Vol 9 Chapter 153 (2/2)

As I looked at Yun Chang, I felt thankful for her help and also felt that her smile now was perhaps the most dazzling I have seen ever since her loss. The success she achieved in this meeting has probably redeemed her for her previous loss in her heart.

But… Is she actually hurting inside? As someone who places great importance on loyalty and honour, instead of facing the enemy in a fair and upfront battle, she is forced to resort to such trickery. And so, I wonder if she is hurting and angry inside about the raid from before and this incident.

Even though Yun Chang is still smiling now, she should still feel some bitterness and resent as well…

“Yun Chang, Wen Yuan and Chen Gong.” I called out to them and very seriously and formally saluted and bowed to them, “For the sake of this battle, you have had to sacrifice too much… I will not be able to repay you…”

Halfway through, I was overwhelmed with my guilt and needed some time to steel myself before I was able to continue. Even so, I was really unsure what to say and even felt that being like this was even cunning of me and struggled to convey my deep grat.i.tude and guilt towards them.

“Please get up, big brother.” Yun Chang said as she held my hands and helped me up.

I looked up and saw Yun Chang standing before me with a smile that was warm enough to melt winter itself. Yun Chang does not particularly like to smile, but when she does, it is very rea.s.suring.

“Yun Chang… I…”

“Big brother doesn’t need to say anything. Your little sister understands.” Yun Chang continued, her smile bright as ever, “Compared to my own path, I would rather see big brother advance down his.”

“Yun Chang…”

Yun Chang’s words were not particularly deep or grandiose but they really hit me hard and I began to sniffle and wondered how I ought to convey my feelings to her.

“And besides, our path is intertwined with my lord’s to begin with.” Wen Yuan added as she held her hips relaxedly, “If my lord’s path is gone, what are we going to do?”

“Somebody’s got to do it anyway.” Chen Gong smiled as she said, “We were just the ones who were the most suitable.”

“Chen Gong…”

“I was just saying the truth.” Chen Gong said as she turned away and withdrew her smile when I looked over.

“Un…” My emotions were a mess now but I felt happy as I looked at them but I finally responded in the most plainest and simplest way, “… Thank you.”

“No need for thanks.” Wen Yuan said as she shrugged while Yun Chang smiled wordlessly.

“Un~ You should be done now right?” Just then, Yuan Zhi spoke up as she held her chin. Looks like she’s begun considering the next moves we need to make, “In that case, let’s proceed with this.” Yuan Zhi nodded as she stroked her chin and tightened her bandana, “Lord Chen Gong, Lord Zhang Liao, I’ll be troubling you both to go to the tower to summon everyone here, including Huang Zu and the rest who are in charge of the city defence works. We’ll be having a meeting.”

“Alright, I got it.”

“Ah~ Got it, got it~”

Wen Yuan seemed to still have energy left while Chen Gong seemed to be completely exhausted. Even so, she still accepted Yuan Zhi’s request.

I looked at Yuan Zhi from the side and saw that she was now perfectly calm as she explained the strategy for the next battle, “Yes, the positioning of the troops can be left to Huang Zu the day before. Chen Gong, your stuff must be done as soon as possible…”

Because there is nothing for me to do, I am just relaxing right now at the meeting. In fact, it is more relaxing for me at these meetings as I do not have to deal with administrative work which has been pretty heavy of late. Some of it was related to Xinye city’s governance but a lot of it was just border and customs control stuff.

I have to say though, the strategy for this battle is a lot more intricate and complete. It seems like every angle was considered and every resource was used to its fullest to ensure maximum efficacy.

And this entire strategy was the brainchild of Yuan Zhi. She came up with it entirely on her own, without any help or information about history. Literally every single step of the process was planned by her.

“Now then Lord Zhao Yun, see here…” Yuan Zhi continued giving instructions as I sat at the main seat doing nothing. No one else was speaking and everyone was listening closely. Compared to the previous 2 battles, it seems like everyone is a lot more serious this time.

However, the one who is the most serious about this battle is undoubtedly Yuan Zhi. Even though she did not say it, she must have been thinking about this the entire time. What to so if Yun Chang and the rest had succeeded, what to do if they did not etc.

Even though she was sitting at the last seat, her position as the lead strategist has already been set in stone.

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