The Yuan family from Runan recommended a candidate for the position of Inspector of Bingzhou.

This seemed quite understandable to Qiao Yan.

Even though it wasn’t yet the time of purging the eunuchs, Dong Zhuo entering the capital, and the chaos in the realm, Yuan Shao had already formed connections in Runan with figures like Xu You and He Yong during the crisis of the party restrictions.

It’s hard to say whether his later statement to Cao Cao about “holding the Yellow River to the south and blocking Yan and Dai to the north, uniting the tribes, and aiming for supremacy” had already taken shape at this time.

Perhaps this was also a view supported by some members of the Yuan family of Runan, who were part of the Four Sages and Three Ducal Ministers.

In the context of aristocratic families’ standard practice of expanding influence in various regions, it wasn’t unusual for them to take initial steps forward.

Even though the phrase “aiming for supremacy” might need a different interpretation at this time, for the current Yuan family, it leaned more towards seeking military security to protect themselves amidst the chaos.

However, overall, it meant something like this.

Earlier, when the system of provincial governors was reinstated, the position of Governor of Jizhou fell to the renowned Han Fu.

Therefore, excluding Jizhou as an option, Bingzhou was relatively suitable as per Yuan Shao’s statement.

Moreover, in an environment where the focus was on “protecting vital interests” rather than “contending for supremacy,” Bingzhou was more suitable than Jizhou.

Based on this, one point also becomes clear.

In the fifth year of Zhongping, Zhang Yi died, and Bingzhou fell into turmoil, with internal invasions by the Xiongnu affecting several commanderies.

In the sixth year of Zhongping, Han Fu, a disciple of the Yuan family, took over as Governor of Jizhou.

He also became the refuge for Yuan Shao after he fled from Luoyang later.

Regardless of the reasons behind it, the final fact seen by Qiao Yan was the close relationship between Zhang Yi, the Inspector of Bingzhou, and the Yuan family of Runan.

Calling this bad news stemmed from Zhang Yi’s behavior after Zhang Liao’s incident.

He didn’t seem like a qualified and powerful Inspector but more like a “disciple” who always looked to Yuan Shao for approval.

Whether the proposal for Zhang Liao to serve in Luoyang stemmed from Yuan Shao’s desire to gather talent or Zhang Yi’s attempt to please the Yuan family—

He acted this way in this matter, and perhaps in other matters in Bingzhou as well.

Since it was Yuan Shao who escorted him to Bingzhou, considering that Yuan Shao officially entered the political stage in Luoyang in the fifth year of Zhongping when Liu Hong established the Western Garden Eight Schools,

March of the second year of Zhongping and the fifth year of Zhongping, he could fully assume the responsibility of guiding Zhang Yi.

In other words, her actions in Bingzhou didn’t require her to compete with Zhang Yi but rather with Yuan Shao!

Yuan Shao, who was just in his thirties, hadn’t yet reached the point of being overly tolerant but inwardly cautious, allowing his advisors to fight among themselves and his sons to compete for succession.

He wasn’t an opponent that was easy to deal with.

Especially when she offended the Yuan family by being enfeoffed as the Marquis of Leping, on her way from Jizhou to Luoyang, she also somewhat neglected Yuan Shao because she tried to mend relations with Bi Lan.

But the good news was—

Yuan Shao couldn’t leave Luoyang temporarily.

Currently stationed in the residence of General-in-Chief He Jin, Yuan Shao advises and strategizes, but this is the extent of his involvement.

By escorting Zhang Yi to this region under the guise of protection, he also gains a rough understanding of the situation in Bingzhou.

However, once communications between Jinyang and Luoyang are necessary, coupled with Yuan Shao’s tendency to delay important decisions, discrepancies may arise.

Unless Zhang Yi possesses foresight, which is clearly impossible.

On the other hand, Qiao Yan now knows of his arrival, giving her room to maneuver.

At this moment, Yuan Shao, leaving Jinyang, regrets not recruiting a brave young officer.

