Chapter 62

Cao Cao wanted to send Shi Xun to visit Tao Qian, but Shi Xun outright refused, saying, "I was sent by Governor Tao, and now if I do not report back and serve another, it would be unrighteous..." Cao Cao thought, "Eh? Didn't you just agree to stay? Why are you changing your mind now?" Then he heard Shi Xun say, "Unless Lord Cao keeps me as a hostage..."

"Oh, we have been enemies for a long time. Now you have taken my territory, and you expect me to believe that sending someone to talk about peace will make everything right? I will detain your envoy first and send people to ask for some food and supplies to help in this emergency. If you agree, it shows your sincerity in making peace. Whether your envoy returns or not can be discussed later... You still haven't returned Hua, Fei, and Rencheng, right?"

Cao Cao nodded, "Hongfu has thought it through." It seems he cannot rely on you to help with the mission to Xu Province. He glanced at the people in the tent and directly appointed someone: "Ziyang can go to Xu Province." Li Qian responded affirmatively.

Cao Cao turned and asked, "Since Hongfu has proposed the policy of garrison farming, how about you take charge of it?" Shi Xun still shook his head. Garrison farming is a tough job, involving measuring land, assigning garrison troops, preparing supplies, distributing seeds and farming tools, and supervising and guiding the farming. Last year, Shi Xun had worked hard with Chen Deng to encourage farming around Tancheng, and it was exhausting. If he were to take charge of garrison farming, he would be worked to death. Besides, he needed to have the organizational skills for it. He hurriedly declined, "Xun is not skilled in farming. I have heard that Ren Boda, the former magistrate of Zhongmu, has the talent to manage people and experience in farming. Why doesn't Lord Cao... no, my lord, let Boda take charge of it?"

Ren Jun is from Zhongmu County, Henan. When Dong Zhuo usurped power, Henan was in chaos. The magistrate of Zhongmu, Yang Yuan, planned to resign and flee, but Ren Jun persuaded him to stay. With Ren Jun's help, not only was Zhongmu stabilized, but the entire Henan was also preserved. In the original history, Ren Jun was the one who managed garrison farming, so Shi Xun directly recommended him—whether Ren Jun had experience in agriculture... he probably had some, otherwise Cao Cao wouldn't have specifically used him later.

Cao Cao kept persuading, and Shi Xun kept declining, finally accepting the position of Jia Zuo, a clerical officer. According to regulations, each state or commandery could appoint 25 Jia Zuo, who were below the rank of Biejia, Zhizhong, and Zhubu.

After the meeting, Shi Xun wrote a letter and asked Cao Cao to give it to Li Qian, saying that when he arrived in Xu Province, he should first visit Chen Deng and consult with Chen Yu Long on matters of alliance, which would surely be successful. In the letter, Shi Xun first hinted that he was working for Cao Cao, suggesting that he find an opportunity to offer Xu Province to Cao Cao. Then he explicitly stated that Cao Cao wanted to keep him as a hostage, but his safety was assured, and he hoped that Yuan Long would inform his family and the Cao family to be reassured. He also mentioned Cao Cao's request for supplies, asking Chen Deng to help facilitate it—“With the current turmoil in the world and the incessant wars in Guandong, it would be beneficial to both Xu and Yanzhou to provide supplies from Xu Province to the troops in Yanzhou. Once the supplies are sent, the troops in Rencheng, Hua, and Fei can temporarily remain to reassure Governor Tao.”

He also asked Cao Cao to write a letter to Cao Hong, greeting him and indicating that past events were forgiven, and all grievances were to be forgotten. Cao Cao added a few more words, trying to win over Cao Hong, saying that they were originally one family, and whether his uncle was in Xu Province or he was in Xu Province, it was the same. Whether he was in Yanzhou or his uncle was in Yanzhou, it was the same. Both provinces were part of the Cao family's territory.

After writing the letters, Shi Xun found Cao De and asked about the two friends he had left behind. Cao De said that because the girl was not in good health, she was staying in Sheqiu County to recuperate. Shi Xun said goodbye to Cao Cao, saying he would go to Sheqiu with Guan Hai to pick up his friends, and would rejoin him when he withdrew to Dongwuyang. Cao Cao said he wouldn't return to Dongwuyang but planned to move the commandery capital to Juan City in Jiyin. He specifically sent a group of soldiers to protect Shi Xun—of course, it might also be to monitor him.

When Shi Xun found Guan Hai in the camp, the former Yellow Turban general had just finished eating and was sitting on the ground, staring blankly under the watchful eyes of the Cao soldiers. Shi Xun, feeling hungry, sat down next to Guan Hai and asked the soldiers, "What did you eat? Give me a portion too." The soldiers quickly brought him a bowl of half-cool wheat porridge. As Shi Xun slurped the porridge, he told Guan Hai, "I'm going to work for Cao Cao now. He doesn't trust you, so he wants me to keep an eye on you. You have to follow me."

