After rescuing Liu Bei, Qin Longyang led his men back to Ji City under the cover of night. They arrived in the city in the early hours of the next morning, and Qin Longyang immediately hurried to Liu Yan's residence.
Liu Yan's residence was already crowded with people, each looking worriedly toward the inner room. When Qin Longyang arrived, everyone bowed in respect, acknowledging him as the key player in defeating the Xiongnu.
"How is Lord Junlang?" Qin Longyang asked the people guarding the door.
A strategist shook his head, "The lord coughed up blood uncontrollably last night. We brought the best doctor in the city to perform acupuncture on him. His condition has stabilized, but..."
Understanding the implication, Qin Longyang didn't ask further and quietly waited outside with the others. Soon, the inner door opened slowly, and the doctor emerged. Everyone tensed up and rushed forward.
"Doctor, has my lord's condition improved?" Jian Yong urgently grabbed the doctor's hands.
The doctor looked troubled and sighed, "My lords, though my medical skills are limited, I must be honest. The Governor is like a flickering candle in the wind; even if a divine being were to descend, it would be hard to save him."
Hearing this, the faint hope Jian Yong had vanished. He slowly let go of the doctor's hands, understanding the gravity of the situation.
From inside, a series of urgent coughs was followed by Liu Yan's weak voice, "Come in... I have something to say."
At his words, everyone quickly put away their sorrow and entered the inner room. Qin Longyang followed, and they saw Liu Yan lying pale and gaunt on the bed, struggling to breathe.
"Have the Xiongnu retreated?" Liu Yan asked, barely opening his eyes.
The men exchanged glances and nodded repeatedly, "Thanks to General Qin and Lord Ding Yuan's timely reinforcements, we drove the Xiongnu out of Yan Mountain yesterday."
Fearing that Liu Yan might become agitated, they didn't mention the near-massacre in Ji City. Liu Yan closed his eyes again, a faint smile appearing on his lips.
"Heaven blesses me, Liu Yan, and the people of Ji City," Liu Yan muttered. He reached out a trembling hand, which his eldest son, Liu Zhang, quickly supported. But Liu Yan gently pushed Liu Zhang away, scanning the room. "Where is Qin... Qin Longyang?"
At the mention of his name, Qin Longyang quickly stepped forward and knelt before Liu Yan. "Lord Junlang, Qin Longyang is here."
Liu Yan opened his clouded eyes slightly and, recognizing the familiar face, shed two tears.
"Qin Longyang... General Qin, despite how I've treated you, why did you still send troops to save Ji City?"
"How could I not, Lord? The Xiongnu invaded our Han territory. No matter the grievances between us, I couldn't stand by and watch our people be slaughtered by foreigners. Besides, if not for your past kindness in sheltering me, I wouldn't be who I am today," Qin Longyang replied earnestly, earning nods of approval from those around.
"Qin Longyang, Qin Longyang... I've governed Ji City for nearly decades and have never seen someone as young as you with such wisdom and magnanimity. You are indeed extraordinary. Perhaps, in this chaotic world, we need someone like you to change the course of events..." Liu Yan gave a bitter laugh.
He then shakily took out a jade seal from under his pillow and placed it solemnly in Qin Longyang's hands.
"This is...?" Qin Longyang looked at the jade seal in confusion, then at Liu Yan, who had a serious expression.
"The seal of the Governor of Youzhou..." Liu Yan explained slowly.
"As it's the Governor's seal, I can't accept it. Moreover, there's still Young Master Liu Zhang. If it should be passed on, it should go to him!" Qin Longyang quickly refused, but Liu Yan shook his head.
"My son, Jiyu (Liu Zhang), is inexperienced and unfit for such a great responsibility. If Youzhou were handed to him, other warlords would covet it sooner or later. But you're different. Your capabilities are recognized by everyone. The position of Governor of Youzhou is meant for you."
"But..." Qin Longyang hesitated, glancing at the others to see if anyone objected. Apart from Liu Zhang, who looked slightly displeased, the rest seemed supportive.
"If you don't accept, I won't be at peace in the afterlife," Liu Yan said, feigning anger, followed by a bout of coughing.
"Doctor! Quickly call the doctor!" Qin Longyang, now flustered, turned to have someone fetch the doctor. But when he looked back, Liu Yan had already closed his eyes, his hand falling heavily...
"Lord Junlang... May you rest in peace!" Qin Longyang knelt and bowed deeply three times to Liu Yan.
Only then did the others dare to approach. Liu Yan had passed away. The room filled with weeping, except for Liu Zhang, who stood expressionless, watching Qin Longyang with clenched fists.
Thus, Qin Longyang, despite some reluctance, took over the beleaguered Ji City. The seal of the Governor of Youzhou symbolized his new position, no longer just a magistrate.
Now in office, he had to fulfill his duties. The war-torn Ji City looked to the young governor for renewal, and this was Qin Longyang's opportunity to earn respect and recognition.
