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

Chapter 15

＜ I Am Not the Son of Gong (1) ＞

[Three days later, near Mengjin Port in the northern part of Luoyang. Temporary barracks of Bingzhou Army.]

The era name has changed.

From Gwanghui to Soneung (昭寧).

“Hoosung. Please take care of it.”

“Shouldn’t you have memorized it by now?”

“I memorized it, but it changed. My head is too weak for Chinese characters, please understand.”

Hoosung grumbled but drew the newly decided era name on the leather with a large brush.

Changing the era name.

The act of changing the name of the year is like a kind of atmosphere refreshment.

The other day.

To be precise, three days ago.

A very strong bloodstorm blew in the court.

About 2,000 eunuchs were slaughtered, and the number of soldiers who died in small battles exceeded hundreds.

Above all, the situation of ‘the emperor fleeing from the palace’ is not surprising to hear for many court officials.

“Is it to open a new world by changing the era name? Not bad.”

It may seem meaningless to just change a name, but the mere feeling of refreshing the atmosphere is already valuable enough.

“General. Don’t you regret it?”

“What?”

“Not being able to save His Majesty the Emperor yourself.”

To save the emperor.

“You could have been the one to save the emperor from the traitor Zhang Yang.”

“Not really.”

Publicly, it was spread that the eunuch faction plotted a rebellion, and it was known that the emperor was kidnapped by the eunuchs.

“It’s fortunate that he is alive.”

It was said that he was actually kidnapped.

The members of the royal family I saved, Empress Dowager Dong lightly mentioned that the eunuch Zhang Yang fled west with the emperor.

“The one who regrets it must be Governor Zheng Yuan.”

Zheng Yuan entrusted Empress Dowager Dong and Prince Jinliu to me and ran west.

“He went to save the emperor again, but this time someone else saved the emperor.”

When he came, he was clearly carried by a subordinate, but when he went to save the emperor, he rode a horse himself, showing a vigorous appearance, the cavalry said.

“Missed once, lost once. It’s not surprising to vomit blood. At that age.”

And then he fainted.

Exhausted from the march?

Because of his age?

Not at all.

The picture of himself heroically saving the emperor was taken by someone else.

“That, was it Dongtan?”

“It’s Dong Zhuo. Courtesy name Zhongying.”

Dong Zhuo. Courtesy name Zhongying.

He will soon be promoted for the merit of saving the emperor, but for now, he holds the position of Commander of the Western Frontier.

“…It seems like I’ve heard of him somewhere.”

“Didn’t you hear about him before? You know, when the administrative system was changed from ‘Governor’ to ‘Prefect’.”

Come to think of it.

“Was that the man who was called when Jeongwon Jasa was furious that the position of Byeongjumok almost went to someone else?”

“Yes.”

There was a time when Byeongju was briefly noisy with the story that someone other than Jeongwon was coming to Byeongju.

In the end, it fizzled out, but it seems there was definitely such a time.

“Is that so? The one who almost came to Byeongjumok at that time saved the emperor.”

It seemed that human connections could reach like this.

“I just thought it was nothing, but we all meet here like this.”

“Weren’t you completely unaware of it?”

“Unless I became Byeongjumok, there was no need to remember every general active in Seoryang.”

Personally, I am not very interested in other provinces or regions.

“If I have any interest, it would be in the Gongsun family of Bukpyeong.”

“…If it’s archers, our Byeongju army is not inferior.”

At the mention of the Gongsun family, Huseong immediately flinched and snorted.

It was a clear sense of rivalry.

“Yes. We are not inferior. But the skill of raising those fine white horses or the training method of handling archers in units is something I’d like to exchange once. The name was… yes, Gongsun Zan, right?”

If Byeongju has Lu Bu, Youzhou has Gongsun Zan.

“He also made great achievements during the Yellow Turban Rebellion and against the Wuhuan and Xianbei.”

Unfortunately, I have never met Gongsun Zan in person, but his skill in leading cavalry was well-known even in Byeongju.

There are stories that he is somewhat cruel and brutal, but that’s something you don’t know until you experience it yourself.

“General. Lu Bu of Byeongju. Gongsun Zan of Youzhou. And Dong Zhuo of Seoryang.”

