Are there any entertainers in the city?
Clang, clang, clang~
Boom, boom, boom~
Shouyang Tower in Wan City, a lavish three-story tavern, was alive with festivity. Today, the noble families of Nanyang County had invited Chancellor Cao to drink and watch a performance upstairs—a Han dynasty play of the ages, “Huang Gong of the Eastern Sea.”
“Huang Gong of the Eastern Sea” told of a sorcerer at the end of the Qin dynasty who ventured to the Eastern Sea to subdue a white tiger, only for his magic to fail and the beast to maul him to death.
The play’s lyrics were elegant, the singing captivating; scenes of man and beast locked in perilous combat, enhanced by acrobatics and illusions, mesmerized the audience. Applause and praise abounded.
“Excellent!”
As the performance ended, the crowd cheered in unison. Cao Cao ordered a gold ingot be awarded to the troupe.
The actors knelt in gratitude.
Nearby, Cao Hong fumbled in his sleeve, producing two five-zhu coins, ready to toss them. Just then, a short, lean man sidled up behind him and whispered, “Master, our informant reports that today, Cao Xin again visited Zhang Xiu’s residence and lingered there for half a day before leaving.”
“Oh?” Cao Hong stuffed the coins back into his sleeve. “How many days has it been?”
“The seventh day!”
“Heh, seven days… Cao Xin wounded Zhang Xiu before, yet now he visits daily. Clearly, there’s trouble between them.”
Cao Hong narrowed his eyes, a cold smile curling his lips.
“Hehe~ Master, rumor has it that Cao Xin has taken a fancy to Lady Zou, the widow of Zhang Ji. He even shouted on the battlefield about marrying her—many know this. Perhaps, right now, Cao Xin is enjoying himself at Zhang Xiu’s estate.”
The scrawny Cao San grinned, rubbing his fingers together.
“Zhang Ji’s widow? Zhang Ji died at fifty-two; his wife must be at least in her forties. Does Cao Xin have such a peculiar taste—he’ll even pursue a woman in her forties?”
Cao Hong’s eyes bulged, his mouth twitching.
“Master, you may not know. After Dong Zhuo took Diao Chan, Li Ru planned to offer a beautiful woman to Lü Bu to ease tensions with Dong Zhuo. He chose Lady Zou, but before he could act, Lü Bu assassinated Dong Zhuo outside the North Gate.
Later, Zhang Ji became General of the Cavalry. Lacking wife and son, his men presented Lady Zou to fill his house. Last year, Zhang Ji died in Rang City, leaving Lady Zou a widow—she’s only twenty-four this year.
Cao Xin caught wind of her beauty, and now he visits Zhang’s mansion daily, as if obsessed. Hehe, what else but a woman could so captivate a man?”
Cao San licked his lips with a sly chuckle.
“So, that scoundrel Cao Xin gets another beauty for nothing?”
Cao Hong ground his teeth, pounding his thigh.
He felt a bitter ache.
Two years ago, while campaigning against Tao Qian in Xuzhou, he heard of a stunning beauty in Gan Village near Xiaopei—Gan Yuniang, just eighteen, fair-skinned and lovely. Her complexion was smoother than jade.
An astrologer had read her fortune: she would bring luck to her husband, her fate extremely noble.
Cao Hong’s heart stirred; he planned to take Gan Yuniang once the campaign ended, as he passed through Xiaopei.
But damnable Cao Xin somehow got wind of it and acted first, whisking Gan Yuniang away.
When Cao Hong learned of it, he nearly coughed blood with rage. He was the chancellor’s blood cousin, yet a nobody of a sworn brother snatched his woman—damn, what an outrage!
---
This time, that wretch Cao Xin was even more insolent—not only stepping over him for promotion and honors, but claiming yet another beauty for free, as if all good fortune in the world had fallen to him.
The more Cao Hong thought on it, the angrier he became. Suddenly, his eyes flashed and he burst into laughter.
Cao Cao, seated at the head, was startled by this abrupt mirth.
“Zilian, what’s so amusing?”
“Haha, Chancellor, I just heard something interesting and couldn’t help myself. Forgive me.”
