Chapter 57
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 57
Chapter Title: Lu Bu-Style Judgment
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"......No, you really think that would be enough to keep things under control?"
My question made Tian Feng and Jia Xu's faces stiffen at the same time.
Tian Feng shot Jia Xu a look of utter disbelief, while Jia Xu awkwardly averted his gaze.
"Cultural Master! Is that really what you're saying right now? Treating barbarians and civilized folk the same! Where in the world is there such a law under heaven?!"
Tian Feng cried out in exasperation.
Jia Xu swallowed dryly as he glanced at Tian Feng, then carefully checked my expression before speaking up.
"Master Yuan Hao. All I meant was that's the reality here. Suppressing them by force alone—"
"What's so damn complicated about it?"
I replied casually, and their eyes filled with bewilderment, as if wondering what nonsense I was spouting.
"We'll deal with that issue later. The most urgent matter is the army, isn't it?"
"Yes, Commandery Administrator."
I stopped joining their debate and immediately ordered Zhang Liao and Gao Shun to mix the existing Zhang Ni army soldiers with our own and begin training.
As expected from Yang Province troops, they had solid frames but zero discipline.
After drilling them relentlessly for days until dust filled the air, they finally started resembling an actual army.
Once military discipline had taken shape, I summoned Tian Feng and Jia Xu again.
"Alright, now I'd like to hear your opinions once more. How should we govern Zhang Ni?"
Tian Feng spoke up first in response to my question. He unrolled a map and said,
"My lord, farming isn't viable here, so why not encourage agriculture?"
It sounded plausible enough. But Jia Xu immediately shook his head.
"Master Yuan Hao. The climate here isn't suited for farming. The only places where it can be done are around water sources, which is why conflicts between the foreign tribes and Han never cease."
The water source at Xiaowu County in the Qilian Mountains.
The banks, which should have been peaceful, brimmed with murderous intent. Hundreds of men bared their teeth at each other across a dam built of dirt and stone.
On one side were the private soldiers of Wang Hun, leader of the Hu tribe in Xiaowu County, armed with polished spears and swords. On the other were the Qiang tribesmen in leather armor, wielding spears and bows.
"Get out of the way, you Han bastards! This water belongs to us!"
A hot-blooded young Qiang warrior couldn't hold back any longer and charged toward the dam, spear raised high.
One of Wang Hun's men drew his sword and shouted,
"Halt, you savage! Take one more step, and I'll sever your head!"
The situation was on the verge of exploding.
A Gui, the Qiang chieftain standing firm at the front of his group, stepped forward. His face was flushed red with rage.
"Wang Hun! What is the meaning of this? This is where our livestock have drunk for generations! And you dare pile up dirt to block the water flow?"
Wang Hun sneered and advanced. Contempt burned openly in his eyes.
"A Gui. Your tribe still thinks this is your land, huh? This is Han territory plain and simple! So what's wrong with me reclaiming wasteland and building a dam while doing it?"
"What? Han land? Don't spew such bullshit! Since when was this your land?!"
"Hah, that's barbarians for you! Isn't your land out there beyond the grasslands?!"
At Wang Hun's words, bloodshot veins bulged in A Gui's eyes. Wang Hun smirked at him and toyed with his sword sheath. Enraged, A Gui bellowed,
"Before your ancestors ever set foot here, our Qiang livestock had been drinking from these Qilian Mountains waters and thriving! And you dare?!"
—Shing!
Finally, A Gui drew the sword from his waist. With that, hundreds of Qiang warriors simultaneously raised their weapons and roared.
"Waaah! Kill all those Han scum!"
"The barbarians drew their weapons!"
Wang Hun's private soldiers leveled their spears in response. Battle seemed inevitable.
That was when it happened.
—Thud thud thud thud thud!
A rumbling shook the earth from the north.
The faint vibration swelled until it coursed through their entire bodies. Soldiers from both sides looked northward in panic at the source of the noise.
Dust clouds rose.
"Th-that's—!"
Moments later, the dust parted to reveal its source: hundreds of cavalry.
Armor gleaming in the sunlight, formations precise to the inch, and overwhelming killing intent emanating from the riders.
A real army had appeared, dwarfing their petty squabble.
At the forefront sat a massive figure on a red horse, dominating the surroundings. Qiang and Han alike muttered at the sight.
"L-Lu Bu!"
Lu Bu, charging in on horseback, coldly eyed A Gui and Wang Hun in turn.
The shouts from hundreds of mouths had fallen silent.
The plain echoed only with the horses' heavy breaths and the flapping of banners in the wind.
Lu Bu spoke lowly.
"This is my land now. Which one of you dared draw a blade here without permission?"
Hundreds of gazes snapped to me at my icy voice.
The men who had been snarling like they wanted to kill each other moments ago clamped their mouths shut as if by agreement.
From horseback, I slowly scanned them.
"Sheathe them."
At that single command, not only Wang Hun and A Gui but even their followers grudgingly put away their weapons.
Only then did I dismount, with Tian Feng and Jia Xu following behind me.
"Master Tian, Master Jia. Go hear both sides out."
"Yes, my lord."
The two approached the representatives, Wang Hun and A Gui, to get the full story.
Soon, they returned and reported what they'd heard. Tian Feng went first.
