Chapter 67
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 67
Chapter Title: Everyone's Calculations
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185 AD, autumn. The provincial office in Jinyang, Bing Province.
The office buzzed with energy now that Ding Yuan had become the Governor of Bing Province.
The soldiers of Bing Province had racked up impressive feats during the Yellow Turban Rebellion and the Northern Palace White Wave uprising, and at the center of it all was Zheng Po—the man he had adopted as his son. No, Lu Bu.
Rumors were swirling in the capital that the court would summon Ding Yuan.
"Kahahaha! Have you heard? My name, Ding Yuan's, is on everyone's lips at court! It won't be long before I leave this stuffy Bing Province for the capital!"
Ding Yuan boasted proudly to his close aides, raising his wine cup.
"It's only natural, Governor, with all your accomplishments! His Majesty will surely put you to great use!"
"Haha! Adopting 'Zheng Po' was truly my greatest stroke of genius! Thanks to my son's feats, my own reputation has soared. Now I just need to wait for the summons from court!"
But Ding Yuan's swelling dreams soon shattered into pieces.
Urgent reports poured in one after another: not just in Bing Province, but in neighboring You Province, Ji Province, and even Si Province, bandit hordes known as the Black Mountain Bandits and White Wave Bandits had risen like swarms of bees once more.
Major roads were cut off, grain taxes plundered, and counties burned to the ground—the reports came like a barrage.
"What? These petty thieves are causing this much chaos? Are they remnants of the Yellow Turbans?"
Ding Yuan dismissed it at first. The Black Mountain Bandits had already been suppressed by Grand General He Jin, so he underestimated them even more.
"But Governor! Their numbers are no joke. The Administrator of Henei fled again, and the damage in Ji Province is catastrophic!"
To make matters worse, the punitive forces dispatched by the court kept failing, and even the famed general Huangfu Song couldn't catch so much as their tails.
The bandits vanished into the mountains like ghosts whenever imperial troops appeared.
"Even General Huangfu failed? Are these bastards moles popping out of the ground?!"
Ding Yuan grew anxious that his plans to advance to the capital would be derailed.
In the end, realizing the gravity of the situation, the court issued an edict directly ordering Ding Yuan—who held Bing Province's troops in high regard—to lead the suppression himself.
"Oh ho! His Majesty has finally recognized my talents! Good! I'll crush these ragtag bandits with my own hands and march to the capital! We don't even need my son for bandits like these, do we?"
"Haha, exactly, Governor! As if these bandits could compare to the Wuhuan tribes!"
Ding Yuan saw it as an opportunity instead.
Underestimating the Black Mountain and White Wave Bandits, he planned to claim the credit for suppressing them single-handedly and make a grand entrance to the capital.
Ding Yuan personally led the main Bing Province army into the campaign. At first, they smashed scattered bandit groups with great momentum, advancing victoriously.
"Kahahaha! See that? They're no match for me! Let's wipe them all out and head to court!"
But as the suppression dragged on, things turned strange.
No matter how many they killed, the bandits seemed endless, and their numbers even appeared to grow. Bing Province troops' casualties snowballed.
"Governor! There are too many enemies! They appear from everywhere... like swarms of ants!"
A deputy reported with a pale, ashen face.
"Don't exaggerate! Keep advancing!"
Ding Yuan bellowed, suppressing his unease. But soon after, the vanguard he personally led nearly got surrounded by overwhelming numbers of Black Mountain Bandits.
For the first time in his life on the battlefield, Ding Yuan felt a chill crawl up his spine in sheer terror.
"W-What's happening?! Their numbers—there's no end to them! It's a trap! Retreat! Retreat now!"
Ding Yuan frantically withdrew his forces, barely escaping the crisis.
Back in Jinyang, Ding Yuan was overcome with shock and fear.
The Black Mountain Bandits' scale was beyond imagination; Bing Province's forces alone couldn't handle them. He realized it down to his bones.
Forget advancing to the capital—his very life was now at stake.
"Damn it... Why did I stick my foot into that bandits' den? At this rate, my head will roll first."
As he sat alone in his office, nursing his wine and berating himself, news arrived: his adopted son Lu Bu was to wed Cai Yan in Chang'an.
Ding Yuan's eyes flashed in his desperation.
"That's right! The wedding! My son's wedding!"
Ding Yuan immediately took up his brush and drafted a memorial to the court.
『Your subject Ding Yuan, though not bound by blood, has taken Lu Bu as his own child. The righteousness of father and son is the foundation of heaven and earth, so I believe it is a father's duty to personally oversee his wedding.
