Surviving in Hebei
Today's morning began at a funeral home.
"What a strange connection… Jian Fu."
Upon hearing the girl's name yesterday, my emotions felt peculiar. Then I recalled what Zheng Yun of the Wei Merchant Guild had said during our escape from Chang'an.
The four great beauties spoken of by merchants traveling the entire continent:
Lü Bu's concubine Diaochan, the Wu Lady of Jiangdong, my wife Cai Yan.
And the one nicknamed the "Peony of Hebei," the Jian clan's Lady, the third daughter of the Jian family, Jian Fu.
Listing them like this was rather amusing, but I had only been married for a short while. Still, this connection might prove useful someday, so I committed it to memory.
After rising early, washing with the water the servants brought, and running my hands through my hair, I was strolling about when—
"Ah, sir, you've come?"
"My lady, how deeply grieved you must be."
It seemed another round of condolences was being offered at the mourning hall. The servants suddenly began murmuring. Curious, I asked one of them.
"Who has arrived to cause such a stir?"
"My lord, it is Master Liu Liang, a renowned physiognomist in these parts."
"Is that so?"
In this era, physiognomy served as a kind of recommendation system. There was Xu Shao, who examined Cao Cao's features and declared him "a treacherous hero in times of peace, a hero in times of chaos," and Guan Lu, who later read the faces and fortunes of many heroes.
"That gentleman has long examined the physiognomy of the young master and the young ladies of my lady's family."
"I see."
I handed over a single Wuzhu coin as thanks for the information and made my way to where the physiognomist Liu Liang was said to be, exchanging greetings with the chief mourners.
"Hmm?"
As expected, the scholar called Liu Liang spotted me and immediately approached. A middle-aged man in his forties or fifties stared intently at my face, his eyes widening as though they might pop out.
"Master Liu Liang, this gentleman is a guest who has come to pay his respects."
"M-my lady. This man's physiognomy…"
"Oh?"
So what was he about to say?
"This is no aura of this world. It is as though he has descended from another realm. A heavenly demon… no, a heavenly horse?"
"A heavenly horse? Am I some protagonist from a martial arts novel?"
"Heavens… it is the visage of the Emperor's Thousand-Li Horse!"
Not the demonic kind, but the celestial horse—the winged steed ridden by the Jade Emperor. In English terms, not a unicorn… but a Pegasus? Moreover, "descended from another world"? The fortune-tellers and physiognomists of this era were not complete frauds after all.
"I-if it is not too presumptuous, I would like to know your honored name. I am Liu Liang, a man known throughout Hebei for reading the physiognomy of prominent noble houses."
"The Cao clan of Qiao County."
"Sir, I beg you. Please tell me your name."
Since he asked so earnestly, I decided to answer.
"Cao Xiu of Qiao County, courtesy name Ziyeol."
"Lord Cao Ziyeol…"
At that moment, two women in mourning attire approached alongside yesterday's girl, Jian Fu, and offered me respectful greetings. They were more mature than Jian Fu, resembled one another, and were extraordinarily beautiful.
"We are truly grateful that you have come to my younger brother's funeral."
"We heard you also made a donation to the household. Thank you."
"It was nothing."
After receiving the greetings of the three Jian sisters and seeing off the old lady, I departed. I had gained one rare connection in Jizhou through mere acquaintance—an alliance that would surely prove valuable in the future.
"Now then, shall we head to Ye County?"
If I rode hard, I could arrive by noon. Grasping the reins of the famed horse Uncle Xiahou Dun had given me, I spurred it forward with all my might.
***
"They say it's the greatest city in Hebei, and it truly is magnificent. An astonishing place."
"Hahaha, indeed it is."
Upon arriving in Ye and announcing myself as an envoy bearing a letter from His Majesty the Emperor, the soldiers fell into a panic. Then a scholar serving as Yuan Shao's advisor, named Tian Feng, hurried out to greet me and led me toward the Jizhou government office.
"I too have heard the news from Luoyang. The Cao Grand Tutor's household has performed a great service."
"And I am also a member of the Cao clan."
"Could it be that you are…?"
"I am called Cao Ziyeol."
"Oh! The very man who gathered heroes in Chang'an and helped His Majesty escape!"
Reputation certainly had its advantages. Even at my young age, my name had already reached warlords like Cao Cao and Yuan Shao. Indeed, when a person accomplished something truly impactful, fame spread in this manner.
I hoped my name would also be known among the officials of this vast Ye County. In any case, Ye was truly an enormous city.
Cao Cao had once mentioned a "massive fortress capable of housing over fifty thousand troops while overflowing with commoners."
The great fortresses that could accommodate large armies were Ye in Hebei, Nanjun (Jiangling) in Jingzhou, Chang'an in Guanzhong, and Xiapi in Xuzhou. Unlike Chang'an, this place brimmed with vitality, and the troops patrolled in orderly fashion—truly a city worthy of being a capital.
"The Governor is waiting inside. Would you not like to change into fresh robes before presenting the imperial edict?"
Tian Feng guided me to a side chamber, suggesting I change before meeting Yuan Shao. Yuan Shao apparently cared about appearances and preferred neat, orderly attire.
Fortunately, I had the formal robes Lady Ding had given me. After changing and sprinkling calamus water on my body to give off a subtle fragrance, I was ready to enter.
The moment the doors opened, countless civil and military officials rose to their feet. Every gaze in the vast government hall was fixed upon me.
Curiosity, contempt, arrogance, unease, doubt—countless emotions filled those stares. That so many different expressions were directed at me, a mere imperial envoy, suggested that the civil and military officials of Hebei were still divided between loyalists to the Han court and supporters of Yuan Shao of Hebei.
