If one were to consider their social status, Qiao Yan held the position of County Marquis of Leping, while the Inspector of Bingzhou, Zhang Yi, naturally ranked below her.

But it wasn’t just about these titles.

Her absolute control over Leping County stemmed from her trusted position. However, once Zhang Yi arrived, her autonomy would be significantly curtailed.

Although the power of Han Dynasty inspectors to control military forces only came with the later renaming to governors, compared to the Western Han period, their authority had already expanded significantly.

Two core powers were especially crucial: the selection and appointment of officials, and the right to accuse and impeach.

These powers allowed an inspector, upon assuming office, to recruit many supporters through recommendations to the central government and to eliminate dissenters through accusations and impeachments.

This often led to centralized authority later in their term.

As the central government’s control over the provinces waned, inspectors’ powers grew year by year.

Even in distant provinces like Bingzhou, separated by the Taihang Mountains, although not as far as Youzhou or Qingzhou, they were still areas where interference from the capital was difficult.

If “a scorpion inspects its pincers, take it and it’ll give itself away,” combined with frequent border disputes, it was inevitable that inspectors could easily become local warlords.

Unfortunately, Zhang Yi wasn’t particularly talented as an inspector.

Before him was Duan Qiang, one of the “Three Brights of Liangzhou,” who served with great ferocity as Inspector of Bingzhou.

Following him were successors like Ding Yuan and Dong Zhuo.

Zhang Yi, wedged in between, lacked a notable presence in history.

The only account of him that remains is—

When the Southern Xiongnu leader, Qiang Qu, sent his son, Yufuluo, to lead troops to support Han in suppressing local rebellions in Xihé County, not only did Qiang Qu, the Xiongnu Chanyu, fall victim, but so did this inspector.

Of course, with Qiao Yan joining forces with the Wang family in Jinyang to win over the hearts of the Xiongnu with alcohol, as time moved into the fifth year of Zhongping, whether this internal rebellion of the Southern Xiongnu would occur was still uncertain.

However, it was evident that while Zhang Yi had many capable people at his disposal, he was unable to quell the aspirations of the Xiongnu.

This was unlikely to change now.

Such was his capacity as an inspector. What about internally?

Qiao Yan had no way of knowing.

These newly appointed inspectors were all relatively “young” in terms of their political experiences.

For example, Wang Yun had only recently been recommended as a Deputy Historian of the Three Public Offices and had only risen through the ranks during the suppression of the Yellow Turban Rebellion.

Similarly, Huang Wan, previously implicated and unable to enter officialdom due to political restrictions, was only recommended by Yang Ci last year.

When Qiao Yan listed these names together, it was not difficult to see Liu Hong’s intentions in these appointments.

Chen Wen, Zhang Yi, Wang Yun, and Huang Wan as inspectors were compromises by the emperor to both the aristocracy and scholars.

Huangfu Song and two royal family members serving as governors were consolidations of local power by the emperor—

The premise was that these two royal family members could maintain their loyalty to the Han Dynasty.

As they declared when they vied for these positions with Liu Hong, it was indeed to expedite the Han Dynasty’s pacification of local areas rather than to seize power once in office.

“The Emperor’s intelligence is beyond doubt, but when faced with the people’s hardship, he should have prioritized easing their burdens rather than balancing power…” Cheng Li, whom Qiao Yan had specially invited to inquire about Zhang Yi’s attitude, saw the young County Marquis standing by the window, contemplating deeply on her half-visible profile.

“This is not the way to save the country.”

Cheng Li had long known that Qiao Yan was not an ordinary person.

Otherwise, he would not have followed her to Leping and taken up an important position in Leping.

However, hearing her bold judgment now still startled him.

Qiao Yan had not mentioned such words in the earlier meeting where everyone was assigned their tasks.

It was only in their private discussions that such dangerous and sensitive topics were touched upon, making Cheng Li feel Qiao Yan’s respect and trust in him.

This trust undoubtedly made him more determined not to change his decision to stay here and assist her in governing Leping.

Of course, what might have further convinced him of this decision was perhaps her faint ambition subtly expressed in her words.

But such matters were clear enough between them and didn’t need to be explicitly stated during their conversations.

