Liu Bei POV

It’s been a week since the Battle of Guandu concluded. The flames of war have long since died down and seem only like a dream now. That’s not to say that the Battle of Guandu didn’t leave any aftereffects. It just seemed like it left less than I expected.

And right now, as the advance base for the war, Liyang city has lost its purpose and the troops have also shed away their bloodl.u.s.t and hostility. Rather than being concerned about the outcome of the war, the ordinary citizens who were conscripted were naturally elated at its conclusion.

Within the city, you could see people already beginning to pack. All they lacked was an order from Ben Chu to return to their hometowns.

Of course, there were casualties and those who were grievously wounded. And so, much crying and shouts could be heard throughout the encampment these past few days. Every time I heard anguished cries, I would always get gooseb.u.mps. Such sounds were clearly rare in my era.

If the family of deceased soldiers knew that their loved ones died on a battlefield and all they received were a muddled mess of flesh, blood and bone, what would they feel?

I didn’t dare to imagine such a scene.

But perhaps this was something normal for this era. The people are probably desensitised ro troubled times, hards.h.i.+p and the like. I’d thought that I had grown numb to fighting and killing but I still couldn’t get used to it after all. The smell of blood and the sight of gore covering the ground kept coming back to me and triggered sharp nauseous feelings.

Because of this, I rarely left my tent these few days. There was hardly anything urgent going on after all, and even if there were, I wouldn’t be the decision maker anyway.

Oh by the way, I’m currently alone now in my tent.

After getting permission from Ben Chu, Zi Long started recruiting troops in Hebei. Using her words: My naivety is on the level of a plant. As Imperial Uncle, if I do not wish to serve under others and create a domain of my own, then recruiting my own troops is of critical importance since nothing else can be done without troops.

Though she confidently promised to return with a large number of troops, I honestly doubt she can raise a significant army in a short time using the reputation of an unknown person like me.

On the other front, Gong You was helping me gather information on Yun Chang, Yi De and the rest.

Since our situation has stabilised now, it’s time we focused on finding them.

“My lord, 100-man general Chen is up to no good again!” Just then, a female soldier under my command came in and delivered a report about some issue that cropped up.

“Ah? Ah, I got it, I’ll come and see what’s up immediately.”

Because Zi Long wasn’t around, the responsibility of dealing with military affairs has fallen to me. Honestly, my ability to deal with such matters is even below my ability to deal with administrative work.

Zi Long, please come back quick. Before you can raise an army, we might lose the troops we have now.

“Yo, how’ve you been these few days?” The curtains parted and an elegant voice came from outside.

The owner of the voice had long, golden hair, wore an elegant and exquisite pink gown on her, and had golden silk shoes with thick soles; looking very quaint overall. Looking at her from top to toe, one could tell she wasn’t an ordinary person.

“Ah, Ben Chu. You’ve come.” I said as I stood up to receive her.

“You don’t need to get up.” Ben Chu waved her hand as she looked at me, “I don’t have any particular reason for coming here. I just wanted to see you. I’ve been busy all this while with other things after all.”

Though Ben Chu has been very busy these few days, it looks like she has finally gotten a chance to wind down a bit. She looks the same as before but I could tell that she was a lot more approachable.

This was probably thanks to the Battle of Guandu.

As I looked at Ben Chu, who was inspecting the tent as she came in, I couldn’t help but think about how her fate could have been.

By right, the Battle of Guandu should have ended in defeat for Ben Chu, and she should have died in despair after falling gravely ill while she retreated. I never imagined that Ben Chu would be so energetic now, after the battle, and she’s even changed. And as I said before, I never imagined that the fierce and ambitious nemeses, Yuan Shao and Cao Cao, would be going to Court together.

“So shabby~” Ben Chu concluded after she had fully inspected the tent.

I don’t deny that. “I’m a man after all, what else could I possible need?”

By this reply, I meant that everything I needed couldn’t be found in this era.

Leaving aside everything that requires electricity, just reading alone is a pain in this era. Firstly, I’m not used to holding a bamboo scroll. Secondly, I can’t really read what’s written. Gong You had read a scroll to me before and I did find the contents interesting but I can’t possibly keep troubling her to read to me.

The only things in this tent that I can call my belongings are the twin swords. They were too heavy for me half a year ago but I’ve gotten used to them by now, and can even fight effectively with them.

I’m not bragging but I feel like my physical capabilities have strengthened while I’m in this era. Though I still can’t quite match up to the named generals.

“But there should be some decorations after all&h.e.l.lip;” Ben Chu opined as she supported her b.r.e.a.s.t.s with her arms and pointed at my table, “You could make it a little more lively and colourful about the tent and the table.”

