The victory at Yingchuan brought exhilarating joy to the allied forces.
The banquet that had continued all night was over, but the soldiers' faces were still filled with excitement and pride. In particular, the name of “Kang Jamyeong, the strategist who breaks sorcery” was being passed around among the soldiers like a legend.
“Did you hear? Commander Kang read the wind and used fire to break the sorcery!” “Ha ha! I swear, I think he's an immortal!” “Our General Liu has someone like that as his younger brother. With him around, unifying the realm will be a cinch!”
Minjun still felt awkward under the excessive praise and admiring gazes directed at him, but he couldn't say he disliked it.
It felt like he was experiencing an intense sense of accomplishment and a hunger for recognition that he had never known in real life.
But he tried not to get carried away.
‘This is only the beginning. I can't be satisfied here.’
Behind the joy of victory, a harsh reality awaited them.
The problem was what to do with the thousands of Yellow Turban prisoners.
The makeshift prison camp established outside Yingchuan Fortress was packed with defeated soldiers, and managing them placed a heavy burden on the allied forces of Liu Bei and Cao Cao.
Because of this, another meeting was held in Cao Cao's tent.
The subject was how to deal with the prisoners.
“They should all be beheaded as a warning to others!”
When Xiahou Dun made the hard-line argument, Xiahou Yuan joined in from beside him.
“Showing them mercy will only leave us with future trouble.”
But Cao Cao couldn't bring herself to make a decision.
She was a clear-eyed realist, but she knew that a meaningless massacre would cost them the people's support and harm them in the long run.
‘There must be some useful laborers among them….’
Liu Bei wore an even more troubled expression.
“General Xiahou Dun's concerns are understandable. However, many of them are pitiful commoners who were swept up in this after being driven to desperation by hunger and tyranny. How can we treat them all as criminals and put them to death?”
Liu Bei couldn't bring herself to order a mass slaughter.
As opinions clashed and silence descended, Minjun cautiously opened his mouth.
“Commandant Cao, General Liu, and all the other generals.”
Everyone's eyes turned toward Minjun.
His every word was no longer taken lightly.
“Is there no other way besides killing the prisoners or simply locking them up?”
Minjun continued in a calm voice.
“I think we should give them another chance.” “Another chance? What kind of chance do you mean, Lord Jamyeong?”
Cao Cao asked with interest in her eyes.
“Please treat them humanely.”
Minjun pleaded with genuine sincerity.
“Provide them with a warm bowl of porridge and a place to sleep, and treat the wounded. Then let me speak with them directly and persuade them. We can help them realize the falsehood of Yellow Turban ideology and give them the chance to live new lives.”
His eyes held the warmth and heartfelt concern of Beloved by All.
“Of course, those guilty of truly heinous crimes or those who refuse to repent to the end should be punished severely. But most of the prisoners should be given a chance at rehabilitation.”
There was a persuasive force in Minjun's voice.
“If even some of them change their minds and cooperate with us, we may be able to obtain information about the remnants of the Yellow Turbans or secure the labor we need. More than anything… isn't saving people's lives the surest way to win the people's support?”
Minjun's proposal was radical, but undeniably persuasive.
Above all, it took both popular sentiment and practical gain into account.
Liu Bei deeply sympathized with his idea and nodded.
Cao Cao also spent a moment running the numbers before making her decision.
“Very well! We shall do as Lord Kang Jamyeong suggests!”
Cao Cao looked at Minjun as she spoke.
“I entrust you with the important task of rehabilitating these prisoners. I will take responsibility for providing the personnel and supplies you need, so show us what you can do! However, remember that you will also be held responsible if you fail.”
Minjun was a little nervous, but he answered confidently.
“Yes, Commandant! I will succeed and live up to your expectations!”
Minjun immediately became the “Temporary Prisoner Rehabilitation Officer” and got to work.
With the help of the administrator Jin Hye and the soldiers Cao Cao provided, he first set about improving the prison camp's conditions.
He cleaned the filthy barracks, isolated and treated the sick, and provided ample meals for the starving prisoners.
“Now… you expect us to eat this? You're going to kill us all anyway, aren't you? Huh?”
At first, the prisoners showed intense suspicion and hostility.
But before long, their eyes began to change little by little in response to the improved treatment and Minjun's sincere attitude.
Minjun visited the camp every day to speak with the prisoners himself.
Instead of acting authoritarian, he approached them sometimes like an older brother and sometimes like a friend, listening carefully to their stories.
“Who is waiting for you back home?” “How did you end up joining the Yellow Turbans…? It must have been difficult.” “How do you want to live from now on?”
He made full use of Beloved by All.
His warm gaze and heartfelt empathy melted the frozen hearts of prisoners who had fallen into despair.
He calmly explained the contradictions in Yellow Turban ideology and instilled in them the hope that they could build better lives through honest labor and effort instead of looting and violence.
The amusing stories he told about a faraway homeland were actually adapted from various modern tales, but they allowed the prisoners to forget the pain of reality, if only for a little while.
“Are you really saying a world like that exists?” “Listening to Lord Kang… I think we may have been mistaken.”
An astonishing change began to take place.
Many prisoners repented of their wrongdoing on their own and criticized Yellow Turban ideology.
Some voluntarily provided information about Yellow Turban remnants they knew about.
Some of the healthy young men who clearly wished to defect desperately wanted to join Liu Bei's army.
