Into the Fog of the Yangtze - 2
In the late Han world, there are mercenary bands that specialize in outright illegal work and those that handle the "legal" kind. The illegal ones focus on pillaging, kidnapping, robbery, and arson, while the legal ones take commissions for pillaging, kidnapping, and robbery—so Zhang Lian's bandit crew counts as a legitimate mercenary outfit, I guess.
Having received his commission, Zhang Lian put on exactly the performance I'd envisioned.
"We'll handle it from here, so off you go."
"You got it."
I handed everything over to Zhang Lian and stepped out of the cave.
This guy really knew his stuff, as expected.
It was midday in Soyang, a time that captured the slightly chilly yet warming essence of spring.
People acting like people, humans like humans.
It had been a full year since Chen Soyoung, with her slogan brimming with humanity, took charge of Soyang.
Directly challenging the late Han notion that everyone should stick to the roles the Creator assigned them, Soyang had ballooned into a massive settlement of over 100,000 households.
With that kind of growth, it was no longer just a county. Soyang's administration divided the land into four quarters—East, West, South, and North—each functioning as its own county.
County Magistrate Chen Soyoung had become the Taesu of Soyang, overseeing it all.
Taesu Chen Soyoung built granaries to prepare for emergencies and even received modest support in military supplies and systems through collaborative programs with Yangyang in Jingzhou.
But achieving such astonishing progress in just one year stemmed from Taesu Chen Soyoung's bold, unconventional moves.
Soyang's radiant development left no one able to criticize her actions.
Even when she did something utterly baffling outside common sense, people assumed there must be some deeper intent behind it.
And this time was no different.
"It's time. I need to head to Jiangxia."
Chen Soyoung suddenly turned to Zhao Yun and dropped that line.
A shadowy network of spies spread across the land was shaking the realm, but no one could trace its roots.
The head of that enigmatic spy ring reported to Chen Soyoung that Cao Cao had completed pacifying the north of the Yellow River—and to her, that was like a fire breaking out on her own foot.
"Why is that, my lady?"
Chen Soyoung sighed at Zhao Yun's question.
"An old friend told me so."
Zhao Yun nodded as if he understood.
"Then there's no choice but for you to go."
"Exactly."
Chen Soyoung stretched languidly.
Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu's brothers were dead, and Cao Cao had fully absorbed the four northern commanderies.
Liu Bei hadn't sat idle either. He'd steadily built his foundation in Jingzhou, tirelessly earning the trust of local taesu and magistrates by positioning himself as Jingzhou's representative figure.
Having solidified his base, Liu Bei followed Chen Soyoung's advice and never moved troops from Yangyang—a sound reason, so he stuck to it.
"Jingzhou is the center of the realm, with paths extending everywhere. My lord, set your sights on Chang'an and Luoyang, but direct your ambitions toward Yizhou—that is the optimal strategy."
Liu Bei was swayed by Chen Soyoung's confident counsel but couldn't help asking why she thought so.
"Why do you believe that, Advisor?"
"Because Cao Cao won't underestimate Hansu of the west, and our own forces have grown mighty enough to threaten Wei. If we hold our troops steady, Cao Cao will turn to his deferred tasks rather than invade Jingzhou immediately."
Wolves don't devour each other.
Liu Bei heeded those words. As Soyang's Taesu on the front lines against Cao Cao, Chen Soyoung viewed him as the greatest threat, emphasized pragmatism above all, yet remained deeply humane—Liu Bei trusted her judgment implicitly.
"Then what do you plan next, Advisor?"
"When the time comes, I'd like to visit Jiangxia."
"Jiangxia? That's not our territory in the south—do you have some scheme you're keeping from me again?"
Liu Bei couldn't fathom why Chen Soyoung wanted to visit Wu's lands.
But gazing at her confident demeanor, he could only smile faintly.
Every time he questioned her intentions, this daughter of Kongming pulled off something unpredictable—and it always benefited Shu. He looked forward to it.
"Not right away, but something big might erupt suddenly. Designate me and General Zhao as envoys to strengthen ties and affirm your will."
"Do you know what my will is?"
"Unification of the realm, isn't it?"
