Li Dian POV

“Let’s do that then.” Cao Ren nodded, “I approve of that.”

“Un, that would serve as insurance against the risks we discussed.” I said and looked at Shen Pei who was still writing on the back of the letter, “Well then, Lord Shen Pei, we’ll leave the letter with you then. Please make it as formal as possible to convey our sincerity to them.”

“Un, I’ll do my best.” Shen Pei said mildly. If it’s her, the letter will definitely be good.

Just then, a howling sound came from outside. It really is cold, I thought as I reached out and felt the inner layer of the tent and found that it was cold to the touch.

If possible, I would like to return as soon as possible.

“Ah, yes.” I just remembered something and turned to look at Shen Pei, “I would like to ask, if the enemy does defect with 3 generals and 6,000 troops, should we proceed with a siege?”

“Un…” Shen Pei grunted as she sank into thought. I looked at Cao Ren and saw that she too was looking at me.

“Probably.” Shen Pei replied after some time, “If the time is right then.”

Shen Pei was not very firm or conclusive in her answer but then again, even the ‘other’ Shen Pei would probably answer the same.

Just then, Shen Pei got up, “You can leave sending out the letter to me. I need to go over to my encampment over there anyway.”

“Un, I’ll be counting on Lord Shen Pei then.” Cao Ren said as she went forward and bowed. I too bowed when I saw this.

Shen Pei smiled to us and left the tent.

“Hu~ As expected of Lord Shen Pei to think of it from all angles.” Cao Ren said, seeming very impressed of Shen Pei, as she smiled brightly.

As for me, I still have some things to ponder over.

“Yes, there is just 1 rather important thing to consider when the time comes.”

“Ah, I understand.” Cao Ren nodded.

Naturally, I believe that Shen Pei is considering this as well, that is who they will defect to when they do so.

Cao Cao or Yuan Shao, this is something that has to be considered.

Yun Chang POV

When I looked outside as the north wind howled outside the room, I saw that the few trees in the courtyard had their leaves swept cleanly off. Just a few days was enough to make everything barren. Our future was like that of a tree with a single leaf swaying in the wind, unsure of when the winds would finally stop and new leaves would begin to bud.

But leaving that aside, it looks like there will be a lot more laundry work to do now that the weather is becoming colder.

“Big brother, are you cold?” I asked as I sat beside big brother when I saw him curling up.

“I’m alright.” Big brother replied as he smiled stiffly and s.h.i.+vered a little, “Putting on a coat now would be a little bit spoiled. If I start wearing thick clothes now, what will I do when winter comes around?”

I guess he is right. As for myself, I can basically wear the same thing all year round. Though I do feel cold, I can ignore heat, or lack there of, if I maintain mental and emotional stability. Of course, this is a.s.suming I do not get sick.

“*Achoo*”

“Big brother, I think it’s better if you put something on.”

“Ah, I think so too.” Big brother chuckled as he said so. I really do not know what to do with him, especially now that I am going to leave his side for a day at least.

“Well then, I’ll be heading back first then.”

“Al

right, my lord.” Wen Yuan said in response to Lu Bu who finally got up and bade Wen Yuan farewell.

“Are you heading to the encampment?”

“Ah… Maybe not.” Wen Yuan replied Lu Bu with an uncertain answer and looked at Xu Shu, “That will depend on what Lord Xu Shu has planned.”

Feng Xian looked at Xu Shu, as did I, who was currently staring at a letter. This was the letter that we had sent to Cao Ren’s encampment before. On the other side, Cao Ren had written the demands that they had.

By the way, the way they returned it was really covert. They had a young child student carry a bamboo scroll into the city with the letter hidden inside it. Next, they had an adult impersonate an ordinary soldier who snuck the scroll onto my table when I was not in my room.

By the time I found the scroll, the one who left it there was nowhere to be found. When I learnt of their methods, I was really impressed at their espionage capabilities and wondered what sort of general it was who had such capable subordinates who could do all this.

