Romance of the Three Kingdoms: Became the Eldest Son of Sun Ce - Chapter 147



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Episode 147. Hyungjumok (1)

Bozul, the messenger who personally came to Gangneung Castle from Geonup, spoke with a complicated look.

“…Congratulations, Grand Duke… No, Son Hyung-ju. You’ve been promoted to Hyung-ju before you even reach the age of majority? This will truly be an unprecedented story.”

I’m not even old enough yet, but I’m still jealous.

This would never have been possible if the system had been functioning properly.

But, despite that, I became a brother.

This meant that the adjustment was just a hollow shell.

I looked at Bozul with a wry smile and asked.

“Who else? Who recommended me to the position of Hyungjumok? By the way, there is no need to recite lies.

Anyway, my eyes are also on construction, so it’s only a matter of time before I hear the news. Since I’m hearing the news, I’d like to hear it a few days sooner, so feel free to tell me as much as you want.”

Bozul met my gaze, flinched slightly, and then answered.

“…This is the claim of those who have the influence of the Danyang aristocrats. Moreover, even Bok Guk-gu secretly agreed to it.”

Danyang forces and Bokwan.

It seemed like they had really bonded together.

“The General? He must have opposed the appointment of the Hyeongju Magistrate….”

At my question, Bozul lowered his gaze with an urgent look.

“…What are you talking about? How could the General….”

“Just because I am in Hyungju, do you really think I would be ignorant of the news about Jianye?”

Bozel, who had been hesitating, realized that remaining silent was useless and sighed softly as he spoke.

“As you can see from the letter, the wedding between Songa and His Majesty is tentatively scheduled….”

It was only then that I realized the circumstances surrounding the construction.

Sun Ce was already blinded by the national spirit.

For Sun Ce, who is pursuing the next step by combining Sun Jia and Han Shi, smooth progress will be necessary.

That’s probably why he tacitly approved of my appointment as the head of the household.

However, this does not mean that these Danyang local chieftains and the Bokwan group appointed me as the Hyeongju Mok with good intentions.

Perhaps it was a petty and mean strategy to exploit my worsening relationship with Sun Ce and use me as a shield.

Perhaps, while Sun Ce’s gaze was focused on me, he was preparing a plan somewhere.

I snorted and raised one of my eyes. Then I spoke to Bozul.

“And yet, is my appointment as the head of the household really something to be celebrated? To me, it seems like a tangled web of ridiculous schemes?”

Perhaps because his tone seemed to be asking something while calculating something, Bozul, who had a very old-fashioned appearance, eventually spoke in a voice without any regrets.

“…but it is something that has already been decided in the adjustment.”

“How can I guess the General’s intentions? I will only write a letter expressing my gratitude to the General, so please make sure to deliver it.

And… I would like to visit my deceased grandmother and personally convey my sorrow, but I feel that my responsibilities are so great that I cannot easily leave this place.”

Bozel answered with an awkward laugh.

“Who in Gangdong would doubt Son Hyeong-ju’s filial piety? Even the General would be moved.”

“Yeah, I hope so.”

After exchanging a few small talk like that, Bozul opened his mouth as if he was quietly letting out a sigh.

“Oh, you know that? Recently, there have been people who have been secretly advocating for the return of Namhoe Taesu.”

At that moment, it felt like a lightning bolt struck my head.

“The return of Governor Namhoe?”

Are you saying that I am advocating for the return of Sun Quan, whom I have imprisoned in Nanhui Commandery?

‘Is it because Sun Ce isn’t the same as before? The things that were hidden are slowly becoming active?’

I asked, slowly calming my trembling lips.

“Is that also the power of the Danyang aristocrats?”

“…The power of the Danyang and Ogun clans is secretly asserting itself.

“Of course, the authorities don’t care… but I’m relaying this to you because I think Son Hyeong-ju might be interested.”

As he spoke, Bozel looked at me with gentle eyes.

“…Thank you, that was quite meaningful news.”

“You are talking nonsense, it is just a conversation.”

To bring such precious news… It seemed like Bozle had completely decided to turn his back on me.

‘Rather than that, he wants to bring Sun Quan… The picture he’s drawing is too obvious.’

But it is Son Ga-da who holds great military power in Gangdong.

If the top and bottom of the hand disappear, it will be chaotic and disorganized, and who would have the hand to handle the situation?

Young Son-ho? No way.

The answer was obvious.

For those greedy people who want to split the interests of Gangdong by splitting their hands, there is no more classic strategy than this.

‘Wait a minute, if I just weave this together well…’

The puzzle in my head began to slowly come together.

