Liu Bei POV

“Yes, compared to staying here, we can at least observe the enemy’s movements from the city tower. If it were not for the mountainous terrain, we can even pull back our scouts as we have a full view. Now that the weather is clear as well, we will be able to get a good glimpse of the frontal battle. Moreover, the view is picturesque as well.” Yuan Zhi said and looked at Huang Zu, “We won’t be in the way right?”

“No, how could benefactor ever say such things?” Huang Zu said respectfully as she sat upright. It was clear that she was still very grateful to the one who saved her, “Fortification works on the northern tower have yet to proceed as the materials are not ready yet. It should be fine to go there.”

“Alright, let’s go then.” Yuan Zhi said and got up. She did not say anything else to me and made to leave without waiting to see if I would follow.

“A-ah! Yuan Zhi!” By the time I regained my senses, Yuan Zhi was already several paces away. As she left, she did not forget to put on her straw hat.

I looked at Yuan Zhi from the side but all I could see was mostly just her bandana. I do not know why but it feels like Yuan Zhi is very anxious like never before. Usually, architects of grand strategies tend to sit and wait around in the headquarters of the main base. Yuan Zhi is the sort that is like a football coach, and never relaxes even if her strategies are already being executed. Of course, this could also mean that she is not fully confident about her ideas.

But then again, this is just normal human behaviour.

“Don’t be too nervous, Yuan Zhi.” I felt like I had to say something at this time. Even if it’s just an ordinary consolation, it should at least have some effect on Yuan Zhi, “The previous battle went very well and I have to say that the strategy this time is pretty good too. All we need to do is just wait. No matter what, Yuan Zhi is already very impressive.”

As I said so, I could sense that Yuan Zhi, who had been walking faster and faster, had slowed her pace down. I began to panic a little and wondered if I had said something out of turn. When I looked at Yuan Zhi, I saw that she had a dazed expression.

“I’m… Very impressive?”

“Eh?” I was surprised at this question but decided that I would do my best to explain why I thought so, “Ah un, yes. I’m truly grateful to the ingenious strategies that Yuan Zhi has given to me.”

I smiled stiffly as I went on. Because I still have no clue why Yuan Zhi chose to join me, I really do not know how to repay her for what she has done.

“No, no… D-don’t say that…” Yuan Zhi looked away as she stammered. She threw a glance at me before looking down and said, “To be honest, sometimes I… I think that I don’t know how to do anything and am good at nothing.”

“You said… You’re good for nothing?” I repeated and tilted my head before laughing, “Haha…”

“What are you laughing for?”

“No, sorry for that.” I shook my head and apologised when I heard some displeasure in Yuan Zhi’s voice and explained, “I just think that if Yuan Zhi is good for nothing, then there is no such thing as a capable retainer in the world.”

I felt like I had said too much when I finished but I truly felt that Yuan Zhi was a capable retainer. She just demands too much of herself.

“… Hai.” However, her mood did not improve when she heard me praise and sighed instead.

Our mansion was

not too far from the northern city tower so we reached it before long. Along the way, we saw many troops on the move. Some were preparing to leave the city, others were busy informing the commoners. If it came down to a siege battle, we would inevitably require the a.s.sistance of the commoners.

Looks like Huang Zu’s long experience from garrisoning at Jiangxia has come in handy this time as it seems like she has considered practically every scenario. If it were not for the measly number of troops she had in Jiangxia relative to the enemy, and Gan Ning’s betrayal, perhaps things might have turned out differently in the Battle of Jiangxia.

“Ah… As expected, the city tower looks rather short from up close.” I said as I looked at it. A rough estimate would put the tower at just 2.5 storeys tall. This was something that any healthy foot soldier could easily scale.

“This cannot be helped as Xinye city is smaller than a commandery city after all.” Yuan Zhi said as she looked up at it and then at me, “So we cannot just stay here and defend. We must reach Fan city.”

