Chapter 10: Carrot and Stick (1), Section 34

  Li Chen, Xiao Da and Xiao Er seemed to have only understood the sentence "Life is short, one should enjoy it to the fullest, don't let the golden cup be empty when facing the moon" Suddenly, they were filled with heroic spirit and drank three more cups in a row. However, Empress Fu was staring at Liu Xie with a dazed expression, the man in her eyes seemed to have become perfect, flawless!

  Liu Xie got a compliment from Zhan Ziqian, and he was pleased with himself. He smiled and said: "Don't let the golden goblet be empty when facing the moon, cheers!"

  After finishing speaking, everyone raised their cups together and took a big gulp, drinking until the sky was dark and the earth was dim, with no sunlight or moonlight.

  The night is as quiet as a curtain

  Shining into the Milky Way

  The evening wind blows down the leaves.

  Osmanthus fragrans under the moonlight.

  Cao Cao sat upright in his study, staring at the two secret reports in his hand and fell into deep thought. One was about Emperor Xian's whereabouts today, while the other not only recorded his whereabouts but also detailed his words and deeds. Cao Cao had already read this report three times, and now he finally withdrew his gaze.

  On the first day out, he became the master of a pawnshop. Cao Cao couldn't help but smile slightly. When Emperor Ling ascended to the throne, not only did he indulge in wine and women, but also established markets within the palace to engage in transactions and accumulate wealth. He even openly bought and sold official positions, reaping huge profits, and became the largest merchant of the Han Dynasty. This Liu Xie indeed had his father's style. However, this was good for Cao Cao, as he could indulge in his own pleasures without worrying about governing the country. But the following content made him frown: Liu Xie, Kong Rong, and a man named Xi Zhen were drinking together. This made Cao Cao somewhat worried, although it was just a coincidence. However, Kong Rong was not a reliable person, and this was something to be guarded against.

  Cao Cao secretly made up his mind, but saw that the last line of the secret report was actually a poem, written by Liu Xie, titled "Bring in the Wine":

  Have you not seen? The Yellow River's waters come from heaven, rushing to the sea and never returning.

  You don't see, in high halls and bright mirrors, white hair is lamented, in the morning it was like black silk, by evening it has become snow.

  Life's joys should be savored to the fullest, don't let golden cups sit empty under the moon.

  Heaven gave me talent, and it will be useful; a thousand pieces of gold can be spent and then come back again.

  Roast mutton and slaughter cattle, and make merry; you must drink three hundred cups at a meeting.

  Ni Hengzi, Wen Ju Sheng, will make progress in wine, cup does not stop.

  Sing a song with you, please lean your ear and listen for me:

  The jade is not enough to be precious, but I wish to be drunk forever and never wake up again.

  Since ancient times, all saints and sages have been obscure, only drinkers leave their names behind.

  King of Qi in former times held a banquet at Pingle Palace, ten thousand gallons of wine were consumed, and everyone was extremely joyful.

  The host said, "Why so few words? Just buy some wine and let's drink together."

  A five-flowered horse, a thousand pieces of brocade, call out to my son to come out and exchange for fine wine.

  "Sharing with you the eternal sorrow of the past."

  Cao Cao finished reciting the poem and couldn't help but praise it, saying: "What a great 'Invitation to Wine'! I didn't think that Liu Xie still had some talent!" After sighing in admiration, he unknowingly recited the poem several more times. As the saying goes, "the benevolent see benevolence, the wise see wisdom", Cao Cao had his own unique understanding of this poem. The line "A life of joy must be savored to the fullest, don't let the golden cup be empty when facing the moon" is actually saying that one should enjoy life to the fullest when they are at their peak, and not waste time, revealing Liu Xie's pessimistic attitude. And the line "Heaven has given me talent, it must be put to use, a thousand pieces of gold can be spent and then regained" seems to show an interest in business, feeling that he too has a special talent, and can earn a great fortune. Although there is also a hint of melancholy in the poem, Cao Cao didn't think much of it. If complaining could achieve great things, wouldn't everyone be able to become emperor? So he just laughed it off.

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