Romance of the Three Kingdoms: Became the Eldest Son of Sun Ce - Chapter 159



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Episode 159. Yang Yang Sung (1)

Hyungju Namgun Gangneungseong.

I looked at the unfamiliar general in front of me. The uniform was clearly different from that of my allies, and I could tell that this general was from a different region.

I glanced over and read the letter from the magistrate of Mu-Hyeon, the westernmost part of the southern army of Hyeongju.

In fact, the distance from Gangneungseong to Muhyeon was almost hundreds of li. It was much farther than the distance from Gangneungseong to Yangyangseong.

Of course, Muhyeon’s report, which I had considered to be part of the area bordering Ikju or part of a foreign land, was unexpected to me.

“So, you’re the captain from Ikju?”

Then the middle-aged general, with his head bowed, answered.

“Yes, that’s right. The director is called Seop-suk… I have always admired Son Hyeong-ju’s outstanding talent. It is an honor to meet Son Hyeong-ju like this.”

Even as someone who knows a lot about the Three Kingdoms, it was the first time I heard that name.

But judging from the tone of his voice and the look of emotion in his eyes, it seemed like his surrender wasn’t a lie.

Moreover, judging from the fact that he led hundreds of soldiers and returned to the allies, it seems that his qualities as a general were not bad.

Because I had no time to pay attention to Yizhou due to the war with Xingzhou, I asked Seop-suk a few questions.

“Thank you for your flattery, but what I want to hear right now is the current situation in Ikju. The inside of Ikju, the state of affairs among the local chieftains, and stories about the Ikju governor.”

Wasn’t uniting the southern part of the continent one of my true goals? To do that, conquering Yizhou was an essential task for me.

Of course, I had a rough idea that the political situation surrounding Ikju was as precarious as an ice rink.

‘But if I just take over Yizhou… . Half of the continent will be in my hands. It will be much easier to tear apart the Central Plains… .’

Meanwhile, Seop-suk, who had been thinking deeply, furrowed his brow and began to unravel them one by one.

“…First, let me explain about Yoo Ik-ju. Unlike my father, who was quite astute, Yoo Ik-ju has no political ability at all.

However, he is a person who is dull in his own judgment and defers to others. He is typically the type to invite danger upon himself. Of course, Yoo Ik-ju is a person who is aware of public sentiment, but he is ultimately a person who lacks the talent to navigate difficult times.

“I would rather work under a wise lord than under a weak lord, and so the general decided to follow Son Hyeong-ju.”

The current Ikju-mok and Yu Jang’s assessment of the situation was quite harsh.

I smiled broadly and said to Seop-suk.

“But, the other day, your lord, isn’t your evaluation too harsh? Still, I heard that Yu Ik-ju is taking good care of the people of Ik-ju.”

Then, Seop-suk smiled bitterly and shook his head from side to side.

“…I don’t know where you heard about it, but Yu Ik-ju is a great man who is worthy of being called a governor in times of peace. In other words, as a governor of Ik-ju in times of trouble, he is lacking in many ways.”

I nodded at the rather accurate character assessment.

‘If a subordinate general is surrendering and speaking like that… he must be truly pitiful. If the commander of Ikju has many shortcomings, then I’m in a better position.’

In particular, the statement that Yujang’s talent is at best that of a prefect of Chihse.

The more I thought about this statement, the more satisfied I became. However, I was disappointed that it was difficult to attack Ikju right now.

This was because none other than construction was holding me back.

Even though the unification of Hyungbuk was imminent, wasn’t it Geon-eop who immediately ordered a halt to the war and commemorate the death of Lady Oh?

But I couldn’t even imagine what kind of chaos would arise in Geon-eop if I ignored Geon-eop’s remarks and openly declared the conquest of Yizhou.

However, after talking to the general, I felt that he had some useful insight and that his subordinates followed him well.

For me, it was a gain that a general like this came rolling in. Above all, it was even more so if he was familiar with the situation in Ikju.

I turned my gaze and looked at the wetness and said.

“Since you are from Yizhou, you will be familiar with the terrain and talents of Yizhou. Mark all the routes and military camps of Yizhou that you know, and tell my subordinates about all the information about Yizhou that you know.

And I will station you at Yilingseong, so you can guard against any possible attacks from Yizhou.”

“Yes, Son Hyeong-ju!”

It would still be a while before the ‘ugly official’ of Yizhou would make a move. So it wouldn’t be a bad idea to create a simple temporary Yizhou terrain before then.

