Chapter 92

Chapter 92

Can a strategist not ascend the throne? Volume 3: Galloping through Bingzhou, Troops Depart from Hedong Chapter 92: Ambition to Conquer the West

Belonging to the book:


Can a strategist not ascend the throne?

Chapter 92: Ambition to Conquer the West

Not to mention Cao Ang being startled by his father’s sudden generational shift, even Qiao Yan almost couldn’t maintain her composure at this remark.

Cao Cao… truly lives up to his name!

This move of his wasn’t entirely out of the blue, and the reasoning he provided was quite convincing.

If nobility determines the hierarchy of succession, then the current Liang State’s Qiao family indeed regards Qiao Yan as the head. Of course, it’s not solely due to her title, but also because her words can reach the emperor’s ears.

For instance, Qiao Zhao, who just became the Prefect of Dong Commandery last year, though a cousin of Qiao Xuan, should technically address Qiao Yan as a niece. Yet, in his letters to Leping, he showed signs of flattery and alliance.

Thus, when Cao Cao said she now bears the family’s hopes, apart from needing to show respect to the elders among the renowned scholars, it’s indeed inappropriate to casually address her as an uncle or niece—this statement isn’t wrong.

However, this way…

Cao Ang, who even looks a year or two older than her, suddenly becomes a nephew.

Qiao Yan said, “Uncle—Mengde, your words have given Zixiu an elder. I was in a hurry and didn’t bring any gifts.”

“No problem, just bring it next time,” Cao Cao replied.

If it were anyone else, they might say something like Ye Shu is still young, so gifts aren’t necessary. But Cao Cao is who he is!

He can straightforwardly say we are peers, and just as frankly say, you were in a hurry and didn’t bring a gift, no problem, bring it next time.

Cao Ang clearly hasn’t learned this bold style from his father. He smiled wryly and bowed to Qiao Yan, addressing her as “Marquis Qiao.”

The nephew’s face isn’t thick enough to shout an elder’s title in the street.

Perhaps due to the same straightforwardness, Qiao Yan decided to let him make up for the gift next time.

However, since Cao Cao is here, Qiao Yan temporarily put aside her plan to visit Lingtai.

Though she wanted to meet Ma Lun and inquire about the mechanical genius Ma Jun, for now, it’s better to focus on the selection of the Du Liao General.

Cao Cao spoke without reservation about the generational issue, so Qiao Yan also didn’t hold back and asked about it.

Talking on the street is inconvenient, so they are now inside a residence in Yanxi Lane.

“I won’t hide it from Ye Shu. Just hearing your letter last month about attacking the Xiongnu and intimidating the Southern Xiongnu, I felt a surge of heroism. Such actions are truly heroic, even if momentarily reckless. Why not emulate General Huo’s bravery? In my view, our Han descendants should be like this!”

Cao Cao already knew Qiao Yan could devise surprising strategies, like the inside-outside coordination in the Battle of Changshe, and her governance skills, as seen in Leping. But hearing about her direct assault on the Xiongnu beyond the frontier, he realized he had underestimated her.

Or rather, what he knew before was just the tip of the iceberg.

Cao Ang added, “Father slammed the table then, saying this was immensely satisfying and not something ordinary people could do.”

Cao Cao, idle at home, took the opportunity to train his son, and Cao Ang clearly saw his reaction upon receiving the letter.

Though Cao Cao had remarkable achievements as the Chancellor of Jinan, he often mentioned that if he could become the Han’s General Who Conquers the West, he would strive to quell the chaos in Liangzhou. Now, while Liangzhou is still in turmoil, Qiao Yan has already led troops north of Yinshan, countering the Xiongnu at Shouxiang City, which aligns perfectly with his vision.

“In that case, Mengde should have something to discuss with Lord Lu,” Qiao Yan smiled.

Lu Zhi had also used the phrase “immensely satisfying.”

Cao Cao knew about Lu Zhi’s current powerless position as the Minister of Works, but he couldn’t do much, not even stopping his old father’s desire to buy a high-ranking title for fun, nor could he influence the emperor to free Lu Zhi from his predicament.

He casually asked, “I heard Ye Shu is studying the Book of Documents with Lord Lu. How far have you gotten?”

During the time of correspondence and Cao Cao’s journey to Luoyang, Qiao Yan had to submit reading reports and couldn’t just fake it, so she had progressed a few more chapters.

“Yesterday, we studied the ‘Announcement on Alcohol’ from the Zhou Documents.”

As soon as Qiao Yan finished speaking, she saw Cao Cao choke.

