Chapter 373

Chapter 373

Can a strategist not ascend the throne? Final Volume: The Rise and Fall of Royal Power, Unification of the World, Chapter 373: Blood-Stained Edict

“Are you out of your mind?”

Chunyu Jia never expected that after Liu Yang met Liu Yu, he would suddenly gather them and declare his intention to imprison the Son of Heaven, using the emperor’s edict to summon Qiao Yan to Chang’an and have her executed.

“Do you even realize the enormity of imprisoning the Son of Heaven?”

That’s outright treason!

Yet, when he looked at Liu Yang, he realized that Liu Yang was dead serious!

If his previous attitude towards Qiao Yan was more of a childish grudge, what he displayed now was a sense of desperate determination.

Madness, absolute madness!

If it weren’t for Wang Yun sitting there calmly, Chunyu Jia would have considered fleeing.

An incompetent heir to a dynasty isn’t terrifying, as long as they aren’t autocratic. The worst that could happen is delegating affairs to others. But if he’s a lunatic, one who could drag everyone down with him, then it’s game over.

“I’m not mad,” Liu Yang replied calmly. “Today, after my father summoned me, he made me promise never to oppose the Grand Marshal or harbor any ill will towards her. I realized there’s no hope in making my father see that Qiao Yanshu is plotting against him and is beyond his control.”

“The only thing I can do is take advantage of my father’s illness, imprison him first, and use his name to seize control of Chang’an, turning it into a trap for Qiao Yanshu.”

Liu Yang’s tone quickened, “Chunyu, if I could gain my father’s trust through any means and act against her under the guise of righteousness, why would I choose such a dangerous path?”

He was forced to take this risky route because there was no other way!

His father still remembered Qiao Yan’s life-saving grace and valued her military achievements over the future of the Han Dynasty. In his confused state, he couldn’t be easily persuaded and even forced Liu Yang to make such a promise.

In Liu Yang’s eyes, Liu Yu was hindered by his own good-natured temperament and would eventually ruin the Han Dynasty’s foundation.

But it didn’t matter.

If his father couldn’t do it, he would do it himself.

“I advise you to think twice,” Wang Yun suddenly interjected. “Don’t forget the negative example of Yizhou last year.”

Less than two years ago, Liu Zhang of Yizhou, with the support of Zhao Wei and others, attempted to seize the position of Yizhou’s governor left by Liu Yan.

But before their plan could succeed, Qiao Yan descended upon them like a divine army via the Yinping Path.

What followed was beyond their control.

Liu Yan died, Liu Zhang was killed, and Yizhou, rather than falling back under the control of the eastern gentry, became Qiao Yan’s granary.

Liu Yang’s intent to seize Liu Yu’s power, aiming to gain a position akin to the Son of Heaven to counter Qiao Yan, seemed no different from Liu Zhang’s situation.

No, there was a difference.

Liu Zhang was in the isolated Yizhou with local support, yet he ended up like that. Liu Yang’s conditions were even worse than Liu Zhang’s, given the significant support for Qiao Yan in Chang’an. How could he guarantee more success than Liu Zhang?

Wang Yun’s warning caused Liu Yang’s expression to change momentarily. But perhaps because Liu Yu’s demand had left him with no retreat, or because the pressure of do-or-die forced him to take a desperate gamble, his mind was now operating at high speed.

He replied loudly, “No! My situation is vastly different from Liu Jiyu’s!”

“Qiao Yanshu’s attack on Shu was backed by my father, representing the Han’s legitimacy. Liu Junlang was appointed by my father as Yizhou’s governor and Grand General. Thus, Liu Jiyu’s unauthorized seizure of power during his father’s illness, aiming to establish independence, was rightfully suppressed by Qiao Yanshu as the Han’s royal army quelling local rebels.”

“But if I act on the Son of Heaven’s edict to eliminate the Grand Marshal, as long as I move swiftly and frame her retaliation as treason, all loyal to the Han will aid us in quelling the rebellion, enough to subdue Qiao Yan’s forces.”

“Why would Minister Wang use this precedent as a warning?”

To Liu Yang’s surprise, after he finished his rebuttal, Wang Yun didn’t refute him but instead smiled, “Your Highness, you’re right. Liu Jiyu was a rebel, and Qiao Yanshu, holding the Son of Heaven’s edict, was a loyal minister suppressing rebellion. But now, you are the legitimate one, and Qiao Yanshu…”

“Has turned from a loyal minister to a rebel.”

