Chapter 394

Chapter 394: Internal Strife in Yanzhou

Can a strategist not ascend the throne? Final Volume: The Rise and Fall of Kingly Ambitions, The World United, Chapter 394: Internal Strife in Yanzhou

From the book: Can a Strategist Not Ascend the Throne?

Chapter 394: Internal Strife in Yanzhou

Apart from the Cao and Xiahou clansmen who shared the same lineage as Cao Cao, in Cao Cao’s eyes, the least likely to betray him was Chen Gong!

Without Chen Gong’s support, Cao Cao’s entry into Yanzhou and even his ascension to the position of Yanzhou’s governor would not have progressed so smoothly.

Moreover, Chen Gong once went to Bingzhou on his behalf to discuss the cotton trade with Qiao Yan and also traveled to Ye City to delay Cao Cao’s northern advance. If Chen Gong had any ambition to climb higher, he should have long chosen his next patron.

But he did not.

Zhang Miao, the Prefect of Chenliu in Yanzhou, was also a close friend of Cao Cao.

In times of crisis, they could entrust their families to each other.

But times change, and so do people’s hearts.

When Cao Cao retreated to Chenliu, temporarily abandoning the attack on Hulao Pass, his chief strategist, Chen Gong, unexpectedly met with Zhang Miao at this critical moment.

If it were a casual meeting during ordinary times, it might have been explained as a private discussion between fellow Yanzhou scholars. But it happened at such a crucial juncture.

This unexpected and unannounced action, when reported to Cao Cao, added another wave of turmoil to his already chaotic thoughts, stirred by the news of Qiao Yan’s ascension to the throne.

Cao Cao had a tendency to be suspicious, but in such a relentless struggle, his suspicions were not unwarranted.

Moreover, Cao Cao clearly saw a flicker of unease on Chen Gong’s face when he mentioned the meeting between Chen Gong and Zhang Miao.

That was definitely not a sign of innocence.

At that moment, Cao Cao’s heart sank.

He couldn’t help but change his previously calm tone and ask, “Gongtai, why?”

Why did it have to be you?

Two years ago, when a drought crisis loomed, Chen Gong even proposed exchanging rare books for grain to ensure a smooth passage through the disaster, clashing with the Wang clan of Shouzhang, who were already dissatisfied with Cao Cao.

At that time, Chen Gong stood firmly by Cao Cao’s side, making him believe that among the Yanzhou scholars, Chen Gong was the epitome of loyalty and integrity!

No other strategist in the world could match Chen Gong’s unwavering dedication to his cause.

Yet, when Cao Cao asked this question, Chen Gong, having recovered from the initial shock, responded with a calm determination.

“Because you hesitated, and in this situation, you should not hesitate!”

Chen Gong stood before Cao Cao, his expression unusually sharp.

“Last March, I secretly decided that given Yanzhou’s current conditions, whether Yuan Shao or Qiao Yanshu would ultimately win, it likely wouldn’t be you, Cao Mengde. But that’s fine! I would help you become a qualified observer, preserving Yanzhou from a favorable position.”

“But now, that person cannot be Qiao Yanshu!”

Cao Cao sighed, “Because she ascended the throne in Chang’an?”

Chen Gong replied, “Perhaps. Because I, Chen Gong, have served the Han dynasty for generations, knowing its grace and its rule. I speak the Han language, write in Han characters. The four-hundred-year foundation of the Han dynasty suddenly changing hands fills me with anger!”

“But perhaps not. If the Han dynasty truly cannot be saved, as you once asked, if it has reached the point of no return, and someone must rise to the occasion, just as the Han replaced the Qin to unite the world, I, Chen Gong, would not object.”

“Whether it’s Qiao Yanshu, Yuan Shao, or even you, Cao Mengde, as long as it brings peace to the world, it’s acceptable.”

“But since last October, I have realized… Qiao Yanshu is no longer among them.”

Without waiting for Cao Cao to guess, Chen Gong explained, “Because of Changyan.”

The emergence of Changyan not only intensified the dissatisfaction of some in the Guanzhong region towards Qiao Yan but also made Chen Gong suddenly realize that no matter how Zhong Changtong refuted the participants in the Luoyang debate, the arguments did not fundamentally convince them.

