Three Kingdoms: Prince of the Great Wei, Prime Minister Cao

“Master, several years ago, the Eighth Young Master was lively, unlike the other young masters in the mansion. They all displayed a natural innocence.”

“However…”

“After the autumn of the thirteenth year of Jian’an, the Eighth Young Master grew quiet and reserved.”

“This state continued for three years…”

“Until one year ago. After a serious illness, it seemed that he underwent some sort of transformation. He gradually began communicating with others and started going out more frequently.”

“These…”

“Are the things that your subordinate has recorded regarding the actions of the Eighth Young Master in recent years.”

Having said that, Lu Hong, the Bureau of Military Affairs leader, took a folded piece of paper from his pocket and carefully placed it in front of Cao Cao.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

If Cao Ju were here, he would surely be alarmed by the Bureau of Military Affairs’ investigative abilities because the time point from a year ago was exactly when he traveled here.

“The autumn of the thirteenth year of Jian’an…”

Cao Cao muttered softly, speaking of a year he could never forget.

“Alright, I understand. You may leave!”

“I will review the information you’ve reported later.” Cao Cao dismissed Lu Hong, the Bureau of Military Affairs leader.

Without hesitation, Lu Hong immediately bowed and exited the central military tent.

When only Cao Cao himself remained in the tent, a trace of desolation flickered in Cao Cao’s eyes as he picked up the folded paper in front of him.

“The thirteenth year of Jian’an…”

“Heh, not only the year when I, Cao Cao, suffered defeat above the great river at Chibi but also the year my son Cangshu passed away!”

Sighing with emotion, Cao Cao slowly unfolded the paper that Lu Hong had delivered… On the first page of the paper, a short passage caught Cao Cao’s eyes.

“The autumn of the thirteenth year of Jian’an, the young lord Chong passed away due to illness. Young Lord Ju gradually grew silent, often returning from Young Lord Chong’s former residence in a state of melancholy.”

“So it continued for a period of three years.”

Upon reading this passage, Cao Cao had already understood what Cao Ju, his son whom he hadn’t paid much attention to in the past, had been doing all these years – something he had rarely bothered to notice, even during festive occasions and holidays.

As the elder brother of his younger brother Cao Chong…

For his own son, Cangshu!

He had diligently mourned for three years. Three years, unwaveringly.

Even if…

Unknown to others, recalling the two answers Cao Ju had given him earlier when faced with the questions of tigers and wolves – answers that, while stunning, lacked filial piety…

At this moment, Cao Cao realized. Compared to Cao Pi, whose responses were filled with filial piety in every line…

It was Cao Ju’s actions over the past three years that truly made him profoundly impressed. A person who could silently mourn for his deceased elder brother for three long years.

One has to wonder. How could such a person not be someone of utmost filial devotion?

Thinking of Cao Ju’s demeanor when answering the questions lacked a distinct form. An inexplicable sense of heartache welled up within Cao Cao.

“Is this child, Zimou, hiding his emotions beneath his jests and jesters?”

“Pity me, his father.”

“Over the years, I haven’t even inquired about him. I failed to notice his actions at all. I, Cao Cao, am unworthy of being a father!”

Feeling remorseful, Cao Cao suddenly realized that his action of sending Cao Ju a soup made from tiger penis might not have been a proper fatherly gesture. He called out from within the tent, “Xu Chu!”

“My lord!” Xu Chu entered upon hearing the call.

“Smack!” Cao Cao unfastened the Heaven Reliant sword from his waist and directly threw it towards Xu Chu.

Without any surprise, Xu Chu caught it firmly. Then, Xu Chu looked at Lord Cao Cao with puzzlement. He didn’t understand the intention behind this action.

“Xu Chu, take this sword and give it to Ju’er.”

“Just tell him…”

“These past few years, he has suffered grievances!”

“I am truly gratified!”

Hearing Cao Cao’s seemingly random words, Xu Chu was utterly perplexed.

“Yes!” Suppressing his confusion, Xu Chu turned and left.

Once Xu Chu left, after a brief interruption from the earlier incident and after Cao Cao had composed his emotions, he once again turned his gaze to the contents recorded on the paper. The content displayed therein was Cao Ju’s various performances over the past year.

However, when Cao Cao read through the contents detailing Cao Ju’s actions, a conflicted expression of amusement and exasperation spread across his face.

“Zimou, how did you mix with Fengxiao’s son?”

“And you’re together all the time, like true brothers?”

Compared to his neglect of Cao Ju, Cao Cao had some knowledge about Guo Jia’s son, Guo Yi, who was his good friend’s offspring.

Of course, he couldn’t not know. Because Guo Yi, the son of his good friend, was a notable figure throughout Ye City. His level of playfulness and flirtatiousness was something even Cao Cao couldn’t match.

After all, Cao Cao only had one lawful wife, while Guo Yi, his good friend’s son…

He entertained widows and young girls alike. He indulged in such activities regularly, lingering in the brothels and not returning home at night. Cao Cao had no idea where he had picked up these habits from. He had even learned how to commit adultery. With his charming appearance, who knew how many mistresses and wealthy families’ daughters he had seduced and bedded? All because of this affair. Cao Cao hadn’t hesitated to have Xu Chu use his influence to get Guo Yi released from the prison in Ye City.

Xun Yu, Cheng Yu, Xun You, Cao Hong, and many other friends of Fengxiao’s had also frequently sent money to the brothels. But there was no other way!

Guo Yi, that rascal, was broke… and he shamelessly pursued a freeloading lifestyle. Xun Yu and the other friends of Guo Jia couldn’t bear to see their friend’s only son confined to the lustful quarters of the brothels, so they reluctantly forked over money to redeem him. Unfortunately, this young man was far from grateful and continued with his heedless ways. He would dare to repeat his mistakes.

“Will Zimou be led astray by his friendship with Guo Yi?”

Unintentionally, Cao Cao felt a trace of worry in his heart. He didn’t realize whether his son, Cao Ju, had inherited his cunning bloodline and the legacy of the Jian’an era.

Cao Cao continued reading, skipping over the friendship between Guo Yi and Cao Ju.

“Hmm!”

“Zimou made several secret visits to Jia Xu, that old fox?”

“That’s a clever move. It seems Zimou is well aware of Jia Wenhe’s capabilities.”

“However…”

“With Jia Xu’s temperament, that old fox probably wouldn’t meet him easily, and he might even turn him away at the door!”

Thinking along these lines, Cao Cao continued reading. He wanted to see how Jia Xu had responded to his son in the records of the Bureau of Military Affairs’ investigation.