Liu Bei POV

Just looking at their faces was enough to allay most of my concerns.

“Ah, you’re back.” Yuan Zhi said as she continued to keep her eyes closed. Only after a long while did she open her eyes and look at them.

“How was it?” I asked anxiously, a stark contrast with how calm and leisurely Yuan Zhi was.

“Un… We didn’t get exposed.” Yun Chang said as her smile diminished slightly. She looked at me and then at Yuan Zhi, “But they did not clearly say that they would attack. They only said that we should keep our part of the bargain if they were to deploy their troops in 3 days’ time.

“I’m sorry… That was the best we could do.” Wen Yuan said as she smiled bitterly and frowned.

As for Chen Gong, she was the same as ever and had a tsundere-ish face that said ‘do not ask me what I think nor should you expect me to tell you what I think’ as she folded her arms across her chest.

“Un, that will do.” Yuan Zhi nodded and reached up to adjust her bandana that had gotten a bit loose while she slept, “This result is actually even better than I expected. I initially thought you might be detained.”

“We nearly got killed.”

“Eh?!” I was shocked to hear what Wen Yuan said so relaxedly and even absentmindedly.

“Haha, that too.” Yuan Zhi daid as she chuckled.

“Why did you get us to go if you know…” Chen Gong complained under her breath as Yuan Zhi got up and made her way to where they were.

“I said I would be prepared for any outcome. Naturally, that includes outcomes where you were seen through.” Yuan Zhi said as she looked at them, “That means, of course, that I have countermeasures for that.”

“That’s more like it.” Chen Gong nodded.

Just then, Yuan Zhi looked down at the clothing the 3 of them had on, “Un~ Your attire was really well thought out. Entry into and exit out of the city must have been a piece of cake.”

“Un, it was alright. But actually, there was–”

“Yun Chang, you can stop right there.”

“Must you humiliate us both one more time?”

Un? Yun Chang was holding back laughter as she tried to tell us about something but was promptly interrupted by the other 2. It seemed what Yun Chang had to say was extremely embarra.s.sing or damaging to the both of them but since they were so forceful, Yun Chang merely smiled and stayed silent. Naturally, I did not ask out of curiosity.

“Alright, tell me about what happened during the meeting.” Yuan Zhi asked. Looks like her focus was on that huh.

“So they did not suspect you in the end?” I added.

“No, they did at the beginning. Shen Pei in particular continued to suspect us till the very end.” Yun Chang explained as she sat down on a nearby cus.h.i.+on, “But after many incidents, we were able to tell a coherent story that convinced them. Additionally, every one of them is convinced that big brother is dead so Cao Ren and Li Dian were not particularly guarded against us.”

“But really, Yun Chang’s contributions were the most crucial this time.”

“Ah, Wen Yuan.” Yun Chang blushed and frowned at Wen Yuan’s praise as Wen Yuan smiled and placed her hands around Yun Chang’s shoulders.

“Yes, Lord Guan Yu has indeed saved us from peril many times today.” Surprisingly, Chen Gong added in as well and heaped praise on Yun Chang, “I never imagined that a warrior like Lord Guan Yu would be able to be

so eloquent and convincing.”

“I was just speaking from my heart.” Yun Chang said as she rubbed her nose shyly, “If my performance was excellent, it was thanks to Lord Chen Gong’s performance at the start and the advice you gave us at the very beginning.”

“So modest~’ Wen Yuan teased as she leapt towards Yun Chang who was forced to dodge to the side. Though she still seemed serious, Yun Chang’s shy smile was clear to see.

As I looked at Yun Chang, I felt thankful for her help and also felt that her smile now was perhaps the most dazzling I have seen ever since her loss. The success she achieved in this meeting has probably redeemed her for her previous loss in her heart.

But… Is she actually hurting inside? As someone who places great importance on loyalty and honour, instead of facing the enemy in a fair and upfront battle, she is forced to resort to such trickery. And so, I wonder if she is hurting and angry inside about the raid from before and this incident.

