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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Silverriver
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Cao Cao was a remarkably generous man.
After I brought his family, including Cao Song, to safety, he immediately threw a feast that night, eating and drinking with everyone.
“Fill your cups, everyone! I despise those who waste alcohol.”
He downed several cups in a row, then demanded his cup be refilled, making the rounds to everyone present. He sat close to his father, and the two drank together.
“Aman, I’m ashamed to have lost all our family’s wealth to those bandits.”
“AHAHAHAHA! Don’t mind it. As long as you and the family are safe, what’s a little wealth?”
Cao Cao laughed heartily and snapped his fingers.
Several elegantly dressed maidservants appeared, knelt before him, and respectfully presented him with something. Looking closer, I saw it was a key.
Cao Cao placed the key in his father’s hand.
“Aman, what is this?”
“The key to my storehouse in Yan Province. Use it as you please, Father.”
“Oh, Aman. Isn’t this the wealth you use to manage this province?”
“Wealth comes and goes. And as the former Grand Commandant, and the father of the Governor of Yan Province, you should maintain a certain level of dignity.”
Cao Cao readily handed over the key to his storehouse to his father, who had arrived penniless. From this alone, Cao Cao seemed like a truly generous man.
Then he spotted me and beckoned me over. I quietly stood and sat before him. Cao Cao then assigned a maidservant to attend to me.
“Uh, hmm…”
“You said your name was Cao Xiu?”
“My courtesy name is Wenlie.”
“Right, Cao Wenlie. A member of our family.”
Cao Cao nodded, and the maidservant filled my cup.
“How old are you this year?”
“I’ve turned twenty.”
“And your parents?”
“My father passed away during the recent plague, and my mother has returned to Qiao County.”
“Oh dear, she returned to our homeland alone? I must instruct the magistrate of Qiao County to ensure your mother lives comfortably for the rest of her days.”
“Governor, I sincerely thank you.”
“AHAHAHAHA! What’s with the stiff ‘Governor’ business? Just call me Great Uncle.”
He used the exact same words Cao Song had used when we first met.
I had made a good first impression and caught Cao Cao’s attention right from the start. I was then subjected to a barrage of questions.
“Where did you learn martial arts?”
“From a friend of my father’s. He was a soldier during the Yellow Turban Rebellion.”
“Can you read and write?”
“I’ve learned enough to read and write, though I’m still lacking.”
“I saw some skilled warriors among those who came with you. Where did you gather them?”
“While crossing the Yangtze, I met a wandering warriors named Yuanzhi. He wished to pursue scholarship, so he traveled with me. Yuanzhi’s friend is a powerful magnate in Xu Province with his own private army. I explained my situation and brought them along to escort your family.”
“Haha, to have gathered such individuals on your journey from Wu Commandery shows you have a talent for attracting people.”
After answering all his questions, Cao Cao laughed heartily. Cao Song subtly chimed in.
“Aman, now that we have such a talented individual in our family, shouldn’t you put him to good use?”
“You’re right, Father. He seems like he’ll be a great asset.”
Cao Cao, already favorably disposed towards me, was further encouraged by his father’s words. He suddenly called out to someone.
“Cao Ang! Cao Ang, where are you?”
Cao Ang was Cao Cao’s eldest son. A moment later, a young man, barely out of his teens, appeared, summoned by his father.
“Yes, Father.”
“Come here and sit next to this young man.”
Cao Cao instructed Cao Ang to sit beside me. He seemed to be around my age, and unlike Cao Cao, he had large eyes and a straight nose, giving him a rather delicate appearance.
“Introduce yourselves. My son and nephew.”
At Cao Cao’s command, we finally exchanged formal introductions.
“I am Cao Xiu, courtesy name Wenlie.”
“I am Cao Ang, courtesy name Zishu.”
-Clap
Cao Cao suddenly clapped his hands and addressed us.
“You two are only a year apart. Speak casually to each other. Wenlie, you’ll stay at my residence.”
