Sun Qian POV

After staying in Nanpi for some time, I heard news that Lord Cao Cao was personally leading troops to Xu state. I couldn’t sit around any longer and rushed to find Yuan Shao.

But when I reached her mansion, I realised that I couldn’t find her directly.

If I were to do so, I would very likely be rejected right off the bat by Yuan Shao for a variety of reasons. And if I were to be rejected outright, there is no way for me to turn the situation around.

After pacing in front of the door for a while, I turned on my heel and headed to another mansion.

“… Please help me deliver a message. Tell Lord Tian Feng that Liu Bei’s retainer is here to seek an audience with her.” I said as I wiped the sweat off my brow and respectfully bowed to the guard.

The guard grunted in affirmation and went in. After a long while, Tian Feng came out and met me.

“… Ah, Lord Tian Feng.” I bowed once more when I saw her.

“No need for pleasantries. Just say what you want, I don’t have all day.” Tian Feng said and waited for me to speak. I was a little slow to continue but she flicked her hair back and cut me off just when I was about to reply, “Alright, I know what you want to say even if you don’t say it. You want me to push a case for Imperial Uncle Liu to my lord right?”

As expected of Yuan Shao’s top strategist, she guessed it immediately. But her rude and blunt att.i.tude is… No wonder she doesn’t earn Yuan Shao’s favour.

“… That is what I’m here for. My lord is presently in great peril and I beseech Tian Yuan Hao to help me and my lord.” But even if her att.i.tude was poor, I must lower my head and beg for her a.s.sistance. And it’s not like I dislike such an att.i.tude to begin with. Rather, I admire it.

Tian Feng walked down the steps and stood beside me with her hands behind her back, her face showing a serious expression.

“Though I have no intention of helping my lord, I did intend on going over to my lord to discuss something related to this.” Tian Femg said and began walking without looking at me, “Come along with me. Perhaps my plan to ‘Besiege Wei to rescue Zhao’ might save your lord.”

(TL: Besiege Wei to rescue Zhao is 1 of 36 strategems by Sun Tzu. It was based on an event in the Warring States era when the Qi army a.s.saulted Wei to save Zhao.)

“Oh? You’re saying I should launch a surprise attack on Xuchang?” Yuan Shao said tiredly.

I was now before Yuan Shao, with Tian Feng, who was in a bedraggled state. Her proud wavy hair was messy and uncombed and her clothing was dishevelled to the point where it seemed like her twin peaks on her chest would reveal themselves anytime in a wardrobe malfunction.

I touched my b.r.e.a.s.t.s and sighed mentally. Leaving aside my b.r.e.a.s.t.s, what’s with Yuan Shao? Why is she so exhausted?

“That is what I’m proposing. Cao Meng De is now headed east for Liu Bei, Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan are currently engaged in logistical and deployment matters. The only one left in Xuchang is Cheng Yu. This is an opportune moment for us to send our troops into Xuchang in the name of supporting the Imperial Uncle and having an audience with the Son if Heaven. I beseech my lord not to let this opportunity slip by!” Tian Feng said flowingly in one go but from my perspective, it didn’t seem like Yuan Shao was paying attention to Tian Feng.

Tian Feng seemed to realise this as well after she finished, “My lord… Could you be having trouble with even more important matters?”

Yuan Shao sighed loudly when she heard this, “Tian Feng, how long have you been with me?”

“About 3 years or so.”

“Have you ever heard of any of my relatives by the names of Yuan Tan, Yuan Xi and Yuan Shang?”

(TL: These 3 are Yuan Shao’s sons in the original.)

“…” Tian Feng held her chin as she sank into thought, “No, no impression at all.”

“I thought so as well… But why they have to come today?” Yuan Shao put her palms together as she frowned, “But when I checked my family tree, I actually found the names of these 3. Isn’t this…”

“Is that so… But, is this matter important at all?”

Wu!

Tian Feng’s blunt words made me sense danger and I looked at Yuan Shao to see that she had an expression that oozed hatred directed at Tian Feng.

The only one who didn’t notice was Tian Feng herself.

“Please pardon my straightforwardness, but if these people start by talking about their relations, they are definitely unremarkable people and should not be given important roles. My lord need only a.s.sign them to some inspector appointments with no real power. I really don’t understand what there is to be troubled about.”

Though I don’t know Yuan Shao very well, I know that she places a lot of emphasis on face and appearances. She will thus, give a grand welcome to those of her own clan to the point where she is this exhausted.

