Chapter Twenty-Two: The Divine Child

  In the next few days, both military and civil personnel were busy with preparations for the departure of the large army, even the laziest Guo Jia was pulled away by Xun Yu and Liu Ye to work. As the commander-in-chief, Cao Cao was even busier, so no one asked about Cao Zhi saving Guo Huan's small matter. During these few days, Cao Zhi was also confined again and could only stay in his own military tent. Fortunately, there was a Guo Huan accompanying him, otherwise Cao Zhi would have been bored to death.

  This Guo Xuan is indeed the daughter of a famous family, she had studied books with her father since childhood and learned to play the zither and Go. Since Guo Jia couldn't come, Cao Zhi taught Guo Xuan his own modified method of playing Go. This Guo Xuan was also clever, quickly grasping the game, and soon replaced Guo Jia, playing against Cao Zhi every day. What delighted Cao Zhi was that Guo Xuan's chess skills were not as bad as Guo Jia's, although she lost more often than she won, but she wouldn't say anything, unlike Guo Jia who would often cheat.

  Inside the marching tent, Cao Zhi and Guo Xuan finished another game of Go. Without a doubt, Cao Zhi won again this time. At this moment, Guo Xuan suddenly opened her vermilion lips and said: "Fourth Master, we've spent another day playing."

  Cao Zhi nodded and said: "I know that it's not yet time for dinner, let's continue."

  Guo Xuan furrowed her lovely eyebrows and reminded him, "Fourth Master, although I'm not knowledgeable, when I was young, my father often taught me to read more books. You're so intelligent at a young age, you shouldn't waste your time playing chess, but instead should focus on reading and become a great scholar in the future."

  Upon hearing Guo Xiang's words, Cao Zhi raised his head in surprise and looked at her. Seeing the sincerity in the little girl's eyes, he felt a warmth in his heart and smiled: "How did you know that I, this young master, haven't read books?"

  Guo Xuan pointed to the chessboard and said resolutely, "Since the fourth young master saved me, he has been obsessed with playing chess every day. I know my status is lowly, but it concerns the fourth young master's future, so I have to speak up."

  Seeing the little girl's resolute and sincere expression, Cao Zhi secretly praised her. This young girl who had suffered a lot since childhood was particularly mature in mind. He couldn't help but smile and nodded: "Huan'er is right, I have indeed been too obsessed with Go these past few days. But what do you think Huan'er, what book should this young master read?"

  Guo Xiang thought for a moment, then said: "Xiang'er remembers Father saying that children should first learn the 'Classic of Filial Piety' and then the 'Analects'."

  Cao Zhi touched his nose and smiled: "These two books were already read by this young master at the age of three."

  "Hmm..." Guo Xiang hadn't been in contact with Cao Zhi for a long time, although she had occasionally heard about his child prodigy stories, but didn't think he was this formidable. She tilted her head and thought again, then said: "Later on, should be reading the 'Book of History', 'Rites', 'Changes' and 'Spring and Autumn Annals'."

  Cao Zhi heard Guo Xiang mention these few books, but instead of speaking, he fell silent on the spot. Guo Xiang saw that Cao Zhi was not speaking and thought he was angry, so after a long time, she mustered up the courage to say softly: "Fourth Master, do you think I'm wrong?"

  Cao Zhi stood up, walked to the edge of the military tent and pulled open the curtain. He gazed at the fiery red sunset outside and shook his head gently: "No, you didn't say anything wrong, Huan'er. The Xiaojing and Lunyu are books that children must learn, and later on if one wants to advance in officialdom, they must also read the other four classics. But have you ever thought, Huan'er, that in today's chaotic world, relying solely on these few classic books, can we really find a good way to govern the world?"

  "This......" Looking at the five-year-old Cao Zhi in front of her, she actually asked such a question, as if this remark would spread and challenge the great scholars of the world. Guo Xiang's mouth was agape, unsure of what to say. This little girl, who had suffered hardships and matured early, instinctively felt that this small bean sprout, who was only as tall as her shoulder, would probably become an extraordinary figure in the future.

