Encounter with Zhao Yun and the Zhen Family's Dilemma
Seo Jun followed the servant toward the main gate of the family residence. There, Tian Yu—who had exchanged greetings with him once before—was waiting alongside a handsome, powerfully built man holding a spear.
The man possessed refined features and a calm bearing, yet an unmistakable sharp aura radiated from him, suggesting his martial skill had reached a considerable level.
“White Dragon Duke, I hope you have been well?”
“I’ve been resting comfortably thanks to the excellent hospitality of the Zhen family. You must have been busy handling the aftermath of the battle, National Yang. Have you been well?”
With the postwar matters largely settled, Tian Yu had returned to visit Seo Jun. The two men renewed their acquaintance and now addressed each other by courtesy names, having grown into a relationship of genuine respect.
“The truth is, my close friend insisted on being introduced to the White Dragon Duke. That is why I have come to disturb your rest so shamelessly.”
“Your close friend?”
“Yes. He is both an old sworn brother from the same school and a trusted friend. When I first learned the bandits were coming, I urgently asked for his help and he rushed here without hesitation. That is how much I trust him.”
“But since the White Dragon Duke dealt with the bandits so swiftly, he ended up making the journey for nothing. Still, after hearing the rumors about you, he could not simply turn back. So, despite the imposition, here we are.”
“I truly wished to meet the hero of Ji Province, the White Dragon Duke. I pestered my friend without shame. My name is Yun of the Zhao clan from Changshan. Though I have not yet undergone the coming-of-age ceremony, the great elder of my family graciously granted me the courtesy name Zilong in advance.”
At the sound of that name, Seo Jun’s eyes widened. Even after the greeting ended, his mind remained stunned, utterly blank for several long seconds.
Zhao Yun? Zilong of Changshan?!!!
Unlike many other generals of the Three Kingdoms whose personal names alone were famous, Zhao Yun was one whose hometown and courtesy name were equally well known. He had achieved numerous merits under Liu Bei through sheer ability, and his humility and upright character made him one of the most beloved figures among those familiar with the era.
If Seo Jun were to rank the Three Kingdoms generals by personal preference, Zhao Yun—alongside Zhang Liao—would easily sit in the top five. A supreme-grade talent had appeared before him.
“Does the White Dragon Duke perhaps already know of Zilong?”
When Seo Jun showed no reaction after hearing the name, Tian Yu asked carefully.
“Ah… no, not at all. I am simply glad you came all this way to meet me. My name is Seo Jun. I was momentarily startled upon meeting Zilong, whose martial cultivation clearly stands at an extraordinary level.”
Though his heart was pounding with excitement, he could not reveal such feelings at a first meeting, so he kept his tone as calm as possible.
Tian Yu already seemed like an impressive friend, but the sheer weight of Zhao Yun’s name eclipses even that.
They exchanged greetings and light conversation, naturally learning more about one another.
“Oh? Then I am two years your senior?”
Both Zhao Yun and Tian Yu were nineteen this year and planned to hold their coming-of-age ceremonies the following year.
“Haha! Then would it be all right if we called you older brother?”
“Haha! Nothing could make me happier than gaining outstanding younger brothers like the two of you.”
With their hearts in harmony, the three men quickly bonded. At their request, the Zhen family prepared a modest drinking table, and they sat together.
“White Dragon~”
Gyeon Gang had somehow slipped over. She even displayed a coquettish charm she rarely showed, peeking around hopefully to see if she might join them—only to be promptly banished by Seo Jun.
“So Zilong, you intend to take an official post next year as well?”
“That is correct. A truly good position may not be available, but I am considering either the staff of the Ji Province Inspector or enlisting in Gongsun Zan’s White Horse Volunteers.”
As they drank and spoke of their futures, a memory suddenly surfaced in Seo Jun’s mind about Tian Yu—someone whose name had not occurred to him at all until now. Though the man rarely appeared in the Romance, in the strategy games he had been a capable general serving under Gongsun Zan.
“Instead of those paths, why don’t both of you come to Luoyang next year?”
“Luoyang?” Tian Yu let out a small sigh. “Even if we go, people of humble birth like us have little chance of receiving proper appointments. You understand that well, Brother White Dragon.”
