Chen Soyoung, Universal Human Rights Advocate and Pessimist's Modern All-Purpose Theory -1

A certain anecdote about Pang Tong came to mind. Among Shu Han's mid-level officials who passed through a role similar to mine in the field, there's Pang Tong.

Liu Bei couldn't tell if Pang Tong was competent or not, so he tossed him into a rural magistrate position. The guy didn't lift a finger, just stirred up trouble until he was on the verge of getting ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠flogged by Zhang Fei—then he scrambled to get everything done, clearing the backlog in a single day.

That's when Zhang Fei told Liu Bei, "This guy's no ordinary fellow," leading straight to the incident where Pang Tong took an arrow at Luocheng.

Though it's fiction from Romance of the Three Kingdoms, some parts line up surprisingly well with the records. First off, Lu Su recommended him.

Pang Tong's first posting was with Wu. He served under Zhou Yu as a trusted secretary-type. Naturally, Liu Bei would want to verify him first—procedure and all.

After Zhou Yu's death, his career path in Wu dried up, so he jumped ship to Liu Bei. And true to the name Fledgling Phoenix, he landed like a parachute and bloomed spectacularly.

His father, Pang De's father, had killer viral marketing skills—maximum beneficiary of the "Crouching Dragon and Fledgling Phoenix" hype. Plus Lu Su's endorsement.

Makes you wonder what chaos he might've caused if he hadn't gotten that double promotion during the Yizhou campaign. Feels kinda bad for him, like a sacrificial side character to make the Crouching Dragon shine. Soyang acting magistrate Chen Soyoung feels a bit like that too, exaggerating just a tad.

Why did this pop into my head? Because I couldn't shake the feeling that Liu Bei was testing me.

So, time to actually ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠try working hard. Zhao Yun's involved too, after all.

If I'm doing this, might as well make it flashy—hang up a big placard.

Like that.

...But I don't wanna work. Can't put it off anymore, though. Gotta force the energy up and dive in.

And so begins the fulfilling, happy Soyang life of spirited Soyoung!

Let's dream big. Unroll some bamboo slips and jot down my current situation and future plans.

"Haa..."

I folded up the long bamboo slips.

Didn't wanna just fold 'em away, so I drew a hopeful smiling sun in the corner. Black ink made it look grim—Satan's sun now.

Uncle Zhao Yun hasn't budged. We should have a deep talk about this mess.

"Hey, mind if I share my thoughts?"

"Please do, young lady."

I put on my most serious face.

"We're pretty much screwed, right?"

"...Pardon? Young lady?"

"Ah, no. Slipped out. Can I try again?"

"Please do."

"You and me, we're socially done for, yeah? Can we quit midway? Liu Bei must hate us."

We were obviously screwed, but Uncle Zhao Yun wouldn't give up.

Wanna see how he holds out.

"We shouldn't presume Lord Liu Bei's intentions."

"But it's not presuming when the future looks this clear."

Uncle Zhao Yun's face suggested he had a counterpoint. I tilted my head like, let's hear it.

"This is a key outpost to Xinyang, so someone needs to oversee it—that's Lord Liu Bei's view."

"Did Liu Bei pass through here himself?"

"Rumors of the mountain stronghold are already out there. Probably not."

Aha. So he knew all about it and still ordered us here.

Good. Crystal clear now.

"Then... he doesn't know the situation here?"

"Yes. I suspect that's his intent."

"Sorry for dragging you into this. Now I can say it for sure: we're screwed."

Not some apocalypse tycoon game—zero foundation. What am I supposed to fix here?

What now? Careers derailed here?

"No ideas between us? Any thoughts?"

"Public security first. It's a lawless zone with no law or deterrence. Station troops as priority."

Uncle Zhao Yun stated the obvious, paused a beat, then continued.

"But why do these folks obey your word to the letter? That's the mystery."

"They owe me from before, so they listen."

Uncle Zhao Yun leaned against the door, spear under his arm, looking puzzled down at me.

Third-party view must find it weird.

Hell, even I do. Why are these people overly deferential to me???

"Your virtue must inspire their trust and loyalty. Lord Liu Bei surely has deeper intentions."

"What intentions? Just make us suffer?"

"Kh..."

Uncle Zhao Yun smirked annoyingly—didn't even ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠say anything funny.

"But why do they bow to you? Care to explain?"

Figured he was curious too. I've got my suspicions.

"Guess I fed 'em, housed 'em, saved 'em—something like that."

