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

Chapter 21

＜ The Owner of the Imperial Palace (1) ＞

The summer in Byeongju is cool.

Of course, it’s because it’s a mountainous area, and it’s quite cold in winter.

The influential noble families of Byeongju would stay in Byeongju during the summer and leave for Luoyang around autumn.

Who would say anything about them coming and going with their own money, having buildings in both the capital and Byeongju, but at some point, they gradually started to stay in Byeongju.

I couldn’t quite understand.

Because the Heuksan bandits were rampant on the way?

The wealthy noble families could hire private soldiers to travel, couldn’t they?

If they were close to Jeong Won, they could request the Byeongju army to dispatch guards, couldn’t they?

– In the past, they would never have come to Byeongju.

Was it last year?

At some point, under Jeong Won’s order, I escorted a noble family from Hogwan to Jinyangseong and asked them.

– Byeongju is different now. Thanks to General Ye, the security is safe, but more than that, Byeongju is now a better place to live than the capital. Haha.

At that time, I couldn’t understand the words of that noble.

Partly because I hadn’t experienced what the capital was like, but isn’t it the capital of a country after all?

– Thanks to you, I’ve ended up like this, so you must take responsibility! Haha.

– What a joke.

He laughed heartily while making a malicious joke.

– Byongju is clean, so I like it.

However, I soon realized the reason.

– If you were to find the ‘cleanest’ place to live in this world, I would undoubtedly choose Byongju.

Byongju.

Since I was appointed, there has been one area I’ve paid the most attention to for over ten years.

Hygiene. Cleanliness. Water quality.

In short, cleanliness from a modern person’s perspective.

– For a green and clean Byongju!!

It wasn’t that I had any special knowledge, but the level I achieved through trial and error was at the forefront of hygiene in this era.

Is that my job?

No.

But as a person living in this world, I wanted to live a human-like life by my standards, so I decided to pioneer hygiene and cleanliness.

Collecting the corpses in the devastated Maengjin area.

Cutting down trees next to the temporary military camp to build wooden structures and create a new camp for our Byongju army.

Making wells, laying charcoal, and filtering, or opening the waterway of the Yellow River to secure a water source for the Byongju army camp.

There were many miscellaneous tasks, but we had enough leisure time to do such things.

Summer.

After Jeongwon died, as summer was coming to an end.

“I don’t know if I’m a general or the governor of Maengjin. Hahaha!”

Lee Yoo, no, ‘Teacher’ came to visit.

* * *

[Maengjin, north of Luoyang, Byongju army camp.]

“Your hair is still flowing like silk today. Do you know that the palace maids admire your hair every time you come to the court, General?”

“Who are you today?”

I greeted the man who came wearing a mask again today.

“Minister Lee Yoo? Or…”

“Call me Teacher.”

The one who received the position of Nangjungnyeong, Lee Yoo.

Perhaps that will be the position Dong Zhuo’s son-in-law, Lee Yoo, will get when he overcomes the military and comes to the court.

People will wonder why he acts like a different person at some point, but the sense of incongruity will eventually disappear.

Mr. Lee is acting as much like Lee Yoo as possible.

And because of that….

“Let’s have a drink of water.”

“Do you think of this place as a place for mental and physical stability?”

“Oh, you caught me. Haha.”

Even though he is wearing an impersonal mask, he has come to a place where he can be himself, so Mr. Lee considers this place his sanctuary.

“The facilities are getting better day by day.”

“We have plenty of resources, and our Byungju army is sufficient.”

When he first stayed temporarily, it was like a temporary camp during outdoor training, but now it can be said that it is at least a barracks.

“So why did you come as a teacher today? Yesterday you came as Nangjungnyeong Lee Yoo.”

“Yesterday I came for work, and today I came for no reason.”

“…….”

“I’m joking. Don’t take it so seriously.”

Mr. Lee received the glass of water I handed him.

“Oh….”

It was just water with a bamboo leaf floating in it, but Mr. Lee held the glass with reverence as if he were receiving the finest tea.

