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

Chapter 36

＜ There Cannot Be Two Fathers Under Heaven (3) ＞

That day.

On a winter day when it was not snowing but raining steadily.

A man, branded a traitor, stood in the center of the palace, sword at his side, with his head bowed.

On the day when a certain minister collapsed, spitting blood, never to rise again.

Someone says.

“It was a water ghost! No, a person sprang forth from the Yellow River!! It’s unjust! Is that a person?! It’s a monster!”

A general with the surname Bae speaks of that day.

“As I walked steadily toward the imperial palace, of course, I had to block him! I thought, I thought he was a monster!”

He only cried out ‘water ghost.’

“…I could not give the order to attack. I couldn’t even attack.”

A general with the surname Jang speaks of that day.

“Even the generals could not stand in his way; who dared to block him? We could only watch him walk.”

He said he saw the soldiers parting left and right just from his stride.

“In the court, it is the duty of a minister not to enter with weapons. Even the beloved general Hwa Geuk entered the palace with nothing but his body, leaving his weapon outside the gates.”

An old minister of the Che family, a man of integrity, speaks of that day.

“What else could this be but the duty of a minister! What? Mud on him? Ha ha, I thought that was the pattern of his clothes!”

He said he witnessed the appearance of a loyal subject who set an example for the times.

“Can one doubt that the loyalty toward the emperor is far removed? Dong Zhuo, who was close by, shouted at the emperor, yet he said that no one should raise their voice before the emperor.”

A military officer with the surname Jo speaks of that day.

“Do not raise your voice, do not raise your voice. This shall become the new etiquette of the imperial palace. Ah, how I desire it!”

He became aware of his greed for people.

“That day, I saw the heavens open.”

The ministers spoke every time they gathered.

“Some said it was merely a coincidence that the rain stopped, but how could it stop precisely at that moment?”

“It’s a coincidence. The rain just stopped.”

“Of all times, then? No, does that even make sense?”

Is this an auspicious sign?

“Indeed, the one who governs heaven and earth is traditionally the Son of Heaven….”

“This person! ‘That one’ is serving the emperor loyally, so the heavens opened like that!”

“Do you really think so? Is it because he is loyal to the emperor that the blue sky opened, or is it that the blue sky opens for those who are loyal to him?”

“……..”

Which came first, the chicken or the egg?

For some, it may be a sign that stirs another sentiment, but it all depends on interpretation.

Everyone clearly saw one thing.

“Did Won-so really suggest the disguise of the Black Mountain bandits? Send troops to capture and investigate!”

The emperor’s command echoed in the palace where the rain had stopped.

“And also investigate all of Won’s clan; anyone related to the Black Mountain bandits shall be captured as well! Let all those who wielded blades against my people be rooted out!”

In the palace where no one dared to raise their voice, only one resounding voice could be heard.

Kugung.

That scene was like the decree of the celestial emperor riding atop a black dragon—

“Sir. I understand that you are pleased to see the emperor in a regal manner.”

Here.

“…How can a person cross the Yellow River barehanded?”

Perhaps there is a woman who looks upon it with the most alien and objective gaze.

* * *

[In the city of Luoyang, at the residence of Minister Wang Yun. In a private chamber within the estate.]

“It doesn’t make sense logically. How can a person… cross the Yellow River?”

“General Ye can do it. Do not discuss the criminal’s mindset with General Ye.”

Wang Yun cut off the woman’s question, drawing a line.

“Even if General Ye were not human, she is the black dragon who has taken on human form for the sake of this chaotic country and His Majesty the Emperor.”

“…….”

“You simply did not witness that moment.”

Wang Yun appeared to be entranced by something, somewhere.

“You said that when the world is in chaos—when warlords emerge claiming to be kings of their regions, General Ye would be at the center of it all.”

“Yes. That was… the flow of destiny.”

“General Ye is different. Or perhaps the General Ye you spoke of is not this General Ye.”

Wang Yun picked up a piece of silk that was dyed black on the outside.

There, the character for Ye (呂) was prominently embroidered.

