Vol 9 Chapter 58 (2/2)

“… But it’s not like I’m very strict with them…”

Ah, Feng Xian truly looks pitiful.

“Un, un, that means troop morale is very good then.” Yuan Zhi said and continued, “What about their gear?”

“In good shape. Lord Chen Dao and I have been inspecting them the entire time.” Liao Hua answered to which Chen Dao nodded as well.

“Un, very good.” Yuan Zhi nodded and gave a long sigh before she continued, “Since troop morale, supplies and gear are good to go, victory in the upcoming battle should be easily attainable.”

“Victory for the upcoming battle is not a problem. No matter how large the enemy force is, based on Lord Huang Zu’s estimates, the discrepancy cannot be more than a few thousand.” Yun Chang continued, “What I am afraid of is what to do after we win the upcoming battle.”

“Yes, Cao Cao will definitely reinforce with the main body.” Wen Yuan shook her head, “And Xinye will forever be the bridgehead into Jing state. As long as Cao Cao doesn’t take it, it will be difficult to launch a full scale invasion. Which means that we will definitely be defeated at some point in the future.”

“Then why did you insist on fighting just now?” Chen Gong gave a tsukkomi.

“This and that are different things. No matter what happens in future, we must engage them in the upcoming battle.” Wen Yuan said as she smiled stiffly.

“That’s fine, everyone doesn’t need to consider things that are too far out. Just focus on winning the battle ahead of us.” Yuan Zhu said as she slowly raised her head, revealing her bright eyes that were now filled with resolve.

“*Dang* That’s easy for you to say.” Chen Gong said as she set her bowl heavily down on the table and looked at Yuan Zhi with a fiery gaze, “Those are pretty words but I wonder if you have the ability to back them up.”

Yuan Zhi did not reply and merely stared at Chen Gong in an airheaded fas.h.i.+on that seemed to infuriate her more and more. From my end, I could see Yuan Zhi fidgeting about with her sleeve, which meant that she was very nervous.

Alright, time for me to step in.

“Ah, Chen Gong, you need not worry about that. Yuan Zhi is a hermit scholar I met on the way here. I believe in her abilities.”

“Hermit scholar?” Chen Gong said incredulously, “Now that the world is in chaos, hermit scholars are dime a dozen. Who knows if this one is the real deal or not?”

“Chen Gong, shut up will you!” Before I could reply, someone else spoke up.

“Un?!” Chen Gong and I looked over and when we saw that it was Zhou Cang, Chen Gong got even more enraged, “Zhou Cang! What business do you have here?!”

“Hmph! You might talk all high and mighty now but I don’t recall hearing you offer a solution eh?” Zhou Cang said as she spread her arms wide open and then pointed at Yuan Zhi, which gave her a shock, “Look at her~ Compared to you, this new lady is so much cuter! And taller too~”

*Pa*! Chen Gong leapt to her feet, “T, taller! So what if she is taller!”

Looks like Zhou Cang hit her where it hurt. Her face was completely red and her seriousness and hostility from before had dissipated. It just so happens as well that Chen Gong was not wearing her thick sole shoes, which meant that she appeared much shorter than usual.

“Ah… Ahem.” Chen Gong realised this and immediately sat down.

But that said, this is indeed a lot more serious than I ever imagined. And I still do not know why Yuan Zhi thinks that victory is easy.

“Yuan Zhi, stop going around in circles, what do you suggest?” I ignored Zhou Cang and Chen Gong who continued to yell at each other and asked Yuan Zhi who looked at me, then at the night sky outside before slowly replying.

“What I mean is that we don’t need to defend Xinye. We should initiate an attack on them.”

“Initiate, an attack?”

I did not fully understand what she meant. As for the rest, some nodded while others just stared blankly ahead. Chen Gong seemed to still be focused on her height.

“Lord Huang Zu,” Yuan Zhi said as she looked at Huang Zu, “May I ask where the troops could have came from?”

Huang Zu, who had been silent until now looked up and thought for a moment before she answered, “Ah… They should have come from Fan city.”

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