binnovel Chapter 1208 Xu You's Greed and Cao Ang's Gifts
Chapter 1208 Xu You's Greed and Cao Ang's Gifts
Wen Chou put down the wine jar, his knuckles tapping unconsciously on the table. He recalled the scene in Hebei: Yuan Shao sat high on the throne, his gaze sweeping over everyone with a hint of scrutiny; the three brothers Yuan Tan, Yuan Xi, and Yuan Shang were engaged in open and covert struggles, and the civil and military officials below also formed factions, one kicking the other today, another tripping the other tomorrow. How could it compare to the warm unity of Xiliang? Just now, he saw a subordinate general of Xiliang pat Ma Chao on the shoulder and shout, "Your Majesty has lost!" Ma Chao only smiled and retorted, "Next time I'll definitely get you drunk." That ease and harmony was like a fire in a stove, warming one's heart.
"Sigh." Wen Chou took another swig of wine, his Adam's apple bobbing, a complex mix of emotions welling up inside him. He was a rough man, oblivious to the intricacies of power struggles, finding true comfort in the simple pleasures of drinking and laughing freely with his lord. But in Hebei, all he could do was grip his spear tightly, obey orders, and even speaking his mind to his lord required careful consideration.
Hu Che'er passed by and, seeing him drinking alone, smiled and handed him a plate of braised meat: "General, why are you drinking alone? Come, try our Xiliang braised pork knuckle!"
Wen Chou was taken aback for a moment, then took the plate and stammered, "Thank you."
Hu Che'er patted his arm: "Don't be so polite! We're all eating military rations, and who knows, we might even fight side by side in the future!" After saying that, he laughed and turned around to join Ma Chao in the fun again.
Wen Chou held the piece of braised meat, feeling even more uneasy. He watched Ma Chao surrounded by the crowd, and saw the genuine joy on the faces of the Xiliang officials. Suddenly, the wine in his hand tasted bitter. Hebei's territory was vast, and the Yuan family's reputation was resounding, but compared to the united spirit of Xiliang, something was ultimately missing.
He raised the wine jar again, offering a toast towards the direction of Xiliang, and drank the entire jar of bitter wine in one gulp. The wine entered his sorrowful heart, turning into only a silent sigh—such a harmonious scene was probably something he would never see again in Hebei in his lifetime.
Wen Chou was holding the wine jar in a daze when he suddenly felt a weight on his side. A person sat down, accompanied by a strong smell of wine. He turned his head and saw that the general had a face like a red date, was over eight feet tall, had broad shoulders and a thick back, and had a pair of eyes that shone like tempered steel balls. He was also carrying a heavy wine pot in his hand.
"And who is this?" Wen Chou put down the wine jar, his brows furrowing slightly.
The general grinned, revealing two rows of white teeth, and poured wine into the empty cup in front of Wen Chou, not caring that a little wine spilled: "General Wen, my name is Wei Yan, courtesy name Wen Chang."
Wen Chou's heart skipped a beat; he recognized the name. Years ago, when Yan Liang was captured in Chang'an and later released back to Hebei, he had mentioned a general stationed there named Wei Yan, known for his strict military discipline and formidable martial arts skills. However, after the situation in Xiliang changed, this man seemed to have vanished without a trace. He never expected to encounter him here.
"General Wei," Wen Chou cupped his hands in greeting, his tone carrying a hint of inquiry, "I have long admired your name."
Wei Yan tilted his head back, took a big gulp, wiped his mouth, and said, "What's all this talk about fame and fortune? We're just guest soldiers trying to make a living in Chang'an." He gestured towards Ma Chao's direction, "Look at the brothers from Xiliang, all so lively and harmonious. How can we outsiders possibly fit in?"
These words struck a chord with Wen Chou. He glanced at Wei Yan and saw that although he was smiling, there was a hint of loneliness in his eyes, making him look like a frustrated guest general.
"I just saw General Wen drinking alone," Wei Yan poured Wen Chou another cup of wine, his tone becoming warmer. "I was thinking that since we're both in the same boat, why not keep each other company? To tell you the truth, I met your General Yan Liang a few times back in Chang'an. Although we were rivals, I admired his martial arts skills."
