New Faces

"My Lord. Let us save our first night together for after we arrive in Xiangyang."

And so the wedding night with Jia Xu never came to pass.

Ever since she had read the notebook, she and Wang Yeon had been locked in constant consultation, rushing about from dawn till dusk. Jia Xu's talents were extraordinary. Not only was she a master of intrigue — her administrative skill and even her facility with numbers left every other woman in the household far behind.

Within three days of her arrival she had mapped the entire estate and was issuing orders more precise and swifter than Wang Yeon's own. Their destination, too, had been settled beyond debate: Xiangyang.

Was there any real reason to settle in a relative backwater like Xinye?

Xinye's virtues were proximity to Xiangyang and a position north of the river that would make intervention in the Central Plains easier in a crisis. But Xiangyang was a major commandery — far better for recruiting talent, far easier to defend when great chaos came. Above all, the merchant guild already maintained a branch there, which would make embedding themselves in the city almost effortless.

They were already in the process of relocating the guild's main office to Xiangyang, the very heart of Jing Province. If he were appointed magistrate of a nearby county, they could keep a residence ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠in Xiangyang itself; the women could come and go freely. In every respect, the area around Xiangyang was ideal.

Of course, if he were posted somewhere distant — Jiangling, the four southern commanderies of Jingnan, or Wan — the whole plan would unravel. For now, securing a foothold at Water Mirror Academy in Xiangyang was the absolute priority.

And as he and Wang Yeon had already agreed, they would not open the estate for large-scale farming. A kitchen garden and some agricultural experiments would be enough.

"Will a magistrate's post be so easy to obtain?"

"The office of Attendant Censor is not especially high, but it does carry the authority to recommend a county chief for one of Jing Province's smaller counties. The difficulty, My Lord, is that climbing as far as Grand Administrator of Xiangyang or Jiangling will require military merit."

"Military merit?"

"Bandit suppression. Putting down minor peasant uprisings. With Seop Yeong, Jang Hwa, and Jang Mi, accumulating that merit should be straightforward."

Seop Yeong, Jang Hwa, Jang Mi.

Wang Yeon, by virtue of her special status as his mother, could not take the field. Those three alone, leading a mere hundred soldiers, would be more than enough to crush ordinary bandits.

As for Zhou Yu and Guo Jia — their names had become Jang Yu and Jo Ga, and each was now nestled against Jang Hwa and Seop Yeong respectively, nursing hungrily.

"Oh my. She's so lovely, Master. Yu, you must grow up to become Master's Zhang Zifang."

"Is only Yu pretty? Look how adorable our little Ga is."

Mm.

Yu and Ga. Both had been frail from birth, and the long ordeal of their abduction had only weakened them further. Matching their symptoms, he had purchased every relevant vaccine from the dimensional shop and inoculated them; only then had they begun to nurse as robustly as any healthy infant.

"Mama. Is that my little sister?"

"Yes, Unnie. Ga is Unnie Un's little sister."

Jo Un was clinging to Seop Yeong, poking Jo Ga's cheek exactly the way he had once pinched her own. Jang Bi, for her part, had glued herself to Jang Hwa and was studying Yu with rapt attention.

He watched them with quiet satisfaction — then turned his head and found Jang Saeng staring at Jo Un and Jang Bi with lonely eyes. His temples throbbed.

"Yeon-ah. Any more kidnapped little ones?"

He beckoned Wang Yeon close and whispered into her ear. She glanced at Jang Saeng and smiled.

"Husband. I was just about to tell you — there's a child named Dian Wei… Contrary to what you said, she turned out to be the daughter of a powerful clan in Yan Province. So…"

"Hm…?"

"So I can't be completely certain. But she was the daughter of a great family in Jiwu County, Chenliu Commandery, Yan Province. A sturdy little thing. The conditions matched far too perfectly…"

Dian Wei — the warrior who, in the original history, had died as Cao Cao's first great champion at Wan. The anime had always portrayed her as a hulking, brutish figure whose appearance made sense only if she had been raised among bandits.

"Well done. But no more kidnappings from now on. If anyone ever finds out later…"

"Don't worry about that. There are no more children left to take."

He nodded.

"Then we'll make her Jang Mi's daughter. She is a girl, right?"

"…Yes. When the child arrives, she'll be registered as Jang Mi's daughter. I can already see how happy Saeng Unnie will be."

Jang Saeng and Dian Wei as a pair.

Even by the anime's depiction, Dian Wei had been a formidable general — not quite on the level of Jang Bi or Jo Un, but more than impressive enough. Unlike the other two infants, who leaned toward strategy, Dian Wei would make a far better playmate for the sisters.

"Husband. If you got Mi pregnant yourself, wouldn't Saeng Unnie be even happier?"

"First we settle in Jing Province. Then we get every concubine pregnant, Jia Xu included. Starting with you."

"Yes, Husband."

Truly, nothing remained but departure.

The fifteenth of the third month. Tomorrow they would leave this estate, and the thought left him melancholy. Five years in the same house made the parting sharper still.

