Chapter 73
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 73
Chapter Title: With Child Again
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186, winter.
"Hoo, hoo."
I warmed my frostbitten hands with my breath from atop my horse.
The road back from Dunhuang to Zhangye was brutally cold, but at last, the tedious cleanup was finally over.
After the conference arranged by the Northern Xiongnu's Lien Jie Du Lu, Liang Province had—at least on the surface—returned fully to Han rule.
I recalled Yang Ang's reaction upon hearing the results of the talks.
Yang Ang had clapped his hands in delight at the negotiation terms with the Northern Xiongnu. He had no interest in the lands beyond securing the "roads," and generously permitted the tribes their autonomy, even promising not to interfere with their laws or customs.
He also pledged that the newly appointed Jiuquan and Dunhuang Administrators would oversee only the Han officials along the roads, while actively working to improve relations with the foreign tribes.
But the trouble came afterward. I couldn't return straight to Zhangye.
The passes beyond Dunhuang leading to the Western Regions needed clearing. Word that the roads were reopening drew every manner of ragtag tribe and bandit to the area.
I had to awkwardly cooperate with the Northern Xiongnu—and even the Xianling River Tribe, whom we'd fought just recently—to sort out those routes.
That long, grueling pacification campaign only wrapped up after winter set in.
Just before I departed, Yang Ang had called me aside.
"Hmm, Governor Lu. How about you lead some troops and make a trip as envoy to the petty kingdoms of the Western Regions? Now that the roads are open, we need to get trade flowing."
"...Pardon? What did you just say, Governor...?"
I was genuinely horrified at the suggestion.
No telling how much longer it'd take to go all the way to the Western Regions and back. Fortunately, Yang Ang seemed to realize he'd overstepped and quickly backpedaled.
"Ahem, still, I can't just send Zhangye's Governor off beyond our borders on a whim. For now, I'll submit a memorial to the court requesting an official envoy dispatch."
He backed off after gauging my reaction.
'...Governor Yang Ang really has a knack for handling people. No wonder he succeeded as a merchant.'
I shook my head in admiration, though thoughts of the hefty chest of rewards he'd given me as a "well done" kept my annoyance at bay.
Money really was the best.
After that endless march, Yidu County's gates finally came into view.
My familiar banner fluttered atop the walls in the biting winter wind.
My land at last, after so long away. The chill air, familiar yet sharp, pierced my lungs.
At the gates stood officials and soldiers lined up to greet me. And right out front—stood Chae Yeom, bundled in thick winter clothes.
My heart sank.
Out here in this freezing weather to welcome me personally. I leaped from my horse and rushed straight to her.
"...Ah!"
Chae Yeom's face lit up with joy and a shy smile. But... as I drew closer, something seemed different.
Her usual robes seemed just a bit—more bulging at the belly than before.
"My lady, in this cold weather, why..."
I cut off and swept her into a tight embrace.
"H-husband, people are watching."
"What does it matter if they watch? It won't wear them out."
The soft sensation after so long apart. But in my arms, I felt a distinct curve from Chae Yeom's belly.
My hand tentatively, tremblingly, encircled her stomach. And I knew for sure.
"...Husband."
Chae Yeom called to me, her face flushed. Trembling with shock and joy, I asked,
"My lady... could it be...?"
Chae Yeom met my eyes with a shy, happy smile.
"...I'm with your child."
I hugged her tight again, speechless. The stares around us meant nothing.
—Thump, thump!
My heart pounded like it would burst.
After endless, soul-crushing battles, what awaited me back home was new life.
The news that Lu Bu's principal wife, Chae Yeom, was with child spread swiftly through the entire Zhangye forces.
Xianling River Tribe's Changliang Division, Myagon Tribe's ger.
Tribe Chief Myagon sat by the roaring hearth, downing mare's milk wine as he listened to the lively voices of tribesfolk outside.
