Winter of the Realm's Talents
The winter of the realm's capable ministers. After the year ended, before spring arrived.
"Where are you going?"
"Just up north for a bit."
At dawn, as I was about to step outside, Zhuge Liang blocked my path. It was fairly early in the morning, yet she was already dressed impeccably and had brought a ladle of water for me to drink.
"The weather's awfully cold. Where up north are you headed?"
She asked as if trying to pinpoint exactly where I was going.
"...Heohyeon."
"Heohyeon..."
Zhuge Liang's face paled. She knew full well what Heohyeon was—a place where Cao Cao's forces had dispatched a magistrate and begun extending their influence over the surrounding areas. My going there could look like cozying up to them.
"No way, Master..."
"Yeah. I'm from the same region as Cao Cao."
Not my original hometown, but I'd once settled down somewhere between Jinryu and Heohyeon. Since my land bordered the late Jo Sung's hometown, calling us regional kin wasn't entirely wrong. And I had land in Heohyeon—land whose value had skyrocketed thanks to Cao Cao. Before spring came, I needed to check on the estate. That's why I was heading there briefly.
"I'm going to manage my land in Heohyeon for a bit."
"......."
Zhuge Liang's expression darkened. A hint of betrayal flickered in her eyes toward me.
"Liang. Disappointed? Disillusioned because your master seems tied to Cao Cao?"
"......."
Zhuge Liang didn't answer. For all her brilliant mind, she was still a child who feared a scolding from an adult.
"I'm not scolding you. I'd be disillusioned too if my master were under Cao Cao's protection. But don't misunderstand. If anything, it's less Cao Cao's protection and more..."
"The Cai family's, and Liu Biao's."
"Exactly."
The ones directly aiding me were the Cai family. Liu Biao was just their political ally, helping me by extension. Even Sun Uk, Xun You, and Guo Jia had to factor in politics when talking with me. Outside of that, the only one purely out to help me was probably... Huang Zu.
"Liang. Your master is a small man. All I can do is lend land to the people of Seoju for shelter. All I can offer those who seek to learn is what I know, the ways of surviving in this world."
"You're not small, Master. I've seen it."
"No idea what you saw, but I'm a small-minded guy. A petty little man."
I knelt on one knee to meet Zhuge Liang's gaze.
"I'm not noble enough to cast aside my assets boldly for some greater good, loyalty, or cause. It's shameful. Sorry you had to see your master's pathetic side."
"That's not true. It's..."
"Sure. The life of a hero. And I'm just an ordinary nobody."
It's vital to know one's place. Even if I dreamed of soaring like a dragon, I'm no more than a flea hitching a ride on its tail.
"I can't let go of the land in Heohyeon. It's what I inherited from my late master—something to pass on to my descendants, however humble."
Inherited spiritually, at least. I'd converted his legacy into cash to buy the land, so carrying on his will fit. It was mine, so leaving it to my heirs was natural.
"Part of me even felt relieved that Cao Cao had boosted its value, but that's no way for a person to think. I'm not trash enough to rejoice in profits stained with blood."
If you asked if I truly believed that deep down, no. But...
"Still, if I've profited from it, then morally aiding those who've suffered because of it is what a person should do."
To console Zhuge Liang, I had to play the righteous man.
"I'll protect the Heohyeon land. It's filled with my memories, soaked in my blood and sweat."
"...I'm sorry, Master. I..."
Zhuge Liang bowed deeply, her voice trembling.
"I thought you were closely tied to Cao Cao's army."
"You're right. I am connected. I know a few of their strategists."
She'd find out eventually. Better to clear it up now—for her sake too.
"...Pardon?"
"And I asked them to hold Cao Cao back."
True enough. My letter to Xun You had naturally included pleas to stop Cao Cao's madness. The Xuzhou massacre made no sense profit-wise, so I'd begged her to reconsider. Though if she went through with it anyway, I'd also outlined countermeasures and upsides.
Back then, I'd advised Cao Cao from a neutral stance—not quite advice, but close.
"Disillusioned?"
"......."
