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

Chapter 47

＜ A Reason to Die (1) ＞

Steering the boat with one hand, he descended the Yellow River’s current downstream.

“Ugh….”

Cao Cao endured the pain as he applied medicine to his wound.

It wasn’t a fatal wound, but at least for a month or two, I had to focus on treatment.

If I left it as it was, my bones would surely twist, and I would have to live the rest of my life with a crooked arm.

There were two paths.

One was to swim against the current and return to Luoyang.

“Is it hopeless to enter Luoyang?”

Cao Cao asked, lamenting as he gazed westward.

No one answered, but Cao Cao felt an urge to vomit out something boiling within him.

“If I enter Luoyang, I might survive for now. But the moment I slip out of the general’s sight… I will be assassinated.”

He had nearly faced disaster since Hongnong.

He had submitted a memorial and taken soldiers from the military office to Hongnong, but was ambushed by mysterious soldiers.

After killing about thirty men, he barely escaped, but the wound on his left arm was inflicted by a subordinate who had accompanied him to Hongnong for investigation.

“The military in Luoyang… has already fallen under Dong Zhuo’s control.”

There was no safe place for Cao Cao within the walls of Luoyang.

Though there was no concrete evidence, the circumstances suggested a high likelihood of assassination.

To survive, he had to go to Yanzhou.

Not to his hometown of Yejou, but to Yanzhou, where the Cao family had established significant power.

Or perhaps to a region entirely free of Dong Zhuo’s influence, like fleeing to Bingzhou.

“…That won’t do.”

Going to Bingzhou would be a path of escape.

Whether a capable minister in a time of peace or a cunning villain in a time of chaos, a conscientious official who accused Dong Zhuo could not hide away for fear of losing his life.

Cao Cao might survive as an individual, but as an official, he would perish.

“I will go to Yanzhou, treat my wounds, and gather wealth and people… Yejou, especially Yingchuan, is too close to Yuan Shao, so that’s not feasible…”

Cao Cao closed his eyes.

“Yanzhou… centered around Jinliucheng… Fuyang… and eventually to Xuzhou… For that to happen, this Cao Cao’s reputation for accusing Dong Zhuo must spread.”

Cao Cao assessed his role and position in the unfolding situation from where he sat.

“Even if I leave Luoyang immediately, at least I won’t be branded a traitor like Yuan Shao.”

Both Yuan Shao and Cao Cao had fled Luoyang to escape Dong Zhuo.

The difference, of course, lay in public perception.

“Ahahaha! Yuan Shao! You have become a parricidal wretch who abandoned your clan, while this eunuch’s descendant has become a loyal minister who accused the corrupt Dong Zhuo!”

He couldn’t help but laugh.

Even if Cao Cao goes into hiding, this escape will be a wise measure to avoid assassination.

Though fleeing from Luoyang in the same manner, one will become a traitor while the other will be a loyal minister.

“…General Yu must have known this, which is why she let me go.”

Yue Fei.

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The gaze that seemed indifferent was already piercing through everything.

Perhaps he could have been captured and handed over to Dong Zhuo, forming an alliance.

But he did not do that.

Instead, he showed signs of confronting Dong Zhuo.

“I swear by my parents that I speak the truth; how could I, Cao Cao, be unfilial!”

Though he might create a bloodbath to avenge his parents, he would not sell them out and speak falsehoods just to live.

“……Indeed. That cannot be.”

Cao Cao pressed the wound on his left arm tightly with a blue cloth.

The red stain on his sleeve seemed to spread its wings like a bird, but that bird was soon wrapped in the blue cloth.

“…Now that I think about it, is that where Lord Ye Baisha’s house is located?”

Swish.

If I row to the shore, perhaps I can reach it.

“……No. Having received General Yu’s help, there’s no need to abandon the boat and take the land route.”

Had he fled on horseback to the east from the beginning, it might have been different.

“There’s no need to take a longer path.”

Cao Cao was not foolish enough to choose a slower route while being pursued, leaving a perfectly good boat behind.

“I shall see you next time, Lord Ye Baisha. I, Cao Cao…”

“Brother–!!”

A voice echoed from afar.

Cao Cao hurriedly lowered his head and pressed his body against the boat.

“…Wait a moment.”

It was a familiar voice.

“Why are you here?”

“Indeed!! Brother, what is going on?!”

