chapter 407

[?]: Sir! The Cao navy is here!
(“report…”)

[?]: Over two hundred vessels ahead!

[?]: Look! The group behind them…

chapter 407 The Youngster Who Knows His Way Around
(“the young horse/colt that knows its way around”; here it’s wordplay on part of someone’s name)

[?]: is made of three ships chained together!

[?]: We’ve lost Haihun, General. Our Yuzhang forces are digging their heels in at Shangliao and Jiaoqiu.
[?]: Our forces at Pengze are also staying put as ordered. The only ones on water are those of Red Cliff.

[Jiang Qin]: They have the initiative over water now.
{Sun Quan’s subordinate, Jiang Qin}

[?]: Pull!

[?]: General Jiang, look!

My, my!

[?]: Sir! The groups in the rear have connected into a line!

[?]: The ship-bridge is formed and sturdy!

[?]: Seventh cavalry, board!

{rumble~}

[?]: General Jiang, Cao Cao’s cavalry is coming!

[?]: Amazing! They’ve made it like walking on land!

Cao Cao-

his main force is crossing the river!

[?]: Sir! The fifth battalion has assembled and will get across after noontime.
(“report…”)
[?]: The sixth battalion is nearly done with a head count!

[?]: How’s the current?
[?]: Slow. The ships feel stable!

[Cao Ren]: Speed it up! Ten thousand men must cross before noon!
[Li Dian]: The Yan Province troop must be ready to transport the supplies immediately!

[Xu Huang]: Sir! Xu Huang’s troop will be the first to cross!
(“report…”)

[XH]: The rest of you, follow behind us!

[?]: You could even predict the speed of the current- an expert indeed.

{flag reads: Cao}
[Cao Cao]: Your expertise has opened my eyes, mister Kan.

{Kan Ze}
[Kan Ze]: And your methods of war have broadened my horizons as well, Prime Minister.

[CC]: The shores of the southeast are mountainous, difficult to land.

[CC]: It’ll be easier to transport troops there now that we have Haihun as a harbor.

[KZ]: The slow current will only maintain for two days, Prime Minister. Time is…

[CC]: Tomorrow I’ll be able to transport a hundred thousand men across the river.

[CC]: Five troops will be deployed in the southeast the day after that.

[?]: Sir! General Zhang Liao has begun the attack on Shangliao!
(“report…”)

[?]: And here is the deployment map of troops in the region.

[CC]: Good. Give it to Xu Huang for deployment.

[CC]: Tell Zhang Liao to fight without fear of shortage in men or rations.
[?]: Yessir!

[KZ]: Your troops stay put, Prime Minister, as if the mobilization will originate from Red Cliff.

[KZ]: But unexpectedly it’s an invasion by land.

[CC]: We northerners are disadvantaged over water.

[CC]: So I have to find a way to allow my men to fight at their best.

[CC]: However, our main force is still on the other shore, and with this dry winter weather, if fire breaks out…

[KZ]: I believe the November northerly winds will keep your troops safe here.

[CC]: Victory might be certain, but there’s no harm in being cautious.

[KZ]: Achoo!

[KZ]: Apologies. I, too, have been “ambushed” by the gusty northerly wind.

[CC]: Yes. The wind and plague are rampant this season.
[CC]: Please take care of yourself, mister Kan.

[CC]: You should return to camp to rest.
[KZ]: Thank you, Prime Minister.

[CC]: Escort mister Kan back.

[?]: Oh, one more thing.

[CC]: Do you remember someone named little Ma?
(surname “ma”, hanzi for “horse”)

[KZ]: Little Ma?

[CC]: He claimed to be your student.

[KZ]: After years of teaching, I have over a thousand students…

[KZ]: The name escapes me at the moment.

[CC]: Well he’s here, and he told me earlier…

[CC]: that an easterly wind will blow in a few days.

[CC]: That’s why I’ve decided to move the troops to the other shore more quickly.

[KZ]: Easterly wind… Do you not trust me, Prime Minister?

[CC]: No, I just rather be cautious.

[KZ]: I’m willing to compare notes with someone who holds a different opinion.

[CC]: That… is even better.

[KZ]: Achoo!
[?]: Are you okay, mister?

[KZ]: I’m fine.

[?]: Please head in.

[?]: Do you still remember me, instructor?

[?]: It’s been over ten years since we last saw each other.

[?]: It’s me. Little Ma-

[Sima Yi]: that youngster who liked to play the Rain God.
(the “ma” in “si ma”; cosplay Chisongzi)

“If the student doesn’t learn, they should not play God to deceive people.” Kan Ze chuckled.

“If the teacher doesn’t teach, hope the Immortal would come to the rescue.” Sima Yi grinned in response.

(the two quoted lines are written in couplet format)