Yun Chang POV

Ever since I’ve been roaming about the Central Plains with big brother, recruitment of troops has always been left to him. After we arrived in Xu state, and the Xu state 3 joined us, it has been left to them. Though recruitment efforts have not ceased, big brother doesn’t seem to be too concerned about growing our army size.

When we fought Yuan Shu, Lord Cao Cao had lent us troops. Back then, Wen Yuan had suggested tp big brother that we should try to get them to switch sides and join us for real but big brother turned this down. Even when we left Xu state, he left all of the Xu state garrison to Lord Chen Deng and we somehow managed to break through Lord Cao Cao’s trap with just the 2,000 or so of our own troops.

Perhaps big brother doesn’t want to have too many troops but I still feel that big brother would have done as I have.

“Please come in.” I yelled out as I thought so, and Chen Gong and Zhou Cang who were here to meet me came in.

It’s been 2 days since they left after the negotiations concluded. I was still afraid that something might happen or that they would regret their decision and do something rash but now with the 2 of them before me, all my worries dissipated into nothingness.

“Have you accounted for everyone?”

“Un, we’ve settled on the respective groups.” “I really didn’t expect that things would end this way.”

Zhou Cang frowned, turning the face that attracted everyone into one that more resembled that of a mean-looking burly man while Chen Gong had an unrelenting look as usual and folded her arms while she looked to the side.

“And are you both ready to leave?”

“Un, that has been my intention from the very beginning.” “I am if what you promised is true.”

Of course it is.

As I stepped out, they both parted to make way for me. As I walked up to the entrance of the tent, I exhaled and slowly parted the curtains, letting in the rays of the afternoon sun which were so piercing that I had to cover my eyes with my hands.

Ha! Ha! Ha!

On the other side of my hand were an uncountable number of troops standing there and shouting towards me.

These troops weren’t the Imperial Chancellor’s, nor did they belong to any Governor.

They were now ours.

“How many is this?”

“We have 2,000.” “… 2,000 here as well.”

So we have 4,000 in total? A few days’ provisions alone would be quite a significant expense.

“That idea of yours is really great, Yun Chang. Not only have you solved the problem of a lack of food, you’ve also increased our army manifold.”

Just then, Wen Yuan came over with a jovial smile and rolled up her sleeves before putting her hands around my neck and twirling about.

My idea might not be the best but it was something that could work.

Chen Gong’s village town and Zhou Cang’s refugees numbered 3,000 or so for each group while Chen Gong’s stores were only just enough to support its population.

Instead of making both sides unhappy, I felt that it would be better to bring some along and settle them elsewhere. If I bring them to where big brother is, he probably won’t mind taking them in.

As for Chen Gong and Zhou Cang, both of them have indicated that they wish to come along as well. Zhou Cang was worried about the people who have followed her this far while Chen Gong wanted to come along after she heard that big brother is a royal relative…

“Excuse me ms general, is your lord really the Imperial Uncle of the present Son of Heaven?”

“Un, my lord even got appointed the Governor of Yu state when he was recognised as a royal relative during his first Court session… Though I don’t recall him doing much.”

“Oh my oh my, he got a state Governor appointment just by being recognised as a royal relative! Looks like my future is secured.”

Chen Gong didn’t trust me and went to ask Lu Bu. When she heard Lu Bu answer, she exclaimed as she clapped and nodded her head, and seemed to be interested in big brother even though she hadn’t met him yet. But really, she’s thinking about her path to future promotions already?

*w.a.n.g*!!!

“Eek!”

“Good boy~ Good boy~”

Red Hare clearly didn’t like this girl who was infatuated with officialdom though.

“Wen Yuan, has everyone been accounted for?”

“Un, I’ve got a count for everyone already.” Wen Yuan said as she took a piece of paper out from her pocket and began reading from it, “620 cavalry, 1,820 footmen, 640 bowmen. The rest are non-combatants. Some are family members of the troops while the remainder are those who have heard of our lord’s exploits and have joined us willingly.”

So big brother’s name has spread all the way south huh. I suppose it makes sense since ordinary citizens who have endured such hards.h.i.+ps will want to join a kind and compa.s.sionate feudal lord.

I felt like I was put in a spot. Troops were fine, and I don’t mind being held back by non-combatants but I was afraid that they would hold back big brother one day.

But if it’s big brother, he’ll probably say that he doesn’t mind.

Really, being a compa.s.sionate ruler is so difficult in the beginning. There are too many things a compa.s.sionate ruler can’t put down after all.

