The Romance of the Three Kingdoms: Lu Bu is good at being filial - Chapter 68



＜ The Setting Star Over Luoyang (4) ＞

[Dawn, the estate of Yuan in Luoyang.]

There is a distinct difference in perception among people, centered around the place called Horoguan.

Regarding Yuan Shao.

Beyond Horoguan.

– Yuan Shao is the only survivor who has lived through Dong Zhuo’s tyranny!

That is the perception.

When I first heard this from the captured Yu She or other soldiers, I was genuinely incredulous.

“No way, how can someone who should be chewed up and spat out be called the only survivor!”

Especially those who have suffered because of him, like Yuan Shu, who came to greet me at my visit to Yuan’s estate from dawn.

Yuan Shu.

A man of merit.

Unlike Yuan Shao, who is of a concubine’s lineage, if we only consider bloodline, he is the legitimate heir.

Now, he should be called the ‘legitimate heir.’

“That b*stard is the reason my lord has passed away, and my own brother has suffered in prison and eventually left this world…!”

Yuan Shu is currently wearing mourning clothes.

Although quite some time has passed since the people of Yuan’s estate died, Yuan Shu has greeted me in mourning attire, perhaps to honor their spirits.

From the looks of his mourning clothes, which show signs of having been worn for several days, it is clear that this is not a hasty appearance meant to show a calculated demeanor.

“Your, your grace….”

Behind Yuan Shu, Yu She is trying to comfort him.

The general who had previously disguised himself as a servant to sneak into the Sasu Pavilion.

He went to the capital under Byeongju-gun’s guidance and sincerely conveyed information about the anti-Dongtak coalition, after which he was partially recognized for his contributions and became a retainer of Yuan Shu.

“Yuseop! Did you not hear it directly from that despicable man?”

“Y-yes, that’s true. But….”

“I will go to Giju right now and find that scoundrel’s mother’s hometown! I will turn it into a complete mess—”

“Ahem.”

As I cleared my throat, Yuan Shu immediately lowered his head.

“…I apologize, General Bi. I showed my excited self to my benefactor of life, my benefactor of the family.”

“I understand that anger is rising, but you must refine that anger well. This is not the place to unleash it.”

“Huh?”

“Yuan Shu. I will speak frankly.”

Before coming here, I pulled out the plan I had previously coordinated with Chosun.

“Are you using me?”

“Am I using you?”

Yuan Shu clearly expressed his displeasure.

Even though I am General Bi, Yuan Shu seemed to feel that my words were dismissive of him, openly showing disappointment and irritation.

-Yuan Shu is a person who lives for his own pride.

Chosun had roughly informed me.

-Should I say he is a typical third-generation chaebol? He indulges in luxury and pleasure, looks down on the poor and capable, yet he is overflowing with money and spends it lavishly on his own people, that kind of person, you know?

A kind of character assessment.

-Of course, this is what I know as a ‘theory,’ and in reality, that theory may not align with the current situation.

According to Chosun, Yuan Shu might have originally emerged as a member of the feudal alliance alongside Yuan Shao.

If only he had not escaped Luoyang alone.

From noble mtl dot com

-You cannot say that the current Yuan Shu is the same as the Yuan Shu I read the heavenly secrets of. Just keep that in mind. In reality, my brother’s ability to judge people is far superior.

The direction is set, and Chosun presented various methods.

Choosing what is the most effective and correct method is my responsibility.

“Go, General Bi. I do not wish to be used by anyone else. Can I let my living family members be killed as well!”

“By using you….”

Yuan Shu.

This man is extremely emotional.

“So, I have no intention of being used!”

“You’re going to throw Wonsoo into the abyss of hell.”

“……Huh?”

Wonsoo tries to get up from his seat but sits back down again.

“Wonsoo, what are you going to do?”

“I’m going to smash that esteemed noble’s face into the dirt.”

“…Oh.”

Wonsoo’s eyes sparkle.

As expected.

