Chapter 30

Ma Chong was a renowned general of Shu Han who became active in the later period of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. He made a spectacular debut by rescuing Liu Bei, who was in crisis after the devastating defeat at the Battle of Yiling. Liu Bei praised him so highly that he reportedly said, “Though I lost Huang Quan, I gained Ma Chong in return.”

Actually, the Ma Chong I first knew of was not a Shu Han general but a general of Eastern Wu. He was recorded in history solely for capturing Guan Yu, and in the novel, he was even rewarded with the Red Hare for his achievement. But that was all.

His significance was largely symbolic, as he was the one who dealt the final blow to Guan Yu. His abilities were likely mediocre, and he met a tragic end due to the disdain of Luo Guanzhong, a Shu fanboy. But anyway.

Though I came to know of him due to the shared name, the Ma Chong of Shu Han was a talent on a completely different level from the Ma Chong of Eastern Wu.

He excelled in both civil and military affairs, with high administrative skills and military talent. He was also known for his virtue, particularly in governing ethnic minorities.

When he died, the ethnic minorities who knew him all shed tears, giving a glimpse of how revered he was.

True to his reputation, the Ma Chong standing before me was indeed a man of exceptional character.

Standing slightly over 170 cm, similar in height to Ma Dai, Ma Chong had a well-built frame despite being a civil official, as if he had undergone rigorous training. Truly a man of both civil and military talents.

“You summoned me, I heard.”

Ma Chong, who looked younger than Yu En and Ma Dai, appeared to be not even thirty yet.

My standard for guessing age is based on my past life, so by the standards of this era, he was remarkably youthful.

“Yes. I heard you are from the Paser Army. I requested your assistance in guiding us during the suppression of the Pa tribe.”

“I am but a lowly officer. Please speak casually, General.”

“You are not yet my subordinate, so how could I do so?”

“Since I have been assigned to guide you, I am naturally under your command.”

Is this a yes? Of course, with Zhang Fei’s influence, refusal was nearly impossible, but hearing such words from Ma Chong first was a relief. It seems he doesn’t mind following me.

But Ma Chong keeps avoiding my gaze.

Well, it’s a bit awkward for me to say this, but I understand. Even I get surprised when I see my own reflection sometimes.

I’m not used to looking at mirrors, so it’s unfamiliar, but even if I were, my appearance is still quite striking.

Anyway, with Ma Chong here, I immediately delved into military discussions.

‘Time is of the essence.’

I don’t know when Elder Zhang will fall. Wang Ping, following the leaders of the Pa tribe, will go to Luoyang and join Cao Cao’s forces.

I don’t know the exact date, but it won’t be long. At the latest, they will have left by autumn.

“The time is tight. If we don’t deal with them while they are still gauging the situation between Elder Zhang and Cao Cao, we will give Cao Cao an opportunity to intervene.”

Using formal language, their expressions grew more serious.

“Then the problem is how to lure them out… If you have any good ideas, don’t hesitate to speak up.”

At my announcement of the military meeting, Ma Dai, Yu En, and Ma Chong looked bewildered, glancing at each other as if unsure how to respond to my words.

Expecting brilliant strategies from these historically renowned generals, I momentarily wondered if I had said something wrong.

“Gentlemen?”

“Uh, General. Do you really not know?”

“Huh?”

This scene feels familiar.

Back in my past life, when I tutored, even if the problem was really simple, if I acted like I didn’t know, the students would hesitate, unsure if I was acting or genuinely clueless, and they would ponder how to respond.

And if it turned out I really didn’t know, I would lose my authority as a teacher and get fired from tutoring.

‘I can’t lose my authority as a general!’

I quickly managed my expression and spoke.

“Ah, haha, you caught me? I was just testing you all. Of course, I know.”

“Haha, it must be quite embarrassing for the General to say it outright.”

“Indeed. We should have spoken up before the General asked. Our apologies.”

Wait, so what is it?

They’re not saying that the enemy will just walk into our trap, are they?

