episode_0188

From the beginning, Cao Cao’s plan was simple.

Aim for after the meal is over!, because it was the alpha and omega of Jojo’s plan.

Personally, I thought it was not a bad plan.

No matter how much of a human being you are, you always feel relaxed when your stomach is full.

Of course, it will have to return to its original state after a while, but the important thing is the fact that it is in that state even for a short time, isn’t it?

Moreover, in Sunuk’s case, he was exhausted both physically and mentally due to the long journey.

As such, the situation must be more sensitive and sharp than usual… If you recklessly try to persuade someone like that, and take advantage of the comfort that only the act of soaking in hot water and the feeling of fullness that comes after a meal can give you, the part that protrudes out. There is no need to consider which one is more likely to succeed in persuasion among those who try to persuade after softening the situation.

So, I thought it was a simple but effective plan, but it was none other than me that caused Jojo’s original plan to suddenly change course.

First of all… I didn’t do anything special.

All I did was ask if something like this would be on the table and it would be okay.

Hee Ji-jae, who had been entrusted with all authority over the preparation of the banquet by Jo Jo, gave an OK sign, but I thought that something as shameful as being shocked to see the person who hosted the banquet was on the table should not happen, so I was busy. In the meantime, I took the time to visit Jojo…

After hearing all the explanations pouring out of my mouth, JoJo asked me for a sample.

Then, he went back to the kitchen, took a piece of chicken and a piece of steak, and stood in front of Jojo. Jojo tasted them with a cautious expression and immediately declared.

“···I need to change my plan.”

“What? No, why?”

“I thought of a better way.”

I asked what a better way to respond to Jojo’s remarks was, but Jojo only smiled meaningfully and did not actually answer my question.

No matter how many times I asked, it was the same, and I didn’t know much about it.

What are Jojo’s goals and intentions?

It was like that just a little while ago…

“How about it? It may look unsightly, but isn’t the taste just as good?”

The moment the words that seemed to be aimed at Sunuk came out of Jojo’s mouth, I vaguely realized it.

What is her true goal?

This is what Jojo was aiming for.

This is the moment when Sunuk’s ‘prejudice’ is broken.

How did the dish called steak appear in the eyes of Sunuk, who can be said to be a Han Dynasty person himself?

I don’t know, but it would definitely have been seen as a failed dish.

For people here, meat has to be thoroughly cooked all the way through.

However, I forced a person who only knew such things to eat something that was dripping with what looked like nothing but blood…

‘You must have been embarrassed.’

Nevertheless, the reason we ended up shoving it into our mouths was probably out of consideration for our reputation.

However, swallowing it as if it were such an extremely bitter pill gave me an unexpected ecstasy.

I thought it was fortunate that it didn’t taste like it was burnt.

The shock that Sunwook felt at that moment must have been at a level that cannot be fully explained in words.

And it seemed like Jojo was planning to use that shock to persuade Sunuk.

The proof was that he made a statement that seemed to compare the situation in our military to a steak.

At this moment, Cao Cao was talking to Sun Yu.

Although Cao Cao’s situation may seem shabby at first glance, it is not in reality.

Even if you turn your back on Yuan Shao and choose this side, you won’t regret it.

Isn’t it for no reason that people call him Jojo’s soul partner?

Sunuk seemed to immediately understand the true meaning contained in Jojo’s words.

It must have been something like that, seeing as his back suddenly straightened and his expression became serious.

“Yes, that’s definitely true. If I could, I would want to eat only this for the rest of my life.”

“···!”

I asked the question bluntly, as if there was no need to procrastinate, but I guess I didn’t expect to receive a positive answer right away.

The purple eyes that were closely watching Sunuk’s reaction widened slightly for a moment.

But that was all.

Even though he received a positive answer, Jojo’s expression quickly returned to its original state, probably because he thought it was not a time to show joy yet.

It was at that moment that Sunuk, who had been repeatedly dabbing his pink lips with the cloth prepared next to the table, opened his mouth.