“I’m fine with this.” What’s up with Ben Chu today? All she’s been talking about are such trivial things. “I’m quite surprised you came to see me today. Shouldn’t you be busy with packing up as well?”

I’m not too sure but the commanders should be just as busy as the rank-and-file with other procedures and administrative work. So it’s strange that she has the time to come and visit me now.

“What is this huh~” Ben Chu was clearly unhappy when she heard my words and pursed her n.o.ble lips as she pointed down at me, “As the descendent of a n.o.ble and ill.u.s.trious family, and as General-in-Chief, I’ve come to see what it’s like for the common people. Yet, not only have you spurned my goodwill, you dare to be so rude!”

“No no no, I don’t mean that at all&h.e.l.lip;” I stammered as I frantically pushed Ben Chu’s finger to the side as I tried to explain myself.

“Hmph!” Ben Chu retracted her finger and twisted her slim waist and turned away, “I actually wanted to chat with you for a bit before I leave for Xuchang but look at the att.i.tude you’re showing me.”

Oh? That’s all? You just wanted to chat with me?

“I was just surprised, that’s all.” I smiled helplessly and went behind the table to take some tea leaves that Gong You had bought before, “If it’s just to chat, I am of course more than happy to.”

“Ah, you don’t need to make tea. I’ll be leaving soon.” Ben Chu stopped me, and swept her outer coat and sat down on my wooden bed, “Another 3 relatives have come to join me over these couple of days so I have to entertain them later.”

Seeing that Ben Chu didn’t want tea, I kept the tea leaves and sat on a small stool beside the bed.

Relatives huh? It’s clear that they came to ride on the back of Ben Chu’s success.

“Are you close with them?”

“No, not really. They’re just children after all.”

And they’re still kids huh&h.e.l.lip;

“You don’t need to entertain such opportunistic relatives.”

“I can’t do that. Whether or not I’m close to them, they’re family after all. Now that I have achieved success, it’s normal for them to join my side.”

As she finished, Ben Chu placed her hands close to the brazier beside the bed. Ben Chu’s hands were very white and looked bright red under the light of the fire. Her hands were also slightly stiff from the cold, probably because they were exposed for a long time. The reason why they were exposed was probably because she had to attend to administrative work.

“When does Ben Chu intend to head to Xuchang?”

“Tomorrow.”

“So suddenly?”

“Un, I stalled for time at the beginning because I thought that Meng De would up to something funny on her side but she actually prepared everything to receive me so quickly.” Ben Chu’s eyes were alit with rage as she said so, probably unhappy at how swift Meng De acted and felt that she had lost out to Meng De again.

“But whatever it is, Ben Chu has finally fulfilled her wish right.”

“Eh? Why’s that?” Ben Chu was surprised at my comment.

“As the descendent of the Yuan family, whose forebears all held the 3 Excellency positions for 4 generations, wasn’t it Ben Chu’s wish to directly support the Son of Heaven in a similar position?”

“Un&h.e.l.lip; I guess you’re right.” Ben frowned as she considered what I said for a moment before smiling in agreement, “Now that you mentioned it, perhaps it’s best if I can get to Xuchang as soon as possible. That way, I can get a grasp of Meng De’s movements earlier and prevent her from doing anything funny.” Ben Chu seemed to be in high spirits as she said so and began cackling.

But this way, Meng De and Ben Chu will be 2 strong opposing factions in Xuchang, seeing as they both have outstanding warrior generals and administrative officials.

But why did Meng De choose to settle things this way? She was clearly in the position to make a decision that would have led to a better outcome for her side.

“Aiya aiya, I came here to have a relaxing chat with Xuan De but we ended up talking about such serious matters.” Ben Chu shook her head as she realised what we’d been talking about and got up and walked over to where I was.

She bent down and touched her forehead to mine. Because her gown wasn’t figure hugging, it sagged when she bent down, revealing her mountainous cleavage right before me.

“U, umm&h.e.l.lip;”

“Xuan De, I’ll never forget the debt I owe to you for the Battle of Guandu.” Ben Chu smiled. This smile was different from the usual elegant smile, and exuded shyness and warmth. “I swear by my lineage that I will repay this debt one day. As long as you have need of me, come h.e.l.l or high water, I, Yuan Shao Yuan Ben Chu, will do anything to a.s.sist you.” Ben Chu got up when she finished.

“I, I didn’t do anything&h.e.l.lip;” I stammered shyly as I waved my hands. I really didn’t think that I did anything that was worth having Ben Chu swear to help me at any cost.

But Ben Chu clearly wasn’t of the same opinion as I.

“No, Xuan De taught me a lot of things, and helped me realise a lot of things as well.” Ben Chu said in a serious tone, and placed her palm on her chest before she continued, “Perhaps if I hadn’t spoken with you back then, my fate now would be very different.”