Liu Bei POV
“Let’s go then. I’ll see you out.”
“Un…”
It was obvious that Yuan Zhi did not want me to send her but she did not say anything and merely led her horse along as she went towards the doorway. I followed behind and suddenly remembered after a few steps that I was supposed to be dead and put on my grass circlet which had been hanging by my waist.
“Ah, Yuan Zhi. About my identity, when can I stop hiding it?”
“Un… There isn’t any specific time you should reveal yourself and it really depends on what might happen next. It’s really hard for me to tell you what to do now that I’m leaving.” Yuan Zhi said with a troubled expression and frowned, “Use your own judgement. Or you can leave this decision to your next strategist.”
“Eh~”
“That’s all I can tell you at this point. Anything can happen after I leave so there’s no way I can pinpoint a good timing for you. For now, I would say that it’s better to be prudent and conceal your identity.”
“Un.” I nodded. I suppose this is probably the last strategy Yuan Zhi is proposing for me.
“Un~ It’s only been a few days but the improvements made to Fan city can already be seen huh?” Yuan Zhi said as she looked about.
I too looked about and saw that while the city did not seem to be revitalised, there were many new faces. Many of them were looking about and seemed to be appraising the city.
“Those people should be the ambassadors sent by the surrounding villages.”
“Un, yes.” Yuan Zhi nodded, “The plan is already being executed. It’s a good thing. All we can do now is hope that they can start moving as soon as possible.”
“Un, yes.” I smiled and nodded, “Of course, this is all thanks to Yuan Zhi as you came up with this plan after all.”
“No,” Yuan Zhi shook her head as she closed her eyes, “My capabilities are still very limited. If this were not the case, I would have found an alternative to going to Xuchang.”
“That can’t be helped.”
Our conversation keeps veering towards there whether we intend to or not and I really do not know what to say to defuse it. And every time Yuan Zhi says such things, the impulse to try to force her to stay arises.
But I cannot do this.
“Yes.” Yuan Zhi nodded and added, “How is it in Xinye?”
“I heard from Yun Chang that she has already sent a letter with instructions about this to Liao Hua in Xinye so they should be beginning implementation today.” I said and smiled stiffly, “Of course, it also contained the stuff about you as well but we have not yet received a reply.”
“Even if there is a reply, I won’t be looking at it. Huang Zu will definitely want to come with me.”
“Ah, that is true.”
Yes, Yuan Zhi is right. Huang Zu will definitely want to follow Yuan Zhi out of her debt to her. At the very least, she will be very conflicted about doing so.
“Huang Zu is someone from Jing state. It was fate that led me to save her. She does not need to follow me that far.” Yuan Zhi said and gave a long sigh, “She still belongs to Jing state.”
“I understand. But she will definitely feel anguish from not being able to even say her farewell to you.”
“Sorrow is an inherent aspect of partings.” Yuan Zhi sighed and smiled bitterly as she looked at me, “Xuan De, help me thank them on my behalf. Tell them not to miss me.”
“… Alright.” I agreed but felt that there was no way those words would work.
“Ah, we’re already at the city gates.”
“Eh?” I looked up in surprise and saw the walls and the guards and gasped, “So fast?”
The little time that we had left… Is it all over now?
“… Alright, sending me here is good enough.” Yuan Zhi said as she turned around and smiled at me.
“… Un.”
At times like these, I feel really frustrated at how useless I am, that I could not say anything of substance to her.
At this time, the only one standing at the gates is just me. No one else had come to see Yuan Zhi off. I do not think that it’s because everyone does not think much of her. It’s more like they do not know what to say at this time. I am feeling this very acutely right now after all.
Hai, you lot are really too cunning, to let me suffer this alone.
“Xuan De.”
“Un?”
I thought that Yuan Zhi would just mount her horse and gallop off like how heroic swordsmen usually do but she stopped at the gates and called out to me.
I looked at her and saw that she looked a lot more serious than she was usually which meant that she had something to tell me. Something that was undoubtedly important.
“By right, I ought to just say one last word of farewell and then leave.” Yuan Zhi said as she lowered her head and then looked up at me with resolve in her eyes, “But at the very end, I have 2 more things to tell you.”
