Chapter 28
When the current emperor issued the edict of enthronement, he never thought that Qiao Yan, who was described in Huangfu Song's military intelligence report as the future pillar of the Han Dynasty and the successor to the throne of Qiao Gongzu, was actually a woman.
Has there ever been a woman who became a marquis in the Han Dynasty?
have.
Xi Juan, Marquis of Lu and one of the Eighteen Marquises, who was a founding hero of the Western Han Dynasty, died in the war. In the sixth year of Emperor Gaozu of Han, because Xi Juan had no son, his mother Di was canonized as Marquis of Lu in order to demonstrate the filial piety of the Han Dynasty.
Four years after Xiao He's death, his son Xiao Lu passed away. At this time, Empress Lü was in power. In order to show the legitimacy of the mother inheriting the son's business, she made Xiao He's wife the Marquis of Ling; and later she made his sister Lü Shi the Marquis of Linguang.
In addition, there was the great fortune teller Xu Fu, who asserted that Emperor Gaozu of Han had the appearance of a high-ranking official. After Emperor Gaozu ascended the throne, he was conferred the title of Marquis of Mingci Ting, and the wife of Emperor Gaozu's elder brother was conferred the title of Marquis of Yin'an.
However, during the suppression of the Lü Rebellion, Marquis Linguang was beaten to death. Then Emperor Xiaowen succeeded to the throne and stripped Xiao He's wife of her title of marquis, and instead made Xiao He's youngest son Xiao Yan the Marquis of Ling. During the many generations of emperors who came and went in the Han Dynasty, no woman was ever granted a title of marquis again.
Of course, it was mostly because the Han emperor was young when he ascended the throne and the empress dowager ruled the country, but taking the situation in the Eastern Han Dynasty as an example -
After Empress Hexi Deng Sui died of illness, the entire Deng family was immediately purged. The Empress Dowager Dou, who welcomed the current emperor to the throne, acted even more excessively and was placed under house arrest in the palace until her death.
Obviously, the fact that the Queen Mother held a high position and had the power to welcome the Emperor did not prove that the Han Dynasty could produce a sixth female marquis.
So Zhang Rang knew at the first sight of Qiao Yan that the edict in his hand must not be read out!
Even if we use the excuse that the emperor has already issued an edict, and that reading the edict is just a matter of convenience, we cannot do this!
If Liu Hong changed his mind after learning about Qiao Yan's gender, Zhang Rang would become a sinner!
He has been walking on thin ice and trying to guess the emperor's mind during this period, so how could he take on such a responsibility?
As he was thinking all this, there was a hint of resentment in his eyes as he looked towards Huangfu Song.
On the way here, even when he entered the military camp and learned of the victory here, Zhang Rang still felt that Huangfu Song was indeed a blessing to the Han Dynasty and his savior. But now he only had one thought left -
Huangfu Song, you have done a lot of harm to others!
At this moment, it would be a crime for Zhang Rang to hide the imperial edict, and it would also be a crime to read out the imperial edict. He could only choose the lesser of two evils, but what about Huangfu Song?
Even if the Yanzhou defeat was not counted as his military achievement, he still had the merit of defeating the Yellow Turbans in two states. It was impossible for Liu Hong to punish him. What's more, he was just making ordinary expressions. When writing about the grandson of Qiao Gongzu, he did not mention Qiao Yan's gender.
Zhang Rang felt that he had a good understanding of Liu Hong's mentality. He realized that the oversight made by Huangfu Song, a meritorious general at this time, would give Liu Hong an opportunity to settle accounts in the future and would not make Liu Hong dissatisfied with his behavior.
How could the emperor be dissatisfied with the general who had left him with something to hold against him?
He was so happy that he couldn't contain himself.
"Empress Zhang has come from afar, are you feeling unwell from the bumpy journey?" Lu Zhi asked, immediately bringing Zhang Rang back to his senses.
He suddenly realized that his behavior since entering the tent was too abnormal.
Especially the expression he tried so hard to suppress later on, it seemed like there was a special situation.
In order to avoid being put on the spot, Zhang Rang quickly put on a smile and pretended that there was no decree to confer him the title of marquis.
"The bandits on the road retreated on their own when they saw the flag of the royal army, and they did not encounter any trouble. I think it was all thanks to the two generals. How dare I feel unwell?"
Zhang Rang had something on his mind, so he couldn't help but restrain some of the domineering attitude he showed in Luoyang, which surprised even Zuo Feng, the eunuch who was following him.
But at this time, when these people were talking, it was obviously not his place to interrupt.
At most, he muttered a few words in his heart. If he were in Zhang Rang's position, he would definitely let these generals gain some benefits from the siege. After all, officials in the court and the public these days did not dare to offend the emperor's close attendants.