At the same time, I had a newfound respect for Xu Shu because the letter did produce what seemed to be a positive response from the enemy as she had predicted. We were to meet with them in their encampment tonight. The letter was only returned last night and I only saw it this morning so we had very little time to prepare.

The moment I found this letter, I immediately showed it to everyone during our daily meeting and those involved along with big brother began discussing this after the usual meeting matters were over. Now that the last uninvolved person, Lu Bu, has left, it seems like Xu Shu will be speaking soon.

“Un~” Xu Shu nodded, “The words used in the reply are very euphemistic and grandiose. Overall it seems like the enemy believes you really are going to defect.”

“Oh~ Is that so?” Wen Yuan asked as she folded her arms across her chest and nodded, “Then that means that after our meeting with them, we can start preparing for our strategy?”

“Hmph, how could that be so simple?” Chen Gong continued the moment Wen Yuan finished. Chen Gong has always been rather trigger happy with her mouth after all.

“It won’t. As I have explained before.” Xu Shu agreed with what Chen Gong said and flipped the letter to show us what was written.

There were many words written on the other side of the letter and the words were all beautifully written.

“Don’t you think that it’s a little too formal?” Xu Shu continued when she saw that Wen Yuan and I did not react, “There’s way too many words for a simple defection acceptance letter or a meeting request letter. And besides, the way the letter expresses thanks is a little too flowery.”

Ah… Now that she mentioned it, yes, it is indeed a little overboard. Just a few lines would have sufficed yet a whole page was used.

“Could it be that they place great importance on our defection?” Wen Yuan said as she gave a carefree smile, “Bringing our troops along with us is a great boon for them after all.”

“Yes,” Xu Shu said as she looked over, “Your troops are the focus here. They are suspicious of whether your troops will be available on demand.”

“Do they think it’s a trap?” Big brother asked.

“Possibly. And it’s likely that all 3 of the, think that it’s a trap.”

“Then us going to the meeting is a trap as well.” I added.

“Yes, that’s exactly it. Lord Guan Yu understands it well.” Xu Shu said as she gave me a thumbs-up and nodded, “If they were to sense anything untoward at the meeting, you will all probably die. At the very least, you will not be allowed to return.”

“Yuan Zhi…” Big brother called out with a stiff smile.

“Of course, that is the extreme case but you lot will likely end up as hostages or prisoners.”

“Then why are we still going to the meeting then?” Wen Yuan asked with a frown.

“Un, because this is a great opportunity for the enemy.” Xu Shu said as she put the letter down on the table, “The reason why they replied using this very letter, and not another sheet of silk, is because this is an expression of sincerity. If they so wish, they could turn this letter over to our troops and then the 3 of you would ne in trouble but they did not do so.”

“That means that they still wish to take the city right?”

“3 generals and 6,000 troops is far too alluring in a stalemate situation as this.” Xu Shu added on to what I said as she nodded. At this point, it seemed like she had gotten thirsty or wanted to buy some time to think so she reached out and opened her gourd before pouring its contents into her bowl.

“Un? Does Lord Guan Yu want some as well?” She asked when she noticed my gaze.

“Ah, no need for that.” I said as I shook my hands, “I’m not too interested in sweet stuff.”

I have heard from big brother before that her sugar water is really delicious but I do not drink such things. If it was liquor, I might have indulged in her generosity.

“Well then, what do we do?” Wen Yuan asked, “If they don’t really trust us, doesn’t that mean we don’t have a good chance of succeeding in the meeting.”

“That’s not the right way to put it. *s.h.i.+ku*~” Xu Shu said and she took a draught of her drink.

“The enemy’s ultimate wish is to break the current stalemate situation so they will not pick on any faults unless they are too glaring.” Xu Shu said. She then seemed to notice that she had not capped her gourd and got shocked and frantic as she hurriedly capped her gourd before continuing, “And besides, persuading you all to defect was one of their main objectives so they subconsciously do wish for your defections to be genuine.”