Chen Soyoung's Modern All-Purpose Theory, Part 4: All Lives Are Equal
As a universal human rights advocate and pessimist, Chen Soyoung's Modern Human Omnipotence Theory -4
All lives are equal, regardless of noble or lowly status.
Even in the late Han, where human lives are fired off like bullets, this core principle must never waver.
Everyone is special and deserves respect.
That's why I threw myself into accelerating the Soyang documentation project.
Day 3.
I have no idea what magic Zhao Yun-ajussi worked, but the office was swarming with people.
There's this utterly ridiculous—but extremely unhelpful—rumor spreading that some cheeky silver-spoon kid climbed the ranks and is now looking out for the locals here.
Uncle Shidao and Uncle Menggan were copying land deeds like their hands were on fire, while Ma Su, I, and Uncle Zhuping handed out official appointments and paperwork until our throats were raw.
"It should wrap up in about two days. The population's small, after all."
Did they misinterpret my encouragement? Shidao and Menggan looked downright glum.
Their hands were trembling—probably low blood sugar.
I reminded them once more what we were doing here.
It's important.
"We need to build trust. As Uncle Zhuping said, we lack any real enforcement power. I think this process is absolutely necessary."
Shidao didn't complain once... well, maybe once or twice, but he straightened up and got back to it.
"When Zhuping's this gung-ho, there's always a reason. I'll give it my all."
"Yeah. Keep at it."
Shidao picked up his brush again.
The more bamboo slips, the better. This'll make the people here like me even more.
Preparations for receiving petitioners complete. Short break's over.
The path blocked by Zhao Yun's personal guards with their spears finally opened.
A burly, tired-looking man who apparently knew me greeted me like we were old pals.
"How's the Excellency doing, Soyoung?"
"Procedure first. I'll read it and let you know."
I unrolled the bamboo slip.
Read the damn thing.
"You're heading to Xinyang. Next."
"So the rumors are true! Good for you, Soyoung."
"Next. Once you get it, move along."
Truth be told, my support base in Soyang was already solid.
Back in the day, I sold those carvings for rice and distributed it.
Smart move.
Dad and I escaped the terror of random encounters, at least a little.
"Soyoung? But is this really worth anything?"
"Watch the guy ahead and figure it out. Want me to read this one?"
Blah blah blah, whatever.
"Keep this slip. You asked if it's worth anything, right?"
"Yeah." What the hell is this bamboo worth? I get the villagers' doubts a hundred times over. But I wasn't out of tricks.
"We'll make it worth something. Once this is done, I'm heading to Xinyang."
"Xinyang? What's the occasion?"
"Gotta secure investment."
Next plan.
Target already locked.
Mi Zhu.
This guy's historically outranked even Lord Liu Bei while Kongming-ajussi was alive. Rich as hell.
He's gonna bankroll Liu Bei's army, so I'll sweet-talk him about future value.
"Like this bamboo slip's gonna put food on the table."
Sneering from the line outside the office.
It had thinned out, but day one? Impossible to control—the people were furious.
They showed up expecting rice, silk, gold... and got handed a single slip. Felt scammed.
Three days of dealing with malicious complainers had toughened me up. I brushed off the jeers lightly.
"You're right. For now."
Soyang land had zero value right now.
If I screamed I was the lord of the moon and sold moon deeds, they'd call me insane.
No one wants barren nowhere like Soyang.
"That's why I'm going to Xinyang. I'll make it valuable."
A voice piped up from the back, cheering me on.
"Hey, the kid's sharp—must have a plan, right?"
"She's the Excellency's daughter. Don't jinx her, man. We're screwed if she fails."
"What? You little shit?"
Zhao Yun smoothly inserted himself into the brewing fight.
Who'd win?
By size, I'd bet on the bulky baldy. But the red-eyed dusk warrior on the right had a blind swordsman vibe—probably killer with a staff.
Not the time.
"No fighting! Just wait and see! Next!!!"
To turn these poor, reckless folks rich, I needed a guarantor.
One breath from the right person could turn worthless dirt into gold.
Way back in my broadcasting days, the weirdest revenue model I'd heard of was home shopping.
They take half the sales, yet it thrives. Junk becomes luxury with the right name attached.
Sigh... Never thought I'd stoop to this.
"You'll get Soyang land guaranteed by Mi Zhu—for free. I'll make it happen."
"What're you on about?"
"I'll make you all rich. Next."
This worthless land.
Borrow Mi Zhu's name value and inflate it.
Lord Liu Bei went from selling mats to commanding volunteers and skyrocketed. No reason I can't.
