The Gwejang Bestowal and the Gathering Storm
After the boisterous hunting festival ended and we returned, Cao Ang immediately strengthened the defenses throughout the Shangfang region. He also brought a large quantity of weapons into the house as preparation for any unforeseen trouble.
“Zisu, brother, what are those?” Cao Zhen and Cao Pi approached and asked. Cao Ang smiled and explained.
“I’m storing them in the warehouse. These are the weapons I’ll carry with me every time I head to war.”
“This sword looks exceptionally fine.” When Cao Pi picked up one of the blades and showed clear interest, Cao Ang ruffled his hair affectionately. “They belong to the army. When your birthday comes, I’ll gift you a truly excellent one.”
“Understood.”
Cao Pi withdrew with surprising obedience. Beside him, Cao Zhen—who was older yet followed him around like a constant companion—gazed at the weapons with clear regret. Cao Ang, however, closed the door and secured the lock. They must have thought persistent interest would earn them a blade, but weapons were not to be handed out lightly.
Afterward, I entered the Shangfang residence with Cao Ang. Before visiting the patient inside, we washed our hands in the prepared medicinal bath, straightened our clothes, and announced ourselves.
“Uncle, Zisu and Zilie have arrived.”
“Enter.”
The door opened to reveal Cao Ren receiving attentive care from several courtesans. Among them was a familiar face—Hua Yan.
“Ah, young master.”
“So you’ve taken on the role of a medical attendant as well.”
Hua Yan and the other women from the Wei trading company who studied under her performed their duties with the precision of seasoned healers. They maintained strict hygiene and carefully disinfected each of Cao Ren’s wounds.
“We will step outside for a moment.”
Hua Yan led the others out and closed the door. I moved closer to Cao Ren.
“How are you feeling?”
“This is nothing. I’ve endured far worse injuries in the past.”
His spirited demeanor was reassuring, yet the sheer number of stab wounds was undeniable.
“The physician is pleased. The stitched wounds show no signs of infection, and my complexion is steadily improving. After so many battles, I’ve grown accustomed to this.”
Cao Ren was recuperating in Cao Cao’s Shangfang quarters until his treatment concluded. All things considered, it was fortunate the damage had not been worse.
“Tsk. With me laid up like this, I worry what that Liu Xuande fellow will do with Xuzhou. Even if only ten thousand troops remain.”
“That matter will be resolved in time. By the way, Uncle, how many soldiers can you currently command under your position as Yilang?”
“Hmm? Why do you ask?”
“Rather than the total force, I should ask how many of those men you can summon immediately—those you can trust and command as naturally as your own limbs.”
At that moment, Cao Ren’s relaxed expression sharpened instantly.
“…Something is about to happen, isn’t it? Am I correct?”
“It is merely preparation for any possible situation.”
Beside me, Cao Ang suddenly grabbed my collar.
“Zilie, what exactly happened while I was in Henei? And what are all of you preparing for? If you truly see me as your brother, answer me.”
Cao Ang genuinely knew nothing. Cao Ren, meanwhile, was ready to act on Cao Cao’s will even without a full explanation. After considering how best to handle them both, I offered a compromise.
“Not long ago, Uncle began a sweeping anti-corruption investigation that started with relatives and spread across the central plains from the capital itself. Dozens of families underwent intense scrutiny, and a considerable number of people were punished. Following that, Yuan Shao of Hebei seized Youzhou, sent the heads of Gongsun Zan’s entire clan to the capital, and left the atmosphere extremely volatile.”
“It has reached that point?”
“Furthermore, the weapons and arrows used in the Xuzhou rebellion that injured you have been confirmed to be forged with Hebei’s smelting techniques. The entire region is on edge. On top of that, the Left General Liu Xuande, who accepted the mission to suppress the rebels, is currently absent from the capital.”
Cao Ren nodded slowly. Cao Ang seemed to accept the explanation to a degree. I added one more point for Cao Ang’s benefit.
“Remember when I mentioned the suspicious eyes watching our household? This is the perfect opportunity to significantly increase our family guards. You will soon be a father. Protecting your family must come first, yes?”
“That is true, but… this feels like…”
He clearly wanted to say it resembled preparations for a rebellion.
“Zisu, I sincerely hope this is nothing but groundless worry. Yet from a young age we have marched from one battlefield to another. We strengthen our vigilance now because we cannot predict where or when the next crisis will erupt.”
“If you put it that way, I have no choice but to accept it. Especially after what you said at the hunting grounds last time. Very well.”
Cao Ang nodded, fully convinced. As it was my request, he earnestly hoped internal matters would be settled smoothly by the time we reached Guandu.
Grand Tutor Cao Song shall receive the imperial command.
