006. Renowned Women of the Three Kingdoms

“Here, Old Jia, have some tea!”

As evening fell upon the Zhang family residence, the brazier in the hall was burning with charcoal, and the kettle atop the stove was bubbling. Zhang Xiu poured two cups of tea, picked up one, and handed it to the round-faced elder sitting across from him.

This man wore a black robe and held a black goose-feather fan. His round face bore a dimple at the corner of his mouth, giving him the appearance of a gentle old man, yet a cold gleam flickered in his narrow eyes, making others wary.

He was none other than Zhang Xiu’s advisor, Jia Xu, courtesy name Wenhe.

“General, I hear that General of Daring Might, Cao Xin, has been visiting your residence often these days?”

Jia Xu, gathering his sleeves, asked.

“He’s not really a guest. Cao Ziyu has his eye on my ‘Phoenix Among Hundreds’ spear technique. A few days ago, he came with lavish gifts to ask to be my disciple. Ha! I found him to be a decent fellow, so I taught him everything without holding back.”

Zhang Xiu crossed his legs and chuckled.

“Only learning the spear technique? There are rumors that you, in order to curry favor with Cao Ziyu, have sent your concubines to him for pleasure.”

“Nonsense!”

Zhang Xiu slapped the table and cursed. “Cao Ziyu and I are friends through martial arts. We only discuss spear techniques, drink, and talk about famous warriors. There’s none of that filthy nonsense. Only rotten-hearted fools would imagine such things.”

“Please, General, calm yourself!”

Jia Xu waved his feather fan and smiled. “They’re using this as an excuse to undermine your prestige, making it easier to reorganize and dismantle the Xiliang army. Just petty tricks.”

Zhang Xiu frowned. After his surrender to Cao Cao, he was appointed as Pavilion Marquis and General Who Raises Martial Strength by the court, but he was required to relinquish command of his thirty thousand Xiliang troops for reorganization.

He had anticipated this.

Yet these thirty thousand Xiliang soldiers, having followed Dong Zhuo and Zhang Ji in their rampages, were proud and fierce, hard-headed warriors.

Cao Cao could not easily swallow them all at once.

On his advisor’s suggestion, Cao Cao employed suppression, division, and co-optation to gradually reform the Xiliang army, but the troops were uncooperative, and progress was slow.

“Hmph, to think they could suppress me with such methods—wishful thinking.”

Zhang Xiu sneered coldly, then recalled something. “Old Jia, perhaps Cao Ziyu’s visits to my residence to learn the spear technique were deliberately arranged to invite misunderstanding?”

Jia Xu shook his feather fan. “It doesn’t appear so. The rumor about you pleasing Cao Ziyu with women was spread by Cao Hong, who is at odds with Cao Ziyu. By spreading such news, he’s also targeting Cao Ziyu.”

Zhang Xiu breathed a sigh of relief. “Good. If a straightforward man like him resorted to intrigue, it would be disappointing.”

Jia Xu glanced at him. “You hold Cao Ziyu in high regard?”

“Indeed!”

Zhang Xiu nodded. “He’s a martial genius. A spear over a hundred pounds—he can wield it for two hours without tiring. He mastered ‘Phoenix Among Hundreds’ in less than three days; it took me half a year back then.

Cao Ziyu’s prowess is not far below Lü Bu’s. Yet such a formidable man is diligent, eager to learn, and modest. As long as he doesn’t stray, he will surely become a great figure.”

Jia Xu nodded slightly, his impression of Cao Ziyu deepening.

They continued drinking tea and discussing the situation in Jingzhou when suddenly hurried footsteps sounded outside. Zhang Xiu was about to erupt in anger when Zhang Quan shouted,

“Father, trouble! Cao Hong has brought hundreds of armored guards and is smashing open our gates!”

“What?”

Zhang Xiu shot to his feet.

——

In the front courtyard of the Zhang residence, Cao Hong had arrived with over a hundred men. The Zhang household guards drew their blades, blocking his way.

“How dare you draw your blades at me! Are you rebelling? Get out of my way!”

Cao Hong, protruding his belly, shouted angrily.

The guards held their curved blades, refusing to yield.

“General Cao, this is the residence of the General Who Raises Martial Strength. No one may enter with troops without proper notice.”

The steward of the Zhang household stepped forward, cupping his hands.

“Hmph! I told you to fetch Zhang Xiu, but you dawdled and wouldn’t open the door. I haven’t got time to wait. Hurry up and bring Zhang Xiu out!”

Cao Hong bellowed.

“Zhang Xiu is here.”

With a grim face, Zhang Xiu walked slowly into the courtyard.

“Ha! You’re finally here.”

Cao Hong sheathed his broadsword, his round face beaming. “Cao Hong greets General Zhang. General, I have urgent business, but your men wouldn’t let me in. I had no choice but to force my way. Please don’t take offense.”

Cao Hong clasped his fists with exaggerated politeness.

