Meng De POV
“That’s enough, Man Cheng.” I said once I saw that Man Cheng had been subjected to enough tongue lashing and was about to flare up.
“… My lord, Lord Xu Shu–”
“I know, I know, Man Cheng.” I comforted Man Cheng but really, I had not seen anything from Xu Shu that aroused suspicion.
“Teacher Xu Shu, Man Cheng was a bit too harsh and aggressive earlier. I seek your understanding on behalf of my subordinate.” I smiled and apologised as I bowed and saluted and got up before I continued, “But there is something particularly troublesome which has been plaguing us and we wish to clarify this with Teacher Xu Shu.”
I continued to hold my salute, just like I held my cup up when toasting Xu Shu. As for Xu Shu, she did not seem to be as cold and silent as before.
“If it is something that I do know then I will do my best to let you know.” Surprisingly, Xu Shu saluted me as she replied, “As repayment to Imperial Chancellor for receiving my mother and giving me an official position.”
Haha, her sarcasm is dripping out but I am not bothered by that at all.
Hu… I took a few deep breaths to calm myself down and sat upright. I shot Man Cheng a quick glance and withdrew my smile as I faced Xu Shu with a rare serious expression.
“Teacher Xu Shu, please tell me.” I paused for a moment, “Has Liu Bei Liu Xuan De of Xinye died and did he participate in the previous battle?”
…
When I finished, I held my breath and stared at Xu Shu who seemed astoundingly calm. She did not reply immediately either, as though she had seen through what I was thinking, which made me even more nervous.
Yet, I really did not know what I was thinking about at this point. Do I hope that Xuan De is still alive or do I hope that he is dead? If he really, really is still alive, what do I do? What should I do?
I have asked myself these questions many times over but I have not been able to come to an answer. But very soon, very soon I will be able to–
“Haa, alright then I’ll tell you the truth.” Xu Shu nodded and closed her eyes before looking at me and then at Man Cheng before slowly delivering her reply, “Whether or not you both believe me, Liu Bei did not ever appear in Xinye city. From what I’ve seen, Liu Bei is already dead so there is no way he appeared in the battle.”
…
Huu… Haa… As Xu Shu’s words swirled about in my head, I suddenly felt like I was assaulted by an intense wave of fatigue and spat out my breath.
“Lord Xu Shu,” Man Cheng was first to speak up after Xu Shu answered, “Are the words you just said really the truth?”
“Teacher Xu Shu, let me ask you one more time. Is what you said the truth?” I asked once more after Man Cheng, “That is, with respect to Liu Bei’s death.”
“Yes.” Xu Shu nodded before kowtowing to me.
Un… I cannot really describe how I feel right now but for some reason, I instinctively heaved a sigh of relief. At the same time, my heartstrings seemed to tighten significantly as well.
“I got it.” I nodded immediately, there is no time for me to waver now after all, “I believe you.”
“Eh?!” Man Cheng exclaimed in dissatisfaction at my decision, “My lord, she’s clearly deceiving you?!”
“Man Cheng,” I said as I calmly looked at her, “I wasn’t speaking to you.”
“Wu… Yes.”Man Cheng nodded and saluted despite being unsatisfied.
I turned back to Xu Shu and muttered under my breath, “Is that so… He’s dead huh…”
Hu… I heaved a sigh of relief.
Liu Bei is dead and this time, I got this info from a subordinate from Xinye.
Yes, Liu Bei is dead. He really is dead.
Un, no doubt about that.
“Imperial Chancellor, is there anything else you wish to ask?”
“Un? Ah.” I was caught off guard by her question and smiled as I raised my hand, “There’s nothing for now. Thanks for your hard work, Teacher Xu Shu.”
She merely shook her head and got up as she made to leave.
“Teacher Xu Shu.” Just then, I called out to her instinctively for some reason and asked, “May I ask, what kind of a person do you think I am? I haven’t heard you assessment of me yet.”
“…” Xu Shu slowly turned her head back and looked at me, “Do you wish to hear the truth or a lie?”
“Hahaha, the truth of course.” I said as I chuckled calmly.
“Is that so?” Xu Shu nodded and lowered her head as though she were steeling herself before looking up and giving her answer, “I think you’re a despicable individual.”