‘Zhuge Liang and Yizhou… I hope there will be some kind of reaction.’

***

Meanwhile, Zhuge Liang, who had been appointed as co-pilot, was listening to various stories about Yizhou from Xiu Shu.

At first, Zhuge Liang listened to the military information half-heartedly, but when the story of Yizhou’s internal affairs came up, the look in his eyes changed slightly.

But that was only for a moment.

Zhuge Liang, who was listening to Seop-suk’s story, looked at Seop-suk with a bewildered expression. He looked like he couldn’t believe it at all.

“…Are you saying that they left the Dogangeon collapsed and didn’t even repair it?”

Dogangeon is a levee that enriches Ikju.

The purpose of the Dogang River was to stably distribute the enormous water flow pouring down from the upper reaches and supply it to the necessary farmland in each region.

In addition, in the process of organizing the Dogang River, the cultivated land increased significantly, so if Dogang River was organized on a large scale, various benefits could be gained.

But… Seop-suk nodded with a stern face.

“That’s right. In fact, who in Yizhou would want to repair the Dokang River? Even if you repair it once, it will break down in many places. That’s why they just leave it alone.”

I don’t know why, but the more Zhuge Liang heard about Yizhou’s situation, the more he felt suffocated and his insides twisted.

In fact, wasn’t it all because I couldn’t resist the pressure of the mean and cruel Son So that I took on the position of co-pilot? And yet, I’m so upset because I didn’t even repair the Do Gang Eon.

‘… Yes, Ikju is not under the jurisdiction of our army… . I have to endure it.’

Zhuge Liang continued asking questions while calming his troubled feelings.

“…The value of the talisman is also very great. Is there any sign that the talisman craftsmen of Ikju are gathering together to do something? For example, a government office….”

“What do you mean? There is no such thing. The value of the gold is certainly enormous, but who would gather such people and establish an office? It is a trivial story.”

“…How can we deal with things like salt or iron ore?”

“Oh, that’s because the powerful clans are mostly taking advantage of the interests! … Are you okay? You don’t look so happy.”

Zhuge Liang could no longer maintain peace.

Rather, the more I heard about the story of wetness, the more convinced I became.

Those Yizhou guys were just idiots who didn’t even know what they had. How could they rule Yizhou from start to finish like that?

After hearing the truth about Yizhou, which was famous for its wealth and power, Zhuge Liang’s calm and clear mind seemed to be disturbed.

‘Even though he had great power, how could he rule so poorly?’

Up until now, Zhuge Liang had been working under Sun Zhao, acting as if he were there or not.

A slight ripple rose within him.

***

Hyungju Namgun Yangyangseong.

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Chaega.

In the spacious inner quarters of the house, Chae-mo, Goe-wol, and Jang-yoon were sitting.

After a while, Chae-mo spoke with a stiff face.

“…I heard that the lord has entrusted the successor to Yugi. It is certain, since it is what my older sister told me.”

Then, for a moment, silence fell upon the audience.

This was completely different from the future envisioned by the Yangyangseong aristocrats.

All this time, they had put in so much effort to make Yoo Biao’s second son, Yoo Jong, their successor. And then they suddenly made Yoo Ki their successor?

From the perspective of the Yangyangseong aristocrats, it was an incredibly unfair experience.

Moreover, the likelihood of this information being false was low.

Since Chae Mo’s sister is Liu Biao’s wife, she will watch Liu Biao’s every move.

Chae-mo asked Go-wol with a sharp gaze.

“What will we do if that man, Yugi, succeeds as my lord? What if he joins hands with my guardian, the Left General, and pushes us out? Then what will happen?”

Due to a recent unfortunate incident, Cai Mao took back some of Liu Bei’s military power.

But Liu Bei still had his younger brothers who were like guardian angels and his fierce bodyguards.

From Cai Mo’s perspective, Liu Bei’s army was a force that could not be underestimated.

As Chae-mo pointed this out sharply, Go-wol, who had been struggling, opened his mouth with a sharp gaze.

“…If the successor is declared organic, it will not benefit us at all. So….”

The monster’s eyes took on a cruel light.

“I think it would be best for us to go first. No matter how much I think about it, this is the only way.”

In fact, this was a natural choice for the local aristocrats of Yangyang, including Goewol.

If Yugi was announced as the successor, the noble families of Yangyang would be finished.

