Meng De POV

By right, the weather ought to have turned warm by now but because we were up north, it was still severely cold. So cold that even a chilly breeze brought pangs of pain to my head.

“Big sis, there are some marshes up ahead so we can’t go straight and have to go around them.” The one next to me who spoke up was my other little cousin, Cao Ren. Unlike Cao Hong, she wore full plate. It was weird though, as I remember that she usually wears a set of knee-length short robes with a very long belt that reaches the ground.

Despite her usual garb, one can’t afford to underestimate her as this little sister of mine is far more devious than I am.

“Why did you wear plate now that we’re taking on the Wuhuan? I don’t remember you being this cautious when we were fighting Ben Chu.”

“Wuhuan and Yuan Shao are 2 different things altogether. No matter how strong Yuan Shao’s troops may be, they are only Central Plainers so the tactics they can use are only so much.” Cao Ren a.n.a.lysed with a relaxed expression, “The Wuhuan troops are famous for their cavalry archers, who use poison-tipped arrows and specialise in marauding attacks and divide and conquer tactics, which are our bane. You never know when a stray arrow might come so some precautionary measures must be taken.”

I nodded, pleased at what I heard. This was her strong point. Though Ren and Hong are talented in martial arts, Ren is more prudent in how she approaches things and always thinks before she acts, and this is always a great help to me before battles.

“Meng De, I took a quick look just now. The route when going around is quite difficult and will delay us by at least 3-4 days…”

“We’ll do it, Yuan Rang.” I said to Yuan Rang on my other side, “I’m willing to pay the price of time. It’s far better than meeting with a grievous loss.”

And so, Yuan Rang went to issue the order.

I understand where she’s coming from. Troop morale declines during long marches but this can’t be helped now. We’ve already left Ji state so we can’t return without accomplis.h.i.+ng nothing.

“Has Cheng Yu returned?”

“… Imperial Chancellor.”

A moment after I spoke, Cheng Yu appeared on my side and matched the pace of my horse.

“How is it on Yuan Shu’s side?”

“Yuan Shu’s eastern route is closer to the marshlands and they’ve made the decision to go around them.”

Yuan Shu isn’t taking a risk either huh? Well that saves me the trouble of notifying them.

“Yuan Shu took the initiative and accepted the call to arms, why is that?”

“Probably as repentance for what she did before. Declaring herself Emperor in Wan city incurred the ire of the ma.s.ses and now that she has rejoined the Imperial Court, she is probably planning to repay it through service.”

Of course, I don’t think Yuan Shu is doing this of her own accord, and Yuan Shao probably pushed her to do so. She probably plans to install another ally in Yuan Shu in Court to help her in her future battles against me in Court.

“Yuan Shu is young and lacks capability. It was clear in her battle against Sun Ce in Wan city that her ability to command is lacking. Should we really be depending on her in the upcoming battle?” Cao Ren said as she lay down lazily on the horse’s mane. How could she feel comfortable even with such a steep angle?

“Yuan Shu’s capabilities may be lacking, but those 2 who serve her are more than capable enough.”

Like that Yan Xiang girl for instance, she has quite a bit of foresight when approaching problems. Ben Chu has also loaned out Tian Feng and Ju Shou to Yuan Shu for this expedition. If I haven’t guessed wrongly, then Tian Feng and Ju Shou must have been the ones who got Yuan Shu to take the long route around.

Never mind, let’s leave the other side for now…

“Ren, do you know where Feng Xiao is?”

Ren turned to me while still lying on the horse and shook her head, “Lord Guo Jia is pus.h.i.+ng herself too much. She shouldn’t have come.”

“Perhaps she feels that this battle is too important and wants to witness it for herself.”

I understand how Feng Xiao feels but it is because I understand that I wish she didn’t came. Right now, Feng Xiao is somewhere in the main body and secretly directing the troop movements through Jia Xu, which is why there have been no problems so far which have reached my ears.

Feng Xiao, don’t you dare collapse from this.

Die!!!!

Just then, intense bays for blood came from the side and I immediately put my guard up as I looked to the left.

“Big sis! The Wuhuan cavalry are charging over from a safe route in the marshlands!”

What! The enemy knows a safe route in the marshes? d.a.m.n it, they now have the geographical advantage!

“Prepare for battle!” Yuan Rang’s anxious order could be heard from the main body.