Hegemon of Heaven (7)
"Zhen Dong General, Cao Cao requests an audience with Your Majesty."
At the courtier's words, the emperor straightened his posture. He began glancing at the officials flanking him left and right, but they all stared downward, avoiding his gaze for fear of meeting his eyes.
Thud, thud. A woman entered the center of the throne room, dressed in the same official robes as the other ministers. Though she carried no sword, the chilling aura she exuded made the court officials hold their breath.
"Your subject, Zhen Dong General Cao Cao, comes to report a great victory to Your Majesty."
"Have you repelled Yang Feng and Han Xian...?"
"Yes. Though they claimed loyalty to Your Majesty, they sought to become the third or fourth Dong Zhuo on that basis alone. Attacking the Son of Heaven's domain is a crime that demands the strictest punishment."
"...I see. I understand your intent. Congratulations on your victory, Lord Cao."
"Thank you. In that spirit, I have one request."
It was coming. The emperor closed his eyes tightly, agonizing over what Cao Cao might say next. What if she demanded a higher office? What if she asked for vast sums of gold from the penniless imperial house? What if she requested marriage to one of his daughters to become in-law to the throne?
"Please relocate the capital from Luoyang to elsewhere."
Amid his swirling worries, Cao Cao's words—bowed low as she spoke—were more than enough to deepen the ministers' confusion.
"Luoyang was left in ruins by Dong Zhuo's destruction. Geographically and in terms of facilities, it cannot adequately defend against enemy attacks."
"Then...?"
"I humbly propose a capital relocation."
Capital relocation. There was precedent—the forced move by Dong Zhuo. To do it again?
"To where?"
"To Heohyeon."
Heohyeon. A county with 'hyeon' in its name was hardly noteworthy. The emperor glanced at his ministers upon Cao Cao's proposal to make such a featureless place the new capital. No one dared object. They groaned inwardly, but none would voice opposition to Cao Cao, who had just crushed Yang Feng and Han Xian's army at the city walls not an hour ago. They were already won over by the rations she had provided—grateful for the warmth of white rice and hot meat stew. There was no refusing her proposal.
"Heohyeon..."
"I shall order the construction of Your Majesty's palace there immediately. Until the imperial palace is complete, please reside in Chenliu."
"Hm..."
The emperor pictured a map in his mind. Heohyeon. Right above Jingzhou.
"Is Heohyeon and the south... peaceful?"
"It is peaceful."
"I see. So there are those who can ensure peace."
The emperor nodded gravely.
"Do as you advise."
"I am deeply grateful, Your Majesty."
Cao Cao pushes for capital relocation. Proposing her own base, Heohyeon, as the new capital.
"Ugh, I'm wasted."
Sima Lang passed out first from the drink. I handed him off to his servants and savored my cup alone under the moonlight.
"Drinking like that isn't good for you."
"Yi-ya!"
Sima Yi approached me. She threw her arms around me.
"...Teacher?"
"Yi-ya, remember what we talked about this morning?"
"You reek of booze."
"Haha! Of course, I've been drinking! Hmm, but Yi-ya's scent is like flowers."
"...Seriously."
Sima Yi sighed deeply, looking up at me.
"Spit it out. I'll hear all your drunken ramblings."
"Alright! Heh heh, I've figured it out. Where the Hegemon of Heaven belongs."
"...Where?"
"Heohyeon!"
I scooped Sima Yi into my arms by the waist and spun her around.
"Our land's becoming the capital!"
"......Heh."
Sima Yi's eyes curved like crescent moons. Bathed in moonlight, they sparkled with sharp intelligence and beauty.
"Heh heh, smart move keeping Heohyeon instead of selling it. Yeah. Now its value's about to skyrocket. Heh heh, ha ha ha, hahaha!!"
"That good, huh?"
"You bet! Higher land value means I can sell it for a fortune."
"Oh? Even with the emperor there?"
