Chapter 371

Chapter 371

Can a strategist not ascend the throne? Final Volume: The Rise and Fall of Kingly Ambitions, Unification of the World, Chapter 371: The Times Have Changed

Who can argue with him?

This young man stood on the stage, and even though his words were not profound, he had already blocked all the paths of provocation directed at him.

The noble families, who “wear the dragon robes without the mandate of heaven,” are nothing but corrupters of societal norms. How can they debate governance with him?

The Du Ling Huang Clan, which he pointed out, might seem special because its branch, the Jiuquan Huang Clan, engaged in warlordism in Liangzhou, leading to Qiao Yan’s reprimand. However, they are not the only ones to be questioned in this manner.

Next is the Luoyang Zhong Clan.

Zhong Fu is indeed not one of those unworthy of their position, but the records of her ancestors’ positions precisely prove the solid factual basis of Zhong Changtong’s words. Despite his youth and lack of official experience, he is not unqualified to comment.

Thus, no one can judge whether those with similar backgrounds to Zhong Fu, who might have intended to oppose him, have instead become evidence supporting his arguments.

The Shangluo Tai Clan, proficient in astrology and fate, attempted to condemn Zhong Changtong’s “human affairs first” theory based on their studies of the I Ching. However, in Zhong Changtong’s two casual rebuttals, they saw a particularly special signal.

The theory that man can conquer heaven has already become deeply ingrained in people’s minds over the past two years, as Qiao Yan led the people in fighting the locust plague.

If they want to refute Zhong Changtong’s arguments with biased statements and their status in the study of divination, they must also face the people’s anger towards those who try to overturn their beliefs!

These once-considered ignorant masses, under Qiao Yan’s guidance, have become a force to be reckoned with and the fertile ground for Zhong Changtong’s “Changyan” to take root.

His theories of prophecy and astrology, rather than being used to connect celestial phenomena with human affairs, should be reported to the Lingtai Observatory for recording astronomical phenomena.

Even the Tai Clan, with their natural advantage in this field, are in such a state. Who else dares to argue with him?

As for Zheng Hun of the Xingyang Zheng Clan, there’s no need to say more.

The conservative types received a sharp reply from Zhong Changtong.

Without a more feasible alternative, dismissing his ideas as flawed without trying them is the most laughable form of criticism.

Perhaps the only ones who can still question Zhong Changtong are the Son of Heaven and his descendants.

In “Changyan,” the way the Son of Heaven selects and employs talents, and the education of princes and grandsons, if those in power have doubts, they can confront him.

But here’s the problem.

The place where Zhong Changtong refuted various criticisms is Luoyang, hundreds of miles away from Chang’an. Not to mention the distance from the Son of Heaven, even Prince Liu Yang, who could have come, feared exposing his lack of eloquence and ultimately chose to send Zhong Fu and others instead.

How can they stop Zhong Changtong from spreading his words now?

However, this young man, who has already silenced four people, does not seem to be the arrogant type who would press his advantage after victory. Instead, after scanning the crowd and finding no one to confront him, he said:

“There are thousands of households in the world. If each household can produce one strong man, there will be millions. If one in ten can read, there will be hundreds of thousands. If one in ten of those can become talented, there will be tens of thousands. Yet, there are not so many official positions.

“There are unused scholars, but there is no era lacking scholars. Zhong Changtong, though untalented, has been entrusted by the lord. Now, with crude words, I throw a brick to attract jade, quietly awaiting everyone’s opinions and talents to revive our dynasty.”

Liu Xie stared blankly at the stage, feeling the imperial jade seal in his chest not because it was a hot potato, but because a boiling sensation rose from his heart, connecting with the suddenly obtained seal, making it burn as well.

There are unused scholars, but there is no era lacking scholars.

There are unneeded things, but there is no year without things.

Yes, the land they stand on is vast and rich, producing talents in abundance.

There has always been undiscovered talent, but never a lack of talent!

The state of Qiao Yan’s current talent pool, where even this young boy showed such extraordinary ability in a debate, is it just because—

She is luckier than others?

No, of course not!

