Romance of the Three Kingdoms: Became the Eldest Son of Sun Ce - Chapter 130



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Episode 130. The Great Master (4)

February 207.

Yesu Heo Hyeon.

The Duke of Sagong, Cao Cao.

The shocking news of Xiahou Dun’s defeat just a few months ago.

At that time, upon hearing the report, Cao Cao quickly retreated from Yehyeon.

After a short period of discussion, Cao Cao’s decision to retreat was simple.

– Just because Xu Xian was taken away once, how can it be taken away twice? And this too by the son of Sun Ce, who took Xu Xian with his dirty feet! If I were treated like this by the Sun family, how could I hold my head up high?

Cao Cao, who had already lost his legitimacy as the Emperor after losing Xu Xian once, could not possibly tolerate his capital being conquered twice.

Moreover, Son So’s rapid advance properly touched Cao Cao’s sore spot.

Because of Sun Ce, Cao Cao, who was already old and had been raising a successor, felt uncomfortable with Sun Ce’s successor, who had grown up well. The fact that there was only a limited amount of information about Sun Zhao also played a part.

If my father, Sun Ce, had a lot of information about him, then it would be different, but unlike my father, only fragmentary information about Sun So was circulating.

That was why Cao Cao decided to retreat.

But when they actually retreated, Son So was busy consolidating his occupied territory rather than advancing.

Cao Cao, who heard this, felt sorry inside, but he kept it a secret and talked about it openly.

– What have I to fear when I return to Heohyeon? Rather, that stinking bastard should be afraid of me!

―The Gangdong guys were always afraid of me and were always looking for a chance when I was away, so I will definitely take revenge when the time is right!

Cao Cao boasted so much, but inside he was so sorry that he almost died. He was still worried about retreating from Yecheng, which was just before he conquered it.

At that time, a ray of sunshine-like news reached Cao Cao.

There was a rumor that Sun Ce’s veteran generals were secretly trying to block him from seeking the position of Grand Marshal. And that wasn’t all. Even Zhou Yu intervened and sided with the veteran generals.

Cao Cao clenched his fists and asked the messenger who had brought him the information.

“Is that rumor true? That Sun Ce’s appointment of Grand Marshal was opposed by the veteran generals of Sun Ce’s army and Zhou Yu?”

“…They say that rumor is widespread north of the Yangtze River.”

Cao Cao burst into laughter at the reply of the messenger who brought the information. This was clearly good news for Cao Cao.

“Hahahaha! Sun Ce must have lost his mind! He’s blinded by the position of Grand Marshal and is trying to divide the army!”

Then, Guo Jia, who was working next to him, smiled brightly.

“Haven’t I told you before? Sun Ce has been able to stay safe because of his good fortune, but that will soon end. Since Zhou Yu has secretly turned his back on him, Sun Ce won’t last long.”

Cao Cao burst into laughter and listened to Guo Jia’s words with a satisfied expression.

“Now, I think I understand! What did you see that made you say that? And that’s not all? This intelligence says that they are trying to implement the Dunjeon system in Danyang County!”

Although it is a short-term measure, it is true that the land tax system is an effective policy for increasing production.

Moreover, this time the land where the land tax system was implemented was Yangju. That was the biggest problem.

For example, Cao Cao’s base, Yeju and Yeonju, were areas where the government had influence. Therefore, the proportion of tenant farmers owned by aristocrats was not high. Above all, the area around Heo Hyeon was mostly close to uninhabited land.

However, Yangju, on the other hand, was beyond the reach of the government.

In other words, the Yangju aristocrats were able to run wild as they pleased.

The law of the land is far away, but the fist in front of them is close, so the Yangju aristocrats gradually expanded their land and people over hundreds of years.

However, Sun Ce threatened to overturn the land that was the base of power for the local chieftains in Danyang. Of course, he did not think about this himself, and it was just a crude attack designed to hinder Sun So.

Guo Jia pointed this out in a bright voice.

“Unlike the devastated Hoenan, the aristocrats of Yangju are still alive and well. The aristocrats of Yangju, who control tenant farmers, have had a strong independent nature for generations.

If the military camp system is implemented, the local aristocrats of Yangzhou will certainly rise up in revolt. In the end, it was Sun Ce who caused the rebellion in Yangzhou with his own hands.”

Jo Jo said with a sneer on his lips.

“Where, it seems like he only trusted the Emperor and did things… Huh, would the Emperor really just sit there and do nothing like a puppet? He must be trying to strengthen his power somehow just because he’s older!”

Cao Cao was naturally cunning and had been working as an official in Luoyang since his youth. To him, various political strategies and sinister schemes were nothing more than a daily routine.

This was especially true when it came to matters related to the powerful families.

In the first place, he was a powerful local leader in Yeju, and in the past, he used to put a leash on the necks of the local leaders and drag them around. But now, he has lost his right to be the successor to the throne and is fighting for dominance.

