Yingchuan Strategist Zhi Cai –

This is a figure within the Cao Wei camp, known as a senior to Guo Jia.

After his passing, it was only then that Xun Yu recommended Guo Fengxiao to Cao Cao.

This was completely unexpected for Qiao Yan, someone who didn’t anticipate such a person appearing in his territory.

Previously, during the suppression of the Yellow Turban Rebellion in Yingchuan, Qiao Yan hadn’t even seen many renowned scholars from Ruyi and Ying, so naturally, she wouldn’t expect such anticipation after coming to her own fief.

She never expected someone to come knocking on her door.

This was completely different from Zhao Yun coming to discuss strategies for eliminating the Black Mountain Bandits.

Especially…

Since Scholar Zhi Cai initially didn’t reveal his true identity, but instead arrived in Leping as an “employee” in the wine-making business, his sudden self-introduction held some deeper meaning.

Qiao Yan met his gaze and asked, “Mr. Xi Zhicai, why did you first use a false name, and now you’ve come here under the pretext of offering advice? This seems to go against the usual conduct of gentlemen.”

Zhi Cai even wrote letters to He Yue with the same style.

How could he claim to be a gentleman?

Hearing Qiao Yan’s indirect remark about his behavior not being straightforward like a gentleman’s, he simply smiled and replied:

“The one offering advice should understand the actions and strategies of those being helped, so that the advice can truly fit the practical benefits and drawbacks.

Moreover, during my one-month stay in Leping, I haven’t peeked into any secrets, stepped on any sensitive grounds, or received any salary.

Although I dare not claim to be a gentleman, I have no intention of offending Marquis Qiao. Please forgive me.”

He spoke the truth.

Even his behavior, as a drunkard who could be penniless as long as there was wine,

This ability to find excuses is indeed a skill that strategists who can turn black into white possess.

And that was enough for him to say.

He didn’t need to continue explaining that he chose to reveal his identity because, despite Qiao Yan only ruling over a county and dealing with the temporary uprising of the Black Mountain Bandits, her adept handling of people’s hearts was truly remarkable to Zhi Cai.

She managed to handle the demands of the Taiyuan Wang family to appease the grievances of the Southern Xiongnu,

The bandits’ need for food, the differences in the actions of the two leaders, and the judgment of how the people of Leping County would fully support her as the county lord.

Her adept management of her subordinates and her high regard for Zhao Yun, an unexpected guest, undoubtedly impressed Zhi Cai, who was observing from the sidelines.

It raised another level.

When the Black Mountain Bandits attacked that night, though it might sound inappropriate to say so, he seemed to see a potential ruler in this young county lord.

The so-called strategists, those from prominent families, could become indispensable talents, as was the case with Wang Yun and Xun Yu.

But for someone like him? It was already quite difficult to find a suitable lord and showcase his talents.

So, his initiative to reveal his identity and offer advice was indeed reasonable.

Qiao Yan’s subsequent behavior further confirmed to him that his judgment of her was correct.

After receiving Zhi Cai’s response, Qiao Yan immediately rose from her seat, walked up to him, and said solemnly, “In that case, Mr. Xizi, what strategy do you propose?”

Her demeanor showed no intention of dwelling on his hidden identity, nor did it imply any disdain for him due to his previous lack of fame.

Zhi Cai replied, “Lord Qiao is astute, and what is needed now is simply a transitional method. Therefore, the strategy I offer is a unique one.”

A unique strategy?

That kind of self-description wasn’t common.

But when Zhi Cai presented his suggestion, even Qiao Yan, who herself liked to employ unconventional methods, had to admit that Zhi Cai’s approach was truly exceptional.

Three days later, the county magistrates of Shangdang, Changshan, and Taiyuan all received a letter from Qiao Yan.

When Qiao Yan first arrived Leping, out of courtesy, she had sent a greeting letter to these three.

At that time, they were quite curious about this “neighbor.”

After all, to be a young county lord, let alone a county lord of ten thousand households, was something truly unimaginable, which undoubtedly gave Qiao Yan enough reason to be proud.

However, upon receiving the letters, the humble attitude revealed in her words undoubtedly relieved them.