"Immediately send supplies from Gong County to Ji City. Yuntai (Gao Lan) and Yunchang (Guan Yu), lead the soldiers to begin repairing the city."
"Sun Lang, the near-massacre by the Xiongnu has left the citizens in fear. Some are taking advantage of the chaos to commit crimes. Take your men to patrol the city. Any criminal caught should be executed without trial!"
Faced with extraordinary circumstances, Qin Longyang ordered extreme measures, and the three generals obeyed.
Within three days, thanks to the help of Zhang Liao and others who had remained in the city, the repairs were nearly complete. Although their stated purpose was to assist, Qin Longyang knew they were actually there on behalf of Ding Yuan to assess his ability to hold the position of governor.
Grain supplies from Gong County also arrived, and Qin Longyang distributed food to the starving citizens, who gratefully praised him.
The governance of Ji City went unexpectedly smoothly, and Qin Longyang finally felt relieved. However, the Xiongnu still loomed at Yan Mountain, and they would undoubtedly return if left unchecked.
Yet crossing Yan Mountain meant entering the northern grasslands, the Xiongnu's territory, and any offensive would cost countless lives.
"Why does General Qin look so troubled?" One day, while Qin Longyang was pacing through Ji City, he encountered Liu Yan's consultant, Wei You. Since Qin Longyang had taken over Ji City, Wei You had been advising him, and the two got along well. Seeing Wei You, Qin Longyang's worries lifted.
"Sir, I have something I'd like to consult with you about." Qin Longyang, without pretense, took Wei You's hand.
Wei You quickly bowed, "General Qin, please don't say that. Now you are the governor, and it is my duty to assist you. Please speak."
Qin Longyang nodded and invited Wei You to sit at a roadside tea shop. "To be honest, I've been troubled by how to deal with the Xiongnu. If we don't fight, they'll gather at Yan Mountain and, once recovered, will attack again. But if we fight, we lack cavalry, and a long campaign would be costly and impractical. What strategy do you suggest?"
"Hmm..." Wei You stroked his chin, pondering for a moment before his eyes lit up. He clapped his hands, "I have a plan. If it works, the northern Xiongnu will never dare to invade again!"
"Please share it, sir!" Qin Longyang eagerly asked.
"Do you know that the Xiongnu are composed of three tribes: Wuhuan, Southern Xiongnu, and Xianbei? The current Xiongnu chanyu, Huchuquan, was originally the leader of the Southern Xiongnu. He defeated the other two tribes and unified the northern grasslands to become the chanyu."
"You mean...?"
"As they can unite, they can also be divided." Wei You smiled, "The Xiongnu general who invaded Ji City, named Yufulo, was once the leader of the Xianbei tribe. He is skilled in warfare, which is why Huchuquan appointed him as the general.
"If we can incite internal strife, with the strongest faction leading the way, the Wuhuan will inevitably follow. The Xiongnu alliance will collapse without a fight!"
"But how can we ensure that Yufulo will listen to us?"
Wei You waved his hand, "Do you remember the Xiongnu general who was killed by General Guan Yu during the battle?"
Qin Longyang thought for a moment and recalled. There was indeed a flashy figure among the Xiongnu, but he was quickly killed by Guan Yu in one strike.
"According to captured prisoners, that man was Huchuquan's youngest son, Wuluozhen, his favorite." Wei You smiled knowingly, "Now, think, why is Yufulo camping at Yan Mountain, afraid to advance or retreat?"
Hearing this, Qin Longyang finally understood, "So that's it! If Yufulo returns to the north, he will surely be executed by Huchuquan. So he's our key!"
Wei You nodded, stood up, and clasped his hands in a respectful gesture. "If Governor trusts me, I am willing to go to Yan Mountain and persuade Yufulo."
Qin Longyang was naturally overjoyed and quickly grasped Wei You's hand. "Sir, you have truly solved my great dilemma. I shall leave this matter in your capable hands!"
"I am willing to help you, my lord, in this time of trouble!"
With that, let's turn to Liu Bei and his companions, who had gone to Beiping. A few days after arriving from Quanzhou, Liu Bei heard the news of Liu Yan's death and Qin Longyang's appointment as Governor of Youzhou. This infuriated Liu Bei, who cursed Qin Longyang both openly and in private.
It was clear to everyone that Liu Bei believed the position of Governor of Youzhou should have been passed either to Liu Zhang or, more fittingly, to himself.
The fact that Qin Longyang had taken the position made Liu Bei so angry that he couldn't sleep for several days.
Furthermore, when Liu Bei sought refuge with Gongsun Zan, he wasn't given any significant role. Gongsun Zan looked down on his unfortunate fellow disciple, but he couldn't openly dismiss him.
So, he casually assigned Liu Bei the position of Governor of Yijing, effectively moving him away from Beiping.