Jo Jo spoke loudly, his mind at peace.

“Sun Ce had a good son and took over the northern part of Nanyang, so he had no end to his worries, but now that I look back, they were all meaningless worries. In my view, Sun Ce will fall on his own!”

Jo Jo laughed heartily. But as if he had never laughed before, he quickly continued speaking with a stiff face.

“But Sun Ce is Sun Ce! You never know when he will attack our army, so you have to be careful!”

Then Guo Jia quickly told him what he had been worried about.

“Right now, the only options Sun Ce can give to our forces are to attack Xu County or tear apart our forces. The most worrying thing is that Sun Ce will one day lead his forces and take Luoyang.

“Luoyang is a strategic point connecting our forces east and west, so Your Majesty, please take the initiative to improve it!”

Sayeju, Yeju, and Yeonju are in Cao Cao’s sphere of influence.

Among them, Luoyang was a strategic point for Cao Cao’s forces, connecting Sayeju and Yeju. In other words, losing Luoyang meant Cao Cao’s forces were divided into east and west.

Cao Cao gave an order with a stern face at Guo Jia’s sharp criticism.

“Increase the defenses of the areas adjacent to Sun Ce’s forces and tighten the defenses of Gwangseonggwan for the time being! Also, we must keep an eye out for news from Jianye!”

Gwangseonggwan was one of the eight fortresses protecting Luoyang, and was close to completion.

Cao Cao, who was already concerned about Sun Ce’s mobility, took this opportunity to strengthen the defenses of Guangcheng Pass to prevent a surprise attack by Sun Ce.

Despite his gray hair, Guo Jia bowed his head and confidently answered Cao Cao’s clever judgment.

“I will follow the orders of the great master!”

‘Sun Ce, you don’t know how to fear the world and you’re running wild, so I don’t think you’ll last long! Yuan Shao is finished, so how can you, Sun Ce, not be able to defeat him alone?’

Excellent predictions that would all come true if things were normal.

But there’s one thing they didn’t keep in mind.

It was Son So’s intervention.

***

February 207.

Yangju Danyang-gun Geonup-hyeon.

―I, Your Majesty, report this. As far as I know, General Cheok is extremely filial to his grandfather and also respects his living grandmother. However, recently, evil groups have been slandering and belittling the General, and I cannot stand by and watch.

The General’s book was too burdensome to hastily discuss the conquest of Xingzhou. However, some unscrupulous people have taken advantage of this to criticize the General’s filial piety. In response, I personally wish to carry out the General’s solemn will and go to conquer Xingzhou. Although I am not as talented as the General, I am fortunate enough to have some military talent, and I wish to take the place of the General in some capacity. Please do not treat me as insignificant and employ me.

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Publicly, it is to punish Liu Biao, who stole Your Majesty’s authority in the past, and privately, it is to calm the troubled mind of the general whose filial piety is questioned. Therefore, I hope Your Majesty will kindly approve my departure.

Son So’s excellent writing was not only writing, but also had a clear justification.

He could no longer stand by and watch his father’s honor be tarnished, so he decided to go out himself, a justification for filial piety.

He even claimed that he would punish and rule over the disloyal Liu Biao, who ignored the imperial family. It was truly an invincible cause that combined loyalty and filial piety.

The sudden intervention of Son So turned the Jianye court upside down. In fact, who would have thought that Son So would intervene? And Son So, who had been excluded from the rewards in the past war.

The Jianye court had doubts, but because the matter was urgent, they immediately summoned Sun So. However, the one who was most puzzled was Sun Ce.

Sun Ce, who was worried about the division of the army, was able to breathe a sigh of relief thanks to Sun Shao, but his wariness toward Sun Shao remained.

Sun Ce originally thought that Sun Zhao had some ulterior motive and that he was helping him.

And soon after, Sonso showed up at Geonup.

Sonso enters Daejeon wearing official uniform.

His presence, which gave off a subtle, gentle vibe and commanded the audience, was truly the appearance of Sun Ce’s son.

After a while, Son So paid a ceremonial bow to the emperor.

“Long live, long live, long live, may your Majesty live long and prosper.”

The emperor was also dissatisfied with Son So’s intervention.

But now that the imperial power has hit rock bottom, how can he speak honestly? So the emperor held his tongue and opened his mouth.

“…Thank you for worrying about my longevity. I would like to talk to you a few times, but the situation is not favorable.”

At that moment, Sun Ce, who was looking at Sun So with glaring eyes, could no longer bear it and shouted.

“Baekso! What on earth made you decide to participate?”

In fact, it was a natural question for Sun Ce, who was wary of Sun Soo.

But Sonso tilted his head for a moment and answered in an innocent voice.

“It is as written in the letter. Although the General is my superior in public life, he is my father in private life.

