The Romance of the Three Kingdoms: Lu Bu is good at being filial - Chapter 49



Chapter 49

＜ The Greatest Path in the World (1) ＞

Woo Bo is dead.

He died while trying to block the entry into Hongnong.

Lee Yu and his soldiers?

After Lee Yu fainted, Dong Zhuo brought his soldiers.

– General Bi, from here on, I, we will proceed.

It wasn’t just Dong Zhuo’s personal soldiers; some of the officials from Luoyang also followed Dong Zhuo.

They came by imperial decree.

Worried about sending General Bi alone, the Emperor sent the officials and the army together by imperial decree.

– I don’t see Woo Bo….

– He is dead.

– Dead… you say?

– I killed him.

– You killed… him?

When I first said that the cavalry commander had killed Woo Bo, Dong Zhuo was extremely flustered.

-……Why?

– I went to Hongnong with the imperial decree, but they blocked me.

– What. …Ah, no, this crazy…?

They probably didn’t think I would actually kill them, but soon after hearing about their actions, they changed their stance immediately.

– Reason, you crazy b*stard!

But soon he denounced Reason in front of everyone.

Whether he fainted or not, he grabbed Reason and shouted wildly.

– You are determined to kill all the people of Yangzhou!

Reason committed a deadly act.

He probably did it thinking it was the only way to survive, but he kept making mistakes in the twisted situation.

Regicide.

Refusal to investigate.

Murder of an official.

A treasonous act that could spread to all the people of Yangzhou if not careful.

– It is my great sin to have allowed Reason to commit such an act! I will personally punish Reason and show what loyalty to this country means!

Swoosh.

Dong Zhuo killed Reason.

Hot tears streamed down his face, but only he knew whether they were tears or sweat.

Dong Zhuo held back his tears and beheaded Reason.

Without a chance to wake up, Reason died with an insult to me as his last words.

A clear scapegoating.

Now, if the court officials who were displeased with Dong Zhuo took issue with Reason, Dong Zhuo’s political position could collapse-

“Your Majesty!! I, Dong Zhuo, wish to avenge the injustice by subjugating the traitor! Please grant me military authority!!”

The day after returning to the Luoyang Imperial Palace from Hongnong.

“My soldiers and I from Yangzhou are innocent!”

Dong Zhuo knelt in the palace wearing only white clothes.

“If there is a fault, it is my great fault for taking such a person as my son-in-law! Please allow me to correct this fault with military merit!!”

Like someone making a public apology, he laid out a mat, knelt with only a thin cotton robe in the cold winter weather, and bowed his head.

“I will defeat the coalition army led by Yuan Shao, who is plotting rebellion, and reveal the majesty of His Majesty the Emperor to the world! Please, grant me this request!!”

The deaths of Wu Bo and Reason, both sons-in-law.

Dong Zhuo declared that he would go to the battlefield to alleviate the political burden.

“I will personally subdue the traitors and proclaim Your Majesty’s dignity to the world!”

Dong Zhuo is pleading to lead the soldiers himself.

Previously, Yuan Shu was captured and is now lying prostrate with a sword at his side, while Dong Zhuo’s subordinates, with disheveled hair, bow their heads alongside him.

“What should we do, everyone?”

The emperor asks his ministers, his voice echoing beyond the palace gates in response to Dong Zhuo’s roar.

“You have always spoken your minds, so I will listen again this time.”

“Your Majesty, that is…”

“The law dictates that traitors must be executed along with their families. Since Dong Zhuo is the father-in-law of Li Ru, should we proceed?”

The ministers hesitate at the emperor’s question.

“Now, immediately?”

Kill Dong Zhuo?

There is neither justification nor sufficient strength.

To be precise, even with me, the situation is not favorable.

“Your Majesty, regrettably, we currently need Dong Zhuo’s power and his army. The strength of ten thousand well-disciplined soldiers from Liang Province.”

Cai Yong defends Dong Zhuo on behalf of the ministers.

“According to reports, the coalition army gathered by Yuan Shao numbers around ninety thousand, does it not?”

Ninety thousand traitors.

Not all ninety thousand are under Yuan Shao.

“Han Fu of Ji Province, Kong Zhou of Yu Province, Liu Dai of Yan Province… These individuals have responded to Yuan Shao’s call and are gathering their soldiers in Yan Province.”