When she finished, she continued walking towards the city tower and began ascending it. When I saw the soldiers standing about, I hurriedly put on my hat, just in case.

“Ah yes, Lord Shamoke.”

“… Un? What is it?” I replied after a moment’s pause before I realised that Yuan Zhi was addressing me.

When I looked over, I saw her rapidly scaling the steps with no sign of exhaustion whatsoever. In comparison, I was clearly in much worse shape. After all I had been through, I thought I was much better than this.

“Do you have a good understanding of the enemy’s generals?”

“Eh? Generals huh?” I thought back to the names that were mentioned and replied, “Ah… Li Dian, Lu Kuang and Lu Xiang right?”

“Un,” Yuan Zhi replied, “Let’s leave Lu Kuang out. Do you know Li Dian and Lu Xiang well?”

“That huh… While I was in Ben Chu’s faction, I did hear of Lu Xiang and Lu Kuang but they were not very well-known then.” I decided not to waste too much time on these 2 as I barely even knew them and focused on Li Dian, “As for Li Dian, I do know fairly well. I even personally crossed swords with her back when I was escaping from Xu state.”

“Oh.” Yuan Zhi gave a light and quick response which made me feel like she was not too interested in my duel with Li Dian.

Well, I do have to admit that it was not particularly glorious and decided to leave it out and go into my impression of her, “I do not have any deep ties with her but I do know that she is a rather serious person. And she seems to be the same type of person as Wen Yuan and Yun Chang, someone whose path is closely tied to being a warrior.”

“Un un, I see.” Yuan Zhi continued to reply nonchalantly. I thought that this topic would be over with that until I heard Yuan Zhi mutter under her breath, “The path of a warrior huh…”

I do not know the significance of her repeating that but I am sure that she has her own thoughts about this and is definitely thinking about it. I did not dare to interrupt at this time and she never spoke about anything else until we were at the top of the tower.

“Ah, Lord Shamoke, Lord Xu Shu.” Liao Hua greeted us just as we made it the top and saluted us as she came over. Liao Hua is definitely up there along with Chen Dao when it comes to observing proprieties.

“Liao Hua, you’re pretty fast huh?” I said as I saluted in between deep breaths.

“I am in charge of the city defences after all.” Liao Hua said as she pointed outside the city and gestured for us to head in that direction, “You both must be here to spectate the battle right?”

“Ah… More or less.” I said. Every detail in the strategy employed for the upcoming battle was left to Yuan Zhi after all and it was Yuan Zhi who proposed to spectate from this location while I was just a tag along. The real reason why I was here was because of my concern for everyone who was fighting today.

“Lord Liao Hua, what’s the situation like now?” Yuan Zhi asked as she leaned against the bricks and looked out.

“Lord Guan Yu and her troops have begun to move out. Lord Lu Bu’s troops are ready and are waiting for the enemy to arrive.”

Yuan Zhi nodded with a dazed look and her mouth slightly open, as though she had just woken up.

“Where is the enemy right now?”

“According to the latest reports, they have begun moving out and are currently on their way here.”

“How many are there?”

“That will have to wait for–”

*Tatata*

Just as Liao Hua was about to finish her answer, a soldier came running over and handed her a piece of silk. Liao Hua opened it, gave a quick glance and folded it.

“We just received word on the enemy’s strength.” Liao Hua said. At this very moment, both Yuan Zhi and I stared at Liao Hua and waited for the number, “The enemy’s strength is 10,000.”

“10,000 huh…?”

“Eh?” When she heard Liao Hua’s words, Yuan Zhi exclaimed in surprise, drawing the attention of both Liao Hua and I.

“Yuan Zhi, is there a problem?”

“Ah… No, it’s nothing.” Yuan Zhi looked terrible and she lowered head but then looked up and turned to Liao Hua, “Are you sure that it’s 10,000?”

“That is how the scouts from up ahead have reported.” Liao Hua said as she handed the piece of silk to Yuan Zhi. She received it and looked at it before folding it before closing her eyes and sank into thought.