Vol 8 Chapter 29 (2/2)

This was her first true battle but she was so much better than I was, and even better than my showing in the next few battles as well. Why did someone so strong and capable not receive much mention in history? I don’t remember a single line of praise about Liu Qi in history at all.

It’s a little unfair.

“Imperial Uncle, should we be heading to the riverside now?”

“Yes,” I nodded, “We’re going to find Chen Dao and Zhou Cang while Liu Qi will be looking for Wen Ping and Yi Ji.”

“Un.” Liu Qi nodded as well.

Chen Dao and Zhou Cang never returned last night so they should have slept at the riverside. Or they could have been busy all night. We didn’t help at all last night so we should go and do something now if there is anything left.

Jiangxia’s port was to the north of the city, about 1km away or so. It wasn’t too far and walking there wasn’t too difficult. On the 2 sides of the port was a cliff and a forest. Because of what happened before, the forest had been thoroughly checked. We’d also received reports that the main force has embarked and is travelling by the sea route so most of the troops were arriving by sea and were likely attacking both the port and the north gate behind the port.

“Look over there, Imperial Uncle. Seems like they managed to make something out.”

Just as we left the north gate with some attendants, Chen Gong was able to spot the constructs with her sharp eyes. I too looked into the distance, and saw more than 10 large scale s.h.i.+ps docking at the port. At the sh.o.r.e, there were some cannons set up.

The waters were calm today unlike how choppy and vigorous they usually were. Perhaps the waters are setting the stage for the upcoming battle.

The preparations look decent all in all.

“With all these preparations, we should be able to last for a while.”

“Un, if it’s like this, then we should be able to last till noon.” Chen Gong, who had experience with building and setting up cannons gave her view. I don’t know much, but they should have done their best.

“My lord! My lord!” Just then, a voice called out to me from up ahead. I looked over and saw Chen Dao waving at us from a great distance away. Her eyesight must be really good if she can identify me from that far.

And beside her was Yi Ji. She did not speak, and only silently bowed.

I looked at Liu Qi beside me and saw that she was idly staring at Yi Ji. Her hands were in front of her chest as though she wanted to raise them and wave but she didn’t do so.

Seeing how she was, I felt that she was a little bad at expressing herself so I decided to lead by example and began waving, “Oi, How is it on your side, Chen Dao!”

“Very good~~” My voice wasn’t too loud but Chen Dao still heard it. Her hearing must be really good if she can hear what I’m saying from that far.

Liu Qi stole a glance at me when I waved before she raised her hand and lightly waved at Yi Ji though she still didn’t speak.

Even though interacting with your generals can help you calm down at times like these.

Thereafter we followed Chen Dao to the encampment where all thousand odd reinforcements were staying at.

“I saw the naval defence works, they’re not too shabby. Last night must have been tough.” I said as I sat down.

“It was indeed tough.” Zhou Cang sat down cross-legged with no heed to her image at all. Her hair was beginning to curl and was covered in dirt, “I didn’t know that Imperial Uncle knew about the construction of naval defences. If it weren’t for the a.s.sistance from the garrison troops, I wouldn’t know what to do at all.”

“No, that’s what I heard from Chen Gong.” I didn’t know how to judge the naval defence works but said so anyway because Chen Gong said so.

“I didn’t think that Chen Gong would know how to praise people.” Zhou Cang said in shock.

“If something is good, then it’s good. Nothing wrong with saying things for what they are. But I do want to have a good look at the parts you were in charge of since they were what you did after all.”

“What did you say!”

“Alright, alright… I can’t believe you both still can fight like that even when our enemies are so near.” I hurriedly stopped their fight, but thanks to them, I felt a lot less nervous than before.

“So we’re going to partic.i.p.ate in the battle then?” Just then, Chen Dao asked with a gloomy expression.

“Yes, unfortunately.”

“No no, there’s nothing wrong with that.” Chen Dao hurriedly shook her head, “But when we start fighting, I’m afraid that I won’t be able to protect my lord. It might be like before and I might be too preoccupied with fighting and killing.”

Chen Dao lowered her head when she finished. When she said like before, she probably meant the time when she lost herself while fighting with Ling Tong.

“Ah, ah, you don’t need to take that to heart. I’ll take care of myself. Everything’s alright as long as you’re fine.”

“But…” Chen Dao was still hesitant and I went up and held her hand.

“It’s fine. Raise your head.” She obediently raised her head slowly and I continued, “You’ve done brilliantly on this expedition. When we return, I’m sure Zi Long will praise you.”

“My lord!” When I finished, she tightly gripped my hand and looked at me with tear-filled eyes.

“If we can return back alive, I, Chen Dao, will continue to be loyal to my lord until the end.”

“You’re exaggerating a little too much…” I laughed.

“Ah, right.” Just then, I remembered something from before and rummaged about in my sleeve, hoping that I remembered to bring what I was searching for with me.

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