“Ah. Clean water that can be drunk cool without brewing tea.”

“They say the end of modification is purity.”

I heard that China has a developed tea culture, but living here, I see there’s a reason for it.

So after repeated research, I found a way to secure the cleanest water possible.

“If you present this to the Emperor, he will probably praise you greatly.”

“If I do that, I will become the imperial water supply officer instead of the prayer officer. It’s bothersome. It’s enough to do my best in the given tasks.”

“Hehe. You already gave this clean water to Prince Jinryu, didn’t you?”

“……There’s a hidden meaning in your words.”

I don’t like to speak indirectly.

“I only served water to Prince Jinryu because he sweated a lot during archery training. If anyone hears this, they might interpret it as if I have treacherous intentions.”

“That’s why I came here today… Ahem. I understand.”

The teacher took another sip of water and straightened his posture.

“There is going to be a major upheaval in the court.”

“Again?”

It’s only been a few months since the rebellion of the Ten Attendants ended.

“It’s almost autumn, what kind of upheaval could happen now?”

“Abdication.”

“…….”

“Recently, not only in Luoyang but in the entire Central Plains, there has been a drought.”

“I know.”

Summer, scorching sun.

The reason we don’t leave Mengjin is not just because we don’t want to be in the capital, but also because Mengjin is close to the Yellow River, allowing us to secure a large amount of water.

“And the reason you come here often… ha, damn it.”

“Just speak comfortably.”

“…is also the purpose.”

“Hahaha!”

The teacher laughed, slapping his thigh with his hand.

“Alright. After today’s talk, I’ll wash up here too. I’ll wash my hair and pour some cold water over my body.”

“Isn’t that your true intention? Saying you want to talk is just an excuse.”

“I’ll pay enough for the water, so don’t worry. Have you ever suffered a loss by listening to me?”

“…No, I haven’t.”

This man.

He is definitely helping me.

During the past summer, while staying in the capital, it was all thanks to the teacher that I could stay quietly without becoming a politically troublesome figure.

“Currently, General Dong Zhuo, who has risen to the position of Grand Commandant, is trying to depose the current emperor. The official reason is this.”

The teacher cleared his throat.

“There is a drought in the world and not enough rain, so there will be a shortage of grain in the autumn. This is because the emperor lacks virtue.”

“And the real reason?”

“That he is the son of Empress He.”

The teacher made a gesture of cutting his neck with the edge of his hand.

“General Dong Zhuo is being severely tormented by Empress He. He’s having a really hard time.”

“To what extent?”

“He was raging that half of his salary is being extorted by Empress Dowager Ha.”

“…….”

Although he seemed greedy when I first saw him, no one would be calm if half of their salary was being taken away.

“Apparently, it’s being used to buy luxury goods.”

“I understand the resentment towards the Ha family, but is it enough to change the emperor?”

“There are connections to the already deceased Ha Jin, and the court wants to cut out everything related to Ha Jin.”

“They want to oust Empress Dowager Ha and send her away along with everyone else.”

“Indeed. And….”

The teacher taps the teacup with his hand and falls into thought for a moment.

“…Think of this as a lament from an anonymous guest who drank clean water thanks to you.”

“Hmm.”

“The current emperor has inherited more of the former emperor’s blood than expected. And Ha Dowager’s blood has also seeped in.”

“To be honest, is he incompetent?”

“……Good grief.”

The teacher raised both hands.

“Yes. Well, he’s still young, but the court ministers are also expressing concerns. They fear he might turn out like the former emperor.”

“They’re afraid the eunuchs will regain power.”

“Perhaps, this is just my thought.”

The teacher looked at me intently and continued.

“General Dong Zhuo will try to enthrone Prince Chenliu as the emperor.”

“…….”

“Publicly, he will use you to lessen the political burden. Even if he claims the throne and tries to control the royal family, isn’t Lü Bu by the emperor’s side? With such words.”

“Creating a political rivalry?”

