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“Don’t worry, Father. I know what to do.” Wang Bo nodded in agreement. Since he had already confirmed he was living in troubled times, Wang Bo had made up his mind.
“All right, Wife, go make dinner. Bo’er, you go and rest for a while. When the food’s ready, I’ll call you.” Wang Hu sent Mrs. Li off to prepare the meal, and urged Wang Bo to rest in his room. Wang Bo was truly exhausted; he only nodded before turning to go inside.
He was so tired that as soon as he lay down, he fell into a deep sleep. By the time Mrs. Li came to wake him for dinner, it was already dark outside.
“Bo’er, get up and eat. Otherwise the food will get cold.” She gently roused the sleeping Wang Bo, speaking softly.
Wang Bo rubbed his dry eyes, still half-asleep, and followed Mrs. Li out. On the table, only a single set of dishes remained—clearly saved for him.
Without thinking much, Wang Bo ate his meal in a daze. Afterward, Mrs. Li said, “Bo’er, go and rest.”
So tired and muddled, Wang Bo could only reply, “All right, Mother, I’ll go rest now.” He lay down again, feeling the weariness overwhelm him, yet he didn’t fall asleep immediately. Instead, his mind wandered.
“So I really have returned to the late Han, to that era of chaos and warlord divisions. An age where human life is worth less than a dog’s. Isn’t this the era I longed for most? I used to fantasize about how I’d fare if I traveled back to the Three Kingdoms. But now that I’m truly here, I feel nothing. No excitement, no joy—only deep worry.”
“What should I do? Rising with the tide to become a warlord is tempting, but it’s exhausting. I have no martial prowess, no intelligence, no boldness, no reputation. How could I achieve anything? Even Liu Big-Ears relied on his royal uncle status. What do I have? I’m not even a Liu. Am I supposed to find a random strongman and say: ‘I believe in you, follow me.’ He’d probably chop me to bits.”
“Or perhaps I could serve a warlord, but I lack any quality that would attract attention. What could I offer? Am I to approach Cao Cao and say, ‘You’ll rule the north, take me in’? That’d make me look mad, and I’d be beaten out with sticks.”
The more Wang Bo thought, the more his head hurt, and the more awake he became.
“The warlord struggles are still a bit distant. Take the imminent Yellow Turban Rebellion, for instance—I can barely cope with that.”
“The uprising spread across the eight provinces of Qing, Xu, You, Ji, Jing, Yang, Yan, and Yu. I should be in Ji Province—the central battlefield and Taiping Sect’s strongest base. The talisman water I drank when I was sick—could that be from Taiping Sect? If it is, and I get implicated, what then?”
“What should I do? Joining Taiping Sect is impossible. Even with several heads, it wouldn’t be enough to survive. That’s not an option. Rising amidst the Yellow Turban chaos? But how? My family is just farmers, with no wealthy sponsors, no means to raise a force. Difficult, but perhaps worth trying. After all, I am a transmigrant. If that fails, I’ll have to seek refuge with a warlord.”
“There’s Zhao Yun nearby—that’s a resource I can use.” Wang Bo’s thoughts shifted to Zhao Yun. “Who is Zhao Yun? My brother, my idol. With him watching my back, I’d be safe. He’d always lead the charge, and I’d slip away. But that’s not very honorable, is it?” He actually realized it was dishonorable.
“Thinking about it gives me a headache. If only it were as simple as playing a game: recruit warlords, gather generals, march armies to crush whoever I dislike. But now I’m just cannon fodder! Even cannon fodder might be better off than poor Wang Bo—at least they’re stronger. When reading those transmigration stories, why are those protagonists so amazing? They unify the country, defeat Cao Cao, and Liu Bei flees in panic.”
“When I used to play games, I always fantasized about returning to the Three Kingdoms, to that passionate, chaotic era, hoping to build my own empire with my own hands, to achieve great deeds. But after living here for so long, I find I yearn more for a peaceful life, carefree days. To watch little Duo’er grow up happily, to see her become a young woman, to find her a good family, always free from worry. I am, after all, a homebody, without grand ambitions. Life in peaceful times has worn away my fighting spirit and eroded my aspirations. But facing the coming chaos, how could I find peace or happiness? If war comes, I may not even survive, let alone protect my family and Duo’er.”