During the reign of the previous emperor, you served as Grand Commandant. Later, in Chang’an, you rendered distinguished service by protecting Us. Though you are now advanced in years, We bestow upon you the Gwejang and a carriage, commanding you to continue overseeing the affairs of state.
Cao Song knelt before the imperial messenger in his residence, receiving the decree stamped with the Imperial Jade Seal. The bestowal of the Gwejang and carriage represented the highest privilege granted to elder statesmen. The Gwejang allowed an aged minister to sit comfortably before the throne and provided a cane for ease of movement—the ultimate mark of imperial respect.
By the customs of the time, officials around seventy years of age were expected to retire. Failing to do so without receiving the Gwejang could invite relentless memorials accusing one of “greedily clinging to power despite advanced age.” Yet the Emperor had granted this honor to Cao Song. Both Cao Cao and Cao Hong offered sincere congratulations, as did Cao Ang.
“Father, this is truly worthy of celebration.”
“Oh ho ho, to think that in my old age I would receive the honor of the Gwejang from the Son of Heaven.”
As the Cao clan exchanged felicitations, General of Wei Wang Zifu emerged behind the imperial messenger, dressed in full court attire. He bowed respectfully to Cao Song.
“Grand Tutor, please accept my heartfelt congratulations.”
“Is that not the General of Wei? Thank you for coming all this way.”
“Grand Tutor, having now received the Gwejang, you must perform the customary ceremony of paying respects at the twelve gates outside the city walls during the first month of the new year. I shall personally oversee your protection.”
“Hmm?”
“It is established custom for one who receives the Gwejang to express gratitude for the Emperor’s benevolence by performing this rite beyond the city walls…”
Was such a custom truly in place? Cao Song scratched his head in mild confusion while Wang Zifu spoke with calm certainty. Cao Cao quickly supported his father and replied.
“Customs must be observed. Father, Zilian and I will personally drive the carriage granted by His Majesty and escort you.”
“Oh ho ho— Aman, are you now a mere coachman? How could you undertake such a task yourself?”
“Not at all. How could a filial son stand idle while his father receives such a glorious honor?”
Cao Cao and Cao Hong were naturally offering to leave the city? The more I heard, the less it made sense. Once the bestowal ceremony concluded, I approached Cao Cao.
“Uncle, there is one thing I wish to ask.”
“Oh, Zilie. What is it?”
“I truly do not know, so I must ask. Is it genuinely customary for an elder statesman who receives the Gwejang to pay respects outside the city gates?”
Cao Cao patted my shoulder.
“In the days when the Han capitals were Chang’an and Luoyang, there was indeed a practice of circling the twelve gates and offering salutations to each. From what I know, the tradition originated during the reign of Emperor Wen of Han.”
Emperor Wen meant it truly was an ancient custom from the early Han. Cao Cao’s expression suggested he understood something deeper. I felt confident he would handle the matter. Of course, I would continue my own preparations for any contingency.
“For the outer court, trust Liu Bei. For the inner court, trust Dong Cheng.”
In a secret audience with the Emperor, General of Chariots and Cavalry Dong Cheng approached at the sovereign’s quiet summons.
“How did it go?” the Emperor whispered.
“We first lulled the Grand Tutor into complacency. Using that pretext, we have drawn the Chancellor, the General of the Side, and even the Chancellor’s son outside the city walls.”
“Was there any suspicion?”
“When the General of Wei mentioned the Gwejang ceremony, they appeared to accept it without question.”
“I see. So it is done.”
The Emperor nodded, recalling the incident at the hunting grounds.
“As for what happened during the hunt…”
“That was my failure. Given the Chancellor’s personality, I expected him to boast openly about capturing the beast before the court. Instead, he withdrew quietly, claiming he had protected Your Majesty. Moreover, I myself…”
“Enough. Let the matter rest.”
The Emperor brushed the event aside with a mixture of distaste and surprise. “In truth, I still do not understand it. I have been dragged to countless hunting grounds since childhood, yet I had never seen such a deer before.”
“To my eyes as well, it appeared to be a foreign species that should never have been in those grounds. It was as if someone had deliberately released a dangerous beast.”
“There is no point in questioning it now. What matters is that the Chancellor’s entire family will leave the city at once.”
“Your Majesty, is not the Gate Colonel also one of Cao Cao’s men?”
“Cao Xiu… hmm…”
“He once possessed righteousness in Chang’an, yet he is still of the Cao clan and serves Cao Cao.”
“Can you lure him elsewhere?”
“I will attempt it.”
The Emperor gripped Dong Cheng’s hand tightly as he spoke of such a perilous matter.
“Father-in-law, I am truly afraid. The man who once saved me from the tyrant Dong Zhuo and his remnants now purges everyone I attempt to appoint. He fills both court and palace with none but his own people. I fear who else might raise an army and ignite the flames of war in this situation.”
