Chapter 51: Who is Diaochan?

Relocating the army to Jinyang.

This was the transfer order issued by the Jinyang Inspector's Office for Ding Yuan.

The mobilized troops from various regions of Bingzhou would assemble here and then head south to garrison Henei.

Although Su Yao did not yet know the specific subsequent developments, thanks to his understanding of the historical background and major events, he was able to grasp the main thread of the plot.

"Benefactor, benefactor, is that you?"

Late at night, after vaulting into the room through the window as usual, Su Yao was greeted by a tiny, emerald-green figure scampering toward him with hurried, pattering steps.

"Hmm?"

The girl, wearing her hair in a double-bun style and dressed in an emerald-green maiden's gown, was naturally Hong'er.

Ever since he claimed the reward for this room, Hong'er had moved in with two maidservants, quickly transforming the cluttered space into something neat and well-organized.

It was only at this moment that Su Yao finally understood that the game developers certainly wouldn't design an NPC with such exquisite modeling for nothing.

So this Han-dynasty loli was meant to be a household housekeeper!

He was, of course, extremely satisfied with this design.

After all, if he were to claim that he hadn't been dazzled by Hong'er's graceful dancing and exquisite makeup during the victory banquet last time, he would simply be deceiving himself.

With such an eye-catching little loli placed at home, the days when Su Yao would casually pick any room or makeshift pallet to crash on were gone forever.

"Is there something you need?"

Su Yao sighed and rubbed the top of Hong'er's head. Although she no longer possessed the stunning radiance of that night, as the saying goes, true beauty cannot be easily concealed.

Even with a plain face and simple attire, Hong'er's exceptional charm was undeniable, causing even Su Yao to unconsciously soften his tone.

This was probably what people meant when they said beauty is justice and cuteness is truth.

Beautiful people always received preferential treatment, and even though Su Yao knew she was merely a string of data and a programmed AI, he still wavered for a split second beneath the girl's earnest gaze.

It even seemed to disperse some of the heavy, terrifying shadow that had been lingering in his heart.

"This maid heard the head of the household say that the benefactor is going to Jinyang?"

"Yes, barring any accidents... I'll leave tomorrow."

Su Yao paused and took another look at Hong'er, who looked as though she had something on her mind yet hesitated to speak.

"Is there any trouble you need help with?"

Trouble? Help?

A whole flood of things instantly popped into Hong'er's mind.

For instance, please walk properly, or at least refrain from running around wildly inside our home.

For instance, windows are meant for ventilation and letting in light, not for you to leap through.

And the items at home need to be categorized; ingredients belong in the kitchen, clothes should be hung in the closet, and you really cannot shove just anything into that chest.

Also, please don't eat so fast, remember to take a bath after returning from the battlefield, and please take off your outer garments before going to sleep.

And, men and women should not touch when handing objects over, please maintain a proper distance and look at me properly when speaking, stop looking around, and above all, stop casually patting my head for no reason.

And, furthermore...

A thousand words weighed heavily on her heart, but the words that actually slipped past her lips turned into something she never expected:

"Diaochan... who is she?"

"Huh?"

How did the name of a character who wouldn't make her debut for at least another two years pop up here?

Right, Su Yao, whose alcohol tolerance was rather mediocre, completely forgot whatever nonsense he might have blurted out during that previous banquet.

So, he asked suspiciously,

"What's wrong with Diaochan?"

"..."

Hong'er kept her hands behind her back, her gaze darting away as she lightly bit her lower lip.

How could Su Yao possibly know? That night, his restless and distracted demeanor had been deeply etched into Hong'er's heart, planting a seed that sprouted day and night.

After all, Hong'er had dressed up meticulously that night, filled with pride, only to receive not a shred of praise from the man of her affection, who instead became so utterly beside himself over another woman.

For any girl experiencing love for the first time, this was a devastating blow.

From that night onward, Hong'er could never forget the name Diaochan:

"A woman who can make a great hero like the benefactor toss and turn with restlessness must be very beautiful, right."

"Well, that goes without saying."

