Chapter 37
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: Mobilization
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Returning to the barracks with Jeonpung, sure enough, the inside was a total mess.
"Crack up! So I just smashed that bastard's head right off!"
"Aw, come on, that's nothing. If the Cavalry Captain swings his spear once, ten of those guys fly away, right?"
Wei Sok, drunk as a skunk, had his arm slung over Cheng Lian's shoulder and was blabbing away at the top of his lungs. Wei Yue was next to them, chuckling as he wiped grease off his blade.
At least Zhang Liao and Gao Shun were quietly maintaining their gear in the corner.
Spotting me come in, Wei Sok came stumbling over with a goofy grin.
"Oh, bro! You're back! Hey, who's that old geezer behind you? Lost his way or something?"
At Wei Sok's rude remark, Cheng Lian and Wei Yue chimed in with "Hahaha! Yeah, what're you talking about? Some stuffy scholar wandering in here..." and burst out laughing. In that instant, Jeonpung stepped forward from behind me.
"........."
Jeonpung said nothing.
He simply swept his icy, frostbitten gaze over the three of them. The rowdy air in the barracks went dead silent in an instant under that overwhelming pressure.
Even the plastered Wei Sok unconsciously swallowed hard.
"You stand before your superior without showing proper respect. This is a military camp, not some street-side tavern."
Jeonpung continued in a lecturing tone.
"I'll let it slide this first time, but if you ever break military discipline like this again, you'll face the full penalty under military law."
The three of them froze in stunned silence. Wei Sok turned to me, looking utterly baffled.
"B-bro! Who the hell is this old man? Military law out of nowhere?!"
I crossed my arms and answered.
"This is Jeonpung, who'll be our unit's strategist from now on. The one who's gonna fill those empty heads of yours."
At the word "strategist," Zhang Liao and Gao Shun shot up from their seats.
Without a moment's hesitation, they approached Jeonpung, cupped their hands in salute, and bowed deeply.
"Deputy General Zhang Liao, Wenyuan, at your service, Strategist."
"Bing Province Colonel Gao Shun here. Looking forward to working with you."
Finally grasping the situation a bit, Wei Sok and the other two just exchanged glances. But of course, Wei Sok's trap wouldn't stay shut.
"No way, bro! A strategist? Why do we need some stuffy guy like that in our unit..."
"He's right, Captain. We're happiest just following your orders."
With Wei Yue and Cheng Lian piling on, Jeonpung's eyebrow twitched.
"Quiet!"
Jeonpung's low but firm command.
There was an eerie power in those words that crushed anyone who heard them. It carried more fearsome authority than any shout.
"......"
"......"
"......"
Wei Sok, Cheng Lian, and Wei Yue—who'd been yammering just moments ago—clamped their mouths shut as if a blade was at their throats. A suffocating silence filled the barracks.
I watched the scene unfold and couldn't help but smile in satisfaction.
'Ah, finally, I won't have to yap so much.'
Before my pleased grin could even fade, Jeonpung strode to the table in the center of the barracks, his stern expression vanishing as if it had never been.
He unrolled a few bamboo slips on the table and said,
"Take a seat. We have matters to discuss."
Zhang Liao and Gao Shun sat immediately, while the now-mute Wei Sok and his crew grudgingly took seats at a distance.
"I've compiled the latest news from the palace overnight."
His position as palace attendant meant his intel was lightning-fast.
"First, a massive rebellion has erupted in western Yang Province. Word is the Yang Province Governor, Kong Yu, had his head strung up by the rebels."
"Hmm, Yang Province, Yang Province..."
I murmured softly, and Jeonpung nodded before continuing.
"Second, the court is in an uproar over dispatching a punitive army. And third—"
Jeonpung fixed me with a straight look and said,
"Bing Province Governor Ding Yuan has submitted a memorial claiming his son Zheng Po made great contributions in suppressing the Yellow Turbans, requesting that Zheng Po be given command of troops to pacify the Yang Province revolt."
"What the hell? Why's the old governor submitting some bullshit memorial about our bro without even asking him first? Does he think you're his chess pawn or something?!"
Wei Sok exploded in outrage.
Though it was news to me, I kept my expression neutral as I regarded Jeonpung. He seemed pleased with my demeanor and coolly shot back at Wei Sok.
"There's no need for the Bing Province Governor to seek permission every time he recommends someone. What matters is how we turn that recommendation to our advantage."
"But still, this is too much...!"
"The strategist's words are wise."
Zhang Liao cut Wei Sok off. He eyed Jeonpung sharply and asked,
"In that case, who's most likely to be appointed overall commander of the punitive army?"