Of course he harbored the ambition to advance to the capital and become a proper general.
“Naturally it would be difficult on ordinary terms. But if small fish from shallow streams wish to become dragons, mustn’t they swim in larger waters?”
“The world is growing chaotic. A turbulent age is coming. Wouldn’t it be a waste for men of your caliber to remain in small ponds?”
From what Seo Jun could observe, both Zhao Yun and Tian Yu were exceptional talents whose brilliance shone through not only in historical tales but in the flesh.
“I cannot reveal the exact method yet, but next year I will go to Luoyang and secure a position by whatever means necessary. If you trust me and come, I will provide you with a place to stay while you establish yourselves and lend every ounce of my strength to help you find proper stations.”
Zhao Yun and Tian Yu were quietly impressed by the way Seo Jun viewed the grand currents of the era and proactively sought to shape his own destiny.
The more capable people around me who can become allies, the better.
“My uncle has said he will send a complete report of this battle to both the Governor’s office and the Inspector’s office without omitting a single detail. Still, there is no guarantee it will reach Luoyang intact. If the report does arrive properly, your appointment should be all but assured, Brother White Dragon.”
Tian Yu believed his own case would be difficult since he had simply done his duty as a county soldier, but he considered Seo Jun’s achievements so remarkable that an official post would be inevitable once word reached the capital.
“Brother, I still cannot decide so easily.”
“Haha, that is only natural. Consider the matter carefully and without haste. If you are not pressed for time, waiting until I settle in next year and send word would also be fine.”
“Haha. May I ask why you are so determined to bring us to Luoyang?”
“We have become friends. Is it not natural to want to stay close to good friends? Moreover, I believe both of you possess outstanding ability. If men like you share my ambitions and move together with me, rising higher in Luoyang will surely become much easier.”
Seo Jun, whose name was already spreading, had evaluated their worth highly despite their current obscurity. The praise secretly filled both men with pride.
“A definite answer is difficult right now, but I will consider it carefully with an open mind.”
“I will do the same.”
Zhao Yun and Tian Yu, each in their own way, began to anticipate Seo Jun’s future success and decided to wait a while before making their final choice.
After spending a pleasant evening deepening his friendship with the two new companions, Seo Jun resolved to return home the next day and began preparations to depart for Sakbang.
Every member of the Zhen family came out to the courtyard to bid farewell to Seo Jun, A-chan, and A-on.
“White Dragon, must you truly leave so soon?” Gyeon Gang asked, her eyes brimming with reluctance.
“It has been quite some time since I left home, and my family is waiting. I must go. I hope Lady Baek and the other ladies remain in good health.”
Seo Jun mounted his horse and rode out of Wuji County while the five women of the Zhen family watched him with tender, lingering gazes.
Once he had gone, an unexpected family council convened inside the Zhen residence.
“Gang, do you truly like him that much?”
“Yes!”
Gyeon Gang had approached her mother, Lady Zhang, and requested marriage to Seo Jun. Lady Zhang, who had been desperately eager to marry her daughter off, lit up with delight when the girl made the request first.
Yet Gyeon Gang’s resolute expression brought other concerns to the forefront.
He certainly seems like a good man, but his background is not particularly distinguished. It will not be easy for him to establish a proper position in the world.
Lady Zhang liked Seo Jun as a person, but when selecting a son-in-law for a prominent clan like the Zhens, character alone was not enough.
“I… like him too…”
“Tal!”
“Sister!!”
Gyeon Tal, who was usually quiet and reserved and rarely revealed her inner thoughts, spoke with a trembling voice after gathering all her courage.
Gyeon Gang was already twenty-three and at an age where she should be married soon; her obvious affection for Seo Jun during his stay had been noticeable. But Gyeon Tal was nineteen and scheduled for her coming-of-age ceremony next year. She had never once spoken of marriage—until she suddenly dropped this bombshell.
“I like him too…. If only he weren’t so young.”
In the uproar following Gyeon Tal’s shocking declaration, no one heard Zhen Mi’s tiny whisper.
“Sigh… What a mess.” Gyeon Yo pressed his forehead, his expression one of pure distress.
The Zhen family had run headlong into a serious dilemma.