Vol 6 Chapter 12 (1/2)
VOLUME 6 CHAPTER 12: DON’T TELL ME THIS IS A LONG JOURNEY (8)
Yun Chang POV
Ever since I’ve been roaming about the Central Plains with big brother, recruitment of troops has always been left to him. After we arrived in Xu state, and the Xu state 3 joined us, it has been left to them. Though recruitment efforts have not ceased, big brother doesn’t seem to be too concerned about growing our army size.
When we fought Yuan Shu, Lord Cao Cao had lent us troops. Back then, Wen Yuan had suggested tp big brother that we should try to get them to switch sides and join us for real but big brother turned this down. Even when we left Xu state, he left all of the Xu state garrison to Lord Chen Deng and we somehow managed to break through Lord Cao Cao’s trap with just the 2,000 or so of our own troops.
Perhaps big brother doesn’t want to have too many troops but I still feel that big brother would have done as I have.
“Please come in.” I yelled out as I thought so, and Chen Gong and Zhou Cang who were here to meet me came in.
It’s been 2 days since they left after the negotiations concluded. I was still afraid that something might happen or that they would regret their decision and do something rash but now with the 2 of them before me, all my worries dissipated into nothingness.
“Have you accounted for everyone?”
“Un, we’ve settled on the respective groups.” “I really didn’t expect that things would end this way.”
Zhou Cang frowned, turning the face that attracted everyone into one that more resembled that of a mean-looking burly man while Chen Gong had an unrelenting look as usual and folded her arms while she looked to the side.
“And are you both ready to leave?”
“Un, that has been my intention from the very beginning.” “I am if what you promised is true.”
Of course it is.
As I stepped out, they both parted to make way for me. As I walked up to the entrance of the tent, I exhaled and slowly parted the curtains, letting in the rays of the afternoon sun which were so piercing that I had to cover my eyes with my hands.
Ha! Ha! Ha!
On the other side of my hand were an uncountable number of troops standing there and shouting towards me.
These troops weren’t the Imperial Chancellor’s, nor did they belong to any Governor.
They were now ours.
“How many is this?”
“We have 2,000.” “… 2,000 here as well.”
So we have 4,000 in total? A few days’ provisions alone would be quite a significant expense.
“That idea of yours is really great, Yun Chang. Not only have you solved the problem of a lack of food, you’ve also increased our army manifold.”
Just then, Wen Yuan came over with a jovial smile and rolled up her sleeves before putting her hands around my neck and twirling about.
My idea might not be the best but it was something that could work.
Chen Gong’s village town and Zhou Cang’s refugees numbered 3,000 or so for each group while Chen Gong’s stores were only just enough to support its population.
Instead of making both sides unhappy, I felt that it would be better to bring some along and settle them elsewhere. If I bring them to where big brother is, he probably won’t mind taking them in.
As for Chen Gong and Zhou Cang, both of them have indicated that they wish to come along as well. Zhou Cang was worried about the people who have followed her this far while Chen Gong wanted to come along after she heard that big brother is a royal relative…
“Excuse me ms general, is your lord really the Imperial Uncle of the present Son of Heaven?”
“Un, my lord even got appointed the Governor of Yu state when he was recognised as a royal relative during his first Court session… Though I don’t recall him doing much.”
“Oh my oh my, he got a state Governor appointment just by being recognised as a royal relative! Looks like my future is secured.”
Chen Gong didn’t trust me and went to ask Lu Bu. When she heard Lu Bu answer, she exclaimed as she clapped and nodded her head, and seemed to be interested in big brother even though she hadn’t met him yet. But really, she’s thinking about her path to future promotions already?
*w.a.n.g*!!!
“Eek!”
“Good boy~ Good boy~”
Red Hare clearly didn’t like this girl who was infatuated with officialdom though.
“Wen Yuan, has everyone been accounted for?”
“Un, I’ve got a count for everyone already.” Wen Yuan said as she took a piece of paper out from her pocket and began reading from it, “620 cavalry, 1,820 footmen, 640 bowmen. The rest are non-combatants. Some are family members of the troops while the remainder are those who have heard of our lord’s exploits and have joined us willingly.”
So big brother’s name has spread all the way south huh. I suppose it makes sense since ordinary citizens who have endured such hards.h.i.+ps will want to join a kind and compa.s.sionate feudal lord.
I felt like I was put in a spot. Troops were fine, and I don’t mind being held back by non-combatants but I was afraid that they would hold back big brother one day.
But if it’s big brother, he’ll probably say that he doesn’t mind.
Really, being a compa.s.sionate ruler is so difficult in the beginning. There are too many things a compa.s.sionate ruler can’t put down after all.
“Why did you laugh, Lord Guan Yu?” Zhou Cang asked as she looked at me.
I clapped Zhou Cang’s shoulders, which made her stare at me even more intensely, and I couldn’t help but laugh. “It’s nothing, I just felt that I picked a rather difficult route just as Liao Hua said.”