  Her eyes were complex as she stared at Cao Zhi, Guo Xuan thought to herself: "Will he become a great figure in the future? Maybe, after all General Cao has already achieved so much, but..." As she thought about this, another idea rose up in her mind, and she thought to herself: "Maybe his achievements aren't relying on his father's influence."

  Guo Xiang was only ten years old after all, and no matter how complicated her thoughts were, she wouldn't think too far ahead. It had been several years since he arrived at the end of Han Dynasty, and Cao Zhi's secret had always been hidden in his heart. Obviously a man nearing thirty, yet having to pretend to be a child in front of outsiders, this feeling actually made Cao Zhi very uncomfortable, but there was no other way. Now, it seemed that only in front of Guo Xiang, this little girl, could he slightly vent the pent-up emotions in his heart.

  After a long time, Cao Zhi finally withdrew his sigh. Seeing Cao Zhi turn back, Guo Xian blinked her big eyes and asked: "Fourth Master, if the scriptures can't find a good way to govern the world, where can we find a good way to govern the world?"

  "This girl is not simple!" Upon hearing Guo Xiang's question, Cao Zhi's heart skipped a beat, and he shook his head helplessly: "If I could really find her, then this young master wouldn't have to be so worried."

  "Oh." Guo Xiang heard and only nodded in response, not asking any more questions. Instead, she put away the chess pieces on the board and said to Cao Zhi: "Fourth Master, shall we play another game?"

  Seeing Guo Huan's actions, Cao Zhi smiled to himself and thought: "This girl is really clever, she knows not to ask what shouldn't be asked."

  A few steps away from the chessboard, Cao Zhi smiled and revealed his small tiger teeth, then said: "Huan'er, let's not play against each other. How about we analyze a game instead?"

  "Play out one game? Play out what?"

  Cao Zhi pointed to the chessboard and said, "Seasonal Changgong once said that Go is a small battlefield. Now we are in the midst of this big battlefield in Xuzhou, so naturally we should simulate the battle of Xuzhou. This chessboard is now Xuzhou, the white pieces are our army, and the black pieces are the Xuzhou army. Here is Pei County, here is Xiaopi...". Cao Zhi said as he picked up the black pieces and placed them on various parts of the board to represent cities.

  In just a moment, the entire chessboard seemed to have transformed into a miniature version of the Battle of Xu Zhou. Guo Xuan's eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at the scene before her. If she hadn't seen it with her own eyes, Guo Xuan would have found it hard to believe that five-year-old Cao Zhi could actually recreate the entire landscape of Xu Zhou on the chessboard, which required an intimate familiarity with the geography of Xu Zhou and a good overall perspective.

  When Guo Xuan's small mouth seemed to be able to hold an egg, Cao Zhi helplessly shrugged his shoulders and said: "Xuan'er, today's matter must not be mentioned to others, this young master does not want to get into trouble."

  Hearing Cao Zhi's words, Guo Xiang's heart skipped a beat, and then she nodded repeatedly, saying: "Xiang'er understands."

  Cao Zhi smiled and said, "Then let's begin."

  "Hmm." Guo Xiang responded with a murmur, lowering her head to pick up the white porcelain cup, deep in thought.

  He took a deep look at Guo Xuan, and Cao Zhi secretly thought to himself: "It seems that it's been too long since I've had someone to confide in. It's a good thing that there's someone to talk to." Cao Zhi was not a person with a very deep mind, and he felt uncomfortable keeping so many secrets to himself. Although he had only known Guo Xuan for a few days, Cao Zhi already thought of her as an intelligent person. If she were to reveal his secrets, it would bring no benefit to herself. Moreover, even if Cao Cao were to find out about the things Cao Zhi was revealing now, he would only be more delighted. On the other hand, if Guo Xuan were to leak the secret, it would only bring harm to herself. Cao Zhi believed that with Guo Xuan's intelligence, she would naturally know how to make the right choice.

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