Chapter 111

Recently, Wang Ping realized that he had been living without much worry or concern for a while.

To be precise, it was since he settled within the Lanling Army. When he first joined the Lanling Army and received Chang-ran’s favor, he was subtly concerned about the envy and checks from those around him.

But that too disappeared naturally as he blended in as a member. After that, it was enough to do his best with what was given to him.

Fortunately, Wang Ping had the talent to carry out his given tasks and overcome difficulties.

Even when he was promoted to General of the Four Pacifications and became independent from the Lanling Army, he had no worries. Although he felt regret leaving Chang-ran’s side.

But that regret was smaller than the satisfaction of rising to a high position. It wasn’t about ambition or desire for power, but the satisfaction of being able to repay the grace he received from Chang-ran.

Until now, Wang Ping rarely encountered things that didn’t go his way. With Chang-ran’s support and recognition from Liu Bei, combined with his own abilities, what could have been difficult?

But finally, even Wang Ping’s path to success hit a snag.

“Dealing with people is so difficult.”

Until now, the basic goodwill from Wang Ping’s background allowed his blunt and straightforward demeanor to not be a problem in dealing with others. As his position rose, this became even more so.

However, Seomak, despite being a defeated general, was not servile. Even though Wang Ping treated him generously due to Seomak’s reputation and personally respectable character, Seomak maintained his stance as a minister of Cao Wei.

Even when Wang Ping tried to place him under house arrest instead of in prison, Seomak insisted on receiving the same treatment as other Cao Wei prisoners, saying how could he alone be comfortable as a defeated general.

Wang Ping was even more impressed by this, but Seomak remained stubborn.

Wang Ping aimlessly wandered around, receiving reports on Seomak’s condition.

“Is he still the same?”

“Yes. He remains seated in meditation.”

“I see. Thank you for your hard work.”

People around Wang Ping called him a serious personality, but Wang Ping himself knew he was actually an impatient person.

The reason he only showed a weighty demeanor to the outside world was because he calculated that it was within his ability to handle.

If he were truly serious and patient, he wouldn’t have asked Chang-ran for help.

“It would be easier to face a large army.”

Wang Ping sighed in frustration at the situation that wasn’t going his way. The art of winning people’s hearts was too unfamiliar to Wang Ping.

Chang-ran’s father, Zhang Fei, personally untied Yan Yan’s ropes, and Yan Yan gladly became his guest. Wang Ping tried to follow suit but only reconfirmed Seomak’s integrity.

“If the Rear General comes, it will be different.”

Chang-ran has a strange charm that attracts people. Her outstanding appearance aside, Wang Ping clearly felt something that couldn’t be explained by that alone. He thought it might stem from confidence.

Wang Ping firmly believed that Chang-ran could change Seomak’s stubborn mind.

But the words that came from Seomak’s mouth when facing Chang-ran were no different from before.

“Impossible.”

§

Upon arriving in Nongseo, I met Wang Ping and caught up on old times. Perhaps moved by my immediate response to his request, Wang Ping welcomed me with enthusiastic reactions.

After exchanging light pleasantries and casual conversation, I asked about the purpose of this visit: Seomak.

“How is Lord Seomak doing?”

“He insists on receiving the same treatment as the soldiers and remains in prison.”

“Then just release them.”

“Huh? But they haven’t yet declared their surrender.”

In my view, the current situation was a result of everyone’s positions being tangled.

Seomak remained in prison, insisting on the same treatment as the soldiers.

The soldiers, seeing Seomak like this, held out, unable to surrender.

Wang Ping, valuing law and order, wouldn’t release prisoners who hadn’t surrendered.

If each side just took a step back, the problem would naturally resolve.

“Just release them. If you release the soldiers, Lord Seomak will come out, and you can switch to house arrest. Give him a few days to rest, then visit.”

After all, releasing the prisoners won’t affect the overall situation. What can they do even if they cause a fuss?

Even when they had more numbers, they were thoroughly defeated by Wang Ping. With the reinforcements I brought, they know they stand no chance now.

Their resistance was only to uphold their loyalty to Seomak. As long as we don’t kill or torture Seomak, they won’t rebel.

Following my words, Wang Ping released the prisoners. Then Seomak also willingly left the prison.

Although Wang Ping treated him as humanely as possible, prison life isn’t comfortable. I even sent medicinal herbs to help him recover at home.

It was Angelica (當歸), a medicinal herb I brought when leaving Chang’an. Literally translated, it means ‘rightfully return,’ often used to persuade someone to switch sides.

Cao Cao once sent Taishi Ci a top-grade Goguryeo Angelica, and Jiang Wei, who defected from Wei to Shu, also received Angelica from his mother.

A few days later, when I visited him, Seomak no longer avoided us.

“A noble guest has arrived.”

