Chapter 172: I Will Count to Three (1)

So-mu and Yeon Seo-hwa’s wedding date was five days away. Since we both didn’t want to be a burden, we planned to proceed as quickly and quietly as possible.

And now, So-mu was chatting with Jang Yang and discussing the matter.

“You”re going to do it in secret, just the two of you? What kind of sad thing is that?”

“I don”t want to put a burden on other officials.”

If So-mu, the military governor, were to officially marry, there would be an uproar in the military, and subordinate officials might feel burdened by their superior’s honor. Since I didn’t want that, I had already made a speech and discussed it in advance.

However, Jang Yang looked like he couldn’t understand.

“You are fully qualified, so please think again. I know how you feel, but there are probably many people who feel sorry for not being able to congratulate you.”

“The work of the country should not be stopped or hindered in the slightest because of that one personal incident.”

“How can you say such a thing? Isn”t it because of you that all the people of this country can sleep with their feet stretched out? Including me. Although it is a day for you, it could also be a day of celebration where everyone can share in the joy.”

“””.”

So-mu remained silent as if he was worried. Jang Yang, who looked at him for a moment, declared giving up with a sad expression.

“I can”t do it. Your stubbornness is like watching my execution.”

So-mu, who had been expressionless at Jang Yang”s joke, chuckled.

“I”m sorry. Rather, I believe his messenger is here.”

“I was going to talk about it anyway. It”s good news. Yue Fei”s execution promised to help us at any time.”

Yue Fei, who absorbed Yu Guangse’s army, became the largest volunteer army ever. The fact that he gave his hand to Jang Yang was no different from gaining great support.

And Yue Fei’s corps was currently stationed in Benjing, a city in Hubei Province of the Song Dynasty.

“It”s a good thing. Are you seeking asylum in your home country?”

Jang Yang shook his head once and looked at the tactical map.

“They said they would stay in Bunseong for the time being and keep the Hui Dynasty in check. The plan is to officially maintain the form of a volunteer army.”

“Since they are not regular troops and are occupying the castle, there is no way the Song Dynasty imperial family will be pleased with them.”

Although they claimed to be a volunteer army, they were essentially a rebel army. It was clear that the imperial family was very anxious, fearing that their swords would point backwards.

“But we can”t throw them away. If they vacate the prosperity, there will be a huge vacuum in our defense line.”

“Rather, it seems like we are in a situation where we need to send support.”

“You are right. So they will receive support from both us and the Song Dynasty, and will support the dangerous places on the front lines.”

“That is the right decision. Unlike us, who can defend the entire country just by guarding the gates and waterways, many places in the Song Dynasty are exposed to danger. After the lull, there is a high probability that they will be attacked by the Hui Dynasty first. General Yue Fei will have a hard time.”

“He”s just that kind of person. He always tries to take on the most difficult tasks. Has there been any news about General Han Se-chung?”

“He is stationed in Yangyang Castle and has not made any movement. According to information, the discord with Jin Hui is so severe that communication with the imperial family seems to be difficult.”

Jang Yang nodded and said in agreement.

“I guess so. Isn”t it truly deplorable that that traitor has once again taken control of the Song Dynasty”s imperial family?”

“…Should I keep watching?”

It was So-mu who saw Jin Hui playing with the previous emperor of the Song Dynasty. There was no way he would look pretty.

“If it were a problem that could be solved through bloodshed, Han Se-chung would have already done so. But what will happen next? The situation is different from before. As soon as the Song Dynasty, whose foundation has been weakened, the imperial family collapses, the entire country will fall into chaos and collapse. This will only increase the suffering of the common people. It is infuriating, but I have no choice but to endure it for now.”

“For now… I guess I should just focus on dealing with the powerful enemy in front of me.”

So-mu didn’t know that either. He emptied his teacup and fell into silence for a moment. Jang Yang also seemed lost in thought as he gazed at the tactical map.

