Yellow Turban Raid (1)
After driving out the enemies in the Gerok area, the imperial army immediately reorganized its forces. They could have headed straight to their base in Guangzong, but the plan was to first resupply in Gerok before moving on.
Can't exactly airlift supplies by plane, after all.
Right. That was the big difference from modern warfare. Securing supply lines solid after reforming the front lines was crucial before any fight.
Solid lineup.
It was clear they'd wrung every last drop from the Han dynasty. At the top: General Huangfu Song, Han's final great commander, and General Zhu Jun.
Some might wonder who they are, but check the real histories—they were both phenomenal generals. They took a hopelessly corrupt army and crushed the Yellow Turbans unilaterally, hounding them all the way to Guangzong in Ji Province. He Jin was the nominal Grand General, but these two were the real power.
Lineup solid enough even if Dong Zhuo pulls his troll bullshit.
Liu Bei's forces just had to fight well under Huangfu Song and Zhu Jun's orders to catch some eyes. Ignore Dong Zhuo's crew. They'd already ranked #1 on the cut-losses list after trying a cavalry charge on a square formation.
How the hell did those idiots even pull off a coup against Han?
Even as fellow imperial troops, unity was shaky. Roughly split into Huangfu Song's faction, Zhu Jun's faction, and Dong Zhuo's faction.
"Haha!!! That's right!! Takhyeon!! Heard about it back in Pakguk! So many spirited heroes in Takhyeon!!"
"You're too kind."
Liu Bei and Cao Cao were chatting with incredible warmth. Their tents were practically glued together.
Laid-back vibe.
Maybe because the imperial elites had mobilized. No one seriously thought they'd lose to the Yellow Turbans.
Just casually sharpening his sword, when—
"Over there...."
I glanced back. Guan Yu and Bu Yong-hwa were plastered to my side, watching my every move. They'd been like that since earlier. Even tailed me to the bathroom—nearly a disaster.
"If I look away, you always wander off somewhere far. Can't help worrying."
Guan Yu said it flat-out.
No, what's with the overprotection?
"Sis, you can go rest. I'll watch Kim."
Bu Yong-hwa beamed at Guan Yu.
"Ah, but I'm a little uneasy leaving it to you."
Guan Yu parried the jab without missing a beat.
"Oh? Uneasy?"
"Yeah. You didn't mishear."
"Hohoho."
"Ohohoho."
They'd been at this staring contest for a while now. Their usual WWE routine, but here it was layering on another fateful encounter.
"Greetings. Cao Mengde."
A fierce-looking man in a red helmet led a band of sturdy soldiers our way. Probably here for introductions.
"Ah... aren't you Sun Jian, the Great Duke from under General Zhu Jun?"
Cao Cao recognized him instantly.
Yeah. Sun Jian, founder of the Sun clan. The Tiger of Jiangdong, powerhouse bruiser in Yuan Shu's party. The spitting-image kid beside him had to be Sun Ce.
"Ah... honored you remember. I'm Sun Jian, currently Captain of Success in Uyi."
Sun Jian smiled and introduced himself.
"And this one...."
Sun Jian eyed Liu Bei.
"This is Liu Bei Xuande, imperial clansman and the hero who raised a militia in Zhuo Xian."
Cao Cao jumped in with the intro.
"Ah, is that so. So many heroes in the world. Hehe."
Sun Jian greeted Liu Bei right away, a hint of goodwill in his expression.
Kinship, maybe.
Sun Jian had clawed up from the bottom too. Captain of Success in Uyi wasn't much for his feats. Probably felt a bond with Liu Bei there.
Everyone here chasing their shot amid the Yellow Turban chaos.
"Hmm. Fine muscles. These troops look tough."
But Sun Jian's mutter made me rethink. His gaze pierced right through Liu Bei's armor to the muscle beneath.
Ah, yeah—saw 'em in the bath. Liu Bei-dad's got ridiculous build. No wonder he bossed Zhuo Xian's thugs.
"Then before the big op, shall we share some spirits and a drink?"
Cao Cao went full insider mode, raising his cup.
"Ah, then I won't hold back. Cheers. Hehe."
Sun Jian slotted right in.
Not quite Three Kingdoms era yet, but straight out of the novel's drinking bash setup.
Though not the whole crew partying.
Just the three bosses getting real over booze. That was the vibe.
"Eh."
Zhang Fei looked a bit miffed, hauling out a wine jar from afar.
"Hey! Kim! Drink with me!"
And there he went, scanning around and hollering for me.
Shit. Busted.
Zhang Fei always drags me into his binges.
But drinking with him? Liver wouldn't last. Cirrhosis'd kill faster than a battlefield blade.
Insane pace.
"Gaga."
Bu Yong-hwa poked and whispered.
