Conquest of Ji County (1)
Despite probing with a passive opinion that rushing all the way to the Peach Garden Oath was too much... I ended up getting dragged right into the scene.
Chaaaang!! Weapons clashed with a refreshingly crisp ring, pulling off a production straight out of a comic book.
"Hm!! We four siblings of the Peach Garden!!" Liu Bei started off firmly.
Hey. This guy's smiling face slips me right in there as one of the four brothers. But the atmosphere wasn't one where I could point that out—it was just too damn sad. It was the kind of scene where you'd go along with whatever the mood demanded.
"We four siblings!!" On top of that, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei chimed in with the same opener.
"We... siblings...."
I hated myself for just passively mumbling along...!
"Vow to live by righteousness and die by righteousness!!" Liu Bei declared firmly.
"Ooooooooh!!!"
The Peach Garden Oath wrapped up with everyone letting out cheers. The true protagonist of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Liu Bei, had thus made his debut on the world stage.
'Damn....'
Honestly, traveling with him for the foreseeable future didn't sit well with me at all, but there were clear upsides.
'This is one hell of a sword.'
This game was basically an RPG at its core, structured around scavenging scraps. Beat strong enemies, snag good loot—that was the drill. Normally, in this stage of the game, you'd score a 1-star or maybe 2-star weapon at best... but the sword I'd just gotten was a whopping 5-star.
Base Damage: 60~120
The damage variance was low, making it the absolute best sword available at this stage.
'Random loot drop, and the blacksmith uncle hands me this? No way.'
I knew this weapon well. Solid performance, killer looks—players loved equipping it. Officially classified as a single-edged sword called Hwan Su Do, but its shape was closer to a Japanese katana. Considering the tachi, the katana's precursor, originated in Tang Dynasty times, it was a historical inaccuracy... but the devs were hardcore weebs from China. That's probably why they shoehorned it in. Chinese folks love Japanese culture more than anyone—why hide it? That's the real mystery.
A single-edged sword wielded by warriors from the island where the Far East sun rises.
"Heh. Like the sword?"
The bearded uncle who'd joined our Liu Bei crew struck up a conversation.
"Ah, Uncle. Thank you. True craftsmanship."
I expressed my gratitude right away. This was the nameless blacksmith, the top Meister in the Three Kingdoms world—the guy who'd forged the Green Dragon Crescent Blade and the Zhangba Snake Spear. In the game, they named him Dao Ran.
"Heh heh. Suits you."
Dao Ran stroked his beard with a smile.
"Thought I'd only ever make farm tools my whole life... been a while since I crafted something worthwhile. My late father would be pleased."
Dao Ran gazed off wistfully.
"We're grateful to have you with us, Elder Dao."
Liu Bei stepped forward then, thanking him.
"Nah, what're you saying. Got any weapons needing repairs, just leave 'em with me. I'll make you something that can slay even gods."
Dao Ran laughed.
"Elder Dao!! Such words are irreverent!"
Liu Bei chuckled heartily. At that moment, two men approached amiably side by side.
"Lord Xuande. You're off now?"
Zhang Shiping and Xiao Shuang spoke up.
"Yes. We owe you much for our stay in Zhuo Commandery."
Liu Bei cupped his fists with a smile.
"You'll owe us even more from here on."
Zhang Shiping shook his head with a laugh.
"Hm. Xiao Shuang and I talked it over. We've liquidated all our assets."
Xiao Shuang nodded along.
"Liquidated your assets...!"
Liu Bei looked flustered.
"Wait! Uncle!"
Zhang Fei came rushing over in a panic too.
"Elder Xiao...."
Guan Yu seemed to grasp the situation at once.
"Even if we scraped together funds here, with things as they are, it'd just get looted by bandits anyway. So we've sold our assets to donate to the volunteer army."
Zhang Shiping explained.
"Hm. Money's meant to better the world in the end. Use what we've sold—our goods and horses—as military funds. And if you take us along, we'd be grateful."
Xiao Shuang bowed politely.
"We can't accept that...."
"We're merchants. We invest where there's value. We're convinced Lord Xuande has that value. That's why we're donating."
Zhang Shiping let out a hearty laugh.
"...Liu Xuande will not betray your faith!"
Liu Bei declared firmly.
It was a deeply moving scene, but knowing how it all played out, I couldn't help feeling sorrow. Two rich men dumping their entire fortunes into this beautiful tale.
