Chapter 98: Plotting the Future

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However, Cao Peng’s intense reaction startled Guo Jia greatly. Perhaps driven by a self-protective instinct, he instinctively took a step back, casting a somewhat nervous glance at Cao Peng before blinking in confusion. As for Cao Peng, after a brief lapse, he quickly regained composure. He knew that his earlier behavior was somewhat inappropriate, but it had to be said that when facing Guo Jia, he found it genuinely difficult to control his emotions. Guo Jia was the most outstanding figure within the Cao Wei faction and also a tragic one. Within the Cao Wei group, there were only two tragic figures: Guo Jia and Xun Yu. Xun Yu, though serving under Cao Cao, harbored loyalty to the Han dynasty and was constantly torn by this conflict. Ultimately, he abandoned the Han, forcing Cao Cao to resolve to grant him a dignified death in service to the state.

Guo Jia, however, was different. He did not come from an illustrious background, nor did he harbor deep affection for the Han dynasty like Xun Yu did. Guo Jia’s ancestor, Guo Gong, was renowned for his research on the Xiaodu Code across three generations of high officials, but by Guo Jia’s time, the Guo family had declined. His father was a minor official barely maintaining appearances. Thus, Guo Jia’s feelings for the Han were not profound. Abandoning the law to specialize in strategy, his true intention was likely to sever ties with his family’s past once and for all. Cao Cao recognized Guo Jia’s talent and gave him his first significant opportunity, so Guo Jia resolved to repay this by serving the nation with utmost loyalty. Unfortunately, his body failed him just as he was about to make great achievements—he died unexpectedly at the age of thirty-eight. Later generations lamented his early passing, often quoting the line, “Before the mission is accomplished, the hero dies, leaving tears that soak the sleeves,” which might suit Guo Jia even better than Zhuge Liang, who at least governed Shu Han for many years and cannot be said to have “died before the mission was achieved.”

Thus, since his rebirth, the usually calm and unruffled Cao Peng finally lost control.

“I am indeed Guo Jia. Ah Fu, why are you so surprised?” Cao Peng quickly said, “I have long admired Guo Fengxiao’s genius, and just now, upon seeing you, my heart was stirred. I beg your pardon, Guo Jiu.”

Flattery, no matter how overused, never fails! No matter how refined Guo Jia’s demeanor, he felt quite pleased upon hearing such praise. A faint blush appeared on his lean face, and he smiled gently, “Ah Fu, you flatter me greatly.”

“Fengxiao, I will take you to the Iron Hut to watch,” Deng Ji said cheerfully.

“Jia, please forgive my discourtesy,” Guo Jia replied.

Deng Ji happily took Guo Jia away. Cao Peng wanted to follow but could not break away because Xu Yi was still grappling with Dian Man.

Seeing Guo Jia about to leave, Cao Peng could no longer hold back and suddenly said, “Guo Jiu, please take good care of your health.”

Guo Jia paused, turned, and looked at Cao Peng. Had it been anyone else, Guo Jia might have been irritated—“Take care of your health”? Was that not a curse? But seeing Cao Peng’s sincere expression, Guo Jia could not be angry.

“Thank you for your concern, Brother Cao. I will remember it well,” he said, then left with Deng Ji.

Watching Guo Jia’s retreating figure, Cao Peng suddenly raised his hand and slapped himself across the face.

“Why say that for no reason?” he muttered, sighing softly.

At the same time, he felt glad for Deng Ji. Though his brother-in-law had lost an arm, it was perhaps a blessing in disguise.

Ordinarily, officials of the Eastern Han valued their appearance and demeanor. After losing part of his hip, Deng Ji would find it difficult to hold office. A simple clerk had fewer requirements, but to become a high-ranking official was nearly impossible. Yet now, with the realm in turmoil and lords vying for power, standards for appearance seemed less stringent.

