Mythical Version of Three Kingdom

Among the group, only Zhuge Liang was fatigued due to overwork, and Chen Xi was worn out from military campaigns. The others, to varying degrees, needed some medication and a good cook to restore their health. At this point, no one was questioning whether Chen Xi was right to bring them here; after all, anyone who was made aware of their unintentional health issues and their implications would feel a bit anxious.

”Everyone, follow Master Hua’s instructions and take your medicine properly. As for Fengxiao, Zijing, and Xiaozhi, I’ll inform Lord Xuande of your condition. I believe he will take this matter seriously. And Fengxiao, I’ll be confiscating your gold card, and I’ll hold onto your salary for the next few months. I’ll also notify all the taverns and shops in Fenggao. From now on, you’ll eat at my house on time each day,” Chen Xi said with a smile, shaking the money pouch, wine gourd, and gold card from Manxiang Tower that he had taken from Guo Jia.

Guo Jia, always the free-spirited one, may have been affected by Hua Tuo’s words, but once outside, he reverted to his carefree personality, showing no concern for his own health. For him, life was meant to be lived to the fullest, with no regrets.

Left with no choice, Chen Xi resorted to drastic measures. After all, Hua Tuo had said that as long as Guo Jia abstained from the Five Minerals Powder, alcohol, and indulgence for three months, and properly recuperated, he could eventually enjoy those pleasures again without worry.

Chen Xi estimated that with his abilities, keeping Guo Jia confined to Fenggao for three months and making him abstain was a difficult but achievable task.

”Nooo!” Guo Jia wailed in despair. For someone who lived to enjoy life, this was unbearable.

”No room for negotiation. You don’t have a wife, so as a friend, I’ll help you recover,” Chen Xi dismissed Guo Jia’s pleas without a second thought. ”I’ll seal off your home too. For the next three months, stay clean.”

”Ah!” Guo Jia clutched his heart dramatically, collapsing against Fa Zheng.

”And you, Fa Xiaozhi. If I catch you taking any more of those pills, I’ll strip you of your position and make you start over!” Chen Xi declared angrily.

The position of Chancellor of Qi State was extremely important to Fa Zheng. Even though he had never set foot in Qi State, the title alone allowed him to write home to his father with immense pride. Recently, Fa Zheng had been reveling in his success, eager to bring his father from Fufeng to Taishan to care for him. The thought of losing it all over some pills was unbearable for him.”I swear, I’ll never touch those pills again!” Fa Zheng hastily threw away his expensive bottle of pills.

Turning his attention to Lu Su, Chen Xi found him to be the most composed of the three.

”I understand. I didn’t realize these things were harmful before, but now that I know, I won’t take them anymore. I only used them to stay alert,” Lu Su replied calmly.

Three people, three different reactions, and three different approaches to life: Guo Jia’s carefree attitude towards life and death, Fa Zheng’s rebellious yet filial nature, and Lu Su’s relaxed and easygoing demeanor.

”Alright, I’m relieved about you, Zijing. But do keep an eye on Fengxiao for me. Wenhe, Ziyang, Boming, Kongming, you all too—make sure he doesn’t get into trouble,” Chen Xi said to the others.

”I won’t cause any trouble. Stop worrying about me!” Guo Jia protested vehemently.

”Objection overruled. There’s no point in resisting,” Chen Xi said, glancing at him. ”Don’t you want to see the great achievements you helped build?”

Guo Jia fell silent. Aside from life and death, the only thing that could restrain Guo Jia was his own aspirations.

Chen Xi knew that silence meant acquiescence. As long as everyone stayed healthy and worked together, they could withstand any adversary. After all, this group of people was the result of his careful selection. Though none of them were the best individually, together they formed the strongest strategic team of their time.

In the region of Lu, on the border between Xuzhou and Yuzhou, snowflakes began to fall, and the group led by Cao Song had to take shelter in a dilapidated earth temple.

”This is too slow—only twenty li in one day. I had hoped to personally deliver the news about Tao Gongzu to my son, but after all these days, we’ve only traveled a few hundred li. We’re still halfway to Chenliu,” Cao Song said, sipping warm wine to ward off the cold.

”Father, why worry? A little earlier or later doesn’t matter. My brother is a brilliant man; he won’t mind the delay. When he hears the news from you, he’ll be overjoyed,” Cao De reassured him while serving some meat.

”Haha!” Cao Song laughed heartily. ”You’re right, my son will be delighted. But it’s best to inform him sooner so he can prepare. Bring me paper and ink—I’ll write to Mengde and explain the situation in Xuzhou.”

Cao De fetched the writing materials. As Cao Song stroked the blank paper, he sighed, ”This Liu Weishuo is indeed talented. The legacy of his family’s scholarly tradition is undeniable.”

”Father, you’re right,” Cao De replied with admiration.

Cao Song quickly penned the letter to his eldest son, Cao Cao, detailing Tao Qian’s intentions and his own speculations. He believed that with his son’s brilliance, he would know how to seize Xuzhou once he received the letter.

”Cao Lie, take this letter and deliver it to Mengde in Chenliu immediately,” Cao Song commanded, handing the letter to his most loyal and brave guard, who would lead a group of ten men to deliver it.

”Yes, sir!” Cao Lie saluted, securing the letter and setting off with his men.

Outside the temple, a group of men huddled around a fire. Seeing Cao Lie’s group depart, one of the guards signaled to Zhang Kai, who nodded. Thirty soldiers quietly slipped away into the snow, followed by the sound of approaching hoofbeats.