The Romance of the Three Kingdoms: Lu Bu is good at being filial

Chapter 31

＜ Where Does Byeongju End (6) ＞

After the battle.

“Governor. The military camp has been set up. Please go into the barracks and take a rest.”

“Let’s do that.”

Following the guidance of Deputy General Wisok, Sunyu entered the barracks.

It was just a temporary wooden bed with blankets layered on it, but it was enough for a night’s sleep.

“General Wi.”

“Yes, Governor.”

“You seem to be quite close with someone named Seongryeom.”

“Ah, that. He is one of the acquaintances I was close with in the past. We often met during work as well.”

Wisok replied, scratching his cheek.

“There was a time when I briefly went by the name Wiwol. We almost became sworn brothers then, but I was appointed to Byeongju and he was appointed to Saye.”

“I see.”

“Yes. Is there any problem…?”

“No. If there is no discomfort between you, it would be good to rekindle your friendship if the General is okay with it.”

“That is….”

“We will be seeing each other often in Byeongju.”

“……!!”

At Sunyu’s words, Wisok’s eyes widened for a moment, but soon he clasped his hands together and bowed his head.

“I will keep my mouth shut.”

“Good. …Before you go, for a moment.”

As Wi-sok tried to step back, Sun-yu called him back.

“I have a few questions.”

“Ah, …yes.”

Although the night had already fallen deeply, how could he refuse when the commander-in-chief was holding him back?

“First. The wooden shields used by the Byungju army.”

Sun-yu asked cautiously.

“Even though no special instructions were given to the soldiers, they all knew to remove and collect the arrows. Was that General Yeo’s order?”

“That, that is.”

“I’m not trying to hold you accountable. It just seemed like something that had been done frequently before.”

Sun-yu asked with a calm face.

“Is that so? Phew, I thought it was some big problem.”

Wi-sok was relieved by his nonchalant attitude, but he didn’t notice Sun-yu’s eyes narrowing slightly.

“In the past, when we were clearing out bandits, General Yeo used wooden shields to catch the enemy’s arrows and collect them.”

“General Yeo.”

“He said it was appropriate to recover the arrows from the armory that had been looted by the bandits, so since then, we’ve been reinforcing the wooden planks with iron plates to block the arrows.”

“…Iron plates under the wooden planks?”

“Yes!”

Wi-sok proudly took out a shield and showed its interior.

“If it were purely made of wood, it could be pierced, right? Not all shields are like this, but the frontline infantry are equipped with these iron shields. To be precise… it feels like we’re adding wooden planks for catching arrows.”

“Catching arrows.”

“Yes. When the arrows stick into the wooden planks like this, we recover and reuse them after the battle. Ah, of course, we only do this in battles where we think it’s possible, and in really dangerous situations, we use iron shields.”

“…I see. No wonder the production and stock of arrows didn’t match.”

Sun-yu nodded calmly.

“Oh, sir! We never diverted any arrows. Even if we did chase out those who did!”

“I’m not trying to blame you or anything.”

“That’s a relief.”

Wi-sok didn’t notice his fingers trembling as he clasped his hands behind his back.

“This might be a slightly uncomfortable question, but did General Yeo always strictly follow military orders when fighting alongside Jeong-won?”

“Uh, that is. …You mustn’t tell anyone.”

At the mention of Jeong-won, Wi-sok was at a loss for words, but seeing Sun-yu’s serious eyes, he soon lowered his voice and continued speaking.

“Sometimes, he pretended not to hear and ignored it.”

“The command of the magistrate?”

“No, no! I mean the command of the garden.”

“…Mainly what kind?”

“Things that General Yeo dislikes. Like forcibly driving away those who are knocking on the government office door because they are starving, or things like that.”

“…….”

“Magistrate. You have no idea how relieved we were because of your orders. We didn’t have to stain our hands with more blood. We had fewer corpses to clean up.”

Wiso said, sweeping his chest with relief.

“But Magistrate, why did you order surrender instead of annihilation?”

“Did General Yeo tell you to ask?”

“N-no, this is something I am genuinely curious about. …General Yeo will ask separately later.”

“If he asks, convey my intention as it is.”

Sunyu took a moment to catch his breath.

“A fierce general who eradicates enemies must be iron-blooded, but a great general who seeks the stability of all people must show mercy at times.”

“…….! Understood. I, Wiso, will convey it as it is.”

Wiso, with a moved expression, tried to leave.

“Not yet.”

“…Is there more?”

“Just one more thing.”

Sunyu raised one finger.

“Does the General accurately understand the meaning of the word ‘military advisor’?”

“…….”

Wiso shook his head with a bitter smile.

