06. Undercurrents (1)
Yuan Shao often summoned her close friend Cao Cao to the Grand General's mansion for tea. Today was no different. As she sipped tea with her old acquaintance Cao Cao, they exchanged light pleasantries. But today, their conversation delved into a heavier topic: the emperor's worsening illness, so grave that death seemed imminent.
Speaking of the emperor's demise was a grave crime of lese-majeste for ministers who drew salaries from the court, but the pragmatic Yuan Shao and Cao Cao had no qualms broaching such precarious subjects when alone.
“...Is that true?”
“Of course it's true. Why would I lie to you, Mengde? It's common knowledge among the high ministers who freely cross the court's thresholds.”
The emperor's death was at the doorstep. The moment it crossed that threshold, the warlords who had bided their time, nursing their ambitions in silence, would raise their heads.
Cao Cao tried her best not to show agitation before Yuan Shao, but it wasn't easy. Her two hands gripping the teacup trembled faintly. And Yuan Shao wasn't one to miss it. Noting Cao Cao's change, she smirked inwardly.
“Hmm, I suppose so.”
“Naturally, the crown prince will ascend to the throne next.”
Liu Bian, long denied the crown prince title due to his father's disfavor, had finally been invested as such when the emperor realized his own condition was deteriorating irreversibly.
After Liu Bian's investiture, the emperor's illness deepened further, leaving him unable to maintain clarity of mind. He Hou and He Jin rejoiced greatly. With the succession secured at last, and the emperor's condition plummeting as if death were near, the He siblings began preparations to enthrone Liu Bian as the new emperor posthaste.
Benchu, you're maneuvering too, aren't you? You're not the type to hand all Han power to the He siblings. You're the greediest soul I've ever met.
Cao Cao set down her trembling teacup and glanced at Yuan Shao, who sipped her tea with a leisurely smile. So poised and elegant, yet brimming with dignity. It grated on her. The way she masked her writhing ambitions and greed behind a facade of benevolence. A woman consumed by desire more than any other, yet forever aping the virtuous scholar—it was infuriating.
“I heard a relative is coming from afar today? Hmm, a relative... from Pei Guo in Yuzhou, then. Quite the distant guest.”
“My cousin.”
“You mentioned having many younger cousins.”
Her expression remained leisurely. As Yuan Shao let out a soft chuckle and took another sip, Cao Cao felt unease stir. That perennial sense of lagging behind her, the anxiety of being relegated to second place—it surged ahead. It was profoundly unpleasant. Gazing down from on high, Yuan Shao's composure ignited a blaze of fury in Cao Cao's heart.
“Benchu, as you say, if the emperor passes, the crown prince will take the throne. Then He Hou will rise as empress dowager, and Grand General He Jin, playing the guardian, will wield supreme power through the puppet emperor.”
“You're worried about the Ten Attendants?”
“...Yes.”
Sharp as ever. Cao Cao swallowed a groan at Yuan Shao's immediate response.
“Give me a chance to earn merit.”
“A chance?”
“With the He siblings' rising prestige, the Ten Attendants will surely stir trouble—it's inevitable. If they're plotting rebellion, I want to lead the suppression myself.”
Hmm. At Cao Cao's sudden request, Yuan Shao set down her teacup and pondered deeply for a moment.
Securing her position? Once the new emperor is enthroned, it'll be the Grand General's world. Naturally, Mengde, out of favor, would be like a kite cut from its string.
There was no reason to refuse. A touch suspicious in its self-interest, perhaps, but with the Grand General's faction soon to seize power, what harm was there? Yuan Shao decided to grant Cao Cao's request. It was loyalty and righteousness to a friend, and a reminder for this 'subordinate' who wielded the blade to know her place.
“Very well. If the Ten Attendants plot rebellion amid the chaos, as you say, I'll recommend you to the Grand General for the suppression.”
The first step toward a new era: crushing the omnipotent Ten Attendants' faction without mercy. Yuan Shao assigned that role to Cao Cao. Her words held ample logic. With the longtime patron emperor dead and He Jin's nephew ascending, the Ten Attendants would sense peril and hatch foul schemes. Foiling and quelling them early would delight the Grand General's camp, eagerly awaiting the new emperor's enthronement.
