The Aesthetics of Divergence -1
Multiple strategy sessions had dragged on, but it was all just going in circles.
Still, I couldn't just sit on my hands forever.
Keep talking, and we'd eventually find common ground.
"Let's take a break for now."
To verify the authenticity of the intel we'd gathered so far, I summoned Zhang Lian.
Graciously, he'd been waiting right outside the door until the meeting wrapped up.
"Do you think pulling out is the best move?"
Zhang Lian pondered for a long moment before speaking.
"That's not something I can casually opine on, my lady."
Sigh. Just spit it out already.
I decided to let it slide and move on.
"Then, how many troops do you figure we can muster from Xingnan?"
"Even scraping the barrel, we won't hit 20,000."
Quicker than doing the math in my head myself.
Someone might call it freeloading, but this was just putting talent where it belonged.
"20,000, huh. Subtract what we gotta, add what we can—sounds solid?"
"I can't guarantee perfection, of course. But it'll be pretty damn accurate."
Our forces were looking decent. 20,000 was no small number.
It'd be a tougher fight than when Sun Quan sent reinforcements, but... no, optimism was a bad habit.
Our army was still at a disadvantage, and intel on the enemy was thin.
Zhang He. From what I knew, a terrifying man.
I'd boldly call him one of the immovable walls that made Zhuge Liang weep during the Northern Expeditions.
"We'll keep the Baiyi Battalion in reserve and attach them to General Yubong."
"Excellent choice, referring to Lord Jindo's elite troops."
The elite of elites. Special forces-level operatives at my disposal.
In Romance of the Three Kingdoms, there were always these elite units—specialized forces.
Starting with the Tiger Guards or Xiliang Cavalry, and dipping into fantasy territory, you had Gongsun Zan's White Horse Volunteers or the Nanzhong's armored infantry.
Countless such crack troops existed. Danyang soldiers, or Gao Shun's Trapped Battalion tied to them.
"Lord Jindo's a fine man; he'll exceed expectations for sure."
"Agreed. He's upright and resolute in character."
"With Lord Jindo commanding Shu's finest elites, he'll accomplish great things."
Zhang Lian nodded.
Just as our chat was stretching out, a cough from Ma Liang signaled the meeting resuming.
"Haa... Time's up. Let's head back in."
"One last thing."
Zhang Lian leaned in cautiously after hearing my response.
"Unrelated, but there's a rumor the Hanzhong Elder has signaled surrender to Cao Cao."
Damn. Why did all the bad news have to pile up like this?
"Bad timing."
With the Yizhou campaign underway, Hanzhong collapsing now could spark a major crisis. Hanzhong, of all places.
Liu Bei was probably tied up in Shangyong right now.
If things went south, he could face a two-front war against Liu Zhang and Cao Cao. Historically, Cao Cao seized Hanzhong and pressed directly into Yizhou.
But here's the dilemma.
Situationally bad, but outcome-wise? Not entirely.
In the original flow of history, it worked out fine.
After this, Liu Bei used the pretext of attacking Wuguan to extract supplies and troops from Liu Zhang successfully.
Then turned around and backstabbed him. But with no clue how Yizhou was faring now, who knew.
No time to overthink it, though.
Priorities on the front lines first. Couldn't ignore the fire on my doorstep.
"We'll handle that separately later. Soyang takes precedence now."
"Of course."
I left Zhang Lian behind and walked back in.
Even during the break, things were buzzing more than ever.
"Zhang He's army is the real threat! We need to throw everything we've got here— that's the priority!"
"And how do we deal with the aftermath? We just took Xingnan; massive levies now would lose us the people's hearts entirely! We have to stabilize security first—that's the proper path!"
Xu Shu pushed aggressively; Ma Liang advocated caution.
I leaned toward Xu Shu's side, but my gut wasn't always gospel.
"Let's reconvene."
The room fell silent instantly.
No one sat until I took my seat at the head.
A numb feeling settled in. Indescribable.
Today felt weird as hell.
Never in my life had stringing words together felt this heavy, and now I couldn't even name the emotion.
Melancholy mixed with an obsessive must do this.
Extra sentimental today.
"Zhang He's 100,000-strong army shows hostile signs toward Soyang. That's why I've called you all again. To reiterate: we must mobilize."
Ma Liang raised his hand quietly.
"We can't pull every last troop. We need forces to counter the Jiaozhou warlords too."
"True. Can't ignore Jiaozhou."
Round and round on the same topic.
Jiaozhou's entrenched warlord cliques. Formidable, even for Liu Bei. Unignorable figures.
Shi Xie.
Shi Xie doesn't appear in Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
A dominant force in Jiaozhou below Jingzhou; in the annals, he submitted tribute to Sun Quan after the latter took Xingnan.
Not aggressive. That's my take.
That settled it. With 100,000 enemies breathing down our necks, no splitting forces to the rear. Minimal garrison for security only.
"Jiaozhou's handled. Send an envoy to test the waters. Decision made—no more debate."
Ma Liang bowed his head.
"As you command."
Confirming Ma Liang's compliance, I signaled Yubong.
"Can you head there?"
Yubong showed no reluctance.