“Xu Shu! That’s too–”
“Alright.” I quickly stopped Man Cheng who blew her top in time as I had already predicted that an answer of this sort was incoming.
A despicable person huh? As I looked at Xu Shu, I realised that I could not bring myself to hate her despite that answer.
“Alright, many thanks.” I smiled and nodded, “Teacher Xu Shu, you can take your leave now.”
“…” Xu Shu did not say anything else and merely swung her sleeve as she left the room and disappeared.
“Xu Shu was far too rude.” Man Cheng said angrily the moment Xu Shu left. Looks like she really held back just now huh?
“Hermits and sages are all like that. It’s understandable behaviour.” I said as I poured some liquor into my cup, “You were far too hasty just now in fielding questions to her. Instead of asking her directly, it would have been simpler to wait for her to stumble.”
“I am indeed a little too unskilled in such things.” Man Cheng honestly admitted her shortcoming, “But why did my lord believe Xu Shu’s words so easily?”
“What do you mean?”
“There was no basis behind what Xu Shu said just now and the explanation she gave sounds frankly nonsensical.”
“Why? Why do you think it’s all nonsense? I think she made sense.”
“But that’s–”
“You think it’s far too coincidental? Or perhaps ludicrous?” I interrupted her, to which she merely nodded in response, “We have no reason or evidence to deny her allegations. At the very least, there is no choice at present, aside from believing what she said. If you do still suspect the veracity of what she said, then we will just have to wait until we do battle with Xinye once more.”
When I finished, I shrugged and brought my cup to my lips and drank it all.
“Un… Your subordinate understands.”
She seems to have gotten what I meant, or perhaps she was merely satiated by the latter half.
“That’s good then.” I nodded with satisfaction, “How goes the organisation of the punitive force? How are the preparations for the continuation of our southern campaign?”
“They are going well.” Man Cheng nodded, “I touched base with Lord Xiahou Dun and Lord Xu Huang earlier and we are proceeding with combining our forces for our next operation.”
“Un, that was a decision I made.” I nodded, “I was originally thinking of having you be the vanguard for the campaign and setting up a forward base but since you were repelled at Xinye, we shouldn’t take anymore risk. We will simply overwhelm them with numbers.”
When I finished, I could see that her expression changed meaningfully. Looks like she’s still troubled over her loss.
“Alright, don’t mope around anymore. It’s already over. I’ve told you this many times over.” I said as I poured liquor into another cup and handed it to Man Cheng, “You’ve done a lot for me for the longest time ever and I will be continuing to count on you for the battles to come.”
“Many thanks, my lord.” Man Cheng replied. Her expression was still sour but it was closer to how she usually was as she nodded and drank the cup of liquor I offered her.
“The most urgent task for our southern campaign now is training our navy. I’ll have to head over ina few days to oversee things so you lot go ahead and discuss whatever you need to for the land forces and let me know what you lot decide. I’ll definitely support your decision.” I said as I poured another round of liquor for the both of us.
“My lord seems to be rather concerned about Xinye?”
…
When I heard this, my arm involuntarily shuddered. I looked at Man Cheng but she did not seem to have noticed this action. Afraid that she would notice this eventually, I hurriedly poured half cups for the both of us and stopped.
“Xinye is just a small provincial city but it’s the gateway into the south. Only by taking Xinye can one take Jing state. You should know this better than I do.” I said as I returned to my seat without looking at Man Cheng, “After the naval training has reached a satisfactory level, I will personally come to find you all.”
Man Cheng raised her cup, “Don’t worry, my lord. We will definitely achieve victory.”
“Un.” I nodded and we then saluted each other before drinking our liquor. Various things continued to swirl in my head but by the time I finished drinking, I was able to put a smile back on my face.
“Ah, it’s already this late huh?” Man Cheng said as she looked outside and gasped, “There are some troops coming over soon and I’ll need to be there to supervise some work with Yue Jin.”
“Un, alright.” I was still rather flustered inside but I still nodded, “We’ll discuss the things to do in future another time then.”
“Yes.” Man Cheng nodded and bowed before getting up and leaving. She turned back every now and then, as though she still had something to say to me but she never did.
“… Man Cheng.” In the end, I called out to her as I stared at her back.