“I don’t want my father’s filial piety and loyalty to be questioned, so I said that I would rather participate in the conquest of Xingzhou.”

Then Sun Ce glared at Sun So with a suspicious look.

‘You abomination. How dare you mock me! Since when have you been so filial!’

Just as Sun Ce was cursing inwardly, Gao Yong intervened.

“Your Majesty, Son Shin-an. The war between Yeonan and Yeo-nam ended not long ago. Do you really wish to conquer Heung-ju?”

Goong’s question was secretly full of malice.

―You fought to the death in the Yeo-nam War without receiving any reward for your service, so you want to go out again?

That’s understandable, Goong didn’t want Sonso to come out.

For Goong, who had planned to keep Sun So in Shinan County to check Sun Ce, Sun So’s dispatch was not a good idea.

But Sonso pretended to let out a mysterious smile and met Goong’s eyes. It was as if he had already seen through your nonsense.

“Everyone here knows that if So-gwan goes, everything will be resolved! Do you by any chance wish for So-gwan to back out of Hyung-ju?”

Goong waved his hand in embarrassment at Sonso’s direct question.

“How could that be? I just asked because I was curious about the reason for your participation. There is no other intention behind it. Please do not misinterpret my intentions.”

Goong, who was taken aback by Sonso’s question, closed his mouth after saying those words.

In fact, since Son So insisted on going to such lengths, his subjects had nothing to say.

These days, filial piety is considered the most important value. If a subject were to show that they were denying filial piety, the reputation of the family would surely be tarnished.

Moreover, as long as there was a justification for loyalty to punish Liu Biao, who had stolen the emperor’s authority, he could not simply oppose it.

Besides, he didn’t want to incur unnecessary hatred from Sun Ce, who had overcome a crisis thanks to Sun So.

That was why the Danyang aristocrats, including Goong, kept their mouths shut.

Bokwan, who had been scanning the crowd with pitiful eyes, opened his mouth as if to sort out the situation.

“…If Son Shin-an wishes to go to Hyeongju, what would be the problem? What does your Majesty the General think?”

Then Sun Ce, who was looking at Sun So with discontent, said:

“Since you guys don’t object, there shouldn’t be a problem….”

Sun Ce, who met Sun So’s eyes that were as round as a crescent moon, was lost in thought.

In fact, if you order Son So to conquer Hyungju, all problems will be solved.

The appointment of the ambassador would go smoothly, and the troublesome work of the old generals of Kang Ha-gun would be settled in an instant.

And never again would there be anyone who would use the conquest of Xingzhou as a weapon to talk about filial piety.

But Sun Ce’s worries weren’t about those things.

‘If it fails, then that’s fine, but what if that guy really takes over Hyungju this time?’

If Sun Zhao were to capture Jingzhou, Sun Ce would become a dog chasing a chicken. Hadn’t Sun Ce been projecting his influence by keeping Sun Zhao in Shinan Commandery?

However, if Sun Zhao went out to occupy Jingzhou, and really did occupy Jingzhou, Sun Ce would have a hard time dealing with the consequences.

‘It is not good to be pushed by others. Isn’t this the same as pushing me to appoint Baek So as the commander of the expeditionary force against Hyeongju?’

But unfortunately, Sun Ce had been interested in the position of Grand Marshal from an early age.

As the position of the ambassador loomed before his eyes, he began to estimate the future in a direction that was more and more favorable to him.

‘… But Hyungju’s army is at least a hundred thousand. How could Baek So have the talent to defeat an army of a hundred thousand? In that case, it would be better to use this opportunity to fight the two forces!’

Sun Ce, who was reminded of the conflict between Sun Zhao and Liu Biao, soon met his gaze. Then he raised his lips with all his might.

“Good. The other ministers also wish for Baek So to go to war, and Baek So himself wishes to subdue Xing Province. I will give him the clear order.

I will appoint Baek So as the vanguard of the expeditionary force against Xingzhou and as a general. You will punish the traitor Liu Biao who abused His Majesty’s authority and spread His Majesty’s majesty far and wide! Do you understand?”

Although General Jeolchung was treated as a miscellaneous general, it was unprecedented for him to receive the title of general at such a young age as Son So.

As soon as Sun Ce’s order was finished, Sun Zhao lowered his head with a stern expression.

“I will follow the orders of Your Majesty and the General to retake Xingzhou!”

The loud voice of Sonso spread throughout Daejeon.

But Sonso’s face, which had been stiff until just a moment ago.

From the moment he bowed his head, laughter filled his face.

‘Finally, it’s Hyungju.’

A golden opportunity to escape from Sun Ce’s influence.

From the moment his relationship with Sun Ce began to sour, Sun So had been waiting for this moment and preparing for it step by step.

As soon as the opportunity came, he grabbed it without hesitation.

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