If I fail to uphold propriety myself, it may undermine the court's moral teachings. I humbly request permission to set aside military duties for a time to perform the rites properly. Upon my return, I shall sever all private affections and serve only Your Majesty's commands with utmost loyalty.』
"Phew, saved! Thanks to my son's wedding, I've bought some time. Suppression can wait! First, I need to get out of here!"
Using Lu Bu's wedding as an excuse, he spent time in Chang'an before returning to Bing Province, only to find the situation had drastically changed again.
The court continued suppressing the troublesome White Wave Bandits but had appeased the Black Mountain leader Zhang Yan—whom they couldn't handle—by granting him the title of General Who Pacifies the North, along with the right to recommend officials.
"What? A title for a bandit? General Who Pacifies the North, no less? Hah! Even His Majesty has thrown up his hands!"
Thanks to this, security in Bing Province improved markedly. Ding Yuan let out a long sigh of relief at having saved his neck for now.
"At least my life's safe. And the headache of bandits has eased somewhat—maybe it's a blessing in disguise."
But that relief was short-lived. Ambition began bubbling up in Ding Yuan's mind once more.
"Hmph, my achievements won't vanish just because I stepped away briefly. The capital push is delayed a bit by this, but hasn't it given me more time?"
Rumors were already rampant in the capital anyway—it was practically set in stone. A slight delay shouldn't matter.
"Once I head to the capital, my tales and experience from the provinces will boost my fame, so I need to start minding my conduct."
For his own gain, Ding Yuan resolved to stage one final display of benevolent rule in Bing Province.
Hedong Commandery Administrator's office.
Dong Zhuo listened sullenly to his advisor Li Ru's report.
"Hah, that merchant Yang Ong? The money-grubbing trader dares raise troops to reclaim Juzhen and Dunhuang? Does he think war is a merchant's playground?!"
"My lord, it's too early to judge. Under the Liang Province Governor are capable men in military affairs: Zhangye Commandery Administrator Lu Bu and Hanyang Commandery Administrator Jia Xun."
"Jia Xun? That rigid old bookworm who only reads scrolls! But—"
Dong Zhuo snorted at Jia Xun's name but fell silent at Lu Bu's.
He recalled the overwhelming martial prowess and fearless momentum he'd witnessed personally in Liang Province. Even his favorites Li Jue and Guo Si had reported it with dread.
"...If it's that Lu Bu, hmm, it might just work."
Dong Zhuo smacked his lips, muttering regretfully.
"Damn that Ubo—if not for him, I'd have given my daughter to Lu Bu and made him my son-in-law! And now that Lu Bu's married Master Chae's daughter? Tsk... Letting prime meat slip away!"
Dong Zhuo eyed Li Ru with displeasure.
"So, Wenyou, what's your take? Do you think that merchant's boldness will pay off?"
"Before debating that, we should assess your own position first, my lord. Hedong is a wealthy land of salt production, and with the prestige you've built in Liang Province, you command many Qiang and Di tribal soldiers—a full 50,000 strong."
"That's why the court keeps demanding I hand over my army! I've been playing sick each time, but how long will that last..."
Despite Dong Zhuo's grumbling, Li Ru maintained his relaxed smile.
"Fortunately, thanks to the recent Black Mountain and White Wave Bandits, you've received an imperial order to suppress the White Wave Bandits, so no worries about disbanding your forces for the time being."
And then Li Ru continued.
"The Liang Province Governor's campaign has its pros and cons."
Li Ru calmly laid out his analysis.
"If he truly stabilizes Juzhen and Dunhuang and reopens the Silk Road, the ethnic minorities in Liang Province will have less reason to rely on you. That could disrupt your troop recruitment."
"Hmm, true. They follow me because they have nothing to wear or eat, right?"
"Conversely, if the Silk Road opens, think of the massive profits. The Governor's a merchant, so if you invest, he'll surely share the gains."
Li Ru lowered his voice slightly.
"Moreover, even if he claims the land but fails to restore order? That's when Liang Province loses its focal point. With your prestige, rallying the scattered tribes and seizing the entire province wouldn't be a dream. If you harbor grand ambitions, it could even be a greater gain."
Dong Zhuo's eyes gleamed as he burst into laughter at Li Ru's words.
"So either way, I don't lose out! Kahahaha!"
Once his laughter subsided, Lu Bu's image resurfaced in Dong Zhuo's mind.
"That Lu Bu... what a tempting fellow. I hear he has three fathers? Ding Yuan, Master Chae, and Yue Jiang, was it?"
Dong Zhuo muttered to himself.
