jining wasn’t directly involved in the conspiracy, the four families of Wu Commandery had many interactions, and he wasn’t entirely unaware of the frictions between them. For instance, he knew about the incident with Gao Kongwen, yet he didn’t inform Sun Ce, leaving him unaware that while he was personally leading the campaign against Zu Lang, there were people behind him plotting to stab him in the back. He can’t escape the charge of withholding information.”

Since she was determined to clean up the four families of Wu Commandery, Qiao Yan couldn’t go easy on Lu Kang just because Lu Yi had recently made contributions under her command and Lu Yuan was her trusted aide.

With Lu Kang under investigation, it would be easier to arrest the remaining members of the Lu family.

She continued to Madam Wu, “Ordinary withholding of information might only delay the delivery of some news, but when it comes to military intelligence, it can’t be treated as a simple case of withholding information. Moreover, the victim this time was the Governor of Yang Province. If no punishment is meted out, it would be hard to establish order.”

Madam Wu: “What you say makes sense.”

Although Lu Kang had made contributions to Sun Ce, in the face of such a critical mistake, an example needed to be set.

“Two days ago, Huang Gai also asked me this question, and I gave him another answer. I said that if those imprisoned think they still have Lu Jining as their superior, they would inevitably believe that someone could pull all the strings to plead for them, and if pleading doesn’t work, then pressure could be applied. In short, any method that might make me retract my orders would be tried first.”

“To spare Lu Jining from endless pestering, it’s better to detain him as well, so he hears less of it.”

“…” Madam Wu sighed at this seemingly serious yet nonsensical answer. Lu Kang probably wouldn’t think that such a ruthless detention was for his own good.

But with Qiao Yan in power in Yang Province, what she says goes.

With Liangzhou recovering from a century of Qiang rebellions, Yizhou’s Dongzhou and Yizhou scholars reaching a balance in the redefined official appointments, and Yu Province being divided between Yingchuan and Runan, it seems Qiao Yan has her own ideas about the current situation.

Qiao Yan continued, “Some actions I don’t need to hide from you, Madam. Sun Ce devoted himself to pacifying Yang Province during his lifetime, but his work was cut short by the schemes of villains. While we seek justice for him, we should also ensure that Yang Province enjoys peace and prosperity.”

“In the past few days, I’ve been in Fuchun, while Zhang Zibu and others remain in Wu County, confiscating the ancestral properties of the four families in Wu County and registering the hidden households. The numbers are truly shocking. I’ve had people list out the legal and illegal gains temporarily, but without the trained abacus teams from Guanzhong, it will take more time. We’ll have a clear answer then.”

“If we’re to argue clearly with these powerful families of Wu Commandery, it’s better for us to be well-prepared.”

“This is the first step.”

Qiao Yan had thought deeply before entrusting Zhang Zhao with the task of auditing and confiscating.

In fact, Zhang Zhao was her chosen candidate for the Governor of Yang Province after Sun Ce’s death.

Firstly, he had a long history of cooperation with Sun Ce’s old subordinates. Given that Sun Ce’s old troops wouldn’t be relocated for the time being, he was more suitable than anyone else to stay here long-term and hold some military power.

Secondly, he was recruited by Sun Ce only after arriving in Yang Province and wasn’t even from Yang Province himself, but a guest from Xuzhou. He had no deep connections with the noble families of Yang Province, making him the perfect agent for Qiao Yan’s sweeping reforms in the region.

Lastly, if anything, Zhang Zhao’s somewhat conservative attitude might not be favored by some leaders, but for the current situation in Yang Province and Qiao Yan’s intention to control it, he was the most suitable!

So, for now, let him start by auditing the illegal lands and populations of the four families of Wu Commandery.

The registered population in Yang Province is pitifully small, with the rest being half mountain tribes and half hidden households of noble families.

If we don’t take this opportunity to make a quick and effective strike to open a breach, it will be impossible to do so later!








Madam Wu’s strategic vision has always been quite good. Hearing Qiao Yan’s words, she nodded and replied, “It should be so. The Lord has just arrived and cannot afford to make any wrongful judgments. Lord Zhang is steady in his actions and will not disappoint you.”

Qiao Yan continued, “Moreover, I have divided Bo Fu’s men, the Jing Province soldiers I brought, and Zhu Gongwei’s Changsha soldiers into three groups.”

