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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Silverriver
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“My lord, I have returned.”
“Gongda! I’ve been waiting for you. How was Jing Province?”
“I have much to report. But first, I heard you achieved a complete victory in Xu Province, even without me.”
“Hahaha, this fellow always knows what to say.”
Xun You’s first impression was that of a capable man, both in literary and martial arts. And before Cao Cao, he was both utterly loyal and casually boisterous, like a close friend as well as an advisor.
Xun You was Xun Yu’s nephew, but six years older than his uncle. Perhaps due to this, he seemed more proactive than Xun Yu, who was quiet and respectful towards Cao Cao.
After all, Cao Cao and Xun You were only two years apart in age.
“So, what do you have that would interest me the most?”
“First, I’ll report on Liu Biao, the Governor of Jing Province.”
“Oh, yes.”
Just then, Cao Cao called out to me.
“Wenlie, bring us some tea.”
“Yes, Uncle.”
What a shame. I wanted to hear Xun You’s report, but Cao Cao had sent me on an errand.
I hurried to the kitchen to prepare the tea. If I was quick, I might still catch some of the conversation.
By the time I returned with the tea, the conversation seemed to be almost over.
“Is that so?”
“Yes, my lord. It seems the situation in Jing Province remains unchanged.”
“Tsk, that’s typical of that miser.”
Miser? Who was he talking about? Since Xun You had just returned from Jing Province, could he be referring to Liu Biao, the Governor of Jing Province?
I wanted to hear more, but the conversation was over.
“Uncle, I’ve brought the tea.”
“Oh, good.”
Cao Cao opened the teapot, looked at the steaming tea, and poured a cup for Xun You and me. Then he formally introduced Xun You.
“Wenlie, this is Xun You, one of my most trusted advisors.”
“I am Cao Xiu, courtesy name Wenlie.”
“We’ve already met briefly, my lord. Hahaha-”
“Oh, have you? Well, you’ve always had a knack for approaching and befriending those who catch your eye.”
Cao Cao laughed and continued with the introduction.
“Wenlie, Xun You is a member of the Xun family of Yingchuan, like Xun Yu. Befriend him, and you’ll learn much about scholarship and military strategy.”
“Yes, Uncle.”
Xun You smiled and nodded.
“My lord, then I’ll get back to work.”
“Ah, you said you would share the information you gathered in Jing Province. Go ahead.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“Wenlie, escort him.”
This time, Cao Cao wanted me to accompany Xun You to his office. I saw this as an opportunity and followed Xun You.
As soon as we were outside, Xun You clapped me on the back.
“Oof?!”
“Wenlie, was it? The lord sang your praises.”
“Ah, ahaha… yes.”
“A true man should share a drink and a good conversation. Are you free this evening?”
Xun You’s personality was indeed the opposite of Xun Yu’s. Just then, someone approached us in the corridor.
“Well, if it isn’t Gongda.”
“Ah, Uncle.”
“Master Wenruo!”
It was Xun Yu. He approached his older and larger nephew with a smile and bowed respectfully.
“Gongda, did you have a safe journey to Jing Province on the lord’s orders?”
“Uncle, please, you don’t have to be so formal. Just treat me as you always have.”
“Even among family, there should be a certain level of decorum.”
Xun Yu spoke with a gentle smile, but there was an air of dignity about him. He then turned to me and bowed politely.
“Young Master Wenlie, I’ve heard of your exploits. You are quite skilled in martial arts.”
“Ah, I was lucky.”
“Uncle, you’ve arrived at the perfect time. I was about to share the information I gathered in Jing Province. Would you mind taking a look?”
“Certainly. I also have a favor to ask of you, Gongda.”
A favor? Xun Yu asking Xun You for a favor?
As we walked towards Xun You’s office, Xun You suddenly put his arm around my shoulders and whispered,
“If you’re interested in a more private conversation, meet me this evening. Just tell the lord I invited you, and he’ll let you go.”
“Yes, Master Gongda.”
I escorted them to Xun You’s office and watched as they exchanged documents before returning to my duties. I remained by Cao Cao’s side until it was time to leave for the day.
And then, during dinner,
“Father.”
“What is it?”
It was during the family meal at Cao Cao’s residence. Cao Ang suddenly spoke to Cao Cao.
“I…”
“Why are you stammering while we’re eating? Is it about work?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm, then tell me after we’ve finished.”
Cao Cao picked up a chicken leg and began gnawing on it. I noticed Lady Ding’s expression. She looked displeased, glancing back and forth between her son and husband. Then, Cao Ang’s eyes met mine.
Cao Cao had told us to become friends, but Cao Ang seemed to avoid me, so we were still somewhat awkward. But now, he looked at me with determination in his eyes.
This was it. He was Cao Cao’s eldest son, a grown man, yet he had no responsibilities, while I, his cousin, had just returned from battle and was serving as Cao Cao’s bodyguard…
That must be it.
After dinner, I went to find Cao Cao. I overheard a conversation between father and son.
“Wenlie has achieved great things on the battlefield. Do you want to do the same?”
