Dams Cannot Hold Back Rivers
Along the Jiangxia River bordering Jing Province, in a field tent. A strange tension hung in the air inside the tent.
Sun Ce and Zhou Yu sat facing each other across a tanqi board.
"Gongjin, I won't let you get away this time!"
Sun Ce snapped his fingers with a grunt of effort. The smoothly carved jade piece sliced across the board, piercing into Zhou Yu's formation, but Zhou Yu's piece spun cleverly away, bouncing off harmlessly.
"Uncle, brute force alone won't win wars. You have to read the flow."
Zhou Yu smiled leisurely and flicked his own piece. It moved as if alive, shoving Sun Ce's pieces out one after another. Soon, only Zhou Yu's jade pieces stood proudly in the center. As the scales tipped sharply in Zhou Yu's favor, Sun Ce slyly swept his hand across the board, scattering the pieces, and bellowed.
"Argh! Isn't this boring? Brother Seowon has already swept Ogun and swallowed Hwegye, yet here we sit playing tanqi, waiting for that old fox Liu Biao to make a move. Can't you hear the spiderwebs spinning on my sword? I'd rather cross the river right now and take their heads!"
Zhou Yu quietly smiled as he sorted the scattered pieces one by one.
"Have you forgotten the Inspector's strict orders before we marched? As long as we hold here, Suchun stays safe. That's the board he laid out."
Zhou Yu fiddled with a jade tanqi piece for a moment, then cautiously spoke as if struck by a sudden thought.
"But tell me... do you ever wonder? How long must the Sun family dance to Suchun's tune? Jiangdong was always our family's deep root, wasn't it?"
Sun Ce's back stiffened briefly, then he burst into boisterous laughter and turned away.
"How could a real man be born without ambitions? But Gongjin, face reality. Independence is a pipe dream now—even opposing Brother Seowon is hopeless. Not just him; we've got prodigies like Taesa Ja and Lu Su in our ranks, all vying to be the Lord's hands and feet. The moment Jiangdong fell under Yuan Shu's banner, the Sun family's fate to build its own power was sealed."
Sun Ce clapped Zhou Yu's shoulder with a hearty laugh.
"No need to grieve. Brother Seowon saved our Sun family without sparing his own life, didn't he? Father, on his deathbed, commanded us to revere him like a father. I'm no rogue like Lü Bu, who betrayed three fathers—how could I turn on him? A general who betrays his father isn't a man. I'll remain a mere tiger following the dragon that is my brother."
Zhou Yu paused in toying with the tanqi piece and gazed toward the distant Suchun skies, murmuring softly.
"Truth be told, I have no confidence in beating the Inspector. No—the very word 'odds of victory' feels meaningless. He shook the world by taking Hua Xiong's head with ghostly martial feats on the battlefield, and now he's captured Jiangdong's hearts without spilling a drop of blood through his wondrous strategies. Every time I see him, it's like Bai Qi of Qin reborn—chills run down my spine."
Zhou Yu sighed and continued.
"And that's not all. Look at the foundations he's laid with the field regulations and household registers. The skill to feed the people and steady the realm evokes Xiao He of Han. The martial lord Bai Qi and the sage minister of order, Xiao He, fused in one man."
At that moment, Sun Ce, who had been listening silently, grabbed Zhou Yu's shoulder with a booming laugh.
"Hey, Gongjin! Enough of this dull talk. Let's tear into that precious chicken galbi we saved and catch up properly. A man's worries belong tossed into his wine cup!"
As Sun Ce hooked an arm around him and pulled, Zhou Yu rose with a light sigh, infected by the spirit. Just as Zhou Yu straightened his robes to exit the tent, a soldier rushed in from outside, prostrating himself on the ground.
"Report! A general from Yeongneung seeks enlistment and awaits outside the tent! His bearing is extraordinary—we dared not turn him away!"
Sun Ce raised an eyebrow curiously.
"Yeongneung? He came all this way to find me? Bring him in."
Soon, a man strode in imposingly, a massive axe slung across his back. Thick brows, piercing eyes, and a bushy beard—he looked every inch the fierce general. The man glanced between Sun Ce and Zhou Yu, then cupped his fists with a thunderous voice.
"I am Hyeong Do Yeong, Great General of Yeongneung! I come to offer my mountain-cleaving axe upon hearing of General Sun's fame!"
Sun Ce asked with interest.
"You call yourself a great general? Just how skilled are you in arms?"
Hyeong Do Yeong, as if he'd been waiting, unleashed a torrent of florid boasts.
"One swing of my axe parts the Jiu Jiang's waters; one roar of mine scatters the tigers of Mount Tai! Though I bide my time quietly now, the day draws near when the world trembles at my name. Claiming me is as good as claiming the realm, General!"
Sun Ce let out a stunned chuckle at the man's smooth-tongued bluster.
"Hahaha! Parting rivers and chasing tigers? My ears will go deaf before I see your skills. Our army brims with heaven-piercing warriors, but I've never seen one who slays foes with his tongue. That silver speech suits a street storyteller better. Guards! Give this man a few coins and send him off!"
As Sun Ce waved him away, Zhou Yu's eyes flashed. He had observed Hyeong Do Yeong silently and seen not servility in his gaze, but a terrifying conviction in his self-promotion.
"Wait, Uncle."
Zhou Yu stood and approached Hyeong Do Yeong.
