To Luoyang, An Unexpected Encounter

The moment I returned from the brothel, Mimi seized my hand and pulled me along in a rush.

"A carrier pigeon has arrived from the Wang family in Luoyang, Master."

They had sent a messenger bird all the way from the capital.

I headed first to the room that had been set aside as mine, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠shifted back into the form of a child, absorbed the exhausted clone that lay sleeping there, changed clothes, and stepped out again.

"Jo Ha—my clone. You two go enjoy your wedding night. Mimi, these are your little sisters. Exchange greetings together."

I gave Jo Min and Jo A a brief introduction to Mimi.

"Yes. We'll head to my room."

The Yeonhwa sisters linked arms with the clone and vanished down the corridor.

In the reception hall of the Wang family main house, nearly every woman was gathered—save for the children.

The central seat of honor stood empty. To its left, at the very front, sat Jia Xu; beside her, Wang Yeon. The place opposite Jia Xu, on my right, was vacant as well. The seat that should have belonged to Jang Hwa by rank was also empty; the women had clearly arranged themselves according to hierarchy.

Jang Hwa and Gao Shun had fallen asleep earlier; they were either still half-asleep or had only just risen and were dressing.

"Where are Jang Hwa and Gao Shun?"

"They just woke and said they would finish their toilette before coming," Linlin answered.

I accepted their greetings, took the seat of honor, and Jia Xu approached to hand me a single document. Then, with a mischievous glint, she glanced once at the Zhao sisters and smiled.

"Hm?"

"My lord. We had intended to remain here several more days, but I, Yeon, and you must depart first. Once Seop Yeong joins us here, she will form the rear party and follow."

At Jia Xu's words I unrolled the document that had arrived by pigeon—tiny characters written in a fine, cramped hand—and began to read.

Wang Ye.

Not a distant relative—descended from the younger brother of my maternal great-great-grandfather. By generation he ranked as an uncle of sorts, a cousin-uncle nearly the same age as Wang Yun.

"Wang Ye… Yeon, your worry was well-founded. There really is someone in the Wang clan who might put in a request."

"Yes. I never imagined it would be Brother Wang Ye."

"My lord. A man like Wang Ye is of no consequence wherever he goes. What matters is that Deng County is vacant."

Jia Xu covered her mouth with her iron fan and spoke exactly like the schemer she was. Her words brought the location of Deng County to mind.

Cross the river from Xiangyang and Fancheng appears at once; Deng County is the district that contains Fancheng, practically next door to Xiangyang itself. The river crossing is a nuisance, yet in pure distance no other county lies closer to Xiangyang.

"It belongs to Nanyang Commandery, doesn't it?"

"Yes, Husband."

Wang Yeon sipped her tea and answered.

Nanyang Commandery. Wan was the seat of the Grand Administrator; the territory that included Xinye and Deng Counties was quite extensive.

"Fancheng… a ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠siege?"

The phrase "Siege of Fancheng" floated up unbidden, though I could recall none of the details.

"Oh? A siege—so a major battle must have taken place there. You remember it, my lord?"

"I don't know. Only the name. Something important seems to have happened… well. In any case, the location is perfect. Deng County."

I looked at Jia Xu and said the position was ideal; she nodded.

The reason we meant to settle in Xiangyang was the Water Mirror Academy. Even if Seop Yeong, Jang Hwa, Jang Mi, and Jia Xu stayed there and worked, commuting every day would be impossible—but I could still visit several times a week.

"Hmm. Jia Xu, you already have a plan, don't you? To secure the right of recommendation."

"Yes. If we simply hand over the mansion and negotiate with Wang Yun, it should be easily settled. He is said to care about face…"

That easily?

Wang Ye seemed to be aiming higher than a mere county magistracy; I doubted it would be so simple. If he sought the Grand Administrator's post he would launch a massive campaign of gifts, and as the current magistrate his name already carried more weight than ours—backing him would be the safer bet.

"Easily?"