Since they were hosting at the residence and not entertaining a child like Fu Shou, wine and meat were naturally served. But Qiao Yan was studying the Book of Documents, which Cao Cao had also studied. The ‘Announcement on Alcohol’ in the Zhou Documents states that alcohol should not be consumed except for sacrifices, and those who gather to drink should be sent to Haojing and executed as a warning.

Though this law isn’t enforced now, Cao Cao couldn’t help but feel a chill on his neck.

But he quickly replied, “The ‘Announcement on Alcohol’? It says not to indulge in alcohol. I’m just using wine to express my feelings and aspirations, not causing any harm.”

Qiao Yan shook her head, “Mengde, you’re mistaken. Lord Lu had me study the ‘Announcement on Alcohol’ not for the line about execution, but for the line ‘People should not use water as a mirror, but the people as a mirror.'”

This is quite similar to Tang Taizong’s saying that using people as a mirror can reveal gains and losses.

This saying from the Zhou Documents was already an ancient wisdom. What one sees in water is just a reflection, but what one sees in the people reflects societal realities. Lu Zhi particularly liked these two lines in the ‘Announcement on Alcohol,’ hence his emphasis in teaching Qiao Yan.

Cao Cao clearly understood the essence of “If I’m not embarrassed, then it’s others who are embarrassed,” and calmly replied, “This is a lofty statement, but I’m a vulgar person, only seeing the word ‘alcohol.’ Let’s not talk about this, but return to the Du Liao General.”

Cao Cao decided to first understand his competitors and asked, “From what Ye Shu has seen in the capital, who is worthy of this position?”

Qiao Yan didn’t plan to reveal Liu Hong’s intention to place Cao Cao among the Eight Commanders of the Western Garden, just raised her cup and replied, “I previously suggested General Huangfu and Sun Wentai to His Majesty, but unfortunately, His Majesty said they have other arrangements. As for Mengde—”

“The position of Court Counselor is beneath Mengde, but there are times when one must not compete and times when one must. The position of Du Liao General, I believe Mengde has the heart to compete for it, no need for me to say.”

Cao Cao laughed, “Ye Shu’s words resonate with me. At this time, border generals can lack anything but courage. Deciding the Du Liao General through competitive examination is excellent. Whoever stands out among the crowd will surely face the Xiongnu and Xianbei with pride and not be at a disadvantage.”

Cao Cao clearly didn’t know about Liu Hong’s arrangements and genuinely saw himself as a loyal servant of the Han. Thus, his words, in Qiao Yan’s view, truly deserved the term “heartfelt.”

Perhaps emboldened by the wine, he added, “But speaking of which, if I do win this selection, I’ll be neighbors with Ye Shu. Bingzhou isn’t like Ruyang, with gatherings of the wise, but there are Cai Bojie and Cui Weikao here, and Ye Shu has established that academy in Leping. I can just send Ang here to study and ask you, as an elder, to look after him a bit.”

Now it was Qiao Yan’s turn to almost choke on her wine.








She felt that Cao Cao might not only have a lot in common with Lu Zhi, but also with Guo Yun.


However, his thoughts were destined to remain just thoughts.


If Qiao Yan could achieve her wishes as she predicted, then no one else would be able to set foot in Bingzhou.


Even if she failed this time, Liu Hong would never place Cao Cao in the position of General Who Crosses the Liao at this time, to prevent her, the unconventional Marquis of Leping, from teaming up with an equally ambitious ally and achieving uncontrollable results.


So Qiao Yan said without any worries, “If that’s the case, I can let Zixiu and Yancai study literature and martial arts together. I will not disappoint Mengde’s trust.”


“Yancai?” Cao Cao was momentarily stunned upon hearing the name, but upon realizing who Qiao Yan was referring to, he remembered that this was the descendant of an old friend!


Qiao Yan had not mentioned in her letters that Fu Gan had also come to Leping. Suddenly bringing this up, Cao Cao’s worries about Fu Gan’s whereabouts were finally put to rest, but mentioning Fu Gan inevitably reminded him of Fu Xie, who died in battle.


Thinking of this, he couldn’t help but sigh.


“Hateful are the traitors who disrupt the country, the incompetent ministers who mislead the country, and the loyal ones who die for the country.”


The traitors were Ma Teng and Han Sui, the incompetent minister was the rash Liangzhou Governor Geng Bi, and the loyal one was Fu Xie.


Perhaps because Cao Cao had fought alongside Fu Xie, or because he aspired to conquer the west and saw a possible future for himself in Fu Xie, he suddenly said to Qiao Yan, “If one day I follow in Fu Nanrong’s footsteps, I will have Ang’er come to you like Yancai.”


“Mengde, why speak such words of entrustment?” Qiao Yan replied, “Now with wine in our cups and the future ahead, I should wish for Mengde to top the selection, not for the inevitable fate of a general to die in battle.”