And it wasn’t that Tian Feng was unaware of this. In fact, she is very clear about it and is telling Yuan Shao there is no need to do so in a blunt manner.

“…” But Yuan Shao was now seething with anger. She looked at me, and then sighed, “Alright I understand what you said. Your suggestion is good but I don’t have the mood for it. If I lead our troops in this state, we might be careless so let’s leave this aside for now.”

“Wh…! My lord!”

“Don’t say anymore,” Yuan Shao commanded as she slapped her chair, “Leave, Tian Feng.”

(TL: In the original, Tian Feng was jailed, and subsequently executed after Yuan Shao’s defeat at Guandu for doing this.)

I was still in a bow but I could see tears in Tian Feng’s eyes. She was probably frustrated at not being able to convince her lord with her sincerity.

She seemed to know that saying any more was futile and left shortly after.

But I can’t leave, not yet. I can only depend on myself not that Tian Feng can’t help me.

As I thought about this, I took one step forward. “… Lord Yuan Shao, my lord in Xu state is in grave peril. I implore Lord Yuan Shao to send some reinforcements from Liyang and attack Cao Cao’s rearguard while my lord’s troops will attack from 3 cities: Xu state, Xiaopei and Xiapi. If we attack from all directions, Cao Cao’s army will definitely be soundly defeated.”

“And how many troops does Liu Bei have?” Yuan Shao only laughed at what I said, “Cao Cao will definitely bring her strongest troops to Xu state. Even if we make it in time, it will be difficult to say if your troops are sufficient and able enough to coordinate a joint attack. I will not take such a big risk.”

“… My troops may be few but we can definitely do it!” My half closed eyes were now wide open and I was now looking at Yuan Shao with rage unwittingly, “… Could it be that the great Yuan Shao is afraid she will lose?”

“Don’t bother saying anymore,” But my words did not reach her, “Go back and tell Imperial Uncle Liu. If he loses Xu state and he has nowhere to go, I, Yuan Shao, will offer him refuge.”

Yuan Shao left the main hall once she finished. Seems like she had no intent of listening to me at all.

“…” I got up wordlessly and clenched my teeth as I couldn’t think of any solution.

Nonetheless, I must return as soon as possible, to my lord’s side.

Even if I will die, I must do so at my lord’s side.

Meng De POV

“My lord, the preparations are done and the caravans have arrived. We can attack the city by afternoon.”

“…”

“As for manpower, we currently have 6-70,000 troops. Xu Huang’s troops have also arrived.”

“…”

“My lord?”

“Ah, ah?” I hurriedly answered Xun Yu’s voice which came from some corner.

“What’s wrong, my lord? Why do you seem lost?”

“Ah, no. It’s nothing.” I frantically covered my nervous face and turned to walk toward the encampment, “Are Liu Bei and his generals still in the city?”

“They are, but why is my lord asking that?”

“Ah, no… In any case, after we settle the troops, we’re not attacking yet. Tell Xu Chu to be ready and do some reconnaissance on the city and the enemy first.” I was able to reply calmly but my heart was shaken.

Why? Xuan De is still in the city… Could he have some reason why he has not yet left? Or is it…

“My lord!!” “Imperial Chancellor!”

Along with the sound of horse hooves, 2 different voices called out to me. I looked over and saw that it was w.a.n.g Zhong and Liu Dai.

“… Xun Yu, get people to attend to them and then tell them to come to my tent.” As I said so, I entered my tent, still puzzled about Xuan De’s actions.

After w.a.n.g Zhong and Liu Dai came in, I heard about what happened from them. But all they knew was that the letter had been delivered and they did not know why Xuan De did not leave.

Could it really be that…

“Imperial Chancellor, this is a reply from Liu Bei that he gave us to bring to you.”

Un?

“A reply huh?” I suppressed my emotions and calmly received the silk. I opened it and saw only one line of snaky words– Since I have not left, the 2 of us– Me and you, need not hold back any more.

I folded the silk over and over into a small square piece after I finished looking it over.

… So it was as I guessed huh. I underestimated Xuan De huh?

The doubts and worries in my heart have disintegrated completely. For some reason, I feel like my heart is closer to Xuan De’s despite being enemies with him.

At least, right here and now, what we’re thinking is the same thing.

I smiled and kept the silk in my sleeve.

Since Xuan De has chosen to fight, I’ll meet him on the battlefield.