Chapter 21: Local Encirclement of the Central Region

  "Haha, Wenji sister, you're too polite. Let's not mention the relationship between our two families, just because you're my sister, how can I let my own sister suffer?" Cao Cao said.

  Cai Wenji seemed extremely intimate with Cao Cao, her eyes almost smiling into crescent moons.

  "Zhi Bo brother, are you alright? Today I'll introduce to you a great figure. This is Cao Cao, Cao Mengde, who currently holds the position of Counsellor Remonstrance." Xun Yu saw that Zhang Rui was fine and began introducing Cao Cao to him.

  "Is this Wen Ruo the same person you often talk about, who speaks out for the people's suffering and wipes away the people's suffering, Zhang Zhi Bo of Puyang?" Xun Yu nodded.

  Cao Cao's face lit up with joy, "I've long heard from Wen Ruo and Gong Da that their junior fellow villager Zhang Zhi Bo of Puyang has great talent, is well-versed in mechanical devices and the art of escape (they often exchanged letters), and has a unique perspective on state affairs. That poem by Brother Zhi Bo alone is worth my respect."

  Cao Cao finished speaking and bowed to Zhang Rui. What's going on here? Is he really as good as Cao Cao said? His own skills in strategy and deception are not even half full (humble). He casually recited a poem and unexpectedly won Cao Cao's admiration, it seems that Cao Cao indeed has an extraordinary ability to attract talented people.

  Although he thought so, Zhang Rui quickly supported Cao Cao and did not allow him to bow down. "Brother Mengde, how can you do this? My humble name is not worth the prestige of Brother Mengde's reputation for killing Yan Liang with a five-colored stick. Brother Mengde is really embarrassing me."

  "Alright, let's go to the wine shop next door and have a few cups while we discuss this further," said Xun Yu.

  Six people entered the tavern and randomly found a seat to sit down. As soon as everyone sat down, four big men looked at a small man, "Sir, did we invite you?" Cao Cao said to Wei Zhong. "Uh...yes, did you invite me? Uh...my junior sister is still here, yes, my junior sister is still here, I need to send her back."

  "Heh heh, Wenji will naturally see me off, so there's no need for this brother to trouble himself." It was clear that Cao Cao had given the order to get rid of him, and since they didn't see eye to eye, it was pointless to force them to stay together.

  "Yes, brother, our two families have been friends for generations. With him seeing us off, you don't need to worry, just go back first." Cai Wenji also spoke up, seeing the awkwardness of the crowd.

  Wei Zhongdao's face was too thick, he couldn't stay here anymore, so he stood up and left.

  After Wei Zhongdao left, several people started chatting. Cai Wenji quietly listened on the side, occasionally refilling their wine. Women did not discuss politics; during that period, women had no right to discuss politics. Women only needed to take care of the family and educate their children well.

  "Meng De brother, today what big man invited you to go, after all what is the matter?" After drinking some wine, everyone was not so stiff anymore, Zhang Rui asked.

  "Alas, today in the imperial court, He Shizhong originally wanted to recall his younger brother He Miao back to Luoyang, so that the two brothers could jointly resist the Ten Eunuchs. However, they were unexpectedly opposed by officials led by the Ten Eunuchs. In the end, Emperor Ling did not agree, and He Shizhong was also extremely angry." said Cao Cao.

  "Haha, Brother Meng De, have you ever heard that military power can lead to political power, and local forces surrounding the central government?"

  "Nature has never heard of it, please enlighten me, brother Zhibo." Cao Cao humbly asked. Not only had Cao Cao not heard of it, but Xun Yu and Xun You hadn't either.

  "Brother Meng De, do you know why General Huo Guang was able to control the entire court back then?"

  "That's because he has control over the entire Han army."

  "That's right, this is what they call 'political power comes from the barrel of a gun', without military power there is no political power." Zhang Rui said, pausing for a moment, and took a sip of wine.