I pointed to the cup the teacher was drinking from.

“Even though the cup, furniture, and all the utensils here are gifts from Dong Zhuo?”

“There are no eternal enemies in politics. Although they are enemies now, they can become excellent allies through certain methods.”

The teacher lightly shook his pinky finger.

“Marriage.”

“Someone came with a marriage proposal the day before yesterday, didn’t they? Empress Dowager Dong even sent palace maids from the Empress Dowager’s residence to control those bringing marriage proposals.”

“…….”

“You may have noticed, but all those women are daughters of families related to Empress Dowager Dong.”

Present.

There are not only men in Mengjin’s military camp.

“Some of them may be actual palace maids, but the women who are particularly trying to serve the general are daughters of influential families disguised as palace maids.”

Although the number is not large, quite a few women are staying here for various reasons.

“Empress Dowager He will soon feel threatened and try to reach out to you. Probably….”

“A while ago.”

I opened a tightly closed box on one side of the barracks and took out a light pink silk pouch.

“A person came saying it was a secret order sent from the Empress Dowager’s palace. Naturally, I thought it was from Empress Dowager Dong and accepted it. But… that person deliberately said it was from the Empress Dowager’s palace and just threw this and left. By the time I rode after him, he was already gone.”

“That is…!”

“I haven’t told anyone about the contents yet. It’s not something to be shared in the first place.”

Inside the pouch was a piece of paper.

It was written in somewhat rough handwriting, and it was an anonymous secret letter.

“Empress Dowager He sent a secret letter.”

“……..”

“Do you see this as a reason for Dong Zhuo’s subordinates, or do you see it as a teacher who will not cause me any harm?”

“How, can I take this off and see?”

The teacher made a gesture of putting his hand under the mask.

“No, there’s no need for that.”

After stopping him from actually taking it off.

“If you want to see this, you must swear to keep it a secret forever.”

“I swear on my parents that I will not tell anyone.”

“…….”

I handed over the secret letter.

It’s not that it must be kept secret.

‘Rather, it would be good if the teacher sees it and subtly tells Dong Zhuo.’

If that happens, the situation will become more serious than it is now, but at least I can overcome the difficulties I am currently facing.

Really, a serious problem.

“……This is crazy.”

The teacher looked at the secret letter and let out a hollow laugh, but the hand holding the letter trembled slightly.

“Haha. Interesting, very interesting. What should I make of this?”

The teacher’s gaze at the secret letter was mixed with joy, contempt, and a hint of anger.

“General.”

The teacher looked at me with a smile.

“I don’t know why the general hasn’t taken a wife, but everyone in the court and the world is eyeing the seat next to you.”

“I will listen, teacher.”

“Empress Dowager Dong is trying to match you with her palace maid or a woman from her family. The influential noble families in the court are offering their daughters. General Dong Zhuo is even trying to connect you with his own granddaughter.”

“…….”

“But this case is truly a spectacle.”

The teacher handed over the secret letter with a sly smile.

“Is it a political move by the Empress Dowager to protect the emperor, or is it the desire of a woman trying to soothe her lonely nights after the late emperor’s death?”

“Teacher.”

“Empress Dowager He is in her prime as a woman. I don’t know exactly, but… was she in her mid-thirties?”

The teacher shook his head.

“One of three things. Become Empress Dowager He’s lover and gain political backing for the current emperor, fill the empty seat through a political marriage, or…”

“…….”

“What is the third?”

The teacher emptied his cup and pointed to my heart with his hand.

“Follow what your heart tells you, General.”

“…….”

“Unless your tastes are twisted or strange, General, you are in a position where you can marry anyone you choose. So, you can declare ‘I will take this woman as my wife’ on the spot. Even noble daughters ten years younger than Empress Dowager He.”

The teacher stood up.

“I must go. Lastly, thank you for the drink.”

“Lastly?”

“Soon, the ‘real reason’ will come.”

The teacher scratched his neck with a bitter smile.