Meng De POV
“That’s enough, Man Cheng.” I said once I saw that Man Cheng had been subjected to enough tongue lashing and was about to flare up.
“… My lord, Lord Xu Shu–”
“I know, I know, Man Cheng.” I comforted Man Cheng but really, I had not seen anything from Xu Shu that aroused suspicion.
“Teacher Xu Shu, Man Cheng was a bit too harsh and aggressive earlier. I seek your understanding on behalf of my subordinate.” I smiled and apologised as I bowed and saluted and got up before I continued, “But there is something particularly troublesome which has been plaguing us and we wish to clarify this with Teacher Xu Shu.”
I continued to hold my salute, just like I held my cup up when toasting Xu Shu. As for Xu Shu, she did not seem to be as cold and silent as before.
“If it is something that I do know then I will do my best to let you know.” Surprisingly, Xu Shu saluted me as she replied, “As repayment to Imperial Chancellor for receiving my mother and giving me an official position.”
Haha, her sarcasm is dripping out but I am not bothered by that at all.
Hu… I took a few deep breaths to calm myself down and sat upright. I shot Man Cheng a quick glance and withdrew my smile as I faced Xu Shu with a rare serious expression.
“Teacher Xu Shu, please tell me.” I paused for a moment, “Has Liu Bei Liu Xuan De of Xinye died and did he participate in the previous battle?”
…
When I finished, I held my breath and stared at Xu Shu who seemed astoundingly calm. She did not reply immediately either, as though she had seen through what I was thinking, which made me even more nervous.
Yet, I really did not know what I was thinking about at this point. Do I hope that Xuan De is still alive or do I hope that he is dead? If he really, really is still alive, what do I do? What should I do?
I have asked myself these questions many times over but I have not been able to come to an answer. But very soon, very soon I will be able to–
“Haa, alright then I’ll tell you the truth.” Xu Shu nodded and closed her eyes before looking at me and then at Man Cheng before slowly delivering her reply, “Whether or not you both believe me, Liu Bei did not ever appear in Xinye city. From what I’ve seen, Liu Bei is already dead so there is no way he appeared in the battle.”
…
Huu… Haa… As Xu Shu’s words swirled about in my head, I suddenly felt like I was assaulted by an intense wave of fatigue and spat out my breath.
“Lord Xu Shu,” Man Cheng was first to speak up after Xu Shu answered, “Are the words you just said really the truth?”
“Teacher Xu Shu, let me ask you one more time. Is what you said the truth?” I asked once more after Man Cheng, “That is, with respect to Liu Bei’s death.”
“Yes.” Xu Shu nodded before kowtowing to me.
Un… I cannot really describe how I feel right now but for some reason, I instinctively heaved a sigh of relief. At the same time, my heartstrings seemed to tighten significantly as well.
“I got it.” I nodded immediately, there is no time for me to waver now after all, “I believe you.”
“Eh?!” Man Cheng exclaimed in dissatisfaction at my decision, “My lord, she’s clearly deceiving you?!”
“Man Cheng,” I said as I calmly looked at her, “I wasn’t speaking to you.”
“Wu… Yes.”Man Cheng nodded and saluted despite being unsatisfied.
I turned back to Xu Shu and muttered under my breath, “Is that so… He’s dead huh…”
Hu… I heaved a sigh of relief.
Liu Bei is dead and this time, I got this info from a subordinate from Xinye.
Yes, Liu Bei is dead. He really is dead.
Un, no doubt about that.
“Imperial Chancellor, is there anything else you wish to ask?”
“Un? Ah.” I was caught off guard by her question and smiled as I raised my hand, “There’s nothing for now. Thanks for your hard work, Teacher Xu Shu.”
She merely shook her head and got up as she made to leave.
“Teacher Xu Shu.” Just then, I called out to her instinctively for some reason and asked, “May I ask, what kind of a person do you think I am? I haven’t heard you assessment of me yet.”
“…” Xu Shu slowly turned her head back and looked at me, “Do you wish to hear the truth or a lie?”
“Hahaha, the truth of course.” I said as I chuckled calmly.
“Is that so?” Xu Shu nodded and lowered her head as though she were steeling herself before looking up and giving her answer, “I think you’re a despicable individual.”