Cao Cao readily offered me a room and instructed his eldest son to befriend me.
“Uh, alright. Nice to meet… you?”
“Likewise, Wenlie.”
“Now, now, Ang.”
“Yes, Father. I’ll speak casually soon enough.”
Cao Ang seemed like someone who wasn’t easy to approach. Still, he was Cao Cao’s eldest son, and historically, he would die young due to “Cao Cao’s incredibly foolish actions,” but I would prevent that. My knowledge of the Three Kingdoms would be a powerful weapon.
I exchanged cups with Cao Ang. After that, I met numerous other relatives.
“Aman, is this the boy?”
Besides Cao Song, a giant of a man suddenly appeared and plopped down to my left.
He was twice my size and had a rugged appearance.
“Um, who might you be…?”
“Me? Xiahou Yuanrang.”
Xiahou Dun, Yuanrang being his courtesy name. I had a hunch, since he called Cao Cao “Aman,” and I was right. This was Xiahou Dun.
“It’s an honor to meet you. I am Cao Xiu.”
“Greetings are exchanged with drinks, not words. Pour me a cup.”
Xiahou Dun thrust an empty cup at me, and I filled it to the brim. He downed it in one gulp and gestured to some of his companions.
“Brother Dun, why did you call for us?”
Another giant, matching Xiahou Dun in size, approached and asked. Xiahou Dun began the introductions.
“This here is Cao Ren.”
Cao Ren, courtesy name Zixiao.
“And this is Cao Hong.”
“Why introduce Zixiao before me? I’m older than him.”
Cao Hong, courtesy name Zilian.
“And this is Xiahou Yuan.”
Xiahou Yuan, courtesy name Miaocai.
Cao Cao’s four kinsmen generals, Xiahou Dun, Cao Ren, Cao Hong, and Xiahou Yuan, were all assembled.
Just accepting a cup from each of them was enough to make me feel tipsy. I was considered a fairly good drinker in my previous life, but perhaps due to the tension, the alcohol was affecting me more.
“Oh my, is this boy already drunk?”
“Seems like he’s a lightweight.”
Xiahou Dun and Cao Hong chuckled. Cao Cao pointed at me.
“Ang, it seems Wenlie is a bit drunk.”
I stood up, slightly unsteady, and bowed to Cao Cao and his father.
“Great Uncle, and Governor, thank you for your hospitality today. If you’ll excuse me, I’d like to retire for the night.”
“Eh, you need to build up your tolerance. Ang, take him to a vacant room.”
“Yes, Father.”
Cao Song and Cao Cao gestured for me to leave. I bowed to Xiahou Dun, Cao Hong, Xiahou Yuan, and Cao Ren in turn, then greeted the other relatives and Cao Cao’s subordinates who were still feasting before heading inside.
“This way.”
Cao Ang led me as instructed by Cao Cao. Even in my slightly drunken state, walking down the corridor, I was struck by the sheer size of this residence.
“This is an enormous place.”
“This house? Father ordered it to be built large enough to accommodate the entire family and hundreds of guests, so it’s been expanded several times.”
Apparently, it was common practice for clans sharing the same surname to build large residences like this and live together.
If this were the capital, where the emperor resided, the entire clan would gather here in their official robes before heading to court together.
Seeing the endless corridors and numerous rooms, I thought I might get lost here.
“By the way, those who traveled with you have all received what they desired.”
“Oh, really?”
“The wandering warriors who traveled with you, Xu Yuanzhi, is from Yingchuan. There are many from Yingchuan here. He’s with Master Wenruo.”
Master Wenruo… I knew who that was. Xun Yu, Wenruo being his courtesy name. The scholar famous for his empty food box. Xu Shu wanted to pursue scholarship, and now he was with Xun Yu. He had also gotten his wish.
“And the warriors you brought from Dongcheng have all received appropriate compensation and returned home. Father took care of everything.”
