Guo Jia remained silent for a while before asking, “Lord Qiao trusts me this much?”

Qiao Yan’s decision to go to Luoyang herself instead of submitting a report didn’t surprise Guo Jia.

He understood that her path ahead would be unconventional, far from any typical career advancement, fraught with risks at every step.

Yet, she unexpectedly invited him to join her.

In such crucial matters, any interference from either side could jeopardize her plans.

Guo Jia knew He Yong well enough to anticipate a fatal blow just as Qiao Yan was about to succeed.

This uncertainty unsettled him more than her sudden appearance in mourning attire.

But all Qiao Yan did was raise the scroll in her hand and say, “You already know my urgency and concerns. You’ve prepared the Public Records in advance, showing your willingness to help me rise. This also allows our plans here to proceed smoothly. With that in mind, why should I doubt your loyalty?”

“Mr.Guo Jia, with your daring and chivalrous spirit, why wouldn’t you have the courage to face these challenges with me?”

Why wouldn’t he? Why wouldn’t he?

Guo Jia felt a surge of courage within him, regretting that he hadn’t accompanied Qiao Yan to witness her daring act of slaying Xuitu King with her “General’s Night Bow.”

He bowed and replied, “Since Lord Qiao has spoken, how can I not follow her?”

Compared to Xi Zhicai and Cheng Li, he was indeed the most suitable to accompany Qiao Yan on this journey.

Although from a collateral branch of the Yingchuan Guo family, he had enough advantages to assist Qiao Yan in navigating through the capital, where background was critical.

Moreover, he could enter Luoyang separately from Qiao Yan, minimizing speculation about his allegiance to her.

These two advantages were significant.

Qiao Yan was aware of this, and so was Cheng Li.

When he later approached her after Guo Jia left, he didn’t express any desire to join them.

Instead, he calmly discussed administrative matters in Leping during Qiao Yan’s campaigns against bandits and surprise attacks on Xuitu tribes within the jurisdiction of Leping.

Over the past three years, despite population growth and industrial changes in Leping, Cheng Li, as Qiao Yan’s trusted aide and the mayor of Leping, had managed things effortlessly.

However, these three years had also given him enough time to reassess whether his high expectations for Qiao Yan were justified and whether following her to Leping had been the right choice.

Granting Cheng Li, a county official, the position was somewhat overqualified, but for him, it marked three years of preparation and initial collaboration with his superior.

Now, he had reached a conclusion.

After completing his reports, he bowed to Qiao Yan. “Lord Qiao, your journey to Luoyang is about navigating dangers to ensure not only your own survival but also the survival of Bingzhou.

Please be cautious in your words and actions. Ye Shu’s impassioned speech has paved a path for you, but it needs to be managed wisely.”

“I understand,” Qiao Yan replied as she helped him up, their eyes meeting with unspoken understanding.

Qiao Yan had always managed these delicate balances well.

Though she saw an opportunity now, she remained composed.

Cheng Li had no reason to worry about her.

He thought for a moment and added, “Years ago, I dreamed of supporting Lord Qiao, seeing a bright future ahead.

I believe your journey will be smooth.

Even if there are challenges, there’s no need for panic. Things in Leping will continue as usual after you leave, without any issues.”

Cheng Li wasn’t as lively as Xi Zhicai usually was in Leping.

He was older than most of Qiao Yan’s other subordinates.

However, his current rare display of enthusiasm showed his unwavering support and dedication to Qiao Yan’s cause.

His words weren’t just a wish for Qiao Yan’s journey but a declaration of his steadfast loyalty, almost staking his life on it.

Qiao Yan was moved.

However, she felt that expressing gratitude or making promises at this moment would be too casual.

Instead, she replied, “Mr. Zhongde, if I return successfully and can freely move around Bingzhou, could you do something for me?”

“Please, Lord Qiao.”

“Please add a ‘Ri’ character to my courtesy name,” Qiao Yan said calmly, not in jest.

Cheng Li froze for a moment, caught in the posture of being helped up by Qiao Yan.

Then he burst into laughter, “Excellent! Adding this character is excellent!”

In their time, suggesting a name change by a superior, especially not for taboo reasons, was seen as auspicious.

The character ‘Yu’ shone brightly, fitting well with the meaning behind ‘Ye Shu’.

This act symbolized harmony between ruler and minister!

