Chapter 55

Shin Tam and Shin Yi warmly welcomed me and our troops. The two who came out to greet us all the way to Seoseong County personally guided us to our resting quarters, emphasizing how sincere they were towards Liu Bei.

‘We all know they’ll betray us the moment things go south.’

In the original history, after Guan Yu’s death and Meng Da’s defection to Wei, Shin Tam and Shin Yi followed Meng Da and defected to Wei, expelling Yu Feng.

Utter opportunists. Did they think I wouldn’t know?

But I kept those thoughts to myself and instead praised them as loyal subjects.

After a brief rest and unpacking, we headed to the banquet hall prepared by the Shin brothers, who were already waiting for us.

“Ah, come, come, please sit.”

At the head table sat me and the two Shin brothers, with my generals on the right and their retainers on the left.

It was irritating to see my officers, who held proper official positions, placed on the same level as their retainers, but I held back for the sake of their dignity, having surrendered before the fight.

‘But I can’t stand them staring at my face.’

Shin Yi had been glancing at me since we first met, and now, with my mask off, he was openly staring. At least Shin Tam knew to avert his gaze.

“Is there something on my face? You keep staring at me.”

“Ah, well…”

“Sorry, sorry. This one’s just too curious. As an apology, let me pour you a drink.”

Shin Yi fumbled for words while Shin Tam quickly stepped in to pour the wine.

Shin Tam seemed genuinely intent on joining Liu Bei, but Shin Yi was clearly not.

This was evident not just in their attitude towards me but also in how they treated their families.

“Chengdu is said to be great for education, right? With Lord Chao Zhu and even the Sleeping Dragon there.”

“Yes, it is.”

“So I’m thinking of sending my children there. A man should swim in big waters, after all. To learn the vastness of the world, I plan to ask the esteemed lord. What do you think, General?”

“Our lord would gladly accept.”

Who would refuse a hostage willingly offered? In return, they’d likely receive high positions or retain control over the Shangyong region.

Unlike Shin Tam, who was seriously trying to board Liu Bei’s ship, Shin Yi quietly sipped his wine after my earlier remark.

“I heard you have children too, Lord Shin Yi.”

“Ah, yes… I do.”

“Not interested in academics, I suppose?”

Unlike Shin Tam, who wanted to send his children to Chengdu for education, Shin Yi hesitated.

“Well, he’s more into physical activities.”

“Ah, is that so? Then how about your child joins me in the army? Since your family is in Seoseong, we can discuss it directly.”

“Ha, ha… He’s still young, not yet of age…”

“I heard he’s already past the age of study.”

“Yes, my eldest turned eighteen this year.”

“Then he’s only a year younger than me. Hmm, any issues?”

“Even if it’s my child, I can’t decide against his will.”

“Then let’s ask him directly.”

“…Hey, call Shin Hu and Shin Ping.”

At Shin Yi’s command, a few servants left the banquet hall and soon returned with two boys around my age.

The eldest, Shin Hu, was eighteen, and the younger, Shin Ping, was seventeen. Surprisingly, the younger one was bigger.

“Y-you called?”

Like father, like sons, Shin Hu and Shin Ping couldn’t take their eyes off my face. The eldest stammered with a red face, while the younger gaped in awe.

I spoke as if nothing was amiss.

“I’m thinking of taking you with me. What do you think?”

“T-to the army?”

“Yes.”

“If you’d have us, it’d be an honor!”

“Yes! We’d gladly follow!”

Quick to agree. I smirked and looked at Shin Yi, who was utterly dumbfounded and hung his head.

“Your sons have spoken. What do you think?”

“…Do as you will.”

“Since they’re your sons, I’ll arrange for soldiers to protect them.”

Though I called it consideration, it was clearly a threat to take his sons as hostages and hand over his private troops and military authority.

It’s better to eliminate the seeds of betrayal early if they can’t be used. If Shin Yi resisted, that would be fine too.

Seoseong and Shangyong, the bases of Shin Tam and Shin Yi, were mere counties, not even commanderies. Their troops were negligible. If they dared to resist, crushing them would be easy.

Shin Yi, quick to read the room, kept his emotions in check despite his anger.

“Thank you.”

“Your cooperation is appreciated. I’ll overlook the earlier rudeness.”