  Cao Cao seemed to have an epiphany, and followed with a slow drink. Xun's uncle and nephew had an interested expression, waiting for Zhang Rui to continue speaking, even Cai Wenji's beautiful eyes were shining with unusual colors. This Zhang Rui was truly one of a kind, skilled in playing the Xiao, proficient in mechanical devices and the art of escape, who would have thought that his way of thinking was also so special.

  "Brother Meng De, look at the current imperial court. Emperor Ling doesn't care about state affairs, and the Ten Eunuchs are fighting with He Shuang for power and profit. The whole court is now shrouded in darkness. Staying in such a place, Brother Meng De, Wen Ruo, Gong Da, can you ask yourselves if this is really where you want to achieve your ambitions?"

  "Why not go to a place and become a governor or prefect with military power, to fulfill one's ambitions and bring benefits to the local people. Wait for an opportunity, and then use military power to support the central government, creating momentum for it. This is what is called 'local forces surrounding the center'."

  Cao Cao nodded in agreement, Xun Yu and Xun You also seemed to be deep in thought. Cai Wenji's eyes were shining with stars as she looked at Zhang Rui, filled with admiration.

  "Brother Zhibo's words are indeed correct, but for now, the place we're going to will only bring dissatisfaction from He Shi Zhong. We still need to wait for the right opportunity. Cao has just come to realize that Brother Zhibo's great talent is not in vain."

  "Oh, right Wenji, how did you guys bring Xing Jinwuwei here?"

  Cai Wenji then took herself and her senior fellow disciple Wei Zhongdao to buy a guqin. She thought the guqin was good, so she wanted to play a tune. Then Zhang Rui suddenly joined in, and finally Wei Zhongdao performed a provocative challenge to Zhang Rui, who lost and told Wei Feng about the incident of capturing Zhang Rui.

  When Zhang Rui played "Feng Qiu Huang" with herself, Cai Wenji's face turned slightly red as she looked at Zhang Rui, and Zhang Rui also looked at Cai Wenji with tender eyes. This Cai Wenji was indeed a talented lady, gentle, considerate, and elegant, really the best choice for a wife. Cai Wenji became even more shy under Zhang Rui's gaze, her head lowering further, almost touching her own chest.

  Cao Cao saw all this clearly, "Haha...since ancient times, beautiful women have loved heroes, and heroes have also been hard to pass through the beauty barrier. As the saying goes, it's hard to find a kindred spirit, you guys are also destined." Cao Cao teased.

  "Big brother Ah Man, Wen Ji won't talk to you anymore, it's getting late and I should go home too. If not, father will scold me." Cai Wen Ji hurriedly used the "going home" move to demonstrate her shyness.

  "Alright, let's go. We'll see you back home." Cao Cao and the others left the wine money behind, and everyone led their horses to send Cai Wenji back to her residence.

  As soon as everyone left the wine house, Zhang Rui saw a person who looked very familiar. The man turned around and entered a small alley, disappearing from view. Since he still had to send Cai Wenji off, Zhang Rui didn't think much of it.

  It wasn't far to the Cai residence, and before long they arrived at the gate. Cao Cao and Xun Yu left a horse for Zhang Liao and excused themselves, saying they had something to attend to and took their leave, leaving only this pair, with one horse remaining at the gate of the Cai residence.

  "Miss Wenji, go in, if you're late, Mr. Cai will probably blame you."

  "Zhi Bo big brother, can Wen Ji see you again?" On the wine table, everyone had already gotten close, and Wen Ji was already calling Zhang Rui Zhi Bo big brother.

  "I'll come visit you once I've settled down, Mr. Cai."

  Cai Wenji heard Zhang Rui say he was coming to pay his respects to her father, and her small eyes sparkled with joy, curved into a small crescent moon shape, happily preparing to return to the mansion.

  "Zhang Rui called out to her, mustering up the courage, Zhang Rui walked in front of Cai Wenji and gently kissed her forehead."