“Please remember this advantage firmly, as it is our foundation.”

Wang Yun’s firm stance delighted Liu Yang.

He even forgot that Chunyu Jia wasn’t as proactive in strategizing as before and leaned towards Wang Yun, asking, “So, Minister Wang thinks my plan is feasible?”

Wang Yun, being one of the Three Excellencies, couldn’t be completely sidelined by Qiao Yan, no matter her desire to control Chang’an.

If Wang Yun wanted to secretly recruit officials, summoning them under the pretext of Three Excellencies’ meetings would be far safer than Liu Yang doing so as a prince.

Thus, Wang Yun’s decision to stay and follow Liu Yang’s lead was akin to timely assistance in Liu Yang’s eyes.

But if Wang Yun were to speak, his personal motives were not insignificant.

If Qiao Yan truly harbored intentions to rebel and establish her own dynasty, Wang Yun’s current position in the court wouldn’t be inherited in the new regime. Personal honor and power were tightly bound to his family’s rise and fall, making it imperative for him not to lose his current position.

When the printing technique was introduced earlier, Wang Yun had already realized that noble families were losing their unique status.

Zhong Changtong’s recent discourse further confirmed his judgment. Whether it was the ability to print “classics” or the various arguments within, Wang Yun vaguely discerned Qiao Yan’s unspoken ambitions.

Different paths do not conspire together!

It wasn’t that Liu Yang suddenly emerged with the potential to be a wise ruler, but Wang Yun couldn’t see a future with Qiao Yan.

Liu Yang had no way back, and neither did he.

Chunyu Jia certainly didn’t either!

As Wang Yun made this decision, his initial thoughts of leaving were temporarily set aside, and he listened as Wang Yun said, “If we were to say your plan is feasible outright, that would be underestimating Qiao Yan, disregarding her undefeated record over the years.”

Hearing “undefeated,” Liu Yang’s previously enthusiastic expression faltered.

No one wants to face such an opponent, and Liu Yang was no exception.

Unfortunately, they were destined to be enemies!

He smiled bitterly, “Minister Wang, surely you’re not using this to discourage me.”

“Of course not,” Wang Yun replied. “I’m merely analyzing the resources at your disposal.”

“Earlier, I overestimated Lu Zigang’s assistance. He’s too old and retired, hardly useful to us. Let’s consider the most conservative estimate.”

Seeing Liu Yang’s gesture, Wang Yun continued, “We might as well exclude Yuan Zixu from consideration. After Zhang Jin’s surprise attack from Jiaozhou, Liu Jingsheng in Jing Province will undoubtedly be more alert to any movements. Once Yuan Zixu leads troops from Nanyang into Wuguan, Liu Jingsheng will surely notice.”

Liu Yang, feeling frustrated, could only nod in agreement with Wang Yun’s assessment.

Without evidence, given Qiao Yan’s track record, even with Zhong Changtong’s rebuttal on celestial phenomena, it wouldn’t be enough to label Qiao Yan a traitor and have Liu Biao follow Liu Yang’s orders.

Perhaps Liu Biao would find it more advantageous for Liu Yang to scheme against Qiao Yan in the capital, while he sided with the latter, replacing Liu Yu as the Son of Heaven.

He always held a certain awe for Qiao Yan and might immediately inform her of their actions upon receiving the news.

Betrayal, for him, was beneficial and harmless, so why not?

From Nanyang to Yingchuan and then north to Luoyang was a direct route, ensuring swift communication, possibly even ahead of their plot.

Thus, Liu Yang couldn’t afford this risk.

Wang Yun noticed Liu Yang’s frustration and smiled, “Your Highness, why so disheartened? Our situation isn’t that dire.”

“Among the Three Excellencies, Grand Commandant Huangfu Yizhen’s loyalty to the Han is unquestionable. Although he shares a personal friendship with Qiao Yanshu, if forced to choose between the Han and his old friend, he wouldn’t err. Had he harbored rebellious intentions, he could have acted when urged by his subordinates to rebel against Emperor Ling after the Yellow Turban Rebellion.”

“Being from Liangzhou, with the Guanxi family’s status, persuading Huangfu Yizhen wouldn’t be difficult for Your Highness. He might even take control of Liangzhou after capturing Qiao Yanshu, swiftly quelling the northern chaos.”

“Minister of Works Huang Ziyan and I share a good rapport. If Your Highness trusts my persuasive skills, you can entrust me with convincing Huang Ziyan to aid us.”

