Chapter Seventy-Four: My Uncle's Request

After Cao Hong explained the purchasing method, Cao Ding immediately summoned the songstresses to dance and instructed the musicians to play. He then invited the guests to enjoy themselves and had the servants deliver paper, brushes, and ink, so the guests could write down the properties they wished to buy along with their offers.

The guests, putting aside any pretense of courtesy, began writing as soon as they received the paper and ink. Seizing the opportunity, Cao Ding approached Cao Hong and asked, “Zilian, are we truly selling all our estates?”

Cao Hong nodded. “Uncle, my elder brother has made it plain—he does not intend to settle in Yangzhou. Now, with the traitor Dong leading the Emperor west and warlords carving up the realm, my brother’s ambition is to vie for supremacy in the Central Plains. Yangzhou is not the Cao family’s domain. Should a powerful figure seize Yangzhou, our holdings would surely be swallowed up. Neither the Sheng family nor the Cao family are among the deeply rooted clans of Wu Commandery. As the saying goes, ‘an innocent man gets into trouble for holding a precious gem.’”

Cao Ding nodded in agreement. “You’re quite right, Zilian. Just our network of transport ports throughout Yangzhou alone—if not for Lord Chen being the inspector, anyone else would never allow us to control the region's lifeblood.”

At this, Cao Hong glanced at Chen Wen, the Inspector of Yangzhou, seated at the head of the hall, and said, “Uncle, you mentioned in Qichun that you were considering retirement. Now that our assets have been sold off, why not grasp this opportunity to withdraw while the tide is high? Though Yangzhou is far from the frontlines, with Dong leading the Emperor west, the warlords will surely contest every territory. North lies Tao Qian of Xuzhou and Yuan Shu of Runan—Yangzhou will not be a place free from trouble.”

Cao Ding smiled. “I have already agreed with Lord Chen. Once Zilian’s recruitment is complete, I’ll resign my post and retire with my family to Yulin Commandery in Jiaozhou to spend my remaining years. Lord Chen still has some ties with the local gentry there, and Jiaozhou is remote, far from the turmoil, with rough and intricate terrain. I trust we will be spared from the ravages of war.”

Jiaozhou corresponds to present-day Guangdong and Guangxi, already considered remote at the time. The region was dominated by indigenous gentry, a peaceful and secluded land. Yulin Commandery is, in fact, modern Guilin, famed for its scenery, though such praise was not yet common then. Still, its beauty was widely recognized.

Hearing this, Cao Hong’s heart was at ease. Cao Ding’s future was settled, which was cause for happiness. Historically, Jiaozhou was indeed far removed from conflict, so at least Cao Ding would be safe.

Meanwhile, Sheng Meizhen had taken a seat beside her father Sheng Xian, speaking softly with a gentle smile. Sheng Xian’s face was filled with paternal affection. Cao Ding said to Cao Hong, “I intend to recommend Xiaozhang as Prefect of Wu Commandery. As for the position of Yangzhou Inspector, Lord Chen has not yet decided. If no suitable candidate comes forward, let the post remain vacant. The great clans here are powerful, and they have long fought the mountain tribes. They have their own ways, both in civil and military affairs. Even without officials, nothing would go amiss.”

As they spoke, the guests had handed their cups containing their offers to the servants, who, at Cao Ding’s direction, brought them to the study. The banquet was nearing its end. After Cao Ding and Cao Hong thanked the guests, many took their leave. The heads of the four great clans of Wu Commandery came forward to exchange a few polite words before departing as well. When they had gone, only Cao Ding, Cao Hong, Inspector Chen Wen, Sheng Xian, and Sheng Meizhen remained in the Lakeview Pavilion.

At this moment, Sheng Meizhen excused herself, saying she would visit the physician to see if she was with child.

Now only four remained at the pavilion. Suddenly, Chen Wen addressed Cao Hong. “Zilian, I have two thousand soldiers under my command, equipped with two thousand sets of Han armor, helmets, and long halberds. What do you think they are worth? Let me exchange them for a retirement in Yulin Commandery.”