“Your Majesty, I shall bear all consequences. Even if matters go awry, it will have nothing to do with you. My daughter, the Noble Consort, has merely conveyed messages without knowing their content.”
“Father-in-law…”
“I once served the traitor Dong Zhuo as a lowly officer and survived as a mere flatterer under Li Jue and Guo Si. That was my life until Your Majesty personally entrusted your will to ‘me and the Imperial Uncle.’”
Before setting out to suppress the remnants of the traitor Yuan Shu, the Emperor had left those words with Liu Bei. Liu Bei had faithfully followed the command, stationing himself near Xiaopei with the smallest force that would avoid suspicion. From there he could march on the capital at any time under the pretext of suppressing rebels. The sudden appearance of Lu Bu’s remnants in Hebei, combined with the suspicious abundance of weapons and supplies circulating in the central plains after Yuan Shao’s conquest of Youzhou, had even caught Cao Cao off guard.
The critical moment would arrive during the first month of the new year. That was when everything would be decided.
“Your Majesty, if things go wrong, do not hesitate to abandon my clan. Declare that your maternal relatives sought to seize power for themselves. Issue an edict deposing my daughter and expelling her from the palace.”
“Father-in-law, she already carries my blood.”
“It is precisely for when matters go truly wrong.”
The Emperor clasped Dong Cheng’s hand once more and offered a silent prayer for Liu Bei waiting in Xiaopei.
“Husband!”
“What is this? Why is it so quiet today?”
As expected, only Lu Ming was present, practicing sword forms alone beneath the moonlight. The others were nowhere to be seen. She embraced me and explained one by one.
“The two who came from Jiangdong and the one from the royal palace went to the Wei trading company to view central plains jewels. Sister Cai went to the Shangfang residence to visit her younger sister. She wanted to congratulate her on the pregnancy.”
“Ah, I see.”
“Shouldn’t we make one soon as well? Why do you keep making me sleep alone these days?”
“Yes, yes. Tonight I shall be as vigorous as a bull… hmm?”
Lu Ming smiled brightly and nodded. Hearing that Cai Yan was there, I headed toward the main hall. As I walked through the corridors of the Shangfang residence, strange voices reached me.
“Sister, here.”
“Jinghui, what is this?”
“A highly spiritual Taoist master gave it to me when I visited Henei. They say she is an extraordinary female immortal. It is a chart showing which days of the year a married woman should consummate the union to conceive, divided according to the solar terms.”
“Ah… thank you, but… for me to take this…”
“You must keep it! Just like me!”
“Ah, ahahaha…”
“Is Brother-in-law neglecting you? I heard you only have four concubines!”
“It is not like that. It is simply… my body has not been well.”
Another conversation about children. I had certainly made my own efforts, yet I kept missing the mark. I had prepared plenty of nourishing foods and was determined that this time, whoever it was, I would succeed. Any further delay would only invite strange looks from those around us.
I was listening with that thought in mind when the conversation continued.
“Sister, did you hear? His Lordship the Grand Tutor received the Gwejang from the court. Our husband, along with Father-in-law and Uncle, are all supposed to leave the city to pay respects by circling the gates.”
“Hmm?”
“I heard they will prepare a carriage and have the entire clan circle outside the walls to offer salutations.”
“They circle outside the city after receiving the Gwejang?”
“Yes, that is what they say.”
“Hmm, that seems strange. From what I know, that is not correct…”
I immediately made my presence known. When a startled Cai Yan emerged, I seized her hand and led her away.
“Ah, husband?”
Caught off guard by my sudden appearance, she first straightened her clothes and glanced back toward the residence. I drew her into an alleyway.
“I did not mean to eavesdrop, but please repeat what you were saying just now.”
“Pardon? If it is about the fertility chart, I have not yet received…”
“No, that is important too, but I mean what you said about the Gwejang.”
Pressed by my urgency, Cai Yan looked surprised yet smiled and lowered her head.
“I apologize. It seems my inadequate knowledge was mistaken. I fear I may have caused trouble for you, who handles state affairs.”
I grasped both her shoulders and asked again.
“Never mind that. Tell me once more!”
“Ah…”
Urged on, Cai Yan answered with a startled expression.
“According to the historical records, an elder statesman who receives the Gwejang rides in a carriage and offers salutations toward each gate to praise the Emperor who bestowed the honor.”
“Yes, but why do you say it is wrong?”
“I understood that there is no need to go outside the city walls. It is not circling the outer gates of the capital, but rather circling the perimeter of the imperial palace and offering salutations at each of the palace gates…”
“…!”
“As I said, it seems my faulty understanding of history has confused you, husband… mmph?!”
At that moment I pulled Cai Yan into a fierce embrace. They say a man’s greatest happiness in this era is to govern his household well and take a wise woman as wife. I had achieved both. What a fortunate man I was.