“If you claim that the one who reads the flow of destiny is General Ye, then the current General Ye is the black dragon who has killed the unfilial one who betrayed her father as easily as eating a meal and has taken that position.”

“How can a person be a black dragon…”

“There are rumors that Taigong Wang, who assisted the martial king during the Eunju Revolution, was actually a Taoist sent by the Primordial Celestial Lord from the Kunlun Mountain’s divine assembly.”

“That makes no sense—”

“Even the fairy who reads the flow of destiny and foresees the future stands before me, and you dare to deny that?”

“…….”

Chosun took a deep breath and looked up.

“It is done. Unfold the divination again.”

“……Elder.”

“As you said, Dong Zhuo has been secretly harboring ambitions. He shouted and bellowed at His Majesty the Emperor.”

Chosun sighed at the sight of Sado Wang Yun, who was unwrapping the silk that had been neatly folded.

“Divination is not something that can be easily unfolded. One must choose an auspicious day and prepare oneself…”

“Did you not say that a great event has occurred in the court right now!”

“And so?”

Wang Yun shouted at Chosun, but she merely tilted her head, pointing at the empty bamboo slips and silk.

“Are you saying that, since the situation has changed, I should immediately reveal the heavenly secrets? It seems your ‘Loyal Minister Dong’s Plan’ has failed.”

Prime Minister.

A power that cannot even be compared to the Three Dukes or the Sado.

In ancient times, one could liken them to figures like Suo Ha, Yi Sa, or Ye Bu Wei.

“Yes! I was momentarily blinded!”

The highest power in the court, which even the Emperor cannot treat lightly.

“Dong Zhuo has risen to the position of Grand Commandant and gathered public opinion to elevate himself even higher!”

Each Prime Minister wields power in different directions, but some might enter the Emperor’s presence with a sword at their side.

“I intended to make him Prime Minister!”

Sado Wang Yun threw one piece of silk down.

“Thus, you acknowledge your mistake and wish to act according to the will of heaven again!”

“……There is no need to read the heavenly secrets.”

Chosun suppressed her indignation and pushed the bamboo slips forward.

“I told you, when the Minister reigns, heroes will gather, and the capital will burn, ushering in an era of warlords.”

“Ugh, ugh…!!”

“Isn’t that flow unfolding right before us?”

Chosun let out a bitter smile and sighed.

“No matter how much one person cries out in agony, they cannot change the heavenly secrets. …They cannot.”

Chosun quietly closed her eyes, gazing at the countless bamboo slips and silks she had created, the traces of the heavenly secrets she had written with her own blood.

“This can indeed be called fate.”

“Ha…!”

“This is not a disclosure of heavenly secrets; it is the judgment of the girl based on what the elder has said.”

Chosun raised her hand towards her face and gently brushed her brow with her fingers.

Then, with a sudden ‘ah-ha’ expression, she awkwardly lowered her hand.

“Dong Zhuo has cast off the guise of a loyal minister. Yet he remains a powerful official. His soldiers are still formidable, and now that the mask has slipped, he will bring a large army from Xiliang.”

“What justification will he have?”

“Yuan Shao will deny the Emperor.”

“Stop!”

Wang Yun shouted.

“How dare a traitor like you!”

“Since I’ve been branded a traitor, don’t I have to become a true traitor to survive?”

“……!!”

“Elder.”

Chosun placed her hand over her heart, unfazed by Wang Yun’s outburst.

“Is Yuan Shao truly the only traitor?”

“What do you mean?”

“It is Dong Zhuo who wishes for the downfall of the entire Yuan family. They will do everything they can to label him a traitor. Without exception. But….”

Chosun pointed to the pink silk beside the yellow silk.

“Did Yuan Shao handle everything solely by his own will?”

“…….”

“Is Yuan Shao the master of the Yuan family in Luoyang? Did he completely disregard the will of the elders in Luoyang and have the authority to handle all matters?”

“That is…”

“Is it really just Yuan Shao alone, who conspired as a traitor, deceiving even the entire Yuan family?”