Guan Hai expressionlessly said, "Oh," and then suddenly turned his head and asked, "What about Si'er? Didn't you say you met her and arranged for her to recuperate in a safe place?"

Shi Xun nodded, "I was just about to tell you. After I finish my porridge, we'll go find her—hey, I have another thing to discuss with you."

Guan Hai turned his head back, expressionless, "Go on."

"Cao Cao has promised me an estate and agreed to let me pick some people from your group. What do you think..."

Guan Hai frowned, "Are you going to make us your slaves?"

"What are you talking about!" Shi Xun pretended to glare, "I hate those terms. If it weren't for the powerful landowners forcing people into slavery, you wouldn't... and the world wouldn't be in such chaos. I just want you to help me, look after the estate, farm, and make furniture. We won't sign any contracts, and everyone except me, who has to keep an eye on Cao Cao, can come and go freely."

"What freedom?" Guan Hai snorted, "When you're hungry, where is your freedom? Tell me, who do you want? My subordinates are all skilled farmers, and if you need fighters... I can find you many good guards."

"Aren't you a farmer by origin?" Shi Xun leaned in, lowering his voice, "Having you farm for me is enough. The rest, I want skilled people, blacksmiths, carpenters, stonemasons... it would be best if you had someone who knows how to make paper... Hey, what about those who practice Daoism and alchemy? I want those skilled in that too. And that... the one who always helps translate the scholars' words for you, who is he?"

Guan Hai calmly replied, "His name is Yutuo, originally a merchant from Qiancheng..." Shi Xun was shocked, "So rich?!" Guan Hai glanced at him, "Not a thousand carriages, but Qiancheng County in Le'an. He can't even afford one carriage."

"Alright, if he's still alive, I want him too."

Picking people would have to wait for another day. If Shi Xun were to pick 30 to 50 people and leave the camp in a grand procession, Cao Cao would suspect he was planning to escape. After finishing his porridge, he took Guan Hai alone, under the protection or surveillance of a small group of Cao soldiers, and rode to Sheqiu County to visit Guan Si.

Cao De had arranged for Guan Si to stay in a civilian's house near the county office, taken care of by Bai Laowu. Guan Hai rushed into the house, and the father and daughter hugged and cried. Hearing their sobs, Shi Xun felt a lump in his throat and went out to wander for a while. He had a lot to say to Guan Si, but after wandering for a long time, he came back to find them still talking. He went out again until it was dark, and when he returned, he thought, "You haven't been apart for half a lifetime, why so much to talk about?"

He decided not to go out again and stayed by their side, coughing several times. Finally, Guan Hai looked up at Shi Xun—Shi Xun's eyes were full of hope, looking at him innocently—then looked down at his daughter, sighed, and stomped his foot, "I'll go get some fresh air. You two talk quickly!"

Guan Hai went out, and Shi Xun closed the door, opened the window, and knelt by Guan Si's mat, looking at the little girl he loved under the dim starlight—candles and oil lamps were expensive, and this ordinary family couldn't afford them.

Guan Si struggled to get up. Shi Xun quickly pressed her shoulder, "Just lie down. Why get up?" Through her thin clothes, he felt her soft skin and delicate bones—she was too thin, too pitiful.

Guan Si had been living on grass roots and cold water for several days, and the effort to save Shi Xun had drained her energy. She was still weak and fell back onto the mat when he pressed her. She said weakly, "You saved my father's life, I should bow to thank you."

Shi Xun smiled, covered her with the quilt, and tucked it in, "Why bow? You and Bai Laowu saved my life that day. Should I bow to you?" He paused and asked, "What are your plans for the future?"

Guan Si replied, "Of course, I will follow my father. We will never be separated again." Shi Xun coughed lightly, "Your father... your father will follow me." "Father told me," Guan Si looked at him blankly, "So I will still follow my father."

If you follow your father, and your father follows me, then you will naturally follow me too—how can you not understand such simple logic? Well, that's not important. What's important is... how do I tell you? Shi Xun stared at the little girl's slightly cloudy eyes, his heart racing, unsure how to confess—last night, you talked so smoothly with your father, why can't you say it to a girl? And Guan Hai, this isn't the time for free love, why won't you make the decision for her? If you made the decision, it would be much easier for me!

He looked at Guan Si, and she looked back at him. They stared at each other for a long time. Finally, Shi Xun made up his mind—after all, I'm from two thousand years in the future, haven't I seen enough romantic scenes in movies and TV shows? What's there to be afraid of? If she gives me a "good person card," I'll lie and say your father has already agreed!

So he raised his hand and touched his shoulder, "Here, you once shot me with an arrow." Then he touched his thigh, "And here." Guan Si pouted, "I'm sorry..." "You have to take responsibility," Shi Xun leaned in, close to Guan Si, "You shot me with two arrows, and those two arrows have stayed in my heart. You have to take responsibility... You must stay by my side, or I will be heartbroken..."

Guan Si's eyes widened, staring at him blankly. Shi Xun urged her in his heart: Speak up, speak up, I've been clear enough