Pearl in the Mud
Two months had passed since they unpacked in Suchun. The ashes of Luoyang and the stench of war's blood hadn't reached this place. The fertile lands of Huainan filled the soldiers' bellies, and the strict military discipline under Seowon's control provided a haven for wandering refugees. Yuan Shu's army, once a symbol of plunder and debauchery, was gradually coming to be seen by the people of Suchun as protectors of the common folk.
Seowon stood by the window of his office, gazing at the northern sky. The wind was cold—not just from the changing seasons. Far away in the lands north of the Yellow River, two massive forces were clashing.
"Guandu... Blood winds must be blowing there by now."
Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan. The Battle of Guandu, a pivotal clash over hegemony in the Central Plains, would shape the early Three Kingdoms landscape. If history held true, Yuan Shao's elite cavalry would annihilate Gongsun Zan's White Horse Volunteers, crowning Yuan Shao as the overlord of Hebei.
"Seowon! What are you doing over there? The honey water's getting cold."
The voice from behind snapped him out of his reverie. Yuan Shu lay sprawled with a book of Mencius as his pillow, his lips smeared with honey water.
"My lord. Aren't you curious about the news from the north?"
"The north? Oh, that scrap between Yuan Bencho and that bumpkin Gongsun Zan? What do I care? Both could drop dead for all it matters to me."
Yuan Shu snorted derisively.
"But that war is what kept us alive. While Yuan Shao's distracted up north, this is our golden chance to build our strength."
"Golden chance? So it's a good time, eh?"
"Yes. That's why I'm telling you—we have an empty honey pot just waiting to fill our granaries."
"Honey pot?!"
Yuan Shu bolted upright, the book thudding to the floor.
"Where? Did you strike gold?"
Seowon approached the map on the wall and pointed with his command baton to a spot east of Suchun, bordering Tao Qian's Xu Province.
"Gwangneung."
Yuan Shu furrowed his brow.
"Gwangneung? Pfft, that's just swamps and bandit scum in the boonies. No prestige there."
"It looks that way on the surface. But my lord, Gwangneung's tidal flats yield top-quality salt, and its mountains pour out iron."
Yuan Shu's pupils dilated in an instant. In these chaotic times, two things were more precious than gold: salt, to feed the people and curb corruption; and iron, to arm the troops. Controlling them meant sitting on a fortune.
"Salt... and iron..."
The corners of Yuan Shu's mouth twitched uncontrollably.
"And right now, the Taishou post there is vacant—it's practically ownerless. First to plant the flag claims it."
"Hey! What are you waiting for? Send the army now!"
Yuan Shu shoved Seowon's back.
"If we lose it, it's on you! Go grab all my salt and iron! Got it?"
"Yes. I'll go plant the flag myself and leave General Qi Ling to defend it securely."
Seowon smiled as he left the office. Yuan Shu's greed, properly directed, was the ultimate driving force.
The road to Gwangneung was almost too easy. Seowon's reputation preceded him. Bandits fled into the deep woods at the sight of Yuan Shu's banners. He took the county office without spilling a drop of blood.
He immediately assigned Qi Ling 5,000 elite troops to repair the walls and guard the salt and iron sites.
"General Qi Ling, this place will be our army's lifeline. Don't let even a rat get near it."
"Don't worry, Commander. I'll stake my head on it."
Leaving the reliable Qi Ling in charge, Seowon headed back to Suchun. He deliberately slowed his pace to scout the surrounding villages. With the land secured, it was time to find minds to govern it.
Hidden in history's shadows but no less brilliant than Zhuge Liang or Xun Yu in internal affairs—Seowon tracked down two reclusive scholars.
In a rundown private school, he bowed politely and sat before them.
Jeong Hon and Yu Bok. The administrative geniuses who would later rebuild Hefei from ruins into an impregnable fortress and prosperous city for Wei.
"A man of the Rear General..."
