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

Chapter 32

＜ No Rest (1) ＞

At that time, in the capital Luoyang.

“Hey, Munyak. Have you heard the rumor?”

“What rumor are you talking about?”

“The reorganization of the Ministry of Rites.”

The young man called Munyak shrugged, pointing to the brush holder he was holding.

“It doesn’t seem to have much to do with my duties, so I haven’t paid attention.”

“Haha, my friend. I thought you liked this kind of thing?”

“Isn’t the reason for the reorganization because it contains His Majesty’s will?”

“That’s right! Haha, you know everything while pretending not to be interested.”

The bureaucrat with a thick beard spoke, and Munyak smiled bitterly.

“…It’s a change in the administrative district.”

While administrative reorganizations are common, it’s not easy for just one place to change so drastically.

“Especially to Byungju.”

And if that place being incorporated is Byungju, it makes it even more significant.

“If Hanegun is incorporated into Byungju, then Byungju will be closer to the capital.”

“Senior, you don’t think that’s a good thing, do you? Just because Leppo is getting closer to Luoyang.”

“Oh dear. If someone hears that, it could be a big problem.”

The bureaucrat lowered his voice.

“Though I used to think that if Byungju got closer to Luoyang, Leppo would storm in at any moment.”

Munyak nodded.

– If Leppo sets his mind to it, he could attack the capital with 7,000 elite troops!

This rumor had once begun circulating, particularly in the western part of Luoyang.

“Leppo could charge into the capital in one breath. …If that’s true, I hope it happens. Hehe.”

There were even whispers that it might not just be a rumor, but something he could actually do.

“If Leppo is truly a man of loyalty, then no matter what chaos erupts in the capital, he would rush to Luoyang in an instant.”

“…….”

“But if Leppo harbors treachery…”

“Senior, that’s all just Dong Taewi making a fuss.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. He’s trying to instill fear of General Leppo to station his own troops in the western part of Luoyang. Several officials have actually defected, after all.”

“Oh dear, watch your words.”

“Weren’t you the one who wanted to discuss this topic first, Senior?”

“…That’s why I’m being cautious with my words.”

The man lowered his voice even more carefully.

“Do you trust Dong Zhuo?”

“I do not.”

“And what about Leppo?”

“……I think he can be trusted at least more than Dong Zhuo.”

“Why?”

“At least he didn’t intend to station in Luoyang.”

It is difficult to compare who is more loyal to this country.

“Even though he could have aimed his spear at the capital, even though he could have stayed in the capital as the Emperor’s teacher, he left Luoyang. As he said, if he had harbored treasonous thoughts, he would have already become Zheng Fengxian as the son of the garden. Or Ha Fengxian.”

“This friend, he’s quite bold.”

“Isn’t this why you called me separately, to hear such stories?”

The official smiled faintly at Munyak’s words.

“You. Do you have a separate lord?”

“……If you say my lord, of course, it is the Emperor of this country.”

“No, not such a theoretical story.”

“If you ask in the sense of serving someone as a retainer.”

Munyak shook his head.

“It seems that the person I should serve as my lord is not yet visible in the court.”

“What kind of person is your lord?”

“Someone who cherishes and loves this country more than anyone else, and who devotes himself to ensuring that this country continues for thousands and thousands of years.”

“……If so.”

The official approached and whispered in Munyak’s ear.

“Does that mean it’s okay as long as the country continues?”

“……Senior.”

Munyak frowned but did not retreat.

“Would you not share the same will with me?”

“……Senior Jinrim. Whose strategist are you?”

Munyak distanced himself.

“Is it Cao Mengde? I’ve heard rumors that you’ve been meeting frequently these days.”

“Haha, that’s quite something. Not even calling me by name, how disappointing.”

The official, Jinrim, stroked his beard and joked.

“…….”

But as the young man called Munyak continued to keep a stern expression, Jinrim changed his expression and distanced himself.

“Alright. It pains me that you drew a line, but if we work together, things could change.”

Jinrim clasped his hands together.

“Sun Munyak. Would you not use your wisdom for our lord?”

“That is-“

“It is not Cao Mengde.”

“……..”

“My lord is gathering scholars who share his vision.”

“What vision?”

“Well… you will know when you meet him. My lord is a descendant of the Yuan family.”

“…Surely, you don’t mean that honey addict?”