“Despite being ill, he is trying to enter the court somehow. Perhaps because General Dong Zhuo has risen to the position of Grand Commandant, he wants to make an impression before that. Be careful. That man… hmm.”

“Why do you say so?”

“No. The general does not judge people recklessly. I don’t want to plant any preconceptions.”

“…Seeing you react like that, it seems you’re someone who shouldn’t be kept close.”

He smirked.

“As expected, General, you are amusing.”

The teacher smiled broadly.

“Ah. Don’t take it the wrong way. It’s just that in Luoyang, filled with filth, you are the only one who feels as pure as this clean water. When I talk to you… it feels like something inside me is boiling.”

The mask slipped slightly, but the teacher didn’t mind and bowed his head with both hands clasped.

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“If we meet again someday, I will greet you in my true form. Take care, General Ye.”

“At that time.”

I bowed my waist to the teacher with respect.

“Whether it’s your name or title, I will still call you teacher.”

* * *

Thud, thud.

Leaving the military camp of Bingzhou, while riding on the road.

“Hey, Hoga.”

“Ho!”

The man opened his mouth to the large man riding behind him, but he only responded with a shout.

“……..”

The man took out a silver coin from his bosom.

Hoga’s eyes sparkled for a moment, and the man handed him the silver coin.

“Since it’s just the two of us, tell me. Whose side do you think General Ye will take?”

“If he is someone who thinks of fame and fortune.”

With a heavy voice, Hoga spoke in a clean and neat manner.

“Wouldn’t it be most desirable to become the emperor’s archery teacher?”

“Do you think General Ye is such a person?”

“He was a hero who could choose the path to fame and fortune for his dream.”

“Dream?”

“I heard he often said that. There are too many thieves in the world, so his dream is to create a world without thieves.”

“Haha….”

The man let out a hollow laugh.

“How idealistic. Hahaha….”

“Elder.”

Hogeo slightly urged his horse forward and handed the silver piece back to the man.

“Do you really think it will go as you predicted? That Lu Bu will join in changing the emperor?”

“If he has a rather strange taste, he will protect the emperor. If not, he won’t care.”

“A strange taste…?”

“Yes. I can’t say more.”

Hogeo reached for the pouch hanging from his waist.

“No. It’s a secret.”

“What? Are you keeping your honor?”

“I swore on my parents. Selling information for money would be betraying my honor and becoming an unfilial son.”

“Perhaps you too, Elder….”

“Teacher.”

“Yes?”

“From now on, call me Teacher.”

“……Elder.”

Hogeo asked with a serious face.

“Will there be additional pay?”

“We’ll have to rewrite the contract.”

“A re-contract due to the change in title….”

Thud, thud.

As a carriage approached from the opposite side of the road, the man and Hogeo immediately fell silent.

Clatter.

After the carriage passed by.

“Hogeo.”

“Yes!”

“…….”

The man handed over another silver piece with annoyance.

“It seems it’s about time to take this off.”

“Then what should I call you?”

“Of course….”

The man swiftly took off his mask and grinned.

“Call me Master Munhwa.”

“…Is it alright to take that off so recklessly, Master Gahu?”

“This guy.”

The man.

“There’s no reason to wear this anymore.”

Gahu laughed lowly and pointed ahead.

“Let’s go quickly. We should bid farewell to General Dongtak and it would be best to leave Luoyang for a while.”

“Where will we go if we leave Luoyang? Chang’an?”

“First to Chang’an, and then….”

Gahu pointed north.

“It would be best to take your family and go to Bingzhou. If we’re going to live, it’s best to live in a clean and safe place. It’s also close to the capital.”

“Master.”

Hogeo rubbed his fingers with a serious face.

“Additional allowances for long-distance travel and escorting in dangerous areas will be calculated separately.”

“…….”

* * *

Three days later.

“Depose the Emperor.”

In the meeting hall where high-ranking officials gathered.

“We will enthrone the Prince of Chenliu as the new Emperor.”

Dongtak declared.

＜ The Master of the Imperial Palace (1) ＞ End