Rafters and Beams Intertwine to Uphold the Great Cause, Old Soil and New Streams Converge to Nourish Jiangdong
Two months had passed since they had swept away Liu Yao's remnants and seized Malu. In that brief yet momentous span, Yuan Shu's army hadn't merely conquered territory—they had transformed into its true rulers. Shouchun, Guangling, and Jiangdong under Yuan Shu's banner thrummed with fresh vitality.
While others took respite to hone their martial skills or pore over books in lively debates, Seowon never rested. He knew better than anyone that the root of chaos lay in the struggle for survival. In his sharp eyes, the current agrarian system was woefully inefficient. Thus, his first act was to introduce the Field Tax Law.
This law fixed taxes on rice paddies and fields. Seowon boldly discarded the old, brutal exploitation. In exchange for slashing tax rates, he loaned oxen to displaced refugees, urging them to reclaim wastelands. It was a radical policy prioritizing population settlement and expanded farmland over immediate revenue. Naturally, buying those oxen strained the army's coffers somewhat, but when scholars like Jeong Hon and Yu Bok heard of the Field Tax Law and petitioned Yuan Shu, the lord pondered their words deeply before granting approval.
Alongside this, he pursued technical innovations to maximize soil fertility. He promoted the Deep Plowing Method, turning soil deeply to revive its nutrients. To that end, Seowon personally drafted designs to upgrade the traditional plow. The improved version, with a curved share to channel oxen power deeper, spread to forges across Shouchun.
"The earth must breathe deeply for crops to thrive. Only when the people are well-fed can the Lord's great cause stand unshaken."
Seowon's bold decisions first stirred the army's advisors. Lu Su, overseeing Huiji and logistics, lost sleep over the Field Tax Law draft. The next morning, eyes bloodshot, he rushed to Seowon, clutching revised documents with trembling hands.
"General, if we follow this, our usable assets could plummet by next harvest. In these turbulent times, hoarding grain is virtue—this borders on reckless gamble. But..."
Lu Su's gaze burned bright.
"Look three years ahead, and our Yuan Shu forces will amass immense wealth. This wins the people's faith and roots the state—true kingly way of governance. I am awestruck by your foresight, General. If any oppose the law, I will lead the persuasion."
Next came debates on deep plowing. Yeom Sang visited Seowon daily, probing its viability. On the day the irrigation works completed, he inspected the site himself. Watching crude tools tear into barren earth, new channels filling the furrows, he stood transfixed. Tears streaming down his cheeks marked the thrill of finding governance's answer—and remorse for his own narrow vision. His eyes fell on the plow blade in Seowon's hand. Sharper than any sword that had felled thousands, that earth-cleaving share gleamed. Behind the upright figure on the vast plain stretched the long shadow of a tree that would end the chaos.
As Seowon solidified the inner workings, military might grew unyielding. Jang Heum and Hwang Gai drilled the navy amid the Yangtze's fierce currents. Infantry, led by Sun Ce and Taesa Ja alongside generals like Qi Ling, trained into a formidable force.
Yet a strange hush and simmering tension hung over the bustling Yuan Shu offices. Victory's joy had given way to reward distribution—and the inevitable factional jostling.
Before the banquet fully ignited, I sought a private audience with Yuan Shu. I approached a massive map on one wall of the hall. Far more detailed than two months prior, it traced the realm's turbulent fates in dense red and black lines.
Yuan Shu, fiddling with his cup while surveying the hall, spotted me and tossed out a remark.
"Seowon, it's been two months since we pacified Jiangdong. You've toiled without cease on this Field Tax nonsense and Deep Plowing drivel—surely today you can set aside worries and enjoy the feast? Must you brood over that map even now?"
Genuine concern warmed his eyes. When I pulled all-nighters drafting policies, he'd send servants with rare honey jars—his rough yet heartfelt way of urging me to recharge with sweets.
I replied to his kindness with a light smile and a bow, then dipped a fresh brush and jabbed a heavy dot on the map. I paused the tip at Jieqiao in Jizhou.
"My lord, behold. Yuan Shao, self-proclaimed northern noble, teeters on oblivion. He stakes all on Jieqiao against Gongsun Zan's cavalry for Jizhou's dominance. Gongsun's White Horse Volunteers sweep like tempests, yet Yuan Shao counters fiercely with Guo Tu's elite northern cavalry in a desperate stand. A true tiger-fight, fangs locked on throats."
