One Hundred and Forty-Six Acting as Your Chief Groom

Under Cao Hong's intense gaze, the youth showed not the slightest sign of fear. He calmly bowed and replied, "I am Wu Zhi, the youngest son of my father. I have not yet reached the capping ceremony, and therefore I have no courtesy name."

Wu Zhi... Could it be that very Wu Zhi? In the history of the Three Kingdoms, there indeed was a Wu Zhi, who was a crucial figure in assisting Cao Pi to secure the throne. A very well-known story took place between him and Cao Pi.

Once, Cao Cao led an army on an expedition, and his sons came to see him off. At that time, Cao Zhi relied on his literary talent to immediately improvise a poem singing praises of Cao Cao's achievements. Although Cao Pi was also talented, he was slightly inferior when it came to quick wit, so he naturally appeared overshadowed and felt a sense of loss. At that moment, Wu Zhi stood right behind Cao Pi and softly whispered a single sentence: "The King is about to depart; it is fitting to shed tears." Consequently, Cao Pi burst into loud, bitter weeping.

This action immediately made Cao Cao and his subordinate generals perceive Cao Zhi as flamboyant and lacking substance, whereas Cao Pi's emotions appeared genuine, honest, and filial. This was merely one of the more famous episodes among Wu Zhi's efforts to help Cao Pi contend for the succession, and there were many others.

Cao Pi had the "Four Friends" in his inner circle, namely Sima Yi, Chen Qun, Zhu Shuo, and Wu Zhi. From this, one could see his immense importance to Cao Pi. According to historical records, Wu Zhi disliked associating with his fellow townsmen and only cared to befriend the powerful and influential. After gaining heavy favor within the Cao faction, he became even more unbridled. Judging by the various welcoming spectacles after Cao Hong entered the city, it was unquestionably the method of buttering up the powerful.

Based on Cao Hong's understanding of Wu Meng, this man could not have come up with such a scheme. However, it closely matched the historical evaluation of Wu Zhi. That was why Cao Hong had earlier refused the Wu family's offer to host a welcoming banquet—he wanted to test whether Wu Meng had arranged all this; if so, he naturally would have found a way to adapt rather than stammering in silence as he did just now.

Yet, precisely when Wu Meng was embarrassed, Wu Zhi stepped forward to rescue his father from the awkward situation. This made Cao Hong increasingly feel that this fifteen-year-old kid was definitely the Wu Zhi from history. Unfortunately, he had not yet received his courtesy name, otherwise, he could have verified whether he truly was the man himself.

However, this fellow's style name was Jichong... Then his older brothers must be... Thinking of this, Cao Hong immediately asked the eldest-looking youth, "What is your courtesy name?"

The youth replied, "My courtesy name is Bolai."

Bo, Zhong, Shu, Ji—there were precisely four brothers, and he was the youngest. His courtesy name would definitely contain the character Ji. Ha! Then there could be no mistake! Good grief, he had unexpectedly discovered a young prodigy!

This man Wu Zhi eventually rose to the official rank of General of Stirring Might, holding the tally of authority and commanding all military affairs in Hebei. Hebei referred to Jizhou, Bingzhou, Youzhou, and part of Qingzhou north of the Yellow River—a vast territory. Commanding the military affairs of Hebei was comparable to the grand viceroy position held by Zhou Yu; one could say his position was lofty and his authority heavy. Moreover, during the struggle for succession between Cao Pi and Cao Zhi, he exerted tremendous effort, which showed that this man thoroughly understood the intricacies of political struggle. Having such a fellow by his side would perhaps make him somewhat safer... Cao Hong thought to himself.

Cao Cao was an ambitious warlord of unfathomable depth, and Cao Hong sometimes could not figure out what was on his mind. Coupled with the extremely rapid momentum of the Cao army's development, the civil officials and military generals under his command would increasingly align with the historical trajectory. Within a decade, Cao Cao would be able to "take hold of the Emperor to command the nobles," wielding supreme power over the realm, and the complexity of internal factions would grow increasingly severe. To stand firm, merely relying on accumulating massive military merits was definitely not enough. Bai Qi and Han Xin—who among them had not achieved monumental military exploits? Yet their ends were unimaginably tragic. Therefore, by his side, he must have someone who could fathom the ruler's intent and remain loyal to him.

