What Has the Han Dynasty Done for Us So Far? (2)
"What has the Han Dynasty ever done for us so far?! They've stripped us of our rice through taxes and spun us around like tops with corvée labor!! Huh? And now they're just turning tail and running away, aren't they? Aren't they?!"
Liu Bei leaped straight onto the platform and unleashed a fiery speech. The crowd murmured uneasily. In times of crisis, people always ended up listening to the loudest voice. And above all, Liu Bei's words had a captivating charm that drew them in. There was a rhythmic cadence to them that kept you hooked without growing bored. Well, even in the game, if you peeked at the editor, Liu Bei's persuasion stat was over 70. The guy had a talent for convincing just about anyone with his silver tongue.
"They buy their offices with bribes, then do nothing but strut around calling themselves county magistrates or administrators, don't they?!" Liu Bei bellowed sharply, drawing his sword.
"Are we going to entrust our safety to these shameful scum?! And yet you're all weeping and waiting for the imperial army, planning to drag your feet on evacuating?!"
Liu Bei roared, glaring outward.
"Suppose you evacuate and settle somewhere else? There'll be corrupt officials like them there too, and bandits will come raiding! Then evacuate again!! Until you die!! Is that what you plan to repeat endlessly?! All while clinging to the imperial army with your tears? What kind of pathetic nonsense is that?!"
Liu Bei declared firmly.
"If we want to protect ourselves, we must cut off this emotional dependence on the Han Dynasty—the heartless parent that's done nothing for us."
Liu Bei gazed at the common folk with burning eyes.
"Is a parent who doesn't feed us or protect us really a parent? What can we do if the parent's rotten? We have to stand on our own."
At Liu Bei's words, the people's expressions turned serious. The fear in their hearts was replaced by seething rage.
"Let's protect our hometown ourselves. Let's prove we're common folk who can stand on our own!!"
Liu Bei shouted, thrusting his sword high into the air. And in that moment, a mad spectacle unfolded—one only visible to a Status Window user like me.
[Peasant][Neutral] → [Liu Bei's Militia]
(Yellow neutral markers across all heads instantly flipped to faction green)
The entire crowd, inspired by Liu Bei, joined his faction.
Impressive as hell. In a flash, everyone switched to combat mode.
At that moment, Guan Yu—who'd been fidgeting anxiously at the back—scanned the crowd. More precisely, her gaze locked onto me amid the throng.
"Kim Gong!!!!"
Guan Yu's eyes lit up as she charged toward me. Ah. Busted. Should've just bolted instead of hanging around. But my damn modern bleeding heart had screwed everything up.
She suddenly yanked me into a tight hug, her eyes brimming with tears. And damn, this woman's grip was insane. No offense to a lady, but it felt like a bear mauling me. Run and die? Was that the vibe? Made sense?
As those thoughts raced through my head, I caught sight of Guan Yu's face. Tears welled in her eyes.
"Kim Gong!! Do you have any idea how worried I was?!"
She sobbed as she said it.
"......"
Ah. Right. I'd tossed out that shonen manga death flag: 'Leave this to me and go on ahead.' Then peaced out. From her perspective, of course she'd worry about whether I was alive. She's just a good person like that.
"Hmph. As if those losers could touch me."
No matter how much of a scrub I was, I could handle small-time bandits.
"Uhahat! Look at sis crying! I told you, didn't I!! Kim Gong's gotta be alive!!"
Zhang Fei bellowed with laughter.
"Sh-shut up!"
Guan Yu wiped her eyes as she snapped back.
"Kim Gong!! You've returned!!"
Liu Bei sighed in relief.
"Let's all defend Takhyeon with vigor!"
Liu Bei bellowed with renewed spirit. Yeah. Back in the meat grinder. I was too modern-minded...! If I'd just grabbed what I could and bailed like a true chaotic era survivor, none of this would've happened... But it was too late now. The bandits were already closing in on Takhyeon. Trying to slip out would just get me killed. Logically, teaming up with this ragtag militia boosted survival odds.
Damn, human genes are something else. Even after a cushy modern life, crisis mode kicked my brain into hyper-optimized survival strategy. For now, temporary alliance! Yeah, roll with that.
"Lord Xuande! But how do we hold them off?!"
One of the commoners shouted then.
Right. Forming a militia was great, but without a plan, we'd get swarmed and slaughtered by superior numbers. And Liu Bei... went quiet.
He's scared too, huh. I'd figured he'd seize command from the start, but apparently not.
