Vol 1 Chapter 2 (2/2)

My speech were my true feelings however. I was just an ordinary 17 year old youth, where would you find a 17 year old youth with the actual appet.i.te to support the world? In the end, I really need to depend on everyone’s strength to make it work.

But before I end up having to handle the world, I must think of how to get back.

“Alright, all those willing to join us come here and sign your name.” Yi De was really quick on her feet, to have progressed to the next step… Looks like she was sure of the success of my speech from the beginning.

I glanced over, and saw that all those who listened to me before were all queueing up and there were people from both s.e.xes.

I felt a.s.sured but also pressured because these people had chosen to believe me, an ordinary youngster younger than most of them, and that was because of my words.

And I, have no background in military affairs, and am confronted with having to lead them through the next difficult task.

As for the next step–

“Yun Chang, we now have troops. But what do we do about horses and equipment.”

“Un, I’ve been thinking about that.” Yun Chang said helplessly, “The only thing we can do is to buy as much as we can, and where lacking have everyone prepare their own supplies and weapons. We aren’t an official unit after all, so there’s no way we can have everyone wear the same uniform, and can only have everyone make some sort of symbol on their clothes.”

“Un, we can only do that.”

“If it’s equipment we are talking about, I know someone.” Yi De said as she poked her head out from the crowd.

And she really did…

Yi De dispersed the crowd at the agreed time and brought us to a shop in the town.

“Zhang s.h.i.+ Ping and Su Shuang, we are all good sisters right.” Yi De said as she seized 2 girls who were like little sheep.

“Ah… Yes.”

“Maa, maa.”

Looks like they are the shopkeepers…

“That’s right that’s right,” Yi De slapped their backs, “Since that’s the casem then sell me your horses and steel ingots eh.”

“”… Alright, the price shall be whatever you say.”” The 2 girls said helplessly.

“Hahaha, thanks eh. Don’t worry, I won’t be too miserly.” In contrast, Yi De was laughing heartily and went off to see the horses and steel ingots.

… Isn’t this coercion?

As I watched her leave, I walked over to the 2 girls who were about Yi De’s size.

“About that, you 2, I’m really sorry.” I went up and bowed as I apologised.

The 2 looked at me, then looked at each other, before bursting into laughter.

“The ones who should say sorry should be us.”

“Eh?” I didn’t understand and the 2 began to explain on seeing my expression.

“We go way back. Every time Yi De buys something, she always acts like she is coercing us into a transaction but in actual fact her prices are higher than what we usually charge.”

“Though we accepted her high prices, we do not compromise at all on wuality and have always given her the very best.”

“Hai~~~” I sighed in amazement, she really was a good girl huh.

“As expected, being sworn siblings with you 2 was the correct decision.” Yun Chang, who had just been silently smiling at the side until now, suddenly said. “Big brother has a big heart, is compa.s.sionate, kind and poetic. And though little sister may be a bit reckless, but she is honest, virtuous and is a true brother. People like the 2 of you are rare in recent times.”

(TL: It sucks that there is no true translation of 义气 in English.)

“Maa, that’s a bit of an overstatement.”

I laughed embara.s.sedly, and thought of the society I lived in and felt like it was a little ironic.

“Can I ask what kind of weapons you would like?”

After the horses were settled, we brought the steel ingots to a blacksmith. Apart from plate armour, we had to find a suitable weapon for us.

“Ah, the mightiest type of weapon, best if it’s the kind that can pierce and stab. It’s okay if it’s a little heavy.”

“A sword, a broadsword would be good. It’s okay if it’s a little heavy.”

(TL: Chinese broadsword, ie Dao, not the Western kind.)

“As for me… As expected it will be twin swords… As light as possible.”

The blacksmith looked at me as I said so, before proceeding to craft the weapons.

Ah, I hate conforming to settings. While choosing anything probably wouldn’t matter, I feel like it wouldn’t be Liu Bei without twin swords. And thought these 2 people might have different s.e.xes from their originals, they still chose their signature Green Dragon Crescent Blade and Serpent Spear.

“Speaking of which, what about plate armour? Are you 2 not wearing some plate?”

“I’m fine in my usual clothes, plate will only weigh me down.”

“As for me, because of my b.r.e.a.s.t.s, plate isn’t too suitable.” Yun Chang awkwardly looked at her… Un, definitely not suitable for plate. “So, so I’m going to wear coat armour, but I don’t know what colour would be good.”

“What’s the difficulty there?” I pointed to some cloth in the blacksmith, “How about that green, that looks good, no?”

Since when does Guan Yu not wear green?

“Green… Huh.” Yun Chang thought for a moment and stoked her long hair before she broke into a smile. “Azure green symbolises loyalty, I like that. Thanks for the suggestion big brother.”

“Maa, as long as you like it.”

This is the first time I knew that azure green has that sort of meaning.

“Since it’s what big brother chose for me, then I will wear this green for life and follow big brother.” Yun Chang blushed and bowed to hide it from me.

Yun Chang really takes formalities seriously, maa, it’s also fine that way.

Speaking of which…

“Speaking of which, you 2 know martial arts right? How did you all learn it?”

“Eh?”

“Martial arts?”

Un? What’s the matter?

“I’ve never learn martial arts before?” Yi De said as she bent her head to the side.

“Neither have I, I sold dates before this.” Yun Chang also had a perplexed look on her face.

“Then… That is to say you don’t know how to fight at all?” I rubbed my tightened eyebrows.

Nod nod.

“Then why do you all want such heavy weapons!!”

“…”

“…”

They both looked me in the eye.

“”Because if it’s too light, we can’t carry it.””

“Haa?”

I really didn’t understand what was going on.

Only later then I would find out. In this era, to give customers face, and also for customers who want to hide their strength, the standard business practice is to take the opposite meanings of light and heavy when taking orders.

… Now I know why the blacksmith looked at me strangely.

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