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

Chapter 41

＜ The One Who Flies in the Sky (2) ＞

[Late afternoon, the office of the Deputy Commander of the Luoyang City Garrison.]

Afternoon.

“The Flying General.”

General Cao Cao mulled over the events that had transpired in the court that morning.

There was no need to remember the voices of the court ministers.

That was a matter for later; for now, it was time to reflect on the words and actions of the most important figures.

Dong Zhuo. Appointed as the chief commander of the rebellion suppression as the Grand Chancellor.

Now, Dong Zhuo must wage total war against the various lords rising up from the provinces, including Yuan Shao.

The Emperor. Bestowing the title of Flying General upon Lü Bu.

“Indeed, it depends on the person.”

None of the court ministers had carelessly spoken out against it.

Internally, they might have sighed with a ‘huh’ or murmured behind closed doors, ‘But is it really right to create a new title?’

“Just how far does the authority of the Flying General extend? That will be important.”

The ministers’ sole concern was one.

To what extent will the Flying General possess authority?

“The origin of the title ‘Flying General’ in the first place….”

Flying General, Lü Guang.

This was a title given to the renowned general Lee Kwang, who had defeated the Xiongnu.

His archery skills were so exceptional that any strategy would become useless in front of Lee Kwang’s bow.

Although his later years were troubled, he had once risen to a position just below that of a great general, even if he never became one.

To create a new title with the same name as Lee Kwang?

A ‘Bi (飛)’ that is entirely different from the seven generals under the great general: the Piaoqi (驃騎), Cheqi (車騎), Wei (衛), Qian (前), Hou (後), Zuo (左), and You (右)?

“Essentially, it’s the same as being a great general.”

It could vary depending on how one interprets the emperor’s will.

“The only one who can give orders to the female general is the female general herself.”

However, according to Cao Cao’s straightforward interpretation, and based on his understanding of the emperor’s intentions, there was only one conclusion.

“Independent operational authority.”

Excluding the imperial decree, no one could give orders to Lü Bu.

One could entertain irreverent thoughts depending on the interpretation, but at least within the bounds of common sense, independent operational authority would be the limit of conceivable power.

“His Majesty has drawn a line with Dong Zhuo.”

Dong Zhuo would surely have intended to elevate Lü Bu in this battle.

If orders were issued from the Grand Commander’s office, no matter how formidable Lü Bu was, he would have no choice but to come up from Bingzhou.

While there might be a desire to conserve his own troops, why would there be a need to wield another weapon when Lü Bu was already available?

Yet Lü Bu had now reached a position where even the great general, in practical terms, could disregard the orders of the Grand Commander.

Even if Dong Zhuo issued commands, Lü Bu would not listen.

Unless Dong Zhuo sought cooperation, he could not force Lü Bu to fight through orders.

“I’m a bit envious.”

Cao Cao expressed his honest feelings.

They were of similar ages.

If one were to refer to ‘young blood’ in the court, he and Lü Bu would likely be grouped as part of the same generation.

To be frank, having risen to the position of General of the Entire Army meant he had essentially said it all.

One could assert that he had reached an incredibly high position among the military officers directly under the emperor, but it was not comparable to the position of a general.

Wasn’t the title of general itself a position specially created for an individual?

“…….”

Cao Cao tapped his fingers on the table.

As his thoughts deepened, he could not suppress the throbbing sensation in his chest even more.

“Indeed, achievements cannot be hidden.”

Cao Cao spread out several bamboo slips laid on the table.

The red thread binding the slips was tied in a peculiar knot, as if to signify that unauthorized viewing was prohibited, yet Cao Cao swiftly untied the relatively recent knot.

“Zhengyuan, Zhengyuan, Zhengyuan….”

The room Cao Cao entered was a place where materials concerning those who had plotted treason were gathered.

It was a location dealing with top-secret information that even the court officials could not enter carelessly.

Originally, only those holding the position of ‘Saye Jiao Wei’ could enter, but currently, that position was vacant for some unknown reason.

Now, Cao Cao occupied that space.