A robust man adorned in a golden embroidered military uniform and wearing a ceremonial cap approached the shore.

“Jialian!”

“Yes! I am the cousin of my brother, Jo Hong!”

The man called Jo Hong wore a cap adorned with golden threads, which sparkled in the sunlight, making it seem as if he were donning a golden helmet.

“What on earth is going on here!”

“…I was ambushed while trying to do the right thing.”

“Excuse me? Did you go and beat up some thug like Uncle Geonseok again? That’s why I said that temper of yours….”

“I reported Dong Zhuo.”

“…gulp.”

Jo Hong swallowed hard, and Cao Cao stepped down from the carriage.

“Let’s go to Jin Liu, Jo Hong. Weren’t you on your way to send money to Luoyang?”

“Yes, yes. I was also hoping to see your face….”

“Luoyang will be closed off. No merchants, no one will be able to come or go.”

“…It’s not because of you, is it?”

“No. I’ll tell you the story on the way, so let’s hurry back. I won’t be able to enter Luoyang anyway.”

“I can deal with the servants as much as I want, but… ah, I understand.”

As Jo Hong gestured, those pulling the cart all turned their bodies.

“What on earth happened?”

“…News will probably spread soon enough.”

Cao Cao pressed down on his wound with his hand and spoke.

“The former emperor and the former empress dowager were poisoned.”

“Poisoned… you say? Not an accident? What I heard through the children was that it was just an attempt.”

“They died yesterday. They succumbed after being ill.”

“!!”

“I was attacked while investigating that.”

Cao Cao glared toward Luoyang, gritting his teeth.

“Though they were deposed, Dong Zhuo is the kind of man who would kill even royalty for his own power.”

“……Then how do we join the anti-Dong Zhuo alliance? The one Yuan Shao circulated.”

“Yuan Shao is a traitor, why would we?”

“But….”

Jo Hong replied with a serious expression.

“According to Yuan Shao’s proclamation, the allied forces will gather in the Jin Province, Jin Liu….”

“…this rotten b*stard.”

Cao Cao felt his vision blur at Zhao Hong’s words.

Yanzhou, Jinliu.

It was the closest place to Luoyang and also the stronghold of the Cao family.

* * *

After arriving at the imperial palace ‘alone.’

As soon as I arrived, the court meeting had already concluded.

It wasn’t that they were discussing something among themselves while leaving me out; the Emperor had finished the meeting along with my entrance.

All the ministers had retreated.

“…this is the situation.”

I stood alone before the Emperor, hearing the circumstances relayed to me.

“I shall obey Your Majesty’s command.”

“Are you sure it will be alright?”

“It is not a problem.”

An investigation into Hongnong.

If it were the enemy territory, no one but our Bingzhou army could go to investigate Hongnong.

Wasn’t it that Cao Cao himself got injured while trying to investigate Hongnong?

It wasn’t just a simple fall; there were clear signs of having been attacked by someone.

“Are you alright, Your Majesty?”

“As for me… I’m fine.”

The Emperor showed a moment of melancholy.

“What meaning is there in worrying more after one has already died?”

The late Emperor You Bian and Empress Dowager He had passed away.

If they had simply died, we would have prepared a funeral with the proper respect for royalty, but since they were deposed, the situation was lacking in honor.

While the Empress Dowager might be different, the late Emperor You Bian was someone with whom there had been some degree of interaction, despite how things had turned out.

“Honoring the spirits of the deceased is one thing, but we must thoroughly investigate the circumstances behind it. General Ye, please listen for a moment.”

After the Emperor briefly scanned the eunuchs and palace maids still remaining in the palace.

“In my personal opinion, it seems certain that the Hongnong Zhonglangjiang, Li You, was the one who killed him.”

He spoke with conviction, his voice firm.

“However, for the time being, it seems we must conclude matters at the level of Li You.”

“…….”

“Why do you not ask why?”

“If Your Majesty has decided so, then I shall comply.”

There must be reasons too difficult to speak of in front of others.

“There are many soldiers from Yangzhou in the vicinity of Luoyang.”

Perhaps it is because we still need to rely on the strength of Dong Zhuo’s army.

“It is true that the reason lies with Dong Zhuo. However, that may no longer be the case.”

There is a lack of evidence or justification to expel Dong Zhuo and his entire faction based on the actions of one individual.

“Your Majesty, do you not think that Dong Zhuo will abandon this individual?”