Having ties with Guo Jia, Xun Yu, and Man Chong, Cao Peng thought Deng Ji’s physical disability was no longer critical—it was his talent that mattered. Unfortunately, Deng Ji specialized in law rather than military strategy or governance, focusing on the Xiaodu Code with a somewhat narrow expertise.

“Ah Fu, how exactly is this fight arranged?” Xu Yi shouted loudly after three failed attempts to break through Dian Man’s array amid his laughter.

Cao Peng smiled and signaled Deng Fan to bring over a specially made piece of cowhide padding for Xu Yi.

“Second brother, you need some protection even for this. Put this on first, and I’ll teach you how to break the array properly. You can’t just rush in blindly. It’s better to replace the iron sand with sandbags and practice from the beginning.”

Beneath the cowhide was a thick cloth layer about half a centimeter thick, about three fingers wide and roughly a meter long.

Cao Peng helped Xu Yi wrap the padding securely around his hands—fingers, palms, wrists—all bound tightly with two thin hemp cords, forming a makeshift sparring glove. Xu Yi moved his fingers and hands, finding no major hindrance, just slight discomfort. He grew increasingly curious about the secrets Cao Peng might be hiding.

“Ah Fu is quite talented!” Guo Jia said with a smile to Deng Ji.

Deng Ji seemed somewhat dispirited. “Ah Fu is usually very steady. I don’t know what’s gotten into him today—his words are a bit jumbled. Don’t mind it.”

“Haha, what of it? He means well,” Guo Jia replied.

The two walked toward the Iron Hut, chatting as they went.

Suddenly Guo Jia asked, “Shusun, have you considered going out to take up a post?”

“Huh?”

“You are quite learned and proficient in law. Logically, you should serve at the Ministry of Justice. But your reputation is not yet well-established, and your experience is somewhat lacking. If you go there, you’d have to start from the bottom and grind through the ranks. Even with my help, it would take at least ten or twenty years to rise.”

The Ministry of Justice, also called the Court of Justice, was one of the Nine Ministers, overseeing criminal law.

Originally established in the Tai dynasty, it was renamed the Ministry of Justice in the sixth year of Emperor Jing’s Zhongyuan era. Through the reigns of Emperor Ling, Emperor Ai, and the Xin regime, the title fluctuated. Early in the Eastern Han, Emperor Guangwu restored the title “Court of Justice,” but under Emperor Huan, it was changed back to the Ministry of Justice.

The character “Li” originally referred to the authority over punishment and governance. Emperor Jing added “Da” to convey the dignity of a high official. Thus, the agency was also known as the Great Justice Temple.

Since Deng Ji specialized in criminal law, particularly the Xiaodu Code, the Ministry of Justice was undoubtedly the best place for him—but it required patience to gain experience.

Guo Jia said, “I think you would have little chance to truly show your skills there or accomplish great things. It’s better to go out, govern a region, and make a name for yourself. With your talent, rising above others would be easy—much better than suffering in the Ministry. Honestly, Xudu is not peaceful now. Staying there makes you easy prey for jealousy or even traps.”

Deng Ji fell silent. Deep down, he wished to stay in Xudu. His wife, Cao Nan, was eight months pregnant and about to give birth. His entire family lived there, making life easier.

There were merits to staying in Xudu, but as Guo Jia said, going out had its advantages too. The downside was unfamiliar territory.

“Fengxiao, what you say makes sense, but it’s so sudden I can’t decide right away. Besides, my wife is about to give birth, so I’m worried…”

“Oh, I was merely suggesting. Real actions require opportunity. I only want you prepared. To be frank, Lord Ling has crafted the Tiangang Blade, which pleases the lord greatly and will surely be highly valued soon. When that time comes, you will have two choices: stay in Xudu or go out to gain experience. Personally, I think going out is better. Consider it carefully so you won’t be caught off guard.”

Guo Jia was four years older and more thoughtful. He truly regarded Deng Ji as a brother, else he wouldn’t have spoken so openly.

By saying this, Guo Jia assured Deng Ji not to worry about his future; he could recommend him.

