Chapter 104: River One Workshop

Xudu, the prison.

It was the same cell where Cao Zhen and the others had been held a month prior, but now it had new occupants.

The corridor was dimly lit. Chen Zao stared blankly at the two men in the cell, suddenly overwhelmed by the urge to bang his head against the wall and weep. What was happening this year? A group of "little tyrants" had just left, and now two "great masters" had been sent in!

The little tyrants were arrogant, but they were just children and couldn't stir up much real trouble. These two great masters, however, were a different story. Though there were only two of them, the danger level had skyrocketed. In the flickering candlelight, the two men—as sturdy and imposing as lions—knelt face to face on straw mats. Though neither spoke a word, the cell was thick with the scent of gunpowder; even from a distance, it was enough to make one’s heart race with anxiety.

Ever since they were brought in, Chen Zao had been on pins and needles. Lord Cao knew they were at odds, yet he had insisted on placing them in the same cell. The previous group of children were also rivals, but they had at least been kept in separate cells, so there was no fear of them clashing. But now... looking at these two, it seemed they could come to blows at any moment. And neither of them was a man Chen Zao could handle.

Dian Wei and Xu Chu sat facing each other, their faces grim. They were about five or six paces apart, their eyes locked in a fierce, unblinking glare, like two fighting cocks ready to tear each other apart.

"If not for someone helping you, your Tiger Guard would be worth nothing," Xu Chu gritted out through his teeth.

Dian Wei immediately retorted with a glare of his own, "Zhongkang, a bet is a bet! If you can't afford to lose, don't act tough. Sure, someone helped me, so what? I have good connections and good luck! You could have asked someone to help too. Don't you have plenty of people in your Xu clan? Why didn't you ask?"

"You..." Xu Chu’s forehead throbbed with bulging veins, his temples twitching.

Dian Wei hummed, closed his eyes, and ignored him.

"You... that wasn't real skill," Xu Chu lowered his voice.

Dian Wei curled his lip, stroked his steel-needle-like beard, and chuckled, "Call it what you want, but I won."

"So what if you won?" Xu Chu sneered. "Do you think someone will always be there to help you for the rest of your life?"

"I have good luck," Dian Wei laughed heartily. "My son is sworn brothers with them; what’s so hard about asking him for a favor?"

Xu Chu’s clenched fists suddenly relaxed. He smiled, too. "Your son is sworn brothers with them, but don't you think my son has sworn brothers as well? Don't get too smug, Dian Wei. Among the 'Little Eight Virtues,' my son is second, and yours is third. By that logic, your son still has to call my son 'elder brother.' It’s much faster for a second brother to ask for a favor than a third brother. Dian Junming, let’s have another match next time and see who wins."

The smile on Dian Wei’s face instantly froze. He opened his eyes and glared at Xu Chu. "Xu Zhongkang, you are truly shameless!"

"Hmph, that’s not shamelessness, it’s just luck. Someone traveled a thousand miles to invite a master, and in the end, it just happened to benefit my child for nothing."

"You... you... I'm going back to make A-Man and A-Fu quit the Little Eight Virtues!"

"Go ahead, try it. See if they’ll listen to you. They swore an oath before the Sage Confucius; go ahead and ask them if they’ll obey you."

Xu Chu’s mood lightened significantly. The depression of being outdone by Dian Wei seemed to dissipate all at once.

Dian Wei raged, "Xu Zhongkang, you scoundrel, I’m going to teach you a lesson today!"

"Come on then, I’ve been wanting to beat you for a long time!" Xu Chu stood up, unfazed, his eyes wide. "If you hadn't followed the Lord earlier, how would the position of Tiger Guard Commander have fallen to you? What kind of skill is it to rely on your son to get an advantage? When it comes to fists and feet, I don’t lose to you."

The two hulking men rose to their full height. Outside the cell, Chen Zao and his men felt their hearts drop. They were going to fight—they were finally going to fight.

"Brother, should we go and stop them?"

"Stop them? We’d be walking to our deaths. If these two really start fighting, who but Lord Cao could stop them?" Chen Zao’s heart was in his throat.

Just then, two youths walked in from the prison entrance. "What are you doing here?"

Chen Zao turned around, and upon seeing them, he was overjoyed. "Young masters, you've come at just the right time! Hurry, hurry—the two generals are about to fight!"

"What?"

The two youths were Dian Man and Xu Yi. They had gone out to buy wine and food, intending to persuade their fathers to reconcile. They hadn't expected that in the time it took them to return, the situation would have escalated to the point of violence. Dian Man and Xu Yi each carried a food box and hurried forward.

"Why haven't you stopped them?"

Chen Zao almost cried. "Young masters, it’s not that we don’t want to stop them, it’s just... who could possibly stop these two generals?"

Dian Man and Xu Yi ignored Chen Zao and rushed to the cell. "Father, stop!"

"Father, don't fight, don't fight!"

The boys' cries made Dian Wei and Xu Chu pause.

"A-Man, don't try to stop me. I must teach this stupid tiger a lesson today."

