Chapter 065 Cao Ji’s Worries

Rain kept falling.

The water slid from the eaves, forming a curtain of droplets... Each bead struck the gray stones below, splashing into countless bursts. Cao Peng sat alone on the threshold of the Great Hero Hall, watching the blurred world outside, his spirit already wandering far from his body, lost to some unknown place.

A large hand landed on his shoulder.

Startled, Cao Peng looked up to find Cao Ji seated beside him, though he had not noticed when he arrived.

“What are you thinking about?”

Cao Peng turned to glance inside the Great Hero Hall. Cao Nan was still fast asleep, while Lady Zhang and Madam Hong whispered quietly nearby. Dian Wei, Wei Yan, and Xiahou Lan sat beneath the statues with eyes closed, resting. Deng Juye was boiling water, and Deng Fan sat with Wang Mai. Deng Fan eyed the iron serpent halberd in Wang Mai’s hands with envy, clearly coveting it. Wang Mai silently wiped the blood from his weapon.

Deng Ji also approached.

The three sat shoulder to shoulder on the threshold, gazing at the world blurred by rain.

“I wasn’t thinking about anything.”

“Are you troubled, thinking you shouldn’t lower your status before others?”

Cao Peng hesitated, saying nothing. Truthfully, addressing Dian Wei as ‘uncle’ was not such a big matter. Dian Wei was older; calling him ‘uncle’ would not bring shame. Yet Deng Ji nodded, feeling that such a gesture did dampen their dignity.

“When we reach Xudu, besides Brother Dian, do we know anyone else?” Deng Ji shook his head, “No one.”

Cao Ji lowered his voice. “Uncle Sun, you’re a scholar—I know you value integrity. But the world rarely follows our wishes... When we arrive in Xudu, we’ll be strangers, and apart from Brother Dian, we’ll know no one. Peng and Brother Dian have the bond of saving each other’s lives. I don’t know how long this debt will last, but I doubt it will endure as long as you and Meng Bo’s...”

Deng Ji frowned, reluctant to admit it, but nodded.

“In this world, no debt lasts forever. Brother Dian can help us establish ourselves, give you a future... But what then? When he has repaid all his obligations, will he still support and protect us as before? Afu is young, Uncle Sun, your health is frail... We cannot compare to Wei Yan, who has skills and just needs an introduction to shine. Peng, Uncle Sun... Remember, favors rarely last. If you cling to the hope of repaying a debt, no matter how great, it will be worn thin by the needs of our family.”

Thinking carefully, it seemed their family truly was numerous.

Not only were there the five of Cao Peng and Deng Ji, but also Deng Juye’s family of three, and Wang Meng and his son—ten people in total.

Cao Ji’s worries were not unfounded.

Ten mouths to feed, at first, would indeed need Dian Wei’s support.

Certainly, Cao Peng had saved Dian Wei. But Dian Wei, in turn, had rescued Cao Ji’s family of three as well. Counting the settling of ten people, Dian Wei might not owe Cao Peng anything. In fact, Cao Peng might soon owe Dian Wei instead... When debts accumulate, feelings fade. If the entire Cao family loses Dian Wei’s favor, how will they survive?

Suddenly, Cao Peng understood Cao Ji’s intentions.

This was the shrewdness of those at the bottom of society.

Never underestimate that single word, ‘uncle.’ With such a title, when Cao Peng or Deng Ji faced trouble, Dian Wei would not stand aside.

In truth, even Cao Peng didn’t know what kind of man Dian Wei truly was.

His knowledge came mostly from the ‘Romance of the Three Kingdoms.’ But in real life, what kind of person was Dian Wei?

Cao Peng could not say...

Yes, his family might be large, but compared to Wei Yan, he was far less unburdened.

With his martial skills, Dian Wei could arrange for Wei Yan to join the Imperial Guards with a word. But how could he settle his own kin? Deng Ji had lost an arm, Cao Peng was young and frail. Wang Mai might have a bright future, but could they always rely on him? Through a simple change in address, Cao Ji had forged a lasting bond between Dian Wei and the Cao family.

Who said Cao Ji was rigid?

Who said Cao Ji was just a brute?

At that moment, Cao Peng felt his father was truly clever!

“Father, what are you afraid of?” Although he understood Cao Ji’s reasoning, Cao Peng wanted to offer comfort. Otherwise, the pressure in Cao Ji’s heart would be immense. He spoke softly, “Father, you have skills. Yours are different from Brother Wei’s. They fight on the battlefield, but you craft fine weapons... In truth, they’ll need you one day. Once we settle in Xudu, we won’t need to trouble Dian... Uncle anymore. With your craftsmanship, why fear hunger or failure? Besides, I’ve thought up some gadgets along the way; surely they’ll help us stand firm.”

“Gadgets?”

“What kind of gadgets?”

Deng Ji and Cao Ji couldn’t help but show curiosity.

“Heh, some things that might let you rise high, Father.”

Cao Ji trusted Cao Peng greatly.

