070. Cao Cao Is Deeply Wounded

"General, was the meeting at the Prime Minister’s residence uneventful?"

Back at the General’s mansion, Yan Yu and Li Niang helped him remove his armor, while Juan Niang held a bowl of tea for him to sip.

"It went well—just a false alarm."

Cao Xin rotated his shoulders, gazing at his three delicate wives with a slight smile.

"Yu Niang, Li Niang, Juan Niang—The Prime Minister and eldest sister-in-law have given us a mission. They want us to have children soon. What do you think?"

"Ah? Children? Wonderful!" Yan Yu and Li Niang exclaimed with joy.

"General, Juan Niang would also like to bear your child," Juan Niang cooed, hugging his arm.

"Ha! Then let’s do it together," Cao Xin laughed heartily, embracing the three beauties and heading indoors. For more than a month, he hardly left the house.

After the New Year, Cao Xin prepared to leave for Huainan to take command. Before departing, Cao Cao summoned him for a meal, saying he had something to discuss. Cao Xin brought Yu Niang along to pay New Year’s respects.

"Sixth, you’re here—have a seat!"

In the tea hall, Cao Cao glanced at the handful of unruly children behind Cao Xin.

"I have matters to discuss with your sixth uncle. Go play outside for now."

"Okay, Father!"

Cao Pi, Cao Zhang, and the other children left.

"Ha! Brother, what’s the matter?"

Cao Xin sat down carelessly, grabbing a few walnuts and cracking them open to eat.

Cao Cao, holding his pipe, gave him a few sidelong glances.

"Zi Yu, what is your dream?"

"What?!"

Cao Xin crushed the walnut in his hand, glanced around the tea hall—this wasn’t the stage for a dream show. Why was Old Cao asking such an odd question?

"Stop looking around. Answer me."

Cao Cao’s face was stern.

Cao Xin shot him a look. "Brother, stop with the Prime Minister act. We’re at home. If you keep up with that, I’m out. It’s the first month, time off—I don’t want to talk business now."

Cao Cao inhaled deeply. "Sixth, tell me—what kind of person do you want to become?"

"Anything but Grand General!"

Cao Xin smirked.

Uh—

Cao Cao’s face darkened. This rascal really knew everything.

Of course Cao Xin knew. The last time in the council chamber, the atmosphere had been strange. He sensed something was off and later plied Guo Fengxiao with drinks; the man spilled everything, even admitting his lack of interest in women stemmed from poor health.

"Sixth, just answer honestly. Don’t keep changing the subject," Cao Cao snapped impatiently.

"Alright, alright!"

Cao Xin stroked his chin, thoughtfully. "Brother, I want to live forever, two thousand years, and see the world of the future."

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Cough, cough, cough—

Cao Cao, puffing on his pipe, hacked violently, eyes nearly tearing.

"Brother, I’m serious."

Seeing Cao Cao struggling, Cao Xin shrugged. "Fine, I want to end the chaos, bring peace to the land, then lead troops to conquer the frontier, expand the Han’s territory, and earn the glory of sealing the wolf at Ju Xu."

"Really? Are your dreams so noble?" Cao Cao doubted.

Cao Xin’s face darkened. "Brother, I am a noble man—why can’t I have noble dreams? Alright, I do have a little selfishness. I’ve heard the frontier has all kinds of beauties—tall, long-legged, skin as white as milk, golden hair, generous curves here, here, and especially here. They suit my tastes perfectly."

Cao Cao’s expression grew darker. Such an exalted topic, debased by this scoundrel. But did frontier women truly possess such beauty and fullness?

He’d have to see for himself one day.

Cao Cao drew from his pipe. "Zi Yu, a man should focus on his career—not dwell on women. Too much indulgence is bad for the body."

"Brother, is your health failing?"

"Rascal! We’re speaking seriously. Stop your nonsense," Cao Cao barked, face grim.

Cao Xin laughed heartily.

"Brother, we’re brothers. Let’s speak plainly, not in circles—it’s a waste of energy. Let’s be direct.

You’ve been asking so much—are you worried I’ll snatch your Grand General’s post, or Prime Minister’s seat, or that I might raise troops and become Emperor?"

Cao Cao’s face grew somber. This rascal was so direct—no subtlety at all. He was about to rebuke him, then paused at Cao Xin’s question: What am I worried about?

With Cao Xiao Liu’s lazy disposition, making him Prime Minister would be worse than killing him. Yet this rascal, a general by twenty-two, would make a fine Grand General. Two brothers—one Prime Minister, one Grand General—the Han would be ruled by the Cao family.