We've lived together a while; that's why no sudden punches. Or maybe Uncle Zhao Yun fully armed behind me.

"If they heed you, they have some basic decency. Too early to despair."

"Not quite."

Time for Master Lecturer Soyoung's inner motives 101.

"I'm not responsible for their lives, so meddling feels off. Everyone here's got baggage—twisted paths. Feels awkward forcing anything."

Said that, but yeah, time to meddle.

I've lived here 9 years.

Just... naturally find a way for them to bounce back. Late Han style.

"Wanna rest today, hit the monastery tomorrow?"

"If you wish."

"Not stopping me?"

"My personal view: They're used to this chaos. You away a day or two..."

Uncle Zhao Yun trailed off.

I caught the unspoken meaning and nodded.

"Totally get that feeling."

"Just my opinion. Ultimately, your call, young lady." Not a group project—why always "follow your intent"? Do I look like the leader? Uh... yeah. I am. Leader's orders, then.

"Rest tomorrow."

"Then why bother with the monastery?"

No. Gotta go. Must go.

"Unfair if I'm the only one suffering. Needs crowd wisdom—my brain's stumped."

Zhao Yun nodded like he got it.

"Very well."

"Wanna drink something?"

"Anything to drink?"

"Nah, I'm thirsty. River's five minutes away—fetch some water?"

"Understood."

Uncle Zhao Yun left awkwardly.

Probably doesn't wanna believe this situation either.

That's why I said giving me ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠an official post was insane.

Why doesn't that thick-headed Zhuge Liang listen?

Just a hometown visit, and adrenaline's pumping. Not dopamine.

Knowing vs. feeling it—worlds apart.

Calm the pounding heart, step off the cart—Huang Yueying waves warmly.

"Mom, back from official duties."

"Good. My rewarding, useful Soyoung's home? Go to your room. No dinner today."

"Yes'm."

Me and Yueying are in a cold war lately.

Know it's my loss, but apologizing's embarrassing.

"Mother?"

Yueying glances back.

"...Got something to consult."

Yueying turns.

"Can't you forgive me?"

Staring at the ground.

"My daughter turns over a new leaf—how could a mother not embrace her!"

Huang Yueying charges in. Such an easy woman.

Pat pat, stroke stroke.

"But... could you tone it down a bit?"

"Ahem, tone down what?"

"That pre-learning stuff. Embarrassing."

Huang Yueying kneels to eye level, grips my shoulders tight.

"I've told you firmly: Cultivate a heart firmer than any man's. Master the ways of the world. Chastity stems from knowledge. Even naturalness fades before ignorance. Know it in your head. I won't force you."

Yueying was dead serious, but the content... pickup artist vibes? Wanna start a matchmaking agency? Anyway, shelve it. Gotta give some lip service for smooth social life.

Win-win means we gotta like each other.

"Hearing you, I get it now. I was lacking, misread your intentions!"

Huang Yueying eats up the service, lifts me in a plane ride. People connect through heart.

"Truly my daughter, no doubt! Such filial piety—I've gained the world. Ahem, what does my Soyoung want?"

Yueying's in a good mood—time to ask. Had something in mind.

"Instead of wanting something, a question: What do you think of Uncle Gongming's work?"

My question surprises her—face flickers.

Back to bubbly quick, though.

"Hubby's intent is mine, dear. How much do you know?"

Pondered.

Say it? Nah.

Just open up. 45 degrees indirect.

About Zhuge Liang's Jingzhou freebie plan.

"Fighting over land with kin is tragic. Felt it watching court today. How valuable is land management, really?"

45 degrees was basically a slider, not straight.

Jingzhou's in family feud mess right now. Yueying's extra tense that day 'cause of big household drama.

Seemed desperate for breathing room. Doesn't show, though—perfect noble lady act.

"I trust my husband. He never makes women cry."

Huang Yueying smiled, but looked haggard to me.

Her own mom backed Cai, Zhuge Liang's foe.

Yueying's obsession ramped up lately—I wasn't blind to it.

"Blood ties are genetically unbreakable, they say. Even enemies bound by heaven's mandate remember at the end. Overheard that."

"......"

"I'll find a way. Got time, meet Grandpa. Huang Shengyan... right?"

Huang Yueying hugs tight.

Shoulder's gonna shatter.

Choking, but pipe up.

"Surprisingly, complex stuff unravels simply. If it's bugging you, ask Uncle Gongming. Won't upset him."

Gongming's got his own thoughts, probably.