He simply said, “Marquis, you previously mentioned the harm of the governor system to the Han Dynasty in Luoyang. The emperor has already had a plan for the governors for a long time, and now it’s just a matter of timing.”

“I understand, but I can’t help but lament the addition of new chaos at such a time of upheaval.”

Qiao Yan changed the subject, “Anyway, whether as governors or inspectors, it’s not something we can meddle in.

Let’s talk about the new inspector instead. Zhongde, what do you think? Will the new inspector’s arrival affect our operations in Leping?”

Cheng Li had already pondered this matter in the hall and replied without hesitation, “Regardless of who Zhang Yi is, one thing won’t change: at least for the next year, he won’t extend his hand to Leping.”

“The inspector’s authority to investigate and impeach can only be maximized when the accused has no power to reach the imperial court.

After all, Marquis Qiao has just made a tribute to the capital, and my position as Leping relies on Marquis Qiao’s recommendations. Our interests are intertwined. As for what happens afterwards—”

Cheng Li’s cautious words and demeanor were enough to reassure people. “We have a year to observe his words and actions.

With the alliance between the Jinyang government of the two major aristocratic families and Leping, there are still allies to rely on. Within a year, Marquis, there’s no need to worry.”

Qiao Yan replied, “Then Zhongde, you’ll have to put in extra effort.”

For an advisor, what kind of effort was this?

Moreover, compared to the newly appointed inspector Zhang Yi, the prevention of internal security in Leping County due to the severe epidemic outside the five provinces was more important.

The great epidemic is no laughing matter.

Fortunately, in this era, there isn’t much travel or tourism, especially in a small place like Leping, nestled in the mountains.

It can be considered relatively isolated.

In addition, due to Qiao Yan’s directive to the county residents for cleaning and organizing tasks assigned in December, with the promise that the first 2,000 households completing it would receive two catties of salt from the county government, this additional preventive measure was not too difficult to implement.

The effects of cleaning up the environment within the county town were not lost on them.

But Xi Zhicai had some bad luck.

Despite getting food supplements from Qiao Yan for several months, his constitution couldn’t withstand it.

At the end of the first month, he fell ill with a cold due to a slight relaxation, becoming the first subject of the isolation regulations announced by Qiao Yan that month.

Originally, he had two days of drinking within six days, but she didn’t hesitate to take it all away.

As he sipped on the sweet potato rib soup brought in through the window, Xi Zhicai wrote a letter to his friends, ignoring the “bleak” life of not tasting alcohol for a month with a rather cheap and boastful attitude.

But he was only suffering from a cold, not the great epidemic.

After confirming that he was lively and well, he was released.

But before he could think about drinking again, Qiao Yan informed him of some shocking news.

On the 12th day of the second month of the second year of Zhongping (CE 189), a great fire broke out in Nangong, Luoyang, and it took half a month to completely extinguish it.

The most severely damaged in this fire was the Jade Hall where Liu Hong resided.

But perhaps because years of disasters had already made the emperor somewhat numb, or perhaps because of various astronomical discoveries at the end of the Han Dynasty, even without Qiao Yan’s debate at that time, it made him less concerned about the theory of heavenly and human connections.

In any case, this fire did not awaken any vigilance in his heart.

Instead, after the fire was brought under control, he made a decision.

To increase taxes on all fields.

Previously, the land taxes were already harsh for the people.

Who would have expected that, in the midst of the epidemic in the first month, when it had not yet been completely resolved,

Liu Hong would use the pretext of the Jade Hall being destroyed by fire to levy taxes on the fields and collect wealth.

Qiao Yan could guess the intention behind his decision.

After appointing relatives as provincial governors and scholars as regional inspectors, the next step was to employ his own people.

Eunuchs could not stand firm in court, so her gaze turned to Hongdu Gate Academy.

However, educating scholars required money, which Liu Hong clearly lacked.

Yet this equivalent of exploiting the hardship of the people was so blatant that even Qiao Yan found it hard to praise his “intelligence” this time…

This taxation of fields and acres was indeed a heavy burden, but there were only two places that managed to avoid it.

One was Qiao Yan’s Leping, where she arrived and exempted the land tax due to its own decision, so it naturally wouldn’t change because of the imposed levy.

The other was Ji Province, under the rule of Huangfu Song, who had taken over a year before indeed,

…

This morning, as he counted his wages, Zhang Niujiao found nearly two hundred wuzhu coins.