“Indeed.”

As someone once said, in the end, it could simply result in ‘the personal deviation of one individual.’

Cutting off the tail.

Though it is not merely a tail, but rather a ‘family’ in the eyes of others, I have seen many who would sell out their own family to save themselves.

“Your Majesty, what is it that concerns you?”

“One thing that worries me is that you have frequently encountered this individual before.”

“Ah, that.”

The face that Master Ga Hu had donned when he wore the mask of Inpi Myeon Gu was that of this individual.

“Do not worry about that. He sought to hear the story of the sick lord.”

“Are you saying he approached to extract information about the sick lord?”

“That is correct.”

In fact, Master Ga Hu had worked in such a manner.

He drank an enormous amount of water, however.

“I have no personal acquaintance with him.”

After the change from Ga Hu to this individual, I had not had any particular contact with him.

“If they claim a personal relationship, it is merely to coerce me.”

“…….”

“This Lü Bu cannot be wielded like a mere object or treasure. So please rest assured and let me go.”

“Are you heading straight to Hongnong?”

“Yes.”

They are waiting for us in Hongnong.

“I will be back.”

“…Take care.”

After bowing to the Emperor, I immediately left the palace and headed towards the western gate of Luoyang.

“Hey, General Ye. Right now….”

“Let’s talk later, Chaeong-gong.”

“General Ye, at this moment—”

“Is Chosun alright?”

“Ah, well, yes. She hasn’t woken up yet….”

“Then that’s good enough.”

Though there were some officials trying to approach me, I asked for their understanding and strode out of the palace.

“General Ye!”

When the path is blocked, the situation changes a bit.

Especially if the one causing the trouble is Dong Zhuo.

“What is it, Dong Taewi?”

“I have come here to clear my grievances!”

The gate is quite wide, but with him blocking it alone, it seems completely filled.

“Grievances, you say? What do you mean?”

“I didn’t know!”

“…….”

“If it were up to me, I would rush to Hongnong right now, grab Yi Yu by the collar, and interrogate him myself!”

Dong Zhuo shouted, pounding his chest.

Somehow, he seems to have grown even larger than before he ascended to the position of Bingzhou.

“Blocking your path is my way of appealing to you, and it is my earnest wish for you to maintain a fair and just demeanor as a general.”

Dong Zhuo drew the sword he had at his waist, still in its scabbard.

“This is my sword. Take it! If Yi Yu does not comply with your investigation, he must be dealt with according to military law. Use this sword to execute Yi Yu.”

“…….”

I received Dong Zhuo’s sword.

The hilt looked somewhat plain compared to the ornate scabbard.

Though it appeared flashy on the outside, a glimpse of the blade revealed it to be a truly fine sword.

Hiding a sharp edge within a splendid scabbard.

Like Dong Zhuo.

“And that’s not all.”

As Dong Zhuo clapped his hands, soon from afar, Yi Sook approached, pulling a rope along with several soldiers.

“I told you I had a gift for you.”

“This is….”

“It’s the Red Hare.”

Red Hare.

It was recognizable at a glance.

By name alone.

‘So there was a reason for all that boasting.’

My pride was a bit hurt, but no words from the commander could surpass the significance of that Red Hare.

‘And its temperament.’

Horses can have all sorts of personalities, but that one is a legendary beast.

Hee-haw!!

Even with several men pulling it, it was thrashing about like a tyrant.

“Haha, that one has a bit of a nasty temper. It doesn’t even want a saddle on its back and throws a fit. Seems like it’s suddenly gotten excited.”

“…….”

“I’m sorry the gift wrapping is a bit lacking. Do you have a moment? After calming it down, let’s ride it. In the meantime, I….”

“I don’t think that’s necessary.”

I approach the Red Hare.

After stepping between Yi Sook and the soldiers, I stare intently at the thrashing Red Hare.

Swish.

I draw Dong Zhuo’s sword.

Not a ceremonial sword, but a thoroughly practical blade capable of easily slaying a beast.

“Y-you! Wait…!!”

Dong Zhuo raised his voice, but I had already swung the sword.

Slash.

The ropes were severed.

Yi Sook and the soldiers fell flat on their backs, and after cutting all the ropes, I sheathed the sword and approached the beast.

“Can you handle it?”

Me.

“It must be difficult.”

Words are clever creatures.

