Consolidating the Forces
“Ugh…”
“I’ve prepared honey milk to ease your hangover.”
When Cai Yan brought the remedy, I drained the cup in one gulp and rose from my seat.
“Everyone’s complexion looks much brighter today, doesn’t it?”
“It feels like we finally managed a proper night’s rest.”
“I had no idea raising children would be this exhausting…”
Thanks to the veteran wet nurses and nannies sent by my aunt and mother-in-law, we could finally breathe easier. They had even finished their postpartum recovery, so the women all looked far more relaxed. Seeing the children’s faces before leaving for the palace completely swept away the last traces of my hangover.
“Then I’ll be off.”
Once again receiving their warm send-off, I set out for court.
Though we were all still somewhat hungover, the moment the discussion turned to organizing troops for the rebel suppression campaign, everyone’s eyes burned with purpose.
“Wen Ze volunteered to capture Chang Xi?”
“Chancellor, Chang Xi was originally a close friend of General Wu. Now that he has become a rebel, however, Wu Jin wishes to personally deliver his former friend’s end.”
At Xun Yu’s report, Cao Cao pondered briefly before adding Wu Jin’s name to the Xu Province suppression force.
“His own friend turned rebel, so he will handle the matter himself? What a tear-jerking display of loyalty. Permission granted.”
“My lord, the majority of our main army remains wounded after the great battle at Guandu. Reorganization is urgent. The troops we are raising for this campaign are being trained in Henei, Qiao County, and Yan Province, yet resources and manpower are finite.”
As Xun Yu said, even in victory the aftermath was the true problem. Most of the main force needed time to recover, and new supplies had to be assembled. The lone bright spot was that Gao Shun could recruit a fresh Camp Crushing Unit in Henei, Cao Chun could form a new Tiger and Leopard Cavalry in Qiao County, and Xiahou Dun could conscript fresh Qingzhou troops in Yan Province. At least our barracks and training facilities were the finest on the continent; new recruits would be battle-ready quickly.
“We cannot rely on the same vanguard generals forever. This is the perfect chance to raise the next generation.”
Cao Cao added Yue Jin and Sima Huan alongside Wu Jin for the Xu Province detachment. In terms of reputation and ability, they had grown enough to command an army on their own.
“Next are those two in Runan… Gong Du and Liu Bi?”
“Correct, my lord.”
“That An Min fellow—I suppose I’ll have to use him once more. Ah, and since Man Chong has returned as Prefect of Xu County, shall we send Yi south? Together with the recently surrendered Gao Lan.”
Cao An Min was gradually making his mark on the battlefield and was already capable of holding the rank of Colonel. Cao Cao continued.
“Ah, and about Li Tong.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“This fellow is no different from Zhang Ba. Is he testing our patience? Even after becoming Grand Administrator of Runan he refuses to set foot in the capital.”
“His power base lies there, and having sworn loyalty and received formal office, the day will soon come when we settle his faction just as we did Zhang Ba’s. For now he stands at the front lines; it would be wise to extend support immediately.”
“Hmmm, true enough. I am no longer in my prime. I cannot simply harass those holding the forward positions.”
Cao Cao wrote the name Cai Yang for the Runan sector and promptly drafted orders for support to be routed through him.
“My lord, the Prefect of Puyang has returned to the city once more.”
“I told that fellow to rest… Wait, is he going to see his child? Then have him handle supplies for both Xu Province and Runan while he’s at it. Tell him to organize and transport the military grain—and to bring his granddaughter along as well.”
Finally Cao Cao assigned Cao Ang to Puyang and completed the memorial.
Thus, even after the Guandu campaign’s star performers, Cao Cao organized the army using only secondary forces. He finished the petition for the Chancellor’s office and submitted it to the court.
“Zi Yuan, come. This memorial is for His Majesty.”
“Yes, Uncle.”
As expected, the Emperor personally affixed the Imperial Jade Seal to every document and granted approval. To Cao Cao it was little more than a formality.
“Oh ho ho ho, Aman.”
“Ah, Father.”
“Grandfather.”
Cao Song, leaning on the cane bestowed by the Emperor, approached while waving.
“Aman, are you still terribly busy these days?”
“Not especially. What brings you here, Father?”
“I ran into State Uncle Fu earlier. He told me an interesting tale and said he wishes to invite you to his home soon.”
“State Uncle Fu? I only glimpsed him briefly on the way back yesterday. Hmm.”
Cao Cao nodded and answered, “I understand. If an invitation comes, I shall accept. By the way, how is your health lately?”