“That is… a matter of outcome.”

“Is it only Yuan Shao who is the scum? …Hmm, I wonder?”

Chosun smiled faintly.

“If you would allow me, may I speak freely as I wish?”

“……How can one block the words of a celestial being with mere human reasoning?”

Wang Yun waved his hand and, as if by habit, slumped into his chair, crossing his arms.

“…Ahem.”

Chosun cleared her throat and settled into a comfortable position.

“The Yu clan is overflowing in this world.”

Wang Yun’s legs twitched, but he squeezed his eyes shut.

“Even the Yu from the countryside, who weaves mats, dreams of becoming an emperor, and there will be those who, under the name of royal blood, seek to inherit the throne when the emperor dies. There may even be those who, invoking the tale of Liu Bang, the founder of the Han dynasty, establish a nation under the name of Shu Han in the land of Pochu.”

Because those words are not merely human speech; they are uttered by a celestial being imbued with divine energy.

“How could there be just a few of such Yus? Elder, who among the Yus comes to mind now?”

“…There is Yu You from Jizhou, Yu Biao from Xingzhou, and Yu An from Yizhou.”

“…….Yes, there are indeed a lot of Yus.”

Chosun smiled bitterly and spread several fingers.

“Perhaps beyond those Yus, there are Yus overflowing everywhere. It is said that the late King Zhongshan had nearly 120 descendants, right?”

“…That was three hundred years ago.”

“Even if those 120 had three children every thirty years, how many would that be? How many of their descendants have survived until now? The bloodline of King Zhongshan will still be alive even two thousand years from now.”

“…….”

“Must the emperor be one who inherits the blood of Liu Bang, the founder of the Han, or one who inherits the blood of the deceased emperor, Liu Gyeong?”

“…Hoo.”

Wang Yun gripped his thigh tightly with his hand.

“Traditionally, bloodlines… Hoo.”

Veins bulged on the back of his hand, but Wang Yun’s hand merely trembled.

“Continue.”

“Wang So has been branded a traitor. The flow of celestial energy is undoubtedly continuing as it is, but the light shining towards Wang So is weakening more than expected.”

“And?”

“Wang So will likely try to gather that insufficient light with the power of other stars. The Northern White Horse Constellation, the Eastern Danyang Constellation, the Southern Tiger Constellation, and perhaps… even the great stars that still linger in Luoyang.”

“Cough…!!”

“The energy of the stars is not gathering for Wang So. Even if it is not Wang So, the stars scattered throughout the Central Plains will converge for some reason.”

“……In the end, is that what celestial energy is?”

“Eighteen stars will unite and fall like the sun. That was the divination I read.”

“Luoyang.”

Wang Yun squeezed his eyes shut.

“Is it true that the local warlords have become feudal lords due to the sale of official positions initiated by the late emperor? Does that mean it will eventually explode like a flame in the present…?”

“…….

“…Is the downfall of this country truly unavoidable?”

“…….”

Wang Yun squinted at Chosun, but Chosun kept her eyes closed and said nothing.

“Chosun, just tell me one thing. To others….”

“As I mentioned, I can only speak of the heavenly secrets I learned before I came of age.”

Chosun pointed to the brush holder on the desk.

“From the moment I helped you to repay your kindness, the heavens have been wrathful, and they no longer allow me to easily read the heavenly secrets.”

“Ha….”

“You know how grave a sin it is to divulge heavenly secrets, don’t you? Even now, what I am telling you is merely a fragment to assist you….”

Chosun shook her head firmly.

“The moment you reveal the conversation we had in this room to others, the heavenly secrets will tremble, and a nation will meet its end.”

“Ha.”

“Above all, you may not enjoy the predetermined span of your life and might depart sooner than expected.”

“…How much time do I have left?”

“I cannot say for certain, but I will repeat this one thing over and over from the very beginning.”

Chosun pointed to the gray silk beside the black silk, her expression hardening.

“You will die if you stay close to Dong Zhuo. It will be mere months after his death.”

“…….”