We weren't married or anything yet, but she hated me getting hauled off by Zhang Fei. Always blocking with that "men near wine and women rust" line.
She was scouting the escape.
The Master said a gentleman avoids danger on his own.
Bolt.
My liver was precious, so I tried slipping out with Bu Yong-hwa.
"Hey!! Drinking buddies, show yourselves!! Honestly, we might croak tomorrow!!! Let's booze till our noses twist off before we go!!"
Zhang Fei belted it out like a song, rallying the troops.
Yeah. Perfect chaos for a getaway.
"Hey, Kim. Zhang Fei's at it again. No helping it—he'll pout if we don't drink."
Guan Yu flashed a wry smile, moving to tag along.
But Bu Yong-hwa and I had already ghosted out the tent.
Plan: melt into the soldiers. Flawless.
"Ahh?! Kim? Kim!"
Guan Yu's plaintive cry echoed.
Sorry, nu-na.
Slipping out on the brewing bash with Bu Yong-hwa left us strolling the ruins of Gerok at leisure.
"Always ends up ruins-walks with Bu sis."
Anyone'd think we were ruin otakus.
"Hehe. Got its own charm."
But Bu Yong-hwa clung happily to my side.
Why's she always look so damn content? Total mystery.
Strongest mentality in this world, hands down.
That thought hit me while we chatted idly, wandering the streets.
"Hum~ hum-hmm~"
Against a half-crumpled ruin wall, a girl diligently sketched away.
Red hair, striking blue eyes. Age... around eight, give or take.
"Oh!! Cute little tail!!"
Bu Yong-hwa's eyes lit up with a squeal.
"Gaga!! She's so pretty!!"
Poking me hard as she yelled.
Ow. Hurts. Bu Yong-hwa packs a sneaky wallop.
"Shall we have one too? Want a pretty baby...."
She fixed me with an oddly scary glint.
"Haven't even settled on marrying Bu sis yet."
I shut it down flat.
Kids in this unstable mess? Straight disaster.
"Tch. How long you gonna dodge?"
Bu Yong-hwa pouted.
"Ah.... h-hello."
Then the girl mumbled shyly, hiding her drawing on reflex.
See? Us yapping spooked the kid.
"Oh, drawing? What'd you make?"
But Bu Yong-hwa's charm was unreal!!
"Ah, uh.... the sea. A ship packed with sailors... dreaming of sailing it...."
Warmed to her warmth, the girl finally stuttered it out.
"...Hic."
But at me? Head straight down.
Hurts my feelings.
"Hehe. Kim looks scary with his mouth shut."
Bu Yong-hwa grinned.
Anyway, a kid smack in a warzone felt off. Some general's brat tagging along?
Or a yokai in kid form?
Not 'cause she snubbed me and I got salty. Just saying. Got it?
"What's your name?"
Bu Yong-hwa smiled at her.
"Ahh.... I'm Sun Quan...."
The girl introduced herself right off.
"Sun Quan?"
No way. This Sun Quan? Sun Jian's son, Sun Ce's brother, founder of Wu.
The purge master Sun Quan?!
Founding a kingdom takes chops, sure—but his late-game blunders cemented him as a punchline for Three Kingdoms fans. Pointless overseas colonies chowing troops, personally leading an army only to get wrecked by Zhang Liao, paranoia-fueled mass purges, fumbling succession among his concubines' kids.... Bad endgame rep.
But here she's a total cutie pie?
This timeline, she was a toddler anyway.... but a girl? Why are all the big shots chicks? Make Liu Bei a busty babe!!! Zhang Fei a tanned healthy hottie!!! Why they gotta be sweaty dad-bods!!!
I let out a silent scream.
Looks like novel-true: Sun Quan tagged along with Sun Jian and Sun Ce.
"Ah, but... Dad said no talking to strangers. Treat unknowns as enemies...."
Sun Quan fidgeted uncomfortably, gathering her drawing stuff to bail.
"Hehe. But everyone's a stranger at first, right?"
Bu Yong-hwa grabbed her hand tight.
"Ah...."
Sun Quan's eyes went wide. Adorably pointless.
Couldn't picture the future paranoia king offing ministers.
"Me and my husband were strangers too. Now we're married. Treat folks as foes just 'cause unknown? You'll miss all the good chances."
Bu Yong-hwa smiled, looping her arm in mine.
"Hey, don't make shit up."
When'd we get hitched?
"I wanna get close with Quan. That okay?"
Full veteran kindergarten teacher mode, reeling her in.
"Um.... I wanna get close too."
Sun Quan mumbled, peeking at us.
"Th-then...."
Her eyes sparkled our way.
"Then... can we play house?"
She named her game right off.
"Yes! Let's!!"
Bu Yong-hwa was all-in already.
Never dreamed I'd play house with Wu's future emperor.
Live long, see new shit.