Vol 2 Chapter 4 (1/2)

“Are you 3 here to receive us?”

It has been 2-3 days since we said our goodbyes to Gan Qing and left Qi commandery. Though we haven’t seen Xu state city yet, our hosts have appeared before us.

On this point, Tao Qian was more considerate than Kong Ong.

“Yes, we are here to welcome Lord Liu Bei.” The girl on the left said in a serious manner. “Ah, I am Sun Qian Sun Gong You.”

“Cao Cao’s army will be arriving soon, our lord is awaiting you in the city.” The girl in the middle said something that was critical with a cheerful look. “I am Mi Zhu Mi Zhi Zhong.”

“That’s how it is, we have been awaiting your arrival for a while now.” The girl on the right had a look that said ‘what a pain’ all over her face and she saluted with her eyes half closed. “Ah, by the way I’m Jian Yong Jian Xian He.”

(TL: Historically accurate, they all served Xu state’s governor, though Jian Yong was supposed to be a childhood friend of Liu Bei.)

“Sun Qian, Mi Zhi and Jian Yong right?” I accepted the setting before me as I repeated their names.

Though their looks and personalities seemed to differ quite a bit from each other, their gestures, clothing and accessories were very similar.

“How far are we from Xu state city?” Feng Xian, who was holding the map, rode up and asked.

“Not far.” “If we keep moving, we should reach by evening.” “That’s how it is, so get a move on.”

To divide a single sentence amongst all 3 and say them in a way that makes it connect perfectly, what a high level of rapport amongst them… But isn’t it bothersome to do so?

“In any case, we give thanks to Lord Tao Qian for sending us a welcome party,” I bowed while on the horse, “Let us be on our way.”

“Un, we’ll guide you.” 3 simultaneous voices.

As they said so, they turned their horses and began galloping while we followed.

“My lord I’ve wanted to ask this before.” Zhang Liao said as she rode beside me. “Why is Lord Kong Rong making us go? Our troops are few and he has not given us any.”

“Ah… Perhaps Lord Kong Rong feels that my relations.h.i.+p with Meng De is good and maybe I can convince her.”

“What? Wars are not games. Cases where mere words have stopped an army that has marched forth to its destination and is ready to strike are few and far.”

“Yes, that is correct Zhang Liao.”

In the first place, I don’t think that my relations.h.i.+p with Meng De is exceptionally good. Neither do I believe that just having a good relations.h.i.+p can resolve conflicts peacefully.

But even so, I do want to speak with Meng De, and hear her reason for attacking Xu state.

If my memory is correct, then Cao Cao attacked Xu state in retaliation for Cao Song’s death. But wasn’t Cao Song alive now? What is the reason for attacking Xu state? Or should I say excuse?

In the short period that I have known Meng De, I feel that she isn’t the maliciously cunning sort like in the original fiction or in history. Every word and every action is intended to bring about her ideal, and I have no basis for this, but I feel that Meng De’s ideal does no consist of personal ambition.

As I thought so, I quickened the pace… Though because I wasn’t a good rider, I couldn’t get it much faster anyway.

*Ughkuu*!–

(TL: The kind of heavy cough that makes you want to vomit.)

Aiya! What the f.u.c.k!

We headed for Tao Qian’s abode the moment we entered Xu state city and when we entered his room we were greeted with the grotesque sight of an old man who lay on a bed with blood spewing out of his mouth.

I, and everyone else, was utterly shocked.

“Th… This is…” I frantically backtracked and asked the 3 from Xu state who were calmly looking on from the side.

“That’s right.” This is our lord, Lord Tao Qian.” “He is as you see he is.”

What do you mean he is as is…

I’d expected him to be in poor health but this was far beyond anything I had imagined.

“Quick, Hua Tuo. Have a look at him.”

“Oh!” Hua Tuo had been wearing a worried look all this while and was eager to try and treat Tao Qian.

Hua Tuo went up to measure his pulse and I went up with her as well.mTao Qian’s face had no l.u.s.ter at all, and it felt like he could die at any moment.

“Lord Tao Qian, are you alright.”

Though these words are useless, I still have to ask them in such circ.u.mstances.

“Ah… Lord Liu Bei is here… Don’t worry, I’m fine.”

Though those words were a lie, they still have to be said under such circ.u.mstances.

“Hua Tuo, how is it?”

“… No good.” Hua Tuo said as she shook her head. “Lord Tao Qian isn’t ill in particular, he is just far too weak from old age and the life in him is almost drained, that is to say–”

… That is to say, he is dying a natural death of which there is no cure huh…

“I know… What’s wrong with my body, *ughkuu*!–” Every cough sounded like he was about to vomit his lungs out, “… Lord Liu Bei, I have heard of your name and I have also heard that it was Lord Kong Rong who sent you here… With this, I can be at peace.”

“Un? At peace?”

Tao Qian gave a slight nod.

“This Xu state city… As well as Xiaopei and Xiapi and all my other territories… Shall henceforth be yours Lord Liu Bei. I will write a letter of appointment and submit it to the Imperial Court.”

“Ah?”

No way, it’s my first time meeting you yo~~~

“Lord Liu Bei, don’t decline this…” I’m not declining, I just don’t understand. “My end is nigh and Cao Cao has marched her troops to my borders, and Xu state now… Has no one to take care of it~~ *ke* *ke* *ke*”

Tao Qian was actually sighing but his body was so weak he could only cough.

I looked at him and saw that though his body was weak, his gaze was resolute. I knew that he wasn’t just fooling around and actually planned on giving his lands to me.

… Just a while back, I was still thinking that it might be time to get ourselves a base and now Lord Tao Qian has sincerely offered his territories to me…

The most crucial of all was that he was unable to manage his territories at this time.

“In that case, I shall respectfully—- Eh eh! Why are you pulling me!”

Before I could finish my words, I was hauled out of the building by Yun Chang and Zhang Liao.

“What are you doing?!” I lost my temper a little as I yelled and tidied my clothing that they pulled me by.

“Big brother (my lord) wouldn’t be thinking of agreeing right?” 2 simultaneous voices.

“Yes I was, I think what Lord Tao Qian is saying makes sense.”

I said resolutely, upon which they sighed.