“Why did you laugh, Lord Guan Yu?” Zhou Cang asked as she looked at me.

I clapped Zhou Cang’s shoulders, which made her stare at me even more intensely, and I couldn’t help but laugh. “It’s nothing, I just felt that I picked a rather difficult route just as Liao Hua said.”

“Achoo~” In the distance, I saw Liao Hua gapive a big sneeze as she was reorganising the combined army.

Before we left, we went through the village town so that those who came along with us could give those who stayed a final farewell. I and Lu Bu rode at the head while the new cavalry rode behind us, followed by Wen Yuan, Zhou Cang and Chen Gong who led a mixed contingent comprising the footmen and bowmen. With Wen Yuan around, those 2 probably won’t fight so much. Further back was Liao Hua and the girls, as well as our supply caravan which carried about 5 days’ worth of food borrowed feom the village town.

Yes, that’s right, borrow. Which means it has to be returned. I proposed this to which Chen Gong was very supportive.

As we entered the village town, we found that the refugees have integrated with the original inhabitants. Unlike before where they were at odds with each other, they were now communicating and living with each other amicably.

If you put aside the problem of provisions, perhaps both groups could have lived together harmoniously from the beginning.

But I really don’t get it. Why are there so many who are willing to follow us? What is it about us that draws them to us?

“Lord Guan Yu~~ Lord Guan Yu~~” Just then, the sound of horse hooves coming my way could be heard.

“Lord Guan Yu!!!”

“Eh? Guan Ping?! You’re coming along too?”

“Un, I don’t have any family here anyway.”

Guan Ping had changed out of her tattered clothing and was wearing a set of plain, clean green cloth robed that was just right for the season. The pouches by her horse were empty.

“Ah, I’ve been going through some hard times lately so I don’t have anything to eat this week besides that bisuit which I accidentally ate in 1 mouth just now…”

(TL: How the heck does she develop b.r.e.a.s.t.s if she doesn’t have enough to eat?!)

“Here.” I didn’t wait for her to finish and took out a strip of dried meat and stuffed it into Guan Ping’s mouth.

“Eh?”

“I don’t have much meat with me but our journey is short anyway so have some.”

“… I’ll give you some of mine as well.” Lu Bu said as she took out a piece of dried meat and pa.s.sed it to Guan Ping. Though she doesn’t show it at all on the surface, Lu Bu’s kindness really shows itself at times like these.

“… I’m really, really thankful to both of you,” It was only 2 pieces of dried meat but it was enough to move Guan Ping to tears. Even though she got accustomed to it, it was still a little too much hards.h.i.+p after all.

“We’re both descendents of the Guan line so you can think of me as your own family from now on.”

I’m not sure how much help I can be to her, but if it’s just to be an emotional support for her, then I’m more than willing.

“Un, we’re family, we’re family.” Guan Ping did her best to stop her tears and wiped her face before she continued, “I’ll think of you as my own mother then.”

“Eh?”

Mother? Shouldn’t it be sisters?

“Pu~” Lu Bu let out a very rarely seen chuckle.

“Lord Lu Bu can be my G.o.dmother.”

“…” In an instant, the sound of a temple vein bursting could be heard.

“Haha, hahahaha~” I couldn’t hold back my laughter as I looked at Lu Bu’s expression.

“Lord Guan Yu, can you watch your image? Don’t forget that I’m the G.o.dmother while you’re the mother.”

Hmph, so petty.

Ah… The glaive in my hands dropped from my hand when it loosened for a moment as I laughed.

Looks like I’ll have to dismount and pick it up. Or so I thought, when all of a sudden a porcelain white hand easily picked up the glaive that was a about to hit the ground.

“Eh? Zhou Cang?”

“Lord Guan Yu, please let me stay by your side. I cannot stay with Lord Zhang Liao.”

Un? Why is she saying this all of a sudden?

“I don’t know why but Lord Zhang Liao keeps touching me all over. I’m a little scared by it and I hate it!”

“Un~ I can understand why.”

She’s really attractive after all but it’s a pity that she is such a rough and masculine fellow inside.

“What did you say, Lord Guan Yu?”

“No, nothing.” Perhaps I’m just a little jealous, “Then you can march with the vanguard. If anyone behind asks why, just say that I pulled a muscle in my right arm and can’t carry my blade.”

“Oh, un!” You don’t need to shout at the top of your voice when you’re answering me…

Just like that, after spending a fair amount of time in this unnamed village town, we continued on our journey with some new companions.

After we looked at the map closely, we found that there was 1 more stopover before we reached Runan. A place called Gucheng.