"And the servants…?"

"Yes. I've arranged houses for the servants and the other maids inside Jinjing County, given them money, and sent them on their way. Only our family will be relocating."

"Hm. This house will fall to ruin if no one looks after it."

"I sold it cheaply to Master Jo Hyeong."

He nodded. Jo Hyeong was a man he could trust.

The inner quarters were filled with nothing but the soft, wet sounds of nursing. Jang Yu and Jo Ga were newborns, yet so irresistibly cute that even Jang Saeng had drifted over to Jo Ga and was poking the baby's cheek.

Knock knock.

"Come in."

Someone knocked; he gave the order to enter. Linlin stepped inside carrying a child in her arms.

"Waaah—!"

A lusty cry. And the wrinkled infant in her arms was enormous — easily twice the size of Jo Ga or Jang Yu.

Huh? Why on infants of all people…

A waste. And the news that Chaehyang would never replenish again made it sting all the more. Still, with Celia no longer a secret, he could at least tell himself he had taken out insurance on three children with the scent — and that eased the regret a little.

"Jang Mi. This is Jang Wi. Your daughter. You've still got milk left, so speak to Yeon about it."

"Oh my? Yes? Thank you, Young Master."

"Master. Is it true? She's really my little sister?"

Jang Saeng came forward, seized his arm, and looked up at him. He nodded, then watched as Jang Wi settled into Jang Mi's arms as if she had always belonged there.

"Yes. She's a sturdy little thing — she'll make a fine sparring partner for you someday. Happy?"

"Yes, Master. Thank you." Peck.

Jang Saeng rose on her toes, kissed his cheek, then turned to stroke the plump body of Dian Wei — no, Jang Wi now — nestled in Jang Mi's embrace.

He handed Wang Yeon the vaccines he had bought from the market.

"You know how to administer them?"

"Of course. I gave Jang Yu and Jo Ga all their shots myself."

Leaving the women absorbed in the children, he stepped out into the courtyard.

Three enormous carriages stood waiting. Jo Un's household of three, Jang Bi's family of three, Wang Yeon and the four personal maids, Jang Saeng's household of three, plus Jia Xu — sixteen people in all. The carriages looked almost excessive for that number, but he had prepared for every contingency.

Gold and every other essential had gone into his Subspace; food could be purchased from the market whenever needed. Each carriage was loaded with weapons suited to its passengers' specialties, along with cushions and bedding bought from the market. He had also gathered twelve horses — four for each carriage — and that alone set his mind at ease.

"My Lord. Are you feeling unsettled?"

A sudden lift. While he stood staring blankly at the carriages, someone scooped him up from behind. At the sound of Jia Xu's voice he leaned back into her arms and let her hold him.

"Yeah. We lived here five years. If we go all the way down through Jing Province into Yi Province… who knows when we'll see this place again."

"You said the Yellow Turban Rebellion will break out across this very region."

He nodded. When that day came, he could simply march back at the head of government troops. Still — fourteen years remained.

"Right. We'll come back then. You won't, though, will you?"

"No. When ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠My Lord leads the army, someone must guard the household. But My Lord — there is one matter for which I need your permission."

"Hm?"

The soft smile on Jia Xu's face suggested it was nothing too grave; he relaxed a little.

"When I visit Wang Yun's residence in Luoyang, I intend to petition for a magistrate's post if at all possible. We may even have to bribe the Ten Attendants…"

"Hm. Fine. Handle it as you see fit. Starting as a County Magistrate rather than a mere County Chief would be better anyway."

Jia Xu nodded, pinched his cheek once, then stroked his hair.

"It is not a question to answer so lightly, My Lord. Think a little more carefully. Consider what the Ten Attendants mean to you."

"Hm… that the Pure Stream faction might shun me?"

"Hehe. Yes. And in a sense, they are also your enemies — the ones who drove your grandfather to suicide."

"Hm… Then move carefully. Work through Pure Stream officials if you can."

"Yes, My Lord. And whom shall we put forward as magistrate? For the record, it will not be me, My Lord."

Wang Yeon was out of the question. She would soon change her name, leaving her status ambiguous. Jang Hwa, as a former slave, was likewise disqualified. That left Seop Yeong and Jang Mi — and of the two, Seop Yeong's pedigree was by far the clearest. She was the daughter of a powerful clan, even if only a rural one, and her ancestor Seop Il had distinguished himself under Emperor Wu of Han. No one would reject her on grounds of birth.

"You were thinking of Seop Yeong too, weren't you?"

"Hehehe. Yes. Among My Lord's women, Seop Yeong has the highest chance of success. Jang Mi and Jang Hwa can serve as County Commandants, and I will take the post of County Assistant."

"Hm… All right."

Whether she became a County Magistrate or a County Chief remained to be seen, but a magistracy over a county of ten thousand households or more was strongly preferable. Only then could they raise several ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠thousand troops and join the Yellow Turban suppression campaigns.

"And I was surprised — all four of the personal maids have a decent education. I'll take them under me. You'll permit that, I trust?"

