Chapter 484: The Empire’s Heroes Think

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Zhu Biao and the others are talking while taking a meal. They intend to lower their voices, so they do not think the conversation is leaking to Hütter’s listening ears.

"The spread of this plateau is an amazing thing."

Li Jing receives Zhu Biao’s words.

"A plain spreading as far as the eye can see on a high ground like this, trees growing thickly, and beasts also being abundant is a surprise. Perhaps because we came further south than the Imperial Capital, I feel like it has become somewhat warmer."

"Is the area around Yunnan something like this?"

If Xie Honghua asks,

"I don’t know. However, if Guilin fell and we were chased by the Later Jin, we might have gone to Yunnan."

Zhu Biao answers in a tone mixed with a bit of self-deprecation.

"No such thing, I did not say it in such a meaning!"

Xie Honghua panics.

"I understand. It just came out of my mouth, I’m sorry."

"Lord Zhu Biao, it is not something to apologize for, I who said it was the one who was rude."

"Ahead of this, is there really a different country? That the people are tasting the suffering of misery by those who govern."

When Xu Meiyi starts talking to change the subject, Li Jing,

"That’s right, there seems to be a country called the Mainz Kingdom. What kind of country is it after all? Are the things we were told true?"

Receives. Zhu Biao switches his head,

"If further south than here, it is probably an even warmer land. I hear the Empire’s winter is severe cold, so we want to spend time in a warm land. We want to liberate the people from oppressive rule and apply good governance."

"That’s right. But wherever Lord Zhu Biao goes, no matter what land, I will be by your side."

Xie Honghua looks up at Zhu Biao and says.

Zhu Biao and Li Jing are great men, and Xu Meiyi is tall for a woman of the Ming era. However Xie Honghua is the standard height of a woman of the Ming dynasty, and because her bones are thin she looks even more delicate. Honghua’s gaze becomes upward even toward Meiyi, and furthermore because her stride is short she is always a bit late to the three’s pace, and it often becomes a form of following after the three with tottering steps. ※Incidentally, neither Xie Honghua nor Xu Meiyi have bound feet.

Even in the marches until now, Honghua could not climb places the three could climb, and was often lifted and carried by Zhu Biao. At those times always, Honghua reddened her face and clung to Zhu Biao’s neck. That scenery, from the knights’ perspective, becomes "They’re flirting!"

"Even in a place like this, if we could make our country it would be good."

If Xie Honghua says, Zhu Biao while laughing,

"That’s right. However, there are no residents. A country where the only citizens are the four of us probably cannot be called a country."

If he says, Li Jing also,

"That’s right. It wouldn’t even become a village."

Says, and Meiyi also,

"Even including the beasts I control, all together 14 is a bit too few. As expected the country Lady Honghua thinks of is cute like Lady Honghua. Fufufu."

Laughs.

"Geez! Please don’t tease me!"

Xie Honghua gets angry, but no one stops laughing.

After the meal, Zhu Biao and Xie Honghua who became alone talk inside the tent.

"Lord Zhu Biao, will we continue advancing south like this and conquer the so-called Mainz Kingdom?"

"I am being told that, but I am thinking, is it possible after all? The Mainz Kingdom seems to have fertile land and mild climate. No matter how much that country is plotting invasion of the Empire, I am thinking whether it is good for us to become the Empire’s vanguard and conquer the Mainz Kingdom."

"Does Lord Zhu Biao have some concern?"

"Yes, I can’t help but feel that we are like the Later Jin."

"The Later Jin?"

"That’s right. The Great Ming advanced the army to conquer the Jurchen, but conversely was defeated by the Jurchen, and with that momentum the Jurchen founded the Later Jin. After that, the Later Jin who got carried away made the Great Ming’s generals betray, took Beijing, and brought down Nanjing. When I think that we might be made to do the same thing as that Later Jin, my heart becomes heavy."

"..."

No matter what Xie Honghua says to Zhu Biao’s talk, she seems likely to dig her own grave so Xie Honghua stays silent. And,

"Even if Lord Zhu Biao advances on whatever path, I will follow. Please advance on the path Lord Zhu Biao thinks!"

While saying that Xie Honghua jumps into Zhu Biao’s chest.

"Lord Zhu Biao! Honghua is, always always Lord Zhu Biao’s! I admire you!"

From Xie Honghua’s view Zhu Biao is a star shining at a distant height and she is one of the people looking up at it from the ground. He picked up such a self, and now is walking together. Xie Honghua does not know until when Zhu Biao will look at her, but if the time comes when Zhu Biao places other women beside him she thinks she will step back one step and support Zhu Biao forever. If there is something she can do, if Zhu Biao needs it, she is prepared to throw herself away for Zhu Biao at any time. If the day comes when she becomes a burden to Zhu Biao, she thinks that is the time she disappears.

From the neighboring tent of Li Jing and the others, Xu Meiyi’s sweet voice can be heard.

Xu Meiyi often makes manly statements during the day, but when she becomes alone with Li Jing she seems to cling and fawn on Li Jing. Even now Xu Meiyi’s coquettish voice can be heard. When this voice is heard by the knights, it is not unreasonable for the knights to hold antipathy.