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“Oh, come on. Do I look like someone who would follow a person like Yuan Shu?”

“Surely not.”

“Shh.”

Jinlim lowered his voice again.

“I follow Lord Yuan Shao. Hey, Sun Yu. Would you like to have a conversation with Lord Yuan Shao?”

“…….”

The young man, Sun Yu, quietly closed his eyes.

“The Emperor has restructured the administrative system for his mentor, wielding power privately from a young age. The court ministers are encouraging the young Emperor’s actions, and the Grand Commandant from Xiliang keeps placing his soldiers in the western part of Luoyang.”

“…….”

“Just once. Just meet him once. After all, he is the righteous man who drew his sword to drive out the Ten Attendants.”

“That is…certainly true.”

Sun Yu opened his eyes and replied.

“I will meet him just once.”

“Let’s go! To our lord-“

“There is no need for that, Jinlim.”

“……!!”

A man in official robes appeared in front of Jinlim.

“Oh… my lord!”

“People will hear us. This is the Imperial Palace, how can we, as fellow officials, observe the etiquette of vassals?”

“…I greet Lord Yuan Benchu.”

Sun Yu bowed his head to the man who suddenly appeared, Yuan Shao.

“Hehe. Sun Yu, would you like to have a conversation with me for a while…?”

* * *

On the way to Onhyun in Hanaegun.

“Master Gahu. Let’s have a conversation while we travel.”

“As you wish.”

Gahu and I ride our horses along the mountain path.

“General, since we’re having a conversation, how about we take turns asking and answering questions?”

“Sounds good, Master. I’ll ask the first question.”

“Sorry, but I will go first. By military rule.”

Gahu, unusually, took the initiative.

“General Ye, do you have any intention of becoming the Emperor?”

“Are you insane?”

“Seriously.”

I looked back at the sudden and blatant question about harboring treasonous thoughts.

Behind us, Seongryeom and his subordinates were following.

They were far enough away not to hear us.

“Master, saying such things could cost you your head.”

Still, it’s dangerous.

“I tolerated it because it’s you, Master. If it were anyone else, I would have struck them down immediately.”

“Ahem. That’s scary. But please understand. We need to establish this premise before moving on to the next question.”

“Are you suggesting that I harbor treasonous thoughts-“

Wait.

Doesn’t this count as a question?

Then I can’t ask my question?

“…I, Ye Bongseon, have no intention of doing anything shameful to my father in heaven.”

“Huh.”

“If anyone brings up that story, you tell them first, Master. I, Ye Bongseon, will rip out the tongue of anyone who dares to claim treason.”

“……I want to ask the next question right away, but since we agreed to take turns, it’s your turn, General.”

“Hmm.”

The sudden question about treason increased the number of things to ask, but for now, I’ll solve my immediate curiosity.

“What kind of place is the Sima family?”

Mr. Sima.

I have some information.

‘For now, he’s definitely not a Sima (邪魔).’

Mr. Sima (司馬).

A surname that is neither from the Sapa nor the Demon Sect.

There’s a feeling that those with the surname Sima might appear as figures from the Sapa or the Demon Sect, but—

‘One shouldn’t hastily judge a surname based on martial arts.’

Having already faced a setback due to the matter of Kongming, I have no choice but to avoid such assumptions in the future.

Unless he truly is a Sima (邪魔).

“I know he’s a noble from Hanae County, but I don’t know the details about their scale or influence.”

One thing is certain.

The Sima clan is not a prominent martial arts family.

‘If they were, I would have already known.’

I’ve heard there are martial arts families in Hanae County.

They would have immediately sent someone to challenge me to a duel.

Thus, even if the Sima clan is powerful enough to be called a family, they are merely one of many noble houses.

It’s unfortunate.

“I would like to know what you understand about them, teacher.”

“To put it simply and briefly, in a way the general can easily understand.”

Gahu pointed his finger to the sky.

“If it were the province of Byung, they would belong to the category of ‘high-ranking individuals’ who would make the governor bow his head and ask for some consideration.”

“Ah-ha!”

So they are a noble house that even the governor must bow to?

‘That means they’re not just simple local dignitaries.’

They are not merely wealthy; they are a truly powerful force capable of establishing a ‘family.’

A house so influential that calling the governor ‘that guy’ wouldn’t be strange, and perhaps even Lady Dong would have to pay considerable attention to them.

