When the current emperor issued the decree, he never imagined that Qiao Yan, who was regarded as the future pillar of the Han Dynasty and capable of inheriting the position of Duke Qiao, would turn out to be a woman.

Has there ever been a female marquis in the Han Dynasty?

Yes.

Xi Juan, one of the eighteen marquises and a founding hero of the Western Han Dynasty, died in battle.

In the sixth year of Emperor Gaozu’s reign, because Xi Juan had no son, his mother Di Shi was granted as the Marquis of Lu to demonstrate the filial piety of the Han Dynasty.

Four years after Xiao He’s death, his son Xiao Lu died.

At that time, Empress Dowager Lu was in power.

To demonstrate the legitimacy of a mother inheriting her son’s title, Xiao He’s wife was granted as the Marquis of Zeng.

Later, his sister, Lu Xu, was granted as the Marquis of Línguāng.

In addition, the great diviner Xu Fu asserted that Emperor Gaozu had the potential to be an exceptional minister.

After Emperor Gaozu ascended the throne, Xu Fu was granted as the Marquis of Míngcíting.

Also, the wife of Emperor Gaozu’s elder brother was granted as the Marquis of Yīn’ān.

However, during the suppression of the Lu Clan Rebellion, the Marquis of Línguāng was beaten to death.

When Emperor Xiaowen ascended the throne, Xiao He’s wife was stripped of her marquis title, and Xiao He’s young son, Xiao Yan, was granted as the Marquis of Zeng.

In these changes of reign over several generations of the Han Dynasty, there has never been a case of a woman being decreed as a marquis.

Although many emperors of the Han Dynasty ascended the throne at a young age, and the empress dowagers ruled in their place, taking the Eastern Han Dynasty as an example—

After Empress Dowager He Xí died, the He clan was immediately purged, and the current emperor, who succeeded the throne, was more than willing to overstep boundaries, placing her under house arrest until her death.

It is clear that even though an empress dowager held high position and had the power to enthrone an emperor, this does not prove that the Han Dynasty could produce a sixth female marquis.

Therefore, Zhang Rang knew at first sight when he saw Qiao Yan that the decree in his hand could never be read out loud!

No matter how one might justify it by saying that the emperor had already issued the decree, reading the decree would only be a matter of following the current.

This was not something that could be done!

If Liu Hong were to change his mind drastically after learning Qiao Yan’s gender, then Zhang Rang would become a sinner!

He had been walking on thin ice recently, trying to figure out the emperor’s intentions.

How could he bear such responsibility?

In the midst of these tangled thoughts, he couldn’t help but look at Huangfu Song with a hint of resentment.

On the way here, and even when he learned of the victory here after entering the military camp, Zhang Rang felt that Huangfu Song was indeed a blessing for the Han Dynasty, and even more so his savior.

But now, he was left with only one thought—

Huangfu Song, you’ve caused great harm!

For Zhang Rang, hiding the imperial decree at this moment was a crime, and so was reading it aloud.

He could only choose the lesser of two evils, but what about Huangfu Song?

Even if Yanzhou didn’t count as his military merit, the credit for breaking the rebellion in two provinces was undeniable.

Liu Hong simply couldn’t convict him, especially since he had only acted in a conventional manner and had not mentioned a word about the grandson of Qiao Gongzu when writing the decree.

It’s just Qiao Yan’s gender.

Zhang Rang felt that he had a good understanding of Liu Hong’s mindset.

He realized that Huangfu Song’s oversight at this moment actually gave Liu Hong an opportunity to settle scores in the future, and Liu Hong would not be unhappy with his actions.

How could an emperor be unhappy with a general who had given him a handle?

He was so happy he could hardly contain it.

“Minister Zhang, you’ve traveled a long way. Did the journey make you uncomfortable?” Lu Zhi asked, immediately pulling Zhang Rang out of his contemplation.

He suddenly realized that his behavior since entering the tent had been unusually abnormal.

Especially the expression he had been trying hard to suppress, which seemed like there was something unusual going on.

To avoid being suspected, Zhang Rang quickly put on a smile, pretending there was no such thing as the decree of enfeoffment.

“I encountered no trouble on the road. The bandits retreated at the sight of the army’s banners. It must be the credit of the two generals. How could I dare to feel unwell?”

With things on his mind, Zhang Rang couldn’t help but restrain his usual domineering manner in Luoyang.

Even the little eunuch, Zuo Feng, who followed him, felt a bit surprised.

But at this moment, it was obvious that he had no place to interrupt the conversation.

He could only mutter to himself in his heart.

If he were in Zhang Rang’s position, he would definitely have to give these generals some benefits for their successful siege.

