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

Chapter 38

＜ You cannot have two fathers under heaven (5) ＞

What is loyalty, and what is filial piety?

I find myself a bit embarrassed to answer that philosophical question.

Of course, I could just spout some generic, theoretical response.

Loyalty is being faithful to the nation and its people.

Filial piety is honoring one’s parents, showing respect to elders, and fulfilling the duties of a child.

What kind of loyalty and filial piety does this era desire?

‘Filial piety is a given, but if you don’t show loyalty, they label you a traitor and kill you all.’

Do you pledge loyalty to the nation? Hmm.

Do you pledge loyalty to the emperor? Uhm.

‘If you say you won’t be loyal, they immediately try to label you a traitor and kill you. If you shout that you won’t be loyal, isn’t that asking to be killed?’

In the age of monarchy, to openly declare one’s disloyalty to the king?

– A madman.

The master spoke.

– What happens if you do not pledge loyalty to the emperor, my disciple? If you wish to end your own life, then go to Luoyang and shout, ‘I have come to kill the emperor.’ The whole world will label you a traitor and will seek to kill you.

Treason is death in this era.

For those who think of not being loyal to the emperor, there are only two paths to survival.

– Or you could leave this land and go far away. If not that, then you must become one who receives that loyalty.

Flee or become the emperor.

– If you find both options bothersome, then just comfortably say you are loyal, even if it’s a mere empty promise. A protruding stone is bound to be struck.

I have no intention of doing either.

“General, what do loyalty and filial piety mean to you?”

But such simplistic answers will not suffice against one who wishes to engage in dialogue with a philosopher-like gaze.

– Answer one, and ten questions will pour forth. That’s how those of the Pure Class are.

The master has already verified this.

– So, you must show them what loyalty and filial piety are in the most certain way you can.

The master has already given the answer.

“Self-cultivation.”

“What?”

“My loyalty and filial piety begin with the cultivation of body and mind.”

Chae-ong’s eyes widen.

“You just said ‘self-cultivation’…!”

At the same time, Wang-yun looks at me in shock.

“Indeed, the master has told me so.”

– When the Pure Class suddenly looks at you with eyes that say, ‘What is this fool babbling about?’ or ‘Such expressions from this one?!’, then betray me. That is how you will survive.

“The master said that to honor one’s parents is to keep the body inherited from them clean and unharmed, creating a healthy body that does not cause them worry when they see it.”

“Shincheobalbusujibumo(身體髮膚受之父母)…!!”

I know.

I know at least that much.

But even if I know, I must pretend not to and close my eyes.

– Don’t try to show off your knowledge with obscure idioms. If you develop the strange habit of flaunting what you know, your weaknesses will surely be revealed. …It’s not that you lack knowledge, but the way you acquired it can also be a weakness.

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My teacher always said to be cautious with words.

It wasn’t a matter of intelligence; the source of that knowledge was the issue.

“Lord Wang Yun. Do you know where this phrase comes from?”

“…It is not a passage from the Book of Filial Piety written by Confucius.”

My teacher pointed out.

– What would a country bumpkin say when asked about the source of words that even the scholars of the capital’s Taehak have never heard of?

I am more familiar with titles like Confucius or Mencius, but this era has not yet seen Confucianism spread as widely as it has in Joseon.

In fact, those who refer to Confucius simply as “Confucius” are few and far between.

“General Ye. Have you ever read the writings of the Kong family?”

“My teacher has informed me.”

So my teacher said.

– Do not use that idiom or historical saying carelessly.

Do not use it without knowing its origin.

– How could a blind fool like you possibly remember terms from the official texts managed by the court, and how could you claim to accurately recall the contents of a book that I have only skimmed through once or twice?

In modern times, some of the books available for free at libraries are expensive items that would require a month’s living expenses to obtain in this era.

– Hehe. So what should one do? Do you know why scholars can make a living by teaching others? Because books are expensive, they charge for the knowledge and interpretations they have stored in their minds from reading those books.

The only outlet for a rural-born warrior to recite such knowledge.

“Everything I know, my teacher has taught me.”

The teachings of my teacher.

“This Ye Bong-seon is learning the words of the sages through experience as I navigate the world. My teacher has unraveled and explained various stories to me.”

My teacher urged me to assert that I learned not from books, but from his instruction.

