Chapter 77
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: Lü Lingqi
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I tossed aside the Mi Clan deal, the horse trade—everything.
I burst out of the reception hall and headed straight for the courtyard housing the inner chambers. The courtyard was already in a frenzy.
Midwives and maids bustled about, carrying boiling water and cloths.
I just stood there, staring blankly at the firmly shut door to the inner room. I'd never trembled like this even on the battlefield, yet now I was shaking harder than ever.
"Haa... ugh..."
Chae Yeom's pained groans leaked out intermittently through the door crack.
'Damn it! Damn it!'
I paced the narrow courtyard like a dog, restless beyond measure, when an irritating voice scraped at my nerves from behind.
"Kahaha! Brother! Why are you so scared? Childbirth's no big deal! My mother—when she had me—"
"Shut your mouth."
"No, really! It's not you giving birth. What's so hard about waiting outside... Just relax!"
—Thwack!
I smacked Wei Sok right on the back of his head.
"Gah! H-hey! Why'd you hit me?!"
"You think that tongue of yours helps right now? That's why I told you to shut it!"
As I tussled with Wei Sok, the inner room door flew open, and sweat-drenched Chienya burst out.
Chienya glared at us both with utter disdain and shouted,
"Shut up! Don't loiter here—both of you, get lost! You're disturbing the mother!"
"More importantly, my wife...! How is she?!"
"She's dying, so be quiet! Fetch more water!"
Chienya shoved a water bucket at me like kicking it away, then slammed the door shut.
'I'm her husband, damn it!!'
I listlessly picked up the bucket and kept hauling water, my anxiety peaking—when suddenly, Chae Yeom's pained groans from inside cut off abruptly.
'Why's it so quiet all of a sudden!'
My heart felt like it stopped. Should I break down the door? As I agonized over it,
"Waa! Waaaaah!!"
A resounding, crystal-clear cry—louder and purer than any sound I'd ever heard—rang out.
The inner room door opened again, and the exhausted midwife emerged with a smile on her face.
"Commandery Administrator! Congratulations! It's a daughter, fair as jade!"
"...A daughter?"
My first child—a girl.
I stood there dazed for a moment, then snapped to, breathing raggedly as I crossed the threshold into the inner room.
The room reeked of sweat and blood, but I couldn't have cared less.
"...Ah!"
Chae Yeom lay there, utterly spent and drenched in sweat. Spotting me, she managed a faint smile.
"My lord. Here's your daughter."
"...Th-this child... my daughter..."
The midwife handed the baby to me. I cradled the tiny life carefully.
"Waa! Waa!"
"Haha... so adorable..."
I couldn't tear my eyes from her, then knelt by Chae Yeom's side, still holding the child.
Gently, I reached out and brushed the sweat-matted hair from her forehead.
"...You've endured so much, my lady. For making me... a father... thank you."
At my voice, Chae Yeom struggled to open her eyes. But they held more regret than joy.
"My lord, forgive me... As your principal wife, my first child should have been... a son to carry on the line..."
"What nonsense! I'm just grateful you're safe—and that you've given us this child."
Chienya, wiping sweat from the side, cut in gruffly.
"Tch. You Han Chinese are weird. Boy or girl, it's the same baby. Right?"
"Chienya's right, my lady!"
I smiled faintly down at the child in my arms.
"Better a lovely daughter like you than some grumpy, rough boy, don't you think?"
Relief finally bloomed on Chae Yeom's face.
"My lord, then... will you name her?"
I gazed long at the infant's tiny face.
"...Lingqi. Lü Lingqi—how's that, my lady?"
"Lingqi... Clear as a jade chime, fine as silk. A wonderful name, my lord."
Chae Yeom smiled contentedly. I stared at my sleeping daughter, Lü Lingqi, when memories flooded back.
My parents, lost to nomad raids; the brutal, chaotic world where I'd gripped a spear just to survive.
'I've endured this harsh world alone since losing my parents. But for this child—my daughter Lingqi—I must forge a realm free of such chaos, one at least a little better for living.'
The realization of fatherhood brought a new goal: a peaceful world for my family.
Autumn 187, Ji County in You Province's Yan Commandery.
The winds blew chill.
Liu Bei gazed at the battlefield from a corner of Gongsun Zan's camp, flanked by his three hundred volunteers.
After the Yellow Turban and Northern Palace eunuch rebellions, he'd wandered seeking office but landed nothing—not even the lowliest post.
His last resort: his maternal kin, Gongsun Zan. And now, opportunity knocked again.
—That summer.
Zhang Ju and Zhang Chun, with Wuhuan chieftain Qiu Liju's aid, rebelled with 150,000 strong.
Initial suppressors—Youbeiping Commandery Administrator Liu Zheng, Liaodong Administrator Yang Zhong, and Wuhuan Protectorate Colonel Gong Qizhu—fell to the rebels.
Flush with victories in Liaodong and You Province, Zhang Ju dubbed himself "True Dragon Emperor," while Zhang Chun claimed "King of Stability, General Who Fills the Heavens."