"General Hyeong, was it? Your spirit is truly admirable. I'll write you a letter of recommendation—head straight to Suchun and seek Inspector Seowon."
Hyeong Do Yeong's eyes widened in.
"Oh! As expected of the peerless beauty of the realm—your discerning eye spots the dragon buried in the dirt at a glance! You mean Seowon, the Inspector who took Hua Xiong's head and repelled Lü Bu with wisdom? That hero of the world is the vessel to embrace a one-man army like me! My axe is ready to dance madly for him!"
With a grand salute, Hyeong Do Yeong departed the tent. Sun Ce stared at Zhou Yu in disbelief.
"Gongjin, why? Anyone can see he's just a big-mouthed braggart."
Zhou Yu gazed at the tent flap where Hyeong Do Yeong had vanished and replied softly.
"Uncle, he's full of bluster, true. But didn't you see? He didn't blink selling himself before us two. That shamelessness alone outshines anyone in the world."
"What good's a silver tongue on the battlefield? Wars are won with blades."
Zhou Yu gave a wry smile and shook his head.
"There's the tale of the cock's crow and dog's bark. Mimics who fooled rooster and hound saved Lord Mengchang of Qi. I don't know where the Inspector will use him, but I trust he'll find a place for that uncanny gift. Who knows? That boast might prove deadlier than ten thousand arrows."
Sun Ce shook his head, still unconvinced, but decided to trust Zhou Yu's judgment. Thus, Hyeong Do Yeong, the self-proclaimed one-man army of Yeongneung, set off for Suchun as a peculiar foreshadowing to shake Seowon's board.
***
Days later, at Suchun's gates.
Seowon's procession, having conquered Jiangdong, finally arrived in Suchun. The markets rang with cheers hailing his name, but as they passed the gates, Yuan Shu was nowhere to be seen to greet him.
Seowon felt a twinge of unease but thought, This time, a scholar who truly values propriety has come. He headed to the official residence. The doors opened, and a soldier announced his arrival.
"Inspector Seowon has arrived!"
Yuan Shu rose at the sight of Seowon but coughed awkwardly under the glare of the scholar beside him and sat back down. Seowon knelt in his armor and respectfully presented his report tablet.
"My lord, I have pacified Jiangdong and returned."
Yuan Shu took the tablet, his lips twitching. His eyes pleaded for rescue, but his words were quite different.
"Ah... you've come. You must be exhausted from the long journey. Withdraw and rest for now. We'll speak later."
After Seowon withdrew with proper courtesy, he inquired discreetly and learned the scholar was Jang So. Without delay, he headed to Jang So's office. Seowon adjusted his headdress and spoke in a low but weighty voice.
"Lord Zabo, Seowon has come to pay respects. May I enter briefly?"
"Come in."
Zabo's voice from within was as stern and unyielding as his upright character. Seowon entered the office. The room was filled with the scent of ink, sparsely furnished with only a desk and bookshelves—no incense burner in sight. As Seowon entered, Jang So set down his brush and fixed him with a gaze. Before sitting, Seowon bowed deeply to Jang So.
"Master Zabo, Seowon at last pays his respects. I heard in the field how you straightened our army's discipline while I was away from Suchun. I've long revered you as a font of lessons."
Jang So narrowed his eyes in surprise.
"Inspector, to be frank—I worried you'd prioritize profit over propriety, bending rites lightly. I even thought the Lord's lapses from decorum stemmed from your influence. Yet you show such respect; now I'm the one caught off guard."
Seowon lowered his head and replied gently.
"I knew your reputation well, Master. Having a great Confucian like you at our side is my honor and opportunity to learn. History shows: Xiang Yu fell for ignoring Fan Zeng's bitter counsel; King Fu Cha of Wu lost his state by rejecting Wu Zixu's warnings. Good advice is bitter to the ear but sweet to swallow. It's human nature to spit out the bitter, but I believe your sharp words are the true medicine sustaining our forces."
At Seowon's sincere deference, the edge in Jang So's demeanor softened. A quiet joy stirred in Jang So's heart. Seowon added softly.
"But Master, even medicine turns poison if overdone. What do you make of dams and rivers? Your rites are the dam. Because of you, our Lord's dignity doesn't overflow recklessly, serving as a model for the people. Yet if the dam rises too high, blocking the river entirely, the bed rots and the channel dries."
Seowon pleaded earnestly, meeting Jang So's eyes.
"Our Lord delights in snap judgments—his instincts keen and often right, but his overconfidence worries me deeply for the disasters it could bring. So, Master, when he strays from the path, be the dam that holds him back. I'll bow to you for guidance, ensuring your bitter words reach him as tonic. Won't you teach me and help steer our Lord's flow straight toward the realm?"
Jang So set down his teacup and, for the first time, smiled kindly at Seowon.
"Your spirit exceeds the rumors, Inspector. With a true confidant like you, aiding the Lord won't feel so lonely. For your sake, I'll moderate the dam's height a bit."
"I shall remember, Master. I look forward to your continued guidance."
Seowon left Jang So's room, exhaling the pent-up sigh from his chest. Though Jang So had projected a stern front, thankfully his heart wasn't narrow or nitpicking enough to overstep. To rein in their Lord's impulsive nature, a touch more rigidity was needed—and Jang So was more than sufficient. Seowon gazed at Suchun's night sky and murmured.
"Whatever happens, I'm finally home."
Suchun's night deepened into silence, but Seowon's steps treading it were lighter than ever.