Chapter 4: Cao Cao Intoxicated, Schemes to Take Lady Zou

At these words, not only did Cao Peng’s expression change dramatically, but even Dian Wei, standing behind him, furrowed his brows. Only Cao Cao’s face flushed crimson; in his eyes, Madame Zou was the rarest of beauties.

“Where is she? Bring her to me at once!”

“All you need to do, my lord, is have General Dian Wei accompany me. Capturing Madame Zou will be as easy as lifting a hand!”

“Hahahaha…”

“How marvelous!” Cao Cao burst into a lewd laugh, which Hu Che’er eagerly echoed, clearly intoxicated by the gold and silver rewards he had just received from Cao Cao. Now, eager to win more favor, he cared nothing for propriety or consequence.

Perhaps, in his mind, as long as he could cling to Cao Cao’s mighty patronage, what did ethics or morality matter?

“How dare you!” Cao Peng’s voice rang out, righteous and unyielding. “General Zhang Xiu submitted to Lord Cao’s authority out of respect for his renown, and Madame Zou, by rank, is his aunt by marriage—she is also the widow of the late General Zhang Ji. To do as you propose is to plunge Lord Cao into a pit of unrighteousness and immorality!”

Cao Peng’s words were lofty, placing himself upon the high ground of virtue, utterly dismantling Hu Che’er’s absurd suggestion. Even the rough-hewn Dian Wei nodded to himself, silently acknowledging the truth in Cao Peng’s words.

Hu Che’er’s face turned scarlet. In his eagerness to curry favor with Cao Cao, he had indeed gone too far. Chastised, he could only hurriedly apologize.

But Cao Cao, drunk as he was, could not untangle the logic at all.

“Anmin, there’s no need to make a fuss. General Hu meant well.”

Now that Zhang Xiu has surrendered to me, what harm is there if I have his aunt-in-law attend to me? She’s just a widow, after all!

With that, Cao Cao gave his command.

“Dian Wei, take a detachment of armored men and accompany Hu Che’er to bring Madame Zou to my tent.”

Though Dian Wei felt uneasy, he was a man who followed Cao Cao’s orders without question.

“At your command!”

“General Hu, lead the way.”

Hu Che’er was momentarily stunned. Chided by Cao Peng, he had realized the foolishness of his own proposal. Yet he hadn’t expected Cao Cao to be so ravenous, like a wolf unable to restrain its hunger.

Hu Che’er was well aware that this might deeply offend Zhang Xiu. But with Cao Cao’s desire already enflamed, how could he dare pour cold water on his enthusiasm? To displease Cao Cao would surely mean a far worse fate.

He glanced at Cao Peng, his face bitter, and then looked at Cao Cao, who was all eagerness and anticipation. Though he felt trapped, he had no choice but to proceed with Dian Wei.

The very thing that should never happen was now about to unfold.

Cao Peng’s face was dark as thunder. He knew he could not simply sit and wait for disaster. But under the current circumstances, persuading Cao Cao was impossible—reasoning with a drunken man was futile.

He wanted to chase after Dian Wei, but Cao Cao still needed his escort back. If he escorted Cao Cao first and then went after Dian Wei, Madame Zou would already have been seized.

He was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan.

Just as he was at a loss, Cao Ang approached from nearby.

“Anmin, didn’t I tell you to escort my father back first? Why are you still here?”

Faced with Cao Ang’s question, Cao Peng was at a loss for words. Was he supposed to explain that his father refused to return without first claiming a woman?

“Zixiu, please escort Uncle back. I have something urgent to attend to!”

With that, Cao Peng turned to Cao Cao. “Uncle, please return and await good news. I’ll go assist General Dian Wei.”

Cao Cao was delighted. “Good! Just now you spoke so self-righteously—go on, then. That rough brute Dian Wei knows nothing of gentle handling; it’s good that you go help him.”

Cao Ang was bewildered. “What are you all talking about?”

“Zixiu, don’t ask. Just escort Uncle back!” Cao Peng called out as he dashed off, fearful that if he delayed even a moment, he would not catch up with Dian Wei.

At that instant, a system notification sounded in Cao Peng’s mind.

“Ding…”

“Congratulations, host, you have received a novice reward: one outdoor hiking backpack.”

An outdoor hiking backpack?!

What a reward! Others receive peerless martial prowess or invincible armies from another world—at the very least, a divine, unmatched weapon. Yet for him, the novice reward was just a backpack!