And the Wu Zhi before his eyes clearly possessed this talent. Most importantly, he had not yet pledged allegiance to Cao Cao, making him ripe to be brought under his own command. Thinking of this, Cao Hong suddenly burst into loud laughter, leaving the members of the Wu family completely bewildered. Then, Cao Hong asked Wu Meng, "Bokai, your youngest son has not yet undergone the capping ceremony. Have you invited a principal guest of honor for the ceremony yet?"

Wu Meng was stunned upon hearing this and replied, "We have not yet invited anyone."

Cao Hong smiled and asked, "Would it be presumptuous of me to come?"

Wu Meng was instantly flattered beyond measure: "It is naturally the utmost fortune of this unworthy son."

Cao Hong smiled at Wu Zhi and asked, "Little fellow, what do you say?"

Wu Zhi immediately cupped his hands and said, "It is my greatest fortune!"

Cao Hong laughed heartily and said, "Splendid! Splendid! Bokai, tonight you shall host the banquet here at the General's Mansion! After I rest for a few days, I must head to Chengshi State to take up my garrison post, as the State Governor has sent me to supervise the garrison stationed in Jiyin Commandery, which is set in Chengshi State."

Wu Meng gave an assent and then departed with his family. Cao Hong watched Wu Zhi following behind his father, a smile playing at the corners of his lips. Good! This trip was certainly not in vain.

After Cao Hong, Cao Ang, Sheng Meizhen, the Qiao sisters, and Cao Jiao entered the General's Mansion, a beautiful maidservant immediately led a group of servants forward to wait upon them. She informed them that there were a total of three hundred maidservants and footmen in the mansion, all of whose wages were entirely borne by Wu Meng. Nowadays, Cao Hong's former steward, Cao Fu, was growing old, so he had not been brought to Jiyin this time, but instead left in Juancheng to spend his twilight years in peace. Therefore, Cao Hong currently lacked a steward, but this problem did not trouble him for long, because he now had a ready-made candidate: Cao Ang.

When Cao Hong assigned this position to Cao Ang, the latter's face immediately fell. However, he was, after all, only a sixteen-year-old youth, and Cao Hong easily coaxed and fooled him.

"Zixiu, didn't the Commander of the Guard tell you about slaying bandits and dallying with camp followers? Right now, there are over two hundred subordinates in this mansion, including at least seventy or eighty maidens of tender years. You can dally with whichever one you fancy. Such an excellent assignment, yet you brat..." Cao Hong trailed off, shaking his head.

Cao Ang immediately perighted up and asked, "Uncle, can I truly do as I please?"

Cao Hong replied, "Of course, though you must not neglect the affairs of the household, big and small."

Cao Ang laughed heartily. "Uncle, rest assured! I've managed the camp-building for thousands of common laborers in an orderly fashion, let alone a mere General's Mansion."

Cao Hong said, "Very well, first help me handle two matters."

Cao Ang patted his chest and declared, "Uncle, please speak."

Cao Hong said, "First, change the name of this grandiose General's Mansion. I am not a General right now; change it to the Colonel's Mansion."

Cao Ang replied, "Understood!"

Cao Hong continued, "Second, immediately summon all those workers of mine from Dongwuyang who followed me north from Wu Commandery to Dingtao. They have been eating idle bread for several years now; it's time for them to work."

Cao Ang answered, "Understood! Should I bring them to the General's... no, the Colonel's Mansion?"

Cao Hong smiled and said, "Why bring them to the Colonel's Mansion? Just have Wu Meng properly settle them."

Cao Ang immediately caught the drift and smiled, "This nephew understands."

Cao Hong said, "Alright, off you go. Your uncle is going to rest first." Having not seen Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao for a long time, he found that their bosoms had grown a bit fuller; Cao Hong naturally had to go and "inspect" them.

Cao Ang immediately nodded and asked, "Once I'm done, can this nephew 'rest'?" He pronounced those two words with deliberate clarity.

Cao Hong scolded him with feigned annoyance, "Just remember there is a banquet tonight!"

Cao Ang then went off with a grinning face.