Chapter 18
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: To the Capital!
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The air in Ding Yuan's office was filled with the faint, luxurious scent of incense, creating a serene atmosphere.
Ding Yuan gazed at the massive map of Yang Province hanging on the wall, reviewing his flawless plan with a satisfied expression.
Everything was unfolding exactly as he desired, right in the palm of his hand.
'Autumn is here. By late autumn at the latest, chaos will erupt in Yang Province.'
When the incompetent border guards dug their own graves and the court desperately sought reinforcements—that would be the perfect moment to unveil his finest product, polished to perfection, and make the name 'Zheng Po' known throughout the land.
The merit of pacifying Yang Province.
Using that as a springboard to enter the central court he had long coveted—Ding Yuan's lips curved into a contented smile that wouldn't fade.
He could already picture himself ascending to the capital on the strength of that achievement.
But such dreamlike moments didn't last long.
The office door suddenly burst open as if it might shatter, and a servant rushed in with a face pale as a ghost.
Ding Yuan's brows furrowed at the interruption of his peaceful musings.
"What is this commotion!"
"M-My lord! A courier has arrived from the capital! B-But his condition... it's not good!"
"Bring him in."
Moments later, the dust-covered courier staggered in and prostrated himself on the floor.
In a voice that sounded like he might collapse at any moment, he spat out news that shook the world.
"G-Governor, my lord! A great upheaval has struck the land... the entire realm!"
"Don't make a fuss. Speak clearly. Have those Yang Province bastards finally made their move?"
Ding Yuan asked leisurely. But the courier's response shattered his expectations.
"The W-Way of Great Peace!! The Great Worthy Teacher Zhang Jiao has risen up simultaneously across eight provinces! Ji, Qing, Xu, You... the whole world is now engulfed in the yellow waves of the Way of Great Peace, burning in flames!"
"........."
The smile vanished from Ding Yuan's face. He silently read the official dispatch the courier presented.
Once he had finished and dismissed the courier, leaving him alone in the office, Ding Yuan finally exploded.
—Crash!
He kicked over the desk in front of him. Expensive brushes, inkstones, and the bamboo slips detailing his ambitious Yang Province plans scattered chaotically across the floor.
"Yellow Turbans...! Zhang Jiao! Those religion-crazed madmen dare to...!"
Ding Yuan paced the office like a madman, venting his rage.
His fury wasn't that of a loyal minister worrying for the nation's safety. It was anger over his perfect business plan crumbling overnight due to an unforeseen variable.
Ding Yuan slammed his fist into the Yang Province map on the wall.
"Mere peasants wrapping yellow turbans around their heads! What merit is there in suppressing such vermin!"
He ranted on in a frenzy.
"The Yang Province rebellion! That was the perfect opportunity, entangled with the Ho and Qiang tribes, to truly make a name for myself! Pacifying Yang Province would have guaranteed my rise to Henan Inspector!!"
In the end, the map tore to shreds.
"But now! Because of those worms crawling out from the Central Plains! The capital itself is about to burn, so the court's eyes will all turn to those pathetic peasant rebels! Arrrghhh!!"
After raging like that for a while, Ding Yuan stopped in place, panting heavily.
"Haa... haa..."
The fury faded from his eyes, replaced by the cold calculation of abacus beads.
What was done was done. Spilled water. Now, he needed to find opportunity in this new variable.
'The plan's gone up in smoke, but the sharp sword in my hand remains keen.'
Ding Yuan rummaged through the scattered papers and gripped tightly the court's commendation for 'Zheng Po's' merits.
'Right. Though the prey has changed to cheap rats, a sword's edge doesn't dull.'
Ding Yuan opened the door and called for the servant outside.
His face now wore the stern, benevolent mask of the governor once more, as if the rage had never been.
"Summon all the officers to the audience hall immediately. Call in Unit Commander Lu Bu at once."
"Yes, Governor."
As the servant hurried away, Ding Yuan's expression twisted mercilessly.
The audience hall buzzed with noise.
The Bing Province officers, summoned abruptly by Ding Yuan, eyed each other suspiciously without knowing the details, murmuring among themselves. But their faces showed more annoyance and irritation than tension.
"Dragging us out in the middle of the night for some peasant rabble."
"Exactly. The Central Plains fools can handle their own. Do Bing Province's elites really need to step in?"
I clicked my tongue inwardly at their chatter. They still hadn't grasped the situation.
