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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Silverriver
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“If you’re ready, let’s go.”
“Yes, Uncle.”
Cao Cao, still suffering from a hangover, clutched his head as he left the residence. Even a hero of the realm was no match for a hangover. Seeing him wince repeatedly, I couldn’t help but ask,
“Uncle, wouldn’t some honey water help?”
“I’ve already had three cups, but this headache just won’t go away.”
Cao Cao, plagued by a hangover headache, arrived at the government office and began his work. But he soon started retching again.
“Wenlie, go and prepare some honey tea.”
“Yes, Uncle.”
Cao Cao, his stomach churning, sent me on an errand. I was looking for the kitchen in the government office when I heard a commotion outside.
“What’s that?”
I heard the lowing of cattle and the rumbling of numerous carts outside the office. I put on my sword and rushed towards the procession.
“Halt! Who are you, and where are you coming from?”
“We’re transporting supplies from Puyang.”
Lower-ranking officials explained the situation. They were bringing supplies from Puyang in preparation for the war with Xu Province.
“Out of the way.”
Just then, a figure emerged from the procession, pushing aside the lower-ranking officials.
He was a tall man with a neatly trimmed beard, dressed in official robes. He made eye contact with me and approached.
“Aren’t you the man who escorted the Governor’s family from Xu Province?”
“I am Cao Wenlie.”
I didn’t recognize him, but he seemed to know me.
“May I ask your name?”
“I am Chen Gongtai from Puyang.”
“Ah, Master Gongtai?”
Gongtai was his courtesy name. His real name was Chen Gong.
He was a renowned and powerful figure from Yingchuan, known for his wisdom, serving as Cao Cao’s strategist in Yan Province.
“Is the Governor inside?”
“Yes, but please wait a moment. He’s not feeling well and is taking medicine. I’ll inform him once he’s recovered.”
“It’s not a hangover, is it?”
“…”
“I see. Then I’ll just go in.”
Chen Gong barged in without waiting, and I hurried ahead to Cao Cao’s office.
I overheard a conversation inside.
“My lord, so once we invade Xu Province and capture the cities, we’ll take the inhabitants as prisoners and relocate them here.”
“Yes, if we can just manage this year, they’ll be a great asset next year, both for the harvest and for conscription.”
“There are many renowned scholars and warriors in Xu Province. We’ll be able to recruit many talented individuals.”
That was Xun Yu’s voice. Cao Cao had instructed Xun Yu to devise a plan to utilize the people of Xu Province instead of slaughtering them, and he was reporting his findings.
“Chenliu is already home to people from various backgrounds, so those from Xu Province will assimilate quickly.”
Just then, Chen Gong arrived and overheard the conversation.
“What’s this about? Talented individuals from Xu Province?”
I quickly announced,
“Governor, Chen Gongtai from Puyang is here!”
“Bring him in.”
As soon as Cao Cao finished speaking, Chen Gong threw open the door and entered.
“My lord, I’ve just arrived from Puyang with war supplies. What is this I hear?”
“What about it?”
“Relocating the people of Xu Province here?”
“I also intend to recruit any talented individuals I find.”
“My lord!”
Chen Gong raised his voice, but Cao Cao simply smiled and gestured for him to sit. Feeling awkward, I addressed Cao Cao.
“I’ll go and bring the honey water.”
I hurried to fetch the honey water. Since it was for the Governor, they prepared it in a fine teapot with matching cups.
As I rushed back, the voices inside grew louder.
“My lord, do you remember when I presented you with the Governor’s seal, along with Master Wenli?”
Wenli was Bian Rang’s courtesy name.
“You mean when Bian Rang and you presented me with the seal? I remember it like it was yesterday. You said then that Yan Province, after the devastation of Luoyang, could become the center of the realm, a base from which to achieve great things.”
“I did so because I believed you, my lord, could bring order to this chaos and restore the Han Dynasty.”
“And isn’t that what I’m trying to do? By eliminating Tao Qian, who stole our family’s wealth and used it to buy weapons to attack us.”
“But have you considered the people of Yan Province? Have you considered their needs while using their resources?”
“Gongtai, why would you say such a thing?”
Xun Yu tried to mediate, but Chen Gong was resolute.
“You, from Yingchuan, stay out of this!”
Oh dear, he shouldn’t have said that.
“My lord, I ask you sincerely. Do you care about the people of Yan Province?”
“I intend to embrace the people of Yan Province, Yu Province, and even Xu Province. Do you think I’m showing favoritism?”
I arrived with the honey water on a tray.
“Uncle, here it is.”
Cao Cao, still suffering from his hangover and now also being challenged by Chen Gong, clutched his head with a grimace. He immediately poured the honey water and took a large gulp of the steaming liquid.
“Ouch! Hot!”
Of course, it was hot. It had just been brewed.
