“Since this person has come to join your administration, is it appropriate for me to put him under my command?” Guo Yuan asked again.

To be honest, this didn’t seem quite logical.

Guo Yuan didn’t suspect that Qiao Yan was trying to deceive him.

Firstly, he didn’t know about Lu Bu’s effect of restraining superiors, and secondly, although Lu Bu had been defeated by Zhang Liao this time, it was clear that he was a formidable general known for his bravery and strength, unmatched by many.

Even if placed in Yanmen as a mascot, he would likely still have considerable combat effectiveness.

Giving him the position of a military officer wouldn’t be out of the question.

Over two years ago, Qiao Yan had shot an arrow at the provincial governor, but after Guo Yuan interceded on his behalf, Qiao Yan was transferred to Yanmen as the prefect.

Yanmen was indeed less stable than Shangdang, but it suited his tastes better, especially dealing with those Xianbei people, which was somewhat troublesome.

Fortunately, earlier, Wu Meng had helped with the defense of Yanmen, reducing a lot of pressure for him.

Now, Qiao Yan had added Zhang Yang to Yanmen County as an assistant, and if they added Lu Bu, a skilled warrior, this front line would already have enough fierce generals.

However, would it be underutilizing Lu Bu?

Qiao Yan replied, “This person’s temperament is uncertain. It would be inconvenient to rashly integrate him into the provincial administration’s promotion system, so I can only ask Governor Guo for help.”

“The position of Military Officer of Yanmen County is below Zhishu and Wenyuan and requires cooperation with them in battle, forming a separate army.

This way, it can reduce friction between this brave warrior and his superiors and allow him to learn true military command. Of course, when necessary, I will personally teach him.”

Listening to Qiao Yan’s analysis, Guo Yuan smiled and said, “In that case, it seems reasonable. However, Marquis Qiao’s approach also shows that you have a favorable opinion of this person.”

“Can Governor Guo draw a 150-pound bow?” Qiao Yan asked, seemingly unrelated to their current conversation.

“Naturally not…” Guo Yuan wasn’t foolish.

Suddenly, he looked suspiciously towards the distant training ground and asked, “But can Lu Bu?”

“With a 150-pound bow, he can hit the bullseye from a hundred paces.”

Qiao Yan couldn’t help but acknowledge Lu Bu’s extraordinary talent.

Lu Bu’s archery skills far surpassed her own, which were learned through systematic training.

On the northern frontier of Bing Province, most threats from nomadic tribes were repelled with archery.

Even though Lu Bu might not yet understand military tactics and was known for his prideful nature, he was undeniably a formidable weapon.

So, appointing him as a military officer seemed a bit of a compromise.

But Lu Bu didn’t see it that way at all.

His defeat to Zhang Liao was under fair conditions, and it was clear Zhang Liao was more skilled in strategy and deployment, having inflicted over a hundred injuries on Lu Bu’s side without suffering much himself.

Zhang Liao even challenged Lu Bu to a fair fight, four hundred against four hundred, and won decisively, surrounding and subduing Lu Bu.

Despite his strength, like Dian Wei trapped in a pit years ago, Lu Bu couldn’t escape.

The victorious bandits celebrated their win with gusto, using their full strength.

As Lu Bu nursed his almost broken arm, he muttered to himself that he had indeed underestimated his opponent’s abilities.

In subsequent tests, he had to admit that while Zhang Liao might not match him in commanding troops, he was unquestionably a top-notch figure in cavalry and archery within Bingzhou Province.

According to Qiao Yan’s assessment of overall capability, Lu Bu indeed couldn’t replace others in their positions.

Even Zhang Yang, the assistant prefect of Yanmen County, had more battlefield experience than him.

However, these days spent exchanging martial arts and archery skills with such people made Lu Bu feel much more comfortable than his previous role as a county official.

Thinking further, all these people were under the command of Marquis Qiao, whom Lu Bu couldn’t forget due to the impressive golden seal and purple ribbon.

He considered that Qiao Yan’s appraisal of him might need to be raised even higher.

At this moment, he heard from Qiao Yan that he would be appointed as the Military Officer of Yanmen County, alongside Zhang Liao and Zhang Yang.

“Though you were defeated this time, your bravery and martial prowess are evident. But if you were appointed directly by the provincial government, it would attract too many self-recommending candidates, risking disorder. Do you see the reasoning?” Qiao Yan asked.

