Color is emotion, and simultaneously, language.
The tension and vibrancy that red imparts.
The serenity and composure contained within blue.
The warmth and rapture that yellow unfolds.
The emotions felt upon seeing color are instinctive experiences preceding language, and the human brain activates its emotional regions the instant it perceives a specific color.
Therefore, humans can read emotions through color, and simultaneously, empathize with them.
"Must we go so far as to bar the gates? We are not cowards utterly terrified by mere Heishan bandits."
"Wh-What...!!"
"What did you just say, you bastard!! Did you say coward?!"
"A mere captain dares to forsake his own life?!"
At my words, the emotional hues of the generals of the Dongjun faction reacting to me filled with crimson light as if by some unspoken pact.
To the Chinese, red is a color imbued with auspicious omens that summon fortune and prosperity.
Thus, those generals' words should have felt positive even to me, yet seeing that they did not, it seems that although my shell is here, my essence remains unmistakably Korean.
"We know the enemy's main force is in Neihuang, and we can attack there at any time. So why must we choose to stand on the defensive?"
"Is it not because our numbers are sorely lacking! The enemy is a full twenty-five thousand...! Do you not feel that even by simple arithmetic, we are overwhelmingly disadvantaged!!"
Even amidst the pageant of crimson waves that felt like nothing more than a harmony of rage and excitement, I maintained my composure and continued speaking.
"The fewer our forces facing a numerically superior enemy, the more we must employ unorthodox stratagems rather than standard tactics. Even if we bar the gates and lock the doors, will the Heishan bandits retreat?"
Absolutely not.
Some would surround the fortress, while the rest would plunder the surrounding villages to fill their bellies.
"Or perhaps, while defending, do you happen to possess some hidden ace up your sleeve that can repel the enemy?"
"Ahem, ahem!"
If I had to guess, there is absolutely no way they have such a sharp move.
"If that is not the case, I ask that you quietly listen to my words."
Since Cao Cao proposed it, then we oppose it?
Like the logic of the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy during World War II, opposition for the sake of opposition is out of the question.
"If we move our army and attack Neihuang, even if the cowardly Wudu heads toward Dongwuyang, he will surely have no choice but to turn his army around and return to Neihuang."
Then we simply have to crush Wudu's returning army at the pass with a surprise attack or ambush.
I looked at Cao Cao seated at the head seat and spoke.
"My Lord has already shown the correct answer, yet not only can you not take it straightforwardly, but you throw in emotional defense mechanisms out of fear; is that not why you are granting the right to speak to a mere captain like me?"
Since you've all been spouting such blockheaded drivel, that's why an opportunity has come even to someone at the bottom like me.
Since I hadn't even bothered to mince my words, the Dongjun faction generals who took them directly all glared at me with faces brimming with red.
"Jaon, I have heard your opinion."
[ Cao Cao's favorability has slightly increased. ]
"Holding tenaciously to defense despite holding a perfect hand capable of seizing the enemy's home ground is a poor plan. It was superb insight that accurately pierced to the heart of both the motley horde's mindset and the crux of the battle."
As if pleased with my words, Cao Cao's favorability, which already had nowhere higher to rise, seemed about to break through the ceiling.
"However, Jaon. The reason the generals anxiously advised defense is because Dongjun's foundation was moved from Puyang to Dongwuyang."
If we were to liken Dongjun to a single nation, would that not mean the capital was moved from Puyang to Dongwuyang?
"Dongwuyang is currently the foundation of our army. If Dongwuyang were to fall, the entire army would be endangered. The generals must have been worried about precisely this point."
Cao Cao's red eyes flashed.
"But how can we repel the enemy merely by crouching down!"
Cao Cao stood up from her seat and drew her sword.
That momentum was so tremendous that some generals lowered their heads and trembled.
"I shall accept Jaon's proposed opinion, and with two thousand infantry and five hundred cavalry, attack Neihuang and confidently crush Wudu's army!"
Once Cao Cao firmly stated her opinion, no further objections came forth.
"If there are no dissenting opinions, let us disperse this war council here!"
At Cao Cao's words, all generals including Xiahou Dun and Cao Hong knelt, cupped their fists, and lowered their heads in unison.
I, too, was cupping my fists and bowing my head, so Cao Cao approached me and whispered softly.
"You spoke well, Jaon. Your thoughts were exactly my own."
At Cao Cao's praise, I kept my head lowered and quietly moved my lips.
What is praise, that it makes me feel this good?
"Since you've become a captain, you must need men to fill your ranks? Come with me. I shall introduce you to my personal guard unit."