Cao Cao touched his lips and blew on the tea before taking another sip, then glared at Chen Gong. His expression was a strange mix of amusement and annoyance.
“Chen Gong, it seems to me you’re just throwing a tantrum.”
“A tantrum, you say?”
“Why would I neglect the people and soldiers of Yan Province, where I’ve established my base? If I had, I wouldn’t have appointed Zhang Miao as the administrator of Puyang.”
“And yet, all the resources produced in Puyang are being sent here.”
“Yes, and I expect that to continue. I value the powerful families and soldiers of Yan Province.”
Frankly, although there was some truth to Chen Gong’s words, something felt off.
‘We, the powerful families, united and nominated you as Governor of Yan Province. But you’re only taking Yan Province’s resources and favoring people from Yingchuan in Yu Province and Xu Province over the people of Yan Province?’
That was the essence of Chen Gong’s argument.
While there might be some resentment, the Chen Gong I knew from the Three Kingdoms wouldn’t complain about such things.
“Chen Gong, I promise you this. Once we conquer Xu Province, I have big plans for Yan Province, and I will need your help.”
“Big plans, you say?”
“I intend to bring the people of Xu Province here, build new cities, increase production, and expand our power significantly. I’ll need your assistance for that.”
Chen Gong still looked displeased but bowed his head at Cao Cao’s promise.
“There are many talented scholars in Yan Province who could assist you. Please, my lord, value their talents and strive for great things.”
“I promise you, in the name of Cao Cao, that I will value the talents of Yan Province after the war.”
Only after receiving this assurance did Chen Gong bow respectfully and take his leave.
“Then I’ll be going.”
“The Xu Province campaign is imminent. Why not rest for a few days before returning?”
“There is much to do in Puyang. I will attend to those matters for you, my lord.”
Chen Gong left after saying only what was necessary.
“Wenlie, escort him out.”
“Yes, Uncle.”
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I escorted Chen Gong out of the government office. Before leaving, Chen Gong turned to me and bowed.
“You’re the lord’s relative, aren’t you? I look forward to working with you.”
“Not at all. I would be honored to learn from you, Master Gongtai.”
“I’ve heard you’re a skilled swordsman. Thanks to the lord, Yan Province is becoming peaceful, with the bandits suppressed. So, you should also consider pursuing scholarship.”
“Thank you for your advice.”
Chen Gong offered me some advice and praise, then handed me an inkstone before leaving.
“I’ll bring you a good book as a gift next time we meet.”
“Thank you. Safe travels.”
I received an inkstone from Chen Gong, used for grinding ink. I should keep it safe. He was a bit of a complainer, but he seemed like a good person at heart.
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Meanwhile, back in his office, Cao Cao sipped his honey water and asked Xun Yu,
“Wenruo, besides me, who is the central figure of power in Yan Province?”
“That would be Master Bian, whom the powerful families and scholars of Yan Province respect as their elder. Gongtai also mentioned him, didn’t he?”
“Yes, Bian Rang.”
Cao Cao finished his honey water and instructed Xun Yu,
“Then we must kill that old man.”
“My lord?”
Xun Yu’s eyebrows shot up in surprise at the sudden mention of killing Bian Rang.
“Chen Gong wouldn’t complain about me neglecting his fellow countrymen. Someone must be stirring up trouble behind the scenes, and he’s just the messenger.”
“My lord, but we’re about to face an external threat from Xu Province. Killing a respected leader of a powerful family in our own territory would be a grave mistake.”
“That’s why I’ll have him killed while I’m away from Yan Province.”
Cao Cao had already made up his mind.
“I’ll have Xi Zhicai take a good bottle of wine and visit Puyang soon. Ah, and that wandering warrior staying at your residence, Xu Shu, the one Wenlie brought with him?”
“Yes, my lord. He said he wishes to abandon the path of the sword and pursue scholarship.”
“What a waste of talent. Have him accompany Xi Zhicai as a bodyguard.”
Sending Xi Zhicai and Xu Shu to Puyang… This meant he intended to assassinate Bian Rang, the leader of the powerful families in Puyang, without anyone knowing.
“That old fool has lost his mind. He dares to tell me, Cao Cao, to take better care of the people and talents of Yan Province because I’m neglecting them and showing favoritism? Insolent! How dare he speak to me like that?”
“…”
Cao Cao was a man who acted on impulse. He had decided to eliminate Bian Rang, the leader of the powerful families in Yan Province, who, through Chen Gong, had accused him of showing favoritism. By eliminating Bian Rang, the central figure of the powerful families, he would firmly establish his control over them.
Cao Xiu, having escorted Chen Gong out, returned, unaware of this conversation. Cao Cao, putting on a cheerful facade, offered his nephew a cup of tea.
“Wenlie, this honey water is excellent. Would you like some?”
He acted as if nothing had happened.
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Honey water can’t fix betrayal, but assassination might. 🔪🍯