“Xu Shu! That’s too–”
“Alright.” I quickly stopped Man Cheng who blew her top in time as I had already predicted that an answer of this sort was incoming.
A despicable person huh? As I looked at Xu Shu, I realised that I could not bring myself to hate her despite that answer.
“Alright, many thanks.” I smiled and nodded, “Teacher Xu Shu, you can take your leave now.”
“…” Xu Shu did not say anything else and merely swung her sleeve as she left the room and disappeared.
“Xu Shu was far too rude.” Man Cheng said angrily the moment Xu Shu left. Looks like she really held back just now huh?
“Hermits and sages are all like that. It’s understandable behaviour.” I said as I poured some liquor into my cup, “You were far too hasty just now in fielding questions to her. Instead of asking her directly, it would have been simpler to wait for her to stumble.”
“I am indeed a little too unskilled in such things.” Man Cheng honestly admitted her shortcoming, “But why did my lord believe Xu Shu’s words so easily?”
“What do you mean?”
“There was no basis behind what Xu Shu said just now and the explanation she gave sounds frankly nonsensical.”
“Why? Why do you think it’s all nonsense? I think she made sense.”
“But that’s–”
“You think it’s far too coincidental? Or perhaps ludicrous?” I interrupted her, to which she merely nodded in response, “We have no reason or evidence to deny her allegations. At the very least, there is no choice at present, aside from believing what she said. If you do still suspect the veracity of what she said, then we will just have to wait until we do battle with Xinye once more.”
When I finished, I shrugged and brought my cup to my lips and drank it all.
“Un… Your subordinate understands.”
She seems to have gotten what I meant, or perhaps she was merely satiated by the latter half.
“That’s good then.” I nodded with satisfaction, “How goes the organisation of the punitive force? How are the preparations for the continuation of our southern campaign?”
“They are going well.” Man Cheng nodded, “I touched base with Lord Xiahou Dun and Lord Xu Huang earlier and we are proceeding with combining our forces for our next operation.”
“Un, that was a decision I made.” I nodded, “I was originally thinking of having you be the vanguard for the campaign and setting up a forward base but since you were repelled at Xinye, we shouldn’t take anymore risk. We will simply overwhelm them with numbers.”
When I finished, I could see that her expression changed meaningfully. Looks like she’s still troubled over her loss.
“Alright, don’t mope around anymore. It’s already over. I’ve told you this many times over.” I said as I poured liquor into another cup and handed it to Man Cheng, “You’ve done a lot for me for the longest time ever and I will be continuing to count on you for the battles to come.”
“Many thanks, my lord.” Man Cheng replied. Her expression was still sour but it was closer to how she usually was as she nodded and drank the cup of liquor I offered her.
“The most urgent task for our southern campaign now is training our navy. I’ll have to head over ina few days to oversee things so you lot go ahead and discuss whatever you need to for the land forces and let me know what you lot decide. I’ll definitely support your decision.” I said as I poured another round of liquor for the both of us.
“My lord seems to be rather concerned about Xinye?”
…
When I heard this, my arm involuntarily shuddered. I looked at Man Cheng but she did not seem to have noticed this action. Afraid that she would notice this eventually, I hurriedly poured half cups for the both of us and stopped.
“Xinye is just a small provincial city but it’s the gateway into the south. Only by taking Xinye can one take Jing state. You should know this better than I do.” I said as I returned to my seat without looking at Man Cheng, “After the naval training has reached a satisfactory level, I will personally come to find you all.”
Man Cheng raised her cup, “Don’t worry, my lord. We will definitely achieve victory.”
“Un.” I nodded and we then saluted each other before drinking our liquor. Various things continued to swirl in my head but by the time I finished drinking, I was able to put a smile back on my face.
“Ah, it’s already this late huh?” Man Cheng said as she looked outside and gasped, “There are some troops coming over soon and I’ll need to be there to supervise some work with Yue Jin.”
“Un, alright.” I was still rather flustered inside but I still nodded, “We’ll discuss the things to do in future another time then.”
“Yes.” Man Cheng nodded and bowed before getting up and leaving. She turned back every now and then, as though she still had something to say to me but she never did.
“… Man Cheng.” In the end, I called out to her as I stared at her back.
