Chapter 348

Chapter 348

Can a strategist not ascend the throne? Volume 10: The World in Chaos, the Time of Struggle, Chapter 348: Two Kinds of Treatment

As soon as Qiao Yan said this, Cai Yong was immediately stunned.

What does it mean to “force her too”?

This seems to be different from what Dian Wei said when he sent the letter?

Cai Yong didn’t think much when he received the letter.

There was a change in Yang Province, and someone among the four surnames of Wu Commandery had a hand in Sun Ce’s death. Since it had nothing to do with his disciple Gu Yong, it was only right for him to come and save him.

He even took the letter to Zheng Xuan and Lu Zhi at Leping Academy for consultation. Both agreed that it was necessary for Dian Wei to write in the letter that Cai Yong needed to act pitifully to perform, so that Qiao Yan could follow the steps given in his plea and release Gu Yong.

Perhaps not only Gu Yong would be released, but with the death of Zhu Rong and the warning of this imprisonment, plus the subsequent minor punishments, it would be enough for the four surnames of Wu Commandery. If they were completely uprooted, it would cause chaos in Yang Province, which would not be conducive to Qiao Yan’s subsequent appointment of people to take charge.

Cai Yong thought, it seems to be true.

Thinking of the shelter Qiao Yan provided for him and his two daughters, the comfortable academic environment, the fact that Gu Yong was his disciple whom he once gave the name “Yuantan,” and the fact that he had already made embarrassing moves in front of Qiao Yan—now he could save his disciple’s life from afar and benefit Qiao Yan, why not?

Going through the process would make everyone look good.

Although Dian Wei said he hoped Cai Yong would persuade, Lu Zhi also said that Qiao Yan, having reached the position of Grand Marshal, understood the issues of interest entanglements and personal relationships very well. He didn’t need much eloquence to achieve the purpose of persuasion.

Moreover, he had to think, who is Dian Wei? How could he have such a clear idea to ask Cai Yong to save someone?

This must be Qiao Yan showing her attitude invisibly.

So Cai Yong need not worry about being put in an awkward position.

Therefore, even when he arrived in Yang Province and was redirected to Xuzhou because Qiao Yan was there, Cai Yong didn’t feel anything was wrong.

He was focused on how to act when he met Qiao Yan, and when he entered the city, he heard some noise but ignored it.

Then came the scene that Qiao Yan and those who accompanied her out of the prefecture saw.

Cai Yong indeed showed an urgent state to save his disciple, even losing his shoes and almost crying, but perhaps to save face, he didn’t go that far. He didn’t even have time to exchange pleasantries with Qiao Yan and directly got to the point.

He wanted to save his disciple.

But for those who didn’t know, as Qiao Yan showed, Cai Yong’s arrival was really untimely.

Outside the city, those who came to plead for Liu Bei were surrounded, and even within Tan County, some tried to send the plea signal to the prefecture, but due to Qiao Yan’s military takeover, there was still a distance between them and her.

At this time, Cai Yong, who was like an elder to Qiao Yan, came here for the purpose of pleading, adding another layer of pressure.

This is really troublesome.

Seeing Cai Yong stunned and Qiao Yan showing anger, everyone thought it was normal.

The only one out of the loop was Cai Yong.

He only had one question in his mind: what should he do now?

Being in Tan County, Xuzhou, without a Lu Zhi or Zheng Xuan to explain to him, why did Qiao Yan not help him up and explain her helplessness in imprisoning Gu Yong and the innocent among the four surnames of Wu Commandery, following the elder’s steps to release them, but instead reacted like this?

But he didn’t know that Qiao Yan was pleasantly surprised by Cai Yong’s timely arrival.

This was the time to put him to use!

However, he didn’t need to do anything, just stick to his position—pleading for Gu Yong!

From an outsider’s perspective, Qiao Yan seemed to realize that her words to Cai Yong were somewhat inappropriate. She calmed down a bit and asked, “Does Lord Cai really want to plead for Gu Yuantan at this time?”

Cai Yong thought he understood Qiao Yan’s meaning.

