Liu Bei POV

“We’ll be compensating them this time. As for how, I’ll leave it to your judgement. You can give them more merits, priority for provisions, earlier retirement, monetary reward etc. If they have any dependents, try and find a way to help support them…” I just gave a few random examples but Zi Zhong’s abacus began whirring to life at a speed where it could be heard over the din of the party.

Liao on the other hand nodded along as I spoke and when I finished, she said, “There shouldn’t be any problem to do that for now.”

“We can afford it for the time being. I’m not sure if we can handle the burden in the long-term.” Zi Zhong said after she finished an initial a.s.sessment.

Yes, I too feel that it will be difficult to keep it up in the long-term. Ah…

“… How to deal with that.” “Should be our job right?” Just as I was about to say something, Gong You and xiao Yong spoke up. It felt a little weird to hear just the 2 of them without Zi Zhong.

“Hmph, I suppose.” Zi Zhong was a little taken aback when she heard this but smiled and agreed before keeping her abacus and saluting me, “Your retainer understands and will deal with it in the next few days.”

“I’ll be counting on you then.” I nodded, feeling that these people were truly reliable.

“But Xuan De is still Xuan De huh? I’m pretty sure that no other feudal lord would even bother with such a thing.” Zi Long said as she gave me a wry smile, “Even if a feudal lord happens to do so, more often than not, it was the result of a subordinate’s suggestion.”

“It’s big brother after all so there really isn’t a need to be so surprised.” Yun Chang added proudly.

“Really? I wouldn’t have thought about it.”

“That’s because you’re dumb~”

“What’s that?! Chen Gong! Say it again if you have the guts!”

Those 2 began to fight once more but this time, it only helped to liven up the party as everyone laughed while they watched them. As usual, the life of the party were the same few energetic and lively folk.

“By the way, Xuan De, who were the ones who came this time?”

“Un?” I looked over and saw that it was Feng Xian who had been silent up till now. It surprised me that she was asking about that.

“Ah, yes.” I thought back to the battle earlier and recalled their names, “Lord Li Dian was the commanding officer and she had 2 lieutenants whose surnames were Lu.”

“Lu Xiang and Lu Kuang. Just the flags should have been enough to know their names. We discussed this earlier today.” Yun Chang added, not forgetting to admonish me along the way.

“Lu Kuang died before the battle began proper and Lu Kuang and Li Dian escaped.” I continued after Yun Chang, “But why is Feng Xian asking this?”

It’s not like her to ask about such things.

“It’s nothing. I just thought I’d ask since we might face them in future. I have not fought in a while after all.”

So that’s what you were worried about huh?

“No, there is no reason whatsoever for my lord to worry about being out of practice.”

“Yes, Lord Lu Bu’s martial prowess is truly astounding. We experienced it firsthand after all, all of us.”

Yun Chang and Wen Yuan had troubled looks on as they spoke softly enough that Feng Xian could not hear them. From what they said, it seems like something happened recently

while I was missing.

“But Li Dian huh?” Feng Xian muttered.

“What’s the matter? Did Lord Lu Bu fight with Li Dian before?”

Feng Xian nodded, “I did fight her before back in Xu state.”

Ah, now that she mentioned it, there was such a thing. Back in Xu state, she once fought 6 Cao generals at once. Amongst the 6 were Li Dian and Yue Jin. I did not expect that Feng Xian would still remember the battle and Li Dian’s name though.

“What does Lord Guan Yu think of her?”

“Me? Un… Her martial prowess and adherence to the path of a warrior is pa.s.sable but she lacks strength and composure so she’s not that tough of an opponent. I don’t think Lord Lu Bu needs to be worried about that.”

(Not like there was any need to be worried in the first place…) Wen Yuan muttered under her breath. I agree with this point.

“Un… But Lord Guan Yu should still be careful. It feels like Li Dian and Yue Jin are adept with many weapons so they aren’t like us who have signature weapon types.”

“Is that so? Then since I broke her spear today, the next time–”

“Un,” Feng Xian nodded, “She might take the field with something else, like a sword for instance.” Feng Xian took a sip of liquor when she finished and Yun Chang seemed to take this advice to heart as she nodded.

It’s noteworthy that Feng Xian never bothered asking about the Lu siblings at all. I wonder if it’s because she feels they are not worth talking about or if she just does not know anything about them at all.