Huang Wan and Wang Yun’s friendship was indeed strong.

After all, they were the ones who lost Liu Xie together four years ago.

But Liu Yang, oblivious to these details, was solely focused on Wang Yun’s words, his mind fixated on one message—

If Wang Yun’s words held, all Three Excellencies could side with him!

He had initially worried that if he forced his father to issue an edict, the limited number of people he could mobilize might lead to uncontrollable situations.

Especially since his father’s illness provided a plausible excuse for his absence from court affairs, but prolonged disappearance would inevitably become a flaw in luring Qiao Yan into the trap.

But if Huangfu Song, Wang Yun, and Huang Wan all sided with him, not only could they set a trap for Qiao Yan, but he could also act as regent in his father’s stead until Liu Yu’s health recovered, handling state affairs with ease!

He hesitantly and hopefully asked, “Minister Wang, are you truly so confident?”

At this moment, he had completely forgotten about Yuan Yao, whom he had placed high hopes on.

With Huangfu Song on their side, Yuan Yao was nothing!

Wang Yun replied, “At least seventy percent confident. But when I need Your Highness to speak, you must firmly assert that you indeed possess some evidence of Qiao Yanshu’s crimes, intending to confront her directly in Chang’an.”

He repeated, “Confront, not eliminate. This significantly increases the chance of him leading troops to assist.”

Liu Yang quickly noted this down, “What else?”

“Additionally, Your Highness has already contacted Colonel Xianyu. Please have him persuade the Imperial Guards to our side when necessary. Given the urgency, those loyal to His Majesty…”








Brothers, whether they can gain importance under your command or rise step by step under Qiao Yeshu’s, they should have some consideration in their hearts.

However, if the Commandant of the Guards cannot be used by you, then have Xianyu Fu immediately capture his brother and take over the command of the Imperial Guards.

Liu Yang gritted his teeth and replied, “If such a situation truly arises, it would indeed be a last resort.”

The brothers Xianyu Fu and Xianyu Yin, if they truly have a life-and-death friendship, it’s not necessarily so.

After Liu Yu ascended the throne, Xianyu Fu became one of the Nine Ministers, holding the position of Commandant of the Guards, even commanding the Imperial Guards, far surpassing his brother Xianyu Yin in status.

If Xianyu Yin were to replace him, he probably wouldn’t have any objections.

Wang Yun: “The Right Protectorate is now also under Your Highness’s command, much easier to mobilize than the troops in the Nanyang region.”

After Wei Ji followed Qiao Yan to the Right Protectorate, this position was taken over by Shi Sunrui, indeed counting as Liu Yang’s influence.

“In terms of armed forces, there’s one more person, I think after residing in Chang’an for more than half a year, he can now be used by Your Highness.”

In the blueprint outlined by Wang Yun, from Huangfu Song down to Xianyu Yin, with the Imperial Guards belonging to the Son of Heaven inside and Shi Sunrui on the outside, it’s already enough to present a force capable of controlling Chang’an city with preparation.

Liu Yang’s confidence had long since grown immensely compared to before, his anxious heart had long since settled, and now hearing Wang Yun mention “residing in Chang’an for more than half a year,” he immediately reacted. “You mean, Liu Xuande?”

Earlier, Chunyu Jia had informed Liu Yang, never to make a move to win over Liu Bei without preparation.

At that time, Xuzhou had just been stabilized, and Liu Bei’s side was definitely not lacking in Qiao Yan’s spies.

As a captive brought to Chang’an due to public plea, although he had already taken a position in the Ministry of Justice, his status was completely different from ordinary prisoners of war, but he also probably wouldn’t switch to serve Liu Yang just because of a few words from him.

But now…

According to Wang Yun’s words, it seems he can already be approached?

“In the past six months, Liu Xuande’s various performances in the Ministry of Justice have been beyond suspicion. Now, to promote the Changyan theory, Qiao Yan must have already focused most of her attention on this matter. Even if she is alert to any unusual movements in Chang’an, it should be towards us, not Liu Xuande.”

“His Majesty is seriously ill, the Grand Marshal’s position is increasingly stable, and his attitude is becoming more aggressive. It’s a time of crisis. In my opinion, Liu Xuande is not someone who would seek survival at all costs and disregard the Han Dynasty. If Your Highness appeals to him with reason and righteousness, he will surely be of use to Your Highness.”