"I regret it too. I should've spoken more forcefully. If I'd known she'd unleash such brutality, I'd have gone to her myself and persuaded her."
The honest truth. I'd thought it many times after seeing the Xuzhou refugees.
"She probably wouldn't have listened, but at least I'd have shown my will. Even a bumpkin from Jingzhou objects. Please rethink this."
If someone close to Cao Cao could read her true heart and consider the lives of those beneath her, maybe she'd have heeded the counsel and changed her mind.
"Just to avoid any other misunderstandings—I'm not enlisting with her army. My place is here. I haven't even kept my promise to you yet."
"Promise?"
"Didn't I say I'd show you the world?"
I stepped closer, one foot at a time. She didn't back away anymore, so I stroked her head to soothe her.
"I'll be back soon."
"...Master. When you return, tell me."
Zhuge Liang grasped my hand tightly with both of hers.
"Why that woman made such a choice."
* * *
Even in winter, Heohyeon felt warm. As if spring had arrived here alone, the weather wasn't too harsh. I sought out the one who'd summoned me—the woman waiting in Heohyeon.
"Lady Guo."
"...Oh, long time no see."
Guo Jia greeted me with an awkward face.
"Y-You're not mad, right?"
"Not really. What right do I have to be angry? At best, I sent letters to Sun Uk—who am I to complain?"
I already knew some of those letters leaked to Cao Cao. I'd half-expected it when writing them, but they hadn't swayed her easily.
"It's Cao Cao's army's choice. I'm in no position to meddle."
"...I figured you'd be furious. Call her a butcher."
"...Well, to be brutally selfish..."
I drew a finger across my throat.
"I'm the type who doesn't care much since it didn't hit me."
"Good to hear. You're a bit more cynical now, Geum, but still the same old you."
"Am I?"
People don't change. Human nature doesn't, but impressions of people do. The Cao Cao forces who carried out the Xuzhou massacre—just one uncomfortable note added to my view of Guo Jia.
"So why'd you call me all the way to Heohyeon? You said it was important. If it's about enlisting, pass."
"Someone wants to meet you."
"Me?"
"Yeah. This way."
Guo Jia led me deeper into the estate. There, in the pavilion, sat a short-haired woman. Our eyes met.
"......."
Eyes that sized people up. Eyes that looked down on them. No ordinary person. Just meeting her gaze dried my mouth instantly.
"That good enough? Handle the rest yourself, Aman."
"Of course. Thanks, Fengxiao."
Aman—family name or given? Hard to say without intros, but clearly close to Guo Jia.
"What's your relation to Fengxiao?"
"Fengxiao unnie? We're thick as thieves. Both from Yingchuan Commandery."
The short-haired woman rose gracefully and bowed.
"I'm Cao Aman. Courtesy name Zayo."
"Cao Zayo. Nice to meet you. I'm..."
"Master Geum Taeyang, right? I've heard. You're the owner of this estate."
"...Here to buy land?"
"No. They say you have a real eye for it. Like Fengxiao unnie said, I came for your advice."
Whew. My heart nearly dropped. This woman—if she'd met Cao Cao, I bet she'd give off the same overwhelming pressure.
"What do you want to ask?"
"Seoju."
"......."
"If buying land in Seoju, where would you pick?"
"......That's rude for a first meeting."
Rude, right out the gate.
"That's not how you buy land. The horrors of war haven't even faded— you want to buy there?"
"......."
Cao Aman just blinked. I sighed involuntarily but held it back.
"Good land is land good for living. No matter how prices have dropped."
No was no.
"Miss, do you want to till fields and spend your life on soil soaked in the blood of countless dead?"
"Mi...ss?"
"Yeah, miss. You look younger than me at a glance."
Cao Aman fell silent for a long stretch.
"Fine. For Fengxiao's recommendation, I'll talk. Seoju is dead land. Land that will stay dead. Jo Maengdeok, lord of Yeonju, will rule it, but it's no place for people."
"Why?"
"Seoju."
I wet my throat with tea.
"Is where Jo Maengdeok weighed the world against Seoju and chose the world. Seoju has no future ahead."
Cao Aman's eyes widened strangely.