Romance of the Three Kingdoms: Became the Eldest Son of Sun Ce - Chapter 198



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Episode 198. The First Northern Expedition (8)

As Cao Cao’s shouts shook the barracks, the strategists who had been loitering outside came rushing in.

A young scribe and an old scribe entered the barracks one by one. They were Guo Jia and Xun You.

In the frozen atmosphere, Guo Jia asked in a seemingly cheerful tone.

“What’s the matter, did the messenger bring bad news?”

Cao Cao threw the bamboo slips hard onto the table and spoke with a grin.

“Cho-hyeon and Heo-hyeon, both sides were taken! I sent them to guard both places, but they fell without being able to do anything!”

The faces of the two strategists stiffened at Cao Cao’s angry explanation. This was something they had not expected.

The generals who went on an expedition to Yeju were not ordinary generals. They were famous generals that Cao Cao’s army had carefully selected and sent.

But that was only for a moment, as Guo Jia’s thoughts wandered elsewhere. He wiped the smile off his lips and asked.

“…My lord, then the Gwak family….”

Cao Cao responded curtly to Guo Jia’s obvious question.

“Fortunately, the blood relatives of the Gwak family are not in any trouble, but since Heo Hyeon was taken away, how can the Gwak family’s property be safe?”

Gwak was secretly relieved to hear that his Gwak clan was safe.

At that moment, Sun-Yu opened her mouth.

“My lord, we cannot retreat. Now that the Wonsang Army has retreated, this is the perfect opportunity to take over the Zhongshan and Hegan States. If we miss this opportunity, the Wonsang Army may take over the two counties at any time.”

Then Cao Cao growled like a wounded beast.

“Then what about the shattered pride of this Jo Maeng-deok! Cho-hyeon, where Jo Maeng-deok was born and raised, was taken away, and even Heo-hyeon, where Jo Maeng-deok had grown up, was taken away! What was the reason for him to endure the mess south of the Yellow River?

Wasn’t it because Jo Maeng-deok could regain it that he endured it? It must have been because the allied generals were able to protect Heo-hyeon and Cho-hyeon! But how could they regain it when these two counties were taken away from them?”

Cao Cao’s strategy to block Yuan Shang was simple: after defeating Yuan Shang, he would immediately move south and defeat Sun Zhao’s forces.

But this strategy was quickly blown away like dust. First of all, the geographical advantage was lost due to the loss of Cho-hyeon and Xu-hyeon, and above all, there was no food supply to handle Cao Cao’s large army.

All of the enormous materials accumulated in Heohyeon fell into the hands of Son So-gun.

Sun-Yu began to tremble all over and tried to calm down Cao Cao, who was furious. If they had started heading south from here, Cao Cao’s army would have been finished.

“My lord, how can I not know that the two counties of Yeju are of great significance to you? However, my lord, you should think of it with a broad perspective.

“Although Sun Zhaojun is on the verge of taking over the area south of the Yellow River, our army can completely take over Jizhou. If only a few years pass, our army will no longer have to worry about food supplies. Be patient, my lord.”

“Are you telling this Cao Cao to abandon his own foundation?”

At Cao Cao’s scolding, Xun Yu spoke with a worried expression.

“Now, with just a little effort, we can completely take over Giju. However, if you give up on this and focus your energy on recovering the uncertain Yeju… what will become of our army’s future?”

Cao Cao was deeply troubled by Sun Yu’s explanation that presented the details in detail.

At that moment, Guo Jia frowned and said.

“But if you abandon the noble families of Yeongcheon, how can they be loyal to you and follow you in the future?”

Then Cao Cao raised his indifferent eyes and looked at Guo Jia and said.

“What you mean is that it would be difficult for Jo Maeng-deok to stand tall in the world without the help of the Yeongcheon local chieftains… Is that right?”

“…How could I say such disloyal words to your Majesty? I apologize if it came across that way.”

Cao Cao, who was looking at Guo Jia, opened his mouth with a deep sigh.

“In any case, what you said is not wrong. However, if we retreat while leaving the hostile forces in front of us, wouldn’t we be giving that stubborn Won-sang time to catch his breath? That much is impossible.”

