Liu Bei POV

Huang Zu sighed while Yuan Zhi smiled.

“Under these circ.u.mstances, if those 3 defect along with their troops, the enemy will definitely agree to siege the city.” Yuan Zhi said as she turned back to everyone, “On one hand, they now get to take the city by force. Additionally, their efforts to persuade some of us have borne fruit. They will at least consider the option to heed what the 3 of them suggest whether or not they believe it.”

Everyone nodded when Yuan Zhi finished. This plan is indeed worth trying out. As Yuan Zhi said, them still thinking that I am dead is a good reason for them to accept defections.

“If… There are no objections…” Yuan Zhi said and trailed off as she swept her gaze around several times, “Well then, let’s do this. At the very least, this will be how our broad strategy will go.”

“I’m in.” I decided to give the first vote. It was a strategy devised by Yuan Zhi under my urging after all. There is some risk involved but it’s a really good plan.

“What about the others?” I asked as I looked around. I was still a little worried that everyone might have some reservations about Yuan Zhi from what Zi Long said this morning. Yuan Zhi has not actually produced any proof that she is not a spy for the enemy after all.

“I have none at all. I am willing to believe in Lord Xu Shu once more.”

“Ah… Yun Chang.” Just as I was getting worried, Yun Chang agreed to it.

“I have no objection either and will listen to Lord Xu Shu’s commands.”

“Un.”

Next was Wen Yuan and Feng Xian. Looking to the side, the Xu state 3 were nodding wordlessly as well. Further to the back was Chen Gong who had a disdainful look.

“I have no objections. But watch out, I just might defect for real.” Chen Gong said as she gave me a wry smile.

“Chen Gong~” I smiled back. At least she has agreed to it. I thought that she would object.

“I have no objection as well.” Just then, Zi Long came back into the room and looked at Yuan Zhi, “Of course, I still have some doubts about your ident.i.ty but at this time, any reasonable and actionable plan goes. At the same time, I hope that you do not prove my suspicions to be true.”

“I won’t.” Yuan Zhi replied.

Hmm, it seems like Zi Long is being a little shy here right? Maybe she does not really know how to deal with such feelings after being so poisonous with her words for so long.

“Don’t smile, Xuan De.”

“Ah… I will watch myself…” I said as I hurriedly turned away.

“Well then, that’s settled. Now, let’s work on advancing this plan.” Yuan Zhi said as she gave a single clap.

“What do we do first?” I asked. This should be everyone’s main concern as well.

“Let’s go with the usual, send a letter.” Yuan Zhi said and pointed at Yun Chang, “I think that we should leave this to Lord Guan Yu.”

“Me?” Yun Chang said as she pointed at herself in surprise.

“Yes, there needs to be a representative amongst you 3. As Xuan De’s sister, you have the most right to be the representative.”

“Alright, i got it.” Yun Chang said as she picked up the brush beside her and began to write.

“Ah, by the way…”

Un? Yuan Zhi called out to Yun Chang and stopped her just as Yun Chang was about to write and softly gave her an extra set of instructions.

“– Starting from now,

Lord Guan Yu can start making preparations to go to the enemy encampment for negotiations.”

Li Dian POV

I do not usually keep track of the months so I do not know when in the season we are right now. I am afraid of the cold so I just hope that winter can pa.s.s as soon as possible. These few days have been really windy and cold though. Even on sunny days, I cannot just wear what I wore here originally and need to put on a fur coat before I can leave the room. It was a little chilling to note that if the strong winds had been just a few days early, our ambush would have utterly failed.

Because Lu Xiang’s injury has yet to recover, there is a risk of her getting frostbite on her wound so I have had to cover for her duties which is why I am now out here counting the grain carts coming in from Fan city.

1 cart, 2 carts… Haa~

I could not help but to yawn as I counted and involuntarily s.h.i.+vered. I quickly looked about after that but luckily, no one was watching. As a warrior, I should not be doing such embarra.s.sing acts. I have to say though, these past few days have been really boring. We are now camped in a place where we have a full view of Xinye but all we can do is watch. As is the case with our enemy.