After a while, So-mu broke the silence and spoke softly.

“A military meeting will be held at the Privy Council in a moment, so I will leave now.”

“It”s a lot of hard work. Hui Dynasty isn”t moving at all, but we”re busier.”

“Rather, that part is more suspicious. None of the spies who left for Luoyang and Gaebong returned. Seeing that they stopped the offensive and strengthened their guard even in an advantageous situation, they must be preparing something.”

“It won”t be easy, but we need to find out what they are hiding. Then we can come up with a prepared plan.”

So-mu was about to say something but quit. I was worried that Jang Yang would worry, so I just kept repeating it in my mind.

“Under the current situation, even if we send more spies, we will only end up losing our lived. You can’t do it. I have no choice but to go and see for myself.”

After saying hello, So-mu tried to leave his office. At that time, Jang Yang called him again.

“I”m talking about your wedding ceremony. Are you really planning on holding it in secret? Why not think again?”

So-mu bowed his head with a faint smile.

“Thank you, Mingong. I will think about it some more.”

***

Lively music was constantly ringing in Yangju Mountain. It was a phenomenon that repeated every day, but today the sound was brighter and refreshing.

Seolhwa, who was sitting in the hut and playing the Seven String Zither, nodded and said with satisfaction.

“The sound of the tung flute is more magnificent and powerful today. Please continue.”

So-so was on the other side, playing the flute and laughing all the time. It was definitely different from usual.

Seolhwa felt something strange. Isn’t the child glancing at himself while playing the ensemble? It was as if he was examining his expression and mood.

When the performance ended, So-so looked intently at the story and began to laugh silently. She guessed the reason and exhaled calmly.

“What was to come has come.”

He was a child who already knew everything. Seeing him smiling silently, it seemed like he was waiting for me to speak up first.

As she was about to talk to her child, she also became nervous for some reason. I scheduled a date with So-mu, but I haven’t officially told the child yet.

“…What do we, So-so, think of Master?”

“I think it”s good. Hehe.”

As a child, he was still lacking in verbal expression, but his heart was clearly revealed in his bright smiling face.

Seolhwa breathed a sigh of relief in her heart, cleared her throat once, and got to the point.

“Well, then, how about we live together? You and my father”.”

The moment the story ended, So-so ran and fell into her arms. He held her tightly and murmured.

“I like it. It”s so nice to live with Master.”

Seolhwa breathed a sigh of relief and hugged the child warmly and stroked her head. I knew that So-so liked him, but seeing those feelings in person made my heart warm.

“I am also really happy and happy to be with So-so. Then, Master… can I be So-so”s mom?”

So-so’s face, buried in Yeonseonghwa’s arms, turned red like a carrot, as if she was embarrassed.

“Good, good…”

“Well, then, would you like to sing it?”

So-so also seemed to be shaking. After hesitating for a moment, his small lips slowly moved.

“Um”Mom. Hehehe.”

So-so blushed but continued to smile.

“Yes, my daughter”.”

Seolhwa”s face sank with a warm smile.

“Although we were not related by blood, we were close enough to be able to play Seonummu, so he was already like family to me. “It”s a precious relationship.”

At that time, So-so, who was buried in Seolhwa”s arms, asked carefully.

“Then” when are you going to live with my father now?”

“When would you like? It would be better for my daughter to do what she wants.”

After thinking for a moment, So-so calculated the move-in date for the house he had signed a contract for and opened his right hand wide.

“Five nights later!”

It was the same date as the death date. Of course, taking that into consideration, So-mu and Seolhwa decided to set the date.

Generals can rent housing within the palace for free if they wish. So-mu, the general, had no reason to worry about housing. But how could I just leave the house that my daughter worked so hard to prepare? Even out of sincerity, I have no choice but to live on my own for now. The speech painting was also mentioned in advance by So-mu.

“I heard about it from my father. Then, can we live together at So-so”s house?”

