Chapter 7
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: Strategist Lu Bu
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Three days later, I headed to the government hall at Ding Yuan's summons.
The space was incomparably vast compared to the study. Massive pillars supported the high ceiling, and flags symbolizing Bing Province's might hung on the walls all around.
A nose-stinging scent of expensive incense wafted from every direction, wrinkling my brow on instinct. These bastards had probably gathered here, racking their brains on how to squeeze pus and blood from the common folk.
Around me stood oily-faced officials in their formal robes, lined up by rank, eyeing me up and down. Wei Sok and I, still carrying the dust of Saibang, made for perfect spectacles.
Murmurs rose here and there, just loud enough to catch.
"Tsk tsk, wonder what rough treatment that ignorant bumpkin'll get from the Governor."
"Look at those clothes. The beast hide stench reaches all the way here."
"Even Master Bai Gai must be getting senile. How could he take a brute like that as a disciple? It's a stain on the master's reputation."
"Let's see how long he lasts. How long can a frontier hothead keep up the act? He'll be bawling to go back to Saibang soon enough."
Wei Sok's nostrils flared at the officials' whispers.
I grabbed his arm as he reached for his sword hilt, growling like he might charge at any moment, and held him back.
It wasn't time yet. I stood silently, unflinching under all their gazes.
A heavy silence weighed down the hall. Then a hearty laugh boomed from the highest seat.
"Hahaha! Come, everyone, look! This is Lu Bu—the Wolf of Saibang, receiving the teachings of the great scholar Master Bai Gai!"
Ding Yuan rose from his seat and descended. He strode over, slapping my shoulder hard enough to make a sound, and shouted at the officials.
"A few days ago, I spoke with Lu Bu and gained great insight! This young hero sharply rebuked my foolishness for sitting in my study debating texts while ignoring the frontier's suffering! A petty man might have taken offense, but I saw his loyalty! I cannot but reward Lu Bu for shattering my narrow-mindedness!"
The hall's atmosphere chilled at Ding Yuan's words.
"To waste a talent with such concern for the people and profound insight as a mere warrior would be a great loss to Bing Province! Today, I appoint him Chief Clerk to serve at my side. Does anyone object?"
The bold declaration stirred the room. The officials glanced at one another, but none dared speak first. Then a civilian official who seemed to be Ding Yuan's confidant stepped forward and cried out.
"As expected of the Governor! What wise judgment! Even for a disciple of Master Bai Gai, granting such an office to a lowly warrior sets an example for all!"
His words sparked it. Flattery poured out from everywhere, as if they'd been waiting.
"The realm will praise the Governor's magnanimity! Who wouldn't follow a lord who listens even to the lowly?"
"Indeed! Lu Bu should count meeting the Governor the greatest honor of his life!"
The officials' sickening sycophancy rang in my ears, but I simply gazed quietly at Ding Yuan.
That calculated smile and every move. It was all the cunning tricks of an old fox. Rather than rage, my mind cooled sharply.
It was something I'd seen countless times on the battlefield. Before finding the enemy's weakness, first figure out how they fight.
Then my master's voice echoed in my mind, from those cold Saibang winds.
—The worst sovereign closes his ears, but the second to beware is one who prioritizes reputation and face. Yet such a man, unless his greed engulfs the realm, can be reformed, for he acts to preserve appearances and justification.
I realized Ding Yuan was exactly that second type.
He wasn't a tyrant who truly ignored the people's suffering, but a sly merchant who put his political gains and prestige first. Right now, he was trading with me as the goods.
This whole situation was a political play to tie me to the flashy title of Chief Clerk while gaining the justification of "the virtuous Governor who embraces Master Bai Gai's disciple."
Every word of praise for me was just a stepping stone to elevate himself. So I would deal with him as a merchant.
Having seen through it all, I stepped forward, bowed deeply, and paid my respects politely.
"Governor, your grace in employing my inadequacies so highly leaves me at a loss. I gladly accept the role of Chief Clerk."
A satisfied smile spread across Ding Yuan's lips. The old fox seemed relieved, thinking he'd finally muzzled the wolf.
"See? He ends up tucking tail after all."
"Strutting without knowing his place, but the Governor has him leashed."
"Now he knows his station. Chief Clerk... Goodness, the Governor truly has grand magnanimity."
The officials sighed in relief. But it was all their delusion.
