[Of course, that would be one of his priorities. Chen Gong has nothing against Ling Qi, and while he doesn't particularly care for her, she never really had a choice in her whole life.

Born to a tyrant. Lived by a tyrant. Chen Gong could've killed Cao Cao when he has the chance, and he's not sure if he regrets his decision. But Ling Qi's only real freedom was the choice to participate directly in battle, or not. Obviously, most women don't have too many choices in life, but Ling Qi especially less so. None of them had much choice after Lu Bu's campaigns went downhill.

It's almost kind of terrible. So, if Zhang Liao is so worried...]

Just make sure that Lord Cao Cao does not get his hands on her. Most would underestimate a woman, and she'll be able to fight them off just fine. [...] But Lord Cao Cao has a tendency to take the women he encounters in battle as concubines.

[He's gonna be frank here. Chen Gong's guessing you probably don't want her to end up as his concubine, Zhang Liao.] Master Lu Bu himself should be watching over her, though. [Basically, if Lu Bu ends up fighting for anyone to live, it's gonna be Ling Qi.]