At the rich scent of orchids, I simply nodded silently.
***
"That Jaon is so dependable and wise, I believe he will make an excellent spouse for my elder sister."
Cao Hong, who had closely followed behind before anyone knew it, giggled and spoke with a sly smile.
"Jaon is merely..."
Cao Cao, who had been about to argue something, soon let out a small sigh and firmly closed her mouth.
"No, what is the point of me making forced excuses to you? Think what you will."
Perhaps because this kind of frivolous teasing was not a rare occurrence.
Cao Cao chose dignity over clumsy excuses.
"Where has that fierce spirit gone, the one that relentlessly beat to death the ruffians who flouted national law with a Five-Colored Staff?"
Yet Cao Hong's mischievous tongue showed no sign of stopping there.
Cao Hong raised the corners of her lips in a grin as she looked at Cao Cao.
"It seems even the Cao Mengde of the realm is helpless before her match. Seven years have already passed since your guanian (sixteenth year); how about you settle down now, sister?"
"Cao Hong!!!"
"Eek!"
Cao Cao called out Cao Hong not by her courtesy name, but by her name.
Before anyone knew it, anger had welled up to fill both of Cao Cao's cheeks.
"If you wag that light tongue of yours even once more, you'll find you won't live out your appointed lifespan!"
Cao Hong seemed to intuit that Cao Cao's tolerance had crossed its critical point; she soon fixed her eyes on me before lowering her head with a solemn expression.
"I am sorry, Jaon. I have shown you quite an unsightly display."
"How could I take to heart a jest exchanged without reserve? I shall think of it merely as a light spring breeze that brushed past and departed."
"Hoo... Your literary skill is considerable, but that is not what I was referring to."
"A different reason?"
"What happened at the war council."
Ah.
That thing where a mere captain like me jabbered away?
"I shall not harbor that in my heart either."
"Hmm..."
Cao Hong looked at me, then at Cao Cao.
What is this? This strange atmosphere? Is there something I'm missing...?
Looking at Cao Hong with an expression that said I had no idea what was going on, she began to reveal the truth of the matter.
"Jaon. By your eyes, how do my sister and I seem to each other?"
"Well... Wouldn't you say you share an exceptionally close relationship, like blood sisters who can fully entrust their backs to one another?"
"If that is so, could I, who am so close to my sister, truly have been unaware of your existence?"
"...?"
What is this supposed to mean?
Wait, surely not...?
"Could it be that at the war council earlier, all those who pressured me and opposed My Lord's opinion were acting?"
"To arrive near the correct answer in such a short time... You are perceptive."
Cao Hong nodded her head with a faint smile.
"The reason I stirred up the war council was all my elder sister's political stratagem."
"...What?"
"Before departing, it was a scheme to test the army's morale, and furthermore, to confirm who among them could stand at our side."
That meaning was hidden within it?
"And I added my own opinion to it. I had obtained information that the Army Supervisor, who had been loyal to our army until now, was associating with the Dongjun factionalists. You heard roughly from my sister what factions are, yes?"
I nodded my head.
'If we're talking about the Army Supervisor... it's that Sahwan who voiced opposition next earlier.'
"Because of that man's suspicious conduct, I fleshed out my sister's political stratagem. If Sahwan stepped forward in opposition, we planned to seize his merchant group this time. Since he is no longer a comrade walking the same path, we cannot turn a blind eye to his embezzlement forever."
Cao Hong looked at Cao Cao and respectfully clasped her fists in request.
"Sister. As promised, I shall take over Sahwan's merchant group."
"...Do so."
Cao Cao's voice was steeped in bitterness.
She gave her assent with evident reluctance.
"It is regrettable that a once-loyal man has turned traitor, but a new loyal subject has appeared at my sister's side, has he not? So cheer up."
Cao Hong glanced at me and particularly emphasized the words "loyal subject" as she spoke.
At that sight, Cao Cao let out a small sigh and returned to her usual self.
"Indeed. Rotten flesh must be cut out in due time for new flesh to grow. How fortunate that I have a dependable kinsman who steps forward to take on the unpleasant tasks for me. Thank you, Zilian."
Cao Cao's deep and clear red eyes turned toward me.
"And Jaon. I have spoken enough with this tired mouth, so I shall not say more. I believe in your abilities and trust your loyalty, so come to my side quickly. The position of captain is far too lowly for you."
Cao Cao spoke with a smile.
Then, as if she had suddenly thought of something, she brought up another matter.
"By the way, Jaon. Can you ride a horse?"
I know how to drive a car, though.