"Two names are floating around: Huangfu Song and Lu Zhi. Huangfu Song has the support of the Qingliu faction, but His Majesty trusts Lu Zhi more, given his experience facing the Yellow Turbans' main force. Northern Colonel-General Lu Zhi has the inside track for overall command."
"Hm, Colonel-General Lu..."
Memories of fighting alongside him during the Yellow Turban suppression surfaced.
A steadfast man who'd fully acknowledged my skills. I figured that wouldn't be bad.
But as if reading my thoughts, Jeonpung doused my optimism with cold water.
"However, Captain, don't celebrate yet."
"What do you mean?"
Jeonpung pointed at the map and dropped a bombshell that upended everyone's expectations.
"Whether it's Huangfu Song or Lu Zhi, it doesn't matter. The first punitive army heading to Yang Province... won't achieve anything noteworthy."
"Hahaha, the Grand General is quite the farmer. That dog of yours is now barking for those stiff-necked Qingliu scholars as their new masters. How could this old man lift a finger? It's your dog romping in your yard now."
Zhang Yang slyly shifted the blame, needling He Jin.
"I'm just worried about you, Grand General. You were the greatest hero of the Yellow Turban suppression, yet the street rabble dare to chant only 'Lu Bu's' name... If this goes on, that mutt's fame might surpass even yours."
"Hmph!"
He Jin set down his cup with a scowl. Zhang Yang seized the opening.
"Of course... if the Grand General finds handling the dog troublesome... we'll have to raise one ourselves somehow. A big, fierce one that can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with you."
He Jin's face hardened at the veiled threat.
Better to join hands with the Ten Attendants to eliminate Lu Bu than let them reclaim him as a check on himself.
"A fascinating memorial has just come up from Bing Province. How about we use it to send that mad dog west to Yang Province to fight the starving tigers?"
He Jin's eyes lit up at Zhang Yang's words.
The perfect chance to sideline his rival and let him die at the hands of Yang Province's fierce tribes and barbarians—far deadlier than the Yellow Turbans.
"Yang Province's fierce tribes and barbarians are no Yellow Turbans. That country bumpkin couldn't possibly handle them."
"Naturally."
Their interests aligned perfectly.
He Jin as Grand General and Zhang Yang as head of the Ten Attendants tacitly agreed to back Lu Bu's dispatch to Yang Province.
They silently poured each other drinks, and their cups clinked together.
—Clink!
"Then, to Bing Province's hero."
"To the hero who'll die gloriously in Yang Province's mud."
Their secret meeting ended just like that.
A few days later, inside the imperial palace's grand audience hall.
Hundreds of officials stood in ranks, but not a sound could be heard.
The news of defeat from Yang Province had turned the court upside down. Every minister's eyes were fixed on the young emperor lounging sideways on his throne.
Finally, the bored Emperor Ling yawned lazily and spoke.
"Yang Province's barbarians are disturbing my peace. We must send a punitive army to teach them manners."
At the emperor's words, Grand General He Jin stepped forward and prostrated himself.
"Your Majesty, I've heard the Yang Province rebels are a vicious mix of fierce tribes and tiger clans, exceedingly troublesome. Please dispatch a brave and cunning general to uproot them in one stroke."
"Mm, well said."
Emperor Ling rested his chin, pondered briefly, then declared his decision.
"I appoint Northern Colonel-General Lu Zhi as Left General and overall commander of the punitive army!"
With the emperor's decree elevating Lu Zhi to Left General, the names of other officers to serve under him followed in quick succession.
As murmurs rippled through the hall, Emperor Ling called the final name.
"And... Cavalry Captain Lu Bu..."
The emperor said my name and paused.
Every eye in the hall turned to me. He leaned slightly forward on his throne, mischief dancing in his gaze as he asked,
"Lu Bu. You staked all your achievements before me to vouch for Lady Yu Jiang that day. Do you regret it?"
The hall's air froze solid.
A faint smirk crossed the faces of the Ten Attendants and He Jin. Everyone held their breath, waiting for my answer.
Without a hint of hesitation, I stepped forward, knelt, and bowed my head deeply.
"Your Majesty, this subject harbors not the slightest regret."
"Ho?"
"Even my humble achievements were only possible because Your Majesty granted me the opportunity. All I possess is Your imperial grace—how could I dare harbor any resentment?"
Interest sparked in Emperor Ling's eyes at my reply.
"Very well, then. The next time I hear your name, it had better be with a report of rebel heads rolling. Understood?"
"I shall obey your command!"
I bowed even lower. Seemingly satisfied, Emperor Ling rose from his throne.
"I grant Left General Lu Zhi 30,000 troops. Set out at once, eradicate the rebels, and ease my worries!"
With the emperor's order, the massive army bound for Yang Province finally began to move.