If it could be called a promotion, then it was indeed a promotion.

The place where the Xiyuan Eight Commanders had been disbanded and relocated was the Saye Jiao Wei?

Although the core of Saye territory, Hanei County, was being incorporated into Bingzhou, the title of Saye Jiao Wei was, in fact, comparable to that of a provincial governor or magistrate.

If one were to ask why there was no owner in such a position, it was because the previous owner had resigned out of dissatisfaction regarding the ‘incorporation of Hanei County into Bingzhou.’

It had not been long since the former Saye Jiao Wei had stepped down.

Moreover, there was no one attempting to take that position.

No matter how one looked at it, it seemed like a position that would eventually be devoured by Bingzhou.

Ultimately, this was also a change brought about by the influence of Lü Bu.

Cao Cao quietly spread out the bamboo slips containing intelligence about Zhengyuan, tracing back through time.

“The time of General Ye’s appointment and the situation of Zhengyuan at that time… Yes, I’ve found it.”

Cao Cao frowned at the brief summary written in a single line.

“Ugh….”

The content was far too meager.

What on earth had the Saye Jiao Wei been doing at that time that they had not properly investigated this?

“Bingzhou Governor Zhengyuan defeated the leader of the scholars.”

About ten years ago.

“…It seems this is not Zhengyuan’s achievement.”

Cao Cao began to substitute every ‘Zhengyuan’ in the slips with someone else’s name to grasp the content.

Originally, Cao Cao had been tasked with investigating the traitors within the court.

However, for Cao Cao, time was not on his side.

“General Dain.”

“What is it?”

Before he could properly examine the bamboo slips.

“Grand Tutor Dong has come to visit.”

“…….”

Cao Cao tightly shut his eyes at the unexpected visit from someone he had not anticipated.

If there is one person Dong Zhuo cannot touch, it is Lü Bu.

Conversely, one could say that a mere General of the Army can be dismissed at any time.

Even.

In the midst of investigating the vast amount of materials on these traitors, inserting the name ‘Cao Cao’ would be no trouble at all.

That is the Dong Zhuo of today.

“…If only General Lü had shown even a little interest in politics.”

Cao Cao quickly organized the bamboo slips, donned his official attire, and stepped outside.

“Grand Tutor.”

“Hahaha, General Xiaoqi! This is quite something, isn’t it! My recommendation of you as General Xiaoqi has become meaningless!”

Dong Zhuo arrived, leading soldiers from the Grand Tutor’s office behind him.

Even though the soldiers had entered the territory of the General of the Army, the soldiers of the General of the Army showed no reaction to them.

“Isn’t it thanks to the Grand Tutor’s grace?”

“What do you mean by that?”

Dong Zhuo’s voice turned unpleasant.

With that displeasure alone, Cao Cao could already sense the hidden dagger concealed within Dong Zhuo’s flowing fat.

“You didn’t want to make it look bad by recommending me directly, so you used Minister Wang Yun to place me in this position, didn’t you?”

“……What?”

“……Isn’t that so?”

Cao Cao feigned ignorance and jested.

“You never spoke to Minister Wang Yun separately before, did you?”

“…What are you talking about?”

“……Cao Cao. You expect me to believe that without any prior contact, Minister Wang Yun pushed you into the position of General of the Army, especially at a time when he is investigating the ‘traitorous conspiracy of the Yuan family’?”

“Rather, I would like to ask Wang Yun.”

Cao Cao replied sincerely.

No matter how much he thought about it, he could find no reason for himself to be placed in the General of the Army’s office.

Would he really be put in a position that could potentially become a blade aimed at Dong Zhuo, without any prior acquaintance?

“Are you saying that the Grand Tutor placed me here out of concern that the court officials would voice their discontent, and thus used Wang Yun’s mouth to seat me here?”

“…….”

“Grand Tutor?”

“……We’ll discuss the details later.”

Dong Zhuo placed his hand on Cao Cao’s shoulder.

“Remember, no matter where you stand, the direction your sword points is already determined.”

“…Yes, Grand Tutor.”