"Chief! Thanks to the livestock we got this time, we won't starve this winter!"
"Who knew the Han spears and armor were this good! Just follow Governor Lu, and the wealth pours in!"
"Indeed, Governor Lu is something else."
Myagon muttered as he set down his cup.
He recalled the battles of the past few months. Lu Bu hadn't just been overwhelmingly strong; he was straightforward in character too.
But what pleased him most was that he kept his promises.
The tens of thousands of livestock, weapons, and treasures seized from Jiuquan and Dunhuang had been divided fairly according to merits.
Thanks to that, Myagon's tribe was enjoying its most bountiful winter yet.
'A Han who knows loyalty and fairness, with unmatched martial prowess and even wisdom to boot.'
Then the news of Chae Yeom's pregnancy resurfaced, and Myagon clicked his tongue.
"Tch...! One step too late!"
"Pardon? Chief?"
A nearby warrior asked.
"That old fox Takya of the Tianshan Division! He saw Lu Bu's potential early and pushed Chienya as a concubine. If she gets pregnant, won't they earn even more favor? I should have sent my own daughter as a concubine!"
"Truly regrettable, Chief."
"The real fool is Beha of the Xianling River Tribe!"
Myagon fumed even more.
"He got all high and mighty when Lu Bu rejected his daughter, only to marry her off to some subordinate called Wei Sok. Tch, tch, tch."
"That Wei Sok fellow seemed pretty frivolous on the battlefield..."
The warrior ventured cautiously. Myagon glared at him.
"That's why you're still like this! Frivolous? That man's Lu Bu's 'sworn brother'! I saw it on the field—Lu Bu cherishes his subordinates fiercely. Wei Sok may look flighty, but he's the closest to Lu Bu without pretension, and the soldiers trust him deeply."
Myagon went on about what he'd observed of Wei Sok.
"Like Lu Bu, he doesn't discriminate between Hans and us. Beha has no direct tie to Lu Bu himself, so he should've grabbed that sworn brother at least... Marrying off his daughter to a mere subordinate's? The Xianling River Tribe is done for."
Myagon's eyes gleamed.
"But... it might not be too late yet."
"Pardon?"
"Lu Bu's officers under him. Surely some haven't married yet?"
"W-well, that's true, but..."
Myagon grinned.
"Good. Dress my daughter in her finest clothes right away! And summon the other chiefs! We should become truly 'family' with those Hans too, no?"
"Ooh! Chief!"
The warriors' eyes sparkled.
Myagon gazed toward Lu Bu's governor's mansion, resolved to strengthen their alliance this time.
My inner chambers felt warm after so long away.
The winter winds outside the window seemed distant. I sat by Chae Yeom, gently placing my hand on her bulging belly.
Then the door to the inner chambers opened silently, and Chienya entered.
She froze at the sight of the tender scene, rubbing her eyes as if she'd seen something she shouldn't.
"...You're that kind of man...?"
Chienya's Han speech had become remarkably fluent. Flustered, I pulled my hand away.
"What the hell do you take me for?!"
"Husband, don't be like that."
Chae Yeom laughed, grabbing my arm.
"Chienya took great care of me while you were away."
"Yeah, you taught her Han well while I was gone."
Chienya blushed slightly in response. Surprised, I looked at Chae Yeom.
"Eh? My lady, you speak the tribal tongue?"
"Not fluently, but... I learned bit by bit by repeating words with her, and taught her in turn."
I glanced between the two women.
A noble daughter of a Han prestigious house, and the granddaughter of a tribal chief.
While I was away, they'd grown close enough to teach each other languages.
It was odd, but seeing them get along without quarreling put my mind at ease.
I turned back to Chae Yeom's belly, pressing my ear close in hopes of hearing the child.
Faint movements and warm heat transmitted through. As I lingered, feeling them, a soft hand rested on my head.
"Hee hee hee."
Chae Yeom covered her mouth, quietly laughing as she stroked my hair.