Cao Hong bowed, smiling.
“Hong Shu, what’s the amusing tale?” Cao Anmin chimed in, sensing the mood.
“Haha, everyone must have heard of the conflict between Cao Ziyu and General Zhang Xiu. Half a month ago, the two nearly killed each other by the Yu River—Cao Ziyu almost slew Zhang Xiu. Yet recently, Cao Ziyu visits Zhang Xiu’s residence daily, as if he’d move in. Does anyone know why?”
Cao Hong squinted, grinning.
“Oh, what’s the reason?” Cao Anmin continued to play along.
“Hehe, word is Zhang Xiu, eager for friendship, offered his women to Cao Ziyu for pleasure.”
“Really?”
The audience’s eyes sparkled, gossip ablaze.
“Zilian, do not speak recklessly!” Cao Cao interjected, glaring. “Ziyu told me himself—he went to consult General Zhang on spear technique. It’s not as sordid as you imagine.”
Cao Hong paused, eyes darting. “Chancellor, last time Ziyu and Zhang Xiu fought, Zhang Xiu lost in less than twenty exchanges. Why would Ziyu seek lessons from a defeated foe?”
“Ziyu has his reasons for studying the spear. Do not speculate,” Cao Cao waved dismissively, turning back to the stage.
The others, seeing the chancellor engrossed in the play, shifted their attention back to the performance.
Cao Hong’s face darkened, drinking gloomily.
He had hoped to accuse Cao Xin of greed and lust, colluding with a surrendered general, but Cao Xin had preemptively reported to the chancellor, claiming to be learning spear technique—and the chancellor believed him.
His scheme foiled, Cao Hong grew more frustrated. Even fine wine tasted bland.
As dusk descended and the banquet concluded, Cao Hong led his guards to escort Cao Cao from the tavern. After feasting, Cao Cao gazed at the brightly lit streets and stretched.
“To drink and sing—how fleeting life is! Like morning dew, our days are bitterly few.”
“A fine poem, Chancellor—a splendid verse,” Cao Hong praised.
“Zilian, you appreciate poetry?” Cao Cao twisted his waist, smiling.
---
“Hehe, I used not to, but after following the chancellor for so long, I’ve learned a bit. All your poems are excellent,” Cao Hong grinned.
“You, you…” Cao Cao laughed, then suddenly grew serious. “Zilian, are there courtesans in the city?”
“Huh?” Cao Hong was briefly stunned—a courtesan? The chancellor needed a woman? Suddenly, his mind lit up, a perfect plan forming swiftly.
“Chancellor, have you heard of Lady Zou?” Cao Hong asked, barely containing his excitement.
“Who is Lady Zou?”
“Lady Zou is a great beauty—peerless in grace.”
Cao Hong promptly recounted Lady Zou’s story. In his telling, she was as alluring as Diao Chan, only twenty-four, widowed for more than half a year.
“A widow?” Cao Cao’s eyes brightened.
“Hehe, it’s said Lady Zou is unmatched in beauty and talent; many have sought her in vain. I am willing to approach her on your behalf, invite her to your residence, to share poetry and painting, to ease your fatigue.”
Cao Hong bowed.
Cao Cao hesitated, his eyes flickering.
“Zhang Xiu has only just joined us…”
“No need to worry, Chancellor. Zhang Xiu is greedy for life and fearful of death; for riches, he would surrender his city and troops, let alone a mere widow.”
Cao Hong patted his chest, confident his sharp tongue could persuade Zhang Xiu to yield the beauty.
Cao Cao nodded, a hint of restlessness in his gaze. “Zilian, when you visit General Zhang’s residence, treat Zhang Xiu and Lady Zou with respect—do not be too hasty.”
“Rest assured, Chancellor.”
After escorting Cao Cao home, Cao Hong gathered two hundred armored men and headed straight for Zhang Xiu’s mansion.
Staring at the plaque above the gate, Cao Hong sneered. “Cao Six, oh Cao Six—this time, it’s the chancellor who wants your woman. What can you do about it? Hahaha~”
“Men, knock on the door!”
“Yes, General!”
---
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