Yu Bok fidgeted uncomfortably with his teacup. Yuan Shu's notoriety made him poison to intellectuals.
"We've heard the rumors. Yuan Shu's army is greedy and extravagant. What use would rustics like us have there?"
The refusal was clear, but Seowon pressed on.
"You're right. My lord is greedy. But he knows to delegate full authority to talent to satisfy it."
He pulled out a blank commission stamped with Yuan Shu's seal.
"He told me: 'Bring anyone who can fill my coffers, no matter their status.' If you two come, Gwangneung and Suchun's administration is yours entirely. No interference—just prove results."
Jeong Hon's eyes gleamed. Unfettered rule without corrupt officials' meddling was irresistible to a bureaucrat.
"Truly... no interference?"
"I guarantee it. If my lord interferes unjustly, I'll block it with my body."
His resolute gaze won them over.
"General Seo's spirit is no ordinary thing. Fine. In this rotting world, I'll sell my skills for the people."
The thorniest administrative issue was solved. Yuan Shu just needed to sip honey water and stamp seals; Yu Bok and Jeong Hon would handle taxes and prosperity.
With civil officials secured, it was time for military officers to back him up.
Nearing Suchun's borders, the riverside ferry buzzed with chaos.
"Argh! Help!"
"M-monster!"
Dozens of bandits screamed and tumbled. At the center stood a bearish giant of a man, face black as charcoal, beard bristling, forearms thicker than Seowon's thighs. His "weapon" was a mere club, but each swing sent bandits flying like leaves.
"Who dares block my path? Wanna die?!"
Seowon recognized the overwhelming presence instantly: Ju Chang, Guan Yu's loyal subordinate and a peerless warrior. Originally a Yellow Turban rogue, fate had dropped him here before meeting Guan Yu.
"Hey! You're one strong brute."
Ju Chang whirled, panting, his fierce glare locking on.
"What? Who're you? One of them?"
"Name's Seowon. Quit showing off and come eat with me?"
"Seowon...?"
Ju Chang's eyes widened. Among warriors, Seowon's name was legend.
"Th-that Seowon who beheaded Hua Xiong and broke through Hulao Pass?"
"That's me."
Ju Chang dropped his club and kowtowed.
"Aigoo! Forgive my ignorance! I'm Ju Chang of Mount Wa. I've admired your valor! Take me in! Just feed me well!"
Simple-minded but loyal to the end. Seowon laughed and pulled him up.
"Good. You're my bodyguard captain from today. Meat till you burst."
Days later, another fierce general arrived on his own: Jang Heum, Jiangdong pirate turned unmatched naval ace.
"They say you're the best on land, General Seo. Wonder if my sea skills might be useful."
Jang Heum's arrival laid the foundation for conquering Jiangdong's navy later.
Talents snowballed. Everything progressed smoothly.
Days after returning to Suchun, Seowon patrolled the markets for civilian oversight. From an alley came a clamor.
"Outta the way! I claimed this path first! Pay toll or scram!"
A kid, maybe twelve or thirteen, faced down three adult thugs. Ragged clothes, dirt-smeared face, but eyes blazing with murder.
The thugs sneered and charged.
"Pipsqueak!"
Thwack! The boy held his ground, swinging a stick, biting, throwing dirt—fighting like a demon. Crude technique, but his grit and ferocity were impressive. Size difference won out, though. Cornered, he was about to get pummeled.
"Enough."
Seowon's quiet order sent Ju Chang forward.
"These punks!"
One casual swing scattered them like leaves. Chaos cleared in seconds.
Seowon approached the panting boy slumped on the ground.
"What's your name?"
The boy spat blood-mixed saliva, glaring without gratitude.
"Ye Mong."
Seowon's heart thumped. Ye Mong—the future captor of Guan Yu, Great Marshal of Wu. Protagonist of "leaping dragon in shallow waters." But now, just an illiterate brawler.
Heaven's luck. Or picking up a gold nugget on the road.