As I rolled my eyes, trying to gauge their expressions, they laughed and discussed how to execute the encirclement.

While I was desperately racking my brain to figure out the enemy’s lure, Ma Chong’s words pierced through the military meeting like a ray of light.

“But first, shouldn’t we spread some rumors?”

“Is that really necessary?”

“Right. The rumors are already rampant in the Paser Army, so they must have heard them.”

“Hmm, but still…”

“You’re a man too, why worry? Men’s ears are quickest to hear about fights and women, and with both here, they can’t help but listen.”

Fight? Women? I’m the only woman here, right? Surely not…?

“The fame of the Heavenly Maiden is already widespread in the region, so they will surely come.”

Ma Dai’s words, practically confirming the saying “what you fear will come true.”

What’s this about the Heavenly Maiden? Without my knowledge, my nickname has evolved.

And then Yu En drove the nail in.

“Isn’t this the perfect example of the eleventh stratagem of the Thirty-Six Stratagems, the Beauty Stratagem? Hmm.”

Is this really it?

§

As the saying goes, “A word without feet travels a thousand miles.” Like the proverb that metaphorically describes how quickly rumors spread, and as Ma Dai said in the military meeting, the rumor of my arrival in the Paser Army spread as fast as if there were the internet.

In the few days before the expedition, while preparing supplies, whenever I left my official residence, crowds would gather to see me. The population in a remote area like Paser Army was surprisingly large.

Though the Pa region (Paju, Paser Army) was home to ethnic minorities like the Pa tribe, whom I aimed to subdue, many areas were still outside Liu Bei’s sphere of influence.

Of course, there were also refugees from other counties who had fled bandits or ethnic conflicts and settled in Langzhong County and its vicinity, which were under Liu Bei’s control.

‘Is this what it feels like to be a celebrity with stalker fans?’

No, they have it worse. At least I have my status and position, so people only dare to look. Stalker fans would illegally intrude and stalk.

‘I should really get a mask.’

Still, the soldiers, having seen me for a long time, have adapted somewhat. If even the soldiers stared at me like the civilians did, it would have been quite troublesome.

Imagine them not following orders and just staring at me blankly. Is that an army?

I left the enthusiastic send-off from the Langzhong County civilians behind and began the march. Our first destination was Hanzhong County, located northeast of Langzhong County, at the 2 o’clock direction.

The Pa region was divided into three major areas: Paser, Pajung, and Padong, collectively known as the Three Pa. Hanzhong County was located in Pajung, with a mountain range to the north, making it a frequent target for Pa tribe raids.

To prevent the Pa tribe from fleeing to Hanzhong or Padong and joining Cao Cao, I planned to first secure the Hanzhong County area and then move south.

Ma Chong, a native of Langzhong County, nodded in agreement at my plan, calling it an efficient route.

Of course. This route was copied from the march route of Wei’s generals, Zhang He and others, when they invaded Paser.

According to Ma Chong, the leader of the Pa tribe near Hanzhong County was a man named Du Ho. He surrendered to Cao Cao and was granted a marquis title and a governorship, but was later defeated by Huang Quan.

‘The battle itself isn’t the problem.’

No matter how inexperienced Ma Dai and Yu En are, they should be able to handle Du Ho. Plus, I’m here too. I have no fear of losing. The real issue is if they get scared and hide or flee.

Ma Dai and Yu En, my two deputies, said that my presence alone was enough to lure the enemy, but I find it hard to believe that entirely.

I was once a man, and even now, my male identity is strong, but this feels a bit off.

So, I had a separate scouting team, and they reported that a group was approaching.

“Huh? Already?”

The fact that we encountered them so quickly was unexpected, and everyone looked puzzled but quickly formed their battle formations. Ma Dai, who had less to do as the cavalry commander, soon returned to me and said.

“Their numbers are small, so they’re likely not enemies.”

“I think so too.”

I still used semi-formal language with Ma Dai. Yu En was lower in rank and status than me, and considering my past life, even in age, so I had no reservations. But Ma Dai was different.