This was to play a game of three invitations and three refusals, to make people believe that her decision to release Gu Yong was after much struggle.

Cai Yong had no idea that he had misjudged the situation by eighty to ninety percent, and immediately replied, “Yuantan is skilled in literature and music, and has been diligent in his duties as a minor official in the county. He is likely unrelated to Sun Bofu’s death and can contribute to Ye Shu’s governance in Yang Province. Is it not possible to spare his life?”

“Spare his life, spare his life…” Qiao Yan coldly repeated these words twice, and before Cai Yong could react, she took him outside.

Passing by the shoe Cai Yong had lost, she reminded him to put it on before leading him south to the top of Tan County’s city wall.

The appearance of people on the city wall, possibly the leaders, temporarily quieted the crowd pleading for Liu Bei.

Perhaps what quieted them was not just the arrival of people, but also the strange behavior of these two.

But their silence did not mean that Cai Yong, who was unaware of the surrounding people’s actions, could not see their demands.

Being here, dragged by Qiao Yan, and seeing the dense crowd, even a fool would feel the atmosphere was not right.

Cai Yong saw a banner made of cloth not far from him, under the two-zhang-high city wall, with the words “Plead for Lord Liu” written on it.

This might be the work of the few literate people among them, or officials still loyal to Liu Bei pushing for it. But whatever the reason, Cai Yong saw faces full of eager expectation, much like the petitions of Imperial Academy students to achieve their admonition purposes.

He suddenly realized why Qiao Yan said “too.”

From this perspective, his arrival was indeed untimely.

Qiao Yan had let go of his hand, with a bit of indignation, and asked, “They say Liu Xuande is a clear and virtuous governor, deserving praise, and should not be killed. Lord Cai says Gu Yuantan is talented and practical, and should not be killed. Good! Then I also want to ask a few questions.”

“Since the death of Emperor Xiaoling in the sixth year of Zhongping, first Dong Zhuo’s tyranny, then the division of the world, should the Han court lose its authority and honor, with the provinces knowing only their governors and not the Son of Heaven, and the provinces ready to attack and annex each other at any time?”

Cai Yong replied, “…Of course not. If the world could be unified, peaceful, with people having their own homes, not fearing the conscription disaster, that would be the right path.”

Qiao Yan said, “As Lord Cai said, the world should have only one court. But when Emperor Xiaoling passed away, with Prince Xie as the heir, Prince Xie still alive, and Dong Zhuo not invincible, the Ye City court was hastily established, unable to hold the center, hastily moved the capital, making everyone know—if the Son of Heaven is in trouble, ministers need not rescue, but should establish a new ruler; if the capital is in danger, ministers need not defend, moving out is fine. Although not as perverse as Dong Zhuo, they are still undoubtedly traitors, right?”

Cai Yong blinked, trying to hear some hint from Qiao Yan, but under her seemingly genuine questioning gaze, he could only reply with a “yes.”

But Qiao Yan’s question was not just for Cai Yong; even those who heard it felt they should reply with a “yes.”

From this perspective, the Chang’an court was not only stronger in territory than the Ye City court but also in legitimacy.

If Liu Xie had not disappeared, Qiao Yan would not have invited the virtuous Liu Yu to Chang’an, which was very different from Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu’s support for Liu Bian’s ascension.

Her question was thought-provoking.

Does the existence of the Ye City court mean that if the Son of Heaven is in trouble, ministers need not rescue, and if the capital is in danger, ministers can move out at will?

This contradicts the meaning of the capital, ancestral temple, state, and the Son of Heaven.

“Liu Xuande first led the name of General Who Pacifies Bandits to attack Pei State in Yu Province, then took the name of Governor of Xuzhou, taking over northern Xuzhou after Tao Gongzu’s death, respecting the Ye City Son of Heaven as emperor. Is he not a traitor?”

