Spring at the Academy (1)
The Xuzhou campaign had finally ended. Lü Bu was dead. Chen Gong was dead. Diaochan was dead. The greatest warrior under heaven, Lü Bu, had howled like a beast before being executed and hung on display.
Inside Xiabi Castle, hell had unfolded once in a flood, but fortunately, it hadn't lasted long. That winter, Cao Cao had finally triumphed over Lü Bu. Ever since Puyang fell, Lü Bu had been a constant thorn in her side, but now he was gone. And one more thing—Cao Cao had claimed Xuzhou.
Her obsession with Xuzhou, born from her grudge against Tao Qian, had finally paid off. She now wielded full influence over the region.
"What kind of place is this Xuzhou that she's so fixated on?"
I wondered just what made Xuzhou so special that Cao Cao clung to it like this.
"It leads north to the Central Plains and south to Dongwu."
"Despite the endless wars of the past decade or so, it boasts a massive population."
"It's a haven for bandits hiding from imperial troops in the mountains. Plenty still prowl around."
Sima Yi, Seo Seo, and Pang Tong each chimed in with their views on Xuzhou's geographic advantages.
"What about its coastal features?"
"Control Xuzhou, and you dominate the flow of goods between the Central Plains and Dongwu. Build ports along the rivers for ships to dock, and the profits will be enormous."
"Not just that—you get vast seafood hauls. And being by the sea means salt production, which sells for a fortune inland."
"Militarily, it's promising too. Warships built on Xuzhou's east coast could sail up the Yellow River north or the Yangtze south. You'd need vessels that handle both salt and fresh water, though."
As expected from such sharp minds, they uncovered even the hidden benefits of Xuzhou.
"Right. Xuzhou's land holds endless potential. Honestly, without the wars, no place would be better to live. In another ten years or so, it'll reclaim its former glory."
Even after Cao Cao ravaged it, ten years was all it'd take to recover. That was Xuzhou.
"And defending north and south is easy too. Holding it lets you expand to three sides: north, west, south. But the biggest boon for Cao Cao..."
I placed Cao Cao's banner on the Xuzhou territory.
"...is that it opens up her choked lifeline. Her territory's grown, but more importantly, she's secured the flank threatening Heodo. That's reassurance enough."
Heodo was prime land, but its fine roads made it an invader's dream. Even we could rattle off dozens of encirclement tactics from our seats. But with Cao Cao holding Xuzhou, a quarter of those vanished.
"To strike east, enemies must pass through Xuzhou now. Cao Cao's forces can breathe a little easier."
"Yeah. In a pinch, she could even shift the capital from Heodo to Xiabi or elsewhere."
Xuzhou was that valuable. Cao Cao had scorched it twice, but those were fringes. Otherwise, how could Liu Bei and Lü Bu have held out so long?
"Kids, how does one amass great wealth?"
I stood and turned toward Xuzhou.
"Turn crisis into opportunity. Doesn't matter if others call you ruthless, shameless, or heartless. The world belongs to the living, and we must seize this chance."
"How do you plan to do that?"
"People miss their hometowns."
During Cao Cao's Lü Bu subjugation, I'd deliberately scouted Xuzhou. I'd eyed its potential.
"Xuzhou is land of opportunity."
No matter the noise for the next five years, after that it'd be as peaceful as Jingzhou now.
"We face two paths. First: Cao Cao topples the warlords and claims the realm. In that case, leave Xuzhou be. Why?"
"It's already conquered, right? Locals may grumble, but appoint Xuzhou natives, collect taxes, done."
Sima Yi toyed with her lips briefly.
"No issues. Cao Cao probably thinks that way."
"Just pay taxes, and I take the heat?"
"Yes. She'd see it like that."
Not Sima Yi's view—just her read on Cao Cao.
"She had no choice. After slaughtering and exiling half of Xuzhou's people, why would she expect the elites to follow her?"
"Exactly. Even here in Jingzhou, Xuzhou refugees fill the place. Including... that one."
"Hoo."
As Pang Tong started to name someone, Sima Yi took a short breath and chuckled.
"It's fine. Speak."
"...Zhuge Liang came down from Xuzhou to Jingzhou too."
"Right. Yes, the Zhuge girl fled here from Xuzhou."
I hadn't heard if Zhuge clan's folk survived, but a quick check through connections would reveal deaths. When Zhuge Liang first arrived, her rage at Cao Cao was real. Still was.