Some have a thousand soldiers.

Some have five thousand soldiers.

“Yuan Shao has brought the provisions for these many soldiers from Yonan. It is clear that he has been preparing for this for some time.”

“Did the Yuan family of Yonan simply gather that many provisions, or did they exploit the people to such an extent?”

“Minister Wang, that makes it even more problematic.”

Traitors from different regions, with different uniforms and starting points, have gathered, calling themselves ‘lords’ and leading their soldiers.

Where is Yan Province?

It is a place where, after crossing a few gates, one can head straight towards Luoyang.

If the gates are opened, the cavalry could, with some exaggeration, ride non-stop for a day and knock on the gates of Luoyang.

They would have to ride to death, though.

“Currently, the ones guarding Luoyang are unfortunately Dong Zhuo’s Liang Province army.”

To guard the gates, a massive number of soldiers is required.

“Fortunately, part of the Bing Province army has come down, but it’s not the entire Bing Province army.”

That’s true.

“If the strength of Bing Province is withdrawn, the bandits… probably the Black Mountain bandits cooperating with Yuan Shao will run rampant.”

In fact, last year when Zheng Yuan came down with 7,000 soldiers, the Black Mountain bandits and the White Wave bandits caused some trouble in places beyond our reach.

“Hmm….”

The Emperor lowers his head heavily.

“If we are to hold Dong Zhuo accountable….”

Execute Dong Zhuo by implication?

‘The Liang Province army would either return to Liang Province or disband. They would try to flee west.’

Would Dong Zhuo easily surrender?

He is the one who beheaded his own son-in-law.

Though not related by blood, he has shown himself beheading his son-in-law and kneeling in the cold weather.

“General Bi.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“If we call the Bing Province army to Luoyang, can we face both the east and the west simultaneously?”

East and west.

The east naturally refers to Yuan Shao’s coalition army.

The west?

“It is difficult.”

If Dong Zhuo takes the entire Liang Province army into Chang’an, it would be quite troublesome.

“Trying to guard both Bing Province and Luoyang simultaneously would consume too many soldiers.”

Facing just one side is already exhausting, increasing the number of enemies is not wise.

“Even if we hold Dong Zhuo accountable, it doesn’t seem like the rebel ‘coalition army’ would disband on its own.”

“As expected, there’s only that method.”

The Emperor’s eyes tremble.

“…Tell Dong Zhuo to come to the court.”

The Emperor commanded.

The ministers exchanged glances, but soon Dong Zhuo, guided by the official who conveyed the Emperor’s order, climbed the stairs and entered the palace.

“Your Majesty.”

Dong Zhuo, disheveled, entered and immediately bowed in respect.

He looked like a gaunt wolf that had wandered the winter wilderness and entered a building.

“I command you, Grand Commandant Dong Zhuo.”

“I obey your command.”

“Lead the soldiers you brought from Liang Province and suppress the rebels. Through this, show that you and the soldiers of Liang Province did not come to Luoyang to seize power, but to demonstrate your loyalty.”

Perhaps Dong Zhuo would want to tear apart Liu Yu and Wu Fu with his teeth?

Because of their actions, the entire army of Liang Province is now in full-scale war with the rebels.

“Can you do it, Grand Commandant Dong?”

“I obey Your Majesty’s command.”

Dong Zhuo struck his head on the floor.

He hit his forehead so hard that when he lifted his head, blood started to flow from his forehead.

‘He’s really ruthless.’

Is this what it takes to survive in the central political arena?

‘What a troublesome place.’

What is power, really?

“I, your servant, will now lead the soldiers and depart for Yanzhou.”

Dong Zhuo.

Following the imperial command, he led ten thousand soldiers from Liang Province to Yanzhou.

* * *

[At that time, between Yingchuan in Yuzhou and Chenliu in Yanzhou.]

“A lot have gathered.”

Yuan Shao stood on a hill, stroking his beard as he looked at the military tents densely packed on the plain.

His beard had grown quite long compared to when he worked in Luoyang, but Yuan Shao didn’t mind it.

At least now, if he wanted to claim the title of leader of the coalition army, it was better to have a beard than not.

