Don’t Tell Me This Is the True History of the Three Kingdoms! Vol 8 Chapter 50

VOLUME 8 CHAPTER 50: DON’T TELL ME THIS IS A TEMPORARY REUNION (3)

Liu Bei POV

Based on my rough estimates, the route to Liu Biao’s residence should not be congested and it should take me about 15 minutes or so to get there on foot so there is still more than enough time for me to get there.

“Have they only invited me?” I asked as I read the piece of silk with difficulty and proceeded out with Yun Chang accompanying me, “Logically speaking, Chen Dao, Chen Gong and Zhou Cang should have been invited as well.”

“It seems like Liu Biao’s officials have taken off their names.” Yun Chang said as she laughed proudly, “They even wanted to remove big brother’s name.”

“Eh? Why is that?”

Yun Chang raised her hand and clenched her fist, “Because we thoroughly thrashed Jing state’s troops. They have lost a lot of face after that.”

“Eh? Is that so!?”

“Yes. That’s why I said that big brother’s worry before was unnecessary. If big brother was there, you would have been able to see us defeat them with a 1:5 disadvantage.”

Eh… Are Jing state’s troops that weak? No, it’s Yun Chang and the rest who are too strong.

“But how did you all do it?” Though I knew they’d won magnificently, I still couldn’t fathom how they did it exactly.

“It’s actually very simple. When faced with such a big disadvantage, you can always break your strategy down into 3 steps.” Yun Chang said as she continued walking elegantly alongside me, “First, send out bait. Then surround and divide them. As long as you can separate the enemy into 3 or 4 parts, they will descend into chaos. Out of 4-5 parts, 2-3 will lack leaders.h.i.+p and be ineffectual or be too preoccupied with breaking the surround. Thereafter…”

Yun Chang went on for a long while. Though I could only understand what she said up till here, I didn’t interrupt out of courtesy’s sake and also because there was a good vibe going on with her.

“Ah, speaking of which, Feng Xian and the rest aren’t back yet?” Just then, I recalled something that served as a very natural and appropriate change of topic and quickly interjected.

“Ah, yes. But we’ve received word from a courier that they are back. Unlike us, their victory seemed to have come even easier.”

“Eh? Why is that?”

“It seems like they just charged at the enemy a few times and the enemy’s formation completely crumbled, and they very quickly found the commanding officer and defeated him, achieving total victory.”

“Ah…” For some reason, I can very clearly picture how that battle went when she described it to me.

“Looking at what time it is now, they’ll probably be back before long.” Yun Chang said as she raised her head and looked up, “But they probably won’t be able to see big brother.”

By now, we’ve already reached the entrance.

“That’s fine. I’m sure this banquet won’t be too long so help me tell Gan Qing that I’ll be back for dinner.”

“Un, I understand.” Yun Chang nodded. But it seemed like an idea flashed in her mind as she revealed an uncharacteristic smirk, “Come to think of it, we can prank Lord Lu Bu with the same prank big brother pulled on us.”

“Eh~! Is that really okay?”

“Don’t worry big brother. Just go to the banquet.”

“Un…”

Yun Chang smiled. Seems like her mind is set. I was one of the original perpetrators after all so I have no right to stop her. All I can do is hope that she doesn’t go too far.

I was still worried but the banquet at Liu Biao is more urgent now.

Ah, I spent too much time talking and I’ll only make it on time if I run.

I’ve been to Liu Biao’s residence twice now, and this will be my third time.

When I came to the entrance, I thought it would be like before and I would be led by the Kuai sisters. What greeted me however were 2 very familiar, albeit emotionless, faces.

“Imperial Uncle…”

“Did Imperial Uncle’s return go well?”

Though they were bowed to the point where their faces couldn’t be seen, that hat and Dao gown were far too unique for me to not be able to recognise them.

“Wen Ping, Yi Ji, I didn’t think it would be you both.” I said as I went up and helped them up.

“Our lord bade us to come here and receive you.”

“Young mistress specially stalled Lord Kuai Yue and sent us here.”

“I see Liu Qi is rather thoughtful huh.”

She probably knows they will be insulting me the whole time, I thought as I began to rest easy. This arrangement is much better than having to deal with 2 cold people who have countless barbs in their words.

“Well then, let us head on in.”

“Un.” I nodded and followed behind them both.

Liu Biao’s residence is as impressive as ever. This time, I noticed a distinct different in the style of the decor. Be it the bricks or the decorations, they all feel very familiar.