Upon hearing the name "Yan Liang," Wen Chou's expression softened somewhat. Yan Liang was a comrade-in-arms of many years, and speaking of old acquaintances always evoked a sense of familiarity: "General Wei and my elder brother... had some dealings?"
“More than just encounters.” Wei Yan smiled, a hint of reminiscence in his eyes. “Back in the day, I fought him under the walls of Chang’an. That fellow, his swordsmanship was truly formidable. We fought for over a hundred rounds, but I, Wei Yan, was no match for him and was defeated. If the situation hadn’t changed later, I would have loved to test my skills against him again.” He then changed the subject, patting Wen Chou’s arm. “General Wen, you must also have heard of the formidable reputation of the Four Pillars of Hebei.”
Wen Chou, his thoughts laid bare by Wei Yan's words, picked up his wine cup and drank it all in one gulp. The wine, once it entered his throat, carried an indescribable spiciness. He looked at Wei Yan and saw that although the man appeared rough and bold, his eyes were bright and clear, not like a cunning and treacherous person.
"General Wei, you didn't come to see me today just for a drink, did you?" Wen Chou asked bluntly. Although he was a military general, he knew that there must be a reason for such a deliberate attempt to befriend someone.
Wei Yan laughed heartily, making no attempt to hide his feelings: "To be honest, I think General Wen is a real man, and I want to make a friend. You see, in this chaotic world, it's not easy to meet someone you click with. Besides," he lowered his voice, "we're all outsiders here, all alone. Having more friends is always better than being alone and bored, don't you think?"
Looking into Wei Yan's eyes and recalling the power struggles in Hebei, Wen Chou suddenly had an idea. He raised his wine cup to Wei Yan: "General Wei is right. Cheers!"
The two cups clinked together, producing a crisp sound. Wei Yan tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp, wiping his mouth and laughing even more heartily. Not far away, behind a pillar in the corridor, Li Ru watched this scene, a barely perceptible smile playing on his lips. This move had been made.
The banquet was in full swing, with the sounds of music and laughter creating a lively atmosphere. Feng Ji and Zhang Song were huddled in a corner of the banquet, talking in hushed tones, nodding occasionally, engrossed in their conversation.
Xu You, holding his wine cup, was lost in thought watching the palace maids playing elegant music when a figure suddenly appeared beside him. Glancing at the newcomer out of the corner of his eye, he saw a young man nearing twenty, dressed in a brocade robe, a jade belt around his waist, his features possessing a touch of heroic spirit, and an innate air of nobility. Xu You was still puzzled by the unfamiliar face when the young man smiled and spoke in a clear, melodious voice: "Uncle Xu, how have you been?"
Xu You was taken aback, squinting as he looked him over for a long time, unable to recall where he had seen him before. Seeing this, the young man cupped his hands and smiled, "What? Uncle Xu doesn't recognize me?" He raised his head slightly, his tone carrying a hint of familiarity and intimacy, "I am Cao Ang. My father is Cao Cao."
"Cao Ang?" Xu You suddenly realized. Back in Luoyang, when he associated with Cao Cao and his ilk, this boy was just a teenager always following his father around. Now, he had grown into such a tall and handsome young man. He quickly put down his wine cup, clapped his hands, and laughed, "Oh, oh, oh! I remember now! It really is you, my dear nephew!" He looked Cao Ang up and down, his face full of admiration, "So many years have passed in the blink of an eye, and you have grown into such a dashing and heroic figure, far surpassing Cao Cao in his prime!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, Xu You realized his mistake. How could he speak ill of someone's father in front of their son? Just as he was about to make amends, Cao Ang didn't seem to care at all. Instead, he laughed heartily, "Uncle, you flatter me. My father often says that he and Uncle were the closest of friends back in Luoyang. It's truly a fortunate coincidence to meet you at the Liang Prince's residence today. I must offer you a few drinks." With that, he grabbed Xu You's wrist without further ado and led him towards a more secluded side hall.
Xu You was pulled along by him, and turned back to wave to Feng Ji: "I'll be right back, you guys chat first, I ran into the son of an old friend!" Before he finished speaking, Cao Ang had already dragged him into the side hall.