“Un, I am keen to listen.” I said as I took 1 step towards Yuan Zhi.
“I had no intention of saying this at first but the situation that you are in is rather precarious so I think it’s better that I tell you this.” Yuan Zhi explained, “Do you remember me mentioning that someone told me about what would happen in future?”
“Ah, un.” I was surprised at her mentioning this and vigorously nodded. If my guess is correct, then she must be–
After some internal wrangling, Yuan Zhi finally spat the name out, “That person is a good friend of mine. Her name is Zhuge Liang, Zhuge Kong Ming.”
“…”
I involuntarily took a deep breath when I heard this. As I expected huh? I had once thought that it might be Yu Ji but it was far more likely to be Zhuge Liang after all.
“I can’t tell you about the specifics but if you think that fate is in your favour, you can try to look for her. She is, in various ways, superior to me. And she can definitely help you in special ways as well.”
(TL: In some way, Xu Shu/Yuan Zhi is probably the kind of person who is as gifted as can be without seeming too weird. Anything more and you have to deal with the eccentricities that come with geniuses.)
Fate is most definitely in my favour. And I am not called Liu Bei for nothing after all. Besides, no matter how poor my knowledge of the Three Kingdoms is, I still know about that name.
“Ah, un.”
But there is no way that I can let these feelings show and all I can do is nod and act like I am committing what she said to memory. On the other hand, the ‘special help’ Yuan Zhi mentioned might be more special than she can imagine.
I instinctively reached down to my waist as I thought so but found that my feather fan was not here as I had left it in Xinye.
Ah… Why did I have to leave it there today of all times? Though it is all but certain now, I should still confirm it.
“Ah, Yuan Zhi, do you remember the feather fan I showed you the last time?”
“… I do.” Yuan Zhi said and nodded after she thought about it for a moment.
“Let me ask you one final question.” I said as I held my breath and did my best not to seem too excited, “Back when I showed it to you, was the friend you mentioned–”
“Yes.” She nodded her head again, “It was Kong Ming.”
Good. Everything is now in place. Now all I need to do is return the feather fan to Kong Ming… It has been more than a year now and I am finally getting somewhere with it.
“Then–”
“About that.” Yuan Zhi said as she placed a finger on my lips and stopped me from saying any further, “I do not intend to say anything more than this.”
“Ah, un.”
I hurriedly nodded and only then did Yuan Zhi remove her finger. This did not bother me as I had no doubt that she was not supposed to tell me what she just did in the first place.
“As for the rest, you can just ask Kong Ming when you meet her.”
“Ah, I will of course.” I nodded. I am afraid I will ask her a lot more than you can ever imagine, Yuan Zhi.
“Un,” Yuan Zhi nodded and continued, “As for my second part, it doesn’t have any real meaning and it’s just a piece of advice.”
“As always, I am keen to listen.” I said as I lowered my head respectfully.
I do not know if it is just me thinking too much or if I have learnt how to read facial expressions too well from being with Gong You but I can see a tinge of sorrow in her expression. This sorrow is not directed at her own circumstances but at me.
“Xuan De, or perhaps I should call you Lord Liu Bei just for this. Though I have no basis for saying this nor do I even know why I am saying this but please, I beseech Lord Liu Bei to engrave these words in his heart. Whenever you feel troubled or frustrated, please recall these words.”
Haa… Yuan Zhi took a deep breath as she said this before she continued.
“I hope that Lord Liu Bei can continue to treat his companions as he is doing so now. If you want to achieve great things, you have to start by protecting your retainers. Whatever happens from here on out, do not ever forget your promises, your values and your companions. You must be able to admit and express what you truly think and feel.”
When Yuan Zhi finished, she remained silent with her faintly sorrowful expression.
To me, it just sounded like an ordinary piece of advice but if Yuan Zhi wants me to engrave it into my heart then I will do so. And so, I closed my eyes and recited her words 3 times over and let it wash over me. When I finished, I opened my eyes.
“Alright, I’ll remember it.”
When I said these words, Yuan Zhi immediately swung her reins and galloped off. I blinked from the sudden motion and when it was over, all I could see was a red horse in the distance.