Others stepped forward and offered to provide the labor needed for farming, repairing the fortress walls, and more.
It was the moment when thousands of prisoners transformed from a headache into a new possibility.
[Large-scale prisoner rehabilitation operation successful!] [Beloved by All trait proficiency has increased dramatically!] [Attributes increased!] [Politics stats increased by 2!] [Intelligence stats increased by 2!] [Leadership stats increased by 1!] [Reputation +++ (throughout the Central Plains), “Kang Jamyeong, the Merciful Rehabilitator” reputation acquired!] [Title “Merciful Administrator (Beginner)” acquired!] * Merciful Administrator (Beginner): The stability of popular sentiment in areas you manage increases, and the people's discontent decreases. Governance-related penalties decrease, and the rate at which popular sentiment rises increases.
[Kang Minjun] Courtesy Name: Jamyeong Level: 4 (75% EXP) Leadership: 10 (+1 quest reward) Might: 6 Intelligence: 22 (+2 quest reward) => 23 (+1 item) Politics: 25 (+2 quest reward) => 27 (+2 items) Charisma: 103 => 105 (+2 items) (Beloved by All)
‘Leadership 10, Intelligence 23, Politics 28. At this rate, I'm growing pretty fast. Well done, Kang Jamyeong. No, Kang Minjun.’
Minjun felt an immense sense of fulfillment along with his pride.
Cao Cao and Liu Bei were once again amazed by Minjun's unbelievable achievement.
“One man, Lord Kang Jamyeong… You changed the hearts of thousands without a single sword.”
Cao Cao clicked her tongue, then smacked her lips again.
“That is truly a more frightening power than an army.” “Jamyeong, your warm heart has worked a miracle.”
Liu Bei proudly took Minjun's hand.
“You truly are a treasure in this chaotic age.”
Minjun's face flushed slightly at Liu Bei's touch.
Just as the prisoner issue was successfully resolved and the area around Yingchuan regained stability, welcome news arrived from the imperial court in Luoyang.
Along with rewards honoring their achievements in the great victory at Yingchuan, new appointment documents had been issued.
In recognition of her accomplishments, Cao Cao was appointed Chancellor of Jinan.
Jinan was a relatively large commandery-kingdom beside Dong Commandery.
It marked the beginning of her full-fledged administration of her territory.
And perhaps because Minjun's achievements had been included in the report, Liu Bei also received a better first post than expected.
She was appointed County Commandant of Anxi County in Zhongshan Prefecture.
“County Commandant of Anxi…!”
Liu Bei accepted the appointment document in a voice filled with emotion.
“It may be a small position, but at last I've been given the chance to govern for the people with my own hands!” “Congratulations, Sister Xuande!”
Minjun celebrated and congratulated her with genuine joy.
Guan Yu and Zhang Fei also congratulated Liu Bei with deeply moved expressions.
Now it was time for each of them to leave for their assigned posts.
Cao Cao and Liu Bei exchanged farewells with regret.
“General Liu, Anxi may be a small county, but gaining experience there will certainly be a great asset to your future.”
Cao Cao told Liu Bei, clearly regretful that they had to part.
“With your abilities, General, you will be able to move on to a larger stage before long. Though we part ways here, I look forward to the day we meet again in a greater position and discuss the realm together.” “May you also accomplish your great ambitions in Jinan, Chancellor Cao. I will never forget the kindness you have shown me.”
Liu Bei offered a respectful bow.
Cao Cao approached Minjun one last time.
She took a small jade token from inside her robes and handed it to him.
It was a jade token with a lustrous sheen, engraved with her official seal.
“Lord Kang Jamyeong.”
Cao Cao spoke softly while looking into Minjun's eyes.
“This is a token of recognition I am giving you. Your wisdom and ability are truly rare in all the realm. Though you are following General Liu for now, if you ever need my help—or should you change your mind… come find me with this jade token. My door will always be open to you.”
Her eyes held both regret that she could not have Minjun at her side and a fierce determination to bind their futures together.
“Thank you so much for your consideration, Chancellor Cao…!”
Moved, Minjun accepted the jade token and carefully tucked it into his robes.
[Item acquired: Cao Cao's Token of Recognition (Jade Token)] * Cao Cao's Token of Recognition (Jade Token): A token bestowed by Cao Cao Mengde upon Kang Jamyeong. It proves Cao Cao's trust and favor. While carrying it, the holder receives identification and accommodations within Cao Cao's sphere of influence. It also serves as a token that can be used to request Cao Cao's aid in an emergency.
The next morning.
Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Minjun set out for their new post, Anxi County, together with the soldiers who had newly joined Liu Bei's army, including some of the defected prisoners.
Cao Cao, the Xiahou sisters, and the others came a long way to see them off.
As Minjun watched Cao Cao's back recede on horseback, he thought:
‘Cao Cao… she's definitely a terrifying woman. But she's also captivating. We may meet again as enemies someday… How will this connection affect the future?’
He turned his head again and looked at Sister Xuande, who stood beside him gazing ahead with a hopeful expression.
‘Right. For now, I'm going with Sister Xuande. Anxi County… I wonder if that bastard will come down here after all.’
The fierce battle and victory at Yingchuan, the extraordinary experience of rehabilitating prisoners, and his meeting with Cao Cao had helped Minjun grow another step.
His survival story in the Three Kingdoms was now advancing toward a new stage: his first life in office.