―The Emperor and Bokwan, who found Son In’s national wedding burdensome.

―Sun Ce, whose power grows bigger and bigger day by day like the rising sun. The Danyang and Wu commanderies who want to keep him in check. And Sun Quan who they want to bring in.

From the perspective of the Yangju aristocrats, there was more than enough justification to cause a stir.

As the image in my mind became clearer, a vivid smile took hold on my lips.

For some reason, Bozul, who saw my smile, hurriedly lowered his head as if he had seen something he shouldn’t have seen.

***

Hyungju Namgun Gangneungseong.

Son So-gun conference room.

The first meeting after Son So’s appointment as the head of the Hyungju branch.

On the right, generals wearing armor stood in a row, and on the left, civil servants wearing official uniforms stood in a row.

They were secretly perplexed by the unprecedented appointment of Son So as the head of the Hyungju branch.

―Even if he is a grand prince, is it possible for him to be appointed as a magistrate at this young age?

―… What can’t be done? Are you saying that the achievements of the Grand Duke, or rather, Son Hyung-ju, are insufficient?

―Eight, how could you slander someone like that? How could I doubt the Grand Duke’s extraordinary talent? But to be a Hyungjumok without even being a junior officer… There is a limit to extraordinary ability.

As the commotion grew louder, the sound of brisk, thudding footsteps echoed from outside the conference room.

Soon, a young man named Sonso opened the door and came in.

He said with his usual smiling face.

“Okay, let’s start the meeting. Who will speak first?”

It was always the same smile, but today, it seemed a bit strange.

Perhaps that was why the officials from Hyungju who had been discussing Son So’s qualifications until just a moment ago lowered their heads without even opening their mouths.

“…I will start by talking about the department.”

“Let’s get started.”

Since Son So-i had some experience as the governor of Sinan, he was well-versed in the management and governance of the counties.

As the discussion about the internal affairs was coming to an end, Son So said.

“I’m going to talk about something I’ve been putting off. It’s about the 4th Army, Hyungnam.”

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The governor of Mureung, Hwang Gae, the governor of Jangsa-tae, Yuk Son, the governor of Gyeyang, Han Dang, and the governor of Yeongneung, Son Yu.

They were all worthy of being appointed.

Hwang Gae, Yuk Son, and Han Dang were the meritorious subjects of this war, so it was natural to appoint them as governors.

However, Son Yoo was a member of the Son family. Son So’s intention in giving him a spot was clear. It was none other than Son So’s intention to gradually expand his influence over the Son family.

Meanwhile, the officials’ eyes were turned towards the generals as the appointment of officials flowed out of Son So’s mouth.

At that moment, Son So continued speaking while staring blankly into Huang Gae’s sunken eyes.

“The reason I entrusted you with the post of governor of Mu-Ryung is because of the importance of the mission I am about to tell you.”

“…Is it about Muling Bay?”

The immigrant people living in Mureung Bay and Mureung County. Their subjugation was essential for the development of Mureung County.

Sonso nodded and said.

“As you have guessed, this is about the subjugation of Mu-ryeong Bay. In the past, I had a method for governing the Sanwol Tribe, so Hwang Mu-ryeong should govern Mu-ryeong Bay using that method.

“Don’t worry, I’ll give you Han Seung (Hwang Chung) and Ilman Byeongsa as your commander.”

You may be worried that there could be another war… . This is none other than Hyungju.

The area around Hyeongnam and Namgun was a fertile granary, so there was no problem with supplies for our troops as the harvest was approaching.

But then an official from Hyeongju came up with an excuse.

“My lord, it’s still a ceasefire, and yet you’re preparing for war….”

Then, Son So gave a cool, gentle smile and answered.

“War? This is not war. This is education!”

The manager looked dumbfounded at the answer, “education.”

“Are you talking about education?”

“War is only called war when the enemy is against you. What we are doing with that ignorant Mu-Ryung-Man is not war. We are only educating the ignorant.”

The official from Hyeongju lowered his head at Sonso’s eerie answer.

The atmosphere gradually became colder, perhaps because of that one remark, and Sonso smiled as if he was enjoying that reaction.

“Do you have any more questions? If not, let’s stop here.”

***

The night after the first meeting, I secretly called in Gahu and Bangtong.

The moment they faced each other, there was a strange expression in their eyes. Since they were both filled with strategies and tactics, they must have recognized each other’s extraordinary qualities.

I said to them.

“The internal affairs of Hyungju have been roughly taken care of, but the external affairs are problematic. I need your advice.”