“Is this something Ah Ren and I can hear?” Madam Wu interrupted before Qiao Yan could finish, asking.

As if echoing her question, a little girl of about five or six peeked out from the side, casting a curious glance.

On the girl’s tender face, there was no trace yet of the future “talent, agility, and fierceness, resembling her elder brothers.” Instead, she somewhat resembled Fu Shou, whom Qiao Yan had seen in Luoyang eleven years ago.

Perhaps due to the recent loss of her brother, she also showed a bit of timidity.

When Qiao Yan’s gaze met hers, she hid further behind her mother.

But perhaps because Qiao Yan was about to say something her mother thought they shouldn’t hear, she perked up her ears and moved two steps forward, afraid to miss any interesting news.

Qiao Yan found it somewhat amusing and watched for a while before looking away, replying, “It’s fine. Madam’s position in Yang Province is special. It’s good for her to know some things, and she might even offer some advice.”

Although Madam Wu didn’t think she could offer any useful advice, she nodded for Qiao Yan to continue.

“The first group is tasked with capturing the fleeing descendants of the four major families in Wu Commandery. They are also handling another task. Bo Fu’s death has been announced, and the local officials who are about to welcome a new superior might worry about losing their positions. If they are anxious, they might mishandle civil affairs, causing trouble.”

“So I have ordered that those who handle their duties well need not worry about position changes. With spring plowing approaching and the possibility of drought this year, it’s better to arrange all affairs in advance.”

Madam Wu replied, “The Lord’s concerns are correct. January is short, and by March, spring will be everywhere in Yang Province. Farming cannot be delayed.”

“The first group, led by Cheng Demou and Zhou Youping, will circulate Zu Lang’s head to all counties. After Bo Fu’s death is announced, if there is any movement from the Shanyue, anyone entering the county borders will be killed without mercy. Within ten days, I want the Shanyue to dare not make any moves.”

“My current ease in dealing with Zu Lang is merely due to the advantage left by Bo Fu. Future actions will require long-term planning. For now, we will suppress them and deal with the rest later.”

“As for what comes next, that is something I cannot yet disclose to Madam.”

The most effective way to deal with the Shanyue is to target what they value most.

For these mountain barbarians, the most important thing is only one—having enough to eat.

As Zhuge Jin’s son, Zhuge Ke, later proposed in a standard approach to dealing with the Shanyue, it is to harvest their grain before they do in the autumn, while simultaneously cutting off their mountain paths, thereby severing their food supply channels, adopting a strategy of encirclement without attack.

While there are many edible plants in the mountains, humans cannot survive without grain. Even the strongest bodies will fail. By then, even if it’s just to seek a way out, the Shanyue people will have to move from the mountains to the plains.

This is indeed effective, but it can only be done after the autumn harvest. The so-called “encirclement without attack” also requires sufficient manpower and familiarity with the terrain, which Qiao Yan currently cannot achieve.

For now, using Zu Lang’s death and the defeat of the Shanyue in Jing County as a deterrent is enough.

“The Lord’s action is to show the Shanyue an attitude. Although my son is dead, the Yang Province soldiers have not lost their fighting spirit and can still deliver a heavy blow to them.” Madam Wu showed a smile. “It should be so. As for what the Lord cannot say, I will not pry.”

“The third group…” Qiao Yan hesitated for a moment before saying, “is related to Gongjin.”

Mentioning Zhou Yu, Madam Wu couldn’t help but show a look of surprise.

Indeed, it has been seven or eight days since Sun Ce’s death. Madam Wu has seen many of Sun Ce’s old subordinates, but one crucial figure is missing.

Zhou Yu.

Zhou Yu, who became friends with Sun Ce in their youth and worked seamlessly with him in reclaiming Yang Province.

Even if he is in Xuzhou, and it takes time to deliver the news to him, under such a shocking change in Yang Province, Zhou Yu’s absence is undoubtedly not a normal signal.

The only explanation is—

“Is Gongjin in danger right now?” Madam Wu quickly asked.

“Correct. News from Xuzhou says that when Bo Fu intended to besiege Jing County, he had already planned to withdraw his troops. Unfortunately, he was intercepted by Zhang Yide on the way and is now trapped in Huaiyin. Liu Xuande has led his troops south, gathering in the central route, making it even harder for Gongjin to escape.”

