TL: Last chapter of volume 7. Next up is a 4 part special, 3 parts about Meng De and MC, 1 about Zhou Yu and Lu Su. This is an actually heartwarming one unlike the last one (lol). Volume 8 on is when the volumes start getting crazy long.

Liu Bei POV

I put on my plate armour, hooked my heavy twin swords and walked up the city tower with great difficulty. Following me along, were 3 people.

“My lord, at the very end, I will want to tell you this. This decision of yours is costly with poor returns. Firstly, there’s nothing to gain, and secondly your life is in danger. Shouldn’t you be more responsible? Have you thought about the other generals? Have you thought about me?”

Chen Gong shot me rudely with an unhappy look on her face. Looks like her platform shoes are giving her a harder time than my armour and weapons. Just half a staircase is enough to make her pant profusely.

(TL: I’m just going to call them platform shoes. Obviously they aren’t like the present day ones but it’s easier that way.)

“Chen Gong why do you have so much nonsense! You’re going to talk the walls off! What’s bad about going into battle? Doesn’t this suit your purpose? Achieving merits and success! Promotions and t.i.tles!”

“Stop trying to stir me up Zhou Cang! Do you even know how to weigh your options! This expedition isn’t worth it!”

“What is or isn’t worth it? It’s worth it as long as you get to fight!”

“You… Eh! I have no way of getting through with a roughneck like you! It’s a waste of your face!”

“No matter how ugly I am, I’m still better looking than you!”

Zhou Cang panted hard as she walked rather quickly. Because she wore very little, it seemed like white steam surrounded her from her breaths. Under these circ.u.mstances, she still spoke very roughly with that face that everyone adored. It was clear that Zhou Cang was a roughneck to the core, and she doesn’t know that she’s really beautiful as well.

“Why are you both so uncaring! It’s fine to argue but how can you leave our lord behind like that!”

Just then, a girl wearing cloth clothing but still wore a large chestguard yelled out at the 2 people ahead. She then looked at me with very careful eyes and hugged my arm with both of her arms.

“Don’t get angry over those 2 selfish idiots, my lord. I’ll help you.”

“Ah, alright.” I was feeling really awkward about this but couldn’t do anything when I saw how pa.s.sionate she was and relented.

It was a good thing that what I felt pressed on me was her chestguard. If it were something else, my heart would be pumping even quicker than it is now.

I looked at this girl from the side. I knew who she was but I don’t know her very well, “You’re… Chen Dao right?”

“Yes!” She swiftly replied me, and stood up straight and put her feet together as she did so before she continued, “I’m Chen Dao, Lord Zhao Yun’s aide, who has so kindly recommended me to accompany my lord on his expedition. I, Chen Shu Zhi, will definitely accomplish my mission.”

“Hahaha… Good… Good.” She said these words before already.

“… Let’s head up then.” I said to the unmoving Chen Dao.

“Alright.” She only relaxed when she heard this, and returned to supporting me with both arms, as though I was an old man. I tried to get out of her grasp once more but eventually gave up to her superior strength and grip.

Speaking of which, those 2 people still have the strength to argue with each other huh. Though they argue a lot, they still came along though.

Jiangling city’s walls were really thick, and seemed to be about 7m thick. It took me this much to get up step by step, and I really can’t imagine how, and with what, the city walls were made.

I’d read about this before, that when you built city walls, it wasn’t just the walls themselves, you also had to design a system which allowed you to gather water. This allowed you to create a moat which enhanced the defence capabilities of a city.

The more I thought about it, the more I felt that this was very complicated and difficult, especially when you are planning to build city walls which are this thick.

By the time I got up the tower, Liu Qi was already there in full plate armour.

“Uncle, you’re here.” She turned around and bowed when she heard my footsteps.

“I’m here. I didn’t think you would be this early.” I bowed as well when I saw her bowing.

“Yes, I didn’t sleep well last night actually since this is my first expedition.” She said, and then sighed, “But now that I see uncle here, I can be at ease. Uncle is really experienced after all.”

“Me huh… I’m alright, I guess.”

When I think about it, I’m really only on the level of ‘alright’. I have partic.i.p.ated actively in most battles but when it comes to commanding troops, the most I’ve done is separate them and combine them. And this was with my own troops.

I took a few steps forward and peered down the tower to see a sea of black. They were all wearing full plate armour well and properly. From up here, it looks like there are about 10,000 or so troops.

“Uncle, these are 5,000 elite troops of Jing state. We will be leading these 5,000 to reinforce Jiangxia.”

… So it’s just 5,000 huh. Good thing I didn’t mention my estimate from before or that would be really embarra.s.sing.

“Only 5,000?!” Compared to my relief, Chen Gong shot back.

Liu Qi seemed to understand why Chen Gong was agitated, “The elite troops from Xiangyang are meant to defend against Zhang Lu. This is the maximum we can deploy from the city’s elite.”

“What are the numbers like on the other side?”

“30,000, and 599 s.h.i.+ps.”

“And what about Jiangxia’s garrison?”

“…” Liu Qi shook her head, and continued, “But the other cities seem to be sending reinforcements as well.”

But that means that the city garrison and all the reinforcements must total at least 10,000 to be able to defend Jiangxia successfully huh.

“Un…” Chen Gong sank into silence. There wasn’t enough information presently to make a conclusion after all.

“Lord Liu Qi! The troops are all in position, we can set off now!” Just then, I heard a yell from below the tower. I looked down and saw a woman with a black,round and flat hat yelling at the top of her voice at the tower.

“Alright Wen Ping, I got it!” Liu Qi yelled back as she faced the bottom of the tower and waved. She then turned to me, “Uncle, let’s go.”

When I looked into Liu Qi’s resolute eyes, I could sense a tinge of uneasiness, or perhaps fear. It was understandable though. She was still young and not experienced. But compared to her, she’s a lot more dependable than when I first came to this era.

And looking at how Liu Qi is now, shewas clearly resolved to survive and fight.

And so what reason do I have to fear the danger that lies ahead? I can’t always rely on others right. Let’s see what I am capable of in this battle.

“Alright, let’s set off.” I said firmly.

But on the other hand… Am I prepared to face Sun Quan and her troops on the battlefield?