“I do not know which book contains which passage, but those words are engraved in my body and mind.”

“Ha, ha…!!”

Chae-ong clapped his knees and laughed.

The emperor, pretending not to, perked up his ears while giving me trials that were not trials.

“Who is your teacher? Just hearing about him, he seems extraordinary!”

“My teacher did not tell me his name.”

“Why not?”

“He said he is already dead, and that I should not seek his traces.”

“Ha ha… Truly, he is like an immortal!”

“Hey, Chae Si-jung.”

Wang Yun shows a hint of discomfort.

After all, mentioning immortals in the midst of the imperial palace must be a bit unsettling.

“Ah, I apologize, Your Majesty.”

“No, it’s fine.”

Indeed, the emperor was listening intently.

“Ahem. I understand what the general thinks about filial piety. Then, what does the general consider loyalty to be?”

“Just as one honors and follows their parents with a healthy body and mind, one should respect and treat their teachers and elders with reverence, and further, serve Your Majesty and this nation with that same filial heart.”

Puh-uck.

“Is this not a case of a foolish question yielding a wise answer! This Chae Ong feels as if his mind has been opened today!”

I want to tell him not to shout so loudly, but it seems that this Chae Ong fellow is quite mad in his own way.

“Honoring others as one honors their parents, and treating the emperor and the nation as one would their own parents! Is this not the very essence of loyalty and filial piety combined!”

Seeing him shout like that, as if he has realized something as a scholar before being a servant of the emperor.

“Chae Ong. You are before His Majesty.”

“Ah, ahem. I apologize, Your Majesty.”

Chae Ong bowed his head again toward the emperor.

Now, he seems to be trying to prostrate himself completely, and the emperor looked at me with a slightly uncomfortable expression.

“Ahem. Your Majesty.”

Nevertheless, Chae Ong glanced back and forth between the emperor and me, then clasped his hands together and immediately bowed to the emperor.

“I, Chae Ong, wish to organize and record this moment of discussion with General Ye for my disciples. May I have your permission?”

“Well, if General Ye is agreeable…”

The emperor cast a glance my way, but I frowned slightly at him.

Am I agreeable?

No.

If I say that, that stubborn old man will start talking.

How could the emperor ask a subject for such a favor?

“…I grant permission.”

Thank goodness.

The emperor caught on right away.

Wang Yun relaxed his eyebrows, but he couldn’t hide his discomfort at the very act of me signaling the Emperor with my face.

‘Anyway, etiquette is…’

The imperial palace is so strict about even the act of breathing that it becomes unbearably uncomfortable.

Yet, one must show the utmost adherence to etiquette.

Did not Dong Zhuo also gain the support of the Qingliu faction, including Chaeong, by making an effort to observe etiquette?

I don’t intend to gain political support like Dong Zhuo, but I must learn the manners necessary to avoid being criticized by others.

“Thank you, Your Majesty. However, I would like to make one request.”

“What is it?”

Chaeong straightens his posture.

“I wish to invite General Ye to my home and host her for a night.”

“…….”

“Would you grant me permission?”

Chaeong’s eyes were filled with nothing but pure scholarly ambition.

‘Truly, a pure madman.’

Is it because he is a genuine scholar that he doesn’t realize the political implications of his words?

“Rest assured, Your Majesty. I will not be negligent in hosting General Ye.”

Surely, the Emperor’s discomfort isn’t solely because I am leaving the palace, is it?

What political intentions lie behind the invitation from a local Qingliu leader who has come up from the provinces—

—Be cautious. Those who hold positions in the court all hide serpents within.

“……!”

“Will you grant me permission, Your Majesty?”

Ah.

I realized.

The moment I saw his innocent, unblemished smile directed at me, I understood.

‘Wang Yun is glaring at me from the side, yet he never once shifts his gaze.’

It’s not just me pretending to be naive.

Wang Yun and Chaeong are not allies, though they are not enemies either.

“General Ye.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“The imperial palace is indeed a wonderful place, but there are times when the night is so bright that it makes sleeping uncomfortable.”

“…….”

“Since it’s a rare opportunity, how about accepting the invitation from Chae Si for once?”

It is not a command.

Yet, how could that not be an imperial decree?

‘Complicated.’

The Emperor hopes that I will rely on the Cheongryupa, even if it makes me uncomfortable.