Liu Bei burst into hearty laughter.
The Battle of Red Cliffs won't happen.
Or rather, it can't.
After my deep discussion with Uncle Kongming, I'd pondered Red Cliffs endlessly, searching for a way to make it happen—but the conclusion was clear: it was absolutely impossible.
Cao Cao launched the battle using the intact military might of Jingzhou, absorbed through Liu Zong's surrender. Most of the troops lost at Red Cliffs were Jingzhou forces.
Without absorbing Jingzhou's army or controlling its lands, even Cao Cao advancing to Red Cliffs was a pipe dream. His only viable expansions were into Jingzhou or Wu's borders.
According to spy reports, Cao Cao was wary of Soyang.
Beyond its overwhelming growth rate, he judged that mobilizing against a land always primed for defense would yield poor results—so over the past year, he hadn't pointed his blade at Jingzhou.
If that stance held, his next target would surely be Wu.
Around the time that thought crystallized, Cao Cao finally wrapped up pacifying the north, fully seizing the four commanderies. That sealed my decision to head to Jiangxia.
To prepare for my absence, I relayed my intentions to Soyang's county magistrates.
Who were they? Nothing special—just the Su Supply Cartel crew and their usual cronies.
I delegated military authority and security matters to North County Magistrate Shi Dao.
"Everything from Soyang's public order to troop training and oversight—I'm leaving it all to you, Magistrate Shi Dao."
Shi Dao looked baffled and asked back.
"Haven't you always done that?"
"Have I?"
"I swear I won't question your intentions this time... but moments like this always shake my resolve, young lady."
Soyang's economic control, detailed administration, and national projects went to Meng Jian.
"Keep doing what you've been doing so well, Magistrate Meng Jian."
Meng Jian's face paled.
"Hearing that out of the blue terrifies me. What's your scheme this time?"
"Scheme? I'm just heading to Jiangxia. Mind the fort while I'm gone."
Meng Jian's lip twitched upward, then fell.
"Go without worry."
He couldn't read her game, but trusting her incorruptible nature, he let it slide.
For diplomatic disputes arising in Soyang and mediating between offices, I delegated to East County Magistrate Choi Jupyeong.
"Same as always. Put in some real effort, yeah?"
"Whoa, seriously? I'm already busting my ass here."
"Off to Jiangxia."
"Something go down there?"
"Feels like it."
"Take care."
Of course, I also delegated to West County Magistrate Ma Su, who oversaw the three counties, corruption checks, and most civilian petitions.
Ma Su's appointment had faced heavy opposition, but his guarantor Ma Liang was a brilliant scholar who humbly bowed to Liu Bei, vouching for his brother's talents. That convinced Liu Bei to heavily employ Ma Su, backed by Chen Soyoung and Ma Liang.
Opinions varied on why Chen Soyoung placed Ma Su in an inspector-like role akin to the Auditor General, but her reasoning was this:
1. Inspectors need to be a bit soft but annoyingly persistent.
If it were someone imposing like Guan Yu or Zhang Fei, people might grumble inwardly but hold back complaints. Ma Su's stubborn streak made even voicing minor gripes a hassle—he'd nitpick everything with his vast knowledge, debating right and wrong. So folks avoided bothering him with trivial petitions, filtering out the noise upfront.
2. Ma Su was an elitist.
He had a keen eye for spotting the incompetent versus the capable.
The perfect inspector profile. The moment someone in a key post slipped, Ma Su would sink his teeth in—so she chose him for the role.
"Sis keeps telling you: it's gotta be you. Easygoing, standoffish, looks down on people by default—perfect for an inspector. I'm heading down to Jiangxia for a bit, so handle your duties like a champ."
Ma Su pondered, then raised an eyebrow and shot back.
"Sounds like trouble's brewing, sis."
"What kind? Any guesses?"
"When someone as lazy as you starts moving, there's only one reason: war."
Chen Soyoung worried he'd get even cockier if he sharpened up more, but a twinge of pride kept her from scolding him.
"Alright, I'm off then. Watch the house. If the grown-ups pull anything shady, you catch 'em and report it, got it?"
"Leave it to me!"