Banquet at Chu County (1)
Banquet at Chu County (1)
Delicacies from mountains and seas and rare fine wines filled the banquet with extravagance. It was thanks to the wealthiest magnate of Pei Kingdom, who spared no expense so that her cousin would not look the least bit shabby before the Southern Heir.
A bear paw, thoroughly boiled.
A young deer, roasted whole.
The supper table was laden with meat and seafood dishes that proclaimed wealth.
Could the Man-Han Banquet of the Qing imperial court have been on this scale? The story that many palace maids survived on the emperor's leftovers didn't seem entirely made-up.
I raised my head and looked at the black-haired beauty directing the numerous serving girls. She bore a striking resemblance to Cao Cao, proving she was a close relative of the Pei Cao Clan.
'She looks like a nouveau riche trying to show off her wealth to a country bumpkin visiting the big city. The intention to flaunt her fortune is too obvious... but still, impressive. It must be Cao Hong.'
Colossal wealth rivaling Mi Zhu of the Donghai Mi Clan and Lu Su of the Xiapi Lu Clan.
Cao Hong.
It could only be Cao Hong of the Pei Cao Clan.
Her face, so like Cao Cao's, told me this magnificently dressed woman's identity. As befitted one of the Three Kingdoms' three greatest magnates, her large breasts made their presence known even through her clothes.
'So a flat chest isn't a genetic trait of the Pei Cao Clan...? Well, even blood relatives differ, but still. The gap is truly heaven and earth.'
A-cup and D-cup.
No,
if she took off her clothes, it might be an E-cup.
I compared as I looked at Cao Cao, who was quietly sipping her wine, ignoring the delicacies.
If she could read my mind, it wouldn't end with a mere "alliance failed." She might fly into a rage like Fan Zeng at the Hongmen Banquet who was bent on assassinating Liu Bang.
"Crown Prince, does the banquet not suit your palate?"
"The banquet is too lavish... I'm not sure where to begin."
"It seems my retainer in charge of the banquet was overly enthusiastic. I apologize."
"It's fine, I simply have no appetite."
I couldn't honestly confess that I'd been too busy sizing up her and her cousin's chests, so I mumbled an excuse.
It wasn't a lie.
It was true I was wary of touching the exquisite dishes.
Bear paw.
Leopard fetus.
Jade Scale Roast, a whole grilled snake.
Meatballs of unknown origin made with meat I couldn't identify.
I had no intention of openly ridiculing a unique food culture. People have different tastes and preferences, after all.
"Wow, this is really delicious! What kind of meat is this? A delicacy I've never tasted before."
As if to prove the point, the woman with ash-blond hair was enjoying the lavish feast with a fierce appetite. Just what you'd expect from a broad-minded northerner who loves meat.
The officers of Lü Bu's army seated at the lower end did the same.
They were absorbed in gorging on rich meat and fine wine.
The local gentry from Yan Province who attended the banquet sneered, "Showing their base martial roots, ignorant of decorum. Seeing them gorge like starved men ruins my appetite."
"Crown Prince! Try this too, it's super good! I think it's a snake dish?"
"Snake is famous as an invigorating food for virility. Hmm... already worried about your husband's stamina, are you, my wife?"
"If you don't want it, then don't eat it!"
"Just a joke. One bowl won't hurt."
Snake.
A bit revolting, but not nauseating.
The dish recommended by Lü Bu, who had been wolfing down the delicacies, was a snake soup simmered for a long time with generous spices. Staring at the muddy-brown broth, I couldn't help but wonder, "Is this payback for teasing you earlier?"
"This concubine shall taste it."
"Mm."
The serving girl seated demurely at my side spoke up.
She was the designated food taster to check for poison.
I knew Cao Cao was no petty villain who would plot a poisoning. Still, I was thoroughly vigilant against her retainers who might try it on their own.
"Crown Prince."
"Mm."
After draining a cup of wine in small sips,
Cao Cao spoke, a faint flush of intoxication coloring her pale cheeks.
"My father is in Langya Kingdom in Xu Province... do you know of this?"
"I'm aware."
"I happened to hear that the Crown Prince asked the local officials of Xu Province to see to my father's and family's comfort. Even in the middle of a banquet, I wanted to express my gratitude."