… Even though we gained a decisive advantage and superior positioning, we are stymied by a alack of troops. But that cannot be helped.

19.. 20… Un, the number checks out. I nodded and put the silk book on the table before stamping it.

“Un, thanks for your hard work.” I said as I handed the silk book back to the city garrison troops who were in charge of protecting the caravan. He received it, lowered his head and turned back to leave immediately.

Un… Yuan Shao’s troops huh? They really are cold huh?

“Lord Li Dian, how is it with our supply carts?” Cao Ren’s voice came from behind me and when I turned to look, I saw that she had a thin coat draped over her as she came over.

“Un, all 20 carts have been accounted for. I just did a count and inspection. There are no issues and no missing carts.” I said as I patted the sack on a nearby cart, “These supplies should be sufficient for us to last for another half a month.”

Cao Ren nodded and came over to where I was as she reached out to the cart as well, “Un, the main body should be almost here in half a month. After we’ve finished these supplies, we can prepare to go into the city and eat freshly cooked food.”

When she finished, she looked in the direction of Xinye city as did I.

“Yes, half a month should be enough.” I said and looked at Cao Ren, “But Lord Cao Ren, are you not cold in this?”

Cao Ren was not wearing a long skirt nor did she have any bandages over her legs. She wore a set of short robes as usual which revealed her white, slender legs. Leaving aside considerations related to modesty, will she not feel cold wearing clothes like this? It might be warm enough indoors with heating but the wind is blowing rather strongly yet she has not shown any signs that she si feeling cold at all.

“Un? Ah, I’m fine.” Cao Ren said as she smiled kindly at me, “I’m already used to it.” She said as she patted her thighs.

Wu… Just looking at her makes me feel cold, I thought as I pulled my fur coat tighter over myself. Oh well, if she feels that way then I have nothing to say.

“My lords, we will be heading back now.” Just then, the caravan guards said as they got on their horses and made to leave.

“Alright, thanks for your hard work.”

“Thanks for your hard work.”

Cao Ren and I nodded and smiled at them. Or at least, Cao Ren smiled. I could not bring myself to do so.

“It’s such a waste to have those troops stay and defend the city.” I sighed as I looked at the backs of the leaving troops, “We could do much more if we were to pull out all the troops we have.”

“We most definitely cannot do that.” Cao Ren said with a stiff smile, “The enemy has already tried to raid the city once. Right now, it’s best to be safe than sorry.”

She is right, I guess.

“To be perfectly honest, this is all thanks to what Shen Pei said back then. If she had not told us to be on guard for a raid, we would have been forced to retreat back to Xuchang in shame by now.” I said, feeling a little unsatisfied. But there is no choice, I have to admit it.

“You’re right.” Cao Ren said as she kicked the loose soil by th wheels of the cart, “Which is why I’ve written clearly and in great detail everything about the battle and Shen Pei’s contributions. I have also asked for rewards on her behalf.”

“Hai~” Cao Ren sighed, “I wonder if elder sister will feel embarra.s.sed when she sees this.”

“Maybe.” I too sighed. The goth of us really are embarra.s.sing. We lost the first battle and the second battle was only won thanks to Shen Pei. Lu Xiang, as the other commander on the ambush, also deserves some honours for what she did.

Like this, Cao and I are can only get 50-60 points. Lu Xiang gets more and the highest is naturally Shen Pei. Even 95 points for her would not be a stretch.

In any case, the battle is now over and our job as the vanguard is over as well.

“Troops, come over and bring the grain carts to our supply cache. Make sure to guard them well. The weather is dry and the grain is flammable so be careful it doesn’t catch fire.”

“Yes!” After I gave the order, 2 troops close by sheathed their weapons and came to push the carts.

As the carts went by, I continued to look at Xinye city. Right now, we have 7-8,000 troops in this encampment, which is about the same number that the enemy can freely move now. But because of the difference in our gear, we still hold the advantage.

At the same time, we cannot attack as well. 7-8,000 troops are simply not enough for Cao Ren and I to take down Xinye. And so, we are just camping here and watching Xinye’s movements as we await our reinforcements which should come in half a month.