The Left Valley King of the Southern Xiongnu—

He had long since disposed of the head of that Xiu Tu King!

At the sight of that unyielding face, Guo Jia couldn’t help but recall their previous failed schemes and the day Qiao Yan had pointed a spear at him.

He wondered why he still kept this reminder.

Little did he expect that within just three months, they would face a task executed by a provocatively intimidating figure.

Currently, his greater concern was the winter food supply.

The Southern Xiongnu settled in Meiji City had gradually learned farming, which was their main source of rice and grain.

However, if Meiji City were located in modern times, it would be near Narin Town in Jungar Banner, more suited for grazing than cultivation.

After delivering that batch, the Right Wing, under Han command, suffered minimal losses, but the Southern Tribe clearly didn’t have enough grain reserves unless they were willing to trade with horse hides and fur.

The Southern Xiutu King had considered raiding to fill the gap, but Qiao Yan’s previous display of power, where she piled 3,000 Xianbei heads in the square, was still vivid in his memory.

It made him reluctant to make rash moves for now.

Especially after learning that shortly after Qiao Yan went to the capital to plead guilty, barely two days later, he received news from the Protector of the Xiongnu (Wang), who had been specially appointed to promote him.

The bastard not only escaped punishment but also became the Governor of Bingzhou, with his troops even preparing for an expansion.

“What about my grain?” Southern Xiutu King sighed in frustration.

To be honest, Qiao Yan is quite concerned about food supplies.

Therefore, when assigning the position to the subordinate Cao in her discussion with Qin Yu, she specifically reminded her again to thoroughly inspect the financial and material stocks in each county, and not allow any fraudulent practices.

While others might not know, how could she not?

Once there’s trouble in Luoyang, regardless of whether history changes because of her existence, or whether Liu Bian or Liu Xie inherits the throne—

With the decline of the Han dynasty and chaos spreading throughout the land, it’s almost an unstoppable trend.

Therefore, Bingzhou (Northern China) will inevitably be on alert within two years.

By that time, the grain stocks in various counties within the province must be gathered centrally for allocation.

Hence, starting from now, it is crucial to ensure accurate registration and records.

Qin Yu naturally understands the importance of this and replied, “Lord Qiao, rest assured, I understand the critical nature of this. Earlier, you instructed me to oversee agricultural affairs in Leping and manage the registration of farmland cultivation.

I have gathered a group of people for this task, so there should be no mistakes.

Lord Qiao, this time you brought back those abacus instruments from Luoyang, and I find them very useful.”

“I think, this time we shouldn’t just check grain stocks. We can also send out provincial assistants to inspect tax revenues, warehouse storage, and financial expenditures in each county.”

Her decisive and swift words impressed Qiao Yan more and more as she watched her actions.

Observing her words and deeds, there was no apprehension about being promoted to a high position under her guidance.

Perhaps it was her, the marquis, who set a good example, allowing these subordinates to display their talents without fear in front of others.

Qiao Yan thought for a moment, then suddenly smiled and said, “If we send out the provincial assistants as you suggested, it would be you and your son working together.'”

This also became a kind of legend within Bingzhou.

Perhaps with the governor and officials setting out on this mission, it could indeed set a trend.

Qin Yu saw Qiao Yan smiling with her chin resting on her hand, a hint of relaxation in her expression, and couldn’t help but smile in return.

After she left, Qiao Yan proceeded to arrange positions such as the Intendant of Yanmen Commandery, the Commandant of Menting, and the Supervisor of her own tent.

Cui Lie had mentioned the need to pack up, but these appointments wouldn’t hinder his actions.

Dian Wei was quite satisfied with his promotion, as he only needed to ensure Qiao Yan’s safety.

Of course, Chu Yan was even more satisfied with his position.

The position of Commandant of Menting might not sound as impressive as being an Intendant like Wumeng, but it was precisely the kind of role that could best utilize his strengths.

What pleased Chu Yan even more was that Qiao Yan clearly didn’t mind him having such a geographical advantage.

“With such official positions now available for him to recruit subordinates, it was highly likely that he could build up a force in the mountains exclusively under his command.

Just as he hadn’t minded back then, allowing him to take those hard-to-store yams to the Central Plains in exchange for grain, and then bringing back refugees to Leping.

Even though he had been in Leping for three years now and felt a sense of belonging to the place, this level of trust still felt somewhat burdensome.