“Oh ho ho, as for me…”
Cao Song laughed heartily and departed as suddenly as he had appeared. He truly was a man who arrived like the wind and left like the wind—yet every time he showed up, he brought a storm in his wake. For a man of his advanced years to remain active at court while leaning on a cane was remarkable in itself.
When court business was finished and we were heading home, Cao Cao asked me, “Zi Yuan, why do you think State Uncle Fu is seeking me out?”
“A State Uncle who does not even belong to the same faction keeps approaching Uncle. Is it not likely an internal matter concerning the imperial harem?”
“Hmmm. That old man wouldn’t ask me to help elevate Noble Consort Fu to Empress, would he?”
Our relationship was distant at best. With Cao Cao essentially controlling the court and his own daughter Cao Jie already a Noble Consort, any such request would mean the Fu clan would be ‘Dong Cheng’ed by day’s end.
“Then what else could it be?”
“Perhaps… a marriage proposal?”
“What?”
“The Fu family is a prestigious house rivaling the Yang clan of Hongnong or the Xun clan of Yingchuan. State Uncle Fu has six sons, and his extended clan numbers more than eighty.”
“Hmm. The eldest son Fu De I met yesterday already has two wives and concubines. So one of the younger sons?”
As it happened, aside from Cao Jie, Cao Cao had several daughters born to his concubines. They were still young, however, so the talk was more of engagements than formal marriages. Hearing my words, Cao Cao nodded as though he had reached the same conclusion.
“I’m not particularly eager, but if they invite me first and raise the subject, I suppose I should at least listen.”
He did not seem inclined to spill blood needlessly. Since our families had kept a polite distance, he was willing to hear them out.
When we returned home, Lady Ding handed Cao Cao a letter that had arrived.
Esteemed Chancellor Cao,
This humble servant Fu Wan respectfully requests the honor of your presence at my residence three days hence for a modest banquet. Your acceptance would be a great honor.
— Fu Wan, State Uncle of the Han
As expected, it was an invitation from Fu Wan.
“Though the fare is modest, please enjoy it to your heart’s content.”
“Modest? With such a lavish spread before us?”
Three days later, Cao Cao took me along to accept Fu Wan’s invitation. The entire Fu clan had clearly prepared with utmost care. From the gate onward, family members stood in neat rows to greet us. We were escorted to the main hall and served a sumptuous feast.
They even brought out Cao Cao’s favorite—chicken stewed with abalone—along with fine wine. Cao Cao looked thoroughly pleased and immediately tore into a drumstick.
The hospitality was almost excessively courteous; they treated us as though we were imperial envoys.
“Chancellor, with all the state and personal affairs weighing upon you at court, arranging a gathering like this has been exceedingly difficult. Moreover, the chaos of these times has kept you on the battlefield so often that opportunities to meet have been rare indeed.”
“Hahaha, this person has never been one to accept invitations lightly. In truth, few people even dare extend them.”
Well… who would willingly invite the terrifying Cao Cao into their own home? Anyone with something to say would come bearing gifts themselves. Still, Cao Cao never refused a gift once offered, so he enjoyed the banquet to the fullest.
“It seems the food and drink are insufficient. Is anyone outside? Bring more soup at once.”
Soon the door opened and a woman entered carrying a tray. She appeared to be barely twenty, with glossy, gently curling black hair and an aura of refined nobility. A woman of extraordinary grace and beauty. She bowed to both Cao Cao and me, quietly set down the dishes, and withdrew without a word.
Fu Wan was old, that was understandable. His son Fu De had a rather handsome face. Was the woman who just entered his daughter?
“Hmmm. The wine is excellent, the food superb. Shall we move on to the main topic?”
Cao Cao picked his teeth with a broken chicken bone, wearing a relaxed expression. Fu Wan smiled and began.
“Chancellor, in truth this person dislikes turmoil and seeks only stability and peace. Now that I am old, I am merely an elder who thinks of his family’s future generations.”
“My, what are you saying? Are you not the State Uncle, father-in-law to His Majesty? Moreover, I have heard that the Emperor secretly considers elevating Noble Consort Fu to Empress.”
“N-not at all! Though she is my daughter, Her Ladyship the Noble Consort still lacks sufficient virtue.”
Fu Wan, openly declaring that his own daughter—the Emperor’s wife—lacked virtue, fidgeted nervously. Cao Cao laughed and pressed harder.
“Oh come now. Is she not a daughter you would never feel pain even if you held her in your eye? As a father who has sent his own daughter into the palace as a consort, I know how heartbreaking it is.”