“Liu Biao, Han Fu, Kong Zhou, Liu Dai, Wang Kuang, Zhang Miao, Qiao Mao, Yuan Yi, Bao Xin, Kong Rong, Zhang Chao, Tao Qian, Ma Teng, Gongsun Zan, Zhang Yang, Sun Jian, and Yuan Shao.”

Seventeen warlords.

“It’s a pity that Yuan Shu isn’t here, so only about half of the Yuan family’s elders are on my side….”

If Yuan Shu had come out to Runan, he could have mobilized all the power of the Yuan family in Runan.

He could have gathered the entire Yuan family by putting him at the forefront as the ‘First Warlord.’

If that were the case, there would have been no need for Yu Pyo’s help.

“In war, those who help the enemy are better off not being there.”

Won Sul is a wealthy but stingy man.

To be precise, he is someone who gives according to his mood.

And the military supplies of the allied forces come from Yeo Nam Won Ga, which is practically Won Sul’s base.

“I’m sorry, Won Sul. I’ll make good use of your wealth.”

There is a possibility that he might not provide proper military supplies out of jealousy and envy towards those who perform significantly in the allied forces.

“And Won Sul, thanks to your absence, there’s a tiger who said he would fight harder. Hahaha.”

If Won So takes direct responsibility for the military supplies, at least the soldiers won’t go hungry and be unable to fight properly.

“Moreover….”

“Move aside!!”

Pushing aside the soldiers guarding the hill, someone climbed up the hill.

“Oh, Aman. It’s truly amazing to see you here.”

“Won So, you…!!”

Cao Cao climbed up.

“Requesting military supplies from my home in Pei County, Xiao Xian? With what face!”

Cao Cao was holding a bamboo slip in his hand.

The writing on the unfolded bamboo slip was Won So’s.

“Isn’t it possible to make a request? It’s about doing the right thing and setting the country straight.”

“Ha…!”

“Cao Cao. Did you come to join the allied forces? The allied forces are now divided into two.”

Won So raised both hands.

“One side consists of those gathered for ‘Anti-Dong Zhuo’. You know their nature, don’t you? They are all ambitious people.”

“Like you?”

“Haha. I won’t deny it.”

As local lords, those who rebel against Dong Zhuo.

“And the other side, though small in number, consists of truly pure and kind people gathered for ‘Saving Lu Bu’.”

“Do you think that makes sense? Who is saving whom?”

“From the treacherous officials of the court, the righteous and loyal Lu Bu.”

“Did that work?”

“Not everyone in the world is as smart and quick-witted as we are, Aman.”

Yuan Shao tapped his temple with his finger.

“They think Dong Zhuo is a heinous tyrant, holding the emperor hostage and wielding Lü Bu as his weapon.”

“…Huh.”

“They believe that General Lü Bu, being compassionate, had no choice but to put on the leash Dong Zhuo offered, fearing that the young emperor might be killed.”

“Are they fools?”

“It’s not entirely wrong, is it?”

Yuan Shao placed his index finger over his lips.

“Whether it’s anti-Dong Zhuo or saving Lü Bu, all 17 warlords share the same opinion.”

“The current emperor is too young. Let’s kill Dong Zhuo and take Lü Bu?”

“Isn’t that why you came here, thinking the same?”

“…Hoo.”

Cao Cao looked up at the sky, holding his left arm with his hand.

“The sky is so blue. Even the birds flying in that sky look blue.”

“What kind of nonsense is that all of a sudden?”

“It’s a big mistake to think I came here to join as the 18th warlord, Yuan Benchu.”

“…Huh?”

Yuan Shao frowned.

“I came to warn you not to incite our family and hometown people recklessly.”

“…Have you changed? You don’t seem like the Aman I know.”

“What kind of person do you think I am?”

“Aren’t you someone who only fights winning battles?”

“Precisely because I only fight winning battles, I won’t join a battle that’s obviously going to be lost.”

Cao Cao twisted his lips towards Yuan Shao.

“Joining this coalition army you rallied is a sure defeat.”

“…….”

“Unless I was the one who rallied the coalition.”

“What?”

“Whether it’s the coalition you gathered or the one I gathered, the thoughts of the warlords would be the same, but what would the people of the world think?”

“…Why did you come? To provoke me, saying I will lose, that I will be defeated?”