"I know how much you worry for me, husband. But with Chienya here, and others looking after me well, please don't neglect your duties."
I wanted to stay longer, but sighed at her words.
"Haa. I'll handle things quickly and be back."
I rose. Then looked at Chienya.
"...Take care of her."
Chienya nodded silently.
As I stepped toward the door, she immediately took my spot, snuggling close to Chae Yeom.
I caught sight of them smiling quietly.
'...Reliable.'
With Chienya by Chae Yeom's side, even without me, she'd be well protected.
Chienya was the type who could bulldoze even Wei Sok.
I headed straight for the office after leaving the inner chambers.
Months away meant paperwork piled to the ceiling.
As expected, Zhen Feng and Jia Xu, handling affairs there first, were already buried in bamboo slips.
"What's all this?"
Zhen Feng eyed me with hollow gaze.
"Welcome back, my lord. These are the... trifling matters Zhangye forces had to handle while you were gone."
"Haa..."
A sigh escaped me.
"Zhang Liao, Gao Shun, Ma Teng, Wei Sok! Get in here! Gather everyone who can read!"
The office turned into chaos in an instant.
Zhang Liao and Gao Shun, summoned hastily, silently reviewed their assigned military reports. Ma Teng awkwardly helped with the calculations.
"Bro! Battles are over—time to rest and drink! What's with these scraps of paper?!"
I smacked Wei Sok's head as he rummaged through slips.
—Thwack!
"Shut it. Think your pay'll come through if we don't handle this? Work!"
"Urk! Bro, that's too much! Blackmail with pay?!"
"I said work! Work!"
We wrestled with documents all day.
Only as dusk fell did we douse the urgent fires.
Hours of paperwork left my body stiff.
To loosen up, I grabbed my spear and headed to the training grounds. An unexpected guest was already there.
—Ma Teng's son, Ma Chao.
The boy waited in thin clothes despite the cold.
"What brings you here?"
"Governor! I've been waiting!"
Ma Chao ran up and bowed deeply. A far cry from his brash first impression.
"Me? Why?"
"The test you gave me! I can pass now! Please watch!"
'...Test?'
I recalled the forgotten matter.
When taking in Ma Teng before, I'd given Ma Chao a heavy sandbag and told him to hold it for one shichen.
To build that stamina so quickly... Hiding my surprise, I said,
"Hm, is that so? Then show me right here."
Ma Chao grunted and hoisted the heavy bag from the corner, cradling it in both arms.
I left him be and regripped my spear for my own training.
—Whoosh! Whoosh!
The spear blade sliced cold winter air, loosening my stiff body.
Sweat beaded as I swung.
Lost in a trance, time flew as I focused on my spear forms. At last, I finished the final stance and lowered the weapon.
"Hoo, hoo!"
Ragged breaths burst out.
The sun had fully set; the wind chilled to the bone, but felt refreshing against my heated body.
Only then did I remember Ma Chao.
"Ah... Ho...?"
Turning, he still stood there, holding the bag.
Sweat-soaked, legs trembling like aspen leaves, but his eyes unwavering.
Over two shichen had passed—stamina unbelievable for a ten-year-old.
"...It's been well over one shichen already. Why didn't you say so?"
Ma Chao gritted his teeth and replied,
"Y-your training wasn't done, Governor. How could I presume to say my test was over? Besides— I still had strength left, so this was training for me too."
"Heh..."
I approached and had him set the bag down.
"Come to the training grounds at this hour starting tomorrow."
"You...! You'll take me as disciple?!"
Ma Chao's face lit up. I slung my spear over my shoulder and turned.
"From the moment you accepted my test, you were already my 'disciple.'"
Leaving Ma Chao stunned in awe and gratitude, I exited the grounds.
'Of course a warrior whose name I'd heard even in modern times would pass a test like this.'
Unaware of my thoughts, Ma Chao kept bowing to the ground until I was gone.