“By the way, Lord Guan Yu, I saw e–verything while you were on the battlefield~”

“Eh?”

Just then, Zhou Cang, who had begun to drink from the gourds, bellowed at Yun Chang between chuckles. Her clothes were a mess. The belt had loosened up and her clothes looked like they would open any minute. But at this point, she was far too inebriated to bother about this.

“Does everyone know~ Lord Guan Yu’s acting is actually really marvellous~” Zhou Cang then mimicked Yun Chang’s stern expression and flicked her hair back with her hand like what Yun Chang always does before she continued, “‘Now that you lot have come here to do battle with us, even if big brother is not around, I will fight till the last drop of blood leaves me.'”

“Ah!!!”

“Oh~~”

Yun Chang screamed out loud with her face a deep, bright red while everyone else seemed surprised and gasped at Zhou Cang’s re-enactment while they clapped.

“Big brother! Will you not clap?!”

Un? Am I? Ah yes, indeed I am. Well, I was actually clapping because Zhou Cang’s act really seemed like Yun Chang.

“But leaving that aside, I do think that Yun Chang was really cool when you said these words.”

“Wu…”

I praised her without inhibition as I too saw that very scene from not too far off but this praise left Yun Chang at a greater loss as to what to do.

“Ah yes, how is Lord Zhang Fei? Is she better?” Wen Yuan asked. But when the topic of Yi De came up, everyone’s expressions became more serious. In particular, I caught sight of Yuan Zhi choking when Wen Yuan asked about Yi De.

“There’s no need to worry about Lord Zhang Fei. She’s just exhausted.” I smiled and explained as casually and simply as I could so it would not ruin the party, “She’s still feeling unwell because of that and is resting now so there’s no need to worry.”

I told them not to worry twice but they were still troubled.

“I heard that Lord Zhang Fei was backed into a corner by Lu Xiang?” Feng Xian asked.

Since she asked it like that, I had no choice but to answer honestly, “Un… I guess so.”

“But that can’t be helped. She lost her memories after all and probably can’t find the will to fight.” Chen Dao explained.

But this explanation would only lead to another question. Since she lost her memories, why was Lord Zhang Fei deployed? But this could only be answered by Yuan Zhi.

“I have to admit that as my mistake.”

Eh? Just as Chen Dao finished, a voice came from the end of the column. When I looked over, I saw that it was Yuan Zhi who sat there with a cup in her hands.

“I should not have sent an amnesiac Lord Zhang Fei to the battlefield…” She said and then slowly and shakily got up.

“Ah, no. That’s not what I mean…” Chen Dao felt bad when she heard what Yuan Zhi said and hurriedly got up to explain herself.

“Benefactor, you don’t need to be like this…” Huang Zu said. But that’s all she could say as she was not really in a position to say anything substantial.

Yet, the mood did not improve at all despite their efforts and everyone began to ponder why Yi De was deployed to begin with. There were many better choices after all. Even though Yuan Zhi was able to admit her mistake, she will not be able to avoid being blamed for it.

“Deployment mistakes happen now and then. Besides, it was her first time taking command so it’s understandable.” Just then, a shrill voice came from the other column. I looked over and saw that it was Chen Gong who spoke, not stopping her chopsticks as she did so.

I never expected that Chen Gong would be the one to defend Yuan Zhi. I thought that there was some degree of rivalry and animosity between the 2 of them and it seemed like everyone else was similarly surprised.

Zhou Cang in particular looked at Chen Gong suspiciously which seemed to provoke Chen Gong,

“I’ve always been a very reasonable and objective person. Sorry for being so harsh all the time!” Zhou Cang said and then sat down as she sipped her liquor with a frown.

“T-that’s right. Lord Xu Shu doesn’t know us well enough yet so it’s amazing that she was able to put together such a good plan.” Chen Dao hurriedly added when Chen Gong sat down.

Sweat poured down her cheeks and she seemed like a kid who had done something wrong. In actual fact, she did not do anything serious but I suppose she’s the serious type after all.

“Lord Xu Shu,” Just then, Yun Chang stood up with her cup in her hands, “Today’s battle was won beautifully thanks to you. I don’t blame you for what happened to Yi De. She pushed herself too hard as well after all.”

“Ah… No…” Yuan Zhi got up stiffly and stood there, unsure what she should do.