Mythical Three Kingdoms

Cao Song listened to Tao Qian’s words with some bewilderment; he felt as if there was something wrong with his ears. Tao Qian’s words clearly suggested that he wanted to find a successor for Xuzhou and in his eyes, his own son Cao Cao was a good candidate. He hoped that should Cao Cao become the Governor of Xuzhou, he would treat the people kindly and, by the way, take care of his two sons.

What Cao Song felt now was that this was the Mandate of Heaven for his eldest son, much like it had been for Guangwu in the past. People were offering their territory to him before he even arrived in Xuzhou, which was one of the most important grain-producing areas in the world at the time. Moreover, they only asked in return to take care of his sons and not to let the Tao Family lineage die out. It was as if not just pies but entire mountains of gold were falling from the sky.

Holding a large part of Yanzhou, Yuzhou’s Yingchuan, Nanyang, and Xuzhou, these territories combined and integrated by the Cao Family would soon rise to power.

When a noble house has developed to the point of no further expansion, nine out of ten will aim for the utmost position. Originally, the Cao Family did not qualify, but when Cao Cao had a province in his hand, Cao Song began to have some ideas. Now that Tao Qian hinted at giving Xuzhou to Cao Cao, Cao Song felt that the highest position was not just a fleeting thought but something solidly within reach.

”How dare I accept such an offer,” Cao Song, of course, did not dare to agree at this time. Although he could sense Tao Qian’s sincerity, even if the other party was sincere, one could not appear too eager. Such matters required a slow and steady approach to ensure a stable transition of power. Otherwise, if he directly obtained authority from Tao Qian and all his subordinates rebelled against him, it would turn into a joke!

”Brother Jugao, rest assured, I, Tao Gongzu, deeply feel the energy of my old age waning and no longer have the stamina to exercise the power of provincial governor for long. Even if Brother Jugao does not help to recommend a wise and good person in the future, I will struggle to hold on,” said Tao Qian as he coughed twice, showing a hint of blood on his face.

”Gong Zu, rest assured, when the time comes, I will definitely join hands with you to elect the wise and good, to maintain peace in Xuzhou and ease for the Tao Family,” said Cao Song, not agreeing to come immediately. Some things, if delayed, could bring even greater benefits, though the current benefits were already sizable.

Upon hearing Cao Song’s assurance, Tao Qian felt relieved at heart. He sighed, ”Cao Bao, bring my two sons to meet Brother Jugao.”

Soon, Tao Qian’s two sons were brought by Cao Bao to Cao Song, and they greeted him, one brash and the other timid, ”Your nephews greet you, Uncle Cao.”

Tao Qian waved his hand to signal Cao Bao to take his two sons out, and said to Cao Song with a wry smile, ”Brother Jugao, please excuse them, my two sons are truly unfit for public appearance. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have wished for this! Now, in my old age, I still need to seek a path for my son. Brother Jugao, considering our acquaintance, please provide more support in the future, and do not let my sons end up on the streets.”

”How could this be!” Cao Song said righteously, ”With that one address of ’Uncle,’ and as long as I, Cao Jugao, live for one more day, how could your two nephews suffer hardships? Not to mention that my eldest son is a man of benevolence and filial piety. On the day of my departure, I will certainly instruct him to treat your two nephews well, as if they were brothers born of the same hand!”

Cao Song was making a firm commitment, even uttering a vow, for it concerned the everlasting dominance of the Cao family. As long as he could secure Xuzhou and contribute to the rise of the Cao Family, he felt his actions were very worthwhile.

”Then I must thank Brother Jugao for that. I, Qian, express my gratitude here,” said Tao Qian, taking a respectful bow at a distance to Cao Song. As a father, to go to such lengths for his sons was indeed the limit, for with Tao Qian’s status, there was no need to prostrate himself to anyone at this junction.

Cao Song was taken aback, ”Gong Zu, please rise quickly, don’t be like this! Don’t be like this!”

Cao Song hurried to help Tao Qian stand up. Although the two were just sitting across from each other drinking wine, Tao Qian’s deep bow utterly astonished Cao Song. If there had been any doubts before, now he thoroughly believed in Tao Qian’s sincerity, indeed going so far for his sons.

”Such is the heart of parents under heaven,” Cao Song, with both hands holding Tao Qian’s arms, pulled him up and said, ”Gong Zu, I, Cao Jugao, here swear that if my Cao Family truly takes over Xuzhou, I will treat your sons as my own. As for your descendants, they will be as the Imperial Clan of the Cao family. If the Cao Family has a bite to eat, we will assuredly not spare the Tao Family a bit!”

Cao Song’s words were rustic, but such rustic words were exactly what an old father needed. He yearned for Cao Song’s oath; only with Cao Song’s promise to treat his descendants kindly would Tao Qian hand over his biggest bargaining chip.

”Brother Jugao laughs...” Tao Qian wiped the tears from the corner of his eyes with his sleeve. The struggles of his youth, he now realized, had all been for his progeny. After seeing that his two sons only knew how to indulge and revel, Tao Qian completely abandoned the pursuit of power, instead seeking someone with potential to be a pillar for his sons to lean on.

”Ah, all for the sake of the next generation. At my age, I understand the concerns of Gong Zu,” Cao Song sighed, ”Isn’t our lifelong struggle so that our descendants might suffer less? When one sees their own offspring deviating from filial duty, it’s heartrending, but still, one must make plans for them. It is the inescapable duty of a parent to bear the burdens unknown to the children.”

”...” Tao Qian nodded with deep understanding, ”Brother Jugao, let’s drown our thousand sorrows with a drink.”

Having ensured a solid backing for his sons, and with no worries left, Tao Qian pulled Cao Song into a wild bout of drinking. Since his energy had declined and his health had waned, it had been long since he drank so carelessly. For the sake of his grandchildren, he even gave up his last remaining hobby. Now, having secured a retreat for his sons, he could drink without restraint, knowing that should he pass away, someone would be there to look after them in his place.

Cao Song, on the other hand, was jubilant because Xuzhou was virtually in his pocket. The prosperity of the Cao Family was in sight, and their descendants could potentially enjoy boundless glory and wealth. Naturally, he was overjoyed to have someone to share in this exuberance.

Thus, the two old men, both planning for their descendants, drank themselves into stupor until they awoke the next morning.

”Brother Jugao, have a safe journey. I will be waiting for your return,” Tao Qian said, standing at the city gate and bowing to Cao Song.

”Hahaha, Gong Zu, let’s say our goodbyes for now. I will come visit, and even if I can’t, my eldest son will come in my stead. Rest assured,” laughed Cao Song, little knowing how prophetic his words would be!

”When that time comes, we will make merry with wine again. Cao Bao will accompany Brother Jugao for part of the way on my behalf,” Tao Qian said, watching Cao Song’s serpentine convoy and speaking to his own Subordinate General, Cao Bao.

”Yes!” Cao Bao, along with his Subordinate General and over a thousand men, escorted Cao Song away until, thirty li out, Cao Bao left Subordinate General Zhang Kai and five hundred troops behind before slowly withdrawing.

”Thank you, General Cao, for the escort!” Cao Song said from horseback, bowing to Cao Bao.

”Zhang Kai, remember to protect Lord Cao well for me!” Cao Bao called out loudly in admonishment.

”I’ll be depending on the General to safeguard the way from here on,” Cao Song said to Zhang Kai with a smile.

”In the future, I will also be looking forward to Lord Cao’s guidance,” said Zhang Kai with a fist salute. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you are welcome to vote for it on Qidian ) with recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please go to m.qidian.com to read.)