‘I thought it would be possible to trip Wonsoo up.’

The discomfort felt every time Wonsoo was mentioned hinted at not only the current situation but also other feelings towards Wonsoo himself.

Inferiority complex.

The unpleasant feeling of being a legitimate son yet seeing the illegitimate son receive more favor from the head of the family.

“People say Wonsoo is the hope of the Wonga.”

“Hmph, that’s all…!”

“Everyone was deceived by Wonsoo wearing a mask and acting that way. Now that the truth has come to light, shouldn’t the owner reclaim what was taken?”

“Reclaim…? The position of the noble of Wonga?”

“No.”

I pointed to the ground.

“The survivor who will save the Wonga in crisis, and the hope of the surviving Wonga.”

“……!!”

“The method is simple. Just speak the truth as it is.”

I raised the finger that was pointing to the ground to my solar plexus.

“Shout as if you’re vomiting out the lump that’s built up in your chest.”

“H-here? Ahem, hey there—”

“No. Not here. In the Horogwan.”

“H-Horogwan…?!”

Wonsoo jumps up.

“Are you trying to take me to where Dongtak is?! To the place where that scheming wild boar, who tried to plunge the Wonga into chaos, is?!”

“…I will secretly follow behind. And that’s not what’s important right now. If the traitors gather and occupy Luoyang, will the people of Wonga who are alive in Luoyang be able to survive?”

“!!”

Wonsul’s body stiffens.

I sent a glance to Yuseop, who was at a loss behind Wonsul.

“Y-yes, my lord. The general is right.”

Thank goodness.

At least he has some awareness.

“But among the people under Wonso, there are many who thought you had been killed or imprisoned.”

“So, you want to reveal that Wonsul is alive?”

“Yes. If we do that….”

Yuseop turns his gaze toward me.

“There may be some among the allied lords who realize Wonso’s lies and do not actively intervene.”

Perhaps this is the greatest benefit we can gain by putting Wonsul in the forefront.

“Don’t you want to take revenge on Wonso?”

“Revenge…!”

“You don’t need strong martial arts or exceptional mercenary skills. You already possess weapons as powerful as a thousand troops.”

“Could it be….”

Wonsul swallows hard and straightens his posture seriously.

“Are you talking about me?”

“…….”

For a moment, I was so astonished that I couldn’t speak.

“No.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. You already have that powerful weapon in your heart.”

“W-what is it?”

“Truth.”

Wonsul opens his mouth wide in surprise.

“Just the fact that you are alive will bring Wonso’s reputation crashing down.”

* * *

[Beyond the watchtower, the camp of the anti-Dongtak allied lords. The rear guard.]

Rustle, rustle.

Inside the barracks lit by a lantern.

A middle-aged man is writing something by the flickering light of a candle, even at this late hour.

It would not be strange to say he is on the verge of old age.

He might have originally been revered as a ‘duke.’

But now, he is revered even more highly than that duke.

Yuu.

Having been proclaimed emperor by Yuan Shao, he continues to gaze heavily at the words written on the wide sheet of paper.

“Your Grace. General Gong Sun has arrived.”

“Let him in.”

Even at the soldier’s report guarding the front of the barracks, Yuu merely said to let him in, then filled in a name in the empty last spot.

“Welcome, General Gong Sun.”

“…….”

Gong Sun Chan’s body was covered in blood.

The traces of a battle with someone were evident.

“I told you not to get involved.”

“There is Dong Zhuo at Holo Pass.”

“That is….”

“The real Dong Zhuo has come out to fight.”

“……Have you captured him?”

“No. He has not yet crossed Holo Pass.”

Before Yuu could gesture, Gong Sun Chan sat down in the chair beside him.

“But it will be soon. Once we cross Holo Pass, the rest will be our victory.”

“That seems likely.”

“When that time comes, Your Grace will truly be ‘Emperor’….”

“Listen, Gong Sun Chan.”

Yuu pushed the paper he had been writing on forward.