“I didn’t know either, so I asked Hoseong, and he said it’s a title given to someone really great. That…Taegangwang?”

“Taegongwang. Jiang Ziya. Yeo Sang.”

“Ah, yes! I don’t know the details, but it sounded like a title given to someone great. …I’m not sure if General Yeo knows.”

Wiso scratched his cheek and laughed.

“Well. Perhaps you should call Hoseong for such conversations….”

“It’s over. You may return now. Truly.”

“Thank you, Magistrate.”

Wisoak bent his waist and was about to leave the tent.

“Sir. Magistrate.”

“What is it?”

“This is just my personal opinion, based on my experience serving General Ye so far….”

Wisoak scratched the back of his neck and took a bow, unable to look directly at Sunyu.

“Even if General Ye didn’t fully understand the meaning of the title ‘military advisor,’ from the moment you explained it as ‘teacher of the army,’ General Ye has truly regarded you as the teacher of the army.”

“…Is that so.”

“Yes. It would be good to explain it slowly on the way back. When General Ye asked, ‘Why did you do that?’ you just shouted, ‘Just do as you’re told!'”

“I understand. I’ll keep that in mind.”

“…Yes, Magistrate. Please rest well and sleep. I’ll see you again at dawn.”

Wisoak left the place.

Sunyu was left alone in the tent, and he collapsed into his sleeping bag.

“Regardless of the title, it literally means military advisor.”

Sunyu covered his face with his hand.

“Is this how Fan Zeng felt when he first saw Xiang Yu?”

The Hegemon-King of Western Chu, Xiang Yu.

Next to him was Fan Zeng, a strategist and advisor of the time, but Xiang Yu’s downfall is often attributed to his failure to heed Fan Zeng’s suggestions and advice.

“…No. The General is different from Xiang Yu.”

Sunyu shook his head firmly.

“Moreover, I do not seek to become Fan Zeng, but to pave the way for General Ye as Sunyu, fulfilling my duty as a strategist and military advisor.”

Sunyu’s eyes sparkled as he looked up at the ceiling of the tent.

“The General asked how the Bingzhou army would fare in the plains. That means… he is thinking of the day when we will face the enemy in the plains.”

Before Sunyu, the vast plains of Zhongyuan unfolded.

“…Beyond Bingzhou, to the world.”

Sunyu could not suppress the corners of his mouth from rising.

“It seems we will need more people.”

Not to follow in the footsteps of the Hegemon-King of Western Chu, who excelled in force but massacred hundreds of thousands without mercy, but to be a benevolent being who shows mercy and tolerance when needed.

“Shall I ask for a lunchbox to be prepared for the journey?”

* * *

After the battle.

“…Hehehe.”

Entering the temporary tent set up in Baekpagok, Gahu couldn’t hold back his laughter.

“…My lord. You look like a madman, please don’t laugh.”

Even the guard, Hogeo, who entered the tent with him, had to restrain him.

“Ah, I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I know I shouldn’t, but this situation just makes me laugh naturally.”

“Is this something to laugh about….”

Ting.

As a silver piece bounced out from inside Gahu’s sleeve, Hogeo caught it in his mouth and blocked the entrance of the tent.

“This battle was a guaranteed victory. The only variable was that man named Gongmyung. General Yeo was so tense that he insisted on facing him personally, but in the end, he fell.”

Nod.

“Hogeo. If you had fought him, how do you think it would have gone?”

“I wouldn’t have lasted 30 rounds before my head was chopped off by his axe.”

After answering, Hogeo immediately put the silver piece back in his mouth.

“Right. Seeing General Songheon being pushed back, I realized. Although not as much as General Yeo, there are masters similar to him scattered across the provinces.”

Like Jangryo, Gongmyung-Seohwang, and others.

Gahu chuckled to himself and stroked his beard.

“But you know, what really makes me laugh is the overall movement of the Byeongju army in this battle.”

“If it’s that….”

“How do you compare it to Dongtak’s Yangju army?”

“…….”

“If Dongtak’s Yangju army is brutal towards the enemy, the Byeongju army can be described as thorough. If the former enjoys slaughter under the pretext of orders, the latter does not fear shedding blood under orders.”

“…….”

“The problem is that General Yeo does not judge people recklessly unless he sees and experiences it himself. Even if I spit on my own face and talk about Dongtak, the general wouldn’t easily believe it….”

Gahu closed his eyes for a moment and bit his lower lip.

“…It’s not easy since Dongtak doesn’t reveal his true nature easily. I can’t just tell General Yeo to go to Jang’an and check it out himself.”

“…….”

“Even though Dongtak’s nature is violent, it’s similar to many other lords in the central plains. Jungwon also restrains himself because of General Yeo, but his true nature is similar…no, even worse.”

