This describes Qiao Xuan in his prime.

He read extensively in classical texts and knew everything remarkable that came before him.

But there’s another way to interpret this.

Remarkable texts can be considered exceptional in their time, but what about remarkable people?

Qiao Xuan often promoted and recognized talented individuals of his era, knowing nearly everyone exceptional, hence gaining great respect.

Is what she’s doing now another form of “brilliance ahead, nothing unknown”?

From Leping to Bingzhou, her steps can be seen as gathering exceptional talents, stars shining brightly.

Seeing Qiao Xuan’s inscription today reminds her never to forget to use everyone’s talents.

Previously, she relied on her knowledge of history.

But when Bingzhou’s territory prevented the joint invasion of the Northern Xiongnu’s Xiu Tu tribes and Southern Xiongnu’s Xiu Tu tribes.

Protected the Yanmen Pass from the Foreign Tribes, many talented and courageous individuals survived due to her choices.

Attaining the position of provincial governor doesn’t mean she can relax completely—it’s just the beginning.

Thinking of this, she clears the remaining part of the stele inscription from the thin covering of snow.

Oh, Qiao Xuan…

Though not truly his granddaughter, she inherited his political legacy and often used him as a guide for her actions, aiming to achieve and even surpass his accomplishments.

As snow quietly covered the inscription and fell upon her hair and shoulders, Qiao Yan chose not to clear it this time, but turned away.

“Why not pay respects to Lord Qiao?” Dian Wei, puzzled by her refusal to enter, asked.

Qiao Yan replied, “Visiting in the snow, my thoughts have reached him; my footprints have already arrived. Why disturb his rest?”

Dian Wei, not understanding these scholarly ways, was as puzzled as when Qiao Yan visited Cai Yong, seemingly to pay respects, yet Cai Yong’s expression was serious.

As a commander, he didn’t need to understand such things.

Seeing Qiao Yan dismiss others, he and Xu Huang stood guard outside.

Inside, only Cai Yong and Qiao Yan remained.

In this season of heavy snow, Cai Yong’s home naturally had warm kang beds, fueled by coal and firewood, dispelling the cold.

Before them, a red clay stove simmered with boiling soup, releasing fragrant steam mixed with ginger tea.

Seeing Qiao Yan silent, Cai Yong spoke first, “Previously as the Marquis of Leping, you educated the county’s people during your leisure time, without objections.

In Leping, only distant branches of noble families remain, especially the Jin clan of Jinyang, closely associated with you.

However, expanding from a county to a whole province changes things.”

Cai Yong’s political insight was indeed remarkable.

But being highly learned, he knew a fundamental truth—talented individuals like Zheng Xuan, who once studied under Ma Rong, faced similar challenges.

While Cai Yong lacked noble family support, his ancestors had held official positions for six generations.

For Qiao Yan to uphold egalitarian education, it would inevitably affect the interests of the aristocratic families in Bingzhou!

If she aimed to reform scholarly pursuits, expanding the Leping Academy to encompass all of Bingzhou wasn’t as simple as proclaiming “I am the Governor of Bingzhou.”

But after he said this, Qiao Yan calmly took down the tea pot and filled the bamboo tube in front of him.

Holding the bamboo tube to warm himself with the ginger soup inside, she replied, “Master Bojie’s(Nickname of Cai Yong) concerns are not unreasonable. However, this place is Bingzhou, not Xuzhou or Yanzhou.”

“When the Hedong bandits invaded, even the Hedong’s Wei Family had to seek my help to ensure the safety of their families. What about the families of Bingzhou?”

Qiao Yan took a sip of ginger tea and continued, “Master, having lived in Leping for a long time, you may not be aware of the rising power of the leaders and the Budugen faction among the Foreign tribes, who are now eyeing Bingzhou.

Even those like the Jinyang Wang clan, who have sons serving in military positions in Bingzhou, dare not guarantee their safety under the Foreign’s cavalry.

What is needed now is the protection brought by me, the governor of Bingzhou, rather than opposition. Let me handle this matter.”

“I probably haven’t shown myself to be so approachable on ordinary days.”

The military deterrence brought by the expeditionary attack on the Xiu Tu Tribes did not only affect the restless Southern Xiongnu, but also the families within Bingzhou.

Now that she holds the power of the governor, she can convey these thoughts of hers, which are not benevolent, even further.

As she said, this iron-blooded style wouldn’t work in places like Xuzhou or Yanzhou, where the power of the gentry is deeply rooted.

If they were to counterattack against her, it would certainly be difficult.

But in Bingzhou, it might not be the case.

This place… it’s not just the clans who need to guard against the threats of the northern barbarians, but also many migrating and refuge-seeking clans.

Are they really aiming to rise through this, or are they intent on eradicating even this branch at the hands of the barbarians?

Under the weight of this decision, Qiao Yan’s actions seemed only natural.

Moreover, this was a necessary action.

Just as she mentioned not being so approachable, she sighed while holding the tea, “Master Bojie, without this, I would have no one capable.”

Cai Yong couldn’t help but feel that she wasn’t as pitiful as she made herself sound.

But considering her young age and lack of family support, saying “I would have no one capable” could be understood from a certain perspective.

Before he could speak, Qiao Yan continued, “Furthermore, under my command, besides the Black Mountain bandits, we now also face the Hedong bandits.

The reputation in Bingzhou is such that many local leaders are mistakenly seen by the Central Plains people as fierce bandits.

If there were an educational institution in Bingzhou, the people of Bingzhou could later say, when they travel to the Central Plains, that they studied under someone, rather than coming from a place of banditry.”

“In Master Bojie’s view, wouldn’t eliminating prejudice and contradictions be considered a good deed?”

Cai Yong poured himself a cup of tea as well.

In Qiao Yan’s eyes, he seemed somewhat frustrated and exasperated. “You’ve said everything already, what more can I say?”

With a touch of emotion, he added, “How did Qiao Gong end up with such a clever-tongued successor like you!”

“Compared to Master Bojie’s divine writing skills, I’m just good at arguing,” Qiao Yan replied innocently.

Cai Yong sensed there was more to her words but decided to say, “Bring me the recruitment documents for the educational officials.”

If what she said was true, in the unique leveraging environment of Bingzhou, this move was indeed not as risky as he imagined.

Besides, living comfortably in Leping for three years was much more enjoyable than staying with the Taishan Yang clan where her eldest daughter was married to.

With paper and ink available, and fine food and beautiful scenery to enjoy, and seeing Zhou Ji grow day by day under Qiao Yan’s guidance…

Considering all this, he owed her a debt of gratitude.

Accepting the position of educational official wasn’t entirely out of the question.

However—

“How do you plan to recruit students in the province?”

“If we simply announce that anyone can come, with the teaching staff of Leping Academy, we won’t be able to accommodate so many students,” Cai Yong thought about the terrifying prospect of being surrounded on all sides, feeling an urge to escape.

But at this moment, he and a certain false lieutenant recruited by Qiao Yan had a unified idea: running away probably wasn’t an option.

Fortunately, unlike Jia Xu, he had one more retreat—he could go to Qiao Xuan’s ancestral temple to cry for help!

Unaware that Cai Yong was currently contemplating escape routes, Qiao Yan replied, “Let me first meet with the elders of the prominent families in Bingzhou. We need to establish a set of regulations; we can’t burden Master Bojie alone.”

This sounded like a personal matter.