Ah. Happiness circuits frying.
*
I'd come to the western annex in Yongzhong under thick night.
Needed an excuse for Xinyang.
After some light chit-chat, I got to the point.
"...See, I miss my father so much I can't sleep at night. If I could just see his face once, I'd have no regrets. Please grant my request."
"I cannot deny such a plea."
Kongming-ajussi accepted way too easily.
Suspicious.
"Wait... I figured you'd make me jump through hoops."
"How could I block a daughter's filial duty? Do I seem like that kind of man?"
"Hmm... Hold on. Lemme think."
As I pretended to mull it over, Kongming-ajussi teased playfully.
"Hah. So you're toying with me now?"
"Since when are you like this? You're always on about gentlemanly virtues and propriety, wagging your finger."
"Isn't this filial piety? I heard Yuanzhi's been tearing his hair out over a letter too. His mother's gravely ill. I can't let you suffer the same."
??????
Out of nowhere?
"Hold up."
Hold up. It's a fake letter.
"Is Yuanzhi's mother in Hecheng, by any chance?"
"Did I tell you that? Yes."
Good lord.
"That's a fake letter."
Zhuge Liang's eyes went wide.
"You thought so too? How? You just heard."
"Wait, you suspected it too, ajussi?"
"I did, but I didn't stop him."
"Why?"
Zhuge Liang pondered long.
"Filial piety is the highest virtue. Crushing that spirit is unthinkable. Yuanzhi surely knows, yet with his character, he'll go anyway. That's why I didn't warn or restrain him."
"So... high chance it's fake, no hard proof? But he'll go regardless?"
"Exactly. Who could prove it's definitively fake?"
Headache incoming.
Fake filial piety must still be fulfilled. Hits home how terrifying Confucian society is.
"It's definitely fake. Hope I'm not too late when I hit Xinyang."
Kongming-ajussi looked skeptical.
"You've got ulterior motives. But you're clever enough. Since I'm curious, tell me: what do you think will happen in Jingzhou?"
Answer predetermined again.
"War breaks out."
Right on the money—he smiled.
"Worst case, yes. I advised Lord Liu Bei to yield to Sun Quan. Sun Quan will raise troops; Liu Qi will abandon Jiangxia and relocate."
"What else you plotting?"
"Does that displease you?"
Kongming-ajussi spoke with utter confidence.
"Liu Qi moves, and Xinyang's lord responds. Ostensibly to block Wu, but the truth differs. Sun Quan advances to Zhangsha, but that's by prior agreement—no need to worry."
???
"Agreement?"
"My brother serves under Sun Quan, so we used his channels. I won't detail it, but startled Liu Zong will surely raise troops too."
I pieced it together. Kongming-ajussi loves this ploy—answer was obvious.
Two armies mobilize suddenly.
One keyword unlocks it.
"Feint east, strike west."
Feint east, strike west.
Distract one side, attack the other.
Spot on—his gaze sharpened again.
"You grasp it?"
"Empty nest raid, right? I like it. Fanyang falls, main force avoids isolation, war minimizes, troops maximize absorption. Crystal clear."
"Fanyang? I hinted, but you nailed my intent."
Kongming-ajussi's face darkened as he continued.
"...That's another reason I didn't stop Yuanzhi. With the Lord's temperament, he won't mobilize. Cao Cao's cunning and won't miss this. He'll raise troops on some pretext, no doubt."
He seems convinced.
"Are those connected? Even without stopping Xu Shu, Cao Cao attacks anyway."
"In warfare, speed is paramount. Yuanzhi buys time; we force the Lord to trade Xinyang for Jingzhou, dodging Cao Cao."
That's his calculus.
Guessing he sussed Liu Bei's style from time together.
Hence the read.
"I see it differently."
Zhuge Liang looked intrigued.
"What's your take?"
I can't stomach Xu Shu sucking up under Cao Cao.
So... I pitch my idea to Kongming-ajussi.
Humbly, per late Han rules.
"I assume you shared this expecting my input. While I'm at Xinyang, shall I meet Lord Liu Bei and discuss?"
Zhuge Liang downed his tea, rolled up his sleeves. Tea must've splashed—his hand shook badly.
"Don't be rude. The Lord thinks highly of you, so no big worries, but he's stubborn. Hard for him to sacrifice the few for the many—keep that in mind."
"That's why I beg you. I'll settle it at Xinyang. I've decided: great things start small. I'll humbly aid your grand design, teacher."
The faint worry lines on Kongming-ajussi's forehead had vanished.