She simply understands the principle of utilizing talents better than anyone.

And this act, which stirred a thousand waves, in the hands of this young genius who became famous overnight, produced a result far more astonishing than the words of “Changyan” itself.

Amidst the cheers and whispers, the onlookers who came to witness the outcome of this debate began to return to the outskirts and the city of Luoyang. Only Liu Xie, still stunned, remained in place, looking like a stubborn rock against the current.

The young man on the stage seemed to notice his peculiar behavior and turned his gaze towards him.

At that moment, Liu Xie felt not the arrogance of victory in the other’s eyes, but a thunderous statement—

The times have changed.

This is no longer an era where one’s background and experience dictate one’s rank, nor is it a time where famous scholars must be given way.

Under immense survival pressure, the people follow not elegant rhetoric, but saviors who can fill their stomachs and keep them alive.

In the people’s growing awareness, they expect a ruler who sees them, not just a “Son of Heaven.”

The Son of Heaven may not truly be favored by heaven’s mandate, and the people may no longer be as insignificant as ants.

But should this boundary be blamed on Qiao Yan?

Probably not.

If someone hadn’t pushed the diligent and ambitious Grand Marshal, who is striving to pacify the world, towards the path of a traitor, linking the celestial phenomenon of red energy piercing the Purple Palace to her, why would she need to promote “Changyan” now?

While dispelling the doubts about her, she is also attracting another group of enemies.

Today, Zhong Fu, Zheng Hun, and others can be forced to silence by Zhong Changtong’s words, but tomorrow they can turn against Qiao Yan, leading to her being besieged from all sides.

Unless she can make more people understand the essence of “Changyan” faster, using its governance principles to gain more supporters.

Just as Liu Xie thought this, another gaze fell upon him.

Years of fearing exposure made him instinctively lower his head and no longer stand still, but follow the crowd out.

“What are you looking at?” Ni Heng asked Yang Xiu.

Yang Xiu frowned and replied, “I think I saw a familiar face, but I’m not sure if I’m mistaken. Maybe I’m seeing things.”

In the sixth year of Zhongping, after finishing mourning for his grandfather, Yang Xiu first came to Luoyang. Given his status, it wasn’t hard for him to have met Liu Xie, then a prince, a few times.

Though six years have passed, Yang Xiu, with his photographic memory and not being face-blind, could still clearly remember Liu Xie’s appearance.

The young man he glimpsed just now bore a striking resemblance to Liu Xie!

But Liu Xie has been missing for four years. If he really appeared in Luoyang and knew of the lord’s search for him, he should have come forward, not blended into the crowd like an ordinary onlooker, quickly disappearing from Yang Xiu’s sight.

Unaware of Qiao Yan’s special arrangements for Liu Xie, after some self-persuasion, Yang Xiu dismissed the thought of having seen Liu Xie.

He must have been mistaken.

Rather than focusing on this likely-not-Liu-Xie figure, it’s better to think about how to help the lord spread Zhong Changtong’s victory in today’s debate.

But…

To break the influence of the celestial rhetoric, they seem to be in a rather delicate position.

A position that makes Yang Xiu feel they’ve crossed a line.

In this situation, Qiao Yan has no retreat, as those who wish to see her fall will not relent if she shows any weakness.

But if she must advance, where can she go from the position of Grand Marshal, already at the pinnacle of power?

Advance to… either king or ruler.

He glanced at the stage again, seeing the young man was no longer there, probably gone to report to Qiao Yan, and did not linger further. After exchanging a few words with Ni Heng, he also returned to Luoyang.

Most of Luoyang’s current residents are not from the seventh year of Guanghe, and the former Imperial Academy no longer exists. However, the scene of people eagerly discussing the grand event outside the city is just like back then.

Walking on the long street outside Luoyang’s southern gate, Yang Xiu couldn’t help but feel a sense of overlapping memories.

But now, at the center of Luoyang, it’s not Emperor Ling of Han, who could summon Qiao Yan at will, but Qiao Yan herself.

Yang Xiu looked at the city gate, bearing the name “Luoyang,” now weathered by storms, and suddenly sighed.