Cao Hong replied, “You are too kind, Lord Chen. Were it not for your support, I would never have achieved such success in Yangzhou. I will buy these soldiers and arms at a price fifty percent above the market as a token of my gratitude.”

Cao Ding then turned to Sheng Xian. “Xiaozhang, the Sheng family has always managed the transport in Wu Commandery. Now, Zilian wishes to sell all of Yangzhou’s transport rights. If you wish to retain control of Wu Commandery’s transport, you may.”

Sheng Xian laughed. “If all of Yangzhou’s transport is to be sold, what point is there in keeping only Wu Commandery’s? River transport is a business that yields gold by the day—it seems a pity to let it go.”

Cao Ding smiled. “The world is in chaos; who knows when Yangzhou will change hands? Transport is vital for both commerce and military. Should a powerful figure take Yangzhou and wish to control its lifeblood, they would certainly seize our ports. Then, to possess such wealth would be to invite trouble. Though it may not cost our lives, it would surely bring endless complications.”

Sheng Xian was a renowned scholar, though not necessarily a shrewd politician. But upon hearing this, enlightenment dawned. The four great clans of Wu Commandery were deeply rooted; only after the marriage alliance between the Cao and Sheng families did they stand among them. Still, this was largely due to Inspector Chen Wen’s favor. Now, with both Chen Wen and Cao Ding departing, the Cao family selling its assets, the Sheng family would be left isolated—retaining control of the transport would sooner or later spell disaster.

“Jingjie speaks true—one is condemned for holding treasure,” Sheng Xian said.

“Just so,” replied Cao Ding. “The Xiaozhang family is large and prosperous—you cannot simply withdraw as we do. You must take greater caution for your own security.”

Sheng Xian nodded. “You are right, Jingjie. In that case, I will return to Wu Commandery and begin withdrawing from the ports, devoting myself to managing my estates in the future.”

With that, he rose to take his leave. Cao Ding, Cao Hong, and Chen Wen all stood to see him off. Sheng Xian clapped Cao Hong’s shoulder with a smile. “Zilian, if Meizhen is indeed with child, you must let me know. As for the matter of taking a concubine, Meizhen has spoken to me—do as you see fit.”

“Yes, Father-in-law,” replied Cao Hong.

Sheng Xian smiled and departed. Cao Ding then turned to Cao Hong. “Zilian, you may handle the sale of our properties as you see fit. If you encounter any difficulties in the recruitment, come to me or Lord Chen. There is one more thing I must ask of you.”

“Please speak, Uncle,” said Cao Hong.

Cao Ding continued, “Awang is now fifteen and quite sensible. He is always clamoring to go north and join Mengde. Before I leave Wu Commandery, I would like to hold his coming-of-age ceremony and then entrust him to your care in the north. As you know, Awang lost his father young and came to Wu Commandery with his father’s coffin in tow to find me. I, as his grandfather, have always felt I owe him. I had hoped to teach him myself in Yulin, but his heart is set on military life, so I must ask you to look after him.”

Awang was, in fact, Cao Ding’s grandson, Cao Xiu. Years ago, due to the chaos of war, Cao Ding had been separated from his younger son; at the age of ten, Cao Xiu brought his father’s coffin to find his grandfather, then Prefect of Wu Commandery. He had lived there ever since, and was Cao Hong’s nephew by blood. Cao Hong was exceedingly fond and indulgent of Cao Xiu, who was, in Wu Commandery, a veritable scion of privilege.

He had yet to hold his coming-of-age ceremony and thus had no courtesy name, but Cao Hong knew that his nephew’s future courtesy name would be Wenlie, and that he would succeed Cao Ren as Grand Marshal of Cao Wei, becoming one of the family’s greatest later generals.

If not for Uncle’s reminder, I would have forgotten what an extraordinary nephew I have, Cao Hong thought to himself, but he said aloud, “Rest assured, Uncle. I will treat Awang as my own son.”