“Coincidentally, Yuan Shao has also become a traitor, and Yuan Shu is someone with whom you have a deep enmity. Feel free to torture him mercilessly. If he dies during the torture, that would be even better. Identify all those involved, so that the traitors can be executed outside the city gates.”

“…Thank you for your advice, Grand Tutor.”

Cao Cao bowed his head even lower, but—

Creak.

“It is an order.”

“…I will obey.”

Under the rough grip that tightly held his shoulder, he had no choice but to respond weakly.

“Be careful, be cautious. Many are worried about your presence here. And rightly so… you are not a friend of Yuan Shao, are you?”

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“…Though once a friend, how can one call a person with treacherous intentions a friend? The moment I capture him, I will personally deal with him at the execution ground.”

“Good. That resolve is commendable. I hope that you….”

Tap, tap, tap.

“We must thoroughly investigate who the traitors are.”

“I will obey. …But, Grand Tutor.”

Cao Cao raised his waist and pointed to the soldiers behind Dong Zhuo.

“Why have you brought the soldiers with you…?”

“Ha ha ha! Don’t misunderstand. What business do I have rummaging through these soldiers? You are here.”

Cao Cao smiled faintly.

“Come along. You will witness something interesting.”

“Something interesting…?”

“Is the General truly worthy of being called a General!”

“The General must prove…?”

“Indeed.”

Dong Zhuo grinned and pointed outside.

“If you wish to be called a General, you must at least be stronger than those beneath you.”

* * *

When a person rises to a high position in an instant, they are bound to attract envy and jealousy from those around them.

This is a logic that holds true in any era, in any place, regardless of time or culture.

I have heard that my master also faced envy and jealousy.

Though my master possessed overwhelming abilities in his field, it was precisely for that reason that he attracted such jealousy.

– If you were to enter the court, you would surely rise through the ranks faster than the average person.

It came to pass, just as my master had foretold.

However, my master likely never imagined that a special position would be created for me.

– If that were to happen, and if it cannot be avoided, then sell me out. As long as you do not lose the purity of your heart, the Cheongryu faction will stand by you.

My master knew.

He knew that I had somewhat grasped my own background.

– Even in the worst of situations, you would not sell out your master, even if your master himself told you to. I understand. But if the name I leave behind can help you, then you may do as you wish.

Even as a nameless existence, already dressing the dead, my master allowed me to sell his name.

‘Master, I am grateful in spirit, but selling you out now would be meaningless.’

That is the perspective of the Cheongryu faction, of the literati.

‘Right now, my way is the right way.’

The warrior has his own way.

Dum, dum, du-woong.

The sound of drums echoes high in the sky, and the soldiers, forming a square around me, strike the ground with their spears in time with the drumbeats.

“O sons of Yangju! Soldiers of this nation!”

A mounted warrior extends his spear toward the lined-up soldiers and shouts.

“Can Lü Bu truly become the General of Valor!”

Thud, thud, thud.

He strikes the ground hard with his spear again.

As if to say ‘no,’ the soldiers of Yangju glare at me.

Officially, they are soldiers under the Ministry of War.

But for convenience, it would be more accurate to refer to them as the ‘Yangju Army’ and the ‘Dong Zhuo Army.’

“His Majesty has appointed Lü Bu as the General of Valor! To deny this is to deny His Majesty the Emperor!”

The warrior cries out.

“However, if that General of Valor is truly strong, he must prove that strength! If he wishes for us to follow him sincerely, he must defeat us himself!”

From the beginning, I had no intention of giving them orders as the Flying General, and they, too, have no thought of hearing me issue commands.

But why do they shout like that?

“Prove it!”

They seek to provoke me, to break me and suppress my spirit.

“Prove that you possess the strength to stand above us!!”

I understand.

In any organization, if one does not prove their abilities, no matter how high a title they hold or how loudly they command, it is merely an empty shout.

Ten years ago, that was the case for the General of Byungju.

The elder generals, including Jeongwon, were the same.

The difference is that back then, it was the training ground of General Jin Yangseong of Byungju, while here, it is the training ground of the Taewibu soldiers in the capital, Luoyang.