Liu Bei POV
“Let’s go then. I’ll see you out.”
“Un…”
It was obvious that Yuan Zhi did not want me to send her but she did not say anything and merely led her horse along as she went towards the doorway. I followed behind and suddenly remembered after a few steps that I was supposed to be dead and put on my grass circlet which had been hanging by my waist.
“Ah, Yuan Zhi. About my identity, when can I stop hiding it?”
“Un… There isn’t any specific time you should reveal yourself and it really depends on what might happen next. It’s really hard for me to tell you what to do now that I’m leaving.” Yuan Zhi said with a troubled expression and frowned, “Use your own judgement. Or you can leave this decision to your next strategist.”
“Eh~”
“That’s all I can tell you at this point. Anything can happen after I leave so there’s no way I can pinpoint a good timing for you. For now, I would say that it’s better to be prudent and conceal your identity.”
“Un.” I nodded. I suppose this is probably the last strategy Yuan Zhi is proposing for me.
“Un~ It’s only been a few days but the improvements made to Fan city can already be seen huh?” Yuan Zhi said as she looked about.
I too looked about and saw that while the city did not seem to be revitalised, there were many new faces. Many of them were looking about and seemed to be appraising the city.
“Those people should be the ambassadors sent by the surrounding villages.”
“Un, yes.” Yuan Zhi nodded, “The plan is already being executed. It’s a good thing. All we can do now is hope that they can start moving as soon as possible.”
“Un, yes.” I smiled and nodded, “Of course, this is all thanks to Yuan Zhi as you came up with this plan after all.”
“No,” Yuan Zhi shook her head as she closed her eyes, “My capabilities are still very limited. If this were not the case, I would have found an alternative to going to Xuchang.”
“That can’t be helped.”
Our conversation keeps veering towards there whether we intend to or not and I really do not know what to say to defuse it. And every time Yuan Zhi says such things, the impulse to try to force her to stay arises.
But I cannot do this.
“Yes.” Yuan Zhi nodded and added, “How is it in Xinye?”
“I heard from Yun Chang that she has already sent a letter with instructions about this to Liao Hua in Xinye so they should be beginning implementation today.” I said and smiled stiffly, “Of course, it also contained the stuff about you as well but we have not yet received a reply.”
“Even if there is a reply, I won’t be looking at it. Huang Zu will definitely want to come with me.”
“Ah, that is true.”
Yes, Yuan Zhi is right. Huang Zu will definitely want to follow Yuan Zhi out of her debt to her. At the very least, she will be very conflicted about doing so.
“Huang Zu is someone from Jing state. It was fate that led me to save her. She does not need to follow me that far.” Yuan Zhi said and gave a long sigh, “She still belongs to Jing state.”
“I understand. But she will definitely feel anguish from not being able to even say her farewell to you.”
“Sorrow is an inherent aspect of partings.” Yuan Zhi sighed and smiled bitterly as she looked at me, “Xuan De, help me thank them on my behalf. Tell them not to miss me.”
“… Alright.” I agreed but felt that there was no way those words would work.
“Ah, we’re already at the city gates.”
“Eh?” I looked up in surprise and saw the walls and the guards and gasped, “So fast?”
The little time that we had left… Is it all over now?
“… Alright, sending me here is good enough.” Yuan Zhi said as she turned around and smiled at me.
“… Un.”
At times like these, I feel really frustrated at how useless I am, that I could not say anything of substance to her.
At this time, the only one standing at the gates is just me. No one else had come to see Yuan Zhi off. I do not think that it’s because everyone does not think much of her. It’s more like they do not know what to say at this time. I am feeling this very acutely right now after all.
Hai, you lot are really too cunning, to let me suffer this alone.
“Xuan De.”
“Un?”
I thought that Yuan Zhi would just mount her horse and gallop off like how heroic swordsmen usually do but she stopped at the gates and called out to me.
I looked at her and saw that she looked a lot more serious than she was usually which meant that she had something to tell me. Something that was undoubtedly important.
“By right, I ought to just say one last word of farewell and then leave.” Yuan Zhi said as she lowered her head and then looked up at me with resolve in her eyes, “But at the very end, I have 2 more things to tell you.”
