TL: In case you haven’t noticed, Gong You or Sun Qian has quite a lot of screentime. The author liked her so much, he wrote a parallel character good ending route for her, thinking of translating that on weekends while I do the main story on weekdays.

Even though it was a slow march, the marching footfalls from both troops and horses was thunderous. Just a while ago, I was only a general (not really) bringing several hundred troops around the country, and now all of a sudden I am leading a 10,000 strong army as the Governor of Yu state.

(TL: Literally all thanks to Meng De…)

First was entering Xuchang, then it was the edict in the sleeve, and now I am on my way to launch an offensive on Yuan Shu who declared herself Emperor. Honestly, this is a little too much and too fast for me to handle, and I feel a tremendous pressure on me from the rapid developments that have taken place.

“Xuan De, we have now crossed the Ying river. Shouchun should not be too far away now.” Feng Xian said as she looked at the map Meng De gave us.

Even though we were about to enter a battlefield, a puppy’s head poked out of a gap in Feng Xian’s plate armour.

“Feng Xian, are you really bringing Red Hare?”

“Un, I will feel empty if I leave it in Xuchang,” Feng Xian laughed as she looked lovingly at Red Hare, who was at her chest, as Red Hare stared back at her with its big eyes.

In Feng Xian’s eyes, Red Hare should be more than just a pet already.

“… B, but Feng Xian, you better protect it as anything can happen on the battlefield.” Yun Chang, who was riding on Feng Xian’s right, said, her eyes never moving off of the cute Red Hare.

“Kyaa~~~ So cute~~” Yi De squealed as she played with Red Hare’s little paws, and was fawning over Red Hare so much her eyes became ><>

Though my little sisters weren’t able to get the puppy in the Battle of Hulao Pa.s.s, they were still pretty happy with how it is now, since Feng Xian doesn’t mind sharing it with them from time to time.

“My lord, we should be able to see Shouchun city soon.”

While I was watching them playing with the puppy, Gong You, who had been riding beside me, pressed up close and reminded me.

“Oh, I got it.”

I looked over and saw that her riding posture was just as bad as mine. Just as I was about to ask where the other 2 were, the answer came within sight.

Zi Zhong and xiao Yong’s riding skills seemed to be even worse than Sun Qian, and they were having a tough time keeping up with the main body. It feels like they’re getting slower and slower and it might be faster if they went on foot instead.

Didn’t these 3 come greet us on horses when we went to Xu state? I don’t remember them being this slow. Could it be because horses here are bigger?

And even if they’re administrative officials, horse-riding is an essential skill… Though I don’t have the right to say that since my skill is about the same as Sun Qian.

Even though I’ve been riding a horse for so long, my riding skill has not improved in the least. My hands are still gripping the reins too tightly and my legs are clinging on to the saddle too tightly. If I’m not too careful, I can still get flung off easily.

“Gong You, when did you start riding horses?”

“From the time we left Xuchang for Shouchun.” Sun Qian said expressionlessly. No, that’s her usual look. What a pity, her smile is really beautiful.

“… Un, l, let’s keep practicing.” I laughed dryly as I patted Gong You’s shoulders.

I nearly embarra.s.sed myself.

I had wanted to elevate my confidence as her senior in horse-riding but I didn’t think that she reached my level, which took me about half a year, with just 6 or 7 days of riding. What could I possibly say in response to that?

“But big brother, was leaving Gan Qing and the rest in Xuchang really the tight choice?” Yun Chang asked.

I turned around and looked at her, and saw that she held Red Hare in her arms. Her face was light red from excitement and had a funny expression from

her efforts in trying to suppress her elation and excitement.

“Though I too want to bring them along, if something happens, things will get sticky.” I looked up to the sky as I said so, and from within the clouds, I could see the figures of Gan Qing and Mi Zhen.

No no no, those 2 aren’t dead~~~

Though I’ve not personally gone onto the battlefield, I know from looking on from the side that battles are dangerous. I don’t wish for any harm to come to Gan Qing and Mi Zhen who are just ordinary people.

Before we left, I used this reason and copious amounts of effort to persuade Gan Qing and Mi Zhen (Mi Zhen was actually supportive of them going with us) to stay. Hua Tuo also stayed as well, as she said she wanted to learn the methods of the palace physicians. I thought that was a good reason and consented to it.

Staying behind in Xuchang wasn’t that big a deal anyway as we would be returning after we’re done here.

Returning…

It happens next week– That was what was written on the slip of paper.

If things went according to what was written on the slip of paper, then they should have acted by now. I wonder how it’s like in Xuchang, and whether Meng De is safe.

The edict in the sleeve… I feel a strangely uneasy the moment I think about it… If only I’d wholeheartedly rejected it just like Ma Teng then, but then again my name was written already before I could say anything…

“Hai~~” I could only sigh at the situation I was in.

The one thing I need to think about now, is how to prove my innocence about that after I return.

Before that–

“Oh~~ Seems like we’ve reached.”

“Un? Is that so? … We actually did.” I looked closely in the direction where Yi De pointed and could somewhat see the grey city walls from afar.

Though Yi De is small, her eyesight is superb, and can see a city from miles away even in a misty environment.

Looks like we are nearing Shouchun city.

Back to what I was saying earlier, before that, I still had to deal with the problem of Yuan Shu.

We rushed here in a mostly covert manner given that we didn’t announce our presence nor did we use the main roads. I was worried about enemy scouts at first but Meng De told me not to worry as Yuan Shu would not send scouts as she feels that doing so would not be upright.