“Hmph! Spare me the act, Cao Hong. You storm into my residence with troops, and think a mere ‘don’t take offense’ is enough? Tomorrow, I’ll see the Prime Minister and settle this.”

“Do as you please, I’m busy. I came today to ask you for someone.”

Cao Hong pressed his round belly, hands on his broad belt, and smiled.

“Who?”

Zhang Xiu looked puzzled.

“Lady Zou. Heh, I hear she’s unmatched in beauty and talent. Our Prime Minister finds his drinking sessions too lonely, and would like some company. Lady Zou is perfect.”

“Outrageous!”

Zhang Xiu roared in anger. “Cao Hong, Lady Zou is my aunt. Mind your words.”

“So what? If you can let Lady Zou attend to Cao Ziyu, why not let her accompany our Prime Minister? Stop dawdling and bring Lady Zou out. The Prime Minister is waiting.”

Cao Hong said impatiently.

Zhang Xiu’s face darkened as he glared at Cao Hong. “You go too far. Do you think I won’t kill you?”

“Heh, General Zhang, don’t get angry. Listen, our Prime Minister admires Lady Zou’s reputation and wants to meet her and discuss poetry. Just for one night; she’ll be returned at dawn. How about it?”

Cao Hong grinned.

“Never!”

Zhang Xiu gritted his teeth.

“Zhang Xiu, before I came, the Prime Minister instructed me to speak kindly. I’ve been courteous and patient, but you persist. Don’t blame me for being harsh. Men, go fetch Lady Zou.”

Cao Hong roared.

“Yes, sir!”

A dozen soldiers stepped forward.

“I’d like to see who dares!”

Zhang Quan drew his sword, glaring at Cao Hong.

The guards of the Zhang household also brandished their blades, murderous intent rising.

“Oh ho! So the General’s residence is rebelling?”

Cao Hong laughed, waved his hand, and a hundred archers appeared atop the courtyard wall, bows drawn, arrows gleaming coldly beneath the crescent moon.

“General!”

“Father!”

Zhang Quan and the guards looked to Zhang Xiu, awaiting his command.

Zhang Xiu clenched his fists, blood oozing from the corner of his mouth.

Cao Hong watched him with a grin, eager to see if he’d dare resist.

——

If he dared, it would mean certain death. Once Zhang Xiu fell, the Xiliang army would be leaderless, making them easy to subdue.

If he didn’t resist, tomorrow Zhang Xiu’s reputation would be ruined and he’d never be able to lift his head again.

‘Even Xun Yu or Cheng Yu couldn’t break this predicament,’ Cao Hong thought smugly.

“Wait!”

Suddenly, a clear voice rang out from the rear courtyard. Everyone paused, stunned, as a woman in mourning attire lifted her skirt and strode out from the corridor.

She was tall, her plain white gown hugging her lush figure. A strip of hemp cloth was tied around her forehead, a white veil covered her face, revealing only limpid eyes and crescent-shaped brows—her features were graceful and refined.

Having hurried, she was breathless, and the veil fluttered with her exhalations.

Seeing her approach, Zhang Quan’s face changed drastically.

“Elder aunt, why are you here? Please go back at once.”

“Little Quan, I hear the Prime Minister sent someone to invite me for drinks. Wonderful! I admire his literary talent and wish to meet him. You needn’t stop me.”

The woman spoke gently.

“Elder aunt, don’t say such things. Please return inside.”

Zhang Quan urged.

“I’m not making trouble. Hey, you fat fool—are you here to escort me on the Prime Minister’s orders?”

She addressed Cao Hong.

After her appearance, Cao Hong stared in a daze. Her figure was voluptuous, her waist cinched by silk bands, inviting to the touch, and her peach-like curves were faintly visible beneath the white gown, alluring in every way.

Cao Hong swallowed, suppressing his excitement, and bowed with a smile. “Are you Lady Zou?”

“Enough with the fancy talk. I am Lady Zou. You came to take me to drink with the Prime Minister? Let’s go!”

She lifted her skirt and strode out.

“Elder aunt, come back!”

Zhang Quan grabbed her wrist, sword in hand.

Slap—

She turned and slapped Zhang Quan across the face, speaking with her back turned, “The Prime Minister wants to see me and sent someone to fetch me. Soon I’ll be his wife; I’m going to enjoy my good fortune.”

She walked through the gleaming blades and Cao’s soldiers, heading straight for the gate.

“Elder aunt!”

Zhang Quan lunged forward, but was blocked by soldiers.

Without looking back, the woman reached the gate.

Cao Hong stared dumbly at her departing figure, secretly amazed. Beautiful she was, but fierce—could the Prime Minister handle her?

“Pfft—”

Zhang Xiu spat blood, his body wavering, chaos erupting among the Zhang household.

Cao Hong chuckled and led his men away.

Jia Xu emerged, fanning himself, sighed softly, and shook his head.

——