Chapter Ninety-Nine: The Soul-Enticing Blade and the Double-Crotch Armor

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Cao Hong returned to his residence in Xiangyi and saw Sheng Meizhen, whose waist had thickened with pregnancy, returning from outside along with the Qiao sisters and several attendants carrying goods. He asked, "Meizhen, what have you bought?"

Sheng Meizhen replied, "Since it's already May and the weather is warming up, I had to get some new clothes. A few days ago, I went to buy silk and had some garments made."

Cao Hong said, "Your belly grows bigger day by day; be sure to move around less."

Meizhen smiled sweetly and said, "I know."

Cao Hong chuckled, then turned to the Qiao sisters beside Meizhen and asked, "Which one of you is the elder sister, and which is the younger? I've been busy these days and keep mixing you up at first glance."

The young woman on Meizhen’s left answered, "I am the younger sister; that one over there is the elder."

Cao Hong nodded and smiled, "In that case, next time you stand to Meizhen’s left, the elder sister to the right. The younger is called Xiao Qiao, the elder Da Qiao. How about that?"

The two girls obediently replied, "Understood."

Cao Hong smiled and said, "You may go rest now."

Suddenly, Sheng Meizhen said, "Husband, Da Qiao’s monthly cycle has come. She can actually be with you now."

At these words, both Da Qiao and Xiao Qiao’s cheeks flushed crimson. When Cao Hong’s eyes glanced at Da Qiao, she immediately lowered her head and fiddled with the hem of her clothes.

Cao Hong said, "I understand. Let’s wait until Xiao Qiao’s turn comes too, then we can be together. That would be more enjoyable."

Of course, being able to be with a pair of twin sisters at the same time would be delightful! However, obviously, Sheng Meizhen had never heard such a modern expression and asked, "More enjoyable in what way?"

Cao Hong laughed heartily, "Nothing at all!"

At that moment, a servant approached Cao Hong and reported, "Young master, the lord’s eldest son has come to visit."

Cao Hong nodded and said, "Understood, let him in." Then he turned to Sheng Meizhen and said, "Ping’an has arrived, probably to find Wenlie to play with, but he just came to pay respects to me as his master."

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Sheng Meizhen said, "In that case, husband, you should attend to your matters first." After speaking, she left with the Qiao sisters.

After the three women left, Cao Ang entered the courtyard. Now fourteen years old, he had grown to a height of 175 centimeters. At this age, aside from being slightly shorter than the chubby Xu Chu, Cao Hong had rarely seen such a tall child.

"Cousin! Ping’an greets you," Cao Ang respectfully bowed to Cao Hong. These days, Cao Hong often instructed Cao Ang in martial arts. Having vast knowledge and profound understanding of martial theory, Cao Hong’s teachings captivated Cao Ang, who advanced rapidly. Now he had reached the bottleneck of refining essence into qi and was on the verge of breaking through to the realm of spirit refinement and void return—surpassing even Cao Xiu, who was a year older.

Strangely, Cao Xiu and Cao Ang got along exceptionally well at first meeting and soon became playmates. When Cao Hong learned of Cao Xiu’s journey with his father’s coffin over a thousand miles to Wu County to visit their grandfather Cao Ding, he immediately called his nephew "the swift steed of our family" and inducted him into the Tiger Leopard Cavalry as a squad leader, showing great affection for Cao Xiu.

From then on, Cao Ang often came to find Cao Xiu to play, so when Cao Hong heard Cao Ang’s arrival, he knew why and laughed, "Ping’an, are you here to find Wenlie again?"

Seeing Cao Ang nod, Cao Hong said, "Wenlie should be in the martial arts hall. Go find him."

Suddenly, Cao Ang said, "Cousin, next year I will have my coming-of-age ceremony. I want to tell my father to invite you as the chief guest."