“Then I shall ask the next question. What would you do if that Mr. Sima became an enemy of the province?”

“If he committed a crime, I would hold him accountable, imprison him, and confiscate his assets for the national treasury.”

“Indeed.”

A straightforward question deserves a straightforward answer.

“Fame of the clan is meaningless in the face of righteousness and cooperation. Good.”

Seeing Gahu muttering something to himself, it seems he has found his own direction.

Perhaps it’s the story we will share when we arrive at the Samaga clan.

“I have a question for Teacher Gahu. What will you do about the Samaga clan?”

“The clan?”

“…….”

Oh dear.

…….

“What do you mean by ‘clan’?”

It’s fine.

I’ve already mentioned this to my teacher once.

– Is the northern Gongsonchan a clan? …What is a clan, anyway? Let me write the characters for ‘clan’ and ‘family’ separately, so you can see. This one and this one? …Now, explain the meaning of ‘clan.’

I explained as clearly as I could what I thought a clan was, and the image of the Eight Great Clans of the Martial World, so that my teacher could understand.

-…If you ever need to refer to a clan in the future, tell them I said this. Traditionally, the term ‘clan’ means…

My teacher taught me.

“A family with power, and in the sense of passing down the lineage, my teacher referred to it as ‘sega (世家).'”

“…I was going to ask another question, but it seems impossible to have a back-and-forth with the general.”

“Why is that?”

“Because every time the general speaks, new questions keep popping up!”

Gahu exclaimed in frustration.

“I want to meet the general’s teacher.”

“He has already passed away.”

“That’s why I say this. When I die, the first thing I want to do is go to him and seek his teachings. How did he live like that!”

“……Our teacher lived until his last days drinking clear water and staying warm in a clean place.”

Though there were times when he felt pent-up frustration inside.

“My teacher always said that when he spoke with me.”

“What did he say?”

“Don’t just keep it all bottled up inside; speak quickly and as it is.”

“In a straightforward manner?”

“Exactly.”

“Then, let me ask in my own way.”

Gahu pulled on the reins and came to a stop.

“Will you kill the Samaga clan, or will you embrace them?”

“I will choose the option that is best for Byeongju.”

“Though it is not a question, if I were to answer, making Mr. Samaga a general’s man would be the best path.”

I roughly understand what Gahu is saying.

“What will you do with Mr. Samaga?”

Gahu seems to be hoping for an embrace.

Even if they truly show a nature akin to that of demons.

“Isn’t that a profound insight you should present to me, teacher?”

“That is both an answer and a question. Before I respond, I must say this: Gahu, while my military strategy may be a hair’s breadth different from that of Sunyu, in the struggle between powers, I am two steps ahead of him.”

Gahu proudly thumps his chest.

“If Sunyu is a military man, I, Gahu, am a strategist.”

“…That doesn’t sound very good.”

“In terms of slander and conspiracy, there is no one who can match Gahu. Hehehe.”

“……So?”

“I will devise a plan as the general desires. Whatever it may be.”

“Whatever it may be?”

“Indeed. It is not the general’s role to decide between the best, middle, or worst plans. That is the work of a top strategist, but I, Gahu, am beyond that.”

Gahu raised his head and grinned.

“The way for this strategist, Gahu, to live is to immediately present the most suitable top plan for the path the general wishes to take.”

“Indeed.”

“General, if I may speak of something else, the gaze of a villain must be met by a villain. Those who dwell in pure white cannot comprehend black.”

“Well, I don’t know about that.”

I can assert that this is not the case.

“Even if one wears white clothing, standing before the sun and turning one’s head, one can see that deep shadow.”

“Oh?”

“Even in darkness, one can discern whether their clothing is white or black by the faint moonlight.”

“Ah.”

“And I can sufficiently distinguish between black and white.”

Wherever people live, it’s all the same.

“I will see for myself whether they are black or white.”

“…There may be someone approaching in white, hiding a blade in the shadows.”

It seems someone is speaking with a particular intention in mind.

Are they talking about the Samma clan?

“What will you do about them?”

“If I sense a blade, I will strike the solar plexus and shatter it. If they offer tea in a gesture of hospitality, I will gladly gulp it down in one go.”

“…Huh.”

Gahu shook his head vigorously.