I had promised to compensate them once we reached Yan Province, and as expected, Cao Cao had taken care of it. From this, Cao Cao seemed like a truly great person. I wondered how our relationship would develop from here.
“Here we are.”
Cao Ang led me to a room.
Fortunately, it was near the entrance, easy to find, and had a distinctive design.
“This room is close to the entrance, even within the East Wing.”
“The East Wing?”
“Ah, you didn’t know? This residence is divided into the East Wing and West Wing, centered around the main hall, the Zheng Fang.”
Cao Ang explained the layout of the massive residence.
Ancient Chinese residences had a main hall, the Zheng Fang, where the head of the family resided, and two wings, the East and West Wings, for family members, guests, and retainers.
Cao Cao resided in the Zheng Fang and would accommodate his father, Cao Song there. Behind the Zheng Fang was the Hou Zhao Fang, where the women of the family, such as daughters and concubines, resided.
And below the Zheng Fang were the two wings, the East and West Wings. The wings were usually managed by the sons and their families, with the East Wing being considered the more prestigious of the two.
Since I was given a room in the East Wing, it meant that Cao Cao had acknowledged me from the start.
“I’ve had the maidservants prepare the room. I hope you find it comfortable.”
The door opened, revealing a well-furnished room with everything I could need. It was quite spacious, and I felt like I could spend an entire day just lounging around.
“Then get some rest. If you need anything, just ask the servants.”
Thanks to Cao Ang’s guidance, I was able to comfortably settle into Cao Cao’s residence. And now, the real challenge began.
“I don’t know what I’ll be doing starting tomorrow, but first…”
I clenched my fist towards the ceiling.
Finally, I was in Cao Cao’s residence, treated as a member of the family. so I fell asleep with My heart filled with anticipation.
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“Sir, sir, wake up.”
“Hmm, what is it?”
I was suddenly awakened in the middle of the night. There were no electric lights, so I fumbled for a candle by my bedside and sat up.
I opened the door to the sound of voices outside, and there stood numerous servants.
“Um, what is it?”
“Sir, I apologize for disturbing your sleep, but we must move you to a different room immediately.”
“Hmm? Move rooms suddenly? Where to?”
“Please forgive our insolence. We failed to recognize your status and mistakenly led you to the wing.”
What? I thought the East Wing was a sign of respect.
The oldest of the servants, who seemed to be the butler, escorted me to another room. And the place he led me to wasn’t the guest wing, but the Zheng Fang, where Cao Cao’s family resided.
“The, the Zheng Fang?!”
“Yes, that is correct.”
Staying in the East Wing was already an honor, but they were summoning me to the Zheng Fang, where Cao Cao himself resided?
Inside, there was a woman guarding the Zheng Fang late at night. She appeared to be in her early thirties, and from her attire to her jewelry, she exuded an air of elegance and beauty.
“Madam, I’ve brought him.”
“Ah, yes.”
She approached me slowly, her voice refined and graceful.
“You’re Cao Xiu?”
“Yes, that is correct.”
“I’m the lady of the house. My son made a mistake and had you stay in the wing.”
Cao Ang’s mother, the lady of the house… that meant she was Cao Cao’s wife, Lady Ding. She had heard about me and immediately ordered me to be moved from the wing to the Zheng Fang.
“I’ve prepared a room for you in the Zheng Fang. I apologize for the late hour, but please stay here.”
“Th, thank you, Madam.”
“My husband… He could have waited until morning, but he insisted you be brought here, even at this late hour, after having too much to drink…”
Ah, so Cao Cao, in his drunken state, had heard that I was staying in the wing and immediately ordered me to be brought to the Zheng Fang.
I was now wide awake, but at least I was staying in the Zheng Fang, not the wing.
And the next morning, I woke up to servants attending to me, helping me bathe, providing me with new clothes, and even having me dine with Cao Cao’s family.
Somehow, I felt even more pressure now.
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One night a guest, next night a family… Cao Cao moves faster than a matchmaking auntie! 🍻🏡😂