Pillow talk is scary, and so are people who have a say in the emperor's food, clothing, and daily life.
But Zhang Rang is
I was frightened by the report...
But he then heard Zhang Rang say, "Your Majesty asked me to come here to reward the troops, and I really don't dare to be sick."
Zuo Feng was surprised.
Reward the troops? Not a decree?
He and Chunyu Qiong looked at each other and saw the surprise in each other's eyes.
They both knew that Zhang Rang came with the imperial decree to confer the title of marquis on him. They had heard Lord Rang mention it many times on the way here, and they were afraid that they would have a great harvest this time.
Chunyu Qiong did vaguely know that the imperial edict was unusual. When he saw a young girl in the military tent, he thought of what Si Tu said before leaving Luoyang, and had some guesses in his mind. However, he was quite surprised that Zhang Rang chose not to even tell him about the existence of the imperial edict.
Zuo Feng was thinking——
Your appetite is too big!
The practice of officials paying money before taking office in recent years has made Zuo Feng form a stereotype.
He didn't know that the imperial edict also included the canonization of Qiao Yan, and all he heard along the way was Zhang Rang's praise of Huangfu Song's military achievements, so how could he know the ins and outs of it.
He just thought that Zhang Rang was planning to ask Huangfu Song for enough benefits before taking out the imperial edict!
Come to think of it, this does seem to be somewhat feasible, and it is indeed less likely to leave room for criticism than acting bossy from the start.
Thinking of this, Zuo Feng looked at Zhang Rang with a little more admiration.
The three of them had their own thoughts, but Lu Zhi didn't think too much. He asked suspiciously, "Your Majesty ordered you to come here to reward the troops, but you didn't bring anything?"
“……” Only then did Zhang Rang realize that he had said the wrong thing.
What he wanted to say was that he was inspecting the army, but after seeing how the two Lieutenant Generals were making such astonishing progress in suppressing the Yellow Turban Rebellion, he subconsciously did not dare to take on the role of inspector, and what he said instead was a reward to the army.
But as Lu Zhi said, if it is to reward the army, how can we bring nothing?
This is too ridiculous.
But he was known for his flattery and good words. He didn't show any clues on his face when he was caught speaking wrong. He just said: "Your Majesty probably didn't expect you two to defeat Zhang Jue so quickly. It's probably because you thought we rarely have the opportunity to face the enemy head-on. If the rewards we sent were taken away by the Yellow Turbans, it would be bad for morale."
Zhang Rang bowed to the two men and said, "I am here to convey a message to your majesty. For your meritorious service in suppressing the Yellow Turbans, you two generals will be rewarded with titles of nobility. Please make sure to wipe out the Yellow Turban bandits and do not leave any troubles behind that will disappoint your majesty."
Huangfu Song never had a good attitude towards eunuchs. Even though Zhang Rang behaved respectfully at this moment, he was not very happy with him.
Lu Zhi came out to smooth things over, "The special envoy must have come a long way and must be exhausted. Why don't you go down and rest first? I am discussing the matter of suppressing the Yellow Turbans with Yizhen, so there will be no omissions."
"That's the best." Zhang Rang heaved a sigh of relief when he saw that he had fooled the person.
However, he did not notice that Qiao Yan's eyes never left the envoy from Luoyang. After taking in his emotional changes, he lowered his eyes and showed a bit of contemplation.
After returning to her tent, she told the system: "He didn't finish his words."
"Although I don't know what was written in General Huangfu's military report, but based on the rewards given during the reigns of Emperors Huan and Ling, it is impossible that the meritorious generals were only praised verbally by three people."
[You mean he's hiding something else?] But what good does this do for him? 】The system asked.
Huangfu Song is a man of such a resolute and decisive character that it is impossible that someone would want to blackmail him.
"I don't know, but I have a strange intuition that if I don't figure it out as soon as possible, I might regret it." Qiao Yan replied.
[However, if you talk to Huangfu Song and Lu Zhi, you can still rely on your achievements in suppressing the Yellow Turbans. In addition, they both have some friendship with Qiao Xuan. How can you get information from Zhang Rang? 】
"Who told you that I'm going to start with Zhang Rang?" Qiao Yan thought about it and came up with an idea. "Since Zhang Rang hasn't said all he wants to say, I won't be able to get any results no matter how much I try to insinuate myself. But maybe I can get some information from the escort."
[You mean... Chun Yu Qiong?] 】
Qiao Yan replied confidently: "Yes, it is Chun Yuqiong! He happens to be right here, and there is the most suitable person to ask him for information."
Liu Bei was quite surprised when Qiao Yan approached him.
This was especially true when I heard her dismiss the attendants and discuss something with them.
