A Brief Respite and the Mountain Ambush
I spent three days enjoying a short vacation. Once we started chatting about trivial matters, I lost track of day and night, my mouth running nonstop. I acted about performing calmly before Yuan Shao, how I earned the nickname "Noodles" after winning military rations in Go games, and the little things I'd done with others. I deliberately skipped tales of heading into battle or pulling all-nighters, not wanting to worry her.
But looking into my wife's eyes, I could tell she vaguely sensed the countless hardships I'd endured.
"I have quite a few stories to share too."
She listened intently to mine, then told me about the small happenings at home. The moment Hyeon took his first steps, the time he came out of the kitchen covered head to toe in flour, the day she embroidered only to suddenly carve a Go board instead. In that light, our home didn't seem all that different from any other. It was only when I immersed myself in the quietly flowing time that I realized how much had changed.
"Have you been here?"
In the middle of talking with my wife, our son came running from outside where he'd been playing, throwing himself into my arms with quick steps. The boy, who had grown so much already, now called me "Father" in a clear voice. Stroking Hyeon, I gave a bittersweet smile, regretting that I hadn't been by his side.
I'd missed his first steps, the first time he'd called me "Father." Reading my regret, my wife gathered our three hands together.
"The past time is regrettable, but don't we have even more time ahead to build memories?"
I nodded at her words and pulled both my wife and son into a tight embrace. It wasn't too late yet. If I made the time from now on, I could be a good father.
Three days after I arrived home, the presence of people outside the main gate ended my rest. Two hundred elite soldiers with fierce glares stood rigidly in formation beyond the family compound. The escorts stood at their posts, fully armed and showing no signs of fatigue. Leading the escorts were Hahou Don, Xiahou Yuan, E Xin, and Igeon. And though not a general, Hahou Don's standard-bearer was there too.
"Uncle, you've finally arrived?"
Igeon, who must have missed his superior, ran out ahead of me shouting. When Igeon tried to scold him for unbecoming conduct in public, I stopped him.
"Ji Hak isn't fully recovered yet. Let it slide."
After a brief chat with the generals, Elder Jo Sung soon emerged. The elder's face was creased with dissatisfaction, though it was unclear why.
"Arrived in Xu Province Langya Commandery at Young Master's command!"
Hahou Don bellowed, and all the escorts knelt on one knee in salute. Calling Jojo not Yanzhou Inspector but "Young Master" showed the deference due when meeting family elders. But Elder Jo Sung sighed at the sight of Hahou Don's group standing so steadfastly.
"That rascal A Man, making such a fuss like a spoiled girl. Just wasting precious money."
Yet despite his grumbling lips, the corners of his mouth were lifted higher than usual, and the wrinkles around his eyes were relaxed. Money was still a sore point, but he clearly appreciated Jojo's effort to escort him safely.
Knowing the elder's temperament firsthand, I bowed silently without a word.
The carts carrying the combined wealth of both families numbered just over a hundred. Our family's share was less than a tenth. We'd converted our assets into valuables for easier transport, and this was the result.
What an unimaginable fortune.
It took the escorts and servants from Yanzhou considerable time to secure the carts, horses, and oxen. They'd prepared generously, unsure how many draft animals we'd need, but few were left over. It was two shichen after the escorts' arrival that we finished all preparations for departure.
"Please board the carriage now."
As I announced it was time to depart once everyone was aboard, members of both families climbed into the carriages in turn. Even as he boarded, Elder Jo Sung muttered about the hassle. Pretending not to hear, I closed the carriage door.
"How's Yanzhou?"
"Seeing is believing, so let's get going."
Born in Yanzhou myself, I teasingly kissed my wife's cheek as I helped her into the carriage. Only a few escorts saw my affectionate display, as she and our son boarded last.
"You'll go around Taishan to the north. Gold nyang for anyone who returns alive—make sure you do."
"Understood."
Those disguised as family members departed separately with five carts via another route to Yanzhou. The carts were dressed up to look the most valuable, escorted by twenty men—it seemed convincing at a glance. Of course, it was a shallow trick they'd see through in three days, but that was enough time to reach Yanzhou.
"If things go south, abandon the carts and prioritize the people. Got it?"
""Yes!"
I eyed their sharp vigilance and resounding response. Even in the worst case, I was confident we could save everyone.
As I mounted my horse, Igeon approached and asked, "Advisor, are we leaving those remaining carts behind?"
Igeon apparently didn't know about the bribe for Tao Qian. He hadn't been part of the operation back in Yanzhou, so it made sense.
"Yes. It's a bribe for the Xuzhou Inspector."
The 15 percent of assets for Tao Qian had been left at home. Once he learned we'd departed, Jo Goeng would "take care" of delivering them.
"Nice weather."
The sun hung high in the midday sky. The procession of carriages and carts stretched out long. The escorts surrounded us, maintaining airtight vigilance. At Hahou Don's signal, nearly three hundred men kicked up dust as they moved out.
I rode to the front of the column and asked Hahou Don, "How were the routes you scouted on the way?"
"More than sufficient for all of us."
Tao Qian's forces controlled a vast area east of Taishan Commandery in Yanzhou. To enter our territory, we at least needed to skirt Taishan itself.