"Of course. Once we're there, you'll be handling the county's affairs in Seop Yeong's place anyway. Take them."

He felt a fresh wave of gratitude toward Wang Yeon. She had polished those maids in both scholarship and martial arts specifically so they could serve as his concubines. In every way, they were useful.

"They will run an intelligence network. We'll divide the Central Plains into four regions; they'll manage the merchant guild's operations and bring back information."

"Mm. Do as you like."

At his indifferent reply she pinched his cheek hard.

"Ah!! Why?"

"My Lord. These are all your women, and this is all your business. How can you be so nonchalant?"

"Okay, okay — let go. That hurts."

Only then did Jia Xu smile softly and release him. She pressed her lips to the pinched spot and kissed it.

Peck.

"Master, I will do everything in my power to secure a magistrate's post near Xiangyang County."

"Mm. But will a vacancy open so easily? With the Inspector's seat of government in Xiangyang, the competition must be fierce."

"Hehehe. Wang Yeon thought the same — your mistaken knowledge has rubbed off on her. Wuling County is the true center of Jing Province."

Wuling? The Wuling of the four southern commanderies of Jingnan?

He could not make sense of it. Jing Province was vast beyond measure — how could anyone administer it from there?

"Either trouble arose in the four southern commanderies, or someone moved the seat of government to Xiangyang. If the latter, that person is a figure of tremendous ambition — shifting Jing Province's administrative center northward so he can strike into the Central Plains at any moment."

"Mm… Is that so? Near Xiangyang works fine for me. As you say, it's the heart of Jing Province."

"Yes. Only after reading the notes Yeon compiled did I fully grasp Xiangyang's geographic advantages. The river forms a superb natural defense. Woo the Cai and Kuai clans properly and the whole region falls under complete control. When the Central Plains descend into chaos, waves of refugees will pour south and the city will flourish. The location is perfect."

"Is that right? Then why is the Inspector's seat stuck out on the frontier?"

"To keep the non-Han tribes in check, Wuling is ideal. The Wuling Man are famous, after all."

Ah. The non-Han peoples.

He considered them for a moment. Xiangyang itself would have few, but the fringes of Jing and Yi Provinces would be swarming with them.

"Jia Xu. Give some thought to a policy of assimilating the non-Han tribes. Turn them into my people and the population will explode."

"Yes, My Lord. Hehehe. How remarkable. Even as a man of Dongyi blood, your thinking is so flexible. I myself am half Qiang, and yet I could never quite look past it. Of course — population is power in the end."

The non-Han peoples would have to be governed well. The ideology of Chinese cultural supremacy was an obstacle to such rule and would have to be set aside. There was much work ahead.

If the tribes became a ball and chain, striking into the Central Plains later might prove far more difficult than he hoped.

"It may not be until my children's generation, but when we move on the Central Plains, at the very least we must not be hobbled from behind."

"Of course. Naturally. In Jiangdong, Jing Province, Sichuan, Yang Province, and You Province — a ruler's reputation rises or falls on how well he governs the non-Han peoples."

"Crush them, or assimilate them?"

She nodded.

"Crushing them is nearly impossible. The realm is simply too vast. But if you assimilate them, you could conquer all of sprawling Yi Province, Jing Province, Jiao Province — even the lands south of Vietnam."

Jia Xu was looking down at him with eyes that burned with ambition. Good. He loved that hungry fire in his woman's gaze.

"Then go ahead — make the name Jia Xu famous for generations to come. The Mother of Non-Han Assimilation. Once the tribes are unified, we will call ourselves the Han people — the Han of Korea."

"Hehehe. The Han of Hangul and Korea?"

He nodded. Ambition was kindling in his own chest as well — the vision of forging an entirely new spiritual ethnicity across southern China.

Spread the idea of the Han people and Joseon script. Grow strong, fast. Multiply the population just as fast.

"Jia Xu. Would something like this be possible? Spreading Hangul across the Korean peninsula under the name of Joseon writing?"

"Yes. It's possible. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Your merchant house still maintains trade routes there. I'll mark the origin clearly as Joseon and seed it. Ah… the greatest enemy of the Central Plains will turn out to be the peninsula powers. Hehe."

"That's exactly what I want. We need a force in the north strong enough to check us while we seize Yi Province and Jing Province. Spread iron-smelting techniques — and stirrup technology too."

Stirrups had been listed under equestrian equipment. How a modern market stocked such things he could not say, but the improved horseshoes and stirrups were thoroughly contemporary in design. He had bought them at once and handed them to Wang Yeon and Jia Xu; both women had been delighted. They had, however, cautioned him to keep the technology secret until their own power base was secure.

"Yes, My Lord. I'll set the work in motion — don't worry yourself over it. But the stirrups are out of the question, My Lord. If such refined stirrups cross the border and become widespread, the Central Plains will not last long against the Xiongnu, the Xianbei, and Goguryeo."

"Ah… Then leave those out."

"Hehehe. Yes."