Welcome to Cao Cao's Army
Cao Cao was an incredibly bold and generous man.
When I arrived with Cao Song and the entire family in tow, he threw a grand feast that very night. We all ate and drank together.
“Everyone, keep those cups filled. I despise people who waste good wine more than anything.”
He downed several cups in quick succession, then ordered them refilled and passed around to the whole table. He had my father’s table placed right beside his own, and the two of them drank together in warm, familial comfort.
“Uncle, I’m ashamed that our family’s entire fortune was stolen by those bandits.”
“Hahaha! Don’t give it another thought. With you and the family safe, what does mere wealth matter?”
Cao Cao laughed heartily and snapped his fingers. Several elegantly dressed maids approached, knelt before him, and respectfully presented something. They were keys.
Cao Cao took them and placed them directly into Cao Song’s hand.
“Uncle, what is this?”
“The keys to my storehouses in Yan Province. Open them and use whatever you need, Father.”
“Good heavens, Uncle. Isn’t this the wealth you need to administer the province?”
“Wealth comes and goes, doesn’t it? Besides, you are the Grand Assistant and the father of Cao Cao, Governor of Yan Province. You should maintain the proper dignity.”
Cao Cao had handed over the keys to his storehouses to my father, who had arrived penniless after losing everything. Seen from the outside, he truly seemed like a magnanimous hero.
Then his gaze found me. He beckoned me closer with a wave. I rose quietly, approached, and sat before him. Cao Cao personally ordered a maid to sit at my side.
“Ah, um…”
“Your name is Cao Xiu, correct?”
“My courtesy name is Wenlie.”
“Cao Wenlie, then. A member of our household.”
When Cao Cao nodded, the maid filled my cup.
“How old are you this year?”
“I have turned twenty.”
“Your parents?”
“My father passed away in the recent plague. My mother has returned to Qiao County.”
“Tsk, she went alone to her hometown? In that case, I must instruct the magistrate of Qiao County to ensure your mother lives out her remaining years in comfort.”
“Governor, I am truly grateful.”
“Hahaha! What’s with this stiff ‘Governor’ business? From now on, just call me Uncle.”
It was exactly the same thing Cao Song had said when he first told me to call him Granduncle.
For the moment, I had caught Cao Cao’s eye right from our first meeting. The first button was fastened properly.
After that came a relentless barrage of questions from Cao Cao.
“Where did you learn your martial arts?”
“My father’s friend was a soldier during the Yellow Turban Rebellion, so I trained under him.”
“Can you read and write?”
“It is lacking, but I can read and write to some degree.”
“Among those who came with you, several are skilled with spear and blade. Where did you gather them?”
“While crossing the Yangtze, I met a knight-errant named Yuanzhi. He wished to pursue scholarship, so we traveled together. His friend was a powerful local leader in Xu Province who commanded private troops. I explained the situation and brought them along to escort the family.”
“Heh, to have collected such men on the road from Wu Commandery all the way here—you possess real virtue, my boy.”
After I answered every question, Cao Cao looked at me and burst into loud laughter. Cao Song subtly added his support from the side.
“Uncle, such a talent has appeared in our family. Shouldn’t we employ him well?”
“Father is right. This fellow will become a great asset in the future.”
Cao Cao had taken an immediate liking to me, and with Cao Song’s timely assistance, he suddenly called out.
“Cao Ang! Where is that boy Cao Ang?”
Cao Ang was Cao Cao’s eldest son. Moments later, a young man who had only recently shed his boyish appearance came running from one corner of the banquet hall at his father’s summons.
“Yes, Father.”
“Come here and sit beside this friend.”
At Cao Cao’s command, Cao Ang sat next to me. He appeared roughly my age. Unlike his father, he had large, clear eyes and a straight nose. For a man, his features were remarkably refined and handsome.
“Introduce yourselves. This is my son and my nephew.”
At Cao Cao’s order, we finally exchanged names.
“I am Cao Xiu, courtesy name Wenlie.”
“I am Cao Ang, courtesy name Zisu.”
