TKTCJ 05

Chapter 5

. Northern Route Commandant (1)

Gaomi.

The land where the great scholar who represented the era, Zheng Xuan, was born and raised, and where he currently resided. A place known as the land where recluses and giants of the age hid themselves from the world.

To say that one had once held office there was not something that could simply be brushed aside with a casual, “Oh, I see.”

Liu Yu and Wei You’s eyes filled with astonishment.

Wei You asked with a meaningful expression,

“Could it be that your father once studied under Master Kangcheng?”

Jeong Gyeom took a moment to steady his breath before answering in a low voice.

“When I was young, both my parents passed away, so I was unable to hear the details of my father’s past. However, I clearly remember that he often spoke of Master Kangcheng and deeply missed him. I apologize that I cannot give you a more satisfactory answer.”

It was an astonishing answer indeed.

Although he had not given a clear answer,

judging from the way he had phrased his words, it was practically an admission that Jeong Gyeom’s father had been a disciple of Master Kangcheng.

The scholarly lineage of Zheng Kangcheng had reached even this remote frontier of You Province.

And even more astonishing was the fact that—

that connection had now continued to this young man.

As the ancients said,

when the roots are upright, the branches will be upright as well.

If Jeong Gyeom had come from the scholarly lineage of Master Kangcheng, then he could hardly be an ordinary man.

A gentle atmosphere began to flow throughout the hall.

Wei You’s expression softened considerably.

With this, Jeong Gyeom had already proven himself.

Wei You’s gaze briefly shifted toward Liu Yu before returning to Jeong Gyeom.

There was now a faint expectation in his eyes, the kind one reserved for a promising talent who had only just begun to bloom, along with a trace of pity.

Liu Yu was no different.

He was a young man who had been caught up among a band of rebels,

yet had broken free of those shackles of his own accord.

One could imagine how difficult that path must have been without even asking.

Liu Yu called out to Jeong Gyeom with a sympathetic expression.

“Jeong Gyeom.”

It was a quiet voice.

“I understand your circumstances well enough.”

It was only a short sentence, but unlike before, it was filled with the warmth of a gentle breeze.

“You severed the wrong path yourself and turned back from it. That resolve is by no means insignificant.”

Liu Yu’s voice gradually grew firmer.

“Now, put that resolve to use for the sake of this land.”

Liu Yu no longer hesitated.

“I appoint Jeong Gyeom as the Northern Route Commandant.”

His words were decisive, yet carried a warmth that resonated somewhere deep within.

“I shall entrust you with an army. Station yourself at Yeongji County, develop the northern route, and keep watch over the Wuhuan.”

The atmosphere inside the hall quietly settled.

Wei You slowly nodded in agreement.

The corners of his mouth lifted slightly, making it clear that he was pleased.

Jeong Gyeom bowed deeply.

“I shall obey your command.”

The voice of Jeong Gyeom, freed from his shackles, carried within it a future unlike the one he had known before.

The forces Liu Yu assigned him consisted of one thousand light cavalry and ten thousand infantry.

It was an unexpected position, accompanied by an unexpected army.

Although he had held some expectations because Wang Jeong had boasted of his friendship with Wei You, he had never imagined results like this.

All Jeong Gyeom could hope for was an opportunity to repay the favor.

At this point,

Jeong Gyeom began wanting to recruit someone.

Gongsun Gi and Jeon Ye were quite capable on the battlefield, but they were severely lacking in political strategy.

There was no one beside him with whom he could discuss schemes and political affairs.

For that reason, while staying at the provincial seat, he had searched for someone he could keep at his side and discuss matters of strategy with, but he had been unable to find a suitable talent.

In the end, he had no choice but to set out as he was.

On the way to Yeongji County, he sent his personal guards to search every nearby county.

They said talent was precious, after all.

Those with great ability had already taken up swords and abandoned their hometowns,

while those worthy of being called sages hid themselves away, blaming the times.

How was he supposed to find such people?

Jeong Gyeom’s worries only grew deeper with each passing day.

It was when they were about a hundred li from Yeongji County that it happened.

Jeon Ye came running over with a delighted expression and reported,

“There is an unusual man in this area.”

Jeong Gyeom slowly raised his gaze.