“This time, I, Ho-jin, will confirm it myself!”

The one called Ho-jin aims his spear at me.

“Whether the Flying General truly soars through the skies as the Flying General (飛將軍), or if he is merely the lowest-ranking general, the Base General (卑將軍), the outcome will prove it!!”

He appears to be at least ten, if not fifteen, years older than me, burning with competitive spirit and feelings of inferiority directed at me.

“This is a contest, Lü Bu!!”

With one hand tightly gripping the spear, he charges toward me on horseback.

There is a clear difference in armament.

I have nothing but my sword, and I wear only a simple black uniform, without even the armor of Byungju.

In contrast, that Ho-jin is fully equipped with a helmet and iron armor, and his horse is clad in sturdy leather cavalry armor.

A blatant disparity in equipment.

It seems unfavorable, but it’s not particularly disadvantageous.

“Are weapons something you bring along?”

I had said I wouldn’t wear armor.

And I had said I wouldn’t ride a horse.

“If I wait any longer, the sun will set. If you’re ready, come in. I am already prepared.”

“You, insolent!!”

Ho-jin charges forward.

As if to strike me down with his horse, he drives it fiercely, aiming his spear at me.

It wouldn’t be my imagination if the horse galloping toward me also seemed to question, ‘Is this right?’

“Rest assured.”

How expensive are horses, that one would recklessly kill them in a place like this?

I know better than anyone how to unseat a rider without attacking the horse.

Thud!

I lightly roll my foot on the ground and leap to the side.

Hojin rushes toward me, desperately trying to turn his horse in my direction, but I instead leap forward, swinging my spear wide.

“Ugh?!”

Hojin attempts to block my spear with his own, but I swing it as if to push him away along with his spear.

“Ugh, ugh?!”

Hojin leans back on his horse, almost lying down, but it seems he’s not very familiar with the animal.

Hee-haw!!

The horse, startled, takes another step forward.

Inertia isn’t something that can simply be restrained just because a horse is running lightly.

“Ugh?!”

Hojin falls backward.

His body tumbles back along with the horse’s rear, landing on the ground in the same position he was blocking with his spear.

“Cough!”

“Whoa, whoa.”

I gestured to the startled horse to step back so it wouldn’t trample Hojin.

Hee-haw…

The horse, rolling its eyes in confusion, calmed down as I lightly patted its neck, slowly turning in a circle to create some distance.

“When a cavalryman falls, it’s only death that awaits.”

“You scoundrel!”

Hojin quickly rises, aiming his spear at me.

His face is flushed and twisted in rage, as if he could kill me with just a glance.

Pure humiliation.

Someone might laugh, but none of the soldiers lined up in the training ground dared to mock Hojin’s fall.

‘Similar to Song Heon or slightly above him.’

With just one blocked attack, I had assessed the situation.

This Hojin is stronger than Song Hu Wei by about a sheet of paper.

In other words, this warrior is quite formidable even under Dong Zhuo’s command.

“How will you rise again? Or will you continue to fight as you are?”

“Ughhh!!”

Hojin charges at me, gripping his spear tightly.

Though blood rushes to my head, his eyes are clearly targeting my vital spot, my heart.

He’s definitely pretending to aim for my shoulder, using the excuse of a slip to stab at my heart.

“Die…!!”

“Such dangerous words.”

I know that the blood rushing to his head is causing him to shout, but unfortunately, his intentions are too obvious to actually kill me.

Clang!

“What?!”

I dodge the spear and wedge the shaft between my armpit.

Startled, Hojin pulls back his spear, trying to slice the back of my armpit with the blade, but my hand is already gripping the shaft.

Thud!

I pull the shaft and, holding the spear upside down, strike Hojin in the solar plexus with its tip.

The tip of the spear pierces through his armor like a flash, and Hojin falls back, collapsing once more.

“Finished. You’ve worked hard.”

I grip the spear I took from Hojin upside down and plant it beside his head, which lies sprawled on the ground.

“You’ve died three times, so it’s over.”