And when the news of Qiao Yan’s ascension arrived, Chen Gong no longer doubted the significance of Changyan’s promotion.

It was paving the way for her to gain popular support as she ascended to the throne, using the printing technology developed under her rule to aggressively challenge the aristocratic control over discourse.

Whether the arguments in Changyan could be convincingly explained one by one was not important at this moment.

What she wanted was to sweep away the old order like a storm, and with the sudden change of dynastic power, make people unconsciously accept her reconstruction of a new order!

Chen Gong was not Xun Yu, who experienced the reconstruction of Luoyang, nor was he Lu Zhi, who was in Chang’an during the shift of power. Therefore, he was not betraying his own class.

He clearly knew that his special status in Yanzhou and his ability to support Cao Cao to this point stemmed from his noble Yanzhou family background, an indisputable fact.

Thus, once knowledge dissemination became something no longer monopolized by the upper class, not just in Yanzhou, but across the thirteen provinces, the noble families would inevitably face a top-to-bottom reshuffle.

Perhaps some, having stood by Qiao Yan early on, would be preserved, even temporarily rising to high positions due to their contributions. But as Qiao Yan’s power grew day by day, and talents cultivated through her alternative methods grew under her strong rule, those so-called high positions would become targets Qiao Yan could suppress without hesitation, far more oppressive than the Prohibition of Factionalists during Emperor Ling of Han.

Even if Xun Yu and Lu Zhi firmly stood by Qiao Yan during the transition from Han to Da Yong, Chen Gong could not believe that the conflict between the nobility and the commoners would not be forcibly intensified by such strong measures once Qiao Yan became the supreme ruler—

That is clearly a path to disaster!

Whether for himself, his class, or the path to peace he believed in, even facing the overwhelming odds of nine provinces against four, he was willing to believe that the weaker side, with its deeply rooted Han ideology and the influential noble networks, still had a chance to fight back.

Therefore, Cao Cao must not hesitate at this moment. Instead, he should demonstrate the bearing of a ruler commanding Yanzhou and Yuzhou, fully organizing his troops to coordinate with the Ye City court.

The turmoil at the time of Qiao Yan’s ascension is precisely the last opportunity they can seize!








Cao Cao was deeply disappointed by Chen Gong’s betrayal at this moment.

Chen Gong also felt disappointed with Cao Cao’s choices.

After Qiao Yan ascended the throne, if Cao Cao chose to surrender at this moment and even turned against Yuan Shao, leaving the court in Ye City severely weakened, he would not only become the General Who Conquers the West as he once discussed with Qiao Yan, but he might also be placed in an even higher position due to his contributions to the unification of the realm.

Cao Cao once gained the appreciation of Qiao Xuan, and over the years, he maintained a relationship with Qiao Yan that was both adversarial and friendly, which would make it easy for him to integrate into the new dynasty.

However, in the face of Yanzhou’s future, Cao Cao’s vision of the future brought no joy to Chen Gong, only a sense of grief and indignation at the impending upheaval.

Even if Cao Cao was merely hesitating due to sudden changes, Chen Gong’s keen insight made it clear what Cao Cao’s inclination was.

In this urgent moment, Chen Gong decisively made a decision—to contact Zhang Miao.

Yuan Shao had always believed that although Zhang Miao was not particularly bold, he posed a real threat to Cao Cao while in Yanzhou, and this judgment was not wrong.

Without Cao Cao, if the scholars of Yanzhou were to elect a leader, they would undoubtedly choose Zhang Miao.

Even the Shouzhang Wang clan, who harbored resentment towards Cao Cao for not responding to Wang Fen’s attempt to assassinate Emperor Ling of Han, held Zhang Miao in high regard.

It is worth noting that the former Governor of Ji Province, Wang Fen, who committed suicide out of guilt, along with Zhang Miao and six others, formed a special group known as the “Eight Chefs.”

What is a Chef? One who uses wealth to save others!

This was a commendation for the renowned scholars of the time, making it far easier for Zhang Miao to gain support among the scholars of Yanzhou than for Cao Cao.

In Chen Gong’s view, this was the result of Cao Cao’s mistaken choice, forcing him to select another superior to replace Cao Cao, rather than making any judgment that violated his oath.

