Liu Bei POV
Of course, I understand what Yuan Zhi wanted to achieve with her test now. If a few hundred troops could make it that far and not get surrounded, then that means the enemy formation is rather loose.
“Their formation is not dense at all.” Yuan Zhi explained when the soldier left, “That means the enemy does not have enough troops to make a complete 8 Doors Golden Lock formation anymore.”
“Yes.”
“Un.”
“Well then, get ready, we’ll be charging out from the right.” Yuan Zhi said as she steered her horse to face the right, “I don’t know where we are right now… But since this side is rather noisy, that should be where Lord Lu Bu and the rest are so charging in this direction should be good.”
“Alright!” We replied and nodded.
“But before that…” Yuan Zhi turned back to the bag on her horse and took out another gourd as she bit off the cap and began guzzling the contents.
“Yuan Zhi, don’t drink so much.”
“Yes, Lord Xu Shu, it’s good to have a bit. But having too much will only get in the way of doing things.” Zi Long too expressed concern but Yuan Zhi continued to guzzle down liquor without much of an expression.
Zi Long frowned in irritation and looked at me, as though she were waiting for my permission to do something. Maybe she wants to steal away Yuan Zhi’s gourd.
Un… That’s for the best. It might be a bit forceful but with the battle hand, we cannot afford to make any mistakes.
“Un.” I nodded.
“Chen Dao, tell the troops to form up more tightly and get ready to charge.”
“Yes!” Chen Dao replied and very formally saluted me, “Well then… I’ll be leaving then, Lord Shamoke.”
“Just go. Why are you telling this to a humble general?” I said as I shot her a glance and she smiled stiffly before running off. I just hope that she is not that loud when she gives the instructions to the other officers.
“Lord Xu Shu, that’s enough now.”
*Ding*!
Just as I was looking at Chen Dao’s back and feeling worried, Yuan Zhi and Zi Long had begun crossing swords. Zi Long was trying to knock away the gourd with her spear but Yuan Zhi was actually able to parry with ease with her sword in 1 hand and gourd in the other, and even deflected Zi Long’s spear away. Zi Long was utterly surprised by this but continued to attack Yuan Zhi.
*Ding* *Ding* *Ding*!
3 quick and successive stabs were all blocked by Yuan Zhi, who looked at Zi Long from the side and began drinking again after deflecting Zi Long’s spear away.
“Eh! I apologise in advance, Lord Xu Shu!” Zi Long roared as she pulled back her spear and launched a lightning-quick stab at the gourd.
Fast!
*Da*!
A dull crack could be heard as Zi Long pierced the gourd. Yuan Zhi’s expression did not change and she merely let go of the gourd.
*Pa*!
In the next instant, Zi Long twisted her spear and Yuan Zhi’s gourd shattered into pieces and fell to the ground. Unfortunately, there was not a single drop of liquid on the ground.
“She actually finished it!” Zi Long cried out in exasperation while Yuan Zhi swayed about and seemed clearly drunk.
“Ah~ Good thing that’s my own gourd and not Huang Zu’s or I’d have to compensate her later.” Yuan Zhi said as she swayed up, down, left and right. I wonder what Yuan Zhi will think of herself now when she recovers from this drunken stupor. If only I had brought a phone or a camera along. I would have recorded this and replayed it to Yuan Zhi as proof of her shameful behaviour.
“Are you satisfied now?” I asked since there was no use in doing anything now that the liquor was all inside her.
“I haven’t been drinking much for the longest time,” She said as she continued to sway, “It feels rather magical now that I have.”
“Hahaha…” I laughed stiffly as I hid the gourd she gave me earlier so that she would not see it. I have to say though, that the alcohol content of this liquor is not particularly high though it is fragrant. It’s the sort that even Yi De and Yun Chang can enjoy copious amounts of so Yuan Zhi should not be too drunk.
“Lord Zhao Yun!” Just then, Chen Dao yelled to Zi Long from behind and raised both arms in a gesture that signaled that all the preparations were complete. Because our formation was tighter now, the space we occupied had shrunk and the enemy surround was also tighter.
“Alright, everything is ready now!” Zi Long said and sighed to alleviate some of the tension she felt. After a while, she slowly raised her spear and prepared to yell out–
“Lord Zhao Yun.” Just then, Yuan Zhi suddenly spoke up and drew her sword which she rested against Zi Long’s spear.
“Un?” Zi Long’s eyes bulged as she looked at Yuan Zhi in surprise but this soon faded away as she asked, “Ah… What is it, Lord Xu Shu?”
“…” Yuan Zhi continued to sway wordlessly from her waist up while her legs continued to hold onto the horse. Up till now, Yuan Zhi has been rather calm and collected and her drunkenness has not affected this. However, when she finally spoke, she stammered nervously, “Ah… T-this time… I want to l-l-lead the troops.”
“Eh?” Zi Long was surprised again but quickly nodded, “I understand Lord Xu Shu’s kind intentions and know that your martial prowess is indeed impressive but I should lead the troops this time.”
Zi Long then looked at me, “As for Lord Xu Shu and Lord Shamoke, I hope that you both can go to the middle and command the troops there.”
It’s too dangerous at the front. Especially when we are trying to break through.
These were what Zi Long was implying. Trying to break through the surround this time would likely elicit a more dangerous and desperate reaction from the enemy than before. This was something then all of us knew. I looked at Yuan Zhi and knew what our answer would be.
“No, I’ll lead this time.”
“But, Lord Xu Shu–”
“I too intend on keeping up with you all as much as I can.” I added on before Zi Long could finish.
“Eh?” Zi Long seemed troubled and surprised at my response as well.
At this time, I would like to accommodate Yuan Zhi’s wish so I shot Zi Long several meaningful gazes. When we were charging before, I could see how fervent Yuan Zhi was. This battle is likely the chance she was waiting for to prove herself. As for drinking liquor, she probably did it to boost her guts. It’s clear that she learnt this from Huang Zu.
…
I thought that Zi Long would berate us or might ask me further but she did not do so and merely looked at us as she blinked and said, “I got it. But don’t push yourself, Lord Shamoke. If you have any issues, just call for Chen Dao. She will answer your summons immediately anytime.”
When she finished, she put down her spear and gestured to Yuan Zhi to go ahead. Yuan Zhi then slowly rode up to the head and raised her sword above her head before taking a deep breath–
“Soldiers!” Yuan Zhi roared out, loudly enough for all of our troops to hear. Today is probably the one day Yuan Zhi has shouted the most.
“Today has been a difficult day for everyone and I thank you all for your hard work up till now!” Yuan Zhi continued to yell with no sign of stammering coming into play. But for us who were near her, we could tell that her voice was a little shaky.
“Today is the final battle of Xinye and Fan city! I am proud to live, and to die if I must, with everyone and hope to continue fighting alongside everyone in future battles!”
Instead of a cheering or encouraging yell, it’s more like a self-introduction.
Yuan Zhi then pointed her sword ahead and pulled back her reins, making her horse rear up on its hind legs–
“–Charge!” Yuan Zhi roared and galloped ahead.
“Ohhhhh!” Her roar ignited thousands more. Even though we were surrounded, the troops yelled out furiously and charged behind us with zeal.