"Half of it."
I set Sima Yi down and took another swig to wet my throat.
"Heohyeon will house the Son of Heaven. At the same time, we'll draw crowds of people there to recapture old Luoyang's glory. We'll turn nearby fields into tuntian farms, reclaim the land, and make Heohyeon the hub for all Cao Cao army supplies."
"Isn't that geographically risky?"
"Risky as hell."
Heohyeon connects everywhere. Luoyang, Chenliu, Wan, Xinye, Yeonam, Xiaopei... So many places reachable by horse or over mountains. That vulnerability makes it poor for key strongholds, but the land itself is vast—perfect for large-scale farming. Assuming no battles, nowhere beats Heohyeon for agriculture and transport.
"Heh heh, heh heh heh. Back when I visited Heohyeon briefly, I met that strategist working for Cao Cao's army. Remember I told you I made a drinking buddy?"
"Yeah. Guo Jia, same age as you."
"Right! She asked if I planned to sell my land there. As if! Nah, I got a hunch right then. This could be an opportunity."
Land needs long-term holding and investment. It might sit flat for five years, then explode in value after ten. Patience is key.
Behold my foresight—snapping up worthless Heohyeon land post-Yellow Turban chaos. Soon, settlers will flock there, and I'll rake in massive profits as the local lord. Sell half, keep half, play it by ear.
"Teacher. You really love land that much?"
"Yeah. Land's the best."
"They say man is heaven, woman is earth."
"......."
The booze haze vanished in an instant. Sima Yi said it slyly, but her words hit like cold water, sobering me up.
"I didn't mean it like that."
"Wasn't wrong, though?"
"Sigh. Yi-ya, you know what I mean by 'land,' so why say that?"
"I know. Heh heh, glad you're still obsessed with land. You haven't changed since I first met you."
"That's not true."
I stepped toward Sima Yi, gripped her shoulders, and met her eyes.
"I've changed. Thanks to you. The coward who fled lest his head roll for suggesting a counter to Sun Jian's attack—you taught me what to protect and how."
The kid who took in that craven who ran scared. The disciple who showed me when to stake my life and step forward.
"Yi-ya. You made me a man—a real one. Be proud."
"A real man? Pfft. How about acting like one then?"
Sima Yi stood on tiptoe.
"Booze... makes you forget everything once you're smashed."
"......."
Booze. Suddenly, my mind went blank. Too much drink? Or instinct kicking in, warning no more? Last thing I saw: Sima Yi's red lips.
"......."
I blacked out.
I dream.
Adrift in a white mist-shrouded Peach Garden, wandering the clouds. Past swelling hills, snow-white slopes, delving under dense green woods—floral scents tease my nose. Ecstatic, electric. I know it's a dream, yet jolts rack my body like my mind might shatter. Arms wide, I embrace the sensory storm.
Rooooaaarrrrr—!!!
A golden dragon ascends toward the heavens. Dragons by the dozen, each crowned with myriad hats, bicker as they rise. All but one. Amid the departed, a young dragon with deep eyes gazes skyward alone.
—Aren't you going?
I ask.
—Why not now? Hurry, or you'll never reach those heights.
The yellow dragon shakes its head softly. The sky swarms with dragons, jaws agape in combat—claws raking backs, fangs sinking into collarbones, wounding kin. But here on earth, silence reigns. Utterly still and serene.
The last dragon clutches me. Both hands gripping tight, vowing never to release, it lifts its head skyward—higher, ever higher. Circling clouds, holding me fast, it soars.
—Where to?
Where? The dragon knows not. It simply goes with me. To the pinnacle, heaven-bound.
Kyaaaaaoooo—!!!
The dragon roars in joy at our shared ascent, clutching me like its pearl. I am the dragon's pearl. When the golden dragon bears me aloft, it becomes heaven's emperor. Whoso claims me claims the realm—the true Hegemon of Heaven.