In Search of My Land (3): Jingzhou, My Place to Rest!
The Yangtze River cuts right through the middle of this region, teeming with fish and boasting vast plains—truly an ideal place to make a living. The only drawback compared to the north is the relatively humid climate, but otherwise, it's not bad at all.
The largest city here is Yangyang. Besides that, there are places like Gangneung and Gangha. Yangyang lies across the Yangtze, while Gangneung and Gangha are downstream to the west along the river.
So where should I go? To cut to the chase: not a city.
Before crossing to Yangyang, before even fording the Yangtze from the Central Plains, I visited a small county. That's because it housed an "academy" that was the very reason I'd come to Jingzhou.
The place was called Xinya. I headed to a fairly spacious academy there. This was my destination after leaving the Central Plains and journeying all the way to Jingzhou.
There, I came face-to-face with a stunning black-haired beauty in flowing robes who welcomed me at the academy.
"It's an honor to meet you, elder."
"......Yeah."
The middle-aged woman eyed me up and down. Her gaze felt like it was appraising me the moment we met—not the most pleasant sensation—but I held my tongue, figuring she'd be someone worth building a good relationship with going forward. And she had the credentials for it. Unlike an unknown like me, this woman before me was a celebrity in Jingzhou whose mere nickname rang bells for everyone.
"I've come here looking for someone."
"Who might that be?"
"Someone with the surname Sima and the given name Hui—the master of this Sukyung Academy."
"Is that so? I'm afraid Master Sukyung—"
"I already know that you are Master Sukyung."
The woman furrowed her brow. Even that looked beautiful on such a stunning face.
"Very well. I am the director of Sukyung Academy, Sima Hui."
Sima Hui.
A tall middle-aged beauty with her long black hair neatly tied back. Her refined grace and gentle, compassionate nature shone through even beneath her purple robes. No need for fancy ornaments—her natural allure alone would set countless hearts aflutter.
But her beauty was secondary; her vast knowledge and intellect, having nurtured so many talents, made her a household name throughout Jingzhou and beyond. Even the current Governor of Jingzhou and all the notable figures around had studied under her, or so they said. The official patrols even bothered coming out to a backwater like Xinya thanks to Master Sukyung.
For a guy like me, dreaming of a cushy life teaching disciples in the countryside while basking in the respect of local elites, she was the ideal role model.
"I..."
"Get lost. You can't be my disciple."
"......."
She'd issued an eviction order the moment I opened my mouth. I felt a twinge of irritation, but I swallowed it and bowed to Sima Hui once more.
"I..."
"I see two images upon you. One is the wish-granting pearl clutched in a dragon's claw, and the other is a serpent devouring all around it."
Wish-granting pearl. Serpent.
"One a pearl, the other a serpent—quite the extremes in your assessment."
"Indeed. I cannot take someone like you as a disciple."
Sima Hui pointed her fan at me as she spoke.
"Even if you received teachings, you'd use them only for yourself. You need no further learning. You're not here to learn."
A razor-sharp insight! Sima Hui had seen right through me after just a few words. As she'd said, I hadn't come to Sukyung Academy to study, nor did I crave more knowledge—and even if I did, I'd hoard it for myself. I was the polar opposite of the kind of talent she sought.
"For these three reasons, I refuse to take you as a disciple."
"Understood."
A bit of a shame. Being known as a top graduate of Sukyung Academy would've let me trade on that name anywhere else. I could've spread rumors of being her star pupil when hanging up my shingle, drawing interest from local powers.
"But I didn't come here to become a disciple."
If one path is blocked, seek another—that's just common sense.
"Please let me work at Sukyung Academy. As a lecturer, a librarian, a textbook maker—anything. Let me stay here."
"Why? Why this academy of all places?"
"Because it's the most peaceful spot to settle down."
"Speak."
Sima Hui's ears perked up. A relief—she seemed willing to listen now, unlike before. With no connections through hometown, school, blood, or marriage, my only weapon to persuade her was this silver tongue of mine.