Only one path open to us.
There were three main routes from Xu Province Langya Commandery to Taishan. First, over the towering peaks of Taishan—impossible unless we sprouted wings and flew the carts one by one. Second, north around Taishan into Gongsun Zan's territory. Needless to say, our non-aggression pact was with Tao Qian, not Gongsun Zan. Plus, it was the route for our disguised family members. Third, looping south from Langya through Mong Mountain to Taishan. The southern foothills of Mong Mountain had passable paths for people, making it the best option. With the carts and carriages slowing us, it'd take at least a fortnight via Mong Mountain to Yanzhou.
We stuck to the main roads until passing through Xu Province Langya Commandery. The open terrain made ambushes easy to spot. The smoother ride let us cover ground quickly over long stretches. Patrols focused on the main roads too, so bandits were scarce. Eight days passed without incident.
"Let's play a quick game."
Bored with nothing to do, I even played Go with my wife. Midway, our son swiped at the board, sending stones flying—but we recovered them all, so no big deal.
"Time to prepare for ambushes."
Mong Mountain loomed, shrouded in dense trees. Even on the foothills, dusk brought ample cover for attacks. Scouts would find nothing if the enemy just shifted positions. I couldn't predict where they'd strike, but they could choose when, where, and how. A truly annoying foe.
"Leave no gaps."
Hahou Don kept the main group and escorts tight. He reassigned a third of the cart guards to the carriages, tethering carts close with ropes to prevent separation. Handling each individually was trickier, but since we were clustering anyway and slowing down, it was fine.
"When do you think they'll hit?"
"Probably deep into the night."
I discussed the unseen bandits with Xiahou Yuan. We couldn't just wait idly, aware of the looming threat.
"Heh, I knew nights fell early in the mountains, but this soon."
"Didn't you scout on the way?"
"...Can't even joke with you, My Lord."
True to the mountains, night fell swiftly. We found a relatively open spot and set up camp. Escorts clustered the carriages and carts in the center, lighting multiple bonfires within a 50-bo radius for light. The fresh-cut wood from the forest produced smoke, but it beat fighting blind.
"Eating like this must be rough."
"We selected volunteers."
The escorts ate in shifts to guard against surprise attacks, never letting their eyes wander inward. At night, a third stood watch every two shichen while the rest snatched naps, ready to rise instantly. Of course, that didn't mean the bandits wouldn't come.
On the second day traveling along Mong Mountain's foothills, deep into a night of profound silence where even crickets thundered like drums—a horn blast shattered the quiet.
- Piiiieek!
Footsteps followed, shaking the earth as they closed in.
"Everyone! Battle stations!"
Hahou Don's thunderous roar cut the darkness. Escorts moved like lightning, forming a circular formation around the carriages and carts. Awake soldiers held the outer ring, soon filled by those rousing to plug gaps.
"Waaah!"
Bandits poured from all directions—a good half more than our full escort. Their arms befitted men who'd lived by the blade for years.
"Heard a VIP was coming through—came to greet you! Hand over your goods, and we'll spare your lives!"
"Hold the line! Our goal is defense, not victory!"
Hahou Don and Xiahou Yuan drew sword and spear, meeting the bandits head-on. Blades flashed under moonlight; charging foes crumpled without screams. As the Hahou clan shone up front, Igeon and E Xin swung from the opposite side. Igeon cleaved a stumbling bandit's skull; E Xin whipped his spear like a serpent, piercing throats.
The four generals' feats boosted the escorts' morale. Lacking melee talent, I climbed a carriage and gifted arrows. Bonfires lit the night enough to pick off bandits leisurely.
"Don't get done in by these riffraff!"
Escorts held firm, cutting down bandits. Numbers meant nothing against their overwhelming skill. Unlike ragtag mobs, our display panicked the bandits. After half a shichen and dozens dead, the survivors' momentum broke—they fled one by one.
"Chase the runners! Let none escape!"
"General Ha Phen, we risk counterattack. Safety first."
I cut off Hahou Don's usual hot-blooded order. Few casualties, but morale was drained. Venturing into their home turf forest could spell disaster.
"Advisor's right."
"Whew. Got heated there."
E Xin backed me; Hahou Don cooled off and halted the escorts. Instead, we recovered our dead for later burial. Searching bandit corpses, escorts sought fallen comrades.
"Huh? Isn't this an imperial uniform?"
But among the bodies was one in official army armor. Everyone checked faces—no one recognized him as a comrade.
"Any more like this?"
We searched further, finding a few more suspicious bodies.
"So these attackers might not be ordinary bandits."
"But no time to investigate now. Decide our next move first."
Mysterious indeed, but not the moment to dig. Night deepened; we hadn't reached Jojo's territory yet.
"I'll confer with Elder Taiwei."
"We'll await General Pyeonjang's word."
After brief discussion with the family elders and Xiahou Yuan, we opted to move immediately and rest by day. No guarantee the carriage folk would sleep amid scattered corpses. Plus, solid reason to fear a larger bandit return causing heavy losses. We grabbed a few armor pieces and items as clues. They might serve as evidence later when striking Xuzhou.