Chapter 7: War Commander (1)

When it was decided that Zhuge Liang and I would follow Liu Bei, he couldn’t hide his joy and immediately called Guan Yu and Zhang Fei and made them bow to us.

“Brother! Why am I bowing to that bookish scholar…!”

“Hush, watch your words. He is the person who will be your military advisor from today.”

Zhang Fei was showing a lot of dissatisfaction, as if kneeling down was a blow to her pride, but Liu Bei lightly ignored her words and reprimanded her.

“Hiii….”

“……”

In the end, Zhang Fei, who was crying, and Guan Yu, who followed her and knelt down in a humble manner. Kongming hurriedly helped them up as if he was amazed.

“I don’t know how to feel, that a lowly scholar, has been treated like this.”

“This is only natural, and the military advisor does not need to bow too much.”

Kongming expressed his gratitude and Liu Bei shook his head.
The atmosphere was very amicable, as if we were seeing friends who had known each other for several years. In fact, in history, Liu Bei treated Kongming as if he was his teacher, so it was only natural that such an atmosphere would come out.

“……”

…We left for Xinyang, their town, early the next morning.

.
.
.
Jingzhou, which was ruled by Liu Biao,
and Xinyang, a small town within it.

When we arrived there, a place that had a calm and peaceful atmosphere, Liu Bei immediately made Kongming his military advisor and had him command all his soldiers.

“What about, me…?”

“……”

…I had secretly hoped that an important position would fall to me as well, but the only words I received were, ‘Yes, help as well!’ , I wasn’t appointed to any position.

However, in other words, I didn’t need to do any work, and it was the same as having 24 hours of free time, so it didn’t seem so bad. Moreover, because of my status as Zhuge Liang’s younger sister, I could receive all sorts of treatment, so there was no inconvenience in my life.

“……”

…While Liu Bei and Kongming ate at the same table and discussed the affairs of the world in the same room, I spent my time walking around Xinyang.

Even if there were many talents, they were useless if there were few soldiers. The place I visited the most was the soldiers’ training ground.

“When you move, keep in line and move like flowing water!”
“Make sure there are no gaps in your striking and retreating!”

“……”

The soldiers of Xinyang, putting a lot of energy into the commander’s words, were wielding their weapons. Since Kongming had come, the training had become systematized, so the quality seemed to have improved somewhat, but the number was still too small.

“It’s a big problem….”

There was a clear limit to the number of soldiers that could be gathered because Xinyang, which was ruled by Liu Bei, was such a small town. According to the original history, the first to attack Liu Bei was the 100,000 troops of Xiahou Dun sent by Cao Cao.

To block them with the most equal power, it seemed that it would be good to ask for support from Liu Biao of Jingzhou as soon as possible.

Liu Biao himself also did not have much time left, and he would think of Cao Cao as a sufficient threat, so he wouldn’t be able to refuse.

It would be the best scenario to receive Jingzhou from him, but according to the original history, Liu Bei was vehemently opposed to that, so for now, persuading Kongming and Liu Bei to get military support seemed like the first priority.

“Okay….”

I nodded satisfactorily after making a rough plan to increase the number of soldiers in Liu Bei’s army. Unless the historical change occurs and the invasion is brought forward, this would also go without any problems, just like the Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage.

If I did well, I could also prevent the death of Liu Bei’s second wife, ‘Lady Mi,’ at the hands of Cao Cao’s army.

If that happened, it would be the most meaningful thing since I was reborn. Saving someone else’s family, how wonderful is that.

“……”

…I turned my gaze to the training ground again with a proud smile.

.
.
.
“Your Excellency, Liu Bei has recently added new talents, and has also begun to train soldiers.”

At noon, when the sun was shining in the sky, a rough yet beautiful voice echoed from the Prime Minister’s office in Xudu.

“Although they are only a handful of ants now, they will surely become a nuisance if they build up their strength. It would be better to get rid of them early.”

“……”

…A woman, who was speaking something to a man sitting nobly in the upper seat. She had a black eye patch on her right eye.

“Hmm….”

And Cao Cao, the Prime Minister of the Han Dynasty, looking down at the woman with the eye patch, who was called Xiahou Dun, stroked his beard. He asked Xiahou Dun in an interesting tone.

“Talent, who is that?”

“…It’s said that they are a pair of siblings who have been hiding on the slopes of Wolong Mountain, I don’t know the details.”

Xiahou Dun bowed her head and answered to Cao Cao as much as she knew. Hearing her answer, Cao Cao looked even more curious and asked the strategists around him this time.

“Is there anyone who knows who that is?”

“…It must be Zhuge Liang and his younger sister from Wolong Mountain.”

A woman in a black robe, stepping forward and answering his question. Cao Cao, hearing the rather unfamiliar names, gestured to her to say more.

“Xun Yu, tell me more.”

“Yes, Your Excellency.”

His greatest strategist, Xun Yu, bowed her head and answered to Cao Cao’s words. She had great abilities, enough to call Cao Cao his greatest strategist, and unlike Xiahou Dun, she continued speaking in a rather quiet voice.

“Zhuge Liang’s courtesy name is Kongming, and he is often called Mr. Wolong by the world, and his talent is very high, he is a person who should not be taken lightly.”

“Hmm……”

Cao Cao seemed to be thinking for a moment after hearing her answer. After a short silence, he opened his mouth and asked Xun Yu again.

“Then, what about his younger sister?”

“…I do not know much about the younger sister, but her name is Lang, and I know that she is more outstanding than other girls.”

“Heh, Liu Bei must be out of his mind to accept such a little brat as a talent into his camp.”

…Hearing Xun Yu’s words, Cao Cao laughed with amusement. And towards him, Xiahou Dun once again reported her intentions.

“Your Excellency, I will bring those mice, so please give me troops.”

“Hmm……”

To Xiahou Dun’s question, Cao Cao leaned back in his chair and fell into thought again.

…As she said, attacking Liu Bei was something Cao Cao himself wanted to do the most. Of course, there were still many who were stronger than him, but he unconsciously felt that if he left Liu Bei alone like this, it would surely be a greater threat in the future.

However, he couldn’t readily answer her request for troops because the internal affairs were not yet settled.

He hadn’t been able to take care of internal affairs due to the unification of the Hebei region and several other major battles, and he had originally planned to send troops at the earliest next summer.
It was true that he was reluctant to send another large-scale army right now.

“Your Excellency, it is not right to send troops again when the soldiers’ fatigue is not relieved and the internal affairs are not completely settled.”

Xun Yu, whether she had the same thoughts as him, also bowed her head and spoke of her intention. Then, Xiahou Dun, who was frowning fiercely, stood up. She struck her chest and said proudly.

“Your Excellency, now is a good opportunity, while Liu Bei is still training his soldiers.
I, Xiahou Dun, will capture either Kongming or his younger sister, so please believe me!”

Her form was confident, as if she was certain to win. Then, Cao Cao, with a deep sigh, soothed her.

“Alright, then I will give you 20,000 troops, and go and make a contribution.”

“Thank you! Your Excellency!”

“No, I’m just sorry I can’t give you more troops.”

She bowed down as if her waist would break, and Cao Cao answered nonchalantly.
If it was next year when the internal affairs were settled, he could easily give 100,000 troops, but according to Xun Yu, he couldn’t raise a large army at the moment because of the soldiers’ fatigue and internal affairs.

“I will definitely bring Liu Bei’s head!”

However, Xiahou Dun confidently said, and then left the Prime Minister’s office with a relaxed walk. Looking at her back, Cao Cao crossed his legs and mumbled quietly.

“…Liu Bei, let’s see the skills of the talents and soldiers you have brought.”