Chapter 008: The Chancellor Wants Someone

Night fell, and a cool breeze swept along the long street, stirring the wine banners by the roadside.

Cao Xin was still astride his horse, holding the heavy iron spear weighing over a hundred pounds. He had practiced spear techniques for half the day, then ridden out of the city for a tour, jolted all the way, returned only to confront Cao Hong, and now he was truly weary. At this moment, he only wished to escort Lady Zou home quickly and then return to his own house for a good night’s sleep.

“General... General...” Suddenly, a gentle call sounded by his ear, soft as water, stirring his heart, making him recall Lady Gan, far away in Xuchang. She was a woman gentle as water, her every gesture filled with tenderness. Sometimes, when he lingered in bed in the morning, she would lean close and softly call, “General, General...”

“General, Lady Zou wishes to see you,” Liao Hua urged his horse forward and shouted.

Cao Xin reined in his war horse, “Does Lady Zou have something to say?”

“General!” A slender, fair hand parted the curtain of the carriage, revealing a stunning face. Her skin was fair and luminous, devoid of cosmetics, yet radiant and captivating.

The woman’s eyes were rimmed red with tears, her expression lost and sorrowful—such beauty that even the hardest heart would pity her. It was said that this face had incited tens of thousands of men to battle; because of her, history recorded that Cao Cao lost several cities, trusted generals, his eldest son, a beloved nephew, and countless lives. The phrase “beauty that topples a kingdom” was no exaggeration.

“I am Zou Liniang. Thank you, General, for your rescue.”

“Haha, Lady, there is no need for thanks. General Zhang is my friend; when a friend is in trouble, how could I stand by? Besides, tonight's fault lies with Cao Hong—he is rash and discourteous to everyone. Tomorrow, when I meet the Prime Minister, I will demand an explanation for Lady Zou and the Zhang household,” said Cao Xin.

The woman sighed softly, the night wind stirring her hair, and the air filled with an alluring fragrance.

“General, are you escorting me back to the Zhang residence?”

“Indeed. I have already sent word ahead; someone from the Zhang family should soon arrive to welcome you home. Please do not worry, Lady.”

“I am grateful for your kindness, General. But... but General Cao Hong claims he will seek the Prime Minister's written order. Once he obtains it, would the Zhang residence dare refuse? Would you, General, be able to refuse?”

Her delicate face was lifted, eyes shining with helplessness and sorrow.

Cao Xin stroked his chin. Cao Ang had gone along as well; could Cao Hong truly obtain the Prime Minister’s order? Was the Prime Minister so eager?

Seeing him silent, two tears slid down the woman’s cheeks. She lowered the curtain and spoke in a choked whisper, “General, do not trouble yourself. I am but a widow, my life worth no more than grass. I am not worth your difficulties. Please, have someone return me to Cao Hong, so as not to jeopardize your camaraderie.”

Her voice was soft, fragile as water that cannot be gathered.

“Lady, I promised to escort you safely to the Zhang residence, and I shall keep my word. If Cao Hong brings the Prime Minister’s order, it is not hard to resolve. I will rally the generals and strategists in the city to face the Prime Minister together. As a subject and a brother, I am duty-bound to persuade him to act justly. If he refuses, I will journey to Xuchang to invite Old Master Cao and my sister-in-law to judge the matter. I do not believe the Prime Minister would persist in error.”

“Thank you, General, for your protection,” the woman said softly.

“It is nothing. General Zhang is my friend, and so are you. We are like family; no need for such formality,” Cao Xin waved his hand.

From ahead, the sound of hooves approached; it was the rider returning after delivering the message to the Zhang residence.

“General, the steward of the Zhang household thanks you for rescuing Lady Zou. However, General Zhang is ill, the household is in disarray, and they cannot properly protect Lady Zou at the moment. They hope you might look after her for two or three days.”

The rider reported.

“Sigh, my presence has already ruined the Zhang family’s reputation. Returning is of no use,” Lady Zou sighed.

Cao Xin raised his brows and asked the rider, “How is General Zhang’s condition?”

“The steward said his spirit is troubled and old wounds have relapsed,” replied the rider.

Cao Xin instructed Liao Hua to deliver two portions of aged mountain ginseng to Zhang Xiu, then turned to the carriage, “Lady, the Zhang family is inconvenient at present. If you do not mind, you may stay at my residence tonight. There are seven or eight guest rooms; another guest is no trouble.”

“I will trouble you, General,” the woman said softly.

“Let’s go! Return home!” Cao Xin shouted, turned his horse, and galloped through the streets.

——

Night in Wan City.

The city lord’s mansion, Cao Cao’s temporary residence.

In the study, oil lamps danced in the darkness, spreading a warm orange glow. Cao Cao rested a warm, damp towel on his forehead, holding a book of military strategy, eyes half-closed in a state between sleep and wakefulness.

Two maids knelt at his feet, massaging them gently. A wooden basin of warm water steamed nearby.