Therefore, he had to guard this gateway for Marquis Qiao with his life and not allow anyone to trespass without permission!

Speaking of which, it wasn’t just Chu Yan who felt that Qiao Yan’s appointments were generous.

There was also Xu Huang.

Chu Yan used to be a bandit, and so did Xu Huang.

But now?

The Black Mountain bandits had completely integrated into the soldiers under Qiao Yan’s command.

While the Hedong bandits still carried the stigma of being captives, they were not far from shedding this identity.

Xu Huang had taken a step ahead, receiving an official position and even becoming a recipient of imperial salary.

Just four months ago, he was still a leader patrolling the mountains, and Xu Huang felt an indescribable sense of displacement.

He heard Qiao Yan slowly asking at this moment, “Are you adapting well down the mountain?”

Her words didn’t sound like she was asking about a defeated mountain bandit, but more like inquiring about a friend.

Xu Huang quickly replied, “Of course, I am adapting well. Thank you for your concern, Marquis.”

Qiao Yan continued, “That’s good. Once you’ve settled in a bit more, I will assign a team to you. Your skill in constructing defenses in the White Wave Valley is excellent, so—”

“Do you dare to use the Outer Great Wall above Yinshan Mountains as a foothold to establish a defensive line?”

Xu Huang’s eyes widened.

Over the years, with the Han Dynasty struggling to maintain its borders, the defenses of the Outer Great Wall had long been considered ineffective.

Even the defenses of the Inner Great Wall were often breached by barbarians.

He never expected to hear such ambition and grandeur from Qiao Yan.

But how inspiring her words were!

Being a leader in the mountains, whether as a bandit in Taihang Mountains or defending the border above Yinshan Mountains, was a world of difference.

With sufficient supplies and troops, and with the prestigious position of Guanlu Si as a settlement, at least in Xu Huang’s view, this was an excellent opportunity.

Suppressing his boiling emotions, he asked, “But if what Marquis Qiao said is true, won’t the pressure on the Bingzhou border defense be too great?”

Qiao Yan waved her hand, “That’s exactly the result I want.”

At least for now, it’s the most appropriate outcome for people to know.

She spoke with certainty, and Xu Huang figured she must have her own calculations, so he didn’t press further.

Seeing her rise from the couch, it seemed their conversation had come to an end.

Sensing her intention to leave, Xu Huang handed her the cloak that she had set aside.

Qiao Yan took it, saying, “Let’s go. Now that you’re already an Intendant under my command, you should prioritize my safety.”

Xu Huang asked, “Marquis Qiao, where are you headed?”

Qiao Yan replied, ‘I’m going back to Leping to meet someone.’

Cui Lie had suggested she stay for two days, and although the accommodations in the provincial office were adequate, she calculated that the confrontation between Lu Bu and Zhang Liao would begin in three days.

There wasn’t much for her to do here at the moment, and staying away from Jinyang temporarily would help her avoid the peak of the first round of visits.

She would wait for Lu Yuan to produce a charter before receiving him.

Leaving now seemed more appropriate.

When she mentioned meeting someone, it wasn’t Cai Yong she was referring to, but someone else.

She left Jinyang for Leping, and halfway there, it began to snow.

Perhaps because she had refined her riding skills, or maybe because she had traveled this road many times before, the slippery mountain path didn’t hinder her as she rode cautiously.

Even after opening her umbrella, she looked with interest at the misty white mountains.

Upon crossing the Bei Mountain into Yueping’s territory, she slowed her pace.

Around her, she saw winter wheat already sprouting in the surrounding fields, now in the stage of tillering.”

“It’s fortunate that this winter isn’t as cold as the previous two years, greatly increasing the survival rate of the winter wheat.

Qiao Yan confirmed this and quickened her pace.

By now, Dian Wei, who was also following closely beside her, had already guessed where she was headed.

Indeed, she didn’t enter the county town of Leping but headed straight for Qiao Xuan’s ancestral temple.

When they were still some distance from the temple, she dismounted and adjusted her cloak before proceeding forward.

When Dian Wei finished tying up his horse and caught up, he saw that Qiao Yan hadn’t entered the temple.

Instead, she stood staring at the inscription in front of her, gently brushing away a patch of snow that had settled on the stone tablet.

Where her fingertip touched, revealing the characters below—written as:

“Marvelous and exceptional achievements ahead.”