33 Usurping the Han (5)

After assuming office, Yun Yao dismissed a large number of corrupt officials and ordered a retrial of all wrongful cases from recent years. For a time, the county offices were bustling, filled with people seeking justice.

Gradually, the number of petitioners dwindled until only trivial matters remained. Under her jurisdiction, Dong Commandery enjoyed clean governance and peaceful harmony.

Next came the issue of uncultivated lands. The people, unable to bear the heavy taxes and levies, had fled their homes and become wanderers. To bring them back, the oppressive taxation had to be addressed.

Yun Yao found herself at a loss and sought advice from Xun Yu. He promptly offered a solution. Her eyes brightened, and she clasped his hand with a smile: "With you, Wenruo, all is well!"

Xun Yu smiled gently, humble and refined like an orchid in a secluded valley. His cultured demeanor prevented him from boasting, which made him all the more captivating. In that instant, Yun Yao was utterly enchanted by his smile.

That evening, she lit a lamp and savored the flowers. As her feelings deepened, their fragrance grew even more intense.

...

From then on, whenever Yun Yao faced a challenge, she consulted Xun Yu, and problems were always resolved smoothly. As a result, her administration flourished, surpassing the surrounding regions.

When the wheat harvest came, Yun Yao took Xun Yu to inspect the fields. Everywhere stretched golden waves of grain, no longer barren as before. The farmers worked happily, their faces radiant with the joy of a bountiful yield.

Children sang a new song: "The governor is wise, since his arrival the granaries are full, the people prosperous..." Yun Yao could not help but smile.

Xun Yu praised her: "Your governance is exemplary, a blessing to the people." Yun Yao loved him even more—not only was he talented and handsome, but his words were also so pleasing.

Upon returning, she bestowed generous rewards upon him in recognition.

...

She hoped for a peaceful new year, but suddenly the Way of Peace sect rebelled, rallying hundreds of thousands of followers. Wearing yellow scarves, they were called the Yellow Turban Army.

Within a month, war engulfed seven provinces and twenty-eight commanderies nationwide. The Yellow Turbans advanced fiercely, capturing many cities and killing numerous officials.

The court, seeing the crisis, ordered local governments to raise their own troops to quell the rebellion. Thus, local officials gained military power and began recruiting soldiers, ushering in an era of chaos.

Faced with this, Yun Yao felt a spark of excitement. After waiting so long, the conflict had finally begun.

She recruited thousands across the counties, though this was still insufficient against the Yellow Turban forces, who had about ten thousand troops targeting her commandery due to its abundant harvest.

Xun Yu advised her to hold the city and avoid engagement, wearing down the enemy until they were exhausted before striking decisively.

Yun Yao followed his counsel, donning armor and leading the defense personally. Anyone who attempted to flee was executed without mercy.

Dong Commandery was engulfed in battle. The enemy placed ladders against the walls, swarming upward like a tide. Each attacker was cut down as they climbed, the ground stained with blood and corpses.

When one wave of defenders fell, another replaced them, fighting ceaselessly.

By dusk, the attackers finally sounded retreat.

Yun Yao ordered chests of money distributed to the soldiers and recorded the fallen to provide compensation to their families. This inspired fierce morale, and the defenders swore to hold the city to the death.

A commander need not be a master swordsman; the key lies in uniting the hearts of the people.

After ten days, the enemy’s assaults faltered, and internal strife seemed to arise among them.

Yun Yao saw a perfect opportunity to launch a night raid and crush the enemy.

She asked Xun Yu’s opinion: “Wenruo, what do you think?”

He advised against it.

She relented, choosing to heed his counsel.

As expected, the enemy feigned weakness to lure them out but, seeing no trap, resumed their fierce attacks.

Another two weeks passed. The enemy’s vigor waned again, their assaults lasting less than half a day before withdrawing.

Xun Yu declared the time ripe.

Under cover of night, Yun Yao led the cavalry in a surprise attack, setting fire to the enemy camp and massacring their troops.

With supplies cut off and morale shattered, the rebels scattered like cattle, many trampled to death.

By dawn, the battle was over, the ground blackened with scorch marks.

Yun Yao ordered the battlefield cleared and led her troops back.

Xun Yu opened the city gates to welcome them, standing beneath the walls in flowing white robes, graceful as orchids and irises.

Thanks to his stratagems, Dong Commandery was impregnable, giving all great reassurance.

He bowed deeply: “Congratulations, my lord, on your victorious return.”

Yun Yao took his hand as if supporting a delicate plant, helping him stand tall once more.

She smiled gently: “This defense was all thanks to your planning.”

Hand in hand, they entered the city.

...

This battle yielded many captives, abundant spoils, and horses, greatly strengthening Yun Yao’s forces.

Yet the Yellow Turban Rebellion did not end. After the death of their leader Zhang Jiao, his generals split into factions, each leading their own troops.

Dong Commandery was frequently harassed, wearing Yun Yao thin with worry.

As one crisis passed, another arose. The emperor died, passing the throne to his young son Liu Bian, while the eunuchs seized control of the court.

Foreseeing chaos, Yun Yao wrote to Luoyang and summoned her father to join her.

Soon after, Dong Zhuo entered the capital, holding the young emperor hostage.

He unleashed his soldiers to pillage, turning Luoyang into hell on earth.

Upon hearing this, Yun Yao sighed deeply.

Months later, Dong Zhuo deposed Liu Bian and installed Liu Xie as emperor.

Many opposing ministers were executed, and the court became his autocracy.

This news spread across the land, stirring great unrest. All righteous men wished to eliminate him.

Yun Yao knew an honorable hero would soon attempt to assassinate Dong Zhuo—that man was Cao Cao.

She sent envoys to Luoyang to await the opportune moment.

This time, she was determined to bring the formidable hero into her service!