“Yes, the three of us live together in our house now!”

“By the way. In five days, we will be holding a ceremony here to become a family.”

“…What ritual?”

Seolhwa answered calmly, hiding her red face.

“We”re going to get married. We”ll eat a lot of delicious food” and celebrate.”

“Delicious food and celebration”.”

“Yeah. Is it good?”

“Yes. Then can I bring my friends?”

So-mu and I decided to do it secretly, but if my daughter wanted it, there was nothing I couldn’t do.

“Okay then. Any friends you have are welcome. Don”t worry, just bring them as much as you want.”

So-so buried her face in Seolhwa”s arms and rubbed it. It looked very good.

After one meal has passed.

After finishing his day at Yangju Mountain, So-so went down the mountain excitedly.

The child entered the gate of Janganseong Fortress and walked in the direction of the palace with powerful steps. The destination was Wolf Fang Squad’s barracks.

Did you notice him walking with her arms waving widely? Someone stopped So-so, who was walking down the street.

“Hey little general! What makes you feel so good?”

It was Hwang Gae-chil, the commander of Guard Battalion. He seemed to be leading the gunners on patrol to ensure the safety of the streets. So-so grinned and waved his hand.

“I look like a mother. Hehe.”

Hwang Gae-chil asked reflexively with a surprised face.

“General So-mu is getting married? When?”

“Five nights later. Be sure to come to Yangju Mountain with the guards. Okay?”

“Of course! Of course we should go and congratulate you!”

So-so bowed politely and entered the palace through Jujak-ro.

It wasn’t long before I spotted some familiar faces again. They were Yang Kang and Yang So. Yang Yeon-jeong, the eldest brother of the head of the Yang family, was appointed governor of Hanzhong, and the two remained in Changan.

“hello~”

“Our So-so, what is it that makes you smile so much?”

Yang Kang and Yang Shao were happy to see Su Su, stroking her head. Wasn’t he the lifesaver who found them dying in the underground prison and saved them?

“Have you guys ever gotten married? My father said he would do so in five nights.”

“We couldn”t do it. It”s unfortunate that General So-mu is getting married.”

“Congratulations, So-so!”

So-so smiled brightly and bowed his upper body in greeting.

“Thank you~”

“Hehe. Are you coming? Be careful going in~”

“I”ll see you in five days.”

So-so said goodbye to them and ran straight to Wolf Fang Squad’s barracks. Because I wanted to brag to my uncles.

It was time for most people to take a break after lunch.

Suddenly-!

When the barracks door burst open, dozens of Wolf Fang members were seen sprawled out all over the place. Their eyes focused on the entrance.

So-so was standing in the door frame, smiling meaningfully. Since they had never seen their nephew like this before, the uncles looked at him curiously as to why.

“why?”

“what’s the matter?”

So-so, who had been watching for a moment, suddenly ran towards her uncles and shouted.

“Uncles! I have a mother!”

So-so opened her arms and kicked the ground towards Hyeonjeong, who was in front.

Hyeonjeong easily accepted her nephew and spun him around.

“Haha. Congratulations, my nephew.”

“Hehehehe.”

The rumor had secretly spread among the crew. So everyone was guessing. It has now become official and was upon us.

“Hahaha! The rumors were true.”

“Am I right? Haha! I told you I would do it soon!”

“So when is it happening?”

The laughter couldn’t stop in the barracks. The uncles surrounded my nephew and tickled him, making him happy. After laughing for a while, So-so turned his back and headed towards the entrance of the barracks.

“They say it will be in five days!”

Cheong-hae, who was nearby, nodded and answered.

“Okay, but where are you going?”

“I”m planning to go to Snow Flower Garden and invite my friends. They say we can eat delicious food that day.”

I have never seen So-so this excited. Cheong-hae smiled happily and raised one hand and waved it.

“Okay, have a nice trip.”