Vol 8 Chapter 18 (2/2)

“We’ll be heading back first then. Though we have handed over our command tallies, we must still have our own plans when it comes to the crunch. Huang Zu might have made it seem like we can win but I feel that uncle should understand what the situation is like.” Liu Qi said as she rode up a few steps ahead.

“Un, I understand.” Of course I understand. As for Huang Zu’s words, I take them as mere words of encouragement, “Speaking of which, how many troops are left on your side, Liu Qi?”

“A thousand odd.”

“Un, then with my thousand odd and the 4,000 strong garrison, we have about 6,500 in total.”

Honestly, this was far too few. I doubt we will be able to stand against the main body of Jiangdong’s punitive force.

“Let’s follow what Huang Zu says for now. If there is anything that goes wrong, we will act according to the situation.” Liu Qi rode off when she finished. I couldn’t react in time and could only silently salute and bow to her back.

“Alright, let’s get back too then.” Chen Gong said as she rode up to me, with an expression that was neither happy nor sad but indifferent.

Indeed, the best mood to take for now is that of indifference.

Can’t sleep.

I was lying on a wooden board for a bed, and was tossing and turning to the point where I almost fell to the ground.

Though I said I ought to be indifferent to things for now, it wasn’t so easy to do so in practice. We may be the reinforcements, but our side were the ones at a gross disadvantage, and we can’t exactly s.h.i.+rk off all responsibility should we lose this battle.

At least, that’s what I think so.

Un… I rubbed my eyes and sat up on my bed. I then got off my bed and put on a thin coat.

Now was the transition period between spring and summer so I’m not too sure what time it is now. My best guess would put it at about 4-5am which means that it would be Yin s.h.i.+ now.

I stepped out from the tent and looked to the east. There was no sign of light on the horizon at all which meant that it wasn’t too late yet and my guess shouldn’t be too off.

If I were back in my era, I would probably grab some supper from the refrigerator, and then go back to my room and play games until I fall asleep or until dawn comes. But here, all options are clearly out of the question.

I remember having supper once in Xuchang. It was only porridge but it tasted pretty good. Surprisingly, the one who made it was Yun Chang.

I wonder how it’s like on Yun Chang’s side now. Would they be in any peril during the military exercise? — By they, I mean Liu Biao’s side.

I hope that if anything happens, Yun Chang can show some mercy.

“Who is that? Why are you wondering about outside even when it’s so late?”

Eh? When I heard someone call out from behind, I turned back to look and met eyes with her as we both recognised each other.

“Chen Gong? Why aren’t you asleep yet?”

“I was going to ask Imperial Uncle the very same question.”

“I can’t sleep.”

“That’s obvious. If you could sleep, you would be sleeping already.”

What an unproductive conversation.

Chen Gong was presently sitting on a log beside the brazier, and was watching some branches in her hand which she stuck into the fire. She would even stir the flames from time to time, sending sparks flying up towards the sky which disappeared without a trace soon after.

“You can’t sleep as well, Chen Gong?” The reason why I’m asking this is not because I want to continue the unproductive conversation but because I was hoping to get Chen Gong to share her thoughts when I saw her pensive expression.

“Could you have stayed awake all night?”

“No, not really. I just woke up as well.” She said as she shook her head. I s.h.i.+fted my gaze to the brazier, and saw that there was quite a bit of burnt material stacked up which betrayed how long she actually stayed here for.

“Would you mind me sitting beside you?”

“… Imperial Uncle can sit where ever he wants.” She said without even looking at me and scooted over a bit to give me some s.p.a.ce on the log.

Hai… I gave a long sigh like an old man as I sat down. I picked up a stick and began stirring up the brazier just like Chen Gong.

“Don’t stir it any old how, Imperial Uncle. There’s a proper way of doing it.”

Bulls.h.i.+t! What kind of proper way is there to stirring braziers!

I retorted violently in my heart but didn’t verbalise it, and only gave a stiff smile as I put down the stick. When she saw me give up playing with the fire, she continued playing. Naturally, I couldn’t see how her movements seemed proper in the least.

Un? Why do I feel like there’s something wrong with Chen Gong when I look at her?

“Imperial Uncle, there’s something I have to admit.”

“Eh?”

Without any foreshadowing at all, she suddenly spoke up.

“What is it?”

“Ah… Un, I feel that for the most recent battle, based on the results, Imperial Uncle’s tactic was the right one.”

Ah, I see. So she was praising me. If you want to praise me, then just do so. Why do you have to look so unwilling while doing it?

“Why this all of a sudden?” I asked even though I know why.

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