Vol 8 Chapter 2 (2/2)

Yuan Shu expressed concern towards Ben Chu but Ben Chu got even more agitated.

Looks like something happened between Xuan De and Ben Chu at Guandu. I really want to ask what happened but I don’t think Ben Chu will tell me anything.

“Yes, Xuan De is now at Jing state. He’s probably just reached there a few days ago. What’s the matter?”

“No, nothing.” She frowned as she curled her hair by her ear with her finger, “I just wanted to tell you that taking the south won’t be like unifying the north. It will be more difficult and more costly.”

“I know this full well. But as Cheng Yu said, the southern campaign will commence eventually. After the Battle of Jiangxia concludes, I will weigh my options and make a decision then.”

“It’s best that you know then. When the time comes, the Ji state troops will be available for deployment.” As she said so, she paused for a moment before continuing, “I don’t mean anything by this, but Meng De better not underestimate Liu Yu Zhou. He may seem a little unreliable, and he may indeed be unreliable, but he is pretty useful all in all. Of course, don’t misunderstand me, I’m not saying that Liu Yu Zhou is very formidable, I just wanted to say that he is… Un…”

The more Ben Chu went on, the more confused she got, and by the end of it, she stammered and couldn’t find anything else to say. But I understood what she was trying to convey.

“I know. Liu Bei Liu Xuan De has a mysterious charisma and many people look to him, be it ordinary citizens or feudal lords. Even if I have a numerical advantage, I might find it difficult to defeat him, let alone eradicate him.”

“Ah, un. That’s what I meant.” Ben Chu seemed a little unsatisfied at my words, and folded her arms across her chest as she turned away.

“And you might have to pay a heavy price.” Just then, Yuan Shu added, and smiled, “I know this full well.”

I suppose.

I smiled, and continued, “I understand. In any case, I will consider this at length.”

When I finished, I felt that there couldn’t be much more else to say, and made to leave.

“Ah, Meng De.”

“Un? Is there anything else?”

“… Umm, what was your relations.h.i.+p with Liu Yu Zhou before? You can’t possibly know him so much if he was just your retainer, right?”

I wasn’t looking at Ben Chu’s face, but I could largely guess what her expression was at this time.

At this question, I only laughed lightly, “That huh… When you yell me about what happened between you and Xuan De at Guandu, I’ll share with you what you asked.”

“Ah! You!”

I didn’t bother listening to what she was going to say next, and briskly walked off. No matter what she said after that, I didn’t reply. She didn’t chase after me either.

Usually, I would be able to give some empty answers or wave it away when met with such minor questions. But in that instant when she asked me that, I felt rage fill my heart.

What right does Ben Chu have to ask me about such things? She clearly doesn’t have any.

… But now that I think about it, being petty and throwing a tantrum isn’t my style.

Hmph.

I don’t know why I found this amusing but I decided to leave this matter behind for now.

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