He's supposed to be a solid field commander... Must be from all that experience grinding losses and retreats. Right now, he was just a tough local thug. The bandits kicking up dust all around, encircling Takhyeon, weren't helping his judgment either.
"Argh!! What else is there to do!! First strike wins!! Rush 'em and kill 'em all!!"
Zhang Fei flexed his muscles and roared.
"Mm!! They're just untrained rabble anyway!! I'll go take their leader's head!!"
Guan Yu backed him up. Super cool and brave... but total brainless charge.
"Well..."
Liu Bei seemed to waver, considering it if no better idea came.
"Then we're killing 'em all!!"
Fuck. What the hell? Their idiotic decisions meant my death too, so I immediately rebelled.
"The art of war says the defender has a one-step advantage!!"
I was from the Eastern powerhouse, Korea. I knew the tactical edge of defense. Even outnumbered, block the chokepoints right, and you could shred the enemy unilaterally.
"Look here!!"
I slashed my sword tip across the dirt, sketching a map. I'd lived in Takhyeon a few weeks; I knew the layout. Beyond the village palisade were three gates: the wide south gate, the east gate linked to the magistrate's office, and the narrow north gate.
"Block these three and hold!! Gather nearby trees, furniture—pile 'em into walls, then station troops armed with spears or long farm tools!! When the bastards try climbing over, stab 'em!! Even elders can do it!!"
The Yellow Turban bandits were cautious, circling to scout Takhyeon's setup. Buy time to barricade the gates and ready defenders.
"That's solid... but using every villager in Takhyeon means we can't counterattack."
Liu Bei pushed back aggressively.
"They'll probably all-out assault!! If we hold strong, they'll burn troops and retreat! Then send a detachment to flank and smash 'em!!"
I desperately persuaded the big-eared guy. Highest survival odds. My raw plea to avoid early trampling.
"Lord Guan and Lord Yide are strongest here. You two hold the center, then reinforce any breach."
Strictly speaking, they were hero units. Roam as relief pitchers, and we might hold.
"Mm!! That's right!! Do as he says!!"
Liu Bei adopted my plan immediately. Phew. At least he listened.
"Everyone!! Block the gates with anything!!"
"Hurry!! Hurry!!"
Maybe the panic had found direction. Takhyeon's new militia sprang into action, feverishly barricading. As they moved in unison, a distant voice rang out.
"You there!!!! People of Takhyeon!!"
The Yellow Turban horde bellowed. Peering past the palisade, a sleazy-looking bandit stroked his beard and grinned.
[Yellow Turban Captain]
Level 5
(No name— not elite. Stronger than basic grunts.)
"Surrender, and we'll spare your lives! Donate funds to the Yellow Turbans' cause, and our chieftain won't forget— he'll reward you!!"
The bastard bellowed his surrender pitch.
"You scum!!! Not content with tormenting the people, now you brazenly demand to exploit them too!!!! Is that the Yellow Heaven you so crave!!"
Liu Bei roared in fury. Yeah. That was the Yellow Turbans' true face. Maybe they started with good ideals, righteous fervor. But now? No different from any bandits.
Twang. Liu Bei raised a hunting composite bow, nocking an arrow.
Twaaaang. He loosed it instantly.
"Guh...!"
The captain twisted in panic. Thuk. The arrow buried at his feet. Hoped for a one-shot kill... Nah. Too far. Hitting that would make him a divine archer.
"......"
I saw it. Liu Bei's face flushed with embarrassment.
"I'm not like you thugs!!! I won't take lives lightly!!! I live by the sages' benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom— and die by them!! I've shown you mercy once. If you're men, not beasts, withdraw your army!!"
Liu Bei boomed sternly. Ah...! He'd framed it as intentional! Masterful spin!
"As expected of our big bro!!!! So cool!!"
Zhang Fei gazed at Liu Bei in admiration.
"Heh."
Guan Yu nodded approvingly with a smile. It worked. No need to be the nerd calling it out.
"You bastards...!"
The captain flushed at the warning shot.
"Fine!!! We'll wipe Takhyeon from the Central Plains!!! Charge!!!!"
The Yellow Turban captain roared at his men, spear raised as he charged. Rumble rumble rumble!!! The bandit horde surged like enraged zombies toward Takhyeon.
I'd sworn to play it smart... but here I was, dragged into a full-scale brawl. No choice. Survive. I gripped my sword, steeling myself.