He had just led his troops from Quzhou to the north to wipe out the remnants of the Yellow Turbans today, and did not return until nightfall. He should have returned to the camp to rest.
But when he thought about how Qiao Yan had acted prudently before, and how he had not done anything rash or aggressive even when he temporarily took over Lu Zhi's position, and how he had steadily defended the camp until the two generals had captured Guangzong and returned, Liu Bei felt that Qiao Yan would not do anything unfavorable.
He decided to listen to what Qiao Yan wanted to say.
"I wonder what the young lady wants to tell me?" Liu Bei asked when he asked Guan Yu and Zhang Fei to guard the door.
"Has the commander of the troops ever noticed Zuo Feng, one of the emperor's envoys?"
When Liu Bei heard Qiao Yan mention this name, he was stunned.
He really hadn't noticed Zuo Feng.
Who made Zhang Rang and the other two bring neither imperial edicts nor rewards for the troops? Since Guangzong and Quzhou had already been conquered, there was no need for a military commander anymore. They were just like three mascots, and he certainly had no need to pay attention to them.
But looking at Qiao Yan's face, it seemed quite serious, as if this person was of great importance.
"I really haven't noticed this person before. I wonder why the young lady mentioned him?"
"Today, when I asked Mr. Zhongde to return the chessboard to Lord Lu, I heard a piece of news." Qiao Yan had to admit that he was really sleepy and someone brought him a pillow. "He actually went to Lord Lu to ask for a bribe and was scolded out."
"...How could he be so courageous?" Liu Bei was shocked and angry.
Zuo Feng really dares.
In the original history, the person who came here was not Zhang Rang, but the eunuch Zuo Feng.
As soon as he arrived at Lu Zhi's army, he openly demanded a bribe from Lu Zhi, but was scolded by Lu Zhi and refused. After returning, he told Liu Hong that Guangzong was actually very easy to conquer, but Lu Zhi was staying in the camp and waiting for God to punish the Yellow Turbans.
When Liu Hong heard this, he became furious and ordered Lu Zhi to be detained and sent to the capital in a prison cart. Because of everyone's plea, his sentence was reduced to one level less than the death penalty.
It is not difficult to see from his behavior that Zuo Feng is indeed a very courageous person.
At this moment, when he mistakenly thought that Zhang Rang was planning to issue the imperial edict first and then take it out after Huangfu Song gave enough benefits, his mind became active.
The benefits on Huangfu Song's side were most likely enclosed by the territory drawn by Zhang Rang, so as for Lu Zhi's side, he could probably take action.
However, Lu Zhi had given Zhang Rang some face in the previous conversation, but he really did not intend to give any face to the man who came to blackmail him, so he directly carried him out.
Regardless of how Zuo Feng hated Lu Zhi in his heart, Qiao Yan just used this matter as an excuse to talk.
She continued, "In the matter of the confrontation with Quzhou garrison, I was able to take on this important responsibility thanks to Lord Lu's appreciation of me. It is not an exaggeration to say that Lord Lu has helped me. If the eunuch fails to extort money, he will surely seek revenge on Lord Lu. This matter can be big or small, but at a time when we are about to be rewarded for our military exploits in suppressing the Yellow Turbans, I am afraid we should still think of the worst."
"Yes, what the young lady said is very true." Liu Bei replied.
Is Qiao Yan just talking about Lu Zhi? Not exactly.
She was still talking about him.
Lu Zhi had helped her, and Liu Bei and she also had a friendship in which they fought against the enemy together.
If Zuo Feng said something bad about Lu Zhi at this moment of determining military merit, causing Lu Zhi to lose all the military merit that was within his grasp, then Liu Bei, as Lu Zhi's subordinate and disciple, would definitely not be unaffected in any way.
He lost his father at an early age and used to make a living by weaving mats and selling shoes. His social class changed after he became Lu Zhi's apprentice. He believed that he was a relative of the Han royal family and had considerable abilities, and that he really needed the promotion that would be given after the normal settlement of rewards for military merits as a step for his further development.
But now there is an unknown factor, and Liu Bei, who is still young and not calm enough at this time, can't help but lose his composure.
Then Qiao Yan said, "I don't want to see Lord Lu being harmed by villains, so I want to ask the commander of the troops to do something for me."
Seeing Liu Bei's strange expression, Qiao Yan quickly added: "But please rest assured, I don't mean to ask you to kill Zuo Feng to eliminate future troubles. I just want to ask the commander to talk to Chunyu Qiong and see if he can find some evidence against Zuo Feng and Zhang Rang so as to find an opportunity to counterattack."
Liu Bei thought about it and agreed.
This matter may be related to the interests of the young prodigy, but it is indeed related to the development of Lu Zhi and Liu Bei.
