Qiao Yan and Cheng Li rode on horseback in the outskirts, hardly seeing any signs of human activity.

This wasn’t particularly surprising.

Qiao Yan studied history and had some understanding of population history; ancient population densities weren’t as high.

In the year 140 AD, forty years before the Yellow Turban Rebellion, the population density in Julu Commandery was only 72 people per square kilometer.

A very low figure.

Of course, if the hidden population in the strongholds of the powerful clans were taken into account, the number would be higher, but still limited.

If not for this, Qiao Yan wouldn’t have thought that the hundred thousand Yellow Turbans in Julu were a significant population resource.

Even though some of these people would be convicted for arson, murder, and robbery, some would starve to death due to lack of food, and some would seek refuge with the newly emerged powerful factions again, it was still better than dying directly for following the Yellow Turbans.

“In your opinion, what measures will the court take regarding Jizhou?” Cheng Li asked, following up on his discussion with Qiao Yan and Zhang Jiao yesterday.

It was only in this conversation that Cheng Li learned that Qiao Yan had not mentioned during his debate with Zhang Jiao that a considerable portion of the Taiping Classic actually advocated for imperial rule.

With the Taiping Classic being designated as a banned and seditious text by the court, and later with the rise of the Taiping Dao, if it weren’t for someone deeply understanding the essence of the Taiping Classic, no one would have paid attention to this point.

The fact that Zhang Jiao led an uprising based on this, made it difficult for Cheng Li not to conclude that it was a move born out of desperation.

However, the hasty and disorderly consequences of the uprising had already been determined, and the result of being annihilated by the Han Dynasty’s army was inevitable.

For Zhang Jiao, the only thing he could do was to realize that his followers’ lives were determined by his victory or defeat, abandon his insistence on the Taiping Classic, and when Qiao Yan came knocking again, hand over the written letter of apology.

ask her to hand it over to Huangfu Song to be posted in various places in the prefectures and counties.

As Cheng Li watched this scene, he couldn’t help but recall what Qiao Yan had said when he invited him to visit Jizhou earlier, about listening to the words of the Yellow Turbans.

Compared to their previous conversation with Zhang Liang, now was the true “listening.”

And now, the two of them, accompanied by a few followers, were traveling through Julu Commandery, which could also be considered another form of “listening.”

Qiao Yan spoke after a while: “Some powerful forces in various regions, after surviving the rebellions, may not recognize the consequences of their past actions.

Instead, they are likely to expand their influence further. For instance, the Tian and Xue families, despite their contributions to pacifying the rebellion, are considering changing the direction of their family’s development.”

The eldest son of the Tian family risked his life to deliver a message to Changshe. With the military report from the capital delayed until now, his contribution must have been acknowledged.

After the rewards for the first achievements are distributed, it will be their turn, and they don’t need to be treated the same as ordinary powerful factions.

But with the majority of powerful clans lacking such promotion opportunities, they will only choose to further develop their local influence.

This has led to several potential crises after the Yellow Turban Rebellion.

“What do you mean, Miss?”

“These clan forces cannot be eradicated like the Yellow Turbans, nor can they be left unchecked. I guess the court will probably strengthen local control and issue corresponding solutions,” Qiao Yan replied. “But it probably won’t regress to the old way of enfeoffment; perhaps the authority of the provincial inspectors will be strengthened.”

In fact, this was the decision Liu Hong finally made—

By increasing the power of supervision over finances and the recruitment of troops, assigning members of the imperial family or trusted ministers as governors of each province.

However, what is now seen as the emerging system of provincial governance provided the conditions for the subsequent warlord chaos, something that Liu Yan, who proposed this system, and Liu Hong, who approved it, probably didn’t anticipate.

But when this system of provincial governance was first implemented, it indeed had its inevitability.

For example, after the pacification of Jizhou…

“If what Miss says is true, these local officials must wholeheartedly serve the Han court,” Cheng Li’s gaze was shrewd.

Although Qiao Yan’s words were just speculation, it didn’t prevent him from making judgments based on her thoughts.

“Exactly, for instance, General Huangfu would be well-suited to oversee a province,” Qiao Yan replied.

Although he no longer had the cruel military achievements of building the imperial observatory, it didn’t prevent his troops from gradually stationing in Jizhou and launching subsequent cleanup operations within the territory of Jizhou.