“Somehow, it feels a bit off with Dong Zhuo at the end, but since he’s the elder, let’s leave it at that.”

I heard that Dong Zhuo is quite old.

“Is the appearance shown to people externally that of a local warlord?”

I heard rumors that he is similar in age to Jeongwon and that the Seoryang cavalry is not inferior to the Byeongju army.

“Hmm….”

Trying to forcibly pull out information from my memory makes my head hurt a bit.

I need to understand the past with the information Huseong gathers, but at least from what I see right now-

“Huseong.”

“Yes, General.”

After the commotion in the palace was settled, I recalled the events that happened after the emperor re-entered the palace.

“Dong Zhuo escorted the Emperor into the palace. And he also provided provisions to our Bingzhou army.”

“Yes.”

At first glance, he doesn’t seem too bad.

He shared some of the provisions they brought with our Bingzhou army.

“Empress Dowager Dong ordered provisions to be sent to our Bingzhou army, but the soldiers who delivered those provisions were brought by Dong Zhuo.”

Although Empress Dowager Dong supported us with provisions, it was Dong Zhuo’s Xiliang army that actually delivered them.

“What was the soldiers’ reaction?”

“They seemed to be wary of us, but they were definitely elite soldiers who had gone through as many hardships as we did. They even helped us set up our camp.”

“That must have been under Dong Zhuo’s orders, right?”

“At least, it wouldn’t be under the Emperor’s orders.”

Dong Zhuo is subtly extending a helping hand to the Bingzhou army.

“…….”

Although we crossed the Yellow River, it is certainly not an easy task to come from Xiliang to Luoyang.

They must have had significant consumption, just like us.

Moreover, their number is about half of ours, around three thousand.

Yet they are supporting us with provisions and camp supplies?

“Housheng.”

“Yes, General.”

“Is Dong Zhuo reaching out to Governor Zhengyuan, or is he reaching out to the Bingzhou army?”

“…You seem to have already found the answer, but if I may give my opinion.”

Housheng’s gaze was clearly directed at me.

“Dong Zhuo, he wants to join hands with you, General.”

“……As expected.”

If we think simply.

“Isn’t it like people from the provinces trying to help each other out?”

Let’s join forces as country folks against the capital’s snobs.

“That’s what we should think.”

If we think naively, that’s it, but if we think politically, it has a different meaning.

“Why does this conspiracy theory keep coming to mind?”

I unfolded the map of Mengjin Port placed in the center of the camp.

“The warlords summoned by Hanjin are divided into those from the capital and those from the provinces. Our Byungju army is currently stationed around Maengjin Port to check for the appearance of the Black Mountain Bandits, but Dong Zhuo’s army has entered Luoyang.”

Although the map does not depict Luoyang, if you place the map at the end and spread the table wide, it becomes the capital.

“Hoosung.”

“Yes.”

“Who gave you the map of Maengjin Port?”

“Empress Dowager Dong gave it to us.”

A map is not something to be shown to others carelessly.

It is a strategic asset treated as confidential by the state.

“Right. In this chaos where we don’t know what will happen in the next moment, we have secured a clear ally, if nothing else.”

I flipped over the map of Maengjin Port.

“Empress Dowager Dong thinks well of us and is trying to use our strength.”

“Use….”

“In the capital during these troubled times, we can’t talk about everything purely with good intentions.”

Behind the map.

‘A signal to suppress any rebellion, whether by the capital’s defense forces or provincial armies.’

The routes from Maengjin Port to Luoyang and the palace were briefly outlined, and the Empress Dowager’s seal was stamped on the back.

“Troublesome, troublesome.”

Our role.

“They expect us to act as a reserve force in case of emergency.”

“General….”

“As soon as we leave, bloodshed will resume. Dong Zhuo’s army is small in number, and the generals of Luoyang will try to expel Dong Zhuo. At the center of it will be… Governor Jeongwon.”

Six thousand Byungju soldiers right next to the capital.

They say they are subduing bandits near Luoyang, but in reality, they are a deterrent to prevent rebellion in the capital.

“I thought the spring of Luoyang had ended, but a new political struggle is starting right away.”

Dong Zhuo.

Empress Dowager Dong.

“It would be nice if the Dong clan could get along well.”