Yuan Shu leaned forward, intrigued, a strange anticipation in his gaze.
"That bastard Ben Chu will suffer. I've heard of Gongsun's riders—brutal barbarianslayers. But Shao clings to pride; he won't crumble easily."
"Indeed. Yuan Shao wagers everything here. Yet, my lord, I see him as victor. Gongsun is brave but shallow and arrogant—he'll err. Shao has already woven Jizhou's great clans into his roots. Ultimately, Hebei's fertile plains will lie at Ben Chu's feet."
I shifted the brush to Cao Cao in Yanzhou, voice weighted heavier.
"The true threat looms beyond that victory. With the north pacified, Yuan Shao's forces may march south. Cao Cao in Yanzhou borrows Shao's prestige to swell his ranks, guarding his southern flank like a hound. Shao holds the mandate, Cao wields the blade for gain. If Hebei's torrent merges with Yanzhou's edge and surges south, even Jiangdong's rivers won't stem it."
Yuan Shu's eyes narrowed, liquor haze yielding to a lord's chill acuity.
"That Cao whelp... the eunuch spawn's grown so bold? Rumors of devouring Yanzhou and claiming 300,000 Yellow Turbans weren't lies."
"Precisely. Seizing Malu marks not our finale, but genesis. Lingering in triumph invites those hungry beasts to tear us apart. Stockpiling rice and drilling the navy isn't mere defense—it's paving steps to the central plains. We must not forget."
Yuan Shu released his chin, piercing the map's contours.
"So we just check that Cao hound?"
I slowly shook my head, pointing west to Jingzhou.
"No. Yuan Shao plays more than one move. He'll surely prod Liu Biao to harry us—dangling trade rights to stoke greed, stabbing from behind to hobble us."
Yuan Shu's brow furrowed. Liu Biao had been a thorn since Nanyang days.
"Liu Biao... that bookish fossil falls for Ben Chu's schemes to strike me?"
"Liu Biao clings to walls, but guards his turf fiercely. While Shao conquers Hebei and Cao grips the center, if Biao blocks the Yangtze with Jingzhou's navy, we're rats in a trap—slashed by Cao's blade north, pierced by Biao's spear west."
Yuan Shu fell silent, map burning in his stare, tension replacing revelry. At last, he rose, straightening his robes.
"Finish Jiangdong's remnants, or strike Jingzhou now... Seowon, what say you?"
I pointed unhesitatingly at two spots.
"My lord, Liu Biao masters defense, backed by Jingzhou's mighty clans. Rushing him exhausts us. First, I and Taesa Ja fully pacify Jiangdong's south for a solid base. Sending Zhou Yu and Sun Ce to tie Biao's feet suffices."
Yuan Shu arched a brow, puzzled.
"Swap them? Sun Jian's valor proven—let him hold Jiangdong, you with Zhou Yu hit Biao faster for glory."
I stepped closer, voice low, probing his deep-seated 'insecurity'.
"My lord, Sun Ce is tiger's cub. If he fully pacifies Jiangdong and wins its hearts, his fame swells beyond control. Pit him against mighty Biao to split his strength; let loyal me and Taesa Ja root us firmly in Jiangdong for the great cause."
Insight flashed in Yuan Shu's eyes. Recalling Sun Ce's bold frame, he slapped his knee and nodded.
"Indeed... you're right! Cleanup's yours. Sun Ce checks Liu Biao."
As Yuan Shu settled the dais with heavy steps, majestic drums boomed outside. The sealed doors swung wide. Qi Ling led the old guard, followed by Sun Ce, Taesa Ja, and sharp-eyed newcomers striding in. Ranks formed flawlessly; whispers vanished, air thick with battle solemnity.
Yuan Shu toyed with the Rear General seal from his bosom, gazing down.
"Hear me! This gathering honors those who bled for House Yuan. I, Yuan Gonglu, reward merit—raise your heads!"
Vassal Yeom Sang unfurled the scroll, voice booming.
"First, Qi Ling! Guardian of the inner chambers, upholder of discipline—add Bowmaster, appoint Jianwei General! Sun Ce! Pacifier of Malu and Qu'a, raiser of house glory—name Zhenwu General, approve succession to father's Wucheng Marquis!"