In the end, when Cao Cao’s intentions seemed to have been made clear, Guo Jia felt inwardly regretful.

‘… So you mean to give up Yeongcheon.’

But if you look at it from a practical standpoint, there was nothing that could be done.

Now, Cao Cao’s army is on the verge of recapturing the long-awaited Ji Province.

But after all the hard work of repelling the Wonsang Army, they did not reclaim Giju? This was an act of wasting the blood, sweat, and tears of the soldiers who had fought so hard.

After a moment of lament, Guo Jia gave advice with sharp eyes.

“Then, please send a letter to the enemy commander, Son So. If you are satisfied with him, you should return, and if you do not return, our army will immediately send the entire army south.”

“And what if we don’t retreat?”

“Son So-gun is probably spending his time taking care of the land he has occupied. If wars continue, Son So-gun will suffer great losses. If the enemy commander is as clever as you say, he will definitely accept this offer.”

“hmm….”

Guo Jia answered with a stiff smile.

“…and honestly, there’s no reason why our forces can’t do this.”

Cao Cao was left breathless by Guo Jia’s sharp remark that pointed out that his successor, Cao Chong’s health, was in danger. It was true.

If Cao Chong died, there would be no point in Cao Cao increasing his power.

A power without any bloodline to pass on. This was nothing more than an illusion.

“…That’s right. Since my damn father has severed my bloodline, that fox-like bastard should be able to read my mind well.”

However, Jo Jo’s feelings could not have been completely at ease after losing half of Ye Joo and Yeon Joo.

He swallowed his anger and looked towards the south where Heo Hyeon was.

‘Sonso. You won this time, but there will be no next time.’

***

Yeju Yeongcheon-gun Heo Hyeon.

While I was organizing the counties near Heohyeon, I received an unexpected report.

“Oh, you’re alive! Thank goodness!”

It was none other than the fact that Jangsu was alive.

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Soon, the general, who looked like a total loser and a mess, bowed his head.

“…I am alive thanks to your concern, my lord. Thank you.”

“No, what did I do? Rather, it was thanks to you unexpectedly becoming bait that we were able to occupy Heo-hyeon. In a big way, it is your achievement.”

Then the general shook his head with a bitter smile.

“How could the chief seek public achievements? The chief’s sin is grave, as he almost ruined the uprising by being greedy in the end. Please punish him.”

“Haha, don’t say that. But it’s a bit strange that you came back alive like this. You had a hard time.”

Except for a mistake at the end that almost resulted in the loss of a large number of Liangzhou cavalry, the general had done well enough.

For nearly two months, it shook Yeongcheon County, restraining Heo Hyeon’s forces, and furthermore, it gave sufficient fear to the local aristocrats.

Although he did not reach the level of capturing Heohyeon, Jangsu was a general who achieved great feats.

But the general did not think so, and spoke with a face full of determination.

“…My lord, if you truly believe that the general has achieved great achievements, then please call him to Jianyeop. Unlike in the past, the general’s judgment has become rusty and he should no longer remain on the battlefield for long.”

For me, it was a remark that brought a smile to my face.

If Zhang Shi enters Jianye, who will be under Zhang Shi’s command? Without a doubt, it will be me.

But I didn’t show it and just pretended to harden my face.

“Oh, what are you talking about? Didn’t you protect Nanyang-gun well and overthrow Yeongcheon-hyeon, and thus our army occupied Heo-hyeon? Don’t say such things.”

Then the general almost bowed his head and raised his voice.

“Due to the commander’s wrong judgment, 40% of the Liangzhou cavalry were lost! This was a disaster caused by the greed of a general who went into battle. If your lord thinks the commander has any merit left, please send him to Jianye.”

“Ah, but what about the remaining Liangzhou cavalry? Would those fierce men listen to the orders of any general other than you?”

The general spoke with sharp eyes as if he had been waiting.

“Don’t worry, the warden will tell them firmly. And there is one more thing the warden shamelessly asks of you… If you could at least give the injured a place to live….”

“Don’t worry about that. They are skilled enough in horsemanship to serve as Liangzhou cavalry. I plan to gather the wounded and select them as cavalry instructors.”