At the far end of the long hall stood a raised dais. Upon the throne atop it sat a man resting his chin on his hand, watching me. That was Yuan Shao.
Even seated, he was tall and imposing, his face brimming with confidence. Especially striking was the tall official's cap symbolizing authority and the purple robe embroidered with splendid patterns—he radiated such majesty that one might freeze in place.
Ha, truly insane… Was he the emperor of an independent nation?
Having traveled the territories of the Three Kingdoms, I had never imagined seeing a government office transformed into a royal palace on this scale, with a throne set upon a grand hall. Even Cao Cao's office in Yan Province was merely a modest study where he drank tea with a few advisors. Yuan Shao had turned his office into a veritable imperial audience chamber beneath his throne.
"Welcome. It is good to see you have come to Jizhou."
"I am an envoy bearing His Majesty the Emperor's edict. I ask that General Yuan show proper courtesy."
Yuan Shao had greeted me in a deep voice, but I immediately mentioned the Emperor's edict.
In that instant, the atmosphere grew heavy, pressing down upon us. This was no mere jealousy from civil officials—among those in armor were formidable warriors not to be underestimated. If things went wrong, they would attack me on the spot. I was not even wearing a sword, given the occasion.
I realized I had walked into a tiger's den. So I raised my voice to avoid appearing weak.
"I am Cao Ziyeol, Commandant of Cavalry, nephew of Grand General Cao Cao and kinsman of Grand Tutor Cao Song, here by His Majesty the Emperor's command!"
I invoked the triple authority of Emperor, Grand Tutor, and Grand General.
Yet Yuan Shao did not so much as frown. Instead, with an even more relaxed expression, he rose from his seat and descended the steps.
Then he strode forward and met my eyes. I was taller than average for this era. Living in Cao Cao's household, with its daily meat dishes, martial training, and horsemanship, had built a physique that did not yield easily.
But Yuan Shao was of similar height, and beneath his silk robe flowed a mixture of martial aura and noble bearing.
"Young Commandant, did you just say this is His Majesty the Emperor's edict?"
"I did."
"Then, is it stamped with the Imperial Jade Seal, symbol of the Han Emperor?"
"Does General Yuan intend to judge His Majesty's authority by the presence or absence of the Jade Seal?"
"Is the Emperor's Jade Seal stamped upon it?"
"There is no precedent for accepting the Son of Heaven's edict so boldly. General, observe the rites of the Han…"
"Is the Emperor's Jade Seal stamped upon it?"
Yuan Shao repeated the same question three times. The situation was tense, but the more he pressed, the more steadily I met his gaze.
"The Jade Seal was lost in the chaos of war and is currently being remade. If that is a problem, His Majesty said he would bite his own finger and stamp it with his blood."
If he insisted on the Jade Seal, then next time the Emperor would bite his finger and bring a blood-written edict.
Once again, the air grew heavy. Yuan Shao, along with countless Hebei nobles, stared at me alone.
In that silence, Yuan Shao finally clasped his hands and dropped to one knee.
"General of the Right Yuan Shao receives His Majesty the Emperor's edict!"
It was not a full prostration—only one knee bent, a half-bow. Even if reported to the Emperor, could Yuan Shao truly be treated as a traitor? No. Unless Yuan Shu, Tao Qian, Lü Bu, and Cao Cao all joined forces to attack Hebei, it would be impossible.
"Due to injuries sustained while suppressing rebels in the past, I am unable to prostrate myself according to proper etiquette. I ask that the envoy understand!"
Though he used respectful language, his booming voice shook the hall like a royal audience chamber. It felt like a contest of courage. I unfurled the edict and shouted.
"In the second year of Xingping, I, the Son of Heaven of Han, suffered hardship at the hands of rebels in Chang'an. After shaking them off, I returned to the ancient capital of Luoyang. Yet the provincial governors and generals have neither come to court nor mentioned taxes, even after my arrival in Luoyang."
I deliberately raised my voice before Yuan Shao.
"However, I understand that all this stems from the chaos of war, with bandits running rampant in every region. Therefore, I command General of the Right Yuan Shao, Governor of Jizhou: In the past, you demonstrated loyalty by rallying the lords against the tyrant Dong Zhuo. In recognition of that righteousness, I hereby bestow upon you the title of Marquis of Ye and appoint you to the Three Excellencies as Grand Assistant. In return, you are to provide taxes for rebuilding the capital and provisions for raising the Emperor's elite guard."
That was it.
In that cold atmosphere, murmurs arose, followed by a shout.
"Grand Assistant? Did he just say Grand Assistant?"
"I am the one who brought His Majesty the Emperor's edict. If you have complaints, step forward and speak."
"Very well, I shall."
The man who stepped forward, fuming, had the typical appearance of a stern court official from historical dramas. Twirling his long beard between his fingers, he glared at me with an expression that said, "How dare this brat…"
And he was not alone. Others who rose were all scholars who clearly prided themselves on their literary skills.
They were likely Yuan Shao's retainers and advisors—Shen Pei, Ju Shou, Xin Ping, Xin Bi, Guo Tu, Feng Ji, and so on. Quite a few, weren't they?
"W-what is the meaning of this? The Governor of Jizhou is in the midst of receiving His Majesty's edict."
A startled Tian Feng tried to mediate, but the situation was clearly an attempt to publicly humiliate me.
Yet I would not back down.
In the past, Zhuge Liang had engaged in a battle of wits before the officials of Eastern Wu, had he not? I might not match Zhuge Liang's eloquence, but at the very least, I would show them I would not stammer and be trampled here.
Before Yuan Shao's many retainers, I beckoned with my hand, inviting them to come at me.