He has cultivated a great reputation.

He possesses thunderous methods, as well as a benevolent heart that led him to petition for a reduction in taxes in Jizhou after becoming its governor.

Indeed, he is a suitable candidate for governor.

However, compared to later governors who would establish their own domains, Huangfu Song appeared much more rigid.

Yet, rigidity has its advantages.

Three days ago, a scholar named Yan Zhong from Liangzhou under Huangfu Song’s command suggested launching a coup after being refused, his actions were openly denounced by Huangfu Song, who even issued a warrant for Yan Zhong’s arrest.

At this moment, Huangfu Song indeed had the capital to assert his own authority, but he chose to remain still, aligning himself with the loyal ministers of the Han Dynasty.

This was undoubtedly a good thing for Qiao Yan.

In this increasingly peaceful environment, imperial rewards were likely imminent.

She had worked so hard to change her initial plan of inviting Zheng Xuan and Hua Tuo, aiming for that coveted title by personally challenging Zhang Jiao in three debates, thus gaining fame.

She also intentionally misled Chunyu Qiong’s judgment of her.

Every move was aimed at achieving the result of being ennobled as a marquis.

Even though she had always been calculating in her actions, she couldn’t help feeling a bit nervous now.

If the emperor in Luoyang couldn’t fulfill her wishes, it might not be easy to find such a favorable opportunity again.

But she didn’t show any of this nervousness on her face, nor did she mention it to anyone, including Cheng Li.

As she and Cheng Li were returning to the camp, she smiled at Chunyu Qiong, whom they encountered halfway.

Seeing his particularly subtle and awkward expression, she suddenly felt much more at ease.

Chunyu Qiong’s reaction to seeing Qiao Yan like this wasn’t surprising.

Earlier, because of the illusion created by Qiao Yan, he had sent intelligence to Luoyang suggesting collusion between her and Zhang Rang.

But a few days later, he learned that Qiao Yan had only acted that way because Zhang Rang had once visited her grandfather with Liu Hong.

Upon hearing of her grandfather’s failing health, she couldn’t help but shed tears.

Now, she was only waiting for the sentencing of the Yellow Turban leader to immediately rush to Luoyang to pay her respects at her grandfather’s sickbed.

Chunyu Qiong was dumbfounded upon hearing this reason.

He had sent out the information several days ago before realizing he had misunderstood the situation.

How could he not feel embarrassed?

If it weren’t for the fact that, because of his mistaken information, Yuan Wei had made a wrong suggestion, Chunyu Qiong might just have avoided Qiao Yan altogether.

Now, this awkwardness stemmed from his memory of the Minister of Works’ advice to build a good relationship with Qiao Yan.

However, after hearing her debate with Zhang Jiao, he inexplicably developed a distant attitude toward her.

Fortunately, Chunyu Qiong didn’t have to feel embarrassed for long because, two days later at noon, a special team arrived at the Han army camp, and among them, Chunyu Qiong immediately recognized a familiar face.

It was Yuan Shao, Yuan Benchu!

However, this team was not led by him but by the eunuch Bi Lan.

This wasn’t surprising as Yuan Shao at this time was far from the powerful figure who later dominated the northern four provinces;

he was merely a subordinate in General He Jin’s residence.

If it weren’t for the chaos caused by Dong Zhuo’s misrule and his subsequent purge of the Yuan family to prevent any internal collaboration, Yuan Shao wouldn’t have acquired the political and economic power he later did as a descendant of the Yuan family.

Nevertheless, Yuan Shao had already gained considerable influence in Luoyang owing to his prestigious lineage as a scion of the Yuan family.

General He Jin obviously held him in high regard, hence entrusting him with the task of assisting Bi Lan in reading out the imperial edict.

However, he seemed somewhat out of place here.

Shortly after his arrival in the camp, Chunyu Qiong seized an opportunity when no one was paying attention and approached him, explaining his previous misunderstanding about Qiao Yan.

“I don’t know whether I should send a letter of explanation. After all, Qiao Yan is still a newcomer and is unlikely to cause any trouble.

But now that Yuan Benchu is here, I feel I must confess,” Chunyu Qiong carefully watched Yuan Shao’s expression but noticed that he seemed somewhat displeased.