"Wang Hun claims this was originally ownerless wasteland. He spent his own money to build the dam and store water so he could reclaim it for farming. But these Qiang came and tried to water their herds without permission."
As Tian Feng finished, Jia Xu quietly continued.
"A Gui tells a different tale, Commandery Administrator. This has been the watering hole for their livestock for generations, but Wang Hun built the dam over winter without a word, blocking the flow. He says it's tantamount to dooming their herds to death and vented his grievances."
Having heard it all, the situation was clear. I looked at the two and asked,
"So, how should we rule on this?"
"There's only one right answer—how can we trust barbarian words without witnesses? Wang Hun built the dam, that's fact. To win the hearts of Zhang Ni's Han people, a ruling in his favor is proper."
"And you, Master Jia?"
"Commandery Administrator, Wang Hun did build the dam. But to win both sides' hearts... wouldn't mediation be best?"
Listening to them, I couldn't help but chuckle wryly.
Tian Feng was openly advocating for the Han side, while Jia Xu pretended to balance things but ultimately acknowledged Wang Hun's claim as the dam-builder.
'Hang on, isn't Wang Hun the one in the wrong here?'
Slapping a lid on someone else's well unannounced and claiming it as his—why overcomplicate it?
"Wang Hun, A Gui! Step forward!"
At my call, the two pushed through their groups and reluctantly advanced.
Wang Hun's face still held defiance; A Gui's brimmed with resentment.
I eyed Wang Hun first.
"Wang Hun. You built this dam, right?"
"Yes, Commandery Administrator! To turn this useless wasteland into farmland!"
I nodded and turned to A Gui.
"A Gui. You've watered your livestock here for generations?"
"That's right! Until that bastard blocked the flow!"
Outrage laced A Gui's voice. I shifted back to Wang Hun.
"Before building it, did you check if anyone else used this water?"
"It was just wasteland! Do I have to account for every barbarian beast that passes through?"
"Barbarian?"
My quiet tone made Wang Hun's shoulders twitch.
"Everyone living on this land—Han or Qiang... are all subjects of the Son of Heaven."
I stepped closer to Wang Hun. Pressed by my presence, his face subtly hardened.
"And yet you dare treat His Majesty's children like beasts?"
"C-Commandery Administrator! That's not what I—!"
Wang Hun's face drained white.
He'd only meant to assert Han superiority, but I'd framed it as treasonous insult to the emperor's subjects.
The murmuring crowd fell utterly silent.
"Wang Hun. I acknowledge your effort in building the dam. But insulting His Majesty's subjects and threatening their survival is grave."
With that, I turned to A Gui.
"A Gui. You too are guilty of stirring unrest without reporting to the administration."
Both gulped and stared at me intently. Finally, I gave judgment.
"This dam is confiscated as of today. The army will manage it directly and distribute as needed. Wang Hun, you will pay a fine of one hundred horses. A Gui, you too—one hundred horses. Any objections?"
Neither could speak.
Wang Hun looked incredulous; A Gui stood dazed by the unexpected ruling.
I approached Wang Hun last and whispered so only he could hear.
"Wang Hun. I'll pretend I didn't hear your folly today. But if such words reach my ears again, I'll report it directly to the Governor myself."
With that, I turned. Then I ordered Gao Shun,
"Gao Shun, collect the horses—one hundred each—and assign soldiers to manage the dam. If anyone refuses, behead them and hang the head before the dam."
"Yes, my lord!"
Gao Shun moved without hesitation, leading his men.
Wang Hun and A Gui paled, but none dared speak.
The water source, crowded with hundreds, now echoed only with Gao Shun's curt commands and the sounds of soldiers requisitioning horses.
Wang Hun and A Gui led their groups away, faces twisted in humiliation and shock.
Tian Feng, who had been watching silently, could hold back no longer and stepped forward.
"My lord! How could you issue such a ruling? Wang Hun is from the local Hu tribe! Without their support, governing Zhang Ni will be impossible! Why undermine Han prestige before barbarians?!"
At Tian Feng's vehement protest, Jia Xu at his side sighed and added,
"Commandery Administrator. Master Yuan Hao has a point. The Qiang feel the same. They submitted to your authority today, but resentment over losing their share will linger. Earning enmity from both sides will make future rule treacherous."
Their words left me so baffled I laughed.
"Ha, so what then? Side with Wang Hun and let the Qiang run wild with their blades? Or back A Gui and turn every Han here against us? Your minds are filled only with Han and barbarians."
I brushed past them and kicked the dam—the root of the dispute.
"Listen well. I won't divide governance here between Han and foreigners. I punished Wang Hun for monopolizing the water without permission, treating others as 'beasts,' and causing unrest. A Gui's the same—drawing blades on his own whim instead of going through the administration. You see Hu and Qiang, but to me, they were just lawbreakers."
Tian Feng and Jia Xu froze, speechless.
Wei Sok, listening from afar, strode up impatiently, breaking the awkward silence.
"Agh, what are you scholars making so complicated? Big bro just whacked both noisy sides with a stick! Done and dusted—what's so hard?!"
His blunt words made me burst out laughing.
"Kuhahaha! Finally, some sense from you!"
"Bro! When have I ever been wrong?"
Cheng Lian and Wei Yue turned as if to retort, but glanced at the mood and clamped their mouths shut.