"Hmm, I don't have a single decent son under me... That one would make a real heir."
Thinking it a joke, Li Ru chuckled.
"Hahaha, my lord! Your young masters would be heartbroken to hear that."
"Heartbroken? Let them be! It's because they're incompetent! Bah, not one of them takes after me! Not one!"
As Dong Zhuo erupted in anger, Li Ru realized it was serious and broke into a cold sweat.
"...M-My apologies."
Dong Zhuo huffed, calming his rage, and said,
"This Juzhen campaign started with that Lu Bu's scheme, right? For now, let's make a preemptive investment."
Dong Zhuo instructed Li Ru to monitor the Liang Province situation—especially Lu Bu's movements—and discreetly explore ways to 'invest'.
186 AD, summer.
The scorching sun beat down on Juzhen's grasslands, the heat suffocating.
—Swoosh! Thunk!
Drawing and releasing his bow from horseback, an arrow sliced through the wind and struck the nape of a fleeing ethnic cavalryman far off.
"—!"
The man tumbled from his horse without even a scream. Wiping the sweat trickling down his jaw with his sleeve, he watched.
"Ha... This is getting tedious."
Smashing their united main force had felt exhilarating at first. The problem came after.
Instead of surrendering, the ethnic groups scattered like rats, harassing from all directions.
Yang Ong's main force overwhelmed the Hu tribes of Juzhen with sheer numbers, securing their surrender and reclaiming Juzhen itself.
Han banners flew once more in places, and Yang Ong, elated, pushed straight for Dunhuang—but it was a pipe dream.
"Please, just stop crawling out! You bastards!"
The scattered ethnic fighters mimicked their own tactics, splitting into small units to sever supply lines or raid the rear in hit-and-run attacks.
The main force's sluggish infantry couldn't even chase the cavalry tails and got ambushed repeatedly. Only a few units could handle suppressing them.
"Brother! Smoke's rising in the east again!"
Wei Sok shouted, panting as he rode.
"Damn it! Zhang Liao! You take the west! Everyone else, follow me!"
My Zhangye cavalry, plus the Qiang and Di tribes who'd joined to grab a share, roamed Juzhen ceaselessly.
Put out a fire in the east, and they popped up in the west; rush north, and smoke rose in the south.
It felt like swatting at mosquitoes clinging to every inch of your body.
The grueling mopping-up operation dragged on for months under the blazing sun.
Finally, the enemy tired too... or perhaps the hot summer sapped their will to fight. They began withdrawing north to Dunhuang or the Ae grasslands in twos and threes.
"My lord! Even the last holdouts have retreated! No resisting ethnic groups remain in Juzhen!"
Ma Teng reported, gasping for breath. Sighing deeply at the receding figures, he said,
"Phew. Finally over? But doesn't this mean we have to do it all again in Dunhuang?"
On the way back to camp, his gaze fell on Zhen Feng riding beside him. Once a lanky scholar, now his face, arms, and whole body were sunburned black.
Muscle had filled out his gaunt frame, and his horsemanship no longer looked awkward.
Just recently, he'd even seen him personally cut down a fleeing enemy with a sword.
"Teacher Zhen... Uh, are you doing alright lately? Your complexion looks pretty rough."
"What do you mean, my lord? I'm perfectly healthy. Riding and moving every day has actually improved my vigor compared to my days at court."
Zhen Feng sat ramrod straight on his horse, replying calmly.
"N-No, I mean... Have you been practicing martial arts lately? I saw you cut down an enemy yourself the other day..."
"Oh, that? Traveling with you made me think I needed some self-defense skills. Since I trained so hard, naturally I had to try it out."
'No, shouldn't you phrase it differently? You're supposed to be my army's strategist...'
As he stared at Zhen Feng, speechless, the man remembered his role and spoke like a proper strategist.
"You might think it ended too quickly, my lord, but anyone else would have taken years to stabilize Juzhen."
Zhen Feng glanced back at Jia Xu trailing behind. Jia Xu's face was pallid, perched precariously on his horse as if he'd fall any moment.
He even dry-heaved now and then.
"Tsk tsk tsk! Young man! How can your stamina be worse than mine? How does he plan to advise the lord like that?!"
'I think I misused one of my people.'
A hollow laugh escaped at Zhen Feng's scolding and Jia Xu's wretched state.
Zhen Feng, once a seasoned strategist, was turning into a swordsman, while Jia Xu—dragged to the battlefield—looked half-dead.
'Still, if he's my strategist, shouldn't he have stamina like Zhen Feng?'
Honestly, he was starting to wonder himself.