Ni Heng couldn’t help but tease, “This hesitant demeanor is not like you, Yang Dezu.”

Yang Xiu pulled back his wandering thoughts and replied, “I was just thinking, in the changing times, how many can keep up with the lord’s pace.”

Or rather, just as Qiao Yan suddenly acted against the Jiuquan Huang Clan of the Four Commanderies of Hexi, turning them into a target for Zhong Changtong’s criticism of the Du Ling Huang Clan, noble families that cannot adapt to the times are destined to be abandoned.

The development of printing technology is also lifting another group from the mud, making noble families no longer irreplaceable.

Perhaps the question should be, how many families can keep up with Qiao Yan’s pace?

But whether everyone can make the right choice or not, he won’t let himself fall behind, otherwise—

He would truly be sorry for his past defeat!

Amidst Yang Xiu’s complex emotions, Liu Xie had already returned safely to his residence with the jade seal.

Seeing his foster father still cooking dinner in the kitchen, he hurried to his room, hid the seal under the bedding, making sure it looked completely normal, and then breathed a sigh of relief.

Nothing that happened today was anticipated before he left home. If told, no one would believe such strangeness.

He thought he was just going to verify some thoughts, never expecting to first obtain the jade seal and then witness such a debate.

He sat on the edge of the bed, lost in thought.

If only he were an ordinary person, just one of the many who flocked to Luoyang from elsewhere.

Then he could be one of those pushed by Qiao Yan to seek natural laws and contend with the heavens.

But he is not.

Though he has escaped his identity crisis in a way most cannot guess, and can live an ordinary life like a farmer or woodcutter, he is not ordinary.








However, because of the existence of the Imperial Seal, he had to remember that he bore a responsibility vastly different from ordinary people.

Where should the Imperial Seal be delivered?

And where should he himself go?

He had to quickly figure out the answers to both questions.

Perhaps there wasn’t much time left for him.

Zhong Changtong’s sudden emergence with his bold statements, along with other monumental changes of the era, could arrive swiftly and catch him off guard.

But for some reason, due to today’s events, Liu Xie had already dismissed one idea in his heart.

Perhaps, this Imperial Seal should not be sent to Chang’an and handed over to Liu Yu.

The appearance of Zhong Fu, the Grandee Secretary, on the high platform today, confronting Zhong Changtong, indicated that while the progress of the Chang’an court in reclaiming the provinces was commendable, the signs of internal discord within the court were becoming increasingly apparent.

Liu Xie could clearly see himself standing at the center of this rift, holding the Imperial Seal that declared legitimacy.

On one end was a new era, soaring with the words of the “Changyan,” and on the other end was the royal court of Chang’an, still clinging to the old Han Dynasty.

From the perspective of law and kinship, he seemed to owe his allegiance to the latter. But when he once rooted himself in this land, living as a commoner, he instinctively wanted to move towards the other direction.

It seemed as if a voice was telling him that receiving the Imperial Seal again at this time, after the drought and the drying of wells, was likely a different kind of hint.

He…

“Xiao An, come out for dinner!”

The voice of his foster father immediately interrupted Liu Xie’s thoughts.

He quickly composed himself and walked outside, seeing the meal already set on the table, and tried to act as if nothing was wrong.

But fearing that his dilemma might be noticed by his foster father, who had lived with him for many years, Liu Xie buried his head and took a few bites of food, trying to shift his mindset from that of the Son of Heaven to that of a child from a poor woodcutter’s family.

No, perhaps not a poor woodcutter’s family.

From their arrival in Luoyang in October to the beginning of December, due to Luoyang’s employment arrangements reaching almost every citizen arriving in Chang’an, Liu Xie’s foster father had found a job here.

Years of chopping and selling firewood made him exceptionally skilled at manual labor, and he quickly received what he called a “regular” wage.

According to his foster father, even if they didn’t participate in the division of farmland around Luoyang but chose to rely on labor for a living, it would be enough for them to settle in Luoyang long-term. If Liu Xie decided, they could bring his foster mother, who was still in Hanzhong, over before the New Year.