Front Army Colonel Cao Cao's cousin, Cao Hong, had been serving as magistrate of Qi Chun County on her uncle's recommendation. But she tired of it quickly. Though assuming the post and juggling merchant ventures had swiftly padded her purse, it couldn't sate her bottomless greed.
Lamenting her lot governing a petty county, she heeded her cousin's call for aid and headed straight to the capital Luoyang.
“Hello! I've heard so much about you. You're my cousin's aide, right? That means your skills are proven.”
Lee Seong-hwi couldn't hide his bewilderment at the girl's bold greeting and proffered handshake. Cao Hong, courtesy name Jiam. The girl who introduced herself resembled Front Army Colonel Cao Cao so strikingly that anyone could tell she was kin. Curly jet-black hair. Eyes gleaming like red jade. Were all Cao clan members such paragons of beauty? Like Cao Cao, Cao Hong was a dazzling beauty. Her skin white as fresh snow, features delicately refined—Lee Seong-hwi was momentarily speechless.
“Struck dumb by my looks, huh? Naturally. I get it. Every guy in Yuzhou reacts the same to the region's top beauty.”
Similar in appearance to Cao Cao, yet polar opposites in personality and speech. Where Cao Cao maintained a strictly professional demeanor, her cousin Cao Hong brimmed with tomboyish cheer. And she exuded tremendous self-confidence.
“I'm Lee Seong-hwi, aide to Lady Mengde. It's an honor to meet a noble of the Cao clan.”
Despite Cao Hong's haughty air, Lee Seong-hwi bowed politely. As Cao Cao's cousin—and with features so eerily similar—the initial impression of arrogance didn't breed dislike. If anything, she intrigued him. Same looks as Cao Cao, yet utterly different temperament. It was as if Cao Cao herself had taken on a haughty streak.
“Hmph, well... I'd say about 70 points.”
Having scrutinized Lee Seong-hwi's face and build like an art critic appraising a piece, Cao Hong delivered her score based on personal taste. Utterly rude. Rating a stranger like that. Yet Lee Seong-hwi chuckled softly, treating it like a child's playful antics. Cao Hong, Cao Cao's cousin, felt like a little sister.
“Lady Mengde mentioned your arrival. After such a long journey, you must be weary. I'll escort you straight to the Cao quarters.”
“No, I want to see my cousin first. Where is she? I heard she's not at the residence.”
“She's at the Grand General's mansion for the moment.”
“The Grand General's? Hmm, she's busy then. Fine, lead me to the Cao quarters.”
“Understood.”
At Cao Hong's reply, Lee Seong-hwi set off toward the Cao clan residence. No need to go this far, but since Cao Cao had entrusted him with escorting her summoned cousin to Luoyang, he obliged.
“Something big's about to go down, right?”
Cao Hong's sudden question halted Lee Seong-hwi mid-stride through the streets. The moment the emperor died, the power struggle between the Grand General and Ten Attendants—splitting Han authority in two—would ignite. Cao Cao's aim: intervene aggressively, turning it into a springboard for advancement and fame. To that end, he and Cao Cao were laying the groundwork.
“I haven't heard from your cousin. Just my own assumption. 'Why would she summon me to Luoyang? Must be something major brewing there.'
Something big enough to need kin's help was afoot in Luoyang. Cao Cao had called on her cousins. Reliable family to serve as her limbs. Lacking trust and support from the Grand General's faction despite her position there, she had no choice but to rely on blood ties. Thus, she'd summoned Cao Hong, magistrate of Qi Chun.
“But it's surprising. My cousin trusting someone outside the family.”
Cao Hong's red eyes reflected Lee Seong-hwi like a mirror, brimming with curiosity. Her mischievous face evoked a playful imp.
“Wonder what she sees in you...”
That eccentric streak must run in the Cao blood. Feeling uneasy at Cao Hong's unabashed stare and intrigued gaze, Lee Seong-hwi stepped back a pace.