Lu Bu thought about it and nodded in agreement.

Qiao Yan continued, “Therefore, although you have the favor of the provincial government, you will be appointed in a special capacity by Yanmen County.

Governor Guo appreciates your archery skills and entrusts you with the role of Military Officer.

This title allows you to oversee military affairs in Yanmen, ranking below Zhang Liao and Zhang Yang.

They both have more experience leading troops than you, so I hope you will learn from them. Lu Bu, don’t disappoint me.”

Lu Bu glanced at Qiao Yan.

Despite her dignified demeanor as a provincial official, there was also a hint of admiration in her eyes towards him.

As for the Governor of Yanmen, he seemed tougher than the Governor of Wuyuan, with a clear expectation in his gaze.

With these two future superiors having already surpassed him, Lu Bu understood where he stood.

Lu Bu was thrilled to have such a good position where he could showcase his skills.

He admired Qiao Yan’s wisdom as a true leader.

He couldn’t wait to learn military command and challenge again, aiming to become an indispensable leader under Qiao Yan in Bingzhou Province.

Qiao Yan could easily read Lu Bu’s eagerness, and even Zhang Liao could sense it.

“Do you feel pressured having such a unique subordinate like Lu Bu?” Qiao Yan asked Zhang Liao when she called him over for further instructions.

Previously, Zhang Liao, under Lu Bu’s command, might have felt uneasy about letting Lu Bu advance beyond him in combat skills.

But now, after leading for two and a half years under Qiao Yan, Zhang Liao understood his role as the leader in military affairs on the border, especially now that Qiao Yan explicitly indicated him as the one responsible for military matters.

While Lu Bu possessed extraordinary strength and archery skills, his personality flaws meant he was more suited as a spearhead in battle rather than a supreme commander of an army.

Thus, someone had to be there to overshadow his leadership potential.

As a governor, Qiao Yan needed to guide rather than micromanage every detail.

Zhang Liao reassured, “Lu Bu is a fierce tiger to tame, but I’m not afraid of this challenge. Please rest assured, I will not disappoint you.”

Watching Zhang Liao grow alongside the challenges of warfare, Qiao Yan trusted his commitment.

Overall, having Lu Bu under her command wasn’t a bad thing.

With Lu Bu’s brother-in-law, Wei Xu, also joining, along with others who might follow, Qiao Yan saw potential in this arrangement.

As for concerns about betrayal, similar to the question of handling Lu Bu, placing people in suitable roles with proper oversight should minimize risks.

Lu Bu’s role was like a troublesome tiger driving competition within the ranks. Managed correctly, it could yield unexpected benefits.

Seeing Lu Bu already bonding with Zhang Yang after receiving his appointment, Qiao Yan felt a bit relieved.

More troubling than these military commanders were the scholars.

Previously, Qiao Yan had given Lu Yuan two days to gather information on the prominent families of Bing Province and rank them.

Now was the time for her to present her findings.

Lu Yuan wasn’t confined to just staying in Jinyang.

As Qiao Yan’s chief clerk in Bingzhou Province, she had some personnel under her command.

She first selected a few attendants from the Black Mountain Army in Leping, then set out to visit many places within Bingzhou Province.

By the time Qiao Yan saw her, she appeared somewhat dusty from her travels.

Yet when she spoke to deliver her report, she was resolute and showed no signs of fatigue.

“The first people Lord Qiao must meet without question are the Wang family of Jinyang, the Guo family of Yangqu, and the Tang family of Jinyang.

These are the notable families.

Lord Qiao may not deeply engage with these families, but she cannot exclude them, especially in conveying a certain message.

These three families either have cooperated with Lord Qiao previously or have supported her through their members.

This move is to show Lord Qiao’s respect for their longstanding ties.”

Qiao Yan nodded. “This is natural.”

Although she had told Cai Yong that these families should fear her authority and that she might use the barbarians to eliminate them, she had not actually intended to do so.

At least not at this stage.

Maintaining necessary relationships was still important.

She was more interested in hearing what other conclusions Lu Yuan had drawn from her recent visits.

Lu Yuan continued, “The second group Lord Qiao should meet includes the Jia family of Taiyuan in Jiexiu.”

Qiao Yan asked, “Why them?”