Vol 9 Chapter 34 (1/2)

VOLUME 9 CHAPTER 34: DON’T TELL ME THIS IS THE DEPLOYMENT TO XINYE (1)

Meng De POV

Un?

“Yuan Rang, what do you mean by that?” I tilted my head to the side and put on a puzzled smile, “I didn’t really kill anyone of note now, have I?”

Yuan Rang continued to look troubled.

“The matter with Lord Kong Rong will conclude with his execution soon. He has been far too brazen and killing him to instill fear in the rest and make them toe the line was something that had to be done eventually.” Yuan Rang raised her head as she said so and continued in a somewhat admonis.h.i.+ng tone, “Not all of the Imperial Court officials, both administrative and military, are loyalists of our faction. There are a number of retainers who accompanied the Son of Heaven back when he was forced to flee. Amongst them, there are some who are no friends of yours but they do not const.i.tute a credible force to be reckoned with.”

“Un, all that makes sense.” I vigorously nodded and smiled, “I didn’t think that Yuan Rang understood Court politics better than I did.”

“I don’t, but Meng De, you’ve been executing and demoting people left and right these few days. Not only that, you’ve openly and clearly filled the vacant positions with our loyalists.” Yuan Rang’s foot gnashed the floor as she said so and shook her head, “Even I can tell that there’s something.”

“What can you tell?”

“You’re being too hasty, Meng De.” Yuan Rang replied immediately, “Aren’t you afraid that tongues might wag with these actions of yours?”

“They probably will.” I nodded.

“This will only induce everyone from the lowliest official in Imperial Court, and everyone else inside and outside of the capital, to hate you even more.”

“Probably.” I nodded once more, my smile still remaining plastered on. This made Yuan Rang look even more serious, and she seemed to be at a loss as to how she ought to persuade me to her view.

“Hai…” I sighed and smiled again at Yuan Rang, “Those girls, they made you come here to speak with me about this because they think you are too innocent and simple.”

“…” Yuan Rang remained silent. Looks like she really is worried about me.

Never mind. Some things cannot be understood unless they are said.

“I don’t know if Xun Yu and Cheng Yu are just playing the fool or if they are truly ignorant but I am no mere tyrant and everything I have done has a reason behind it.” I looked up and slowly withdrew my smile as I explained myself, “Yuan Rang, do you still remember what I told you all during the meeting earlier today?”

“I do. You said that we are going to proceed south very soon and we are to prepare all of our troops and subordinates as soon as possible.” Yuan Rang summarised what I said but she still seemed doubtful, “What about this?”

“Yes, we are going to begin our southern expedition soon. And Li Dian and Cao Ren, who will serve as the commanders of the vanguard, have already begun deploying their troops to the border.” I added more details and returned to the main point, “Well then, if we are going south, then that means our rear will be exposed. This Court has 2 other factions apart from us, Hedong and Liaodong, and the other blabber mouths.”

(TL: Hedong and Liaodong refer to Yuan Shao’s factions, land held by the Yuan clan and their retainers.)

Of course, Hedong and Liaodong have some issues as well but it’s not too nice to say it on the surface. Ben Chu has been on leave from Court for a

while and I have no idea where she’s been or what she’s been doing. For me, in the long run, the only credible threat to my rule is Ben Chu… But now that we’re still in an alliance, I have no need to consider her as a threat for now.

“Un… So Meng De wants to shut up the Imperial Court?” Yuan Rang gave the answer while I was occupied with my thoughts.

“Well that settles it then.”

“But–”

“I know.” I smiled and immediately interrupted her when I saw that she had more to say, “I know you want to say that I’m moving too quickly. But personally speaking, I have to be this quick.”

“But… Why?”

“…” I sank into silence for a moment before arching my neck as I said, “Because I’m afraid that I will die any day.”

Ah… When these words came out, Yuan Rang finally understood.

I am afraid of death, but not because I am afraid of death itself. If I am dead, there is still Xuan De. But now that Xuan De is dead, I am the only one left.

If I am dead, who else is there?

I do not know when I will die or be killed. Therefore, until then, I must do my best to stay alive as long as possible and further accelerate my plans. I hardened my heart once more and s.h.i.+fted my gaze away from Yuan Rang to the window.

“Alright, I do not wish to talk about certain things anymore.” I was beginning to feel a little melancholic. This was uncharacteristic of me and would never have happened before.

“Alright,” Yuan Rang said as she got up with no intention of saying any further. On things like these, Yuan Rang is much more understanding. Perhaps between us both, she does not even need to look at my face to know what I am feeling.

“Oh, right.” As I looked at Yuan Rang’s back, I felt like I had to say something and called out to her.

“Un?”

As I looked this maiden who was as silly as she was brave, I smiled and saluted her, “Based on our deployment plans, you will be heading to Hedong in a few days. I’ll be leaving Hedong to you then.”

“Haha, are you still worried even with me?” Yuan Rang said as she thumped her chest with her fist hard and waved at me.

I have changed but they are all still the same.