Unbeknownst to him, Qiao Yan points in the distance, asking Wang Yang, whom she invited along, “Do you know who that is?”

Wang Yang, initially curious about Qiao Yan’s slightly unusual expression upon seeing the departing troop, now looks puzzled as she points to a figure with a covered helmet.

“It’s Yuan Shao, Yuan Benchu, son of the Minister Yuan Zhouyang from Runan,” Qiao Yan says calmly. But this news is shocking to Wang Yang.

Seeing Qiao Yan’s expression, he realizes she isn’t lying.

With a simple “Now that I know who he is, I have an idea,” Qiao Yan bids farewell and leaves Wang Yang feeling uneasy.

Meanwhile, Wang Yang sends people to inquire at relay stations ahead about the leader of the troops to confirm if he is truly a Yuan family descendant.

He also ponders how to deal with Yuan Shao if this is indeed him.

Zhang Yi’s stance is crucial to Qiao Yan and the Wang family.

If Zhang Yi truly is a disciple of the Runan Yuan family and now the Inspector of Bingzhou, this is bad news for Wang Yang.

For him, the disadvantages are clearer than Qiao Yan’s situation!

Their relationship with the Tang family is more cooperative than competitive, unlike dealing with this influential outsider family.

However, the interests in Bingzhou are limited.

Unless Zhang Yi can achieve a win-win cooperation like Qiao Yan with the Hero’s Wine and paper armor, he may just be seen as a threat.

In Wang Yang’s previous plans in Jinyang, once Wang Rou secured his position as Protector of the Xiongnu Commandery, his younger brother Wang Ze would transfer from Dai Commandery Prefect to Yumen Prefect, tightening their family’s grip within Bingzhou.

But if Zhang Yi is supported by the Runan Yuan family, the situation will change.

As Inspector, Zhang Yi’s authority to appoint and report officials in Bingzhou could disrupt the Wang family’s calculations when the Yuan family extends its influence.

Moreover, compared to the small territory of Leping, the strategic value of Taiyuan, encompassing Yanmen, Wuyuan, and Xihe commanderies together, is evidently greater.

Qiao Yan might overlook Zhang Yi’s ties to the Yuan family once confirmed, but Wang Yang cannot!

He considers the possibility of joining forces with the Tang family to hinder Zhang Yi.

However, Qiao Yan’s recent actions as Marquis of Leping make her seem more valuable as an ally than the Tangs.

Before anything else, he decides to consult with Wang Rou and Wang Ze.

Glancing in the direction Yuan Shao departed, Wang Yang can’t help but feel a headache coming on.

Fortunately, it’s now spring in Jinyang, and with the harsh winter behind him, he can focus better.

“By having Zhang Liao defect to the provincial government, benefiting from Yuan’s schemes, Qiao Hou gains greatly,” Xi Zhicai remarked. “Zhang Liao shows little favor to Zhang Yi but leans more towards protecting his homeland, feeling gratitude towards Marquis Qiao support, potentially becoming an asset in the future.”

“A strong dragon doesn’t crush local snakes. Yuan Family must face not just Leping but also the local bureaucratic aristocracies like the Wangs of Jinyang and the Tang of Yangqu,” Qiao Yan responded. “This is our second gain.”

She exchanged a glance with Xi Zhicai, both seeing the relief in each other’s eyes and sharing a smile.

Without knowing the background of the other party, they’re somewhat restrained.

Yet, if they knew their backers, no matter how formidable, there might be a chance to chip away at their alliance, which is far more effective than blind guessing.

“In addition, Marquis Qiao can allocate more resources to planning spring planting in Leping, purchasing necessities. Our strength is their disadvantage. This is our third gain,” Xi Zhicai added.

“In that case, Lord Xi, what does Leping lack now, with grain, salt, and clothing already secured?” Qiao Yan asked, looking at Xi Zhicai.