Cao Hong smiled. This boy indeed admired him somewhat. Everyone understood the importance of the chief guest at such ceremonies—they were like a second father. Usually, the chief guest developed a special bond with the youth, and vice versa, shaped by societal values of the time.

However, Cao Hong never considered being Cao Ang’s chief guest. He said, "Ping’an, you must know, the chief guest is your elder and will guide and instruct you later in life. As your uncle, this is my duty regardless of whether I am your chief guest or not. So you should find another worthy person to be your chief guest. That way, you gain an additional good mentor and elder."

Cao Ang pondered for a moment and asked, "You mean I can choose someone outside the Cao family?"

Cao Hong smiled, "Exactly."

Cao Ang asked, "May I choose Mr. Liu?" He naturally referred to Liu Ye, who advised Cao Cao and taught Cao Ang to read. Cao Ang regarded Liu Ye as a teacher with respect.

Cao Hong smiled, "Actually, this should be decided by your father. What do you think?"

Cao Ang nodded, "That makes sense. Cousin, I’ll take my leave now."

Cao Hong nodded. After Cao Ang bowed and left, Cao Hong returned to his study to continue researching Bai Qi’s “Art of War.” Having completed the troop selection phase, the next steps were training and equipping. According to Bai Qi, training was simple—just send them to the battlefield to kill. Marching forward with fierce momentum, they would gradually become bloodthirsty, forgetting pain, death, and fear. Therefore, after equipping them, Cao Hong planned to immediately lead them on patrols outside the county, ordering them to kill any bandits they encountered.

Equipment posed a greater challenge. Bai Qi was an ancient figure; his personal guard’s gear was far inferior to modern standards. If Cao Hong only adopted current standard equipment, it would be tragic for a 21st-century super mercenary like himself. Thus, Cao Hong decided to design a new set of equipment for the volunteer battalion.

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So, in his study, Cao Hong studied the military texts while sketching equipment designs on Caihou paper. After about three hours, Shi A came to report, "Young master, after the 200 selected men fought 600 bandits, 136 of ours remain, and 78 of theirs. In total, 214 remain. They have been assigned to the county by Lord Wei’s eldest son."

Cao Hong nodded, "Dispatch 400 men to guard these fellows and prevent their escape. All supplies must be delivered through controlled channels. Qing Mang, from now on, I want you to command these men and keep them strictly disciplined."

Shi A replied, "Understood!"

Cao Hong continued, "Also, invite Lord Wei’s son. I want him to craft a batch of weapons for me."

Shi A agreed and left. After a while, Wei Zhen came to see Cao Hong. Cao Hong handed him a sheet of paper and said, "Please make 214 of these weapons for me, each five feet long."

Wei Zhen examined the sketch: a weapon with a crescent blade on one end and a hook on the other. He asked, "General, what is this weapon called?"

Cao Hong smiled, "It’s called the ‘Soul Hook Blade’."

Wei Zhen said, "Such a fierce name and strange design. But since the general needs it, the Wei family will naturally fund its production."

Cao Hong said, "Thank you. Also, I wish to commission 214 sets of two-piece armor. It will cost quite a bit, but I can cover the expenses."

Wei Zhen shook his head repeatedly, "General, no need for formalities. The Wei family can afford 200 sets of two-piece armor. Besides, the lord said each thousand-man unit is to receive 150 sets. You only need 64 more. It’s no problem."

Cao Hong was delighted and thanked him. Inwardly, he thought, “With my support, Cao Cao is clearly preparing for a major campaign. Giving 150 sets of armor per thousand men means even squad leaders can be armored.”

Wei Zhen had other matters and departed after brief pleasantries. Cao Hong then called Shi A to assign him the 400 guards protecting the volunteer battalion and instructed him that once the battalion was equipped with weapons, they were to patrol the county. The 400 guards would supervise from behind; anyone hesitant or refusing to advance was to be executed immediately.

After Shi A left, Cao Hong noticed the sky had darkened. He then joined Sheng Meizhen and the Qiao sisters for dinner.