Vol 10 Chapter 57 (1/2)

Chapter 57

VOLUME 10 CHAPTER 57: DON’T TELL ME THIS IS THE SECOND VISIT TO THE THATCHED COTTAGE (6)

Liu Bei POV

Wu… These scholars really have their way with words. I turned back and saw that Yun Chang was overwhelmed by them as well to the point where there were beads of sweat on her forehead. Normally, she would have intervened by now but she was rendered silent by s.h.i.+ Guang Yuan.

I looked at her and nodded at her to signal that I would deal with this before turning to look at s.h.i.+ Guang Yuan, “So why pick me then? We haven’t spoken much after all.”

“Yes, we haven’t spoken much indeed.” She smiled and rolled her shoulders, “But a feudal lord who can make Yuan Zhi dedicate herself so fervently to him can’t be a bad choice.”

“Ah, so you know Yuan Zhi as well huh?”

“Of course I do. I came here from the north with her to begin with.” s.h.i.+ Guang Yuan said and chuckled as she took another swig of alcohol, “So I know Yuan Zhi’s temperament the best. She would definitely not work under a useless feudal lord.”

Hahaha… I actually feel like I am closer to a useless feudal lord than you think.

“We too have been thinking of doing something for a while now and it just so happened that you came and so we wondered if we could join you.” Meng Gong Wei said as he slowly drank as well.

I felt very conflicted at this time. From a big picture perspective, it’s clear that we should indeed try to recruit them. They were recommendations from Teacher Shuijing after all. No matter what, they cannot be too shabby and should at least be decent in administration. We are sorely lacking in manpower after all. At the very least, I should give them a shot.

But is that really alright?

We came here to seek out Zhuge Liang and ended up recruiting 2 of her friends. This made it seem like I was insincere and the journey to seek Zhuge Liang would come to an end.

Un… I pondered about this for a long while and turned back to look at Yun Chang and Yi De. They merely returned my gaze and neither shook nor nodded their heads. Looks like they do not intend on swaying my decision on this.

But I really do not feel like this is a decision that I should make unilaterally. Should I act according to my desires in this situation?

As I thought so, I reached behind to scratch my back. Eh? This is…

… Un, I have an answer.

“Umm, sages. Though you both may view me very favourably, I am unable to let you both come to Xinye and work with me.”

Eh? When I finished, it was not just the 2 of them who reacted. In fact, my sisters behind showed even bigger reactions.

“Even if we aren’t incompetent?”

“Yes,” I nodded, “Even if that is the case.”

“Let’s put it another way,” Meng Gong Wei chimed in, “Even if there is the possibility of us joining Cao Cao’s side?”

Wu… That is really… I cannot believe that even that came out but I have already made my decision.

“Yes,” I vigorously nodded to steel myself, “If that should come to pa.s.s, then so be it. I will indeed feel that it is a great loss.”

More like I will be greatly troubled than anything.

“Oi, big brother… No matter what, there’s no need to go that far…”

No, there is. Anything less would be irresponsible to all of us, be it them, me or Zhuge Liang. And it was this notion that I held as I stared at s.h.i.+ Guang Yuan who smiled and stared back with half closed eyes. Meng Gong Wei seemed to have lost interest and sat down as he resumed drinking.

“… Guang Yuan, that’s enough no

w.” Meng Gong Wei said as he looked at s.h.i.+ Guang Yuan from the side after he finished drinking.

s.h.i.+ Guang Yuan looked at him, then back at me. This repeated several times before she finally closed her eyes and sat down, “Alright, if Gong Wei feels that this is enough, then so be it.”

“Umm, may I ask what you both are talking about?” I asked, feeling troubled but s.h.i.+ Guang Yuan seemed happy seeing my troubled expression.

“Hehe, it’s nothing, it’s nothing. Don’t mind it. Since you don’t want to recruit us, then we won’t force you either.”

Eh? It feels like they gave up too easily all of a sudden.

“Why? Why does Lord Liu Bei look so confused?”

“Ah no, it’s nothing.” I shook my head. Though I was still very surprised by how things turned out, I still hurriedly bowed, “Even though I did not end up recruiting you both, I am deeply grateful for your favourable a.s.sessment.”

“Wu~ That’s so mushy. Let’s stop it.” s.h.i.+ Guang Yuan said with a disgusted expression as she delivered more liquor down her throat, “But speaking of which, since you met Cui Zhou Ping, she should have said something to you about wanting to leave the mountains right?”

“Ah… No.”