“Governor of Yang Province Sun Bofu, whose father died trying to rescue the emperor, always respected the Chang’an Son of Heaven as emperor during his tenure, never missing annual tributes, and relied on the shipbuilders he sent from Yang Province to attack Liaodong across the sea. But before the great cause of unifying the world was achieved, he was killed by the four surnames of Wu Commandery aiming to dominate Jiangdong. Are these four surnames not traitors?”

“I kill traitors to save the Han, why do you stop me!”

Qiao Yan’s words were powerful, even with the four to five-meter-high city wall, they were clearly heard by the closest people below and those who followed her, like Lu Su and Wang Lang.

According to her previous logic, since the Ye City court was illegitimate, Liu Bei was indeed a rebel, and the four surnames of Wu Commandery who killed Sun Ce were also rebels.

Her next sentence added a most righteous name to her actions.

“Dong Zhuo’s small coins appeared in Chang’an, making people know that trade order could be arbitrarily destroyed. In four years, we worked hard to maintain market prices, completely eradicating their influence.”

“The division of the world, the arbitrary deposition and relocation of emperors, must wait for the unification of the world to recover. If we do not kill as a warning, how can we stop this trend!”

“Liu Xuande is a hero, a good official, but he chose the wrong ruler, stood in the wrong position, making the world prone to disaster, so I cannot tolerate him!”

A small voice came from somewhere: “But Lord Liu is a relative of the Han family…”








Can we ask the Son of Heaven if he should be killed or not?

Qiao Yan made a good point, but they had their own methods.

If Liu Yu could make the decision, perhaps Liu Bei’s life could be spared.

However, all they heard was Qiao Yan’s cold laugh: “A member of the Han royal family? The mighty Han dynasty has lasted for four hundred years, and the number of Han royal relatives is countless. Just the Zhongshan Jing King alone left behind over a hundred descendants scattered across the land. If everyone who is a Han royal relative needs Your Majesty to decide their life or death, who will decide the rise and fall of the state and the laws and decrees?”

“Liu Zhang, the son of the former Governor of Yizhou, Liu Junlang, intended to carve out a kingdom in Shu and launched a rebellion while his father was seriously ill, disregarding the rites of father and son and the principles of ruler and subject. I killed him without waiting for the Son of Heaven’s judgment.”

“If all Han royal relatives were like Your Majesty when you were the Governor of Youzhou, upholding integrity, practicing frugality, opening mutual markets, and guarding the borders, even in times of turmoil, the grain price in Youzhou was only thirty-one dan. I would have no problem enshrining all Han royal relatives! However, people have selfish desires, disregard rules, and commit treason. Each case should be judged by the law, not by their status as Han royal relatives!”

“May I ask, is this not reasonable?”

The crowd below whispered among themselves. Although some felt Qiao Yan’s words were trampling on the dignity of the Han royal family, the idea that royal relatives who break the law should be judged by the same laws as commoners was not a bad thing for them.

According to this, Liu Bei seems to…

Wait!

The tone in Qiao Yan’s words clearly showed great respect for Liu Yu, who once served as the Governor of Youzhou. But if that’s the case, Liu Bei’s performance in Xuzhou wasn’t bad either!

Since being a Han royal relative isn’t a reason for leniency in her eyes, they can use political achievements to speak for him!

Liu Bei has something to say!

Immediately, a quick-witted person stepped out from the crowd, looked up at Qiao Yan, and asked, “May I ask the Grand Marshal, if someone cannot keep the grain price at thirty coins but can visit households far and wide, completely eradicating the corrupt Buddhist practices spread by Ze Rong within the prefectures, and then ensure that the people have farmland to cultivate, following the seasons and working for a harvest, can this be called benevolence?”

“If someone visits the villages, urging the construction of water channels to ensure the people of Xuzhou have water to drink, can this be called fulfilling their duties?”

As soon as he started, others quickly followed.

“Last year, a county official in Xiapi was dissatisfied with the governor’s rule and even attempted to send assassins to kill him. However, after witnessing the governor’s fair judgment in a wrongful case, he switched sides and revealed the truth. This shows the governor’s high moral character.”