“Unusual?”

Jeon Ye nodded vigorously.

“According to the villagers, he reads books and discusses the affairs of the world, yet has no interest in pursuing an official position. Whenever the governor of a nearby commandery sends someone to summon him, he always disappears without a trace.”

Jeong Gyeom narrowed his eyes.

A man like this could only be one of two things.

Either an eccentric chasing nothing but an empty reputation—

or a true sage who had hidden himself away from the world.

After thinking for a moment, Jeong Gyeom spoke.

“Good. Let us go. We will see what kind of man he is and decide afterward.”

That evening,

Jeong Gyeom left the army in Jeon Ye’s hands,

then hurried along the road with only a few personal guards, guided by the villagers.

Beneath a sparsely populated mountainside,

a collapsed wall and a leaning thatched cottage came into view.

There were signs that someone lived there,

but it was difficult to tell who.

When the wind passed through, dry branches struck against one another and gave off a low rustling sound.

Jeong Gyeom stopped walking.

The surroundings were strangely quiet.

“It seems someone is inside.”

No sooner had the personal guard finished speaking than a low voice came from within the thatched cottage.

“There has been someone here for quite some time. Who are you?”

The wooden door creaked as it slowly opened.

A man in shabby clothes appeared.

He held a single book in his hand, and his eyes were steady and composed.

The gaze that briefly swept over Jeong Gyeom was filled with intelligence.

“A man wearing a military robe and carrying a sword—what business brings you all the way to such a remote place?”

His tone was neither rude nor polite.

Jeong Gyeom stepped forward.

“I am looking for someone.”

The man’s eyes flickered ever so slightly.

“If you are looking for a man, you should search the battlefield. There is no one to be found here.”

Jeong Gyeom shook his head.

“There are already enough men who know how to wield swords. I am looking for a sage with whom I can discuss matters of state.”

At that moment, the man’s gaze stopped for the first time.

It lasted only a brief instant, but there had unquestionably been a change in it.

However, he soon let it pass.

“You have come to the wrong place after all. There is no sage here.”

Just as the door was about to close—

Jeong Gyeom’s calm voice followed after it.

“If you are neither a man nor a sage, then who is the person standing before my eyes? Are you saying you are merely an ordinary man hiding from the world?”

Jeong Gyeom continued,

“If you have truly chosen the life of an ordinary man, then I have nothing to say even if you have turned your back on the world. That too is one way of living. However—”

Jeong Gyeom’s gaze quietly burned.

“Look at the people of this land. Even an ordinary man must pick up a bow and take up a spear if he wishes to have any hope for tomorrow. If you truly cannot understand this simple truth, then I suppose I have indeed come to the wrong place.”

The door, which had been closing, abruptly stopped.

The man’s eyes had changed.

“Your words certainly sound convincing. Whether you can take responsibility for them is another matter.”

Jeong Gyeom looked toward the western sky, which was growing dim, and spoke in a tranquil tone.

“If those words are spoken without responsibility, then is it not enough for you to stay by my side and lash me with a whip whenever I fail to live up to them?”

The man’s face flushed slightly.

It seemed his heart was beginning to move.

But then, perhaps having thought of something—

“Go back.”

Jeong Gyeom inwardly scoffed.

Not a chance.

Judging by this reaction, it seemed he had found the right person after all.

“I have no intention of leaving.”

Jeong Gyeom said no more.

He simply stood there for a while before slowly turning around.

A faint smile lingered at the corner of his mouth.

…I found one.

Around that same time—

Gongsun Zan had returned to Beiping, his face deeply creased with displeasure.

Jang Sun and Jang Geo.

Losing those two rebels was one thing, but Quluju of the Wuhuan, who could become a source of trouble for years to come, had to be captured somehow.

And yet—

not a single thing had gone according to plan.

He had lost them all.

Especially that man called Cham-baek.

That bastard who had dared to tarnish the glory of the White Horse.

He should have captured and punished him at all costs.

Yet even that man had ultimately escaped.

And as if that were not enough, an incident occurred that made Gongsun Zan even more furious.

It was said that the newly appointed Governor Liu Yu had appointed that rebel as Northern Route Commandant and entrusted him with a large army.