The local aristocrats of Yangyang had been doing all sorts of terrible things to remove Yugi from the throne. It was only natural to expect that Yugi’s terrifying purge would follow.

In light of the situation, it would have been better to get rid of him before Yugi was announced as the successor.

Of course, if things work out, they will come into conflict with Liu Biao, but… it didn’t matter. Liu Biao’s power had already fallen as much as it could, and above all, the possibility of Liu Biao shaking off his illness and rising again was slim. Besides, wasn’t it Liu Biao who betrayed them first?

“…Now that the Left General has left for Shinya, it is the right time. That guy, Yugi, likes alcohol like my father….

“Let’s quietly announce the appointment of a successor and hold a banquet… Let’s take advantage of that time to get things done.”

Soon, sharp eyes flashed and he nodded.

***

It wasn’t long after I sent a training camp to learn about the situation and various developments in Ikju.

Zhuge Liang stood before me with a complicated expression on his face.

“…I meet you, my lord.”

“Gongmyeong, isn’t this the first time you’ve come to my office alone? What brings you here?”

Then, Zhuge Liang showed a rare expression of agony and opened his mouth.

“When do you plan to occupy Yizhou, my lord?”

I narrowed my eyebrows slightly and stared at Zhuge Liang. First of all, I had to figure out what the intention behind that question was.

The author, Zhuge Liang, had been working like water flowing in the midst of the heavy workload of Xingzhou, and was like a so-called Jiahou. So why was he asking about the occupation of Yizhou?

I openly stuck my flippers out.

“What do you mean by that? Occupying Yizhou? Yizhou is clearly Han territory, so why would I attack Yizhou?”

Then Zhuge Liang made a face of amazement and spoke in an absurd tone.

“I have some idea of ​​your true feelings. How can you possibly leave Ik-ju alone? I know very well that you are the kind of person who can only feel satisfied when Ik-ju is under your feet.”

How long has it been since you last saw me? You already have an idea about me? But every word of what you said was true, so I couldn’t hide my true feelings.

I coughed and blurted out the truth.

“…It’s not the right time yet. I’ll make my move when the time comes. But why are you asking that?”

Then, Zhuge Liang spoke with a sigh, as if pouring out his resentment.

“Originally, I was just going to let it go…. But there is not a single person who can properly utilize the precious Ikju. From the Dogangeon to the Chokgeum, none of the precious things are being properly managed.

And when they tried to do something, the local aristocrats of Ikju would oppose them for generations, or the Ikju governor himself would not have the courage or ability to do it. I thought that Ikju was… too much for those people.”

Zhuge Liang’s words become more and more frustrating the more you recite them.

I roughly figured out what Zhuge Liang was trying to say.

The point is….

‘… Is this what it feels like to be frustrated with the way the Ikju managers are acting?’

When I think about it, I understand it to some extent.

Zhuge Liang’s life ended with the Northern Expedition and death from overwork.

But these days, my brother-in-law is in a situation where geniuses from various fields under me are fully displaying their talents.

It was completely different from the era when Zhuge Liang died from doing nothing due to a lack of talent.

In other words, even without Zhuge Liang coming forward and taking action, the internal affairs of Xingnan were already on track.

But what about the internal affairs of Yizhou?

Although I didn’t receive a proper report, I already had the answer just by looking at Zhuge Liang’s absurd attitude.

If Zhuge Liang, who never really showed up for any of the difficult tasks in Xingzhou, came to see me on his own…

‘Apart from Liu Zhang’s spirit of loving the people, it seems that the internal affairs of Yizhou were quite a mess in Zhuge Liang’s eyes.’

After being promoted, Zhuge Liang, who had been acting without enthusiasm in everything, appeared before me as if he could no longer stand by and watch.

‘If you feel suffocated, you should run yourself, right?’

***

Not long after talking with Zhuge Liang, new news reached Gangneung Castle.

“Yugi was ambushed?”

Then Sim Woo answered calmly.

“…Yes, my lord. They say he was ambushed at a banquet. However…. his wounds are so deep that it is unlikely he will live long.”

Although Sim Woo was responding calmly, this incident seemed to be quite a shock to him, who called himself a Confucian scholar.

I, too, deeply admired the bold attitude of the Yangyangseong local chieftains.

‘… You’re like the great aristocrats of Hyungju. Are you saying you won’t pay attention to Liu Biao’s face when he’s about to die?’

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