Even though Yun Chang is still smiling now, she should still feel some bitterness and resent as well…

“Yun Chang, Wen Yuan and Chen Gong.” I called out to them and very seriously and formally saluted and bowed to them, “For the sake of this battle, you have had to sacrifice too much… I will not be able to repay you…”

Halfway through, I was overwhelmed with my guilt and needed some time to steel myself before I was able to continue. Even so, I was really unsure what to say and even felt that being like this was even cunning of me and struggled to convey my deep grat.i.tude and guilt towards them.

“Please get up, big brother.” Yun Chang said as she held my hands and helped me up.

I looked up and saw Yun Chang standing before me with a smile that was warm enough to melt winter itself. Yun Chang does not particularly like to smile, but when she does, it is very rea.s.suring.

“Yun Chang… I…”

“Big brother doesn’t need to say anything. Your little sister understands.” Yun Chang continued, her smile bright as ever, “Compared to my own path, I would rather see big brother advance down his.”

“Yun Chang…”

Yun Chang’s words were not particularly deep or grandiose but they really hit me hard and I began to sniffle and wondered how I ought to convey my feelings to her.

“And besides, our path is intertwined with my lord’s to begin with.” Wen Yuan added as she held her hips relaxedly, “If my lord’s path is gone, what are we going to do?”

“Somebody’s got to do it anyway.” Chen Gong smiled as she said, “We were just the ones who were the most suitable.”

“Chen Gong…”

“I was just saying the truth.” Chen Gong said as she turned away and withdrew her smile when I looked over.

“Un…” My emotions were a mess now but I felt happy as I looked at them but I finally responded in the most plainest and simplest way, “… Thank you.”

“No need for thanks.” Wen Yuan said as she shrugged while Yun Chang smiled wordlessly.

“Un~ You should be done now right?” Just then, Yuan Zhi spoke up as she held her chin. Looks like she’s begun considering the next moves we need to make, “In that case, let’s proceed with this.” Yuan Zhi nodded as she stroked her chin and tightened her bandana, “Lord Chen Gong, Lord Zhang Liao, I’ll be troubling you both to go to the tower to summon everyone here, including Huang Zu and the rest who are in charge of the city defence works. We’ll be having a meeting.”

“Alright, I got it.”

“Ah~ Got it, got it~”

Wen Yuan seemed to still have energy left while Chen Gong seemed to be completely exhausted. Even so, she still accepted Yuan Zhi’s request.

I looked at Yuan Zhi from the side and saw that she was now perfectly calm as she explained the strategy for the next battle, “Yes, the positioning of the troops can be left to Huang Zu the day before. Chen Gong, your stuff must be done as soon as possible…”

Because there is nothing for me to do, I am just relaxing right now at the meeting. In fact, it is more relaxing for me at these meetings as I do not have to deal with administrative work which has been pretty heavy of late. Some of it was related to Xinye city’s governance but a lot of it was just border and customs control stuff.

I have to say though, the strategy for this battle is a lot more intricate and complete. It seems like every angle was considered and every resource was used to its fullest to ensure maximum efficacy.

And this entire strategy was the brainchild of Yuan Zhi. She came up with it entirely on her own, without any help or information about history. Literally every single step of the process was planned by her.

“Now then Lord Zhao Yun, see here…” Yuan Zhi continued giving instructions as I sat at the main seat doing nothing. No one else was speaking and everyone was listening closely. Compared to the previous 2 battles, it seems like everyone is a lot more serious this time.

However, the one who is the most serious about this battle is undoubtedly Yuan Zhi. Even though she did not say it, she must have been thinking about this the entire time. What to so if Yun Chang and the rest had succeeded, what to do if they did not etc.

Even though she was sitting at the last seat, her position as the lead strategist has already been set in stone.