Chapter 74
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: Guests and Marriage Proposals
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As soon as dawn broke, I headed to the training grounds.
The cold air pierced my lungs, but it felt refreshing instead. To my surprise, a guest had arrived before me.
—Whoosh! Whoosh!
A young boy about ten years old was wielding a sword as tall as himself, breathing heavily as he practiced his forms.
—It was Ma Teng's son, Ma Chao.
The aura emanating from this kid in his early teens was impressive. Swinging a sword like that already.
"Whoa, kid! Not bad!"
At that moment, Wei Sok approached Ma Chao with his boisterous voice. Still rubbing sleep from his eyes, he looked at the boy with curiosity.
"You're that Ma Teng's son, huh? Man, becoming our big bro's disciple at your age! You know you're lucky, right, punk!"
Wei Sok grinned and reached out to ruffle Ma Chao's hair. But Ma Chao nimbly dodged.
"Oh?"
Wei Sok chuckled.
"Still just a kid, but already so shy."
"It's not shyness. It's rude to touch a proud man's head without permission."
Ma Chao gripped his sword tighter and replied clearly.
"And how dare you not even introduce yourself!"
"Hahaha! Listen to this guy! I'm Wei Sok, big bro Lu Bu's one and only brother! You've heard the name, right?"
But Ma Chao just tilted his head at the name Wei Sok.
"Wei Sok...? Never heard of you—"
"What, what did you say, you little brat?!"
Wei Sok's face turned beet red. He couldn't believe someone in these parts hadn't heard of him.
"Fine! You called yourself a proud man, so I'll teach you a real lesson today!"
Wei Sok huffed, drew his sword from his belt, and charged at Ma Chao without hesitation.
—Clang! Clang-clang!
"Urk!"
No matter how talented Ma Chao was, he couldn't match Wei Sok.
Wei Sok showed no mercy against a ten-year-old, unleashing a flurry of quick strikes. Ma Chao desperately blocked in panic, but it wasn't enough.
He looked like he might drop his sword any second.
"Hey, hey! What are you doing to a kid!"
I couldn't just watch anymore and stepped in. Wei Sok whistled and turned around with a shameless grin.
"Whoa, big bro! A kid? No way!"
Wei Sok sheathed his sword with a smirk, glancing between me and Ma Chao before spouting lies without batting an eye.
"This punk called himself a 'proud man' and begged me to spar and teach him! So I was just giving him some special instruction!"
I silently looked at Ma Chao. He met my gaze without flinching, lips pressed tight, still clutching his sword.
"...It's true. I did ask Wei Sok to teach me a move."
A lie. I'd heard everything clearly from afar. But that fierce glint in his eyes.
He was clearly ashamed of being pushed back by Wei Sok. The kid had pride, at least.
"...Wei Sok. Go easy on him. Easy."
"How can I hold back in a duel with a proud man? That'd be an insult, big bro! Right?!"
Wei Sok ignored me and lunged at Ma Chao again like lightning.
—Kakang! Clang!
"Urk—!"
Ma Chao was completely overwhelmed. His footwork was quick, but he lacked power, and his stance for parrying was unstable.
"Lower your hips more! Don't watch the sword tip—watch the opponent's shoulder and check their stance!"
I tossed out some casual advice.
Ma Chao didn't miss a word and immediately tried to correct his form. Definitely a promising one from the start. But still not enough.
—Clang!
In the end, Ma Chao's sword couldn't withstand Wei Sok's strike and flew into the air. Wei Sok's blade stopped right before the boy's throat.
"Hahaha! Big bro, how was that? Pretty good, right? This kid's got potential!"
Wei Sok boasted as he sheathed his sword. At that moment, a cold voice came from behind.
"Tsk tsk tsk. Thrilled over barely beating a kid."
Zhang Liao had appeared, clicking his tongue. Wei Sok exploded.
"What'd you say, you bastard?! What do you know!"
"Want to go a round with me, then?"
"Ahem, suddenly remembered some urgent business. No time for more training! Gotta go!"
Wei Sok suddenly put on a stern tone, coughed, and bolted.
"I-I! Whew... gotta hurry and send a wife from the Northern Xiongnu. That guy needs to get married to mature."
"My lord, you think Wei Sok will mature just by getting married...?"
"Ahem..."
I had nothing to say to Zhang Liao's words. Still, I wanted to believe a wife and kids might settle him a bit.
I turned from where Wei Sok had fled and approached Ma Chao, who was biting his lip in frustration.
"You did well."
"...I lost. What did I do well?"
Ma Chao shot back, lifting his head. His eyes still burned with fire.
"You're young and have plenty of room to grow."
I crouched down and pointed out his mistakes from the spar with Wei Sok, one by one.
Footwork, grip, parrying stance—everything.
Ma Chao listened intently, then immediately adjusted based on my tips and swung his sword again.
As I finished and turned, Zhang Liao fell in beside me and murmured.
"Hm. Seems like you really take a liking to that boy, my lord."
"His fierce eyes are great, aren't they?"
"In about five years, Wei Sok'll be crying."
I gave a wry smile at Zhang Liao's words.
'Five years?'
Honestly, in three years, Wei Sok might be the one running from Ma Chao.
Leaving the training grounds behind, I opened the door to my office.
Instead of the expected pile of documents, a different kind of 'stack of letters' towered on the desk like a mountain.
All tied with red string or adorned with fancy decorations.
"What's this?"
Dian Feng pointed at the pile with his hollow eyes.
"Congratulations, my lord. Marriage proposals from the influential tribal chiefs of the Changli region."
"Marriage proposals? For who? Don't tell me for me?"