* * *

[At that time, in the Empress Dowager’s palace in Luoyang.]

“You are Dong of Nongseo, and I am Dong of Hagan. How can we be said to be of the same Dong clan?”

The Empress Dowager threatened the large man who was bowing before her.

“Haha, Your Majesty.”

A rough man with a thick black beard.

“Even if we were born in different regions, how common is the surname Dong in the world? At times like this, we Dong clansmen must support and pull each other up, working together.”

Dong Zhuo laughed heartily and pounded his chest.

“This Dong Zhongying has long admired Your Majesty’s virtuous character, having heard about it from Dong Sheng.”

“…Dong Sheng? Dong Sheng… if it’s him, then surely….”

“He works under my son-in-law, Wu Bo. He came from Hagan to Yangzhou, and from afar, he often spoke to me of his respect for Your Majesty.”

“…I will have to check the genealogy.”

The Empress Dowager’s eyes wavered momentarily.

“But I don’t understand. Why have you come to me?”

“Haha, this Dong Zhongying. To pay respects to the elder of the nation….”

“Have you not become a person of the Ha Empress Dowager?”

“…Hehe.”

At the sharp voice of the Empress Dowager, Dong Zhuo’s lips twisted.

“The mother of the Emperor calls me, how could this Dong Mo not respond to the call?”

“…….”

“Your Majesty. I have two paths before me.”

Dong Zhuo slowly leaned back and began to walk leisurely in the middle of the Empress Dowager’s hall.

“One is to receive the merit of saving the Emperor and become the spear of the Ha Empress Dowager.”

“You speak of impossible things!”

“Kahaha! This Dong Mo, being from the frontier, is rough in nature and unfamiliar with court etiquette. Please forgive my rudeness.”

Dong Zhuo lightly bowed his head, but there was not a hint of apology on his thick face.

“There is only one Empress Dowager’s hall in the palace, but there are two Empress Dowagers-“

“Stop beating around the bush and speak as you are.”

The Empress Dowager closed her eyes and relaxed her voice.

“Don’t bother trying to be polite.”

“Hehe. But Your Majesty, how could I?”

“…….”

“Ahem! Yes, honestly, I’ll speak frankly.”

Dong Zhuo snorted and raised his hands to the sides.

“Since rescuing His Majesty the Emperor and Empress He, the soldiers of He Jin have now gathered under our Xiliang army.”

“What?”

“With just one call from Empress He, the subordinates of General He Jin have gathered under this Dong Zhuo.”

“……!!”

Dong Zhuo clenched his fist.

“Empress He has praised this Dong Zhuo, saying she would also appoint me as the Governor of Hedong.”

“Could it be… already…?”

“Hehe. The merit of rescuing His Majesty the Emperor, the Governor of Hedong?”

Crunch.

“Already, it’s as good as being the Governor of Hedong!”

“Watch your words.”

“…Hehe, I apologize.”

Under the long robe that slid down, veins bulged on an arm much thicker than a person’s leg, like worms wriggling.

“I’ll ask directly. What will Her Majesty give to this Dong Zhongying?”

“The official position is….”

“Can we not discuss the reward for rescuing His Majesty the Emperor?”

“……Someone.”

Empress He took a deep breath and continued.

“In return for saving the royal family, they just asked for a camp where the soldiers can rest and rice and meat to eat.”

“Not meat and wine?”

Dong Zhuo opened his mouth in surprise.

“They said that since the situation is still uncertain, they would wash away the bloodstains left in the palace with wine once the situation settles.”

“…Hehe.”

Dong Zhuo’s eyes began to sparkle.

“Lü Bu.”

“…….”

“I’ve heard that name even in Xiliang. The undefeated god of war. If General He Jin hadn’t contacted him, he would have taken the foundation of Xiliang and gone to Bingzhou. Unfortunately, the connection was not made, so he gave up the position of Governor of Bingzhou.”

Dong Zhuo chuckled and fiddled with the end of his beard.

“In Her Majesty’s eyes, does this Dong Zhuo seem greedy, and that Lü Bu seem unambitious?”

“At least they won’t come to the Empress Dowager’s palace and ask her to step down.”

“Indeed. That person, Lu Bu, might do that. But this Dong Zhuo is different.”