Wang Yeon shared the same thought; she looked at Jia Xu and asked. Jia Xu fluttered her fan again and smiled.

"My lord. The Grand Administrator's seat is far beyond the reach of Imperial Censor Wang Yun's influence. We simply remove Wang Ye from the equation as a variable. What matters is that a post has opened in Deng County, so close to Xiangyang. We will not merely talk of surrendering the mansion—we will deliver the deed itself, set a date for vacating the premises, and point specifically to Deng County. After that, Wang Yun will handle the rest."

"Hmm… if Wang Ye's petition fails, won't he simply try to remain in Deng County?"

"Hohoho. Wang Yun will think of that as well. He will introduce him to other pure-stream officials. He might even offer a better county—one in Sizhou or Yanzhou that everyone covets."

If Jia Xu was right, all my fretting over Wang Ye's request had been wasted effort. Wang Ye would abandon Deng County of his own accord, and everything would unfold smoothly.

"Then it's good news?"

"Yes. Provided we enter Luoyang ahead of that man Wang Ye and hand over the deed first. If Wang Yun accepts even a lesser bribe before ours, the whole affair will tangle."

"Ha… so we have to leave tomorrow morning at the latest?"

Jia Xu nodded.

Seop Yeong had not yet arrived, and Lee Jin still had to settle the household in Bing Province. The children could manage a leisurely carriage journey, but riding hard on horseback was out of the question.

I considered for a moment, listening to the soft chatter of the women whispering among themselves, and reordered the situation in my mind.

Splitting the party was clearly the best course.

Just then the door opened and Gao Shun and Jang Hwa entered. The women murmured at the sight of the newcomer; I gestured toward Gao Shun.

"Gao Shun, come sit here. In this house you rank second."

"My lord? Thank you."

Gao Shun performed a formal clasped-fist salute, offered a silent bow to the assembled women, then turned again to Jia Xu and saluted with equal respect.

"I am Gao Shun, styled Xiaofu. Elder sister."

"Mm. Call me Jia Xu, styled Wenhe. Since this is your first meeting, greet the ladies properly. They will return the courtesy."

Gao Shun sat, rose again, and offered clasped-fist salutes to every woman present, meeting each gaze in turn.

"I am Gao Shun, styled Xiaofu. My lord has named me his fifth wife. I come from Taicun, a village attached to Jixian."

"It is an honor to meet you, elder sister."

Wang Yeon rose and returned the salute with perfect formality; the other women rose as one, clasped their fists, and bowed their heads.

Once they were seated again I shared what I knew of Gao Shun.

"Her skill is on par with Seop Yeong's—and that with nothing but the standard martial arts of the Han. She is a formidable talent; treat her with respect. Seop Yeong, Jang Hwa, and Jang Mi will instruct her in martial arts; Gao Shun will share her real combat experience from her days as a security officer."

"Yes."

Jia Xu's eyes lit at the comparison to Seop Yeong, then widened further at the revelation that such prowess had been achieved with only the official Han forms. She had grown fond of fanning herself; she hid her mouth behind the iron fan and smiled. The curve of her eyes said she found the present arrangement entirely to her liking.

"Jo Min, Jo A. You two are the youngest here, so go greet your elder sisters."

Still dressed in the red, light robes of courtesans, they were too embarrassed to speak.

"They come from the pleasure houses, yet they offered me their virginity. They are of gentry stock, descendants of the great Wang Zhaojun, and disciples of Seop Yeong. Welcome them warmly. Gao Shun—Jo A shows talent with ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠twin swords, Jo Min with the single blade. Can you teach them the fundamentals?"

Jo A and Jo Min stared blankly; the words were news to them as well. Gao Shun swept them with a sharp glance and nodded.

"Twin-sword technique may be beyond me for now, but I will thoroughly drill both women in the standard sword forms. I have already mastered left-handed swordplay; when the time comes for them to study under a true twin-sword master, they will have no foundation lacking."

"Oh?"

Jia Xu's eyes sparkled with interest. Mine must have looked much the same.