They can convey meaning, but they can also clearly express intent through the eyes.

Bluish—

The red horse laughed as if to say, “Go ahead, give it a try,” then turned its body and presented its back to me.

“Um.”

I jump from my spot and sit right on top of the red horse.

There’s no saddle, but I grip the horse’s waist tightly with my thighs to maintain my position.

There are no reins either.

Seeing the marks left in the fur, it must have been here nearby that the reins and saddle were removed.

‘It doesn’t matter.’

If there are no tools, I can hold on with strength.

Without reins, I can grab the nape of its neck with both hands.

Riding a horse without a saddle or reins is something I’m already used to.

Kwahak.

Heeheehee—

The red horse gallops.

The speed at which it runs down the streets of Luoyang, like a vast prairie, is truly—

“Impressive.”

Compared to the horses I used to ride in the prairie over there, it’s no less remarkable.

“I may still need to measure who the greatest in the world is, but I certainly know who the greatest horse is.”

Heehee.

Before I knew it, we had exited the outer walls of Luoyang.

“With no obstacles around, we can run even faster, right?”

Before the words were even finished, it increased its speed.

“Indeed.”

It’s fast.

My hair flies back, and with just a little relaxation, I feel like I might topple backward.

“This guy, always playing around.”

It seems like I’m running madly fast, trying to throw off the person who climbed onto my back, but I’m not that easy to deal with.

“Keep running along the path.”

After letting go of my hands, I neatly arranged my hair.

Heehee?!

“Keep your eyes forward and run.”

The red horse turned its head back in confusion, but I pointed ahead.

‘Worrying about it.’

I was trying to see if it was worthy of carrying someone, but letting go suddenly must have startled it.

‘The kid is nice.’

It’s a bit funny for a beast to talk about worthiness, but with this creature’s speed and stamina, I suppose it makes sense.

By the way.

“This is the first time I’ve seen something as fast as a car—”

Heeheehee!!

“…….”

Gugugugugugu.

Seeing it run even faster, it seems its pride is hurt.

Perhaps because it’s a spirit beast, it knows it’s being compared and is sulking.

But what can be done?

No matter how fast a horse is, can it really be compared to a car speeding down the highway?

‘It should rather consider it an honor.’

Can a horse of this era be compared to a car on the highway?

“You said it was a red horse.”

Since Dongtak gave it to me, it’s now mine.

“The red horse feels a bit rabbit-like, so maybe I should change its name.”

If possible, to what I’ve always dreamed of, Ferrar—

……

“…I guess I should just call it Red Horse.”

Changing a person’s name casually is already a breach of etiquette, so how could I change the name of a horse so carelessly?

“Let’s go, Red Horse. Full speed to Hongnong.”

Heeheehee!!

* * *

After Lu Bu rode out of Luoyang on his red stallion.

“Brother, please.”

Dong Min, Dong Zhuo’s younger brother, approached him with a frantic expression.

“Is it really alright to send him to Hongnong? There… there are…”

“There’s a reason. There’s also Wu Bo.”

Dong Zhuo wiped the sweat pouring down his face with his sleeve and swallowed hard.

“But what can we do? What way is there to stop that madman?”

“Well, that is…”

“Thank goodness it’s not you.”

“Brother…?”

“…We can always find another son-in-law.”

At Dong Zhuo’s words, Dong Min swallowed hard, but fortunately, no one around heard him.

“The same goes for a granddaughter’s husband. Seeing how easily he handles the red stallion… I want him even more.”

“But he rejected Dong Bai. Is that really okay?”

“There’s a way. Among the old men of the Qingliu faction, there are still unmarried women. I can take them in as adopted daughters, and then marry one off to Lu Bu.”

“…….”

“The best scenario would be for him to take Dong Bai as his own, but… sigh, that’s difficult. Very difficult.”

Dong Zhuo looked up at the sky, raising his voice.

“Even if I lose two sons-in-law, if I can take Lu Bu as a son-in-law again…”

“Are you really going to discard them?”

“What can I do? I told him not to, but he went ahead and did it anyway. He must be punished.”

Dong Zhuo scratched his beard.

“Still, he took the red stallion and my treasured sword. Surely he wouldn’t kill them?”

“…….”

“Really, would he kill them? Surely not.”

Scratch.

“But there’s still something to gain.”

＜ Reason to Die (1) ＞ End