Bang, bang.

“This Dong Zhuo! I’ve wandered the borders until I reached the age of fifty!”

The sound of his chest pounding was like the beat of a drum, causing the Empress Dowager Dong to flinch involuntarily.

“I must receive the reward for my loyalty to this country until now!”

“This man….”

“Opportunities, once missed, are gone forever. Do you wish for Empress Dowager He to join hands with those who hold military power and rule from behind the curtain again?”

“…….”

“Or will you join hands with this Dong Zhuo and overthrow the Empress Dowager?”

“That is….”

“Let me speak more frankly. Honestly, it would be better for me too if the elder I can trust and follow is also a Dong.”

Despite Dong Zhuo’s blatant words, Empress Dowager Dong’s hands trembled.

“What’s the good of blood ties? At least in this court full of wolves, it’s best for the Dongs to stick together, isn’t it?”

She couldn’t point outside with her trembling hand.

“General Dong.”

“……Just?”

“……For now.”

“Tsk. Well, it’s a pity.”

Dong Zhuo smiled slyly and nodded greatly.

“Jingyuan, did you offer the same conditions to that person?”

“…….”

“If so, I have a wager to propose.”

“A wager?”

“Yes.”

Dong Zhuo confidently tapped his temple with his index finger.

“I have a good way to place the warrior you desire in this court.”

“……What?”

For a moment, Empress Dowager Dong’s voice rose.

“Really… ahem.”

“Hehe. Even you must know that Jeongwon cannot control that person.”

“You are….”

“I can. My bag of tricks is quite developed in this area. If I succeed in placing that person in the court.”

Dong Zhuo pointed to the ceiling.

“Much higher than Jungnangjang, at least Jeonjangun… No, I should get more than that.”

“He won’t be easily persuaded.”

“That’s why I keep my bag of tricks close… Hehe.”

* * *

After the wounded soldiers who crossed the Yellow River and came down to Luoyang joined the temporary military camp.

Bang, bang, bang.

I set up tents for them and prepared a place for the wounded soldiers to rest with the soldiers.

“General.”

“Zhang Liao. Don’t talk, just set up the pillar properly.”

“Talking while setting up the tent won’t take long.”

Zhang Liao drove the nail down hard and pointed to the sky.

“Soon, it will rain.”

“That’s why we need to set it up quickly and avoid the rain.”

“General Jeongwon has entered Luoyang Castle, not here.”

“If an old man gets caught in the rain outside, he’ll soon be gone.”

“Where should the Bingzhou army go?”

“…….”

I finished setting up the support for the tent and stood up.

“Why. Do you want to become a subordinate?”

“I prefer… not Luoyang.”

Zhang Liao looked north with anxious eyes.

“All those who want to wear golden helmets followed Governor Jeongwon.”

“That’s right.”

“There were about a thousand of them. I was worried that you might be disappointed….”

“Is there any reason to be disappointed? Everyone dreams of fame and fortune, and now is the best opportunity.”

The Bingzhou army saved Empress Dowager Dong.

Jeongwon Ga-in made a big mistake, but he was forgiven under the excuse of an urgent situation.

“The Empress Dowager needs soldiers. To save herself or His Highness, the Crown Prince Jinryu.”

“The Crown Prince….”

“The soldiers in the capital have caused a bloodbath in the palace. Their leaders… you said it was Yuan Shao and Cao Cao?”

“Yes.”

“They invaded the palace with swords to kill the eunuchs. If it wasn’t difficult the first time, why would it be difficult the second time? They can just create a new justification.”

Drip.

“Rather than causing a bloodbath in the capital with a single stroke of the brush, I’d rather go up to Bingzhou and eliminate the bandits along the way.”

It looks like it’s going to rain.

“There are so many thieves trying to steal the country, it’s hard to leave recklessly.”

Jeongwon gave the order.

Bingzhou army, stationed near Maengjin Port.

That was also the order of the Empress Dowager.

“In case of emergency….”

“General.”

The cavalry commander ran in the rain.

“A guest has come to see you, General.”

“A guest?”

“Yes. He said you would know if I mentioned the name of the person from the Owon army….”

＜ I Am Not the Son of Gong (1) ＞ End