Vol 8 Chapter 34 (2/2)

Thereafter, she blinked and extended her hand to take the reins of her horse which Wen Ping had led over.

“But it’s good to see uncle being so energetic.”

“Please don’t test my liveliness like that. My heart might just stop.”

“Don’t exaggerate it so much.” She said calmly, not guilty at all at making my heart pound for a moment.

“My lord, your horse.”

“Ah, alright.”

Hai… I gave a long sigh as I turned back and looked at the burning port, and at Jiangxia city with sorrow.

Hei!

I mustered up what strength I had in my hips and leapt up onto the horse in 1 go. Because this was a new horse, it was difficult to control at first so I had some difficulty after mounting it.

“Uncle, let’s get going then. Yi Ji has more or less finished tallying the numbers already.”

“Ah, un.” I hesitated for a moment before nodding. In my mind, I was thinking about my companions in Xiangyang and about Jiangxia.

I didn’t manage to partic.i.p.ate in a lot of events here and it feels like everything, including the decisive battle, went by in a flash.

The only things left, are the yells of slaughter and the embers.

Has Huang Zu really decided to die defending the city? Or has she already given up and fled with the remnants of her troops.

I don’t even need to think about it, she definitely chose the former.

Because an opportunity to prove her undying loyalty, and fulfill her desire to repay Liu Biao, has manifested itself in Jiangxia city. And so, to her, defending it to the death is something natural as she will lose her meaning to live if the city is gone.

Could she have seen this coming from the very beginning?

My impression of Huang Zu has undergone many different changes. I first thought she was a weirdo, and later felt that she was very high-handed. On the other hand, she cares for and listens to the people. At the same time, she is also a very strong warrior. It’s not very clear, but Huang Zu has her own path as well.

Though this path is about to end, I have been very much touched by it and have learnt much from her, how she had an unwavering optimism, and gave off an impermeable sense of security.

Have I overestimated her? No, I don’t believe I had.

Huang Zu POV

I’ve done everything I can.

Though I still can’t make up for anything, nor have I achieved anything at all.

But I don’t regret it in the least.

“Su Fei! How many troops made it out?” I yelled out to the honest naval general behind me.

I didn’t look at her but she didn’t reply me after a long while. I thought she was counting off but when I turned back, I realised that she was just silent.

The ones who made it out could easily be counted with the naked eye. No matter how generous you wanted to be with your estimates, they were merely 1-200 men.

Amongst them were 4-5 sole survivors of my black cavalry. The rest were the navy. Their armour was light and many only had a short sword with them.

Ah… This really is… How are we going to defend the city later?

I really don’t know what to say.

But never mind, it’s better than having no one.

“Administrator, should we continue to defend the city or go to–”

“I’m not going anywhere, I’m defending the city!” I yelled out at her, so that her words wouldn’t dampen morale.

When she heard my yell, she didn’t speak any further. I can tell that her dissatisfaction with me has reached its peak.

“Apart from Su Fei, who else is around?”

“Vanguard Chen Jiu is here!”

Chen Jiu huh… So there are still generals around.

“Alright! When we reach the city, you shall bring these troops to defend the south gate. I’ll deploy the reserves.”

“Understood!”

The city garrison has about 3-400 reserves left. Along with these 200 or so here, we should be able to defend at least 1 gate.

Even if the city should be lost, I must die by combat on the city towers.

“Administrator, when we get to the city, should we draft the city’s adult men–”

“No!”

“Administrator Huang Zu!” Su Fei finally couldn’t take it anymore and called out to me by my name.

What she said is reasonable but I cannot abide by it. My duty is to protect the people of Jiangxia so how could I possibly draft the people to defend the city!?

I am supposed to protect the people, not the city.

“Administrator Huang Zu, it’s a little late to be saying this, but if you had listened–”

“Don’t say any further, I don’t feel that I made a wrong decision with that matter.”

“Administrator, you’re too high-handed! How can your subordinates–”

“If I am not! The city would have been gone long ago!” I roared out once more. I know I shouldn’t but I still did it.

Because I don’t know any other way of doing things.

Though I can understand where Su Fei is coming from, I am unable to accept what she is proposing.

My lord Liu Biao, if it’s you, will you prove of my actions now?

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