“I intend to have Yi Gong, Gong Yi, and Zhong Ye lead troops north to reinforce him, but there are still some details to be discussed regarding this reinforcement.”

Having Han Dang, Jiang Qin, and Wen Pin reinforce Xuzhou!

After Qiao Yan’s clear arrangements for Yang Province, this is indeed feasible.

But her phrase “details to be discussed” made Madam Wu sense some underlying meaning. “What do you mean?”

Qiao Yan replied, “The internal chaos in Yang Province is not yet settled. If Xuzhou remains in its current state, there will be a day when we are stretched too thin. Rather than that, it’s better to perform a surgery to remove the disease!”

Madam Wu’s face showed a flash of anxiety. “Does the Lord intend to abandon Gongjin?”

“No, of course not.” Qiao Yan patted Madam Wu’s hand to reassure her.

The friendship between Zhou Yu and Sun Ce was such that they had even paid respects to each other’s mothers. Madam Wu regarded Zhou Yu as another son. With Sun Ce dead, if Zhou Yu also perishes, it would be like stabbing her again.

Whether to comfort Madam Wu or to stabilize the situation in Yang Province, Zhou Yu cannot die yet.

“What I mean by ‘surgery to remove the disease’ is to—put him in a deadly situation to seek life!”

“Sun Bo Fu is dead?” Liu Bei was startled upon hearing the news.

Zhou Yu is still trapped in Huaiyin City, a stubborn stone in the central route of Xuzhou’s Huai River front. He cannot receive outside news while surrounded on all sides, but Liu Bei outside can.

Yet this news somehow feels like a false report.

“Are you sure this isn’t a false image released by Yang Province to catch us off guard?” He halfway denied his own speculation, “No! No matter how false the news, they wouldn’t joke about the death of a provincial governor. The death of the Yang Province governor would cause chaos that even a victory in Xuzhou couldn’t make up for.”

Sun Ce’s temperament also determined that he wouldn’t make such a joke.

“It’s not a false image,” Jian Yong, who brought back the news, replied. “According to the Yang Province messenger we intercepted, several days ago, warships from Jing Province arrived at Tongguan, then landed in Wu Commandery, but unfortunately, they were a step too late.”

“On the brink of death, Sun Bo Fu entrusted Yang Province to Grand Marshal Qiao Yeshu, who had personally arrived, before passing away. Subsequently, Qiao Yeshu personally led troops into the mountains to suppress the Shanyue, then marched to Wu County to detain those related to the governor’s death. In a few more days, she will likely head north to Xuzhou to provide support.”

“I suspected this was just the messenger’s one-sided story, so I had people detour to Lujiang. Sure enough, Sun Ce’s death had already spread there. His body is lying in state in Shouchun, Wu Commandery, and Lujiang Prefect Lu Jining, being involved in the matter, has been dismissed and taken into custody.”

It all happened too quickly.

The shock of Sun Ce’s death hadn’t even subsided, and Qiao Yan’s series of strikes had already arrived.

If this were merely a false message to mislead them, there would be no need to add the latter half.

This is likely the real situation in Yang Province!

Sun Ce is dead, Qiao Yan has arrived, Zu Lang has been executed, and the four families are being held accountable.

With her swift and decisive strikes, as long as she temporarily suppresses the internal chaos in Yang Province, regardless of how rough her methods are, it means she has the opportunity to send troops to Xuzhou and tip the balance.

“If this is true, we must seize Huaiyin before Qiao Yeshu and occupy southern Xuzhou. The current situation doesn’t give us the chance to retreat and continue ruling by the river.”

Liu Bei quickly assessed the situation.

Sun Ce’s death was beyond everyone’s expectations, and Qiao Yan likely didn’t come for him. Thus, her target is obvious—Xuzhou!

So she won’t let go of this chance to end the north-south standoff.

“The Prefect is correct,” Chen Gui agreed. “We cannot afford to be complacent.”

Qiao Yan’s usual performance doesn’t allow anyone to be complacent.

Chen Gui’s gaze turned to the distant walls of Huaiyin, murmuring, “However, perhaps Sun Ce’s death is also good news.”

This is a great opportunity for us to strike first!