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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Silverriver
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“A merchant guild by day, a brothel by night.”
“Are you talking about this place? That’s why she’s called Guild Leader Wei by day and Manager Wei by night. What a versatile and remarkable woman. I’m filled with respect!”
Xi Zhicai, reeking of alcohol, leaned against me. Even those familiar with the Three Kingdoms might not know Xi Zhicai.
This was understandable, as the historical records only mentioned him briefly: “Recommended by Xun Yu,” “Talented but died young,” and “Cao Cao lamented his death and later favored Guo Jia as his replacement.”
Still, to be recommended by Xun Yu, acknowledged by Cao Cao, and lamented after his death meant he must have been a man of considerable talent.
So, I decided to speak with him, despite his slightly disrespectful behavior.
“Master Xi, I’m currently serving as my uncle’s bodyguard. Perhaps we can meet another time.”
“Eh, there’s no need for that. We can talk here.”
“What?”
“You’re Wenlie, right? The friend who traveled with you to Yan Province is also here.”
Just then, Xu Shu emerged from inside.
“Brother Yuanzhi?”
“Who is it? Wenlie?”
Xu Shu, looking dazed, spotted me and rushed over. He reeked of alcohol and perfume, and his hands were trembling slightly.
This wandering warrior, who had unflinchingly cut down pirates on the Yangtze and fought ferociously against Tao Qian’s soldiers, was trembling?
“I’m so glad you’re here.”
Xu Shu whispered to me, low enough for only me to hear.
“What’s wrong?”
“Well, I asked for guidance, and they brought me to a room with alcohol and courtesans, telling me to enjoy myself. I’m not fond of such places.”
Ah, so Xu Shu was that type of person.
There were some like that. Incredibly capable and usually composed, but flustered and awkward around women.
“Wenlie, I think I’ve come to the wrong place.”
“What do you mean?”
“Thanks to you, I’ve met many learned and virtuous men from Yingchuan, but the scholars here are far too decadent.”
Just then, Xi Zhicai called out to the courtesans.
“Girl, bring another bottle of wine. I need to pay my respects to the lord.”
“Yes, sir.”
“You two, follow me.”
“Master Xi, I’m on duty as the lord’s bodyguard, so I can’t drink.”
“Ah, then I’ll be the only one drinking. Just follow me. You can wait near the lord’s room.”
Xi Zhicai, seemingly accustomed to such situations, staggered towards the inner chambers where Cao Cao had gone, despite his intoxication.
He returned a moment later and pointed to a separate building.
“The lord has granted us an audience. Come in.”
I exchanged a glance with Xu Shu and followed Xi Zhicai into the building. I could have tea instead of wine.
“Sir, I’ll prepare the tea.”
Huayan whispered from behind, and I nodded, following Xi Zhicai inside.
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In a small room near Cao Cao’s chambers, Xi Zhicai had prepared a table with drinks and a courtesan.
“My lord, I’m embarrassed.”
“Haha, it’s fine. I didn’t invite those two because they’re not interested in women. So, I have to enjoy myself.”
Xu Shu vehemently refused to sit with the courtesan, and I stuck to tea. Xi Zhicai, however, called for another courtesan and had her sit on his lap, fondling her.
He reached inside the half-naked courtesan’s robes and caressed her breasts. She shivered, and his hand moved lower, stroking her stomach, then wrapping his arm around her waist.
“Master Xi, you didn’t bring us here to watch this, did you?”
“May I excuse myself?”
Xu Shu, clearly annoyed, made to leave.
“Oh, such short tempers. Fine, I’ll get straight to the point.”
Xi Zhicai popped a sweet into his mouth, offered by the courtesan, and began to speak, spraying crumbs as he did so.
“First, who is the ruler of this land of Yan Province where you now reside?”
“That would be my uncle, Lord Mengde.”
“Correct. But who granted him that authority?”
“Wasn’t it by the Emperor’s decree?”
Xi Zhicai clicked his tongue at Xu Shu’s answer and beckoned with his finger. I knew the answer, so I spoke.
“After the death of the former Governor, Liu Dai, the powerful families of Yan Province nominated Uncle Mengde as their leader after he returned from the coalition against Dong Zhuo.”
“Oh, you’re well-informed. As expected of a member of the family.”
“But why do you ask?”
“This is where it gets interesting. The powerful families of Yan Province nominated our lord, but frankly, there weren’t any notable talents among them. Just old man Bian Rang and Chen Gong.”
Familiar names. Bian Rang was a respected elder and powerful figure in Yan Province, and Chen Gong was a renowned strategist from Yan Province.
He would later join Lü Bu’s rebellion.
“That’s why, including myself, scholars from Yingchuan in Yu Province came to Yan Province. So now, this place is a three-way alliance between our lord’s relatives, the original powerful families of Yan Province, and those of us from Yingchuan. Of course, you are included as well.”
“Me?”
“You said you were from Yingchuan, Xu Yuanzhi.”
“That’s true, but I’m just a guest…”
Xi Zhicai succinctly explained the current situation within Cao Cao’s forces. Despite his intoxication, he had a surprisingly clear grasp of the political landscape.
“So, within Yan Province, our forces are comprised of those from Yingchuan in Yu Province brought here by our lord, the powerful families of Yan Province, and our lord’s relatives, the Cao and Xiahou clans. Now, here’s another question. Who is our most important ally?”
“Yuan Shao of Ji Province.”
“Oh, it’s worth talking to you two! AHAHAHAHA!”
Xi Zhicai laughed loudly and patted the courtesan’s bottom. She immediately refilled his cup, and he drained it in one gulp.
“Xu Shu, are you in the mood to listen now?”