“Indeed. In that case, we must prepare an antidote in advance, just in case the enemy secretly sprinkles poison on you.”

“Are you talking about actual poison?”

“Of course not, but we should be somewhat prepared for real poison as well. There will be countless who aim for you.”

“Is that so?”

Well then.

“There was someone among the noble families of Byeongju who tried to poison my drink before.”

Killing someone with poison is quite a common occurrence.

Especially among the nobility.

“……How did you notice? Did someone inform you?”

“The smell was overwhelming. And most poisons don’t work on me. I ate a lot of different things when I was young.”

The enemy might have thought it was a colorless, odorless poison, but I am particularly sensitive to smells.

“What do you think? Do you think the Samma clan would try to serve me poisoned tea?”

“Who knows….”

“Are you hoping that I would even accept that poison?”

“That is indeed the case.”

Gahu pretended to slice his own throat and smiled.

“If you say you will wipe out the entire Samma clan, I will prepare the best plan to match that, so rest assured. Hehe.”

“It seems you had many plans prepared using the Samma clan?”

“If it becomes poison for you, it is the duty of this clan to eliminate it, no matter who it is. Even if it means turning it back on them. …Now.”

Gahu pointed ahead.

“Let’s go to the den of poison snakes.”

* * *

“Welcome to the House of Sama, valiant hero of Byeongju. I am Sama Bang, the head of the Sama family.”

As soon as I arrived at the Sama residence, a man named Sama Bang greeted me.

“Perhaps you have seen me before?”

“You might have caught a glimpse of me while passing through the court. Although we did not exchange greetings, I am pleased to meet you here, archer.”

The title carries weight.

“There was an intention to send an invitation to Byeongju, but I did not expect you to arrive so soon.”

“Is it a breach of etiquette?”

It is indeed a breach to come unannounced.

“No, how could I send someone like you away, General? I merely felt awkward coming here with this man.”

“Heh heh heh.”

Gahu, who stood beside me, pulled out a fan and covered his mouth.

“Head of the family, where is the elder?”

“…….”

“Since it seems your interest lies with the General, I originally came to see the elder.”

“With soldiers from Hane-gun trailing behind?”

“They are merely following to escort the General.”

Gahu drew a line, pointing at the group of Seongnyeom behind us.

“If the head of the Sama family says, ‘There is no problem, so you may leave,’ they will depart immediately.”

“…….”

“You do not believe me. Well, it matters not. Then, General, I shall see you after the matter is concluded.”

Gahu bowed deeply, offering a formal greeting.

It felt quite awkward, reminiscent of a vassal’s mannerisms, but Sama Bang, the head of the Sama family, looked visibly shaken.

This man knows Gahu.

And as soon as he saw Gahu bowing to me, his expression changed.

“…General, would you please come this way for now?”

“I beg your pardon.”

“Oh, please speak freely.”

“Understood.”

I follow Samabang, who gestures to me with a smile, as we step inside.

‘This is reminiscent of a palace.’

A mansion so luxurious it cannot even be compared to the homes of other noble families in Byeongju.

Those who aspire to rise in status would surely wish to live in a place like this, with dozens of buildings within the estate.

“General.”

Samabang stops walking.

“Although you have come alone, that one person is essentially equivalent to the movements of the Byeongju army.”

“Are you saying that I have brought an army with me?”

I raise both hands.

“I am not even armed.”

“What touches the general’s hands is a weapon, and what the general wields is indeed a soldier’s weapon, is it not?”

Hmm.

That is certainly true.

“Rest assured. Such a thing will not happen.”

Samabang walks toward a rather large building and soon stands before a firmly closed door.

“General.”

I can sense a presence inside, but there is no malice.

“There is nothing here that poses a threat to you, General.”

“I apologize. It has become a habit to be cautious when entering such places.”

“I have heard that the noble families in Byeongju once attempted to assassinate you…”

There was indeed a time when that happened.

“What was it like? I have only heard rumors.”

“They set up a banquet and tried to kill me.”

“How did that come to be?”

“The noble I had captured at the time said so. ‘Aren’t the refugees you brought sitting on my land as they please?’ So I kicked his backside right then and there.”

Nobles are those who react sensitively when their interests are threatened.

“All the land in this country belongs to the Emperor; how dare you act as if you are the rightful owner of the land?”

“……General.”