“If you wish to avoid your fate, you must keep your distance from Dong Zhuo.”

“…But Dong Zhuo refuses to leave the court. What am I to do?”

“Well.”

Chosun shrugged lightly.

“I wouldn’t know.”

“…Is it that you don’t want to say?”

“When I spoke of Dong Zhuo last time, what did you do?”

“……Were you angry?”

“I was not angry.”

Chosun calmly closed her eyes.

“…If you wield your sword in anger, that karma will return to you, Elder.”

“……!!”

“The elder swung his sword too many times at his enemies in his later years, and because of that sword….”

Drip.

“…I apologize.”

Chosun covered her mouth with her sleeve.

Soon, the sleeve was stained a deep red, but Wang Yun merely rose silently, even upon seeing it.

“Rest.”

Creeeak.

Wang Yun closed the door behind him as he left.

“…….”

Chosun, who had been covering her mouth, immediately lowered her sleeve.

“Ow, ow….”

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She made a sound as if she had bitten her cheek, rubbing her face with her hand.

“Haah, anyway.”

Then, as if she were not someone who had just lost blood, she boldly stood up, slapping the floor.

Flap, flap, flap!

With the wooden window firmly shut, she flung it open and began to wave the silk wildly in the air.

“Oh, really, my nose—”

“Oh right, Chosun.”

“……Elder.”

Chosun, who had been waving the silk widely, hurriedly closed the window and bowed respectfully to the returning Wang Yun.

“That silk is….”

“Oh, that.”

“It’s yellow, isn’t it? So, you’re trying to read the secrets of the heavens, right?”

“…Ah, yes. That’s the plan. But, why did you come back again?”

“I forgot to mention that.”

Wang Yun pointed seriously towards the direction of the imperial palace in Luoyang.

“You said you wanted to meet Lü Bu.”

“…Is a meeting arranged, perhaps?”

Chosun’s eyes sparkled as she pointed to the black silk.

“Well, that…”

Wang Yun fiddled with his beard.

“At least three days will be difficult.”

“…Are you saying that Lord Wang Yun will have a hard time meeting Lu Bu?”

“Indeed.”

“No, I understand that many want to meet that general, but you, Lord Wang Yun? Is there something you did wrong to Lu Bu?”

“…It’s not that I did something wrong.”

Wang Yun approached the black silk with a complicated gaze and unfolded one.

“In the end, as you said, the will of heaven cannot be defied. Lu Bu… is currently staying at the residence of Empress Dong.”

“Why is he at the residence of Empress Dong—ah.”

Xiahou, puzzled, quickly covered her mouth with her hand.

“Dong Zhuo has attached himself to that general.”

* * *

[Luoyang Palace, Empress Dowager’s Hall.]

“General, please tell us the story of the illness tomorrow as well! I will be sure to wake up early, just as you said!”

After spending the night discussing various matters with the Emperor.

“Your Majesty.”

“The Emperor has fallen asleep. This way, please.”

I followed the guidance of Empress Dong, who treated me with utmost courtesy, into the deeper chambers of the Empress Dowager’s Hall.

“Welcome, General!”

“It’s been a long time, Empress Dowager Dong.”

There was Dong Zhuo.

“Come, come! Sit down! I’ve asked my palace chef to specially prepare dishes from Yangzhou for you!”

The various dishes made it immediately clear why he had lost muscle and gained fat since the last time I saw him.

The meat was welcoming, but wasn’t it already close to midnight?

A feast of all kinds of meats, greasy and fried, with not a single vegetable in sight.

As soon as I entered the room, the overwhelming scent of meat was enough to numb my nose.

‘I already miss the dishes from Bingzhou.’

The smell of the earth clung to the meat, making the gamey deer meat seem preferable.

“Why do you look so down, ha ha? Your complexion doesn’t seem good.”

“Have the two of you come to an agreement?”

“…Ahem.”

“General Ye.”

Dong Zhuo glances sideways, and Empress Dong takes her seat, looking at me.

“After General Ye departed, this Empress joined hands with Grand Tutor Dong to protect the Emperor.”