After all, officials in the court these days dared not offend these close attendants of the emperor who had a say in the emperor’s daily life.

Unfortunately, Zhang Rang was frightened by the accusation…

But then he heard Zhang Rang say, “This time His Majesty has ordered us to come and reward the troops, so I dare not claim to be ill.”

Zuo Feng couldn’t help but feel surprised.

Reward the troops? Not issue an imperial decree?

He and Chunyu Qiong exchanged glances, both seeing the astonishment in each other’s eyes.

Zhang Rang came with the decree of enfeoffment, which they both knew.

They had even heard Zhang Rang mention it many times on the way here.

This time, there might be a big gain.

Chunyu Qiong vaguely knew some unusual news about the decree.

When he saw a young girl in the military tent, he remembered what the Minister of Works had said before leaving Luoyang, and he had some guesses in his mind.

He was just surprised that Zhang Rang chose not to mention the existence of the decree, even though it was a matter of receiving imperial orders.

Zuo Feng, on the other hand, was thinking—

Minister Zhang’s appetite is too big!

In recent years, the practice of officials paying money before taking office has made Zuo Feng develop a fixed view.

He didn’t know what was in the imperial decree…

Regarding Qiao Yan’s appointment, all the way, he listened to Zhang Rang’s praise of Huangfu Song’s military achievements, how could he know the key points.

He only thought that Zhang Rang was planning to get enough benefits from Huangfu Song before revealing the imperial decree!

Thinking about it, this seems to be somewhat feasible.

It is indeed easier to avoid leaving a handle than to come up and give orders.

Thinking of this, Zuo Feng looked at Zhang Rang with a few more respectful eyes.

The three of them had their own thoughts, but Lu Zhi didn’t think so much.

He asked suspiciously, “The emperor sent you to reward the troops, but you didn’t bring anything?”

“…” Zhang Rang realized that he had said the wrong thing.

He intended to say that he was overseeing the military situation, but seeing the astonishing progress of these two generals in suppressing the Yellow Turbans, he subconsciously did not dare to take credit for himself, so the words that came out of his mouth became about rewarding the troops.

But as Lu Zhi said, if it was to reward the troops, how could he not bring anything?

This is too ridiculous.

But Zhang Rang, known for his flattery and good words, did not show any clues on his face when someone caught his mistake.

He only said, “His Majesty did not expect the two generals to defeat Zhang Jiao so quickly.

It is probably because he thought that we would have few opportunities to face the enemy head-on. If the rewards sent are taken by the Yellow Turbans, it would be detrimental to morale.”

Zhang Rang bowed to the two of them and said, “I am here to convey a message from His Majesty. The two generals have pacified the Yellow Turbans, and there will be rewards of marquis titles.

Please be sure to sweep away the Yellow Turban bandits and do not leave any future troubles, lest you disappoint His Majesty.”

Huangfu Song has never had a good attitude towards eunuchs.

Even though Zhang Rang behaved humbly at the moment, he did not show much good attitude towards him.

Lu Zhi came forward to round things off, saying, “The envoy has traveled a long way and must be tired. Why not go down first and rest? I am discussing the matter of suppressing the Yellow Turbans with Yizhen and will not overlook anything.”

“Very well.” Zhang Rang, seeing that he had fooled them, couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.

However, he did not notice that Qiao Yan’s gaze had never left him, this envoy from Luoyang.

After observing his changes in mood, she lowered her eyes, revealing a pensive look.

After returning to her own tent, she said to the system, “He did not finish his sentence.”

“I don’t know what General Huang’s military report contains, but based on the rewards given during the reigns of Emperors Huan and Ling, a general who has meritorious deeds will not only receive verbal praise from three people.”

“Are you saying he is hiding something? But what benefit would that be for him?” the system asked.

With Huang Fusong’s decisive character, someone wouldn’t want to cheat him.

“I don’t know, but I have a strange intuition. If I don’t figure it out soon, there might be regrets,” Qiao Yan replied.

“But how can you inquire about information from Zhang Rang, relying on your conversation with Huangfu Song and Lu Zhi, as well as your contributions in suppressing the Yellow Turbans, and their acquaintanceship with Qiao Xuan?”

“Who told you I was going to start with Zhang Rang?” After some calculations in her mind, Qiao Yan had an idea. “Since Zhang Rang did not fully disclose his intentions, no matter how I probe, I won’t be able to get results. It might be more effective to approach the escort, who might be able to extract some information.”

“You mean… Chunyu Qiong?”

Qiao Yan replied confidently, “Exactly, it’s Chunyu Qiong! And he happens to be here, the most suitable person to inquire about information.”