“Yes, I’m all ears if it’s this kind of conversation.”
Although Xu Shu disapproved of Xi Zhicai’s behavior with the courtesan, he was deeply interested in the discussion about the political situation in Yan Province and the overall power dynamics.
“Yuan Shao in Ji Province, our lord in Yan Province, and Liu Biao in Jing Province down south. A vertical alliance from north to south!”
Yuan Shao – Cao Cao – Liu Biao.
Of the thirteen provinces of the Han Dynasty, Yuan Shao of Ji Province, Cao Cao of Yan Province, and Liu Biao of Jing Province had formed a north-south alliance.
“But the world isn’t just divided vertically. There are horizontal divisions as well. Zhang Yan, the leader of the Black Mountain bandits in the west, Gongsun Zan of You Province to the east, and then further south, Tao Qian of Xu Province, the one we’re about to attack.”
We were aligned vertically, while our enemies were aligned horizontally.
“Do you know who’s backing them?”
“Hmm, I’m not sure. Wenlie, do you know?”
“I have a general idea.”
The most powerful force currently was Yuan Shao, who controlled Ji Province. Next were Li Jue and Guo Si in Yong Province, who had gathered Dong Zhuo’s remnants.
“It must be someone who hates Yuan Shao the most. And someone as powerful as Yuan Shao.”
“Correct. It’s Yuan Shu. And the remnants of the Yang Province warlords under his command.”
Horizontally: Zhang Yan – Gongsun Zan – Tao Qian – Yuan Shu
vs.
Vertically: Yuan Shao – Cao Cao – Liu Biao
That was the current power structure.
“Yuan Shu, I’ve heard he’s Yuan Shao’s younger brother.”
Xi Zhicai clicked his tongue at Xu Shu’s question.
“They’re only brothers on paper.”
“Then they’re not?”
“Just because they share the same father doesn’t mean they’re close. What matters is which woman their father chose to bear his children.”
“What…?”
Seeing Xu Shu’s confusion, I quietly explained.
“Yuan Shu was born to the principal wife, while Yuan Shao was born to a concubine.”
“Ah, half-brothers.”
“Technically half-brothers, but some even say Yuan Shao was born to a lowly servant, so they’re like thorns in each other’s sides.”
“Huh, then how did they become the leader and deputy leader of the coalition against Dong Zhuo? I also wanted to join the fight against the traitor…”
“When there’s a common enemy, even bitter rivals will join forces.”
-Clang!
“!?”
Xi Zhicai suddenly struck the table with his chopsticks and pointed them at me.
“Wu and Yue in the same boat! That’s exactly what it was!”
“I see.”
“Of course, our lord rose up out of a true sense of justice to eliminate the traitor Dong Zhuo. He led ten thousand men and pursued Dong Zhuo relentlessly before being forced to retreat.”
“That’s right. Uncle pursued Dong Zhuo all the way to Chang’an.”
“That’s why I serve him. AHAHAHAHA!”
Just then, the courtesan poured the last of the wine and whispered,
“Sir, we’re out of wine. I’ll be right back.”
“You cute thing. Go on.”
As the courtesan stood up and bowed, Xi Zhicai couldn’t resist giving her ample backside a few pats.
Xi Zhicai was intelligent, but his behavior was… questionable. Still, Xu Shu, unlike before, now looked at Xi Zhicai with bright eyes, his hands clasped together.
“Master Xi, I’ve learned so much today. Thank you for enlightening me about the current political landscape.”
“AHAHAHAHA! If you want to hear more, you’ll have to join me for drinks more often, Yuanzhi.”
“That’s… Perhaps without the courtesans.”
“A man should enjoy such pleasures. If you’re so against it, go ask Xun Wenruo for lessons.”
“Master Xun… Yes, I should visit him more often.”
Xi Zhicai rubbed his ample belly, a satisfied look on his face, as he waited for more wine.
The door opened, and instead of the courtesan, it was…
“Are you all enjoying yourselves?”
“Uncle!”
“Oh, my lord?”
It wasn’t the courtesan, but Cao Cao.
Xi Zhicai, who had been lounging casually, immediately straightened up and bowed as soon as he saw Cao Cao. Xu Shu and I also bowed respectfully.
“Zhicai, you’ve been drinking again, haven’t you?”
“But I’ve shared many insightful things with these two young men.”
“Is that so? What did you talk about?”
“We discussed our allies and our enemies.”
“Hmm~”
Cao Cao stroked his beard and nodded at my answer.
“Then tell them more.”
Cao Cao simply said that and left. Soon after, laughter and music drifted from the inner chambers.
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Cao Cao must have gotten thoroughly drunk and enjoyed the company of several women, judging by the strong scent of perfume clinging to him as he leaned on me for support.
As I helped him back to his residence in the early hours of the morning, the children were all asleep, and only Lady Ding was waiting.
“Hic… Why are you still awake, my lady?”
“How could I sleep when my husband isn’t home?”
“You could have rested… I came home late…”
“…”
She was terrifying.
Cao Cao chuckled, leaning on me for support, and Lady Ding’s frown deepened, her eyes narrowing.
“A, Aunt, I’ll escort Uncle to his chambers.”
“No need. I’ll take care of it.”
Lady Ding sighed deeply, took Cao Cao’s arm, and practically dragged him away. She was the most formidable person in this household.
After Cao Cao had been escorted to his chambers, I washed up and finally ended my day.
Something was definitely brewing. Whether it was between Cao Cao and Lady Ding within the family, or between Cao Cao of Yan Province and Tao Qian of Xu Province, something was about to happen.
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🍶 Drunken scheming, awkward scholars, and Lady Ding being terrifying… just another night in the Three Kingdoms! 😂🔥