"I suspect Gao Shun has a gift for training troops."

Jia Xu's smile broadened; she nodded.

"I am Jo Min. Please look kindly on us, elder sisters."

"I am Jo A. I will serve you all with all my heart."

Everyone applauded in welcome, and the two took their seats. The atmosphere was warm and lively.

Gao Shun's entrance had interrupted the earlier discussion; I picked it up again.

"If we must move quickly, then only those who absolutely must go will travel with me. As Jia Xu said—Wang Yeon, Jia Xu, and myself. The three of us will ride hard starting tomorrow. It's roughly fifteen hundred li; three days should do it."

"Young master, that is far too dangerous!"

Jang Mi shot to her feet, her face full of worry. I understood. With only the scholar Jia Xu and a child—me—the sole visible combatant was Wang Yeon.

"Thank you, Jang Mi. But don't worry. I'll show you later… no. I'll show you now."

I stood and stripped. I was already wearing only athletic clothes and underwear, so I was naked in moments. Jia Xu, Jang Mi, and the women who had not yet shared my bed flushed crimson.

I smirked and focused on the Transformation trait.

Slot two. Transform.

I had taken a Vitality Pill earlier; my stamina was restored. Only a faint wave of weakness passed through me before my field of vision rose.

"Ah!!"

Jang Mi, who had never seen the transformed form, cried out in shock.

"There's more. Just a moment."

[Clone] — one unit.

A presence appeared at my side. I turned; an exact double of myself stood there, eyes vacant. Always so imposing… ahem.

"I can even split my consciousness. That one is currently sleeping with some women. They are not my women—they belong to the clone, who will act independently."

Everyone nodded.

"I share my martial power with him. Jang Hwa knows the strength of this body."

"Yes, Master. You matched me evenly."

Only then did Jang Mi nod and sit back down.

"Three of us will travel, but in truth it will be four. Don't worry."

The women nodded. From the lowest seat Jo A brought a chair and set it beside me.

"Thank you, Jo A."

"It is nothing, Master."

She gathered her hands at her sides, bent her knees slightly in greeting, and returned to her place.

"Sit."

"Yes."

The clone took the seat. I nodded and looked over the women once more.

"Entering Luoyang was already going to be awkward because of Zhang You, the Zhao family, and Zhang Wei. The same goes for the trip through Yingchuan. Wait for Seop Yeong, then once the merchant affairs here are settled, the rest of you stay at the Yiga Merchant branch in Wan. We will go to Luoyang, swing through Yingchuan, and head straight to Wan County afterward. Gao Shun, as the most senior, will lead. Jin will advise at her side. The rest of you—protect the children above all else."

The children we had taken would be recognized; better for the rear party to skip Luoyang and Yingchuan entirely.

Loyal Gao Shun rose and clasped her fists; Lee Jin rose and bowed her head.

"Yes, my lord."

"Yes, Husband."

From Subspace I drew out every penis bundle, including Seop Yeong's.

"Wang Yeon knows what these are; distribute them to the women later. They are for managing desire while I am gone."

Wang Yeon's face flamed scarlet; she nodded. She shot a glance at So-yeon and Dae-yeon; the four maids rose, collected the items, and returned to their seats.

"I already told you the rules, didn't I?"

I looked at Lee Jin.

"Yes, Husband. You forbade insertion into the pussy or anus of any wife, or of Wang Yeon, who is treated as a wife."

"Right. Beyond that, use them once each and give me your impressions."

"Yes."

"And for Jo Min and Jo A—I'll give them spears and swords for now. Jo A gets twin swords as well."

Jo Min, still in her red courtesan robes, rose and answered.

"Yes, Master."

I had already given Gao Shun her weapons earlier; now I laid out the pieces purchased from the Kim family forge on the table before us. Jia Xu signaled Jo Min with her eyes; the two came forward, gathered the weapons, and returned.

