The Mandate of Heaven Council
“Congratulations on your promotion to Military Commandant.”
“Thank you, Uncle.”
“Truth be told, if we’re talking about a Commandant post, the roles of Captain of the Central Army or Captain of the Forward Army would have been better. Still, I’ll treat you with honors beyond the rank itself.”
In the old days of the Han Dynasty, aside from the Grand General, General of Agile Cavalry, General of the Resolute Cavalry, and the Four Direction Generals, any non-permanent general positions were collectively called “Miscellaneous Title Generals.”
Then, as the Han entered its final years and the era of selling offices and titles began, even the ranks of Central Leader of the Multitude and Commandant were flooded with non-permanent posts like “Miscellaneous Title Central Leader” or “Miscellaneous Title Commandant,” where random names were simply slapped onto existing offices.
Thanks to that chaos, I had received the previously nonexistent title of Military Commandant. Next would likely be Central Leader of the Multitude, then either a Governor or a full General.
“Well then, to celebrate your return to Xuchang, let’s have a proper feast once work is done tonight. I’ll drink to your success myself.”
“Thank you, Uncle.”
The many clansmen and retainers under Cao Cao’s command scattered to their respective duties.
“Aman, I need to head to Yingchuan with my younger brother.”
“The two of you together? Fine, go ahead.”
After sending Xiahou Dun off, Cao Cao turned to Xun Yu.
“What about Zixiao and Zilian?”
“My lord, the two of them are currently in Luoyang. You ordered them to capture Henei Castle where Zhang Yang is stationed, did you not?”
“Ah, that’s right. My mind really is slipping these days.”
This was one of the historical changes that had occurred because of my intervention.
Originally, when Cao Cao first received the Son of Heaven, he had concluded that “Yan Province’s supplies alone are not enough to sustain a two-front war” and focused his forces on a single theater.
But at some point, battles became far easier than before and supplies more than doubled. As a result, he had begun dispatching armies to Cao Ren, the Xiahou brothers, and even the guest general Liu Bei, creating not only two-front but even three-front campaigns.
If the conquest of Henei and Zhang Yang was happening several years earlier than in the original timeline, then at least there would be no uprising from Henei in the rear while we campaigned against Lu Bu and Yuan Shu. On the contrary, we might even be able to lock them down in Xu Province and Huainan with overwhelming numerical superiority and crush them one-sidedly.
Anyway, good things were good things.
“My lord, this humble ear of mine seems to have overheard something about a grand drinking party tonight?”
“Fengxiao.”
Although Guo Jia had begun wearing proper official robes after rising to the position of Chief Clerk, his clothes still hung loosely on him, and even his stride remained uniquely carefree.
“What, am I not allowed to join because I’m not a member of the Cao clan?”
“How could that be? Of course you’re invited. Come join the banquet tonight.”
There were many others who had worked hard besides me. Yet Cao Cao had given them individual rewards while singling me out for a private drinking session. Now Guo Jia had inserted himself into it. Although he hadn’t participated in the campaign, he had provided support back in Xuchang, so he certainly qualified. Still, the real reason seemed to be the way his eyes sparkled at the mention of alcohol.
“Come, everyone, drink up.”
It was a familiar scene.
The entire courtesan house run by the Wei Merchant Group had been cleared out for tonight’s gathering. The only guests were Cao Cao, myself, and Guo Jia, who had taken over an entire large room.
“Mmm, the wine and meat dishes here are truly impossible to resist.”
Guo Jia emptied his cup in one gulp, chewed vigorously on the meat, and kept giving enthusiastic thumbs-up.
“Lord Fengxiao, that dish is made by boiling pig liver, then stir-frying it again in oil with various vegetables and seafood broth.”
“Mm. The salty flavor is excellent.”
When Guo Jia began picking only at the meat with his chopsticks, Wei Hong personally rose to bring out more food. No courtesans had been called, and the servants delivering dishes were kept at a distance so that when Wei Hong gave an order, they would simply leave the trays at the door.
It was clear that important conversation would take place inside.
“I end up spending more time here than at my own house, you know?”
Guo Jia enjoyed the new dishes and wine that arrived. Cao Cao nodded and poured me another cup as well.
“Jiyeol—no, my dear nephew. Tonight, let’s drink until we collapse.”
“Yes, Uncle.”
He kept refilling my cup the moment it emptied, as if determined to see this through to the end. The pace of drinking grew faster and faster.
“Hohoho, allow me to offer a cup to Lord Jiyeol, the nephew whom our lord trusts most.”
“Ah, yes. Thank you.”
After Wei Hong filled my cup and Cao Cao urged me to drink it in one go, Guo Jia slyly stepped in.
“What’s this? Are we trying to see who passes out first tonight? Then I must offer a cup as well.”
He promptly filled my cup again and made me drink. I wasn’t sure why, but it seemed they were both trying to get me drunk. Were they hoping I’d slip up while intoxicated, or was Cao Cao planning another one of his pranks?
“Huu— I’d like to catch my breath for a moment. If you pour like this so suddenly, even someone who drinks well can get drunk in an instant.”
“Haha, is that so? Then let’s talk a little while you catch your breath.”
“Yes, Uncle.”
Cao Cao smiled and asked me quietly.
“Your performance in Wancheng was truly impressive. Even upon reflection, I’ve never seen a war end in such an entertaining manner.”
Whether the words “war” and “entertaining” could coexist was debatable, but from Cao Cao’s perspective, crushing the enemy with overwhelming force in the field, gaining Wancheng for free through the surrendered general, and even enjoying a banquet must have been extremely satisfying.
“Thank you, Mengde Uncle.”
