Second Disciple (5): Hebei's Predator
Winter. I was enduring a brutally cold one. Specifically, it was the chill of maintaining strict neutrality amid a staring contest between two young girls, driving me to the brink of madness.
"Let's discuss the state of the realm today. Our topic is Hahuk."
I unrolled a map of Hahuk I'd obtained from afar. I'd roughly outlined the regions and deliberately colored the borders for clarity.
"The one who seized the southern Hahuk region, around Gizhou, is Yuan Shao. And the occupier of Beiping in the north is Gongsun Zan."
Yuan Shao and Gongsun Zan. Hahuk was sharply divided in two.
"First question for Seo Seo. Who are Yuan Shao's nearby enemies?"
"Gongsun Zan."
"...Besides Gongsun Zan."
"The Black Mountain Bandits. They're a massive bandit group scattered across the Yellow River area, threatening Yuan Shao... and even Yizhou."
Seo Seo glanced warily at the much smaller girl beside her, choosing her words carefully. Fair enough—no need to name names outright. There might come a time when it was necessary, but if it could be skirted or implied, better to avoid it. Mostly for my mental health.
"Right. Yuan Shao's tied up fighting Gongsun Zan and the bandits. Now, Sima Yi—what enemies does Gongsun Zan face?"
"Yuan Shao, along with the northern barbarians friendly to him."
"Exactly. The barbarians. Gongsun Zan made his White Horse Brigade famous, but they're always a thorn in his rear, forcing him to watch his back."
Gongsun Zan was at odds with the northern barbarians.
"The Wuhuan have been a headache for ages. They've raided not just Gizhou but Qingzhou and Xuzhou too. Things calmed down once Liu Yu, who got along with the Wuhuan, took charge in Youzhou. But..."
Flutter.
"Liu Yu is dead."
"Pardon? Dead? Wasn't he the one Yuan Shao wanted to crown emperor?"
"Yes. In character, prestige, talent—he was the closest thing to an emperor. Even the imperial court saw him as kin. Had he not been stuck in Hahuk, sandwiched between Gongsun Zan and Yuan Shao, his lands might have enjoyed peace and prosperity. Like Jingzhou, say."
Liu Biao of Jingzhou. Liu Yu of Youzhou. Both Liu clans with imperial blood. But in these chaotic times, fate hinged on who you kept close.
"Liu Yu was murdered by Gongsun Zan."
"...Murdered?"
"Yes. Brutally slain."
Where did I hear Hahuk tales? Most of Liu Biao's intel filtered to me through the Cai family. Excluding military secrets, it was public knowledge soon enough—I just taught it first.
"Gongsun Zan's victory over Liu Yu at Jieqiao, despite losing his White Horse elites, proves his military prowess. Though that's separate from his character."
"That'll bolster Yuan Shao's position."
Zhuge Liang, who'd been silent, offered her assessment.
"A lord of prestige slain by a thug—his followers will flock to Yuan Shao for revenge."
"Indeed. Talents will desert him. Who knows where they'll end up next."
Calling Gongsun Zan a thug. Proof Zhuge Liang's temperament was anything but ordinary.
"Question for all three: Who will dominate Hahuk?"
"Yuan Shao."
"Yuan Shao."
"Yuan Shao."
Seo Seo, Sima Yi, Zhuge Liang—all predicted Yuan Shao's victory.
"One who loses righteousness can't claim the realm. If Liu Yu's murder is true, no one will side with Gongsun Zan. Liu Yu was his superior—imagine what he'd do to subordinates."
"Yuan Shao's shown greater ability so far. Gongsun Zan even lost at Jieqiao."
Seo Seo cited human decency. Sima Yi, competence.
"Liang, your thoughts? Why Yuan Shao?"
"Because he held his land."
"...Land?"
Zhuge Liang's answer diverged sharply.
"Elaborate."
"Yuan Shao secured and defended Hahuk's heart—fertile Gizhou."
"...True. When Yuan Shao allied with Gongsun Zan to seize Gizhou, then beat him at Jieqiao, the scales tipped."