“Do you know what this is?”

“…Is it a decree?”

“Close enough.”

There were the names of the dukes written there.

“I have followed Yuan Shao as emperor from this place. And during that time, I have sought to understand the true intentions of various dukes through conversation.”

“Your Highness.”

“These are the ones who wish to use me to secure a position in the new imperial court. They are either dissatisfied with their own lands and wish to go elsewhere, or they want to receive titles from Luoyang. Or perhaps they aspire to become kings in their local regions.”

“What about those whose names are written here?”

Gong Sun Chan pointed to his name, which had just begun to dry with ink.

“True loyalists.”

At Yu Yu’s words, Gong Sun Chan focused his gaze on the name on the paper.

“They are those who wish to rectify the chaos in the court. They do not seek to elevate their titles or boast, but only wish to overthrow Dong Zhuo, who is running rampant in the court.”

“…Do you really believe that?”

“Indeed.”

Yu Yu pressed around his eyes with his hand.

“Ha. It is tiring. In any case, there is a reason I am entrusting this to you.”

“What should I do?”

“Keep it a secret from everyone and hold it close.”

Yu Yu fiddled with his neck with his hand.

“The world will be divided, and warlords will emerge everywhere. When the time comes for you to defeat these warlords and become a loyal subject of this country, it will greatly aid your perspective on the lords.”

“…….”

“I am old. There are not many days left for me. But you are still young, and it is the time for you to build your military achievements.”

“Your Highness.”

“I have discerned who is a loyalist and who is a traitor with this body alone, so my role ends here. Even if I am branded a traitor….”

Yu Yu approached Gong Sun Chan and firmly grasped both of his hands.

“I trust that you will understand my true intentions and lead the world down the right path.”

“…….”

“However, if something goes wrong, I must ask you to look after my family. They have all made their resolutions, but when it comes to it, even if they say they are prepared for death, it is different when it involves family.”

“I will comply.”

After releasing Yu Yu’s hands, Gong Sun Chan carefully folded the paper and tucked it into his bosom.

“Ah, about Yuan Shao making Liu Bei a lord.”

“…….”

“Placing your subordinate on the same level as you… do not take it too hard. Ultimately, it has turned out this way. It is unfortunate.”

Yu Yu pressed down on his left arm with his hand.

“The only warrior who has wounded the female general. Although he has lost an arm, his infamous name will spread widely as long as the female general is alive.”

“Yeop is the enemy.”

“I’m saying this because the story of General Ye is being mentioned.”

Yuu smiled faintly.

“I’m sorry to the other lords, but as a friend of Yu Hyun-deok, you might find it hard to hear, but I don’t truly believe that General Ye is an enemy, at least not like the others.”

“Your Grace.”

“You’ve seen it for yourself, haven’t you? Although I’ve only heard news from behind the scenes, the soldiers say that if ‘Huang Yu’ were to be reborn in this era, he would be like that.”

Yuu stroked his beard and nodded vigorously.

“I hope General Ye doesn’t get seriously injured. If news spreads up north that General Ye has been hurt…”

“If the Ohuan scum come down, I will kill them all.”

Gong Sun-chan replied in a cold voice as he rose from his seat.

“If there are no orders, I will take my leave and prepare for tomorrow’s battle.”

“Very well. Ah. Do not let anyone else know about this.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Gong Sun-chan took his leave and stepped back, exiting the tent.

“…Hmm.”

Yuu stared at the spot where Gong Sun-chan had disappeared for a long time, quietly waiting with his eyes closed.

Step, step, step.

Footsteps could be heard from afar.

“Your Grace. The Duke of Beihai, Gong Yong, has arrived.”

“Let him in.”

The one who entered the tent was a middle-aged man dressed in neat attire, the Duke of Beihai, Gong Yong.

“Why have you summoned me at this late hour, Your Majesty?”

His demeanor was polite, but his expression and voice were filled with discomfort.

“Don’t call me Your Majesty, just address me as before.”