Then, Bangtong, who had been exchanging glances with Gahu, quietly stepped forward and asked.

“…Are you talking about the Central Plains? Are you worried about the advance of General Jo?”

“Zhao Maeng-deok, isn’t that guy persistent? Except for one young successor, all of them have the qualities of a eunuch. But Zhao Maeng-deok still hasn’t given up his ambitions, so how could I not be worried?

Now that Jo Maeng-deok’s advances are noticeable, I would like to quietly add strength to the Central Plains.”

Cao Cao, who had a keen eye, must have realized that his army was in a state of truce. That was why he moved as if there was no end in sight and prepared to fight Ji Ju.

Then Bangtong looked at everyone’s expressions and said.

“Are all the eyes of the surrounding people in your hands, my lord?”

“That’s right. There’s no one here who can betray you. If you have something in mind, feel free to tell me.”

As I said, Bang Tong pointed to the book on the table and said.

“If the main force cannot move, move Seoju. I heard that Jang Seoju is your master. Send a letter to Jang Seoju and mobilize Seoju’s allies to attack Cheongju.”

Cheongju is currently the place where a certain Mojiri named Wondam sits.

As Cheongju had been completely destroyed by Taesaja in the past, he probably still hadn’t recovered from the damage.

‘The army of the Western Zhou is firmly under the control of the Grand Prince… But I am a bit concerned about moving the noisy nobleman… .’

And then, Gahu added quietly.

“My lord, send a letter to Zhang Xuzhou and ask him to persuade Grand Historian Dowei. Since Grand Historian Dowei owes you a debt and is from Qingzhou, it will be difficult for him to ignore Zhang Xuzhou’s proposal.

“For a warrior from Cheongju to reclaim Cheongju is a great honor for a warrior. How could he refuse?”

“Hmm….”

‘Everything is good, everything is good, but there is no justification for starting a war. It would be good if only there was a clear justification…’

The moment I was lost in thought, Bangtong answered with a smile.

“If you’re worried about the justification, you don’t have to. Just make up a justification and that’s it.

“Cheongju is looking down on the border areas of Seoju, and the damage is increasing. So, tell Geon-eop to deliver a letter. The general will take care of the rest.”

I burst out laughing at Bangtong’s amazing trick.

Surely, you are telling me to report a false excuse to Sun Ce and force him to attack the enemy.

What’s even funnier is that the plan wasn’t impossible.

‘As Ga-hu said… Tae-sa-ja owes me. If I deliver the news through Jang-hong, he’ll probably figure out that I’m behind it.’

That’s not all. As far as I know, Taesaja is a general who is thirsty for honor.

If he were given a golden opportunity to reclaim his hometown, would he turn it down?

The predictions in my head began to seem more and more plausible and realistic.

More than anything, I was interested in how Sun Ce would go against and take back the orders he had given himself. Of course, it was an obvious prediction.

‘At best, there would be no other crime than the heinous crime of attacking a silent ally.’

Soon a bright smile appeared on my lips.

If everything goes as expected, it will be enough to check Cao Cao.

“Good, that’s a clever strategy. I’ll tell Seoju as it is, so keep this matter quiet. You know very well that I called you to keep it a secret, right?”

““Is there any reason for this, my lord? We were not present today!””

‘This is why quick-witted bookworms are good.’

Now the ball is in Seoju’s court.

***

October 207.

Hyungju Namgun Gangneungseong.

News of the outbreak of war between Cheongju and Seoju reached Heungju.

Rumor has it that Sun Ce was greatly enraged when he heard the news of the continued invasion of Qingzhou.

Actually, from Sun Ce’s perspective, it was a plausible story.

It’s like a weakling poking a sleeping lion’s nose with a hair that can be swept away if he wants to.

The long-awaited news of the war between Seoju and Cheongju.

I could barely keep myself from licking the corners of my lips.

At that time, Sim Woo asked me with a puzzled look.

“My lord, why do you look so bright?”

“…My face hasn’t been bright for a day or two, so what are you talking about? Rather, check the taxes of the powerful families. Even if you’re quiet now, you might end up talking nonsense without fear later.”

The Southern Army’s chieftains were still docile, but they could change at any time, so they had to take the initiative in the early stages.

“…I will obey your command.”

Sim Woo looked at me with a suspicious look and then moved away.

Sim Woo still couldn’t give up his burning desire to rebuild Hansil. That’s why he couldn’t completely reveal his true feelings.

If you want to completely trust and employ Sim Woo, you have to watch him for some time.

‘Anyway, this is what quick-witted bookworms do…’

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