Xiao Shuang's horse trading stock became mounts for a 20-man cavalry unit, while Zhang Shiping's goods turned into supplies. Twenty cavalry, 400 infantry. That rounded out the bare bones of a fighting force. The book said about 500, but it was really in the 420 range. History's exaggerations, huh.
Clop clop.Clop clop.
The cavalry scouted slowly ahead, infantry following behind.
"First, we'll head to Ji County. I hear Liu Yan, the Han imperial clansman dispatched there, is holding back the Yellow Turbans hard... but the war news isn't good."
Liu Bei instructed Guan Yu and Zhang Fei beside him. I trailed a bit behind.
"Word is, they're launching an assault on Nanpi."
Zhang Fei said.
"Hm. But no rumors of war breaking out at Nanpi. Lord Liu probably lacks the spare forces for it. That's where we help."
Liu Bei replied.
"Hm. Conquer Nanpi, then Gurok next. That'll secure You Province."
Guan Yu added.
Just 420 men talking about retaking two cities—it was thrillingly heroic. Gotta have that spirit to be true heroes. Made me realize anew I was just a small-time citizen.
"Hm. Indeed. Stabilize the Yellow Turbans first—that's the start. Secure You Province, then straight to Ji Province to see my mentor, Elder Lu Zhi."
Liu Bei gazed into the distance with eyes shining with hope. Yeah. This was his big break, after all. Decided not to rain on it.
'Alright. Not so bad after all.'
I rationalized my resignation. Grind hard enough here not to die, rack up XP—that was it. Build experience here, cash it in elsewhere. My mindset toward Liu Bei? Total shitjob. Just a spec-up launchpad. No way this was a lifelong gig.
Classic wuxia trope: even short distances take days. After days of marching, we finally reached Ji lands. No sign of the walls yet, but outpost bases dotted the area sparsely.
'Smell of corpses....'
The unmistakable stench of death permeated everywhere.
"Halt!!"
As we approached one of Ji's token outposts, a group of soldiers blocked us. Yeah. This era. Armed mobs show up, you get tense.
"Who goes there?"
A stern-looking general stepped forward from the soldiers, exuding strict dignity.
"Ah. I am Liu Bei, descendant of the Han imperial house. They call me Xuande."
Liu Bei stepped up and laid out his lineage.
"Hmmm."
Hearing "imperial clansman" clearly softened the man's face. Yeah. Even in a might-makes-right era, Han royalty had surprising value.
'And Liu Bei's legit direct line.'
Straight descendant of Emperor Gaozu Liu Bang. That's why the guy milked it his whole life.
"Grieved deeply by the Han's crisis, I formed a volunteer army with like-minded souls."
Liu Bei said humbly.
"Ah.... A man like you in these times."
The general took an instant liking to Liu Bei.
'Look at that reception.'
The game had this volunteer army route, sure. But not this warm—mostly "piss off, scrubs."
'Liu Bei's charm...?'
Makes sense. Everything he says just sounds convincing.
"I am Cui Zhen, a mere general serving Governor Liu Yan. Given the situation, forgive my rudeness."
The general introduced himself.
'Ah. Cui Zhen.'
Surprisingly, a named Three Kingdoms character. Loyal to Liu Yan from start to finish—even followed him to Yi Province later. One of Yi's competent generals.
"How may I assist?"
Liu Bei asked with a warm smile. That comfortably handsome, paternal face made you wanna spill everything.
"Ah. Truth is... 50,000 Yellow Turbans are besieging Ji's walls, pressing the attack. Zhang Yuanzi and Deng Mu lead them— their momentum's fierce, giving us trouble. We're locked down for attrition warfare, but they have Nanpi as backup. It's turning into a prolonged siege."
Cui Zhen spilled the military intel freely.
"How can that be.... Is Lord Liu safe?"
Liu Bei asked with genuine worry.
"Holding for now... but sadly, we lack the numbers or spirit to take on 50,000."
Yeah. Peak Yellow Turban power right now. Plus Zhang Yuanzi and Deng Mu were legit Yellow Turban aces. Tough fight, obviously.
"Then we'll take the vanguard. We'll bring you the heads of that Zhang Yuanzi and Deng Mu."
Liu Bei declared boldly. Right—this was Liu Bei army's chance to prove themselves.
'Even so... against 50,000?'
The guy was properly insane. Explained why Cao Cao warily watched him lifelong. My palms sweated, reins getting slick. Vow: stick tight behind the Liu-Guan-Zhang trio, preserve life at all costs.