She wasn’t an unapproachable genius.

So, when they received Qiao Yan’s letter this time, they just considered it as her usual greetings after a month in Leping.

But the beginning of the letter brought big news!

Qiao Yan stated upfront that, as Leping was a small and vulnerable place, and because she had stockpiled a batch of grain, it had attracted the attention of the Black Mountain Bandits in the Taihang Mountains.

In the face of their attack, she had managed to capture all of them to ensure Leping’s stability.

With that, they need not worry about the Black Mountain Bandits anymore.

Though there were still some bandits were camped somewhere, but both the leaders, Zhang Niujiao and Chu Yan, had already been captured by her.

They were now in chains, and those brought along by them were the elite among the Black Mountain Bandits, so the others were not much of a concern.

The three magistrates were immediately startled.

How long had this County Lord of Leping been here?

Within a time frame not long enough to sway the county’s people or form local armed forces, she had already accomplished such a feat.

Perhaps it should be called a feat; it was truly astonishing.

Moreover, besides the places where the royal troops had passed through, there were still some areas influenced by the Yellow Turbans.

If she reported this to the central authorities, although there was no higher feudal position to reward her, she would definitely receive rewards from Luoyang and commendations from the current emperor.

Just as these three were considering giving more attention to this neighboring lord because of this news, they saw in her subsequent letter —

According to the current strategy for dealing with the Yellow Turbans, although these bandits didn’t respond to Zhang Jiao immediately, they had still formed a considerable force.

The captures bandits either give them the opportunity to redeem themselves with money, or, based on the principle of proximity, send them to Wuyuan County for forced labor.

However, Qiao Yan thought carefully and felt there was a better way to deal with it.

She specifically mentioned that when the Black Mountain Bandits attacked, Zhang Niujiao had the opportunity to kill the clerk guarding the warehouse but only knocked him out, showing some kindness.

— Of course, this was only because Zhang Niujiao felt it was enough to stabilize the situation; there was no genuine kindness there.

Furthermore, after they had all been subdued, before deciding on their final fate, Qiao Yan arranged for them to contribute to the construction of the Qiao Xuan ancestral temple.

These people knew their guilt was not small yet didn’t choose to flee.

— They rebelled to have enough to eat, and now they could eat their fill, so why continue such actions?

Under Qiao Yan’s embellished portrayal, the Black Mountain Bandits suddenly became inherently good people, forced into banditry out of necessity, and there was indeed room for guidance towards goodness.

As these three magistrates read through the letter, they could almost imagine the idealistic thoughts that Qiao Yan was harboring at this moment.

While pondering on how to correct some of the unnecessary thoughts of this promising junior, they continued reading on.

“Will surely become a great menace.”

But there’s still hope, there’s still a way to save this situation.

“Although they have a desire for goodness and are not directly related to Zhang Jiao’s lineage, sending them to border defenses might be a bit excessive.”

It does seem like there could be some validity to that…

“In my humble opinion, it’s better to have them redeem themselves through labor. Within a year, it will surely become a commendable tale.”

“Since arriving in Leping a month ago, I deeply feel that surrounded by mountains, although rich in resources, movement is still restricted.

Instead of that, why not have the Black Mountain Bandits cultivate mountain passages, allowing access to your area?

This would facilitate trade between Leping and your area, creating a win-win situation.”

“…”

If their expressions could be summarized in words, eight or nine out of ten would be saying —

“Stay away!”

On the surface, Qiao Yan’s ideas seemed quite good.

Leping was surrounded by hills and mountains, with the Taihang Mountains to the right.

It was difficult for the Wang family of Jinyang to transport food to her previously.

If she could utilize her current manpower to widen these mountain passages, allowing free movement of carts and horses, wouldn’t that be a mutually beneficial solution?

And having these Black Mountain Bandits work as laborers wouldn’t be treating them lightly either; it would serve as a warning to others.

But that’s just on the surface.

In reality?

In their perception, bandits were bandits.

Qiao Yan had managed to capture them this time because of her superior strategy,

but what if they escaped into the mountains while given the opportunity to build roads there?

What if they fled into the mountains and caused trouble elsewhere, avoiding Leping altogether?