Seeing his gaze fall on a wine shop owned by the Wangs on the side of the street, Qiao Yan couldn’t help but twitch her lips. “Master, don’t think too much. It surely isn’t about wine.”

“No, no, I’m not looking at wine. I’m looking at the pot,” Xi Zhicai chuckled loudly, realizing he may have left the Marquis with too strong an impression of being a wine enthusiast.

But right now, he had no intention of making any such mistake.

He was earnestly giving advice to Qiao Yan.

He continued, “Marquis Qiao mentioned to me that during the August census registration, she plans to integrate three thousand Black Mountain bandits into Leping’s population records. But in my opinion, for them to truly integrate and accept Leping, there needs to be a transformation.”

“Please elaborate.”

Xi Zhicai pointed to a pottery shop next to the wine shop and said, “Marquis Qiao’s first step was to treat the Black Mountain soldiers as regular troops.

It’s reasonable to provide them with meals, especially to survive the harsh winter with its shortage of clothing and food, which is crucial for their survival.”

“But to truly make those integrated into the census feel like Leping residents—from forced labor to loyal followers of Marquis Qiao—

It’s essential to provide them with household essentials:

cooking pots, kettles for cooking, cauldrons for stewing, and jugs for serving wine.

With these tools, they can work and feel a sense of belonging to Leping.”

Xi Zhicai paced slowly with his hands clasped behind his back, lowering his voice. “Of course, having a home also requires knives for cutting firewood. With more settled residents under Marquis. Qiao’s rule, it’s natural to increase such provisions.”

“…Actually, sir, you’re referring to the latter part, aren’t you?” Qiao Yan coughed lightly and also lowered her voice. “I think longer firewood cutting knives would be more practical.

Plus, Leping needs mulberry bark in advance for the winter, and in spring, there’s transplanting and expanding cultivation to consider.

These items are indispensable.

Using the increase in settled population as a reason makes it less suspicious.”

In fact, she had already made a trip to Changzhi in Shangdang on her way back to Leping from Jinyang.

Before leaving Jinyang, Qiao Yan met with Zhang Liao and Zhang Yang again.

As Zhang Liao took up the role of Wumeng Commander, which was quite a prestigious position in Bingzhou, he used the title prepared by his family early on.

“Liao means distant intentions, so he took the characters (Wenyuan) from it.”

“Wu Meng is in charge of Zhang Wenyan, which sounds like he’s both talented in martial arts and literature,”

Qiao Yan sized up the young man’s attire with a hint of admiration in her words.

Seeing Zhang Liao nervously scratching his head, she continued, “Wenyan, you don’t need to feel burdened. As I mentioned before, I’m just providing an opportunity. Whether you can seize it depends on your own abilities.”

“That’s well said,” Zhang Liao knew not everyone could handle the bandit situation, but establishing himself in border affairs was crucial at least four years earlier than planned.

He clasped his hands in front of Qiao Yan, saying, “Though you say this, if there’s anything in the future where Zhang Liao can assist, without harming Bingzhou and Shangguan, I will do it for you.”

That promise was enough.

“I trust Wenyan’s integrity,” Qiao Yan nodded in response.

Turning his head, Zhang Yang had already packed up, looking ready to leave with him.

Earlier, Qiao Yan had heard his decision to follow along to Leping, but to prevent regret, she advised him to delay the decision.

Now, the new provincial governor’s impression of Zhang Liao’s words and comparison with Qiao Yan made Zhang Yang increasingly feel…

That working under him might result in two not-so-bright men harming each other, so it might be better to follow Qiao Yan!

As for future prospects…

“After all, you, Zhang Wenyan, are one of the top military officers within Bingzhou,”

Zhang Yang wrapped an arm around Zhang Liao’s shoulder and said, in a way that conveyed the eagerness to support his brother over thousands of miles.

Then he turned to Qiao Yan and asked, “Marquis Qiao, is this feasible? If you really accept me, I’ll deduct my leave from my salary.”

Qiao Yan couldn’t help but suppress a smile.