Vol 4 Chapter 18 (2/2)

Looks like she hasn’t been sleeping…

But it’s good. Big brother is fine.

“Ah, what about Yi De?!”

“Lord Zhang Fei… Seems to have escaped, and was not captured.” Lord Cao Cao nodded and then smiled bitterly, “You lot are really difficult to deal with. Just a few thousand and you wrecked so much havoc in my tens of thousand strong force. If this happened with Yuan Shao, I would probably be wiped out within a few days.”

Hu~~ That’s great, everyone escaped.

“Alright, Lord Zhang Liao, help Lord Lu Bu to a seat and let her rest. Let’s start talking business.” Lord Cao Cao said as she got up and walked to the front of the table and smiled before she continued, “Do you all know why I invited you all instead of killing you all?”

“…” I looked back at Lord Cao Cao nervously and raised my blade to my chest, “If you wish to recruit us, then Lord Cao Cao’s efforts have been in vain.”

Hahaha. Lord Cao Cao guffawed the moment these words left my mouth.

“That is, of course, one of the reasons but not the primary one. If that was the case then I would definitely have had Hu Chi take away your weapons,” She said and stepped up to where I was, and continued in a very calm and quiet voice, “I have not killed you all because you all are Xuan De’s companions.”

Have I heard it wrongly?

“Because we’re big brother’s companions?”

“That is correct. That is why I cannot let you all die.” Lord Cao Cao nodded, “If you all are dead, Xuan De will never be able to rise again; if you all are dead, then that means that I can declare the conquest of Liu to be a success and the officials in Xuchang will begin to rebel and I probably have to kill them; if you all are dead then the Han will… Ah, you don’t need to pay too much attention to the last point.”

“…”

The more she said, the less I understood. I looked at Wen Yuan, and saw that she was just as bewildered as I was. But I do understand that it means we have a chance to see big brother again as long as we are still alive.

“It’s fine even if you don’t understand. In any case, you just need to interpret it as ‘If you 3 do not follow the will of the Imperial Court for now, then there are no benefits to Xuan De at all.'” Lord Cao Cao said as she pointed at my blade, “Of course, you could choose to kill me here and now and end yourselves as well. What say you?”

“Wu…” Lord Cao Cao said everything I’d been meaning to say and I was now at a loss as to what to do. She now stood in front of me, and did not intend on giving me too much time to decide.

I thought for a moment and looked at Wen Yuan, who nodded at me. Looks like they have entrusted me with the responsibility to make a decision.

Then…

“I have 3 requests.”

“Speak, I am willing to listen.”

“First, we have surrendered to the Han and not Cao Cao.”

“Deal.” Lord Cao Cao smiled.

“Second, Gan Qing and Mi Zhen, as well as Lord Hua Tuo, are to be treated well.”

“Deal.” Lord Cao Cao smiled as always.

“Third,” I took a deep breath and said the most critical condition, “If we should hear any news about big brother, we will immediately leave for him.”

“Hahahaha~~” Surprisingly, Lord Cao Cao seemed to be neither angered nor frustrated by this, and laughed instead. She patted my shoulders as she said, “This is the Yun Chang I know.”

At this, I finally relaxed.

(TL: In the original, as mentioned before, Lu Bu had died. Zhang Liao Zhang Wen Yuan had joined Cao Cao and was also the one who persuaded Guan Yu to surrender. Then, Guan Yu made almost the same 3 requests. The first was so that Guan Yu would not break the Oath of the Peach Garden. They had sworn to serve the Han so surrendering to the Han would not break the oath. The second related to Lady Gan and Lady Mi, who were staying in Xu state city then. Cao Cao was reluctant to accede to the third, but Zhang Liao persuaded Cao Cao to relent in the hopes of winning Guan Yu over.)

Meng De POV

“My lord, what is the meaning of this?” After the 3 left, Xun Yu’s voice came, “Those 3 are some of the strongest warrior generals of the land. If we cannot tame them, then we should kill them. Could it be that my lord still…”

“How can that be,” I said and sat back down on my seat behind the table and picked up a scroll, “No matter what, we are in dire need of talent now that we are about to face off against Yuan Shao. As you said, they are some of the strongest warrior generals. If we don’t use them, then who will? We will deal with what comes later. Just take them as temporary reinforcements.”

Xun Yu did not say anything to what I said which gave me some relief. I don’t know if I can keep my true thoughts to myself if she presses me further.

Hai~~

I leaned against my chair as the words in the scroll couldn’t enter my eyes which were begininng to close.

Whatever the case, it’s good that Xuan De is alive. Xuan De is another path for the restoration of the Han. He and his companions must not end here.

Gradually, I entered a much needed sleep.

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