Even though Yuan Shao considered himself a man of integrity and had developed good manners over the years due to his association with distinguished individuals,

it was still hard for him not to feel speechless at Chunyu Qiong’s words.

Who knows what he thought when he heard his uncle being reprimanded for his advice during a court meeting by Liu Hong, while his aunt was promoted to be the Chief Astrologer?

But after hearing his uncle relay the advice he had given in court, Yuan Shao had a conversation with his friend Xu You, and he guessed Liu Hong’s intentions to some extent.

However, this intention was clearly not good news for them, who were now hitching their wagons to He Jin, the mouthpiece of the court.

Otherwise, Yuan Shao wouldn’t have deliberately sought this opportunity to assess Qiao Yan, the future Marquis of Le Ping.

Yuan Shao almost grabbed Chunyu Qiong’s collar to question him, asking how he could be so careless when he knew what responsibility he bore.

However, his aristocratic upbringing dictated that he only momentarily tightened his lips, then replied, “It doesn’t matter. She won’t be in Luoyang afterward, and it won’t affect the overall situation.”

With Yuan Shao’s assurance, Chunyu Qiong breathed a sigh of relief.

But he couldn’t shake the feeling that Yuan Shao’s attitude toward him was somewhat cold.

Yet, considering the people Yuan Shao associated with, such as Zhang Miao, He Yong, and Xu You, Chunyu Qiong found this attitude unsurprising.

As Yuan Shao went to meet with Bi Lan, Chunyu Qiong belatedly remembered that he had forgotten to ask whether Qiao Yan’s marquisate had ultimately been revoked under Yuan Shao’s influence.

But he thought that with the influence of the Yuan family of Runan, it shouldn’t be a problem.

As for any potential guilt from this misunderstanding causing someone to miss out on a great opportunity…

Well, he didn’t feel any!

While pondering this, Chunyu Qiong walked towards the main tent, only to find Bi Lan already dressed appropriately, holding the imperial edict, with Huangfu Song, Lu Zhi, and Qiao Yan already present.

He quickly found a place to stand.

Then, he looked across the crowd at Bi Lan, a hint of disdain playing at the corner of his mouth.

After all, Bi Lan was only favored by Liu Hong for his skill in crafting ingenious items, such as the bronze men before Canglong and Xuanwu Gates, the four large bells in front of the Jade Hall and the Cloud Terrace Hall, and the Tianluo Toad outside the Pingmen Gate.

In Chunyu Qiong’s eyes, none of these were serious business.

Yet, the imperial edict in Bi Lan’s hands symbolized the mighty authority of the emperor.

As soon as Bi Lan unfolded it, everyone present knelt down.

“In accordance with the will of Heaven, receive this command…”

“On the sixteenth day of the fifth month of the seventh year of Guanghe…”

“The Left Central Commander, Huangfu Song, for your outstanding leadership in pacifying the rebellion and your significant contributions in stabilizing the provinces of Yu and Ji, you are hereby granted the title of Marquis of Huaili, with a fief of ten thousand households.”

“The North Central Commander, Lu Zhi, for your steadfastness and prudence in governing Jizhou, you are hereby granted the title of Marquis of Qiantang, with a fief of ten thousand households.”

Two marquisates! The two highest military commanders, Huangfu Song and Lu Zhi, had both been granted marquisates.

While those below them rejoiced for their superiors, they couldn’t help but anticipate their own rewards.

But what they didn’t expect was the subsequent decree.

“The Lady Qiao Yan…”

With these six words, even the composed Qiao Yan couldn’t help but show a hint of joy in her eyes.

But since she was bowing respectfully to receive the imperial decree, her emotions went unnoticed by others.

Following closely after the decrees for Huangfu Song and Lu Zhi, even though it wasn’t on the same level, it was still significant.

At least her efforts in the debate hadn’t been in vain!

She then heard Bi Lan continue:

“In recognition of your deep loyalty and filial piety, your strategic counsel, and your bravery in battle, you are hereby granted the title of Marquis of Leping, with a fief of ten thousand households. Hail to you!”

Another marquisate!

Chunyu Qiong almost exclaimed in surprise from the back row.

He had thought that Yuan Shao would surely have the decree for Qiao Yan’s marquisate rescinded.

But how could it be that she was granted a marquisate instead?

This—this was like a leap to the heavens for someone who had no official position or title before!