Xu Chu raged, "We'll see who teaches whom a lesson! Datou, you saw it—it’s not that I wanted to start this, but this guy is being too overbearing."

Dian Man shouted, "Hurry up and open the gate!"

Xu Yi pleaded, "Father, you and your uncle both serve under the Lord and are both guards; don't ruin the harmony. If you do, the Lord will surely punish you."

"That’s right, Father. If you hurt Uncle Xu, the Lord won't be happy."

Xu Chu was displeased. "A-Man, what are you talking about? With this guy? He thinks he can hurt me? Don't look at how tall he is; I could take him down with one hand."

Dian Wei was furious. "With you? I could beat you until you’re crawling on the floor even with my eyes closed."

"You're looking for death!"

"Who's looking for death—that remains to be seen!"

"I'm going to teach you a lesson today!"

"Come on then! Anyone who backs down is a coward!"

"Come, let us fight three hundred rounds!"

"Pah, I could take your dog life in thirty!"

Dian Man’s comment had instantly made the atmosphere, which had just begun to thaw, tense once again.

"Stop, all of you! The Lord is here!"

A roar suddenly echoed through the prison. Dian Wei and Xu Chu instantly fell silent and sat back down. Looking up, they saw Chen Zao shrinking back—clearly, the roar had come from him. Outside the prison, however, it was deathly quiet, and there was no sign of Cao Cao.

"You scoundrel, you dare to deceive me?" Dian Wei was livid.

Xu Chu’s hair stood on end. "A lowly jailer, you dare to impersonate the Lord? What is your name? When I report this to the Lord, I shall have your head!"

Chen Zao didn't even dare to let out a fart; he simply retreated into the shadows. The other jailers looked at Chen Zao with admiration: their boss was truly something else—daring to trick even those two. Wasn't he afraid they’d get out and settle the score?

*Damn it,* Chen Zao thought, *I’m resigning tomorrow. Being a lowly jailer isn't worth this kind of terror. The pay is meager, and my life is at risk. Tomorrow, I’m joining the army!*

Despite his fear, his shout had indeed defused the tension. Dian Wei and Xu Chu stopped arguing and sat cross-legged on their mats. Xu Yi gestured for a jailer to open the cell door, and he and Dian Man entered with the food boxes. They opened them and laid out the wine and meat.

"Father, eat first."

Dian Wei nodded, but as he looked down, his brow furrowed. "Why is there no wine?"

Dian Man was startled and turned to look at Xu Yi. He saw that Xu Yi had opened his own box, and the wine was all in there.

"Datou, bring the wine over here."

Xu Chu raged, "Why should I? This is what my son brought for me. And Datou, why isn't there any side dish—just rice?" As he spoke, he looked over and saw the meat dishes in the box in front of Dian Wei. "A-Man, bring the dishes over here."

Dian Wei said, "This is what my son brought for me!"

After saying this, he suddenly laughed. His laughter made Xu Chu pause, and then he, too, broke into a chuckle. The two looked at each other and began to roar with laughter.

...

By the time Cao Ji and Cao Peng returned to the fortress, it was already dark. Deng Ji had just returned as well and was keeping Cao Nan company. Cao Nan’s belly was growing larger by the day; counting the time, she would soon be in labor.

Deng Ji had nothing else to do. With the Tiger Guard training finished, his task was complete. As for the outcome? Deng Ji didn't care; he only wanted to stay with Cao Nan and ensure she delivered the child safely. Ever since Cao Nan became pregnant, their family had known no peace. Between the transfer of his previous superior, the arrival of a new magistrate, and the bullying from Deng Cai, it had been a difficult time. Things improved slightly when Cao Peng’s family arrived, but soon after, Deng Ji was drafted, and while he kept his life, he lost an arm. Furthermore, Cao Nan and her parents were detained by the government. After rescuing Cao Nan, they had traveled thousands of miles from Nanyang to Xudu. Not long after, Dian Wei began forming the Tiger Guard, and Deng Ji went to assist. He had spent months helping, with no time for his wife. Whenever he thought of this, he felt immense shame. Now that he was finally free, he was determined to make up for his past neglect.

"Father, you're back!"

Deng Ji was walking with Cao Nan in the courtyard. He didn't have to worry about her health because they had a doctor in the house. Dong Xiao, a disciple of Zhang Zhongjing, was staying at the fortress. He spent his time reading or helping at the Huichun Hall, assisting the local gynecological expert, Xiao Kun. Dong Xiao was excellent in theory but lacked practical experience. In traditional medicine, "experience" was everything.

Dong Xiao’s life was simple and healthy, and his material needs were modest. Zhang Zhongjing had sent him to Xudu hoping he would gain a foothold and find a path for the Zhang clan of Nieyang. Such things could not be rushed. Dong Xiao staying with the Dian family was a calculated move. As the relationship between the Cao and Dian families grew closer, and with the emergence of the "Little Eight Virtues" of Cao Peng and the others, the Cao clan would eventually secure a place in Xudu. The fact that Cao Ji had been invited to the military exercise today was a sign of this.

