Road to Luoyang
In the autumn of Zhongping 5 (188 AD), Jojo sent a letter. The court had summoned him to the capital to establish a new government office. As expected, at the end of the letter, he asked whether I would accompany him to Luoyang.
I needed to discuss it at length with Father, but first, I wanted to talk it over with my wife. Clutching Jojo's letter, I headed to her room.
"What is it?"
My wife, who had just put the baby to sleep, read the letter and puffed out her cheeks in mild displeasure. She had immediately realized I was showing it to her to persuade her.
"Is this related to the turbulent times you mentioned before?"
"It is. And it seems like it will take a long time."
"Do you have to go?"
Her question was hard to answer definitively. If I followed Jojo, I might seize the perfect opportunity to end the chaos. But when she asked if I was certain enough to leave her and the children behind, I had nothing to say.
"It's not that I have to go. But if I do now, things will get better for us."
Still, I decided to accept the offer. It would be regrettable to be away from my wife and children, but there was much to gain in the capital. I didn't want to miss the connections I could make in Luoyang or the chance to twist the course of history amid the turmoil.
The opportunity to secure the young emperor when the Ten Attendants' chaos ends won't come again.
Much of the knowledge I possessed would become irrelevant, but it would be worth it. I just wouldn't get myself killed scheming—I'd only act when I could directly influence things.
"I promised to support you, so it wouldn't be right to stand in your way."
When I explained why I wanted to go to Luoyang, the air deflated from her cheeks. It was her way of respecting my decision.
The next day, I sought permission from Father and my brothers. Father gave his blessing as long as I avoided treason or gambling. I instructed the servants to continue researching compost, and left the militia training to Wang Jun. Both projects were well on track, so they could manage without me.
"I'll be back soon."
With my preparations complete, I bid farewell to my wife at the gate. She gently straightened my clothes one last time. Her trembling fingertips conveyed her anxiety all too clearly.
"'Soon' feels like it might be quite a while."
"I'm sorry about that."
"Take care of yourself. As I said before, I have no intention of becoming a widow at this age."
"I'll value my life more than any great cause. Don't worry."
My son, babbling in her arms and waving his little hand, was utterly adorable. I turned back to bow to my family one last time before stepping out. The horse's hooves felt heavy, but I couldn't stop now.
When I arrived at Chohyeon Castle, Jojo welcomed me warmly. He had assembled dozens of guards and servants, ready to depart. He explained that Xiahou Yuan and the others were tied up training the militia and couldn't join.
"You're leaving your eldest son behind too?"
"He's not as capable as you."
Even as he said it, I could sense his reluctance to bring his son into the treacherous world of politics. Seeing Jojo's awkward expression, I just smiled without a word.
As we set out for Luoyang, I offered Jojo some advice.
"Lord Jojo, I've been watching the skies lately, and there are many baleful stars among those representing the court. Even in Luoyang, it would be best not to get deeply involved in politics—observe from afar."
Next year was when Emperor Ling would die and the Ten Attendants' rebellion would erupt. I couldn't let Jojo get caught in the mutual destruction between He Jin and the Ten Attendants.
"That's what I thought too."
Fortunately, Jojo heeded my words. With that major worry off my mind, it was time to address the smaller ones.
"The road will be boring—how about a game of Go?"
The journey to Luoyang was dreadfully dull, so I played Go with Jojo whenever we had time.
"You've improved a lot since last time."
"I've been studying your moves."
Jojo had already mastered openings and endgames. I could shake him with irregular openings, but his endgames left little room for complaint. If I couldn't gain an edge early, I'd fall behind in the midgame. After half a year of growth, I could no longer take it easy. Our win rates were still about 70-30 in my favor, but now every move had to be strong.
In one game, Jojo's commandos infiltrated my rear and disrupted my supply lines. With my logistics in peril, I had two choices: detach troops to defend the rear or plunge deeper into his shaky formation.
Feels like Osho.
Detaching forces would eliminate the commandos but weaken my front. Breaking through would link me with my left flank allies, but I'd lose supply lines and my base.
After agonizing for a turn or so, I chose to defend the rear. All-in risks to recover losses weren't my style. I annihilated his black stones that had leaped into danger. The front retreated, but it was an acceptable trade.
Passing the time with Go made the road to Luoyang fly by.
Once in Luoyang, I followed Jojo around the government offices. Seeing my knowledge and reality merge was always thrilling; I couldn't hide my excitement.
"Jang Myeong, I didn't expect your eyes to sparkle like that."
"I've only ever visited the markets when passing through Luoyang before."
I'd had no reason to come near the offices on previous visits. After connections formed through Jojo and my wife's family, I hadn't returned.
"Your reaction to just the buildings makes me regret not being able to show you the inauguration ceremony."
"I'll treasure the thought."
Participating in the Eight Attendants of the West Garden ceremony was impossible. I wasn't imperial kin, an official, or from a prominent family.
"Wander around instead. Build some connections."
"Understood."