Even so, we still kept our guard up along the way. We did not, however, spot any sign of scouts from Yuan Shu.

“Gong You, has the unit that went ahead to scout come back yet??”

“Un, just now.” I spied from the corner of my eye some troops who were just returning to their battalions, as Gong You turned to me and began her report. “The city defenses are very spa.r.s.e. Looks like they haven’t detected our presence yet.”

“Un…”

I looked at the sky. The sun had begun descending toward the east. It was going to be late afternoon soon.

The weather now was quite different from a few months ago. It was now autumn and the nights were longer. Even though we could still see the sun, in 2-4 hours, it would completely go under the horizon.

I reckon if we rush now, we can launch an attack on the city before the sky turns dark.

“Big brother, I suggest we set up camp for today.” Just then, Yun Chang rode over and spoke to me. “It won’t be easy to a.s.sault the city with the troops we have now to begin with and with night coming soon, Yuan Shu might attack then as well.”

“And the one advantage we have is that the other side does not know we are here. This is extremely beneficial as it allows us to seize the initiative.” Zhang Liao, who had been riding some distance behind Feng Xian, rode up beside me and explained further.

“Un…” I looked up at the sky once more, “We’ll set up camp then.”

I had been telling myself all this while that the real battles were still a long time to come. But in reality, I would very likely be greeted one the very next day. Perhaps it’s high time that I prepared myself.

After the tents were finally set up, night had fallen.

After giving the order to be as quiet as possible and that no lights are to be lit, we finally retired for the night. Tonight is the longest night available for us to rest these few days. For the sake of rus.h.i.+ng here, we hadn’t had a food rest at all every night.

And it just so happens that I am unable to fall asleep tonight.

It happens next week… Huh.

I was still preoccupied with the matter of the edict in a sleeve but because of the problem with communications, I can’t know how it is in Xuchang immediately. By right, Meng De should be fine but until I’ve seen her in person, nothing is for sure.

“Hai–” I put some strength into my back and sat up on the makes.h.i.+ft bed made from wooden planks… Speaking of which, there seems to be some commotion outside–

“My lord!” I heard someone call me, and then Zhang Liao wrenched the tent open and ran inside with light footsteps so as not to make too much noise. “Are you alright.”

“Un, I’m alright.” This question that came out of nowhere made me puzzled me. “Why? And why aren’t you all asleep yet?”

“Please wear your coat first.”

“Ah, okay… No need to help me with it, I’ll do it myself.” I took the coat that Zhang Liao pa.s.sed me, along with a full set of plate armor. “This is too heavy, I can’t move with it on.”

“My lord, can you don’t be so spoiled?”

“Hai, alright alright.”

Haven’t you seen Yun Chang and Yi De go without any plate at all? And you and Feng Xian only wear breastplates. Though I’m not the same level as you all, it should be alright.

“And so, what’s the matter?” I asked as I tightened my belt.

“Un, there were some movements in the forest which we think are from enemy scouts, so there is the possibility of a night raid.”

Un? Could it be that Yuan Shu has found us out?

“And what’s going on now?”

“Lord Yun Chang has quietly gathered a few soldiers and entered the forest with Lord Yi De.”

“What!?” Uneasiness filled my heart the moment I heard this, and I got up immediately and made my way to exit the tent. “Entering the forest at such a time is too dangerous!”

…

I thought about it a little more, and walked back and picked up the twin swords that were practically for display all this while, and then exited the tent.

When I left the tent, I found that Feng Xuan had picked out some soldiers.

“Feng Xian, what’s the matter?”

“There isn’t much of a commotion in the forest so it looks like it’s not a night raid.” Feng Xian said as she lightly swung the halberd in her hands.

“It’s a good thing you didn’t wake up too many people. We probably won’t get to have any sleep tonight.” Zhang Liao received a long polearm from the female soldier and swung it a few times with both hands. “Hai, I haven’t been in an actual battle in a while.”

Un, everyone’s a warrior at heart huh. That fire in them has never diminished even after all this while.

“Stay here Xuan De. I’ll bring a few people in.” Feng Xian said and made to leave. Seems like she didn’t bring Red Hare with her this time.

“No, I’m coming as well.” I said as I caught up with her and used all my strength to wield the 2 heavy swords in my hands. “I’ve even brought my weapons.”

“Xuan De?” Feng Xian turned back and looked at me with a surprised expression. “Maa, that’s fine as well.”

It was very dark in the forest and if it was the usual me, I would definitely be willing to wait outside. But things were different now. I’m now the Governor of Yu state, I’m now the general of 10,000 men who has come to a.s.sault Yuan Shu, and I’m everyone’s lord.

“My lord! How can you let our lord be exposed to danger just like that?” Feng Xian didn’t say much, but Zhang Liao was quite worried as she berated Feng Xian.

“Wen Yuan,” Feng Xian said as she delicately patter Zhang Liao’s back, “The responsibility of protect our lord is in your hands?”

“My lord! How can you do that~~” Zhang Liao said with a troubled look.

… I feel like they’re pretty rude.

— Don’t move!

Just then, Yun Chang’s voice could be heard from inside the woods.

“!” The moment we heard Yun Chang, Feng Xiao wielded the halberd and the look of beast appeared on her face. “In any case, let’s get there quickly. Be careful of your footing and the tall gra.s.s.”

“Un,” Zhang Liao gestured toward the soldiers to follow her and then turned to me. “Stay close, my lord.”

I nodded, and then followed them into the forest.