With hostages and military authority extracted from the Shin brothers, the banquet concluded. It felt like I’d used a beauty tactic, but one must use all available means.

After passing Seoseong and reaching Shangyong, I headed to Fangling with the additional troops from the Shin brothers. With 5,500 soldiers surrounding Fangling, an envoy from Gwaigi arrived.

“Why do you oppress us who remain neutral? The magistrate says we serve the Han court and asks you to withdraw.”

“Is that so? Then tell him this: Will he die as a loyal subject of Cao Wei, who holds the Han court, or remain a true loyal subject of the Han court as the brother-in-law of Zhuge Liang? There is no neutrality.”

Gwaigi’s reply came swiftly.

It was succinct.

No.

And my command was equally brief.

“Attack.”

The next day, I occupied Fangling’s official residence. Naturally, the man kneeling before me was Gwaigi, who had chosen resistance.

“General, what will you do?”

“What do you all think?”

The generals’ opinions were divided.

Wang Ping, Gu Bu, Zhang E, and Ma Dai argued that since he didn’t surrender, he should be executed. Yu En, Ma Chong, Wang Sha, and Bu Chuan suggested sending him back as a prisoner, given his relation to Zhuge Liang.

“What does the Middle Cavalry Commander think?”

“…I believe we should follow the General’s will.”

A rather unexpected answer. Yu Feng, though he failed to save Guan Yu due to his feud with Meng Da, unlike Meng Da, who betrayed them, returned to Liu Bei to confess his crimes.

Zhuge Liang believed Yu Feng was too stubborn and a future threat, while Liu Bei, though fond of his adopted son, executed him for the future.

Yu Feng, though strong-willed, was sincere towards Liu Bei. His subtle competitive attitude towards me showed he didn’t entirely like me.

I didn’t expect Yu Feng to yield so readily.

“The lord appointed you as the General. For those who surrender, it’s one thing, but Gwaigi resisted, so his fate is yours to decide.”

“Good. All your opinions have merit. We’ve fought many enemies and captured their generals, but we’ve prioritized reforming them. This time is no different. Middle Cavalry Commander.”

“Yes, General.”

“I entrust you with the task of escorting Gwaigi and the other prisoners and reporting our victory. Go with De Xin.”

With the surrender of Seoseong and Shangyong, and the capture of Fangling, my mission was complete.

Just like the old Paser Army days, I filled the power vacuum in Fangling, awaiting the new officials Liu Bei would send.

Though the Fangling campaign ended almost embarrassingly easily, it was still a military achievement. Yu Feng, who led the vanguard, might even receive a word of praise from Liu Bei.

Yu Feng and Yu Xian. Liu Bei’s heart was likely leaning towards Yu Xian now. Thus, he must be pondering Yu Feng’s treatment. Some, like Zhuge Liang, might think it best to eliminate potential discord.

‘Still, it’s better to take him along if possible. Yu Feng isn’t the type to covet Liu Bei’s succession.’

If he were, he’d have fled to Wei with Meng Da. What Yu Feng wanted was recognition as Liu Bei’s son. With proper guidance and achievements, he could become a capable general.

With that in mind, I subtly included supportive remarks for Yu Feng in my report as the commander and focused on stabilizing the three eastern counties of Hanzhong.

I worked to fully integrate the troops taken from Shin Tam and Shin Yi into Liu Bei’s forces and subtly pressured the aristocrats to show their sincerity.

I left comforting the people to Wang Sha, handling the aristocrats to Zhang E, and training the soldiers to Wang Ping. Everything went smoothly.

No wonder higher-ups scramble to have capable subordinates. But soon, after the rewards are distributed, most will likely become independent. It’s a pity.

Of course, for the future, it’s right for them to rise higher, but when will I ever have such a luxurious lineup again? Maybe when I rise much higher?

Anyway, after some time, Yu Feng returned to Fangling as Liu Bei’s envoy.

And the news he brought was shocking.

“The lord has submitted a memorial.”

The memorial (表) Yu Feng mentioned was a document a subject submits to the emperor.

And now, the only memorial Liu Bei would submit was one.

The Hanzhong King Memorial.

It was a declaration, like Liu Bang of old, proclaiming himself King of Hanzhong.

A challenge to Cao Cao, the King of Wei, declaring his full entry into the struggle for the realm.