With these words, Cheng Li had to restrain

Despite the turmoil in his heart, his outward appearance showed no difference from usual as Qiao Yan left his residence.

He pondered that Lord Qiao wouldn’t return within a few days, during which time Le Ping must remain unseen by others, continuing to guard Lord Qiao properly.

Of course, Qiao Yan had no plans to leave so soon; preparations were necessary.

For instance, along with Guo Jia, Mi Zhu had just arrived in Bingzhou.

After Qiao Yan cleared out the Hedong bandits and secured the passage through the Taihang Mountains, Mi Zhu became more determined to finalize the deal with Qiao Yan.

Leaders as decisive as Qiao Yan, especially after the Yellow Turban Rebellion, earned high praise from Mi Zhu for their effectiveness.

However, Mi Zhu was surprised when Qiao Yan expressed interest only in exclusive soap sales in exchange for discounted rights to a jade mine in Donghai County.

While jade, particularly crystal clear jade, was indeed beautiful, nobles still preferred jade ornaments and gold jewelry.

Qiao Yan seemed more inclined towards practicality rather than personal adornments.

Unlike state-controlled salt and iron operations, jade such as water jade, which was not appreciated by the mainstream upper class, could indeed be monopolized by powerful families like theirs, effectively becoming their asset.

Therefore, exchanging such a limited asset for a more promising commodity made Mi Zhu feel like he was getting a bargain.

If Qiao Yan hadn’t noticed Mi Zhu’s expression and promptly added a few more chips, the scion of the Eastern Sea Mi family might have suspected a trap in the transaction.

However, little did he know that during the battles against the Hedong bandits and the Xiu Tu tribe, Qiao Yan had realized the telescope’s astonishing effectiveness.

Unable to make significant improvements in weapon development in the short term, she had to expand production of the telescope instead of sporadic units.

Naturally, this item had to take priority in the trade.

Without this item, she coveted the grain production of Xuzhou.

Fortunately, this was just the first transaction; adjustments to subsequent chips could be made later.

With Qiao Yan’s assurance, Mi Zhu didn’t need to stay in Bingzhou any longer.

He immediately took the first batch of soap back to Xuzhou.

Thinking about Mi Zhu’s departure, Qiao Yan temporarily settled a few matters.

Xi Zhicai was relieved of his guest entertaining duties, and Qiao Yan found him a new task.

“Lord Qiao,” Xi Zhicai said after listening attentively.

After Qiao Yan’s words, Xi Zhicai shook his head with a wry smile. “Should I prepare a few more apologies for you to use at any time?”

Xi Zhicai could only laugh and cry.

The task Qiao Yan newly assigned him was to write another apology letter before she left Le Ping for Luoyang.

Could it be because she was genuinely satisfied with the apology letter he wrote last time?

If so, under Qiao Yan’s command, he seemed to have pioneered a new business—drafting apology letters.

After contemplating for a moment, Qiao Yan replied, “At most one more time.”

Hearing her firm reply, Xi Zhicai thought for a moment and accepted the task.

After all, it was just a matter of literary speculation, unlike conversing with Mi Zhu, where he had to be cautious not to leak information that was commonplace in Le Ping.

Seeing him take on the task, Qiao Yan then began to implement the rewards for previous achievements.

This wasn’t just about distributing grain.

Cheng Li had already allocated the grain needed for distribution.

Since it wasn’t planting season, Qin Yu had few tasks at hand and delegated this matter to her.

With registered stocks available, it was easy to distribute the thirty-five stones per person without overly calculating individual merits, except for the slightly more complicated distribution regarding the battle against the Xiu Tu tribe.

Apart from those killed by the cavalry, most of the Xiu Tu people perished at the hands of the surrendered Hedong bandits in the front lines.

However, due to varying contributions between front and rear ranks, distributing rewards became a bit tricky.

Some received half shares, others almost a full share, and some met the full criteria for reward.

Qiao Yan looked at the records of military achievements in her hands and couldn’t help but feel a bit overwhelmed.

It was straightforward to reward those who met the full criteria; aside from redeeming their lives, they received their deserved rewards.

The Black Mountain Army, who also contributed to the battle, received their share of grain distribution.

With these rewards distributed, the atmosphere in Le Ping County, especially among the troops under Qiao Yan’s command, became notably lively.

— Her verbal promises couldn’t compare to the tangible rewards received.