Gongsun Zan's moves screamed madness. Desperation. Losing his grip after Jieqiao, denying failure—a classic downfall.
'Feels familiar.'
The archetype of the declining: I'm no worse than Yuan Shao. I'm better. But reality favors him—so impatience breeds blunders, culminating in catastrophe.
"I agree—Yuan Shao will win."
And so the trio foresaw his triumph.
"Liang. But your answer seems a bit biased."
"Ugh."
Still young, her cool tone betrayed underlying resentment.
"You don't hate Gongsun Zan, do you? That's why Yuan Shao wins?"
"...No. I don't particularly hate Gongsun Zan. It's just..."
Zhuge Liang continued, face stern.
"I can't abide a beast ruling the realm."
Beast. No need to ask whom.
"Then, Liang—what's most vital in a leader?"
"...The people's hearts."
Her voice was steady.
"A true hegemon considers the blood of countless commoners with every word."
* * *
Meanwhile, in Qingzhou's government offices.
"Hmm..."
Qingzhou Governor Tian Kai received a troubling letter.
"Qingzhou's struggling enough—now a plea for reinforcements."
Xuzhou Governor Tao Qian's call for aid. Bound by alliance against Gongsun Zan, he couldn't lightly refuse.
—Stop Cao Cao's massacres.
There was justification. Sending troops to halt Cao Cao's vengeful slaughter wasn't wrong. From Puyang, a direct eastern march from Qingzhou was a stone's throw; Xuzhou refugees had already fled here, ravaged by bandits en route. Tian Kai couldn't turn them away.
Their vivid testimonies swelled calls for aid, condemning Cao Cao and urging mobilization.
"Ugh..."
Yet he leaned toward Gongsun Zan. His governorship came from him; he couldn't freely deploy troops.
"Should've never reclaimed Pingyuan? Sigh."
Gongsun Zan lost Jieqiao, but Tian Kai advanced north, retaking Pingyuan. Gongsun Zan rewarded him lavishly, warning he'd need him against Yuan Shao—meaning no moving forces without orders.
"Tricky. Headache."
"Governor Tian Kai, what's troubling you?"
At the door stood a man with notably large ears and a friendly face, arms full of bamboo slips. Tian Kai frowned at the dirt on his boots.
"Liu Gong—been plowing fields again?"
"Haha. Xuzhou folk need homes. Chopped wood from the hills for pillars. Qingzhou people are so kind—helped build tents for the refugees."
"...Hard work with those pillars."
"Nah, my brothers did the labor. Why the sighs?"
"Well..."
Suddenly, Tian Kai shot up.
"Liu Gong—can you sway our lord?"
"P-Pardon? Sway him how?"
"Aid for Xuzhou. About two thousand from Qingzhou."
"Two thou... He won't like it."
The man grasped it instantly, bowing.
"I'll go. He might hear his little brother out. Maybe we can stem Xuzhou's bloodshed. Haha..."
"Please, Hyun-deok."
The big-eared man pocketed Tao Qian's letter.
Moments later.
"Brother, must we play messenger now?"
"Hush—it's purposeful. Onward, brother."
"Right. Hey, Heonhwa—is that a wine jug? Not for travel."
"Not wine—water. Right, Ikdeok?"
"Kahaha! Yeah! What kind of booze doesn't intoxicate!"
"Sigh."
"Brother. I'll chew you out later."
"No, Unjang. Gotta warm up for this cold ride."
Hyun-deok—Liu Bei—sighed deeply, then faced forward.
"Just enough to warm—not stumble and fall. I'll leave you."
"Kuuh, that's my brother!"
"Unjang, canteen?"
"...Thanks."
Four horses galloped north toward Gongsun Zan's base at Jieqiao.
* * *
And so, as winter waned.
"Teacher Guo, why summon me to Heohyeon?"
"Someone to introduce."
"Introduce?"
I faced a woman with short black hair.
"I'm Aman, Teacher."