Empress Dong does not deny my question.

“Even if it is said to be in order to kill the eunuchs, I could not simply allow those who aimed their blades at the imperial palace to remain unchallenged. All this old woman can do is rely on those who are relatively young and strong, and those who are close at hand.”

I understand.

Even though I arrived at quite a peculiar time, I have already made my judgment based solely on the situation conveyed to me by the Emperor.

“Is it the Empress’s will to use Yuan Shao as a pretext to uproot the entire Yuan clan?”

“That is correct.”

She does not deny it.

“Why?”

“Because they do not genuinely follow His Majesty at present.”

“The entire clan…?”

“Yes. They…sigh.”

Was there a subtle struggle at the center?

“The Three Dukes of the Central Government. The reason Yuan Shao was able to draw his sword against the imperial palace is that he has built power over three generations in the court.”

“…….”

“The thought of using Hanjin was also due to the immense influence of the Yuan clan. If left alive… they may hesitate for now, but they will rebuild their power. All that needs to be done is to eliminate Yuan Shao.”

“And what do you plan to do about the Yuan clan?”

I ask the Empress.

“Do you intend to label only Yuan Shao as a traitor and kill him, or do you plan to take this opportunity to execute the entire Yuan clan?”

Will she kill the one who proposed the disguise of the Black Mountain bandit scheme to Hanjin?

Or will that be interpreted as the will of the entire Yuan clan—

‘Perhaps Yuan Shao might be the action leader of the Yuan clan.’

Perhaps Yuan Shao was a representative of the entire Yuan clan’s will.

‘Or perhaps Yuan Shao is an unparalleled con artist.’

In that case, Yuan Shao fleeing from Luoyang would be akin to him running away just to save his own skin.

‘It seems the action leader has cut ties with the entire organization?’

There must be elders within the Yuan clan, akin to patriarchs.

There are many like the one who collapsed in the court, known as Wonwi, still remaining in Luoyang.

Won-soo turned his back on them.

“Did he run away knowing that if he did, they would all be accused of treason and die?”

If that is the case, then Won-soo is a being who has forsaken his family for his own life.

Or perhaps he is a prodigal son determined to seize the remaining power of that family in this era.

“General Ye.”

While I was contemplating about Won-soo, Empress Dowager Dong spoke up.

“That too depends on your choice, General Ye.”

“Yes…?”

“I will act as you wish, General Ye.”

The Empress Dowager reached out her hand towards Dong Zhuo.

“Lord Dong also agrees, does he not?”

“Of course! Hahaha!”

Dong Zhuo twisted the corners of his mouth and pounded his chest towards me.

“This Dong Zhuo says, let us kill all the traitors of the Yuan family!! I merely advised with loyalty for His Majesty the Emperor! My temperament is as rough as the yellow sands! Extremely coarse! Hahaha! Do not misunderstand.”

Suddenly, I felt an overwhelming dislike for Dong Zhuo.

I am not yet at a stage to make such a judgment, but I feel increasingly uncomfortable in many ways.

“If General Ye says not to annihilate the Yuan family, then I shall follow that opinion. Yes, indeed!”

It feels like a reluctant compliance, and somehow, the way I speak with Jeong-won is starting to resemble this.

“I have a question, Your Highness.”

“What is it, General Ye?”

“His Majesty the Emperor has informed me of various situations.”

That the former Emperor had nearly been poisoned.

As a result, a travel ban was issued from the Grand Chancellor’s office, and passes were to be distributed.

That Dong Zhuo’s soldiers have begun patrolling near Luoyang.

And the series of events that unfolded while capturing Yuan Shu.

“It seems there have been various incidents in the court… I have heard some rather frightening tales.”

“…….”

“The attempted poisoning of King Hongnong and the deposed Empress Dowager, it is only natural that there is someone behind it.”

“…….”

“Quieter than I expected. I understand that Your Majesty’s mother passed away from poison. Dong Tawei is under the management of Dong Ta-hu.”

Dong Ta-hu quietly raised her cup.

