Vol 9 Chapter 56 (2/2)

If everything was as Huang Zu said, then it is very likely that we will be at war in 2-3 days’ time. And what’s more, the enemy will be our old friend and adversary, Meng De. We do not have sufficient information either as Meng De’s side does not seem to be planning on declaring their intentions before attacking.

Xinye… When Meng De learnt that I was dead and issued the order to begin the southern campaign, did she choose Xinye to be the first point of attack? Perhaps she wishes to recruit my companions to her side.

What can I say? Meng De is really logical even at times like these. Though I must say that, objectively speaking, my companions would probably be able to achieve much, much more and would be far better utilised in Meng De’s hands than mine.

Hai… I sighed as I thought so. I understood why she did everything she did but at the same time I did not and felt a little bitter.

“Big brother…” Yun Chang called out as she looked at me, her austere and honourable gaze seeming a little lackl.u.s.tre at this time. I could tell that Yun Chang had something to say.

“Yun Chang, if you have something to say, go ahead and say it.”

Perhaps that might help everyone else to speak their mind. At times like these, being silent is the worst possible thing to do. It will only further allow doubt and other negative emotions to fester as everyone keeps thinking pessimistically.

“Un.” Yun Chang nodded and turned to me, “Big brother, I think that we should announce the fact of your survival as soon as possible.”

“Oh?” I gasped in surprise. I did not think that she would echo Yuan Zhi’s thoughts but I wondered what her reasoning was, “Yun Chang, why so?”

As I asked her this, I cast my eyes around and saw that almost everyone was looking at Yun Chang.

“Un, I think that this is necessary as this could allow us to avoid an unnecessary battle.”

“I understand what you mean,” Zi Long picked up after Yun Chang, “What you mean is that you hope Lord Cao Cao can go around Xinye, right?”

“Yes.” Yun Chang nodded.

“That is a.s.suming that her only target is Liu Biao.” Liao Hua added, “What if that is not the case? What if, she wants to seize the opportunity to unify the Central Plains?”

“… Not so soon.” “No way, Lord Cao Cao’s aim should only be Jing state for now.” “If Lord Cao Cao was this adamant on killing xiao Bei, she had many opportunities to do so during, in between and after Xu state and Guandu.”

After the Xu state 3 finished giving their piece, they took a sip of liquor together. Looks like their opinions are all aligned on this.

“Let’s think about it this way. If we let Lord Cao Cao’s armies pa.s.s us by unharmed, that wouldn’t look very good on our end.” Chen Dao, who usually did not speak up during meetings like these joined in as well, “We are currently occupying Jing state’s bridgehead after all. By declaring neutrality, we are leaving Jing state vulnerable and taking away a defensive fortress from Xiangyang.”

“Lord Chen Dao is right but I don’t think that doing things like this is inappropriate.” Surprisingly, it was Yun Chang who firmly denied what Chen Dao said, “Simply because Lord Liu Biao nearly caused big brother to die! I respect and commend Lord Liu Biao for his loyalty to the Great Han but this dishonourable gesture is irredeemable.”

Yun Chang’s choice of words was particularly venomous. When I looked at her, I saw that the flames of fury in her eyes. Looks like she’s really angry and unhappy with Liu Biao because of what happened to me.

“I understand what Lord Guan Yu said but this should be the fault of Cai Mao right?”

“Cai Mao is Lord Liu Biao’s subordinate. It is his fault for being weak and not keeping his subordinates in line! If it were not for his sharing ancestral lineage with big brother, I would have chosen to a.s.sist Lord Cao Cao’s campaign.” Yun Chang looked at me as she continued, “I believe big brother, and also Lord Huang Zu, would not wish for this as well.”

“Un.” I nodded and remembered that Huang Zu was around and looked at her but she did not seem to be agitated by what Yun Chang said and merely nodded.

“I apologise on behalf of my lord for what happened to Imperial Uncle.” Huang Zu said and kowtowed to me.

“No, you are not to blame for this.” I hurriedly replied.

What surprised me, however, was that Yun Chang said almost exactly the same thing as Yuan Zhi did. Yun Chang was a little brash but what she said was logical. Because of what happened to me, everyone seemed like they had pent up rage and seemed to indicate approval of what Yun Chang said.

Perhaps I should reconsider Yuan Zhi’s original proposal. If I really were to attack alongside Meng De, Xiangyang might be mine by now.

<script>