Cao Cao, whose emotions of lamenting heroes born in the wrong era came and went quickly, laughed upon hearing Qiao Yan’s words, “Exactly! Let’s drink this cup first!”


Cao Ang, watching from the side, silently sighed.


He could see why these two were equals in their conversation, sharing the same openness and a mutual admiration between heroes.


But it seemed that no matter the outcome, he would be attending Leping Academy?


He wondered what that place was like…


As he pondered, he briefly shifted his gaze from Qiao Yan and Cao Cao to the courtyard outside, where Qiao Yan’s burly and brave guard was looking up and speaking to someone on the wall. Upon closer inspection, he realized there was a figure hanging there.


This strange and contrasting scene somehow felt perfectly normal in the Marquis of Leping’s domain.


He turned his gaze back and realized he had missed a question directed at him.


Cao Cao, somewhat helpless at his distraction, repeated, “Yeshu asked you, what books have you read recently?”


Cao Ang replied, “I’ve just read ‘On the Faults of Qin’ and ‘On Governance and Security.'”


Thinking that elders often have expectations and judgments for the younger generation, Qiao Yan said, “Zixiu’s ambition to emulate Jia Changsha’s governance is grand, but do not follow his fate of being born in the wrong era.”


But whether it was the right time or not, even Qiao Yan, who was now trying to play the game of chess, couldn’t determine, let alone Cao Ang.


In the eleventh month of the fourth year of Zhongping, Grand Minister of Agriculture Cao Song bought an official position and became Grand Commandant.


Also in mid-November, many officials, both active and idle, who volunteered to participate in the selection for General Who Crosses the Liao, arrived at the military camp in the western suburbs of Luoyang.


Liu Hong had no leisure to check the list of these officials one by one, but since he wanted to use the selection of General Who Crosses the Liao to choose a private army for himself, he had to take a look now that everyone was assembled.


The Northern Army of Luoyang marched to the western suburban camp, setting up a high platform for inspection and troop review in the open space of the camp.


Only the soldiers were arrayed below, with the candidates at the front, and on the platform were the current Son of Heaven and his important ministers.


Cao Cao looked towards the platform and saw Qiao Yan among them.


Perhaps because of her achievements in fighting the Xiongnu in the north, she was brought in as a judge, or perhaps because she proposed the re-establishment of the General Who Crosses the Liao to Liu Hong, she was thus honored, or perhaps—


This was just a sign of her current favor with the Son of Heaven.


In any case, Qiao Yan had the best vantage point, taking in the unfamiliar faces below and clearly seeing Liu Hong’s reactions.


After he took his seat, a eunuch presented the list of participating generals to Liu Hong.


As he read through it, though his expression showed nothing special, Qiao Yan intuitively felt that his mood was not so pleasant.


The list was also copied and distributed to them. Qiao Yan quickly scanned it and realized why Liu Hong was reacting this way.


It was truly worth her deliberately leaking information to the Yuan Clan!


Most of the nominees from the Yuan Clan were restrained, such as Han Fu and Ji Ling, who had not yet made a big name for themselves and were not directly connected to the Yuan Clan.


But the Yuan Clan, thinking that walls have ears, leaked the matter to Grand General He, and the situation was quite different.


Wu Kuang, Zhang Zhang—


These were openly loyal supporters of Grand General He.


These two even killed He Miao in a fit of rage after He Jin’s death, blaming him for not being of one mind with the Grand General, making them extreme He Jin supporters.


These two had no reason to participate in the selection for General Who Crosses the Liao while the Grand General was in power, yet they appeared here.


Dong Min—


This was Dong Zhuo’s younger brother, also under He Jin’s command.


There was even one whose identity was more openly displayed.


Wang Kuang, a subordinate of Grand General He Jin’s mansion.


This list almost slapped Liu Hong in the face with one sentence.


No matter the purpose of this selection, I, He Jin, will get my share.


Qiao Yan silently cursed “butcher mentality” but showed no expression, thinking that if only He Jin’s planted people were exposed, it lacked some firepower.


Might as well expose everyone else’s secrets too!


She withdrew her gaze from the list, suddenly stood up, and stepped forward, bowing to Liu Hong, “Your Majesty, may I say something?”


Liu Hong raised his eyelids, “Speak.”


“Since we are selecting a General Who Crosses the Liao, they must at least have the ability to suppress the Xiongnu. I have previously fought against the Xiongnu and know a thing or two about their capabilities. Thus, I dare to ask Your Majesty to allow me to go down and test the generals!”


Liu Hong looked at Qiao Yan, who was dressed in riding attire today.


Her attire made it clear that she had planned this not just now, but her sudden proposal clearly did not conflict with his interests and could still be of use to him!


“Granted!”