Although he hadn’t received any extra rewards like those who improved their paper armor or those diligent in production with superior results, it still amounted to accumulated wealth.

Seeing their conduct improve to that of good citizens, she planned to decide their fate come August.

For those who met the standards to become residents of Leping County, not only could they stay but they would also be paid market rates henceforth.

However, there were only three thousand slots available.

Zhang Niujiao thought to himself that he had stayed here solely to learn the planting methods of sweet potatoes.

By August, he figured he would have learned enough, so perhaps he didn’t need to compete for one of those slots.

But his instincts acted quicker than his thoughts.

When he saw the people around him listening to the instructions and starting to plant the sweet potato tubers, he immediately feared that he might fall behind the three thousand.

So, he quickly got to work.

At this moment, his martial skills and strong physique came in handy.

Thinking like this, he felt satisfied when he tasted today’s meal, which surprisingly included two pieces of meat.

Although Qin Yu explained that this special treatment was due to starting the planting today, she also mentioned that from today onwards, the most orderly and efficient five people per hundred would continue to receive meat rewards.

The thin slice of meat had little fat, but after eating tree bark for a while, this treat was indeed a delight.

Today, Zhang Niujiao observed his “competitors” among the hundred people.

There were few who could match his physical strength and efficiency.

With this comparison in mind, he felt even more motivated.

After finishing his meal, he burped contentedly and then met the somewhat indescribable expression on Chu Yan’s face.

“Brother, what are you doing here?” Zhang Niujiao asked somewhat nervously.

“The bamboo baskets are ready, and Lady Qiao mentioned that the sweet potato trellises are also complete, so naturally I should be here,” Chu Yan replied.

Before Zhang Niujiao could come up with an excuse for himself, he heard Chu Yan ask, “General, do you intend to just leave it at this?”

Zhang Niujiao was almost startled out of his skin.

He quickly gestured for Chu Yan to be quiet, placing a finger to his lips. “We shouldn’t speak so loudly now. I still hope to become a village leader.”

As soon as he said this, he realized he had spoken his mind.

But since it was out there, he felt a sense of relief. “Brother, don’t we just want a life like this in Leping, without aiming for titles or power like emperors? I don’t think I’m betraying our brothers, and I feel…”

He glanced around.

To be honest, everyone seemed to have changed sides faster than him.

Except for his stubbornness.

Or maybe not, considering Chu Yan was here.

Chu Yan had been uneasy about attacking Leping earlier.

That remark just now, “Are you just going to leave it at this?” sounded to Zhang Niujiao like he had been silent for too long and had been thinking of leading a team of men against Qiao Yan.

Sure enough, the next moment he heard Chu Yan say, “I don’t intend to leave it at this.”

“…” What could he get for reporting this little man?

“I want to strive for a position in the county,” Chu Yan said, a statement that made Zhang Niujiao hold back his desire to act.

“The last time I passed through, I heard that they were teaching new promoted officers literacy. They were reading about Duke Kang making wine, Cang Jie creating characters, and the wise counselors of the Shu and Wei states, and the political principles of Bian Shao,” he said, seemingly unaware of the other’s wondrous expression, and continued, “I think I can, why can’t I try it?”

Zhao Yun, who captured him, was not yet the official county constable at that time. However, because Lord Qiao was short of people and needed help, Zhao Yun decided to stay in Leping after ensuring the safety of the people in Changshan County. He officially took up the position of county constable in Leping.

Though still young and not yet of age, since he started working, he was given a courtesy name, Zi Long, by the elders in his family upon his return from Changshan.

Chu Yan, harboring a competitive spirit, did not want to just remain a simple village leader like Zhang Niujiao.

Of course, before he could recommend himself, he had to wait for Qiao Yan to return.

In March, during the planting of yams, Qiao Yan saw that Qin Yu had managed the farming tasks well. The planting of yam cuttings was progressing smoothly, which eased his worries about transitioning yams from wild to cultivated plants.

Also, due to Zhang Yi’s previous official handover, when he received his appointment order in January, he officially took office in March. It was at this time that Qiao Yan arrived, planning to personally meet the inspector and evaluate him.

So, Qiao Yan was not in Leping County at this time but in Jinyang.”