“Prime Minister! Prime Minister!” Suddenly, a shout rang out from outside. Cao Cao immediately opened his eyes, removed the towel from his forehead, slipped on his shoes, and hurried out of the study.

“Zilian, Zilian, has Lady Zou arrived?”

“Prime Minister, Cao Ziyu has rebelled!”

Cao Hong said angrily.

“What? Ziyu rebelled? Against whom?” Cao Cao was puzzled.

“Prime Minister, I was ordered to go to the Zhang residence to escort Lady Zou, invite her to drink and recite poetry with you. Upon hearing this, Lady Zou came out from the back courtyard herself, saying she admires your poetry, greatly respects you, and wished to see you as soon as possible. She urged me to hurry.”

“Is that so?”

“Prime Minister, if I utter a single false word, may thunder strike me down,” Cao Hong raised his hand and vowed.

“No need, I believe you. Continue,” Cao Cao stroked his beard and smiled.

“That wretched Cao Ziyu!” Cao Hong shouted, “I was leaving with Lady Zou, and Zhang Xiu neither spoke nor sent anyone to interfere. Yet that scoundrel Cao Ziyu somehow got wind of it, led the Langya cavalry to intercept me midway, forbidding me from taking Lady Zou. I said I was acting on your orders, but he wouldn’t believe it—insisting on seeing your written command before letting her go! I had no choice but to return for your order.”

“Why did Ziyu intercept them?” Cao Cao frowned slightly.

Cao Hong snorted, “Prime Minister, you know well that Cao Ziyu is a lecher. Last year in Xiaopei, he snatched the woman I fancied. Out of collegiality, I let it go. This time, his wickedness persists—he dares to steal the Prime Minister’s woman. Outrageous!”

Cao Hong gritted his teeth.

Cao Cao’s brows knitted tightly.

“Prime Minister, I also heard that Cao Ziyu had long admired Lady Zou’s famed beauty. He visited the Zhang residence daily under the pretense of learning spear techniques, but was actually seeking to get close to Lady Zou. Yet Lady Zou esteemed your literary talent and statesmanship, ignoring him entirely.

Hmph, Cao Ziyu thought his handsome face and muscular build would win her over, but he misjudged Lady Zou.

Compared to men like him, Lady Zou clearly prefers someone with culture, power, and depth, like the Prime Minister.

Today, when I announced your summons, Lady Zou immediately agreed, very happily. Zhang Xiu’s son Zhang Quan tried to stop her, but Lady Zou slapped him, declaring she went willingly and was eager to enjoy the Prime Minister’s favor—not pleased with Zhang Quan’s interference.”

Cao Hong paused, raised a finger, and continued, “Prime Minister, many witnessed this—two hundred armored soldiers, the Zhang residence stewards and guards. I swear to heaven, I cannot be lying.”

“I understand, I understand!” Cao Cao stroked his beard, brows tightly furrowed. “Ziyu is too rash. One must treat women with gentleness and courtesy, pursue them slowly to win their hearts. Why must he always seize women—especially those belonging to others? This is not good, not good.”

“Hmph, Prime Minister, do not forget he was once a bandit leader. Even as a general, his bandit ways are hard to change,” Cao Hong said contemptuously.

“Let us not speak of the past,” Cao Cao waved his hand.

“Prime Minister!” The mansion steward announced from outside, “The eldest son requests an audience!”

Cao Hong’s eyes flickered, “Zixiu is with Cao Ziyu; he must be here to persuade you to take care of your health and not indulge in women.”

“Tell him the Prime Minister is resting; if there is business, come tomorrow,” Cao Cao instructed the steward.

The steward withdrew, but soon returned—this time, someone was looking for Cao Hong.

Cao Hong went out, came back breathing heavily, his expression complex: six parts furious, three parts disdainful, and one part secret delight.

“Zilian, what has happened?” Cao Cao asked.

Cao Hong took a deep breath and replied as calmly as possible, “Before I came, I told Cao Ziyu to wait where he was while I fetched the Prime Minister’s order. But my men reported that Cao Ziyu took Lady Zou directly to his mansion instead of returning her to the Zhang residence. Clearly, he intends to keep Lady Zou for himself.”

Cao Cao frowned.

“Prime Minister, it’s my fault. I shouldn’t have left Lady Zou there. She is so beautiful—her figure and face rival even Diao Chan. To be frank, a woman like Lady Zou could make any man lose control, let alone that lecherous Cao Ziyu. Ah, it’s all my fault. I never expected him to be so bold, to snatch the Prime Minister’s woman before so many armored soldiers.”

“Hmph!” Cao Cao’s face darkened. He strode quickly back to his study, picked up a bamboo slip, and wrote four characters—“Send her here.”

“Zilian, hurry and return,” he ordered.

“Yes, Prime Minister!” Cao Hong responded eagerly, taking the bamboo slip and, despite his bulky frame, vanished swiftly into the night.

Cao Cao paced the study, hands behind his back, restless.

——