Upon hearing this, he laughed, “Peng, your father doesn’t care for future prospects! If you really come up with something useful, why not help your brother-in-law? He’s read more and has insight, far better than an illiterate blacksmith like me.”

Deng Ji’s missing arm was always troublesome.

At this, Cao Peng shook his head and turned to Deng Ji. “Brother-in-law, do you want my help?”

Deng Ji laughed, “Just take care of yourself, and don’t stir up trouble in Xudu. I can handle my own affairs.”

After so many twists and turns, Deng Ji, though missing an arm, had gained confidence and composure.

Cao Peng tilted his head, “Father, see? Brother-in-law doesn’t want my help. And I believe he’ll succeed even without it. Besides, my ideas only suit you, not him... Heh, Father, don’t belittle yourself. What’s wrong with being a blacksmith? Without one, Brother Wei or Dian... Uncle would have to fight barehanded! And your blades are truly excellent. That Dragon Sparrow, though already fine, would have been scrap without your skillful repair. Brother Wei said your restoration made it worthy of being called a treasure, if not a divine blade.”

“But wasn’t that you...”

“Father, I only gave you an idea, not the skills themselves.

With the bellows and double fluid, you could easily serve as a Supervisor of the Lesser Treasury... Brother-in-law, what do you think?”

Deng Ji nodded repeatedly, “Afu speaks well.”

Cao Ji looked dazed, staring at Cao Peng and stammered, “That... what is that office... what do they do?”

“It’s Supervisor of the Lesser Treasury!” Deng Ji explained with a smile, “The Lesser Treasury is one of the Nine Ministers, managing the imperial clothing, treasures, delicacies, and revenues from mountains and seas, as well as crafts. It oversees five bureaus and three superintendents. Among them, the Superintendent of Metallurgy specializes in making weapons and tools. The Supervisor is a position under this bureau, with four posts, each with a salary equivalent to one hundred bushels.”

Cao Ji swallowed hard.

“Isn’t that like the assistant historian you used to be?”

Deng Ji laughed, “Father, how could it be the same? I was paid as if for one hundred bushels, but the Supervisor’s post is truly worth one hundred bushels. And one is a minor county clerk, while the other is subordinate to the imperial Nine Ministers. You must distinguish: the Supervisor is an official, the assistant historian is a clerk.”

Cao Ji gasped.

“Peng, you want me to be an official?”

“Why not?”

“With my skills...”

“Father, if anyone dares say you lack skill, I’ll teach them a lesson. Meng Bo always said you have talent, but you’re sometimes too stubborn, too cautious. Always hesitating, how can you succeed? Father, I hope you’ll not just be a Supervisor, but rise to Deputy Supervisor, Chief Supervisor, Lesser Overseer, even the Lord of the Lesser Treasury... In this world, if you dare to dream, some things can be achieved...

When that day comes, with you as a Minister, I’ll benefit too, at least gaining a good position. Don’t you think so?”

The logic was sound.

Yet Cao Ji felt bewildered!

Lesser Treasury? One of the Nine Ministers?

Now, they didn’t even have a place to stay, and this child wanted him to become Lord of the Lesser Treasury?

Even Deng Ji couldn’t help but laugh... But he had to admit, Cao Peng had painted a sweet future for him. Thinking of Cao Nan’s unborn child, already over two months along, Deng Ji felt the urge to strive harder. At least, for his unborn child, he must fight for a future and a name!

“Child, are you ill?”

Cao Peng grew indignant, brushing Cao Ji’s hand aside and standing up, “Father, ambition cares not for birth. If you lack even this courage, how can you achieve great things?”

“No, I just...”

Cao Ji stammered, wanting to explain, but unsure how.

Cao Peng’s voice startled the others.

Seeing everyone’s attention, Deng Ji quickly said, “Enough, enough... Father, Afu means well, don’t blame him. I do think Afu has a point; if you don’t dare to dream, how can you succeed?”

Cao Ji scratched his head, no longer arguing.

He knew he was perhaps too timid...

Indeed, dreaming does no harm; whether it’s possible is another matter.

At least, it showed Peng’s expectations for him. Though he was but a blacksmith, if he never tried, how would he know the outcome?

A small seed was thus planted in Cao Ji’s heart.

As for whether it would sprout or bear fruit, even Cao Peng could not predict...

Dian Wei suddenly rose to his full height.

He picked up his twin iron halberds and strode out of the Great Hero Hall.

His expression was grave.

Wei Yan, Xiahou Lan, and others also stood, stepping out onto the hall’s steps.

“Dian... Uncle, what’s wrong?”

Cao Peng quickly followed, coming to Dian Wei’s side.

Dian Wei stood on the steps, gazing through the endless rain, his eyes filled with chilling murderous intent.

“Horse hooves... It sounds like someone is coming this way.”

At his words, everyone tensed. Wang Mai and Xiahou Lan instinctively gripped their weapons, while Wei Yan squinted, ready.

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