Vol 9 Chapter 136 (1/2)
Chapter 136
VOLUME 9 CHAPTER 136: DON’T TELL ME THIS IS ANOTHER TRICK (2)
Liu Bei POV
…
Everyone’s confidence took a nosedive when they heard this. Looks like n.o.body has come up with any good ideas for the next battle.
“Has anyone thought of any good ideas after this morning’s meeting?” I plucked up my courage and asked anyway. As I looked about, I saw that everyone was looking down and brooding.
“I did think of some but they will be difficult to execute.” Yun Chang spoke up first.
“As for me, I did think of some tactics which could be employed in a frontal battle.” Wen Yuan said with a much more severe expression than usual, “But our troops numbers are insufficient for them to be effective. After taking out the troops which are needed to man the city defences, the numbers we have left are not sufficient for ambus.h.i.+ng, doing a pincer or even a distraction.”
“There are some commoners in Xinye who have expressed a willingness to join our army.” Zi Zhong said as she took a few bamboo scrolls from the pile beside her, “We talked about the issue of a lack of manpower this morning so I went to look it over after that. These are all the applications we’ve received from Xinye residents recently which are likely done thanks to our lord’s name. If we take out those who won’t meet our standards, then we should be able to add 1-2,000 men.”
“1-2,000 men…” Wen Yuan said as she looked at Feng Xian who shook her head. Wen Yuan then shook her head with a helpless expression as well, “Looks like it’s still not enough.”
“Even if we do add them in, they may not be effective on the battlefield.” Chen Dao spoke up with a frown, “The troops we have on hand now may be poorly equipped but they’ve been with us for a while now, with the most junior of them being with us for at least 2 months. Adding in newcomers at this point will create a lot of trouble in reorganisation and training, especially when civilian recruits usually take longer to get used to the regimentation and combat fitness.”
“I’m afraid that by the time they are ready, the city would have fallen.” Zi Long said and sighed.
Looks like… There’s no hope in besting them in a frontal battle.
“Un, so in short, we have no hope in a frontal battle whatsoever.” Yuan Zhi nodded with hands at her back as she continued to stand in the center, “But waiting and defending the city in a siege battle is the last resort. Before that, we should try to do something.”
“Does that mean that benefactor has an idea?” Huang Zu said as she refilled her gourd from a small pot of water beside her. As she drank from the gourd, she shot me a glance. Of course, I am very excited to hear what Yuan Zhi has to offer, especially when this is her own strategy.
“I do but I’m not too sure if it will work.” Yuan Zhi continued to act coy.
“That’s fine, go ahead and share it with us.” I hurriedly gave her the stage.
“… Alright,” Yuan Zhi said as she placed a hand on her chin and sank into thought. After a moment, she saluted us and asked–
“Dare I ask if anyone here has any intention of joining the enemy?”
“Eh?”
“What the heck are you saying!” Zhou Cang exclaimed angrily as she slapped the table, making a loud creaking sound. Even though she is a relatively new joiner, she’s quite sensitive about such things huh?
“Lord Xu Shu, I don’t think that’s very appropriate of you.” Yun Chang protested very politely as she looked at Feng Xian who did not
seem perturbed in the least.
“If the city were to fall, then I don’t think I will be remaining here.” Just then, Chen Gong spoke up. She then looked around and found that everyone was looking at her with disdain and adamantly added, “I’m just being honest here. I won’t be here to fight to my last breath when the city falls.”
“Chen Gong! You b.a.s.t.a.r.d!”
“Calm down, Zhou Cang.”
“… Kuh.”
Zhou Cang was agitated when she heard what Chen Gong said and tried to rush over but Yun Chang hurriedly stopped her.
“Un, very good.” Yuan Zhi seemed pleased with Chen Gong’s answer and nodded, “Well then, Chen Gong can be the first one then.”
“What do you mean first one?” I asked.
“Well then, after that is…” Yuan Zhi ignored me continued, “Now that we’ve met them in battle multiple times, I’m sure that there are some amongst us here who the enemy have tried to persuade right?”
…
When she said this, the atmosphere began to get heavier again.
“One of the enemy’s main objectives for attacking Xinye is to get more retainers after all.” Yuan Zhi said as she swept her gaze across the room, “So may I ask who here was persuaded by them?”
Wu… That huh….
I too swept my gaze around the room. From my perspective, this sort of thins is not really the sort of thing that is easy to say in such a public venue. Be it for personal or public reasons, it’s difficult to admit it.