“I was worried today when you didn’t return for so long, thinking there might have been an accident due to the large crowd. But then I thought, such a grand event naturally takes time,” his foster father said, placing food in Liu Xie’s bowl. “Did you encounter any trouble?”

Liu Xie looked up and met his foster father’s openly concerned expression.

This father-son relationship, originally formed to escape disaster, had become an unbreakable bond of genuine affection over the years.

He suddenly felt a pang of sorrow and turned his gaze away.

“I returned safe and sound, so nothing happened,” Liu Xie replied calmly. “It’s just that I didn’t understand some of Zhong Changtong’s words, so I’ll have to wait for the Leping Monthly Report to clarify.”

His foster father laughed upon hearing this. “I told you to hurry and send you to school. Now you know where you’re lacking.”

“True, such major events are always covered in the monthly report. I just wonder if it will make it into the December issue.”

Of course, it wouldn’t.

Even if it could, Qiao Yan would make sure it didn’t.

After all, the Leping Monthly Report was published no later than the 10th of each month. If the content had been compiled in advance to prevent delays during printing, it wouldn’t be unreasonable for Zhong Changtong’s performance in Luoyang not to make it into the report.

“Moreover, December is the end of the year. Whether it’s the several battles in Yang Province, the recovery of Xuzhou, or the defection of Jiaozhou, or the various natural disasters from spring planting to autumn harvest, all should be summarized in this final issue. Suddenly changing the content isn’t an easy task.”

Hearing Qiao Yan say this, Cai Zhaoji, who had been transferred to Luoyang, smiled. “I see, my lord, you’re determined to save some shocking statements for the beginning of next year.”

“You know me well, Zhaoji,” Qiao Yan replied, putting down the “Changyan” in her hand.

Thinking about today’s events, where she successfully had Liu Xie obtain the Imperial Seal and made subsequent arrangements, and how there was no place near Dingzhong Temple where she could appear unnoticed, she couldn’t help but feel a bit regretful about missing Zhong Changtong’s performance there.

But from her subordinates’ reports, she could imagine that among the crowd vying to take the stage with ill intentions, Zhong Changtong’s performance was indeed as she had hoped. Not only did it not tarnish her reputation, but his impassioned speech would also be featured like a medal in the January issue of the Leping Monthly Report for the fifth year of Jian’an.

His ability to write the “Changyan” was his own talent, but to utilize the information Qiao Yan provided to such an extent was even more impressive!

And what he could stir up was not just the prelude from divine will to human determination.

There was likely another event that would surely shake Chang’an and the entire world.

But for now, these schemes and confrontations remained hidden beneath the surface.

As an observer of the changing situation, she didn’t need to rush.

She even had the leisure to personally design the pattern for the Jian’an fifth-year Victory Coin. While discussing the content of the January issue with Zhaoji and turning to casual conversation, she took it from the papers on her desk and handed it to her.

Zhaoji laughed upon seeing the pattern.

It was a cute little elephant with a bamboo-eating beast on its back.

“The crane carrying the herb in January was my lord’s wish for longevity for your subordinates. What does this one represent?”

“Hopefully, next year we’ll all have skin as thick as an elephant’s and the aggressiveness of a bamboo-eating beast.”

Cai Zhaoji: “…”

Whether Qiao Yan was telling the truth or not, after knowing her for so many years, how could she not tell?

“Consider it my last bit of childishness,” Qiao Yan quickly added.

Before Zhaoji could respond to this meaningful statement, she heard Qiao Yan say, “I heard that you and your father have accepted the marriage proposal from the Wei family of Hedong?”

This sudden change of topic made Zhaoji realize that the deeper meaning behind the new Victory Coin pattern was something Qiao Yan probably wouldn’t reveal. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have abruptly shifted the subject.

Zhaoji replied, “Yes, Wei Zhongdao has shown such sincerity, why should I refuse? Of course, it’s not just about sincerity.”

If she were to decide her future partner based solely on Wei Zhongdao’s good attitude, that would be underestimating Zhaoji.

But it must be said, his performance made it much easier for him to pass Cai Yong’s scrutiny.