Reason for picking him: we had no prior ties with Shi Xie.
Needed troops for the show, and Yubong's face... surprisingly diplomatic on first glance.
That was it. Seemed sharp too.
"I'll go to Jiaozhou as ordered and speak with Shi Xie."
The moment Yubong committed, Xu Shu chimed in.
"The people's hearts are unsettled. Levying more troops now could backfire. But the crisis demands it."
I knew Ma Liang's worries. And Xu Shu's point.
"Then disband 10,000 farmer-soldiers from the garrisons as a fallback. Untrained farmers would shatter against elites anyway. And we need farmhands. Levies are essential—how's that?"
Xu Shu snapped his fingers in approval.
"Won't the enemy strike when we're most vulnerable post-dispersal?"
"Who knows. Even if we rushed reinforcements now, timing's iffy... But we can't sit idle."
Fighting cavalry-heavy Cao Cao forces on Soyang's open plains—no fortress? Suicide. And led by Zhang He. No answers. Bleak. Utterly bleak.
"If Soyang falls... Yangyang's next on the chopping block."
Xu Shu's grave words conjured horrors.
Cavalry thundering in, trampling men, women, children indiscriminately.
Today's mood was off. Why?
I was panting before I knew it.
"General! Are you alright?"
Got it. Why the nausea hit.
This war's on me. Thief's first pang of conscience.
Damn it.
Heart pounding relentlessly.
In turmoil, I scanned the map.
Soyang and Xinyang were close. Garrisons there? A powder keg ready to blow.
And Zhuge Liang was there. Worried.
Can I pull this off? Can I do it?
"Come in."
Lost in thought, Ma Liang suddenly called out.
The visitor was Ma Su.
"Urgent dispatch from Soyang. The Army Strategist ordered direct delivery: open them one by one if things get stuck."
Ma Su handed over three pouches containing Zhuge Liang's notes.
"Mind if I open one now?"
"Open whenever you deem fit, sis."
I opened the rightmost pouch and read Zhuge Liang's note.
Ilnyeom Tongcheon
'Single-minded devotion overcomes all...' If I, the one at the center, crumble now, the whole chamber falls. Uncle Kongming's right. Gotta steel my resolve.
"Ma Su."
"Yes, sis."
"This is official business—mind your manners."
At my gentle rebuke, Ma Su snapped to attention and bowed deeply.
"My apologies!"
"Head to Soyang and relay: we're raising troops from Xingnan and garrisoning Yangyang."
Ma Su looked flustered.
"Not sending immediate reinforcements to Soyang?"
Decided. My best play.
"Listen up—everyone. We're assuming the worst and moving accordingly."
I swiftly opened the next pouch.
A hollow laugh escaped.
Yangyang
"Kuh... heh heh heh..."
Uncle Kongming and I were on the same wavelength.
So that's it? That's the play.
Yangyang was Jingzhou's linchpin. Tough nut to crack—river-backed, sturdy walls. Guan Yu kinda failed to prove it at Mai... but anyway. Wars this era hinged on logistics. Stretch the enemy's lines thin, secure ours solid—that wins it. Was Uncle planning a Soyang pullback too?
Wonder what the last note said? I could guess.
Uncle's infamous for working people to the bone.
Probably something in that vein.
I opened the final note.
Unexpected.
"Figured it'd say something."
Perfectly blank.
Translation: you're on your own.
Or deeper: stationing at Yangyang shifts the board too much to predict rashly now.
"Xu Shu."
"Yes."
"Secure provisions for Yangyang immediately. Xingnan reserves, every supply line near Yangyang—all in."
"Understood."
"Ma Liang."
"Yes!"
"Issue levy orders at once. Cherry-pick able-bodied fast, without wrecking the farms. No need to force numbers."
"Right away."
The heavy war room started turning.
"Cavalry General Cheonma."
"Yeah?"
"Take every available cavalryman now and head to Soyang ahead."
Dad smirked faintly.
"Our Soyoung's all grown up now."
"...Be safe."
"Gotcha."
Dad left.
"Lord Jindo."
"Your command?"
"Baiyi Battalion stands by with Zhang Liao at Yangyang. Expect a brutal fight, frontline deployment."
"Noted."
Orders rained down relentlessly; tension crackled in the air.
My conviction pulled everyone in line.
"Lead General Zhao Yun."
"Yes, ma'am."
"You'll escort me directly to Yangyang. Zhang He's moves unknown—need your strength."
"I'll be the spear clearing your path. My life on it."
Zhao Yun bowed; Wei Yan followed.
"Flank General Yubong."
"Uh... yes!"
Yubong startled, stumbling—didn't expect the call.
"Chin up."
"As you command."
"Handing you partial command here. Stabilize Xingnan security, win hearts. Shi Xie's bonus."
"Understood!"
Reason for the authority handoff: Yubong doesn't betray.
Not even to Meng Da's urging.
But tied to that betrayal, Zhuge Liang had him executed.
Ambiguous position made him collateral in power plays.
Bottom line: sword to throat, he holds. Trusted him with Xingnan. Like heavy use of unflinching Zhao Yun, I wanted to value Yubong too.
"Mobilize soon as ready. Meeting adjourned."