Vol 8 Chapter 19 (1/2)

VOLUME 8 CHAPTER 19: DON’T TELL ME THIS IS A LATE NIGHT CONVERSATION IN JIANGXIA (2)

Liu Bei POV

Even though I was actually rather happy about it, I can’t show it on the surface. If I do that then she will say that I’m getting carried away. I can’t possibly let her take back her praise for me when she’s finally acknowledged me for once.

“Don’t feign ignorance, Imperial Uncle. You know you did it brilliantly this time yet you still want me to praise you on every detail?”

“Un.”

“You even dare to un? Stop kidding around.” She seemed to have been genuinely surprised by my honestly and chuckled, “Fine. In any case, Imperial Uncle is indeed a fair bit better than when we first met, be it on capability or will. I must admit that Imperial Uncle isn’t just a useless wimp who only rides on the coattails of his subordinates.”

So that’s how she saw me from before…

“But really, thanks.” I had to thank, and accept, her praise anyway even if I wasn’t happy about her initial a.s.sessment of me.

“Hmhm.” She happily smiled when she saw me looking conflicted. But she retracted her rare bright smile shortly after and continued, “We may have done well in this battle, but we may have spoiled Huang Zu’s plans.”

“Eh?”

Spoiled Huang Zu’s plans? I didn’t understand what Chen Gong meant, but then I recalled what Chen Gong said before during the banquet and my curiosity was ignited once more.

“Could it be that you think what Huang Zu said was the truth?”

Chen Gong shook her head and looked a little down as she replied, “In reality, if we hadn’t partic.i.p.ated in the battle, Huang Zu’s words may have come true.”

“Why? If we hadn’t reinforced her, Huang Zu’s troops would have been decimated, no?”

“Of course not. Do you not understand, Imperial Uncle?” Chen Gong shook her head and looked at me as she began explaining herself, “Huang Zu brought 1,000 troops out of the city to meet Jiangdong in battle but this was only just outside the city. Even if things got bad, she could immediately withdraw back to the city. The garrison could easily cover for the troops in the with arrows and catapults so Zhu Ran and Zhu Zhi wouldn’t be able to rout them as they retreat. And if things went that way, they would have underestimated the capabilities of Jiangxia’s garrison.”

“So our reinforcement caused needless losses?”

“Not just needless losses. We could have also thrown Huang Zu’s plans into disarray. If I’m not wrong, I believe that Huang Zu wants to throw away the first battle to get Jiangdong to underestimate the Jiangxia garrison and lower their guard, and finally wipe them out when the Jiangxia navy arrives.”

“That does make sense…” I thought about how that would work and felt that it was possible.

Continuing on this thread, our reinforcement resulted in a setback for Jiangdong’s vanguard which could lead to a stronger reinforcement by the main body, and greater prudence and caution when they lay siege on the city. If that happens, then defending the city will be more complicated.

But who could have thought that things would be like that? Huang Zu never explained this to us beforehand with letters.

But if that really is the case, then she really gave us face. Not only did she not blame us for spoiling her plans, she even thanked us and threw us a banquet.

“Of course, this is just a guess. It could be that Huang Zu’s head is empty and she wasn’t thinking when she decided to leave the city.” Chen Ging squinted as she said so, mimicking Huang Zu’s eyes, “She seems like that sort after all.”

I can understand where Chen Gong is coming from.

I myself only half-believed Chen Gong’s guess after all as I didn’t know what Huang Zu was like, nor could I go and ask her either.

“Haa– Why are there some night owls about huh?” Just then, a voice came from behind me. It was soft, and very gentle, probably because the speaker mistook Chen Gong and I for ordinary soldiers.

I turned back and saw Chen Dao standing there. Her hair was untied, her clothing was a little unkempt and she wasn’t wearing the only plate armour she had– Her chest guard.

“Ah, it’s Chen Dao–”

“Eek!!”

I wasn’t very surprised, but she let out a loud cry when she saw me, and flailed her arms about for a long while before she remembered her untidy state and hurriedly tidied her clothing and then stood there stock still.

“My lord! Please make sure you rest sufficiently! Sleep earlier!”

It’s a little too late for that.

“Hahaha, I will.” I smiled stiffly and waved at her to sit down as well. This sort of time wasn’t one where you ought to place so much importance on etiquette after all.

“What about you, why aren’t you asleep at this time?”

Could she be troubled over something as well? That’s surprising.

“No, I was just awoken by Zhou Cang’s snoring and couldn’t go back to sleep.” Chen Dao shook her head as she said so.

Ah, so that’s why.

“So Zhou Cang is sleeping very well then.”

“Yes she is.”

Chen Dao looked ragged and was probably still very sleepy.

“Then why not go to my tent and sleep? You’ll probably be able to get a more peaceful sleep there.”

“Wh-what!!” But at these words, Chen Dao immediately leapt up and kept bouncing about as she shook her head, “No no no no, that can’t do. How could I have the right to sleep where my lord sleeps at? No, I’m not sleeping anymore!”

Will it really be alright…

Chen Dao is extremely stubborn in these minor things.

“Un? Since everyone is awake, how about taking a walk in the city?” I suggested.

I don’t know if it’s become a habit from my previous visits in other cities, but every time I get to a new place, I get the urge to explore the city. From what I remember, Jiangxia city should be a relatively prosperous area so even if martial law has been imposed, the architecture of the city should be a sight to behold.