Vol 9 Chapter 53 (1/2)
VOLUME 9 CHAPTER 53: DON’T TELL ME THIS IS A BANQUET IN XINYE (5)
Liu Bei POV
“What happened?”
“Un…” Yun Chang frowned and bit her lips. She looked extremely troubled as she sighed before continuing, “I don’t know how it leaked out, but Cao Cao to the north and Jiangdong’s Sun Quan have learnt that you have gone missing.”
“Eh?!” I was shocked to learn that. In my mind, I could see Meng De and Sun Quan’s faces very clearly, and what their reactions would be to learn that I had gone missing. I hurriedly looked about and when I saw that everyone else was still engrossed in merrymaking, I heaved a sigh of relief and looked at Yun Chang, “How have they reacted?”
“Their reactions are basically the same.” Yun Chang said, “Both sides believe big brother to be dead and now that Jing state is showing signs of instability, they are preparing to invade Jing state.”
I see… But how did this news get out so fast… Communications in this era should be slow and there is clearly no benefit to Jing state to broadcast this so who could have…
Ah–
“Un? What happened big brother? Do you feel unwell?” Yun Chang hurriedly asked me and reached out to touch my back when she saw my look of realisation.
“Ah… No, nothing…” I just realised that they could have received definitive information on my status as someone did see me sink into the depths after all.
If what I saw was not a dream, then Lu Su was there when I fell into the water. Lu Su failed to save me back then and he might have thought that I really did perish then and there. Later on, he would have undoubtedly reported about this back to Jiangdong. But… What about Meng De’s side… How did they know?
“However, there is no need to worry too much about Jiangdong for now. Their fleet is still not yet ready so it will be difficult for them to mount a full scale invasion without enough s.h.i.+ps to traverse the Yangtze.” Wen Yuan continued after Yun Chang, “But Lord Cao Cao however–”
Wen Yuan looked about and whispered into my ear, “Informal sources have told us that Lord Cao Cao’s troops have begun congregating near the Jing state border in preparation for a southern campaign.”
“Have they begun it yet?” I asked, to which Wen Yuan returned to her position and shrugged as she continued drinking her liquor.
Un… I, on the other hand, have lost the mood to drink. I never imagined that news of my alleged death would have travelled this far and wide in such a short span of time. Nor did I expect that Jing state would attract the attention of Meng De and Jiangdong now.
“Ah, by the way, do they know that I’m alive?”
“No.” Yun Chang replied immediately, “You only returned today so no one knows that you alive, be it the north, east or even Liu Biao. Speaking of which, should we make an announcement about this?”
“Ah…” I was honestly a bit troubled as to whether I ought to do as Yun Chang said. Based on what Yuan Zhi, Zi Long and I discussed before, we should not do it. But now, with every side beginning to make a move, and with Liu Biao down, there is little doubt that my alleged death has had a part to play in all this.
Is it really the right decision to continue hiding the truth that I am alive? At the same time, will announcing it actually have an impact? I was really troubled and there was no way I could make a decision on this in such a short time. I looked up and looked for Yuan Zhi, who was concentrating on her bowl as she wiped it with a cloth.
“Un… Please giv
e me some time to think about this. Don’t talk about this for now. Please excuse me.”
I decided to consult Yuan Zhi first and got up as I made my way to where Yuan Zhi was. For the sake of lightening up my mood, I decided to cast my eyes on my companions twirling about in the center.
It seems like 2 more dancers, Zi Zhong and xiao Yong, have taken to the stage. Only the immovable Gong You was left sitting at the side. But even so, even with how she usually is, Gong You is actually clapping away.
“My lord! Come on over too~” Just then, the ever-sharp Zi Zhong detected the me who was trying to remain hidden.
“Alright, but wait for a while.” I still have important things to attend to. I would really like to join in but I will have to leave it for later.
Yuan Zhi, Yuan Zhi.” I called out softly when I made my way over, feeling lucky that she did not join the rest.
“Ah… Ah.” Yuan Zhi seemed surprised to hear someone call out to her and looked up and about. When she saw me, she calmly replied, “It’s Xuan De huh?”
“Ah, yes.” I quickly picked up after her when I saw that she was not about to continue speaking and did my best to ask about her as naturally as possible, “How is it? Are you able to get along with my companions?”