“Mm, indeed. That’s why I arranged this gathering.”
“For me, any occasion with good wine is welcome.”
Guo Jia interjected from the side, but Cao Cao ignored him and laughed loudly. It felt like Cao Cao was about to speak about something that had caught his interest during the banquet, yet at the same time it didn’t. The atmosphere grew increasingly uncomfortable the longer the night went on.
“Jiyeol, you are prepared to continue accepting the Mandate of Heaven together with me, are you not?”
The Mandate of Heaven? That topic again?
“Ah, so that’s what this is about. I agreed with it as well, actually.”
The way Guo Jia naturally joined the conversation suggested he too had heard Cao Cao’s talk of the “Mandate of Heaven.”
“Everyone present here has already heard me speak of the Mandate of Heaven.”
It was just the three of us—me, Guo Jia, and Wei Hong. Cao Cao continued.
“Therefore, at the very least in front of me, there must be no secrets. I must know everything.”
“Yes, Uncle.”
“Jiyeol, why did you secretly send agents from the Wei Merchant Group without my knowledge?”
“!?”
So Wei Hong had told Cao Cao after all?
“A female information agent skilled in makeup? You apparently taught someone in Wancheng how to apply powder, didn’t you?”
…Cao Cao knew everything. Or more precisely, it seemed he had received a full report from Wei Hong after the battle in Wancheng ended. When I remained silent, Wei Hong stepped forward instead.
“Young master, during the last battle, didn’t Lord Miaocai from Yan Province and Lord Anmin also participate?”
“That is correct.”
“The truth is… Vice-leader Jeong of our merchant group, who frequently traveled between Yan Province and here, met Lord Anmin there. They spoke of beautiful women from the Central Plains, and he apparently kept that story in mind.”
“!”
“Well, it’s all in the past now. At the time I was quite drunk, and the maidservant beside the widow was prettier than the widow herself anyway. Hahaha!”
So that was how it had really happened.
Cao Cao had summoned us here after receiving a complete report from the Wei Merchant Group about the information agents following the battle. He was now going over it like a game of baduk replay, examining every move one by one.
“I simply couldn’t contain my curiosity. I truly wanted to know how you came to prepare even something like that.”
“Uncle, that was…”
“Jiyeol, calm down. I’m not scolding you. I simply want to understand the thinking behind it.”
It was then that Guo Jia spoke up.
“Calling it a replay is one thing, but isn’t my lord clearly scolding Lord Jiyeol right now?”
“Fengxiao, what kind of nonsense is that?”
“It’s obvious from a single glance. Do you know what you sound like, my lord? It’s as if you’re asking Lord Jiyeol, ‘Why did you do something I never ordered and waste effort on it?’”
“N-no! That’s not what I meant at all!”
“If not, then this topic ends here! And the fact that you’re bringing this up while supposedly discussing the Mandate of Heaven tells me everything I need to know.”
Guo Jia stepped in and completely shut Cao Cao’s mouth. If Cao Cao had truly intended to press me about Lady Qiu after receiving the later report, I would have had plenty to say. But Guo Jia cut it off cleanly with, “It’s already in the past, so it no longer matters.”
“Ha, hahaha! I see. It seems I came across as nitpicking over trivial matters. Jiyeol, I apologize.”
“Not at all, Uncle.”
“Yes, that’s exactly right. Especially at a drinking party like this.”
Clack—
Guo Jia suddenly rapped his cup against the floor, drawing everyone’s attention.
“This should simply be a gathering where we all speak our wishes beneath my lord’s Mandate of Heaven.”
“What? Our wishes beneath my Mandate of Heaven?”
As Cao Cao laughed even louder, Guo Jia continued.
“I’m someone who knows nothing of politics or commanding armies. But I’m quite good at speaking my mind openly in front of my lord.”
“Indeed. That very quality is why I trust you, Guo Jia.”
“And if my lord receives the Mandate of Heaven and achieves great things, I wish to live beneath you like an immortal—drinking fine wine and enjoying the world’s greatest delicacies in leisurely comfort.”
It was a very Guo Jia-like wish. After serving a lord who had received the Mandate of Heaven, he wanted to live the rest of his life in peaceful retirement like a Daoist immortal.
Cao Cao pointed at Wei Hong with his chopsticks.
“I am a woman who inherited my brother’s merchant group and influence. Even so, I wish to leave my name in history. I want my nephew Wei Jin to enter service under my lord, rise as high as the Three Excellencies one day, and bring glory to our family.”
Wei Hong had her own convictions and goals.
Finally, it was my turn.
“From the time I was in Wu Commandery, I realized I was a member of the Cao clan and immediately sought you out, Uncle.”
“Mmm, that’s right.”
“Therefore, I wish to serve freely at your side and become one of the pillars supporting both your great cause and the Mandate of Heaven.”
“Hahaha, yes. You are indeed one of the pillars of my great undertaking.”
Cao Cao had our cups filled to the brim once more, then raised his own high.
Let us offer this to Heaven and drink it down.
At Cao Cao’s words, we all emptied our large cups in a single gulp.
“Jiyeol.”
“Yes, Uncle.”
“From now on, make full use of the Wei Merchant Group’s intelligence network whenever you need it.”
“!”
“Use everything you can. Just make sure to give me a final report so that I know. The Wei Merchant Group’s information network can tell you everything—from the appearance of courtesans in salt merchants’ houses to the movements of rival warlords. Feel free to use it as you wish.”
Cao Cao was openly giving permission to utilize the Wei Merchant Group’s intelligence organization to its fullest whenever necessary.
The conclusion had turned out well.
Yet throughout the entire drinking party, the mood had swung back and forth between sweet and salty.