Yuan Shao placed his hand on the sword at his waist, but Cao Cao scoffed and turned away.

“Relax. I will raise my own ‘volunteer army’.”

“For what purpose?”

“To oppose Dong Zhuo. Unlike you, I have a very plausible justification.”

“…What.”

“Hehehe. It seems the news is late, but it looks like most of the travelers who were cooperating with the Yuan family have stopped coming?”

“…….”

“Indeed. Publicly, I am ‘barely a lone survivor seeking revenge’, but in Luoyang, the story is different.”

“Cao Cao.”

When Yuan Shao gestured behind him, two large warriors surrounded Cao Cao on either side.

“It seems you have a lot to tell me. You can’t escape. They are the fiercest warriors I brought from Jizhou.”

“…Indeed.”

Cao Cao quietly raised both hands under the pressure of those who were a head and a half taller than him.

“I can’t escape. So, how will you capture and torture me?”

“That’s what I’ll do. It might even be good to publicly elevate you as the 18th warlord.”

“This guy…!”

“I don’t know what happened in Luoyang during that time, but I’ll soon find out from your mouth. And the fact that you left Luoyang and came here…. Hehe.”

Yuan Shao made a gesture of cutting his throat towards Cao Cao.

“Whatever the reason, didn’t you run away because you were afraid of being killed by Dong Zhuo? Maybe because you are my friend?”

“You’ve made a terrible mistake by befriending me.”

“Don’t take it too harshly. I’m treating you like this because you’re my friend. If you weren’t, I would have forced you to kneel and confess.”

“……Yuan Shao.”

Cao Cao chuckled and lightly tapped his chest with his hand.

“Thank you. For ultimately making me win.”

“Have you been drinking? You seem to be intoxicated by something.”

Yuan Shao shook his head.

“Yan Liang. Wen Chou. Escort Lord Cao to the camp with respect.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“We will follow your orders.”

“Don’t touch him.”

As the two generals approached, Cao Cao immediately stepped back.

“I will go on my own-“

“Messenger!! Report to the commander-in-chief!!”

A soldier riding up the hill urgently knelt before Yuan Shao.

“The gates of ‘Sishuiguan’ have opened! Dong Zhuo’s soldiers have come out directly beyond the gates! Their number is estimated to be over eight thousand!!”

“……?!”

Cao Cao’s eyes widened in surprise, and Yuan Shao stepped forward and lightly patted Cao Cao’s shoulder.

“It seems the victory is on our side.”

“What…?”

“Just in time, a tiger is itching to rampage.”

Flap.

“Look, it’s moving.”

The flag of Sun fluttered, and a man with a red scarf on his head began to ride towards Luoyang.

* * *

“General Ye, have you come? What brings you to find Hua Xiong?”

While Dong Zhuo personally led his soldiers out by the emperor’s command.

I went to find the Yangzhou army reserves stationed east of Luoyang.

“Aren’t you going, Hua Xiong?”

“This is the task assigned to me.”

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Hua Xiong, who was setting up the camp, greeted me.

“I don’t think Dong Taiwei would have left you behind.”

“I volunteered to stay and set up the camp. With Zhang Ji.”

Hua Xiong did not head towards the allied forces’ camp beyond the gates.

“Are you hesitating?”

“…….”

“Indeed. If you wield the Michen Dao now, its blade would be dull.”

“Me? Ha!”

Hua Xiong growled and turned his eyes towards me.

“For what reason!”

“Confusion.”

“……?!”

Hwa-ung is wavering.

“Isn’t it because you think Dong Zhuo is not right, and that following Dong Zhuo might be wrong?”

“……Originally, I thought it was right.”

“You are not wrong.”

“What?”

“The environment of Yangzhou and Bingzhou is different. Whether it’s Yangzhou or Bingzhou, no one can assert who is right.”

I pointed to the east.

“From the perspective of Yangzhou, Bingzhou is wrong, and from the perspective of Bingzhou, Yangzhou is not right. It’s inevitable. The environments they grew up in are different.”

“…….”

“A person cannot change in an instant. Especially at an important moment, you can’t expect them to change themselves.”

Most of the soldiers of Yangzhou would be wavering.

“I was also confused about what was right at one time. Then I finally came to a conclusion.”

“What is it?”