Heat rose with each call. Zhou Yu to Jiangdong Commandant, Lu Su to Army Supervisor. Jeong Hon and Yu Bok, inner architects, named Bufeng Governor and Pei Governor. Veteran Sun Ga to Pian General, Hwang Gai to Bi General, Han Dang to Heng General; Jang Heum, navy trainer, to Navy Commandant.
Last: Yuan Shu fixed on me, lifting a blue-gleaming sword from a silver tray.
"Military Strategist Seowon!"
Eyes converged. Yuan Shu proffered the blade.
"I, Rear General Yuan Shu, name Seowon Supreme Commander over all Yuan Shu forces! Grant Yangjiang General—receive my sword!"
I knelt, taking it.
"I shall be my lord's sword, opening heaven's mandate!"
Post-rewards, the banquet flowed, joy bubbling yet air split into factions. Near the high seat, Qi Ling set down his cup slowly. His gaze locked on Taesa Ja beside Sun Ce. When Qi Ling spoke, retainers hushed.
"My lord, your grace humbles, but I fret. New wine needs new skins—yet unproven hides spill precious brew. The inner guard is time-tested pillar, not yesterday's flashy timber."
Courteous yet cutting, Qi Ling branded Sun Ce and Taesa Ja outsiders lacking legitimacy, bolstering old guard.
Taesa Ja set his cup gently, bowed, then replied.
"General Qi speaks truth. Law and years sustain the house. But stagnant water rots, idle blades rust. We stand hoping your great cause spans beyond Shouchun to the realm. No insolence—we yearn to prove our mettle makes your vessel sturdy."
Taesa Ja held etiquette yet yielded not. Qi Ling's brow deepened.
"Mettle, you say? Two months from captive to undue Commandant? Our discipline weighs heavier."
Old guard slammed cups in unison; temperature plunged. Taesa Ja serene, but his chopstick tip quivered with warrior resolve. Sun Ce gripped his cup, staring Qi Ling.
Before knots tightened, I intervened—prolonging risked lord's face and unity. I glided between like slicing air, snatching an empty bottle from Qi Ling's table smoothly.
"General Qi, the discipline you cherish—I shall uphold. General Taesa Ja, prove your mettle in foe hearts."
Pouring into Qi Ling's cup with a laugh-tinged voice,
"General Qi, who doubts you're our sturdy beam? No house stands without one."
I patted his shoulder lightly, filling without spill.
"Yet even firmest beam rots alone in storm. Let Sun and Taesa Ja as rafters shield the sky—then your beam endures millennia in the perfect site."
Noting Qi Ling's twitching brow, I lowered my tone.
"Your center stands like Taishan, letting them swing spears freely. Without your iron bulwark shield, their spears snap; dull spears burden your shield. Interlocked, we claim the realm."
My role affirmation and metaphor eased Qi Ling's rigidity—'shield and beam' reaffirmed his primacy. He took my cup two-handed, nodding to Taesa Ja.
"...Supreme Commander's words ring true. My zeal for the army overstepped."
Taesa Ja rose, bowing deeply to Qi Ling.
"I learn your deep loyalty, General. I too shall obey lord and Commander as keenest spear."
As tension melted to respect, Yuan Shu descended jug in arms.
"See? Fight fair, empty cups make brothers! Qi Ling, guard my chambers; newbies, plunder feasts! Drink up!"
Yuan Shu filled cups himself, roaring heartily. Old and new strife submerged under my reason and his warmth. At his unprecedented pour, generals drained cups, pledging fealty.
Feast peaking, I stepped out, inhaling cool night. Shouchun's sky clear, yet my heart heavy.
Today's rift sealed, but outer foes loom.
Map's red lines swirled in mind: Yuan Shao gripping Jieqiao, Cao Cao seizing Qingzhou, ominous Luoyang whispers. Dong Zhuo's tyranny heralded greater storm. Shouchun's spring bloomed fair, but the gale brewed. Cao Cao, Yuan Shao, Lü Bu honing spears... Gazing at glowing walls in dark, I steeled anew. The true war began. To crown Yuan Shu realm's master—my battle's curtain rose.