"The remaining problem is that without me you'll have to carry provisions and the like, so the pace will slow…"

"Do ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠not worry, Husband. This time the main house of the merchant guild is relocating; we will move in a large convoy anyway, so the speed would have been slow regardless."

I nodded at Wang Yeon's words. True—moving the headquarters was no small affair.

"Jia Xu, can you ride hard?"

"Hohoho. I am from Wuwei Commandery myself. I am confident in the saddle; do not concern yourself."

Youzhou, Bingzhou, and Liangzhou were all famous for their cavalry. With horse-riding barbarians swarming the borders, the Han people of those regions naturally learned to fight from horseback as well.

"Then Jia Xu and Wang Yeon—find the fastest route to Luoyang. Wake me at dawn. The moment I'm up, we leave."

"Yes, my lord. Yeon, come."

"Yes, elder sister."

Jia Xu held out her hand; Wang Yeon rose from her seat, linked arms with her, and the two left together.

"Hmm… Jang Hwa, Jang Mi… put the children first. Linlin, Mimi—I'll make it up to you properly once we reach Wan. I'm sorry."

Tonight's schedule had been to sleep with those four maids. The arrival of Gao Shun and the Zhao sisters had thrown the plan into disarray; a faint guilt pricked me.

"It is nothing, Master. And with these you have given us, we will manage for some time."

Linlin, speaking for the maids, lifted one of the penises briefly and bowed her head. I went to each of them in turn and embraced them.

"I'm always grateful for you. From now on, except for Lee Jin, any new concubines will take their places behind you—just like Jo Min and Jo A. You felt slighted, didn't you?"

They smiled brightly and shook their heads.

"Not at all, Master. We are already grateful that you made us your concubines."

I thanked them again and sent them to Wang Yeon.

"Still, thank you. Wang Yeon and Jia Xu will have many instructions for you, so take the Zhao sisters with you. Jang Mi and Jang Hwa, go as well. Ah—Dae-yeon, So-yeon, fill the wooden tub and wait. You know what to do."

"Yes, Master."

Dae-yeon and So-yeon flushed. The women filed out in a body; only Gao Shun remained in the reception hall.

"I've only slept with you once, so tonight I'm not letting you rest if I can help it. Are you prepared?"

I approached her with a wicked grin. She rose, face scarlet, and bowed her head.

"Yes, my lord."

I slipped an arm around her waist and started walking; my eyes fell on her clothes. Her breasts had swollen so much the light robe looked ready to burst.

"Hmm. We'll need to have new clothes made. Later I'll give you something comfortable for the house; don't worry about what you're wearing—ask Jin or Linlin and the others."

"Thank you, my lord."

I tightened my arm around her waist and headed for the wooden tub. Night had already fallen deep; it was past eleven.

Gao Shun leaned her head against me.

"Xiaofu. In strategy you will probably be the center. You have talent for both training and command, so even if you are not the vanguard general, you will be the one who actually leads the main army."

Jang Bi might possess strategic gifts, but her image as a vanguard was overwhelming. Jo Un was even more suited, in the novels, to the role of bodyguard captain. Jang Saeng's information was still incomplete, though she had shown cleverness while studying the Spring and Autumn Annals. In practice I expected Gao Shun—and among the three, perhaps Jang Saeng—to command the large forces.

Once Jia Xu's military lectures began in earnest, I planned to watch Jang Bi, Jo Un, and Jang Saeng carefully.

"My lord… how can you place such trust in me?"

I trusted the Absolute Obedience Contract, and I trusted the traits she possessed—mercenary tactics and drill.

"Call it instinct. A feeling."

"Heh. Yes. I will never disappoint you, my lord. But… may I also attend the strategy lessons?"

"Of course. I and the other women are all students of Jia Xu; one more makes no difference. We'll begin once you join us in Wan. The Wang family has plenty of military texts—read as many as you like."

"Thank you, my lord."

Steam filled the wooden tub. Dae-yeon and So-yeon waited naked; Gao Shun and I shed our clothes as well, and the four of us tangled together in the water.