Vol 1 Chapter 2 (1/2)

Don’t tell me this is considered being prepared

“Alright, with that, that’s done.” Yi De said as she stretched her neck.

“Un, thought the form was simple, the meaning behind it is deep huh.” Yun Chang said as she flicked her long red hair.

Though I feel like the meaning behind it was not very deep, perhaps there is much importance of the Oath as a key historical event.

I looked at the 2, and felt an inexplicable feeling of emptiness.

“Now then, what’s next?”

Don’t tell me, we are going to consummate this relations.h.i.+p?

I held up the feather fan tiredly and stared at the surface but naturally no sign came forth.

About the era of the Three Kingdoms, personally I don’t know all that much. Most of my knowledge comprises of bits and pieces here and there. From what I’ve seen so far, whether or not I am Liu Bei, I’m afraid that understanding history won’t bring too much benefits.

“Hnn hnn~~ About our next course of action, I have already thouht of it long ago!” Chang Fei held her hip and proudly raised her head, “Though I look like this, my family is actually quite rich yo~”

“Un, I see.”

“Ah… So?”

Yun Chang seemed to understand but I didn’t know what conclusion to arrive at from that.

“That is to say, there is nothing to worry about when it comes to recruiting troops and buying horses, big brother.”

(TL: In the actual Three Kingdoms, Liu Bei received sponsors.h.i.+p from a couple of rich merchants for his initial ventures.)

Ah, so that’s what she meant.

“But what you said is far too simplistic,” I shook my head.

It’s not that I want to be a wet blanket but the truth is like that.

“Having funds is good, but how will we recruit people? With just the 3 of us, who would be willing to listen?”

“Big brother’s words are right,” Yun Chang who seemed to understand the difficulty of the matter at hand said as she held her chin and frowned, “Moreover, even if we do manage to recruit people, in such a small county town, we can’t find the equipment for several hundred people right?”

Un…

Both I and Yun Chang sank into deep thought.

“That’s why,” Yi De said as a matter of factly, “That sort of thing, if we just leave it to big brother, won’t it be alright?”

“Ah?” I was bewildered, “Leave it to me?”

When did I ever have the ability to be a grand marshal? I’m only 17.

“No no no, I can’t.”

I hastily tried to s.h.i.+rk the responsibility she threw onto me.

“Big brother can definitely do it!”

I have no idea where she found that confidence from.

But no matter what I must dispel this notion from Yi De.

“Yi De, what I want to say is–”

“Oi~~~~ Everyone!! My big brother has something to tell everyone, please do listen!!~~~~”

“You really don’t listen to what I say at all huh…”

Seeing the figure of Yi De running out happily, tears streamed down my face.

“Don’t cry big brother, third sister means well with this.”

“Are you sure this isn’t called being reckless?”

“… Maa, we did just meet so we don’t know her too well.”

“Doesn’t that apply to me as well…”

Unfortunately, time did not pity me, and without much effort, over a hundred people had gathered in Yi De’s courtyard. Why are they so free, was there too much labour supply in the village?

I sat on a makes.h.i.+ft stage with my 2 sisters and looked down to the bustling crowd below. Though there were only several hundred people, I have never had to give a speech in front of so many people in school.

Before I could even begin, the people below had already begun to greet me and offer encouragement.

“Young man, good luck.”

“He’s always been a good boy, and so filial to boot. As expected, he is destined to do big things.”

“Un, the straw shoes he makes are so cheap and durable too.”

(TL: The actual Liu Bei was a straw shoe weaving villager before he rose an army.)

“Ah… Thanks, thanks everyone…”

I can’t believe so many people have expectations of me. The Liu Bei before me, you really are a great help.

“Alright! Everyone quiet down, we are going to start.” ‘Go, big brother’ Yi De whispered to me, and forcefully pulled me to the front of the stage.

‘Big brother, good luck.” Yun Chang encouraged me softly.

Ah!! I just have to shameless about it!

“Ah, my name is Liu… Liu Bei, probably someone from this county. Some of you may know me, some of you may not, but now I stand before you hoping you will know me.”

What the f.u.c.k, what bulls.h.i.+t am I spouting!!

“I gathered everyone here today for the sake of discussing the matters of the Imperial Court. Do you see everyone, the officials these days are wicked and corrupted, and with the Yellow… Yellow Turban Rebellion, as subjects of the Imperial Court, we have… Have a duty to contribute to our nation.”

No way what is all this lousy talk! Even I am not convinced by myself!

“To… Today, I stand here. To incite and awaken everyone’s spirits, ah… The spirit of warriors.”

I really can’t continue, what sort of shame play is this ahhhh ~~~

(TL: If what he said sounds incoherent to you, it’s intentional. Not bad writing nor is it my translation (I hope).)

… A-re? Why is everyone below all silent?

I looked down and several hundred pairs lf eyes were glued to me, as if they were waiting on my every word.

Is this for real? To think I got their attention with this much, could it be that the people of this era are all very simple-minded? … Alright, then I’ll just go at it with all I got.

“What does one mean by an individual? What does one mean by the world? What does one mean by the people? I believe that the core of the world is the people, that an individual is to be an example for the people, and that the duty of the people is to save the world. I do not represent the people, rather the opposite. I am only an individual, and everyone here represents the people. I will be an example for everyone, but in the end you all are the basis by which the world can be saved. So please, lend me your strength, for I am but a single commoner, so that we may save all the wretched in this world.”

(TL: I couldn’t find a reference for this speech and did the best I could to capture the original meaning and retain a grandiose feel in English but I probably failed ORZ.)

If I knelt down at this time, it would be perfect but I was not thick-skinned enough and bowed deeply instead.

It was silent below but in the next second–

HUOOOOO!!~~~~

The whole courtyard erupted in cheers, everyone’s face was filled with energy and they all looked at me with respect.

Though everyone’s reaction was positive, but if they were genuinely moved by my speech that was intended to incite, I really feel uncomfrtable inside… No good, my guilt is overflowing.

“Ah~~~ What a rousing speech, my tears just won’t stop.” Yi De was rubbing tears from her eyes that were a little red from crying.

“Yes, I never imagined that big brother would be exactly as little sister said at the start. More than that, he is truly a compa.s.sionate and righteous person. Yun Chang is really impressed.” Yun Chang bowed to me as she said so.

“Please don’t be like that, and you 2 aren’t supposed to be taken by those words…”