"Because this place will know peace, free from war, for the next twenty years or so."
"War, you say. Quite the intriguing tale."
Flutter. Sima Hui snapped open her fan and fixed me with a piercing stare.
"The imperial house may teeter, but the rebellions will soon end. Jingzhou lacks the conditions for unrest anyway. And you speak of war?"
"Yes. Aren't you preparing for war yourself, Master Sukyung?"
"......What did you say?"
"Your selective acceptance of disciples is proof enough."
Prodding at her secrets was risky, but showing a bit of cheek now would make life easier later.
"You're not simply nurturing talent, Master. You're raising those who'll bring peace to the realm amid the chaos and wars to come."
"I raise disciples for the turbulent times? Wrong. I teach only those I wish to teach."
"And those are the ones who'll serve the Han imperial house under your guidance."
"Yes. Some will walk the path of scholars, others will take office and draw the court's salary. But not for turbulent times."
She wouldn't reveal her hand easily. Fine—I'd peel back the layers until she did.
"Jingzhou is a fine place to live. It seems remote from the Central Plains, but compared to somewhere like Yizhou, it's far closer. Of course—the Yangtze flows right through."
"And?"
"Soon, many will flee the wars in the Central Plains and come south here. You'll be watching those who settle in Jingzhou, taking them as disciples. Whether from rebellions or wars, you'll shelter and teach those who can't survive up north anymore."
"And that's proof I'm preparing for war?"
"Proof you're working for an era of peace."
"Ahaha!!"
Sima Hui threw her head back and laughed.
"I thought you were spouting nonsense, but you're a strange one indeed. Very well, suppose that's true. But what does that have to do with accepting you?"
"Then I'll appeal to your sympathies. I, too, long for peace."
Me, Hwang Wol-yeong. A man sincere about wanting tranquil times.
"Only after chaos ends and order reigns can we live without fear of conscription, right?"
"......I truly cannot comprehend."
Sima Hui tilted her head.
"How can one with the talent to soar with dragons wish to live like a wildflower in the fields?"
"The world has its share of such types."
"You won't step forward yourself, but let others do the work so you can enjoy the peace?"
"Why should I step up when there are plenty already rushing to do it? Besides... I can't step forward."
Rustle. I removed my hood. Sima Hui startled at the sight of my hair.
"That's..."
"Born with it like this. Abandoned by my parents, taken in by an elder who has since passed. Now I have nowhere to go."
I bowed deeply to Sima Hui. Now it was all about tugging at heartstrings.
"Even as a laborer—please, let me work here."
"......Rise."
Sima Hui pointed her fan at me.
"You can't just waltz in. So I'll give you a question. Answer it right, and I'll welcome you into the Sukyung Academy family."
"Ask away."
"Once the Yellow Turban Rebellion ends, who do you think will seize power?"
"......Multiple answers allowed?"
Sima Hui nodded. I took a deep breath and replied.
"Neither the Ten Attendants, nor the imperial house, nor the in-laws—none will hold power."
"Then who?"
"Who knows? We'll see once the Yellow Turbans are crushed."
"The Yellow Turbans?"
"Yes. After the rebellions end, watch who the court appoints to office—that'll tell us."
I'm certain.
"So who do you think it'll be?"
"Those who've earned merit as imperial forces. For example..."
I rattled off names I'd heard rumored on the road.
"Dong Zhongying, Yuan Benchu, Jo Maengdeok, Son Mundae."
"Dong Zhuo, Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, Sun Jian. Names I've never heard. Yuan Benchu, I've heard plenty about. Jo Maengdeok next. Dong Zhuo... first time."
"You'll hear them plenty soon. The eyes see what they want to see, after all."
In their movements, I saw the ambitions of men devouring the Han and climbing to the top.
"These men will destroy the Han."
Trash recognizes trash, after all.
"Then you support Jo Maengdeok."
"...Why would I?"
"Because..."
Sima Hui tilted her head, as if stating the obvious.
"She's the only woman among the four."