“And most importantly, he has that Guan Yunchang by his side.”

In Wang Yun’s view, Qiao Yan is indeed too arrogant.

In the months after sending Liu Bei to Chang’an, she also sent Guan Yu from Yang Province to Chang’an, leaving only Guan Ping to fight in Liang Province, serving as her hostage.

But if they could strike directly at the heart and eliminate Qiao Yan, why would they care about her method of holding hostages?

“Your Highness has a half-researched prototype of gunpowder in hand, a large number of Imperial Guards, and with a fierce general like Guan Yunchang, why worry about not being able to eliminate Qiao Yan after inviting her into the trap!”

Wang Yun said calmly, “I have a strategy that can be used by Your Highness to approach Liu Xuande and attempt to win him over. I wonder if Your Highness is willing to try?”

Although Liu Yang felt that Guan Yu’s skills, no matter how high, probably wouldn’t be that high for a defeated general, hearing Wang Yun value his skills so much, and trusting Wang Yun’s judgment, he naturally only nodded in agreement.

Moreover, in such a situation where even his own father thought he shouldn’t be an enemy of Qiao Yan, how could he dislike having too few people under his command?

Of course, the more, the merrier.

He quickly replied, “Minister Wang, please speak freely. As long as it can achieve the goal, even if it’s really something difficult, I will definitely try.”

“That’s not so troublesome,” Wang Yun waved his hand, “it’s just that Your Highness needs to send a few gifts. The New Year is approaching, it’s just the right time for gift-giving.”

Yes, the New Year is approaching.

When Zhong Changtong gathered talents at the Dingzhong Temple, it was already the beginning of December. The news spread to Chang’an, allowing Liu Yang and Wang Yun and others to have such an analysis of their own advantages, and another three or four days had passed.

The winter in the north, although enriched by the factory work and wasteland reclamation around Luoyang, was not so easy to pass quickly. As the people read the year-end recollections and summaries of disaster relief and medical experiences in the monthly reports, the year quickly came to an end.

The end of Jian’an Year 4 slipped by in the smoke and fire above Luoyang, and in the blink of an eye, Jian’an Year 5 had arrived.

To prevent all the subordinates from returning to Luoyang to report to her at once, allowing someone from the borders to take advantage of the chaos, Qiao Yan simply had those who applied to return in groups of three, coming every ten days after the seventh day of the first month.

So for the New Year’s court on the first day of the first month, those in front of her were still the people who were originally handling affairs in Luoyang.

The New Year’s Victory Coin was carefully placed by Guo Jia in his随身携带的荷包, thinking that fortunately Luoyang had been disciplined by Xun Yu and Chen Qun under Qiao Yan’s orders, otherwise he would really worry whether the Victory Coin in his荷包 could still be there when he went from Qiao Yan’s office to a street tavern and then back to his residence.

With Qiao Yan’s temper, she probably wouldn’t support a replacement.

Look at Lü Bu’s situation, crying to Qiao Yan for four years, and still not seeing the lord shift her favor from Lü Lingju back to Lü Bu.

Thinking that in half a month’s time during the Luoyang report, there would probably be another scene of chaos, Guo Jia, who was originally a bit unhappy because of the actions of those fools in Chang’an city, couldn’t help but laugh again.

“Good mood?” Qiao Yan looked at Guo Jia, beckoned him, “Then accompany me to sweep a tomb, it’s just right to drink less, beneficial for longevity.”

Guo Jia: “…”

Not letting him drink is one thing, but in the act of tomb-sweeping, he has to watch the wine being poured into the ground for others to drink, which is quite infuriating.

But before he could discuss with Qiao Yan, to fight for his New Year’s rights, he suddenly realized that Qiao Yan’s mention of tomb-sweeping at this moment was definitely not a normal behavior.

What tomb could she sweep?

Qiao Xuan’s tomb is in Leping, not in Luoyang. Her parents’ cenotaph is in Yanzhou, also not here.

Among those she had dealings with, like Xun Shuang and Fu Xie, none were buried in the Luoyang area.

It couldn’t be to pay respects to the likes of Zhang Rang.

Then the only one left seems to be one person.

Guo Jia tentatively asked, “Emperor Xiaoling?”

“Is there any other possibility?” Qiao Yan replied without thinking, “The closest auspicious land is only the Beimang Mountain.”

She raised an eyebrow, “Are you going?”

“Go! Of course, go.” Guo Jia immediately replied.