“I will ask the head of the Samagang.”

Most nobles were like that.

“Are you also those who dare to treat His Majesty’s land as your own?”

“…Hoo hoo, hoo hoo hoo.”

Sama Bang chuckles softly.

“It seems you’ve had quite the encounter with the noble families of Byeongju. Hoo hoo hoo.”

“Answer me.”

“To be honest, it’s a bit disheartening.”

“Disheartening?”

“Yes, indeed. On one hand, I can’t help but feel sorry for how much you’ve suffered at the hands of the noble families. I feel quite apologetic.”

Sama Bang grips the doorknob.

“Do you know how many are behind this door?”

“…Thirty-eight?”

“……!!”

Sama Bang’s eyes widen.

“Why do you say that?”

“…It’s nothing. I called for thirty men, but… it seems these fellows… haha.”

Sama Bang briefly squeezes his eyes shut, but soon shakes his head and grips the doorknob again.

“Those behind this door are people the general knows. They are not assassins who secretly hide blades like the noble families of Byeongju.”

Creeeak.

“These are the ones who owe their lives to the general’s assistance.”

“Ah.”

Inside the door.

The moment it opened, I was met with familiar faces.

“General.”

Previously.

When the garden was alive.

“It is an honor to see our benefactor once again.”

When we needed a boat to head to Luoyang, they were the ones who helped us in An-eup-hyeon.

They were the ones who lent us a boat to cross the Yellow River.

When I was gathering gold to find someone in the court and learned that the garden was providing not a single coin, they were the ones who supported that funding.

Those who barely survived while being chased by the bandits of An-eup-hyeon.

“Everyone seems to be alive and well.”

Thirty of them gathered in one place like this.

The previous disheveled appearances had all vanished, replaced by a semblance of living like human beings.

“How did you know?”

“We gathered immediately upon hearing that the general was coming this way.”

“In An-eup-hyeon…”

“We are currently living here in On-hyeon.”

The one who claimed to be the head of the ferry boatmen pointed to everyone.

“Thanks to the gold given by the general, we were able to leave An-eup-hyeon and settle here. Now we are under the protection of the Sima family. In fact…”

The head of the boatmen subtly gestured towards Sima Bang.

“Everyone gathered here owes their lives to the Sima family. It is thanks to the general’s grace that we could come this far.”

“Ah.”

“General.”

After Sima Bang walked towards the seat of honor.

“The general has already bestowed kindness upon the Sima family even before coming here. There are those who have become part of our family with the general’s help, and our family members have also received assistance from the general and the soldiers.”

“…….”

“While passing through, you eradicated bandits and bestowed grace upon many, so how could the Sima family ever forsake that kindness?”

Kahoo, facing me, clasped his hands together and bowed his head, just as he had done before.

“Now, everyone, please step back.”

Clap, clap.

As Sima Bang clapped his hands, the family members who had gathered to greet me quickly exited.

“Now, I shall introduce my children.”

A transparent introduction of his children.

Some might call it a mere show.

“Everyone, come forth and pay your respects to the general.”

This is the most certain declaration of trust that a noble can show to someone they can rely on.

From grown young men to still young children, all eight lined up before me.

In their eyes, there was more admiration and expectation directed at me than wariness.

Even the youngest child.

“They are children who have grown up listening to stories of the female general since they were little. They will remember this day, the day they met the general, for the rest of their lives.”

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“Ha.”

Teacher Gahu.

‘It seems the viper is hiding its fangs.’

Jungwon scoffed at the idea of supporting them financially, deeming it a meaningless endeavor.

“The Sima family will fully align with the general’s intentions. Hahaha.”

But who would have thought it would come back like this?

Indeed, one should live kindly.

“General.”

Of course.

“This child is my eldest, Sima Rang. He is exceptionally bright and will be a great help to you, General. He has just reached the age of maturity and wishes to become an official.”

A talent and a hostage are just a character apart.

“…I won’t ask.”

If there are moments when one must swallow the poison they know, perhaps this is one of them.

“I will work to the point of wishing for death. I will work until I die. I will work so much that I will beg for death.”

Who is more venomous?

“Retirement is something you do when you’re dead.”

The Sima family? Or me?

“The moment you come under me, your signature will be but one.”

“What is it?”

“Overwork.”

Poison counteracts poison.

“…….”