Chapter Fifteen: Difficult Brothers

  Cao Song, as the former Taibei of the imperial court, one of the three dukes, is at least a deputy prime minister and defense minister in later generations. To put it higher, he may be a member of the Politburo and vice chairman of the Military Commission. But Cao Song treated him like an ordinary citizen, turning up his nose and leaving, which was expected by Cao Shuang.

  However, from the start, Jun had no intention of discussing anything with Cao Song. Not only was his status lower, but he was also younger, so in general, it would be someone sent by Cao Song to meet guests, at most that person would lead him to bow and pay respects to Old Man Cao from a distance. Being able to speak personally and ask questions, Jun initially thought this old man was quite approachable.

  But I guess that's just because he was under the banner of Tao Qian, after all, Tao Qian is the master of Xuzhou, Cao Song fled to Xuzhou to avoid disaster, and couldn't not give face to the local lord. Unfortunately, this old man didn't finish his virtue, if he had asked clearly about himself being a white body, even if he just smiled and walked away without saying anything, it would have been very elegant, right? But instead, he curled up his mouth and said "Is there no one in Xuzhou?", which is too arrogant!

  According to historical records, Cao Cao was a humble and affable person when he was young, which is why heroes from all over came to join him. However, as he grew older, he became arrogant and looked down on everyone except Liu Bei - now it seems that his genes were at play.

  Cao Song didn't bother to greet him, that's nothing. The problem is that Xun entered the main hall, and the butler pointed at the master and then left. He swept his eyes around, only seeing Cao Song and two maids beside him, without a third master in sight. After Cao Song left, he felt puzzled, shouldn't someone come to receive him? Leaving the guest alone in the main hall, what kind of thing is this?

  But unexpectedly, someone in the corner spoke up, almost startling Shi Xun to death. He looked up and saw a man with his hands clasped together, walking over from behind the screen. The man was in his thirties, of medium build, wearing a high hat and wide belt, with a pale face and long whiskers. At first glance, he had three points of resemblance to Cao Song, but reduced by seven or eight degrees. Shi Xun slightly lowered his head and bowed to the other, just as their eyes met - ah, no, what did this person look like again? How could he have no impression of him after just a glimpse?

  "Is your surname Cao?" The other party introduced himself, "I am Cao De, and the former Grand Marshal Cao Gong is my father, and Cao Shuangzhou is my older brother."

  Oh, as expected, this is indeed Cao Cao's brother Cao De. According to historical records, Cao Cao had many brothers and sisters, including those with the surname Cao and Xiahoudi, but did he have any biological brothers? There are only two records: one mentions that when his father was killed, there was a young son named Cao De or Cao Ji beside him; the other states that one of Xiahou Yuan's sons married Cao Cao's niece. Therefore, it can be said that at least one of Cao Cao's biological brothers survived to adulthood.

  When Cao De heard his name, Xun hastily replied: "I am Xun, with the courtesy name Hongfu. May I ask how to address you, Taifu?"

  "Grass characters go quickly."

  Oh oh, Cao De Cao went quickly, and indeed both "De" and "Ji" (meaning virtue and disease) were hit.

  He looked at Cao De's skeletal frame, which was not large, and his face was white without a hint of blood color. He estimated that he was not in good physical condition and had been ill and unfortunate since childhood, so he gave him the courtesy name "Qu Di".

  After the two had exchanged greetings, Cao De did not sit on the mat that his father had just sat on in the south-facing hall, but instead took a seat on the host's seat on the east side. Ximen followed suit and rushed to the guest's seat on the west side, removed his shoes, and got onto the mat. The main hall was originally used for receiving guests, so there were mats laid out on both sides, but unfortunately, the hall was quite large, and the mats were far apart. After the two sat down, they found themselves more than three meters apart - this conversation was going to be exhausting!

  Cao De clapped his hands, and several maidservants fluttered in like butterflies, carrying trays and plates, which they set down before the host and guest. Xun Yi took a look and exclaimed, "Hey, not only is there hot water, but also pastries and dried fruit - this is indeed the way to treat guests!"

  Of course, those pastries and dried fruits were basically just for show, he wouldn't easily touch them. So he simply picked up his cup of water to toast Cao Deyao, took a sip to moisten his throat. Then Cao De asked: "I wonder if the master has come to the mansion at the behest of Master Tao, is there any instruction?"

  "I dare not," Xun was still not quite used to the various empty formalities and polite phrases between scholars of this era, he replied straightforwardly, "To be honest, I have been entrusted by my lord to go to Qiao State to pay respects to your esteemed brother, to strengthen the friendship between our two states. I heard that Lord Cao is residing here, so I dare not but come to pay my respects first."

  He's being a bit roundabout, but Cao De should be able to understand the underlying message: I'm going to find your brother to do something, first come see your dad, hoping to help pass on some good words to your brother.

  "So that's how it is," Cao De looked down, gazing at the ground. "No wonder my father has been living in Xuzhou for over two years and Tao sent you here today..." That means: My old man was the former Imperial Marshal, he moved to Xuzhou, but Tao Qian didn't even send someone to pay respects or write a letter to console him. Only when they needed us did he send you here. What can I say, Tao Qian's character... Hehehehehe...

  "Please let me explain: it's not that Tao Qian dared to neglect the noble guest or be slow in showing respect, but rather because we only recently learned of your esteemed father and son's reclusive residence here, so I was sent to pay my respects via a detour. If he had known you were here, he would have dispatched someone long ago. However, there is one thing that Xun did not dare say: in the past two years, Tao Qian followed Gongsun Zan, while Cao Cao followed Yuan Shao - they were enemies, not friends. Who knows whether sending someone over would be to pay respects or to capture you and your father as hostages? Do you really wish for people from Taoyang to come?"