"I didn't do you a favor to earn thanks. He is a former high minister who held numerous key posts in the Imperial Court, so I simply showed him proper courtesy."
There's no special reason.
I just kept the bare minimum of humanity in this heartless era.
I have no intention of resorting to cheap tricks like holding his family's safety hostage. I must uphold the resolute cause of overthrowing the corrupt and incompetent Imperial House and court to open a new world.
"Haaah... a relief my father and family are safe."
"If the elder wishes, I can send him back anytime. I'll even provide escorts to Yan Province."
"I am grateful for the offer... but what you have already done is more than enough."
"I see."
Excessive goodwill naturally becomes uncomfortable.
When Cao Cao declined, I nodded and accepted it.
* * *
The moment Zhang Miao, Governor of Chenliu, heard that a lavish banquet was being held to welcome Liu Seong-hwi, he tried to force his way in. He wanted to prevent the catastrophe of a military alliance with the southern rebels who had staged a usurpation.
But,
"No can do. Mengde told me to stop you no matter what."
"Step aside, Yuanrang!"
A courageous and beautiful heroine blocked the main gate.
Braided hair flowing like a tail.
Dark-hued armor protecting a slender figure.
And a massive crescent-bladed polearm she carried on her back.
Xiahou Dun.
Cao Cao's cousin and the foremost warrior of Cao Cao's army.
Zhang Miao's rash move had been anticipated. That was why Cao Cao, upon entering the banquet hall, had ordered her trusted retainer Xiahou Dun to watch Zhang Miao.
"Kindly return."
"It is my lord's order. I cannot let you pass."
At Xiahou Dun's gesture, Cao Cao's soldiers wielding weapons surrounded Zhang Miao. The intent was to stop him by force if necessary, to prevent a reckless scene.
"You should count yourself lucky. Liu Chong's troops are guarding the mansion too. If they had caught you... you'd be in a nasty spot."
"They are traitors threatening the Han Imperial House and court! If I don't kill the rebel Liu Seong-hwi today, I'll regret it for life!!"
"I'm just following Mengde's orders. You know that."
"Let me see Mengde! I'll convince her!"
Today—
Today, Liu Seong-hwi must die.
This was the perfect chance to strike down the rebel.
An opportunity like this would never come again.
Zhang Miao radiated frantic murderous intent, like Fan Zeng plotting the assassination at the Hongmen Banquet. If he let Liu Seong-hwi, who had walked into the wolf's den of the Pei Cao Clan's mansion, slip away now, the path to killing him would stretch out indefinitely.
"You know what? I've had an eye infection for a few days... so I'm wearing an eyepatch."
"What's that supposed to mean? No time for jokes!"
She pointed.
Xiahou Dun indicated the eyepatch covering one eye.
A black eyepatch.
It looked like an ornament to project authority.
Zhang Miao vented his fury at Xiahou Dun's sudden, pointless rambling. In response, Xiahou Dun ground her teeth and bared a ferocious grin.
"Don't you understand? I'm saying I can't see out of one eye right now, Elder Zhang Miao. If you keep defying Mengde's orders, I won't go easy even on you, old man. It's my role from Mengde to deal with insubordinates according to military law."
"D-don't tell me you'd kill me! I took you in when you were nothing but a wandering army, and now you point a blade at your benefactor...!"
"Don't twist my words. I'm just warning you so nothing unpleasant happens."
"Gah!"
Xiahou Dun halted Zhang Miao, who was trying to barge into the banquet hall in defiance of orders, but she refrained from actually drawing her sword.
The reason was simple.
Zhang Miao was Cao Cao's old friend and benefactor.
Without Zhang Miao's all-out support, Cao Cao's army would have remained a Yan Province militia, merely keeping the peace in the counties. It was Zhang Miao, a chivalrous friend, who had protected Cao Cao when she fled to Yan Province after the failed assassination plot against Dong Zhuo.
"Mengde hasn't even said anything about an alliance with Liu Chong's army yet."
"The very discussion is preposterous! We must give the traitors not the slightest opening!"
Despite the heated outcry, Xiahou Dun shook her head.
She also ordered the soldiers to bar all entry.