She'd observed Cao Cao's army firsthand but was disappointed by Liu Bei, her opposite. Still, she had zero intention of serving Cao Cao. Instead, she'd "use" her.
For that, Zhuge Liang and her uncle/clan head Jeokgal Hyeon had headed to Heodo—and ruined Xuzhou—temporarily.
"Teacher."
Sima Yi turned to me with a faint smile.
"Is that... true?"
"...Zhuge Liang's words?"
"Yes. Especially about the land."
Sima Yi leaned closer.
"Before fleeing Xuzhou, was the Zhuge estate really that vast?"
"So they say. Big enough to claim whole villages in a county."
"...Bigger than our clan?"
"...Probably?"
"Tch."
Sima Yi pouted like a sulking child.
"It's not like wives are chosen by wealth."
"Hey, Yi-ya?"
"What."
"Don't take what Liang said too seriously..."
"How can I not?"
Sima Yi hissed at me like a cat baring teeth.
"She pulled that cheeky stunt right after returning to Jingzhou and bolted!"
"...Even if I'm Hwang Wol-yeong, Mother's the real power in the family."
"The world sees it differently!!"
Sima Yi vented genuinely.
"Huang Shengyan, that man...!!"
"Don't be too harsh. He's still my adoptive father. And... the academy's top donor."
Huang Shengyan. His nameplate—four times larger than others, jade-carved, hung proudly at the top.
The wanderer who'd amassed gold across the realm donated enough to run the academy half a year without income, then left.
And when he did...
"That sly girl. To say it outright like that..."
Zhuge Liang had proposed marriage to me, right in front of Huang Shengyan.
—Hahaha! Fate, indeed! Adopted son weds? I can't stand by. I'll back it fully!
—No, foster father, what are you—
—Marrying off my foster son! Heh, me as matchmaker! Another life achievement.
Huang Shengyan was stark raving mad. When he tried marrying me off to Zhuge Liang with nonsense, I rebelled—but
—How old are you? Nearing thirty, right? I respect your vow to teach and propel others to office over personal glory. But this woman declares her ambition for you alone—why refuse? What's Zhuge Liang lacking compared to you? Oh, man must outshine woman? Wrong. If a far abler woman offers to provide for you, why balk? Right, Zhuge Liang, how will you support your husband?
—Without a drop of water on his hands.
—Hear that? You're unwed anyway.
—I have prospects.
—What? You do? Marry Zhuge Liang first, then her next.
—No, you're saying take a concubine?
—If concubines bother you, wed them both at once. Heroes have three wives, four concubines. Haha! When women adore you, embrace two at once—don't waver and whimper. Know why men have two arms? One for left wife, one for right on the bed. The middle arm—
—Stop!!
In the end, I had no choice but to heed his not-quite-threat. Zhuge Liang had prepared everything and headed to Xuzhou.
"Liang said this place will be Suyeon Academy, but her 'Zhuge clan estate' in Xuzhou will birth Taeyang Academy."
"...Ha. You're not tempted by that, are you?"
"As if. I'm no Suyeon master of renown."
"If your fame grows?"
"...It's wise to have a refuge if Jingzhou falls to unmanageable war."
Flee north to Sima clan. Northeast to Zhuge estate.
"So don't badmouth Liang. I... follow Confucian rites."
"...Oh my."
"Even cold water has hierarchy."
I pulled Sima Yi close. She mumbled against my shoulder but soon quieted, discontent fading.
Whew.
...The glares from the other two stung a bit, but what could I do?
"What? You're not marrying me—why the stares?"
"......."
"......."
Seo Seo and Pang Tong paled at Sima Yi, who'd turned away. I'd recently learned Sima Yi could swivel her head like it was on backwards.
How'd I know?—
"Excuse me, Golden Teacher."
A man's voice came from outside. Sima Yi and I quickly straightened our clothes.
"Enemy?"
"Yes, Yi-deok. A guest has arrived."
"Guest?"
I stepped out. There stood a mature woman with short hair...
"Tch."
Sima Yi clicked her tongue at the sight. No need to ask why.
"Who might you be?"
"Ah, I am."
The woman bowed with clasped hands toward me.
"Zhen Jun. I... come on Amano's introduction."
Grind.
Sima Yi gnashed her teeth behind me.