One of the Four Beauties of Classical China, the supreme beauty of the Three Kingdoms era—how could she be an undeserving name?

"It seems the benefactor... is very fond of Diaochan."

Hong'er's hands behind her back were tightly clenched together.

"I wonder if this maid will ever have the chance to see her..."

Su Yao paused. Was this foreshadowing for a new character, or...

"Don't worry, you'll definitely see her,"

Su Yao declared with a dramatic flourish.

"Diaochan will certainly become my woman."

"...I see."

Hong'er lowered her head and gently tugged at Su Yao's sleeve.

"This maid shall attend to the benefactor in changing your clothes."

Unusually, Su Yao obediently watched the outfit-changing animation through to the end before finally going to bed, yet he did not sleep peacefully that night.

The next day, the soldiers orderly broke camp, loaded the supply carts with heavy baggage, and bid farewell to the villagers with whom they had forged friendships over the past few days.

"Attendant Zhang, Benefactor Su, and Officer Lü.

On behalf of Wang Family Village and the surrounding elders and folks, I thank you all for your assistance during this crisis.

If there is ever anything you need from us in the future, just say the word."

The elderly village chief bowed deeply with clasped hands toward the group.

"You flatter us, Village Chief. Protecting our homes and country is the duty of us Han soldiers..."

After exchanging a round of formal, boilerplate pleasantries with the village chief, Zhang Yang walked over to his warhorse, retrieved the roster of merits, and let out a heavy sigh after glancing through it.

He hadn't expected Inspector Ding not to come to Taiyuan, but instead to station his troops in Henei. He wondered if his merit report had even been delivered yet.

Still, they had already done everything they could; their subsequent fate would depend entirely on the attitude of the newly appointed Inspector.

One had to admit that even for Zhang Yang, moments like this inevitably stirred anxiety.

After all, apart from Su Yao's peerless, solitary brilliance, he, Lü布, and the others hadn't actually contributed all that much during this crisis.

No, Zhang Yang could at least salvage some credit for leadership and coordination, but Lü Bu's achievements were frankly too dismal to bear reading...

Yet who could they blame? Lü Bu hadn't even figured out the enemy situation clearly before charging ahead to issue a challenge; not only did he lose the fight, but he had also nearly gotten his throat slit and had missed the subsequent major battles entirely. Zhang Yang simply didn't know where to begin if he wanted to embellish the records for him.

Lü Bu was naturally well aware of all this. Seeing Zhang Yang sighing over the merit roster, Lü Bu gave his men a couple of brief orders to handle their tasks, then stepped forward, patted Zhang Yang on the shoulder, and laughed.

"This fierce battle resulted in a resounding victory for our army with bountiful gains. Why should Zhishu needlessly torment himself and sigh in secret?"

Zhang Yang paused before speaking his mind frankly:

"I feel it's unjust for Fengxian."

"There's no need for that. I, Lü Fengxian, have been a common soldier in these borderlands for over a dozen years; I don't care about a temporary setback."

Lü Bu spoke with heroic pride, though a flash of dimness still flickered across his eyes. He forced his spirits up and said,

"As long as I don't strip off this battle robe of mine or take away this halberd of mine, I will swing it until the very last moment, and none shall stand in my way!"

"That may be so, but Fengxian must also realize that opportunities lost do not return. If we fail to seize the present chance, missing this window might mean wasting several more years in obscurity."

There was one more thing Zhang Yang left unsaid: just how many years did Lü Bu even have left to waste?

At thirty-three years of age, Lü Bu had essentially poured the prime and most lethal years of a man's life into this land of Bingzhou.

He was brave, loyal, and his martial prowess was... second only to Su Yao. Most crucially, Lü Bu and Zhang Yang had shared life and death together, crossing through that world of desperate crisis side by side. Didn't he deserve a better future?

Zhang Yang's brows knitted into a tight knot when suddenly—

"What's this? What's this? Do you guys need military merits?"

Su Yao leaped up onto the baggage wagon behind Zhang Yang, looking down at them from his elevated perch.

"Come farm them with me, I've found a great spot."

"What?!"