As Liu Bei pondered the distant "Emperor" banner, Zhang Fei snorted.
"Kahaha! Brothers! Look at those clowns! Now every mutt and cur's calling themselves emperor or king! What a joke this world's become!"
"Yide."
Liu Bei replied with a wry smile.
"The realm's in chaos, letting such bandits run rampant."
His eyes fixed on the tallest banner amid the 150,000—the fake emperor's.
"...Yunchang, Yide. You two could break through to that banner, couldn't you?"
Guan Yu stroked his long beard.
"Of course, brother."
"Heh, feels like yesterday we crushed the Yang Province revolt with Governor Lü. Facing a similar host again—fate loves repeats, eh, Eldest Brother?!"
—Lü Bu.
Liu Bei's lips curved faintly at the name.
"Hahaha! A true hero."
"Heroic, yes—and free of petty greed."
Zhang Fei, reminiscing, shouted excitedly.
"Eldest Brother! Governor Lü storming the enemy lines back then—thrilling! Let's take that fake emperor's head this time!"
Liu Bei shook his head.
"Yide, it's different now. Lü's army moved as one under him, but Cousin Zan's forces lack unity. He's focusing on driving them back, not assaulting—tough going."
Liu Bei gripped the twin swords at his waist.
"...Still, we do what we can. For the people's sake, right?"
"Hahaha! Eldest Brother's right!"
—Dong! Dong-dong!
Just then, war drums signaling advance boomed from Gongsun Zan's main camp.
"Cousin Zan's made his move! Brothers, charge the traitors!!"
"Yes, brother!"
"Got it, Eldest Brother! That fake emperor's head is mine."
"Hahaha, Yide's spirit overflows."
The sworn brothers led their volunteers charging toward the enemy.
Winter in Jiangxia arrived sooner than expected.
Months had passed since Lingqi's birth. I sat watching Chae Yeom nurse her, unbinding her robe.
Lingqi suckled contentedly with tiny mouth movements.
"Truly... thank goodness she doesn't take after me, my lady."
At my murmur, Chienya—tidying Lingqi's clothes nearby—snapped gruffly,
"What're you saying? In this world, even girls need martial skills."
"That's for nomads."
"Pfft, Han or nomad—what's the difference?"
As Chienya and I bickered lightly, Chae Yeom smiled softly.
"I'm just glad you dote on Lingqi so, my lord."
I savored the peaceful scene with Chae Yeom and Chienya a moment longer. But I couldn't stay forever.
"My lady, I'll be off."
Rising, Chienya smirked, arms crossed.
"Oh? You're leaving without me chasing you now?"
At the door, I glanced back: sleeping Lingqi, Chae Yeom gazing lovingly, Chienya standing guard.
"...For the world my child will live in, I must work harder."
Heading to my office, I walked the corridor. Northern chill winds already whistled.
Much had happened these past months.
The Mi Clan horse deal succeeded; Zhang Ju and Zhang Chun's Hebei revolt was crushed by Gongsun Zan with 20,000 at Ji County against 150,000.
Word was Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei shone aiding him.
'Impressive. 20,000 versus 150,000—even I'd struggle.'
The rebels fled You Province but regrouped, pillaging You, Ji, Qing, and Xu Provinces—over 100,000 dead civilians reported.
"The realm's in utter turmoil."
Muttering, I entered the office where Cheonpung and Jia Xu awaited.
"My lord, the Mi Clan in Xu Province urgently requests more warhorses."
"Ho, more already? How long since the last shipment..."
"Rebels plundering northern Qing and Xu again—mostly Wuhuan cavalry. Without horses..."
"Hard to counter."
"Exactly. So urgent, Mi Zhu himself sent a personal letter."
Cheonpung handed over Mi Zhu's missive. Simple contents:
Rebel demands spiked horse needs; Wuhuan roam northern Xu—send faster.
Also intriguing: Yuan Shu parades my horses in Jing, drawing merchant envy—uphold monopoly.
'Hmph. No intent to betray promise-keepers.'
Mi Zhu had sent ample manpower and experts as Mi Fang boasted.
As I set down the letter, Jia Xu chimed in.
"Commandery Administrator, court's movements are key."
"What's the court up to now?"
"To reopen the Silk Road, official envoys to the Western Regions. Yang Province Administrator's petitions worked—passing Chang'an soon for Jiangxia. Prepare thoroughly—"
I'd ordered preparations long ago, but Jia Xu urged more.
As we three discussed the envoy, the office door burst open.
"Huff huff huff!"
Wei Sok rushed in.
Since marrying his nomad bride last spring, his old frivolity had mellowed—he seemed more proper.
'Good call sending him off. He's almost human now.'
"What is it, Wei Sok?"
"Brother—no, Commandery Administrator!"
Wei Sok caught his breath and shouted,
"The envoy from Jing Province arrives in Jiangxia soon! They say it's Shooting Voice Colonel Ma Ridi, elder of famed scholar Ma Rong's clan!"
I shot to my feet.
"Finally here!"