He’s not a fool, how could he not see that Qiao Yan’s act of sweeping Emperor Xiaoling’s tomb was definitely not to chat with Emperor Xiaoling about his early recognition and promotion of her.

But——

A declaration, a statement.

Also an act of uniting herself, and Guo Jia, Cai Zhaoji, Zhao Yun, and these subordinates currently by her side in a vow of solidarity!

The enemy’s attack horn has not yet sounded, but Qiao Yan must, in this Luoyang still immersed in the New Year’s atmosphere, start sharpening the sword pointing to the throne first!

“Speaking of Emperor Xiaoling’s tomb reminds me of something,” Guo Jia said as he walked with Qiao Yan towards Beimang Mountain, “In one year’s first month, the lord sent a handful of yellow earth from the tomb to Ye City, as a New Year’s gift to the King of Hongnong, saying it was to alleviate his homesickness, but in reality, this mischievous act was unmatched. It’s a pity that this year the lord is too lazy to even go through the motions, otherwise I would really like to see what gift the lord could send.”

Qiao Yan replied, “That’s too troublesome, at this stage, not sending the head of a Jizhou general would really be unworthy of the weight of a New Year’s gift, and it would inevitably make people suspect that I had turned to another place after being slandered by the celestial phenomena.”

This would be of no benefit to her.

“If Fengxiao wants to watch a show, why not see that in Chang’an city, Liu Yang has sent out quite a few New Year’s gifts. But it’s said that to show his impartial attitude, the gifts to all parties are the same.”

Cai Zhaoji smiled upon hearing this, “He chose the belt gift well, asking the officials in Chang’an city not to become complacent because of the peaceful days in Guanzhong, but to share the hardships with the people, tightening their belts to live.”

Qiao Yan coughed, hard to say whether Zhaoji’s teasing words were learned from her.

But thinking about Liu Yang’s act of gift-giving, she couldn’t help but flash a bit of a murderous look in her eyes.

If it were just an ordinary belt, no matter whether Liu Yang was promising a future of gold seals and purple ribbons to the recipients, or following Liu Yu’s tradition of simplicity, as Zhaoji said, to make people tighten their belts and pinch their purses, reducing fiscal expenditure in the coming year, Qiao Yan wouldn’t have anything to care about.

But if it’s not, then it’s a bit interesting.

Liu Bei was one of those who received the belt gift.

Just upon seeing the contents in the unpacked gift box, Liu Bei was stunned for a moment.

As the only son of the current emperor, with the emperor’s illness lingering for days, Liu Yang’s act of giving gifts to the court officials seemed slightly微妙.

The anomalies that Liu Bei had noticed upon arriving in Chang’an in March or April had only increased over the past six months, leading him to adopt a policy of self-preservation, hardly having any dealings with Liu Yang.

In principle, he shouldn’t be within the scope of gift-giving.

But Guan Yu then told him that Liu Yang’s wide net of gift-giving was like he had just opened a belt and clothing store in Chang’an city, not to think too much about it.

If that’s the case, then it seems there’s no problem.

But when Liu Bei took the belt out of the gift box, he suddenly realized that the belt felt a bit off.

It was too thick!

An ordinary belt, even one used in winter, didn’t need to have such a thick lining.

On the inside of the belt, there was also an unraveling that definitely shouldn’t appear in a gift from a prince.

Liu Bei’s eyelid twitched.

The situation before him didn’t even require him to make any conjectures.

There was clearly something hidden within the belt!

But now, returning the belt to Liu Yang was of no use, as this act of returning a New Year’s gift would only make things awkward, so it was better to open the belt and see what the other party really wanted to say to him.

Liu Bei quickly had Guan Yu secure the courtyard, then took the short knife at hand and carefully picked open the inner thread.

Before long, he took out a piece of cloth hidden within.

The white cloth had not yet been unfolded, but a hint of crimson had already seeped through, causing Liu Bei’s brow to involuntarily furrow tightly.

In the silence outside, he placed the cloth on the desk, then slowly spread it out.

The dusk of the first day of the first month cast a faint yellow through the closed window, staining the desk and cloth before him, the color on the cloth like a smear of blood shattered in the afterglow, unclear whether it was blurred or clear.

At the moment he saw what was before him, Liu Bei’s hand involuntarily trembled.

This was no ordinary secret correspondence, but clearly a blood letter!

A blood letter accusing Qiao Yan of treasonous intentions, thus seeking his help!