“Before the Yellow Turban Rebellion, it seems the world suffered many disasters—droughts, for instance. Our village’s thirty households depend on the grain outside. If a severe drought hits and crops fail, how will we peasants survive? That’s an even bigger issue, and it’s right here, needing a solution. We can’t rely on grain alone—we must seek other resources. But what to seek? I am a transmigrant, yet my transmigration seems to have failed.”
“Ah, truly conflicted.” Wang Bo tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep for a long time.
“Forget it. There’s no use thinking so much. If the sky falls, someone tall will hold it up. Take each day as it comes. For now, I’ll focus on improving my health, then find someone to teach me to read. Illiteracy is frightening, but that I can handle. The problem is, who can teach me? Most villagers are farmers, few can read. Wait—Grandpa Village Chief, he’s learned. Tomorrow I’ll ask Brother Feng; he’s been in the army and seen much, so he should know. All right, sleep.”
Maybe Wang Bo really stopped thinking, or maybe he was simply worn out from a day’s exertion—in any case, he soon fell into a muddled sleep. During it, he dreamed he had returned to modern times, sitting once more at his computer, with the familiar screen of Romance of the Three Kingdoms X before him. Suddenly, he felt something behind his computer and rushed to chase it. He heard—
“Thud.”
“Aah!” Wang Bo tumbled miserably from his bed.
---
The next morning, the fiery sun rose slowly, dispelling the darkness that enveloped the world. Pushing open the door, Wang Bo yawned, his eyes ringed with darkness as he stepped outside. He hadn’t slept well—too many thoughts last night, plus he’d fallen out of bed soon after drifting off. Now he looked utterly exhausted. Breathing in the fresh air outside, Wang Bo felt a little more alert.
“The air in the countryside is so relaxing. A few deep breaths, and I feel younger already,” Wang Bo muttered to himself. He walked around the yard to limber up, feeling a bit of soreness, but not the pain he had expected—in fact, there was a slight sense of strength.
Soon, Mrs. Li came out. Seeing Wang Bo in the yard, her face was full of relief.
When his mother appeared, Wang Bo hurried over to pay his respects.
Seeing his tired face and dark circles, Mrs. Li grew concerned. “Bo’er, didn’t you rest well last night? Your complexion looks so poor. Maybe you should stay home today and rest.”
“It’s nothing, Mother. I’m fine. Just didn’t sleep well, but it’s no big deal. Don’t worry too much.” Seeing her worry, Wang Bo quickly explained. He paused, then added, “I’ll persevere, Mother. I’ll make you proud.”
Mrs. Li was comforted, though she couldn’t help a hint of worry. “But—”
“I’m really fine, Mother. Look.” Wang Bo began jumping to show his health, but because of the sandbags tied to him, he wobbled awkwardly.
“All right, all right. No need to jump. I believe you,” Mrs. Li said, quickly grabbing him in alarm.
A burst of laughter came from inside the house. “Brother, you looked so silly jumping!” Duo’er ran out, teasing.
She came up and seized Wang Bo’s arm, swinging it playfully. “Brother, play with me!” Duo’er pleaded, her big eyes sparkling.
Looking into Duo’er’s clear eyes and hearing her bird-like voice, Wang Bo couldn’t refuse. “All right, I’ll come back early this afternoon to play with you, okay?”
“But—but—” Duo’er looked extremely aggrieved.
“Enough, Duo’er. Don’t bother your brother,” Mrs. Li said, seeing Wang Bo’s helpless expression and stepping in.
Hearing her mother, Duo’er reluctantly gave up, but pouted at Wang Bo. “Fine, but you have to remember your promise. If you forget, I won’t talk to you anymore!” She made a show of puffing her cheeks in mock anger.
Wang Bo couldn’t help but laugh at her antics. “Yes, yes, I’ll remember. Don’t worry.” He pinched her chubby cheeks.
