LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 18 - The Campaign Against Dong Zhuo
Chapter 18: The Campaign Against Dong Zhuo
“Then, let us begin.”
A deep voice resonated in the military tent.
The low tone that tickled the ears was no different from the brave shouts of the fierce generals around.
“Our army must advance to these strategic points, Si Shui Gate and Hu Lao Gate. Only by capturing these two key locations can we easily enter Luoyang. However, Dong Zhuo has deployed the general Hua Xiong to defend them, so someone must bring back his head.”
Among the 18 warlords, the man reclining gracefully in the highest seat was Yuan Shao.
The aura emanating from him was so intense that it was hard to meet his golden eyes.
Yes, Yuan Shao was like gold.
He shone brighter than any of the other lords present, standing out as pure gold.
Gold shines so brilliantly that it captivates everything around it in an instant.
At this, an elderly man with sunken cheeks stood up. His gaze was fierce, and his presence was intimidating.
“In that case, I ask for the opportunity to face Hua Xiong. There is no way this so-called Hua Xiong could withstand Sun Jian’s forces.”
“Indeed. He’s only human. How could he defeat a tiger? Benchu, I believe it should be Governor Sun Jian who leads this.”
A man with slanted eyes and a distinctive thin voice nodded in agreement with Sun Jian.
“I’ve told you not to call me that in public, Gong Lu.”
“······My apologies.”
The atmosphere instantly grew colder.
They weren’t the only ones.
The tension radiating from each of the warlords made the situation overwhelming for someone like me.
Now that I think about it, it’s strange.
Why am I even here? Why am I, a nobody, standing among these illustrious and powerful figures?
I found myself unintentionally staring at the silver-haired woman sitting expressionlessly, gazing at Yuan Shao.
It’s all because of her.
Zhang Yang had suggested that I join the military council, saying that as a county governor known for my benevolent and righteous cause, I should be included.
Of course, at first, it was rejected.
After all, how could a mere frontier governor participate in such a noble gathering?
But then Cao Cao spoke up.
She mentioned that with only 200 men, I had wiped out the forces of Qing Niujiao, one of the leaders of the Black Mountain Bandits, and that my abilities should be recognized.
She suggested that I provide advice to the military.
With that kind of backing, Zhang Yang merely shook her head, saying that the other warlords would never allow it…
And yet, here I am.
I don’t know what strings Cao Cao pulled, but she somehow managed to persuade Yuan Shao, the leader of the coalition.
And now, I’m standing awkwardly inside the tent where the warlords are gathered.
Forget advice, I’m just a background figure.
That’s when it hit me.
That’s why Zhang Yang had been so insistent yesterday, pressing me on what I had done.
She must have been baffled by Cao Cao’s behavior, wondering what I had done to deserve such attention.
Honestly, I don’t know either.
Why did Cao Cao invite someone like me to this meeting?
I barely know her. We only met for the first time yesterday.
“Does anyone object to this plan?”
When Yuan Shao spoke, no one responded, so he continued.
“Then, Governor Sun Jian, you shall take the vanguard of the loyalist army and bring me the head of Hua Xiong. Clear the path to Luoyang.”
Sun Jian clasped his hands respectfully and bowed slightly.
Wow, seeing it in person, it feels like I’ve walked onto the set of a movie.
Except for a few, most of the people here exuded a mature, dignified aura.
Many of the women were of such beauty that meeting them even once in life would be rare.
I, a mere beggar, didn’t feel like I belonged.
As Cao Cao handed a scroll to Yuan Shao, he unrolled it.
“Let it be known to all citizens of the Han that we march to save the Imperial Court and its people from peril. Thus, the loyalist army’s expedition is declared.”
Everyone solemnly clasped their hands, so I followed suit, mimicking their movements.
Among them, Yuan Shu glanced at me as if he were looking at an insect, probably wondering why someone like me was here.
As I’ve said before, I’m wondering the same thing.
And so, with Yuan Shao’s proclamation, the campaign against Dong Zhuo began.
***
As soon as I left the military tent, I ran straight to Zhang Yang.
Startled by my aggressive approach, Zhang Yang tried to flee.
Amusingly, a brief chase ensued, but there was no way she could outrun me.
I quickly caught up to her.
-Kyaaa!
“Hey, you’re going to make people misunderstand. Do you really want to see me executed?”
“Th-Then why are you chasing me like this?! If you had something to say, you could’ve just approached me quietly. Why make such a scene?”
“Something to say? I’ve got plenty! What’s going on?! I nearly pissed myself in there!”