"No. For the officers under your command. After you made it clear you won't take any more concubines, who would dare propose to you? Haha."
I was dumbfounded. Skimming them, I saw names like Zhang Liao, Gao Shun—even Ma Teng.
"Man, they're all ganging up to tie knots with my men."
Jia Xu, who had dark circles but kept his relaxed smile, spoke up.
"Haha, your subordinates are so popular it's a problem. Soon the whole Changli army will be one big family."
"Teacher Jia's right. Especially Zhang Liao and Gao Shun—looks like they're competing to snag them."
Dian Feng chimed in.
"Hm, yeah, mostly Zhang Liao and Gao Shun."
I rummaged through the pile and absentmindedly picked up the last one. The tribe was unfamiliar, but the target sure wasn't.
"Huh? Teacher Jia. You've got one too?"
"...Pardon? Me?"
The smile vanished from Jia Xu's face. He looked like the sky had fallen.
I checked the letter again to hand it over, but Jia Xu's face went pale instantly.
"C-Commandery Administrator!"
Gone was his usual sly composure. Jia Xu snatched the letter from my hand desperately.
"Th-this... must be a huge mistake! I must tear it up right now!"
"N-no! Teacher Jia! It's still a letter from another tribe—!"
"Shouldn't a mistaken letter be torn up?"
Jia Xu crumpled it like he wanted to shred it. Sweat beaded on his forehead.
"And just in case! To keep these tribes from spreading silly rumors to my wife... c-could you take special measures?"
It was practically begging.
Id never seen Jia Xu this flustered. Overwhelmed, I nodded unconsciously.
"A-alright..."
Then Dian Feng, watching from the side, burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! Teacher Jia, why so scared? If it were me, taking another rugged northern woman wouldn't be bad. Is your wife that terrifying?"
"Advisor Yuan Ho! It varies from person to person! For me, one wife is— more than enough!"
Jia Xu's firm reply piqued my curiosity even more.
'What kind of woman has him so whipped? I'd like to meet her.'
I suddenly recalled Dian Feng mentioning Jia Xu had family in Ji Province and Jing Province, but Jia Xu never spoke of his own.
Maybe now's the time to ask?
"Teacher Jia, come to think of it, you've never mentioned your family—"
As I geared up to probe, an official entered from outside the office.
"Commandery Administrator. The man sent by the Hedong Commandery Administrator has arrived."
My head tilted at the official's words. Hedong Commandery Administrator—Dong Zhuo's post from the Northern Palace coup suppression.
"Hm. Bring him in. Oh, who is it?"
"Hedong's Chief Clerk, Li Ru."
"Li Ru..."
I remembered a scholar always whispering to Dong Zhuo during the coup.
The office door opened, and a man entered under the official's guidance.
Gaunt build, sharp eyes.
Hedong Commandery Administrator Dong Zhuo's Chief Clerk, Li Ru. The very scholar who'd shadowed Dong Zhuo like a ghost during the coup.
Li Ru bowed politely upon entering.
"It's been a while, Commandery Administrator Lu. Heh heh, last time we met, you were just a prayer captain, and now so young, yet Commandery Administrator of an army. Impressive."
"Hm, glad to hear that. But Chief Clerk, why did the Hedong Commandery Administrator send you to this frontier?"
I cut straight to business despite his flattery. Li Ru smiled smoothly.
"Lord Dong was overjoyed hearing you'd pacified Yang Province and now govern Changli with benevolence. He sends deep regards."
"Regards..."
"Yes. To show support for your future, he prepared a small gift."
Li Ru pulled a silk scroll from his robe and offered it politely.
Unrolling it, the content was simple: 'A gift for Changli Commandery's development and friendship'—one million in silver.
'One... million taels?'
I nearly refused outright, 'How can I accept such a sum?' But Dian Feng and Jia Xu simultaneously signaled me with their eyes to hold back.
Composed faces, but cautious eyes.
'Hm?'
I hesitated but followed their lead.
"Ahem, I appreciate Hedong's kindness, but I must consult my advisors. I trust these two deeply—may they handle the discussion in my stead?"
"Of course, my lord. Wise counsel is only natural."
With Li Ru's agreement, Dian Feng spoke first.
"Heh heh, Lord Dong's generosity is vast! Hedong's salt lands make such wealth natural, so this sum must be mere 'friendship' to him."
A probe acknowledging Dong Zhuo's riches while testing the gift's intent. Li Ru smoothly countered.
"True friends show sincerity first. But fearing misunderstanding with you and Changli, our lord offers this modest gesture upfront."
"But hearts change easily, no? Even with friends or lovers. Does Lord Dong seek some 'proof' from us?"
Jia Xu subtly probed the cost of the gift. Li Ru laughed heartily, as if waiting.
"Haha! Quite right. One-sided sentiment doesn't deepen bonds. Since you ask, I'll speak freely."
Li Ru looked me straight in the eye. Finally, the main point.
"Our lord was deeply impressed by your 'Changli Merchant Guild.' We'd like to support that grand plan from Hedong. We'll provide endless goods and funds—so, could you cede 20% of the guild's shares to us?"
—20% of the guild shares.
No small demand. Dian Feng and Jia Xu coughed dryly in unison.
"Ahem..."
"Chief Clerk, are you asking for 20% in exchange for that million taels just now?"
Jia Xu feigned surprise. Li Ru laughed booming again.
"Haha! Perish the thought. How could that buy 20% of such valuable shares? The million is purely our lord's goodwill. For the 20% investment—we can discuss details later, no?"
'A million taels... just a gift?'
Unbelievable. My annual salary, saved penny by penny, is barely 200,000 taels. How much more does that pig plan to pour in?
'Is he insane?'