Vol 9 Chapter 63 (2/2)

“Lord Zhou Cang… Is this… A Nanman headdress?” Chen Dao, who was beside her, tsukkomi-ed first.

Yes, that seemed to be what she held before me. It was basically a circlet made out of gra.s.s with various unnamed plants and flowers of various lengths stuck on it. There was also a veil of sorts made by large leaves which could be pulled down.

Could it be a Nanman crown? It has a veil after all, crude it may be.

“Too bad~” Zhou Cang judged Chen Dao’s answer as incorrect, which meant mine was incorrect as well. She then held it up above her head and continued, “Has everyone heard of the Wuling Man?”

“Wuling Man?”

“Wuling Man, they are a barbarian tribe who live in Wuling. Emperor Guangwu of Han sent armies 3 times to suppress them but faced great difficulties every time.” Someone began explaining from behind. When I turned around, I saw that it was Huang Zu who had her hair combed and her plate skirt on, “On the 3rd expedition, Ma Yuan, General Who Calms The Waves, died from illness.”

“Ma Yuan?”

This name sounds familiar but I have no impression at all. Oh well, it’s not like I was very interested in history.

“Un un un! That Wuling Man.” Zhou Cang seemed very pleased with Huang Zu’s explanation and continued as she pointed at it, “This hat of mine belonged to the leader of the Wuling Man. Back when I was still a Yellow Turban general, Ou Xing from Changsha in the south gave it to me and I’ve had it since.”

Wow, so you lot engaged in trade now and then during the rebellion? Hmmm, Ou Xing is yet another name I have not heard of.

“So, I’ll give this hat to my lord then~”

“W–”

She came right up and put it on me without waiting. Because of the lead veil, my vision was obscured.

“Un, my lord looks good.”

“Is that so…” I said, believing in Zhou Cang’s a.s.sessment.

“Just like a fool.” But then, Zi Long’s words brought me back to reality.

“Wu… Zi Long, you needn’t say it even if that is the case…”

“But yes, Wuling Man, even us northerners have heard of them.” Zi Long ignored my weak resistance and continued the topic, “How is it like over–”

“Un, Wuling is still rather tenuous presently.” She interrupts even Zi Long huh, “But luckily, Jiangdong was the target of their attacks a while ago and a general there suppressed them successfully so things are still calm for now.”

“A Jiangdong general?” I asked, interested to know who it was and if I knew him or her. There are many famous Jiangdong generals so even I who does not know that much about the Three Kingdoms knows quite a few.

“She’s an old hand,” Huang Zu said, “From the time of Sun Jian. Her name is Huang Gai Huang Gong Fu.”

Huang Gai huh… That name is familiar indeed. What came to mind was not a bearded, half-naked old man but a mature, older sister type who wore modern maid clothes with a broom in her hands. We only met each other a few times but she left quite the impression on me.

“… Does Imperial Uncle know her?” Huang Zu asked as she stared at my face.

“I do, I do. I stayed in Jiangdong for a bit, remember?” I said as I nodded, “I don’t know how she was like before but Huang Gai now has retired from active combat duty.”

I even mistook her for a personal maid.

“I see… Huang Gai was truly a force to be reckoned with back then. I am no match for her whatsoever.” Huang Zu continued.

“Everyone’s awake already huh?” Yuan Zhi said as she stepped out of her room. Looking at her, it feels like she’s been awake for a while now.

“Good morning, Yuan Zhi.” I greeted.

“Good morning.” Yuan Zhi returned the greeting as she looked at me calmly.

“Umm… There shouldn’t be any issues with today’s deployment right?” I asked, still a little worried deep down about Yuan Zhi and wondered if she was up all night thinking about it.

“No problem.” Yuan Zhi said confidently, which gave me some comfort.

“I’d like to ask first, is everyone here?” Yuan Zhi asked as she looked about and counted.

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