“Un, I am keen to listen.” I said as I took 1 step towards Yuan Zhi.
“I had no intention of saying this at first but the situation that you are in is rather precarious so I think it’s better that I tell you this.” Yuan Zhi explained, “Do you remember me mentioning that someone told me about what would happen in future?”
“Ah, un.” I was surprised at her mentioning this and vigorously nodded. If my guess is correct, then she must be–
After some internal wrangling, Yuan Zhi finally spat the name out, “That person is a good friend of mine. Her name is Zhuge Liang, Zhuge Kong Ming.”
“…”
I involuntarily took a deep breath when I heard this. As I expected huh? I had once thought that it might be Yu Ji but it was far more likely to be Zhuge Liang after all.
“I can’t tell you about the specifics but if you think that fate is in your favour, you can try to look for her. She is, in various ways, superior to me. And she can definitely help you in special ways as well.”
(TL: In some way, Xu Shu/Yuan Zhi is probably the kind of person who is as gifted as can be without seeming too weird. Anything more and you have to deal with the eccentricities that come with geniuses.)
Fate is most definitely in my favour. And I am not called Liu Bei for nothing after all. Besides, no matter how poor my knowledge of the Three Kingdoms is, I still know about that name.
“Ah, un.”
But there is no way that I can let these feelings show and all I can do is nod and act like I am committing what she said to memory. On the other hand, the ‘special help’ Yuan Zhi mentioned might be more special than she can imagine.
I instinctively reached down to my waist as I thought so but found that my feather fan was not here as I had left it in Xinye.
Ah… Why did I have to leave it there today of all times? Though it is all but certain now, I should still confirm it.
“Ah, Yuan Zhi, do you remember the feather fan I showed you the last time?”
“… I do.” Yuan Zhi said and nodded after she thought about it for a moment.
“Let me ask you one final question.” I said as I held my breath and did my best not to seem too excited, “Back when I showed it to you, was the friend you mentioned–”
“Yes.” She nodded her head again, “It was Kong Ming.”
Good. Everything is now in place. Now all I need to do is return the feather fan to Kong Ming… It has been more than a year now and I am finally getting somewhere with it.
“Then–”
“About that.” Yuan Zhi said as she placed a finger on my lips and stopped me from saying any further, “I do not intend to say anything more than this.”
“Ah, un.”
I hurriedly nodded and only then did Yuan Zhi remove her finger. This did not bother me as I had no doubt that she was not supposed to tell me what she just did in the first place.
“As for the rest, you can just ask Kong Ming when you meet her.”
“Ah, I will of course.” I nodded. I am afraid I will ask her a lot more than you can ever imagine, Yuan Zhi.
“Un,” Yuan Zhi nodded and continued, “As for my second part, it doesn’t have any real meaning and it’s just a piece of advice.”
“As always, I am keen to listen.” I said as I lowered my head respectfully.
I do not know if it is just me thinking too much or if I have learnt how to read facial expressions too well from being with Gong You but I can see a tinge of sorrow in her expression. This sorrow is not directed at her own circumstances but at me.
“Xuan De, or perhaps I should call you Lord Liu Bei just for this. Though I have no basis for saying this nor do I even know why I am saying this but please, I beseech Lord Liu Bei to engrave these words in his heart. Whenever you feel troubled or frustrated, please recall these words.”
Haa… Yuan Zhi took a deep breath as she said this before she continued.
“I hope that Lord Liu Bei can continue to treat his companions as he is doing so now. If you want to achieve great things, you have to start by protecting your retainers. Whatever happens from here on out, do not ever forget your promises, your values and your companions. You must be able to admit and express what you truly think and feel.”
When Yuan Zhi finished, she remained silent with her faintly sorrowful expression.
To me, it just sounded like an ordinary piece of advice but if Yuan Zhi wants me to engrave it into my heart then I will do so. And so, I closed my eyes and recited her words 3 times over and let it wash over me. When I finished, I opened my eyes.
“Alright, I’ll remember it.”
When I said these words, Yuan Zhi immediately swung her reins and galloped off. I blinked from the sudden motion and when it was over, all I could see was a red horse in the distance.