At my assurance, the general opened his mouth with a slight smile.

“…I can only thank you, my lord, for your deep grace!”

I asked the general with a face that seemed to say, “I can’t do it.”

“By the way, are you really planning to retreat to Jianye? Of course, I won’t stop you if you head to Jianye…. But you won’t be as free as Wanseong. After all, His Majesty will be living there. Is that okay?”

“It is as I wished, my lord!”

“If your will is so firm…. I can’t help it. In that case, I will inform the Liangzhou cavalry and prepare for the handover. I will think about your successor and tell you.”

“Yes, my lord!”

The face of the general who said that and left looked somehow relieved, like a bird flying in the sky.

I envied the expression on Jang-su’s face, which seemed carefree, but on the other hand, I couldn’t help but laugh because he seemed to know nothing.

In what country is it law to let go of a talent that has fallen into your hands?

‘To try to find and enjoy the freedom that even the lord could not find… How ridiculous.’

As long as I was under Son So’s command, no one could retire before me.

***

Ikju Gwanghan-gun Ga-maeng-hyeon.

Liu Bei, who was in charge of the three northern counties of Guanghan Commandery under Liu Zhang.

In the meantime, Yu-bi’s reputation quickly soared to the sky. No wonder he was suspected of using strange sorcery to enchant people.

However, those who were suspicious were captivated by Liu Bei’s seemingly kind personality.

In this way, Liu Bei extended his reach beyond the northern part of Guanghan Commandery to the entire Guanghan Commandery.

“If we want to block Hanjung’s offensive, the Gwanghan Army must unite as one to block it! We don’t know when Hanjung will pour out its troops! If we want to protect Ga-maeng-hyeon, we desperately need your help!”

The people of Gwanghan-gun and the nearby nobles, who had experienced many attacks from Han and Zhong, bowed down to Liu Bei.

The elite Liu Bei army in front of him was more reliable than Liu Zhang’s army, which was always helplessly pushed back by Han Zhong’s forces. And Liu Bei, who was close by, was more reliable than Liu Zhang, who was far away.

Shocking news reached Liu Bei, who was actively working in the merchant district.

“…Son So, he’s fighting against Cao Cao’s army?”

Seo Seo said with a puzzled look on his face at the sight of Yu-bi, who rarely showed any sign of being able to control his expression.

“…My lord. Why are you so shaken? Our plan is for ten years. How can it be so difficult when it has not even been three years…?”

Then Yu-bi said with a wrinkled mouth.

“The one who drove me out of Xinye has grown up so much in a single day… and now he is shouting that Xingzhou is too narrow and is fighting against Cao Cao. How could I not be shaken by this situation?”

“…My lord, their footsteps and ours cannot but be different. If you have dealt with the world with benevolence and righteousness, they have dealt with the world with heinousness and force.

Right now, they may be ahead, but the future lord will stand above them. This Seowonjik will make it so.”

Liu Bei was slightly moved by Seo Seo’s gentle persuasion.

‘… Yes, I have the Yuan Zhi (standing) around me, and the tiger-like brothers and generals, so why should I envy Sun Zhao and Cao Cao!’

Only then did Yu-bi speak with a kind smile.

“Thank you, Wonjik (standing). How else do you think the war will end?”

“It’s hard to confirm, but I heard that Cao Cao brought out his favorite generals. With Xu Huang, Li Zhen, and Yue Jin as generals, even Sun Zhaojun won’t be able to win easily. So, don’t worry.”

Yu-bi nodded at Seo-su’s words.

Among the many brave generals in Cao Cao’s army, these were the most courageous and prudent.

Even if the battle situation was unfavorable, it would not be easy to give up. If the southern hero, Zhou Yu, was there, it would be different, but if the opponent was not even twenty years old, Sun So, it was even worse.

“If it’s them, I know them too. Aren’t they all generals that Cao Cao cherishes? Well, if it’s them….”

Liu Bei desperately hoped that Cao Cao and Sun Zhao would fight each other, because he wanted to buy time to establish himself as a warlord.

‘… Wait until this Liu Bei rises tall in Yizhou… .’

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