How dare he disregard me, Gongsun Baigyu?

How could he elevate such a notorious rebel to the rank of commandant?

On top of that, rumors were spreading that he had even entrusted Jeong Gyeom with military authority over the northwest.

Could this really make any sense?

Liu Baek-an.

He was an elder of the Imperial family and the Governor of You Province, so Gongsun Zan had intended to show him the respect he deserved—

but how could a man be so rash?

The more Gongsun Zan thought about it, the more his anger boiled over.

Yet no matter how furious Gongsun Zan was, he could not openly come into conflict with the Governor.

Not for the time being.

It was just as Gongsun Zan was repeatedly suppressing his rising anger that Gwan Jeong entered the main hall.

After studying Gongsun Zan’s expression, Gwan Jeong cautiously spoke.

“My lord, the Chanyu of the Southern Xiongnu, Yufuluo, has sent an envoy. It seems the conflict with the Wuhuan is about to become serious.”

Gongsun Zan snorted.

“Hmph. Those insignificant barbarians. Do they dare test me, Gongsun Baigyu? There is nothing to discuss. Send him back.”

Gwan Jeong bowed his head but did not retreat.

“No, my lord. This is truly an opportunity.”

“An opportunity?”

“Yes, my lord. If we make good use of Yufuluo, we can make him and the Wuhuan tear each other apart.”

Gongsun Zan narrowed his eyes.

“You mean to let them destroy one another.”

“That is correct. The military texts say that winning without fighting is the highest form of victory. This is unquestionably a good opportunity.”

“Hm…”

Gongsun Zan stroked his chin.

“So you are suggesting that after they destroy each other, we should reap the benefits.”

“That is correct.”

“Good. Bring in the envoy. I want to hear for myself what price that barbarian intends to offer.”

Gwan Jeong cupped his hands in salute and withdrew, soon returning with the envoy.

The envoy entered the hall and offered the proper courtesy. A harsh northern spirit lingered in his eyes.

“I am an envoy of the Chanyu, Yufuluo. I humbly wish to convey the Chanyu’s intentions.”

Gongsun Zan looked down at him.

“Good. Let us hear what you have to say.”

The envoy cupped his hands and spoke politely.

“The Wuhuan have crossed the line. They have invaded our tribe’s hunting grounds and attacked our people. Therefore, the Chanyu intends to make them pay for the blood they have shed. Please open the way for us.”

Gongsun Zan stroked his chin, deliberately making a troubled expression.

But soon, he gave a quiet snort and turned his head away.

“Why should I lend you a road?”

The envoy’s gaze became bold.

“Even if the Governor refuses to open the way, the Chanyu will never retreat. He ordered me to tell you that if you will not give us a road, we will make one ourselves.”

Gongsun Zan chuckled, looking utterly unimpressed.

“Hah. Are you daring to threaten me, Gongsun Baigyu?”

The envoy immediately shook his head and continued.

“How could I ever dare harbor such an intention? The Chanyu simply cannot retreat. His revenge must be carried out.”

The envoy pulled something from his waist and tossed it onto the floor.

Thud.

An arrowhead stained with dried blood rolled across the floor.

“It belongs to the Wuhuan.”

“……”

“The war can no longer be stopped.”

Gwan Jeong quietly swallowed.

Gongsun Zan stared down at the arrowhead before slowly opening his mouth.

“Interesting.”

A smile gradually spread across his lips.

“Fine. I will open the way.”

The hall stirred.

“But!”

Gongsun Zan’s voice rang out.

“Half of the Wuhuan blood spilled will be mine. Make absolutely certain the Chanyu hears that.”

Only then did the envoy place a hand over his chest and hurriedly withdraw.

Gongsun Zan muttered under his breath.

“Now this is finally getting interesting.”

It was after the envoy had left that Gongsun Zan, who had been lost in thought for a moment, spoke.

“Gwan Jeong.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Keep an eye on Jeong Gyeom.”

Yeongji County bordered the Wuhuan lands—

if the Southern Xiongnu and the Wuhuan clashed, it was obvious where the flames might spread.

Gongsun Zan’s eyes slowly turned cold.

If the opportunity presents itself, I will capture him by whatever means necessary.

You will pay the price for killing the White Horse.