“Rather than arguing about who is just, I decided to wield my weapon against universally accepted evil.”

“Universally accepted evil.”

Hwa-ung glanced at the soldiers of Yangzhou for a moment, then turned his gaze to the east.

“Specifically?”

“Evil bandits. In other words, rebels.”

If nothing else, I am certainly familiar with the character for bandit (賊).

“It’s not about fighting enemies. It’s about fighting those who steal and rob others, the thieves.”

“Thieves.”

“My master once said.”

When explaining the character for thief (盜), he said this.

“Those who steal wealth are thieves (盜). As thieves, they can be reformed and guided to the right path.”

If they don’t listen to words, you can beat them, break their wrists, and teach them again and again until they no longer steal from others as human beings, not beasts.

“…What is a bandit?”

“One who takes lives. A bandit (賊).”

“……!!”

I pointed in the direction Hwa-ung was looking.

“Many will die.”

“…….”

“And warriors like us have trained our bodies and honed our martial arts to kill our enemies.”

“Isn’t it to protect something that we train in martial arts?”

“In theory, yes. But there are those who try to take what we want to protect. If they try to kill, we must kill them.”

That’s the reality.

“My master said that no matter how much you talk about righteousness, in the end, the one with power is justice.”

Without power, pursuing righteousness is ultimately meaningless.

“If you are the strongest, you are right. If Dong Zhuo is the strongest, then Dong Zhuo’s way is justice. But among those in Luoyang, in terms of martial power, I am the pinnacle.”

But what if we think the other way around?

“Out there, beyond Luoyang. Against those who try to take lives, seize the emperor’s throne, and even the country, I will defeat them all, become the strongest, and proudly declare.”

“What will you proclaim?”

“Justice.”

“…….”

“If I must say, righteousness, chivalry, and filial piety.”

The justice I pursue.

“If the strongest of the time says this, it will become the truth of that era.”

If history belongs to the victor, I will win and unify all logic under my ideals.

“Hua Xiong.”

I turn my head to Hua Xiong.

“What is your justice?”

“…I am infinitely ashamed.”

Hua Xiong grips his sword.

“To achieve fame and fortune through martial prowess, to enjoy wealth and honor, to rise to high office and command the world.”

Fame and fortune. Wealth and honor. Office. Success.

These are the common notions of men and warriors of this era.

“Is there a need to be ashamed?”

“What?”

“In walking that path, have you ever done anything to be ashamed of before your father?”

“……Not at all.”

Hwa-ung opened his mouth for a moment, then smiled and shook his head firmly.

“Impressive. The position of the strongest. It’s a different perspective.”

Mi-cheomdo no longer trembled.

“Is this the insight of the one closest to the heavens?”

“Not yet. We don’t know who the best in the world is.”

There are still many in the world who believe in the law of the jungle, the supremacy of the strong, and the principles of beasts as truth.

“Until I become the best in the world by defeating them one by one, my words are just empty echoes.”

Persuasiveness.

About 3/13.

“Just in time, there are strong men gathered from all over under the name of the allied forces. If you defeat them, you can fill at least half of it at once.”

“Who?”

“I hear that a man named Sun Jian, who went down to Jingzhou, is rumored to be very strong, and Gongsun of Youzhou….”

Hmm.

‘Isn’t it Gongsun Zan?’

The best cavalry can compete with Bingzhou, but individual martial prowess is another story.

According to rumors, Gongsun Zan is excellent as a general, but in single combat, he is rather pushed by his subordinates.

“Haha, then let this Hwa-ung assist you in becoming the best in the world, or rather, unifying the world (天下統一).”

“What dangerous words?”

“Oh. The story of martial arts (武).”

Hwa-ung smiled while playing with Mi-cheomdo.

“Why does your victory make me the best in the world?”

“Isn’t it obvious? To challenge Lü Bu, you must first defeat this Hwa-ung.”

“That’s true.”

“Watch closely.”

Hwa-ung pressed down his helmet.

“Watch as this Hwa-ung kills many enemy generals and spreads his name far and wide.”

“I look forward to it.”

“And.”

Hwa-ung tapped the handle of Mi-cheomdo towards me.

“After this battle, I will challenge you once again.”

“…….”

I made a silent promise with Hua Xiong.

＜ The Best Path Under Heaven (1) ＞ End