Chapter 009: Cao Cao's Doubt—Has Someone Poached His Talent?

“Let him in,” came the order.

Regardless of Jia Xu’s true intentions in visiting the camp, Cao Cao had no reason to refuse an audience.

Moments later, Jia Xu entered the tent, clad in a deep blue scholar’s robe.

“I pay my respects to Lord Minister,” he greeted, bowing with impeccable courtesy. Cao Cao hurried forward to take his hand and help him up.

“Wenhe, there’s no need for such formality between us. It’s been so long since you last came to see me—I’ve missed you dearly.”

Cao Cao’s warmth was so genuine, it seemed as though he truly were old friends with Jia Xu.

This was no mere affectation; his love of talented men was well known. Previously, when Zhang Xiu was considering surrender, Jia Xu had come as his emissary to meet Cao Cao. Their conversation revealed Jia Xu’s quick wit and extraordinary mastery of history and strategy, and Cao Cao immediately wished to recruit him.

But Jia Xu had his own moral boundaries. He once said to Cao Cao, “In the past, I served under Li Jue and Guo Si, offering my counsel. The world condemned me as a villain’s accomplice. When those men were defeated, I was left with nowhere to turn, until Zhang Xiu took me in. Crude though he may be, he listens to my every word. At such a time, I cannot bring myself to abandon him.”

Though disappointed, Cao Cao was not angered; rather, he regarded Jia Xu with even more respect.

A man of ability naturally has the right to choose his own allegiance—no one can fault him for that. But to maintain one’s moral bottom line even in the face of greater personal gain is truly deserving of admiration.

Putting aside idle chatter, as host and guest took their seats, the conversation began in earnest.

Jia Xu, ever subtle, inquired if after the banquet the night before, Cao Cao had gone anywhere in search of amusement.

Cao Cao denied it outright, claiming that after drinking too much, he had simply been escorted back to sleep.

Jia Xu then brought up the attack on the Zous’ estate outside the city and Madam Zou’s subsequent disappearance.

Cao Cao feigned surprise and asked with concern, “Are there bandits or marauders about? I never imagined such misfortune could happen. I should pay General Zhang a personal visit to offer my condolences.”

Jia Xu watched Cao Cao’s every move, hoping to catch some indication of guilt.

But Cao Cao, master of self-control, showed not a single crack in his composure.

“Such a trifling matter, how could we trouble Lord Minister over it?” Jia Xu thought to himself with a sigh; it seemed he would leave empty-handed this time.

“By the way, Wenhe, you haven’t yet said what brings you here today.”

“Oh, it’s nothing. General Zhang simply asked me to check on you, as you drank heavily last night.”

With these words, Jia Xu took his leave.

As he was departing the camp, he caught sight of a familiar figure. That man had been watching him from afar, but when Jia Xu emerged from the central tent, the fellow shrank back, trying to hide.

Jia Xu frowned, a suspicion taking shape in his mind. The man’s appearance matched what he remembered—surely, this was Hu Che’er.

Within the main tent, all others had departed, leaving only Cao Cao sitting alone in the vast space. He narrowed his eyes, his expression shifting from relief to vexation and back.

He was relieved that, thanks to young Cao Peng’s intervention, a potential disaster had been averted. Had he actually spent the night with Madam Zou, he and Zhang Xiu would now be mortal enemies.

Yet he was also troubled. To his knowledge, Cao Peng was clever in small matters but lacked such far-reaching wisdom. For him to go to such lengths to prevent this encounter—could it be that he had designs on Madam Zou himself, having heard of her beauty?

The more he considered it, the more it seemed plausible.

And if so, it left Cao Cao somewhat disgruntled. He had always been the one to outmaneuver others, but for the first time, someone had stolen a march on him—and that someone was his own nephew.

Yet, mingling with his consternation was a touch of amusement. He didn’t resent it; in fact, he found it pleasing that Cao Peng’s tastes mirrored his own.

His magnanimity was, of course, rooted in blood ties. With Cao Peng’s father having died young, the boy had been raised by Cao Cao’s side. It was only natural that he would share his uncle’s inclinations.

As an elder, there was no question of fighting his own nephew over a woman. Besides, though Hu Che’er spoke of Madam Zou’s beauty, it was only hearsay—Cao Cao himself had yet to see her with his own eyes.