As the temperature cooled, the soldiers who had gradually settled in Le Ping County looked at the rice they received, feeling reassured for their families back home.

The remaining issue was what to do with the Hedong bandits who hadn’t yet received their rewards.

“I don’t intend to offer leniency to the Hedong bandits who participated in the slaughter of the Xiu Tu people,” Qiao Yan declared during a meeting with the assembled people. “Even those who were close to repentance won’t be exempt.”

“The reason rules exist is to be applied with impartiality and firmness, hence no precedents should be set,” Qiao Yan paced in the room with her hands behind her back, her expression leaving no doubt she wouldn’t easily change her mind.

She then spoke up, “What do you think about letting them work on road construction in exchange for winter supplies by late autumn, while awaiting future opportunities for battle?”

Xi Zhicai had previously suggested road construction, originally to intimidate local governors with the Black Mountain bandits.

Now, it was a genuine road-building initiative.

Maintaining contact beyond the Taihang Mountains was crucial for Bingzhou’s security, and with natural shelter in place, Qiao Yan could rest easier.

However, inter-regional connections within Bingzhou would inevitably increase traffic, prompting a need for preemptive adjustments.

For instance, widening the roads enough to accommodate carriages and horses.

By starting road construction in late autumn or early winter, it would prevent the Hedong bandits from feeling compelled to flee due to harsh working conditions.

However, Cheng Li needed to pay close attention to labor wages.

Without hesitation, Cheng Li accepted Qiao Yan’s delegation, known for her ability to delegate tasks.

Once she handled this matter, she could finally proceed to visit Luoyang.

However, due to recent tension in Le Ping and the unresolved duel between Zhao Yun and Zhang Yang over capturing the Xiu Tu King, both came to Qiao Yan seeking permission to join her journey to Luoyang.

Qiao Yan declined Zhao Yun, citing his duty as a county lieutenant, and Zhang Yang, explaining the need to organize cavalry candidates from the horses extorted from the Southern Xiu Tu.

Furthermore, planning for a light and efficient journey, she even declined requests from Lu Yuan and Xu Fu to accompany her.

In the end, aside from the coachman, she only brought along Dian Wei and Guo Jia.

Dian Wei, fortunate to be among the companions, couldn’t understand why Qiao Yan insisted on the carriage traveling slower after leaving Le Ping.

It wasn’t for smoother carriage movement or to allow Qiao Yan and Guo Jia to play chess.

Nor did it seem related to any reluctance to leave Le Ping.

Since joining Qiao Yan, Dian Wei had slowly accumulated savings, benefiting from Le Ping’s development.

Apart from compulsory literacy programs, he avoided using his brain unless absolutely necessary.

As he saw it,

Focusing his energy on improving his martial skills!

It’s better with Guo Jia around; someone to talk to Qiao Yan and keep her from getting bored.

In some ways, Dian Wei had become quite skilled at slacking off.

Qiao Yan pulled back the carriage curtain and glanced at her “bodyguard” lost in thought, finding it amusing.

She then heard Guo Jia say, “In late autumn, though we don’t have leisure for flower-viewing, listening to the autumn wind and seeing the returning geese under the clear sky can be quite enjoyable.”

Qiao Yan withdrew her gaze and asked Guo Jia, “Why don’t you ask me why we’re not rushing to Luoyang to show the urgent situation in Bingzhou?”

Guo Jia placed a chess piece and replied, “Though I don’t know what Lord Qiao is waiting for, she’s waiting for the right opportunity. Just like archery, timing is crucial. This trip to Luoyang requires patience for what’s yet to come. Lord Qiao’s strategic acumen is extraordinary. If speed were necessary, it wouldn’t be now.”

Qiao Yan smiled and responded, “Fengxiao understands me.”

Timing indeed…

She was indeed waiting for the right moment.

After all, it was the worst of times for Han.

In September of the 4th year of Zhongping, the rebels in Liangzhou failed to suppress, and Ma Teng and Han Sui declared Wang Guo as their leader, raiding the surrounding areas again.

In October of the 4th year of Zhongping, Lingling’s Guan Yu took the title of “General of Pacifying the Heavens,” invaded Guiyang, and urgently reported to the capital.

Also in the same month, the unrest in You and Ji provinces continued to escalate despite efforts to pacify them.

It was in this October that Lord of Bingzhou’s Le Ping entered the capital, requesting the appointment of capable officials and assuming the role of General of the Northern Territories.