Thus, Chen Gong added, “Mengde, I really don’t want to be your enemy. I know you are a rare hero in the world, but the scholars of Yanzhou will never allow you to surrender. This is an indisputable fact.”

This was the voice of the Yanzhou gentry, and even many gentry across the realm.

Those under Qiao Yan’s command were either assimilated through gradual means, had no room to maneuver in the face of overwhelming military power, or had rebels within their families who were early on selected by Qiao Yan and placed in leadership positions, so even if there were voices striving for a breakthrough, they were suppressed under the torrent.

As a region not yet swept up, Yanzhou was bound to make an attempt.

Even if it meant first capturing Cao Cao through internal strife, risking invasion by Qiao Yan, they had to make this attempt.

Cao Cao suddenly felt he no longer recognized Chen Gong.

It was still the same face that had been known for its uprightness since his early fame, but now it inexplicably gave Cao Cao a sense of estrangement.

He set aside the scroll in his hand and replied to Chen Gong, “But Gongtai, your actions have already been discovered by me. Do you still hold such thoughts?”

Chen Gong shook his head, “You’re wrong, Mengde. Whether I am exposed now or not no longer matters. Do you think I am the only one in Yanzhou who refuses to submit to Qiao Yanshu and hopes you hold firm in Yanzhou?”

Bian Rang, who once served as the Prefect of Jiujiang during the Zhongping era, had clashed with Cao Cao during the time of Tao Qian’s death in Xuzhou.

This conflict, though temporarily quelled by natural disasters and Cao Cao’s candid conversation with them at the time, was like a vortex lurking in the shadows, ready to reappear at any moment!

Today, Cao Cao only noticed Chen Gong’s unusual actions, but were these Yanzhou scholars, determined to resist Qiao Yan, quietly waiting for Cao Cao to make a decision?

Chen Gong said, “Mengde, I’m not afraid to tell you—”

“Even if you capture me today, you cannot take a single soldier from Yanzhou to Luoyang!”

The border between Yanzhou and Sili, now with the uprising of Chenliu Prefect Zhang Miao and his brother Zhang Chao, was no longer easily controlled by Cao Cao!

However, although Chen Gong spoke with such certainty, conspiracies do not spread so quickly. The sudden changes in Chenliu had not yet reached the other commanderies of Yanzhou.

Take Liang Kingdom, for example. The Qiao ancestral home was now enveloped in a mournful silence.

Those sitting at the end of the room hung their heads low, wishing others would not look their way.

But this was likely just their wishful thinking.

These were the very people who had gone to Chang’an around the time Qiao Yan assumed the position of Grand Marshal.

If Qiao Yan were still just the Grand Marshal, or if the court in Ye City had the upper hand in the confrontation with Chang’an, they would at most feel some regret at losing Qiao Yan’s support. With power likely to fall into others’ hands and life and death uncertain, not having climbed this ladder was regrettable, but they could at least console themselves with a few words.

Moreover, as Liu Bian heard from the Imperial Guards, when they labeled Qiao Yan as inherently cold-hearted, they desperately portrayed themselves as victims to feel better psychologically.

She cannot last long.

This was their thought.

When news came that Wang Yun and others intended to eliminate Qiao Yan, they even felt for a moment that not being associated with Qiao Yan was a wise decision.

This way, even if she were to be purged for oppressing the Son of Heaven, it would only affect the sparsely populated Leping Qiao clan, not their Liang Kingdom Qiao clan.

But when Qiao Yan suppressed this sudden change and even used Liu Xie’s offering of the imperial seal to replace the Han Dynasty and establish her own empire, all their previous self-consolations were shattered in an instant, leaving only endless regret.

That was the Son of Heaven!

Thinking that they should have been the family of the Son of Heaven, rising with the emperor’s ascension to become the envy of all as royal relatives, they felt that even if they managed to fall asleep at night, they would soon wake up in shock.

And this Son of Heaven, holding the nine provinces, with the momentum to swallow mountains and rivers, was clearly aiming to conquer the court in Ye City within a few years, not just a regional power.

The example of one person’s success elevating their entire family was clearly displayed before them, making their current feelings indescribable even with the words “regret not acting sooner.”

Look at the treatment Qiao Lan and Qiao Ting receive today.

“Nine Ministers! Even a girl not yet ten years old can serve as a Nine Minister!”