“How can I do that?”

“You are the only lord who treats me like a false emperor without a shred of sincerity, only out of formality.”

“?!”

Gong Yong’s eyes widened in surprise.

“What do you mean…?”

“Gong Yong. There is no one else I can entrust this to. No, I want to trust you, but I lack the insight to believe in the ambition that lies within you.”

Yuu reached out his hand behind him.

“Here, there’s a list.”

“What is this…?”

A piece of paper, folded several times.

Inside, the sharp smell of blood filled the air.

“It is my blood letter.”

“!!”

The paper written in Yuu’s blood was filled with names of someone.

“Bandongtak. Gyuon Yeopo. Among them, those who denied a certain royal family and sought to truly rise as lords were organized.”

“This is….”

“I hope you give this list to the one you trust the most. Yes, someone like General Ye.”

“…Surely, you did this for…?”

“It is not solely for this, but this is the best I can do right now.”

Gongyung took Yuu’s blood letter with trembling hands.

“I understand. This is….”

“Lord. General Gongsonchan has come to visit again.”

“!!”

Yuu’s face turned pale.

Gongyung hurriedly folded the blood letter, then tucked it inside his belt and pressed down on it with his hand.

“What is it, Baekgyu?”

“Nothing. It’s just surprising that you, Gongyung, have come here.”

“Weren’t you preparing for battle?”

“Yes.”

Gongsonchan scanned Gongyung up and down for a long time.

“…Is something uncomfortable?”

“Oh, no.”

“…….”

“What is it, Gongson Baekgyu? Didn’t you come to say something?”

“Nothing. I just came to greet you upon hearing that you, Gongyung, had arrived.”

Gongsonchan scanned Gongyung up and down for a while before leaving.

“…….”

After the silence settled.

“I suppose you… couldn’t hear.”

“Your Majesty.”

Yu-u looked flustered as if he had encountered a setback, and Gong-yung hid the blood letter inside his belt.

I will definitely convey this to him.

Conveying it merely through the shape of my lips.

“Since it’s been a while, shall we discuss the principles of Gong-meng?”

“Sounds good.”

The two of them gazed outside, discussing and discussing the principles of Yu-ja for quite some time.

Until the soldier near the tent disappeared.

“Please….”

“May those who know loyalty and filial piety be rewarded in this world.”

* * *

On the way back from the estate of Won-ga to Wang-yun’s mansion.

“Y-Your General!!”

A person burst out from Won-ga.

The guards standing around Won-ga aimed their spears at him, but I reached out to them to welcome the one who had rushed out.

“What is it, Yu-seop?”

The retainer of Won-sul, Yu-seop.

“His Highness has sent this.”

“What is this…?”

“This is the Dougangju that was being stored in the warehouse of the Won-ga in Luoyang.”

“!”

Dougangju.

I know that liquor.

– When I was young and often went drinking, there were famous figures who would come bearing Dougangju….

Whenever my master would have a drink, he would often speak of the past while intoxicated, mentioning that liquor time and again.

“Lady, you are my benefactor, but also the benefactor of my lord and family. So, though it is humble….”

“It is truly a gift worthy of Won.”

I do not drink alcohol.

However, seeing someone willingly offer their treasures even in difficult times reveals their true nature.

When wealth is abundant, they are the most agreeable person.

When wealth is scarce, they will adorn even their meager assets extravagantly.

After bankruptcy….

“That….”

“Why is that?”

“…the fine wine from Namyang, a special product ordered directly by His Majesty, brewed with honey….”

“And?”

“This is truly good for a man’s body… but I feel embarrassed to explain it as it is to Lady General….”

“…….”

As I glanced at Yuseop and the surrounding soldiers, it seemed they were misunderstanding the reason for my stay at Wangyun’s residence.

They are not entirely wrong, but strictly speaking, they are mistaken.

“I can handle alcohol well.”

“Ah…!”

“If I visit my father’s grave in the future, I will offer this wine.”