It’s almost like I’ve seen them somewhere before… Like at the palace at Xuchang?

Ah, I can’t really pinpoint it as I can’t remember clearly. But based on how much importance Liu Biao places on proprieties, I doubt he will do things that go beyond his place in officialdom.

“By the way, there is something I have to discuss with Imperial Uncle before we join the banquet.”

“Un?” Just then, Yo Ji slowly called out to me, drawing back my attention. “What do you want to say? Could it be that you’re lost?”

“I’m not the one leading us around, it’s Wen Ping. I’m just tagging along.”

“…”

“Ah… I see.” I said as I looked at Wen Ping’s serious face as we rounded another corner and continued walking. I completely forgot about Wen Ping’s prodigious memory and her superb sense of direction.

“Imperial Uncle, I’m actually very thankful to you.”

“Eh? Thankful?”

All of a sudden, with no warning at all, Yi Ji turned and saluted me.

“Yes. Though we did not achieve much during this expedition to Jiangxia, it’s clear that the young mistress has gained much.” Yi Ji said as she looked up at me. Because her eyes were slightly upturned, I could feel something akin to Yun Chang’s seriousness when she looks at me from this angle, “This is all thanks to Imperial Uncle. I don’t know what Imperial Uncle said to the young mistress but she is much more closer to us now, and is more willing to share things about herself with us.”

“Oh~~” I nodded twice. Looks like Liu Qi has indeed followed through on her promise with me and has changed. And it’s not just me who has noticed, Yi Ji has as well.

“Our lord has completely changed,” Just then, Wen Ping too spoke up softly, “She’s begun to ask about us.”

“Ah…” Come to think of it, what was Liu Qi like before? All she’s done is just start a little bit of conversation and it seems like she’s a different person.

Perhaps it’s as Chen Gong said before, that my words may bring ruin to Liu Qi. But I firmly believe that her change is for the better and what these 2 subordinate generals have just told me is the best proof of that.

“So–”

“Wu!” All of a sudden, Yi Ji stopped and came up close to me, her gaze sharpening as she did so. At the same time, it was as if the atmosphere became a lot more serious.

“What did Imperial Uncle say to the young mistress for her to have changed so much– I’m very curious.”

(TL: Sorry, couldn’t resist.)

“I, I didn’t say all that much. Just some normal stuff.”

“Oh~ Normal stuff huh~” Yi Ji’s eyes narrowed to a squint as though she wasn’t too pleased with my patronising answer.

But it’s not like I can just tell her everything that went down since I’m not sure how much Liu Qi has told them after all. And I know that some of what Liu Qi has told me are not things I can just share with anyone. And no matter how much I tell them, I can’t possibly tell them that Liu Qi has never trusted them all this while.

“If Yi Ji is really interested, you can ask Liu Qi directly. If it’s now, I’m sure Liu Qi will be happy to share with you.”

“…” Yi Ji continued to stare at me with squinted her eyes, but when she saw that I was adamant about being tight-lipped, she widened her eyes and said softly, “Gentlemen who know how to keep secrets are becoming rare in this age. I don’t dislike that about you.”

“Haha, that’s an overexaggeration.”

“Imperial Uncle is far too humble. From the beginning up till now, I have always thought that you are far too different from other feudal lords.”

“I too feel the same way– Ah…” Just then, I remembered that Wen Ping was just standing there quietly all this while. Was it really alright to just stand around and chat in a corridor of the residence like this?

“… It’s fine to talk in the residence. You are an esteemed guest after all.” Yi Ji probably saw through what I was thinking and looked at Wen Ping and continued with raised eyebrows, “As for Wen Ping, apart from harming the people of Jing state, anything goes.”

“Yes.”

She actually approved.

“Oh…” I nodded and looked at Wen Ping whose face was completely serious. She probably doesn’t have an ounce of humour inside her, and after hearing Yi Ji’s a.s.sessment of her, my impression of her is like that of a ronin.

“In any case, I humbly wish, as a retainer of the young mistress, that Imperial Uncle can continue to have good relations with her.” She said as she nodded.

“Of course, I plan on doing so.” It’s not like anyone else in Jing state will get along with me.

“Of course. Additionally, I hope you can continue to allow me to observe you.”

“Please allow me to turn down this request.” I don’t know what’s interesting to observe about me, but I can’t possibly accede to this.

“Alright, I understand.” Even though she said that, I doubt she will stop.