“Your Highness, are you holding onto Dong Tawei that tightly?”

“Ha ha, you make it sound as if Your Highness ordered my assassination.”

“…The opposite would be more accurate.”

The Empress glared at Dong Ta, but he only looked at me, grinning menacingly.

“This is the Empress’s palace, and we are in Luoyang. This is not Bingzhou. You are alone here.”

“Do you think threats will work on me, Dong Tawei?”

“Ha ha. You really are something. Just a little push, and you turn so stiff. Look here, Lü Bu.”

Dong Ta pointed alternately at Dong Ta-hu, me, and himself.

“Are you not considering becoming Dong Bu?”

“…….”

That phrase, it was a call to change my surname.

“If I were to change my surname, I would not be Lü Bu but Zheng Bu.”

“Indeed. Then, how about this? Your Highness, please speak.”

“General Ye.”

Dong Ta-hu looked at me seriously.

“Marry. A daughter of the Dong family.”

“…….”

These old men?

“This old man already fathered the late emperor over forty years ago. My remaining lifespan is not long. According to the stars, they say I won’t see the end of this year.”

“Your Highness, how can you say such a thing?”

“…Unfortunately, there is currently no princess in the palace to be the general’s match.”

That can’t be true.

Even if there were, they wouldn’t be willing to offer the Yu princess.

“Ha ha. General Ye.”

The author, starting with Dong Ta.

“Coincidentally, I have a child whose marriage has not yet been arranged. And right now… she is waiting here.”

“…….”

One thing, I overlooked.

Although the Samaga clan is a den of venomous snakes, there exists a true den of venomous snakes apart from it.

And it is not just any den of venomous snakes.

Loneliness (蠱毒).

A battleground where poisonous insects and beasts are placed in a jar, and only the one with the strongest venom survives.

“Come out, Camellia.”

“Yes, grandfather.”

It is the central political arena.

“My granddaughter. She’s the one I’ve raised like a daughter. What do you think?”

“…….”

The one named Camellia looks up at me.

“You said she’s your granddaughter.”

“Yes.”

“How old is she this year?”

She was small enough that I had to look down at her while sitting.

And, though I shouldn’t say this—

‘She resembles grandfather.’

A bit, quite a lot.

….

“This year, she’s thirteen. Just the right age for marriage. Hahaha!”

“…….”

I let out a sigh.

Not through my nose, but through my mouth.

“Ah, of course, it would be proper to wait about three, no, two more years before she comes of age….”

Bang───!

“……Hmm.”

As I placed my hand on the table, intending to say ‘Excuse me,’ my hand moved unexpectedly, forcefully.

Crash.

The table split in half around me, and food spilled into the center.

Clatter.

Crash!!

The vessel shatters, oil and wine mix, soaking the floor, and silence descends.

“…….”

“…….”

Multiple gazes directed at me.

Though they carry various emotions, I felt I could not maintain my composure at this moment.

“…….”

I withdrew my hands and stood up nonchalantly.

“It’s late. Good night.”

“Y-You there! General!”

“If it concerns the matter of the state, I will consult His Majesty in the morning and abide by His decision. Whether they are traitors or not is for His Majesty to determine, not me.”

The officials of the Taehujeon, who were looking at me, immediately averted their eyes, their faces pale.

“…And, Dong Taewi.”

Seeing the blood rush to my head, I must appear quite furious.

What had I said when Jeongwon urged me to marry before?

“I will not marry for the sake of power, nor will I tread the path of filial impiety by being bound to my kin and forsaking righteousness and harmony.”

“General!!”

“Furthermore.”

Bang—!

“If you merely intend to use me by forcing me into the arms of a man who does not love women, that is, first and foremost, a disrespect to that woman. How can one force her into the embrace of a man she does not wish to be with, all for a political reason? Can one introduce a woman who does not love her husband as a daughter-in-law?”

I opened the door and stepped out into the Taehujeon.

“That is not my way of filial piety.”

The air outside was far too clear compared to the indoors.

＜ You cannot have two fathers under heaven (3) ＞ End