Considering the Ma family’s influence in Xiliang and his brother Ma Chao, it would be more awkward to address him too casually.

In Yizhou, where words are precious, the unfamiliar group approached on foot.

“About a hundred people.”

Ma Dai muttered. Their numbers were small, and their equipment was poor, so they weren’t a regular army.

The leader of the group was surprisingly a young man.

The young man, who looked to be in his early twenties, left his group behind and stepped forward alone to ease any tension.

“Stop. Who are you?”

Yu En, who also served as the vanguard, asked, and the young man bowed respectfully. His manners showed he was well-educated.

“I am Gu Bu from Hanzhong County. Hearing the rumor that General Liu, the adopted daughter of Liu Yizhou, has personally come to suppress the Pa tribe, I gathered a small force to offer our humble assistance.”

Gu Bu? Gu Bu?

“Let me talk to him directly.”

“Yes, General.”

Yu En made way, and I rode forward to stand before Gu Bu. His face showed tension.

Though it feels a bit narcissistic, I want to give him points for maintaining a calm expression while facing me.

Actually, Gu Bu wasn’t a very famous figure. The records of Shu were scarce. But despite his low recognition, his reputation at the time seemed quite significant.

I knew of Gu Bu entirely because of Wang Ping. Wang Ping was one of my favorite figures from the later period of the Three Kingdoms.

A former bandit leader, illiterate, and embroiled in ethnic controversies, yet he achieved great feats at the Battle of Luoxu. He’s the epitome of human triumph. I couldn’t help but like him.

Though Jiang Wei also had the romance of carrying on his teacher’s legacy, I liked Wang Ping more.

Gu Bu’s reputation was on par with Wang Ping’s, with sayings like “In the past, there were Wang Ping and Gu Bu; later, there were Zhang Yi and Liao Hua.”

Given that Wang Ping’s abilities were recognized even by later generations, Gu Bu, who was compared to him, must have been quite a capable general.

I had thought of recruiting him someday, but I didn’t expect to meet him so soon. I didn’t even know he was from Hanzhong County. This is quite a turn of events.

Initially, I only thought of Ma Chong and Wang Ping as my deputy generals, but now with Ma Dai and Gu Bu under my command?

‘This is practically the Shu Han mid-to-late period all-star team.’

Ma Dai, though a bit inflated in the novel, is more than capable with his Ma family background.

Wang Ping and Gu Bu are representative generals of mid-period Shu, and Ma Chong is a tactical genius comparable to Huang Quan, according to Liu Bei.

Using just these three for the suppression of the Yi tribe is like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

I dismounted and approached Gu Bu. As I got closer, he flinched and averted his gaze. I placed my hand over his clasped hands.

“Your loyalty is truly commendable. I gladly accept you and the volunteers of Hanzhong County.”

“General…”

Gu Bu looked up at me with a moved expression. Then, as if making a decision, he prostrated himself before me.

“I will serve with all my loyalty! Please let me guard your side.”

“Uh, huh?”

What’s with the sudden declaration? Having a talent like Gu Bu pledge loyalty so easily is more bewildering than joyful.

I didn’t expect just holding his hand to elicit such a response. Is the bar for感动 that low? I’m more than happy to have Gu Bu under my command.

Before Gu Bu could regain his composure and change his mind, I quickly helped him up and said.

“How could I turn away such sincerity? If you and the volunteers are willing, I will formally accept you into my army and appoint you as an intermediate commander. I expect you to showcase your abilities in this battle.”

Formally accepting Gu Bu into my ranks, he spoke with determination.

“My courtesy name is Xiaoxing, so please address me casually, General. I will strive to not disappoint your expectations.”

Good. I hope you achieve great things this time. That way, I can promote you quickly.

I patted his shoulder encouragingly.

Ah, if only Wang Ping could join us too.

With Ma Dai leading the cavalry, Yu En-Wang Ping-Gu Bu as the three commanders, and Ma Chong as the行军司马 (marching secretary), just watching them train would be a feast for the eyes.

‘Wait for me, Wang Ping. I’ll come for you soon.’