  "How did you know about my father's situation?"

  Xun thought for a moment and decided to tell the truth: "Cao Zhonghui's brothers were officials in the province, but previously they had a disagreement with Tao Shangjun and his elder brother, so they didn't dare reveal Cao Gong's whereabouts. This time, Tao Shangjun has expressed a desire to make amends, that's why I'm telling you this...". He paused for a moment, then added: "Before I left, I bid farewell to Cao Zhonghui, and he said: 'If you think the messenger's intention is sincere, go to Haiguo first and pay respects to my elder brother; if you think his intention is not sincere, absolutely do not reveal my brother's whereabouts.'"

  He added that this sentence has two layers of deep meaning. One is to clarify his relationship with Cao Hong, which is not ordinary - Cao Hong had told him that Cao Song himself no longer held grudges, so bringing him up wouldn't affect his conversation with Cao De later on. The second layer of meaning is to continue to raise his own value: Look, Tao Qian can't even tell whether I'm sincere or not, so only I am truly trusted by Tao Qian, believe it or not?

  Cao De heard this, his eyes narrowed slightly, and he took a sip of water to consider for a moment before asking: "I'm afraid I've never heard of your honorable name before. May I ask if you have any prior acquaintance with my uncle... Cao Zhonghui?" Who are you? You're just an ordinary civilian, what great ability or reputation do you have that Tao Qian would entrust you with such an important task? But how come I've never heard of you? And why did Cao Hong tell you something as intimate as that? Are your relations really so close?

  He smiled slightly: "I dare not be worthy of the character 'xian'. A few months ago, I just hired Cao Shu Yuan's daughter as my wife, and my older brother married Mei Zi Zhong's younger sister as his wife. Therefore, Tao Shi Jun folded his knees to make friends with me, and Cao Zhong Hui treated me with sincerity." At this time, he had not yet formally welcomed the Cao family's young lady, so he could directly call Cao Hong brothers' style name, which made him seem close and elevated his own status. If he waited for his wife to pass the door, then the generation would be fixed, and it wouldn't be good to call him that way again. He deliberately pointed out that he had married Mei's young lady, thinking about whether Cao De Cao was a mediocre person who didn't know what was going on outside or not. If you understand, you will know that I am now in a position of great importance in Xuzhou. If you don't understand, it's okay, then I can make things up later.

  "Ah, I see," Cao De took another sip of water, and by the time he put down his cup, his face was filled with smiles. He asked straightforwardly: "But I wonder, sir, whether your trip to Yanzhou for peace talks is at the behest of Ambassador Tao or the idea of the Cao and Mi families within the state?"

  You're quite clever and your mind is sharp, no wonder you're Cao Cao's brother! Xun Zan immediately looked at the ordinary-looking Cao De with new eyes, quickly adjusting his attitude and words - when speaking to smart people, there's no need to beat around the bush, sometimes being direct is more effective.

  "Zhong Hui indeed had this intention, but unfortunately, your elder brother rejected him from a thousand miles away." Cao Hong wanted to talk about peace, but your brother's current attitude is not helpful in solving the problem, so I came here to walk through your father's door.

  "Has the gentleman met my elder brother?" Cao De suddenly asked. Shi Xun shook his head. Cao De suddenly stood up, not even putting on his shoes, and ran to Shi Xun's side with a few quick steps, sitting down beside him. Lowering his voice and throwing away all pretenses, he explained directly: "My brother is just a selfish person, as long as it's profitable, he'll do anything."

  Since Cao De suddenly changed his attitude, Xun also became more open and asked him: "Does Xu State count as a good place?" "Of course it counts," Cao De smiled again. "So there's no need for my dad to help mediate, you can tell him that - past things won't be held against him... aren't we all surnamed Cao? Aren't we from the same ancestor? What grudges can't be wiped clean?"

  "This is the best," Xun Yu declared, "This time I have brought 300 soldiers to guard Cao Gong under the orders of Emperor Tao." Cao De's face suddenly changed, his body leaned back: "Do you want to use my father and son as hostages?!"

  Xun smiled faintly: "If that's the case, I wouldn't have come to explain in person - perhaps there are some petty people causing trouble. If Lord Cao intends to head to Yan Province, this army will be safe. After all, the Yellow Turbans are still causing chaos in Yan Province, and the road won't be too peaceful..."

  "Father probably won't leave..." Cao De smiled wryly, "He always thinks that it's still the Han dynasty's world, and with his prestige as a former Grand Marshal, no one dares to offend him..." Ji Xun interrupted him: "Isn't this still the Han dynasty's world?" Cao De glanced at him, suddenly smiling cunningly: "If it were really the Han dynasty's world, would you dare to privately transfer a state's land?!"

  Cao Song indeed refused to leave, and in the end Cao De only obtained a letter asking Zang Ba to go to Yanzhou to deliver it to Cao Cao. As for the 300 soldiers allocated by Zang Ba, Cao Song claimed that there were dozens of strong and brave men in his mansion who could protect him safely, and he refused to leave any behind. Zang Ba had no choice but to leave the Cao family's estate and reunite with Sun Fan, then asked him to temporarily station his troops outside Haixi County, frequently sending people to investigate the situation at the Cao residence - "Please ask General Zang to write a letter, and in the future, we will rely on Haixi County."

  Sun Fan nodded: "In short, to ensure the safety of Lord Cao - I understand, sir, you don't have to worry." The two were discussing when suddenly a small soldier next to them pointed to the distance and shouted loudly. Xun followed his direction and looked over, only to see that in the direction of the Cao family's manor, a flame had burst into the sky!

  Starting point welcomes readers to visit, the latest, fastest and most popular serialized works are all on the starting point of original!