Chapter 86

Satisfied with planting the spies, whether to see the big picture, our journey continued smoothly without any major issues.

At first, the condolence delegation couldn’t shake off their tension, but after passing Luoyang, they began to relax and enjoy the trip. Of course, this didn’t apply to the military officers and soldiers responsible for escorting.

As we passed Chang’an and were about to enter Hanzhong, Han Yeom brought up a strange rumor he had heard.

“Something strange happened in Tianshui.”

“Something strange?”

“It’s autumn, so trees should be bearing fruit, right? But in Tianshui, instead of fruit, jade stones were hanging from the trees.”

Trees bearing jade stones. In an era where science isn’t systematically developed, this would definitely be a topic of gossip.

Although I myself am a living proof of superstition, I strongly suspected that the incident in Tianshui was someone’s deliberate act.

And I had a rough idea of their intentions.

‘I have a feeling.’

To confirm my guess, I asked, “Did it happen near the Wei River?”

“Ah, Your Excellency has heard of it too? Yes, I must have been a step late.”

As expected.

It was just as I had anticipated. The explanation fit perfectly, and I was certain that this was someone’s deliberate act with a specific intention.

“Someone is calling for me.”

Legend has it that the palace of the Yellow Emperor is surrounded by a river called Ruoshui, and there are mysterious trees that bear jade beads. The bird that nests there is the Luan bird.

In other words, the tree bearing jade stones in Tianshui symbolizes the jade tree in the Yellow Emperor’s palace, and the Wei River flowing nearby represents Ruoshui.

The only thing missing is the Luan bird nesting there, so it must be calling for me, who bears the symbol of the Luan bird.

“But what if Your Excellency hadn’t noticed…”

“If I hadn’t responded, they would have been more blatant. Like finding dragon and phoenix statues in a well but no Luan bird statue.”

It was quite an amusing experience.

It reminded me of Xu Shu singing in the streets to attract attention or Pang Tong clearing a backlog of work overnight to showcase his abilities.

Moreover, jade is really expensive. Just as the Jade Emperor is considered the supreme deity, jade in the East is regarded as the pinnacle of gemstones, much like diamonds in modern times.

So, to add credibility and impact to the rumor, they must have used some jade, but most of the stones hanging from the trees were probably just smooth, pretty-colored stones.

But the effort to secretly hang these stones on the trees was genuine.

“Wouldn’t it be too cold to ignore such an enthusiastic call?”

“Y-yes, it would.”

Han Yeom seemed to have something more to say but couldn’t bring himself to say it. Reluctantly agreeing, I chuckled and said, “There’s no need for everyone to move just to call for me. I’ll just make a quick trip after arriving in Nanjing. In the meantime, you can rest with the others.”

“N-no, I didn’t mean…”

“Please. Who else can I trust if not you?”

When I told Han Yeom that I was entrusting him, not that he was opposing me, he relaxed and respectfully replied, “If that’s the case, I will do my best in Your Excellency’s stead.”

“Good, good. I’m counting on you.”

There was a reason I was so actively involved in this matter.

If it had happened somewhere else, like far south in Yueshui Commandery, I might have sent someone to investigate but wouldn’t have moved personally.

But coincidentally, this incident happened in Tianshui Commandery.

Doesn’t it feel familiar? Those who like the Romance of the Three Kingdoms might have heard of that nickname.

‘The Prodigy of Tianshui.’

§

After letting the condolence delegation rest in Nanjing, I changed horses and headed to Tianshui. My father, whom I hadn’t seen in a while, seemed disappointed that I was leaving without resting properly, but when I said I’d be back soon, he lent me Biaoyue.

It’s definitely a good horse. Though it might be slightly inferior to Cao Pi’s Red Hare that I saw in Ye, it’s far superior to the horses I’ve ridden before.

If Biaoyue is this good, how amazing must Guan Yu’s Red Hare II be?

“Your horse riding skills have improved remarkably, Rear General.”

Even at full speed on Biaoyue, Bang Deok followed without falling behind. Though Bang Deok’s white horse is also a fine steed from Xiliang, it’s no match for Biaoyue, but the difference in riders is clear.