Clap—
Cao Cao suddenly clapped once and spoke to us both.
“You two are only a year apart in age. Speak comfortably with each other. Wenlie, I will also have you stay in my household.”
Cao Cao readily offered me a room and even summoned his eldest son to become my friend.
“Ah, in that case… I’ll be in your care?”
“Understood, Wenlie.”
“Ahem, Ang.”
“Yes, Father. I will gradually drop the formal speech.”
Cao Ang seemed like the type who found it difficult to warm up to strangers right away. Still, he was Cao Cao’s eldest son. According to history, he was destined to die young because of “Cao Cao’s truly unbelievable act,” but I would prevent that.
Knowing the events of the Three Kingdoms in advance would be an immense weapon moving forward.
I shared wine cups with Cao Cao’s son Cao Ang. Afterward, I met numerous other relatives.
“Uncle, is this the one?”
Besides Cao Song, a massive man suddenly appeared and dropped heavily into the seat on my left.
He was easily twice my size, with a rugged, intimidating face.
“Um… may I ask who you are, sir?”
“Me? I am Xiahou Yuanyang.”
Xiahou Dun. Yuanyang was his courtesy name. Since he could call Cao Cao “Uncle,” I had suspected—this was indeed Xiahou Dun.
“It is an honor to meet you. I am Cao Xiu.”
“Greetings aren’t made with words but with wine. Pour me a full cup.”
Xiahou Dun thrust an empty cup at me. I filled it to the brim. He drained it in one gulp, then waved over his comrades.
“Brother Dun, why are you calling everyone over so suddenly?”
A man of similar stature approached and asked. Xiahou Dun introduced them one by one.
“This fellow is Cao Ren.”
Cao Ren, courtesy name Zixiao.
“This one is Cao Hong.”
“Why introduce Zixiao before me? I’m older than that guy.”
Cao Hong, courtesy name Zilian.
“And this fellow is Xiahou Yuan.”
Xiahou Yuan, courtesy name Miaocai.
Under Cao Cao, the four great in-laws—Xiahou Dun, Cao Ren, Cao Hong, and Xiahou Yuan—had all gathered.
Thanks to them, simply accepting one cup after another left me feeling the alcohol rise. In my previous life I had been known for holding my liquor well, but the tension of the situation must have affected me.
“Oh dear, is the boy already drunk?”
“Seems his tolerance is rather weak.”
Xiahou Dun and Cao Hong chuckled. Cao Cao pointed at me.
“Ang, it looks like our friend Wenlie is a bit tipsy.”
I staggered to my feet and first bowed to Cao Cao and Cao Song.
“Elders, Governor of Yan Province, I thank you for today’s warm hospitality. May I retire first?”
“Tsk, you’ll need to build up your drinking capacity. Ang, guide him to a suitable empty room.”
“Yes, Father.”
When I offered my farewell, both Cao Song and Cao Cao waved me off. I then bowed in turn to Xiahou Dun, Cao Hong, Xiahou Yuan, and Cao Ren, greeted the other relatives and Cao Cao’s subordinates still at the banquet, and followed Cao Ang inside.
“This way.”
Following Cao Cao’s order, Cao Ang guided me. Even through the haze of wine, walking the corridor made me realize once again just how enormous the residence was.
“It really is on an incredible scale.”
“This house? Father ordered it built large enough to house the entire clan and several hundred guests, so it has been expanded several times.”
In this era, blood relatives sharing the same surname often lived together in mansion-like compounds.
Had this been the capital where the Emperor resided, the entire clan would have donned official robes, gathered in one place, and attended court together.
Looking at the endless corridor lined with countless rooms, I wondered if I might get lost here.
“By the way, your traveling companions have all received what they desired.”
“Huh?”
“The knight-errant called Xu Yuanzhi is from Yingchuan. There are many men from Yingchuan here. Scholar Wenruo is staying with him.”
Wenruo. That could only mean Xun Yu. The scholar famous for carrying an empty meal box. Xu Shu had wanted to walk the path of learning, and now that he had met Xun Yu, his wish had been fulfilled.