“Since Maengdeok asked me a question, may I also ask Maengdeok a question?”

“Of course.”

“What does the everyday landscape you are depicting look like?”

Could it be that I couldn’t help but think about the question, which seemed to be thrown lightly and without much thought, but was surprisingly accurate to the point.

A muttering sound that was almost like a murmur leaked from Jojo’s mouth.

It was almost at the same time that the maids who were in charge of serving as servers at the banquet held today appeared with the next dish, chicken.

Did the chicken’s unique, savory yet enticing scent naturally draw my attention in that direction?

Jojo’s eyes, which had been slightly sunken, soon turned towards the maids.

Then, it started to sparkle and shine as if it had been sinking for some time.

“Do you know that?”

“···?”

“It is said that in a place called Daejin-guk, located a long way west from the central plains, the seven days and nights are combined into one and called a week.”

I wondered what on earth was going on when the name of an unfamiliar country appeared out of nowhere.

Just as the feeling of incredulity spread across Sunwook’s face, Jojo’s remarks continued as if aiming for that moment.

“I am a horse. I want people under me to be able to eat food like this at least once a week.”

“Um…!”

“I don’t know what Munyak’s opinion is, but farmers farming and soldiers raising spears are ultimately all about making a living.”

“···Huh.”

“Then, please finish eating.”

Was he waiting for Jojo to finish his remarks?

The maid who was waiting next to Sunuk picked up a piece of chicken and placed it in Sunuk’s bowl.

For a moment, Sunuk looked at the thing on top of his bowl sheepishly before picking it up and bringing it to his mouth.

Kwajajajak-!

Is it because it was freshly fried?

The sound of the batter breaking was particularly vivid.

It was right after that that a smile spread across Sunwook’s face.

A smile that is fundamentally different from the ones I have shown so far.

Thanks to you, I was able to find out.

What is hanging over Sunwook’s face right now is her sincerity.

“···How do you feel?”

“The one that was served before is definitely a delicacy that you can’t easily taste no matter where you go in this central region… I don’t know if it’s because I like chicken meat more than cow meat, but I personally like this one more. Soㅡ”

so?

“I really want to share this taste with others.”

“Do you mean…?”

Was he reacting to the voice that came out of Jojo’s mouth?

Before we knew it, Sunwook had calmly returned what was literally just a bone to its original place and bowed with both hands together.

“I am so stupid that I have only one talent to survive this age.”

Sunuk’s light pink lips were slightly shiny with oil as he said that, but no one laughed at Sunuk’s appearance.

No, I couldn’t laugh at it.

This was because the brightly shining eyes were located right above it, so much so that the lips could not even be seen.

“It’s not even a talent for making military strategies or plotting a plan, it’s just a talent for taking care of the household.”

“···.”

“I am only equipped with very insignificant talents… Nevertheless, if you trust me and use me, I will make sure that the soldiers never go hungry on the battlefield.”

Are you happy to hear the answer you were hoping for?

The composure on JoJo’s face collapsed for the first time.

And the feeling of joy overflowed between the collapsed walls.

“Would you please accept this Sunmun Yak?”

Thus, Sunwook, Cao Cao’s soul partner and Constellation of Empty Chanhap, finally joined Cao Cao’s army.

It happened at the threshold of transition from summer to fall.

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“Oh my.”

“···?”

“I forgot because I was in a hurry, but I have something to tell you.”

“Are you talking about me?”

“Yes.”

And with Sunuk joining… the wheel of fate, which had paused for a moment to catch its breath, began to roll again.

Late Han Dynasty, 190.

In the end, 18 feudal lords who responded to Cao Cao’s proclamation criticizing Dong Zhuo’s recklessness in abolishing the Emperor of Xiao and placing King Yuhyeop of Jinryu on the throne according to his own will gathered in the land of Gwandong, and led by Yuan Shao, governor of Balhae, who naturally assumed the position of leader. An alliance was created to subdue the traitor Dong Zhuo and protect the Han imperial family.

It was the moment when the anti-Dongtak coalition was launched.