“Where can I compare to General Bang?”

“Hahaha! I’ve been riding horses since I was born.”

Bang Deok is already nearing fifty. If he started riding at ten, he’s been with horses for nearly forty years.

“The horsemanship of Xiliang is excellent, but the north is no less impressive.”

Right. When it comes to horsemanship, Zhao Yun can’t be left out. As soon as he joined Liu Bei’s forces, he became the cavalry commander. Zhao Yun’s horsemanship, riding alongside me, was no less impressive than Bang Deok’s.

“Come to think of it, you two generals are quite similar. You’re of the same age, both ride white horses. I should have ridden a white horse too.”

“Now that you mention it, it’s true. I heard General Zhao Jin was once part of the White Horse’s End.”

“There was such a time.”

Perhaps because I’ve been reciting a lot of poetry lately, listening to the conversation between the two white horse generals representing the north and Xiliang inspired me.

I’ve been keeping a diary; maybe I’ll write about this. North White, West White, something like that. Maybe even cover all five directions. Jin Dou, leading the White Feather Soldiers, would be Central White.

While I was lost in these trivial thoughts, we had already reached the outskirts of Jixian, where the Tianshui Commandery’s administrative office was located.

“We’re almost there. There, Jixian is in sight.”

“Huh… you can see it?”

I couldn’t see anything yet, but when Bang Deok said he could see it, I unconsciously asked.

My current eyesight is incomparably better than in my previous life. At the very least, it’s 2.0. But Bang Deok’s eyesight was on a whole different level.

“People from Xiliang generally have good eyesight.”

Mongolians are known for their excellent eyesight, and Bang Deok might not be far behind. Zhao Yun could only marvel at this.

As Jixian’s walls came into view for Zhao Yun and me, we began to slow our horses.

“Is there really a need to sneak in?”

“We’re going to be noticed anyway.”

No sense of romance. Even if you know, pretend you don’t; even if you’ve seen, pretend you haven’t. Maximizing the dramatic effect is what makes it a topic and boosts reputation.

Zhao Yun and Bang Deok, both legendary figures, don’t seem to understand this.

‘No, maybe for them, it’s as natural as breathing.’

The unbelievable anecdotes they left behind must have been just ordinary for them. It’s truly a matter of innate talent.

Being with such people is truly heartwarming.

Anyway, we concealed our armor with cloaks and entered Jixian disguised as envoys.

The person in charge of Jixian, the frontline and border region of Xiliang, welcomed me more enthusiastically than anyone else.

“How long has it been! Coming here without notice, how did the condolence delegation go?”

“I returned safely. Sheng Zong, have you been well?”

Wang Sha, a talent I employed and known as one of the eight wings that helped my rise, answered with a smile.

With Ma Chao handling military affairs, Wang Sha was appointed as the governor of Tianshui to supplement administrative capabilities and inclusiveness towards ethnic minorities.

“Those who came with you… Oh, General Zhao and General Bang, isn’t it? Please, come inside.”

“Good to see you. Is General Ma here?”

“Ah, General Ma is out on an inspection. He should be back by today.”

Ma Chao, who hadn’t lost his family, was burning with zeal to assist Liu Bei in reviving the Han dynasty and avenging his father, doing his utmost.

He was even traveling personally to pacify and persuade the Qiang tribes who had rebelled due to Ma Chao’s defeat and the capable officials of Wei.

“But really, what brings you here without notice?”

“There’s something I need to check.”

“Ah, I thought so. I suspected it might be calling for the Rear General, and it seems you thought so too.”

Wang Sha had also sensed the true meaning behind the strange incident.

Moreover, Wang Sha had gone beyond just understanding the inside story and had already progressed to the next stage.

“I’ve also identified who’s behind it.”

“As expected.”

“He was someone I had been keeping an eye on, so it wasn’t hard to find out.”

Wang Sha had been closely watching this talent… As the identity became clearer, I quickly asked, “What’s his name?”

And the answer perfectly met my expectations.

“Jiang Wei.”