Feigning calm, he asked, "You fight well. But brute force alone keeps you a street boss forever."
"What? Then what?"
"Use your head. Read, study strategy—then you command ten thousand."
Ye Mong snorted.
"Who needs letters? Fists win! How strong are you, old man?"
"Wanna test me?"
Seowon tossed him a wooden sword. Predictable rout—Ye Mong hit the dirt over ten times without grazing him.
"Unfair!"
"Mad? This is martial prowess. Strategy perfects it. Join me. I'll teach letters, how to be the world's top general."
Ye Mong's eyes sparkled. For this day-to-day scrapper, a mentor and goal appeared for the first time.
"I'll follow! Just feed me!"
Thus, Seowon claimed the future Great Marshal.
A month later, in Suchun's office. Seowon reported to Yuan Shu.
"Secured Gwangneung, put Yu Bok and Jeong Hon in charge. Salt and iron incoming soon. Brought back solid men: Ju Chang, Jang Heum, Ye Mong."
Yuan Shu grinned ear to ear.
"As expected from Seowon! You come back loaded! We're solid now!"
"Still short, my lord."
"Short? What more?"
Seowon eyed the eastern sky.
"Army strong, internals stable—but need a heavyweight for provisions. Time to meet Lu Su in Suchun's east ward."
"Lu Su? That rich guy?"
"With him, our grain woes end forever. Not just rice—he sees the world's pulse."
"Really? Go now! Drag him back if needed!"
At Yuan Shu's urging, Seowon prepared to meet Lu Su, smiling. Perfect scenario unfolding: internals, military, talent. Lu Su joins, and Yuan Shu's forces become untouchable.
Then—uproar outside the office. A dust-caked messenger burst in, a tattered, singed Gwangneung banner on his back.
"R-report! Urgent!"
He knelt before Yuan Shu and Seowon, gasping. Dread chilled Seowon's spine.
"What happened? Trouble in Gwangneung?"
"Enemy invasion! Liu Yao from Jianye crossed the river with a huge army! They're at Gwangneung's gates!"
Yuan Shu shot up, knocking over his honey cup.
"What? That punk Liu Yao dares eye my land? My salt! My iron!"
"How many troops?"
"Eight thousand! General Qi Ling's holding with five thousand, fortifying... but the enemy's too fierce. Hard to hold!"
Seowon frowned. Liu Yao was a Jiangdong warlord, not overly aggressive. Qi Ling's prowess should handle most of his generals. Yet "hard to hold"?
"Who's the enemy commander? Liu Yao himself?"
The messenger shook his head, voice terror-stricken.
"No! The vanguard general... he's a monster!"
"Monster?"
"Smashed our scouts single-handed, bellows at the gates for General Qi Ling—voice shook the walls. Name's... Taesa Ja!"
"......!"
Seowon's eyes widened. Taesa Ja—Ziya. Donglai's fierce general, mid-90s martial monster who'd match Young Conqueror Sun Ce. Historically, he should be aiding Kong Rong or idling under Liu Yao now. Why vanguard assaulting Gwangneung already?
So that's what the old man's 'heaven's will twists' meant.
His history changes drew history's counterattack. Qi Ling couldn't handle Taesa Ja. Risked losing Gwangneung—and Qi Ling's head.
Yuan Shu paled, staring at him.
"Seowon! Disaster! That Taesa Ja'll take everything! What now?!"
Seowon halted his steps to Lu Su, glaring east. Lu Su wouldn't flee, but Taesa Ja's blade wouldn't wait.
"My lord, Lu Su can wait."
He adjusted his helmet. Battle lust boiled anew. After Hua Xiong and Lü Bu, now Taesa Ja.
"I'll go. I'll face that Taesa Ja myself and sink him in Gwangneung's seas."
"Yes! Hurry! Give him hell!"
Seowon issued immediate mobilization. In Gwangneung waited a blue-armored fierce general swinging twin spears.