[The Three Kingdoms] Golden Sun Exhibition

18 – Answering the Call for Help (3)

After the meal.

I decided to seek wisdom from Soo-Yoo.

“Master, will you help me?”

I met Soo-Yoo alone and told her about Hwang-Jo’s story.

“So, will I become a soldier under General Hwang-Jo?”

“No. That could put you in danger. Master Soo-Yoo, you will only tell me your plan, and I will make sure it reaches Pabal. Here is the number of soldiers General Hwang-Jo quickly reported to me.”

Hwang Jo gave us confidential military information and left. Even if we leaked it, it wouldn’t matter much to him.

– Already, including Sohn Gyun, the four generals have the power of two thousand men.

Sohn Gyun alone can handle a thousand men.

The generals under him can deal with three hundred men alone.

Sohn Gyun, Hwang Kae, Jeo Bo, Han Dang, the four of them already had the power of two thousand men.

‘It must be an exaggeration.’

They must be simply exceptional as armed forces. The battlefield is not a place for one general, but for a strong army fighting together with the general.

Frankly, if two thousand people confronted four people with a rain of arrows, who would win?

“That’s right. So here…”

While I was contemplating the relationship between the generals and the soldiers, Soo-Yoo seems to have come to a conclusion. She pointed at the map and Go stones spread out in front of her and raised her head.

“Geum Master. May I speak?”

“Master Sunyu, can you think of any feasible strategies?”

“Yes, I can.”

Unperturbed, Sunyu pointed to the center of the map.

“I can think of about five strategies, but the purpose of each strategy is quite different.

“Purpose?”

“In the end, it depends on which operation General Hwangjo chooses to accept.”

Sunyu then described the five strategies to me.

One was to surrender to Son Kyon and pay tribute, another was to defend the tribute against Son Kyon, and yet another was to trick our allies and topple Son Kyon.

Setting aside the surrender, depending on the movement of the soldiers, two paths diverged, thereby yielding five strategies at once.

“…You’re truly impressive, Master. I would’ve struggled to come up with even two.”

“You’re being modest.”

“Not at all. The difference between a scholar who only reads books on a farmstead and a person who has held official positions is like night and day.”

“You, Master Kim, are more than capable.”

“I cannot, overnight, suddenly become responsible for soldiers’ lives in war strategy. Only persons of Jiang’s caliber can do that.”

Realistically, it was a tough task for me.

In contrast, Sunyu indeed seemed to possess tremendous talent in this area, instantaneously arranging the positions of Yuhwa’s troops and Son Kyon’s troops and devising five strategies.

Furthermore, he could mobilize according to whatever choice Hwangjo made.

“If you wish, why not try becoming a regular officer in Hyeongju? Knowing more about the Hyeongju troops could be a great help.”

If he had been aware of more detailed numbers of soldiers, the map, and specific troop movements, he would have been in high spirits, likely able to devise a hundred strategies.

“That’s fine. I want to gain mental stability here for the time being. This incident is just to protect the Su Gyeong Academy.”

“Do you dislike Yuhwa?”

“Master Kim, you can truly see through people. I am embarrassed.”

Sunyu chuckled, adjusting his clothing.

“So, what do you want to do with me?”

“Master?”

“Just a joke. If I keep this up, I’ll get a reprimand from Sun Wook. hahahaha.”

“That’s a scarier thought.”

“hahahaha, don’t sweat it. So I hope you don’t suggest that I serve Yuhwa. I was quite disappointed with the performance in the Bandongtak alliance.”

Sunyu heaved a sigh, shaking his head.

“Bandongtak is notorious for his tyranny, yet he sent minimal troops for the sake of preserving reputation? No matter how recent his appointment to Hyeongju, if he were truly working for the imperial court, he would have sent more troops or come himself. But he only hoarded power in Hyeongju.”

“As a Hyeongju citizen, I was glad we were not conscripted, but as a citizen of the country, it felt wrong.”

“Yes, that’s right. So, I had such a thought. Is Yoo Kyung Seung harboring some ambitions centering on Hyeongju? After all, he’s a ‘Yoo(劉)’.

“…I shall not comment on this matter.”

“Because you’re a Hoengju citizen?”

“I intend to live here for at least another 15 years.”

I don’t want to be hit for no reason. Sunyu nodded, as though acknowledging his unnecessary remark.

Case closed.

We understood each other’s stance, and that’s enough.

“…So, I am not fond of Yoo Kyung Seung. I do have someone in mind, but I am not ready yet.

“Is it Cao Cao?”

“…Goodness, did you crawl into my mind or something? Ha ha.”

Sunyu nodded heavily.

“Yes. Jo Maeng-deok. By now, Sunwook is probably trying to take him on. He said for me to go check out the situation first and to look for him when I’m ready.”

“So, it’s Jojo after all.”

“Yes. He is the only one from the counter Dong-Tak union who tried to chase up to Jang-an, and even tried to assassinate Dong-Tak. We’ve had several encounters while we both were working in Nakyang…”

With a tense face, Sunyu forced up the corners of her lips.