Cao Ji nodded but remained silent. His serious expression made Deng Ji realize immediately that something had happened. He gestured for a maid to take Cao Nan away, then followed Cao Ji and the others into the hall. Once seated, he asked, "Father, has something happened?"

Cao Ji said, "Lord Cao wants me to take the position of Supervisor of the Zhuye Office (Bureau of Metallurgy)."

"Supervisor of the Zhuye Office?" Deng Ji was stunned for a moment, then reacted with joy. "That is good news!"

"Good? What's good about it!" Cao Peng interjected. "In terms of craftsmanship, Father has no problem. With his current reputation, daunting those officials and clerks won't be too hard. I’m not worried about that. The problem is that Father has never been an official and knows nothing about the situation at the Zhuye Office. I had hoped Father would start as a lower-level supervisor and work his way up once he understood the ropes. But now, he’s being made a Supervisor immediately. With a salary of six hundred shi, if he makes even a small mistake, the consequences could be severe."

Deng Ji immediately understood Cao Peng’s concern. It was not without merit.

"A-Fu, I think you're overthinking it."

"Oh?" Cao Peng looked at Deng Ji in confusion.

Deng Ji sat down next to Cao Ji. "Father, don't worry. Lord Cao is appointing you because he values your skill. As long as you have real talent, what is there to fear? What A-Fu says is true, but who is born knowing these things? I don't know much about the imperial court, but regarding offices like the Zhuye Office... well, I have some understanding. The processes and standards A-Fu worries about are already set in stone—you just need to follow the rules. You just need to organize the work, and others will handle the execution. As for the officials... I think A-Fu is worrying too much. The Heyi workshop has been shut down for over a decade. It’s effectively been abandoned. The local officials have been co-opted by local strongmen; it’s hard to clear that up in a day. Father’s only task is to get the Heyi workshop back in operation and restart the Zhuye Office. Lord Cao wants you there for your skill and reputation—after all, who doesn't know you forged thirty-six 'Heavenly Star' sabers in three months? With that reputation, the problems will shrink. Once the workshop is running and the Lord’s armaments are supplied, the local officials will have to return, and then you will be the one calling the shots."

Cao Peng listened, and a sense of clarity washed over him. Deng Ji was right! He had been overthinking. The officials scattered everywhere weren't the foundation of the Zhuye Office; the foundation was the Heyi workshop, which was currently paralyzed. Cao Ji going there was essentially building the office from the ground up. Once that was done, everything would be under his control.

"Brother-in-law, you're right." Cao Ji regained his confidence. Just as Deng Ji said, in terms of sheer skill, Cao Ji feared no one. With the dual-liquid quenching method and the massive bellows, he was certain he could make the Zhuye Office a success.

Deng Ji nodded, "However, A-Fu is also right."

*Don't startle me like that, I'll get a heart condition!* Cao Peng muttered to himself, but he asked, "Please, tell me more."

"Father’s strengths and weaknesses are equally obvious. He has no official credentials and is illiterate. His skill is beyond reproach, but he knows nothing of court politics. If he doesn't find a suitable assistant, I fear this position won't last long."

Cao Peng nodded in agreement.

Cao Ji asked, "What should we do then?"

Deng Ji pondered. "Yingchuan has many scholars, but finding someone who is both talented and willing to take such a position is difficult. Most with talent and reputation wouldn't deign to work in such an office. Father needs someone who is talented but lacks status or family connections. That’s the tricky part."

Cao Peng frowned, deep in thought.

Deng Ji said, "I'll go see Fengxiao tomorrow. We were fellow students, so I don't think he'll refuse. He’s from Yingchuan and has many connections with scholars of humble origins; perhaps he can find the right person. If not, I'll go with him to visit the Attendant-in-Ordinary... he has wide connections. Father’s assistant doesn't need to be a genius; they just need to be literate, understand court affairs, and have good moral character."

"The most important thing is moral character!" Cao Peng couldn't help but interject.

Deng Ji nodded repeatedly in agreement. Cao Ji felt a weight lift from his shoulders. With a son and a son-in-law like these, he truly had nothing to fear. He couldn't help but feel that in critical times, family was all that mattered.

The next morning, Deng Ji and Cao Peng set out. Deng Ji went to see Guo Jia, while Cao Peng planned to meet Cao Zhen and call upon Dian Man and Xu Yi to visit Dian Wei and Xu Chu. At the same time, Cao Peng wanted to ask Cao Zhen if he knew of any suitable candidates for his father. Since Cao Zhen was a kinsman of Cao Cao, he had extensive connections in Xudu. Finding an assistant for Cao Ji was urgent; once the official appointment was issued, he would have to leave for Xingyang immediately.

The day for Cao Cao’s campaign against Yuan Shu was drawing near. It was said that Cao Cao had already sent people to Jiangdong to contact Sun Ce. Once those connections were solidified, Cao Cao would lead his troops to Shouchun. Cao Peng had a feeling his time in Xudu would not be long.

He had already seen Cao Cao. Though they hadn't had a real encounter, he had seen him. Who would he meet next? Cao Peng couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation.