Chapter 47

Cao Song, as the former Grand Commandant of the imperial court, one of the Three Excellencies, would be at least a Vice Premier and Minister of National Defense in later generations, or even a member of the Politburo and Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission. Given his status, it was quite reasonable for him to show disdain towards Shi Xun, a commoner, and dismiss him with a sneer. Shi Xun had anticipated such an outcome; Cao Song not only did not drive the guest away but also left the scene himself, which was already quite polite.

However, from the beginning, Shi Xun had not intended to engage in much conversation with Cao Song. Given his low status and young age, it was more likely that Cao Song would send someone to receive the guest, and at most, that person would lead him to bow from a distance to the old man Cao. The fact that Cao Song personally asked questions made Shi Xun initially think the old man was quite approachable.

But he guessed that was only because he was representing Tao Qian, the lord of Xu Province, where Cao Song sought refuge. Cao Song could not ignore the local lord. Unfortunately, the old man did not finish his good deeds. If he had simply smiled and left after learning that Shi Xun was a commoner, it would have shown great grace. Instead, he sneered and said, "Is there no one else in Xu Province?" This was too arrogant!

According to historical records, Cao Cao was quite humble and kind in his youth, which attracted many heroes to him. However, in his old age, he became arrogant and conceited, looking down on everyone except Liu Bei. It seemed that this was due to genetic factors.

It didn't matter much that Cao Song didn't want to deal with him. The problem was that when Shi Xun entered the hall, the steward pointed to the master and left. He scanned the room and only saw Cao Song and two maidservants, no third person. When Cao Song left, he was puzzled—shouldn't someone have been there to receive him? Leaving a guest alone in the hall was not proper.

Unexpectedly, someone spoke from the corner, almost startling Shi Xun. He looked up and saw a man bowing and walking gracefully from behind a screen. The man was in his thirties, of medium build, wearing a tall hat and broad sash, with a white face and long beard. At first glance, he resembled Cao Song, but in a much smaller version. Shi Xun bowed slightly, but then his eyes blurred—what did this man look like? How could he have no impression of him at all?

"Sir, are you surnamed Shi?" the man introduced himself, "I am Cao De, the former Grand Commandant Cao is my father, and Cao of Yanzhou is my brother."

Ah, indeed, this was Cao De, Cao Cao's brother. According to historical records, Cao Cao had many cousins, including those surnamed Cao and Xiahou, but did he have any real brothers? There were only two records: one mentioned that when his father was killed, Cao Song had a younger son named Cao De or Cao Ji. The second was that one of Xiahou Yuan's sons married Cao Cao's niece, indicating that Cao Cao had at least one brother who lived to adulthood.

Upon hearing Cao De's introduction, Shi Xun quickly responded, "I am Shi Xun, my courtesy name is Hongfu. May I ask your courtesy name?"

"My courtesy name is Qujie."

Ah, Cao De, Cao Qujie, indeed, both "De" and "Ji" were used.

Cao De seemed frail, with a pale face, suggesting poor health and frequent illness in his childhood, which might explain why he was given the courtesy name "Qujie" (meaning "to remove illness").

After the formalities, Cao De did not sit on the southern couch where his father had been, but instead sat on the eastern seat, the host's position. Shi Xun then moved to the western guest seat, took off his shoes, and sat down. The hall was designed for receiving guests, with mats laid out on both sides, but it was quite large, and the mats were far apart. After they sat down, they were more than three meters apart—conversing would be quite tiring.

Cao De clapped his hands, and several maidservants gracefully brought in tables and trays, setting them before the host and guest. Shi Xun saw that there was not only hot water but also pastries and dried fruits—this was the proper way to treat a guest.

Of course, the pastries and fruits were mostly for show, and he did not touch them. He raised his cup to Cao De in a toast and took a sip to moisten his throat. Then Cao De asked, "I wonder what business you have with Lord Tao, as you have come to our residence on his behalf?"

"I dare not," Shi Xun, not yet accustomed to the elaborate formalities and polite circumlocutions of the scholars of this era, answered straightforwardly, "To be honest, I have been entrusted by Lord Tao to visit your brother in Yanzhou to strengthen the ties between the two provinces. Upon hearing that Lord Cao is residing here, I dared not come without first paying my respects."

Actually, his words were still somewhat circumspect, but he believed Cao De would understand the subtext: I am here to see your brother, and I hope you can put in a good word for me.

"Is that so," Cao De lowered his eyes and looked at the ground, "No wonder my father has been in Xu Province for over two years, and only now has Lord Tao sent you... " The implication was: My father, after all, is a former Grand Commandant, and he has been living in Xu Province, yet Tao Qian did not send anyone to visit or write to console him. Now that he needs us, he sends you. What can I say about Tao Qian's character... hehehehe...

Shi Xun quickly explained, "It is not that Lord Tao dared to neglect your father, but only recently did we learn that your father and son are in hiding here, so I was sent to pay my respects." If we had known you were here, he would have sent someone long ago. However, there was something Shi Xun did not dare to say: In the past two years, Tao Qian was allied with Gongsun Zan, while Cao Cao was with Yuan Shao. They were enemies, and sending someone might have been to capture you and your father as hostages—would you really want people from Tancheng to come?

"Where did you hear about my father?"

Shi Xun thought for a moment and decided to be honest, "Cao Zhonghui, who serves in the province, did not dare to reveal Lord Cao's whereabouts due to the past conflicts between Lord Tao and your brother. Now that Lord Tao wishes to reconcile, he has disclosed this information... " He paused and added, "Before I left, I bid farewell to Cao Zhonghui, who said, 'If you believe Lord Tao's intentions are sincere, you can go to Haiqu and visit my elder brother first. If you think his intentions are insincere, do not reveal my brother's whereabouts.'"

This additional statement had two hidden meanings: one was to highlight his close relationship with Cao Hong—Cao Hong had said that Cao Song no longer harbored grudges, so mentioning him should not affect the conversation. The second was to elevate his own status: even Cao Hong couldn't determine Tao Qian's sincerity, so only he, Shi Xun, was truly trusted by Tao Qian. Do you believe me?

Cao De's eyes narrowed slightly as he drank some water, then asked, "I have not heard of your reputation before. Are you acquainted with my uncle... Cao Zhonghui?" Who are you? As a commoner, what great abilities or reputation do you have to be entrusted with such an important mission by Tao Qian? Why have I never heard of you? And why did Cao Hong confide in you so deeply? Are you that close?

Shi Xun smiled slightly, "I dare not claim to be virtuous. I only recently married Cao Shuyuan's daughter, and my brother married Mi Zizhong's sister. Therefore, Lord Tao has shown me great respect, and Cao Zhonghui treats me as a confidant." He had not yet formally married Cao Shuyuan's daughter, so he could use her father's courtesy name, which made him seem closer and elevated his status. Once he married her, the family hierarchy would be set, and he couldn't call Cao Hong by his courtesy name anymore. He specifically mentioned his brother's marriage to Mi Zizhong's sister to see if Cao De, Cao Qujie, was an ignorant person who knew nothing about the internal affairs of Xu Province. If he did, he would understand Shi Xun's significant position in Xu Province. If not, it would be easier to bluff him.

"Is that so," Cao De drank some more water, and when he put down the cup, his face was full of smiles. He asked directly, "I wonder if this mission to Yanzhou to seek peace is on behalf of Lord Tao, or the Cao and Mi families in the province?"

Damn, this guy is sharp and quick-witted, worthy of being Cao Cao's brother! Shi Xun immediately looked at Cao De, who had an ordinary appearance, with new respect and adjusted his attitude and words—when talking to a smart person, there's no need to beat around the bush; sometimes being direct is more effective.

"Cao Zhonghui does indeed have this intention, but your brother is keeping his distance." Cao Hong wants to reconcile, but your brother's attitude is not helping to solve the problem, so I came here to seek your father's help.

Cao De suddenly asked, "Have you met my brother?" Shi Xun shook his head. Cao De suddenly stood up, walked over to Shi Xun, and sat down next to him. He lowered his voice, dropped all formalities, and explained directly, "My brother is a man who will do anything for profit. If there's a benefit, he will do it."

Since Cao De had suddenly changed his attitude, Shi Xun felt more at ease and asked, "Is Xu Province a benefit?" "Of course it is," Cao De smiled again, "So there's no need for my father to mediate. If you tell him this, he won't hold past grudges—aren't we all surnamed Cao? Don't we share the same ancestors? What grudges can't be smoothed over?"

"That's the best," Shi Xun then clearly stated his purpose, "I have been entrusted by Lord Tao to bring three hundred soldiers to protect Lord Cao." Upon hearing this, Cao De's face changed, and he leaned back, "Do you intend to use my father and me as hostages?!"

Shi Xun smiled faintly, "If that were the case, I wouldn't have come to explain first—there might be someone stirring up trouble. If Lord Cao is willing to go to Yanzhou, this force can ensure his safety. After all, the Yellow Turbans are still causing chaos in Yanzhou, and the journey may not be peaceful..."

"My father probably won't go..." Cao De smiled bitterly, "He always thinks that the Han dynasty is still in power, and as a former Grand Commandant, no one would dare to offend him..." Shi Xun seized on this, "Is the Han dynasty not in power now?" Cao De glanced at him and suddenly smiled slyly, "If the Han dynasty were in power, would you be able to privately transfer control of a province?!"

Cao Song indeed refused to leave. In the end, Cao De only asked for a letter to be taken to Cao Cao in Yanzhou. As for the three hundred soldiers provided by Zang Ba, Cao Song claimed that there were dozens of strong men in the estate who could protect them, and he firmly refused to keep them. Shi Xun had no choice but to leave the Cao estate, meet up with Sun Fan, and ask him to temporarily station the troops outside Haiqu County, frequently sending people to check on the Cao family—"Please have General Zang write a letter, and we will rely on Haiqu County for supplies in the future."

Sun Fan nodded, "To ensure Lord Cao's safety—I understand, Sir, you need not worry." As they were discussing, a soldier suddenly pointed to the distance and shouted. Shi Xun followed his finger and saw a column of flames rising from the direction of the Cao family estate!