“It seems risky, like walking on a tightrope for a while, but now he is from the Won Group. At some point, he will grow up and become a competitor for the power in Won and in the Central Plain.”

“Do you think well of Won and Jojo? There is Kongsun Chan in Bukpyeong against Won, and Jojo who hasn’t fully established his power base.”

“Wouldn’t your thoughts change if you see it yourself? They’re the successful ones. If they fail, then it’s just failure.”

That’s correct.

Even though it looks like they will do well, it’s all a story of the future.

Won and Jojo.

I hope they succeed, but as far as I can gather from the rumors, I can’t fully understand their true colors.

Since their appearance in the counter Dong-Tak union isn’t likely their whole character, they will surely achieve greater success.

Personally, I hope Jojo succeeds more.

I couldn’t buy any land near my hometown because others already purchased a lot, but there is a relatively cheap place near Jojo’s hometown where I was able to buy a large area.

“Mr. Kim. I like that we’re having this conversation, but how about getting back on track?”

Sunyu pointed to the map spread out in front of her.

“Mr. Kim, do you think General Hwangjo wants something?”

“What?”

“Wow. You stripped me down as soon as you saw me.”

“People will misunderstand if they hear you. Let’s get back to our topic.”

“hehehe.”

Sunyu only smiled with a meaningful look in her eyes.

“Now I understand what it meant when you said talking with Sunwook would be fun.”

“Did Munyak say that too?”

“Yes. He said that since he already knows everything about you, it’s comfortable to converse without discomfort since he can match you.”

“… I’m glad it’s comfortable for you.”

Although I felt uneasy, it was a relief that Sunyu was more alive than when she first came.

“So I’ll ask you the same thing. What do you think General Hwangjo wants?”

“To save face.”

“As an officer of Yuhyogun?”

“Yes. He wouldn’t want to miss the opportunity of being appointed as the governor of Gangha.”

The position of Gangha governor is not a common one.

If Hwangjo wins as the governor of Gangha, Hwangjo will become a person with an unassailable position in Yuhyogun.

“So the strategy I recommend most is this.”

Sunyu started pushing the go stone in Yangyang direction from Gangha. She began pushing matching black and white stones with each hand.

“Blocking at Gangha is certain defeat. But blocking at Yangyang is fifty-fifty.”

“I think that’s the right thing. hahahaha, it reminds me of the trick used by the Previous Son.”

I’ll defeat Son Gyeon, who could be the successor to the Son family, with the trick of Son Bin who used the military strategy of the previous Son.

“It’s a strategy that will help General Hwangjo the most. So, in this way…”

“Oh my, no way. It’s not perfect yet?”

Soonyou turned the Go stone back into the board.

“It’s still night time. Let’s have a mock battle with this and look at all possibilities.”

“… Aren’t you going to sleep?”

“How can I sleep when I’m having so much fun?”

Soonyou giggled and patted the bed behind her.

“If you get tired, sleep here and go. hehehe.”

“…….”

I quietly moved the Go stone aside.

* * *

Two weeks later.

“I really hate this.”

Hwangjo’s head was throbbing from the scorpion sent by Pabal.

“Is Son Kyun using a boat to approach Gangha?”

“Yes. It seems he split his forces and put them on a boat.”

“Darn, he is not thinking of ending at Gangha.”

Gangha is at the crossroads to Yangyang.

But to go to Gangha from Yangyang, one has to cross the Jang River.

That is, the fact that he drove the boat from the beginning means he intends to advance to Yangyang via Gangha.

“Phew, Son Kyun, this guy. You’re going to die in Hyungju.”

Hwangjo took out one of the bamboo sticks that he had been holding in his arms.

The character ‘四’ was written on the surface of the stick.

“…If you wish to defeat Son Kyun and become the hero of Hyungju, bring out this and the stick labelled five. This is your guide to being a renowned general in Hyungju.”

Hwangjo read out loud and steeled himself.

“As a general, you should feign a retreat and lure the enemy to Yangyang. Then, Lord Yupyo will immediately send his forces. If you overthrow Son Kyun with the fifth strategy, Lord Yupyo will not offer any support, believing you can handle all enemies by yourself. …That’s fair. There’s no need to send reinforcements to a capable man.”

Hwangjo nodded heavily.

“So head to Yangyang. Drive the battle to the extreme and surround Son Kyun in Yangyang. After that, establish the base here….”

Thud, thud, thud.

The sound of a heavy drum began. Hwangjo tucked the bamboo stick back in his bosom and looked towards the fortress wall.

“Yes. Son Kyun will die like Bangyeon.”

Beyond the fortress wall.

The army carrying the Sun family’s flag was advancing towards Gangha Fortress.

“Hey, guys!”

Hwangjo yelled loudly to his men.

“Smack those sons of b*tches with magic, then retreat to Yangyang with all your might! Got it!!”

“Yes!!!!!!!!!!”

It’s definitely not about running away.

Just a tactical retreat.