Deng Ji was deeply grateful. “Thank you for your concern, brother. I will consider it carefully.”

Time flew, and July arrived. The conflict between Hu and Wei grew imminent. Cao Cao’s generals received news about the upcoming battles, but what interested them most was the thirty-six Tiangang Blades kept in the Cao residence. News of these blades spread quickly, and as Cao family generals, everyone hoped to obtain one. The blades were not merely honors but symbols of status within Cao’s camp. Who would receive the blades sparked much speculation. The earliest generals serving Cao Cao—Xiahou Dun, Xiahou Ying, Cao Hong, Cao Ren, Cao Chun, Le Jin, Yu Jin—all were sure to get one. But with more candidates than blades, tension rose.

Meanwhile, Cao Peng lived leisurely. Events outside seemed unrelated to him. He spent days reading, practicing martial arts, assisting his father in the Iron Hut forging weapons, or accompanying his mother and sister exploring the fortress surroundings. Autumn in Xudu was uniquely beautiful—red maples on Longshan, the winding Ying River. Amid mountains and rivers, thoughts calmed and spirits refined. It was a pity Cao Peng knew few poems; otherwise, stealing two verses might have earned him some renown.

Xu Yi came daily to practice martial arts at the Dian family fortress. After some time, he slowly grasped the mysteries of the Tiangang Array and spent increasing time inside, rivaling Dian Man.

Deng Fan, after consistent training and with his Eight Section Brocade skills, reached the stage of guiding Qi into his bones, entering the stage of bone transformation. Then he and Wang Mai practiced with Cao Peng, mastering the shaking spear and sliding rod techniques.

Cao Peng put much effort into training the shaking spear. He enlisted Cao Zhen’s help to find white wax trees within a hundred li around Xuxian. The requirements were strict: at least twenty years old, flawless trunk. After gathering the trees, Cao Peng crafted fifty white wax rods of various lengths, weights, and thicknesses following his previous master’s instructions.

In his previous life, Cao Peng’s master had only about a dozen white wax rods used for shaking spear and sliding rod practice. Cao Peng once bought one longer than his master’s, but it was much lighter. By the 1990s, due to extensive logging, even three-year-old white wax rods were considered premium.

A good white wax rod was heavy and dense with a bluish surface, perfectly straight and free of scars. The rod’s tip should not be thinner than the handle. When shaken, the rod trembled steadily with small but lasting amplitude. Such was the true quality rod.

Cao Peng had long wished for such a rod but never fulfilled the desire in his past life. After starting work, he let it go.

Now, reborn in the Three Kingdoms, near Longshan alone, many white wax trees were twenty, fifty, even over a hundred years old.

Cao Zhen sent thirty trees, and Cao Peng made fifty rods. Based on Wang Mai and Deng Fan’s conditions, the three each selected a rod. After his bone transformation, Cao Peng’s strength increased significantly—the rod weighed about sixteen jin. Wang Mai and Deng Fan’s rods weighed just over thirty jin. After training, their bones ached, but the effect was obvious.

As for Xu Yi and Dian Man, they sparred daily in the training ground.

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Both had trained in martial arts since childhood, learning family techniques. Historically, Dian Wei died early, and Dian Man was too young to inherit Dian Wei’s true arts. Though noted in the records, Dian Man achieved no great feats. Xu Yi was different, making a name for himself before dying honorably on the battlefield, fulfilling a warrior’s ambition.

Now, Dian Wei lived! Dian Man’s future would be quite different.

Since their foundations were laid and techniques just forming, practicing Cao Peng’s sequences was unsuitable. So, they chose their preferred styles as play to break the monotony.

All contented, Cao Peng did not interfere.

On the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, autumn rain fell, turning the weather cold. As the martial arts event approached, Xudu grew livelier.

Since his release from prison, Cao Zhen acted mysteriously, like a dragon seen only in glimpses. One day in Xudu, the next in Henan’s magistrate’s office, the following in Luoyang. Fortunately, no major battles occurred, and with leave from Xu Huang and Cao Cao, no one questioned his whereabouts.