She didn't make it clear in her words, leaving some room for each other's words and actions, which can be said to be just right.
There was no need for Liu Bei to make it clear, as he also needed to protect his own interests.
Even if you want to serve your country and save people in distress, you must have the corresponding authority.
Besides, the first step solution proposed by Qiao Yan was not something he could not do.
Chat with Chunyu Qiong to get information? He is very familiar with this.
Liu Bei was very popular where he studied, among his fellow villagers, and in the military camp. Although Chunyu Qiong was a disciple of the Yuan family of Runan, he was also within his regular circle of friends.
As for how to start the topic? Let’s just say that he admires the officials in the capital and wants to know more about the customs and practices of the Luoyang garrison.
As it turned out, Qiao Yan's decision to let Liu Bei go and get the truth was indeed the right one.
Perhaps the diplomatic skills of the Han Dynasty's bloodline were perfectly inherited by Liu Bei. Chunyu Qiong did not expect that Liu Bei came to gather information. He just felt that Liu Bei spoke well and looked a little different from ordinary people. In addition, he was a disciple of Lu Zhi and was in the same camp as Situ. He was indeed a person who could make friends with him.
He originally thought that since he had escorted Zhang Rang and Zuo Feng here, if the Jizhou front was still fighting against the Yellow Turbans, he might have to go to the battlefield as well, so he was a little nervous.
It's because he knows his own strengths and weaknesses, and the prospect is worrying just thinking about it.
Now, not only does he not have to fight the war, but he also has Liu Bei who has made him dizzy.
Chunyu Qiong, without any warning, talked about the dissatisfaction with the two eunuchs from the various camps in Luoyang.
Liu Bei got a small pot of wine from somewhere, but he didn't drink it himself. Chunyu Qiong drank all the wine. As a result, Chunyu Qiong became less vigilant as he spoke: "Brother Xuande, I'm going to tell you something. Don't tell anyone else."
Liu Bei nodded quickly.
Chun Yuqiong said, "The Minister of Justice mentioned that His Majesty came to Lord Qiao's residence half a month ago and seemed to want to confer the title of Marquis on the grandson of Lord Qiao's grandfather. Zhang Rang held the imperial edict but lied that there was no edict. I'm afraid this is related to this matter."
He patted Liu Bei on the shoulder and said, "But this matter has nothing to do with us, so just listen to it."
Be granted a title of nobility?
Liu Bei was shocked.
After weighing the pros and cons, he conveyed all the information that Chunyu Qiong inadvertently revealed to Qiao Yan.
Qiao Yan didn't expect that the news would be like this.
"Become a marquis..." As she read these two words, her heart was in turmoil.
This is really news that if she doesn't know it in time, she might regret it for not responding in time!
Before this, all she wanted was to put herself in a position where she could attack or defend in the name of filial piety, so that even if there were changes in the world, she would have a background to use.
But if she could have the opportunity to directly become a marquis based on her military exploits during the Yellow Turban Rebellion, it would indeed be much better than just having the false reputation of "Qiao Yan entered the enemy camp at the age of ten to avenge his father."
Regardless of whether it was due to Huangfu Song's omission or intentional act that caused such a situation to appear in the edict issued by Emperor Liu Hong of the Han Dynasty, and now it has been temporarily detained because of his gender, this at least provides a possibility.
A possibility that might be possible.
Just like the three commanders Huangfu Song, Zhu Jun and Lu Zhi would never have thought that she would be a variable in the suppression of the Yellow Turban Rebellion, and would also find such a breakthrough in the battle situation -
Then who says that enfeoffment of marquises cannot become a reality?
The system saw Qiao Yan send off Liu Bei who came to report the news.
Sitting at the desk and pondering for a long time, he couldn't help asking: [Is it important to be conferred a title of nobility? Anyway, the Dong Zhuo Rebellion will come in a few years, so this marquis won't be of much use, right? 】
Qiao Yan smiled in his heart at the simplicity of this new system.
Being a marquis and being a commoner are two completely different identities.
However, she could not tell the other party everything she was thinking, so she just said, "Do you remember what I said before? If this world's best strategist could help the lord feed these refugees who followed the bandits, wouldn't there be such a difficult matter to distinguish right from wrong?"
[Of course I remember.] 】
"If you have the title of a marquis, you will be able to obtain a fiefdom, enjoy the taxes of the land, and have control over the farmers. Do you know what this means?"
"The five years from the first year of Zhongping to the sixth year of Zhongping during the Dong Zhuo Rebellion were enough for me to make many attempts and test out feasible methods in troubled times."
Before the system could express its opinion, it saw its host slamming the table and standing up. Although he lacked some aura because he was still a child, his eyes were still burning with the candlelight in the camp.
"So I must fight for this position!"
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