Seomak bowed respectfully upon seeing me. The atmosphere wasn’t bad. Feeling optimistic that things might go well, I also greeted him.

“You flatter me. Lord Seomak, you are the true noble one.”

“Haha, General, your words are too kind. How could a defeated soldier like me be called noble?”

Seomak humbly referred to himself as a ‘defeated soldier’ rather than a ‘defeated general.’ His home was a simple thatched cottage, showing his humble nature.

“Your current demeanor only reinforces that thought. If our strategist Zhuge Liang saw you, he would surely admire and welcome you.”

“Haha, I’ve kept you standing too long. Please, come inside.”

Seomak remained calm and composed despite my praise.

Wang Ping and I entered Seomak’s thatched cottage and accepted the tea he brought. It wasn’t the high-quality tea from Chengdu or Chang’an, but Seomak’s tea-making skills made it quite enjoyable.

As I glanced around the room, I noticed something and narrowed my eyes. A silk-wrapped bundle. It was the Angelica I had sent. The knot on the silk was untouched, as if he hadn’t even touched it.

I pretended not to notice and calmly asked, “Did you receive the medicinal herbs I sent?”

“I was just about to return them to you, which is why I invited you both inside.”

“Why won’t you accept them?”

“The herbs you sent are Angelica, aren’t they?”

As I nodded, Seomak spoke with a firm expression.

“A child cannot serve two parents, and a minister cannot serve two lords. However, to repay the sincerity you both have shown me, I have one request.”

“Please, speak.”

“I wish to paint your portrait, General.”

“My portrait?”

At the sudden proposal, I tilted my head in confusion.

“Yes. I am also an artist. If you grant my request, I will repay you with a humble poem.”

“Hmm… A poem is good, but if you become a minister of our state, I will let you paint me as much as you want.”

Seomak shook his head with a faint smile.

“How could I abandon my principles for personal pleasure? Please, take back your words.”

“…I understand. I will grant your request.”

“Thank you, General.”

“Should I change my clothes then?”

“No, this is fine. I wish to paint you as you are, in your armor.”

Honestly, if he had asked me to wear some fluttering silk robe for a beauty portrait, I would have refused and tried to persuade him again. It’s a bit disappointing now.

Thus, Seomak’s portrait painting began on the spot.

Before I knew it, the thatched cottage’s room became his studio.

I stood still as he requested. He glanced at me, painted, glanced again, and repeated the process, transferring my image onto the paper.

At first, his brushstrokes were smooth and swift, but gradually slowed down until he almost stopped painting and just looked at me.

“Is there a problem?”

“Um… My apologies. This is truly a difficult painting, and I’ve been pondering for a long time.”

Just copy what you see, what’s so hard about that? I rolled my eyes and peeked at the portrait he was painting. He had painted everything except the face, which remained untouched by ink.

“Take your time.”

“No, I think I can paint it now.”

Inspiration comes in a flash, they say.

As if the hesitation was just to gain momentum, Seomak swiftly completed my face with a single stroke.

The finishing touch. After painting the pupils, Seomak neatly wrote a poem in the bottom left corner.

憑將箕帚作蝥弧 (Raising the military flag instead of household chores)

一派歡聲動地呼 (Cheers that shake the earth)

試看他年麟閣上 (Look at the Qilin Pavilion in the future)

丹青先畫美人圖 (The first painting will be a beauty portrait)

“Raising the military flag instead of household chores,

Cheers that shake the earth.

Look at the Qilin Pavilion in the future,

The first painting will be a beauty portrait.”

“I’ve heard of the poems exchanged between General and Emperor Cao Cao. With my humble skills, I tried to match the couplet.”

If it’s the poems exchanged between me and Cao Cao, they were from the truce agreement in Xiang Province.

After carefully pondering the poem Seomak wrote, I stood up without hesitation.

“I have received a precious gift. Knowing Lord Seomak’s intentions, we shall take our leave now.”

As we left Seomak’s thatched cottage, Wang Ping, who had been keeping his mouth shut, asked in a somewhat excited tone.

“Why did you leave like that? From what I saw, there was still room for negotiation.”

“Just as you think. There is room. The content of the poem makes it clear.”

As the mention of the Qilin Pavilion suggests, Seomak recognized that the greater cause and trend had shifted to our side.

What is the Qilin Pavilion? Wasn’t it the hall in the Chang’an palace where Emperor Wu of Han hung portraits of his meritorious officials? My portrait hanging in the Qilin Pavilion ultimately signifies our victory.

Yet, I left because Seomak refused the Angelica despite knowing this. His will was strong enough to refuse even while understanding the situation.

So, let’s leave this matter to someone far more capable than Wang Ping or me.

“There is someone more suitable than us.”

“Someone more suitable…?”

“I’ve already said it.”

Zhuge Liang will come.