Cao Peng knew what Cao Zhen was busy with.

Around the fifth day of the seventh month, Zhu Zan suddenly came.

“Ah Fu, I’m leaving!”

Cao Peng was momentarily stunned and instinctively asked, “Fourth brother, where are you going?”

“Yesterday General Yuan Rang summoned me as an assistant official to the Henan magistrate, as the western supervisor and northern constable of Luoyang.”

“Ah?” Cao Peng was shocked.

The northern constable of Luoyang was a position once held by Cao Cao himself, commanding the five-color baton. Though not very high-ranking, with a modest stipend of four hundred shi, it governed the capital’s most prosperous area and oversaw law and order.

Though Luoyang’s condition differed from Cao Cao’s time, it remained an important post.

“So, big brother chose the northern district?” Cao Peng asked.

Zhu Zan nodded softly, “The northern district is prosperous, where the Luo and Yi rivers converge, bringing in trade from east and west.”

“What help do you need?” Cao Peng asked.

Zhu Zan smiled, “No help needed! With General Yuan Rang, it should be fine. Also, your sixth brother will be leaving soon.”

“Where is sixth brother going?”

“The lord has summoned Zhong Yuanchang as Palace Attendant and Supervisor of Sili, overseeing troops in Guanzhong and guarding Chang’an. Zidan recommended your sixth brother through Minister Xun for the assistant clerk position, managing official personnel records, and accompanying him to Chang’an.”

Hearing this, Cao Peng inhaled sharply.

The Supervisor of Sili, formerly known as the Crouching Tiger, was the Han dynasty’s inspector overseeing the capital and local affairs. If the Ministry of Justice was akin to a supreme court, the Supervisor of Sili was the chief prosecutor outside the judiciary. Established early in Emperor Wu’s reign, the title was later simplified to Supervisor of Sili. In the Eastern Han, it was restored with a rank equivalent to two thousand shi. Though its stipend was half that of the Western Han, the real power was substantial—commanding 1,500 troops independent of local governments.

Cao Zun had been assigned to Chang’an? Cao Zhen’s faction within the crown prince’s party was truly powerful.

At the same time, Cao Peng was very surprised. He knew of Zhong Yao, not only as a famous writer and calligrapher—his works forming the foundation of later calligraphy alongside Wang Xizhi—but more so because of his son Zhong Hui. Born into the prominent Zhong family of Yingzhou, Zhong Yao was supported by his grandfather, appointed filial and incorrupt, served as a secretary and magistrate of Yangling, retired due to illness, then held several important posts including Court Judge and Yellow Gate Attendant. In the third year of Chuping, Cao Cao sent envoys to liaise with Li Cui and Guo Ji, who distrusted Cao Cao’s sincerity. It was Zhong Yao who persuaded them to ally with Cao Cao, securing the court’s recognition. Later, he helped rescue the Han emperor during conflicts, playing a vital role in the emperor’s escape from Chang’an. He was appointed Imperial Censor, then Secretary of the Shangshu, and ennobled as Marquis of Dongwu Pavilion.

Zhong Yao was undoubtedly a royalist and a member of a great Yingzhou family.

Cao Cao’s appointment of him could signify a gesture of submission to the aristocracy or harbor deeper intentions.

But all this seemed distant to Cao Peng.

A tinge of sorrow filled his heart. Not long after swearing brotherhood, the brothers would soon part ways. Thinking of this, a pang of melancholy surfaced.

Zhu Zan smiled, “One more thing: Zidan is hosting a banquet tonight at Yuxiu Tower. He asked me to tell you to arrive early.”

“A farewell party?”

“Heh, yes and no.”

Lowering his voice, Zhu Zan whispered into Cao Peng’s ear, “Uncle Cao has returned. He wants to see you.”

Uncle Cao?

Cao Peng was momentarily stunned, then realized, “The Censor-in-Chief, right?”

Zhu Zan smiled and led the way...

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