Li Dian POV

Today’s weather gets 80 points. On temperature though, it will be difficult to even get a pa.s.sing grade given how b.l.o.o.d.y hot it is.

“… Ah…”

But as a warrior, I cannot possibly utter a complaint about the heat right? To say that I am suffering from the heat would be terrible right?

As I felt faint from the burning rays of sunlight, aimless thoughts filled my head. I looked up at the sky, wondering why on earth the skies were so clear when it widely known that the south was rainy. It just so happened that the heavens bestowed clear weather on us that had neither rain nor winds.

Though warriors ought to have endurance, I really cannot put up with this weather. Clearly, I still had a long way to go with my training but I do at least have the resolve. Back when I gave up my books and decided to be a warrior, I had already decided that I ought to keep at it. How can I possibly be defeated by the weather like this?!

As I thought so, I shook my head to clear my mind and reached out to grab 2 water gourds. As I shook them one by one, I realised that they were both empty.

Ah… I already finished them huh? Well, in that case–

“Lord Cao Ren, could I trouble you to lend me some water?” I said to a very healthy looking girl.

“Un? Water huh?” The white haired girl turned and said in a rather soothing voice. Even though the sun was so intense, she still looked impeccable, with no sweat on her at all. Not only that, she was able to calmly and radiantly smile at me.

Un, just being able to beam at me like that in this weather is worth 90 points. And she’s also my lord’s cousin…

“Here.” While I was occupied with my thoughts, Cao Ren had already took out her gourd and handed it to me, “It is indeed rather hot today, take care not to get heat stroke.” She smiled again as she said so.

“Ah, yes.” I said as I hurriedly took the gourd. As I did so, I looked at Cao Ren. Apart from her white hair, she does not look very much like my lord at all. One might dismiss the lack of similarity by saying that they are just cousins, yet why does Cao Hong look like the spitting image of my lord?

“Lord Li Dian.”

“Ah, yes.” Without warning. Cao Ren called out to me. Because I did not expect this, my reply was a bit lacking and I hurriedly sat up and awaited my orders. Cao Ren is the commanding officer for this expedition after all.

“We’re the vanguard for the southern expedition, which means that elder sister has high expectations for us. We cannot afford to let her down.” Cao Ren said with bare remnants of her smile remaining. It seemed like she intended to say this seriously but she looked far too friendly for it to be taken that way.

“Yes, your subordinate general thinks so as well.” I replied.

“You don’t need to address yourself as such.” Cao Ren said, her smile returning, “We’ll be relying on each other a lot from here on out.”

“Man Cheng will do her best to support you.” I said as I saluted Cao Ren to which she frowned and waved her hands.

“There’s no need to be so formal. During our next break, have some men take out some fruits we brought, chill them and give them to our troops.”

“Ah, alright.” I nodded twice, and felt that Cao Ren deserved 95 points for this. Now that I think about it, it seems like this is my first time taking part in an operation with Cao Ren. I have heard of her exploits before, in particular Mount Jiluo but I always thought that she was similar to my lord.

Now that I have gotten a chance to know her, I find that they are very different people. Compared to my lord, Cao Ren is a lot more friendly and personable. Instead of my lord, one could say that she is more similar to…

… That man who drowned a while ago. I have only had fleeting ties with him but when we took Xu state, his escape from my spear was worth a pa.s.s I suppose.

Hmph, I never thought that he would die just like that, and to drowning no less. As a warrior, dying on the battlefield after succ.u.mbing to one’s wounds is the best possible ending. Yet, he died because he fell into the water while escaping. What a poor show…

Hai… It really is…

“Lord Li Dian? Are you thinking about something?”

“Ah… Ah? Ah, no. Not at all. I was just thinking about what to do next.” I hurriedly changed the topic and turned away as I gathered my feelings.

I wonder if some weakness leaked out into my expression and Cao Ren found it out. Really, he is just an enemy leader, why am I thinking about so much?

“What happens next huh?” Cao Ren nodded as she said so, not doubting my words in the least, “Based on the covert reports sent before, we will meet Lord Yuan Shao’s subordinates, Lu Kuang and Lu Xiang as well as strategist Shen Pei, at Fan city.”

“Yes, and Yuan Shao’s reinforcements numbering 20,000.” I added to which Cao Ren smiled and muttered an agreement.

“Lord Cao Ren, could it be that you are nervous?” I asked, to which Cao Ren’s eyebrows raised somewhat and she had a sheepish look on.

“My relations.h.i.+p with them has been a little cold since the Battle of Guandu to be honest.” Cao Ren shook her head as she smiled stiffly, “Especially with Lord Feng Ji. She shows open hostility every time we meet.”

Looks like they still bear grudges from what happened at Mount Jiluo huh?

“I don’t really know how to deal with people who hate me.”

Looks like she’s just too good, I thought and felt worried as I looked at Cao Ren who seemed to be at a loss. I then looked at my surroundings and saw that the forests had given way to vast deserts.

“But the one coming this time is Shen Pei so it shouldn’t be that difficult.” I said, finding it difficult to find the words with which to allay her concerns.

Ah, just then, I saw a city behind a small hill. It’s not too big, but it’s not small either and with mountains and the river nearby, it’s probably rather prosperous.

Looks like we have reached Fan city.

“Probably.” Cao Ren said as she looked ahead as well and sighed, “In any case, let’s leave this topic aside until we enter Fan city.”

“I am the colonel in charge of the Fan city garrison. You both must be Lord Cao Ren and Lord Li Dian right?” A bearded man said as he bowed after coming out from the open city gates.

“We are.”

“Yes.”

Cao Ren and I said as we saluted him. For som reason, this colonel only looked fixedly at Cao Ren’s smiling face. Even if I am not smiling, you ought to look at me as well, I thought, feeling displeased and looked past the city gates into the city.

Just the view from outside is enough to tell me that it’s a good place. If I have to say what is lacking… Yes, the city is currently covered in fortifications and military enhancements as the bridgehead or our campaign. Compared to a city, it seems more like a fortress now.

The bustle and cheer from citizens as they go about their lives could be clearly heard. Just from that, one could tell that their lives were full and bright. It was near the river so there was a lot of economic activity going on. The soil in and around Fan city was fertile as well.

To be honest, if Fan city were situated further north, or, to be more realistic, our dominion extended further southward, this area would probably grow a lot more wealthier.

“Lord Cao Ren.”

“Ah, I know.”

But now is not the time to be worrying about the citizens or development. As the vanguard, our aim is not to defend the city, but to attack, which is why our priority is the few fellows in front of us in the Yuan clan military uniform.

“Looks like Lord Yuan Shao’s troops made it here ahead of us.” Cao Ren said, her smile completely gone. Her aura seemed more serious and calm now and was no longer gentle like before.

“But since we didn’t see their troops as we entered the city, that means they are camping on the other side.” I said to Cao Ren, “I suggest camping to the south of the city as well. It will be easier to move out when we are ready to attack and we can monitor Yuan Shao’s troops as well.”

“I understand.” Cao Ren nodded and looked at the officers beside us who got the hint and went off to notify the troops.

“May I ask if the others…” I asked the colonel.

“Ah, the other generals have already arrived here a while ago now.” Looks like the colonel knew who I was talking about, “Please, follow me.”

When he finished, the colonel began to lead us into the city proper.