This is not merely a suggestion to ally with the Cheongryupa; it is a request to carry their public opinion on my back.

And that is the way for the Emperor to gain strength from Dongtak and Empress Dowager Dong.

Emperor – Leopo – Cheongryupa.

There may be a lack of direct connection between the Emperor and the Cheongryupa, but if I insert myself between them, it will solidify.

“If Your Majesty permits, I, Leopo, shall stay outside the palace for a night to broaden my horizons.”

The master spoke.

– Still, at least Chae Ong is the best among the Cheongryupa. He at least wants to academically chew, lick, and taste you; he won’t try to politically bite you.

Among the many court officials, if there is a place to breathe, it would be with Chae Ong.

“I shall grant permission.”

The overnight stay was decided.

* * *

The man, Jinrim, who had ridden alongside Yuan Shao to the Yeonam Inn, lay on the guest room bed and thought.

It’s over.

No matter how much I think about it, the conclusion can only be that it’s over.

The guest room attached to the Yeonam Inn was extravagantly luxurious, yet Jinrim kept seeing visions of this place crumbling and burning.

Yeonam Inn.

It is undoubtedly strong enough to be called the master of Yeju, no, this vast land.

However, opposing Luoyang poses a problem.

Before military strength, there is the issue of justification.

Yuan Shao said.

Since the Yuan clan in the capital was accused of treason and annihilated, he vowed to survive alone and lead the revival of the Yuan clan.

But will that really resonate?

Even among the elders of the Yuan clan, it seemed that few shared that perception.

Knowing this, Yuan Shao persuaded the elders by presenting something sweet other than ‘revenge.’

Power.

Those who, despite being of the Won clan, had to remain in the provinces rather than the capital, Luoyang.

The head of the family, Won Wei, and those beneath him held high positions in the capital.

Yet, many members of the Won clan remained in Yeonam.

Why were they here?

Was it because their elder brother went to the capital, and this younger brother would protect their hometown, so they settled down simply and without worry?

…Not at all.

It was merely due to a lack of ability.

But just because one lacks ability doesn’t mean they also lack ambition or desire.

“The lord incited the elders’ greed and occupied Yeonam.”

Jinrim placed a white stone on the empty Go board.

“The lord… ha.”

Today, it seems the candlelight flickers more intensely.

With the white stone on the Go board, which I thought represented Won So, casting such a deep shadow, can this truly be called a white stone?

“…It’s a fine line.”

The only survivor who narrowly escaped Luoyang just before being accused of treason.

…The only survivor who fled in a panic while his family members were unjustly accused of treason and murdered.

“I thought he was a filial son who had mourned for three years twice, but was that all just a disguise to appear as a filial son?”

Why did Jinrim decide to follow Won So?

When other members of the righteous faction hesitated, saying, “There’s too much bloodshed,” why did he choose to serve Won So as his lord and willingly become a minister?

He thought it was boldness.

Perhaps it appeared that way because the blade of ambition, soaked in blood, was aimed at the eunuchs.

He thought he was a filial son.

To draw in those like himself, he might have disguised his true nature for a full six years.

A disguise that hid his lowly status beneath the clean attire of a filial son.

Within that guise lay a murderer unafraid of seeing blood.

He was deceived.

He knows he was deceived, yet Jinrim could not step down from this runaway carriage led by Won So.

“…I will kill you.”

Jinrim pressed his hand against his throat.

“I will kill him without hesitation. Before I am betrayed, I will eliminate him first.”

He is one of the Yuan clan members I left behind in Luoyang.

Is it really impossible to kill just one minister?

“But….”

Conversely, as long as he is a minister, there is a chance he won’t be killed and can share the same intentions.

No retreat.

Now that I am entangled with Yuan Shao, for Jin Lin to rise, he must make Yuan Shao a successful revolutionary.

A crisis is an opportunity.

Tap.

Jin Lin took out the Go board.

There is no opponent, but playing Go is not solely about interaction with an adversary.

“Can the forces of Dong Zhuo be defeated with just the remnants of the Han?”

White represents Yuan Shao, and black represents Dong Zhuo.

Jin Lin placed five black stones on one side of the board, and ten more to the west of them.

“The power of Dong Zhuo is indeed strong. The soldiers waiting in Xiliang are formidable as well. However….”

Swish.