Jojo hadn't forgotten why we came. Networks were priceless, impossible to quantify. Mine were parched veins, so I had to seize every chance.
Not long after we started walking, an oncoming man greeted Jojo.
"Lord Jojo, it's been a while."
"Indeed, Saguang. This is Jang Myeong—the sharpshooter I told you about."
"Ah, the prodigy you called a genius back then."
Saguang eyed me up and down. It was less idle curiosity and more a sharp appraisal.
"Gaining Lord Jojo's trust at such a young age—you must be no ordinary man. I hear you achieved great feats at Yingchuan."
"I'm hardly worthy of being called a genius."
Genius? It was far too grand a label for me. I downplayed it.
Saguang nodded approvingly.
"And humble too."
"Enough, Saguang. Look, he's blushing."
Jojo teased me under the guise of reining Saguang in. Saguang and Jojo burst into laughter at my embarrassed wave-off.
"Just call me the sharpshooter, please."
After arriving in Luoyang, I stayed at Jojo's private residence. In a capital where land and houses were exorbitantly priced, a mansion with a garden and spare rooms left a strong impression.
Whenever I had time, I met notable figures through Jojo and my father-in-law's connections. Among them were Cai Yong, the era's greatest scholar and artist; Huangfu Song, whom I'd met in Yingchuan; and Haong, famed for his character appraisals.
Huangfu Song even asked if I was considering an official post. It was polite flattery, but it made me feel like a mouse before a cat.
Hm, could I manage road maintenance like in Rome?
After each meeting, back at the residence, I filled out my stratagems book in brush strokes. I'd started it earlier this year at Jojo's family home out of boredom. What began as a pastime had evolved as ideas piled up.
Yuan Shao was just as I expected.
Through Jojo's connections, I met Yuan Shao, but he was too busy for more than a quick face-to-face. With Emperor Ling still alive, it wasn't time to scheme anyway. Or perhaps he was politely dodging a "lowly" meeting.
Incidentally, Xu You, close to both Jojo and Yuan Shao, tried to squeeze money from me first thing. The rumors of his greed weren't exaggerated.
In the midst of all these meetings, I unexpectedly reconnected with someone.
"Aren't you Lord Minister?"
It was Lu Zhi, the renowned teacher of Gongsun Zan and Liu Bei. I'd never considered him due to lack of ties, yet here he was, inviting me.
"I've heard much about you—from General Huangfu and others."
Lu Zhi explained why he'd sought me out. Huangfu Song had helped reinstate him as Minister, and mentioned me during a later meeting.
"After reinstatement, even the West Garden Colonel here spoke of you."
What I sought were connections useful after the Ten Attendants' fall, so Lu Zhi's were of limited immediate value. But hearing directly that Liu Bei had neglected his studies was amusing enough.
We lost track of time in conversation until it was time to leave. As I rose to bow, Lu Zhi called a servant to present a gift, already prepared.
"I considered gifting a bow upon hearing of the sharpshooter."
But the box the servant carried was less than two feet across—too small for a bow or arrows.
"Then I heard you use a special bow, so I worried it might not suit. I prepared tea leaves instead."
"Your thoughtfulness leaves me at a loss."
A faint aroma wafted from the box. Even sealed, the scent escaped—clearly rare leaves. I bowed deeply in thanks.
Exchanging gifts and forging useful ties filled the days until the midday sun melted the winter-frozen earth.
It was spring, Zhongping 6 (189 AD). Through my new Luoyang connections, I gauged the palace and beyond. Rumors of the emperor's grave illness leaked from the palace without denial. Outside, word spread that Dong Zhuo was turning soldiers into private troops.
Jojo, wanting no entanglement with the palace, observed from afar. We'd come to Luoyang to act, so I needed to create variables. But with him idling so leisurely, there was no path forward.
"Lord Jojo, may I make a request?"
I asked over the Go board, servants dismissed—no eavesdroppers.
Jojo had acted similarly in history, so it was fine. But since I wanted to intervene, we needed ties to key figures.
"What do you want? Naturally, I can't grant just anything."
"Just arrange a meeting with Colonel of the Central Army Yuan Shao, even briefly."
Jojo pondered, then asked,
"Tell me why, and I'll do it."
"I just want to make his acquaintance..."
"That's not it."
The leisurely Go player vanished, replaced by a seasoned politician.
Jojo began reading Jang Myeong's deeper game—not on the board, but beyond it.
'Observe without deep involvement.' Jang Myeong had clearly advised that. Hide weaknesses, bide time amid court chaos—a move straight out of his playbook.
So why seek Brother Benchu now?
Yuan Shao was He Jin's closest aide as Grand General. Jang Myeong, who'd casually networked with notables, now leaped into the storm's eye. There had to be a reason for this contradiction from the young strategist.
To uncover it, Jojo asked directly.
"Jang Myeong, on the way here, you told me not to get deeply entangled in court affairs. Yet now you want to meet Brother Benchu and dive in. What future do you see to reverse your words like this?"