Looking at the spoiled Duo’er and Mrs. Li’s lingering worry, Wang Bo felt both happy and content. He cherished this life deeply.
I must protect Duo’er, protect Mother, protect Father, protect this home from the ravages of war, and keep us living happily. But in these troubled times, can I really do as I wish? Will my hopes come true? He didn’t know, nor did I, nor did Wang Bo. Who would know? Perhaps only Heaven.
After breakfast, Wang Bo bid farewell to his parents and Duo’er, then set out alone.
He arrived outside Wang Feng’s courtyard. Opening the gate, he found Wang Feng already waiting. Wang Bo nodded and greeted, “Good morning, Brother Feng.”
“Morning.” Wang Feng nodded, then asked, “Why are you late today? I thought you weren’t coming.”
“How could I not?” Wang Bo replied resolutely. “Once I’ve decided, I won’t give up easily. I was talking to Mother this morning, so I got delayed.”
Wang Feng smiled and patted his shoulder. “Good lad, I knew you were the right one.”
---
“Heh, you flatter me.” Wang Bo smiled, scratching the back of his head, a bit embarrassed by Wang Feng’s praise. Suddenly recalling his desire to learn, he looked up and asked, “By the way, Brother Feng, I want to learn to read and study, but I don’t know who can teach me. Can you teach me?” He scratched his head as he spoke.
“I’m just a soldier—I can recognize some simple characters, but I can’t teach reading.” Wang Feng shook his head, helpless. Seeing Wang Bo’s disappointment, he asked, “Why do you suddenly want to study?”
Wang Bo looked crestfallen. “You know my health, Brother Feng. With you, I can only focus on fitness, but I can’t truly learn martial arts. If I can’t excel in martial arts, then I must pursue the scholarly path.”
After hearing Wang Bo out, Wang Feng nodded in agreement. He thought for a moment, then asked, “Are you really sincere about learning?”
“Of course, Brother Feng. Would I lie to you? I truly mean it.” Wang Bo nodded firmly.
“If you’re sincere, then I’ll ask the village chief for you. He’s the only learned man here. If you truly want to learn, he’s the only one who can help.” Seeing Wang Bo’s determination, Wang Feng secretly resolved to support him.
“Thank you, Brother Feng!” Wang Bo replied joyfully, thinking he finally had hope for his studies.
“No need to thank me. You and Xiao Yun are brothers, so you’re my brother too. Helping my own brother isn’t a bother at all.” Wang Feng was happy to see Wang Bo so eager. “But I must warn you—I can only speak to the chief for you. Whether it works out, I can’t guarantee.”
Wang Bo nodded. “I understand, Brother Feng. Don’t worry.”
“Good.” Seeing Wang Bo’s clear-mindedness, Wang Feng regarded him with new respect. “Get on with your training, as I taught you yesterday. I’m off to see the chief now.”
“Yes, understood, Brother Feng.” Wang Bo nodded and watched Wang Feng leave.
Leaving Wang Bo aside, Wang Feng wasted no time heading straight for the village chief’s little cottage, showing how seriously he took Wang Bo’s matter.
He arrived at the chief’s door, which was tightly shut. Unsure if the chief was home, Wang Feng stepped forward and knocked gently, respectfully asking, “Chief, are you home?”
“Who is it?” came a weathered voice from inside.
“Chief, it’s me, Wang Feng.” Hearing the chief was home, Wang Feng quickly replied.
The door opened, and a thin, elderly man stepped out. “Ah, Xiao Feng. Come in and sit. What brings you to me today?”
“Well, Chief, I’m here on someone’s behalf.” As he walked inside, Wang Feng explained, “I’ve come today because someone asked me to.”
“Oh?” The chief looked at Wang Feng in puzzlement. “Who asked you, and for what?”
“It’s Wang Bo, that kid,” Wang Feng replied.
“Wang Bo?” The chief’s expression changed.
“Yes, Xiao Bo told me he wants to study, hoped I could teach him. But you know my situation—I only know a few characters, I can’t teach. The boy seems truly eager, and you’re the most learned in the village, so he asked me to come and see if you’d take him as a student.” Wang Feng explained as he accompanied the old man inside.