Gahu continued with a serious face.

“Unless Dongtak suddenly becomes a benevolent person who shows mercy and tolerance, a clash seems inevitable. What should we do?”

“That.”

Hogeo threw the silver piece he had been holding in his mouth.

“Whose side are you on, sir?”

“I’m on the winning side, of course.”

Gahu wiped the silver piece on his sleeping bag and threw it back at Hogeo.

“I should take the general with me on my way. Hogeo, go back first. I have a place to take the general.”

“Where are you going?”

“To the master of Hane County.”

He smirked.

“So that they won’t dare to shake the master of Byeongju.”

* * *

“General Yeo, did you cough?”

“Yes. What about the soldiers?”

“They are ready. We can leave within half a shichen.”

Morning had come.

Baekpagok was settled, and the soldiers had already packed up their tents, ready to return to Byeongju.

“Governor Sunyu, let’s go to Byeongju. I have something to discuss on the way.”

“General Yeo, you should go to Saye first, not Byeongju.”

……?

“Why?”

“Because this place is still Saye, Hane County.”

“…Hmm.”

I understand what he means.

“I see. You want me to meet with the governor of Hane and apologize?”

“No.”

“…No?”

No?

“It’s fine. We often met and talked about such matters during the Jeongwon period.”

“…Did Governor Jeongwon tell you to bow your head to the general?”

“……It seems like our conversation is going off track.”

Did I assume too much?

“Are you telling me to go to the Governor of Hanei and apologize for acting arbitrarily in your jurisdiction?”

Usually, in such cases, Jeongwon would tell me, ‘You handle it yourself,’ and send me to the Governor of Hadong or Hanei.

“Why should I apologize? It’s not wrong to eliminate bandits.”

“……!!”

It was something I had never heard from Jeongwon in the past ten years.

“Master Sunyu…!”

“Rather, the Governor of Hanei should apologize for neglecting the bandits in his jurisdiction, forcing the soldiers of Byeongju to step in and handle it.”

“…….”

“If you want an apology, you can summon the Governor of Hanei to Byeongju. I am the Magistrate of Byeongju, after all.”

I wondered if he was saying this because he had heard about what I had suffered from Jeongwon before.

But now, Sunyu’s eyes were sincere.

“No, I don’t want to receive an apology in such a forced manner.”

Knowing Sunyu’s sincerity, I decided to accept his intention.

Because, unlike the Governor of Hadong, the Governor of Hanei didn’t really have any issues.

“Unless he was being arrogant or something, he actually cared about us.”

At first, I apologized.

But after a few repetitions, it became a formal meeting where we just talked.

– Let’s do better next time.

– Yes, Governor.

“Did the Governor of Hanei ever disrespect you, General?”

“Not exactly disrespect, but he kept trying to give me unwanted excessive gifts.”

“Excessive gifts…?”

“His daughters are of marriageable age, and he kept trying to introduce them to me.”

– When are you planning to get married?

– Well…

– There are three women of marriageable age in our family, from the eldest to the youngest, who are not yet married. Here they are. They are like my own daughters.

– No, that’s…

– Do you want all three? Hmm, for a general… they say heroes are fond of beauty! …But for the sake of my daughters, let’s limit it to three wives.

– …….

He has given up now and married them off, but until last year, he was very regretful every time we met.

“…I think I know how you dealt with the general. This is actually good. When we meet to talk soon, it will be under a different pretext.”

“A different pretext?”

“I’ll explain as we go.”

Gahu waved his hand as he approached.

“Mr. Sunyu, you should go to Bingzhou to handle the situation, right?”

“…….”

“Handling 2,000 prisoners is no easy task, is it, General Ye?”

“Oh, that’s not a problem.”

“…Huh?”

Gahu tilted his head.

“Not just any prisoners, but 2,000 from the Baekpa bandits? Do you trust that man, Xu Huang?”

“No, it’s not that. Have you ever seen a bamboo slip painted in dark green in the Bingzhou governor’s office?”

“A dark green bamboo slip? Painted?”

Sunyu tilted his head.

“Yes. Specifically, a bamboo slip painted with diagonal herringbone patterns. I had it organized and submitted by Hu Seong and Zhang Liao….”

“…I haven’t seen such a bamboo slip, but I’ll have to check.”

“Same here. The dark green you mentioned, you mean the bamboo slip marked with dye, right?”

“Yes.”

Although the dye is a bit expensive, wouldn’t it be convenient to paint the exterior with colors to establish an administrative system?

“If the color has faded, it can be repainted, but if it’s gone, that’s a bit disappointing.”

“Why do you say that, General?”

“Because it contains information about ‘rehabilitation and reformation’.”

