Liu Bei POV

“But is it really alright to hand command over to me?”

“Didn’t you say that I can seek your help anytime? Presently the quality and moral of the Xiangyang city garrison is quite lacking so I’m seeking your a.s.sistance.” He shook my hand vigorously as he said so, so vigorous it was that I actually felt a bit dizzy, “Blood brother, please do not refuse.”

“Jin Sheng! You better think this through!”

“Aiya, there’s no point in suspecting my blood brother any further.”

Lady Cai was now extremely agitated and had her fists balled up in front of her. As I looked at her, I realised that what she was worried about was undoubtedly the inheritance struggle between Liu Cong and Liu Qi. If I were to receive command of the Xiangyang garrison, given my position in the inheritance issue, it will likely be difficult for Cai Mao’s side to ever come on top.

To be honest, even though I already decided to support Liu Qi, I hadn’t actually thought about doing anything. Now that I am going to receive the command rights of the Xiangyang garrison, it is likely I will be involved in direct clashes with Cai Mao’s faction. This is not something desirable in the least.

But what made me surprised was that Liu Biao has not actually discussed his inheritance issue with me yet. And I’m also doubtful as to whether Liu Biao is seriously considering this when he is barely even middle-aged.

… Alright, since I’ve already decided to help Liu Qi, I’ll–

“Lord Governor, please pardon me for speaking out of turn, but you cannot grant the command rights to Xiangyang’s garrison to my lord.”

“Un?”

“Eh?”

Just as I was about to nod in agreement, Liao Hua suddenly spoke up and turned Liu Biao down. It wasn’t just Liu Biao, even I was deeply puzzled as well.

“Attendant, may I ask what is wrong with this arrangement?”

“It is very inappropriate,” Liao Hua said as she saluted and shook her head, “As your Lady has said, if you hand over the command rights to Xiangyang’s garrison to my lord, tongues will wag amongst the ordinary citizens. We may not have the intentions, but it will be difficult for all of us then.”

“That’s right, that’s right! You better think this through, Jin Sheng!” Lady Cai was instantly reinvigorated when she heard this and began to gesture excitedly as she spoke to Liu Biao.

I hadn’t recovered from the surprise of this sudden speech and when I looked at Liao Hua, I saw that her face was perfectly calm, as though she’d said all this without thinking. One other thing to mention is that I have not yet told them about the inheritance struggle between Liu Qi and Liu Cong.

“Un…” After listening to them, Liu Biao frowned and seemed to be at a loss once more.

It was clear that he needed my a.s.sistance no matter what and he felt that Xiangyang was of paramount importance which is why he wanted to hand it to me.

“… Lord Governor, what do you think about this?” Liao Hua spoke up softly once more as she took one step forward.

“Un? Does the attendant have any good suggestions?”

Liao Hua took another step forward.

“I don’t think it’s a very good suggestion,” liao Hua said as she raised her hand with her palm faced upwards, “It is widely known that Jing state is expansive and rich with resources. On top of that, it is strategically located and is a place which will undoubtedly be a battlefield one day. Leaving aside Xiangyang, there is also Jiangling which could be attacked in the near future. Should Jiangxia’s negotiations fall through, then Jiangxia is yet another problem.”

“It is as you have said.” Liu Biao nodded in agreement with Liao Hua. It was clear that Liao Hua had thoroughly convinced him.

I stood at the side and looked at Liao Hua, and wondered what she was trying to get at. She didn’t look at me and continued.

“Then why not let us be stationed at a small commandery outside the city? Our troops are highly mobile and can easily reinforce Xiangyang and Jiangling. Depending on how things go, we can even support Jiangxia. In this way, we can support 3 cities at once.”

“Good!” Just as Liao Hua finished, Liu Biao exclaimed and began to clap.

“Blood brother, do you think you can accept this proposition?” Liu Biao said with a bright smile as he came up to me and clasped both of my hands.

“Ah, this…” My mind was a little slow and I shot Liao Hua a side glance for help and she nodded lightly at me.

“Un, this proposition sounds good. If that’s the case, then I approve as well.”

Even though n.o.body asked her, Lady Cai gave her view with a smile. It was as though she was the main actor here.

“Blood brother?” Liu Biao called out to me once more and even shook me.

“This…”

I thought about it and felt guilty to Liu Qi.

If I were to leave Xiangyang, then Liu Qi will be exposed to greater and greater peril. Presently, apart from myself, no one else can help her.

… But this time, I have no choice.

Ever since they’ve joined me, my comrades have always been forced to be on the move thanks to my wilfulness. I really don’t want to burden all my comrades simply because of my wish to support Liu Qi. As their lord, my duty and responsibility is to make sure we do not get into needless trouble and eventually have a place of our own.

“… I am willing.” I nodded when I realised this.

“Good! You really saved me, blood brother!” The moment I nodded, Liu Biao drew me in to his arms and gave me a bear hug. No matter how much I tried to struggle, I couldn’t break free. I didn’t expect that Liu Biao had so much strength.

“Elder brother! Elder brother, that’s enough.”

“Hahaha, I was a little too overjoyed.” He said happily as he slowly released me. Until now, his face was all smiles.

“Well then, why don’t you go to Xinye? Though it’s not quite as big as Xiangyang, it’s a nice place and peaceful all round. Most importantly, it satisfies the criteria of being accessible to all 3 cities.”

So there was such a convenient location huh? Why didn’t he station the bulk of his troops there in the first place and only mention it when I came…

Un? Speaking of Xinye… It sounds awfully familiar.

Unfortunately, my knowledge of the Three Kingdoms is insufficient and I really cannot remember the significance of that place. But it does sound like a location that Liu Bei is supposed to go.

Alright, I’ll go then.

“Alright, your blood brother understands.” I nodded once more and saluted.

“Good, well then… It’s not getting any earlier so let me send you out. I will discuss the details of this arrangement again at a later time.” As he said so, Liu Biao looked at Lady Cai at the side and turned back to look at me before putting his arm around my shoulders and gently nudging me out.

“Ah, un.”

I could feel that there was more that he wanted to say to me but he was practically driving me out so I didn’t say anything and nodded as I followed him along out of the room.