Everyone knew that right after Lady Dong’s death, Cao Cao had promptly dressed up his own daughter and sent her into the palace as if showing off. Yet he also knew that, by rank, Noble Consort Fu would become Empress first. Still, Fu Wan continued to insist the idea was utterly preposterous and tried to retreat.
It seemed the true purpose of summoning Cao Cao was the matter of the next Empress. The Fu family was deliberately stepping aside to avoid the edge of Cao Cao’s blade.
“From what I know, Noble Consort Fu greatly resembles the State Uncle’s wife and possesses extraordinary beauty. Isn’t that so, Zi Yuan?”
“You are speaking of Noble Consort Fu?”
“When we rescued His Majesty in Chang’an, you were the only one who saw her esteemed face, were you not?”
Indeed, aside from Lady Dong, Cao Cao had never stormed the rear palace to view the Emperor’s consorts, so he probably had no clear memory. It had been quite some time, but even then she had possessed a noble grace beyond her years… Hmm.
“Chancellor, I shall speak frankly. In the past I invited the most renowned physiognomists and diviners of the Central Plains on behalf of Her Ladyship the Noble Consort. They all concluded that she lacks the destiny to become the supreme one’s spouse. On the other hand, your daughter, Noble Consort Cao, received oracles declaring her the true destined partner of the supreme one.”
“Oh? I do not particularly believe in such things… but it is not unpleasant to hear.”
“Therefore, even though she is my blood relative, this person wishes to support the more suitable Noble Consort Cao as His Majesty’s spouse.”
“An interesting statement, especially when delivered after inviting me to your own home.”
“Moreover, in truth Her Ladyship the Noble Consort… has a different mother from my sons.”
Fu Wan’s sons were born of his primary wife, while his daughter Noble Consort Fu was born of a concubine. He was doing everything possible to withdraw even from the position of consort, let alone Empress.
“Well, if I keep listening, the conclusion is that you will support my daughter as Empress?”
“That is correct.”
“Then am I simply to keep this in mind and look forward to the future?”
“How could it end with mere words? I wish to request a marriage alliance with the Chancellor’s house. Let us draw up a betrothal document.”
“!?”
As expected… When Cao Cao had asked me previously whether a marriage proposal might arise, it had come immediately.
In the end, to save his clan, Fu Wan chose to support Cao Jie as the future Empress instead of his own daughter who had entered the palace first. As insurance, he proposed a marriage alliance with the Cao family.
“Hmmm. The Fu clan is indeed a prestigious house, yet my eldest daughter is already of an age to enter the palace as a consort, while the others are still too young…”
“No. This person has another daughter—the younger sister of Her Ladyship the Noble Consort, born of a concubine. I would like to arrange a marriage for her this time.”
Fu Wan’s secondary daughter and younger sister of Noble Consort Fu? This was truly…
“One of my sons, I presume?”
“Yes.”
Suddenly Cao Cao glanced at me.
No, wait…
Then Cao Cao spoke abruptly. “There is Cao Pi, courtesy name Zihuan. He has only just come of age.”
“?!”
Fu Wan’s eyes widened dramatically. Apparently not.
“Your expression suggests dissatisfaction. Then there is one who will soon reach twenty—his name is Cao Zhen…”
When he offered Cao Pi or Cao Zhen, Fu Wan’s face made it clear neither would do, and Cao Cao’s gaze returned to me once more. From Cao Cao’s perspective it was probably ‘A marriage alliance now? Seems like a trick,’ so he was simply throwing out other sons’ names, but… stop looking at me!
“Um, I already have five concubines and six children.”
“I have heard that the Central Lang General is one of the Chancellor’s most beloved children and an outstanding general who sweeps across the battlefields. Though my house may be unworthy and she is a daughter of a concubine, I wish to offer her to you.”
…This is driving me insane.
I understood it was a political marriage. I understood the Fu clan was seeking the protection of the Cao clan to survive. But why me? There were Cao Pi, Cao Zhen, or even Cao Zhi and Cao Zhang below them… Ah, those two are still too young.
“Zi Yuan.”
“Yes, Uncle.”
“Isn’t this room rather warm? I feel like changing my clothes.”
“Oh! Chancellor, I will prepare at once.”
At that moment the entire Fu clan, Fu Wan included, rose to prepare fresh garments and guide Cao Cao to another room. I naturally followed to guard him. While he changed, a private conversation would surely take place.
I wondered what Cao Cao would say now.