If Sunyu and Gahu haven’t seen it, it’s likely that Jeongwon either removed it or lost it.

“Rehabilitation….”

“Reformation?”

“Mr. Sunyu, do you know the number of Bingzhou soldiers?”

“10,000, plus an additional reserve force of 1,000.”

“Exactly. Then….”

I pointed to the Bingzhou soldiers behind me.

“How many of the 5,000 soldiers here do you think were purely raised in Bingzhou and became soldiers?”

“……Wait, no way.”

Sunyu quickly turned his head.

Gahu also opened his mouth and looked at the same place as Sunyu with surprised eyes.

“General.”

Step, step.

“The prisoners… are all ready to move.”

Seohwang approached.

He was still tying a rope in his hand, but he had already untied it once and tied it again himself.

“Yes, how many are there?”

“Seventeen hundred said they would bring their families, and three hundred who have no family and can go straight to Byeongju.”

“That’s just perfect. Among those three hundred….”

I tapped the armor I was wearing.

“How many of them want to be reborn as Byeongju soldiers after rigorous training?”

“…Including me, Seohwang, there are one hundred.”

“I see.”

Out of two thousand men, one hundred hope to join the Byeongju army immediately.

“It won’t be easy to be with the enemy you fought to the death just yesterday, will it?”

“If I go back, I have no way to live alone, but if the general takes me in, I want to live as a human, not a beast.”

Seohwang bowed his head deeply.

“Please take me in. I will repay the grace of General Yeo by becoming a soldier who fights against injustice.”

“Good. Originally… ha.”

I had organized a way to manage them.

“Songhuwei!!”

“Hey, can you stop calling the three of us together like that?”

Songheon, who was closest, approached with a bandage on his hand, then flinched when he saw Seohwang.

“W-what? Don’t tell me you want to test our skills with another sparring match?”

“Sunyu Jasa has no information about the ‘Path of Rebirth (更生道)’.”

“What? No, Jasa, no matter how busy you are, you should have read that….”

“Either the gardener removed it, or it was lost.”

“…….”

Song Heon’s expression immediately twisted.

“That.”

Sun Yoo raised his hand.

“What is this rehabilitation you speak of?”

“It’s nothing special. Or rather, should I say it’s a bit unusual?”

There’s really nothing else.

“It’s the path for a criminal not to just rot away and die in prison, but to repent for their sins, carry those sins in their heart for life, and live righteously for themselves and those around them as a new person.”

“…Huh.”

“I told you, didn’t I? Do you want to live as a human, not a beast?”

Once a thief, always a thief.

But just as a bear became a human by eating mugwort and garlic for thirty-seven days, with proper training, proper mental discipline, and the desire to become human, one can be reborn as a human.

“I have organized that method in this bamboo scroll….”

“Hahaha—!!”

Gahu started laughing madly, clutching his stomach.

“Keuh, keuh, cough, cough…!!”

“…….”

Sun Yoo covered his face with both hands and sighed deeply.

“……Why are you doing this?”

“General.”

Song Heon approached cautiously.

“Isn’t it because they don’t believe it?”

“Then we have to show them directly. As we always do.”

I gestured to Wi Sook and Hoo Sung, who were running behind me.

“Wi Sook, check the remaining supplies and prepare for the 1,700 prisoners to bring their families. Hoo Sung, teach the prisoners who will come up with us the military rituals of Byeongju so they can follow the march.”

“Yes!”

“And….”

I pointed to Seo Hwang for Song Heon.

“Song Heon, make Seo Hwang your deputy, and teach him to be the centurion of the ‘rehabilitation soldiers’ from Baekpagok.”

“…Me? Him?”

Song Heon pointed at Seo Hwang, his face pale.

“No, brother, ahem. Are you talking about the major?”

“Why ask twice? If ordered, you must do it. As a soldier.”

“No, that?”

“Lord Sunyu.”

I clasped my hands towards Sunyu.

“We plan to proceed like this, would you approve?”

“…As the general wishes.”

Sunyu nodded slightly, covering his face with his hand.

“…First, as soon as we arrive in Bingzhou, we will search the government office thoroughly again. General Ye, please take this token and follow Master Jia.”

With a serious expression, Sunyu took something out of his bosom and handed it to me.

“…Isn’t this the magistrate’s seal?”

“They must know that in Bingzhou, the general holds a position equal to, if not higher than, the magistrate.”

“Who exactly are we going to meet?”

“The real master of Henei County. The noble family that even the governor of Henei fears to meet.”

“…….”

“The Sima family.”

Sima.

“Show them clearly who the true master of Bingzhou is.”

＜ Where Does Bingzhou End (6) ＞ End