“If the warlords and the lords unite their strength, Dong Zhuo can be defeated. It’s clear. If I can think of it, can’t the Duke think of it too?”

Gripping a handful of white stones, Jin Lin scattered them haphazardly towards the direction symbolizing Luoyang.

More than twenty white stones aimed towards Luoyang.

At least from this perspective, Yuan Shao might gain the upper hand.

“What we should rely on is not filial piety, not justification, not the virtuous path, but the ambitions of warlords who possess military power.”

No matter how much the virtuous path may shout, it cannot stand against the blade.

Those who shouted with integrity, “These b*stards!!” had their heads severed just as they had shouted, and the ones who survived were nothing but cowardly and despicable beings who bowed their heads before the blade.

Then perhaps it is better to….

“Ah.”

He realized.

“Having experienced defeating the Ten Attendants with force, I am trying to win with force again this time.”

Yuan Shao has already achieved great success.

People tend to follow the methods by which they have succeeded.

“Only the eunuch has changed to Dong Zhuo!”

Jinlim closed his eyes.

“…The path forged without a righteous cause will surely not last long.”

Chwa-reuk.

“……If successful, one will become a hero; if failed, a traitor, meeting the dew of the execution ground.”

Jinlim gathered the white stones in one hand and pushed them, driving the black stones into the corner of the Go board in one swift motion.

“Even if Dong Zhuo can be defeated.”

Jinlim’s gaze returned to the container filled with black stones.

“…What about Bianzhou and Lü Bu?”

Jinlim reached to grab a large handful of Go stones—

Thud.

He placed the entire container of stones onto the Go board.

“…….No, it can’t be just this. No matter what, yes. If I want to survive, this is the only way.”

Jinlim rose to his feet.

“If the world believes I am a filial son, then that will be enough.”

A deep shadow loomed over Jinlim’s face as he stepped outside.

“At the very least, isn’t it a clear achievement to have driven out all the eunuchs from the court?”

Kwah-ahk.

Jinlim immediately exited the guest room, heading towards the place where Yuan Shao was staying.

“If we stay like this….”

“The elders will handle it well. How could we be involved in treason?”

“But if we are accused of treason, we all die….”

He passed by the servants of Yuan’s household, whispering softly in the corridor.

“What should we do? Should we continue to follow Yuan Shao’s will like this?”

“What if we don’t follow, and the imperial troops really come to kill us all?”

“No, that guy might be lying. If we blindly trust his words, we could end up in serious trouble.”

“What if not? Yuan’s private soldiers are already… ahem.”

As he brushed past the elders of Yuan’s household, lingering in front of Yuan Shao’s quarters.

“Your Grace. It is Jinlim.”

“Come in.”

Jinrim visited Wonso.

Even the welcoming servants were absent, so he opened the door himself and found Wonso alone, laughing as he wrote characters on silk with a brush.

“Is that a proclamation?”

“…….”

“Your Grace. Do you know what I am most worried about?”

Jinrim knelt.

“Will sending that truly gather a large army of soldiers?”

“…Hoo hoo.”

Wonso laughed.

“Lord Jinrim.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“You may run away if you wish.”

“……!!”

Jinrim looked up.

The gaze of Wonso, looking down at him, seemed to test him.

“The choice is yours, Lord Jinrim.”

“…….”

Wonso moved the small table where he had been writing the proclamation aside and covered it with his hand.

A sign that he would not show it to him.

“Your Grace.”

Jinrim made his choice.

“Though I advised Hajin not to accept your plan, I was greatly impressed by how you dealt with the eunuchs.”

“And so?”

“I will follow you. To the end.”

“…Hmm. Very well.”

Wonso set his hand aside.

“This proclamation is not an immediate call for the warlords to gather.”

“Then…?”

“It is a draft to be declared before them after they have assembled, once the coalition is formed.”

“……?”

Something feels off.

That middle part.

“Hehe, Lord Jinrim.”

Yuan Sha pointed below.

“I forgot to inform you of one thing. I apologize. I was in such a rush that I couldn’t convey it to you.”

Was it intentional not to inform, or was it truly a matter of urgency?

“Lord Jinrim. Who was it that suggested calling the local warlords and lords to General Hajin?”

“Well, of course, it was His Grace….”

“Then who decided on that appointment?”

“…….”