Zhaoji’s sister, Cai Zhenji, had once been forced to abandon her first child due to marriage. After Cai Yong settled in Leping and brought them over, she became deeply aware of the importance of not choosing a husband lightly just because of gratitude for protection.

Wei Zhongdao, from the Wei family of Hedong, chose to marry into the Cai family for Zhaoji’s future prospects. This alone made Cai Yong feel he had found a good son-in-law.

Seeing the genuine joy on Qiao Yan’s face, Zhaoji added, “But this isn’t exactly good news. I’ve left him with another test. I said if he truly wants to marry me, he’ll have to wait two more years. If he can’t accept this condition, then we’re not meant to be.”

From the news Qiao Yan received, it seemed Wei Zhongdao had accepted this condition without hesitation.

But…

Qiao Yan asked, “Why two years?”

Having been in such a position where every word was like wielding a knife, the woman standing before Qiao Yan now exuded a serene scholarly aura with an undeniable sharpness.

This unyielding, armor-clad demeanor was fully displayed as she replied, “Huo Qubing once said, ‘How can I marry while the Xiongnu remain unvanquished?’ Now, whether it’s the Xianbei or the Xiongnu, they are no match for my lord, either subdued or annihilated. So that statement no longer applies. Now it’s ‘How can I marry while the world remains unsettled?'”

“Years ago, my lord hesitated even to promote the printing technique, not allowing me to reveal any related information in advance. Now, it has become a bridge for us to spread our will.”

“Once, the Bingzhou my lord controlled was known to all as a desolate frontier. Now, of the thirteen provinces of the realm, nine are in our hands.”

“To be honest,” Zhaoji paused, “before Zhong Changtong’s ‘Changyan’ appeared, I thought my lord intended to follow the example of Emperor Gaozu’s uprising to claim the Mandate of Heaven. But now it seems, what my lord seeks is the people’s hearts turning to Peigong, followed by the phrase ‘We fear Peigong will not become the King of Qin.'”

“Are you afraid?” Qiao Yan asked seriously.

“Why should I be afraid!” Zhaoji replied resolutely.

“Only with my lord in power do the common people struggling in these troubled times have hope for survival. They say the people long for the Han, but perhaps they long more for peace.”

“Only my lord has the courage to swiftly conquer the remaining four provinces, ensuring the realm’s borders are not coveted by neighboring barbarians, keeping them at bay.”

“And only my lord… has demonstrated the willingness to employ talent without discrimination, not just in status but also in gender.”

Zhaoji knew all too well.

Even if the utterly absurd Emperor Ling of Han could grant Qiao Yan the position of Governor of Bingzhou and, in a fit of pique, place Ma Lun as the Grand Historian, he would never allow Zhaoji, Ren Hong, Yao Chang, and other women to have places to showcase their talents, let alone give more women the opportunity to take charge.

This was something only Qiao Yan could do.

Zhaoji said, “I want to witness my lord reaching this position. Even if it’s not the rebellious thought a Han subject should have, the position is there. When the time comes, not to welcome it is to invite disaster. This has been true since ancient times.”

“I once saw my lord write a four-year preparation plan two years ago, so…”

So, from now, there are exactly two years left!

This is why she asked Wei Zhongdao to wait two more years.

In the current situation, nothing can affect her participation in this earth-shattering transformation!

Qiao Yan found this heartfelt revelation deeply moving, yet couldn’t help but feel a bit amused by the last statement.

The so-called four-year preparation plan was clearly for the four-year drought, not for any usurpation of the Han. But as Zhaoji spoke, she suddenly realized that this could also be the timeline she set for herself!

What could be more stabilizing for a newly founded nation than a peaceful and prosperous world after unifying the realm?

Probably nothing.

Her current preparations are nearing completion, with chain reactions set off everywhere, already in a state of overwhelming momentum.

Today, Zhong Changtong delivered an impassioned speech at Dingzhong Temple.

Today, Cai Zhaoji declared before her, “How can I marry while the world remains unsettled?”

So why can’t Qiao Yan today make this promise—

“Indeed, two years are enough!”