Vol 6 Chapter 28 (1/2)

VOLUME 6 CHAPTER 28: INTERMISSION

Meng De POV

By right, the weather ought to have turned warm by now but because we were up north, it was still severely cold. So cold that even a chilly breeze brought pangs of pain to my head.

“Big sis, there are some marshes up ahead so we can’t go straight and have to go around them.” The one next to me who spoke up was my other little cousin, Cao Ren. Unlike Cao Hong, she wore full plate. It was weird though, as I remember that she usually wears a set of knee-length short robes with a very long belt that reaches the ground.

Despite her usual garb, one can’t afford to underestimate her as this little sister of mine is far more devious than I am.

“Why did you wear plate now that we’re taking on the Wuhuan? I don’t remember you being this cautious when we were fighting Ben Chu.”

“Wuhuan and Yuan Shao are 2 different things altogether. No matter how strong Yuan Shao’s troops may be, they are only Central Plainers so the tactics they can use are only so much.” Cao Ren a.n.a.lysed with a relaxed expression, “The Wuhuan troops are famous for their cavalry archers, who use poison-tipped arrows and specialise in marauding attacks and divide and conquer tactics, which are our bane. You never know when a stray arrow might come so some precautionary measures must be taken.”

I nodded, pleased at what I heard. This was her strong point. Though Ren and Hong are talented in martial arts, Ren is more prudent in how she approaches things and always thinks before she acts, and this is always a great help to me before battles.

“Meng De, I took a quick look just now. The route when going around is quite difficult and will delay us by at least 3-4 days…”

“We’ll do it, Yuan Rang.” I said to Yuan Rang on my other side, “I’m willing to pay the price of time. It’s far better than meeting with a grievous loss.”

And so, Yuan Rang went to issue the order.

I understand where she’s coming from. Troop morale declines during long marches but this can’t be helped now. We’ve already left Ji state so we can’t return without accomplis.h.i.+ng nothing.

“Has Cheng Yu returned?”

“… Imperial Chancellor.”

A moment after I spoke, Cheng Yu appeared on my side and matched the pace of my horse.

“How is it on Yuan Shu’s side?”

“Yuan Shu’s eastern route is closer to the marshlands and they’ve made the decision to go around them.”

Yuan Shu isn’t taking a risk either huh? Well that saves me the trouble of notifying them.