“The local lords had been preparing even before Dong Zhuo seized Luoyang. They were waiting leisurely, only to be caught off guard by Dong Zhuo.”

Dong Zhuo was faster than anyone could have imagined.

And the chaos in Luoyang was quelled more swiftly than expected.

“Though they may not disguise themselves as the Black Mountain faction, they have been ready to ascend to Luoyang in place of Dong Zhuo since last year.”

“But what happened in Luoyang….”

“Weren’t you leading your troops from Yeren to rush here? This plan has been conceived long before we set out….”

Yuan Sha pointed outside.

“By now, my soldiers must have arrived at the warlords’ stronghold and reported the situation. Warlords who have already agreed to align with me.”

“My goodness….”

“I, Yuan Sha, am not one to act recklessly out of momentary passion or anger. Even if I make a wrong move at the end of a long deliberation, I am not one to succumb to fleeting rage like others.”

Yuan Sha rose from his seat.

“We just need to hold our ground against the army coming from Yeren. This works out perfectly. Lord Jinrim, after reading this, please write several letters so we can send them out.”

Yuan Sha handed Jinrim the silk that was spread wide behind him.

The paper affixed to the silk had already dried ink on it.

“This is….”

“After persuading the elders.”

Yuan Sha donned his cloak and grasped the sword hanging on the display.

“We will conquer Yeren.”

“……!!”

“And starting from Yeren, we will assert the might of the Yuan clan, making it widely known that the Yuan clan is by no means a family of traitors.”

Wonso drew his sword at his waist and wiped his eyes with his sleeve.

“The lord in heaven, surely the elder Wonyo will be pleased. He has achieved his revenge.”

“…….”

Whether he was dead or alive, the person sent to Luoyang had yet to return.

“Yes, of course. My lord.”

Jinrim suppressed something boiling within him, cooling his head as he bowed.

“Surely, he will be cheering from the heavens.”

“Yes. Indeed. This Wonso’s… humble filial piety will be recognized.”

Wonso smiled softly and opened the door.

“Rising with the sword of vengeance for my deceased uncle, how can this not be considered filial duty?”

Outside the door, the elders who had been quietly standing at the threshold fell to their knees.

“At first glance, it may seem like treason, but under the new emperor’s sky, it will be a decisive act for the nation.”

Wonso looked up at the heavens and smiled.

“Let us go. To survive.”

* * *

“……I feel like I can live.”

Swoosh.

The water is hot.

It’s slightly hotter than soaking in a hot spring, but the body can adapt to this level of heat and endure.

“Whooo….”

Steam rises in thick wisps.

A few days ago, I boasted about having collected rainwater and purified it, and indeed, the clear water does not have a strong earthy smell.

‘Sorry, Chaeong.’

Chaeong invited me.

I had genuinely intended to stay outside the palace for a night, yet here I am, residing in someone else’s estate, not Chaeong’s.

‘I am not avoiding discussing scholarship out of fear.’

Could I really be so afraid of discussing scholarship with Chaeong that I would avoid him?

‘I am certainly not colluding with any one particular being.’

Could I really have rejected Chaeong’s invitation to align with someone specific in the court instead?

‘I would have returned straight to Chaeong’s house if it were just empty words.’

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Before heading to Chaeong’s house, he stopped me and said,

– “There’s a small facility in my home where you can wash up properly.”

With a mindset of ‘let’s see just how impressive it is,’ I followed him.

And I saw it.

That even in Luoyang, there was a place to breathe.

“Ugh…”

As I submerged myself in the wooden tub, enveloped by the rising steam, I closed my eyes.

“…I seem to have been drawn in.”

The mere mention of a tub deep enough to soak in had me unwittingly accepting Wang Yun’s invitation.

‘In a place like Luoyang, where the water quality is terrible, having a bathroom like this is quite something.’

There was no helping it.

‘It may not be as good as my home in Byungju, but at least it has the essentials.’

The water would gradually cool, but simply being able to immerse myself in a wooden tub filled with relatively clean hot water was a luxury in Luoyang.

This is Luoyang.

The villa within the estate of Minister Wang Yun.

“How is it?”

A voice came from outside the bathroom.

“Is the water temperature to your liking, sir?”

It was the voice of a young woman.

＜ Under Heaven, There Cannot Be Two Fathers (5) ＞ End