If this rascal rebelled and became Emperor, it wouldn’t really hurt the Cao clan. The patriarch would be Grand Emperor, Cao Mengde both the Emperor’s brother and the court’s Prime Minister, the rest of the family all princes. Not a bad outcome.

Yes—what am I worried about?

"Brother, do you want to be Emperor?"

Cao Xin stared at Cao Cao with a sly grin.

"You?!"

Cao Cao’s eyes went wide with fury. "Cao Xiao Liu, don’t talk nonsense. I only wish to be a virtuous Prime Minister and revive the Han. How could I have such treasonous thoughts? You’d better not spread rumors or I’ll accuse you of slander."

Cao Xin curled his lip. "When Qin lost its prey, the world chased after it. Which lord in these times doesn’t want the throne? And who would support a lord who doesn’t? Everyone knows your ambition, brother. Only you keep up the virtuous mask—doesn’t it tire you?"

Cao Cao’s body trembled.

This rascal’s words were all true.

But to speak so openly—was it wise?

This was the matter of dynastic change. It deserved at least basic respect.

"Cao Zi Yu, stop talking nonsense," Cao Cao whispered, ready to cover his mouth.

Cao Xin slapped his hand away. "Brother, if you want to be Emperor, just be at ease about it. Stop always being suspicious, as if someone’s out to steal your throne. What’s so special about it?

I don’t care for it. If I became Emperor, I’d want to lead troops to battle every day—would the ministers allow it? I’d want to seize famous beauties—would they agree? And I’d still want..."

"Enough! Stop talking!" Cao Cao suddenly roared, gasping, eyes red.

Cao Zi Yu’s words pierced his heart and exposed his deepest secret.

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He wanted to be Emperor—desperately.

But among the lords, he was not the strongest, nor closest to the throne. He had to keep low, endure, develop quietly, let no one know.

Yet now, his ambition was laid bare by Cao Zi Yu’s careless, irreverent words, leaving him with an unspeakable frustration.

And, thanks to the rascal’s reminder, Cao Cao realized why he doubted and guarded against Cao Xin.

Because this scoundrel threatened his throne.

Since Cao Zi Yu joined the family, Cao Mengde was no longer the main figure. From Old Cao to newborn Cao Chong, all liked Cao Zi Yu far more than the pillar of the clan.

Even among the Prime Minister’s civil and military officials, Cao Zi Yu was popular. Last time, when Cao Hong tried to search his house, Xun Yu and Cheng Yu defended him.

Given all this, Cao Cao couldn’t help feeling a sense of crisis.

Though Cao Zi Yu made it clear he didn’t want the throne, it didn’t ease Cao Cao’s anxiety—in fact, it infuriated him. The throne was so coveted, everyone wanted it. Why did Cao Xin not?

It was as if all men in the world fought for the most beautiful woman’s favor, and this rascal tossed her aside like old shoes. It was an insult to the beauty, disrespect to the throne.

Cao Mengde had reason to be angry.

"Brother, do you trust me?"

Cao Xin smiled calmly.

Cao Cao said nothing, still glaring at him angrily. With his debauched ways, could he be Emperor? Maybe the last Emperor, at best.

"Brother, stop staring. I’m not clever, I speak directly, not full of schemes like you. If you trust me, I’ll stay. If not, I’ll take my men and leave for the frontier, and we’ll part ways.

Otherwise, with your suspicious nature, it won’t be long before even the last bit of brotherhood is gone between us.

Frankly, losing brotherhood with you wouldn’t matter much. I’m mainly worried that it would affect my relationships with Old Cao, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth Brothers, Eldest Sister-in-law, Cao Ang, Pi, Zhi, Jie, the girls... If the household loses harmony over a silly throne, it’s meaningless. Brother, why is your expression so strange?"

Cao Xin asked, puzzled.

"...."

Cao Cao clutched his chest, on the verge of coughing blood. What did he mean by 'scheming brother' and 'losing brotherhood is no big deal'? Was this how people spoke?

This rascal’s words cut deep, too blunt. Listening felt as if a spear pierced straight through the heart, leaving it in tatters.

Cao Cao clenched his teeth, glaring fiercely. "Zi Yu, take some lessons from Wen Ruo, Gong Da, and Feng Xiao on tact. You’re too harsh. Do you understand?"

"Sorry, brother. I practice with a straight iron spear—can’t bend."

"Get out!"

"Alright!"

Cao Xin rose to leave.

"Stop!"

"Brother, what do you want now?"

Cao Xin asked helplessly.

——

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