That Winter in Chenliu (2)
At that moment, a woman in official robes entered the government office in Chenliu.
She drew every eye with her commanding presence as she moved. Sun Uk, advisor to Cao Cao's army, personally came out to greet her at the entrance.
"Welcome, Gongdal."
"It's been a while, Mun-yak."
The two exchanged formal bows. They were relatives in private, but this was an official meeting.
"Follow me. Our lord is waiting."
Sun Uk led Xun You inside. The office was already filled with Cao Cao's many generals and advisors. Xun You passed through their midst and stood before Cao Cao.
"Pleased to meet you, Governor of Yan Province."
"Xun You! Sun Uk mentioned recommending someone even she knew well, but I never dreamed it would be you."
Cao Cao rose from her seat, welcoming Xun You with genuine delight. Having worked together in the capital before, she was already well aware of Xun You's talents.
"How harshly did you suffer under Dong Zhuo? Join me now and share our cause. So, what have you been up to?"
"I went down to Jingzhou for a brief rest."
Jingzhou.
Everyone flinched at the word and glanced at Sun Uk. She bowed to Cao Cao with a look that said, Here it comes.
"Xun Gongdal is my recommendation—and 'his' as well."
"......Hoo."
Cao Cao's eyes sparkled.
"Just who the hell is this guy, sending me talents like a heavenly army? Truly... remarkable."
"Do you wish to appoint him to an official post, my lord?"
At Xun You's question, Cao Cao drummed her fingers on the armrest, glancing back and forth between Xun You and Sun Uk as she pondered.
"An official post... If he wants it, and his abilities prove exceptional, there's no reason not to. Though I'm just Governor of Yan Province myself right now. Hell, even this position was basically handed to me on a platter. Heh heh heh."
The generals masked their discomfort at Cao Cao's self-deprecating laugh.
"Forgive me, Gongdal. I'm thrilled you're willing to serve our army, but our situation is far from easy."
"It's fine. Isn't your head aching over the Black Mountain Bandits?"
Xun You drew a bamboo slip from her robe. The generals' eyes lit up at the familiar item—but it was blank inside.
"I've brought a reply to Mun-yak's letter."
"...It's empty."
"Because the answer is right here."
Xun You placed her hand over her heart.
"If you need a plan to crush the Black Mountain Bandits, will you use me?"
"...It's not that I doubt you, Gongdal. You've proven your abilities countless times already. But these people are meeting you for the first time. So explain it to them once."
"Here and now? Very well."
"Yes. If you need time to prepare, we can rest briefly—"
"Prepare a map. I'll explain right away."
Xun You's face brimmed with utter confidence.
"I've already devised the plan on my way here. My lord, simply choose from these options."
"These?"
"Yes. Pick the path you desire. But one thing is certain, no matter which you choose...."
Xun You's voice rang with absolute conviction.
"The Black Mountain Bandits will be exterminated, and Cao Cao's forces will grow mighty."
Farmers are the foundation of the world.
Just as all national power springs from fertile soil, agriculture has always been the root of everything. A hungry man can do nothing. Thirst can be quenched with rainwater or water drawn from rivers, but food? Without farming, it's impossible to obtain easily.
Long ago, there were hunters who pursued wild game, but since the Yin-Zhou era, humans learned to farm and secure periodic harvests. Chasing unpredictable wild animals every day was no way to live.
So humanity settled in good places—fertile lands, sunny fields, places with strong earth energy. They built foundations, passed them to their children, and preserved those lands across generations.
Land is thus indispensable to human life.
That's why I bought land. Scraping together every last coin—except what I needed to head to Jingzhou—I converted it all to gold and purchased a plot with a manor.
Where'd the money come from? A reward for caring for a dying old man.
With it, I bought the land and installed a struggling elderly couple as manor stewards. They'd received great favor from me, and I set up safeguards so they'd never claim "This land is ours" and chase me out. Just in case, I even entrusted land management to Sun Uk.
So I left with peace of mind. Who knew my precautions would become a curse?
"Mun-yak unni acts all nonchalant, but she fusses over that place more than her own home."
Guo Jia—known as Gwak Ga—pointed at the floor with a sly grin.
"Mun-yak unni, who couldn't care less about growing her own wealth, obsesses over managing someone else's land. I was dying to know why. Turns out it's near Cao Cao's mother, Lady Jo Chung's hometown. Aigoo, so Mun-yak unni was looking out for her backer? I knew it...."
Guo Jia jabbed her fan toward me.
"Before Mun-yak unni even came here, the land already had an owner. I looked into it—a middle-aged guy bought it dirt cheap. And he left the manor to a couple who were starving to death."
"Then why tell me to sell? Just talk to that middle-aged man."
"Don't lie. You cleverly used proxies for the deal. Your name's on the deed, but you kept your face hidden, sending others to front."
"........."
Not proxies—I'd disguised myself. Stuck on a fake beard, donned a hat, smeared dirt on my face, and no one pegged me for a fresh-faced young adult.
"What a coincidence, huh? Haha, and here I meet Teacher Gold today of all days."
"...Is it really coincidence?"
"Of course! I've come ten times up to today, thinking I'd give up after this. And boom—Teacher Gold shows up! It's heaven-sent."
Guo Jia leaned forward over the table, thrusting her face close. Bold as brass for a woman....
"Have you been drinking?"
"Drinking? No way—I rode here."
"Are you drunk riding, then?"
"I told you, not booze. Here."
Guo Jia shook the gourd at her waist.
"It's rice brew—a drink for before meals, during, and after. Like tea."
A sloshing sound revealed half-full mystery liquid inside.
"Booze? Perish the thought."
"...Sure, sure. Smells like alcohol, face is flushed, you look mighty cheerful—but it's not booze, got it."
It looked like it'd burn going down, but she insisted it wasn't alcohol, so what could I do?
"Still not selling the land."
"Why not?"
"No intention to."
"Grrrr."
Guo Jia ground her teeth and pulled back.
"Fine, Teacher. How about this?"
Thud thud.
She rapped the chest she'd brought. I'd already guessed it brimmed with gold.
"I want to buy your eye for land."
"Meaning?"
"I'm eyeing land around here too, but which to buy? Big dilemma."
Guo Jia downed the tea in my cup, then refilled it from her gourd. Clear liquid that screamed "heartburn."
"Teacher, half the proceeds from your land deal. Deal?"
"......Sure, if it's just that."
I raised my cup; Guo Jia lifted hers.
"To celebrate our meeting—one drink?"
"...Not booze?"
"It's not. A mystical beverage to make time fly pleasantly...?"
Clink.
"...So, Teacher, how old are you? You look younger than me."
"........."
I'd made a same-age friend.
A drinking buddy.
Xun You's explanation concluded. The generals pored over the Black Mountain map, already simulating troop movements in their minds. The advisors debated post-battle handling of the locals. No one challenged her plan. Those who wanted to object had, but those were already discarded options.
"Exquisite. As expected of Sun Uk's recommendation."
Cao Cao rose, victory assured.
"A fine plan! Exactly the talent I need. Teacher, let's discuss with the advisors... Where's Fengxiao?"
"She said afternoon shift."
"Afternoon? Why?"
"She... ran out of booze."
"........."