The candlelight flickered in the hall. Cao Ang personally poured wine for Xu You before asking, "Uncle, are you staying at the embassy now?"
“Indeed, indeed,” Xu You took a sip of wine and nodded. “I arrived last night, and the inn is quite quiet.”
Upon hearing this, Cao Ang immediately beckoned towards the outside of the hall. A man emerged from the shadows in response; it was Sima Yi, dressed in a dark long robe, expressionless, bowing and awaiting orders. Cao Ang instructed, "Go and take a cartload of gold and silver jewelry from the gifts I brought and deliver it to Uncle Xu's guesthouse."
"This, this is not necessary!" Xu You quickly waved his hand, but his eyes shone brightly. "Nephew, you are too kind!"
Sima Yi bowed in agreement and quietly withdrew. Cao Ang raised his wine cup to Xu You, saying, "Uncle, please don't refuse. What are a few coins?" His gaze was sincere, and his tone earnest. "I have long heard of the friendship between my father and you in Luoyang. Now that we have finally met, we should cherish this opportunity to reconnect. How can we let these material things create distance?"
Xu You, being inherently greedy, found Cao Ang not only generous but also constantly mentioning his past friendship with Cao Cao, his words so pleasing to the ear. He immediately felt this young man was to his liking. He raised his wine cup to Cao Ang, clinked it against his own, downed it in one gulp, and laughed heartily, "Good! Well said, 'close'! Nephew, you've struck a chord with your uncle! Come, fill it up again, we'll drink to our hearts' content today!"
The candlelight illuminated the smiling faces of the two, and the faint sounds of string and wind instruments drifted from outside the side hall, mingling with the soft sloshing of wine, adding a subtle charm compared to the hustle and bustle of the main hall.
Xu You accepted Cao Ang's gift, a calculating glint flashing in his eyes. He stroked his beard and smiled casually at Cao Ang, saying, "Young Master, this generous gift makes me feel unworthy. But I see a worry in your eyes; could it be that you have some unspeakable trouble in the army?"
Cao Ang's fingers tightened around the teacup, the tea steam blurring his face. After a long while, he put down the cup and let out a long sigh that echoed across the table: "Uncle Xu, you may not know, but my father's headaches have only eased a little this year."
Xu You raised an eyebrow slightly, feigning concern: "Oh? Brother Mengde, isn't your headache an old ailment?"
“Yes,” Cao Ang lowered his eyes, his voice deepening, “That year, Yanzhou suffered a defeat, my father lost the city and territory, and even Uncle Xiahou Yuan…” He paused, his Adam’s apple bobbing, “My father was so anxious that he developed headaches, which started then. When they flared up, he would writhe in pain on the ground. This year, after being treated by the famous doctors Zhang Ji and Hua Tuo, he was finally able to get a full night’s sleep.”
Xu You paused in his tea-serving hand. It seemed that Cao Cao was truly devastated by the defeat in Yanzhou. Just as he was about to ask further, Cao Ang continued, "After Father recovered, he clashed with Lü Bu in Wei Commandery, and that old fox Chen Gong was up to his old tricks again."
"Chen Gong?" Xu You feigned surprise. "He's just a strategist under Lü Bu. What waves could he possibly stir up?"
“Uncle, you are unaware of this,” Cao Ang said with a wry smile, “that Chen Gong devised a series of schemes. He first had Lü Bu hold back our main force on the front, while secretly colluding with Ju Shou and Tian Feng in Chenliu. The two of them launched an attack from Chenliu. My father was overwhelmed with the situation, and Yuan Tan took the opportunity to send troops to Xuzhou. This pincer attack would be a huge headache for anyone.”
Xu You's hand, holding the teacup, froze in mid-air, a flash of surprise crossing his eyes. Ju Shou and Tian Feng were important ministers under their lord, yet they were secretly colluding with Chen Gong? Yuan Tan was Yuan Shao's eldest son, yet he had sent troops to Xuzhou without his father's permission, echoing Ju Shou and Tian Feng. The shady dealings involved could probably overturn half of Hebei.
He suppressed the shock in his heart and feigned a sigh, saying, "Brother Mengde, your situation is truly one of being besieged on all sides."