“As a county governor, you should have more composure······ Ah, don’t grab me so hard······”
Worried that she might start crying, I let go of her.
She coughed awkwardly and dusted off her clothes.
“I’m also curious. Why is the ‘General Who Fights to the Death’ paying so much attention to someone like you?”
She sighed as she spoke.
I couldn’t help but sigh as well.
“Attention? I was just a background decoration. Do you even know how nervous I was?”
“······That’s precisely what I find strange. Did you perhaps show the ‘General Who Fights to the Death’ something? Or did you have some sort of conversation?”
“What would I have shown? I nearly lost my head. The only thing I did was embarrass myself.”
As I grumbled, Zhang Yang rubbed her chin, deep in thought.
“The intention is clear.”
“And what exactly is that intention?”
If there’s a reason, please tell me. I’m too dense to figure it out on my own.
With a confident look, Zhang Yang said, “She’s trying to win your favor.”
“My favor?”
“Yes. Though the reason is unclear, bringing you into this meeting is a clear display of goodwill. It seems, as I mentioned before, that the ‘General Who Fights to the Death’ has taken a liking to you.”
This is getting ridiculous.
Our first meeting was a disaster. What could she have seen in me?
As I held my head in confusion, Zhang Yang stared at me, surprised.
“······Judging by your expression, you really have no idea.”
“Of course not. I have no clue. All I remember is the bad impression I made.”
“I thought for sure you were lying to me.”
“Why would I lie to you, Governor? We’re in the same boat now, aren’t we?”
Zhang Yang’s eyes widened in surprise.
“······R-Right. That’s true. But the ‘General Who Fights to the Death’ is highly respected. She even attempted to assassinate Dong Zhuo on her own. Her righteous deeds are known throughout the Han Dynasty. I thought you might leave me because you were disappointed in my incompetence and join her instead.”
“Huh?”
Zhang Yang looked uncharacteristically dejected.
“I’m naturally like this. A warlord who isn’t brave, just a cowardly woman. I thought there was no way you would still think highly of me.”
“Come on, you worry too much.”
I leaned in closer to Zhang Yang.
Startled, she tried to avert her gaze and run away again, but I gently pressed her shoulders to keep her still.
“Sure, you’re a bit shaky, Governor. To be honest, I do worry about your temperament. But that doesn’t mean it’s necessarily a bad thing.”
“······What?”
Why does she look so dumbfounded?
There’s nothing wrong with it.
“War is terrifying. And killing people is naturally something to fear. But in this world, there aren’t many who are truly aware of that. In fact, there might be none.”
When did it become normal to kill?
Is it truly something that should be accepted as normal?
I saw it in Bing Province.
A woman, devastated, crawling on the ground after losing her child.
It wasn’t just in Bing Province.
Even in the land where I was born, Jizhou, there were plenty of people who lived in despair, having lost their loved ones and trapped in a living hell.
“That’s how it is for the common folk. They can’t understand the intentions of those above them.”
It must be unbearable for them.
Even I felt that way.
The first time I killed someone in this unfamiliar world, I questioned why I had to do such a thing.
As the years passed, I became desensitized.
There were times when I felt disgusted with myself for it.
“So, Governor, you’re not wrong. You’re simply aware of how terrifying death is.”
Don’t be ashamed of it.
In fact, it’s something to be proud of.
If killing people scares you, and you feel fear, that’s what makes you human.
Zhang Yang stared at me in silence for a while before finally speaking softly.
“······Do you really think so? I’m not sure. You’re someone who has defeated the Black Mountain Bandits and saved the people. Doesn’t my cowardice seem pathetic to you?”
“Oh, come on. I was scared out of my mind too. Do you think wielding a sword is easy?”
Though I had become somewhat accustomed to killing, I still feared for the lives of my brothers beside me.
And I feared the growing numbness within myself.
So, I decided to keep things simple.
I would pursue the martial arts and the code of chivalry.
That was the only way I could keep my sanity in this world.
“Governor, keep being afraid. A person can die with just a flick of the hand. Never let it become normal. That’s why I actually like you, Governor.”
“······.”
Zhang Yang looked at me quietly for a moment before smiling faintly.
See? This is why I worry about you. Why are you so weak? And you’re in such a high position.
Then—
– Boom! Boom! Boom!
The sound of a massive drum reverberated.
“Oh, it’s time.”
Zhang Yang extended her hand to me.
“Unryong, you’re quite the strange man. But I trust you. I believe you’ll bring victory to our loyalist army.”
“Well, if the opportunity arises, I’ll do my best. But don’t expect too much.”
I grasped her hand.
It was March 190.