“Ze Rong stole grain from three prefectures for his own use, held grand Buddhist gatherings in southern Xuzhou, but left Xiapi and Pengcheng without grain. If not for the governor visiting the wealthy households in the prefectures, using the prefecture’s taxes as collateral to borrow grain, many of us would not have survived!”

“And…”

One voice after another spoke up, until a more prominent voice overshadowed them all, “Grand Marshal, could you personally see what the northern part of Xuzhou looks like under Governor Liu’s rule?”

“Even if he has made mistakes, his merits should offset his faults!”

Qiao Yan stood on the city wall, looking at the sincere faces pleading for leniency, and said, “Bring Chen Yuanlong out of prison.”

“I have long heard that he is a man of the lakes and seas, with both literary and martial talents, disdainful of lies, and has served as the Agricultural Officer of Xuzhou for several years, deeply familiar with the harvests of Xuzhou’s farmlands. So—I want him to speak.”

Chen Deng never expected to be released in such a situation.

Being imprisoned after being outmaneuvered by Pang Tong, a junior, wasn’t something Chen Deng found hard to accept. He just couldn’t understand why Qiao Yan chose this moment to launch what seemed like a united attack on Xuzhou.

Because of this confusion, when he and his father were imprisoned, even locked in the prison of Tan County, Chen Deng simply closed his eyes and pondered the various aspects of the battle, trying to replay the entire defeat.

He wasn’t worried about what disaster he might face, but he couldn’t help but worry about Liu Bei’s situation.

Sometimes he thought Qiao Yan’s actions seemed benevolent, but other times he felt that her opponents leaving one after another might be a sign—a sign that Liu Bei might die at her hands.

But Chen Deng never expected that Qiao Yan would entrust Liu Bei’s life to him.

He looked at the pleading crowd still following behind and the carriage parked in front of him, already having some guesses, when he heard Qiao Yan say:

“I heard that in the past, a famous scholar from Xiangyang came to see you, Chen Yuanlong, but you showed no courtesy to the guest, lying on the bed while the guest sat below. Since then, some have said you have an arrogant demeanor. I wonder how you will introduce Xuzhou to me, your guest, today?”

Chen Deng replied, “Your Lordship only knows part of the story. Having the guest sit below was not because I looked down on others, but because I wanted them to have a sense of concern for the country and the people. If they only had the desire for farmland and houses, and their words were of no value, naturally I would avoid them. Now, Your Lordship wants to ask me about Governor Liu’s political achievements. I could talk to you for three days without any arrogance.”

Qiao Yan examined his expression and smiled, “Good, I have long heard that Chen Yuanlong of Xiapi nurtures the elderly and orphans, treating the people as if they were his own wounds. Let me hear what you have to say!”

Chen Deng didn’t hesitate to board the enemy’s carriage just after being released from prison, brushing his sleeves as he went up, “Please drive slowly, let the people behind follow, and we will talk about the area around Tan County.”

“To the east of Tan County is the military garrison of Xuzhou’s prefecture. However, this garrison is different from Your Lordship’s in Guanzhong. It is not for regular soldiers but was obtained by merging with the pirate Xue Zhou’s forces. After a year, the pirates became soldiers and no longer harmed the people. This is a blessing for the coastal people.”

The carriage slowly passed through the land that had not yet started spring plowing. In the fields, a few farmers could be seen loosening the soil. From a distance, their skin indeed looked more like that of sailors, and their physique was more like that of seafarers.

Qiao Yan slowly withdrew her gaze and replied, “Next place.”

Chen Deng said, “To the north of Tan County is Zeng Mountain, where there are scattered households. The governor once thought that the mountain people had difficulty farming and lacked water channels, so he personally visited them. Since the people were unwilling to leave the mountains, he built a bridge on the necessary mountain path for them. This bridge shows the governor’s sincerity towards the people.”

This bridge was between two cliffs. Qiao Yan didn’t go there herself, but when she looked back at the crowd behind her, she saw someone anxiously nodding to confirm the truth.