Once from the fall.

Once at the moment of the stab to the solar plexus.

And now, like this, lying on the ground before the enemy, stabbed by his own weapon.

“Is there no one else willing to challenge me?”

Before Hojin, several other warriors had already charged in.

Yangjeong, Ubo, Choi Yong, Osup, Imong, Jangsu.

‘Are they trying to wear me down?’

The weakest warriors came out one by one, swinging their weapons at me, but all of them have died three times.

And those who have died three times—

“…have lost.”

Like Hojin before me, they all crumpled their faces in defeat but ultimately acknowledged their loss and retreated.

“It was a good match.”

“…Hmph!!”

Hojin snorts as he leaves with a spear in hand.

He clutches his chest with a hand that seems to ache, but still, he doesn’t whine, believing that if he fights again, this time it will be different.

If one has faced defeat directly, accepting the outcome gracefully is the mark of a warrior, and at the same time, a true man, isn’t it?

“Then, who’s next?”

He plants the spear into the ground and scans the surroundings.

Within Dongtak’s forces, at least a thousand, no, around three to five thousand warriors capable of commanding have been broken before me.

Since a one-on-one fight won’t do, what remains is the soldiers of Yangju gathered here, who will ‘simultaneously’ charge at me.

But they do not rush at me.

Instead, they subtly glance at someone else, gauging whether that person will step forward.

“This is just unacceptable!”

Finally.

“You incompetent fools! Not only do you keep losing, but you’ve also brought this old man’s turn upon himself!!”

A towering figure, much larger than the other warriors, steps forward wielding a Mijendo (眉尖刀).

“I told you to ensure that it wouldn’t come to my turn!”

The broad blade at the end of the long pole seemed poised to slice through anything it touched.

“Let’s see who wields the knife for chickens and who wields the knife for cattle!”

If that thing were to strike a beast, it seems that just bringing the blade close would cleanly sever a chicken’s neck.

“Luo Feng! I’ve heard your name for a long time! For eight years now, I’ve been sick of it!!”

“……I never thought my name would reach Yangju; who did you hear it from?”

“From the remnants of the scholars who fled to Yangju to escape you!”

Scholars.

A different ethnic group from the Xiongnu, referred to as barbarians in this land.

“I apologize for that.”

I may not need to show respect to the other warriors, but this giant deserves some degree of courtesy.

‘He’s similar to Zhang Liao and Xu Huang, but a much more experienced general.’

His battlefield experience is likely comparable to mine.

“They say all those coming are fleeing from the mad dog of the military governor! Arrogant fools, coming to the land guarded by this Huawong!”

“And what is the name of the one who will fall to that mad dog?”

…His face looks like it has suffered greatly in the desert; judging by appearances alone, he seems at least ten years older.

“If I may speak for myself, Hwa-ung!”

The warrior, Hwa-ung, glares at me with a fierce smile, aiming his weapon.

“Yangju, the greatest warrior!”

“Yangju’s strongest, is it? I see.”

In that case.

“Killing you three times in three seconds will be difficult.”

After checking the state of the Hwa-geuk’s handle, I grip it heavily.

“If you claim to be the strongest warrior in Yangju, then defeating you would mean taking a step closer to being the best in the world.”

“…What did you say?”

This country consists of a total of 13 provinces.

“Let’s see who is the man closest to being the best in the world.”

“…Hahaha!! Your confidence is sky-high! Very well…!”

Hwa-ung takes his stance.

“The might that killed the leader of the scholars, I, Hwa-ung, shall confirm it with this blade myself!”

“…That was ten years ago.”

I spin the Hwa-geuk around once and place it in front of me.

“Come forth.”

A tiger uses all its strength even when catching a rabbit.

It means not to let my guard down, but as a warrior, as a strong man, there is one thing I cannot forsake.

“However.”

Some may call it unnecessary stubbornness.

Some may criticize it as mere show.

They all say that the first to strike wins, but—

“Come first.”

The virtues of the martial world must be upheld.

“I shall concede the first strike three times.”

＜ The One Who Flies (2) ＞ End