“The knights from Xiapi you brought were all given proper compensation and sent home. Father handled everything.”
I had promised to repay them somehow once we reached Yan Province. As expected, Cao Cao had taken care of it all. From the outside he truly seemed like a great man, yet I couldn’t help wondering how we would get along amid all the future conflicts and schemes.
“Here we are.”
Cao Ang showed me to a room. Fortunately it was near the entrance and easy to find, marked with a distinctive pattern.
“This is also close to the entrance even within the Eastern Upper Quarter.”
“Eastern Upper Quarter?”
“Ah, you didn’t know? The mansion is centered around the main central quarter where the head of the family resides. It is divided into the Eastern Upper Quarter and the Western Upper Quarter.”
Cao Ang explained the layout of the enormous residence.
In ancient Chinese mansions, there was the central quarter where the master lived, and two side quarters—the Eastern and Western—for family members, guests, and retainers.
The central quarter was where Cao Cao would reside while attending to his father, Cao Song. Behind it lay the rear quarter, where the master’s daughters and concubines lived.
Beneath the central quarter were the two upper quarters. These were usually managed by the master’s sons and their wives. The Eastern Upper Quarter held higher status than the Western.
Receiving a room in the Eastern Upper Quarter meant I had earned Cao Cao’s recognition from our very first meeting.
“The maids have already cleaned it, but I hope you’ll be comfortable.”
When the door opened, I saw a truly splendid room equipped with everything one could need. Its size was substantial; one could easily spend an entire day lounging inside.
“Then rest well. If you need anything, simply order the servants.”
That was how I came to stay comfortably in Cao Cao’s house under Cao Ang’s guidance. From here on, things would truly begin.
“I don’t know what I’ll do starting tomorrow, but for now!”
I thrust my clenched fist toward the ceiling.
Finally inside Cao Cao’s household and treated as a member of the family, I fell asleep with a heart full of excitement.
“Master, Master, please wake up.”
“Mmm… what is it?”
I opened my eyes in the early dawn. With no electric lights, I fumbled for the candle lamp beside the bed and forced myself upright.
When I opened the door at the sound of voices outside, I found a crowd of servants waiting.
“Um… what is the matter?”
“Master, we apologize deeply for disturbing your rest. We will move your room at once.”
“Move my room? To where?”
“Please speak casually with us. We failed to recognize your status and presumptuously guided you to an upper quarter room.”
What? I had thought being placed in the Eastern Upper Quarter was a sign of favor.
The oldest servant, who appeared to be the steward, guided me to a different room. This time it was not one of the side quarters but the central quarter where Cao Cao’s own family resided.
“The central quarter?!”
“Yes, that is correct.”
Staying in the Eastern Upper Quarter had already been an honor. Now I was being moved directly into the central quarter where Cao Cao himself lived?
Inside, a woman stood guard even at this late hour. She appeared to be in her early thirties. From her clothing to her ornaments, she radiated grace and dignity—a true beauty.
“Madam, I have brought him.”
“Ah, very well.”
She approached me slowly, her voice steeped in refinement.
“You are Cao Xiu?”
“Yes, Madam.”
“I am the mistress of this house. It seems my son made a mistake by placing you in the upper quarter.”
Cao Ang’s mother and the mistress of the household—she was Lady Ding, Cao Cao’s principal wife. Upon hearing about me, she had immediately ordered that I be moved from the upper quarter to the central quarter.
“I have prepared a room for you here in the central quarter. It may be troublesome in the middle of the night, but please stay here.”
“Th-thank you, Madam.”
“My husband really… He could have handled this in the morning, yet he insisted on having you brought here even at this hour while drunk…”
So Cao Cao, while intoxicated, had heard I was placed in the upper quarter and immediately ordered me moved to the central quarter.
Thanks to that, my sleep was cut short, but I ended up staying in the central quarter rather than the upper quarter. The next morning, as soon as I opened my eyes, servants attended me. I washed, received new clothes, and even shared breakfast with Cao Cao’s family.
Somehow, the pressure had only grown heavier.