“Father, I also wish to make a name for myself.”
As I suspected.
Cao Ang, as Cao Cao’s eldest son, wanted to prove himself. But Cao Cao’s tone was dismissive.
“Hmm, then I’ll have to call for Wenlie.”
Suddenly? I wondered what to do, then decided to just go for it.
“Uncle, are you there? It’s Wenlie.”
“What? Come in.”
Cao Cao and Cao Ang looked surprised as I entered and bowed.
“I was just about to call for you. What brings you here?”
“I wanted to ask your permission to go out for a while this evening.”
“You don’t need my permission to go out… Wait, go out?”
“Yes.”
“Who are you meeting?”
“Master Gongda… asked me to meet him this evening for a discussion.”
“Excellent! Gongda, that makes sense.”
Cao Cao clapped his hands and called for Cao Ang.
“Zishu, then you should go with Wenlie and meet Xun You. We’ll talk tomorrow.”
“Yes, Father.”
Cao Cao readily gave his permission. As Cao Ang and I were about to leave,
“Zishu.”
“Mother.”
“Aunt.”
“Wenlie’s here as well.”
Lady Ding appeared, as if she had been waiting for us.
“What is it?”
“I’m going to meet Master Gongda with Wenlie this evening and will report back tomorrow.”
“Gongda?”
Lady Ding snapped her fingers and summoned the maidservants.
“Bring two bolts of silk.”
“Yes, my lady.”
The maidservants brought two high-quality bolts of silk and handed them to Cao Ang.
“Gongda is one of your father’s most trusted advisors. We can’t send you empty-handed. Give these to him.”
“Yes, Mother.”
“And Wenlie, please look after Zishu. Make sure…”
“?”
“Make sure Zishu doesn’t fall prey to any… temptations.”
Uh, hmm.
That must be it. She had the same expression as when I mentioned going to Wei Hong’s brothel.
“Wenlie, I trust you as much as I trust my son.”
“Aunt, we’re just going to discuss matters with Master Gongda.”
“Good.”
The atmosphere in Cao Cao’s residence was… interesting. If someone wrote a story about this family, titled “The Cao Family Chronicles,” I wonder if people in the future would read it?
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“I’m glad you all could make it.”
I had made a promise to Lady Ding.
Xun You had invited us to Wei Hong’s brothel. And he wasn’t the dignified and imposing figure I had seen earlier, but a man with a young woman by his side.
“My lord, who are these gentlemen?”
“Ah Mu, have them prepare a feast. I’ll call for you later.”
“Yes, I’ll be waiting.”
“Hahaha, my lovely Ah Mu. Just wait a little longer. Once the construction in Yan Province is complete, I’ll take you in.”
Ah Mu? She was said to be Xun You’s beloved concubine, a woman of great wisdom. Could she be…?
I needed to reassess Wei Hong’s brothel. It was more than just a merchant guild or a place that provided courtesans. It seemed to be a hub of information within Cao Cao’s army.
It was like Cao Cao’s private sponsor, providing him with both information and funds.
“Master Gongda, I’m not sure about this place…”
“Oh, come now. You’re the lord’s eldest son. I wouldn’t dare to show you anything improper. We’ll just have a meal and some drinks. Come in.”
Xun You led Cao Ang and me to a private room, drawing a clear line.
This was just like with Xi Zhicai.
“I invited Wenlie for a discussion, but now that Young Master Zishu is here as well, I’m not sure what to talk about.”
“Master Gongda, Father instructed me to meet with you, as I wish to assist him.”
“Hmm, then let’s start with this. I’ve just returned from Jing Province on the lord’s orders.”
Cao Ang’s eyes lit up.
“That’s what I wanted to hear about.”
“Before I tell you about that, you need to understand why I was sent to Jing Province.”
“I already know.”
“Oh, is that so?”
Of course, he did. I had told him before we came here. I relayed what Xi Zhicai had told me about the current political landscape: we were in a vertical alliance with Yuan Shao and Liu Biao, while Yuan Shu had formed a horizontal alliance with Zhang Yan, Gongsun Zan, and Tao Qian.
Cao Ang explained this to Xun You, who smiled and nodded.
“So, Father’s attack on Xu Province wasn’t just about the stolen wealth and the threat to Grandfather, but also because Tao Qian is our enemy.”
“Excellent! You have remarkable insight.”
Xun You praised Cao Ang, who beamed. I smiled as well, expecting a pleasant discussion about the current political situation, but…
Xun You’s expression suddenly changed.
“You heard that from Xi Zhicai, didn’t you?”
“Wh, what?”
Cao Ang was flustered, and I was speechless as I saw Xun You’s serious expression.
“If not from Xi Zhicai himself, then you must have heard it from someone who heard it from him.”
He glanced at me as he spoke, then filled his cup and took a long drink.
“Wasn’t that… the case?”
“Well, it’s only half-true. Let me explain.”
Xun You’s eyes gleamed.
“While I was in Jing Province…”
Xun You’s lecture on the current political situation was about to begin.
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