'Damn it. Even the Way of Great Peace needs fertile ground to deceive the masses. They wouldn't bother with barren Bing Province.'
The Yellow Turbans had risen only in the rich, prosperous provinces of the Central Plains.
This impoverished, barren land of Bing Province had nothing worth stripping bare, so they'd simply passed it by. Yet these fools thought the rebels feared Bing Province's elite troops.
Listening to their pathetic prattle, Wei Sok beside me couldn't hold back and whispered.
"Brother, aren't they right? No matter how fierce those yellow-turbaned scum get, one swing of my spear would blow their heads clean off."
Proud stupidity, identical to the other officers.
Across the hall, Zhang Liao heard Wei Sok and quietly closed his eyes, then slapped his forehead with a loud smack.
"Shut it, you fool."
"But brother—"
I was about to scold Wei Sok when the tightly shut doors of the audience hall swung wide open, and Ding Yuan finally appeared.
Sternness and sorrow etched his face.
"Hear me, all of you!"
Ding Yuan began in a grave voice without even taking his seat.
"A deluding cult, the Way of Great Peace, and its foolish followers under the rebel leader Zhang Jiao are throwing the realm into chaos! They incite the people across eight provinces, daring to bare their fangs at the Han imperial house!"
Ding Yuan slowly scanned the officers in the hall, raising his voice.
"Yet behold! Bing Province's brave men have not fallen for such demonic sorcery! In this time when rebels rampage, is this not the moment for us to prove our unwavering loyalty to the throne and display our might to the world!"
"Ahem..."
Despite Ding Yuan's stirring speech, the officers remained lukewarm, glancing at each other.
This was my cue.
"Father! Grant me troops. I will sever the heads of those yellow-turbaned rats and proclaim Bing Province's might to the realm!"
Ding Yuan smiled with deep satisfaction at my words. But he shook his head.
"Oh, my son's loyalty pierces the heavens! However, a true loyal vassal follows procedure. For a governor to move troops beyond provincial borders without leave is overstepping authority. We must first inform the court of our devotion and obtain His Majesty's permission."
I waited silently for what came next.
"Thus, I shall appoint you as envoy to the capital!"
Envoy? An unexpected move.
"But the title of Unit Commander merely leads my personal guard. It lacks the rank to represent all Bing Province in submitting a memorial to the court."
Ding Yuan declared, surveying the assembly.
"By my authority as governor, I appoint you Military Affairs Attendant, one of the province's key aides overseeing military matters! As Bing Province's Military Affairs Attendant, carry my will to His Majesty, convey our resolve, and return with his sanction!"
—Military Affairs Attendant.
The other officers' apathetic faces twisted in shock and blatant envy at the unprecedented appointment. I savored their expressions while gauging Ding Yuan's true intent.
'Hmm? What's his game... For a simple memorial, he could send any regular aide... or even Fierce Attendant Officer Zhang Yang...'
Thoughts swirled, but I knelt silently and accepted the command.
"I shall obey, Father."
The next day.
I donned the awkward official robes of a Military Affairs Attendant for the first time and prepared to depart. Only Wei Sok, Zhang Liao, Cheng Lian, Wei Yue, and a hundred elite troops I had handpicked followed me.
Wei Sok sulked at the fact we weren't heading into battle, while Zhang Liao silently scanned the surroundings, guarding the rear without a word.
"Wen Yuan."
"Yes, Attendant."
"Have you ever been to the capital?"
Zhang Liao shook his head at my question.
"No, sir. Never."
"I see. First time for me too."
As we talked, Wei Sok, who had been slouched gloomily on his horse, must have overheard. He poked his head out and asked.
"Brother, are there lots of people in the capital?"
"......"
A perfectly Wei Sok question. I replied incredulously.
"It's the capital of the realm, idiot. What do you think?"
"Ah, right."
Wei Sok nodded blankly, then his eyes gleamed slyly.
"Then... lots of women too?"
At that, Cheng Lian and Wei Yue nearby snickered.
"Haha, of course! They say all the realm's beauties gather in the capital."
Wei Sok's sullen face lit up instantly. He suddenly kicked his horse forward.
"Hahaha! Then let's hurry, brother! The capital's ladies await this Wei Sok!"
"That mad bastard..."
Sighing at Wei Sok charging ahead excitedly alone, I muttered.
"Once he sees the prices for wine at the brothels and the courtesans' fees, he'll pass out in no time."
Zhang Liao, riding beside me, shrugged at my grumbling.
"Ignorance is bliss sometimes."
"True enough."