Raising my head, I asked in an unwavering voice,
"However, Governor. My post is set, but what of Saibang's plight, which I pleaded with tears?"
The officials who had mocked me froze. The shrewd Ding Yuan laughed even louder, unflustered.
"Hahaha! My Chief Clerk already cares for the people like this—what fortune is this! Isn't it, everyone?"
Cheers erupted from the surrounding officials at Ding Yuan's words.
"Of course! And isn't this all because the Chief Clerk emulates the Governor's vast heart?"
"Yes! When the superior thinks of the people first, it's natural for subordinates to follow!"
Amid the praise, Ding Yuan continued leisurely,
"How could I forget your loyalty? I've already ordered Fierce Attendant Officer Zhang Yang to lead three thousand elites to Saibang. He will comfort the frontier people and subdue the barbarians eyeing our borders. Chief Clerk, worry not and serve Bing Province at my side."
Wei Sok, standing behind me, whispered furiously in my ear.
"Brother! Just three thousand? What does that Zhang Yang know? Three thousand can't even chase their tails!"
I let Wei Sok's words go in one ear and out the other, staring at Ding Yuan.
Three thousand could defend, but not conquer.
In the end, it was a ploy to keep me tethered while making a show in Saibang to boost his name and save face.
'...Old fox.'
As everyone sighed in relief, convinced of Ding Yuan's perfect victory, I shattered all expectations by dropping to my knees right there.
With a thud, my knees hit the cold floor.
All eyes in the hall fixed on my sudden action. The officials who'd mocked me moments ago stared as if thinking, 'Has the fool finally lost it?'
Ding Yuan said to me with a stiff face,
"Chief Clerk Lu, what is this? If you have something to say, stand and speak."
I didn't rise at his words. Instead, with my head bowed to the floor, I cried out in a clear voice that rang through the entire hall, earnest yet resolute.
"I am awed once more by the Governor's vast and profound consideration! I must obey your command, but grant me one final bold request."
Ding Yuan, forced to play the magnanimous lord before all these officials, grudgingly said,
"...Speak."
Without lifting my head, I spoke firmly, word by word.
"Though I am an ignorant warrior, no one knows Saibang's terrain or the enemy's habits better than I. Please allow me to accompany Fierce Attendant Officer Zhang Yang on campaign, assist with military affairs, and contribute my meager experience so I do not mar your great undertaking!"
Silence fell.
Not a breath sounded in the hall. Even the incense smoke seemed to hang frozen in place.
The mocking officials gaped, frozen, and the leisure had long vanished from Ding Yuan's face. Panicked whispers broke out here and there.
"Th-that mad bastard...!"
"Ahem, this is..."
I could see Ding Yuan's fists trembling inside his sleeves.
The old fox's face had paled. His mind must have been spinning wildly.
Refusing this request would prove all his earlier boasts hypocritical before every official here. He'd be branded a narrow-minded lord rejecting the "loyal plea" of a "man who cares for the people."
In the end, he must have judged he couldn't lose face before so many. Forcing a smile through his twitching face, Ding Yuan shouted loudly,
"Hahaha... Excellent, excellent, my Chief Clerk! Your loyalty pierces the heavens! So resolute—how could I stop you? I permit Chief Clerk Lu's deployment!"
But the old fox didn't forget his final jab of restraint.
"However, as Chief Clerk, you are not to command troops directly or enter battle. You will strictly serve as Strategist aiding Zhang Yang! Understood?"
Hearing the condition, I bowed my head without a moment's hesitation.
"I am overwhelmed by the Governor's great grace. I shall obey!"
At my reply, Ding Yuan could say no more and turned abruptly, retreating to his high seat.
The hall ended in cold awkwardness. The officials now eyed me differently.
I left the government hall quietly, leaving Ding Yuan and the officials behind. The moment I stepped out, Wei Sok rushed up, unable to hide his excitement.
"Brother! How did that happen? That old fox letting you go? And Strategist? That's just a ploy to keep you off the battlefield!"
I glanced back at the hall and smiled coldly.
"Ha, if keeping me off the battlefield means they can't drive out the Wuhuan Tribe, then I might as well change my family name."
"Wow, Brother, you're so bold. But without stepping onto the field, how do you rout those mad barbarians?"
Wei Sok kept grumbling, but I had my plans. It just said not to step onto the "battlefield," right?