The carriage didn’t stop, and Chen Deng continued, “To the west of Tan County, a tributary of the Yi River flows through, the land is flat and suitable for farming. Unfortunately, it was occupied by the wealthy households of Tan County. The governor personally went to persuade them, talked with them for several days, and finally reclaimed the land, distributing it to the families of fallen soldiers in the county.”

“And to the south of Tan County…”

“You don’t need to say more.” Qiao Yan suddenly interrupted Chen Deng and ordered the carriage to stop.

To everyone’s surprise, the Grand Marshal, who now held the life and death of Xuzhou in her hands, didn’t stop their attempt to save Liu Bei. Instead, she first bowed to Chen Deng and then to the people who had been following the carriage.

“If Governor Liu had not been truly fair in rewards and punishments, announced his love for the people like his own children, and if there were no merits in these words today, only his support for the Ye court would have been enough to execute him. That would have been my dereliction of duty.”

“However, if he remains in Xuzhou, it will inevitably cause turmoil due to his past obedience to the Ye court’s orders. I will take him back to Guanzhong, hand him over to His Majesty for judgment, and petition the Son of Heaven to show leniency considering his merits for the people. Since Liu Xuande is a member of the royal family, it is reasonable to follow the rites of ancestral worship. What do you all think?”

After a long silence, someone in the crowd suddenly shouted—

“Grand Marshal is wise!”

This shout was followed by a chorus of agreement.

How is this not wise?

Although she intended to execute Liu Bei as a warning, she also listened to their truthful pleas and decided to release him.

It’s just a temporary detention in Chang’an, and he might even get an official position, which is much better than the original outcome.

The Guanzhong region needs an emperor like Liu Yu who loves the people like his own children, and it probably also needs a good official like Liu Bei.

Although it’s a pity he can’t stay in Xuzhou, at least he has a suitable place to go.

Their purpose in pleading has been achieved, and they can rest assured.

But—

Liu Bei’s matter is resolved, but other matters are still unresolved!

Cai Yong, seeing the joyous scene before him, thought it was an appropriate time to speak and moved closer to Qiao Yan, asking, “Yeh… Grand Marshal, since Xuande’s life can be spared and he can return to Chang’an to be an idle official, what about Yuan Tan’s matter?”

But almost instantly, as Qiao Yan’s expression cooled, the surroundings fell silent again.

Qiao Yan pursed her lips, “Cai Gong… it’s not that I don’t want to help you.”

The crowd, seeing her slightly cold and hesitant tone, knew that this unfamiliar Yangzhou Wu County’s four surnames, to the people of Xuzhou, were far less virtuous than Liu Bei and didn’t have as many reasons to persuade her to change her decision.

Sure enough, they soon heard Qiao Yan say, “Do you know, just before I set out north to oversee the war in Xuzhou, the illegal income confiscated from the four surnames had already exceeded ten thousand gold, and the amount of good farmland they occupied was countless, with over four thousand hidden households. Gu Yuan Tan might not have known about this, but when he went to the ports along the river to see where I would land, he clearly knew—once I pointed my sword at Wu County, what consequences they would face!”

“Even if we ignore Sun Bofu’s death and Cai Gong’s plea, they are still guilty of a crime that cannot be pardoned, only mitigated!”

To the surrounding people, this mitigation of punishment was unnecessary; they should just be killed.

But seeing the way Qiao Yan looked at Cai Yong, they knew the weight of this pleader was significant.

“Cai Gong personally came to plead, even disheveled and barefoot. I must give you face.”

Qiao Yan sighed deeply, seemingly struggling internally before saying, “I can spare their lives, but I will petition the Son of Heaven. To the east of Yangzhou, there is an island called Yizhou, inhabited by the Gaoshan people, but without tall buildings or fine food. Let the four surnames of Wu County live there, cultivate the island’s fields, and if they can reform their bad habits and restore the style of the scholar-gentry, they can be brought back.”

“All necessary books, laws, food, water, weapons, and medicine will be sent to the island. Additionally, since Cai Gong speaks highly of Gu Yuan Tan—”

“Let him be the Prefect of Yizhou, oversee his clan, and urge them to reform and do good!”